personal injury

Answers to FAQs About Mediation in Florida Personal Injury Cases

Published on: April 12, 2024 | by Gerson & Schwartz, P.A.

Many Florida accident claims will be settled by agreement of the parties without going to court, while some must go through the litigation and trial process. Still other cases are in between these stages. The parties are close to settlement and have resolved some issues, but they remain apart in other disputes. In such a case, mediation may enter the picture. In fact, under Florida’s statute on mediation, you may be required to participate.

The good news is that there are many benefits to mediation, because you have certainty knowing the outcome of the case. You also save time, since it is often possible to complete mediation within a day. Still, there are some factors to consider when conducting mediation, and a Miami personal injury lawyer can provide useful advice. Plus, you can review some answers to common questions about mediation in Florida accident claims.

Who will attend a mediation proceeding? The parties and their attorneys will be present, so your lawyer will be at the mediation along with counsel for the defendant. For an accident claim, the defendant will usually be an insurance company on behalf of the at-fault party. The insurer will have their own attorney as well.

Potential Parties a Florida Crime Victim Can Pursue for Damages

Published on: March 1, 2024 | by Gerson & Schwartz, P.A.

Florida is the third largest state in the US by population, so it stands to reason that crime rates are rather high in both urban and rural areas. According to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), more than 124,600 people are arrested for violent crimes every year. This data covers such offenses as simple and aggravated assault, murder, and rape, as well as violent theft offenses like burglary and robbery. For victims injured in these crimes, the losses can be considerable.

Fortunately, Florida law allows you to seek compensation from the parties at fault for your injuries. There are multiple individuals and entities that may be liable, so you cover all your bases by pursuing as many as possible. It is important to rely on a Miami crime victims lawyer for assistance when you attempt to recover monetary damages from:

Criminal Offender

The Florida Tort Reform Act of 2023

Published on: February 2, 2024 | by Gerson & Schwartz, P.A.

Blaming all of your problems on lawyers has been a popular recreational activity in Florida, and lawmakers finally found a way to capitalize on this sentiment in order to get votes. The Tort Reform Act of 2023 places new restrictions on the situations in which injured people may sue the parties legally responsible for their injuries, the amounts of money plaintiffs can recover in personal injury lawsuits, and the deadlines for initiating such lawsuits.

The ostensible purpose of the law is to reduce liability insurance costs for business owners, who are defendants in the majority of personal injury lawsuits with large damages awards. Injured people still have the right to receive compensation from the parties that caused their injuries or which failed to prevent the injuries when they had a responsibility to do so; it only means that plaintiffs and their lawyers must work more quickly and more thoroughly to build an airtight case. All of this means that if you have suffered a preventable injury, it is not too soon to contact a Miami personal injury lawyer.

The Deadline to File a Personal Injury Lawsuit Is Two Years After the Date of the Injury

Civil Lawsuits Filed After Sexual Assault on Miami Cruise Ship

Published on: January 5, 2024 | by Gerson & Schwartz, P.A.

Cruise vacations deliver memories for a lifetime, but once in a while, stories hit the headlines regarding onboard incidents that are truly shocking. In a recent news report, two women have filed lawsuits alleging sexual assault by a Margaritaville at Sea cruise ship bartender who had been serving them. The crew member stole one victim’s room key that she had used to charge drinks. Later, he entered the cabin after the two victims were asleep, raping both of them. One of the women became pregnant because of the encounter.

The crew member pled guilty to criminal charges following the incident, while the recently filed civil lawsuits seek damages against the Margaritaville cruise line. A Miami cruise ship accident lawyer can provide details on passengers’ rights, as this horrific incident raises questions about liability for the cruise line in light of criminal activity.

Criminal Charges for Sexual Assault

Tips for Depositions in Miami Personal Injury Cases

Published on: December 8, 2023 | by Gerson & Schwartz, P.A.

If you were injured in an accident that was someone else’s fault, you will need to participate in discovery to establish and narrow down the important facts in the case. As part of the process, it is likely that you will be called for a deposition by the legal counsel for the at-fault party. Florida civil procedure rules allow for depositions of parties, and these sessions are essentially an in-person interview where the opposing counsel will ask questions about the accident.

A deposition might seem intimidating when you have never been through one, so it is helpful to know what to expect. Your testimony, given under oath, could have a major impact on your case. Fortunately, your Miami personal injury attorney will prepare you for the process and ensure you feel confident going in. Plus, some tips on appearing for your deposition should be helpful.

Understand Your Oath

What Do the Criminal Courts Have to Do With Your Personal Injury Case?

Published on: October 27, 2023 | by Gerson & Schwartz, P.A.

Drunk driving is a crime, but not every person who causes a car accident while under the influence of alcohol gets criminal penalties. The civil courts and criminal courts operate independently of each other, so a Miami car accident lawyer can help you seek compensation if the drunk driver who caused your injuries was never convicted of DUI in criminal court.

How are Civil and Criminal Cases Different?

