Tampa Personal Injury Lawyer

Tampa Personal Injury Attorney

If you or a loved one suffered an injury caused by someone else’s negligence in Tampa, you need help from a skilled Tampa personal injury lawyer.
People throughout Tampa, FL are injured every single day, and when they are, it is critical that they retain the services of a knowledgeable Tampa personal injury lawyer here at The Frank Santini Law Firm. Whether you’ve been injured in an auto accident, hurt while walking down the street, or you’ve been injured as a result of any other form of negligence on the part of another individual, you must hire a team of staunch advocates that has the experience and resources needed to fight for your right to heal. Our personal injury lawyer proudly represents all those who’ve been wrongly injured in Hillsborough County and its surrounding areas. Contact The Frank Santini Law Firm today for a seasoned attorney who is ready to fight in your corner.

Why Hire a Tampa Personal Injury Lawyer?

For over a decade, our Hillsborough County personal injury lawyer has proudly served clients across Hillsborough County, Florida who’ve been injured as a result of another party’s negligence. The Frank Santini Law Firm is dedicated to assisting the wrongly injured in Tampa, and you will realize this from your very first consultation with our firm.

Type of Personal Injury Cases We Handle in Tampa, FL

At The Frank Santini Law Firm, our Tampa personal injury lawyers are well-versed in handling numerous kinds of personal injury claims, from car accidents to serious injuries caused by medical malpractice.  Some of the various injury claims that our firm handles are as follows:

• Catastrophic Injuries
• Dog Bites
• Gas Explosions
• Medical Malpractice
• Product Liability
• Slip and Fall Accidents
• Sexual Abuse
• Work Injuries
• Wrongful Death

While all injury cases are very serious, some of the aforementioned cases are particularly emotionally devastating, such as wrongful death claims. For this very reason, you should understand that here at The Frank Santini Law Firm, our Tampa personal injury lawyer recognizes the sensitivity of these matters, and he will pursue your claim in the most compassionate way possible, all while efficiently fighting for the swift compensation you and your family deserve so you can move on with your lives.

Understanding Common Personal Injuries in Tampa

A personal injury claim in Tampa can be filed for a variety of accidents, all of which have the potential to cause severe physical, emotional, and financial harm. The following are some of the most common personal injury claims our firm sees here in Tampa:

• Motor Vehicle Accidents. Car accidents are a leading cause of personal injury cases, with collisions resulting in everything from minor injuries to life-threatening, permanent conditions. If you’ve been involved in a Tampa car accident, whether as a driver, passenger, or pedestrian, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
• Gas Explosions. Gas explosions are among the most destructive and terrible types of accidents. Whether caused by a gas leak in a building or a faulty gas line, these explosions can lead to severe burns, property damage, and even wrongful death. If you or a loved one has been injured in a gas explosion, we can conduct a thorough investigation into the cause, pursue the responsible parties, and fight for full compensation.
• Dog Bites and Animal Attacks. When a dog or another animal attacks, it can result in serious physical and emotional injuries. Dog bites can cause infections, scarring, and permanent damage, especially in children or elderly victims, which is why Florida law holds pet owners accountable for injuries their animals cause. If you’ve been bitten or attacked, our skilled legal team is prepared to fight for your rights.
• Medical Malpractice. Medical malpractice occurs when a healthcare professional fails to provide the standard of care expected, resulting in injury or harm to a patient. Whether it’s a misdiagnosis, surgical error, or medication mistake, The Frank Santini Law Firm has extensive experience handling medical malpractice claims and is prepared to fight on your behalf to ensure that you receive the compensation you deserve.
• Wrongful Death. Losing a loved one due to someone else’s negligence is a devastating experience. A wrongful death can happen in many ways, including car accidents, medical malpractice, or workplace accidents. If your loved one has died because of another party’s actions or negligence, we can help you pursue a wrongful death claim and can work diligently to secure justice for your family.
• Slip and Fall Accidents. Property owners have a legal obligation to keep their premises safe for visitors. When they fail to do so and someone is injured as a result, you may have a valid personal injury claim. Our attorneys are experienced in slip-and-fall cases and can help you seek compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
• Workplace Injuries. Workplace accidents are common, and they can happen in any setting. From construction site injuries to office accidents, employers have a duty to provide a safe working environment. If you’ve been injured on the job, we can help you secure workers’ compensation benefits, pursue third-party claims for negligence, and fight for the compensation you deserve for your injuries.
• Defective Products. When a product is defectively designed or manufactured, it can cause serious injuries or even death. Whether it’s a dangerous appliance, faulty vehicle part, or defective drug, the manufacturers, designers, or distributors of these products may be liable for injuries caused by their failures. We have experience handling product liability claims and can fight to hold the responsible parties accountable for your injuries.

