Florida Personal Injury Lawyer

At Rafferty Domnick Cunningham & Yaffa, P.A., we are committed to advocating for personal injury victims throughout Florida. Our firm specializes in helping individuals who have been wronged due to accidents, negligence, and other unfortunate circumstances. We understand that a serious injury can disrupt your life, leaving you with medical bills, loss of income, and emotional stress. With over 95 years of combined experience, our Florida personal injury lawyers are here to ensure you receive the justice and compensation you deserve, so you can focus on healing and rebuilding your life.

 

Understanding Personal Injury Law

Personal injury law exists to protect individuals who have been harmed due to the negligence or wrongful actions of others. Whether you’ve been involved in a car accident, suffered from medical malpractice, experienced a slip and fall, or endured any other type of injury caused by someone else’s carelessness, personal injury law allows you to seek compensation for your losses. These losses can include medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.

At its core, personal injury law ensures that when someone is injured due to another party's fault, they have a legal avenue to recover financial compensation for their physical, emotional, and financial hardships. The law covers a wide range of cases, from everyday accidents to catastrophic injuries, all with the goal of making the injured party "whole" again—at least financially—by holding the responsible party accountable.

For many victims, the aftermath of an injury can be overwhelming. Beyond the physical pain, you may face mounting medical bills, lost income, and uncertainty about the future. A personal injury lawyer steps in to ease this burden by navigating the legal complexities, negotiating with insurance companies, and, if necessary, advocating for you in court to ensure that your rights are protected and you receive the compensation you deserve.

With the help of an experienced personal injury attorney, you can focus on healing while knowing that your case is in capable hands. Understanding the basics of personal injury law is the first step toward regaining control of your life after an accident, and securing the justice and compensation you’re entitled to.

 

Types of Personal Injury Cases We Handle

Our firm has extensive experience in handling a wide variety of personal injury cases. No matter how complex or challenging your situation may seem, we have the resources and legal knowledge to help. Below are some of the most common types of personal injury cases we handle:

Car Accidents

Car accidents are among the most common causes of personal injuries in Florida. From minor fender benders to devastating collisions, we help clients recover compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Our Florida car accident attorneys are experienced in handling cases involving:

Rear-End Collisions: Often caused by distracted or negligent drivers, rear-end collisions can result in serious neck and back injuries.

Head-On Collisions: These accidents can be catastrophic, often resulting in severe injuries or fatalities. We pursue maximum compensation for victims and their families.

Drunk Driving Accidents: If you were injured by a drunk driver, we will fight to hold the responsible party accountable and seek punitive damages.

Hit and Run Accidents: We assist clients in navigating complex legal challenges when the at-fault driver leaves the scene of the accident.

Pedestrian and Bicycle Accidents: These accidents often involve significant injuries, as pedestrians and cyclists have little protection. We are experienced in holding negligent drivers accountable for injuries to non-motorists.

Slip and Fall Injuries

Property owners have a legal duty to maintain their premises in a safe condition. If you’ve been injured in a slip and fall accident, you may be entitled to compensation. Common causes of slip and fall injuries include:

Wet or Slippery Floors: If a property owner fails to place proper warnings or clean up spills in a timely manner, they may be held liable for any injuries.

Uneven Surfaces or Potholes: Sidewalks, walkways, and parking lots that are not properly maintained can result in serious injuries like broken bones or head trauma.

Inadequate Lighting: Poor lighting in stairwells or hallways can contribute to dangerous falls.

Unsafe Stairs or Handrails: Broken steps or faulty handrails can lead to falls that cause serious injury, particularly to older adults.

Our Florida slip and fall injury lawyers will investigate the property owner’s negligence and build a strong case to secure the compensation you need.

Medical Malpractice

Medical malpractice occurs when a healthcare provider fails to provide an acceptable standard of care, resulting in harm to the patient. Our medical malpractice lawyers in Florida are skilled at handling complex cases involving:

Surgical Errors: Mistakes during surgery, such as wrong-site surgery or leaving instruments inside the body, can lead to long-term health problems or death.

