Florida’s New Tort Reform Laws: What Tampa Injury Victims Need to Know

Recent changes to Florida’s civil justice system have dramatically altered the landscape for personal injury claims, especially for residents of Tampa and surrounding areas. These reforms, passed in 2023, were intended to reduce frivolous lawsuits and insurance costs, but they’ve also made it more challenging for injured victims to pursue full compensation. If you’ve been hurt in a car accident, slip and fall, or another incident caused by negligence, understanding how these laws affect your rights is more important than ever. A skilled Tampa personal injury lawyer from Fulgencio Law can help you navigate these updates and build a strong case under the new rules.

Modified Comparative Negligence: A Major Shift

One of the most significant changes is Florida’s shift from a pure comparative negligence system to a modified comparative negligence rule. Under the new law, if a victim is found to be more than 50% at fault for their injuries, they are barred from recovering any damages.

This means:

• If you’re found 49% at fault, you can still recover compensation, but it will be reduced by that percentage.
• If you’re found 51% or more at fault, you cannot recover anything, even if someone else was partially responsible.

This change puts more pressure on injury victims to prove the other party’s fault and defend against exaggerated claims of their own liability.

Shortened Statute of Limitations

The new law also reduced the statute of limitations for filing personal injury lawsuits from four years to just two years. That’s a significant cut in the time available to gather evidence, assess damages, and file suit.

This affects a wide range of injury cases, including:

• Car accidents on busy Tampa roadways like Interstate 275 and Dale Mabry Highway
• Premises liability incidents, such as slips and falls at local businesses
• Dog bites, product liability, and other negligence-related claims

Failing to act quickly under the new deadline could result in losing the right to pursue compensation entirely.

Increased Protection for Insurance Companies

Another controversial aspect of the reform package involves protections for insurance companies. The laws make it harder to bring bad faith claims against insurers that delay or deny legitimate settlements. This can limit the pressure on insurers to offer fair compensation promptly, placing the burden on the injured party to escalate the matter through legal action.

Are you a Tampa Injury Victim? Call Fulgencio Law Today

These reforms are already affecting how personal injury cases are handled in Tampa courts. Victims must now work harder to preserve their rights and act more quickly than ever before. Insurance companies are adapting fast, often using the new laws to limit payouts and shift blame.

That’s why it’s critical to consult a knowledgeable legal professional. At Fulgencio Law, our experienced team of Tampa personal injury lawyers is ready to help you protect your rights under Florida’s new tort laws. Whether you’ve been hurt in a car crash, slip and fall, or another accident, we’re here to guide you through the legal process and fight for the compensation you deserve.

Call us today at (813) 463-0123 for a free consultation. Don’t wait; your time to file may already be running out.