When tragedy strikes and cuts a life short due to the negligence or misconduct of another, the grief and devastation can overwhelm an entire family.
In Jacksonville, families who face the unspeakable pain of losing a loved one are not alone. At Blakeley Law Firm, our Jacksonville wrongful death lawyer understands the profound impact a wrongful death has on a family, and we dedicate our resources to providing compassionate legal support during these incredibly difficult times.
Such loss requires not only emotional support but also legal experience to ensure that the survivors receive due compensation for their loss. We provide a guiding hand through the complex legal proceedings of a wrongful death claim while always respecting the emotional well-being of our clients.
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Why Choose Blakeley Law Firm?
Choosing the right lawyer to represent a wrongful death claim is a pivotal decision. Blakeley Law Firm brings a wealth of experience in personal injury law, including a sensitive approach to handling wrongful death cases.
Our legal team understands such claims and the impact a wrongful death can have on the remaining family members, both emotionally and financially.
Our commitment to our clients goes beyond the courtroom. We offer a personalized approach, ensuring that we are not just your attorneys but your advocates and supporters. We stand by the side of each family, providing comfort in knowing that our team handles their case with the utmost care and dedication.
Located on Touchton Rd in Jacksonville, our office is a beacon of hope for families seeking justice for their loved ones. We are dedicated to making our legal services accessible and providing a haven where clients can discuss their cases with the reassurance that we will protect their legal rights.
Compensation in Wrongful Death Claims
When pursuing a wrongful death claim, understanding the value and categories of compensation is helpful. Our firm evaluates the full spectrum of damages to ensure families receive all they deserve. This includes:
Loss of Financial Support
The unexpected passing of a family member can leave a void that goes beyond emotional loss, extending to the financial stability of those left behind.
At Blakeley Law Firm, we prioritize the recovery of the financial contributions that the deceased should have provided. This includes current income, benefits, and the potential future earnings that have been unjustly cut short.
To recover these damages, we project the lifetime earnings the deceased should have generated, considering factors like age, career trajectory, and education. We work with financial experts to establish a comprehensive and convincing financial model that accurately represents what the survivors have lost.
Our legal team is committed to ensuring that survivors do not face a future of financial turmoil due to the loss of their loved one's economic support.
Medical and Funeral Expenses
A wrongful death can result in substantial immediate costs for medical care before the death and for funeral and burial services afterward. We can recover these costs for you from the at-fault party. We document all related expenses to ensure these final costs do not financially burden families.
Our firm gathers all medical records, bills, and receipts connected to the deceased's final care, as well as the costs associated with laying their loved one to rest. We work to establish a clear link between wrongful death and these expenditures, ensuring that a settlement covers all economic damages.
Loss of Companionship and Protection
The loss of a loved one's presence and the void it creates in a family is one of the most profound forms of suffering. The legal term for this loss is loss of consortium, which refers to the deprivation of the benefits that a family member provides in terms of companionship, comfort, and protection.
Proving this loss involves a deep understanding of the personal relationships and the roles the deceased fulfilled within the family unit. We help clients articulate the magnitude of their loss, drawing on personal anecdotes, testimony from family and friends, and expert testimony on the psychological impact of injuries.
We work to prove all non-economic damages to ensure compensation covers the full extent of a family's loss.
Mental and Emotional Pain
The mental and emotional anguish experienced by survivors of wrongful death victims is as real as any physical injury. It deserves just as much recognition in the eyes of the law.
Our legal team is sensitive to the profound grief that comes with the loss of a loved one, and we advocate for compensation that reflects the mental and emotional toll on the survivors.
To prove these damages, we may use psychiatric evaluations, psychological records, and expert testimony to paint a clear picture of the survivors' suffering.
We also encourage the use of personal journals or diaries, personal statements, and testimony from those who knew the victim well to demonstrate the impact of the loss on the mental and emotional well-being of the survivors.
Where Can Wrongful Deaths Happen in Jacksonville?
Wrongful deaths in Jacksonville can arise in numerous settings, each presenting unique challenges and requiring specific knowledge of local laws and statutes.
Whether the death occurred due to a vehicle accident on I-95 or I-10, a construction accident in developing areas like the Southbank, or a maritime accident on the St. Johns River, we are familiar with the landscape and prepared to investigate thoroughly to hold the responsible parties accountable.
Wrongful Death Practice Areas
Our firm handles wrongful death claims arising from various scenarios, including:
Vehicle Accidents
The tragedy of losing a life in a vehicle accident is a devastating reality that many families face. When such a loss results from another's negligence, the Blakeley Law Firm provides the grieving family with a sense of justice and the financial compensation they deserve.
We have a deep understanding of the intricacies involved in vehicle accident claims, including those involving cars, motorcycles, trucks, and pedestrians.
