Wrongful Death Lawyers Serving Starke, Bradford County & Nearby Areas of Florida
Losing a loved one due to someone else’s negligence is one of the most difficult experiences anyone can endure. We understand the overwhelming grief and uncertainty families face after such a tragedy. As your trusted Starke wrongful death lawyers, we bring our compassion, extensive legal knowledge, and unwavering commitment to holding the negligent parties accountable for your loss.
At Bernheim Kelley Injury Lawyers, we fight for the justice and compensation you and your family deserve. Our team approaches every case with integrity, working tirelessly to honor your loved one’s legacy and secure the financial stability your family needs.
You don’t have to do this alone. Call our Starke wrongful death lawyers today at (904) 758-1111 to schedule a FREE consultation. Let’s work together to seek Real Justice for your terrible loss.
Our Starke, Florida Wrongful Death Lawyers Fight for Real Justice for You & Your Family
At Bernheim Kelley Injury Lawyers, we have decades of experience fighting for families who have lost loved ones due to someone else’s negligence. The Florida Wrongful Death Act gives families the right to seek compensation for their losses, but working through the legalities can be overwhelming when you’re grieving.
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We understand that each case is singular, which is why we tailor our approach to meet your family’s needs, circumstances, and goals. You can expect the following:
- Real Advocates: We prioritize you and will build a trusting relationship so you can feel supported during this difficult time.
- Real Experience: With years of experience and over $1 billion in verdicts and settlements, know that our personal injury attorneys’ strategies bring meaningful results.
- Real Justice: We are committed to honoring your loved one’s legacy by holding the negligent parties accountable for their actions or inaction and pursuing the compensation you and your family deserve.
Contact us today to schedule a FREE consultation. Our wrongful death lawyers will provide compassionate guidance and relentless advocacy to help your family find a path forward. We serve clients in Starke, Bradford County, and many other areas throughout Florida.
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Wrongful Death Cases We Handle: Accidents That Can Claim Lives
Wrongful death claims can arise from a variety of tragedies. At Bernheim Kelley Injury Lawyers, we’re equipped to handle each case with compassion and skill.
Some of the most common accidents that can lead to a wrongful death lawsuit include:
- Car Accidents: Tragic crashes due to reckless, distracted, or drunk driving on local roads can lead to devastating consequences for families in Starke and the surrounding areas. Bradford County alone saw 4 fatalities due to motor vehicle accidents in 2024. Whether it’s speeding, texting, or driving while impaired, these sudden and unexpected accidents can leave loved ones reeling.
- Truck Collisions: Heavy commercial trucks traveling through major routes like Highway 301 pose significant dangers when drivers are fatigued, distracted, or negligent. These hulking vehicles can cause catastrophic accidents, leaving families to cope with the loss.
- Motorcycle Crashes: Starke’s scenic rural roads can unfortunately become the site of motorcycle accidents caused by driver inattention, unsafe passing, and poor road conditions. The vulnerability of motorcyclists can often result in devastating injuries.
- Pedestrian & Bicycle Accidents: Negligent drivers and inadequate infrastructure can result in tragic consequences for pedestrians and cyclists. These accidents often occur in areas where drivers fail to yield or pay attention to their surroundings.
- Boating Accidents: Crosby Lake’s serene waters are a place for relaxation, recreation, and some great fishing! However, negligent visitors boating under the influence or failing to take safety precautions can turn a day on the water into a tragedy.
- Medical Malpractice: Errors or negligence by healthcare providers can have fatal consequences. We trust our medical providers with our loved ones’ lives, and breaches of that trust demand accountability.
- Workplace Accidents: Construction and industrial worksites around Starke can carry inherent risks. Preventable tragedies due to unsafe conditions, lack of training, or equipment failures can result in wrongful death claims.
- Unsafe Premises: When property owners fail to address known dangers, fatal injuries from slip and falls, inadequate security, or hazardous property conditions can occur.
- Defective Products: Dangerous and faulty products—from vehicle batteries bursting into flames to faulty lids on pressure cookers—can lead to catastrophic injuries and death. Manufacturers need to be held accountable for putting consumers at risk.
We cherish our community and do everything we can to keep it safe for our families and neighbors. However, accidents do happen, and sometimes, they have devastating consequences.
If your family has suffered the loss of a loved one due to negligence, you don’t have to face the aftermath alone. Our dedicated Starke wrongful death lawyers are ready to advocate for you in a fight for Real Justice.
Who Can File a Wrongful Death Claim in Starke?
Under Florida law, the personal representative of the deceased person’s estate is the one who files the wrongful death claim. This person acts on behalf of the deceased’s survivors, who may include:
- Spouse
- Children
- Parents
- Dependent blood relatives or adoptive siblings
Our Starke wrongful death lawyers can help you understand whether you are eligible to file a claim and guide you through the process. Contact us today to schedule a FREE case evaluation and learn more about your rights.
What Compensation Can a Starke Wrongful Death Lawyer Pursue for You & Your Family?
Compensation in your wrongful death case aims to provide financial stability for you and your other surviving family members while also addressing the emotional and personal toll the loss has taken. According to Florida law, damages may include:
- Medical expenses incurred before your loved one’s passing
- Funeral and burial costs to honor their memory appropriately
- Lost financial support—including current and future income—and services
- Loss of companionship for the surviving spouse and children
- Pain and suffering caused by your loss
Our team will carefully evaluate your claim to make sure that all damages are accounted for. We know that money can’t replace the loss you feel—that is never our aim. The grief is real, and there is no remedy.
