Losing a loved one is one of the most devastating experiences a family can endure. When that loss results from someone else's negligence — a reckless driver, a negligent doctor, a property owner who ignored a known hazard — the grief is compounded by a profound sense of injustice.

Florida's Wrongful Death Act gives surviving family members the right to hold negligent parties accountable and recover compensation for the losses they have suffered. If your loved one died due to someone else's negligence in Coral Gables or anywhere in Miami-Dade County, Juan Cordero Lawyers can help.

Florida's Wrongful Death Act (§768.16–768.26) allows the personal representative of a deceased person's estate to bring a civil lawsuit against the party whose negligence or wrongful act caused the death.

A wrongful death claim is separate from any criminal prosecution. Even if the responsible party is never criminally charged — or is acquitted — a civil wrongful death claim can still succeed. The standard of proof in civil cases (preponderance of the evidence) is lower than in criminal cases (beyond a reasonable doubt).

The lawsuit is filed by the personal representative of the deceased's estate — typically the executor named in the will, or a court-appointed administrator. The personal representative acts on behalf of the estate and the surviving family members.

Eligible survivors who can recover damages include:

• Surviving spouse
• Minor children (under 25 in some circumstances)
• Adult children — when there is no surviving spouse
• Parents — when the deceased has no surviving spouse or children
• Other blood relatives or adoptive siblings — who were partly or wholly dependent on the deceased

Florida's Wrongful Death Act allows recovery of several categories of damages:

For surviving family members:

• Loss of support and services — the financial contributions the deceased would have made
• Loss of companionship, guidance, and protection
• Mental pain and suffering (for surviving spouses and minor children)
• Medical and funeral expenses paid by the survivor

For the estate:

• Lost earnings the deceased would have earned from the date of injury to death
• Lost prospective net accumulations — future earnings the estate would have received
• Medical and funeral expenses

The value of a wrongful death claim depends on many factors: the deceased's age, health, earning capacity, the nature of the relationship with survivors, and the circumstances of the death.

Our firm handles wrongful death cases arising from a wide range of circumstances in Coral Gables and the surrounding area:

Car and truck accidents — Collisions on US-1, Ponce de Leon Boulevard, and the Palmetto Expressway are among the most common causes of wrongful death in Miami-Dade County. When a driver's negligence — speeding, distracted driving, drunk driving — kills another person, the family has a wrongful death claim.

Medical malpractice — Coral Gables is home to major medical facilities including Baptist Health South Florida and University of Miami Health System. Surgical errors, misdiagnosis, medication errors, and birth injuries can all give rise to wrongful death claims.

Premises liability — Deaths resulting from falls, drownings, fires, or violent crimes on negligently maintained properties can support wrongful death claims against property owners.

Negligent security — If a loved one was killed in a crime that could have been prevented by adequate security measures, the property owner may be liable.

Florida's statute of limitations for wrongful death claims is 2 years from the date of death (§95.11(4)(d)). This is a strict deadline — missing it permanently bars your family's claim.

Do not wait. Contact us immediately so we can begin preserving evidence and building your case.

We review the circumstances of your loved one's death, identify potentially liable parties, and explain your family's legal options — at no charge.

We immediately begin gathering evidence: accident reports, medical records, surveillance footage, witness statements, and expert opinions. In medical malpractice cases, we conduct the pre-suit investigation required by Florida law (§766.106).

We present a comprehensive demand to the responsible party's insurance carrier. Most wrongful death cases resolve through negotiated settlement — but we prepare every case as if it will go to trial.

If the insurance company refuses to offer fair compensation, we file suit and take the case to trial. Our firm has the experience and resources to litigate complex wrongful death cases in Miami-Dade Circuit Court.

Wrongful death cases require a law firm with the experience, resources, and commitment to take on large insurance companies and their defense teams. Juan Cordero Lawyers has handled wrongful death cases in Coral Gables and throughout Miami-Dade County for over 26 years.

• Contingency fee — you pay nothing unless we win
• Bilingual — full service in English and Spanish
• 24/7 availability — we are here when you need us most
• Compassionate representation — we understand what your family is going through

If you have lost a loved one due to someone else's negligence, please contact us. The consultation is free, confidential, and there is no obligation.

Call or text 24/7: 305.525.8957