When you are injured, you may deal with a variety of related issues. For example, you may rack up significant medical expenses you cannot afford to pay. You may also suffer physical pain and ongoing disability because of your injuries. Fortunately, if your injuries were caused by someone else, you may be entitled to a settlement.
In order to recover a financial settlement for your injuries, you must file a claim. The process of filing a personal injury claim in Apollo Beach can be challenging, so it is in your best interest to hire an attorney to help you along the way. At Florin|Roebig, we understand these complicated cases, and we are here to help you make sure justice is served.
Car Accidents And Other Incidents That Lead To Personal Injury
Every personal injury claim is unique. However, certain situations are more likely to lead to personal injury lawsuits than others.
In the Apollo Beach area, personal injury claims often result from:
- car accidents — When a negligent driver causes a car accident, all victims are entitled to file personal injury claims. In Apollo Beach’s surrounding county of Hillsborough, car accidents resulted in more than 20,000 injuries just in 2017.
- falls — According to data released by Florida Health, falls are one of the most common causes of hospitalizations for injuries in the entire state. When a fall occurs because of an unsafe environment, the owner of the property may be held responsible for the resulting damages.
- dog bites — Dog owners are responsible for protecting people from their pets. When a pet attacks someone and causes injury, the owner may be held responsible.
- medical malpractice — Healthcare professionals who behave negligently and cause harm to patients may be held financially liable for resulting injuries or other negative consequences.
What You Need To Know About Personal Injury Claims
As a personal injury victim, there are several important concepts you need to understand before you proceed with your claim.
1. Comparative Negligence
Some states require claimants to show that they were not negligent in any way in order to qualify for compensation. However, the state of Florida utilizes a different policy known as “comparative negligence” to decide their cases.
In cases where the victim shares some of the fault for the incident, the court will assign different percentages of blame and use these proportions to calculate settlement amounts.
2. Florida’s Statute Of Limitations
The statute of limitations is a specific time period that limits how long you have to file a claim after suffering an injury. To ensure that your claim is filed before this time limit expires, it is important to contact a personal injury attorney and begin the filing process as soon as possible after sustaining an injury.
3. Documentation
In order to collect compensation, you must be able to show proof of the different losses you sustained, both personally and financially. For this reason, our firm recommends keeping detailed records of every relevant event following your accident, as well as receipts for any expenses you pay.
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Damages Awarded For Personal Injury Claims In Apollo Beach
Many claimants are curious about the types of damages they will receive after winning the case. In general, the specific damages awarded will depend on your unique situation.
However, some of the damages you are likely to receive in your settlement are:
- medical payments — If you incurred medical bills and/or are expected to owe future medical expenses, your settlement will include appropriate compensation.
- lost earnings — If your injury caused you to miss work and/or lose the ability to work in the future, your settlement will include compensation for lost earnings.
- pain and suffering — When injuries cause physical pain and suffering, additional compensation is often included in the settlement.
- psychological trauma — In many cases, injuries lead to immediate psychological trauma, as well as ongoing distress. Your settlement can include compensation for these consequences of your injuries.
punitive damages—In cases involving extreme negligence, punitive damages may be included in the settlement as well in order to punish the other party for their negligent behavior.
Knowing What Your Claim Is Worth
Before you decide to file a personal injury claim, it is only natural to wonder how much money you could receive if the claim is successful.
To estimate the value of your personal injury claim, a lawyer will consider each of the following factors:
- type of accident — Not all personal injury claims will proceed in the same way. For example, dog bite claims may not bring the same settlement amounts as car accident claims.
- nature of the injury — The purpose of your settlement is to compensate you for your losses. Thus, the more severe and long-lasting your injuries, the higher your settlement amount will likely be.
- your documented expenses — Your documented expenses will be one of the most important factors in determining the value of your claim. For this reason, it is important for all claimants to keep careful records.
- your quality of life — The most serious injuries will have a long-term impact on your quality of life. When this occurs, you will receive additional compensation that increases your total settlement.