Misdiagnosis or Delayed Diagnosis: Failure to properly diagnose a condition like cancer or heart disease can lead to worsening health outcomes. We hold negligent healthcare providers accountable for these errors.

Medication Errors: From incorrect dosages to administering the wrong medication, these mistakes can have life-threatening consequences.

Birth Injuries: Improper medical care during childbirth can lead to serious, lifelong conditions for both the mother and the child, including cerebral palsy and Erb’s palsy.

Our legal team works closely with medical experts to analyze your case and ensure that negligent doctors, nurses, or hospitals are held responsible.

Wrongful Death

Losing a loved one is never easy, but it can be especially painful when the death is caused by someone else’s negligence. In these tragic cases, our Florida wrongful death attorneys can help you seek justice for your loved one. We will guide you through the process of filing a wrongful death lawsuit, helping you recover compensation for:

  • Funeral and burial expenses
  • Loss of income and financial support
  • Loss of companionship and emotional suffering
  • Medical bills incurred before death

Our team is sensitive to the emotional toll these cases take on families, and we work with compassion and professionalism to pursue justice for your loss.

Workers’ Compensation

If you’ve been injured on the job, you may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits to cover medical treatment and lost wages. Our workers’ compensation attorneys in Florida can help if you’ve suffered injuries such as:

Construction Site Accidents: Falls from heights, machinery accidents, and other dangers are common on construction sites. We ensure that injured workers receive the benefits they are entitled to under Florida law.

Repetitive Stress Injuries: If your job has caused long-term injuries such as carpal tunnel syndrome or back problems, we can help you pursue compensation.

Occupational Illnesses: Exposure to hazardous materials in the workplace can result in diseases like mesothelioma or respiratory conditions. We will fight to secure the benefits you need to treat your illness.

We assist clients with filing claims, appealing denials, and negotiating settlements to ensure they receive the full benefits they are owed.

Catastrophic Injuries

Catastrophic injuries are those that result in long-term or permanent disability, significantly impacting the victim’s quality of life. These injuries often require extensive medical care and rehabilitation. Our firm has successfully handled cases involving:

Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI): Whether caused by a car accident, fall, or other trauma, TBIs can have severe and lasting effects on cognitive and physical abilities.

Spinal Cord Injuries: Spinal cord injuries can result in partial or complete paralysis, requiring a lifetime of medical care and accommodations.

Amputations: Losing a limb in an accident is a life-altering injury that often requires expensive prosthetics, rehabilitation, and long-term care.

We fight for compensation to cover not just your immediate medical expenses, but also your future care needs, lost earning potential, and pain and suffering.

Product Liability

If you’ve been injured by a defective product, you may have a product liability claim against the manufacturer, distributor, or retailer. These cases can involve:

Defective Vehicles: Faulty airbags, seat belts, or brakes can lead to serious car accidents. We help clients hold manufacturers accountable for their defective products.

Dangerous Drugs and Medical Devices: If you’ve suffered side effects or complications from a dangerous drug or defective medical device, we will pursue compensation on your behalf.

Unsafe Household Products: From defective appliances to children’s toys, any product that causes harm due to poor design or manufacturing defects can be grounds for a personal injury claim.

We work with industry experts to investigate the defect and establish liability, helping you recover compensation for your injuries.

Dog Bites and Animal Attacks

In Florida, dog owners are held strictly liable for injuries caused by their pets, regardless of whether the dog has a history of aggression. Our attorneys help victims of dog bites and animal attacks recover compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and emotional trauma.

 

What to Expect During the Personal Injury Claim Process

At Rafferty Domnick Cunningham & Yaffa, we guide our clients through each stage of the personal injury claim process, from filing a claim to reaching a settlement or verdict. Here’s an overview of what you can expect when you work with us:

Free Consultation
We offer a free consultation where we’ll discuss the details of your case, assess its merits, and provide an honest evaluation of your legal options.

