Personal Injury Advocacy For Clients In Southwest Florida
Getting injured is scary enough before you consider all of the long-term consequences that come with it. You may be unable to work, facing steep medical bills and unable to make ends meet. Insurance coverage might help a little bit, but probably won’t be enough to cover your costs.
If your injuries were due to the negligence of another person, company or organization, you have the right to seek appropriate compensation through a personal injury lawsuit. In Fort Myers and surrounding parts of Southwest Florida, Cantor & Cantor is ready to vigorously advocate for you and your family both in and out of the courtroom.
Skilled Representation You Can Rely On
Our firm is ready to help you seek the compensation you deserve after a variety of accident scenarios, including:
- Motor vehicle crashes of all types
- Slip-and-fall injuries and accidents on dangerous property (premises liability cases)
- Dog bites and animal attacks
- Fatal accidents (wrongful death cases)
- Injuries caused by dangerous or defective consumer products
Have questions about personal injury law? We provide some answers on our frequently asked questions page. And if you’ve been injured at work, please see our workers’ compensation page for information on how we can help you seek benefits.
Not Afraid To Take On Insurance Companies
Insurance companies play a role in most personal injury cases. Florida’s unique auto insurance coverage requirements (including mandatory personal injury protection) gives insurers even more opportunities to attempt to limit and deny claims that should be covered. You may find that your own insurance company will look for any reason to avoid paying your claim, demonstrating that they are more concerned with their own profits than with working in your best interests.
Attorney Zack Cantor is very familiar with insurance company tactics and is not afraid to take cases to court if insurers are unwilling to negotiate or fail to offer reasonable settlements.
Answers To Common Personal Injury Questions
It is normal to have a lot of questions after being injured in an accident. Below, we have provided answers to some of the more common questions clients ask. After reading, feel free to contact us for answers to any additional questions you may have.
What can I seek compensation for in a personal injury lawsuit?
When you file a personal injury claim against someone who harmed you by acting negligently, you can seek compensation for a number of losses (also called damages). It is common to seek compensation for things like:
- Medical bills and future medical expenses
- Lost wages due to time unable to work
- Reduced earning capacity (if the injury left you disabled and unable to work at the level you once did)
- Property damage
- Permanent disfigurement
- Pain and suffering
The specific damages you seek as well as the dollar amounts will depend on the facts of your case.
Can I still sue someone for a car accident if I was partially at fault?
Yes, you can. Florida recognizes a legal principle known as comparative negligence. This means that both the plaintiff and the defendant may have been partially to blame for the accident that led to the plaintiff’s injuries, and compensation will be adjusted accordingly.
If you were in a car accident caused by a texting driver, for instance, fault for the accident rests largely with the other driver. But you may have been driving inattentively or maybe tried to speed through a yellow light at an intersection, contributing to the accident. If a jury determines you were 20% at fault for the crash and you win your case, your total monetary award will be reduced by 20% (the amount of fault assigned to you).
How long can I wait before filing a lawsuit?
Personal injury legal claims have an expiration date known as the statute of limitations. In Florida, the SOL for most personal injury matters is four years from the date of the accident/injury. That means you must begin the litigation process within that timeframe or risk losing the right to sue.
While you have up to four years to file a lawsuit, you shouldn’t wait this long. The longer you wait, the harder it may be to preserve evidence, witness statements and memories of the event. Plus, you likely need to cover medical bills and other expenses, meaning you’ll want to act quickly.
Can I afford a personal injury lawyer?
Yes, you can! Our firm takes personal injury cases on a contingency basis, meaning that you pay no money upfront, and you don’t pay any attorney fees until and unless we help you recover money. The attorney fees you pay will be a portion of your settlement or jury award (determined and disclosed in advance so that there are no surprises). We also offer free initial consultations, so you risk nothing by contacting us to discuss your legal options.
Discuss Your Case For Free With An Attorney Who Really Cares
Cantor & Cantor takes personal injury cases on contingency. This means you pay no legal fees unless we help you recover money. And because we also offer free initial consultations, you risk nothing by contacting us to explore your legal options. Cantor & Cantor is based in Fort Myers and serves clients throughout Southwest Florida. To schedule your first meeting with us, call 239-494-3164 or fill out our online contact form.