There are probably many things going through your mind if you or a loved one have been injured in an accident. You are likely thinking about healthcare, finances, and planning for the future. On top of that, you may also be thinking about whether or not you should sue for personal injury.

Suing for personal injury is a way to ensure that healthcare, finances, and planning for the future are more secure for you or the loved one involved in the accident.

If you or someone close to you have been in an accident, consider taking steps to successfully sue for personal injury.

Should You Pursue a Personal Injury Case?

Being involved in an accident doesn’t necessarily mean you should sue for personal injury. Specific criteria must be met for the case to hold up in court.

In order to sue for personal injury:

  • You must prove that the accident was caused by negligence. A person or business was aware of an unsafe consideration or could have prevented an unsafe condition but did not act to resolve it.
  • You must prove that the accident caused the injury. The injury was a direct result of the accident.
  • You must prove that the accident caused damages. The injured party sustained financial, emotional, and/or physical damages as a result of the injury.

Related: Types of Personal Injury Cases: See If You Have a Claim   

4 Steps to Sue for Personal Injury

If you believe your situation meets the criteria listed above, take the following steps to sue for personal injury.

#1) Seek medical attention.

If you are involved in an accident, the first thing you should always do is seek professional medical care.

Even if you don’t feel like you are injured, you should seek care to ensure that there are not any underlying issues that can cause future problems.

Seeking medical care is also important as it will produce medical documents that outline and describe your injuries. These documents will provide support for your case if you seek to sue for personal injury.

Related: What To Do After a Car Accident That’s Not Your Fault   

#2) Document the accident and collect evidence.

To successfully sue for personal injury, you must have proof of negligence and damages. It is imperative that you have documents and evidence that prove both.

Collect the following information:

  • Detailed account of the accident (the injured party should write a timeline of relevant events that occurred before and after the accident)
  • Testimony from witnesses (and contact information for witnesses so an attorney can question them again if needed)
  • Police report (and the name of involved police officers in case they need to be re-interviewed)
  • Incident report (if the accident happened on business property)
  • Photos of your injuries (capture the initial injury and take photos as the injury progresses)
  • Photos of damaged property
  • Medical records
  • Medical bills
  • Documents that show missed opportunities (missed work hours, canceled vacations, etc.)

The more information you can provide to your attorney, the better. The details will help your attorney craft the best case.

#3) Get a free consultation with a personal injury attorney.

If you sue for personal injury, you should not be burdened with expenses in addition to the costs associated with your accident. Look for a personal injury attorney who offers free consultations so you can explain the details of your case and determine if the case is worth pursuing at no cost to you.

During this initial meeting, get answers to your questions about personal injury and find out if you have a viable case.

Related: How to Prepare for a Free Consultation with a Lawyer   

#4) Let your attorney determine what your case is worth.

If you are considering suing for personal injury, you may be eager to find out what type of compensation you can receive. You may even have an idea of what you think is fair. But, it is best to let your attorney determine what your case is worth.

Many factors impact how much you can sue for in a personal injury case. Before you get an idea in your mind about how much you believe the case is worth, let an attorney work through the details and give you an estimate of what a fair and reasonable settlement will look like.

If you work with an experienced personal injury attorney, they will know what is the best way to approach your case and get the highest settlement possible.

Related: Personal Injury Compensation: What Can You Fight For?   

Ready to Sue for Personal Injury?

If you or a loved one were injured as the result of the negligence of a person or business, you have the right to sue for personal injury and seek damages. You have a legal right to seek support to help you or your loved one recover physically, emotionally, and financially.

Don’t deal with the stress and pain on your own. Seek support from a professional personal injury attorney who knows how to take on insurance companies to get what is fair and due to you.

Contact TJ Grimaldi today to schedule your free consultation to see how he can help you heal and be made complete after an accident. Schedule your consultation or call 813-226-1023 today.

If someone you loved was killed in an accident, life can feel overwhelming. You may be overcome with grief, anger, and confusion. You may feel helpless and powerless — but there are things you can do.

You can file a wrongful death case to ensure that the at-fault party is held accountable and that surviving family members receive the damages they deserve. In some cases, you can even make sure the accident doesn’t happen again.

Wrongful death cases can help you seek justice for your loved one and create a better future for the surviving family and community.

What Is a Wrongful Death Case?

A wrongful death case is a legal action taken when a person or people have died as a result of the negligence of a person or business. It is an extreme type of personal injury case in that the negligence of the defendant resulted in damages and death.

There are four elements that are important to a wrongful death case. It will be the responsibility of the plaintiff to prove these elements.

