Types of Cases Our Pensacola Personal Injury Lawyers Handle

Below is a list of the types of personal injury cases we handle. Click on the images to read detailed information on the practice area.

What is a Personal Injury Lawsuit

A personal injury lawsuit is a legal claim filed by an individual who has suffered physical injury or death because of the negligent, reckless or intentional conduct of another individual, company or governmental entity. It typically occurs with auto accidents, medical malpractice, workers compensation, prescription drugs, medical devices and defective products.

What Do I Have to Prove to Win a Florida Personal Injury Case

In order to succeed in a personal injury claim in Florida, you will need to prove three things: (1) the other side acted in a negligent, reckless, or intentional manner; (2) the other side caused your injury; and (3) the amount of your damages.

In regard to the first thing you need to prove, negligence is the failure of the person at fault to use reasonable care, which is the care that a reasonably careful person would have used under the same circumstances.

The second thing you need to prove is causation, which means the other side caused your injury, or substantially contributed to causing your injury. The third thing you need to prove is your damages.

It’s our job to gather all the evidence to prove your claim, and then present your best case possible to the insurance company; and if necessary, to a judge and jury.

What Will Levin Papantonio Rafferty Do To Maximize My Personal Injury Recovery

Immediately after you retain our services, our attorneys in Pensacola will begin taking the following actions to prove your claim, and to prevent the insurance company from minimizing your claim.

• We will take photographs and video of your injuries; the scene where the injury occurred; and all objects involved in the incident (such as the motor vehicles involved).
• We will collect all government reports on the incident, such as police, fire, and EMS records.
• We will question and record statements of witnesses.
• We will reconstruct the incident, such as the speed and movement of the vehicles, and each driver’s actions and reactions.
• We will gather all your medical records and bills, analyze them, and speak with your treating doctors.
• We will calculate your loss of income, loss of earning capacity, and other out-of-pocket expenses.
• We will speak with the insurance companies on your behalf, and negotiate your compensation.
• We will retain expert witnesses to testify on your behalf.
• If we can’t settle your case to your satisfaction, then we will file your lawsuit, conduct discovery, and present your case to a judge or jury.

How Long Do I Have to Bring a Personal Injury Lawsuit

There is no easy answer to this question because it depends on many factors, such as where the injury occurred, the type of injury, and who caused the injury.

As an example, if an auto accident occurs in Pensacola, Florida, the injured person has four years to file a lawsuit for injuries, but only two years if the accident causes death.

If an injury is caused by a Florida governmental entity, there are papers that need to be filed at least six months before the lawsuit is filed, and the maximum time period in which the lawsuit can be filed is three years.

The most important thing is that you immediately seek free legal advice when you become aware of a potential injury caused by the fault of another, even if you decide not to hire a lawyer. It costs you nothing, but provides you much protection.

Are There Any Limitations on My Recovery in Florida

The most significant limitations Florida places on the recovery of damages in personal injury litigation are the following:

• The state of Florida and all state agencies, counties and cities can only be held liable for damages up to $200,000 per person and $300,000 per incident.
• Punitive damages are limited to three times the compensatory damages or $500,000, whichever is greater. If the conduct of the defendant was “motivated solely by unreasonable financial gain,” then the punitive damages will be capped at four times the compensatory damages or $2 million, whichever is greater. The only exception to this cap is when the defendant intended for the harm to occur to the injured person.
• An employer can only be held liable for punitive damages for the conduct of an employee if the employer “actively and knowingly participated” in the conduct; “knowingly condoned, ratified, or consented” to the conduct; or “engaged in conduct that constituted gross negligence.”