Clearwater, FL Personal Injury Attorney | Clearwater, FL Personal Injury Lawyer | Accident Lawyers in Clearwater, Florida
Plaintiff attorneys in Clearwater help victims recover their losses
Have you or someone you love been seriously injured in an accident through the fault of another person? Clearwater personal injury attorneys can help you during this difficult time. Personal injury victims shoulder an enormous responsibility – too often (most always often), those who cause injuries to others fail to take responsibility for their actions. The harm, both emotional and financial, can be devastating to a victim of negligence, reckless, or intentional behavior. Your Clearwater personal injury attorney can stand up for you in a court of law, pursuing your recovery so you can get back to focusing on moving forward with your life. Move your case forward by contacting an experienced Clearwater personal injury law firm today.
Help is here: Pinellas County injury attorneys protect victims of reckless and negligent behavior
Unfortunately, serious accidents are more common than we would like to think. For each person and family member who suffers through the experience, there is also a wake of pain and expense created that can linger for a lifetime. Clearwater accident lawyers are experienced with circumstances just like yours. An experienced Clearwater accident attorney can help you seek recovery from those who hurt you. Before you settle a claim, be sure to speak with a seasoned professional about your rights. In the event that you have already been short changed by an insurance company, your Clearwater lawyer may be able to protect you under the Florida insurance bad faith laws. Florida law requires insurers to act fairly and honestly with those who are insured. This includes the duty to act reasonably and settle claims promptly when the situation calls for it. Insurers who violate the law may be liable for court costs, attorney fees, and in some cases, punitive damages – if the court finds that the insurance company acts in bad faith on a continued basis.
Wanting to Learn About a Particular Type of Pinellas County Personal Injury Lawyer?
You can learn about the different types of claims and cases that Clearwater personal injury attorneys usually take on. To learn more about a specific type of personal injury lawyer, follow one of the links below:
- Clearwater Product Liability Lawyers
- Clearwater Medical Malpractice Lawyers
- Clearwater Maritime Lawyers
- Clearwater Car Accident Lawyers
- Clearwater Truck Accident Lawyers
- Clearwater Premises Liability Lawyers
- Clearwater Wrongful Death Lawyers
- Clearwater Government Liability Lawyers
- Clearwater Dog Bite Lawyers
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Clearwater Workplace Injury Lawyers
What to do if you have been a victim of negligence
- Every situation is different, but generally, it is always recommended that any injury victim first seek medical attention. Though it should go without saying, your health is absolutely number one.
- Second, it will be important to at least meet with legal counsel (local Clearwater personal injury lawyers) to discuss your case ASAP. Understandably, you may not be feeling like thinking about lawsuits right after a serious accident, but it is nevertheless an important step. The longer you wait, the more likely that your case will weaken due to fading evidence and loss of time to file a suit.
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Third, make the time to document everything related to your accident. For example, make a specific area or folder to place all of your medical records and bills into. You will want to do the same with any other information related to your accident (witness’ contact info, police officers who arrived at the scene, any other letters or documentation you receive).
a. If you have an automobile accident within Pinellas County and need to obtain your accident report, here is a list of helpful numbers:
- Clearwater Police Department - 645 Pierce Street, Clearwater, Florida 33756 - (727) 562-4242
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Pinellas County Sheriff's Department - 10750 Ulmerton Road, Largo, Florida 33778 - (727) 582-6200
What does my Clearwater Injury Attorney Have to Prove?
Every state requires an attorney to prove either that the other party was negligent or legally at fault. What is the rule in Florida? Florida utilizes what is known as a “pure comparative fault” standard. This means that personal injury victims can recover the amount of their damages that are not attributable to their own negligence. For example, if the victim is 20% at fault for the accident, he or she can still recover for 80% of his or her injuries. Likewise, if he or she is 99% at fault, then he or she can still recover for the remaining 1% fault. In addition, in a pure comparative fault system, tortfeasors are only liable for the percentage of fault that they cause – as opposed to many states where joint tortforseasors are both liable for all of the damages inflicted on the victim. In this system, parties are only liable for the actual percentage of harm they cause.
