Caring Advocate For Personal Injury Victims

The impact a personal injury can have on your life shouldn’t be underestimated. The physical toll of an injury is just one aspect; you may also face financial hardships that can be an emotional and mental burden. Wondering how to pay for medical bills or how to support yourself if you can’t return to work can leave you lost and confused.

As a personal injury lawyer for over 30 years, I’m familiar with your difficult situation. I know how hard it can be to pick up the pieces after an accident and seek the compensation you deserve. Let my firm guide you through the process.

What Qualifies As A Personal Injury Case?

Personal injury accidents can happen to anyone, anywhere. To pursue a personal injury claim, you must prove your injury was due to another person’s negligence. The following are common types of personal injury cases:

• Motor Vehicle Accidents: Motor vehicle accidents are the most common types of personal injury cases. Insurance companies tend to be involved in them, but a personal injury lawyer can help you get the maximum compensation for your injuries, medical expenses, wage loss, and pain and suffering.
• Slip and Falls: Property owners are responsible for keeping their property hazard-free. If a property owner has failed to use ordinary care to keep the premises reasonably safe, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries.
• Wrongful Death: An attorney can help you to recover damages for negligence or other tortious act that led to the death of your loved one. You may be entitled to loss of support and companionship, funeral expenses, loss of earnings, and pain and suffering.
• Medical Malpractice: If you are injured due to negligence by a doctor or other healthcare professional, you can recover compensation. These cases are more complex and have a shorter statute of limitations. It is important to contact a lawyer right away.
• Animal Bites: Dog bites or other animal attacks can cause serious injuries or infections. Negligent owners may be held responsible for the actions of their pets.
• Catastrophic Injury: Certain accidents that result in severe, catastrophic injuries can be more complex than a motor vehicle accident or slip and fall. These injuries might be more long-lasting or permanent. A lawyer can help you seek compensation that takes those details into consideration.

With three decades of experience in dealing with these types of cases, I know what to expect from the process. I will help you gather the appropriate evidence to file a claim and work with you every step of the way, including preparing for and going to trial.

What Is Florida’s Comparative Negligence Law?

In Florida, there is a law known as comparative negligence. It means that if you are found at least partially responsible for your injuries, the amount of compensation you seek for your injury is reduced by the percentage you are found at fault.

For example, if you were driving considerably faster than the designated speed limit and were struck by another vehicle that was driving carelessly, a jury might find you to be 10% to blame for the accident. If a jury awarded you $100,000 in compensation for your injuries, this award would then be reduced by 10% resulting in $90,000 compensation to you.

In March of 2023, the Governor signed into effect a new law which made major changes to Florida’s longstanding comparative negligence law. Florida moved from a purely comparative negligence state to a modified comparative negligence state. Now, in a negligence action other than medical malpractice, if a Plaintiff is found to be greater than 50% at fault for his or her own injuries, he or she will not be able to recover any damages whatsoever. This is a major change in Florida’s tort law which will have a significant effect on negligence cases in the future. It is critical to have a lawyer who can help you navigate these changes.

How Long Do I Have To File A Personal Injury Lawsuit?

After an accident, the last thing you probably feel like doing is filing a lawsuit. The idea of navigating legal issues can be overwhelming after such a traumatic experience. However, waiting too long to seek compensation can impact your chances.

Each state in the U.S. has its own specific deadline for filing a personal injury lawsuit. Florida is no exception. The statute of limitations is two years from the date of your accident or injury. That means you must file your suit in civil court within that time frame, or the case will be forever barred and you will not be able to recover compensation for your injuries and damages.

If your personal injury claim is against a city, state or county government, the statute of limitations has special requirements. As a Florida personal injury attorney, I am familiar with these laws and deadlines. I can help you prepare your case as soon as possible so that you don’t feel rushed when trying to seek the compensation you deserve.

You Need A Lawyer You Can Trust

The overriding goal of my law practice is to see that those who have been harmed by the careless and negligent acts of others are fairly compensated for their injuries and losses. In the process, I trust that my work will do more than just exact retribution. It is my sincere hope that my work will encourage and foster greater responsibility on the part of drivers and property owners thereby creating greater safety on the roads and in every walk of life.

Contact The Law Office of Miriam J. Fisher, Esq., P.A., for a free consultation at 727-560-2407. Or send an email today.