From the physical pain of your injuries to the emotional and financial challenges that follow, the road to recovery can be long. Luckily, our skilled personal injury team at The Frank Santini Law Firm is here to support you through this journey.

Tampa Auto Accident Attorney

In today’s day and age, auto accidents happen more frequently than ever, and in large part, they occur as a result of distracted driving. However, driver negligence is not solely limited to distracted driving; many individuals are also injured by motorists who drive while under the influence of drugs or alcohol, driving while fatigued, speed, or otherwise disobey the rules and regulations of the road, and if you can prove that you’ve been injured as a direct result of another driver’s negligence, you should have a valid auto accident injury claim. The Frank Santini Law Firm handles a wide array of auto accident claims, including, but not limited to, the following.

• Boat Accidents
• Bus Accidents
• Car Accidents
• Motorcycle Accidents
• Pedestrian Accidents
• SUV Accidents
• Truck Accidents
• Uber/Lyft Accidents

Burden of Proof

The burden of proof is the standard you must meet to win your personal injury claim. As long as you and your Tampa personal injury lawyer can satisfy the burden of proof in your personal injury claim, you should win the financial compensation you deserve. Essentially, to satisfy the burden of proof, you will have to gather and present various forms of evidence that can prove that you were injured as a direct result of another party’s negligence. Some of the most useful forms of evidence include medical documents, witness testimony, pictures of the accident as it happened, surveillance footage of the accident, and more.

Recoverable Damages

When you win a personal injury lawsuit, you can recover compensation for two types of damages: economic damages and non-economic damages. Essentially, economic damages deal with the financial cost of an injury, and they will include the cost of medical bills, lost wages from being unable to return to work as a result of your injury, the cost of surgeries, and more. Non-economic damages deal with damages that have more of an emotional value, such as the loss of enjoyment of life, pain and suffering, and more. Though you cannot calculate these damages to a dollar amount, in a civil lawsuit, you can acquire monetary compensation to help ease the burden of the harm inflicted upon you.

The following are the varying types of damages that are available to victims of personal injuries in Tampa:

1. 1. Economic Damages. These damages are tangible, measurable financial losses that result directly from an injury. These losses can be documented and quantified. For example, economic damages in Tampa can include coverage for the following:
   2. Medical Expenses. You may be able to recover the cost of past, current, and future medical treatments related to your injury. This may include hospital bills, emergency room visits, surgery costs, physical therapy, medications, and any necessary medical equipment. If you require long-term care, future medical expenses can be projected and included in your claim.
   3. Lost Wages. If your injuries prevent you from working, you can recover wages lost due to missed work, including the value of vacation days, sick days, or unpaid leave. If you have to take a reduced role or part-time position because of your injuries, you can also recover the difference in income.
   4. Loss of Earning Capacity. If your injury affects your ability to perform your job or leads to permanent disability, you can recover damages for the reduced earning capacity over the course of your career. This may include career retraining costs if you must change professions due to your injury.
   5. Property Damage. If your property was damaged in an accident, such as your vehicle in a car crash, you can seek compensation for the repair or replacement costs.
   6. Non-Economic Damages. These damages are subjective losses that are harder to quantify but no less significant. Non-economic damages in Tampa compensate you for the pain, suffering, and emotional distress caused by your accident. The following are common non-economic damages in Tampa personal injury cases:
   7. Pain and Suffering. This category compensates victims for both the physical pain and the emotional trauma they’ve endured because of their injuries. Factors considered include the severity of the pain, the duration of recovery, and how the injury impacts your day-to-day life. In some cases, long-term or permanent pain may be considered when determining the amount of compensation.
   8. Emotional Distress. Injuries can also lead to psychological or emotional issues, like anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). If your injury has caused significant mental suffering, you may be able to recover compensation for emotional distress, especially if it has impaired your ability to function normally in both the personal and professional areas of life.
   9. Loss of Consortium. If your injury affects your relationship with your spouse, such as causing a loss of companionship, affection, or intimacy, your spouse may have grounds for a loss of consortium claim. This recognizes the emotional toll your injury has taken on the marriage or partnership.
   10. Loss of Enjoyment of Life. If the injury you sustained now prevents you from engaging in activities or hobbies you once enjoyed, you can seek compensation for the loss of enjoyment of life. This could include the inability to enjoy sports, travel, or other activities that previously contributed to your quality of life.