Common Injuries Suffered by Personal Injury Victims"
Clearwater personal injury lawyers see many different types of injuries. Some of the most common include: Burn Injury Loss of Eyesight, Neck Injuries, Skull Fractures, Closed Head Injuries, Shoulder Injuries, Open Head Injuries, Spinal Injury, Amputation, Severe Arthritis, Wrongful Death, Traumatic Brain Injury, Depression, and Whiplash, just to name a few.
Accidents by Type
The range of claims that Clearwater PI lawyers can handle covers a broad spectrum:
- Clearwater car accidents
- Negligence cases in Clearwater
- Clearwater on the job injury accidents
- Clearwater truck accident injuries - involving Florida trucking regulations and federal truck safety standards
- Clearwater wrongful death cases
- Explosions in Clearwater
- Clearwater medical malpractice lawsuits
- Clearwater product liability lawsuits
- Clearwater dangerous drug recall lawsuits
- Clearwater maritime accidents
- Clearwater slip and fall cases
- Clearwater premises liability cases
- Clearwater dog bites & Clearwater dog mauling injuries
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Government liability cases
Liability: Types of Damages that May be Available
You may be entitled to a number of different damages depending on the facts of your case. The following is a list of different types of damages across the country.
Exemplary Damages Lost Profits Back Pay Consequential Damages |
Loss of Earnings Pain & Suffering Mental Anguish |
Compensatory Damages Emotional Distress Injury To Credit Property Damage |
How much does it cost to hire an experienced Clearwater Injury Lawyer?
Thankfully, Clearwater injury attorneys are generally quite affordable – even if you have no money. The reason for this: the general practice for a local Clearwater trial lawyer is that most of the time they work for a “contingency” fee. That means your lawyer only gets paid if your attorney wins your case. Specifically, they would get a percentage of your winnings from settlement or trial. To learn if you have a case, contact an attorney through this site for a free initial consultation.
Important distinction: Legal expenses vs. Attorney fees
In most cases, legal costs and expenses are treated very differently than attorney fees. Attorney fees are those fees the attorney charges for his or her services. On the other hand, costs and expenses are those fees which are outside the attorney’s basic fee: expert witness fees, court filing costs, court reporter fees, etc. Long before you consent to a legal agreement with your attorney, it is important that you discuss the distinction between legal expenses and attorney fees – and how they are paid for, and whether they are deducted from the gross award or whether they are deducted after the initial award is divided between the victim and the attorney. Importantly, not all states treat legal expenses the same. Some states require that the plaintiff pay for them at the close of the legal representation regardless of the outcome of the case. Other states allow the attorney to advance costs, and forgive repayment in some circumstances.
Clearwater Car Accident Lawyers
Clearwater Auto Accident Lawyers
If you have been injured in a car wreck in or around Clearwater, you will need to speak with an experienced Clearwater car accident lawyer. Car crashes can involve multiple parties: insurance companies, the other driver, pedestrians, and even car manufacturers. Coordinating your case and obtaining a financial recovery requires the skill of a seasoned Clearwater vehicle accident lawyer.
Clearwater auto injury law firms represent people and families who have suffered through a serious car accident at the fault of another party. The amount of recovery each person is entitled to depends on the facts of each case. For example, your Clearwater auto injury attorneywill have to determine the extent of your injuries, and the extent to which the accident was caused by the negligence of the other party. Your Clearwater lawyer will need to be familiar with the local courts, and the rules of procedure and evidence in each venue. For example, if your case is in Florida state court, your Clearwater accident lawyer will work with the Florida Rules of Civil Procedure and Florida Rules of Evidence; and if in Federal court, that means your Clearwater car injury lawyer will work with the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure and Federal Rules of Evidence.. Some of the most common injuries from car wrecks are: whiplash, traumatic head injuries (TBI), scarring, disfigurement, back pain, and broken bones, just to name a few.
