Florida Statute 768.19 - Full Text and Legal Analysis

The 2025 Florida Statutes

Title XLV
TORTS

Chapter 768
NEGLIGENCE

View Entire Chapter

768.19 Right of action.—When the death of a person is caused by the wrongful act, negligence, default, or breach of contract or warranty of any person, including those occurring on navigable waters, and the event would have entitled the person injured to maintain an action and recover damages if death had not ensued, the person or watercraft that would have been liable in damages if death had not ensued shall be liable for damages as specified in this act notwithstanding the death of the person injured, although death was caused under circumstances constituting a felony.

History.—s. 1, ch. 72-35.

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Amendments to 768.19

Annotations, Discussions, Cases:

Cases Citing Statute 768.19

Total Results: 70

Metropolitan Life Ins. Co. v. McCarson

467 So. 2d 277, 10 Fla. L. Weekly 154, 1985 Fla. LEXIS 3223

Supreme Court of Florida | Filed: Mar 7, 1985 | Docket: 2463683

Cited 285 times | Published

contract. Florida's Wrongful Death Act, in section 768.19, Florida Statutes (1981), requires, as a condition

Wallace v. Dean

3 So. 3d 1035, 34 Fla. L. Weekly Supp. 52, 2009 Fla. LEXIS 138, 2009 WL 196394

Supreme Court of Florida | Filed: Jan 29, 2009 | Docket: 1003277

Cited 159 times | Published

action against the Sheriff of Marion County. See § 768.19, Fla. Stat. (2004) (“When the death of a person

Knowles v. Beverly Enterprises-Florida

898 So. 2d 1, 2004 WL 2922097

Supreme Court of Florida | Filed: Dec 16, 2004 | Docket: 1732329

Cited 89 times | Published

breach of contract or warranty of any person." § 768.19, Fla. Stat. (1997). Under the Wrongful Death Act

Martin v. United Security Services, Inc.

314 So. 2d 765

Supreme Court of Florida | Filed: Apr 23, 1975 | Docket: 1420969

Cited 62 times | Published

the wrongful death action into one lawsuit. Section 768.19[16] of the new Act provides for a cause of

Stern v. Miller

348 So. 2d 303

Supreme Court of Florida | Filed: Jun 9, 1977 | Docket: 1760683

Cited 45 times | Published

brought under Florida's Wrongful Death Act [Section 768.19, Florida Statutes (1973)]. Respondents, Mr

Gaboury v. Flagler Hospital, Inc.

316 So. 2d 642

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Jul 18, 1975 | Docket: 1455675

Cited 39 times | Published

, 36 ALR2d 1146, 1150, § 4 (1954). Fla. Stat. § 768.19, reads as follows: "When the death of a person

Variety Children's Hosp. v. Perkins

445 So. 2d 1010

Supreme Court of Florida | Filed: Dec 15, 1983 | Docket: 1685540

Cited 36 times | Published

holding is based upon the language contained in section 768.19, Florida Statutes (1981), which provides: When

Dewey Brown, as the Personal Representative of the Estate of Charlie Brown v. United States

838 F.2d 1157, 1988 U.S. App. LEXIS 2498, 1988 WL 9630

Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit | Filed: Mar 1, 1988 | Docket: 490401

Cited 24 times | Published

forth an action for wrongful death under Fla.Stat. § 768.19 (1985). The United States opposed both motions

Horton v. Unigard Ins. Co.

355 So. 2d 154

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Feb 14, 1978 | Docket: 1714883

Cited 19 times | Published

wife's estate against her erstwhile husband. Section 768.19, Florida Statutes (1975), provides, among other

Florida Convalescent Centers v. Somberg

840 So. 2d 998, 28 Fla. L. Weekly Supp. 122, 2003 Fla. LEXIS 166, 2003 WL 252155

Supreme Court of Florida | Filed: Feb 6, 2003 | Docket: 1748290

Cited 17 times | Published

and sisters." § 768.18(1), Fla. Stat. (1997). Section 768.19, Florida Statutes (1997), explains when an

Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. v. Phlieger

508 So. 2d 713, 12 Fla. L. Weekly 256, 1987 Fla. LEXIS 1923

Supreme Court of Florida | Filed: May 28, 1987 | Docket: 1648786

Cited 17 times | Published

wrongful death action against Nissan, pursuant to section 768.19, Florida Statutes (1983). Nissan filed a motion

Toombs v. Alamo Rent-A-Car, Inc.

