Stuart Personal Injury Lawyers
Serving Clients Throughout the Treasure Coast
At Smith, Ball & Báez, we devote 100 percent of our practice to personal injury law. This focused approach allows us to dedicate all of our time, efforts, and resources to helping victims of serious bodily injury and negligence fight for the fair compensation they are owed.
We help individuals and families with all types of personal injury matters, including cases involving:
- Boat accidents
- Car accidents
- Medical malpractice
- Motorcycle accidents
- Premises liability
- Product liability
- Truck accidents
- Wrongful death
We are proud to represent clients throughout Florida, including in Stuart and throughout the Treasure Coast. Our personal injury lawyers provide personalized and compassionate legal representation, with an emphasis on direct attorney-client contact and communication. As a client, you can expect to receive a high level of service from our entire staff as we fight tirelessly to maximize your recovery and help you get back on your feet.
Continue reading to learn more, or contact us today at (561) 500-HELP to get started with a free consultation with one of our Stuart personal injury lawyers.
Florida Personal Injury Laws & Your Rights
Under Florida personal injury laws, you are permitted to file a personal injury claim and/or lawsuit any time you are injured due to the negligent, wrongful, or intentional conduct of another. Generally speaking, if someone else was at least partly to blame for your injuries, you likely have the right to file a claim and receive compensation for your resulting damages.
One exception to this is when an injury results from a motor vehicle accident. Because Florida follows a no-fault car insurance system, you will typically need to file a claim with your own auto insurance provider after a car accident (with some exceptions). This allows you to recover compensation for certain covered losses, including a portion of your medical expenses and lost wages, regardless of who was at fault for the accident. If you wish to step outside the no-fault system and bring a claim against an at-fault driver’s insurance company or sue an at-fault driver directly for damages, you will need to prove that your injury meets the state’s “serious injury” threshold.
The Statute of Limitations Affects the Amount of Time You Have to File a Lawsuit
Every state, including Florida, has what is known as a “statute of limitations” on personal injury lawsuits. The statute of limitations refers to the amount of time you have to file your lawsuit; in Florida, the statute of limitations on most personal injury lawsuits is four years from the date of injury. For wrongful death lawsuits, the statute of limitations is just two years from the date of death.
While there are some exceptions, in most cases, you may not file a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit if the statute of limitations has expired. Because of this, it is incredibly important that you act quickly after a serious accident or the loss of a loved one. While it may seem that you have a long time to bring your claim, the years can pass quickly and, as time goes on, evidence can be lost. The sooner you reach out to our Treasure Coast personal injury attorneys at Smith, Ball & Báez, the sooner we can begin putting together a powerful legal strategy on your behalf.
What Types of Damages Can You Recover in a Personal Injury Lawsuit?
A personal injury lawsuit is a civil action, meaning the person or party that brings the claim (known as the “plaintiff”) seeks monetary compensation for certain losses, or “damages,” resulting from the defendant’s negligent or wrongful conduct.
While every case is unique, and the exact damages you may be entitled to receive will depend on the specifics of your situation, many people who file personal injury lawsuits are able to recover for:
- Past, current, and future medical expenses
- Past, current, and future lost income, wages, and benefits
- Loss of earning ability due to permanent injury, impairment, or disability
- Past, current, and future physical and mental pain and suffering
- Significant and/or permanent scarring and disfigurement
- Costs associated with in-home assistance and care
- Transportation and other miscellaneous expenses
When you schedule a complimentary consultation with our team at Smith, Ball & Báez, we can review the details of your case and determine which types of damages you may be eligible to receive, as well as the potential overall value of your claim. We are happy to discuss your concerns and answer any questions you may have; reach out to us today to get started!
Learn How Our Firm Can Fight for You & Your Recovery
Smith, Ball & Báez was founded with the goal of providing personal injury clients with a high level of legal representation and compassionate, client-focused service. Our attorneys bring decades of collective trial experience to their practice of law, and we have successfully recovered millions of dollars in compensation for our clients. We are known for actually trying cases; insurance companies are aware that we won’t back down from even the toughest of fights in our pursuit of fair compensation for our clients. This approach often allows us to recover the results our clients need to heal and move forward with their lives.
We provide our legal services on a contingency fee basis, meaning you do not owe any attorney fees unless/until we recover a settlement or verdict on your behalf. At the successful conclusion of your case, any outstanding legal fees, including costs associated with litigation, are paid via a percentage of your recovery. In the unlikely event that we do not recover a settlement or verdict in your case, you do not pay.
Get in touch with us today at (561) 500-HELP or contact us online and schedule a free consultation with one of our Stuart personal injury lawyers.
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
Award-Winning Attorneys
Our attorneys are committed to excellence and are recognized for their hard work with many accolades from the legal community.
-
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.
-
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.