Have you or a loved one experienced an accident or injury that stems from the careless behavior of another individual? At Shapiro | Delgado | Hofmann law firm, you can make this wrong right in a Florida court of law.
With over 100 years of combined experience successfully winning personal injury cases, we’re proud of the work we do to get the maximum possible compensation for our clients.
Get in touch today with a Sarasota personal injury lawyer for your free, no-obligation free case review.
If you were injured due to the negligent action or inaction of another person, you might be able to bring a personal injury claim or case in a court of law.
Examples of the types of situations that could constitute a basis for a case include:
As each situation is unique, it’s important to contact a trusted Sarasota personal injury lawyer as soon as you think you may have a case.
Personal injuries impose significant burdens on their victims, resulting in mental, physical, emotional, and financial hardships.
When individuals suffer personal injuries, they often need to take time off from work and their regular routines to address their physical ailments. The extent of this can range from hospital stays and doctor’s appointments to surgeries, rehabilitation programs, or other forms of necessary care.
The aftermath of a traumatic accident can also take a toll on a person’s mental and emotional well-being, sometimes necessitating therapy or group counseling. In some cases, medication may be prescribed to help manage post-traumatic stress disorder.
The costs associated with medical and psychological care can be substantial, compounded by the fact that personal injury victims are unable to work while receiving treatment. This can lead to unpaid living expenses and mounting medical debts without any means of repayment.
Filing successful personal injury claims can provide financial compensation to cover these expenses, while also offering a path to justice for innocent victims. Such claims hold negligent individuals, companies, and governments accountable for the harm they cause others and can serve as a deterrent against future misconduct.
For those who are left with permanent disabilities, compensation can provide ongoing access to quality medical care and financial support in the future.
The most current national injury data is from 2019. It ranked Florida 8.90% higher than the national average for injuries, and 12.57% higher than the national average for unintentional injuries.
When compared with the nation’s six most populous states, Florida’s injury fatalities were highest in motor vehicle accidents, suicides, drowning, pedestrian accidents, and bicyclist accidents.
Any of the above accident types can give rise to a personal injury claim when they are due to the negligent actions or inactions of another person, company, or governmental entity. Sarasota follows the state’s trends when closely examined for personal injury accident injuries and fatalities with motor vehicle accidents ranked number one.
The 2022 report for Sarasota County maintained by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles cited:
Pedestrian accidents can be deadly in Sarasota. There were 248 pedestrian fatalities in the North Port, Sarasota, Bradenton area from 2010 to 2021.
The second leading cause of injuries across the country are falls. Every twenty minutes, an older adult dies from a fall. Sarasota County’s adult population aged 65 and older is 37%.
Slips, falls, and trips were the second most deadly workplace injury in 2021 according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
No two personal injury cases are the same. Every personal injury case has a unique set of circumstances and people involved. Victim’s injuries and healing times are personal as are their accident experiences.
No personal injury attorney can accurately estimate the value of a case without thoroughly reviewing a victim’s case. There are several factors that go into any compensation calculation.
These may include any of the following:
Generally victims who share little to no fault for their accidents can recover their total economic losses. These are any medical expenses, lost wages, and other provable costs.
It is more difficult to prove non-economic damages or pain and suffering. These are personal losses like loss of enjoyment of life or the mental effects of disfigurement. A Sarasota personal injury lawyer can help place a value on these damages and explain how such losses are determined.
It is worth noting that while economic damages aim to reimburse the victim for their financial losses, punitive damages are a different category altogether. Punitive damages, though relatively rare, are intended to punish the at-fault party for their egregious behavior and deter others from engaging in similar misconduct. They may be awarded in cases where the defendant’s actions were particularly reckless, malicious, or intentional.
A Sarasota personal injury lawyer must prove four elements when making a case for negligence. These are duty of care, breach of duty, causation, and damages.
Building a strong case for negligence requires an injury attorney to conduct a thorough accident investigation. This includes:
Rarely do insurers agree on liability for an accident. Instead, insurance adjusters conduct their own accident investigations and use available evidence to support a case that benefits the insurance company.
Insurance adjusters may try to deny a claim or shift blame to the victim. Blame-shifting can affect a personal injury claim in Florida.
Florida uses a system of damage recovery called pure comparative negligence. Under this system, parties to an accident can share blame for an accident.
The court will assign parties a percentage of fault for an accident up to 100%. Any monetary award the jury awards, will be reduced by a party’s assigned percentage of fault.
