$50M+ RECOVERED FOR CLIENTS
Choosing a law firm after losing a loved one is an important decision. While experience matters, so does knowing your case will receive careful preparation and consistent communication from start to finish.
At Herman & Wells, we prepare every wrongful death case with the expectation that it may ultimately be decided in court. That approach influences how we investigate evidence, work with experts, prepare witnesses, and evaluate settlement opportunities throughout the case.
Our litigation experience is backed by one of Florida’s highest professional distinctions. Cliff Wells is one of fewer than one percent of Florida attorneys who are Board Certified in Civil Trial Law. Achieving Board Certification requires years of trial experience, favorable peer review, and passing a rigorous written examination administered by The Florida Bar. Insurance companies recognize this credential because it reflects extensive courtroom experience and a demonstrated commitment to trial advocacy.
Families also deserve clear communication throughout the legal process. Questions often arise long after the initial consultation, which is why Herman & Wells follows a 30-Day Communication Promise. We proactively update our clients at least every 30 days so they understand how their case is progressing and what to expect next.
Every wrongful death case deserves individualized attention. Our wrongful death lawyers in Pinellas Park take the time to understand how your family’s loss has affected your future, develop a strategy based on the specific facts of your case, and prepare your case thoroughly from the beginning.
The unexpected loss of a family member changes every aspect of life. Along with grief, you may suddenly face funeral expenses, unanswered questions, financial uncertainty, and an insurance company that begins investigating before your family has had time to process what happened. If another person or company caused your loved one’s death through negligent conduct, Florida law provides a legal process that allows certain surviving family members to seek compensation and accountability.
If you are searching for a Pinellas Park wrongful death lawyer, experience matters, but so does communication. At Herman & Wells, we believe clients deserve more than legal representation. They deserve clear answers, regular updates, and attorneys who prepare every case with trial in mind. Our 30-Day Communication Promise reflects that commitment. Throughout your case, our team will stay in touch so you understand what is happening and what comes next.
Our compassionate personal injury attorneys represent families throughout Pinellas Park and Pinellas County. We combine extensive courtroom experience with practical guidance that helps families make informed decisions during an extraordinarily difficult time.
When you’ve suddenly lost a loved one due to someone else’s negligence, it can be overwhelming and emotionally draining. The big questions of “Why?” and “How could this happen?” can spin in your mind without an answer; the aftermath is nearly unbearable.
If you reside in Pinellas County, Florida, there is help available through skilled personal injury attorneys who specialize in handling such tragic events and navigating the grief that comes with them.
Finding a Pinellas Park wrongful death lawyer well-versed in these cases will provide assurance as they walk with you step by step on the path towards justice for your loved one—and enable some degree of closure so that life can begin to move forward.
Florida’s Wrongful Death Act establishes who may file a wrongful death lawsuit and the damages that surviving family members may recover when another person’s negligence results in a fatal injury. In most cases, the personal representative of the deceased person’s estate files the lawsuit on behalf of eligible survivors.
The Florida Wrongful Death Act, found in Florida Statutes §§ 768.16 through 768.26, recognizes that the financial and personal impact of losing a family member often extends far beyond medical expenses. Depending on the circumstances, surviving family members may recover compensation for losses recognized under Florida law.
Wrongful death lawsuits require careful investigation and preparation. Establishing liability often involves reviewing accident reports, medical records, witness statements, photographs, electronic evidence, physical property damage, and expert opinions to determine exactly how the fatal incident occurred and who should be held responsible.
At Herman & Wells, our Pinellas Park attorneys prepare every wrongful death case as though it could ultimately be decided in court. That level of preparation begins long before a lawsuit is filed and helps ensure important evidence is identified and preserved whenever possible.
Every wrongful death case begins with its own facts, but many involve the same underlying issue: another person or company failed to act with reasonable care. At Herman & Wells, our wrongful death lawyers represent families throughout Pinellas Park and Pinellas County whose loved ones lost their lives because preventable accidents changed everything in an instant.
Fatal crashes involving passenger vehicles remain one of the most common causes of wrongful death claims. Speeding, distracted driving, impaired driving, and failing to yield the right-of-way can all lead to devastating collisions. When another driver’s negligence causes a fatal accident, surviving family members may have the right to pursue compensation under Florida’s Wrongful Death Act.
Collisions involving tractor-trailers and other commercial vehicles often present unique challenges. These cases may involve multiple potentially responsible parties, including the driver, the trucking company, a maintenance contractor, or another business. Preserving evidence early is especially important because electronic logging data, inspection records, and other critical information may become more difficult to obtain as time passes.
