Florida personal injury lawyers handle crashes, medical malpractice, product liability, and wrongful death claims. They investigate, gather evidence, negotiate with insurers, and litigate if needed. Many work on contingency fees (commonly one-third to 40% ), and Florida has firm filing deadlines - often four years for most negligence claims and two years for wrongful death . Start by seeking medical care, preserving documents, and contacting a lawyer promptly.
When to call a Florida personal injury lawyer
Accidents and injuries happen in unexpected ways - car crashes, slips in stores, medical mistakes, defective products, or workplace incidents. If another party's negligence caused your injury, a Florida personal injury lawyer can evaluate whether you have a claim and explain next steps.
What these lawyers do
Personal injury attorneys in Florida investigate the facts, preserve evidence, negotiate with insurers, and file suit when needed. They commonly handle car and truck collisions, pedestrian and bicycle crashes, medical malpractice, product liability, premises liability (slips and falls), workplace injuries, and wrongful death claims.
Lawyers collect police reports, medical records, witness statements, and expert opinions. They aim to quantify economic losses (medical bills, lost wages) and non-economic losses (pain and suffering) and pursue damages either through settlement or litigation.
How payment usually works
Many Florida personal injury firms represent clients on a contingency fee basis, meaning the lawyer is paid only if you recover money. Contingency percentages vary depending on the firm and how far the case proceeds (pre-suit versus after filing suit) and commonly fall within a range of one-third to 40% of recovery . Firms often advance case expenses and deduct them from the recovery, but arrangements differ by firm.
Time limits and other rules to watch
Florida law sets deadlines for filing suit. For most negligence-based personal injury claims the deadline is commonly four years from the injury date; wrongful death claims typically have a shorter deadline, often two years 1. Medical malpractice claims follow their own timing rules and pre-suit requirements 2. Missing a deadline can bar your claim, so contact an attorney promptly.
Florida applies comparative fault rules: if you were partly at fault, a judge or jury will reduce your recovery by your percentage of responsibility.
Finding and working with a lawyer
Start by searching law firm websites, reading verified reviews, and checking attorney credentials with The Florida Bar. Ask about experience with cases like yours, typical outcomes, fee structure, and who will handle day-to-day communications. Most firms offer a free initial consultation to review your case and advise on deadlines and evidence to preserve.
Bring medical records, photos, police reports, insurance information, and a timeline of events to your first meeting.
Next steps
If you believe you were injured through someone else's negligence, seek medical care first. Then, collect whatever documentation you can and contact a Florida personal injury lawyer promptly to protect your claim and understand your options.
- Confirm Florida statute of limitations: 4 years for most negligence-based personal injury claims (Florida Statutes §95.11(3)(a))
- Confirm wrongful death filing deadline in Florida (commonly 2 years) and precise statutory citation (Florida Statutes §95.11(4)(d) or current statute)
- Verify common contingency fee ranges in Florida (typical percentages for pre-suit vs post-suit: roughly one-third to 40%)
- Verify specific timing and pre-suit requirements for medical malpractice claims in Florida