Car accidents are most often caused by acts of negligence: running a stop sign, driving through a red light, reckless driving, speeding, and most commonly – drunk driving. If you or a loved one has been hit by a drunk driver, you will need to speak with a automobile accident lawyer in the Clearwater area as soon as possible.
Collisions Caused by Drunk Drivers in Clearwater
Florida DUI laws are no laughing matter. Violators will almost certainly have their drunk driving infraction brought to light and used against them at trial. In fact, Florida is so serious about fighting alcohol abuse that there is no cap on punitive damages (by statute) if the tortfeasor committed the tort while under the influence. Otherwise, Florida places a strict limitation on the amount of no cap on the amount of punitive damages. Lastly Drunk drivers who kill others may be criminally charged for vehicular homicide. If you or a loved one has been made a victim to a serious car wreck, begin the process of protecting yourself today by contacting an experienced Pinellas County car accident lawyer.
Clearwater Motorcycle Collisions: Clearwater Motorcycle Accident Attorneys
Motorcycle accidents often result in severe personal injury – unfortunately, paralysis and death are all too common in accidents involving motorcyclists. The lucky ones get away with minor injuries, or even injuries they may make a full recovery from. These accidents often do involve negligence on the part of the driver who struck the motorcycle. Automobile drivers simply do not see motorcyclists in many cases. In other cases, automobile drivers fail to give motorcyclists the space they are entitled to on the road. These cases often involve the use of experts – breaking down the scene of the accident, recreating the events that took place at the time of, and right before the accident. If you or a loved one has been involved in a serious motorcycle accident in or around Clearwater, contact a local Clearwater motorcycle accident lawyer today.
Courthouses in Pinellas County, FL
If your claim is worth over $15,000, or you are filing a wrongful death or survival claim, or you are appealing a county court decision, then you will file here:
Pinellas County Circuit Court Clearwater Courthouse, 315 Court Street Clearwater, Florida 33756 (727) 464-7000 |
If your claim is worth less than $15,000 you will file here:
County Court of Pinellas County North County Branch Office, 29582 US 19 North Clearwater, Florida 33761 (727) 464-7000 |
County Court of Pinellas County St. Petersburg Branch Office, 545 First Avenue North St. Petersburg, Florida 33701 (727) 582-7000 |
Truck Accidents: 18 Wheeler, Semi, & Big Rig
Clearwater Truck Accident Lawyers, Clearwater 18 Wheeler Accident Lawyers, & Clearwater Semi Truck Accident Lawyers
Truck accidents are some of the most dangerous collisions on the road today. Commercial truck accidents often occur due to the fault of the truck driver, the trucking company, or both. More often than not, these cases are complex: requiring the help of seasoned Clearwater truck accident lawyer.
Why is hiring an experienced Pinellas County truck accident lawyer important?
Proving your case and securing financial recovery in a truck wreck case often requires the assistance of a qualified Clearwater big rig accident lawyer. The federal (e.g. FMCSA) and state laws that govern recovery for injuries resulting from a trucking accident can be very specific, and your Clearwater truck accident lawyer will need to confront your case with an intimate knowledge of the applicable trucking regulations and industry customs. For example, interstate truck drivers are required to keep detailed records of their driving, resting, and operating activities. These details are often kept in hard copy form and also in electronic form (the “black box”). Obtaining and properly evaluating this type of information can mean the difference between winning and losing your case.
In addition to federal regulations, there are a number of Florida state regulations governing large trucks and truck accidents. They are found in the “Florida Commercial Transportation Laws”.
