Wrongful Death Lawyers in Melbourne, FL

In Melbourne and throughout Florida, you have two years from the date of your loved one's death to file a wrongful death lawsuit. Missing this deadline usually bars recovery completely, regardless of how strong your case may be. Acting early is crucial. Witness memories fade, evidence can be lost, and insurance companies often push for low settlements quickly. Our team at Douglas R. Beam, P.A. has secured time-sensitive judgments by intervening quickly, including a $3 million verdict against a local assisted living facility. If you’re unsure when the deadline started or how to protect your claim, consult a qualified lawyer immediately to preserve your rights and maximize your compensation potential.

Florida law grants the personal representative of the deceased's estate the sole authority to file a wrongful death claim on behalf of eligible survivors. Surviving spouses, minor children, adult children (if no spouse), and parents may be eligible for damages. Stepchildren must be dependent for support to qualify. This complex process prioritizes direct relatives, but exceptions do exist; for example, a dependent stepchild or adopted child may have standing depending on their relationship to the deceased. Our attorneys can clarify your legal status and guide your family through local court procedures, ensuring the right people claim the compensation the law allows.

Florida law allows families to pursue several types of damages in wrongful death cases, including funeral and burial costs, unpaid medical bills, lost future earnings, and loss of support or services. Survivors may also recover for emotional pain, loss of parental guidance, companionship, and mental anguish. For example, when Douglas R. Beam, P.A. secured a $3 million wrongful death verdict, it covered both economic damages (like medical expenses) and non-economic harms (such as loss of companionship). Compensation depends on concrete proof of financial loss and the relationship between the survivors and the deceased. Our firm’s 37 years of local experience can help you build the strongest case possible.

"Wrongful death" in Florida means someone’s death was caused by another’s negligence, recklessness, or intentional act, like a car accident, workplace mishap, or medical malpractice. If someone else’s avoidable mistake led to your loved one’s death, you may have a valid claim. Consult with experienced legal counsel to assess your situation.

Never speak to insurance companies directly after a wrongful death. Insurers aim to minimize payouts and may use your words against you. Instead, let your attorney handle all communications. This maximizes your settlement and protects your family’s interests throughout every negotiation step.

There are no upfront fees for hiring our wrongful death attorneys in Melbourne, FL. At Douglas R. Beam, P.A. we work on contingency, meaning you only pay if we recover compensation for your family, typically a percentage of the final settlement or verdict.

You need medical records, expert testimony, photos, physical evidence, and documentation of damages. Even without eyewitnesses or clear police reports, attorneys can reconstruct accidents, hire investigators, and build your case using local knowledge and expert analysis.

Yes. Under Florida’s comparative negligence law, your family may still recover damages even if your loved one was partially at fault. The compensation will be reduced based on their percentage of responsibility. If your loved one was more than 50% at fault, you cannot recover any compensation. That means it's crucial to hire a skilled lawyer who can help to minimize the percentage of fault assigned to your loved one.

Most wrongful death claims in Melbourne, FL settle out of court, often within 12 to 24 months. Trials take longer, but only a minority of cases reach that stage if negotiation fails. Skilled attorneys often maximize settlements before trial.

The estate’s personal representative must file the claim, even if some survivors disagree. All eligible family members are notified and may receive compensation, but unanimous agreement is not required to pursue the case.