Most of the court cases you hear about on the news or see dramatized in movies are criminal cases, but most of the ones in which you or people you know well have been directly involved are civil cases. If you have ever gotten divorced, settled a deceased family member’s estate, or faced a lawsuit about an unpaid debt, the legal proceedings took place in civil court. Personal injury lawsuits are civil cases. As in many civil matters, the plaintiff in a personal injury lawsuit is asking the court to order the defendant to pay monetary compensation to the plaintiff to compensate the plaintiff for financial losses caused by the defendant’s negligence. The plaintiff can win the case if they can persuade that a preponderance of the evidence shows that the defendant’s negligence directly caused the plaintiff’s financial losses.

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome and Florida Car Accident Cases

Published on: October 20, 2023 | by Gerson & Schwartz, P.A.

If the injuries you sustained in a car accident do not affect your brain or spinal cord, then you have escaped the worst-case scenario, but plenty of other accident-related injuries can still cause chronic pain and make it difficult to work and engage in your usual daily activities. In some cases, the pain worsens over a period of days or weeks, which is bad enough when you and your doctors are just trying to find a way to manage the pain, but it is even worse when you are trying to persuade a car insurance company of how severe your accident-related injuries are. Getting injured is a financial burden, no matter the circumstances, but it is even more frustrating when you have to fight tooth and nail to get insurance companies to pay for your treatment. A Miami car accident lawyer can help you if your injuries feel worse than they look, and the at-fault driver or the insurance company is accusing you of exaggerating your symptoms.

Causes and Symptoms of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome

Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a set of troublesome symptoms that arise from an injury to a nerve in the arm, leg, wrist, or ankle. The nerve injury happens as a result of trauma to nearby bones or soft tissues. As a result, the syndrome affects an entire arm, leg, hand, or foot, the entire area controlled by the affected nerve. Symptoms include chronic pain, numbness or tingling, weakness, abnormal sweat production, abnormal growth of hair and nails, and changes to the color, temperature, and texture of the skin of the affected area. In some cases, the pain of CRPS is much worse than that of the acute injury that precipitated it. Some patients with CRPS are unable to work because their symptoms are so severe.

Liability for Catastrophic Cheerleading Injuries in Miami

Published on: September 15, 2023 | by Gerson & Schwartz, P.A.

Cheerleading has become an exciting, thrilling sport for children of all ages, and it is no longer the simple leaps, high kicks, and shaking pompons in support of the team. Members of the squad are being tossed 25+ feet in the air, executing complicated aerial gymnastics as they fly. It is no wonder that cheerleading accidents are common, but data from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) is surprising. Around 35,000 cheerleaders present to emergency rooms every year, and cheerleading injuries represent more than half of all catastrophic injuries among female athletes. In fact, the rate of catastrophic injuries among cheerleaders exceeds injuries to male football players.

If you or your child was hurt in a cheerleading accident, you may wonder about your rights under Florida personal injury laws. Victims do have remedies, so it is critical to pursue them to ensure rightful compensation. You should make it a priority to retain a Miami catastrophic injuries attorney for assistance, but some information on the risks and liability for cheerleading accidents is useful.

Types of Catastrophic Injuries from Cheerleading Accidents

How Long Do I Have to Sue After a Miami Car Accident?

Published on: August 11, 2023 | by Gerson & Schwartz, P.A.

South Florida is one of the most dangerous regions of the state to drive in, and statistics prove the risks. According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV), there are more than 128,000 total traffic crashes in Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach Counties every year. Around 800 people lose their lives and 67,400 victims are injured in these incidents. They suffer massive losses because motorists do not exercise care behind the wheel.

Fortunately, state law provides you with remedies if you were hurt or lost a loved one in a crash. As with all personal injury cases, there is a statute of limitations to keep in mind. Florida recently enacted tort reforms that affect your deadlines, so you should rely on a Miami car accident lawyer to assist with your claim. An overview of the legal process and timing issues is also useful.

Florida’s Traffic Crash Statute of Limitations

Civil Suits for Child Crime Victims: Factors Parents Need to Know

Published on: June 2, 2023 | by Gerson & Schwartz, P.A.

Society looks at violent crimes against children as being absolutely reprehensible, so all US states have laws that enhance criminal charges when the victim is a minor. Unfortunately, statistics from the US Department of Justice (DOJ) reveal that harsh punishment for offenses does not deter criminal activity. Around 40% of American children are the direct victims of violent crime or abuse, including assault, battery, sexual assault, molestation, and many others. For a child, the physical pain may be significant, but the emotional and psychological effects are also profound.

In Florida, it is possible for parents to seek justice after their child is the victim of a crime. You can pursue the offender, as well as any property owner or party that negligently allowed the offense to happen. However, there are some laws that make these civil cases different from personal injury cases involving adults. A Miami crime victims attorney can explain details on the important factors when a child is the victim of a crime, and some general information is useful.

Statute of Limitations