We seek compensation to relieve the financial stressors of your loss and bring some Real Justice to your family. With that support, you’ll be able to grieve as you need to.
Contact Bernheim Kelley Injury Lawyers for FREE Today
Wrongful Death Frequently Asked Questions
Under Florida law, you typically have 2 years from the date of your loved one’s passing to file a wrongful death lawsuit. We understand that, at this moment, you are simply trying to survive the heartache and turmoil. Unfortunately, we urge you to act as quickly as you can to contact an attorney and begin building your claim.
Your claim will most likely be denied if you fail to meet this legal deadline. Once you’ve consulted with a wrongful death lawyer, they can take on much of the legal burden so you can mourn with your family.
As each case and family differs from the next, so does each settlement. The amount of compensation varies based on factors like the circumstances of the accident, the economic and emotional impact the death had on your family, and the degree of negligence involved.
Though we can’t give you an average amount for a wrongful death settlement, we can recommend that you consult an attorney. A competent and experienced lawyer can evaluate your situation and give you a clearer estimate.
Building a strong wrongful death case requires compelling evidence to establish negligence, liability, and the full extent of the losses your family has suffered. Types of evidence that will prove valuable include:
- Medical records
- Accident reports
- Photographic/video evidence
- Surveillance footage
- Emails, texts, and other communications
- Witness statements
- Pay stubs
- Tax Returns
- Expert testimony
Our Bernheim Kelley Injury Lawyers team can advise you on what will be needed and assist in collecting and organizing the evidence necessary to support your claim. We are committed to pursuing Real Justice for your family by presenting your story with clarity and care.
Wrongful death settlements are split amongst eligible survivors. These could include the deceased’s spouse, children, parents, and other dependents. The allocation will depend on factors such as:
- The survivor’s relationship to the deceased
- The level of financial and emotional dependence on the deceased
If disputes arise about the distribution of funds, the courts may need to step in to ensure fairness.
We know that discussing your loved one in such legal language isn’t easy. Our skilled and understanding attorneys can handle this aspect of the process, so you don’t have to. We will do everything we can to expedite your claim while remaining true to your best interests.
Yes, under Florida’s medical malpractice laws, you can pursue a wrongful death claim against a hospital or healthcare provider if negligence contributed to your loved one’s passing. Medical malpractice often manifests as misdiagnosis, delayed diagnosis, medication errors, or surgical errors.
However, whenever a hospital or medical provider fails in their duty of care, their conduct must be evaluated. When their actions or failure to act constitute a breach of duty that results in a patient’s death, they must be held accountable.
An experienced medical malpractice lawyer will review medical records, consult with qualified experts, and determine the most effective strategy for holding those responsible to account. If you believe a hospital or healthcare practitioner was negligent in the death of your loved one, contact us for a FREE case evaluation.
What Can a Starke Wrongful Death Lawyer Do for You?
The passing of a loved one is an unimaginable loss. Dealing with legal complexities at a time like this seems frivolous and taxing. Yet, in the long run, it is what needs to be done.
Bernheim Kelley Injury Lawyers can shoulder some of this burden and give advice and guidance through each stage of your claim. We can help by:
- Reviewing Your Case Thoroughly: We begin with a FREE consultation to understand the details of your situation and provide you with legal advice tailored to your family’s needs.
- Conducting a Detailed Investigation: Unfortunately, time is valuable in a wrongful death case. We must act swiftly to gather evidence while it’s available, interview witnesses while their memories are fresh, and consult experts with insights into your case.
- Determining Responsibility: We need to identify all responsible parties—individuals, businesses, institutions, etc.—so we can hold them accountable for their actions and get that Real Justice your family needs.
- Crafting a Strong Case: We must compile comprehensive evidence and build a compelling argument that accurately reflects the full extent of your family’s loss.
- Handling Settlement Negotiations: Our team will deal directly with insurance companies to counter lowball offers and advocate for compensation that truly addresses your family’s financial and emotional losses.
- Championing Your Case in Court: Should we be unable to negotiate a settlement that respects your loved one’s legacy and addresses your terrible loss, we are fully prepared to advocate for you and your family in court.
- Maintaining Transparent Communication: We will keep you informed at every step along the way. We will address your questions and concerns promptly and honestly, providing support wherever we can.
At Bernheim Kelley Injury Lawyers, we combine compassion with a tireless pursuit of the Real Justice you deserve. Matters of life and death warrant empathy and care. When those responsibilities are met with recklessness, accountability is not an option—it is essential. Our dedicated team is here to help hold those negligent parties responsible for their harmful and preventable actions.
Contact a Starke Wrongful Death Lawyer Today for a FREE Consultation
Surviving the death of someone you love is one of the most harrowing experiences you will have. It is only further compounded when that loss is caused by someone else’s negligence. Together, we can hold those responsible accountable.
At Bernheim Kelley Injury Lawyers, we try to bring clarity, compassion, and a path to Real Justice to you and your family. Our team takes the time to listen to your story, address your fears and concerns, and develop a legal strategy specifically designed to meet your family’s needs.
Don’t take this journey alone. Call us today at (904) 758-1111 to schedule a FREE consultation. Our Starke wrongful death lawyers will help you understand your options and offer the legal support you need, so you and your family can focus on healing.