Nobody expects to be hurt, but mistakes and accidents happen, leading to severe injuries and losses. If you’ve been injured in an accident through no fault of your own, you will want to enlist the help of an experienced personal injury lawyer to get the maximum compensation for your injuries.
While most of these incidents occur unexpectedly, they are often preventable and tend to be a result of careless, reckless, or negligent parties. In addition to experiencing pain, stress and other issues that come with bodily harm, you also have to worry about medical expenses as well as the state of your finances. Fortunately, the state of Florida enforces Personal Injury Law, allowing victims to seek justice.
If you or a family member has sustained injuries due to the negligence or carelessness of another individual or entity, you may be eligible for compensation. To get the settlement you deserve, however, requires proving liability, which is not always easy. Our Hollywood injury attorneys are readily available to help protect your rights. We have been in the field for years, helping personal injury accident victims secure the compensation they deserve. To get started, call us today at 954-915-7405!
What is a Personal Injury Case?
A personal injury case refers to the legal solution an individual can pursue following an injury that wasn’t their fault. It is a resolution process whereby the victim seeks compensation for their physical, emotional, and economic pain.
For a personal injury claim to be considered valid, there must be the element of negligence or intentional conduct. The former covers intentional actions like failure to leash a dog, which resulted in a dog bite injury while the latter entails actions like drunk driving or speeding, which led to an accident.
Common types of personal injury cases in Hollywood include car crashes, trucking accidents, medical malpractice, dog bites, construction-site accidents, and more.
What Should You Do Following an Injury?
What you do following an accident that injures you is important for both your chances of healing faster and being compensated. That said, ensure you do the following:
- Seek Medical Attention and Keep the Records
It is a no-brainer that you should seek instant medical attention after sustaining an injury. This applies even if you feel okay as some symptoms can take days or even weeks to manifest. Your physician will conduct a thorough diagnosis, prescribe the right treatment and keep the relevant records for future use. Ensure you keep a copy of all treatment records as they will help prove how much you deserve as compensation.
- Take Photos and Record Videos of the Scene
If possible, take photos and videos of your injuries, damages as well as the whole accident. This will be used as concrete evidence of the accident.
- Collect Names & Contact Details of Witnesses
If anyone saw the incident, collect their names and contact information. Witnesses will help solidify your claim, particularly if it goes to trial.
- Report the Injury
It is also important that you report the accident to the relevant parties. For example, if it is a car accident, report it to the authorities. If it is a work-related injury, report it to your boss. Also, make sure you obtain a copy of the accident report.
- Do Not Admit Fault
Even if you believe you could be partly responsible for the accident, avoid admitting fault or apologizing to the other party. Liability or fault for personal injury claims is determined after a comprehensive investigation and you certainly do not want to jeopardize your chances of compensation.
- Call a Hollywood Personal Injury Lawyer!
Lastly, you will want to consult a personal injury immediately. You do not want to skimp on this step as it helps determine whether you have a valid case and how to go about it. The team at Klotzman Law Firm has vast experience in all kinds of personal injury cases. With the help of our personal injury lawyers, you will be able to tip the odds in your favor.
Why Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer?
Chances are you have never pursued a personal injury case before and are probably in pain from the accident. Personal injury claims can be overwhelming as there are set procedures to follow when perusing compensation. To be frank, the last thing you want is more stress in such a situation. A Hollywood personal injury lawyer will not only give you peace of mind but increase the chances of winning your case. Reputable legal representatives will help you in the following ways:
Case Preparation/ Filing a Lawsuit
Once you meet the personal injury lawyer, they will assess your situation to determine if you have a valid claim. They will then initiate the process by doing a thorough investigation and gathering as much evidence as possible. They will be able to determine the value of your case and establish liability.
Settlement Negotiations
This stage involves making discussions with the insurance company and liable party to reach a fair settlement. Our Hollywood personal injury lawyers have been in this field for years and have the necessary negotiation skills to ensure the other party doesn’t take advantage of you.
Trial Preparation & Representation
While most cases don’t reach this stage, some parties are unable to reach a fair settlement agreement. Not to fret though as your Hollywood personal injury lawyer lawyer will be ready to make a strong case and represent you accordingly in court. The court proceedings may be time-consuming and overwhelming, but fair compensation and justice are more important.
What Type of Damages Can I Recover in Florida?
When it comes to personal injury claims in the state of Florida, there are three categories of damages you can recover. These are discussed in detail below:
Economic Damages
These refer to the tangible losses you incurred as a result of the injury. They are easy to handle as they are not just objective, but also live on paper. Examples of economic damages include:
Medical expenses- entail any necessary treatment cost that was a result of the accident.
Property damage- entails repairs and replacement of damaged vehicles, motorbikes, etc.
Lost wages- entail lost money or income because you missed work as a result of the accident.
