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Wrongful Death

Tampa Attorneys Seek Compensation for Wrongful Death and Fatal Motor Vehicle Accidents

Established Firm Provides Compassionate Counsel for Grieving Families in the Bay Area

There is nothing more tragic than the sudden, unexpected and unnecessary death of a loved one. But when it is also a wrongful death, caused by someone’s negligence, recklessness or intentional act, the situation cries out for justice. For intentional harm, a family can seek justice through the criminal court system. But what if the death was “accidental”? Sessums Law Group, P.A. helps next-of-kin obtain justice through the civil court system by holding wrongdoers accountable for monetary damages. A settlement or judgment often gives grieving family members some closure and also helps with any financial hardship the death caused. We provide compassionate counsel throughout every step of the legal process, as we work aggressively to deliver the results you deserve.

Effective Attorneys Help Bereaved Clients Obtain Compensation for Their Losses

We know it can be difficult to take the first step after a tragedy, but we deliver compassionate guidance regarding:

  • Eligible plaintiffs — Spouses, children and parents of fatality victims are able to initiate wrongful death claims. In some instances, siblings and other dependents can seek relief. There are also certain types of damages that a representative can seek to recover for the decedent’s estate.
  • Types of fatal incidents — Our accomplished litigators handle cases involving all types of deadly incidents that result from negligence and misconduct, including auto accidents, falls, deaths caused by defective products and intentional assaults.
  • Damages — Surviving loved ones can collect damages for emotional pain, funeral expenses and the loss of companionship and household assistance resulting from the untimely death. Estates are entitled to reimbursement for income the victim would have earned and final expenses.

If you’re the closest surviving family member, you might be pressured to accept a quick settlement. Before entering settlement discussions, it’s important to contact a qualified wrongful death attorney. We’ll give you an informed assessment of the potential claim value and advise you of specific legal issues that might apply, such as potential immunity of government defendants.

What Is the Time Limit for Filing a Wrongful Death Case?

In Florida, the statute of limitations for wrongful death is two years from the date of the decedent’s death, not the date of the injury that results in death. If a criminal court case results from the death, the statutory period does not begin until the criminal case concludes, and then the wrongful death claimants have two years to file.

What Damages Are Available in a Florida Wrongful Death Claim?

In a wrongful death case, family members recover for their own losses due to the death, not for the decedent’s own losses. All survivors may recover the value of:

  • Lost support and services from the date of the decedent’s injury to his or her death, with interest
  • Future loss of support and services from the date of death, reduced to present value

These losses are based on the survivors’ and the decedent’s normal life expectancy. Minor children of a deceased parent, if there is no other surviving parent, may recover for loss of “parental companionship, instruction, and guidance,” and for their mental suffering from the date of the injury. Parents of a deceased child may recover for their mental pain and suffering from the date of the injury.

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Our Settlements & Verdicts

Sessums Law Group, P.A. Attorneys Take Pride in Delivering Exceptional Results for Our Valued Clients

Our top priority is to devise customized legal strategies that are tailored to the unique legal needs of our clients, no matter how simple or complicated their situations, might be.

  • $6,000,000.00 Recovery Fraud Civil Action

    Sessums Law Group, P.A. successfully recovered $6,000,000.00 for a client in a fraud civil action.  Prior to the client’s divorce, the client negotiated and executed an agreement with his wife’s boyfriend that sought that the boyfriend would have no contact with the client’s wife.

  • $2,740,000.00 Wrongful Death Hit/Run of Motorcyclist

    Representation of the plaintiff hit from behind on his motorcycle by a driver who was allegedly drunk at the time of the accident.  Sued the defendant; the bar that the defendant had been drinking and the defendant’s employer.

  • $1,929,000.00 Verdict Real Estate Deficiency

    Representation of estate in real estate deficiency claim resulting in joint and several liability verdict against various doctors and chiropractors.

  • $1,000,000.00 Settlement Collision

    Representation of estate in an automobile and tractor trailer collision that resulted in multiple deaths.

  • Confidential Settlement Amount Medical Malpractice

    Client was burned with a hot pack after delivering her son via Cesarean section.

  • Confidential Settlement Amount Nursing Home Negligence

    Representation of the Personal Representative of the Estate of the patient who died due to negligent care while in the care of the nursing home.

  • Confidential Settlement Amount Trolley Accident

    Representation of passengers who were enjoying a sight- seeing tour aboard a trolley when the trolley was hit by a bus. The passengers suffered soft tissue injuries.

  • Confidential Settlement Amount Hit & Run

    Sessums Law Group was recently successful in settling a case for a hard working Polk County man whose hit and run accident resulted in a need for a knee replacement.  The defendant argued that our client had caused the accident.  We were able to prove through expert accident reconstruction testimony that the accident happened as our client testified despite the minimal damage involved.

  • Confidential Settlement Stolen Property

    Client’s vehicle was burglarized and her engagement and wedding rings stolen. The perpetrator pawned the stolen items to a local pawn shop. The pawn shop ignored the hold order from the police department and sold the engagement and wedding rings. After suit filed for the Plaintiff, a confidential settlement was reached with the pawn shop for the value to our client of her stolen rings.

Florida Attorneys with Proven Expertise, Devoted to Exceptional Service

"Our firm believes in the integrity of the needs of the each client we represent. We are passionate about obtaining the maximum results allowable under the law for each client."

- Mark A. Sessums