If another person’s or entity’s negligence, carelessness, or recklessness injured you in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, you could be entitled to several types of compensation.
You may recover economic and non-economic damages in a personal injury claim. If your family lost a loved one, you could also recover wrongful death compensation.
Fort Lauderdale personal injury lawyers represent clients injured in a wide range of negligence-based accidents. Many law firms will review your injury claim at no cost or obligation to you. An attorney can clarify what compensation you can recover in a Fort Lauderdale personal injury case and advocate for you with the insurance company.
Fort Lauderdale Personal Injury Victims Can Recover Economic Damages
Determining what fair compensation looks like after an accident starts with understanding how to accurately assess and document your damages. This is critical, since a settlement or verdict is binding and final, meaning you cannot request additional damages later, even if they are legitimate.
One way to ensure the responsible party’s insurance company does not undervalue or underpay your personal injury claim is by hiring a Fort Lauderdale personal injury attorney to manage your claim and fight to maximize your settlement. Your legal team can also help you identify the negligent party and build a strong case for financial recovery.
Collect Your Medical Bills and Prognosis to Document Required Future Care
Whether you experienced a bicycle accident, motor vehicle accident, pedestrian accident, slip and fall, defective product accident, or any other type of negligence-based accident, your medical bills may be extensive. Track all your medical expenses to understand and fully document this portion of your personal injury compensation. Past and future medical care bills you may recover include:
- Assistive medical devices
- Diagnostic tests
- Emergency room
- Hospitals and clinics
- Necessary therapies
- Prescribed medications
- Rehabilitation
- Surgical procedures
You may also recover the costs of medical treatment-related travel expenses and any injury-related expenses not listed here. As part of your case file, your personal injury lawyer will request and organize bills from every medical facility and professional you received care from.
Personal Injury Compensation Includes Lost Wages from All Income Sources
If your injuries are severe enough to prevent you from working, you can request compensation for all current and future lost wages and related income, including:
- Full- and part-time wages
- Freelance income sources
- Related business losses
- Paid time off and other benefits
- Vacation days and other perks
- Loss of future earning potential
You can also get legal support to request compensation for your loss of hard-to-prove income, like gig-economy work.
The Liable Party May be Responsible for Repairs or Replacement of Damaged Property
When another person’s or entity’s negligence caused an accident, they may be financially liable for any resulting property damage. You may recover compensation for the following damaged property:
- Motor vehicle
- Laptop computer
- Cell phone or tablet
This list is not exhaustive. You may receive compensation for any property damaged in the accident. If you were involved in a car accident and your car is repairable, you can request compensation for its diminished value.
Fort Lauderdale Personal Injury Victims Can Recover Non-Economic Damages
The economic damages injured parties may recover for a negligence-based claim are tangible and easily documented. They may also recover a range of non-economic damages that can be harder to assess and document without legal assistance. Non-economic, or intangible, damages can include:
- Disabling Injuries: Temporary or permanent impairment, loss of a body part or its use, or loss of an organ or its use
- Disfiguring Injuries: Scarring, limb loss, and other changes that alter your physical appearance
- Pain and Suffering: Physical discomfort caused by your injuries and the rigors of the recovery process
- Loss of Enjoyment: Mental anguish and emotional distress, including PTSD and depression
Recoverable non-economic damages can also include compensation for your lost enjoyment of life and lost quality of life. This includes your inability to participate in previously enjoyed hobbies and activities.
Documents that Prove the Value of Your Non-Economic Damages
Unlike the bills and receipts that prove the value of economic damages, you need a different type of documentation to establish the value of non-economic damages. Your medical records and statements from therapists, other medical professionals, and friends and family may bolster your injury claim.
Yu can also include a personal written statement or journal entries that prove the toll the accident and your resulting injuries have had on your life and lifestyle.
Surviving Families Could Recover Wrongful Death Compensation in Fort Lauderdale
Nothing can fully atone for the loss of a loved one due to someone else’s negligence. However, a sudden loss can create financial upheaval. According to Florida Statutes § 768.21, you may be able to recover the following wrongful death damages from the at-fault party:
- Lost support and services
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Loss of familial contributions
- Loss of consortium and care
- Loss of companionship
- Loss of guidance and society
In general, the decedent’s parents, spouse, children, and certain other dependents can receive wrongful death damages. The best way to understand who can recover wrongful death damages is to let a Fort Lauderdale wrongful death attorney clarify it for you.
Personal Injury And Wrongful Death Filing Deadlines in Fort Lauderdale, Florida
The statute of limitations in Florida changed recently, giving claimants less time (generally two years versus four years) to file a personal injury lawsuit, according to Florida Statutes § 95.11(4)(a).
Additional statutes of limitations could apply based on the type of lawsuit you wish to file. Accordingly:
- The wrongful death statute of limitations is generally two years, per Florida Statutes § 95.11(4)(e)
- The medical malpractice statute of limitations is generally two years, per Florida Statutes § 95.11(4)(c)
- The nursing home abuse statute of limitations is generally two years, per Florida Statutes § 400.0236
Failure to comply with the applicable filing deadline could mean you cannot file your lawsuit. A Fort Lauderdale personal injury lawyer can interpret and clarify the statute of limitations for you.
Get a Free Evaluation of Your Fort Lauderdale Personal Injury Case
If you or someone you love was injured due to negligence, you need to know what compensation you can recover in a Fort Lauderdale personal injury case.
Find out how our Fort Lauderdale personal injury attorneys firm at the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine will go the extra mile to fight for maximum compensation. Contact our personal injury law firm to get started today.
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