Loss of earning capacity- severe injuries can have major impacts on your life including the inability to work like before. In such situations, you may be awarded compensation for the amount that you should’ve earned.
Lost benefits- entails the lost sick time or vacation in order to cover the days missed at work. These can be included as part of the economic damages reward.
Non-Economic Damages
Also known as general damages, non-economic damages refer to the intangible damages experienced as a result of injury. They are subjective in nature, and therefore harder to calculate. It can be challenging for someone to agree that emotional trauma calls for a specific amount of compensation. That’s why they do not have a set amount and are determined by the judges and juries.
Examples of non-economic damages include stress, anxiety, emotional distress, inconvenience, loss of consortium, loss of companionship, pain and suffering.
When working with a Hollywood personal injury lawyer, it’s advisable to be honest and fair regarding your non-economic damages. This helps them ensure the insurance provider does not take advantage of your situation.
Punitive Damages
These do not apply to every case but are awarded under specific situations like in the event of a speeding or drunk driving accident. Punitive damages are designed to financially punish the liable party and discourage them from behaving the same in the future.
How is Liability Determined in Florida?
In order to prove you’re indeed a personal injury victim, the state of Florida requires you to prove the following elements of negligence:
Duty of Care
This is the first element of negligence and the law requires that you prove the other party owed you some degree of obligation. Examples in this regard include adhering to traffic rules, keeping buildings safe, conducting the necessary inspections before driving a commercial truck, etc.
Breach of Duty of Care
Next, you are required to show that the other party certainly breached the duty of care owed to you. Examples include overlooking traffic rules, skimping on commercial truck inspections, and failing to warn people of slippery floors in a building.
Causation
Causation is the third element of negligence. It entails showing that the other party’s breach of duty of care was the direct cause of the accident and thus your injuries.
Damages
This final element requires you to show that the accident led to injury, property damage, emotional distress, and similar damages.
It is important to note that Florida is a pure comparative fault state. This means that the injured party is only allowed to seek damages that are proportional to their fault percentage. For example, if the other party was found to be 70% liable and you were 30% responsible, you will only be able to recover 70% of your damages.
Personal injury Claims Process in Florida
As mentioned earlier, filing a personal injury claim is not always easy and in most situations, you need the assistance of a lawyer. In Florida, you need to follow these steps to make a personal injury claim:
Meet with a Lawyer
First, you need to meet with a lawyer experienced in personal injury for consultation and case evaluation. During this stage, you need to present your medical treatment costs records, receipts, etc.
Gather Evidence and Calculate Compensation
The next step involves collecting the necessary evidence to make a solid case and determine how much you should seek as compensation.
Negotiations
With the necessary evidence and paperwork, your personal injury lawyer will hold negotiations with the party liable or the insurance provider to reach a fair settlement. You need a Hollywood personal injury lawyer with exceptional negotiation skills as insurance companies will almost always try to lowball you.
Litigation
If you do not come to a fair agreement, the next step is to take the case to court. Here, your lawyer will use their resources and expertise to make your case worthy of presentation in front of a judge and create the best chances of winning.
How Much Does a Hollywood Personal Injury Cost?
Many personal injury accident victims do not seek representation when seeking compensation as they worry about the legal fees. What most of them do not know is that all lawyers including those from Klotzman operate on a contingency fee basis. This implies that you don’t pay anything unless they win your case. The fee is usually between 20% to 40% of the total settlement amount.
The fee may also be based on the scope of work they had to put in. So, if the claim was settled at the negotiations stage, you can expect to pay less than if it proceeded to trial.
The contingency fee basis not only means that you only pay for the legal services if you get compensated, but also that your lawyer will be greatly invested in your case. After all, they can only get paid if they win. However, it is important to note that some lawyers operate in other payment structures like a flat rate or an hourly fee. Klotzman Law Firm believes that working on a contingency fee basis is the best for our clients.
How Much Time Do You Have to File an Injury Claim in Florida?
When it comes to personal injury cases that involve bodily injuries, the statute of limitations in Florida is 4 years from the date of the incident. This means you don’t have legal grounds to file a lawsuit after this period.
Types of Personal Injury Cases We Handle at Klotzman Law Firm
Our seasoned Hollywood lawyers are ready to tackle just about any form of personal injury case. We have an unparalleled reputation for working hard to get our clients justice as well as the settlement they deserve.
Regardless of where you live in Hollywood, you could be a personal injury victim at any time. If you get injured, you will require medical treatment and someone has to foot the bill. Fortunately, you can rely on us to get you compensated. We handle a vast array of personal injury cases including:
Catastrophic Injuries
Catastrophic injuries, such as severe damage to the brain, spine, or skull, can have a profound impact on every aspect of your life. These injuries are often caused by serious trauma, such as a car accident or fall, and frequently result in permanent disability, paralysis, or even death.
