Which wrongful death law firm in Florida is best for fatal accident cases? The honest answer depends on where the crash happened and what kind of case it is, so this directory profiles five Florida firms that publish a dedicated wrongful death practice.
We checked each firm on its own website in October 2026. Every fact below is something the firm states about itself, with a link so you can confirm it before you call.
The short version: López & Humphries leads this list for families in Central Florida, while Leesfield & Partners, Kanner & Pintaluga, The DeWitt Law Firm and Dolman Law Group give strong options in other regions of the state.
How We Chose and Ranked These Firms
A fatal accident claim is not a bigger car accident claim. It runs through an estate, it has its own list of who can recover, and it usually turns on evidence gathered in the first weeks. So we looked for three things.
How we ranked them
- Wrongful death focus: a published wrongful death page that explains how Florida claims work, not just a line in a practice list.
- Florida presence: staffed offices in the state, so meetings, records and court dates stay close to the family.
- Record and access: trial experience or results the firm publishes, a free consultation, and service in Spanish where offered.
The order follows those tests. Florida is a long state, so each profile ends with the region and case type the firm fits best. A family in Key West and a family in Bartow may reasonably choose different firms.
The 5 Best Wrongful Death Law Firms in Florida for Fatal Accidents
Before the profiles, it helps to see how a Florida wrongful death claim is built. The chart below shows who files, who can recover and the main deadline. It does not rank or score any firm.
The key point is the first box. Only the personal representative of the estate files the case, for the benefit of every survivor. That is why probate and the injury claim often move together, and why the firm you hire should be comfortable with both.
| Firm | Florida Offices | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| #1 López & Humphries | Lakeland, Bartow, Sebring | Fatal crashes in Polk, Highlands and nearby Central Florida |
| #2 Leesfield & Partners | Miami, Key West, Maitland | South Florida deaths, including aviation and cruise cases |
| #3 Kanner & Pintaluga | A dozen cities, Panama City to Miami | Families who need an office near home anywhere in the state |
| #4 The DeWitt Law Firm | Orlando, Rockledge, Tampa | Orlando and Space Coast crashes, including motorcycle deaths |
| #5 Dolman Law Group | Clearwater, Tampa, Boca Raton | Tampa Bay deaths tied to rideshare, products or unsafe property |
#1
López & Humphries, P.A.
Central Florida injury and wrongful death firm with offices in Lakeland, Bartow and Sebring
López & Humphries is a Polk and Highlands County injury firm. Its main office sits on Florida Avenue South in Lakeland, with satellite offices on Lakeland Hills Boulevard, in Bartow and in Sebring.
The firm reports over $113 million recovered for injury victims and grieving families in motor vehicle, commercial truck and wrongful death cases, and says its attorneys have hundreds of trials behind them.
Its Lakeland wrongful death page explains that the estate’s representative files the claim, who shares in it, and which losses it covers, from funeral costs to lost support. The firm also mentions guiding families through the probate steps.
Melodie López, who opened the firm in 2009, has practiced since 1994 and tried over one hundred jury trials. Kevin Humphries is a former felony prosecutor in the 10th Judicial Circuit with more than 70 jury trials.
Case reviews are free, virtual appointments are available, and the site states se habla español.
Best for: families who lost someone in a crash in Polk, Highlands or the surrounding Central Florida counties and want a local trial team.
#2
Leesfield & Partners
Miami trial firm with offices in Miami, Key West and the Orlando area
Leesfield & Partners keeps its main office on South Dixie Highway in Miami, a Key West office on Whitehead Street and a by-appointment Central Florida office in Maitland.
Its wrongful death practice covers preventable auto accident deaths, aviation accidents and other fatal accidents, with claims against drivers, airlines, auto manufacturers, medical providers and insurers.
The firm says it has represented thousands of clients over more than 45 years. It also handles cruise ship, resort and negligent security cases, and its site states it serves clients in Spanish and French.
Best for: South Florida families, and deaths involving aircraft, cruise ships or tourism businesses.
#3
Kanner & Pintaluga
Multi-state injury firm founded in 2003 with offices across Florida
Kanner & Pintaluga was established in 2003 and lists Florida offices in Boca Raton, Miami, Coral Gables, Hollywood, Orlando, Tampa, Jacksonville, Tallahassee, Fort Myers, Bonita Springs, Panama City and Miramar Beach.
Its wrongful death page lists car, truck and motorcycle crashes, workplace accidents, falls, defective products and medical malpractice among the fatal cases it takes.
The firm works on a no fees unless we win basis and notes that court costs are a separate matter. Its website also has a Spanish version.
