Florida personal injury law covers a broad range of cases. Personal injury involves scenarios when individuals seek compensation for harm or injury caused by the negligence, carelessness, or intentional acts of others. These cases can involve physical, emotional, or financial harm, and they may arise from numerous different situations. The most common types of personal injury cases filed in Florida in 2024 are listed below – and while some are expected, other may be surprising.
- Motor Vehicle Accidents: Motor vehicle accidents are one of the most prevalent causes of personal injury in Florida. With a large population and a high volume of tourists, Florida’s roads are often congested, leading to a significant number of car accidents. These cases often involve collisions between cars, trucks, motorcycles, pedestrians, or bicycles. Common causes of motor vehicle accidents include distracted driving, speeding, impaired driving (due to alcohol or drugs), and reckless driving. Florida personal injury claims related to motor vehicle accidents can involve seeking compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and property damage.
- Slip and Fall Accidents: Slip and fall accidents are another frequent type of Florida personal injury claim. These injuries typically occur when a property owner or business fails to maintain a safe environment, such as leaving wet floors, uneven surfaces, or poorly lit areas that increase the risk of falls. Florida law requires property owners to take reasonable steps to prevent accidents and ensure that their premises are safe for visitors. Victims of slip and fall accidents may seek compensation for their medical treatment, lost income, and pain and suffering.
- Medical Malpractice: Medical malpractice occurs when a healthcare provider, such as a doctor, nurse, or hospital, fails to meet the accepted standard of care and causes harm to a patient. In Florida, medical malpractice claims are common due to the state’s large healthcare industry. These cases can involve surgical errors, misdiagnosis, medication mistakes, failure to obtain informed consent, and birth injuries. Victims of medical malpractice can pursue legal action to seek compensation for additional medical expenses, pain and suffering, lost income, and the long-term effects of the injury.
- Workplace Accidents: Florida has a significant workforce across various industries, including construction, agriculture, manufacturing, and hospitality, all of which can pose significant risks for injuries. Workplace accidents can result in injuries such as falls, burns, fractures, and repetitive strain injuries. Florida law allows injured workers to seek compensation through the workers’ compensation system, but if an employer’s negligence played a role in the injury, the worker may be able to file a Florida personal injury lawsuit for additional compensation. Construction site accidents, in particular, can be complex due to the involvement of multiple parties, including contractors, subcontractors, and property owners.
- Product Liability: Product liability cases arise when a defective or dangerous product causes harm to a consumer. These cases can involve defective manufacturing, design flaws, or a failure to provide adequate warnings about the risks of using a product. In Florida, common types of product liability claims include those involving unsafe automobiles, medical devices, pharmaceuticals, household appliances, and toys. Manufacturers, distributors, and retailers may be held accountable for injuries caused by their products. Victims can seek compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering resulting from the injury.
- Dog Bites: Florida is one of the states with a high incidence of dog bite cases. Dog owners are responsible for ensuring their pets do not harm others. Florida’s strict liability law holds dog owners responsible for injuries caused by their pets, even if the dog has never bitten anyone before. In dog bite cases, victims can file a personal injury lawsuit to cover medical treatment, psychological trauma, lost income, and other damages. Children and the elderly are often more vulnerable to severe injuries in dog bite incidents.
- Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect: As Florida has a large population of elderly residents, nursing home abuse and neglect cases are sadly common. Nursing homes and assisted living facilities are expected to provide a safe and supportive environment for their residents. Should neglect or abuse occur, injuries or emotional harm may result. Signs of abuse may include unexplained injuries, malnutrition, poor hygiene, or a sudden decline in health. Families of nursing home residents can pursue legal action against the facility or its staff to seek justice for the harm caused.
- Wrongful Death: Wrongful death cases occur when someone dies as a result of another party’s negligence, recklessness, or intentional act. In Florida, families of victims who have died due to car accidents, medical malpractice, workplace accidents, or other forms of negligence can file a wrongful death lawsuit. The damages in wrongful death cases typically include funeral expenses, loss of financial support, and compensation for emotional pain and suffering. These cases can be complex, as they require the grieving family to prove the negligence or misconduct that led to the death.
- Premises Liability: Premises liability refers to injuries that occur due to unsafe conditions on someone else’s property. This broad category includes slip and fall accidents but also covers situations such as criminal attacks that occur because of inadequate security, injuries caused by falling objects, or injuries due to improperly maintained facilities. Property owners are legally responsible for keeping their premises safe, and victims can file personal injury claims if they suffer harm due to negligence.
- Bicycle and Pedestrian Accidents
Given Floridians’ love for all things outdoors, accidents involving pedestrians and cyclists are common. Pedestrian accidents often happen when drivers fail to yield at crosswalks, ignore traffic signals, or drive under the influence. Bicycle accidents are similarly frequent, particularly in areas with heavy traffic. Pedestrians and cyclists have little protection against vehicles, so the resulting injuries can be severe or even fatal. In such cases, victims may file claims for medical expenses, pain and suffering, and lost wages.
Personal injury cases in Florida are diverse, covering a range of situations where individuals seek compensation for harm caused by others. If you or a loved one has been injured, consulting with an experienced personal injury attorney from Probinsky & Cole can help ensure that your legal rights are protected and that you receive the compensation you deserve.
