When to File A Personal Injury Claim in Orlando
Suffering from a personal injury is not easy. In fact, it can lead to devastating consequences. If you have been hurt in a major accident, or even a minor one, you can seek compensation. Success depends on your ability to prove a number of important elements.
Personal injury law is fact-specific. It refers to a type of injury that has happened due to the fault of another party. This party can take a number of forms. In some personal injury cases, a single person may be at-fault. In other cases, multiple people are liable.
Personal injury cases also include companies and manufacturers. Companies can be held liable for defective products. Doctors may be held liable for negligence in treatment. There are numerous personal injury cases for which you can file an injury claim. Contact an Orlando Personal Injury Lawyer to gain insights on your case.
A skilled lawyer will help explain the legal aspects of your case, and will inform you that according to Florida Statutes Annotated section 95.11, you have 4 years to file a personal injury lawsuit from the date of injury. There are a number of exceptions for special cases, however One of the exceptions to this rule is that if you are filing an injury claim against a city, county, or a state government then you will have a deadline of 3 years. Since legal cases do not age well, it is always better to begin sooner rather than later. You should consider seeking legal representation as soon as possible when you realize you have suffered an injury or loss.
How To Find A Personal Injury Attorney In Orlando, Florida
Before finding a legal expert in the state of Florida, you should do some research. Ask friends and family for recommendations. Look through registries and databases and browse law firm websites to get a better idea of the types of cases they handle. Not every lawyer and not every law firm handles every sort of case.
No matter what you do, you should be proactive. When you visit a personal injury law firm website, you need to be observant. You should look for a track record of success. You should evaluate client testimonials and note the credentials and accolades of the law firm’s legal counsel.
You need to be sure that you look for experts who have 35+ year experience in your particular type of case and claim. In seeking a personal injury attorney, you need to target your search quite carefully. For example, some personal injury lawyers only handle car accidents. Others may handle slip and fall accidents, medical malpractice, dog bite or injured employers seeking workers compensation in Orlando.
Common Types of Personal Injury Cases in Orlando
- Car Accidents: There can be different causes for car accidents such as distracted driving, texting while driving, drunken driving, driving under influence or simple carelessness.
If you have been injured in a car accident and sustained injuries then you can seek advice from an Orlando Car Accident Lawyer. They will assist you in filing an injury claim against the party at fault.
- Slip and Fall Accidents: Many slip and fall accidents cause severe injuries such as fractures, broken bones, spinal cord injuries among others. The property owner will be liable to pay damages if injuries are due to their negligence.
- Dog Bite: Dog bites can also cause injuries such as scarring on face, eyes, or broken bones. A dog owner is responsible for paying for any damages which can be proven if the dog attacks someone.
- Workers Compensation: Employers are supposed to carry insurance that assists employees injured in workplace accidents. The employer will have to compensate the employee for injuries arising as a result of and in the course of employment.
- Truck Accident – Truck accidents tend to cause more severe physical injury and emotional trauma. This is due to the severity of the accidents that may happen due to the negligence of truck drivers. An Orlando Truck Accident Lawyer can help you seek compensation if you have been injured in a truck accident.
What Elements Do You Need To Prove In Your Personal Injury Claim?
When filing a personal injury claim, a claimant must remember several important things. All injured claimants must understand that establishing fault is never easy. To prove the fault of another party, the claimant must show one of three elements such as negligence, strict liability, and intentional wrong.
- NEGLIGENCE
Negligence is the most common theory for personal injury cases. To prove negligence, the claimant must show that the other party acted irresponsibly. They need to prove that the party acted in a way that could be reasonably expected to result in injury. This misconduct forms the basis of many claims and lawsuits.
- STRICT LIABILITY
The second theory for personal injury cases and claims is strict liability. In the case of strict liability, a claimant does not need to show negligence or intent. Instead, the plaintiff must simply prove that the defendant caused harm through dangerous actions or products.
Orlando, Florida Personal Injury Attorneys have extensive experience in bringing strict liability lawsuits. Many defective product cases fall under the strict liability category.
- INTENTIONAL WRONG
Finally, the third theory for personal injury cases is intentional wrong or intentional harm. This type of personal injury case is fairly self-explanatory. An intentional wrong or intentional tort case includes the deliberate actions of another party who set out to injure the victim.
In an intentional wrong case, the other party has willingly acted in a way to cause harm. This can include assault and battery, as well as other types of incidents. Many times, an intentional tort case may also include criminal charges.
However, criminal charges are brought separately. All personal injury cases are considered civil proceedings. If there is criminality, a criminal case will be handled in a different manner. Overall, there are many nuances and factors to consider. Injured claimants must understand the nature of their claim and can take advice from an experienced Orlando Florida personal injury attorney.
Claimants should also recognize the often long and tedious nature of the process. Some of the more complex personal injury cases may require extensive medical documentation and information. Some accident claims will even rely on expert testimony and reconstruction of the accident. These points of evidence can be critical in establishing fault.
How Can An Orlando Personal Injury Lawyer Assist You?
If you or someone you know has suffered a personal injury, you need help. Even if you are not sure if the injury you suffered meets the definition of personal injury, you should seek advice. An Orlando Personal Injury Lawyer can assist you according to your case.
Your injury can directly affect your ability to earn a living. The medical bills can be extensive. Your physical and mental changes can be devastating. You simply need to act swiftly and intelligently. Consult with one of our injury attorneys in Orlando at Nationwide Disability Representatives.
It doesn’t matter what kind of personal injury you’ve endured. Whether you have been injured as the result of a slip-and-fall accident, automobile accident, or medical malpractice, you should consider consulting the Nationwide Disability Representatives.
If you’ve suffered any mental and physical harm due to the negligence of another party, you may be able to file a lawsuit. Contact us for a free case evaluation.