Personal Injury Lawsuit
25% CONTINGENCY FEES IN ALL CASES
Our fees are reduced from the customary 33-40% charged by most personal injury attorneys.
NO RECOVERY – NO FEES OR COSTS
We advance all costs to prosecute your claim. You owe us nothing if we don’t get recovery for you.
FREE NON-OBLIGATION CONSULTATIONS
Call us to see if you have a claim or if you need a second opinion on an existing claim.
Statute of Limitations
If an insurance company denies a personal injury claim or makes an unreasonably low settlement offer, a lawsuit may need to be filed to resolve the dispute in court. Under the Florida law, a personal injury lawsuit against a private party must be filed within 2 years of the accident and against a government entity (city, county, state department) within 3 years. If a lawsuit is based on a breach of contract, such as uninsured motorist claims, the lawsuit must be filed within 5 years from the accident.
Step 1 – Civil Complaint and Service of Process
The lawsuit is commenced by filing a civil complaint with an appropriate filing fee with the court. The complaint is then served on the defendant (sued party), and the defendant has to respond to the allegations contained in the complaint (usually by denying them). If no answer is filed, a default judgment may be obtained against the defendant.
Step 2 – Discovery
After the complaint and answer are filed, the parties “discovery.” Discovery is a formal process of exchanging information between the parties about the witnesses and evidence through depositions, interrogatories, requests to produce, requests for admissions, and medical examinations.
Step 3 – Mediation Settlement Conference
Typically, once discovery is complete, parties may schedule mediation (a settlement conference) to attempt to resolve the case. Most cases settle at mediation. However, if the parties reach an impasse, the case may proceed to trial. The case may be settled at any time before trial or during trial.
Step 4 – Trial
In a personal injury trial, the judge or the jurors determine liability and decide what compensation, if any, will be awarded to the plaintiff. Only a very small percentage t of personal injury cases end up going to trial.
How long does litigation take?
Litigation of a personal injury case may take from several weeks to several years, depending on complexity of the case and depending on whether the case gets settled at mediation or trial.
How can we help?
At Anna Handy Law Firm, P.A., we handle personal injury claims through jury trials and appeals to obtain you the financial compensation you deserve. Please give us a call for a free non-obligation consultation. (386) 248-3000.