How Much Is My Florida Personal Injury Settlement Worth?
In Florida, personal injury attorneys determine damages for an injury depending on the types of damages available. There are three possible types of damages in a car accident claim.
- Punitive damages
- Economic damages
- Non-economic damages
The type and total of damages that you might be awarded will depend on the circumstances of your claim.
The Multiplier Method
Florida attorneys often use something called “the multiplier method” to figure out non-economic damages. Using this method, the estimation of your economic damages is multiplied by a number from one to five.
The worse your injuries are, the greater your multiplier number is. The final total is the estimated sum of your non-economic damages.
The Tort Threshold
In nearly all personal injury cases, you will have to prove that your injuries exceed Florida’s tort threshold in order to be considered for non-economic damages. Under Florida law, the types of injuries that normally surpass this threshold include:
- Permanent injury within a reasonable degree of medical probability
- Substantial and lasting loss of important bodily functions
- Death
- Disfigurement and scarring
If your injuries fall under one or more of these groups, you may be entitled to receive non-economic damages.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages, otherwise known as general damages, are very subjective and less precise than their economic equivalents. Examples of non-economic damages include:
- Reduced quality of life
- Loss of consortium
- Pain and suffering
A Florida personal injury attorney will be able to help you ascertain whether or not you are eligible to collect non-economic damages due to your injury and calculate their value.
Economic Damages
Economic damages, or “special damages,” are intended as compensation for financial damages caused by the accident. Examples of special damages include:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- The cost of continuing medical treatment
- Property damage
- Decreased earning capacity
To estimate economic damages, your attorney will add up the receipts from your fixed expenses. Determining the price of future medical care and diminished earning potential can, however, be very difficult to estimate.
As with every kind of personal injury case, the endless number of variables makes your claim unique. Someone with a case that sounds very similar to yours could end up with a very different outcome than what you should expect. This is just one of the many reasons why hiring a skilled attorney is beneficial to your Tampa personal injury claim.
Your attorney will know the most thorough and efficient way of collecting vital evidence that proves you were not at fault for the accident. Establishing this fact is essential to the success of your Tampa personal injury case.
If you have sustained injuries during any kind of accident that was caused by another person’s negligence or carelessness, there is evidence out there that will substantiate your claim. A reputable personal injury attorney from Fulgencio Law will be able to help you. Call us at (813) 463-0123 to schedule your free Tampa personal injury consultation today.