Our approach to these cases starts by conducting a thorough investigation of the accident and gathering all necessary evidence, such as police reports, eyewitness statements, and expert reconstructions. Our goal is to establish liability clearly, showing that the negligent actions of the other party directly caused the fatal accident.
We also deal with the insurance companies involved, who are often more interested in protecting their bottom line than providing fair compensation to the families affected by the accident.
Our lawyers have the negotiation skills needed to ensure that insurers do not take advantage of our clients and that they receive a settlement that covers all aspects of their loss, including loss of income, companionship, and the emotional turmoil they had to endure.
Premises Liability
Fatal accidents can occur on someone else's property due to various hazardous conditions, from slippery floors to defective stairs or inadequate security. Under premises liability law, property owners must ensure their property is reasonably safe. When they fail to do so, and it results in a wrongful death, the Blakeley Law Firm is ready to hold them accountable.
We work to uncover evidence of the property owner's negligence, which can involve showing that the owner knew about the dangerous condition and did not take steps to rectify it or that the owner should have known about the danger through proper maintenance and inspection.
Our firm speaks with investigators and experts who help us build a strong case by demonstrating how the property condition violated safety standards and led to the fatal outcome.
Workplace Accidents
When someone dies due to an accident in the workplace, the impact on their family can be both emotionally and economically devastating. Whether the accident was due to unsafe work conditions, faulty machinery, or a lack of proper safety protocols, we offer our legal services to help families cope with their loss.
Workplace wrongful death claims can be complex, often involving both personal injury law and workers' compensation regulations. We have experience unraveling these complexities and presenting a strong case on behalf of the victim's family.
We aim to ensure that the family receives just compensation for the full extent of their loss, including the decedent's expected future income and benefits, as well as the loss of companionship and support.
In these cases, we act quickly to preserve evidence and gather testimony from witnesses. We also consult workplace safety experts who can attest to the safety standards that employers should have established, helping to establish a clear line of accountability.
Our firm provides compassionate and effective legal representation to ensure that families affected by workplace accidents receive the support and compensation they need to move forward.
Fighting the Insurance Company
At the Blakeley Law Firm, we understand that confronting insurance companies in the aftermath of a wrongful death is one of the biggest challenges our clients face. These companies have vast resources and the priority to protect their financial interests, which can manifest in settlement offers that are far less than what your family rightfully deserves.
When dealing with insurance companies, we prepare for a meticulous and assertive negotiation process. We come to the table with a comprehensive understanding of insurance law and the tactics insurers commonly use to underpay claims.
Our preparation involves:
- A thorough collection and analysis of evidence.
- A precise calculation of current and future losses.
- A legal strategy tailored to the specific circumstances of each case.
Our lawyers have experience dissecting the often complex policy language and finding the leverage points to counter lowball offers. We're great at highlighting how these companies may try to misconstrue the circumstances of the incident or the value of the life lost.
With every wrongful death claim, we cut through the impersonal approach of these companies and remind them of the real-world impact their decisions have on the lives of those left behind.
We also bring a human element to the negotiation table, which is often missing in dealings with insurers. By presenting a clear picture of the deceased individual, their importance to their family, and the emotional and financial void their absence has created, we aim to secure a settlement reflecting the full extent of the loss suffered.
It is not uncommon for insurance companies to drag out the claims process, hoping that your family's need for immediate financial support will compel you to accept a lower settlement.
We shield our clients from these delaying tactics by pushing for timely resolutions, and we are always ready to escalate the matter to a court of law if we cannot reach a fair settlement through negotiation. Our readiness to go to trial and our track record of success in the courtroom often play a critical role in motivating insurers to offer a fair settlement.
We communicate with our clients every step of the way, ensuring that they are informed and empowered to make decisions about their cases. We fight to make sure that the compensation you receive is not fair and commensurate with the magnitude of your loss.
What to Do When Facing a Wrongful Death in Jacksonville?
After a wrongful death in Jacksonville, the family or estate representatives should:
- Secure the legal documentation pertaining to the death, such as death certificates and any available police reports.
- Preserve evidence relevant to the case, including photographs, witness information, and personal accounts.
- Avoid discussions or negotiations with insurance companies or other parties involved without legal representation.
- Consult a wrongful death attorney to explore your legal options and to ensure that the rights of the deceased and the surviving family members have proper representation.
Contact a Jacksonville Wrongful Death Lawyer Today
We at Blakeley Law Firm extend our deepest condolences to those who have lost a loved one due to the actions or negligence of another. While no amount of financial compensation can replace your loss, our commitment is to ensure that justice is served and that you receive the financial security needed to move forward.
If you are seeking a compassionate yet tenacious legal team to represent your wrongful death claim in Jacksonville, please contact us online or call us at (954) 253-9445 for your free consultation.