Common types of personal injuries in Apollo Beach and what Florin|Roebig would do
1. Apollo Beach Boating Accidents
Example: A client is seriously injured while on a boat in Tampa Bay due to another boat operator’s reckless behavior, resulting in a collision. The client sustains multiple fractures and a traumatic brain injury, leading to long-term rehabilitation needs.
Florin|Roebig Strategy:
- Investigative Process: The firm would begin by obtaining Coast Guard reports, eyewitness accounts, and video footage if available, to establish clear liability. They would work with maritime experts to demonstrate the other boat operator’s negligence.
- Expert Testimony: Medical experts would be brought in to establish the long-term impact of the injuries, such as loss of earning capacity and quality of life.
- Settlement or Trial: Florin|Roebig would negotiate with the liable party’s insurance company for a substantial settlement. If the settlement offer is insufficient, the case would go to trial, where they would present expert witnesses and emotional appeals to the jury, maximizing the chances of a favorable verdict.
2. Injuries from Defective Dock or Marina Equipment
Example: A client suffers a serious injury at a Apollo Beach marina when a defective dock ladder collapses, causing them to fall into the water and suffer back and shoulder injuries.
Florin|Roebig Strategy:
- Liability Investigation: The attorneys would investigate the marina’s maintenance records and the manufacturer of the dock ladder to identify negligence or product defects.
- Expert Consultation: Engineering and safety experts would be consulted to demonstrate how the defect or negligence directly caused the accident.
- Damage Maximization: The firm would present evidence of the medical bills, pain and suffering, and long-term impact on the client’s mobility. Florin|Roebig would aggressively pursue compensation from both the marina owner and the product manufacturer for the largest settlement or verdict possible.
3. Pool-Related Injuries in Apollo Beach
Example: A child nearly drowns in an Apollo Beach residential pool due to faulty pool drain equipment that caused entrapment, resulting in brain injury from prolonged oxygen deprivation.
Florin|Roebig Strategy:
- Product Liability Investigation: Florin|Roebig would investigate the design and maintenance of the pool equipment, holding the manufacturer or property owner liable for the faulty drain.
- Expert Testimony: Pool safety experts would be brought in to explain the fault in the equipment and how the accident was preventable. Medical experts would testify about the severe long-term impacts of the brain injury.
Litigation Strategy: By demonstrating gross negligence on the part of the manufacturer or property owner and emphasizing the severity of the injury, Florin|Roebig would demand a high settlement. If the case goes to trial, they would focus on the emotional impact of the injury, particularly in cases involving children, to secure a substantial jury award.
Do I Need To Hire A Personal Injury Attorney?
You can legally file a personal injury claim without hiring a licensed attorney to represent you. However, even though you don’t need an attorney, it is still in your best interest to consult one. Without a qualified attorney on your side in the case, your chances of collecting a fair settlement may not be as high.
Some of the most notable benefits of hiring a personal injury attorney include:
- access to experienced professionals who can answer your questions and provide expert guidance throughout your case
- support during all phases of the case, including mediation and/or litigation
- a better chance of taking home a settlement that adequately compensates you for all the losses you sustained because of your injuries
- the ability to rest easy knowing you are in compliance with all requirements of Florida law throughout the case
List Of Personal Injury Lawyers Serving Apollo Beach
As you prepare to file a personal injury claim in Apollo Beach, consult an experienced attorney for assistance. At Florin|Roebig, we employ a team of capable professionals dedicated to the success of every client we represent.
Some of our attorneys who represent clients in Apollo Beach include:
- Wil H. Florin, B.C.S.
- Tommy D. Roebig, B.C.S.
- Chad K. Florin, M.B.A., LL.M.
- Parker Y. Florin, LL.M.
We Are Nationally Awarded Lawyers
Reach Out For Help With Your Personal Injury Claim
The personal injury attorneys at Florin|Roebig have represented clients in cases across the state of Florida, and we can help you file your claim in Apollo Beach.
We can provide the experience and resources you need to be successful with your claim. If you are thinking about filing a personal injury claim, please contact our firm today to schedule a consultation.
