Wrongful Death Attorney in Lauderhill

44 Years of Broward County Trial Experience. A $9 Million Wrongful Death Verdict on Record.

Losing a family member to someone else’s negligence means grieving and facing urgent legal and financial questions at the same time. Law Offices Cytryn & Velazquez, P.A. has represented families throughout Lauderhill and Broward County for over 44 years, handling wrongful death cases from the first call through trial. We serve clients in English, Spanish, and Portuguese, we front all case costs so your family can move forward without financial pressure, and consultations are free.

If your family has lost a loved one to another party’s negligence, call our wrongful death attorneys in Lauderhill today at (954) 833-1440. There’s no fee unless we recover compensation for you.

Fatal Incidents That Can Give Rise to a Wrongful Death Claim

A wrongful death claim can arise from any situation where a person or entity acted negligently, recklessly, or with intentional disregard for others’ safety. Our firm handles cases involving car accidents, motorcycle crashes, boat accidents, pedestrian fatalities, drownings, burn injuries, carbon monoxide poisoning, nursing home negligence and abuse, and defective or dangerous drugs. We have represented families across a wide range of circumstances and ages.

Broward County’s high-volume roads, active waterways, and large residential care population create specific risk patterns. Understanding those patterns is part of how we build cases.

Who Can File a Wrongful Death Claim in Florida

Under the Florida Wrongful Death Act (Fla. Stat. § 768.20), only the personal representative of the deceased person’s estate may file a wrongful death lawsuit, acting on behalf of all surviving family members and the estate itself. If the deceased didn’t name a personal representative in a will, the court may appoint one.

Eligible survivor beneficiaries vary by family structure:

• Surviving spouse: May seek compensation for loss of companionship, protection, and mental pain and suffering
• Minor children: May seek compensation for loss of a parent’s companionship, instruction, and guidance, as well as mental pain and suffering
• Adult children: May be eligible when there is no surviving spouse
• Parents of a deceased minor child: May seek compensation for mental pain and suffering; parents of a deceased adult child with no other surviving beneficiaries may also qualify
• Any survivor who paid medical or funeral expenses: May seek reimbursement
• The estate itself: May seek compensation for lost income, prospective net accumulations, and costs charged to the estate

Economic & Non-Economic Damages in Florida Wrongful Death Cases

Florida wrongful death claims can pursue both economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages include the deceased’s lost future income and earning capacity, medical expenses tied to the final injury or illness, and funeral and burial costs. Non-economic damages cover the loss of companionship, guidance, and protection, along with the mental pain and suffering of surviving family members.

Courts weigh factors such as the deceased’s life expectancy, the surviving family member’s own life expectancy, and the nature of the relationship when calculating awards. Florida’s modified comparative negligence rule, enacted in March 2023 under HB 837, can reduce or bar recovery if the deceased is found more than 50% at fault for the events that caused their death. The outcome in any case depends on its specific facts.

Florida’s Two-Year Filing Deadline for Wrongful Death Claims

Florida law requires wrongful death claims to be filed within two years of the date of death under Fla. Stat. § 95.11(5)(e). That clock starts on the date of death, which may differ from the date of the underlying accident if the victim survived for a period before passing. Missing this deadline typically results in the court dismissing the case entirely, regardless of the strength of the evidence.

Building a strong claim takes time. Gathering medical records, police reports, witness statements, and expert opinions all require advance planning. If the responsible party is a government entity, your family must also submit a formal written notice of the claim within two years of the date of death before filing suit. One notable exception: wrongful death claims arising from murder or manslaughter carry no statute of limitations and may be filed at any time.

Why Lauderhill Families Choose Law Offices Cytryn & Velazquez, P.A.

Our founding attorney, Dan Cytryn, is a Board Certified Civil Trial Lawyer, a credential held by approximately 1% of Florida attorneys and recognized through the Florida Bar’s rigorous peer-review process. He is one of the only active board-certified civil trial lawyers in Northwest Broward County. Over 44 years of practice in Broward County, he has served as lead counsel in more than 105 personal injury jury trials.

Our Wrongful Death Trial Record

We obtained a $9 million wrongful death verdict, believed at the time to be among the largest in Florida for a single parent of an adult child who was wrongfully killed. That verdict was later reversed on sovereign immunity grounds, and every case turns on its own facts. What the record reflects is genuine courtroom experience on this exact case type. We have handled more than 30 cases that settled or resulted in jury verdicts of one million dollars or more, and we have recovered more than $100 million for clients overall.

Personal Service From First Call Through Resolution

We keep our case volume intentionally low. You won’t be passed to a paralegal and forgotten. If you can’t travel to our office, we can come to your home or hospital. Much of the paperwork and meetings can be handled virtually. We work on contingency: no fee, no costs, unless we recover for your family.

Speak with a Wrongful Death Lawyer in Lauderhill Today

Your family deserves direct answers and a clear path forward. We offer free consultations, serve clients in English, Spanish, and Portuguese, and charge nothing unless we recover compensation. Call Law Offices Cytryn & Velazquez, P.A. at (954) 833-1440 or reach us through our online contact form to schedule your free consultation.