Damages aren’t limited to economic and non-economic damages, however. In certain cases, if the defendant’s actions were especially negligent, reckless, or irresponsible, the court may award punitive damages. These damages are not designed to compensate you for your injuries but to punish the defendant and deter others from acting the same way. Punitive damages are typically awarded in cases of extreme misconduct, such as drunk driving, assault, or intentional harm.

What Is the Total Value of Your Tampa Personal Injury Claim?

The value of your claim depends on several factors, including:

1. 1. • The severity of your injury
      • The extent of your medical treatments and future care needs
      • The impact the injury has on your ability to work and live life as you did before
      • The degree of the other party’s fault or negligence in the accident

An experienced Tampa personal injury lawyer can help you assess the total damages you are entitled to. At The Frank Santini Law Firm, our attorneys work closely with clients to understand the full impact of their injuries and pursue every avenue of compensation available to ensure they receive the justice they deserve.

By gathering detailed medical records, working with expert witnesses, and carefully reviewing the facts of your case, we can determine the full extent of your damages and fight to recover the compensation you need to move forward with your life.

Statute of Limitations in Florida For Personal Injury

The statute of limitations for personal injury claims in Florida is four years, which means that if you’ve been injured in an accident due to no fault of your own, you will have to speak with a Hillsborough County personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. Waiting any longer than four years from the date of an accident will most likely result in you being permanently time-barred from suing.

Furthermore, the longer you wait, the harder it will be to prove that your injuries are a direct result of an accident that happened several years ago. This is why the first thing you should do after receiving medical treatment is to give our knowledgeable firm a call. We are here to help fight for your rightful compensation today–do not wait another day.

FAQs

Q: Can a Personal Injury Settlement Affect My Taxes?

A: In most cases, compensation for physical injuries is not taxable under federal law. However, portions of your settlement, like punitive damages or compensation for lost wages, may be taxable. It’s essential to consult an attorney and an experienced tax preparer to understand the specific tax implications of your settlement.

Q: What Happens If the At-Fault Party Doesn’t Have Insurance in Tampa?

A: If the at-fault party doesn’t have insurance, you could still recover compensation through uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage if you have it. This type of coverage is designed to protect you in these kinds of situations. At The Frank Santini Law Firm, we can help you explore alternative avenues of compensation, such as pursuing personal assets of the at-fault party, to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.

Q: Can I File a Personal Injury Claim on Behalf of My Child in Tampa?

A: Yes. As a parent or legal guardian, you can file a personal injury claim on behalf of your minor child if your case meets the requirements. Compensation may cover medical expenses, pain and suffering, and long-term care if the injury impacts their future. Courts often require approval of settlements involving minors to ensure the child’s best interests are protected. Contact The Frank Santini Law Firm to get started.

Q: How Long Does It Take to Resolve a Personal Injury Case in Tampa?

A: How long it takes a personal injury case to be resolved depends on many different factors. These include the complexity of the claim, the severity of the injury, and whether a settlement can be quickly reached. Some cases may settle within a few months, while others may take years if they go to trial. Because of this, it’s essential to work with an experienced attorney who can help expedite the process and keep you informed about the timeline of your specific case.

Contact Our Tampa Personal Injury Lawyer

Here at The Frank Santini Law Firm, we understand that all too often, people sustain injuries in accidents caused by the negligence of another party. These accidents are unacceptable, and if your life was recently altered as a result of an accident that was simply not your fault, you must retain strong legal representation who will work towards the compensation you require to heal. For quality legal representation when you need it most, contact The Frank Santini Law Firm today.