The first settlement offer arrives sooner than you expect. It is a single number, presented as a fast, simple solution to cover your immediate medical bills. The insurance adjuster might call it a fair gesture to help you move on.
What they will not mention is the surgery your doctor says you might need in a year, the future physical therapy sessions, or the income you will lose if your injury prevents you from returning to your old job.
Their offer is not about your future but about closing their file. Accepting it means the case is over, regardless of what costs arise later. You need someone to calculate the true lifetime cost of your injury.
That is the work of experienced Port St. Lucie Personal Injury Lawyers. Rosenthal, Levy, Simon, & Sosa analyze these premature offers and counter with a comprehensive valuation of your actual damages.
We build a case based on the whole picture, not just the immediate expenses.
Schedule A Consultation Today
Meet with one of our South Florida personal injury lawyers to learn how we can make a difference in your case.
Call Us (866)-640-7117
Key takeaways about personal injury lawyers in Port St. Lucie
- A personal injury claim in Florida is based on proving that another party's negligence—their failure to act with reasonable care—was the direct cause of your injuries.
- The full extent of your damages, including medical costs, lost income, and the non-economic impact of pain and suffering determines the value of a claim.
- Florida's statute of limitations sets a strict deadline for filing a personal injury lawsuit, typically two years. Missing this deadline may forfeit your right to seek compensation.
- Evidence from the scene of the incident is vital. Documenting everything you can and speaking with a lawyer quickly helps preserve crucial information.
- A local law firm with an office in Port St. Lucie offers direct, accessible support and a firsthand familiarity with the local courts and community.
What Constitutes a Personal Injury Claim in Port St. Lucie?
A personal injury claim is a legal action you can take if you were harmed by the wrongful actions or inaction of another person, company, or entity. The foundation of nearly every personal injury case is the legal concept of negligence.
The principle of negligence
Negligence occurs when someone fails to exercise a reasonable level of care, and that failure results in injury to another person.
For example, a driver who runs a red light or a store owner who fails to clean up a spill is acting negligently. Your claim must show a direct link between this negligent act and the injuries you sustained.
Types of Personal Injury Cases We Handle
Negligence can manifest in countless ways, leading to various accidents and injuries. Our firm has extensive experience representing clients across a broad spectrum of personal injury matters here in Port St. Lucie.
While each case's circumstances are unique, they are all built on the same core principle of holding a negligent party accountable for the harm they cause.
- Crashes involving cars, trucks, and motorcycles: Representing victims of serious collisions on U.S. 1, St. Lucie West Boulevard, and other local roadways.
- Incidents on dangerous property (Premises Liability): Assisting those injured due to unsafe conditions like poor lighting, broken stairs, or lack of security at a business.
- Slips, trips, and falls: Handling claims for injuries caused by spills, uneven flooring, or other hazards that a property owner should have addressed.
- Catastrophic injuries: Providing dedicated legal support for cases involving traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, and other life-altering harm.
- Wrongful death claims: Representing families who have lost a loved one due to the negligence or misconduct of another party.
Each situation requires a specific legal approach and a deep investigation to establish liability. Our team has the knowledge and resources to manage these complex claims effectively, working to build a compelling case based on the specific facts of your incident.
Establishing Negligence: The Framework of Your Claim
Your lawyer must prove four specific elements to succeed in a personal injury claim. These elements form the legal framework for establishing negligence and demonstrating why the at-fault party is legally responsible for your damages.
A strong case requires clear and convincing evidence to support each of these four points. The failure to prove even one of them can prevent a successful recovery.
- Duty of Care: You must show that the defendant owed you a legal duty to act with reasonable care. For example, every driver has a duty to operate their vehicle safely and obey traffic laws.
- Breach of Duty: Next, you must prove that the defendant breached this duty through a careless action or inaction. Running a stop sign or failing to repair a known hazard are clear breaches of duty.
- Causation: You must establish a direct link between the defendant's breach of duty and your injuries. The evidence must show that your injuries would not have occurred "but for" the defendant's actions.
- Damages: Finally, you must demonstrate that you suffered actual losses, or damages, as a result of the injury. These damages can include medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Building a case that satisfies all four of these legal requirements demands a thorough investigation and a strategic presentation of the evidence. Our attorneys work meticulously to gather police reports, medical records, witness statements, and expert testimony to construct a powerful argument on your behalf.
Compensation You May Pursue in a Florida Injury Claim
A personal injury claim seeks to recover compensation for how an injury has impacted your life. These losses, known as "damages," fall into two main categories: economic and non-economic.
A comprehensive claim includes a full accounting of both.
