Losing a loved one is devastating, especially when their death may have been preventable. If another person’s negligence, recklessness, or intentional conduct caused your family member’s death, the estate and eligible survivors may have the right to pursue compensation through a wrongful death claim.
At Novo Law, we approach these emotionally difficult cases with compassion, clarity, and determined advocacy. We help families in Plantation and throughout Broward County understand their legal options, pursue accountability, and seek financial support for the losses they have suffered.
Call Novo Law at (954) 822-5198 to discuss the circumstances of your loss in a confidential consultation.
Under Florida law, a wrongful death claim may arise when a person dies because of another party’s wrongful act, negligence, default, or breach of contract or warranty. These claims may stem from fatal car or truck accidents, unsafe property conditions, defective products, medical negligence, workplace incidents, or criminal acts.
A wrongful death case is a civil action generally brought by the deceased person’s personal representative on behalf of the estate and eligible survivors. The purpose of the claim is to pursue compensation for legally recognized losses and hold the responsible party accountable.
Families facing the death of a loved one deserve a law firm that sees more than a case file. At Novo Law, we take the time to listen, explain your options in English or Spanish, and build a strategy around your family’s needs.
Our firm serves:
We understand that a fatal accident can create immediate financial and emotional pressure, and we work to provide responsive legal guidance from the beginning of the case through its resolution.
You can review our case results for examples of matters Novo Law has handled for injured clients and families. Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome in any future case. For more information about our local representation, visit our Areas We Serve page.
In Florida, a wrongful death lawsuit is generally filed by the personal representative of the deceased person’s estate. The personal representative may be named in a will or appointed through the probate process. The claim is brought for the benefit of the estate and the survivors identified under Florida law.
The personal representative identifies potential beneficiaries in the lawsuit and seeks the damages that may be available to each survivor and to the estate. This structure makes it especially important to obtain legal guidance early, particularly when probate, blended families, dependent relatives, or multiple potential beneficiaries are involved.
Fatal accidents can happen in an instant, but the investigation may reveal that the loss was preventable. Novo Law examines the circumstances of each case to identify every potentially responsible individual, business, insurer, or property owner.
Common causes of wrongful death include:
A wrongful death lawyer in Plantation can review the circumstances of the loss, evaluate available evidence, and identify the parties who may be legally responsible. Call Novo Law at (954) 822-5198 to discuss your family’s options.
The value of a wrongful death claim depends on the family’s losses, the deceased person’s earnings and services, the relationship between survivors and the deceased, available insurance coverage, and other case specific evidence. Florida law permits different types of damages for survivors and for the estate.
The estate may seek compensation for losses such as:
Depending on the circumstances, eligible survivors may seek compensation for losses such as:
The rules concerning damages can be complicated, particularly in cases involving adult children, parents of adult children, medical negligence, or questions about financial dependency. Novo Law takes the time to understand the full impact of your loss, rather than treating the case as a routine insurance claim.
Florida generally requires a wrongful death lawsuit to be filed within two years. The deadline is set out in Florida Statutes section 95.11, but the timing may depend on the type of claim and the circumstances involved.
For example, a potential medical malpractice claim may involve additional procedural requirements and timing rules. Florida law also provides a different rule for certain wrongful death claims against a natural person arising from conduct described in the state’s murder or manslaughter statutes.
Do not assume that waiting is safe. Evidence can disappear quickly after a fatal crash, drowning, fall, assault, or other incident. Surveillance footage may be overwritten, vehicles may be repaired or destroyed, witnesses’ memories can fade, and important records may become more difficult to obtain.
Contact Novo Law at (954) 822-5198 promptly to discuss the facts of your loss and protect your family’s right to pursue a claim.
Wrongful death cases require careful legal work and a compassionate approach. Your family should not have to carry the burden of insurance calls, legal filings, and evidence requests while you are grieving.
When you work with Novo Law, we can help by:
Our approach is personal because your loss is personal. Attorney Gabriela C. Novo brings courtroom experience, direct client communication, and a commitment to fighting for South Florida families during life changing moments.
A wrongful death lawsuit and a criminal case can arise from the same incident, but they are separate matters.
A criminal case is brought by the government and seeks criminal penalties, such as probation, fines, or incarceration. A wrongful death claim is a civil action brought through the deceased person’s personal representative for the benefit of the estate and eligible survivors. Its purpose is to pursue financial compensation and civil accountability.
Because the two proceedings are separate, your family may have a wrongful death claim even when the responsible party is not arrested, is not charged, or is not convicted. The facts and available evidence should be reviewed by a wrongful death lawyer in Plantation, FL, who can explain whether your family may have a civil claim.
You do not need to navigate this process alone. If negligence, an unsafe property, a crash, a dangerous product, or another wrongful act caused your loved one’s death, Novo Law is ready to listen and help you understand your legal options.
Speak with a wrongful death lawyer Plantation families can turn to for compassionate, direct legal guidance. Call Novo Law at (954) 822-5198 today to schedule a confidential consultation.
Yes. Florida law generally requires the deceased person’s personal representative to bring one wrongful death action for the benefit of the estate and eligible survivors. The representative may be named in the deceased person’s will, or a court may appoint one through probate if needed.
This does not mean family members have no role in the case. Eligible survivors may still recover damages, but the claim is pursued through the personal representative on behalf of all legally recognized beneficiaries.
A wrongful death claim is valued based on the specific losses suffered by the surviving family members and the estate. Relevant factors may include lost financial support, the value of household services, medical and funeral expenses, lost earnings, the relationship between survivors and the deceased, and other legally recoverable damages.
There is no reliable one-size-fits-all calculation. Novo Law reviews the full personal, financial, and evidentiary picture to pursue a claim that reflects the true impact of the loss.
Potentially, yes. A wrongful death claim is a civil case, while criminal charges are handled separately by the government. A family may have a valid civil claim even if law enforcement does not make an arrest, prosecutors do not file charges, or the defendant is not convicted.
The evidence and legal burden are different in a civil case. A Plantation wrongful death lawyer can review the available evidence and explain whether your family may have a claim against the person, business, property owner, or other party responsible.
Florida generally gives families two years to file a wrongful death action. However, deadlines can vary based on the facts, the parties involved, and the type of underlying case, including claims involving medical negligence or governmental entities.
It is important to speak with an attorney as soon as possible. Even when the filing deadline appears distant, prompt action can help preserve surveillance footage, witness testimony, electronic data, medical records, and other evidence.
The timeline depends on the specifics of the case, the number of responsible parties, insurance coverage, the need for expert review, and whether the case settles or proceeds to litigation. Some cases resolve through negotiation in months, while others may take a year or longer when fault or damages are strongly disputed.
Novo Law will keep your family updated about meaningful developments and explain what to expect at each stage. Our goal is to pursue a resolution efficiently without sacrificing the preparation needed to protect your claim.