833 So. 2d 109, 27 Fla. L. Weekly Supp. 915, 2002 Fla. LEXIS 2270, 2002 WL 31426259

Supreme Court of Florida | Filed: Oct 31, 2002 | Docket: 1675643

Cited 15 times | Published

certified conflict with Alley. Id.[4] ANALYSIS Section 768.19, Florida Statutes (1995), which defines the

Dressler v. Tubbs

435 So. 2d 792

Supreme Court of Florida | Filed: Jul 14, 1983 | Docket: 1329005

Cited 15 times | Published

relevant part of the Florida Wrongful Death Act, Section 768.19, Florida Statutes (1977), provided: When the

Johnson v. Mullee

385 So. 2d 1038

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Jun 6, 1980 | Docket: 1700438

Cited 13 times | Published

further found: *1040 ... Under the provisions of section 768.19 and Florida decisionary law, a bar to the decedent's

Laizure v. Avante at Leesburg, Inc.

109 So. 3d 752, 38 Fla. L. Weekly Supp. 102, 2013 WL 535417, 2013 Fla. LEXIS 249

Supreme Court of Florida | Filed: Feb 14, 2013 | Docket: 60229788

Cited 12 times | Published

injury claim into one for wrongful death. See § 768.19, Fla. Stat. (2009). Consequently, courts generally

Capone v. Philip Morris USA, Inc.

116 So. 3d 363, 38 Fla. L. Weekly Supp. 402, 2013 WL 2631180, 2013 Fla. LEXIS 1180

Supreme Court of Florida | Filed: Jun 13, 2013 | Docket: 60232348

Cited 11 times | Published

remained substantively unchanged since 1951. Section 768.19 of the Florida Wrongful Death Act provides:

Linder v. Calero Portocarrero

747 F. Supp. 1452, 1990 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 12494, 1990 WL 138866

District Court, S.D. Florida | Filed: Sep 17, 1990 | Docket: 10296

Cited 11 times | Published

under the Florida Wrongful Death Act, Fla.Stat. § 768.19,[4] and the Florida Survivor Statute, Fla.Stat

Smith v. Lusk

356 So. 2d 1309

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Mar 29, 1978 | Docket: 1478401

Cited 8 times | Published

the name of the person prescribed by law." Section 768.19, Florida Statutes (1975), reads in part: "When

Hudson v. Keene Corp.

445 So. 2d 1151

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Mar 8, 1984 | Docket: 1685553

Cited 7 times | Published

in the wrongful death statute, specifically Section 768.19, Florida Statutes, the wrongful death claim

Perkins v. Variety Children's Hosp.

413 So. 2d 760

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Jan 12, 1982 | Docket: 381809

Cited 7 times | Published

language in the Florida Wrongful Death Act, Section 768.19, Florida Statutes (1979). The Act provides

Duncan v. Flynn

342 So. 2d 123

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Feb 9, 1977 | Docket: 421495

Cited 7 times | Published

unborn child is a "person" within the meaning of Section 768.19. This court has also recognized that trend

Hampton v. A. Duda & Sons, Inc.

511 So. 2d 1104, 12 Fla. L. Weekly 2124, 1987 Fla. App. LEXIS 10326

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Sep 3, 1987 | Docket: 1338583

Cited 6 times | Published

his survivor bringing a cause of action under section 768.19. See, e.g., Hudson v. Keene Corp., 445 So.2d

Phlieger v. Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.

487 So. 2d 1096, 11 Fla. L. Weekly 743, 1986 Fla. App. LEXIS 7060

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Mar 27, 1986 | Docket: 1797245

Cited 6 times | Published

brought this wrongful death action pursuant to section 768.19, Florida Statutes (1983) which provides as

Williams v. Bay Hosp., Inc.

471 So. 2d 626, 10 Fla. L. Weekly 1569

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Jun 25, 1985 | Docket: 1396922

Cited 6 times | Published

act, negligence, [or] default ..." of another. § 768.19, Florida Statutes (1983). The constitutionality

Davis v. Simpson

313 So. 2d 796

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Jun 9, 1975 | Docket: 1751170

Cited 6 times | Published

stillborn fetus a "person" within the meaning of § 768.19, Florida Statutes, 1973? Although none of the

50 State Security Service, Inc. v. Giangrandi

132 So. 3d 1128, 2013 WL 6212039, 2013 Fla. App. LEXIS 18916

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Nov 27, 2013 | Docket: 60238323

Cited 5 times | Published

breach of contract or warranty” caused the death. § 768.19, Fla. Stat. (2011). The Florida Supreme Court

Laizure v. Avante at Leesburg, Inc.

