If you were in an accident and you were injured, you may wonder what your next steps should be. Seeking a Personal Injury claim can be a complex and stressful process, but knowing your rights and options is essential after suffering an injury. This article will be the ultimate guide to Personal Injury law in Florida. In the end, you will have a bird’s eye view of everything you need to know about Personal Injury law in Florida, from how to file a claim to what kind of compensation may be entitled to you. 

What is a Personal Injury claim?

A Personal Injury claim is defined as a legal process whereby the victim of an accident seeks settlement from the person or entity responsible for their injuries. This can include damages for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.

If you want to file a Personal Injury claim, you will need to prove that your injuries were due to negligence or recklessness of another party. This can be difficult to do on your own, so it is essential to consult with a savvy Personal Injury attorney who can help you gather evidence and build a strong case.

What is negligence?

Negligence is the legal term for carelessness. In proving that a person or entity was negligent toward you, you will need to establish that they owed you a responsibility of care and that they breached that duty, resulting in your injuries.

There are many ways a person or entity can breach its duty of care. For example, a driver may be negligent if they are speeding, texting while driving, or driving under the influence of alcohol. A landlord may be negligent if they fail to fix a dangerous condition on their property. A doctor or nurse may be negligent if they fail to diagnose a patient’s illness properly.

The Personal Injury lawsuit process.

The Personal Injury lawsuit process starts with filing a complaint, a legal document that sets forth the allegations against the defendant. The complaint will then be served on the defendant, who will have an opportunity to respond.

If the parties are unable to settle through negotiation or mediation, the case will go to trial. A trial is a formal court hearing where each side will present evidence and arguments to a jury and judge. At the end of a trial, the judge and jury will then render a verdict, which is the decision in the case. The court will award damages to the prevailing party if the verdict is in their favor.

What are damages?

Damages are a plaintiff’s monetary compensation in a Personal Injury lawsuit. There are two types of damage – economic and non-economic.

Economic damages are those that have a specific monetary value, such as medical bills and lost wages. Non-economic damages, such as pain, suffering, or emotional distress, are more subjective.

Types of Personal Injury cases.

Many different types of accidents can give rise to a Personal Injury claim. These injury cases fall under various categories according to Florida Personal Injury law. From damage to emotional health to economic losses, here are some of the most common types and examples of Personal Injury claims:

-Car, truck, motorcycle, and bicycle accidents:

Suppose you are a victim of a bicycle, truck, motorcycle, or car accident, and there’s another driver involved. In that case, you may be able to file a Personal Injury claim. These claims are typically based on the other driver’s negligence, such as speeding, texting while driving, or driving under the influence of alcohol.

-Slip and fall accidents:

Property owners must keep their premises safe. If you slip and fall on someone else’s property and suffer an injury, you may be able to file a claim against the property owner.

-Defective products(Class action):

If a defective product has injured you, you may be able to file a claim against the manufacturer or distributor of the product. For instance, if a defective car part injures you, you may be able to file a claim against the car manufacturer.

-Wrongful death:

This type of lawsuit concerns the death of a loved one due to the negligence of another party. For instance, medical malpractice or truck accidents could lead to a wrongful death claim.

-Child injury:

Children are often injured in accidents due to the negligence of another party. It may also be child abuse that has caused damage to your child. In any case, you can file a claim against someone else’s negligence of your child.

-Dog bite accidents and animal attacks:

This type of lawsuit concerns injuries caused by animals. If someone’s dog attacks and bites you, you may be able to file a claim against the dog’s owner. In Florida, dog owners are strictly responsible for any injuries their dog causes. This means that even if the dog has never bitten anyone before, the owner can still be held responsible for any injuries it causes.

-Nursing home abuse:

This type of lawsuit concerns injuries suffered by older adults in nursing homes. If you or a loved one has been abused in a nursing home, you may be able to file a claim against the facility. For instance, the facility can be held liable if a nursing home resident has been neglected or abused.

-Toxic exposure(class action)

This type of lawsuit concerns injuries caused by exposure to hazardous materials. If you have been exposed to a toxic substance, you may be able to file a claim against the company responsible for the exposure.

