It is always heartbreaking when a loved one passes away; however, if your loved one has passed away due to the negligence or actions of someone else, it can be even more devastating. This is a death that might have been avoidable, and you and your family members could be entitled to compensation.

Following the passing of a loved one, you are probably going to be under a significant amount of emotional stress. You may not know what to do next. There are several important steps you follow after a wrongful death in Florida. That way, you can receive justice for your loved one, and you can put yourself and your family in the best position possible to recover. 

1. Honor the Memory of Your Loved One

If your loved one has passed away, the first thing you need to do is honor the memory of your loved one. There is a lot that has to be done regarding a wrongful death case, but the memory of your loved one still has to be the most important thing to yourself and your family.

Therefore, you may want to go forward with planning the funeral; however, you do not necessarily want to go through with a cremation just yet. The circumstances of your loved one's death have to be investigated, so you may want to have a service or reception; however, you need to preserve the body in case it needs to be investigated further. Even though you need to honor the memory of your loved one, do not go through with a cremation just yet.

2. Document Everything

If you are interested in pursuing a wrongful death case, you need to document everything surrounding the passing of your loved one. Take a look at your loved one's personal belongings, and make sure you save any paper records you might find, particularly those that relate to medical issues. You should also collect any documents from the final few days of your loved one's life.

All of this will be important for building a case. You never know what will be important to your wrongful death attorney, so you are better off collecting everything. Allow your lawyer to decide what is important and what is not. After all, that is why you are going to reach out to a wrongful death lawyer in Florida next.

3. Reach Out to a Wrongful Death Lawyer in Florida

You should reach out to a Florida wrongful death attorney who can represent you and your loved one. There are a number of reasons why you should hire a wrongful death lawyer in Florida. First, no matter how strong you think your case might be, you never know how it is going to play out. When it comes to a wrongful death case, the stakes are high. Therefore, you need to put your best foot forward. A wrongful death lawyer can help you ensure this happens.

Furthermore, you need an objective professional who can advise you on what to do next. You are emotionally attached to your loved one, which is a good thing, but it can also make it difficult for you to see things objectively. You need someone who is in your corner, advocating for your rights, who can make sure you make the best possible decisions for yourself in your family.

4. Investigate the Circumstances of the Wrongful Death

After you have hired a wrongful death attorney, he or she is going to help you investigate the circumstances of the passing of your loved one. A wrongful death occurs when someone dies due to the legal fault of someone else. There are a number of common examples of wrongful death situations. For example, some wrongful death cases involve negligence. That is what happens if someone passes away in a car accident that is due to the fault of someone else. 

Another example of wrongful death involves medical malpractice. If a physician of similar training and experience would have made different decisions than the decisions made by your doctor that lead to your loved one's death, then you might have a medical malpractice wrongful death on your hands. This is something that needs to be investigated by your attorney.

Even intentional, criminal actions can lead to a wrongful death situation. A wrongful death is not always a criminal case; however, a criminal case of homicide could also be a wrongful death situation. You need an attorney who can help you navigate this difficult situation.

5. File a Wrongful Death Claim 

If your wrongful death attorney has investigated the circumstances of the passing of your loved one, and he or she believes that there is a wrongful death situation, the next step is to file a wrongful death lawsuit. In Florida, a personal representative of the estate, usually called an executor, has to file a wrongful death claim on behalf of the deceased person’s estate.

This can be a confusing process, so you need your attorney to walk you through this filing. There might be a statute of limitations involved, so you need to file your wrongful death claim as soon as possible. 

6. Follow the Advice of Your Attorney

Finally, you need to follow the advice of your attorney. It can take a long time for the legal process to play out, so it is important for you to be patient and listen to what your lawyer has to say. Even though you will remain focused on the memory of your loved one, there may be things that you need to do.

Down the road, you may receive a settlement offer from the defendant. If your attorney believes this is a just settlement, you may want to take it. On the other hand, if your attorney believes that you are better off taking the case to trial, then this is something that you need to consider as well. The right wrongful death attorney should advocate for the best interests of your loved one and your family.

Contact Vasilaros Wagner Following a Wrongful Death in Florida

If your family is dealing with the wrongful death of a family member, you need to hire a wrongful death lawyer in Florida who can help you get justice for your loved one. At Vasilaros Wagner, we will treat you with the care and compassion that you deserve. We will walk with you every step of the way, making sure that we get justice on behalf of your family member. Contact us today for a free case consultation.