Suicide consistently ranks within the Top 10 causes of death in the US, and it places disturbingly high on the list within certain age groups. Plus, even more people either attempt suicide or seriously consider taking their own lives. Mental and emotional disorders are often behind thoughts of suicide, and there are numerous risk factors that play a role. When Florida health care providers fail to take action in the presence of these issues, they may be liable for damages under the theory of preventable suicide.
Freidin Brown, P.A. handles a wide range of medical malpractice claims, including those based on the failure to prevent suicide. We are knowledgeable about the relevant laws, so we are prepared to take on the challenges. Please contact us to set up a free consultation with a St. Petersburg preventable suicide lawyer. Some background information is also helpful.
Overview of Medical Malpractice Laws
The basis of the Florida medical negligence statute focuses on the standard of care for health care providers. To recover compensation for a med mal case based upon failure to prevent suicide, there are four essential elements you must prove:
- There was a doctor-patient relationship that gives rise to a duty of care
- The physician breached this duty by failing to take reasonable precautions when the patient exhibited signs of an intent to commit suicide
- The failure to take action was the reason the patient suffered harm
- The patient or surviving family members sustained losses due to preventable suicide
Additional Facts to Note
In addition to the description above, there are some important points to keep in mind about preventable suicide claims:
- If the patient committed suicide because of negligence, survivors may pursue compensation for their losses through a wrongful death claim
- The statute of limitations for preventable suicide cases is 2 years after the date of death, and you are barred from recovering damages if you let it expire
- In most cases of failure to prevent suicide, you will be dealing with an insurance company and attempting to settle
- If the insurer will not pay fair compensation, the next step in the legal process is going to court
Don’t Face This Alone – Talk to Our Preventable Suicide Lawyers Today!
Types of Compensation
Damages are how the law reimburses you for your losses, and our St. Petersburg preventable suicide attorneys at Freidin Brown, P.A. will pursue all available options. The nature of your compensation depends upon how the case proceeds:
- In a wrongful death case, surviving family members can recover for loss of education, consortium, love, support, and contributions, as well as funeral expenses
- A victim who survives can obtain amounts for medical costs, pain and suffering, and emotional distress
Contact a St. Petersburg Preventable Suicide Lawyer to Discuss Remedies
Suicide is tragic, and it is horrific to know that it could have been avoided through proper treatment by health care providers. If you lost a loved one and want to know more about your rights, please contact Freidin Brown, P.A. We can schedule a complimentary case evaluation with a St. Petersburg preventable suicide lawyer who will provide additional details on your legal options.