For example:
In a pure comparative fault system, an injured party can receive damages even if they are 99% at fault for an accident.
The statute of limitations in Florida for negligence was previously 4 years. However, in March 2023, Governor Ron DeSantis enacted House Bill (HB) 837, which establishes a new Florida law requiring cases based on negligence to be filed within two years from the date of the incident. Failure to meet this deadline will result in the permanent barring of such cases.
Previously, there was an exception to the statute of limitations rule in Florida for wrongful death cases, which allowed a filing period of 2 years instead of the standard 4 years for other negligence-related cases. However, with the enactment (HB) 837 the statute of limitations for cases based on negligence, including wrongful death claims, has been revised to match the 2-year timeframe. It is crucial for individuals involved in wrongful death cases to take appropriate legal action promptly and contact a Sarasota wrongful death attorney to protect their rights and pursue justice in such sensitive cases.
First, when selecting a Sarasota personal injury attorney, it is important to find a local attorney that has the time to sit and discuss your case with you. Second, look for attorneys with a proven track record of successful settlements and jury verdicts, like Shapiro | Delgado | Hofmann.
And finally, don’t forget that you’ll likely be working with the same lawyer for years in your case. Your personal comfort is paramount in developing a positive working relationship with your Sarasota personal injury lawyer.
Never hesitate to meet with an experienced Sarasota personal injury attorney. Most work on a contingency fee basis meaning they only get paid when you do.
If you are concerned, schedule an initial consultation to speak with one of our personal injury lawyers in Sarasota and ask about their fee schedule. At the law firm of Shapiro l Delgado l Hofmann, we offer a complimentary consultation and work on a contingency fee basis.
Meet with one of our knowledgeable lawyers to discuss your case today.
The amount of compensation available in a personal injury claim depends on the extent of the injuries and specific circumstances. Economic damages cover measurable financial losses like lost profits, wages, medical expenses, and property damage. Non-economic damages are intangible and include pain, suffering, emotional distress, and loss of society. Since non-economic damages are subjective, their value varies. Consulting a Sarasota personal injury attorney is crucial to understand the potential compensation and navigate the legal process for a fair settlement or court award.
Being liable for a personal injury accident in Florida means being responsible for an accident or the conditions which caused the injuries resulting from an accident. If a party claims that you were at fault for a personal injury accident in Florida, they must prove your negligence to establish your liability. To do so, they need to present evidence demonstrating that you acted or failed to act in a way that a reasonable person wouldn’t have in the same situation, and that your actions or inactions caused harm and resulted in losses to the victim. If they cannot provide sufficient evidence to establish your negligence, then you would not be held liable for the injuries or losses related to the accident. It is essential to consult with a personal injury attorney to protect your rights and defend against any allegations of negligence.
Our Sarasota personal injury attorneys serves all over Sarasota County including:
Sarasota Springs, Englewood, Fruitville, Gulf Gate Estates, Bee Ridge, Laurel, North Sarasota, Venice Gardens, Southgate, Osprey, Siesta Key, Warm Mineral Springs, South Sarasota, Lake Sarasota, The Meadows, Kensington Park, Vamo, Desoto Lakes, Nokomis, Plantation
Shapiro Delgado is great! I found them through reviews online. I reached out and they were able to provide the help I needed with my case. Adam was extremely punctual and easy to talk to which made the process less stressful for me. I was always updated and kept in the loop. Highly recommend!
– Jake H.
I’ve known Adam Shapiro for many years, and there isn’t anyone else in Florida that I’d trust with my case.
Adam and his team made the entire process easy, made me feel important and understood, and worked tirelessly to get us justice.
I highly recommend working with Shapiro | Delgado | Hofmann.
– Sam M.
The mistake I made was not calling David much sooner. His knowledge and skills proved to be so important in putting what was a very difficult period behind me. I really just can’t say enough great things about David and Shapiro | Delgado | Hofmann.
Shapiro | Delgado | Hofmann has over $100 million worth of settlements and successful jury verdicts to our name. Our Sarasota personal injury lawyers are so confident we’ll win your personal injury claim that we never take a cent in compensation unless we win – guaranteed.
We want you to reach out today for your no-obligation personal injury case review. Our case reviews are always free and don’t require that you choose our firm – we just want you to get the best possible legal advice in your case. Call (941) 954-4000 or fill out our online form today for your free consultation.
