What to Do After Sustaining a Personal Injury in Fort Pierce, FL

What to Do After Sustaining a Personal Injury in Fort Pierce, FL

Being injured due to another person’s or party’s negligence, recklessness, or wrongful act can be a difficult situation.

If you find yourself in this situation in Fort Pierce, FL, it’s important to know what steps to take to protect your health and legal rights.

Here, you will find a comprehensive guide on what to do after sustaining a personal injury in Fort Pierce, FL.

We’ll also discuss the various types of personal injury cases, the statute of limitations, and comparative negligence rules in Florida. By following these guidelines, you can ensure that you receive the proper medical care, protect your legal rights, and seek the compensation you deserve.

We also recommend contacting our personal injury lawyer in Fort Pierce, FL, at Fetterman Law, to ensure you know your legal rights and receive the full compensation you are entitled to.

Steps to Take After Sustaining a Personal Injury

After being injured, it is necessary to try to stay calm and remember to take the following steps:

Seek Medical Attention

The first and most important step after a personal injury is to seek medical attention. Even if your injuries seem minor, it’s crucial to get evaluated by a medical professional to ensure no underlying health issues.

Additionally, medical records can serve as evidence in a personal injury case. Document all of your medical treatments, including visits to doctors, hospitals, and therapists.

It may also be wise to keep a pain journal where you write how the injury has affected you each day after it happened. This can be used to prove pain and suffering if you file a personal injury lawsuit.

Report the Incident

If your injury occurred on someone else’s property, such as a slip and fall at a grocery store or restaurant, report the incident to the property owner or manager.

If your injury happened at work, report it to your supervisor immediately. Reporting the incident records what happened and can be used as evidence in a personal injury case.

Consult with a Personal Injury Attorney

If someone else’s negligence or wrongdoing caused your injury, you might be entitled to compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

Consulting with a personal injury attorney can help you determine whether you have a valid case and your legal options. Personal injury attorneys can also handle all communication with insurance companies and negotiate on your behalf.

Statute of Limitations

It’s important to remember that there is a statute of limitations for personal injury cases in Florida. This means that there is a deadline by which you must file your lawsuit.

In Florida, the statute of limitations for personal injury cases is four years from the date of the injury. However, there are exceptions to this rule, so it’s best to consult with a personal injury attorney as soon as possible to avoid missing any important deadlines.

Comparative Negligence

Florida follows a comparative negligence rule, which means that if you were partially at fault for the accident that caused your injury, your compensation might be reduced by the percentage of fault assigned to you.

For example, if you were in a car accident and were found to be 20% at fault, your compensation may be reduced by 20%. It’s important to work with a personal injury attorney who can help determine the extent of your fault and ensure that you receive the maximum compensation possible.

Types of Damages

In a personal injury case, there are two types of damages: economic and non-economic.

Economic Damages

Economic damages are the types of damages that can be quantified and are related to actual monetary losses.

In a personal injury case, economic damages may include:

  • Medical Expenses: This includes all medical costs related to the injury, such as hospitalization, emergency room visits, surgery, medication, rehabilitation, and physical therapy. It can also include future medical expenses if the injury requires ongoing medical care.
  • Lost Wages: If the injury caused you to miss work, you might be entitled to compensation for lost wages. This includes both past and future wages if the injury will impact your ability to work in the future.
  • Property Damage: If the injury involves damage to personal property, such as a vehicle in a car accident, repairing or replacing the property may be included as economic damages.
  • Other Out-of-Pocket Expenses: This can include expenses such as transportation costs to medical appointments, home modifications to accommodate a disability caused by the injury or the cost of hiring someone to perform household duties that you can no longer do as a result of the injury.

Calculating economic damages can be complex and requires a thorough understanding of the types of expenses that can be included.

Non-Economic Damages

Non-economic damages are the types of damages that are more difficult to quantify and are related to losses that are not directly financial.

In a personal injury case, non-economic damages may include:

  • Pain and Suffering: This includes physical pain and emotional distress related to the injury, such as anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
  • Loss of Enjoyment of Life: If the injury has impacted your ability to participate in activities you previously enjoyed, you may be entitled to compensation for the loss of enjoyment of life.
  • Loss of Consortium: If your injury impacts your relationship with your partner or spouse, they may be able to receive damages for a loss of consortium.
  • Scarring and Disfigurement: If the injury has resulted in scarring or disfigurement, you may be entitled to compensation for these changes’ physical and emotional impact.

Calculating non-economic damages can be more difficult than economic damages because they are not as easily quantifiable.

Types of Personal Injury Cases

Personal injury cases can arise from a wide variety of accidents and incidents.

Some of the most common types of personal injury cases in Fort Pierce, FL, include:

Car Accidents

Florida has a “no-fault” insurance system, meaning that your insurance company will pay for your medical bills and other expenses regardless of who was at fault for the accident. However, if you have serious injuries, you may be able to file a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault driver.

Slip and Fall

Property owners have a legal duty to maintain a safe environment for visitors. If you were injured in a slip-and-fall accident on someone else’s property due to negligence, you could file a personal injury claim.

Medical Malpractice

If a healthcare provider fails to provide the standard of care that a reasonable person would expect and you are injured as a result, you may be able to file a medical malpractice claim.

Product Liability

You may have grounds for a product liability claim if a dangerous or defective product injures you. This claim can be filed against the at-fault party, which may include the product’s seller, distributor, or manufacturer. In some situations, more than one party is liable.

Premises Liability

If you are injured on someone else’s property due to unsafe conditions, such as a loose handrail or broken stairs, you may be able to file a premises liability claim.

Workplace Injuries

If you are injured on the job, you may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits, which can help cover your medical bills and lost wages. If your employer or a third party is responsible for your injury, you may be able to file a personal injury claim.

Personal Injury Lawyers in Fort Pierce, FL, Can Help with Your Personal Injury Claim

Personal injuries can be traumatic and overwhelming, but taking the right steps after an injury can help protect your health and legal rights.

Seeking medical attention, reporting the incident, and consulting with a personal injury attorney are crucial steps to take after a personal injury.

If you’ve been injured in Fort Pierce, FL, don’t hesitate to contact a personal injury attorney for guidance and support. With the right legal representation, you can seek the compensation you deserve and focus on your recovery.