If someone else causes you to suffer injuries in a West Palm Beach, FL, accident or incident, our attorneys can seek to hold them accountable. We demand fair compensation for clients based on their injuries and the negligence that caused them. We also pursue monetary damages so you can cover your medical care, pain and suffering, lost income, and other damages.
A West Palm Beach personal injury lawyer from Ged Lawyers will explain your rights and pursue financial compensation with no upfront fees. We provide free initial consultations and can discuss your legal options with you today. Contact us today to get started.
Our West Palm Beach Personal Injury Attorney Will Seek Economic Damages for You
For many victims, the main purpose of pursuing a personal injury case is to recover the money necessary to pay for their medical care and other accident-related losses. While they want to hold the negligent party accountable, getting the financial recovery they need to recover from the accident is critical.
Settling for too little money could mean paying for future or ongoing care out of your pocket or having less income with no way to make up the difference. Our Florida personal injury lawyers want to ensure you do not accept a lowball settlement offer from an insurance adjuster just because it sounds like enough money.
We gather documentation of a client’s expenses and losses and use them to value the recoverable damages in the case. This is how we know what a fair settlement might look like. Common recoverable damages after a West Palm Beach car accident can include the following:
Economic damages in personal injury cases are intended to compensate the injured party for the monetary losses they have incurred as a result of the injury. In West Palm Beach, Florida, as in other parts of the state and country, these damages can be extensive and cover various aspects of the injured party’s financial burden. Here’s a detailed look at the types of economic damages one can recover:
Medical Expenses
Medical expenses are often the most substantial portion of economic damages. These include all costs associated with the treatment of the injury, both immediate and long-term. Recoverable medical expenses encompass:
- Hospital bills: Costs for emergency room visits, hospital stays, surgeries, and other treatments.
- Medical treatments: Expenses for ongoing medical care such as physical therapy, chiropractic care, and follow-up doctor visits.
- Medication costs: Prescription and over-the-counter medications necessary for recovery.
- Medical equipment: Costs for necessary medical devices like wheelchairs, crutches, or braces.
- Home care: Costs for in-home nursing care or assistance with daily activities if required.
Lost Wages
If an injury prevents an individual from working, they can recover lost wages. This covers:
- Time off work: Compensation for the income lost from the time of the injury until the time of recovery.
- Reduced earning capacity: If the injury results in a diminished ability to earn in the future, the injured party can recover damages for this reduced earning potential.
Future Medical Expenses
In cases where the injury results in long-term or permanent disability, future medical expenses are a significant component of economic damages. These include anticipated costs for ongoing treatment, rehabilitation, and medical care necessary for the remainder of the injured party’s life.
Rehabilitation Costs
Rehabilitation is often necessary for recovery, especially in severe injury cases. These costs include physical therapy, occupational therapy, and any other specialized rehabilitation services that help the injured party regain their previous level of function or adapt to new limitations.
Property Damage
If the injury incident also involved damage to personal property, such as a car in an auto accident, the cost of repairing or replacing that property is recoverable. This ensures that the injured party is not left financially burdened by the costs of replacing or repairing their property.
Home and Vehicle Modifications
If an injury results in a permanent disability, the injured party may need to make modifications to their home or vehicle to accommodate their new needs. This can include installing ramps, widening doorways, or adapting vehicles for wheelchair accessibility.
Vocational Rehabilitation
When an injury impairs an individual’s ability to perform their previous job, vocational rehabilitation services can help them retrain for a new position. The costs associated with this retraining, including education and job placement services, are recoverable.
Childcare and Household Services
Injuries can affect one’s ability to perform household duties or care for children. The cost of hiring someone to perform these tasks is recoverable as part of economic damages.
In West Palm Beach, as in the rest of Florida, it is crucial for the injured party to meticulously document all economic losses associated with their injury. This documentation includes medical bills, pay stubs, receipts for expenses, and estimates for future costs. Proper documentation ensures that the injured party can recover the full extent of economic damages they are entitled to, helping to alleviate the financial strain caused by the injury and facilitating a more complete recovery.
Non-Economic Damages You May Be Entitled To
Non-economic damages in personal injury cases are designed to compensate the injured party for intangible losses that are not easily quantifiable in monetary terms. In West Palm Beach, Florida, these damages are a crucial aspect of personal injury compensation, addressing the broader impacts of an injury beyond financial losses. Here’s a closer look at the various types of non-economic damages one can recover:
Pain and Suffering
Pain and suffering represent the physical pain and emotional distress endured as a result of the injury. This can include chronic pain, discomfort, and the ongoing suffering associated with severe injuries. Pain and suffering damages aim to compensate for the quality of life reductions due to the injury.
Emotional Distress
Emotional distress damages cover the psychological impact of an injury. This can include anxiety, depression, fear, and other emotional difficulties that arise from the trauma of the incident. In severe cases, it may also cover post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Loss of Enjoyment of Life
When an injury results in a significant reduction in the ability to enjoy everyday activities, hobbies, and overall quality of life, compensation for the loss of enjoyment of life may be awarded. This recognizes the broader impact on an individual’s lifestyle and well-being.