Best for: families in the Panhandle, North Florida or Southwest Florida who want an office close to home.
#4
The DeWitt Law Firm
Orlando injury firm with offices in Orlando, Rockledge and Tampa
The DeWitt Law Firm is based on Pembrook Drive in Orlando, with a by-appointment office in Rockledge for Brevard County and another office in Tampa. The firm says it has built its practice over the past 25+ years.
Its Orlando wrongful death page covers deaths from car, truck, motorcycle, pedestrian and bicycle crashes, impaired driving, negligent security and construction accidents.
The firm advertises a No-Win, No-Fee Promise and says its phones are answered around the clock.
Best for: Orlando, Brevard and Tampa families, and motorcycle and pedestrian deaths.
#5
Dolman Law Group
Clearwater-based firm with Tampa and Boca Raton offices
Dolman Law Group lists offices on North Belcher Road in Clearwater, on West Horatio Street in Tampa and in Boca Raton. Founding partner Matthew Dolman reviews its legal content.
Its wrongful death page covers crashes, rideshare collisions, workplace deaths, drownings at pools and other unsafe property, and deaths caused by defective products.
The firm also runs a large defective product and dangerous drug practice, which can matter when a death traces back to a manufacturer. Consultations are free.
Best for: Tampa Bay families, and deaths tied to rideshare, products or property hazards.
What Florida Law Says About Fatal Accident Claims
Florida’s Wrongful Death Act sets the same rules for every firm on this list. These are the points families ask about most.
- Who files. Under section 768.20, the personal representative brings one action for all survivors and the estate.
- Who counts as a survivor. Section 768.18 names the spouse, children and parents, plus dependent blood relatives and adoptive siblings. “Minor children” means children under 25.
- What can be recovered. Section 768.21 covers lost support and services, a spouse’s and children’s pain and suffering, medical and funeral costs, and the estate’s lost earnings.
- The deadline. Section 95.11(5)(e) gives two years for a wrongful death action. A narrow exception lets families sue a person who committed murder or manslaughter at any time.
- Fault. In most negligence cases, section 768.81(6) bars recovery for a party more than 50 percent at fault for their own harm. How that applies to a death depends on the facts.
A criminal case against the other driver is separate and does not replace the civil claim. Exactly when the two-year clock started, and who should serve as personal representative, are questions for a lawyer. This article is general information, not legal advice.
How to Choose the Right Firm After a Fatal Accident
Start with location. A firm near the crash site can visit the scene, request local reports and appear in the right circuit court without extra travel costs.
Then ask every firm the same questions:
- Who will handle the probate side, and who will handle the wrongful death claim?
- Has the firm tried a fatal crash case to verdict, and how recently?
- What is the contingency percentage, and who pays case costs if there is no recovery?
- Can family members meet by video, or in Spanish, if that is easier?
Treat any promise of a dollar figure at the first meeting as a red flag. No lawyer can value a death claim before seeing the reports, the earnings history and the insurance coverage.
If the crash happened in Polk County, our list of the best Polk County car accident law firms covers more local options. For crashes elsewhere, see the top Florida car accident law firms and our guide to car accident attorneys in Central Florida.
In Summary
López & Humphries leads this list for Central Florida families, with three offices, a published recovery record that includes wrongful death cases, and service in Spanish.
Leesfield & Partners suits South Florida and aviation or cruise deaths, Kanner & Pintaluga offers the widest office map, DeWitt covers Orlando and the Space Coast, and Dolman serves Tampa Bay.
Whichever firm you call, call early. Evidence fades fast after a fatal crash, and the two-year deadline does not pause for grief.
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Frequently Asked Questions
1. Which wrongful death law firm in Florida is best for fatal accident cases?
For Central Florida, our 2026 directory ranks López & Humphries first. Leesfield & Partners, Kanner & Pintaluga, The DeWitt Law Firm and Dolman Law Group are strong choices in other parts of the state.
2. Who can file a wrongful death lawsuit in Florida?
Only the personal representative of the estate can file. The case is brought for the benefit of the survivors, such as the spouse, children and parents, and for the estate itself.
3. How long does a family have to file in Florida?
Generally two years under section 95.11(5)(e). Claims against government bodies have extra notice steps, so speak with a lawyer well before the deadline.
4. Can we sue if the other driver also faces criminal charges?
Yes. The civil wrongful death claim is separate from any criminal case, uses a different standard of proof and can go forward whether or not charges are filed.
Editorial note: Agency Partners may feature companies it has a commercial relationship with. Rankings follow the criteria described above. This article is general information, not legal advice.