Florida residents know that tragedy can strike at any time. Family and close friends are often thought of as keys to a happy life. Losing a loved one can be a particularly difficult time in an adult's life. But if that death is possibly due to the negligence of another, the family of the loved one may have the right to seek damages for their loss by filing a wrongful death claim.A wrongful death claim may allow a family to receive compensation for the loss of the financial and emotional support that their loved one provided. It can also provide the family money to cover medical and funeral costs. A Florida family who lost their 16 year old daughter is suing the rodeo she was attending at the time of her death for negligence. The girl died February 18, 2011 at a rodeo in Brandon after riding a bull. After she had gotten off the bull, the bull bucked and kicked her in the chest. She was able to walk out of the area but collapsed shortly after and was taken to a nearby hospital. She died later that night in surgery.The doctors who performed the surgery determined that her death was caused by the kick. The kick from the bull lacerated her liver and caused her to bleed to death internally.The family filed the wrongful death suit exactly two years after her death. The family alleges that the rodeo company was negligent in causing her death because they allowed her to ride a bull that was aggressive and "above her skill level". The family also alleges that the rodeo company failed to have any medical staff on site and waited over 15 minutes before calling an ambulance after their daughter was kicked by a bull.The girl's parents had signed a liability waiver before the rodeo acknowledging the danger of riding a bull.The family filed their suit just in time; the statute of limitations for filing a wrongful death suit is two years after the date of death.Source: Tampa Bay Times, "Suit filed over teen's death two years ago in Brandon rodeo," Will Hobson, Feb. 21, 2013
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