Wrongful Death Attorney in Tamarac

44 Years, $100M Recovered, & a Courtroom Record That Matters

Losing a family member to someone else’s negligence is devastating. The legal process that follows shouldn’t make it harder. At Law Offices Cytryn & Velazquez, P.A., we’ve represented Tamarac families in wrongful death cases for over 44 years, recovering more than $100,000,000 for clients across Florida, including a $9,000,000 wrongful death verdict believed to be the largest in Florida at the time for a single parent of an adult child who was wrongfully killed.¹ We front all case costs and handle much of the process virtually, so you can focus on your family while we build your case.

We serve clients in English, Spanish, and Portuguese.

If you’ve lost a loved one due to someone else’s wrongful conduct, don’t wait to get legal guidance. Call our Tamarac wrongful death attorneys today at (954) 833-1440 for a free consultation with no obligation and no upfront cost.

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

Most personal injury firms point to years in practice and past settlements. Fewer can point to a courtroom record that actually shapes how insurance companies evaluate claims. Our founding attorney, Dan Cytryn, is a Board Certified Civil Trial Lawyer by the Florida Bar, a credential held by roughly 1% of Florida attorneys. He has served as lead counsel in more than 105 personal injury jury trials over 44 years of practice in Broward County and has argued before the Florida Supreme Court on three occasions, including the landmark TGI Friday’s v. Dvorak case. As we state on our website, we are the only active board-certified civil trial lawyer in Northwest Broward County.

That courtroom depth shapes every case from the start. We keep our caseload intentionally limited so each client receives direct, focused attention rather than being passed between staff. If you can’t come to us, we can come to you at your home or hospital. We’re AV-rated by Martindale-Hubbell, listed in Super Lawyers from 2010 to 2024, and have been voted Best Law Firm in Coral Springs by Our City Media readers.

More than 30 of our cases have settled or resulted in jury verdicts of one million dollars or more. That record reflects both case selection and preparation.

Wrongful Death Cases We Handle in Tamarac

A wrongful death claim can arise in any situation where the deceased person would have had a viable personal injury claim had they survived. We handle cases involving:

• Fatal vehicle collisions: Car accidents, motorcycle crashes, and truck accidents, which are among the most common wrongful death cases in Broward County
• Boat accidents and pedestrian accidents
• Drownings and burn injuries
• Nursing home negligence and abuse: Cases where families trusted a facility to provide adequate care
• Defective and dangerous products
• Carbon monoxide poisoning

How Florida’s Wrongful Death Act Works

Florida’s Wrongful Death Act, codified at Florida Statutes sections 768.16 through 768.26, establishes who can bring a claim and what compensation is available. Understanding the structure matters before you decide how to proceed.

Who Files the Lawsuit

Only the personal representative of the deceased’s estate may file the wrongful death lawsuit. Individual family members can’t file separate claims in their own names. Probate court must formally appoint the personal representative before suit can be filed, which is one reason starting the legal process early is important.

Who Qualifies as a Survivor

Under Florida Statute 768.18, eligible survivors include the surviving spouse, children, and parents. One important detail: Florida’s Wrongful Death Act defines “minor children” as children under age 25, broader than the standard age of majority. Blood relatives and adopted siblings who were partly or wholly dependent on the deceased for support may also qualify. The damages available to each survivor depend on their relationship to the deceased and the specific circumstances of the case.

Damages Available

Survivor damages vary by relationship. A surviving spouse may recover for loss of companionship, protection, and financial support, along with mental pain and suffering. Minor children (under 25) may recover for lost parental companionship, guidance, and instruction. The estate itself may recover economic damages, including lost future income, medical expenses incurred before death, and funeral and burial costs. In cases involving particularly egregious or intentional conduct, punitive damages may also be available. Florida’s modified comparative fault rule applies: if the deceased is found more than 50% at fault, recovery may be barred.

The Two-Year Deadline & Why Early Action Protects Your Case

Florida’s statute of limitations for most wrongful death lawsuits is two years from the date of death under Florida Statute 95.11(5)(e). The clock runs from the date of death, not the date of the accident. Missing this deadline typically eliminates the right to pursue compensation entirely.

Because probate court must appoint a personal representative before a lawsuit can be filed, that process needs to begin well before the deadline. Early legal involvement also helps preserve physical evidence, secure witness statements before memories fade, and protect access to police reports and medical examiner documentation.

Insurance adjusters often contact grieving families quickly after a death, and their goal is generally to minimize their company’s payout. Consult an attorney before speaking with any insurance representative or signing any documentation. There are also exceptions to the two-year limit: when the death resulted from murder or manslaughter, claims may be filed at any time under Florida Statute 95.11(11), and claims against government entities carry additional pre-suit notice requirements under Florida Statute 768.28.

Talk to a Tamarac Wrongful Death Lawyer at No Upfront Cost

We offer free consultations and work on a contingency fee basis: no fee, no cost, if there is no recovery. We advance all case expenses and handle much of the process virtually, so your family can move forward without financial pressure or logistical burden from day one. If you can’t come to our office, we can come to you.

Call Law Offices Cytryn & Velazquez, P.A. at (954) 833-1440 or reach us through our online contact form to speak with a wrongful death attorney in Tamarac about your family’s situation.

¹ The $9,000,000 verdict was reversed by the Third District Court of Appeal, and the reversal was affirmed by the Florida Supreme Court on sovereign immunity grounds. The amount was believed to be the largest in Florida at the time for a single parent of an adult child who was wrongfully killed.