When a loved one dies because of someone else’s negligence—whether in a car crash, medical malpractice incident, or workplace accident—the emotional toll is devastating. But the financial impact can also be severe, especially when the deceased was a primary breadwinner. Under Florida law, surviving family members may be entitled to recover lost future income as part of a wrongful death claim.
Here’s what you need to know about how these damages work and who can recover them.
1. What Is “Lost Future Income”?
“Lost future income” (sometimes called loss of future earnings or loss of financial support) refers to the income, benefits, and earning capacity the deceased would have provided to their survivors if they had lived. It includes:
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Expected salary and wages
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Bonuses, commissions, or business income
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Pension or retirement benefits
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Health insurance or other employment-related benefits
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The value of household services or contributions the decedent provided
In short, it’s the financial support that family members will no longer receive due to the wrongful death.
2. Florida’s Wrongful Death Law and Economic Damages
Florida’s Wrongful Death Act, Fla. Stat. §768.21, allows survivors to recover both economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages include loss of support and services from the date of injury to the date of death and for the future, reduced to present value.
Courts often rely on financial experts or economists to project what the deceased would have earned over their remaining work life, accounting for factors like:
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Age and life expectancy
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Career trajectory and education
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Inflation and wage growth
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Personal consumption (what the deceased would have spent on themselves)
This ensures the award fairly represents the financial loss to the surviving family.
3. Who Can Recover Lost Future Income in Florida?
Under Florida Statute §768.21, the following survivors may be eligible to recover lost future income:
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The surviving spouse, for loss of financial support and companionship.
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Minor children (and all children if there is no surviving spouse), for lost parental support and guidance.
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Parents of a deceased minor child (and, in some cases, adult children) for loss of support and companionship.
The estate can also recover lost earnings between the date of injury and death if the decedent did not immediately pass away.
4. How Lost Future Income Is Calculated
Calculating lost future income is complex and usually requires expert testimony. Economists or vocational experts use data such as:
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The deceased’s work history and earning potential
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Employment benefits and expected raises
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Work-life expectancy tables
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Inflation and present-value discount rates
For example, if a 40-year-old father earning $75,000 annually is expected to work another 25 years, his lost future income claim could total over $1 million (before adjustments for inflation and taxes).
5. Why Legal Representation Matters
Insurance companies often dispute or undervalue future income claims, arguing that projections are speculative. A Florida wrongful death attorney can:
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Gather employment and tax records
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Hire economic experts to substantiate the claim
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Ensure all eligible survivors are included
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Negotiate or litigate for the full value of your financial losses
Without skilled legal guidance, families risk settling for far less than what Florida law allows.
Conclusion
Yes, you can recover lost future income in a Florida wrongful death case—but doing so requires careful documentation and expert calculation. These damages help ensure the deceased’s family is financially protected for years to come, honoring the true value of what was lost.
If you’ve lost a loved one due to negligence, consult an experienced Florida wrongful death lawyer to discuss your rights and potential compensation.
Contact Florida Personal Injury Lawyer J.P. Gonzalez-Sirgo by dialing his direct number at (786) 272-5841, calling the main office at (305) 461-1095, or Toll Free at 1 (866) 71-CLAIM or email Miami Attorney Gonzalez-Sirgo directly at jp@yourattorneys.com or by text at (305) 929-8935.
