Lake Worth is a Florida city in Palm Beach County with a population of over 35,000 inhabitants. It is a dynamic, multicultural location situated in the heart of Palm Beach County. Residents and visitors can enjoy a round of golf or learn about the city by visiting its Historical Museum . Dining and entertainment close to the water are offered at the Lake Worth Casino Building and Beach Complex .
Despite the many attractions offered by this city, people are no freer from the risk of accidents there than anywhere else in the United States. If you’ve been hurt by someone else’s careless actions in Lake Worth, an experienced injury lawyer at Frankl Kominsky can guide you through the process of filing a personal injury lawsuit in Florida. We represent ordinary people in claims arising from car accidents, truck crashes, medical malpractice incidents, construction accidents, slip and falls, and more.
Auto Accidents in Palm Beach, Florida
Auto-related accidents such as car accidents, motorcycle crashes and accidents that have involved pedestrians are actually a leading cause of injuries in all of Palm Beach County.
Palm Beach County Emergency Room Visit Statistics
In Palm Beach County, the number of emergency room visits can present an indication of the seriousness of these personal injuries. Here, for example, we see in 2018:
- Cyclist: 171
- Pedestrian: 82
- Motor Vehicle (Unspecified): 1,081
- Motor Vehicle Total: 4,013
- Motorcycle Accident: 189
- Motor Vehicle Occupant: 2,490
Filing a Personal Injury Lawsuit in Florida
Reasonable care (or a duty of care) is usually defined as the level of care that the typical person would have used in the same or similar circumstances. Some settings, such as one involving medical care, may require a different standard.
There are countless ways to violate a duty of care. For example, a driver speeding on a state highway likely is breaching his or her duty of care to drive safely. Other examples of a person breaching the duty of care may include a physician who misdiagnoses a patient’s illness or a commercial driver who doesn’t comply with federal and state trucking regulations.
When someone violates the duty of care and causes harm as a result, that individual or company may be liable for damages. A victim can hold a defendant accountable by establishing the following elements:
- The defendant owed the victim a duty of care;
- The defendant breached the duty of care;
- The victim was injured in an accident caused by the breach; and
- The injuries resulted in actual damages.
Once an accident victim establishes liability, he or she may be entitled to compensation for their damages. Depending on the gravity of the harm, the injured person may be able to recover past, present, and future medical bills, lost income and benefits, pain and suffering, rehabilitation costs, property damage, and any other costs associated with the accident.
The Types of Personal Injury Claims That We Are Available to Handle in Lake Worth
- Motorcycle and Scooter Injury Claims : There have been motorcyclists who were injured in crashes caused by drivers who have been speeding, driving drunk, or were distracted by electronic texting
- Boat, Cruise, or Jet Ski Injury Claims: There have been passengers who were injured due to lack of necessary medical supplies, going at an excessive speed, boat malfunctions or striking another boat/watercraft
- Bus Injury Claims: There have been passengers who were injured because the owner of the bus or the bus operator failed to maintain the bus, was somehow distracted, was driving while overly fatigued or was driving while under the influence of intoxicating substances
- Slip, Trip and Fall and Premises Liability Claims : There are those who have been injured in a slip and fall at a grocery or department store, private property/home or in a parking lot.
- Bicycle and Pedestrian Accident Claims : victims who have been seriously hurt by a reckless or a distracted driver
- Car and Auto Accidents Claims : accidents involving a negligent or reckless driver
What Are Some of the Most Common Injuries Following an Accident?
The types of injuries that are usually seen by injury lawyers serving Lake Worth may result in many different mental and physical issues. Some of these include:
- Injuries to the neck and back
- Whiplash
- Paralysis due to spinal damage
- Traumatic brain injury
- Permanent facial and body scars
- Muscular Injuries
- Bone dislocations and fractures
What Should You Do After Being Injured in Lake Worth, Florida?
If you’ve been injured, these are some things that you should remember:
- Report the accident and injury to the authorities and property owner
- Lake Worth Police Department | (561) 586-1608
- If possible, document the scene of the accident with videos, photos, and witness statements
- Seek Immediate Medical Care from a qualified medical professional. You can visit your own doctor or a local hospital.
- Example: Select Specialty Hospital | (561) 357-7200
- Keep a record of your medical treatment and how the injury has impacted your life. Also, make sure to keep a copy of all medical expenses and provide it to your accident lawyer.
- Find an experienced personal injury lawyer nearby for a Free Consultation
What To Avoid After An Accident & Injury in Lake Worth, Florida
- We do not recommend you putting off medical treatment or neglecting your health. This could cause further health issues.
- We do not recommend speaking with the insurance company, not even yours, without consulting an injury lawyer.
- That said, we do not recommend trying to negotiate a quick settlement either.
