If your loved one has passed away from coronavirus, you may be able to file a lawsuit if:
- They were infected due to negligence
- The care they received was diminished by negligence
- They were infected under circumstances you believe were preventable
Deaths resulting from the coronavirus represent an awful outcome, and there are more than 1,500 of those deaths to date in our state, according to the Florida Department of Health.
If your loved one is among those who have passed away because of COVID-19, you may want to examine the circumstances of your loved one’s death to see if it was due (at least in part) to negligence.
The Coronavirus Continues to Wreak Havoc on Floridians
While there is hope that the worst has passed, the death toll from coronavirus across the nation—and in Florida specifically—continues to rise.
You may know a friend or family member who was infected (and possibly killed) by the virus, and understand how vicious coronavirus can be.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), some of the common symptoms of coronavirus infection include:
- Problems with breathing, possibly including shortness of breath
- A persistent cough
- Chills that lead to your body shaking noticeably
- Headaches
- Inability to taste food or other substances, an inability to smell, or both
- High fever
- Pain in muscles throughout your body
- Chest tightness or pain
- Loss of consciousness, or confusion that is otherwise unexplainable
- A blue tint in the face, including the lips
If you have two or more symptoms, you should seek medical attention. The coronavirus has proven to be deadly. Failing to seek treatment may mean risking your life.
What to Do if You or Your Loved One is Infected
If you or your loved one has been infected with coronavirus, your health is of the utmost concern. You may want to:
- Seek whatever medical attention is necessary to ensure you are free from immediate danger.
- Take precautions not to infect others who may be in your household or would otherwise come into contact with you.
- Urge others who you have recently been in contact with to monitor themselves for possible coronavirus symptoms and get tested if they elect to do so.
Coronavirus Infections and Deaths Are Leading to Lawsuits
Lawsuits alleging negligence generally arise when somebody’s actions put others at an unreasonable risk of harm. Being infected with coronavirus constitutes a form of tangible harm, especially when it manifests as a serious illness or causes death.
You may have a reasonable suspicion you were infected in a specific location or set of circumstances. The question you may ask yourself—Can I file a lawsuit on behalf of a loved one who passed away from coronavirus?—could be answered in the affirmative if you or a loved one:
- Was a health care worker who was inadequately protected by their employer
- Stayed in a hotel, Airbnb (or other rental), or another for-profit form of lodging where coronavirus was later located
- Was on a cruise ship where coronavirus was later detected, especially if the operators were aware of one or more previous onboard cases before you boarded the vessel (see the Diamond Princess case)
- Was the victim of negligent practices by one or more government entities, who may have failed to protect them through timely lockdown order or other measures
- May have been infected while on an airline or another public mode of travel
Wrongful death lawsuits, and other coronavirus death-related lawsuit types (according to Fox News), continue to emerge with each passing day.
You may have reason to bring a lawsuit if your loved one died from coronavirus, even if you are currently unaware of the kind of negligence they could have suffered.
A Lawyer May Assist You in Filing Your Coronavirus Lawsuit
If you know that you would like to pursue a coronavirus-related lawsuit—whether due to wrongful death or another reason—a lawyer may be able to assist you by:
- Helping you identify possible acts of negligence in your case
- Calculating compensation to which you may be entitled
- Filing and completing your lawsuit from start to finish
- Defending your rights, as well as the rights of any loved one represented in your lawsuit
Possible Wrongful Death Damages
If you lost a family member due to coronavirus and another party’s negligence caused it, you could recover your losses. As experienced wrongful death lawyers, we will calculate all your past, current, and future losses caused by the victim’s death.
Types of wrongful death damages you can recover include:
- Medical expenses: Costs for treatment related to the victim’s COVID-19 care, such as hospital stays, medication, and emergency interventions prior to their passing.
- Funeral and burial costs: This covers reimbursement for funeral services, cremation, burial plots, headstones, and other related expenses.
- Loss of financial support: Compensation for the income your loved one would have provided if they were still alive, including future earnings and retirement contributions.
- Loss of benefits: This includes the value of lost health insurance, pension plans, or other work-related benefits the deceased provided to their family.
- Loss of companionship and guidance: Damages for the emotional pain caused by losing a family member’s love, support, guidance, and companionship.
- Mental and emotional distress: Compensation for the grief, trauma, and emotional suffering experienced by surviving family members.
- Loss of services: The value of tasks the deceased would have performed, such as childcare, household duties, or care for other dependents.
Although no amount of money can fill the void left by the untimely death of a loved one, the damages you get can help you build a financially secure future for you and your family.
Our team can help you fight for a better future and protect the memory of your deceased loved one.
Call Our Team at Chalik & Chalik Injury Lawyers Today
Our partners work directly with clients, providing honest and personal representation with the aim of making you feel like part of our family.
Call our team at Chalik & Chalik Injury Lawyers today at (855) 529-0269 to learn about how we may be able to assist you with a coronavirus-related lawsuit.