Suffered a knee injury in Brandon? Let our experienced lawyer handle your case for maximum results!
Suffered a knee injury that wasn’t your fault? Dealing with insurance claims, medical bills, and lost wages from a knee injury can be overwhelming. That’s where a Brandon knee injury lawyer from Golden Injury Attorneys can help.
Quick Summary:
The Brandon-based Golden Injury Attorneys explain the function of a knee injury attorney in this article. It discusses knee injuries, post-injury care, damages, claim value, Florida’s personal injury statute of limitations, and the importance of legal representation.
Key Takeaways
- Car accidents, slips and falls, and occupational accidents can cause kneecap fractures, knee dislocations, and injury to the ACL
- After an injury, prioritize health, gather and document evidence, follow a treatment plan, file an insurance claim, and see a knee injury attorney.
- Knee injuries can cause economic, non-economic, and punitive damages, which can be complicated to calculate.
- The statute of limitations for personal injury cases in Florida is two years, however exceptions may apply.
- An experienced knee injury attorney with bargaining skills, good communication, persistence, and empathy can help you get a better compensation.
Looking for knee injury justice? Golden Injury Attorneys’ dedicated team knows personal injury law’s complexity. We’ll help you get the compensation you need to recuperate and reclaim your quality of life.
Don’t let a knee injury jeopardize your future; schedule a free consultation now. Contact us or chat with us using the chat box on the lower right of the screen.
What Is Knee Injury?
Injuries to ligaments, tendons, cartilage, bones, and muscles of the knee joint are called knee injuries. A fall, knee twist, or car accident could cause the injury.
Knee injuries are common. Sprains, strains, fractures, dislocations, and tears can arise from forceful twisting, knee bending, or a direct strike from sports, falls, or accidents.
Pain, swelling, and knee locking are common symptoms of these injuries. Fever, increased discomfort, and leg redness and warmth might indicate a knee infection, which can be catastrophic if left untreated.
Causes of Knee Injuries
Knee injuries can occur for various reasons. Still, some of the most common include:
Car Accidents
Car accidents, especially high-impact ones, can cause serious knee damage. The collision can cause a knee to hit the dashboard or steering wheel, causing serious injury.
Slip and Falls
Slip and fall accidents often result in knee injuries. When someone falls, they may twist their knee or land directly on it, causing strains, sprains, and fractures.
Workplace Accidents
Many knee injuries occur in workplace accidents, especially in physically demanding occupations. These include repetitive motion strains and fall or equipment accident injuries.
Types of Knee Injuries
Knee injuries can take many forms. Some of the most common include:
Kneecap Fracture
Kneecap fractures are often the result of a fall or direct blow to the knee. This injury can cause severe pain and difficulty walking or bending the knee.
Torn Meniscus
A torn meniscus often results from twisting or turning the knee while the foot is planted on the ground. Symptoms typically include pain, swelling, and difficulty bending the knee.
Knee Dislocation
Knee dislocation occurs when the bones that form the knee are forced out of alignment. This severe injury usually occurs due to high-impact trauma and requires immediate medical attention.
Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Injury
ACL injuries are pervasive in sports and can occur when a person changes direction rapidly or lands awkwardly from a jump. This injury can be excruciating and often requires surgery for treatment.
What Should I Do if I get a knee injury in an accident in Florida?
If you’ve suffered a knee injury in an accident in Florida, taking the right steps in response to the situation can make a significant difference.
- Prioritize your health: Seek immediate medical attention for your knee injury. Visiting a healthcare professional ensures proper evaluation and treatment.
- Gather evidence: Record all aspects of the accident and the injury, such as photographs, witness information, and a written account of the incident.
- Document expenses and damages: Compile a detailed list of all treatment costs, medical bills, lost wages, and other expenses resulting from the knee injury.
- Adhere to a treatment plan: Follow your healthcare provider’s recommendations to help recover. This includes attending follow-up appointments and engaging in physical therapy if necessary.
- File an insurance claim: In Florida, you may need to file a claim under your personal injury protection (PIP) insurance, depending on the severity of your injury, as Florida operates under a no-fault car insurance system.
- Consult a Brandon Knee Injury attorney: Florida knee injury claims are complicated, so finding a good lawyer to help you be compensated is crucial. They’ll explain your rights and the best line of action.
Calculating Damages for Knee Injuries
Damages associated with knee injuries can be divided into economic, non-economic, and punitive categories.
Economic Damages
These damages involve tangible, out-of-pocket expenses that occur due to the knee injury and can include
Medical Expenses: They often make up the most significant portion of economic damages in a claim. Examples are:
- Ambulance fees
- Hospital and doctors’ bills
- Costs associated with surgery (e.g., surgeon fees, operating room expenses, anesthesia)
- Radiology charges
- Follow-up care and prescription medication costs
- Expenses for medical equipment
- Pain management treatments
- Physical and occupational therapy bills
Lost Income: If you’ve missed work due to the injury, you will need proof of lost income and benefits. This could involve a letter from your supervisor or documentation if you’re self-employed.
If your injury is permanent and affects your livelihood, consider hiring an expert to calculate your future lost earnings. Consult a lawyer for guidance.
Other Out-of-Pocket Expenses: Compensation can be sought for other costs incurred because of the injury, such as:
- Hiring help with cleaning, driving, or childcare
- Reimbursement for non-refundable missed events, like travel, classes, or work conferences.
