Claiming lost wages after a fatal crash in West Palm Beach has become a painful reality for many families.
Every year, tragic accidents claim lives on the bustling roads of West Palm Beach, leaving families not just heartbroken but financially strained by the sudden loss of a loved one’s income.
Along corridors like I-95 and Okeechobee Boulevard, where heavy traffic mixes with unpredictable weather, these crashes underscore the harsh realities of negligence behind the wheel.
At Bill Bone Law Group, we’ve represented grieving families in Palm Beach County for over 25 years, helping them navigate the complex path to compensation when a fatal crash robs someone of their future earnings.
If you or someone you love has been injured in a car accident in West Palm Beach, you may be entitled to compensation under Florida law. The experienced attorneys at Bill Bone Law Group are ready to fight for your rights. Call us today for a free consultation.
You may need this article if:
- You or a loved one was injured in a car accident in West Palm Beach
- You’re unsure who’s liable or whether you can sue
- A family member was killed or severely hurt in a crash, fall, or attack
- You’re overwhelmed by insurance paperwork or denied claims
Claiming Lost Wages After a Fatal Crash in West Palm Beach
When a fatal crash occurs in West Palm Beach, the impact is felt far beyond the immediate grief of losing a loved one. Families often face sudden financial hardship due to the loss of income, mounting medical bills, and the uncertainty of how to move forward.
Under Florida’s Wrongful Death Act, surviving family members may pursue a personal injury claim to seek damages for the wages and benefits their loved one would have provided had the accident not occurred.
Recovering financial support in these cases requires more than simply proving the existence of income; it also necessitates demonstrating the ability to support oneself. Courts evaluate the deceased’s work history, career trajectory, and future earning capacity to determine the proper method for recovering lost wages.
This includes not only salary but also benefits such as pensions, promotions, and retirement savings. When combined with other damages—such as medical expenses incurred before death and compensation for household contributions—the economic impact of a fatal crash can be significant.
It’s also important to note that Florida’s personal injury protection (PIP) coverage, while essential, is often insufficient in fatal crash cases.
PIP benefits may provide some immediate relief for serious injuries or limited lost wages, but they do not begin to address the long-term financial losses that stem from the permanent absence of a breadwinner. This is where a wrongful death lawsuit becomes critical, ensuring that families can pursue fair compensation beyond what insurance carriers are willing to pay.
If your family is navigating the aftermath of a fatal car accident, you do not have to face the legal and financial complexities alone.
A skilled car accident lawyer can help you build a strong car accident claim, gather the necessary evidence, and present the case in a way that secures the maximum recovery available under Florida law.
What Is a Wrongful Death Case Involving Lost Wages?
A wrongful death case arises when a person’s negligence or wrongdoing causes another’s death, allowing surviving family members to seek damages for their losses, including the wages the deceased would have earned.
In Florida, this is governed by the Wrongful Death Act, Florida Statutes § 768.21, which outlines recoverable economic damages like lost earnings. These aren’t just about immediate grief; they address the practical fallout, such as the breadwinner’s paycheck that stops coming.
Under F.S. § 768.21(1), survivors can recover the value of lost support and services, reduced to present value, while the estate claims loss of earnings from injury to death, plus prospective net accumulations the deceased might have saved.
Lost wages form the core of these economic claims, covering everything from the day of the crash onward, with no cap on such recoveries in Florida. It’s a way for the law to acknowledge that a life cut short isn’t just emotional – it’s a ledger of missed paychecks, promotions, and pensions.
Can I File a Lawsuit in Florida?
Yes, but timing and eligibility matter. In Florida, the personal representative of the deceased’s estate files the wrongful death lawsuit on behalf of survivors, listing all potential beneficiaries like spouses, children, or dependent parents in the complaint.
You must prove the death resulted from negligence – for instance, a driver running a red light on Okeechobee Boulevard. F.S. § 768.20.
