Like personal injury cases or other civil matters, Florida courts assess money damages against negligent defendants who caused a wrongful death. These damage awards help hold negligent defendants accountable and compensate the people they have harmed.

In a wrongful death case, the wronged party is the surviving family members who have had a loved one taken from them. These family members can recover:

1. The value of lost support and services
2. The surviving spouse’s loss of companionship and protection, plus pain and suffering
3. A child’s lost parental companionship, instruction, and guidance
4. Mental pain and suffering (applies to minor children and adult children if there is no surviving spouse)
5. A parent’s mental pain and suffering for the loss of a minor child, or the loss of an adult child if there are no other survivors
6. Any family member who paid for the deceased’s medical or funeral expenses can recover those costs

Additionally, the estate’s personal representative can recover damages paid into the estate, which are then distributed according to the deceased’s will, estate plan, or Florida law:

• Loss of earnings from injury to death
• Loss of prospective net accumulations that could have been expected without the wrongful death
• Medical or funeral expenses paid by the estate or charged against the estate