  • Negligence: You must prove that the accident was caused because a person or a business was negligent. You must show that a person or business was aware of an unsafe condition and failed to act to make it safe.
  • Causation: You must prove that the negligence directly caused the death of the plaintiff.
  • Damages: You must prove that the victim or their family sustained damages as a result of the accident. Damages may be monetary (such as medical bills, lost income, property damage, cost of funeral, etc.) or non-monetary (such as emotional trauma, loss of consortium or companionship, etc.).
  • Breach of Duty: You must prove that the defendant had a duty to provide a safe condition for the plaintiff. For example, a motorist has a duty to drive safely and follow traffic laws in order to keep the road safe for other motorists and pedestrians. You must show that the defendant didn’t fulfill their duty to make conditions safe for others.

Related: Personal Injury Compensation: What Can You Fight For?   

8 Common Examples of Wrongful Death Cases

Below find a list of the most common examples of wrongful death cases. Keep in mind that if your specific situation is not listed, you may still have a wrongful death case worth fighting for. Don’t assume that your case isn’t viable until you speak with an experienced wrongful death or personal injury attorney.

#1) Car Accident

If a driver’s negligence (reckless driving, failing to follow traffic laws, driving under the influence, etc.) caused an accident that led to death, there is cause for a wrongful death case.

Related: 5 Reasons to Contact a Car Accident Lawyer After a Crash   

#2) Trucking Accident

In accidents caused by a commercial truck or semi-trailer truck, the trucking company and the driver may be held responsible.

#3) Pedestrian Accident

Roadway accidents impact drivers as well as pedestrians. If someone near a roadway was stuck by a vehicle, it may be a potential wrongful death case.

#4) Aviation and Boating Accident

Aviation and boating accidents that led to the death of passengers or others in or around the plane or boat can be cause for a wrongful death lawsuit.

#5) Medical Malpractice

Healthcare professionals sign an oath to care for their patients to the best of their abilities. If they fail to live up to that standard (by providing inadequate care, failing to diagnose an illness, providing the wrong care, etc.), it can lead to a medical malpractice case.

#6) Workplace Accident

The owner or manager of a workplace is responsible for keeping the working environment safe for their employees. If an employee, contractor, or vendor is involved in an accident that results in death, it may be cause for a wrongful death case.

#7) Premises Accident

Owners of properties are responsible for keeping their property in good condition so it is safe for visitors. If they fail to meet this standard and someone is injured and dies as a result of unsafe conditions, they can be held accountable.

#8) Product Liability / Product Defect

Companies that create products and sell them to the public are responsible for ensuring the products are safe to use. If a product failed to work properly or did not include proper warning labels and caused the death of a customer, it may be a wrongful death case.

Related: 6 of the Most Commonly Asked Questions About Personal Injury   

Do You Have a Wrongful Death Case Worth Fighting For?

If you lost a loved one due to an accident, you probably have a lot of questions. Don’t rely on generic advice or standard feedback about your case. Talk to an experienced wrongful death attorney who can give you insights based on the specific details of your situation.

Schedule your free consultation with TJ Grimaldi to discuss the specifics of your case so you can get answers to your questions and ensure you get the justice and damages you, your family, and your community deserve.

Schedule your free consultation or call 813-226-1023

If you’re dealing with a legal matter that has left you or a loved one with an injury that requires immediate and/or ongoing medical care, you probably have a lot of questions. To help you get answers, we’ve compiled this list of the most commonly asked questions about personal injury.

Most Commonly Asked Questions About Personal Injury

Use these answers to get an idea about what to expect in a personal injury legal matter. Then, explore our other resources on personal injury, or schedule a free consultation with TJ Grimaldi so he can give you more specific answers depending on your unique circumstances.

Schedule your free consultation or call 813-226-1023 today.

What is considered to be a personal injury?

Legally speaking, a personal injury occurs when a person sustains an injury due to the negligence or maliciousness of another party. The injury would not have occurred if the other party had not created a dangerous or unsafe condition. In a personal injury case, the injured party can prove that they suffered damages as a result of the injury and that an at-fault party caused the injury.

Types of personal injury cases can be related to:

How do I know if I have a personal injury case?

To have a personal injury case, you must prove two things:

  1. An at-fault party’s negligence or maliciousness caused an injury
  2. The injured party was damaged physically, emotionally, or financially because of the injury

If you believe you can prove both of those points, you may have a personal injury case worth fighting for. Don’t attempt to determine if you have a personal injury case on your own. Schedule a free consultation with a lawyer to get a professional opinion about the viability of your case.

Read More: Types of Personal Injury Cases: See If You Have a Claim   

How are personal injury settlements paid out?

When an injured party receives a settlement in a personal injury case, it is paid out by the insurance company to the attorney representing the injured party. It is paid by the insurance company to the law firm’s trust account, and then the law firm disburses the money to the client and the medical providers.

Are personal injury settlements taxable?

Settlements are not taxable, unless they are punitive damages. Punitive damages are awarded when there is proof that the at-fault party intentionally caused the injury. The injured party has proven that there was malicious intent that led to the injury.

