One of the first questions every client asks is, 'How much is my case worth?' It's a fair question. You have bills piling up and a future to plan for. While no online calculator can give you an exa...
One of the first questions every client asks is, 'How much is my case worth?' It's a fair question. You have bills piling up and a future to plan for. While no online calculator can give you an exact number, understanding how Florida personal injury settlements are calculated can give you a realistic expectation. The value of your case depends on a specific formula of economic losses, non-economic damages, and liability factors.
The Two Types of Damages
Case value is built on two pillars: Economic Damages (hard numbers like medical bills, lost wages, and property damage) and Non-Economic Damages (subjective losses like pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life). Economic damages are easy to prove with receipts. Non-economic damages require skilled legal argument to quantify.
Severity of Injury Matters
Generally, the more severe and permanent the injury, the higher the case value. A broken bone that heals in six weeks is worth less than a spinal cord injury requiring lifelong care. Florida law requires a 'permanent injury' to access pain and suffering damages in car accident cases, making the medical diagnosis crucial.
Insurance Policy Limits
Often, the limiting factor in a case is not the injury, but the available insurance. If your case is worth $1 million but the at-fault driver only has a $10,000 policy and no assets, your recovery may be limited to that $10,000 (unless you have Uninsured Motorist coverage). Finding all available insurance policies is a key part of our job.
Comparative Fault
Your settlement will be reduced by your percentage of fault. If your damages are $100,000 but you were 20% at fault, you get $80,000. Remember, under Florida's new law, if you are more than 50% at fault, you get nothing.
Why You Need a Lawyer's Valuation
Insurance adjusters use software to undervalue claims. They don't account for how an injury affects YOUR specific life. An experienced attorney looks at the whole picture—your career, your hobbies, your family—to fight for a value that reflects your true loss.
Contact Emas Law Group Today
Don't guess at your case's value or accept a lowball offer from an insurer. At Emas Law Group, we have recovered millions for our clients. We offer free case evaluations to review your medical records and accident details, giving you an honest assessment of what your claim could be worth.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a minimum settlement amount?
No. Settlements can range from a few thousand dollars to millions, depending entirely on the specific facts of the case.
Are personal injury settlements taxable?
Generally, no. The IRS does not tax proceeds received for physical sickness or injury. However, interest or punitive damages may be taxable.
How long does it take to get paid?
Simple cases may settle in a few months. Complex cases involving litigation can take a year or more. We push to resolve cases as efficiently as possible.