Personal Injury · Jeff T. Gorman Law Offices

Florida Wrongful Death Attorney
Holding the Responsible Party
Accountable for Your Family’s Loss.

Losing a family member to someone else’s negligence is devastating. Florida’s Wrongful Death Act strictly defines who can recover, what damages are available, and when claims must be filed. Chris Walsh handles wrongful death cases across the Treasure Coast with both the legal precision these cases demand and the genuine compassion grieving families deserve. No fee unless we recover.

Free Consultation Call (772) 888-8888
2-Year Florida Wrongful Death Deadline — Call (772) 888-8888 Now
Christopher Walsh
Christopher Walsh
Trial Attorney · FL Bar #127459
$M+
Recovered for Clients
0
Fee Unless We Recover
4.9★
Google Rating · 260+ Reviews
“Former U.S. Navy combat aviator. I bring the same precision and tenacity to personal injury cases that I brought to the flight deck.”
What Wrongful Death Cases Are Up Against
●Florida’s Wrongful Death Act strictly limits who can recover and what damages are available — requirements that must be navigated precisely
●Insurance companies and defendants who move quickly to investigate and build defenses before families have retained legal counsel
●Florida’s modified comparative negligence rule (post-HB 837) that may be used to argue the deceased was more than 50% at fault — barring recovery entirely
●The 2-year statute of limitations that continues to run even while families are grieving and focused on services and estates
●Complex cases involving multiple defendants, commercial vehicles, premises conditions, or medical negligence

What the Evidence Shows —
and Where It Can Be Challenged

A wrongful death claim is one of the most important legal actions a family can take — and one of the most technically demanding. Florida’s Wrongful Death Act is specific about who may sue, what damages each category of survivor may recover, and when claims must be filed. Errors in understanding or navigating these requirements can permanently affect a family’s ability to recover. This is not the time for an attorney who handles wrongful death cases occasionally — it is the time for an attorney who prepares them for trial.

Chris Walsh handles wrongful death cases arising from auto accidents, commercial truck crashes, boating accidents, workplace incidents, and premises liability throughout Martin, St. Lucie, Palm Beach, Indian River, and Okeechobee Counties. He approaches these cases with both the legal rigor they require and the genuine understanding that behind every case is a family that has suffered an irreversible loss.

⚖️ Florida Wrongful Death Act
Florida Statute §768.16-768.26 governs all wrongful death claims in Florida. Key provisions: the claim must be filed by the personal representative of the estate on behalf of survivors; survivors who may recover vary by relationship (spouse, minor and adult children, parents); damages available to each category of survivor differ significantly — not all survivors can recover for all categories of loss; the statute of limitations is 2 years from the date of death (Florida Statute §95.11(4)(d)); and Florida’s modified comparative negligence system (post-HB 837, 2023) may reduce or bar recovery if the deceased was more than 50% at fault.
Florida Statute §768.16-768.26 (Florida Wrongful Death Act) · Florida Statute §95.11(4)(d) (Statute of Limitations) · Florida HB 837 (2023 Modified Comparative Negligence)

How We Fight This Charge

Estate & Survivor Standing
We immediately identify all qualifying survivors, establish the personal representative of the estate, and structure the claim to maximize recovery for every eligible family member.
Full Damages Analysis
Lost income and support, lost services, lost companionship, funeral and medical expenses, and mental pain and suffering for each qualifying survivor — we document and quantify every element.
Liability Investigation
We immediately preserve accident scene evidence, obtain surveillance footage, and document the defendant’s negligence before critical evidence is lost or destroyed.
Comparative Fault Defense
We build the evidence that the defendant — not your loved one — was responsible, and we refute any attempt to shift fault to the deceased under Florida’s modified comparative negligence standard.
Multiple Defendants
Wrongful death cases often involve multiple responsible parties. We identify every liable defendant and pursue all available insurance coverage on behalf of the family.
Trial Readiness
Insurance companies and defendants respond differently to attorneys who prepare cases for trial. We are always trial-ready, and that produces better results at every stage.
Notable Results
RECOVERED
Fatal Auto Accident · Commercial Vehicle · Multi-Million Dollar Settlement
SETTLED
Wrongful Death · Premises Liability · Full Policy Limits
WON AT TRIAL
Wrongful Death · Negligence Disputed · Jury Verdict for Family

Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Case details available upon request.

Common Questions

Wrongful Death Attorney FAQ

Who can bring a wrongful death claim in Florida? +
Under the Florida Wrongful Death Act (Florida Statute §768.16-768.26), a wrongful death claim must be brought by the personal representative of the deceased person's estate, on behalf of the survivors. Survivors who may recover damages include the deceased's spouse, children (including adopted children), parents (if the deceased had no surviving spouse or children), and any blood relatives or adoptive siblings who were partly or wholly dependent on the deceased for support or services.
What damages can be recovered in a Florida wrongful death claim? +
Under the Florida Wrongful Death Act, recoverable damages vary by the relationship of the survivor to the deceased. The surviving spouse may recover for lost support and services, companionship, protection, and mental pain and suffering. Minor children may recover for lost parental companionship, instruction, guidance, and mental pain and suffering. Adult children may recover for mental pain and suffering when there is no surviving spouse. Parents of a deceased minor child may recover for mental pain and suffering. The estate may recover lost net accumulations and medical and funeral expenses.
How long do I have to file a wrongful death claim in Florida? +
The statute of limitations for Florida wrongful death claims is 2 years from the date of death under Florida Statute §95.11(4)(d). This deadline is strict. If the wrongful death resulted from medical malpractice, a 2-year limitations period also applies from the time the injury is or should have been discovered, with an absolute 4-year cap. Do not delay — call an attorney immediately after losing a loved one to negligence.
Can I bring a wrongful death claim if the deceased was partially at fault? +
Yes, under Florida's modified comparative fault system (as amended by HB 837 in 2023). If the deceased was partly at fault, their percentage of fault reduces the recovery proportionally — but recovery is not barred entirely unless the deceased was more than 50% at fault. In most wrongful death cases, establishing that the defendant was primarily responsible is the central focus of the litigation.
Related Practice Areas
Auto Accident
Most wrongful death claims on the Treasure Coast arise from serious car accidents.
Truck Accidents
Commercial vehicle crashes are among the leading causes of fatal highway accidents.
Boating Accident
Fatal boating accidents on Florida waterways give rise to wrongful death claims.
Free Consultation · 24/7

We Are Sorry for Your Loss.
We Fight So It Isn’t
in Vain.

Florida’s wrongful death deadline is 2 years. We handle these cases with both legal precision and genuine compassion for what your family is going through. Call (772) 888-8888. No fee unless we recover.

(772) 888-8888 PSL: (772) 236-5203 Free Online Consultation

Free initial consultation does not create an attorney-client relationship. Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Florida Bar Rules 4-7.1 through 4-7.20 apply.