If you or a loved one have been injured due to someone else’s negligence, you may have legal grounds to file a claim against the liable party in Florida. However, there are many stipulations including a new two-year statute of limitations. Personal injury law in Florida can be confusing and complicated to navigate without the help of a qualified personal injury attorney.

Depending on the circumstances surrounding the case, you may be entitled to recover injury-related compensation for lost wages, medical expenses, pain and suffering and emotional distress. However, to be able to make a claim, your case must have sufficient grounds to move forward.

A skilled personal injury attorney can thoroughly review your case and help you understand the available legal options.

What is Considered a Personal Injury Under Florida Law?

Florida law stipulates that a personal injury occurs when an individual suffers physical harm to their body because of the negligence of another person or company. State law also allows a personal injury claim to include property damage under certain circumstances.

How Do You Win a Personal Injury Case in Florida?

To successfully win a personal injury case in Florida, you must be able to prove that you suffered an injury due to someone else’s negligent actions or inactions.

The four elements of negligence that must be proven to successfully win a case include:

  • Duty: The defendant owed the plaintiff a duty of care. Therefore, it must be established that the defendant and the plaintiff had a relationship such as a doctor-patient relationship.
  • Breach of duty: The defendant breached the duty of care through their actions or inactions.
  • Causation: The plaintiff must prove that the defendant’s breach directly caused their injuries.
  • Damages: The plaintiff must be able to prove that they suffered injuries or losses.

What Are the Most Common Types of Personal Injuries?

Although individuals can experience many different types of personal injuries, there are several that are more frequently reported. The most commonly reported personal injuries include:

  • Motor vehicle accidents
  • Workplace accidents
  • Premises liability/slip and fall accidents
  • Trip and fall accidents
  • Negligent security
  • Wrongful death
  • Product liability
  • Medical malpractice

Regardless of the type of personal injury you may have suffered, you may be entitled to recover economic and non-economic damages.

Economic damages are awarded to personal injury victims to repay them for the money they have or may have to spend out of pocket. Economic damages may include:

  • Past and future medical expenses
  • Lost wages
  • Loss of earning capacity
  • Property damage

Non-economic damages are granted to compensate the accident victim for intangible losses they have suffered due to injury. Non-economic damages may include:

  • Pain and suffering
  • Emotional distress
  • Loss of enjoyment of life
  • Loss of companionship
  • Permanent disfigurement and scarring

Why Should I Hire an Attorney to Represent Me in a Personal Injury Case?

Sadly, many personal injury victims hesitate to hire an attorney after they have suffered a personal injury and don’t receive the compensation to which they are entitled. Many people are unsure about the cost of hiring an attorney, especially if they have been unable to work. However, most personal injury attorneys work on contingency fees, meaning you do not pay them any money unless they win your case by settlement or as a result of a trial verdict.

Additionally, a skilled personal injury lawyer can act as your legal representative when dealing with the other party’s insurance company. When an insurer knows that you have an attorney working hard on your side, they are more likely to offer you a fair settlement that will adequately compensate you for your expenses related to being injured.

If you’ve been injured but are unsure about the benefits of hiring a personal injury attorney, contact RTRLAW for a free, no-obligation case review. You can discuss your case with an experienced legal team member and find out the answers to your questions.

RTRLAW works on contingency, which means you won’t pay anything unless we win your case and recover money for you. Our experienced attorneys work hard to get our clients the compensation they deserve for their personal injuries. Since our founding in 1988, RTRLAW has represented tens of thousands of clients and recovered hundreds of millions of dollars in compensation and settlements.