Thorough Investigation
Our team will conduct a comprehensive investigation to gather evidence such as medical records, accident reports, witness statements, and expert testimony.

Negotiation with Insurance Companies
We will handle all communications with insurance companies to negotiate a fair settlement. If the insurance company refuses to offer a fair amount, we are prepared to take your case to trial.

Litigation and Trial
If your case goes to trial, our experienced trial attorneys will present a compelling argument, backed by evidence, to secure the compensation you deserve.

Settlement or Verdict
Whether through a negotiated settlement or a jury verdict, our goal is to obtain the maximum compensation available for your injuries.

 

Why Choose Rafferty Domnick Cunningham & Yaffa for Your Personal Injury Case?

Selecting the right attorney for your personal injury case is crucial to obtaining a favorable outcome. At Rafferty Domnick Cunningham & Yaffa, we pride ourselves on delivering exceptional results for our clients by combining years of experience, personalized legal strategies, and an unwavering commitment to justice. Here’s an in-depth look at the reasons why we stand out as the trusted choice for personal injury representation in Florida:

Extensive Experience Across a Range of Cases

One of the most important factors when choosing a personal injury attorney is their experience in handling cases similar to yours. Rafferty Domnick Cunningham & Yaffa has decades of experience across a wide spectrum of personal injury cases, including complex and high-stakes litigation. Our firm has successfully represented clients in car accidents, medical malpractice, wrongful death, workplace injuries, product liability, and more. This extensive experience allows us to anticipate challenges, craft effective legal strategies, and navigate the intricacies of Florida’s personal injury laws.

Aggressive Advocacy and Negotiation Skills

Insurance companies are notorious for attempting to minimize payouts to injury victims, often offering low settlements or denying valid claims altogether. At Rafferty Domnick Cunningham & Yaffa, we approach every case with the goal of maximizing the compensation our clients receive. We are known for our aggressive advocacy, both in and out of the courtroom.

Comprehensive Legal Support: From Investigation to Trial

We understand that navigating a personal injury case can be overwhelming, especially while you’re trying to recover from an injury. That’s why Rafferty Domnick Cunningham & Yaffa provides comprehensive legal support, managing every aspect of your case so that you can focus on your health and recovery. Our approach is to handle the complexities of the legal system on your behalf, ensuring that no detail is overlooked.

Client-Centered Approach: Compassionate and Personalized Legal Service

At Rafferty Domnick Cunningham & Yaffa, we believe that each client’s case is unique, and we tailor our legal strategy to fit the individual circumstances of your injury and recovery. We are not a “one-size-fits-all” firm, and we pride ourselves on providing the personalized attention each client deserves.

No Fees Unless We Win: Contingency Fee Representation

We believe that everyone deserves access to justice, regardless of their financial situation. That’s why we operate on a contingency fee basis, meaning you won’t pay any legal fees unless we successfully recover compensation for you. This allows you to pursue your personal injury case without worrying about upfront costs or hourly legal fees.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a personal injury lawyer in Florida cost?
At Rafferty Domnick Cunningham & Yaffa, we work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we win your case. Our fees are a percentage of the compensation we recover for you.

Do I need a personal injury lawyer for a car accident in Florida?
While you are not legally required to hire an attorney, having a Florida personal injury lawyer can greatly increase your chances of receiving the full compensation you deserve. An attorney will handle negotiations with insurance companies, gather evidence, and, if necessary, represent you in court.

How long does a personal injury lawsuit take in Florida?
The duration of a personal injury case depends on several factors, including the complexity of the case, the willingness of the other party to settle, and whether the case goes to trial. Some cases may be resolved in a few months, while others may take years.

 

Contact Rafferty Domnick Cunningham & Yaffa Today

If you or a loved one has been injured due to someone else’s negligence, don’t wait to seek legal representation. Contact Rafferty Domnick Cunningham & Yaffa today for a free consultation. Our team of experienced Florida personal injury lawyers is dedicated to fighting for your rights and ensuring you receive the compensation you need to move forward with your life.