Punitive damages are different from special compensation damages (that relate to costs incurred due to the injury) and general compensation damages (that related to non-monetary harm caused by the injury). Both special compensation and general compensation damages are not taxable.

How much should I ask for in a personal injury settlement?

There is no magic number when it comes to a personal injury settlement. Every situation will be unique, and it’s impossible to know how much to ask for until you have all the facts. The injured party will need to show the way they have been injured physically, financially, and emotionally to determine the amount of a reasonable and fair settlement.

Information will be needed to show damages. That information may include but is not limited to: policy limits, medical bills, injuries sustained, medical records, facts of the loss, and client’s medical history.

Read More: Personal Injury Compensation: What Can You Fight For?   

How long does a personal injury case take?

There is no exact duration of a personal injury case. It is difficult to say how long a case will last, but there are general timeframes that can give you an idea of what typically happens in similar cases.

  • Injured parties have four years from the date of the incident to file a lawsuit. In some cases, they may even have five years. On average, most people file within two to five months of the accident, and then negotiations start.
  • Negotiations can take anywhere from a month to a year.
  • If the case is not settled and has to go to trial, it will take longer. Most lawsuits take about 12 to 30 months.

Related: Injured in a Car Accident? Here’s What You Need to Do Right Away.   

Get All of Your Questions About Personal Injury Answered

As you can see, many commonly asked questions about personal injury don’t have a simple answer.

Many factors play into each case making it unique. If you have questions about a personal injury case that involves you or a loved one, it’s best to get them answered by an attorney who is familiar with your specific situation. Only then will you get the most specific and useful information.

If you have questions about a personal injury case, we are here to help you find answers.

All consultations with TJ Grimaldi are 100% free. Don’t spend your time searching for vague answers. Schedule your free consultation or call 813-226-1023 to talk to an experienced personal injury attorney who can help you get the direct answers you need.

If you or a loved one recently went through a medical experience that resulted in pain, lasting injury, or death, you may have a medical malpractice case.

What Is a Medical Malpractice Case?

A medical malpractice case is a type of personal injury lawsuit that seeks damages for a patient who experienced a negative healthcare outcome due to the negligence of their healthcare provider or providers.

The criteria for a medical malpractice case is often outlined as the four “D’s” of medical negligence. For a medical malpractice case to have merit, it must meet these criteria.

  • Duty: The healthcare provider had a clear duty to care for the patient. The healthcare provider and the patient had an established relationship.
  • Deviation: The healthcare provider deviated from standard of care. Standard of care is a legal term which means a healthcare provider must provide the same level of care as other qualified practitioners.
  • Direct Cause: The actions or inaction of a healthcare provider caused direct harm to the patient. The provider must have done something or failed to do something that directly caused harm.
  • Damages: The actions or inaction of a healthcare provider caused the patient to incur financial, physical, or emotional damages. The patient is entitled to compensation to cover the losses they experienced.

If you are wondering if you have a medical malpractice case, consider if your situation meets the four D’s and matches any of the example situations listed below.

11 Examples of Medical Malpractice

Healthcare providers sign an oath to treat the sick to the best of their abilities. If you or a loved one did not receive the level of care that you needed in one of these situations, you may have a medical malpractice case.

#1) There was a failure to diagnose. You or a loved one sought medical care and were told that there wasn’t anything wrong or that there wasn’t any reason for treatment and then later, you found out that there was an issue that required medical attention.

#2) There was improper or inadequate testing. You or a loved one sought medical care, and the provider did not perform the tests that could have helped lead to a diagnosis or treatment.

#3) There was a misdiagnosis. A healthcare provider diagnosed an ailment as the wrong disease, disorder, injury, or illness. They may also have provided the wrong treatment as a result of the misdiagnosis.

#4) The wrong medication or the wrong amount of medication was administered. A healthcare provider gave the wrong medication or the wrong amount of medication to a patient, and it harmed the patient.

#5) There was a mistake during a procedure. A healthcare provider made an error during a routine procedure, and it caused harm to the patient.

#6) The wrong treatment or procedure was given. You or a loved one received treatment or a procedure that wasn’t needed, necessary, or relevant to your healthcare needs.

#7) There was a lack of informed consent. The healthcare provider failed to explain all of the risks associated with a prescribed treatment. Or, the healthcare provider performed a procedure that the patient (or patient’s legal guardian) didn’t agree to.

#8) The quality of care was insufficient. One or more healthcare providers provided inadequate care. The care may have been insufficient because there was not enough staff on hand, the staff neglected care, or the staff was under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

#9) There were surgical errors. Errors occurred during surgery that were preventable, such as tools not being sterilized properly and leading to infection, bodily harm caused by careless patient transport, or in major cases, the wrong surgery was conducted.

#10) There was no follow-up care. You or a loved one sought medical care, and the healthcare provider did not follow up after the procedure or treatment when aftercare was essential and needed.

