How Much Is a Permanent Injury Worth in Florida?
A permanent injury can turn your life upside down. Bills will most definitely pile up, and working may become challenging, if not impossible. You may no longer be able to enjoy the activities you once enjoyed. In Florida, when a permanent injury occurs because of the negligence of another party, you can file a personal injury claim and seek compensation. While compensation cannot undo what happened, it can offer financial security.
When you file a personal injury claim for a permanent injury, you can expect the monetary damages you recover to be substantially more than those you would have recovered for a milder injury. But how much can you expect to receive for a permanent injury in Florida? Every case is different, and it is impossible to state a definitive figure that you can expect to receive. How much your case is worth depends on the factors surrounding your case. An experienced personal injury attorney can assess the factors surrounding your case and estimate how much compensation you can expect to recover.
What Is a Permanent Injury?
A permanent injury is one that causes irreversible, lasting disability or impairment that significantly impacts a person’s quality of life. The following are some examples of permanent injuries;
- Amputations: Amputation is when someone loses a body part, such as a hand, foot, leg, or arm.
- Traumatic brain injuries: A severe TBI can lead to profound confusion, seizures, persistent headaches, loss of coordination, and other symptoms.
- Spinal cord injuries: A spinal cord injury can result in partial or complete paralysis, often affecting movement, sensation, and daily functioning.
- Internal organ damage: Organs like the liver, lungs, or kidneys can suffer permanent damage, necessitating organ transplant and lifelong medical care.
Apart from physical impairments, permanent injuries can include long-term emotional or mental trauma resulting from an accident.
Factors That Determine Permanent Injury Settlement Amounts
Several factors can determine how much compensation you recover for your permanent injury in Florida, including the following;
- Severity of the Injury
The extent of the permanent injury can significantly affect the value of your claim. For example, a leg amputation will generally result in higher compensation than a partial loss of vision or hearing.
- Economic Damages
These include medical expenses, lost wages, and loss of earning capacity. The value of your economic damages will significantly impact the value of your claim.
- Non-Economic Damages
These include pain and suffering, mental distress, and loss of enjoyment of life. How much your non-economic damages are worth will play a crucial role in determining the compensation you receive.
- The Victim’s Age
Because a younger victim may have to live with their injuries for longer, they may recover more compensation than an older victim.
- Comparative Negligence
Florida’s modified comparative negligence rule requires that a plaintiff’s compensation be reduced by their percentage of fault. If a claimant is more than 50% at fault, they cannot recover compensation.
- Insurance Coverage
The negligent party’s insurance policy limits may affect how much compensation you can recover. If the defendant lacks sufficient insurance, compensation may be limited unless you have uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage.
Contact Us for Legal Help
Our Fort Myers personal injury attorneys at The Pendas Law Firm have years of experience helping clients recover the compensation they deserve for permanent injuries. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.
The Pendas Law Firm also represents clients in the Ocala, Orlando, Tampa, Fort Lauderdale, Jacksonville, Miami, Bradenton, Daytona Beach, West Palm Beach, Naples, and Melbourne areas.
Source:
leg.state.fl.us/STATUTES/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0600-0699/0627/Sections/0627.727.html