44 So. 3d 1254, 2010 Fla. App. LEXIS 14543, 2010 WL 3808683

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Oct 1, 2010 | Docket: 2401924

Cited 5 times | Published

injury claim into one for wrongful death. See § 768.19, Fla. Stat. (2009). Consequently, courts generally

Hughes v. UNITECH AIRCRAFT SERV., INC.

662 So. 2d 999, 1995 WL 653331

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Nov 8, 1995 | Docket: 715778

Cited 5 times | Published

was amended in 1972 so that it now begins, in section 768.19, Fla. Stat. (1993): "When the death of a person

Abdelaziz v. AMISUB of Florida

515 So. 2d 269, 12 Fla. L. Weekly 2407

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Oct 13, 1987 | Docket: 1749186

Cited 5 times | Published

of a fetus, regardless of viability, under Section 768.19, Florida Statutes (1983), because a fetus is

Randall v. Walt Disney World Co.

140 So. 3d 1118, 2014 WL 2781819, 2014 Fla. App. LEXIS 9338

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Jun 20, 2014 | Docket: 60241372

Cited 4 times | Published

court held that Florida’s Wrongful Death Act, section 768.19, Florida Statutes (2008), did not require dismissal

Griffis v. Wheeler

18 So. 3d 2, 2009 Fla. App. LEXIS 10491, 2009 WL 2342722

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Jul 31, 2009 | Docket: 2546489

Cited 4 times | Published

caused under circumstances constituting a felony. § 768.19, Fla. Stat. (2005). The Act also provides that

Griffis v. Wheeler

18 So. 3d 2, 2009 Fla. App. LEXIS 10491, 2009 WL 2342722

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Jul 31, 2009 | Docket: 2546489

Cited 4 times | Published

caused under circumstances constituting a felony. § 768.19, Fla. Stat. (2005). The Act also provides that

Miller v. Highlands Insurance Company

336 So. 2d 636, 1976 Fla. App. LEXIS 15359

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Aug 6, 1976 | Docket: 1378768

Cited 4 times | Published

their unborn, viable child it must be based on § 768.19, which provides: "When the death of a person is

Burks v. Beary

713 F. Supp. 2d 1350, 2010 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 42267, 2010 WL 1742086

District Court, M.D. Florida | Filed: Apr 29, 2010 | Docket: 2403356

Cited 3 times | Published

recover damages if death had not ensued." Id. § 768.19. Defendants argue that Counts IV, V, and VI fail

Lewis v. City of St. Petersburg

98 F. Supp. 2d 1344, 2000 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 8485, 2000 WL 781042

District Court, M.D. Florida | Filed: May 3, 2000 | Docket: 2444106

Cited 3 times | Published

alleged to be negligent. *1348 Florida Statute § 768.19, in pertinent part, states: When the death of

Enterprise Leasing Co. v. Alley

728 So. 2d 272, 1999 WL 43516

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Feb 3, 1999 | Docket: 562656

Cited 3 times | Published

arising out of the event. The Wrongful Death Act, section 768.19, Florida Statutes (1995), provides in part:

Young v. ST. VINCENT'S MED. CENTER, INC.

673 So. 2d 482

Supreme Court of Florida | Filed: Mar 14, 1996 | Docket: 69240

Cited 3 times | Published

whether a fetus is a person within the meaning of section 768.19, Florida Statutes (1993) (Florida Wrongful

Tubbs v. Dressler

419 So. 2d 1151

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Sep 29, 1982 | Docket: 1608632

Cited 3 times | Published

the husband's liability insurance policy? Section 768.19, Florida Statutes (1977) says: When the death

Estate of Osorio v. Miami-Dade County

191 F. Supp. 3d 1366, 2016 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 79761, 2016 WL 3221138

District Court, S.D. Florida | Filed: Jun 9, 2016 | Docket: 64309266

Cited 2 times | Published

damages if death had not ensued .,..” Fla. Stat. § 768.19. The Estate claims the cause of the wrongful death

In re Engle Cases

45 F. Supp. 3d 1351, 2014 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 133727, 2014 WL 4542998

District Court, M.D. Florida | Filed: Sep 12, 2014 | Docket: 64297185

Cited 2 times | Published

the death of the harmed individual. Fla. Stat. § 768.19. The legislature, however, is specific about how

Homaday v. Smith & Nephew, Inc.