#11) There was a death after a routine medical procedure. A healthcare provider performed a routine medical procedure, and it resulted in death. A wrongful death occurs when the patient should not have died as a result of their treatment or care.

Related: Personal Injury Compensation: What Can You Fight For?

How to File a Medical Malpractice Case

A patient doesn’t cause the financial, physical, or emotional burdens that are the result of negligent medical care — and they should not be responsible for the burdens.

Take the first step in holding the appropriate parties responsible for malpractice by getting a free consultation with an experienced attorney who can listen to the details of your case and tell you if you have a case worth fighting for.

If you have a case to discuss, contact TJ Grimaldi today. All consultations are 100% free so you have nothing to lose by sharing the details of your case and seeing how TJ can use his experience to help you or a loved one receive the damages you deserve.

Schedule your consultation or call 813-226-1023 now.

A car accident lawyer may not be the first thing on your mind if you have been in a car crash.

You may be physically hurt and dealing with injuries. You may be receiving lots of confusing calls from insurance companies and trying to figure out how to get to work or care for your family without your vehicle. You probably have a lot on your mind, and the thought of adding an attorney to the mix might not seem like a solution.

But, a car accident lawyer may be exactly what you need after an auto accident.

If you’ve been in an accident on the road, an auto accident attorney can help. You may not realize what an experienced attorney can do to ease the stress of the situation so you can focus on taking care of yourself and your family.

Here are a few ways a car accident lawyer can help after a crash.

How a Car Accident Lawyer Can Help

Note: Before you contact a car accident lawyer after a crash, the first thing you should do is seek medical help. Take care of your health above all. Only after receiving medical attention should you reach out to an attorney to help with other aspects of your situation. For more advice on what to do immediately after a car accident, check out our guide: Injured in a Car Accident? Here’s What You Need to Do Right Away.   

Now, let’s look at how a car accident lawyer can support you after a crash.

#1) Offer advice, and explain your options.

One of the biggest problems people make after a car accident is not fully understanding their situation. They don’t know what options they have to receive compensation, and therefore, they don’t receive the damages they deserve.

When you talk to a car accident lawyer, they will listen to the details of your case and explain your options and the best way to proceed. Many people try to handle their case on their own, and it can result in missed opportunities and a failure to receive full damages.

#2) Investigate the crash.

After a car accident, you may think you have all of the relevant details about the crash, but often there may be things you missed. Good legal representation will investigate the accident to ensure that every relevant detail that can support your side of the case is collected and reviewed.

#3) Manage communication.

After a car accident, there are going to be a lot of parties contacting you for information. You may need to communicate with other parties involved in the accident, insurance companies, auto repair shops, doctors, and healthcare providers.

When you work with a car accident lawyer, they can take over some of the communication for you. Your attorney will manage conversations with your insurance company and the other parties involved in the accident. This support can free up your time to focus on important communication with your doctors and healthcare providers.

#4) Determine damages.

Many people involved in a car accident aren’t aware of the damages that are due to them. They don’t know the full scope of what you can collect after a car accident that wasn’t your fault. That’s where a car accident lawyer can help.

An experienced attorney can help you see what damages are due to you so you can collect:

  • Special compensation damages which cover immediate and future medical bills, cost of home-care and domestic services, lost income, loss of future earnings, property damage, and cost of altered plans.
  • General compensation damages which cover debilitating long-term physical impairments, physical disfigurement, emotional trauma, loss of consortium or companionship, and damage to lifestyle.

Depending on the specifics of your accident, an attorney may also be able to identify punitive and wrongful death damages. Learn more about what might be owed to you in our guide: Personal Injury Compensation: What Can You Fight For?   

#5) Fight for — and win — the damages you deserve.

Not only can a car accident attorney help you understand what is due to you, but they can also make sure you collect what is due to you.

Big insurance companies are set up to pay out as little money as possible. They are going to fight against your claim. An experienced attorney has done this before. They know the ways insurance companies will try to avoid paying a fair settlement. And, they know the best ways to fight against them.

An attorney will first prove your personal injury claim. Then, they will negotiate or fight to get you a fair and full settlement.

Talk to a Tampa Car Accident Lawyer Today

If you’ve recently been involved in an auto accident, you probably have a lot on your mind. Don’t deal with the stress on your own. See how a personal injury lawyer can help you navigate your situation and secure the resources you need to heal physically, financially, and mentally.

Talk to a Tampa car accident lawyer today. All consultations with TJ Grimaldi are free of charge, so don’t delay. If you have been involved in a minor or serious auto accident, schedule your consultation or call 813-226-1023 to see how TJ can help today.

If you are injured by no fault of your own, you may have a personal injury case. There are many types of personal injury cases that are worth fighting for in court. In these cases, the injured party can receive compensation to cover both monetary and non-monetary damages caused by the injury.

