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Wrongful Death Attorneys in Florida, Nebraska & Iowa | Belleh & Okolo Law Group

No legal process brings back a person who has been lost. What the law provides is accountability, a mechanism for holding responsible parties answerable for the consequences of their negligence and a measure of financial recovery that can help surviving families navigate a future that was abruptly and permanently altered. Belleh & Okolo Law Group represents families in wrongful death claims across Florida, Nebraska, and Iowa. We handle these cases with the seriousness they deserve.

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What Is a Wrongful Death Claim Under Florida, Nebraska & Iowa Law?

A wrongful death claim is a civil lawsuit brought by or on behalf of surviving family members when a person dies as a result of another party’s negligence, recklessness, or intentional misconduct. It is separate from any criminal proceeding. The two can run simultaneously, and the outcome of one does not determine the other.

Each state has its own statute, and the details matter.

In Florida, wrongful death claims are governed by the Florida Wrongful Death Act (§ 768.16–768.26). A personal representative of the estate brings the claim on behalf of eligible survivors, typically the spouse, children, and parents. Florida allows recovery for lost support and services, loss of companionship, mental pain and suffering for eligible survivors, and for the estate, medical expenses, funeral costs, and lost net accumulations.

In Nebraska, wrongful death claims are governed by Nebraska Revised Statutes § 30-809 through 30-810. The personal representative brings the action for the benefit of the next of kin, with recovery focused primarily on pecuniary losses like lost financial contributions and household services.

In Iowa, claims are governed by Iowa Code § 611.20 and related provisions. The administrator or executor of the estate brings the action, with recovery available for lost support, the value of companionship and services, and funeral expenses.

Understanding which state’s law applies and who has legal standing is one of the first things we address in every wrongful death case.

Common Causes of Wrongful Death We Handle

Motor vehicle accidents, including crashes caused by drunk, distracted, or reckless drivers and collisions involving commercial trucks, are among the most common sources of wrongful death claims.

Nursing home neglect and abuse causes preventable deaths across all three states through infected pressure ulcers, dehydration, medication errors, and falls from unsecured beds.

Medical malpractice, including misdiagnosis, surgical errors, and failure to respond to deteriorating patient conditions, takes lives that proper care would have preserved.

Workplace accidents like construction falls, industrial equipment failures, and chemical exposures kill workers who were owed safe conditions by employers or site controllers.

Defective products and premises liability incidents, including vehicle component failures, building fires, and structural collapses, also give rise to wrongful death claims.

How We Build a Wrongful Death Case

A wrongful death case has two dimensions that must be developed simultaneously: liability and damages.

Liability means proving the defendant owed the deceased a duty of care, breached that duty, and that the breach caused the death. Depending on the circumstances, this requires accident reconstruction experts, medical specialists, clinical nursing experts, or product engineers. We identify and retain the right experts for each case.

Damages extend far beyond medical bills. They include the financial support the deceased would have provided over their lifetime, the value of household services they contributed, the loss of companionship and guidance experienced by survivors and, in some states, the pain and suffering of surviving family members. Families that accept early settlements without understanding the full scope of available damages may be left without resources years down the road.

What we do in a wrongful death case:

Establish standing under the applicable state statute
Preserve all liability evidence immediately
Calculate the full scope of economic and non-economic damages
Work with forensic economists on lost earnings and support projections
Navigate estate administration requirements
Negotiate from preparation, and litigate when necessary

What to Expect When You Work With Us

Free Consultation

We explain how the wrongful death statute in the relevant state applies, who has standing, and what the timeline looks like directly with an attorney.

Investigation and Evidence Preservation

We move immediately to secure evidence before it can be lost or altered. In vehicle cases, this means black box data and surveillance footage. In nursing home cases, this means medical and facility records.

Expert Development

We build the liability and damages team and prepare complete expert opinions before any offer is evaluated.

Demand, Negotiation, or Trial

We seek fair resolution when the defense engages honestly. When they do not, we litigate with trial and appellate experience across Florida, Nebraska, and Iowa.

Why Choose Belleh & Okolo Law Group?

Multi-state licensure and federal court admission, including Florida, Nebraska, and Iowa

Trial and appellate experience, including jury and bench trial experience and a record of successful appellate arguments

Direct attorney access, where you work with the attorney on your case

Contingency representation, costing no fee unless we recover for you

Frequently Asked Questions About Wrongful Death

In all three states, the personal representative or administrator of the deceased’s estate files the claim for the benefit of eligible survivors such as the spouse, children, and parents. If no estate has been opened, that may need to happen concurrently with the claim. We coordinate with estate counsel where needed.

Florida, Nebraska, and Iowa each generally allow two years from the date of death, though the calculation can vary based on when negligence was discovered or other circumstances. Do not assume you know how much time you have. Contact us so we can assess the timeline accurately.

Possibly. Florida’s pure comparative negligence system allows recovery regardless of the deceased’s share of fault. Nebraska and Iowa use modified comparative fault with a 50% bar. Defense attorneys routinely invest in comparative fault arguments in wrongful death cases. We build the factual record to counter them.

Recoverable damages include medical expenses before death, funeral and burial costs, lifetime financial support the deceased would have provided, the value of household services, loss of companionship and guidance, and in Florida mental pain and suffering for eligible survivors. In cases of egregious conduct, punitive damages may also be available.

The civil and criminal proceedings are separate. A criminal conviction is not required to succeed in a wrongful death civil case. The civil standard is preponderance of the evidence, a lower bar than proof beyond a reasonable doubt. We advise families navigating both processes.

Cases with clear liability and cooperative insurers may resolve within a year. Cases involving multiple defendants or disputed damages take longer. We keep clients informed at every stage and do not rush the process at the expense of a fair result.

Talk to a Wrongful Death Attorney Today

Losing someone to another party’s negligence is among the most devastating experiences a family can face. You deserve honest answers, thorough representation, and attorneys who will fight for the accountability your family is owed.

Belleh & Okolo Law Group represents wrongful death families throughout Florida, Nebraska, and Iowa. Contact us for a free consultation and speak directly with an attorney. No fee unless we recover for you.

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