Tampa Bay Personal Injury Attorney
An unexpected injury can instantly change your daily life. Beyond the physical pain, you may face hospital bills, time away from work, and pressure from insurance companies. For families, especially those dealing with injuries to children or long-term conditions, the emotional and financial stress can be even more intense. You may not know where to start, so legal help becomes essential.
Working with a personal injury lawyer gives you more than representation—it gives you peace of mind. While you focus on recovery, your attorney handles evidence, medical records, and insurance negotiations. With an advocate managing the legal process, you’re less likely to be overwhelmed or taken advantage of by adjusters.
At Shapiro Law Group, we bring over 30 years of experience in helping injured clients across Florida recover compensation for serious harm caused by others. Our clients receive personal attention from day one, and we only charge if we win your case.
Everything You Need to Know About Personal Injury Cases in Florida
Understanding the Legal Foundation
Florida personal injury law is based on negligence. This means that if someone fails to act with reasonable care—and that failure results in your injury—they can be held legally responsible. Whether it’s a distracted driver, a careless property owner, or a negligent medical provider, the law allows you to seek compensation for the damage they caused.
A Florida personal injury lawyer will assess whether the facts of your case meet the legal standard for negligence. This includes showing that a duty of care existed, it was breached, the breach caused harm, and you suffered real damages as a result.
Types of Medical Malpractice Cases We Handle
At Shapiro Law Group, our primary focus is on serious medical malpractice cases that result in life-altering injuries, especially those affecting children. These cases require deep understanding of medical standards, access to expert witnesses, and a thorough approach to litigation. Below are the types of cases we are regularly trusted to handle:
- Birth injuries such as cerebral palsy, brachial plexus injuries, and hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE)
- Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) and other vision-related injuries in premature infants
- Failure to diagnose or delayed diagnosis of serious conditions, including cancer or infections
- Surgical errors that result in permanent damage or wrongful death
- Medication errors, including incorrect dosages or prescribing the wrong drug
- Failure to monitor patients during or after medical procedures
- Obstetric negligence, including improper fetal monitoring or failure to respond to signs of fetal distress
Our firm is known for handling complex, high-damage cases that involve extensive medical evidence and long-term consequences. If your child or a loved one suffered harm due to medical negligence, a Florida personal injury lawyer from our firm can help you pursue accountability and compensation.
What Damages Are Available
Recoverable damages include both financial and non-financial losses. A successful claim may cover medical expenses, lost wages, future rehabilitation, pain and suffering, and emotional distress. For those dealing with permanent injury, the compensation may also reflect diminished quality of life and long-term care needs.
It’s important to recognize that initial settlement offers from insurance companies often do not reflect the full value of these damages. That’s where your attorney becomes essential—not only in calculating what the case is worth but also in negotiating firmly and effectively on your behalf.
Why Medical Documentation Is Crucial
One of the most critical pieces of any personal injury claim is medical documentation. Even if your symptoms seem manageable at first, seeking medical attention immediately helps establish a link between the incident and your injuries. A gap in treatment can be used by insurers to argue that your injuries weren’t serious or weren’t related to the event.
Your personal injury lawyer will work closely with you to obtain and organize your medical records, evaluations, and expert opinions. These documents form the foundation of your case and will influence how damages are assessed and justified.
What to Do in the First Days After an Injury
The early decisions you make can affect your ability to file a successful claim. Seeking medical care, keeping notes about the incident, and saving receipts all play a role in strengthening your position. If you’re physically able, take photos of the scene and note any witness information. Avoid discussing the situation publicly, particularly online, as even simple statements or photos can be taken out of context and used to challenge your claim.
It’s also best to avoid direct contact with insurance adjusters. Although they may appear helpful, their goal is often to resolve your case quickly and for the least possible amount. Saying the wrong thing—even unintentionally—can undermine your claim later. Having a Florida personal injury lawyer step in at this stage means you have someone protecting your interests from the start.
What to Avoid During the Claims Process
The steps you avoid are just as important as the ones you take. Below are some common mistakes that can significantly reduce your ability to recover compensation or damage your credibility during a case:
- Settling your case before fully understanding your long-term injuries or care needs
- Posting updates or photos on social media that may be used to downplay your injuries
- Failing to attend medical appointments or follow through with treatment plans
- Giving recorded statements to insurance adjusters without legal advice
- Waiting too long to speak with a personal injury attorney, risking missed deadlines or lost evidence
A strong case requires consistency, communication, and care. Your attorney can guide you through the process to help ensure that no preventable errors interfere with your recovery.
Why Waiting Can Cost You
In Florida, there is a legal deadline for filing personal injury claims. Generally, you have two years from the date of the incident to take legal action, though certain cases involving children or government-related injuries may have different rules. If you miss the deadline, you could lose the right to compensation entirely—even if the facts are clearly in your favor. That’s why timing is more than a technical detail. It’s a safeguard to protect your ability to recover.
Beyond legal deadlines, there are practical reasons to act quickly. Evidence can be lost, witnesses may forget important details, and insurance companies often use delay as a tactic. Medical records can also become harder to obtain over time, and your own memory of key events may fade. The longer you wait, the harder it may become to prove your case. Talking to a personal injury lawyer soon after the injury helps ensure that everything is documented while it’s still fresh and accurate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have a case even if the injury seems minor at first?
Yes. Some injuries develop over time or worsen in the days following an accident. A personal injury lawyer can help assess the full impact of your injury and determine whether compensation is appropriate based on medical records and long-term effects.
How long do I have to file a personal injury claim in Florida?
In most cases, Florida law gives you two years from the date of the injury to file a lawsuit. Certain exceptions apply, especially in cases involving minors or government entities, so it’s important to speak with a Florida personal injury lawyer as soon as possible.
Will I have to go to court for my case?
Many personal injury claims are settled without the need for a trial. However, if the insurance company won’t agree to a fair resolution, your attorney may recommend going to court to pursue the compensation you deserve.
How much compensation can I expect to receive?
The value of a personal injury case depends on the severity of your injuries, the cost of treatment, lost income, and the long-term impact on your quality of life. A personal injury attorney can evaluate these factors and give you a clearer sense of what your case may be worth.
Do I need to speak with the insurance company myself?
It’s usually better to let your lawyer handle those conversations. Insurance adjusters are trained to limit payouts, and even casual statements can be used against you. Having a Florida personal injury lawyer speak on your behalf protects your interests.
How much does it cost to hire your firm?
We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing upfront. Our firm only gets paid if we recover compensation for you, and your initial consultation is completely free.
