Wrongful Death Attorney in Pensacola

Named Trial Recognition. Straightforward Answers for Pensacola Families.

Losing a loved one to someone else’s negligence leaves families managing grief and urgent practical questions at the same time. You may be wondering whether you have a claim, how long you have to act, or whether speaking with an attorney is even the right step right now.

At Crawford Law, we represent families considering a wrongful death lawsuit in Pensacola as part of our broader personal injury practice. We take time to listen, explain your options clearly, and help you decide what is best for your family. Our firm has handled more than 10,000 cases and secured multi-million dollar verdicts in serious injury matters.

We know you may not be ready to commit to anything. That’s why we offer free consultations and focus on answering your questions first. You can speak with our team confidentially and at your own pace.

If you’d like to speak with our team confidentially about your situation, you can contact our office to schedule a free consultation and learn about your options at your own pace.

Why Families Choose Crawford Law

When a loved one dies unexpectedly, you need more than a name on a billboard. You need a firm that treats your family with respect and is prepared to confront powerful defendants. That’s the balance we work to provide at Crawford Law.

Trial Record & Credentials

Our lead attorney, Chris Crawford, has been licensed in Florida since 2011 and has tried serious cases in courts across the state. He has been recognized as one of the Top 100 Trial Lawyers by The National Trial Lawyers and selected to Rising Stars from 2019 through 2022. In 2022, our work earned a place on TopVerdicts.com’s Florida Personal Injury Top 50 Jury Verdicts list.

Those honors reflect our willingness to prepare thoroughly, present complex facts clearly, and stand before a jury when settlement offers aren’t fair. That approach has helped us obtain multi-million-dollar verdicts for injured clients and families facing life-changing losses.

How We Work With Families

Trust isn’t built on awards alone. Our team focuses on clear communication and client education throughout each case. From the first meeting, we explain how the process works, what we’re doing, and what you can expect next. Our goal is for every client to feel heard, informed, and supported, no matter how challenging the circumstances.

Do You Have a Wrongful Death Claim in Florida?

One of the first questions families ask is whether they have the right to bring a claim at all. Under the Florida Wrongful Death Act, a claim may arise when a negligent or intentional act causes a preventable death. The personal representative of the estate files the lawsuit on behalf of eligible surviving family members. Under Florida law, those survivors typically include a spouse, children, parents, and in some cases blood relatives or adoptive siblings who were partly or wholly dependent on the deceased for support or services.

Common Causes of Wrongful Death Claims

Common examples include fatal motor vehicle collisions, as well as crashes involving rideshare services where a rideshare accident lawyer may be involved. Other situations can include unsafe property conditions, defective products, or violent acts.

Serious injuries such as those seen in traumatic brain injury cases or catastrophic harm similar to spinal cord injury claims can sometimes lead to fatal outcomes. Understanding how the incident occurred and who may be responsible is central to evaluating any claim.

Comparative Fault & the Filing Deadline

Florida’s modified comparative negligence rule applies to wrongful death cases. If the deceased shared some responsibility for the incident, damages may be reduced proportionately. If the deceased’s share of fault reaches 51 percent or more, recovery is barred. We can walk through how these rules apply to your family’s specific facts during a consultation.

In most cases, Florida law gives the personal representative two years from the date of death to file a wrongful death lawsuit. Courts enforce this deadline strictly, and waiting also makes it harder to preserve critical evidence. We encourage families to reach out as soon as they feel ready.

Damages Available in a Florida Wrongful Death Case

A wrongful death lawsuit Pensacola families file can seek compensation for both economic and non-economic harm. The details depend on the facts of the case, the relationships involved, and available insurance coverage.

Examples of potential damages in a Florida wrongful death case include:

• Loss of financial support and household services the deceased would have provided
• Mental pain and suffering of certain surviving family members
• Loss of companionship, guidance, and protection
• Medical bills related to the final injury or illness
• Reasonable funeral and burial expenses

How Crawford Law Supports Families Through the Process

Pursuing a wrongful death claim can feel overwhelming when you’re already managing grief and major changes at home. Our role is to guide you through the process, absorb as much of the legal burden as possible, and work to hold the responsible parties accountable.

