As a Florida car accident attorney, it is crucial for you to be well-informed about the state's auto insurance requirements to ensure you are adequately protected in the event of an accident. Florida law mandates that owners of motor vehicles with four or more wheels must carry a minimum of $10,000 in Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance and $10,000 in Property Damage Liability insurance.  There are different requirements for vehicles with less than four wheels, such as motorcycles. 

Personal Injury Protection (PIP) Insurance: PIP insurance provides coverage regardless of fault, offering up to $10,000 (minus deductibles) for medical expenses, lost wages, and death benefits. To qualify for PIP benefits, initial services and care must be received within 14 days of the accident. Coverage extends to the policyholder, relatives living in the same household, certain passengers, pedestrians, and bicyclists. PIP also covers acts of violence against the policyholder while driving, including injuries from road rage or carjackings.

For accidents occurring outside Florida but within the U.S. or Canada, PIP covers the policyholder and household relatives only when driving their own vehicle.

Property Damage Liability Insurance: Property Damage Liability insurance covers damage caused by you or your family members to another person's property while driving, including fences, telephone poles, buildings, and other vehicles. This coverage applies even if you are driving someone else's car, depending on your policy's terms.

Bodily Injury Liability Insurance: While not mandatory in Florida, Bodily Injury Liability (BIL) coverage is required for individuals convicted of DUI for three years after license reinstatement. The minimum coverage is $100,000 per person and $300,000 per accident, along with $50,000 in property damage coverage. BIL pays for serious injuries or death caused by the policyholder's car, covering you, relatives, and authorized drivers. There are other situations where a driver is required to show financial responsibility or have Bodily Injury Liability limits of at least $10,000 per person and $20,000 per accident. 

Other Optional Coverages: Many drivers opt for additional coverages beyond the mandatory PIP and Property Damage Liability, including Collision, Comprehensive, Uninsured Motorist, Medical Payment, Towing, Rental Reimbursement, and Accidental Death and Dismemberment insurance.

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Andrew Iacobelli is an experienced personal injury lawyer who established Iacobelli Law Firm with offices in Palm Beach County Florida. Andrew restricts his practice to the representation of personal injury victims in claims involving serious injuries, Catastrophic Injuries, and wrongful death.  Andrew is a lifetime member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum. ​

The birth of a child is a momentous occasion filled with joy and anticipation. Unfortunately, in some cases, the joy can turn to despair when birth injuries occur due to the negligence of medical professionals. If you suspect that your child has suffered a birth injury in Florida, it is crucial to understand your rights and take appropriate actions to seek justice. This article will guide you through the process of birth injury claims in Florida and offer insights into what steps you can take if you suspect your child's injury was a result of medical negligence.

Understanding Birth Injuries:
Birth injuries can range from mild to severe and may include conditions such as cerebral palsy, Erb's palsy, brachial plexus injuries, and other neurological or physical impairments. These injuries can occur during labor, delivery, or the immediate postnatal period and may result from medical malpractice, inadequate prenatal care, or improper use of medical instruments.

Legal Grounds for Birth Injury Claims:
In Florida, parents have the legal right to file birth injury claims if they believe their child's injuries were caused by the negligence of healthcare providers. To establish a valid claim, it is essential to prove that the medical professionals deviated from the standard of care, resulting in harm to the newborn. Common instances of negligence may include failure to monitor fetal distress, improper use of forceps or vacuum extractors, delayed C-section, or administering incorrect medications.

Steps to Take If You Suspect Birth Injury:

1. Seek Immediate Medical Attention: If you suspect that your child has suffered a birth injury, seek immediate medical attention for both your child and yourself. It's essential to obtain a thorough medical evaluation and diagnosis to understand the extent of the injury.
2. Document Everything: Keep detailed records of your child's medical history, including prenatal care, labor, and postnatal care. Collect medical records, test results, and any correspondence with healthcare providers.
3. Consult with a Birth Injury Attorney: Reach out to an experienced birth injury attorney who specializes in medical malpractice cases. They can help evaluate the circumstances surrounding your child's injury, determine if you have a viable claim, and guide you through the legal process.
4. Statute of Limitations: Be mindful of the statute of limitations for medical malpractice claims in Florida. Generally, you have two years from the date of the injury or discovery of the injury to file a lawsuit. Failure to file within this timeframe may result in the loss of your right to seek compensation.
5. Gather Evidence: Work closely with your attorney to gather evidence supporting your claim. This may include expert medical opinions, witness testimonies, and other relevant documentation.
6. Negotiation or Litigation: Your attorney will help you determine whether to pursue a settlement through negotiation or proceed with litigation. In many cases, birth injury claims are settled out of court, but if a fair resolution cannot be reached, your case may go to trial.

Dealing with a birth injury can be emotionally and financially overwhelming. If you suspect your child was injured during birth due to medical negligence in Florida, it's crucial to take swift and informed action. Consult with a knowledgeable birth injury attorney to understand your rights, navigate the legal process, and work towards obtaining the compensation your family deserves. While the journey may be challenging, seeking justice for your child's birth injury is an important step in ensuring accountability and promoting safer healthcare practices.

Contact us for a Free Consultation.

Andrew Iacobelli is an experienced personal injury lawyer who established Iacobelli Law Firm with offices in Palm Beach County Florida. Andrew restricts his practice to the representation of personal injury victims in claims involving serious injuries, Catastrophic Injuries, and wrongful death.  Andrew is a lifetime member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum. 

Slip and Fall AccidentsIf you are injured while on vacation in Florida, you enjoy the same rights as a Florida resident.  That means, Florida's civil laws are availble to you so that you can obtain compensation for your injuries and losses.  The most common injuries that we see from visitors to Florida arise from car accidents, motorcycle accidents, and premises liability accidents such as slip and falls and trip and falls.  Regardless, Florida residents and visitors enjoy civil remedies when injured due to the fault or negligence of another person or corporation.  If you believe that your injury in Florida was caused because of another person's negligence, then you may be able to advance a claim for money damages.  

There are some unique challenges with cases involving visitors to Florida, mostly related to medical treatment and expert opinions.  We have the experience to guide you through this process to help make your claim as smooth and stress free as possible.  In most instances, you will not have to return to Florida to make your injury claim.  We can handle the proceedings on your behalf.  Many proceedings can also be accomplished by video conferencing.  

Generally you have 2 years from the date of the injury to commence a lawsuit in the State of Florida.  Although this sounds like a long time, it is not.  Waiting to get started can be devastating to your claim.  Most cases resolve without a lawsuit and require prompt action to get the insurance company to pay your claim.  

If you are not from Florida, you may be concerned about the expense of hiring a lawyer in Florida to assist you with your injury claim.  You should know that we accept cases on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay us nothing unless we recover money for you.  

If you were injured while on vacation in Florida, call us to learn about your rights.  We are available to you 24 hours a day 7 days a week.  Contact us now to learn more or to request a Free Consultation. 

Andrew Iacobelli is an experienced personal injury lawyer who established Iacobelli Law Firm with offices in Palm Beach County Florida. Andrew restricts his practice to the representation of personal injury victims in claims involving serious injuries, Catastrophic Injuries, and wrongful death.  Andrew is a lifetime member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum.