Personal Injury Attorney in Pine Manor

Those who are blessed with good health often take it for granted. So when an unexpected injury throws everything you thought you knew into question, you may not know how to move forward. For example, did you know that if your injury was caused by another person’s negligence or wrongdoing you may be entitled to compensation?

This area of law is referred to as personal injury and encompasses a wide range of possible scenarios. If you want to explore your options in the aftermath of an injury, you should call a personal injury lawyer to learn more. 

At Morgan & Morgan, we offer free case evaluations to help potential clients get familiar with their next best steps. Use our online form to get started.

Wondering if hiring a personal injury lawyer really makes sense for your experience? Keep reading. We’ll cover everything you need to know.

What Qualifies as a Personal Injury?

The most obvious case of personal injury is one in which an actual physical injury has occurred because of negligence or wrongdoing. However, there are a few other claims you can make in these types of cases. They include:

• Physical disabilities
• Emotional trauma
• Pain and suffering
• Wrongful death

Any of these outcomes can put you in financial distress. So when your injury or trauma is caused because another person or entity was careless, you deserve compensation as you seek healing and recovery. Specifically, you might be entitled to any recoveries from the list below:

• Medical bills
• Treatment, recovery, and therapy expenses
• Compensation for lost income that results from the injury
• Compensation for mental pain and suffering

Of course, you can’t snap your fingers and expect to get all you deserve. If you want to pursue financial compensation for a personal injury, you need the help of a personal injury lawyer. Keep reading to learn more about if and when you should call one. 

Types of Personal Injuries

On top of everything we’ve discussed this far, you should know that there are many subcategories of personal injury law. At Morgan & Morgan, we see personal injury cases of all shapes and sizes. Here are just a few of the types we are familiar with.

Medical Malpractice

Most people can make a mistake at work and not worry about it having deadly consequences. This is not the case for doctors and medical staff. Whether it’s a failure to diagnose, surgical malpractice, birth injuries, improper dosage, or some other medical mistake, it all falls under the umbrella of personal injury. 

Motor Vehicle Accidents

Around 200,000 car accidents are recorded on Florida roads each year. As you might imagine, this leads to a lot of injured people. When an accident occurs because of another driver’s negligence and results in an injury, it’s considered an area of personal injury law. 

It could be that a driver failed to obey traffic signals, use his blinker, or follow the speed limit. Or, it could be that he was texting or drinking while driving. No matter the cause, you should call a personal injury lawyer to weigh all of your options.

Product Liability

This type of personal injury law is a little less common than the other categories on this list. But its effects can be equally deadly. Any time a person is injured or killed because of a defective product, it falls under the umbrella of personal injury law. 

Sometimes it’s a defective toy, a recalled medical device, or toxic cosmetics. Whatever it is, if using it caused you serious harm, call an attorney. 

Slip and Fall Accidents

If a property owner has left things improperly cleaned, maintained, or cared for, it can create a dangerous situation. And when those conditions lead to an injury, you may be entitled to compensation. 

In these cases, it can be difficult to prove that the property owner is at fault for your injury. So you’ll definitely need and want a personal injury lawyer if you plan to pursue legal action. 

Statute of Limitations for Personal Injury in Pine Manor, FL

Of course, knowing that you need a personal injury lawyer is not the only step to cross off of your list. You also need to know when to hire an attorney. 

Most often, we recommend you call a lawyer as soon as you know you’ve been injured. But if you want to give yourself some time to consider your options, that’s okay too. Just make sure you are aware of Florida’s statute of limitations for personal injury lawsuits.

In Florida, you have four years to file a lawsuit after you’ve been injured. Failing to meet this deadline could compromise your entire claim. While this is the statute of limitations for a standard personal injury lawsuit, there are a few exceptions to the rule. For example, you have only two years to file a lawsuit regarding medical malpractice or wrongful death. 

The reasoning behind a statute of limitations is to ensure that lawsuits are filed in a timely manner before evidence can deteriorate and/or become less reliable. This is also the reason we recommend that you call a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. The more time we have to gather fresh evidence, the better. 

What Kind of Compensation Can You Pursue?

With a personal injury claim, your lawyer will talk to you about the two broad types of compensation. First, you can expect compensatory damages, which include compensation for all of the costs that are associated with the injury. 

The second type of compensation is not guaranteed; in fact, it only applies in a handful of cases. It’s called punitive damages and only applies in cases where the defendant’s behavior was particularly outrageous or malicious. 

While you may not be entitled to punitive damages, you can expect to receive compensatory damages should the courts rule in your favor. Examples of the types of compensatory damages you might deserve include:

• Medical transportation (including ambulance rides)
• At-home nursing and/or caretaking
• The cost of medication
• Any expenses regarding pain management, rehabilitation, or physical therapy
• Any and all hospital/doctor bills

You may also be entitled to compensation if the injury caused you to take time away from work or otherwise affected your income. To get a full overview of the types of compensation you may deserve, call a personal injury lawyer today. 

When Is the Best Time to Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer?

Unfortunately, not all injuries fall under the umbrella of personal injury. But you might appreciate the help of an attorney in any case, especially if you need help in any of the following areas.

Speaking With Insurance Carriers

When you are dealing with ever-building medical bills, you don’t want to run any risk of your claim being denied. If you’re worried about whether your insurance provider will cover your expenses, call an attorney. A legal professional can represent you and ensure you get the full amount of coverage you are entitled to. 

Avoiding Statutes of Limitations Issues

We gave you a brief overview of the statutes of limitations for personal injury in Pine Manor, FL. But if you are worried about this issue, you should contact your attorney as soon as possible.

Getting Access to Appropriate Medical Care

Personal injury lawyers have experience in the field. As a result, they can point you to the right medical experts for both your treatment and your claim. 

The best time to retain a personal injury lawyer is whenever you find yourself worrying about the issues we just mentioned. Hiring a lawyer will help you get started on the right foot.