Economic damages
Economic damages are the tangible, verifiable financial losses you have incurred because of your injury. These are the costs that can be calculated from bills, receipts, and financial records. They often include:
- All past, current, and future medical expenses
- Lost wages and income from time away from work
- Loss of future earning capacity if you cannot return to your job
- Costs for rehabilitation, physical therapy, and medical equipment
Non-economic damages
Non-economic damages compensate you for the intangible, personal suffering caused by the injury. While these losses do not have a specific price tag, they represent the very real human cost of the incident. These damages may include:
- Physical pain and suffering
- Emotional distress and mental anguish
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Permanent disfigurement or scarring
A thorough evaluation of your case ensures that all of your losses are identified and documented. This detailed accounting is essential for pursuing a settlement or verdict that truly reflects the full impact of your injury.
Why Choose Rosenthal Levy Simon & Sosa in Port St. Lucie?
When you are facing a difficult recovery, you need a legal team that is not only highly skilled but also accessible and committed to your community. Our firm offers dedicated legal support right here in Port St. Lucie.
A local office, a local commitment
With our office conveniently located at 1660 St. Lucie West Boulevard, we are a true part of the Port St. Lucie community. We are not a firm that operates from a distant city.
Our attorneys live and work here, familiarizing us with the local courts, legal procedures, and the specific challenges our neighbors face.
Bilingual services for our diverse community
Port St. Lucie is a vibrant and diverse city. To serve all members of our community, our firm is proud to have bilingual, Spanish-speaking attorneys and staff. We ensure that language is never a barrier to receiving high-quality legal representation. You can discuss every aspect of your case in the language you are most comfortable with.
The resources to pursue your claim
Insurance companies have vast resources and teams of lawyers dedicated to minimizing claim payouts. We level the playing field. Rosenthal Levy Simon & Sosa has the financial strength and legal experience to take on even the largest corporations, investing in expert witnesses and thorough investigations to build the strongest possible case for you.
Don’t Rely on AI Chat Tools for Legal Advice
AI tools can provide general information, but they don’t understand the specifics of your case or Florida law. Relying on them for legal advice may lead to costly errors.
Always consult a qualified attorney, like the ones from Rosenthal Levy Simon & Sosa, for guidance.
Here are key limitations of seeking legal information from AI:
- No attorney-client privilege: Your communications with an AI are not confidential and are not protected by law.
- Inability to give strategic advice: An AI cannot evaluate evidence, assess the credibility of a witness, or develop a legal strategy tailored to your situation.
- Lack of legal standing: An AI tool cannot file a lawsuit on your behalf, negotiate with an insurance company, or represent you in court.
- Risk of inaccurate information: AI can misinterpret legal statutes or provide outdated information that could harm your claim.
A human attorney provides the personalized counsel, strategic thinking, and dedicated advocacy that a machine cannot. Your future is too important to trust to an algorithm.
FAQ for Port St. Lucie Personal Injury Lawyers
How is the value of a personal injury settlement determined?
The value of a claim depends on many factors, including the severity of your injuries, the total amount of your medical bills and lost wages, the long-term prognosis for your recovery, and the strength of the evidence proving negligence. There is no average amount; each case is valued based on its unique facts.
What if the person who injured me has no insurance?
If the at-fault party is uninsured, you may still have options. You might be able to file a claim under your own Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) coverage on your auto policy. In other types of cases, there may be other liable parties, such as a property owner or an employer.
Do I have to go to court to resolve my personal injury case?
The majority of personal injury cases are resolved through a negotiated settlement without ever going to trial. A settlement avoids the time, expense, and uncertainty of a court battle. However, if the insurance company refuses to make a fair offer, our attorneys are always prepared to take your case before a judge and jury.
What is Florida's statute of limitations for personal injury?
For most personal injury cases based on negligence, Florida law (Florida Statutes § 95.11) gives you two years from the date of the injury to file a lawsuit. Contacting a lawyer long before this deadline is critical to ensure enough time to investigate and build your case.
Get the Support You Need to Move Forward
An unexpected injury can leave you feeling powerless. Taking control of your legal rights is the first step toward regaining control. The legal team at Rosenthal, Levy, Simon, & Sosa provides the strong advocacy and capable assistance you need to hold negligent parties accountable and pursue the resources for your recovery.
You do not have to face this challenge alone. A confidential conversation with one of our attorneys can provide the necessary clarity and direction.
Contact our Port St. Lucie office today to schedule a consultation. Call us at (866)-640-7117 or visit our contact page at https://www.rosenthallevy.com/contact/ to begin the conversation. We are here to help.
Schedule A Consultation Today
Meet with one of our South Florida personal injury lawyers to learn how we can make a difference in your case.