Investigation & Case Building

We start by meeting with you to understand what happened and how the loss has affected your family. We review available reports, records, and photographs, then conduct our own investigation. Depending on the case, that can include gathering additional documents, speaking with witnesses, and reviewing technical materials that help establish how the incident occurred and who bears responsibility.

Once we understand the facts, we build a clear claim for liability and damages. Our trial record, including multi-million-dollar verdicts, shapes how we prepare each case, even when we’re negotiating with an insurance company. Thorough pre-trial preparation, including evidence gathering and coordination with qualified reviewers, can affect how seriously an insurer treats your claim before any trial begins.

Filings, Negotiations & Keeping You Informed

We handle court filings, communications with insurers, and negotiations. We keep you updated on important developments and explain your options in plain language, so you’re never left wondering what’s happening or why. The goal is for you to focus on your family while staying fully informed and in control of the major decisions in your case.

Representation in wrongful death and serious injury cases is handled on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay no attorney fee unless compensation is recovered. We explain how fees and costs work during your free consultation, before you decide anything about moving forward.

Serving Pensacola & Walton County

Wrongful death cases in Northwest Florida are often filed in Escambia County Circuit Court or Walton County Circuit Court, depending on where the incident occurred and other legal considerations. Having a local firm that understands how these courts operate can make the process feel less intimidating.

Our office is based in Pensacola, and we regularly handle serious injury and fatal accident matters for families across the region. Many of these cases arise from crashes on busy routes, incidents on unsafe properties, or other preventable events that leave lasting impacts on local families.

A local wrongful death attorney Pensacola and Walton County families choose can offer several practical advantages:

• Knowledge of how cases move through Escambia County Circuit Court and Walton County Circuit Court
• Convenience for clients who want to meet with their attorney close to home
• Awareness of local conditions that may be relevant to how an incident occurred

Whether your family lives in Pensacola, a nearby community, or Walton County, we’re prepared to discuss your options and the courts that may be involved if a claim is filed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I Have a Wrongful Death Case in Florida?

You may have a case if someone’s negligent or wrongful conduct caused your loved one’s death. The best way to know is to review the facts with an attorney who handles these claims. We evaluate what happened, who may be responsible, and how the Florida Wrongful Death Act applies to your family’s situation.

How Long Do I Have to File a Claim?

In most cases, Florida law sets a two-year deadline from the date of death to file a wrongful death lawsuit. The deadline can vary in some circumstances, so we encourage families to speak with us promptly rather than assume there’s time to wait.

What Will It Cost to Hire Your Firm?

We offer free consultations to discuss your potential case. Representation is handled on a contingency fee basis, meaning no attorney fee is owed unless compensation is recovered. We explain the full arrangement before you decide whether to move forward.

Will My Wrongful Death Case Go to Trial?

Many cases resolve through negotiation, but some go to trial when liability or fair compensation is disputed. We prepare each case as if it could be heard by a jury, drawing on our trial record and experience with multi-million-dollar verdicts. We discuss settlement and trial options with you at each stage so you always understand your choices.

How Involved Will My Family Need to Be?

We handle the legal work, filings, and negotiations so you don’t have to manage every detail. You can expect to help with background information, key decisions, and, at times, testimony. Throughout the process, we work to respect your time and your grieving process.

Talk to a Wrongful Death Lawyer in Pensacola

You don’t have to make this decision alone. A conversation with our team can help you understand whether a claim is appropriate, what it might involve, and how it could help protect your family’s future.

At Crawford Law, we bring more than 10,000 cases of experience, multi-million-dollar verdicts, and recognized trial work to each wrongful death case we accept. We pair that courtroom readiness with a commitment to clear communication and compassionate guidance from start to finish.

Your consultation is free, and there’s no obligation to move forward. We’ll listen, answer your questions, and explain your options in plain terms.

Schedule your free, confidential consultation today by visiting our Contact Us page or call (850) 220-2098 to speak directly with our team.