Marianna Wrongful Death Lawyer

Over 20 Years Fighting for Jackson County Families. Millions Recovered.

Losing a loved one to someone else’s negligence forces a family to grieve and fight for financial stability at the same time. A wrongful death claim under Florida law addresses the economic losses your family faces while holding the responsible party accountable. At Law Offices of B. Shannon Saunders, PA, we’ve handled these cases for over 20 years, serving families throughout Jackson County and the Florida Panhandle from our Marianna office.

Our documented results reflect the seriousness with which we pursue every case. We obtained a $25 million verdict in a dramshop wrongful death case (a record in Alabama at the time), a $4.8 million settlement against a road construction company and engineering firm for negligent road design, and a $1 million policy-limits settlement in a wrongful death case involving a semi-truck collision. Past results don’t guarantee future outcomes, but they reflect the level of preparation and commitment we bring to every family we represent. Consultations are free, and we’re ready to talk whenever you are.

Lost a loved one due to negligence? Contact us at (850) 800-9088 for a free consultation and let us help you seek justice.

Florida’s Statute of Limitations for Wrongful Death Claims

Florida law gives families two years from the date of death to file a wrongful death claim under Fla. Stat. section 95.11(5)(e). Missing that deadline generally eliminates the right to pursue compensation regardless of how strong the underlying facts are. If you’re unsure where your family stands, a free consultation can answer that quickly.

The claim is filed by the personal representative of the deceased’s estate on behalf of the estate and eligible surviving family members, including spouses, children, parents, and financially dependent relatives. If no personal representative was named in the will or estate plan, the court will appoint one.

Damages that may be recoverable in a Florida wrongful death claim include:

• Medical expenses incurred before the death
• Funeral and burial expenses
• Lost earnings the decedent would have earned
• Loss of companionship, guidance, and protection for surviving family members
• Loss of support or services the decedent would have provided

These claims are grounded in proven negligence, recklessness, or intentional harm. Florida’s wrongful death framework under sections 768.16 through 768.26 governs how these damages are calculated and distributed among eligible survivors.

Common Causes of Wrongful Death We Handle in Marianna

Wrongful death claims arise across a wide range of accident types. The cases we handle most frequently in this region include:

• Car Accidents: Speeding, distracted driving, and impaired driving are leading causes of fatal crashes. Negligent drivers who disregard traffic laws can be held liable for the losses that follow.
• Truck Accidents: Commercial trucks cause catastrophic injuries when driver fatigue, improper loading, or negligent carrier oversight contributes to a crash. Trucking companies often have legal teams working immediately after an accident.
• Motorcycle Accidents: Motorcyclists are among the most vulnerable road users. Fatal crashes frequently happen when other drivers fail to yield or don’t account for a motorcycle in their blind spot.
• Pedestrian Accidents: Pedestrians struck by vehicles suffer fatal injuries at a high rate, especially at intersections and crosswalks where driver inattention is a factor.
• Premises & Product Liability: Unsafe property conditions, such as missing barriers or defective equipment, and dangerous consumer products can also give rise to a wrongful death claim when negligence is involved.

What You Must Prove in a Florida Wrongful Death Claim

For a wrongful death claim to succeed, four legal elements must be established. Our attorneys evaluate each of these from the first consultation:

• Duty of Care: The responsible party had a legal obligation to act safely, whether that’s a driver following traffic laws or a property owner maintaining safe conditions.
• Breach: The defendant failed that duty through careless, reckless, or intentional conduct.
• Causation: A direct link connects the defendant’s conduct to the death. This causal chain must be clearly documented.
• Damages: The surviving family must demonstrate quantifiable losses: medical bills, funeral costs, lost income, and non-economic losses such as loss of companionship.

Who Can File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit in Florida?

Under Fla. Stat. section 768.20, the personal representative of the estate files the wrongful death action on behalf of eligible survivors. Florida law identifies the following parties as eligible to receive compensation through the claim:

• Surviving Spouse, Children, & Parents: Immediate family members are the primary eligible survivors.
• Other Dependents: Blood relatives or adoptive siblings who were financially dependent on the deceased may also qualify.

One area that warrants specific attention: Fla. Stat. section 768.21(8) limits which survivors can recover mental pain-and-suffering damages in wrongful death cases arising from medical malpractice specifically. This restriction doesn’t apply to wrongful deaths caused by car accidents, truck crashes, or other non-medical negligence. Because this area of law has seen repeated legislative activity, families affected by a medical malpractice death should consult an attorney promptly to understand their current options.

Florida’s No-Fault Insurance System & Wrongful Death Claims

Florida’s no-fault car insurance system generally requires each driver’s own policy to cover medical expenses through personal injury protection (PIP) coverage after an accident. Wrongful death changes that equation. When an accident results in death, surviving family members may file a claim directly against the at-fault driver’s liability insurance rather than being limited to PIP.

Cases involving drunk driving, reckless conduct, or other egregious behavior fall fully outside the no-fault system. Florida also moved to a modified comparative fault system in 2023 under HB 837, which affects how a deceased person’s own potential fault factors into the family’s recovery. That analysis is fact-specific and requires attorney evaluation. We can walk you through how these rules apply to your family’s situation at no cost.

Why Jackson County Families Choose Law Offices of B. Shannon Saunders, PA

Attorney B. Shannon Saunders was born and raised in this community and has practiced personal injury law in Marianna for over two decades. That history means we know the local courts, we understand how Jackson County judges approach these cases, and we have a reputation in this region that matters when negotiating with insurance carriers.

Insurance companies handling wrongful death claims have experience minimizing payouts. We know their tactics because we’ve seen them applied against our clients for 20 years. Our approach includes a thorough analysis of every category of financial damage your family has suffered, including medical bills, lost wages, and the non-economic losses Florida law recognizes. Attorney Saunders is also Peer Reviewed® by Martindale-Hubbell®, a recognition reflecting trust and standing within the legal community.

A wrongful death case deserves an attorney who has worked here, knows the local legal system, and has the documented results to take a case the full distance if necessary.