Unsafe drugs(Class action):

This type of lawsuit concerns injuries caused by unsafe drugs. If a defective or dangerous drug has injured you, you may be able to file a claim against the manufacturer of the drug. For instance, if a prescription drug has injured you, you may be able to file a claim against the drug’s manufacturer.

-Workplace injuries:

This type of lawsuit concerns injuries suffered in the workplace. If you have been injured at work, you may be able to file a workers’ compensation claim. Workers’ compensation is a system of insurance that provides benefits to employees who are injured in the course of their employment.

-Birth injuries:

This type of lawsuit concerns injuries suffered by infants during birth. If your child was injured by the medical professionals during birth, you may be able to file a claim against the responsible parties. For instance, if your child has suffered a brain injury during birth, you may be able to file a claim against the doctor or hospital responsible for the injury.

As you can see, many types of Personal Injury claims exist. If someone has been careless and as a result caused injury toward you,you can file a claim against the responsible party. An experienced Personal Injury lawyer can assess your case and advise you on the best course of action.

How to correctly file a Personal Injury lawsuit in Florida

If you are an unfortunate victim in an accident in Florida, you may wonder how to file a Personal Injury lawsuit. An empowering step is to contact a Personal Injury attorney who can evaluate your case and determine whether you have a valid claim.

To succeed in filing a Personal Injury lawsuit in Florida, you must prove that the other party was at fault for your injuries. You can achieve that proof by showing that the other party was negligent. For instance, if you were a victim in a car accident, you would need to show how the other driver was at fault, for example, either they were speeding or driving recklessly.

Once you have proven that the other party was at fault, you will need to show the damages you have experienced due to the accident. This can include medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

If you can prove these elements, then you may be able to recover compensation for your injuries. However, it is vital to note that Personal Injury cases can be complex. Hence, it is always best to consult with an experienced Florida Personal Injury lawyer before filing a lawsuit.

How to choose a Personal Injury attorney.

When you are injured in an accident, choosing a Personal Injury attorney with the experience and wisdom necessary to help you win your case is vital. It would help if you had an attorney who offers a free case evaluation, works in your best interests to establish fault, and helps you seek compensation. Here are some factors to look for when choosing a Personal Injury lawyer:

1. Has Field Experience: 

 Look for a lawyer who has experience handling similar cases. Considering this factor means you will ensure that your attoney is familiar with the applicable laws and know how to best proceed with your case.

2. Offers Free consultation:

Choose an attorney who offers a free consultation. This will allow you to discuss your case with the attorney and better understand whether they are a good fit for you.

3. Has a practice license.

Make sure the attorney you choose is licensed to practice law in Florida. This factor is crucial and will ensure your lawyer is familiar with the state’s laws and can adequately represent you in court.

4. Has References. 

Choose a lawyer who has quality references. These references can come from former clients, colleagues, or even family and friends. The more references a lawyer has, the better. They show that he is trusted by others and that he is knowledgeable in his field.

5. Has positive ratings

 Read online reviews of Personal Injury attorneys in your area. This can help you better understand the quality of their services.

When you are injured in an accident, it is vital to choose an experienced Personal Injury lawyer who will fight for your rights and ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.

What is the statute of limitations for Personal Injury claims in Florida?

The statute of limitations is how long you have to file a Personal Injury claim. In Florida, the statute of limitations for most Personal Injury claims is four years from the date of the accident. This means that if you do not file your claim within four years of the date of the accident, you will be unable to do so.

There are some exceptions to this rule, however. For instance, if you want to file a claim against a government entity, you must do so within three years of the date of the incident. Additionally, if your injuries were not immediately apparent, you may have up to seven years to file your claim.

It is important to note that the statute of limitations differs for minors. In Florida, minors have until they turn 18 to file a Personal Injury claim. However, if the minor did not discover their injuries until after they turned 18, they may have up to four years from the date of discovery to file their claim.

Suppose you have been injured in an accident. In that case, it is essential to speak with an experienced Florida Personal Injury lawyer as soon as possible to ensure your claim is filed within the applicable statute of limitations. Don’t hesitate to schedule a free consultation with the DeVries Law Firm.

Frequently asked questions.