994 F. Supp. 2d 1264, 2014 WL 260568, 2014 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 10292

District Court, M.D. Florida | Filed: Jan 7, 2014 | Docket: 65997075

Cited 2 times | Published

personal injury action abates. See Fla. Stat. § 768.19 (“When a personal injury to the decedent results

In Re Guardianship of JDS

864 So. 2d 534, 2004 WL 42619

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Jan 9, 2004 | Docket: 1426074

Cited 2 times | Published

(2003). [7] § 744.102(19), Fla. Stat. (2003). [8] § 768.19, Fla. Stat. (1993). [9] § 827.04(1), Fla. Stat

Young v. ST. VINCENT'S MEDICAL CENTER

653 So. 2d 499, 1995 WL 234614

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Apr 24, 1995 | Docket: 552214

Cited 2 times | Published

whether a fetus is a person within the meaning of section 768.19, Florida Statutes (1993), has been extensively

England v. United States

632 F. Supp. 1340, 1986 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 26770

District Court, M.D. Florida | Filed: Apr 14, 1986 | Docket: 2113165

Cited 2 times | Published

Florida Court would decide. 6. Florida Statutes, Section 768.19 provides: When the death of a person is caused

Sharbaugh v. Beaudry

267 F. Supp. 3d 1326

District Court, N.D. Florida | Filed: Jul 14, 2017 | Docket: 64315301

Cited 1 times | Published

for damages as specified in the act, Fla. Stat. § 768.19, which incltide economic losses of the estate

Sharbaugh v. Beaudry

267 F. Supp. 3d 1326

District Court, N.D. Florida | Filed: Jul 14, 2017 | Docket: 64315301

Cited 1 times | Published

for damages as specified in the act, Fla. Stat. § 768.19, which incltide economic losses of the estate

Starling v. R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co.

845 F. Supp. 2d 1215, 2011 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 151514, 2011 WL 6965854

District Court, M.D. Florida | Filed: Nov 2, 2011 | Docket: 65979342

Cited 1 times | Published

damages if death had not ensued ....” Fla. Stat. § 768.19. B. The Capone Decision6 The Wrongful Death Act’s

Capone v. Philip Morris U.S.A. Inc.

56 So. 3d 34, 2010 Fla. App. LEXIS 18323, 2010 WL 4861743

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Dec 1, 2010 | Docket: 60298578

Cited 1 times | Published

suit as required under the Wrongful Death Act, section 768.19, Florida Statutes (2008). By the time the September

Toombs v. Alamo Rent-A-Car

762 So. 2d 1040, 2000 WL 1033055

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Jul 28, 2000 | Docket: 1690931

Cited 1 times | Published

under Florida's Wrongful Death Act pursuant to section 768.19, Florida Statutes (1997)[1] and brought a claim

Hilsman v. Winn Dixie Stores, Inc.

639 So. 2d 115, 1994 Fla. App. LEXIS 6006, 1994 WL 275379

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Jun 22, 1994 | Docket: 64749530

Cited 1 times | Published

survivors for damages under the Wrongful Death Act (§ 768.19, Fla.Stat.); therefore, it is living tissue of

Maria Montefu Acosta v. Miami-Dade County

Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit | Filed: Mar 28, 2024 | Docket: 68208729

Published

Argued: Jan 30, 2024

under Florida’s Wrongful Death Act, Fla. Stat. § 768.19. After timely removing Acosta’s

Brinda Coates, etc. v. R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company

Supreme Court of Florida | Filed: Jan 5, 2023 | Docket: 66701383

Published

Act creates a statutory right of action, see § 768.19, Fla. Stat. (1997), and provides that the injury

ANDREW ANDREASEN, etc. v. KLEIN, GLASSER, PARK & LOWE, P.L., etc.

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Jun 22, 2022 | Docket: 63401315

Published

action on their own behalf if they had survived. § 768.19, Fla. Stat.; see also Toombs v. Alamo Rent-A-

Mary E. Sheffield, etc. v. R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company

Supreme Court of Florida | Filed: Nov 18, 2021 | Docket: 61531979

Published

under circumstances constituting a felony. § 768.19, Fla. Stat. The Wrongful Death Act also explicitly

Joselyn Santiago v. Raytheon Technologies Corporation

Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit | Filed: Aug 31, 2020 | Docket: 17532535

Published

cause of action for wrongful death, see Fla. Stat. § 768.19, “which was not recognized at common law.” Nissan

SARAH JERRELS, AS PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ESTATE OF DYLAN JERRELS v. ESTATE OF JASPER W. JERRELS, JR.

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Jun 12, 2019 | Docket: 15762823

Published

upon "[a] strict reading of Florida Statute § 768.19, [Fla. Stat. (2016)]" explaining that "[h]ad

Harris v. R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co.

