Depraved Heart Murder

As you probably know, there is a legal distinction between murders based on the level of intent behind the killing. Sometimes, death occurs not because someone is actively trying to cause them harm, but rather because someone is not exercising the proper care to prevent that death. These cases are called “depraved heart murders,” a term which describes death caused by gross negligence which stems from a seemingly pathological disregard for human life.

If someone you love has died due to someone else’s gross negligence, contact the Clearwater personal injury lawyers of Tragos & Sartes, P.L., by calling 727-441-9030.

Examples of Depraved Heart Murders

Depraved heart murders can be tried by the state as crimes (usually either second-degree murder or first-degree homicide), but they can also be simultaneously tried as a civil lawsuit. If someone close to you was killed due to the gross negligence of someone else, you can take the responsible party to court and seek financial compensation.

To better understand depraved heart murders, consider the following example. Imagine that someone is riding his bike to the far right of the road, as per the law. Meanwhile, a reckless driver illegally passes a car to the right, speeding onto the road’s shoulder. This driver strikes and kills the bicyclist. Although the driver did not intentionally kill the biker, his negligence and failure to follow the law mean that he could be sued for a depraved heart murder.

Contact Us

Depraved heart murders are serious, and the families of their victims deserve financial compensation. To learn more, contact the experienced Clearwater personal injury attorneys of Tragos & Sartes, P.L., by calling 727-441-9030 today.