If you or a loved one have recently been injured and are wondering if you have a viable lawsuit, consider if your situation matches one of these types of personal injury cases.

What Constitutes a Personal Injury Case?

A personal injury case is a legal matter wherein a person is injured as the result of someone else’s negligence or maliciousness. The injured party experiences losses due to their injury and can prove that the other party caused the injury.

Personal injury cases are handled in civil court and are categorized in three ways. 

  • Intentional Tort: An intentional tort relates to an act that caused injury and was intentionally committed. An at-fault party intended to injure someone.
  • Neglect Tort: A neglect tort relates to a situation wherein someone was injured due to the negligence of another party. A negligent at-fault party caused someone to get injured.
  • Strict Liability Tort: A strict liability tort relates to a situation wherein someone is injured, but there is no clear maliciousness or negligence. Someone was injured by a party who did not intend to cause harm and was not negligent in their action or inaction.

The most common types of personal injury cases fit within one of these three tort categories.

9 Types of Personal Injury Cases

Let’s look at how these torts are relevant in specific types of personal injury cases.

Auto Accidents

Auto accidents are one of the most common types of personal injury cases. These neglect tort cases relate to accidents that occur on the road. An injured party was acting in a safe manner, and an at-fault party was negligent and caused an accident. Auto accident cases may also include:

  • Pedestrian Accidents
  • Boating Accidents
  • Motorcycle Accidents
  • Trucking Accidents

Related: Injured in a Car Accident? Here’s What You Need to Do Right Away.

Medical Negligence

Medical negligence is another type of neglect tort case. In this case, a medical professional did not treat a patient in accordance with the Hippocratic Oath. They provided extremely inadequate or poor care that resulted in a negative outcome for a patient.

Slip and Fall

A slip and fall is a type of personal injury case classified as a neglect tort. In this case, an at-fault party created a situation that was dangerous. The negligence of the at-fault party caused a person to fall and sustain an injury that would not have happened if conditions were safe.

Related: Think You Have a Slip and Fall Case? Take These 7 Steps   

Premises Liability

A premises liability case is also the result of neglect. In this case, a person is injured on a property that was not in a safe condition. Slip and falls are common premises liability cases, but they can also include any injuries caused by hazardous conditions created as a result of neglect.

Workplace Accident

Workplace accidents are incidents when someone is injured while they are at work. In these personal injury cases, a worker is injured as a result of unsafe working conditions. The owner or manager of the workplace did not keep the premises safe for their employees.

Product Liability / Product Defect

Product liability and product defect claims fall under strict liability torts. In these cases, a party is injured when a product failed to work properly or did not include proper warning labels. The injured party used a product as it was intended but still suffered harm.

Animal Attack

If an animal attacks a person, the owner is liable for damages. Dog bites are the most common type of animal attack personal injury cases. Pet owners are responsible for their pet’s actions even if they occur away from the owner.

Assault and Battery

While assault and battery cases are heard in criminal court, the injuries and damages caused by the incident can be litigated in civil court as a type of personal injury claim. Assault and battery is an intentional tort case that requires the party who committed violence to provide relief to the injured party.

Wrongful Death

A wrongful death case can also be classified as a type of personal injury claim. If the negligence of a person or business led to someone’s death, their loved ones can seek personal injury compensation for both monetary and non-monetary damages.

Get Representation for All Types of Personal Injury Cases

If you or a loved one has been injured in any of the situations described above, it’s time to reach out to a personal injury attorney. You are not responsible for the financial and personal burdens caused by an accident that was not your fault.

Seek relief and support today. Schedule your free consultation with TJ Grimaldi to see how he can use his experience litigating a variety of types of personal injury cases to help you get what is legally due to you.

Schedule your consultation or call 813-226-1023 now.

If you are injured due to negligence, you are not liable for the costs of your related care, rehabilitation, lost wages, and permanent damages. You have a right to personal injury compensation that can help you cover both immediate and long-term costs associated with your injury.

If you have been injured by no fault of your own, consider if you are able to fight for personal injury compensation and take steps to get the fair settlement you deserve.

What Is Personal Injury Compensation?

Personal injury compensation is a financial payout given to an individual to cover damages that result from an injury caused by the negligence of another party. To have a legal right to personal injury compensation, the injured party must prove:

  1. The injury was a result of negligence
  2. The injury led to damages

If you were in an accident and can prove both of these points, you may have a personal injury claim worth fighting for.

When Can You Make a Personal Injury Compensation Claim?

To win personal injury compensation, you must be able to prove that an injury was caused because of the negligence of another person or business. You must prove that the other party was at fault. Personal injury compensation is most commonly awarded in cases related to:

In Florida, you have up to four years from the date of the injury to file a personal injury lawsuit. 

