If it wasn’t so insultingly, tragically, horribly awful, it would almost be funny how quickly a lawyer will jump off the phone with you once you say you’re over 25. You see, there’s some fantastic law in the State of Florida that prohibits anyone over the age of 25 from financially “benefiting” from the death of a parent. That means there is no monetary “incentive” for a lawyer to sue a doctor — or anyone, really — for malpractice, or any other reason, regardless of any facts whatsoever, if the deceased has no spouse or children under the age of 25.
So I have had a string of phone conversations over the last eighteen months that basically go just like this:
Me: Can you help me?
Lawyer: Yes! This case sounds exactly like something we would handle. I can’t believe how your mother must have suffered.
Me: Oh, thank you. I can’t stand how poorly she was treated and how she died.
Lawyer: I understand. It’s a tragedy. How old are you?
Me: I’m 40 now.
Lawyer: Do you have any brothers or sisters under the age of 25?
Me: No.
Lawyer: I’m afraid we’re not going to be able to help you. Thanks! <click>
Lawyer: Yes! This case sounds exactly like something we would handle. I can’t believe how your mother must have suffered.
Me: Oh, thank you. I can’t stand how poorly she was treated and how she died.
Lawyer: I understand. It’s a tragedy. How old are you?
Me: I’m 40 now.
Lawyer: Do you have any brothers or sisters under the age of 25?
Me: No.
Lawyer: I’m afraid we’re not going to be able to help you. Thanks! <click>