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Florida Personal Injury Lawyers
When Do You Need a Florida Personal Injury Lawyer?
Our attorneys take personal injury personally — every harm suffered by our clients means work, wealth, and enjoyment lost in their lives. We work on behalf of fellow Floridians to recover their past losses, and secure funds for a better future.
Personal injury law refers to injuries against persons, whether those injuries occur at work, at the grocery store, or on the road. If you’ve been hurt due to an accident or because of someone else’s irresponsible behavior, there are laws in place for your protection, and a personal injury lawyer can help you seek justice.
Osborne & Francis attorneys have more than 50 years of combined experience helping the injured and their families. We have secured numerous multi-million dollar settlements and verdicts for our clients. We understand the difficulties a personal injury case can bring, and we are here to overcome those challenges on your behalf and seek just compensation for your injuries.
With offices in Boca Raton, Orlando, and Lakeland, you can reach our Florida personal injury lawyers online or by calling (561) 293-2600 to schedule a free, confidential, no-obligation consultation. Learn your rights, secure representation, and pursue a lawsuit to recover what you deserve.
Video Transcript
So you've been in a car accident. What happens next? There are many things that you should do but here are the three most important:
Number One: See a doctor immediately.
A broken bone is easy to see, but some injuries are not. The most common injuries from car accidents happen in the neck, back, or head. The only way to diagnose and treat them is by seeing a doctor. A doctor can help ease the pain, provide medication, reassure you of how your injury may impact your daily life, and tell you what not to do to make it worse.
A visit to the doctor can also give you legally protected time off to recover and rest your body after an accident, and it documents and provides the evidence you may need for your case. Even a five-mile-per-hour car accident can cause a serious injury. So whether you've had a severe accident or a minor collision, see a doctor. And if you don't have medical insurance, let us know and we'll make sure that you receive the proper care.
Number Two: Write everything down.
Even if it seems small, during times of stress or injury it is common to forget the little details. Make sure you keep note of the pain that you're in. With neck, back, and head injuries, sometimes simple activities such as walking up the stairs or picking up a toddler may cause severe pain.
You may not be sleeping well at night. Documenting how much you sleep and how often you wake up due to pain is also very important. And lastly, if you have any cuts or bruises, take daily photos as you heal. This will provide visual evidence of the injuries that you've suffered.
Number Three: Do not speak to an insurance company until you've spoken to a lawyer.
Please understand that the insurance adjuster works for a billion-dollar corporation and not for you. Their interests are solely for their insurance company, and their goal is to provide you with the least amount of financial settlement as quickly as possible. When you do speak with them, remember they will record the conversation. Why do they do this? Because they've been trained to ask questions that may confuse you. So talk to us before you talk to them.
So remember: See a doctor, document everything, and call us before calling the insurance company for your free private consultation. We are here for you. Real tough lawyers fighting real tough issues.
What Kind of Settlement Can a Florida Personal Injury Attorney Help You Secure?
Settlements and verdicts in personal injury cases can cover multiple kinds of costs and losses you’ve suffered, including:
Medical Bills
The high cost of healthcare in the United States can bankrupt families and put individuals into inescapable debt. When you are injured by someone else’s negligence, you have the right to sue for the cost of:
- Emergency transportation in an ambulance
- Hospital stays of any duration
- Surgeries needed to save your life or repair injuries
- All medications and other costs billed (bandages, IVs, hospital gowns and socks)
- Any necessary follow-up treatment, physical therapy, and the cost of transportation to these appointments
You should not incur medical debt as the result of someone else’s actions. A lawsuit can place the responsibility of payment on the liable party, instead of on you and your loved ones.
Lost Wages
An injury that interrupts your income can compound financial worries at a time when you need to focus on healing. A Florida personal injury lawsuit can help cover job-related losses like:
- Lost wages from work missed or sick/vacation time used up
- Unemployment or demotion if the injury makes you incapable of performing your job temporarily or permanently
- Loss of benefits like health insurance coverage, retirement contributions, and bonuses
If an injury derails your career, that can represent both an economic loss in your earning capacity, as well as a psychological loss when your purpose or identity in the work you do is lost. See the next section for other types of non-economic, emotional losses.