Loss of Consortium
Loss of consortium refers to the negative impact an injury has on the relationship between the injured party and their spouse or family. This can include loss of companionship, affection, and sexual relations. These damages are typically claimed by the spouse or family members of the injured person.
Mental Anguish
Mental anguish damages are similar to emotional distress but focus more on the severe psychological impact that may not be as visible or immediate. This can cover long-term emotional suffering, deep psychological trauma, and enduring fear or grief.
Disfigurement and Scarring
When an injury results in permanent disfigurement or noticeable scarring, the individual may be entitled to compensation for the impact on their appearance and the associated emotional and psychological effects.
Loss of Reputation
In some cases, an injury or the circumstances surrounding it can damage an individual’s reputation. This is particularly relevant in cases where the injury affects one’s professional standing or social relationships.
Inconvenience
Non-economic damages can also cover the general inconvenience caused by the injury. This includes the disruption of daily life, the hassle of medical treatments, and the overall impact on the injured party’s routine.
Non-economic damages are inherently subjective and vary significantly from case to case. In West Palm Beach, as elsewhere, these damages are assessed based on the severity of the injury, the long-term impact on the individual’s life, and the specific circumstances surrounding the case. Proper representation and detailed documentation of these intangible losses are essential to ensure fair compensation.
Wrongful Death Damages
Our Palm Beach County team also represents clients after their loved one’s wrongful death. If negligence caused your loved one’s death in West Palm Beach, you could recover compensation and hold the at-fault party accountable with a wrongful death lawsuit.
Under Florida Statutes § 768.21, only the victim’s personal representative, usually the executor of their estate, can sue. Contact our team to learn more.
How Does a Personal Injury Attorney in West Palm Beach Help Injured Victims?
A West Palm Beach personal injury lawyer can handle your entire personal injury insurance claim for damages or lawsuit. We will build a compelling case and seek fair compensation while also providing you with case updates and fighting for your best interests. We will navigate the process on your behalf while you focus on getting treatment and healing from your injuries.
We have multiple $1,000,000+ payouts for clients. Some of our recent personal injury case results include:
- $7,130,000 verdict for a victim hurt in a commercial truck accident
- $6,500,000 settlement for a victim of a gas explosion
- $4,500,000 jury verdict for a man hurt in a scooter vs. motor vehicle crash
- $2,000,000 settlement in a wrongful death collision that killed a scooter operator
- $1,400,000 verdict for a doctor hurt in an auto accident
Our attorneys handle various kinds of West Palm Beach personal injury cases, including:
- Car accidents
- Truck accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
- Bicycle accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Golf cart accidents
- Boating accidents
- Slip and falls
- Defective products
- Medical malpractice
We Handle Cases on a Contingency Fee Basis
We go to work for our clients with no upfront fees. Following your free initial consultation, we will go to work as soon as you hire us. There is no need to pay a retainer. Instead, we receive our payment from a percentage of the money we recover for you. You do not pay unless and until we win.
How Does a West Palm Beach Personal Injury Attorney Know Who Is Liable in My Case?
Personal injury cases usually involve negligence. One party failed to uphold a duty of care to another, this caused an accident or incident, and the victim suffered injuries. In more simple terms, one party’s carelessness or recklessness hurt another. When we can present evidence to document what happened and who is legally liable, we can usually recover fair compensation for the victim.
Our West Palm Beach personal injury lawyers know the evidence to look for based on the type of incident or accident and other circumstances. We investigate every case we handle, gathering the necessary proof and documenting the client’s damages.
Some steps we often take to develop a compelling case for compensation include:
- Obtaining a police report, an incident report and other documents from first responders
- Seeking video footage of the incident
- Gathering witness statements
- Requesting relevant medical records
- Discuss prognosis, future care needs, and other topics with experts
- Documenting the expenses and losses incurred
How Can a West Palm Beach Attorney Recover Compensation in My Personal Injury Case?
There are several ways we recover compensation for our clients in a West Palm Beach personal injury case. These include:
- Personal injury lawsuits that settle
- Personal injury lawsuits, jury trials, and verdicts
- Mediation, arbitration, or other dispute resolution strategies
- Negotiating a fair settlement with the at-fault party’s insurance provider
The best approach for your case will depend on many factors. Out-of-court settlements, whether before or after filing a lawsuit, are most common.
What Is the Timeline for Filing a Personal Injury Lawsuit in WBP?
We recommend calling us as soon as possible after your injuries. The sooner we begin investigating what happened, the more likely we are to identify crucial evidence to hold the at-fault party accountable. If we cannot settle your claim for compensation, we could pursue a lawsuit, but we have only certain amount of time to do so.
There is a deadline for filing an injury lawsuit in West Palm Beach. Generally, the statute of limitations in a Florida personal injury case is two years from the date of injury, per Florida Statutes § 95.11(4)(a).
Discuss Your Legal Options With Our West Palm Beach Personal Injury Team
Ged Lawyers provides free initial consultations for victims hurt in personal injury accidents. We can review your case and answer your questions today.
Contact us using our online form or call our office to learn more.
