Fort Pierce Personal Injury Lawyer
Filing a Personal Injury Claim in St. Lucie County
If you or someone you love was involved in a motor vehicle accident, hurt on someone else’s property, or otherwise injured due to the negligent conduct of another, you could be entitled to financial compensation—and Smith, Ball & Báez can help. Our firm has earned a reputation throughout St. Lucie County and the surrounding areas for providing highly personalized and attentive legal services. Our Fort Pierce personal injury lawyers have decades of experience and a long history of success in securing the results our clients need to heal and move forward with their lives.
Learn how our team can help you after a serious accident or injury; call (561) 500-HELP or contact us online to schedule a free consultation.
How Long Do You Have to File a Personal Injury Lawsuit in Florida?
The amount of time you have to bring a personal injury lawsuit is governed by the statute of limitations. In Florida, the statute of limitations on personal injury lawsuits is typically four years from the date of injury or the date on which the injury was discovered/became discoverable. While there are some exceptions, in most cases, if you fail to file a personal injury lawsuit within four years of being injured, the court will dismiss your case.
How Are Damages Calculated in Florida Personal Injury Cases?
The primary purpose of filing a personal injury claim is to recover compensation for economic and non-economic losses, or “damages,” resulting from an accident or injury.
Examples of economic and non-economic damages include:
- Past, current, and future medical expenses
- Past, current, and future lost income/wages
- Past, current, and future pain and suffering
- Lost or diminished earning capacity
- Lost or diminished enjoyment/quality of life
- Disfigurement, inconvenience, and emotional distress
- Miscellaneous out-of-pocket expenses, such as transportation costs
Generally speaking, victims may be entitled to full compensation for economic damages, or losses associated with a specific monetary value. But how are non-economic damages, or intangible losses, calculated?
Most often, the court will weigh a variety of factors when determining the value of non-economic damages, like pain and suffering. These factors may include:
- The severity of the injury
- The nature and extent of the victim’s damages
- The total cost of medical care, including projected future expenses
- The impact of the injury on the victim’s life
- The victim’s ability to reenter the workforce or obtain gainful employment
- The percentage of fault the victim had (if any) in contributing to or causing the accident
These and other factors, including set formulas, are used to calculate pain and suffering damages, as well as other intangible, non-economic damages associated with all types of accidents and injuries. While it is not possible to accurately predict how much you may be able to recover for your damages, our Fort Pierce personal injury attorneys can sit down with you during a free consultation and review the specific details of your case. We can provide more information regarding your particular legal options and the potential overall value of your case.
How Our Team Can Help
Getting back on your feet after a serious accident can be challenging, but with the Smith, Ball & Báez team by your side, you can focus on your physical recovery while we handle the legal details of your case.
Our attorneys represent clients in all types of personal injury matters, including cases involving:
Our team is also highly experienced in complex cases involving catastrophic injuries, product liability, premises liability, and medical malpractice, among others. No matter how challenging your situation may be, or how serious your injuries are, our team is here to fight for you.
When you turn to Smith, Ball & Báez, help is just a call away. Reach out to us today to learn how our personal injury lawyers in Fort Pierce can assist you with your no-fault insurance claim or third-party lawsuit. We do not collect any legal fees unless/until we recover a settlement or verdict for you.
Get started with your free consultation by calling (561) 500-HELP or by contacting us online.
What Sets Us Apart
Committed to Fighting for Justice for the Injured-
Over $100 Million Recovered
Our results speak for themselves, and our team is dedicated to winning for you.
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AV-Rated With Martindale Hubbell
We are ranked by the most prestigious peer review rating an attorney can receive for high ethical standards and professional ability.
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Over 65 Years of Experience
With over 65 years of combined experience, our attorneys know what it takes to win for you while adhering to the highest ethical standards.
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Award-Winning Attorneys
Our attorneys are committed to excellence and are recognized for their hard work with many accolades from the legal community.
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We're Not Afraid to Litigate
We're trial lawyers at heart and don't shy away from the courtroom; we'll put our compassionate tenacity to work for you.
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A Florida Firm With Extensive Resources
No case is too big; we'll utilize our large network of experts, connections in the legal community, and deep well of resources to help you win.