Reasons to choose Lytal, Reiter, Smith, Ivey & Fronrath as your personal injury attorneys
1. We only get paid if you win.
We work on a contingency fee structure. What that means is that we pay the costs and court fees up front so you don’t have to, and only take our costs and payment out of the amount awarded to our clients. You pay nothing up front and only pay us after we win your case.
2. We treat clients like family.
We understand that our clients are people and not just case numbers. When you choose Lytal, Reiter, Smith, Ivey & Fronrath as your personal injury attorneys, you become part of our family. And we take care of our family. No stone will go unturned in your case and you can rest assured that we will treat you with respect and compassion as we litigate your personal injury case.
3. We prepare every case for trial.
We hope that the insurance company involved in your case will do the honorable thing and pay for your injuries without incident, but we know that this is not the case in many instances. That is why we prepare every personal injury case for trial from the beginning. It saves time and money by doing this, and it allows us to expedite the process by not having to go back and gather evidence months or even years later.
4. We earn maximum compensation for your personal injuries.
When we gain a client, we make sure that every injury, every pain, every emotional turmoil is taken into account when we demand compensation. We know that pain is not quantifiable, but we also know that you deserve compensation for pain and mental anguish caused by the negligent party.
Common injuries in personal injury cases
1. Broken bones
When enough force is exerted on a bone, it can crack and break. Broken bones can be simple or very complicated to heal. Some severe fractures may even require a rebreaking of the bone to set it correctly. And broken bones can cause long-term damage requiring lifestyle changes as well.
2. Burns
Burns can come in many different forms. Chemical, friction, cold, thermal, radiation, and electrical are all different forms of burns that can be claimed in a personal injury case. Once again, burns come in different degrees and can require varying amounts of medical care. More serious burns can require skin grafts and extra surgery.
3. Traumatic brain injuries
Traumatic brain injuries can cause severe side effects. Headaches, seizures, loss of speech or communication skills, loss of memory, being left comatose, or even death can result from severe TBIs. Permanent brain damage and changes in quality of life are not uncommon.
4. Neck and back injuries
Neck and back injuries are caused by overextension and stress on the spine and neck. These injuries can easily become much more severe than originally thought once the swelling goes down. If you are experiencing pain in your neck and back after a personal injury, see a doctor. Neck and back injuries may lead to limited mobility and paralysis, so don’t delay.
5. Soft tissue damage
Soft tissue damage happens to ligaments and tendons that have been stretched past their elasticity. This type of injury can cause lasting and linger pain for years that may become permanent. It’s important to see a doctor for any pain you’re experiencing.
6. Dog bites
When dog owners don’t properly restrain or control their animals, it can lead to a dog biting out of fear, aggression, or agitation. A dog bite can lead to torn tissue, infection, and even death if someone does not regain control of the animal. Dog attacks can quickly lead to more serious repercussions, so never approach a dog you don’t know.
Potential damages in a West Palm Beach personal injury lawsuit
Several types of damages can be claimed in a personal injury lawsuit. These vary from case to case, but generally to more severe and lingering a personal injury is, the more damages can be claimed for medical and personal costs and intangible damage like pain and suffering.
Economic damages
Economic damages are quantifiable damages. These types of damages have a price tag, a receipt, or some form of payment or charge record that can be reimbursed. These damages also include damage to personal property as well as any medical costs accrued because of the incident and lost wages that can be proven.
Economic damages can include:
Medical costs
- Follow-up appointments
- Emergency room costs
- Medications and pharmaceuticals
- Physical therapy
- Occupational therapy
- Cognitive therapy
- Therapy and counseling services
- Ambulance fees
Property damages and costs
- Vehicles
- Animals
- Personal belongings
- Costs of lost property like rental cars or repairs
Lost income
- Missed wages
Non-economic damages
Non-economic damages refer to intangible damage to people resulting from personal injuries. This can be a variety of things from PTSD, emotional damage, pain, or loss of consortium. Non-economic damages may be harder to prove in court, but the West Palm Beach personal injury lawyers at Lytal, Reiter, Smith, Ivey & Fronrath know what it takes to make sure those who hurt you are held accountable.
