How is the amount of damages determined in a Florida wrongful death case?
The amount of damages in a wrongful death case depend on several factors. One, the relationship that you had to that person. And if in fact you were dependent on that person, that person they supported you, they provided you with housing, food, that type of thing. Like for example a minor child, that person’s entitled to recover what we call special damages. The loss of what they would get if the person had been there, particularly if they were the wage earner. If in fact you aren’t dependent on it but you have a different relationship, for example a spouse that works, let’s say a wife dies and the husband works. Those damages are primarily what we call intangible damages, they’re the pain and suffering, the mental anguish that you have as a result of the loss of your relationship with that person.