People riding motorcycles, bicycles, or traveling on foot have far less protection than those inside passenger vehicles. A driver who fails to pay attention, turns without yielding, or drives while distracted can cause life-changing—or fatal—injuries. These cases frequently require a detailed investigation to determine exactly how the collision occurred and who bears responsibility.
Some wrongful death cases arise from catastrophic incidents involving negligent businesses, commercial property owners, or corporations that failed to maintain safe conditions or follow established safety standards. Determining liability often requires reviewing maintenance records, company policies, witness statements, and expert analysis to understand what went wrong and whether the tragedy could have been prevented.
Healthcare professionals have a duty to provide an acceptable standard of care to their patients. When they fail in this duty, resulting in a patient’s death, it may be considered medical malpractice. This can encompass misdiagnosis, surgical errors, or failure to properly treat a condition.
Negligent drivers can cause serious accidents that result in injury or death. Examples of driver negligence include reckless driving, drunk driving, and distracted driving.
Employers are responsible for providing a safe working environment. When they fail in this responsibility, workplace accidents can occur, such as construction site accidents, industrial accidents, or accidents involving hazardous materials or equipment.
Products that are manufactured or designed with defects can result in serious harm or death. This can include defective medical devices, car parts, or household products.
Property owners have various responsibilities relating to maintaining safe conditions on their property. Negligent ownership can lead to premises liability accidents that result in serious slip and fall incidents, drownings, or accidental deaths.
Nursing homes have a responsibility to provide adequate care to their residents. When this care is not provided, it can result in neglect, physical abuse, or failure to properly monitor a patient’s health. Unfortunately, Florida has seen its fair share of nursing home abuse cases over the years.
People can be killed as a result of criminal acts, such as assault or battery, in a variety of settings, including at home, in the workplace, or in public places.
Regardless of how a fatal accident occurred, every wrongful death case deserves careful investigation. Our team prepares each case with trial readiness in mind, gathering the evidence needed to present the strongest possible case while keeping clients informed through every stage of the process.
Not exactly. A “wrongful death claim” is a civil law mattert, not a criminal case. Although the same incident may lead to both criminal charges and a wrongful death lawsuit, the two proceedings serve different purposes and follow different legal standards.
For example, a fatal crash involving an impaired driver may result in criminal prosecution by the State of Florida. Separately, the deceased person’s family may have the right to pursue a wrongful death lawsuit against the negligent driver. The outcome of one case does not automatically determine the outcome of the other because criminal and civil courts apply different burdens of proof.
A Pinellas Park wrongful death lawsuit focuses on whether another person or company acted negligently and whether that negligence caused the fatal injuries. The purpose of the case is to recover compensation for eligible surviving family members under Florida law, not to impose criminal penalties.
Florida law limits who may bring a wrongful death lawsuit. Rather than allowing every family member to file an individual claim, the lawsuit is generally filed by the personal representative of the deceased person’s estate. The personal representative pursues the case on behalf of the estate and any eligible surviving family members.
In many cases, the personal representative is named in the deceased person’s will. If no one has been designated, the probate court may appoint someone to serve in that role. Although the personal representative files the lawsuit, any compensation recovered may benefit eligible survivors identified under Florida’s Wrongful Death Act, such as a surviving spouse, children, parents, family members or dependants, depending on the circumstances.
Determining who may recover damages is not always straightforward. The answer often depends on your age and relationship to the deceased, the composition of the family, and the specific losses recognized under Florida law. Reviewing those issues early with your Pinellas County attorney can help avoid unnecessary delays as your wrongful death case moves forward.
Every wrongful death case affects a family differently. Florida’s Wrongful Death Act allows certain surviving family members and the deceased person’s estate to seek compensation for specific financial and personal losses resulting from the death. The damages available depend on the facts of the case and each survivor’s relationship to the deceased.
Depending on the circumstances, recoverable damages may include:
Calculating these losses involves more than adding medical bills or funeral costs. In many cases, our Pinellas Park wrongful death attorneys work with financial professionals and other experts to evaluate the long-term financial impact the death has on surviving family members. Factors such as the deceased person’s age, occupation, earning history, life expectancy, and contributions to the household may all become relevant.
Pinellas County has some of the best wrongful death attorneys in Florida. Finding a good attorney to handle your case is important and can be overwhelming, especially if you’re grieving the loss of a loved one. Here are some tips to help you find the law firm with the best Pinellas Park wrongful death attorneys for your claim:
Take the time to research Pinellas County wrongful death lawyers in your area and compare their experience and credentials. Be sure to read through any available testimony from former clients as well as any awards or recognitions they have received. This will help you narrow down your options so that you can choose an attorney who is well-qualified and has the expertise to handle your case.
