Top-Rated Personal Injury Lawyers In Florida Navigating the world of personal injury claims in Florida can be confusing. Injuries resulting from an accident can vary widely, ranging from minor bruising and scarring to spinal cord injuries to effects on relationships and more. That is why Florin Roebig, whose accolades and jury verdicts make them one of the most feared personal injury law firms in Florida. The firm’s general personal injury negligence division is led by Tommy Roebig, a triple Board Certified Civil Trial Attorney. Mr. Roebig’s jury verdicts of $47.4 million against a Tampa Bay area day spa (Essentials Massage), $41.9 million in 2016 against Applebee’s Grill and Bar, and $6.1 million in August 2017 for a motorcycle accident trial are believed to be the largest contested jury verdicts in Pasco ($47.4M), Hernando ($41.9M), and Sumter ($6.1M) County histories. If you or a loved one were injured in an accident in Florida, a competent, board-certified attorney from Florin Roebig can uncomplicate personal injury law and help you seek maximum compensation. In the meantime, learn how personal injury claims work when it’s time to file a personal injury lawsuit, the types of damages you can claim, and more. How Personal Injury Claims Work in Florida The basic personal injury claims process is thus: you file a claim, such as an insurance claim, for damages you incurred from an accident caused by someone else. If you are awarded a settlement amount, you will receive compensation for said damages, such as medical expenses. While understanding personal injury law can seem complicated, it really comes down to one concept: if the party filing a personal injury claim was at fault and negligent or if they can prove the other party was at fault and negligent. What Factors Can Affect Personal Injury Cases In Florida? A number of factors may play a role in your injury claim in Florida, including the following. The Type of Injury While minor injuries will not be dismissed, serious injuries or catastrophic injuries (those which can be life-changing) tend to lead to higher settlement amounts or judgments. The At-Fault Party For personal injury claims due to auto accidents or other incidents in Florida, the first step is to determine the at-fault party and whether they were negligent. If you have suffered a serious injury from a car accident or other accident in Florida, winning your claim largely depends on whether your lawyer can prove negligence. This is why it is so important both to have an excellent Florida personal injury attorney and to be completely transparent with them from the beginning. The more details you share about your case, the stronger your claim can become if the other party is at fault. Liability The at-fault party may not be liable, or legally responsible for paying for your injuries. For example, if a co-worker makes a mistake that causes you to slip and fall, but the mistake was made due to employer negligence, such as not providing proper tools to do your job, the employee will likely not be liable. Instead, the employer would be liable for paying compensation for such damages as medical treatment for your injuries. A lawyer can help you understand whether the at-fault party is also the liable party. Comparative Negligence Negligence is perhaps the most important factor to consider when reviewing a personal injury claim. If you were at fault in any way for the incident, this will affect the amount of damages you can recover. This is because Florida personal injury law operates on a principle known as comparative negligence, which means that your payout will be reduced based on your level of fault. However, if your Florida lawyer can prove the defendant was not only at fault but negligent, this can strengthen your claim and improve the chances of recovering damages. For an at-fault party to have been negligent, they must have acted unreasonably and their actions must have led to the accident, causing the injury. Damage Caps It’s important to understand that the state of Florida imposes damage caps for personal injury cases. This means there is a limit to the amount that can be recovered for most personal injury claims. An excellent attorney, such as ours at Florin | Roebig, will be transparent with you every step of the way regarding the strength of your claim and the number of damages you can reasonably pursue. The Statute of Limitations Florida places a limit on the amount of time you have to file a claim. The statute of limitations begins on the day you become injured and lasts four years, according to the Florida Legislature. You might also be interested in... Florida Car Accident Lawyer Learn more about car accident lawsuits Read More Hurricane Ian Lawyer How to file a hurricane damage claim Read More Florida Pedestrian Accident Attorney Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents Read More Filing a Florida Personal Injury Claim: A Step-by-Step Guide For injury victims or their family members, knowing how to file a claim, who to file a claim against, and dealing with insurance companies can be difficult. An experienced Florida personal injury attorney can ease this process with expert legal advice and assistance. Here is a step-by-step guide to starting a Florida personal injury claim: Step 1: Filing Your Personal Injury Claim Be sure to include all liable parties within your claim. Filing a claim is the first step because it notifies all parties that you will be seeking compensation due to your injury. If this is where you are in the process, the Florin|Roebig legal team can help you identify the liable party and get started on your claim. Step 2: Negotiating a Fair Settlement This is where your attorney communicates with insurance companies, insurance adjusters, the defendant’s lawyers, and other parties in an attempt