While you have years to make a claim, it’s recommended that you talk to a personal injury attorney as soon as possible. The sooner you take up the fight, the more time you have to prepare your case and receive compensation for immediate expenses and damages.

What Can Personal Injury Compensation Cover?

Personal injury compensation can cover a wide array of damages that are both monetary and non-monetary. There are four major categories associated with personal injury cases.

Special Compensation Damages

Special compensation damages have an explicit monetary value. The damages relate to the costs incurred due to the accident. They include:

  • Immediate medical bills (hospital expenses, surgeries, prescriptions, etc.)
  • Future medical bills (physical therapy, massage therapy, prescriptions, chiropractor sessions, pain management treatment, mental health treatment, etc.)
  • Cost of home-care and domestic services
  • Lost income
  • Loss of future earnings
  • Property damage
  • Costs of altered plans (canceling a vacation, wedding, etc.)

General Compensation Damages

Unlike special compensation damages, general compensation damages don’t have an exact dollar amount. General compensation damages refer to the non-monetary harm caused by the accident. They are often referred to as “pain and suffering” damages and include financial compensation for:

  • Debilitating long-term physical impairments
  • Physical disfigurement or deformities
  • Emotional trauma (stress and anxiety)
  • Loss of consortium or companionship
  • Damage to lifestyle because of the injury

Punitive Damages

If the injury was intentionally caused by the at-fault party, the injured party may be eligible for punitive damages. Punitive damages are awarded when there is proof that the injury was a result of malicious or intentional conduct.

Wrongful Death Damages

In the case of a wrongful death, there may also be wrongful death damages that provide relief for the surviving family. They may include:

  • Pre-death medical bills
  • Cost of funeral and burial
  • Loss of consortium or companionship
  • Emotional distress of surviving family
  • Loss of financial contribution

How to Prove Your Personal Injury Claim

If you wish to seek personal injury compensation, you need to prove damages. You must show the court proof of the burdens that have been placed on you and your family, mentally, physically, emotionally, and financially.

To prove your personal injury claim, it helps to have:

  • Photos of injuries
  • Medical bills and records
  • A documented medical prognosis
  • Expert testimony
  • Witness testimony
  • Personal testimony
  • Testimony from friends and family
  • Photos from the scene of the accident

Gathering evidence is essential to winning your personal injury case. Don’t delay if you think you have a right to personal injury compensation. Start collecting evidence and information immediately after the accident to improve the chances of winning your case.

Related: Think You Have a Slip and Fall Case? Take These 7 Steps

Get Fair Personal Injury Compensation

If you or a loved one sustained an injury due to the negligence of another party, you should not be further burdened by short-term and long-term costs. You deserve to be fairly compensated for your immediate and lasting expenses that impact your body, mind, family, and finances.

If you think you are due personal injury compensation, contact TJ Grimaldi today. 

TJ is an experienced personal injury attorney who can help you determine if you have a case, and if you do, help you get what’s due to you. The consultation is no cost, so you have nothing to risk (and everything to gain) by talking to TJ today.

Schedule your consultation or call 813-226-1023 now.

A slip and fall case protects people from the burdens brought on by an injury caused by negligence. If a negligent business creates an unsafe environment that causes a person to be injured, the negligent party is held accountable. They must provide the resources the injured party needs to heal physically, mentally, and financially.

Make sure you know what to do if you experience a slip and fall at work or in a public place. Protect yourself by knowing the steps to follow if you are injured and need to pursue a slip and fall case to receive the justice and compensation you deserve.

Do You Have a Slip and Fall Case?

To have a successful slip and fall claim, you must prove that the owner of the location knew or should have known about the dangerous condition that led to the injury. A court will only side with the injured party if they can prove negligence by an at-fault party. Proving the negligence is why it is so important to take these seven steps if you slip and fall at work or in a public place.

7 Steps to Take After a Slip and Fall

To make a case for your slip and fall claim, it’s important that you take action immediately. Take these seven steps right away.

#1) If you are hurt, seek immediate medical attention.

If you slip and fall, your health and well being should be your first priority. Immediately seek medical assistance. Getting emergency medical services ensures that all of your potential injuries are identified right away, preventing you from missing injuries that can get worse without immediate treatment.

Getting medical attention also creates an official report of your injuries that will be helpful if you have a slip and fall case as it prevents the opposing side from saying you weren’t injured.

#2) Report the incident.

If you’re at a business or work when you fall, request to file an official incident report. Ask to talk to management and create a documented report. Share your story, and then review the document to ensure that it accurately represents your side of the situation.

#3) Ask for a copy of the report.

Once the report is created, get a copy of your own. Don’t leave without a copy of the report. If the business does not want to provide a copy for you, take a photo of the report on your phone. Having a copy of the original version will be essential in your slip and fall case.

#4) Get information from witnesses.

