Frequently Asked Questions about Personal Injury
What is a personal injury lawsuit?
A personal injury lawsuit is a legal action taken to recover damages from another party that has caused harm through inaction, negligence or malfeasance. If the negligence or inaction of another has caused you to suffer harm, you may be able to recover some or all of your medical expenses, rehabilitative costs, lost wages and pain and suffering with a personal injury lawsuit.
What are some typical personal injury claims?
Personal injury claims can be filed in response to a wide variety of incidents that cause physical harm. Here is a short list of some common types of personal injury claims:
What do I need to prove before I can file a personal injury lawsuit?
You don’t need to prove anything to file a personal liability lawsuit. Filing a lawsuit means that you have opened legal action against the defendant. In order to win your personal injury lawsuit you will need to show the standard of proof that governs your liability case. Most personal injury lawsuits are pursued under the theory of negligence, which requires you to prove four things:
- Show the defendant had a duty to perform at least as well as a reasonable person
- Demonstrate that the defendant failed in that duty
- Prove that the failure caused your injuries
- Prove that you suffered injury
What damages can a personal injury lawsuit recover?
A number of physical and non-physical damages can be recovered in a successful personal injury lawsuit:
- medical bills
- necessary rehabilitative/ongoing care
- emotional pain and suffering
- lost wages
- lost earning capacity
- punitive damages (depends on malicious/intentional conduct)
How much is my case worth?
The exact value of your personal injury lawsuit will depend on a host of factors. An experienced personal injury attorney should be able to give you a rough estimate of the value of your case after reviewing the pertinent details of your case.
What is the statute of limitations for my case?
The Florida statute of limitations for personal injury cases is generally four years. The exception to this include cases of medical malpractice and wrongful death which impose a two-year liability limit. Therefore, if you were injured in a car wreck in Florida, you would have four years from the date of injury to file a personal injury lawsuit. If you were the victim of medical malpractice, you would have two years from the discovery of the injury to file your case.
Can I file a personal injury lawsuit on my own?
Yes. You can file a personal injury suit ‘pro se’, without professional assistance. However, you will not be able to rely on a professional attorney’s experience and advice, and may not be able to recover as much in damages by making crucial mistakes.
How much does filing a personal injury lawsuit cost?
Many personal injury attorneys work on a contingency fee basis. This means that their legal fees are deferred until your lawsuit has been settled. After settlement, the attorney claims a percentage of the damage award.
James O. Cunningham is a Florida personal injury lawyer with over 30 years experience fighting for fair compensation for the victims of mishaps and negligence. Please contact the Florida Law Offices of James O. Cunningham, P.A. today and set up a consultation about your case.
Personal Injury Blog
- Stay Safe at the 83rd Annual Daytona Beach Bike Week
February 29, 2024 - What to Do If You’ve Been Injured in a Daytona Beach Bike Week Accident
February 27, 2024 - Staying Safe at Daytona Beach Bike Week 2024: Tips to Prevent Motorcycle Accidents
February 25, 2024 - Navigating Daytona Beach Bike Week 2024: Protecting Your Rights After a Motorcycle Accident
February 21, 2024 - New Research Links Camp Lejeune Water Contamination to Several Types of Cancer
February 1, 2024 - Exploring Exactech Recalls: What You Need to Know About Defective Medical Devices
October 11, 2023
- Mr. Cunningham is an excellent and knowledgeable attorney.
I would and have recommended Mr. Cunningham as an attorney. I am extremely happy with the service he has provided for me and my family. I will definately use Mr. Cunningham in the future if I ever need an attorney again.
- John, a Personal Injury client
5