In addition to undergoing multiple surgeries, individuals who experience catastrophic injuries often require long-term physical therapy. At Klotzman Law Firm, our Hollywood-based lawyers have the experience and expertise to handle these complex cases and fight for the compensation that you deserve if you have suffered a catastrophic personal injury.
Car Accidents
Car accidents are a frequent occurrence in Hollywood and constitute a significant portion of the cases that our firm handles. From minor fender benders to severe accidents, we approach each case with the same level of care and attention. In order to seek compensation for your injuries, your personal injury lawyer must establish the other driver’s negligence.
This can be a challenging task, but our experienced Hollywood personal injury lawyers know how to navigate these complex cases and help you recover what you are entitled to.
In most cases, car accident claims are settled through the other driver’s insurance company. However, if the insurance company refuses to pay, our car accident lawyers are prepared to file a lawsuit on your behalf. We understand the physical, emotional, and financial toll that a car accident can take on your life, and we’re here to provide the support you need during this challenging time.
Slip And Fall
Slip and fall incidents are some of the most common personal injury cases. These accidents can happen anywhere, but they often occur on business premises. For instance, you could be shopping at your local grocery store and slip on a smashed fruit, or you might fall and injure your ankle in the parking lot of a mall.
Slip and fall accidents are frequently caused by water or ice, as well as floors that require maintenance or repair. While the injuries resulting from a slip and fall may not always be severe, they can still cause significant pain and inconvenience. Our skilled Atlanta-based slip and fall lawyers are here to help ensure that you receive the compensation you deserve for your injuries.
Assault & Battery
Assault and battery refer to the illegal act of touching another person, ranging from physical altercations to road rage incidents. These offenses can result in a wide range of injuries, including broken bones, bruises, and internal harm. If you are the victim of assault and battery, seeking the help of an experienced lawyer is essential to ensure that the responsible party is held accountable for their actions.
Our personal injury lawyers are well-versed in navigating the complexities of assault and battery cases and will work to ensure that you are justly compensated for the harm you have suffered.
Dog Bites
Dog bite cases are unfortunately all too common in Hollywood, a place where many people keep these furry companions as pets. While dogs are generally friendly and loving, their behavior can be unpredictable, and anyone can become a victim of a dog attack. Even a normally docile dog can turn aggressive in an instant.
The good news is that dog owners are legally responsible for any harm caused by their pets, including dog bites or attacks. Although there may be some exceptions to this rule, they are few and far between. Whether you are bitten by a friend’s dog or a stranger’s, our dog bite lawyers can help you obtain the compensation you deserve for your injuries. If the dog owner is aware that their pet has a history of aggression, you may have an even stronger case so, don’t suffer in silence and reach out today!
Premises Liability
As a property owner, you have a legal responsibility to maintain a safe environment on your premises. Visitors to your property have a reasonable expectation of encountering well-maintained walkways, flooring, and staircases. If your property falls into disrepair and someone is injured as a result, you could be held liable for their injuries.
For example, while walking through a department store, you could slip and fall on a wet floor, or you might trip and fall on a loose step while descending a staircase in a hotel. As a visitor or guest on another person’s property, you deserve to feel safe and protected. The last thing you want is to sustain an injury and end up in the emergency room.
Our team understands the complexities of premises liability cases and is committed to helping our clients receive the compensation they deserve for their injuries.
Pedestrian Accidents
Pedestrian accidents can be devastating as people on foot are at a higher risk of injury than any other group. They are vulnerable to a variety of accidents, from being struck by a car or motorcycle to being run over by a bus. Pedestrians are powerless as they usually don’t have any protection against the person or object that caused their injuries.
The injuries sustained in a pedestrian accident can be severe and life-altering and that’s why it’s essential to have an experienced pedestrian accident attorney by your side to help you obtain the compensation you deserve.
Medical Malpractice
While doctors undergo extensive training, they are still prone to making mistakes and this is where malpractice insurance comes into play. Medical malpractice cases are serious and often involve misdiagnosis, failure to diagnose, prescribing the wrong medications, surgical errors, and lack of proper aftercare.
If your doctor is guilty of any of these things, you may need to pursue a claim against them. Our medical malpractice lawyers are experienced in handling these types of cases and can help ensure you receive the compensation you deserve. So, do not be intimidated by the lawyers for the malpractice insurance company.
Hire the Best Personal Injury Lawyer in Hollywood!
Injury cases resulting from the negligent or careless actions of another party should never be left unattended. Some injuries can be so severe that you may never be able to lead your normal life ever again. So, do not hesitate to hold the liable parties accountable by hiring the best Hollywood personal injury lawyer at Klotzman Law Firm. Get in touch by calling 954-915-7405 today!
