There is no pain quite like the sudden, preventable loss of a loved one. When a family member is taken from you due to someone else’s carelessness, the grief is often overwhelming, leaving you feeling lost, angry, and unsure of how to pick up the pieces. During this incredibly dark and fragile time, your family deserves a legal advocate who offers genuine compassion, not just legal advice.
At a time when you need true support, the last thing you want is to be treated like a file number at a massive, impersonal “billboard” law firm. Pittman Law Firm, P.L. operates differently. We intentionally limit the number of families we help so we can dedicate our full hearts and resources to your case. When you trust us to honor your loved one’s memory, you will never be pushed aside to an invisible paralegal. You work directly with David B. Pittman, a dedicated, local advocate who will shoulder the legal and financial burdens so you can focus entirely on your family and your healing.
Important Steps for Your Family During This Difficult Time
- Allow Us to Handle the Investigation: Crucial evidence disappears quickly. Let our team secure the official crash or incident reports from the Naples Police Department, Collier County Sheriff’s Office, or FHP Troop F.
- Understand the Legal Process: In Florida, a wrongful death claim must be filed by the “Personal Representative” of your loved one’s estate. We will gently guide you through exactly how this works.
- Protect Your Privacy: Corporate insurance adjusters may try to call you while you are grieving. Please do not speak with them. Direct all of their calls to our office so we can protect you.
- Be Mindful of Legal Deadlines: Florida law provides a strict 2-year window to file a wrongful death claim. Reaching out early ensures we can preserve your family’s rights.
If your family is suffering the loss of a loved one due to a tragic accident in Southwest Florida, please do not face the insurance companies alone. Call Pittman Law Firm at 239-992-8259 for a 100% free, completely confidential, and compassionate consultation.
How Heartbreaking Tragedies Happen in Naples
Naples is a beautiful, close-knit community, but our busy seasonal roads and large healthcare facilities unfortunately see their share of devastating accidents. We understand the profound medical realities of these tragedies, and we know how to explain the clinical truth of what happened to a judge or jury.
We routinely help families who have lost loved ones due to catastrophic trauma, such as severe anoxia (lack of oxygen to the brain), traumatic brain injuries (TBI), and massive internal hemorrhaging. We investigate fatal accidents involving:
- Auto and Truck Collisions: Devastating, high-speed crashes on I-75 (Alligator Alley), US-41/Tamiami Trail, and Immokalee Road.
- Pedestrian and Bicycle Accidents: Heartbreaking impacts where unprotected walkers or cyclists are struck by distracted drivers near Waterside Shops, Gulf Shore Boulevard, or 5th Avenue South.
- Medical Malpractice: Tragic, preventable clinical errors, such as surgical mistakes or delayed diagnoses, at local facilities like NCH Baker Hospital Downtown or Physicians Regional Medical Center.
- Premises Liability & Drownings: Unimaginable losses caused by fatal falls, negligent security, or child drownings at unsecured resort and residential pools.
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Don’t Let Insurance Companies Undervalue Your Case
Insurance companies look for ways to reduce payouts. Pittman Law Firm stands up for you and fights to recover the full compensation you deserve.
Who Can File a Claim for a Loved One in Florida?
The legal rules surrounding wrongful death can feel very cold and complex when you are grieving. Under the Florida Wrongful Death Act (Florida Statutes § 768.16 – § 768.26), the lawsuit must be filed by the “Personal Representative” of your loved one’s estate. If your loved one had a will, this person is usually named there. If not, a Collier County probate judge will appoint someone, often a close family member.
The Personal Representative files the claim to seek justice and financial stability for the eligible surviving family members, which typically includes:
- The surviving husband or wife.
- The surviving children (Florida law offers specific, strong protections for minor children who lose a parent).
- The parents of the deceased.
- Any blood relatives or adoptive siblings who were dependent on the deceased for support.
Securing Your Family’s Future
While no amount of money can ever replace the person you love, the civil justice system’s goal is to ensure your family does not face financial ruin because of someone else’s mistake. We aggressively pursue the responsible party’s corporate liability and umbrella insurance policies to provide for your future. We seek recovery for:
- Medical and End-of-Life Expenses: Complete reimbursement for hospital bills and funeral/burial costs so your family isn’t left in debt.