Medical Malpractice & Nursing Home Malpractice
Clearwater Medical Malpractice Lawyers: Pinellas County Medical Malpractice Attorneys
If you or a loved one has been injured due to the negligence or mistreatment of a medical facility, doctor, nurse, or other healthcare provider, you have rights. Medical facilities are some of the most trusted institutions – we rely on them to heal us when we are sick, and to care for us when we are vulnerable. That is why it can feel like the ultimate betrayal when these institutions become the cause of harm and mistreatment – rather than a place of healing.
Medical malpractice is more common than you might think. If you have been the victim of medical malpractice, it is imperative that you contact an experienced Clearwater medical malpractice law firm. Florida laws protect the public from medical negligence and reckless behavior in care treatment facilities. Under the law, you may be entitled to corrective medical care, among other damages for your suffering. Don’t wait, in most cases, you must file your med mal claim within 2 years in Florida.
Clearwater Nursing Home Negligence Lawyers: Clearwater Nursing Home Malpractice Attorneys
Nursing home facilities can also be responsible for the mistreatment of our most vulnerable citizens: the disabled and our senior citizens. In Florida, you can contact an experienced Clearwater nursing home negligence lawyer by filling out the questionnaire on this website. It is imperative to protect our elders from abuse.Help stop abuse of the elderly today, contact a local Clearwater elderly abuse lawyer.
Nursing home abuse and nursing home neglect occur too often. There are too many incidents of nursing home negligence. The following are just a few examples:
- Failure to take reasonable precautions to prevent falls
- Failure to answer call lights in a timely fashion
- Failure to turn residents in their beds (leading to pressure decubitus sores)
- Failure to take residents out of their bed to the toilet thereby leaving them in soiled garments or beds
- Hitting, slapping or other physical abuse of the nursing home resident
- Use of chemical or physical restraints
- Emotional or verbal abuse of the nursing home patient
- Retaliation for making a complaint or filing a grievance
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Failure to take adequate precautions to prevent injury to the nursing home resident
Hospitals in and near Clearwater, Florida
Helen Ellis Memorial Hospital 1395 South Pinellas Avenue Tarpon Springs, Florida 34689 (727) 942-5000 |
Windmoor Healthcare of Clearwater, Inc. 11300 US 19 North Clearwater, Florida 33764 (727) 541-2646 |
Nursing Homes in and near Clearwater, Florida
Oaks of Clearwater 420 Bay Avenue Clearwater, Florida 33756 (727) 445-4700 |
Westchester Gardens 3301 North McMullen Booth Road Clearwater, Florida 33761 (727) 785-8335 |
Regency Oaks 2720 Regency Oaks Boulevard Clearwater, Florida 33759 (866) 543-4237 |
Belleair Healthcare Center 1150 Ponce De Leon Boulevard Clearwater, Florida 33756 (727) 585-5491 |
Accidents on Water & Injuries at Sea
Clearwater Admiralty Attorneys: Clearwater Maritime Attorneys
If you or a family member has been injured on the water, you may likely need a local Pinellas County maritime law firm. Maritime cases most often require an attorney who is well versed in maritime laws – a section of law that can be vastly different that your ordinary state law cases.
Injuries on Cruise Ships: Clearwater Cruise Ship Accident Attorneys
Unfortunately, injuries occur on cruise ships all the time. These occurrences turn what is supposed to be a fun vacation into a living nightmare for the victim and the victim’s family. Major cruise line companies often cut corners or fail to train staff appropriately – resulting in injury. It is imperative that you contact an experienced Clearwater cruise ship injury lawyer immediately after suffering from a cruise ship injury.
Clearwater Recreational Boat Accident Attorneys
If you have been injured in a pleasure boat accident in or around the city of Clearwater, there are qualified Clearwater pleasure boat accident lawyers standing by to help you. Whether you were injured by another boat, or whether you were hurt due to a defective jet ski or another act of negligence, you may be entitled to compensation under Florida state law.