Pain & Suffering
For losses that don’t come with receipts like hospital bills or W-2 employment forms, your Florida personal injury lawyer from Osborne & Francis can help your recover for:
- “Invisible” medical conditions like PTSD, depression, and anxiety
- The loss of marriage health (known legally as consortium) or stability for your children
- Profound emotional harm like grief, anguish, and anger over what has been done to your health and your life
The law recognizes psychological harm as real and deserving of compensation. You need a lawyer who is experienced in translating these unseen damages into financial figures the court can award.
Additional Compensation
In some instances when cases go to trial, a judge or jury has the discretion to issue punitive damages. Also known as “punishment” damages, these fees are meant to penalize the defendant for gross negligence, extreme recklessness, or other outrageous conduct. In personal injury cases, this may be done for extreme circumstances like:
- A repeat DUI offender who crashed into your car while drunk driving
- A malicious attack or a clear choice to ignore cries for help
- Hiding information you needed in order to conceal wrongdoing, as may be done in medical malpractice cases to avoid consequences after making a mistake
Most personal injury cases settle before a full trial is needed, which often means a faster resolution for your family. However, for cases that do go to trial, additional compensation like punitive damages can increase the amount of your award and help provide greater financial security.
Wrongful Death Damages
An injury that causes or contributes to a person’s untimely death is considered wrongful death under the law. The death of a loved one as the result of negligence is a particularly traumatic experience. Legal treatment of such an event attempts to compensate for:
- The loss of companionship and the anguish experienced by surviving family members
- The loss of economic support, especially in cases where the deceased was the sole or main breadwinner for a household
- Burial, funeral, and estate closure costs associated with the person’s Will or property
At Osborne & Francis, we work diligently to guide our clients through the legal system with compassion and respect after the death of a loved one.
The attorneys at Osborne & Francis have significant experience handling even the most challenging personal injury cases. We put in the work so that you can heal in peace, and do everything possible to recover all that you’re entitled to under the law. Contact us at (561) 293-2600 to discuss your circumstances — we may be able to start relieving your worries right away.
What Kind of Cases Do Personal Injury Lawyers in Florida Handle?
At Osborne & Francis, we regularly handle the following personal injury practice areas:
- Car and automobile accidents, including tractor-trailer accidents, bike or motorcycle crashes, pedestrian collisions, Lyft or Uber rideshare accidents, and crashes that involve uninsured motorists
- Medical malpractice cases including medical product or device injury like transvaginal mesh cases, surgical errors, birth injuries, failure to diagnose, and hospital negligence
- Spinal cord and traumatic brain injury (TBI) cases
- Premises liability cases from slip-and-fall accidents to shopping cart injuries and swimming pool accidents
- Workers’ compensation, civil rights discrimination, and sexual abuse cases
This is not a complete list of the cases we cover. If you need legal help for a Florida personal injury lawsuit, call our offices at (561) 293-2600 or fill out our online contact form — we may be able to offer representation right away, allowing you to return to your life in peace.
Should I accept an insurance payout for a personal injury?
C. Smith
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“I am so thankful for EVERYONE, the entire staff at Osborne & Francis Law, for mentoring me through the mediation process with my hip replacement failures. I didn't realize how MUCH pressure they relieved me of by helping me deal with the reality of this traumatic time in my life, as it was OVER so quickly with a positive result. My family is grateful to have their mom HAPPY & FOCUSED on the future, rather than worrying over what happened in the past! FAST FORWARD, we are LIVING LIFE to the fullest once again!”
Erica F.
"Best personal injury attorney around, I could not be happier! I was seriously injured in a car accident and Osborne and Francis helped me through the entire process. I was blown away by how knowledgeable the staff and attorneys are at this incredible law firm. I would not hesitate to recommend this law firm to friends and family!"