Non-economic damages may include:
- Emotional trauma
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Mental anguish
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of quality of life
- Pain
- Suffering
- Loss of consortium or companionship
- Humiliation
- Fear, shock, or anxiety
Examples of non-economic damages
- Persistent lingering fear of dogs after a dog attack that causes panic attacks.
- A father being unable to coach in his child’s sports team after a severe injury.
- A woman who once enjoyed a very active lifestyle being confined to a wheelchair.
- A newlywed spouse coping with the wrongful death of their companion.
Comparative fault in Florida
Florida’s pure comparative negligence law can be a little confusing to understand. This law illustrates that no matter how much responsibility you share in an accident, you can sue for damages subtracting the amount you were responsible for.
So, if a person was 90% responsible for an accident, they can sue for 10% of the damages gained. Just because you can sue, doesn’t mean you should.
How do you choose the best personal injury lawyer for your needs?
The best personal injury lawyer for your needs is the one who prioritizes you as a person and not just a case number. Ask these questions to any personal injury lawyer.
How many cases do you handle at one time?
This question will give you an idea of how much time a personal injury lawyer can devote to your case. You don’t want a lawyer with a very high number of active cases as their attention may be pulled in several directions while trying to work on your case.
How many cases have you won that are similar to mine?
This question lets you know if they are familiar with a case like yours. While each case is different, it’s important your lawyer has experience in the type of personal injury case you need representation in.
Typically, how long does it take to resolve a case like mine?
This question should give you an estimate of how long it may take to earn compensation for your injuries. This is a loose timeline that may take more time or be much shorter depending on the insurance company’s cooperation in your payout.
What is your success rate at trial?
Success rates tell you if your injury lawyer is good at their job. Some cases are hard to win, but if you are looking for a personal injury lawyer to earn you compensation, then you should be finding one with a decent success rate.
Who will I be talking with?
Who you are interacting with and talking to throughout the process is important. Huge law firms use an army of paralegals and assistants to communicate, keep you and the lawyer as distant as possible. You should choose a lawyer that is willing to speak and communicate directly with their clients.
May I speak with any former clients of yours?
Client testimonials will be one of the most important pieces in choosing a lawyer to represent you. If a lawyer refuses to give former clients, be wary of choosing them. This is a serious choice that may change your life. Don’t choose just anyone to represent you.
Personal injury questions and answers
Why do I need a personal injury lawyer?
A personal injury lawyer from Lytal, Reither, Smith, Ivey & Fronrath will protect your rights, ensure you’re receiving the maximum compensation possible, and front the cost of your personal injury so you don’t have to. We only take cases that we believe we can win, so if we take your case, you can rest assured that we believe we will win.
What do I do when an insurance company calls me about my injury?
If an insurance company calls you about your personal injury, be careful what you say. The insurance adjuster for the entity or person responsible for your injury will be trying to do two things.
- Give you the least amount of money possible.
- Attribute some of the blame to you.
By doing the second, the insurance adjuster accomplishes the first much more easily. If they call you, refuse to give a recorded statement and give short answers. Then, contact a West Palm Beach personal injury lawyer to represent you in further discussions and negotiations.
What is a wrongful death in Florida?
The Florida Statute section 768.19 states that when the death of an individual is caused “by the wrongful act, negligence, default, or breach of contract” of another entity or individual, the family of the deceased individual may pursue damages against the at-fault entity. This included medical costs leading up to the death, funeral cost, and non-economic damages that linger after the passing of the loved one.
Only the deceased person’s immediate family or blood relative/adopted sibling who relied on the deceased as a dependent, in that order, may bring a wrongful death civil lawsuit to court.
How long do I have to file a lawsuit after a personal injury?
A statute of limitations is the length of time that you can bring a certain lawsuit to court. For personal injury claims, the Florida statute of limitations is four years from the date of the injury to file.
If your case isn’t filed within this time frame, the court system most likely will not hear it. In some cases, discovery of an injury can take time to show up or be noticed and in these cases, an extension might be granted to the statute of limitations.