Injured on a Florida Cruise Ship?Speak to a Florida injury lawyer who handles cruise ship passenger injuries Injured on any one of the following Florida cruise lines? Carnival Cruises, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, Costa, Disney Cruise Lines, Holland America, Norwegian Cruise Lines, Princess Cruises, just to name a few. Injured at any one of the following Florida cruise ports? Port Manatel, Port Canaveral, Port Tampa, Port Everglades, & the Port of Miami. Don't wait, contact a Florida passenger cruise ship injury attorney now. |
Injuries From Defective Products
Clearwater Product Liability Lawyers: Clearwater Dangerous Product Lawyers
Have you or someone in your family been injured or killed by a dangerous product in or around Clearwater, Florida? If so, there are experienced Clearwater product liability lawyers that can help you and your family receive financial compensation for your injuries.
Every year, thousands of innocent people are injured or killed because of unsafe products. In 2010, 10 of the 50 largest verdicts resulted from product liability lawsuits. As this trend increases, the chances that large corporations will stop viewing product liability lawsuits/settlements as just another “cost of doing business” will decrease. Dangerous products can range from automobile parts, to household products, to everyday food items we take for granted. Dangerous drugs and supplements also proliferate the marketplace. If you have been injured by a dangerous product, it is important to contact a local Clearwater product liability law firm to discuss your case.
Pinellas County Dangerous Drug Recall Attorney
If you have been seriously injured due to a recalled drug, you will want to speak with a local Clearwater drug recall lawyer. Dangerous pharmaceuticals make it into the marketplace too frequently. Although the FDA tries to protect us from the dangers of unsafe products, their efforts are not enough. In these situations, it is the courts that protect us.
Wrongful Death & Survival Suits
Clearwater Wrongful Death Law Firm: Pinellas County Wrongful Death Attorney
The State of Florida’ wrongful death laws protect families that have lost a loved one due to an accident caused by the negligence or recklessness of another person or company. When an experienced Clearwater wrongful death attorney brings a wrongful death suit, the attorney is helping the aggrieved family member[s] by holding the persons or companies who are responsible for your loss accountable for what they have done. The Florida wrongful death statute provides a cause of action (a right to file a lawsuit) to a personal representative of the decedent’s (victim’s) family members. Specifically, these family members include: the “spouse, children, parents, and, when partly or wholly dependent on the decedent for support or services, any blood relatives and adoptive brothers and sisters.” These family members, or “survivors” as they are referred to in the Florida statute, may sue the parties who are responsible for negligently causing the death of the victim. The survivors may recover for: loss of support and services (including lost income and the survivors’ relationship to the victim), and mental pain and suffering. To learn more, contact a local Clearwater wrongful death lawyer to discuss your case. Do not wait, reach out and speak with a local Clearwater wrongful death law firm today.
Injuries While Working: Clearwater Workers’ Accidents
Clearwater Workers Comp Attorneys: Florida Workers Compensation Claims
If you were injured on the job, you may qualify for worker’s compensation. Under the laws of the state of Florida workers compensation laws provide a remedy to workers who are injured on the job. The nice thing about workers compensations is that in most cases, you will be entitled to money regardless of whether your employer was at fault. By working with a Pinellas County Workers Comp. Lawyer you can move your case forward – seeking needed medical attention, determining the benefits you need, and getting your case forward in front of the workers compensation panel.
Railway Workers: Clearwater Railway Injury Attorneys
If you are a railroad employee who has been hurt on the job, then you may have a viable case under the Federal Employers’ Liability Act (the FELA) against your employer. Clearwater railroad employee accident lawyers protect injured workers who become seriously injured due to employer negligence: injuries resulting from improper training, improper equipment or unsafe equipment, injuries resulting from violations of safety regulations, and injuries resulting from unsafe working conditions, just to name a few. If you are in a union, you may be told that you need to hire a DLC – However, you do not need to hire a designated legal counsel, you can hire your own Clearwater FELA lawyers.
Offshore Maritime Employee Injuries: Clearwater Maritime Attorneys
Depending on the nature of your work, your case may be governed by one of the following: the General Maritime Law, the LHWCA, or the Jones Act.
