4 Questions for Filing a Personal Injury Claim in Tampa, Florida
The great state of Florida is known for its amazing beaches, swaying palm trees, pleasant warm weather, and having some of the most beautiful areas to live in across the US. And of all these lovely cities, no place embodies the elements of Florida more than the city of Tampa! With no state income-tax, gorgeous weather year-round, and a solid economy, the city of Tampa offers the best of a bustling metropolis and a beach vacation, wrapped into one. And it’s got something for everyone, as it was voted a top-10 place to retire, as well as to spend your spring break! However, with all the good, there had to be some bad. Tampa is also home to some of the highest accident and injury rates across the entire US, and with such high incidence rates, it’s no surprise it is a hotbed for personal injury case. If you are in need of a Top Personal Injury Attorney TAMPA has plenty to offer. While there are plenty of them around, few have the skill and the experience of Mr. Charles Spinner, Esq. of Spinner Law Firm, the Top Personal Injury Lawyer TAMPA has in practice. His dedication to his clients and his varied skill set has allowed him to recover millions in compensatory damages across the state of Florida – for a personal injury case such as car accidents, wrongful death, medical malpractice, traumatic brain injury claim, cruise ship accidents, and a whole lot more! Despite having a high rate of personal injury claims, it can still be difficult to navigate how exactly you should file on in Tampa. Considering that each state and even city has certain laws and statutes in place, specific to them. To better educate you on the process, here are a few common questions clients typically ask before filing their claim.
Should I Hire a Florida Personal Injury Lawyer?
This is a common question asked by those visiting the area on vacation, as they may already have an attorney in their home state. This is dependent upon the specifics of your personal injury claim, but the short answer is yes. In the event you have a minor claim, for small claims court (less than $5000), than you may want to handle it yourself, but consulting an attorney would help a lot. Otherwise, to pursue a larger personal injury case, such as a car accident or traumatic brain injury, in Tampa, it is highly recommended that you hire a Best Injury Lawyer TAMPA has practicing locally, like Mr. Spinner. Because his practice is local to the area, they are familiar with the laws, and statutes that govern this specific region and the state of Florida as a whole. Not only are they more familiar with the laws, but they are also may have a close relationship with judges, prosecutors, and other attorneys – giving them the advantage of knowing exactly what you are going up against. Or, in many instances they might be friendly, and make negotiating a settlement much easier.
How Long Can I Wait to File? Statute of Limitations?
A statute of limitations is a period of time, depending upon the type of personal injury claim, that the government allows for you to file your suit. Once he statute of limitations is up, you can no longer file your suit. Generally, across the state of Florida the laws state that you have 4 years to file a personal injury claim in order to recover damages from a negligent party, based on your injuries. However, if you suffer a severe injury that has left you incapacitated for a period of time, like a traumatic brain injury, that period can be stretched to 7 years. For medical malpractice cases the statute of limitations is only 2 years from the time of the incidence, however if you didn’t discover the malpractice right away, you have up to a 4-year max (in those special circumstances. Wrongful death cases must be begun within 2 years of the person’s death.
How Much is My Case Worth?
As with most other states, Florida values a claim based on a set of specific factors and their financial implications. They take into account the severity of the injury, how it has affected your life and the lives of those around you, and how much the other party was at fault. The specifics of these factors are added up, and your personal injury lawyer will negotiate either a settlement with the other party of take it to trial. Often times, for serious injuries, victims can be awarded millions of dollars from a negligent party’s insurance company or employer. These factors include:
· All Present & Future Medical Bills – Emergency room, doctor’s visits, medication, revision surgery (for medical malpractice) and more.
· Present & Future Rehabilitation – Physical and neurological. To regain cognitive function, mobility, and more.
· Lost Wages – Present & Future
· Loss of Future Earning Capacity – If you can no longer work or perform a certain type of job anymore.
· Cost of Living – Bills, food, etc. that you were unable to pay due to your injury.
· Pain & Suffering – Both present & future. Includes physical & mental suffering caused by injuries. Also,your families suffering, and compensation based on your inability to be as good of a spouse, father, or family member as you previously were, due to your injuries. (IE. loss of sex life in a marriage, inability to pick up your baby or play catch with your child – all due to injury)
What is the Collateral Source Rule?
The collateral source rule is a vital piece of legislation for any Best Injury Attorney TAMPA has in practice. A rule throughout the entire state, the collateral source rule means the opposing lawyer (defendant’s) cannot tell the jury that any of your medical bills were paid by an insurance company or other personal health plan, in an effort to lessen the amount of compensatory damages awarded or settled. This helps protect the injured party and allows them to get the most damages they can.
For more information, answers to other questions, or to schedule a consultation, please feel free to contact, Best Personal Injury Lawyer TAMPA, Mr. Charles Spinner, Esq. today.
