Personal Injury Attorney Orlando, Florida 

At Reese Legal, we represent individuals across Florida who have been hurt due to someone else’s careless or reckless behavior. Personal injury law is designed to protect people when their lives are disrupted by accidents, and it allows injured individuals to recover the financial support they need to heal and move forward.

Whether it's a car crash, a slip and fall, or an injury caused by a dangerous product, personal injury law gives Floridians the right to seek compensation when another party is at fault. In this article, we’ll explain the basics of personal injury claims in Florida, how liability is determined, and what steps you can take if you’ve been injured.

What Is a Personal Injury Claim?

A personal injury claim arises when someone suffers harm due to another person’s actions or failure to act. Florida law recognizes a broad range of injuries—both physical and emotional—that may result from incidents like auto accidents, medical malpractice, workplace injuries, and defective products.

Unlike criminal cases, which are brought by the government, personal injury cases are civil in nature. This means the injured person (the plaintiff) sues the responsible party (the defendant) to recover money damages. These damages can cover medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and property damage.

We handle a wide range of personal injury matters and help our clients understand the legal process from start to finish. Every case starts with a careful investigation into how the injury happened, who is responsible, and what losses have occurred.

Florida’s Legal Standard for Negligence

Most personal injury cases in Florida are based on the legal principle of negligence. This means that the injured person must prove the other party failed to act with reasonable care under the circumstances. In legal terms, negligence requires four elements:

1. The defendant owed the plaintiff a duty of care.
   

2. The defendant breached that duty.
   

3. The breach caused the plaintiff’s injuries.
   

4. The plaintiff suffered damages as a result.

For example, a driver has a duty to obey traffic laws and operate a vehicle safely. If that driver runs a red light and causes an accident, they’ve breached their duty. If someone is injured because of that, the driver may be held liable under personal injury law.

We focus on gathering the facts and building a strong legal argument for each of these elements. This often involves collecting evidence such as police reports, surveillance footage, witness statements, and medical records.

Florida’s Comparative Fault Rule

Florida follows a modified comparative fault rule for personal injury cases. Under this system, your compensation can be reduced if you’re found partially at fault for the accident—but only if you are less than 51% responsible. If you are 51% or more at fault, you are barred from recovering damages.

For example, if a court finds you were 20% responsible for your own injury and your total damages were $100,000, you would be entitled to $80,000. That 20% reduction reflects your share of responsibility.

This rule highlights the importance of having legal representation that knows how to counter blame-shifting tactics from insurance companies or opposing parties. We work to make sure our clients are not unfairly blamed or misrepresented in the legal process.

Common Types of Personal Injury Claims in Florida

We’ve handled many different types of personal injury cases throughout Florida. Here is a list of the most common claims we see and represent:

1. Auto Accidents – These are among the most frequent causes of personal injury claims. Florida’s no-fault insurance system requires that your own insurer pays for initial medical bills, but serious injuries may allow you to pursue damages from the at-fault driver.
   

2. Slip and Fall Accidents – Property owners have a duty to maintain safe conditions. If you slip on a wet floor or fall due to broken steps, the owner may be held liable for failing to correct the hazard.
   

3. Medical Malpractice – When a healthcare provider’s mistake causes harm, such as surgical errors or misdiagnoses, you may have grounds for a personal injury claim.
   

4. Wrongful Death – If a loved one dies due to someone else’s negligence, surviving family members may file a wrongful death claim for damages like lost income, funeral costs, and emotional suffering.
   

5. Dog Bites – Florida law holds dog owners strictly liable when their pet bites someone, regardless of the animal’s past behavior.
   

6. Defective Products – Manufacturers and sellers can be held liable for injuries caused by faulty products, such as car parts, appliances, or medications.
   

7. Workplace Accidents – While many work-related injuries fall under workers’ compensation, some cases—like injuries caused by a third party—can lead to additional personal injury claims.

Each case is unique, but the goal remains the same: to recover fair compensation for the harm suffered.

Time Limits Under Florida Law

Personal injury claims must be filed within a certain period of time, known as the statute of limitations. In Florida, most personal injury claims must be filed within two years from the date of the injury. If the claim is not filed in time, it can be permanently barred.

There are some exceptions, such as cases involving minors or situations where the injury wasn’t discovered right away. But these are limited. That’s why we urge anyone injured due to another’s actions to speak with an attorney promptly. Acting early helps protect your right to file a claim and gives your case the best chance for success.

Damages Available in Personal Injury Cases

Under Florida law, personal injury victims may be entitled to several types of damages. These fall into two categories: economic damages and non-economic damages.

Economic damages include:

• Medical bills (past and future)
  

• Lost wages
  

• Reduced earning capacity
  

• Property repair or replacement

Non-economic damages include:

• Pain and suffering
  

• Emotional distress
  

• Loss of enjoyment of life
  

• Disfigurement or permanent disability

In rare cases, punitive damages may also be awarded if the defendant acted with intentional misconduct or gross negligence. These are meant to punish and deter similar conduct in the future.

We carefully calculate damages by working with medical professionals, economists, and other qualified individuals who can explain how the injury has affected our client’s daily life and future opportunities.

How Insurance Companies Respond

One of the most difficult parts of any personal injury case is dealing with insurance companies. Their goal is to protect their bottom line, which often means offering less than what your claim is truly worth.

We’ve seen insurance adjusters delay claims, deny liability, or pressure injured individuals to accept low settlements. Our job is to push back with facts and documentation. We handle negotiations and, when necessary, take cases to court.

Insurance companies know that we come prepared and that we will not accept anything less than a fair outcome. That often leads to better offers without going to trial—but if trial becomes necessary, we’re ready to proceed.

What to Do If You’ve Been Injured

If you’ve suffered an injury, your actions in the days and weeks afterward can affect your ability to recover damages. Here’s what we recommend:

• Get medical attention immediately. Some injuries aren’t obvious right away.
  

• Report the incident to the appropriate party (employer, property owner, police).
  

• Document everything—photos, witness names, and a written account of what happened.
  

• Avoid speaking with the other party’s insurance company before getting legal advice.
  

• Contact an attorney who focuses on personal injury law in Florida.

We offer consultations so people can understand their rights and decide how to move forward. There's no obligation, and it can help you make informed decisions about your case.