The average compensation for chest injuries in Florida can range from $15,000 to $50,000.
The circumstances of a chest injury determine how much compensation you might recover. At the high end, if it involves a fractured sternum, you can get $85,000 to over $1 million. If you suffer broken ribs, you might receive $15,000 to $100,000. These injuries are often serious and require continuous treatment, so most compensation is on the higher end.
Statute of Limitations for Chest Injury Claims in Florida
According to Florida Statute 95.11, the statute of limitations for negligence cases is two years. This includes accidents or incidents caused by someone else’s negligent actions that result in chest injuries. Waiting to file can impede your ability to recover compensation.
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Types of Compensation for Chest Injuries in Florida
Different types of compensation are available for chest injuries in Florida. They include economic, noneconomic and possible punitive damages. Understanding their differences is important if you have suffered such an injury after an accident.
Economic Damages
Economic damages can be recovered in all negligence claims involving chest injuries. This includes car accidents, slip-and-fall incidents, work-related situations, product liability issues and more. According to Florida Statute 768.81, economic damages involve any financial losses from your out-of-pocket expenses such as medical bills, lost wages and earning capacity and property damage.
Noneconomic Damages
Noneconomic damages can be difficult to value because they don’t have specific dollar amounts. They include pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life and other psychological effects.
Possible Punitive Damages
Some chest injuries are caused by gross negligence or deliberate acts of violence. According to Florida Statute 768.72, these cases entitle victims to punitive damages: compensation meant to punish a defendant for egregious conduct rather than making the plaintiff whole.
Factors Influencing Claim Value in Florida
Certain factors can influence the value of chest injury claims in Florida. They include the severity of injuries, impact on daily life, preexisting conditions and the quality of medical documentation.
Severity of Injuries
Whether or not your chest injury claim depends on an insurance company, its severity dictates how much you can expect in compensation. Serious injuries that require more and frequent medical care resulting in higher expenses garner a higher settlement. Minor chest injuries that need less attention result in lesser compensation.
Impact on Daily Life
Chest injuries that significantly impact your daily life often result in greater compensation. For example, you may no longer be able to participate in activities you enjoy or once took for granted. Your injury may prevent you from working, which warrants a higher settlement. Mild or temporary injuries that inconvenience you result in lower compensation.
Preexisting Conditions
Depending on the circumstances of a preexisting condition, your chest injury claim could have higher or lesser value. For example, if you have osteoporosis, it increases your risk of broken ribs or even a fractured clavicle.
Quality of Medical Documentation
The more official medical records and expenses you present, the better it is for your claim. The quality of your documentation matters, so it increases the odds of better compensation. You can also include a letter from a doctor attesting to the specifics of your chest injury.
Florida’s Negligence Laws and Their Impact on Settlements
Florida follows comparative negligence rules for personal injury cases. This means if you are 50% or less responsible for your injuries, you can still file a claim. However, your compensation is reduced by your level of fault. For example, if you trip and fall while on a broken stairwell but are distracted by your phone, you might be found 10% responsible. If you sought $10,000 in damages, you would recover $9,000.
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Common Causes of Chest Injuries in Florida
Certain factors can cause chest injuries in Florida. The most common include car accidents, workplace incidents and sports activities.
Car Accident-Related Chest Injuries
Chest injuries are common in car accidents. The victim can hit their sternum or ribs against the steering wheel or dashboard upon impact. These injuries usually occur from rear-end or head-on collisions. However, they can also happen with T-bones and other crashes.
Workplace Chest Injuries
Workplace accidents can cause serious or even life-threatening chest injuries. They can occur from a fall, struck by situations or caught between accidents. Most workplace chest injuries happen in jobs involving physically demanding tasks.
Sports-Related Chest Injuries
High-contact sports can cause some of the most severe chest injuries. In addition to rib fractures, a person can suffer pulmonary contusions, hemothorax and blunt injury to the heart. Some of these injuries can be fatal.
Steps to Take After an Accident in Florida
There are important steps to take after an accident in Florida. They include gathering evidence, seeking medical attention and documenting everything.
Gather Evidence
Gather all evidence pertinent to the accident that caused your chest injury. This should include your medical records, lost wages and earning capacity, a letter from your employer, the police or accident report, witness statements and letters from doctors. The more evidence you have, the better it is for your injury claim.
Seek Medical Attention
Seek medical attention immediately. Some chest injuries are potentially life-threatening, so getting checked by a doctor gives you the treatment you need. You can also have an official diagnosis and medical records that prove your condition.
Document Everything
When you’ve suffered a chest injury, documenting everything is crucial. Keep a journal and jot down the details of the accident or incident and how your injuries affect you. Note your pain level and what you can and cannot do since the incident.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is an Acceptable Settlement Offer?
A settlement offer is acceptable when it’s satisfactory to cover the costs of your economic and noneconomic damages. This means compensating you for all your out-of-pocket expenses and psychological damages.
How Long Does it Take to Settle a Personal Injury Case in Florida?
It usually takes six to eight months to settle a personal injury case in Florida. However, if the case moves to trial, it can take up to three years.
What Is the Average Payout for an Injury Claim?
The average payout for an injury claim ranges from $10,000 to $50,000.
How Much Can You Get for Pain and Suffering in Florida?
There are no caps on how much you can get for pain and suffering in Florida.
Do I Need a Lawyer to Maximize My Chest Injury Settlement?
Retaining a lawyer increases your chances of maximizing your chest injury settlement. Your attorney will use their expertise to negotiate the best compensation and protect your rights.
Will My Health Insurance Affect My Settlement Amount?
Your health insurance can affect your settlement amount if it previously paid for some or all of your medical expenses.
Need free legal help in Florida?
We specialize in personal injury claims.