to reach a favorable agreement. Offers and counter-offers will be traded, with the goal of reaching a settlement amount that suits both parties. Step 3: Filing a Personal Injury Lawsuit This step only occurs if you and the negligent party cannot reach a favorable offer. Opposing parties may try to present low-key offers in hopes that you will settle for recovering less than the maximum compensation. If you are not willing to do this or if your case is strong enough, your Florida attorney will help you file a suit. Step 4: Defending Your Case in Court This is the part in which negligence is proven in accident cases. When defending your claim, trial lawyers will work to prove that your injury was a result of negligence and that you deserve fair compensation because of it. In some cases, insurance companies will not agree to a favorable settlement, which means your case can go to trial. Having fearless Florida trial attorneys who will help you reach an alternative dispute resolution is of utmost importance at this point. The most reputable personal injury law firms will ensure accident victims understand the possible verdicts or outcomes and fight to reach maximum compensation. Types of Damages in Florida Personal Injury Cases If you have been injured in a motor vehicle or other accident in Florida, you may want to recover damages for any medical bills related to that injury, such as doctor’s appointments, surgeries, or an ambulance ride. But damages can extend further than a person’s short-term medical care. For example, if your injury is keeping you from returning to work, you may want to file a claim that includes recovering damages for wages lost or loss of future working ability. In these cases, calculating the amount of damages can be fairly straightforward. Other damages may be more difficult to estimate, such as pain and suffering. Damages for personal injury claims in Florida typically fall into three categories: compensatory, general, and punitive damages. Compensatory Damages The majority of damages in all personal injury cases are compensatory, which means they are intended to compensate the injured party for any loss due to the accident. Compensatory damages in personal injury claims help make monetary amends for any financial aspects of the claimant’s life directly affected by the incident. This type of damages include medical bills, lost income, and property damages. To receive compensation, your lawyer may need evidence such as your medical records, pay statements, or vehicle repair statements. General Damages General damages are typically sought alongside compensatory damages. These are the more abstract types of damages that can be tough to calculate, such as pain and suffering, mental anguish, loss of enjoyment, and loss of relationships (known as loss of consortium). This is why personal injury claims can vary so widely in the number of damages awarded — placing a value on concepts such as loss of enjoyment or loss of relationships is complex. Fortunately, your accident lawyer will be highly experienced in helping you identify the impact the accident has had on your life and how to claim damages for it. Punitive Damages Punitive damages are intended to punish the at-fault party for their misconduct or negligence. These damages can’t be claimed, but are awarded during a personal injury lawsuit in rare cases. If punitive damages are awarded, the state of Florida places a damages cap on how much compensation can be received for any one claim. Our Featured Case Results Personal Injury Property Loss and Damage Claims Construction Negligence Labor Law Product Liability Medical Malpractice Car Accident 1 $47.4M Personal Injury Jury Verdict The formal finding of fact made by a jury on matters or questions submitted to the jury by a judge. 2 $42M Motor Vehicle Accident Jury Verdict The formal finding of fact made by a jury on matters or questions submitted to the jury by a judge. 3 $9.55M Firearm Injury Jury Verdict The formal finding of fact made by a jury on matters or questions submitted to the jury by a judge. 4 $5.25M Hospital Negligence Settlement A resolution between disputing parties about a legal case, typically reached before court action begins. 5 $4M Personal Injury Settlement A resolution between disputing parties about a legal case, typically reached before court action begins. 1 $4.2M Property Damage Liability Settlement A resolution between disputing parties about a legal case, typically reached before court action begins. 2 $2.5M Property Damage Liability Settlement A resolution between disputing parties about a legal case, typically reached before court action begins. 3 $1.5M Industrial Explosion Settlement A resolution between disputing parties about a legal case, typically reached before court action begins. 4 $1.1M Property Damage Liability Settlement A resolution between disputing parties about a legal case, typically reached before court action begins. 1 $3.9M Construction Negligence Settlement A resolution between disputing parties about a legal case, typically reached before court action begins. 2 $2.4M Construction Negligence Settlement A resolution between disputing parties about a legal case, typically reached before court action begins. 3 $2.3M Contractor Negligence Settlement A resolution between disputing parties about a legal case, typically reached before court action begins. 4 $1.5M Construction Negligence Settlement A resolution between disputing parties about a legal case, typically reached before court action begins. 5 $1.2M Construction Negligence Settlement A resolution between disputing parties about a legal case, typically reached before court action begins. 1 $6.8M Race Discrimination Settlement A resolution between disputing parties about a legal case, typically reached before court action begins. 