Non-Economic Damages
These less tangible damages represent the harder-to-measure aspects of an injury, such as:
- Pain and physical suffering
- Physical disability
- Loss of family, social, and educational experiences
- Emotional pain and suffering
Punitive Damages
Punitive damages do not apply to every case and are intended to punish the responsible party for particularly harmful or reckless behavior. These damages are separate from economic or non-economic damages and are awarded at the discretion of the court or jury.
Factors That Impact the Value of a Knee Injury Claim in Florida
In Florida, multiple elements can affect the worth of a knee injury claim. These factors include:
- Severity of the Injury: The claim’s potential value increases with the severity of the knee injury and the extent of treatment needed. This includes future medical needs like long-term therapy or operations.
- Medical Expenses: The value of a claim is influenced by the overall cost of medical care, both past and future. This covers hospitalization, surgery, physical therapy, pharmaceutical, and medical device charges.
- Lost Wages and Earning Capacity: If your knee injury has hindered your capacity to work, you may be entitled to compensation for lost wages and potential future earnings.
- Pain and Suffering: Compensation for non-economic damages like pain, suffering, emotional distress, or decreased quality of life is considered.
- Impact on Everyday Life: If your knee injury limits your daily activities, it may boost the value of your claim. This may affect family, social, and educational or job chances.
- Determining Fault: Florida now uses a modified comparative negligence rule for determining fault. Your knee injury claim may be reduced by your degree of fault in the accident.
- Strength of Evidence: More robust supporting evidence generally translates to a stronger claim. This might include medical records, witness accounts, or evidence from the accident scene.
- The Defendant’s Insurance Limit: The policy limit of the defendant’s insurance can also affect your claim. If the limit doesn’t cover your total damages, it could limit your recovery unless the defendant has extensive personal assets.
- Legal Representation: Legal representation from a skilled knee injury attorney in Florida might increase your chances of a greater payment. They state your case and deal with insurers well.
- Pre-Existing Conditions: If you had a pre-existing knee condition before the accident, it could decrease the value of your claim.
Given the broad range of factors, achieving an accurate estimate of your knee injury claim’s worth can be complex, highlighting the importance of consulting with a Florida knee injury attorney to guide you through the process.
Florida’s Statute of Limitations for Personal Injury Lawsuits
Florida’s statute of limitations for personal injury cases states that individuals have a two-year timeframe to file a negligence-based lawsuit in the state’s civil courts (refer to Florida Statutes Annotated section 95.11(3)). Negligence covers many accident scenarios, such as car accidents and slip-and-fall incidents. Thus, the two-year deadline applies to most personal injury cases in Florida.
Note: The two-year statute of limitations was enacted on March 24, 2023. If the injury occurred before this date, the previous four-year timeframe applies.
What If I Miss the Florida Personal Injury Statute of Limitations Deadline?
Failing to file a lawsuit within the designated two-year period could result in the court refusing the case and losing the opportunity to hold the responsible party accountable for damages. This underscores the importance of keeping this deadline in mind.
Extending the Personal Injury Statute of Limitations in Florida
In some cases, the discovery of an injury might happen long after the incident, potentially leading to an extension of the two-year deadline. In such situations, the “clock” may not start until there is a reasonable understanding of the nature of the injury.
There are other scenarios in which the deadline might be altered, such as when
- The injured person was legally incapacitated at the time of the accident.
- The alleged injury cause left Florida after the accident but before the lawsuit filing.
- The defendant attempted to conceal themselves in Florida or changed their name or identity to avoid being served with the lawsuit
Why Do I Need a Brandon Knee Injury Lawyer?
When dealing with a knee injury claim in Brandon, Florida, having a skilled and knowledgeable attorney on your side is crucial. Here are some attributes that make a good knee injury lawyer:
- Experience: Specialized experience handling knee injury cases, understanding the unique complexities and legal requirements
- Negotiation skills: Strong negotiation abilities to reach significant settlements with insurance companies
- Communication: Effective communication to keep clients informed and engaged throughout the legal process
- Persistence: The ability to prepare for trial and fight for your rights to receive maximum compensation
- Empathy: A genuine interest in your well-being and the willingness to help alleviate any concerns
With Golden Injury Attorneys, you can expect to find all these valuable qualities in our Brandon knee injury lawyers. Our team is dedicated to helping you get the best possible outcome in your case.
Take the first step toward pursuing the compensation you deserve by scheduling a free consultation. You can contact us by calling, submitting a form, or chatting with us using the chat box on the lower right of the screen.
Call our Brandon Knee Injury Lawyer Now!
Dealing with a knee injury can be a significant setback. This adversity affects physical health and brings emotional stress and financial strain due to medical expenses, potential loss of income, and other incidental costs. Trust the team at Golden Injury Attorneys to navigate this challenging journey with you.
Our attorneys are experienced, skilled, and compassionate and dedicate their services to protecting your interests. Having handled numerous knee injury cases, we have developed a deep understanding of the intricacies and legalities involved. We know how to build compelling cases, negotiate effectively with insurance companies, and argue persuasively in court if necessary.
In addition to knee injuries, we also provide a free consultation in related practice areas, including but not limited to
Don’t face this challenging journey alone; reach out to Golden Injury Attorneys today. Call us now and arrange a free consultation with our dedicated Brandon knee injury lawyer. Together, we can work towards securing the compensation you deserve for your injuries.