T. Andrews
“Attorneys Greg Francis and Ryan Fletcher at Osborne & Francis Law Firm represented me in my personal injury case.The defendant drew a line in the sand and was adamant on a settlement amount I was almost willing to accept. After the dust settled and the smoke cleared, we settled for 3 times that amount!!! When they say ‘Real Tough Lawyers,’ they mean it.”
J. Davis
“I couldn’t have asked for a better lawyer/ firm — everything was done professionally exactly how I wanted. Due to COVID my personal attorney Mr. Garcia was still able to make things work in a timely manner and he never made me feel like he wasn’t working. Overall I’m happy with how my case turned out and I would recommend him and this law firm to anyone. 100% satisfied.”
Alfred
Quick and fair resolution to a unique case. On advice of my own attorney, I engaged Joseph Osborne of Osborne & Francis of Boca Raton, FL. Mr. Osborne had considerable experience in cases such as mine and the results showed that. Mr. Osborne and his staff were very helpful, kept me up to date, and listened to my input. The settlement was very fair as far as I am concerned.
E. Holland
Dennis and the other Osborne & Francis staff were amazing! Our case was HUGE and required tender loving care. Everyone on our case did their part by putting all the puzzle pieces together. We were given step by step updates and put at ease when our nerves got the best of us. For every inquiry we made we received a timely response...You are appreciated!
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Osborne & Francis: Attorneys for Florida Personal Injury
If you have been injured due to someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and other damages. However, pursuing a personal injury claim can be complex and challenging without the help of an experienced lawyer.
At Osborne & Francis, we have achieved record-setting results for clients, and delivered substantial settlements and verdicts for real Florida families. Our proven experience ranges from motor vehicle accidents, medical malpractice, defective products, premises liability, abuse cases, and beyond. We are ready to help you recover the compensation you deserve.
Our firm has the resources necessary to invest in building your case upfront so you don’t have any added financial burden while you await the justice process. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay nothing unless we win your case.
Reach out to Osborne & Francis online or by phone at (561) 293-2600. Based in South Florida, we have nationwide reach and are ready to answer your questions, advise you on the best course of action, and possibly represent you until your case reaches a satisfactory resolution.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I accept an insurance payout for a personal injury?
If you are offered a payout or settlement for a personal injury by an insurance rep, do not accept it before consulting with your own attorney first. Insurance companies are businesses, and their representatives often work to minimize payments to injury survivors and their families so that the company stays profitable. Their interests are not the same as yours, whereas your Florida personal injury attorney from Osborne & Francis works only for you.
What are the steps involved in a personal injury lawsuit?
Once a personal injury lawsuit is filed, the first step is known as the discovery process — this is an exchange of information with the opposing party. Lawyers from both sides compile, demand, and share information relevant to the case, documents like medical records, police reports, or corporate documents. During this time, depositions may be taken, which are spoken testimonies done under oath and often videotaped for accuracy. These initial steps are essential to building a case strategy that meets your needs.
What does a Florida personal injury lawyer do for my case?
An attorney from Osborne & Francis will serve your best interests by evaluating your case in a free consultation, including the severity of your injury, and the impact on your life and work. We next gather evidence to prove that the other party is liable for your injury, as well as expert testimony to show the true cost of your future care needs. We then negotiate with insurance companies and/or opposing counsel to reach a fair settlement. If a settlement cannot be reached or if the offer is too low, we will represent you at trial and present your case to a judge or jury.
How long do I have to file a personal injury lawsuit in Florida?
According to Florida law, you have 4 years from the date of your accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. This is called the statute of limitations, and it is very strict. If you miss this deadline, you may lose your right to sue entirely, which means recovering zero compensation no matter how strong your case evidence is.
There may be different factors that alter this deadline based on your type of injury. For actionable information based on your specific circumstances, call (561) 293-2600 to reach our team at Osborne & Francis, or contact us online to schedule your free, confidential consultation.
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