Eye witness accounts will be important to your case. If there were any witnesses to your accident, get their names and phone numbers. Write down the details of their story and share the information with your personal injury attorney so they can follow up with witnesses to get extra details and testimonies if needed.

#5) Look for on-scene evidence and take photos.

To win a slip and fall case, you must prove that there was negligence. You must prove that the owner of the property knew that there were dangerous conditions and did not act. To prove that part of your case, look for on-scene evidence and take photographs of your surroundings after a fall. Capture:

  • Warning signs or lack of warning signs.
  • Signs or other evidence that suggests that the dangerous condition has been there for some time.

#6) Take photos as your injuries progress.

Showing the full extent of your injuries will also be important to your case. In some cases, your injuries may not fully show until days after the accident. If your injuries show up or progress days after the accident, take pictures of the body parts that show the injuries.

#7) Talk to an attorney about your slip and fall.

The best way to know if you have a slip and fall case and ensure that you will win your case if you do is by contacting a slip and fall attorney immediately after your injury.

While you have up to four years from the date of the injury to file a personal injury lawsuit in Florida, you don’t want to wait. Evidence is easier to collect early on, and cases are more difficult to win as time goes on. Don’t wait. Talk to an attorney right away to discuss your case if you feel your fall was the result of negligence on behalf of a business or property owner.

Related: What To Do After a Slip and Fall Accident

Let a Professional Handle Your Slip and Fall Case

You should not be responsible for burdens brought on by an injury caused by negligence. The negligent party should provide what you need to be made whole physically, mentally, and financially.

If you have been involved in a slip and fall, TJ Grimaldi is here to make sure you get what you deserve. Contact our office for a free consultation to discuss your slip and fall, whether it was a few days or a few years ago. Schedule your consultation or call 813-226-1023 today.

It’s difficult to fully prepare for being injured in a car accident. The experience is scary and stressful, and you will likely be in a panicked state immediately after the accident, making it more difficult to know what to do. 

But, you can educate yourself on the right things to do after a car accident so you are more likely to take steps that will protect you, those around you, and your assets.

Hopefully, you never need to know these steps, but please keep this information in mind in case you are ever injured in a car accident.  

#1) Take a deep breath, and check yourself for injuries.

If you are involved in a car accident, your adrenaline is probably going to kick in. You may feel a rush of energy and alertness. This is your body helping you navigate through a stressful and dangerous situation, but it can also limit your abilities to see the situation clearly.

When you have an adrenaline rush, it can decrease your ability to feel pain. You may have been injured in the car accident, but feel fine because your body is covering up minor or major injuries. 

The first thing you should do if you are in a car accident is take a breath and check yourself for injuries. Keep in mind that you might not feel your injuries, so perform a body scan to see if you are hurt, but just not feeling it yet. If you have an injury, don’t try to move until help arrives (unless you need to move for other safety reasons).

#2) Check passengers for injuries. 

Next, check all other passengers in your vehicle for injuries. Direct them to do a scan on their bodies, and remind them that they may not feel the injuries right away. If they are injured, advise them to stay put. If they aren’t injured, advise them to check the situation outside, and get out and get help if it is safe.

#3) Call 911 and request an ambulance.  

If you are injured in a car accident, you need both police and paramedic assistance.

  • You need police assistance to document the accident and create a report. Even if the facts of the accident seem obvious or the person who caused the accident seems nice and helpful, you need an official report. 
  • You need paramedic assistance to first check your injuries and provide any immediate care that you or others need. You also need the paramedics to create a report that documents the details of your injuries. 

Both reports will be useful in the event that you need to take legal action to be fairly compensated for vehicle damage and bodily harm caused by the accident. 

#4) Gather information about the car accident.

While the on-scene police will collect information to put in their official report, they may miss a few details. If possible, don’t rely entirely on the police to collect details. If you or someone else on the scene is able, collect information on your own. 

If you are in a car accident, you should collect: 

  • Names, contact information, and insurance information of all drivers
  • Names and contact information of other passengers and witnesses 
  • Location and time of the accident
  • Photos of involved vehicles 
  • License plate information and make, model, and color of involved vehicles 
  • Any dashcam footage

Before you part ways with the on-scene police officers, get their names and badges numbers. Also, ask them where you can obtain the official report for your records. 

Related: What To Do After a Car Accident That’s Not Your Fault

#5) Call an attorney before calling any insurance companies. 

If you are injured in a car accident, take steps to immediately protect your health and well-being. Then, take steps to protect your financial interests.

You may think that insurance will cover all of the costs related to your accident and injuries, but that is not always the case.  

Insurance companies have trained professionals to make you think they are there to help you when they are actually there to try to get your claim closed out in the fastest and cheapest way possible. Both your insurance company and the insurance company of the other parties involved are likely going to work to avoid paying out compensation for damages. 

For this reason, it is important that you talk to an auto accident attorney or a personal injury attorney before contacting any insurance company after your accident. 

