If you’re considering filing a personal injury lawsuit, you’re probably wondering what your case is worth. Compensation for your personal injury claim is based on damages.
Damages are typically broken down into two categories: punitive and compensatory damages.
Punitive damages are awarded in addition to property damages and are intended to punish the defendant and deter others from behavior in the future.
Compensatory damages are meant to reimburse the plaintiff for their economic loss or physical injury.
Who Pays Your Personal Injury Claim?
Car Accidents: If you were injured in a car accident, Florida law requires all drivers to carry personal injury protection, also called PIP or no-fault insurance. Regardless of who was at fault, PIP covers your immediate losses up to $10,000: 80 percent of medical bills, 60 percent of lost wages and 100 percent of household services.
If the other motorist was at fault, that driver’s insurance pays your losses not covered by PIP. Medical care and lost income alone can easily exceed the $10,000 limit. Our legal team builds a comprehensive case for all applicable damages, such as:
- Past and future medical expenses (surgery, medication, rehab, etc.)
- Lost wages and projected lost earnings
- Disability or physical impairment
- Disfigurement and plastic surgery
- Pain and suffering*
- Mental anguish*
- Loss of capacity for enjoyment of life*
- Property damages (loss of use and repair or replacement of your vehicle)
*Florida law requires permanent injury to sue for noneconomic damages such as pain and suffering.
If the other driver had no car insurance or too little liability coverage, we can seek compensation under your own uninsured motorist/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) policy. Unfortunately, your own insurance company will seek to deny or undercut your claim. Our firm regularly handles UM/UIM litigation.
Premises Liability/Slip and Fall Accidents: In a slip and fall case, the injured person is generally responsible for their own medical bills, unless the premises owner’s property insurance policy has “med pay” coverage. Beyond this coverage, the injured person will be stuck paying for their own medical bills. A personal injury lawsuit is designed to recover these expenses.
Fighting for the Full Value of Your Personal Injury Case
A car accident or other personal injury can create both immediate and long-term financial hardships. Our personal injury attorneys have earned settlements and jury verdicts for our clients and their families, including awards of more than $1 million, for catastrophic injuries and fatal car accidents. As a former insurance defense attorney, Mike Hancock knows the tactics insurance companies use to limit compensation. You probably have many questions and concerns are about your accident. Call Hancock Injury Attorneys today for your free case evaluation at 813-602-7849. Our phones are answered 24/7/365. You can also reach us by e-mail.