Maritime injuries, when incurred on the job, cover a wide range of laws (as previously mentioned). Due to the specialized nature of maritime law, many people believe there are sub classes of maritime lawyers, depending on the nature of the injured employees job requirements. For example, tugboat injury lawyers &barge accident lawyers are known for protecting maritime workers who provide support to other vessels in navigation. River Injury Lawyers and Dredge Accident Lawyers tend to protect workers who are injured in brown water casualty claims – often involving, but not always, shore-side operations. Clearwater offshore injury lawyers: Clearwater oil rig injury lawyers are often referred to as offshore injury attorneys – these attorneys usually have substantial experience in representing oil industry workers, understanding the industry as a whole. While these attorneys go by many different names, they all operate under the common heading of Clearwater maritime attorney.
Injuries Caused by the Government: Clearwater government negligence lawyers are standing by
Private persons and entities are not the only persons who can face liability. Too often, our Florida state and local Pinellas County government, and our national federal government are liable for injuries too. If the government has caused injury to you or a loved one, you may have a right to recovery. There are personal injury lawyers in Clearwater Florida who sue the government for harm caused to private citizens. To speak with a local Pinellas County government liability lawyer today, submit your information now.
Can the government be sued?
Both local and federal governments get sued all the time. Whether you were harmed by a government employee, government property, or by government activity, you may have rights of recovery. There are special statutes that permit individuals to sue the government. One statute, the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA), permits private citizens to sue the federal government. In Florida, the Florida government liability statute permits individuals to sue the Florida government for wrongs committed to private persons and entities. Meet with a Florida government liability attorney today to discuss your case.
Premises Liability: Slip and Fall Accidents: Trip and Fall Injuries
Clearwater Slip and Fall Lawyers: Pinellas County Premises Liability Lawyers: Clearwater Trip and Fall Lawyers
In Florida, landowners have a duties to take reasonable care of their property to protect visitors. This duty can include the requirement that the landowner make reasonable inspections of their property, and remedy unreasonably dangerous conditions. Too often, unsuspecting visitors and patrons are injured on another person’s or another company’s property. In the case of retail stores, one of the most common causes of injury is spills that have not been cleaned up promptly. If you have been injured due to another’s negligent care of their property, it is important to discuss your case with a Clearwater premises liability lawyer.
Proving Your Slip and Fall Case May Require a Seasoned Clearwater Personal Injury Lawyer with Experience in Premises Liability Cases
One of the most difficult things about a premises liability or slip and fall claim is proving that your injuries were caused by the dangerous condition. Often, there are certain types of injuries that occur from slip and fall accidents. Experienced Clearwater premises liability lawyers know how to identify these injuries and prove them in court by engaging experts in the courtroom. If you or a loved one has been the victim of a dangerous condition on another person’s property, don’t wait: contact a local Clearwater slip and fall attorney today.
Clearwater, FL Dog Bite Attorneys
If you or a loved one has been a victim of a vicious dog bit in or around the Clearwater area, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. Dog bites and dog maulings in Clearwater are more common than you might think. Too often, owners of dangerous animals let them roam off their leashes in public places - sometimes, dogs can just snap and attack without warning. To speak with a local Pinellas County dog bite attorney, submit your info today through this site. You may have a cause of action under Florida dog bite laws.
Clearwater Personal Injury Lawyers serving clients throughout Southwestern Florida, including Bradenton, Brandon, Clearwater, Dunedin, Egypt Lake-Leto, Gibsonton, Gulfport, Indian Rocks Beach, Lake Magdalene, Largo, Oldsmar, Orient Park, Palm Harbor, Palmetto, Pinellas, Sarasota, Seminole, South Highpoint, St. Pete Beach, St. Petersburg, Tampa, Tarpon Springs, Temple Terrace, Town 'N' Country, West and East Lealman, areas in the vicinity of St. Petersburg/Clearwater International Airport, and other communities in Pinellas County.