- Loss of Support and Services: Financial replacement for the income, household contributions, and childcare your loved one would have provided over their lifetime.
- Loss of Companionship: Deeply necessary compensation for a spouse’s loss of love and partnership, and a child’s loss of vital parental guidance.
- Emotional Trauma: Acknowledgment of the profound mental pain and suffering inflicted upon your family.
Florida Laws That Impact Your Family
To successfully seek justice in the Collier County Courthouse on Tamiami Trail East, your attorney must deeply understand state law. David B. Pittman knows exactly how to navigate these rules to protect your family.
The 2-Year Statute of Limitations
Under Florida Statute § 95.11 (updated in 2023), families now have exactly TWO years from the date of passing to file a wrongful death lawsuit. Because we must carefully set up the estate in probate court before we can even file the civil lawsuit, we encourage families to reach out to us as soon as they feel ready.
The Modified Comparative Fault Rule (51% Rule)
It is hard to believe, but insurance companies will often try to blame your loved one for the accident to avoid paying your family. They use Florida Statute § 768.81, Florida’s “Modified Comparative Fault” system. If a jury decides your loved one was 51% or more responsible for the accident, your family cannot recover compensation. We fiercely protect your loved one’s memory and fight back against these unfair tactics using elite accident reconstruction experts.
Our No-Risk Guarantee: We operate on a strict contingency fee basis. Your family pays absolutely nothing out of pocket to hire our firm, and we do not collect a single dime unless we successfully recover compensation for you.
Protect Your Claim: What NOT To Do
Insurance adjusters are trained to contact grieving families when they are most vulnerable. Protect your family’s peace of mind and legal rights by following these simple rules:
- NEVER give a recorded statement to the at-fault party’s insurance adjuster. They will intentionally ask confusing questions to shift the blame away from their client.
- NEVER post about the accident, your grief, or the legal process on social media. Defense attorneys routinely monitor family Facebook and Instagram accounts.
- NEVER accept the first settlement check. Initial offers from insurance companies are notoriously low and do not account for your family’s lifelong loss. Let David B. Pittman review everything first.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What if the Naples Police are still investigating the crash on Pine Ridge Road? Can we still call you?
Yes, absolutely. You do not need to wait for the police to finish their criminal or traffic investigation to speak with us. In fact, getting us involved early allows us to preserve evidence, interview witnesses, and hire our own experts before the scene is cleared.
Can we file a wrongful death claim if the driver who caused the accident was arrested for a DUI?
Yes. A wrongful death lawsuit is a civil case, which is completely separate from the criminal charges handled by the State Attorney’s Office. Even if the criminal trial takes years or results in a surprising verdict, we can still pursue civil justice for your family because the burden of proof is different in civil court.
Who pays the hospital bills if my loved one was treated in the ER before passing away?
Initially, your loved one’s auto insurance PIP (if it was a car accident) or their personal health insurance will process the medical bills. Our ultimate goal in the wrongful death lawsuit is to ensure the final settlement repays those bills and completely reimburses your family for any out-of-pocket costs.
What happens if my loved one was a tourist visiting Naples from out of state?
We are very sorry for your loss while visiting our city. If the fatal accident happened here in Naples, the lawsuit must generally be filed in Collier County using Florida law. We routinely and compassionately represent out-of-state families, handling all the stressful local legal complexities so you can grieve at home.
When you call our firm, you get a local, compassionate advocate who will treat your family with the utmost respect. Contact David B. Pittman today so we can help carry this burden for you.
Related Naples Practice Areas
- Naples Car Accidents
- Naples Bicycle Accidents
- Naples Pedestrian Accidents
- Naples Motorcycle Accidents
- Naples Truck & Bus Accidents
- Naples Drunk Driving Accidents
- Naples Slip & Fall Accidents
- Naples Premises Liability
- Naples Medical Malpractice
- Naples Nursing Home Abuse
- Naples Dog Bites
- Naples Catastrophic Injuries
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We can do everything large firms can do, but better.
We've won millions of dollars on behalf of our clients.
We are local and have convenient locations.
We handle every case personally.
We return all calls - don't get lost in the system of a large firm!
We treat every case like we were handling it for a family member.
We are a full-service law firm helping you with all aspects of your case.
We have 30+ years of experience handling personal injury cases.
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