2 $4.2M Whistleblower Liability Settlement A resolution between disputing parties about a legal case, typically reached before court action begins. 3 $4.0M Sexual Harassment Settlement A resolution between disputing parties about a legal case, typically reached before court action begins. 4 $3.2M Nationality Discrimination Settlement A resolution between disputing parties about a legal case, typically reached before court action begins. 5 $2,0M Sexual Harassment Settlement A resolution between disputing parties about a legal case, typically reached before court action begins. 1 $5.3M Pharmaceutical Negligence Settlement A resolution between disputing parties about a legal case, typically reached before court action begins. 2 $3.2M Product Liability Settlement A resolution between disputing parties about a legal case, typically reached before court action begins. 3 $1.3M Drug Company Liability Settlement A resolution between disputing parties about a legal case, typically reached before court action begins. 4 $1.2M Product Liability Settlement A resolution between disputing parties about a legal case, typically reached before court action begins. 1 $6.0M Medical Malpractice Settlement A resolution between disputing parties about a legal case, typically reached before court action begins. 2 $5M Orthopedic Malpractice Jury Verdict The formal finding of fact made by a jury on matters or questions submitted to the jury by a judge. 3 $3M Gastroenterology Malpractice Jury Verdict The formal finding of fact made by a jury on matters or questions submitted to the jury by a judge. 4 $2.25M Urology Malpractice Jury Verdict The formal finding of fact made by a jury on matters or questions submitted to the jury by a judge. 5 $1.7M Anesthesiology Malpractice Jury Verdict The formal finding of fact made by a jury on matters or questions submitted to the jury by a judge. 1 $42M Motor Vehicle Accident Jury Verdict The formal finding of fact made by a jury on matters or questions submitted to the jury by a judge. 2 $15M Motorcycle Accident Jury Verdict The formal finding of fact made by a jury on matters or questions submitted to the jury by a judge. 3 $6.1M Motorcycle Accident Jury Verdict The formal finding of fact made by a jury on matters or questions submitted to the jury by a judge. 4 $2.3M Car Accident Jury Verdict The formal finding of fact made by a jury on matters or questions submitted to the jury by a judge. 5 $1.8M Truck Accident Jury Verdict The formal finding of fact made by a jury on matters or questions submitted to the jury by a judge. Find out if you have a case we could help you win Speak To a Specialist What Types of Accidents Lead To A Personal Injury Claim? The type of situation that can lead to a personal injury is virtually limitless. Any accident caused by one party’s negligence that results in injury to another can result in a claim. Here are common accidents in Florida which can lead to a personal injury claim: Assault and battery Slips and falls Bicycle accidents Dog bites Car accidents Rideshare accidents Trucking accidents Motorcycle accidents Medical malpractice Premises liability Product liability Work-related incidents Wrongful death Note that while work-related injuries may lead to personal injury lawsuits against employers, many work injuries result in worker’s compensation claims, which are different from injury claims. What Injuries Qualify for A Claim? Any injury that was caused by someone else’s negligence and resulted in damages (impacts to your life) may be listed on a personal injury claim. Claims are not restricted to serious injuries, though more severe injuries may lead to higher payouts. Some commonly cited personal injuries include: Broken bones Scarring Disfigurement Chest injuries Neck injuries Head injuries Back injuries Traumatic brain injuries Whiplash Spinal cord injuries Dismemberment Wrongful death (fatalities) A lawyer can help you understand whether your injury-related costs can be listed on a claim during your initial consultation. List of the Top Rated Personal Injury Attorneys in Florida Having access to a highly-rated law firm, with vast experience in personal injury law, can make all the difference for your case. Our legal team has been in operation for more than 30 years, and we’ve been awarded numerous accolades in the personal injury legal sector, including being named to the Best Law Firms list by U.S. News & World Report. To date, we’ve secured more than $1 billion in case awards for our clients. Our Florida offices are located in Palm Harbor, Fort Myers, Cape Coral, West Palm Beach, Key West, and Jacksonville, but we serve clients throughout the states and the nation. At Florin|Roebig, you’ll find capable, experienced personal injury attorneys serving Florida, including: Wil H. Florin, B.C.S. Tommy D. Roebig, B.C.S. Chase P. Florin, B.C.S. Neil P. O’Brien, M.B.A. Shaun M. Cummings Luca G. Esposito Chad K. Florin, M.B.A., LL.M. John J. Hart Parker Y. Florin, LL.M. Taylor D. Roebig Michael A. Ossi, O.C. Lawrence J. Najem, O.C. Andrew M. Leone, O.C. Nollys R. Solarte, O.C. We Are Nationally Awarded Lawyers Connect With Experienced Florida Personal Injury Lawyers Today If you were injured in Florida due to someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to receive compensation. A personal injury case can be a lengthy and involved process, but may be worth the damages you recover for your loss. Having an experienced, esteemed Florida injury lawyer on your side can make this process easier to endure. Whether you’re located in Orlando, Boca Raton, Tampa, or elsewhere in Florida, we can help. The legal team at Florin|Roebig is prepared to guide you through the personal injury claims process and help you reach the most favorable outcome for your case. Contact us today for a free case evaluation.