Governor Handcuffs Lawyers in Injury Cases
Claiming it would “prevent predatory practices of trial attorneys who prey on hardworking Floridians,” Governor Ron DeSantis recently signed the controversial House Bill 837.
“Florida has been considered a judicial hellhole for far too long and we are desperately in need of legal reform that brings us more in line with the rest of the country,” he said. “I am proud to sign this legislation to protect Floridians, safeguard our economy and attract more investment in our state.”
“When a horrible accident or incident occurs and people suffer a loss, they should be compensated quickly and fairly,” added Senate President Kathleen Passidomo. “The vast majority of attorneys work very hard to provide sound legal representation for Floridians in these difficult circumstances. Unfortunately, there are a few bad actors who are in the business to draw out civil cases as long as possible, collecting more and more fees from insurance companies. Litigation drives up the basic costs of goods and services for everyone across all areas of industry and commerce. Under the leadership of Governor DeSantis, we have taken many steps to help keep Florida affordable for growing families and seniors. This legislation furthers those efforts striking the right balance and protecting the rights of Floridians who suffer a loss, while at the same time safeguarding everyone else against the hidden costs of prolonged litigation.”
Why Injury Victims Need Lawyers
Injury victims usually include personal injury victims, like car crash victims, Social Security Disability applicants, and job injury victims. All these people need a good Tampa personal injury lawyer.
On average, attorney-negotiated settlements are more than three times higher than non-attorney settlements. That’s probably the real reason many people support provisions like H.B. 837. Attorneys take money from big insurance companies and give it to deserving victims.
All three of the aforementioned areas are very complex. Furthermore, insurance companies, including workers’ compensation insurance companies, always have lawyers. So does the Social Security Administration.
Regardless of how hard they train, lightweight MMA fighters have little or no chance against heavyweight MMA fighters in the octagon. Likewise, no matter how passionate and intelligent they are, nonlawyers have little or no chance against lawyers in a courtroom.
This legal skill allows attorneys to evaluate cases and determine their settlement value. Therefore, injury lawyers and insurance company lawyers are on equal footing during settlement negotiations. Nonlawyers and lawyers speak two different languages during negotiations, and the lawyer’s interpretation always prevails.
Choosing the Right Lawyer
All that being said, Governor DeSantis has a point. Some lawyers lack the professional and personal qualifications to properly represent injury victims. So, when you look for a Tampa personal injury lawyer, look for the following qualities:
- Experience: To continue with the sports analogies, a losing basketball team that returns all five starters is experienced, but that’s not the kind of experience you want. Victims should avoid experienced attorneys who don’t have successful track records. Also, beware of lawyers with little trial experience. You don’t want a lawyer who looks for an easy way out.
- Accessibility: Many injury victims cannot get around well, especially on bad days. Therefore, a lawyer should be physically accessible to your home or office. Don’t forget about professional accessibility. Some lawyers take complex cases and immediately refer them to a lawyer the victim didn’t choose.
- Dedication: The three areas of personal injury law have some things in common. For example, all of them require dedication to individual rights. Lawyers without this dedication often lose heart and look for a quick payday. So, beware of lawyers who just do a few injury cases on the side.
Choosing the right personal injury lawyer may be one of the most important choices a victim makes. However, don’t let this search take too long. Generally, injury victims have a limited amount of time to act.
Rely on a Diligent Hillsborough County Attorney
Injury victims are entitled to important financial benefits. For a free consultation with an experienced personal injury lawyer in Tampa, contact Kobal Law. We do not charge upfront legal fees in these matters.
Source:
flgov.com/2023/03/24/governor-ron-desantis-signs-comprehensive-legal-reforms-into-law/