383 F. Supp. 3d 1315

District Court, M.D. Florida | Filed: Apr 15, 2019 | Docket: 64324705

Published

and recover damages if death had not ensued.... § 768.19, Fla. Stat. In contrast to a survival claim, a

Waldron v. Spicher

349 F. Supp. 3d 1202

District Court, M.D. Florida | Filed: Oct 5, 2018 | Docket: 64321823

Published

actions proximately caused Anthony's death. See § 768.19, Fla. Stat. (2017). Where reasonable persons may

Greer v. Ivey

242 F. Supp. 3d 1284, 2017 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 65448, 2017 WL 1424345

District Court, M.D. Florida | Filed: Mar 14, 2017 | Docket: 64313308

Published

recover damages if death had not ensued.” Fla. Stat. § 768.19. According to the Act, a wrongful death action

Earl E. Graham v. R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company

782 F.3d 1261, 2015 U.S. App. LEXIS 5657, 2015 WL 1546522

Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit | Filed: Apr 8, 2015 | Docket: 2647722

Published

death of the person injured.... Fla. Stat. § 768.19. The statute specifies that "[t]he action shall

Cosman v. Rodriguez

153 So. 3d 371, 2014 Fla. App. LEXIS 20367, 2014 WL 7156334

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Dec 17, 2014 | Docket: 2616095

Published

and recover damages if death had not ensued.” § 768.19. The Act manifests the state’s public policy to

Smith v. R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co.

103 So. 3d 955, 2012 Fla. App. LEXIS 21520, 2012 WL 6216756

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Dec 14, 2012 | Docket: 60227270

Published

but it cited for support only section 768.19. Id. at 35. Section 768.19 creates a right of action; it

Skyrme v. RJ REYNOLDS TOBACCO COMPANY

75 So. 3d 769, 2011 Fla. App. LEXIS 18404, 2011 WL 5832338

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Nov 18, 2011 | Docket: 2355178

Published

recover damages if death had not ensued.'" (quoting § 768.19, Fla. Stat. (1995)); Celotex Corp. v. Meehan,

Stanley v. Delta Connection Academy, Inc.

12 So. 3d 781, 2009 Fla. App. LEXIS 3967, 2009 WL 1159195

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: May 1, 2009 | Docket: 60233824

Published

plaintiffs’ damages, and what those damages are. See § 768.19, Fla. Stat. (2002); Jenkins v. W.L. Roberts, Inc

Forry v. Scottsdale Insurance Co.

899 So. 2d 1260, 2005 Fla. App. LEXIS 5559, 2005 WL 924346

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Apr 22, 2005 | Docket: 64837846

Published

complaint alleged a claim for wrongful death, see § 768.19, Fla. Stat. (2001), and a separate claim for violation

Wixtrom v. Department of Children & Families

864 So. 2d 534, 2004 Fla. App. LEXIS 161

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Jan 9, 2004 | Docket: 64827650

Published

(2003). . § 744.102(19), Fla. Stat. (2003). . § 768.19, Fla. Stat. (1993). . § 827.04(1), Fla. Stat

Franzen v. Mogler

744 So. 2d 1029, 1997 Fla. App. LEXIS 11888, 1997 WL 656303

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Oct 22, 1997 | Docket: 64792169

Published

notwithstanding the death of the person injured.... ” § 768.19 Fla. Stat. (1995). WDA also states that the cause

Young v. St. Vincent's Medical Center, Inc.

673 So. 2d 482, 21 Fla. L. Weekly Supp. 122, 1996 Fla. LEXIS 437, 1996 WL 110000

Supreme Court of Florida | Filed: Mar 14, 1996 | Docket: 64764576

Published

whether a fetus is a person within the meaning of section 768.19, Florida Statutes (1993) (Florida Wrongful

Auto-Owners Insurance Co. v. DeJohn

640 So. 2d 158, 1994 Fla. App. LEXIS 7507, 1994 WL 390781

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Jul 29, 1994 | Docket: 64749905

Published

brought suit under the Wrongful Death Act, section 768.19-768.21, Florida Statutes (1991). Auto-Owners

Innocent v. Central Truck Lines, Inc.

680 F. Supp. 1523, 1988 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 1522, 1988 WL 17104

District Court, S.D. Florida | Filed: Jan 26, 1988 | Docket: 66174895

Published

siblings and mother pursuant to Fla.Stat.Ann. § 768.19 (West 1986). They seek to recover both for the

This Florida statute resource is curated by Graham W. Syfert, Esq., a Jacksonville, Florida personal injury and workers' compensation attorney. Attorney Syfert regularly works with Chapter 768 in the context of negligence and personal injury claims and represents clients throughout Northeast Florida. For legal consultation, call 904-383-7448.