An experienced attorney can make sure you get all of the compensation needed to deal with both your vehicle damages and personal injuries. They can help you get the full compensation you deserve, which may include long-term physical therapy or treatment, mental health treatment, lost wages, lost funds, and long-term pain and suffering.

Injured in a Car Accident? We Will Fight for You

If you have been injured in a car accident, you need to focus your energy on healing mentally and physically. You don’t need the extra stress of fighting with insurance companies to make sure you are fairly and fully compensated. We’re here to take on that fight for you.

Let TJ Grimaldi be your voice to the insurance company so they don’t take advantage of you during your time of need. Contact our office today for a free consultation with TJ to learn how we can advocate for you and collect what is due to you after your auto accident. Request your free consultation or call 813-226-1023.

The moments after a car accident are scary. You may be injured, disoriented, and confused about what steps to take — especially if the car accident wasn’t your fault. 

We hope that you never find yourself in this situation, but we also want you to be prepared if you do. 

Knowing what to do after a car accident that’s not your fault can help you keep calm, stay safe, and perform the due diligence needed to get the healthcare treatment and legal justice you deserve. It can protect you, your passengers, and your rights. 

Here’s what to do after a car accident that’s not your fault. 

#1) Check yourself for injuries. 

The first priority after a car accident is to check yourself for injuries. Take a deep breath, and do a body scan to see where you may have been injured. Note that adrenaline may kick in after a car accident, and it’s possible that you could have injuries that you don’t immediately notice. Scan your body, and if you have a severe injury, wait in the vehicle and call for help.

#2) Check your passengers for injuries. 

Next, check any passengers in your car. Give them directions to scan their bodies, reminding them that they may not feel certain injuries as their bodies react to the shock of the car accident. If a passenger has an injury, call for help and offer aid. 

#3) Assess your surroundings and move to safety — if possible.

If you and your passengers are in stable condition, your next action should be assessing your situation and deciding if you can and should move to safety. 

If you were in a car accident that wasn’t your fault, you may think you should leave the vehicle as is so you can gather evidence about the accident. But, if the vehicle is in a position that is dangerous and is in condition to be moved, move it to safety.

If the vehicle can’t be moved, take a moment to assess your surroundings before leaving the vehicle. Check for traffic or hazards outside before exiting. 

#4) Check on others, and call 911. 

Once safe, check on the drivers and passengers of other involved vehicles, and call 911 for help. Depending on the severity of the accident, you may need police and/or emergency care services. Report the accident, and provide as much detail as possible to help emergency teams assess your needs. 

#5) Gather information. 

If you were in a car accident that wasn’t your fault, it’s important to collect as much information as possible. The more details you have, the better your case will be if insurance companies fight, deny, or downplay your claims. 

Collect: 

  • Names and contact information of involved drivers
  • Insurance information for involved drivers
  • License plate information and make, model, and color of involved vehicles 
  • Names and contact information of other passengers
  • Names and contact information of any witnesses
  • Name and badge number of police officers (ask them when and where you can get the police report)
  • Location and time of the accident
  • Dashcam footage, if available 

Use your phone to take photos of all involved vehicles, and capture close-up photos of damages (inside and outside of vehicles). Also, consider writing down any notes about what happened leading up to the accident while your memory is still fresh. 

#6) Seek medical care. 

You may feel fine after an auto accident, but you may not fully feel the effects of the accident for a few hours or even a few days. 

Be proactive, and seek medical care to ensure that you don’t have any issues that need immediate assistance. Plus, a medical report can help you in the event that you have injuries caused by an accident that wasn’t your fault. It can be useful in proving damages.  

#7) Get legal help. 

If you’re in an auto accident that wasn’t your fault, the at-fault driver’s insurance company is responsible for damages. But, it may not be as simple as filing a claim to get what’s due to you.

To make sure you go through the claims process properly and get full compensation for damages, talk to a personal injury attorney with experience in auto accidents. An attorney can guide you through the process and make sure you get what’s due to you. 

If the accident wasn’t your fault, you may be entitled to more than just damages for your vehicle and immediate medical treatment. You might be entitled to costs related to:

  • Long-term physical therapy or treatment
  • Mental health treatment
  • Lost wages 
  • Lost funds (for example, the cost of canceling a vacation due to the accident) 
  • Long-term pain and suffering

An experienced auto accident attorney can make sure you get what you need to become whole — physically, emotionally, and financially — after a stressful car accident. 

Have you been in a car accident that wasn’t your fault? 

If you don’t know what to do after a car accident that wasn’t your fault, we’re here to help.

All consultations at TJ Grimaldi are free. We’re here to listen to your story and tell you how we can help you get what’s due to you. Request your free consultation or call 813-226-1023, and talk to me personally about how my team can help you fully recover after a car accident.