- We do not recommend you posting any photos, statements, or complaints on social media including Facebook and Instagram. This could potentially negatively impact your claim.
If you’ve lost a loved one due to the negligence of someone else, you may be able to file a wrongful death lawsuit against whoever was responsible. These cases are highly complex and must be filed within strict timelines. If you think you may have a wrongful death claim, you should consult a Florida attorney immediately.
Florida Statute of Limitations: Lake Worth Injury Claims
Florida Statute of Limitations section 95.11(3)(a) applies to a plaintiff filing a lawsuit in Florida on a civil action founded in negligence (which typically includes nearly all individuals with a personal injury claim based on a car accident). The statute of limitations for personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits differ. In Florida, you must file a personal injury lawsuit within two years from the date of the accident. In wrongful death cases, the time frame to file is two years from the date of the death. If you fail to file your lawsuit within the applicable statute of limitations, your lawsuit will likely be dismissed and you will be barred from pursuing your claim. Of course, there are exceptions to these limitations, however, they are quite rare and should be discussed with an experienced personal injury lawyer.
Pursuing Compensation After a Florida Accident
People who were hurt because of the carelessness of another person or entity often can file a negligence lawsuit against the responsible party. Negligence is generally defined as the failure to take reasonable care to minimize the risk of foreseeable harm to others.
These types of claims require an injured person to show that the defendant had a duty of care, which means acting as a reasonably prudent person would have acted in a similar situation. For example, in the context of driving a vehicle, the duty of care typically consists of obeying traffic laws and not jeopardizing the safety of others on the road.
Unfortunately, negligent behavior causes many accidents in Lake Worth because people and entities often fail to meet this standard of reasonable care. Beyond drivers, the duty also extends to owners of property, including stores, restaurants, and hotels. These businesses are legally obligated to ensure that their premises are generally in safe condition for guests, customers, or patrons.
In the medical malpractice context, physicians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals are held to a more specific standard of care when they are treating patients. This is defined as what the ordinary medical professional in the relevant specialty would do in a similar situation.
To prove that a defendant acted negligently, a victim must not only establish that the defendant failed to act in a reasonable manner, but also that this breach caused injuries and damages. It should also be noted that Florida follows a comparative negligence system ( Florida Statute 768.81 ). This means that if the victim was partially at fault for the accident, the compensation award will be reduced by the percentage of his or her fault. For example, if the victim is deemed to be 30 percent at fault, he or she may be able to recover 70 percent of the total damages.
If you’ve lost a loved one through someone else’s negligence, you may be eligible to pursue a wrongful death claim against that party. While no amount of money can ever replace your loved one, monetary compensation can help ease the financial burdens that are often associated with such a loss.
Personal Injury Claims: Types of Damages You Can Pursue
- Pain and Suffering
- Lost Wages and Loss of Future Income
- Past and Future Medical Care and Treatment
- Including: Home health care, wheelchairs, walkers, lifts, and long-term care facilities
- Property Damage
- Home Renovation for Accessibility
Most Common Injuries Following an Accident
- Cuts, Scrapes, and Bruising
- Head and Brain Injuries
- Broken or Fractured Bones
- Internal Bleeding
- Whiplash
- Injuries to the Spine
- Herniated Discs
- Injuries to the Hip, Knee or Elbow
Palm Beach County: Benefits of Hiring a Personal Injury Lawyer
If you or a loved one becomes injured in an accident, your priority should be to seek out medical care and focus on your treatment and recovery. The claims process can be complex and frustrating and may cause the additional stress of having to deal with insurance companies, property damage, getting your medical records, and calculating lost wages.
At Frankl Kominsky, our legal team can try to help relieve your stress by beginning a claim for your injuries, property damage, setting up a car rental, obtaining medical records, and requesting the police reports in order to try and establish a claim against the at-fault party.
Start Your Free Personal Injury Consultation Today
If you or a loved one has been harmed because of the carelessness of someone else, it is important to understand your legal rights.
At Frankl Kominsky Injury Lawyers, we pride ourselves on providing dedicated legal representation and superior client services. Each client has an entire team of legal professionals working on their behalf and offers 1-on-1 attention and care.
- Over 600 Verified Client Reviews
- Over $200 Million in Accident & Injury Settlements
- Over 40 Years of Combined Legal Experience
- Stay Informed with Fast Response Times - Routine Calls and Emails
- No Fee Unless We Recover
Serving clients in and around Lake Worth, the personal injury attorneys at Frankl Kominsky can explore the details of your situation and discuss your legal options with you. We take pride in getting to know each of our clients on a personal basis and developing strategies tailored to them. We represent clients throughout Palm Beach County.
To learn more about how we may be able to assist you, contact us online or call us toll-free at (561) 567-0214. We are fluent in Spanish and Creole.