Once you’ve narrowed down your list of wrongful death attorneys, it’s important that you consult with multiple lawyers before making a decision. This will give you the opportunity to compare their fees, experience, and approach to your case. It’s also a good idea to check online reviews.
During the evaluation, it’s important that you discuss all the details of your case with the Pinellas Park wrongful death attorney before making a decision. Ask questions about their track record, fees, and process. Make sure that you feel comfortable with your lawyer and their ability to handle your case.
The wrongful death lawyers you’re considering should be willing to provide referrals from former clients who can speak to their experience with the firm. Ask as many questions as you want about the lawyer’s track record, and be sure that the referrals are from people who were happy with the outcome of their case.
Finding a local wrongful death lawyer can be a daunting task, but if you take the time to do your research and compare multiple attorneys, you’ll be able to find one that can provide you with the best legal representation for your claim.
Choosing a law firm after losing a loved one is an important decision. While experience matters, so does knowing your case will receive careful preparation and consistent communication from start to finish.
At Herman & Wells, we prepare every wrongful death case with the expectation that it may ultimately be decided in court. That approach influences how we investigate evidence, work with experts, prepare witnesses, and evaluate settlement opportunities throughout the case.
Our litigation experience is backed by one of Florida’s highest professional distinctions. Cliff Wells is one of fewer than one percent of Florida attorneys who are Board Certified in Civil Trial Law. Achieving Board Certification requires years of trial experience, favorable peer review, and passing a rigorous written examination administered by The Florida Bar. Insurance companies recognize this credential because it reflects extensive courtroom experience and a demonstrated commitment to trial advocacy.
Families also deserve clear communication throughout the legal process. Questions often arise long after the initial consultation, which is why Herman & Wells follows a 30-Day Communication Promise. We proactively update our clients at least every 30 days so they understand how their case is progressing and what to expect next.
Every wrongful death case deserves individualized attention. Our wrongful death lawyers in Pinellas Park take the time to understand how your family’s loss has affected your future, develop a strategy based on the specific facts of your case, and prepare your case thoroughly from the beginning.
When it comes to filing a wrongful death lawsuit in Pinellas Park, FL, you must be able to prove that the death was caused by another’s negligence or wrongful act. Typically, this involves collecting evidence such as medical records and eyewitness accounts in order to support your claim.
Typically, this involves collecting evidence such as medical records, recordings, physical evidence from the scene, and eyewitness accounts in order to support your claim.
A wrongful death lawsuit cannot undo what happened, but it can provide financial stability for your family while holding the responsible person or company accountable for the loss they caused. Choosing the right legal team means finding attorneys who will thoroughly prepare your case, communicate with you consistently, and remain ready to take the case to trial if necessary.
If your loved one died because another person or company acted negligently, contact a Pinellas Park wrongful death lawyer at Herman & Wells for a free case evaluation. Our team will review your circumstances, explain your legal options, and help you determine the next steps for your family.
In Pinellas County and throughout Florida, the statute of limitations for wrongful death claims is two years from the date of death. This means that if more than two years have passed since the death, you may not be able to bring a claim against another party. It’s important to seek legal advice right away in order to determine whether or not you are still eligible to file a wrongful death claim.
Most law firms that have the experience and resources to take on wrongful death cases operate on a contingency fee agreement.
A contingency fee agreement is a type of fee arrangement between a personal injury lawyer and their client where the lawyer agrees to represent the client on a “no-win, no fee” basis and takes a set percentage of whatever they recover for the client.
This means that the client does not have to pay the lawyer any upfront fees, costsor hourly rates. Instead, the lawyer’s fee is a percentage of the settlement or award that is recovered in the case. If the case is not successful and no settlement or award is recovered, the client does not owe the lawyer any fee or costs.
This type of agreement can be advantageous for clients who cannot afford to pay a lawyer upfront, as it allows them to have legal representation without incurring any out-of-pocket expenses. Additionally, the attorney is motivated to win.
In most wrongful death cases, the claim is ultimately paid through an insurance policy rather than directly by the individual or business responsible for the fatal incident. That does not mean the insurance company will automatically agree to pay the full value of the claim.
Insurance companies typically begin investigating a fatal accident soon after it occurs. Adjusters may review police reports, photographs, medical records, witness statements, vehicle damage, and other available evidence while determining whether their insured was responsible and what damages may be owed. In some cases, the insurance company may dispute liability, question the extent of the family’s losses, or argue that another person shares responsibility for the accident.
Because these investigations often begin quickly, preserving evidence early can make a meaningful difference. Photographs, electronic data, surveillance footage, witness statements, and other records may become more difficult to obtain as time passes. Building a strong wrongful death case frequently starts long before settlement discussions begin.