Although the personal representative is the only party authorized to file the lawsuit, the claim is brought on behalf of “survivors,” as defined in F.S. § 768.18. Survivors are the individuals who may receive compensation through the claim under the statute. Survivors include:
The decedent’s spouse.- The decedent’s children (with “minor children” defined as those under 25 years of age, regardless of the age of majority).
- The decedent’s parents.
- Any blood relatives or adoptive siblings who were partly or wholly dependent on the decedent for support or services at the time of death.
- A child born out of wedlock to the mother is included, but a child born out of wedlock to the father is included only if the father had acknowledged responsibility for the child’s support.
The clock starts ticking on the date of death: Florida’s statute of limitations is 2 years from the date of death under F.S. § 95.11(5)(e). Miss it, and your claim is barred. Exceptions exist, like tolling for claims against government entities or medical malpractice extensions, but for standard fatal crashes, you must act fast.
For lost wages specifically, survivors claim future support, while the estate seeks pre-death earnings and net accumulations – that is, retirement savings the deceased would’ve built.
Proving Lost Wages in a Fatal Car Accident Case
In a wrongful death action, proving lost income is one of the most critical steps. Courts will require documentation such as tax returns, pay stubs, and employment records to establish both past and projected earnings.
In addition to direct wages, survivors may also be entitled to lost wages compensation tied to pensions, retirement benefits, and potential promotions.
When preparing a car accident case, it is essential to work with experts in economics and vocational analysis who can accurately calculate what the deceased would have contributed over a lifetime.
At the accident scene, it is equally important to preserve evidence that shows the at fault driver caused the collision. Liability must be clearly proven before families can move forward to seek compensation for their financial losses.
A knowledgeable West Palm Beach legal team will ensure that every factor, from visible injuries to the chain of events leading to the crash, is documented thoroughly. This careful approach strengthens lost wage claims and maximizes the opportunity to recover damages.
Why Legal Representation Matters in West Palm Beach Fatal Crashes
After a fatal car crash, families often feel overwhelmed by grief and mounting financial pressures. While insurance companies may offer quick settlements, these rarely reflect the true economic and emotional impact of the loss.
In fact, when an insurance company refuses to pay fairly, pursuing auto accident claims through litigation may be necessary.
Experienced car accident attorneys understand that most car accident cases involve far more than property damage; they involve medical treatment, funeral costs, and the need to recover compensation for lost earnings.
Families may also pursue damages for emotional distress through a personal injury lawsuit, ensuring that both financial and non-financial losses are addressed. Top-rated West Palm Beach car accident attorneys can represent victims.
We guide families through every stage of the claims process, from the initial filing to final resolution, ensuring their rights are protected while helping them achieve the financial recovery they deserve after an auto accident resulting in tragedy.
You can protect your rights when you file a claim if you work with an experienced West Palm Beach car accident lawyer.
What to Do Next
The days after a fatal crash blur into shock, but clear steps can protect your claim. First, document everything: Gather medical records, the police report, and witness statements to establish negligence and wage loss.
Notify your insurance and the at-fault party’s carrier promptly, but don’t sign anything or discuss details without counsel – insurers often provide low estimates of lost wages.
Preserve evidence like the crash scene photos or the deceased’s pay stubs, tax returns, and employment contracts; these prove baseline earnings and future projections. If kids or a spouse depended on that income, note household contributions too – they count as services under the statute.
Importantly, seek legal help early. Before insurers pressure you into a quick settlement that undervalues lifelong lost wages, consult with experienced legal counsel. We’re here to handle the paperwork and fight for every dollar.
Ready to Speak With a Lawyer? Bill Bone Law Group has helped thousands of Florida injury victims seek justice and financial recovery with our experienced West Palm Beach car accident lawyer.
Contact us today for a free consultation and case review. Our team is here to guide you through the process of claiming lost wages after a fatal crash in West Palm Beach.
