Tampa Family & Personal Injury Lawyer
Here at Pawlowski//Mastrilli Law Group we fight for the injured and the accused. Whether you have been injured in a car accident, workplace accident, or for some other unfortunate reason, we are here to help. We are diligent and aggressive in our representation, and we understand what it takes to get results. What sets us apart is that we are not a high volume law firm. We focus on the quality of representation rather than the number of cases. We treat our clients with respect, and you will notice the difference. With us, you will get maximum value. We also represent professional athletes in contract negotiations and apply the same aggressive strategy. Contact our experienced Tampa family & personal injury lawyers today.
Family Law
Family law is primarily concerned with family-related issues and domestic relations. Most of the cases a family law attorney will work on are divorce cases and drafting prenuptial and postnuptial agreements, but some may work on domestic violence cases, adoption, paternity, and more. A good Tampa family lawyer will have a wide range of skills in order to draft and negotiate contracts, pleadings, and other legal documents in addition to litigating contested matters, counseling clients, and resolving disputes. Contact the experienced Tampa family lawyers of Pawlowski//Mastrilli Law Group, we can help.
Personal Injury
If you or a loved one was injured due to another party’s negligence, carelessness, or wrongdoing, we will fight aggressively to get you the compensation that you are entitled to. We will go the extra mile for you. We have a policy never to settle a case for less than what you deserve, and we are prepared to go to trial for you if necessary. In fact, our motto is that, as an injury victim, you should only settle for more, not less. We pride ourselves on the quality of our legal work to deliver the representation that you are entitled to.
We are based in Tampa but also serve the surrounding counties: Pinellas, Polk, Sarasota, Pasco and Manatee. We understand that mobility may be difficult when suffering from an injury, so we are available to meet you at your home or in the hospital and on weekends. Our Tampa personal injury lawyers treat you with respect from the moment you call our firm, and we pride ourselves on that.
Car Accidents
There are an estimated six million car accidents in the United States each year. Out of those accidents, there are approximately 2.3 million people who suffer injuries ranging from minor to life-changing, such as paralysis. Nearly 40,000 people also lose their lives in car accidents each year. While these statistics can be startling, if you or a loved one happens to be injured in a car accident, you have rights that need to be protected. First, call your insurance company, and then call us. The Tampa car accident lawyers at Pawlowski//Mastrilli Law Group are skilled and experienced lawyers who can provide that protection and will fight for the rights of the injured.
What to Expect as a Personal Injury Victim
Injuries and Compensation
In general, an individual injured in an accident in the state of Florida may bring a claim or lawsuit to recover the actual expenses associated with property damage and medical costs, economic damages, and emotional and physical pain and suffering. Often, litigation involving motor vehicle accidents is extremely complicated. Retaining the Tampa personal injury lawyers at Pawlowski//Mastrilli Law Group will put you in a strong position to receive the recovery you deserve, no matter how complicated or contentious.
Damages
The injured party in an accident cases may recover for physical pain and suffering, mental pain and suffering, medical and rehabilitative expenses, past and future lost income, permanent impairment and permanent disfigurement. Typical damages include future medical bills that are reasonably certain, loss of enjoyment of life, and physical property damage. The injured party may also recover damages for re-injuring or aggravating an earlier injury. In order to document the damages, a person injured in an accident should keep a daily diary describing how the injury affects him or her and if appropriate, his or her immediate family.
Family Member’s Damages
The spouse of the accident victim may also be able to recover for damage or loss to the marital relationship. The claim is typically brought by both the husband and wife, and is known as “loss of consortium.” Loss of consortium generally refers to any negative effect on the marital relationship caused by the accident, and includes loss of the spouse’s love, companionship, comfort, affection, solace, moral support, sexual relations, ability to have children and physical assistance in the operating and maintaining a home. Loss of consortium can be either temporary or permanent.
Insurance
Usually, an insurance company will compensate the victim for his or her damages but they may not always do so to the full extent willingly. If the other driver has insufficient insurance or is not insured at all, the victim may be entitled to compensation from his or her own insurance company under an uninsured or underinsured motorist provision. Also, other insurance policies, such as the policies of other family members or employers, may provide certain benefits to the injured person. Even if the injured person was partially at fault, the law may permit a recovery.
Recovery Amount
There are many factors which affect the value of an accident. These include who is at fault, how easily the other party’s fault can be established, the type and seriousness of the injuries, the type of medical treatment required, and the amount of insurance coverage available. Other relevant factors may include how the accident happened, the extent of vehicle damage involved, whether the injuries are permanent or involve significant scarring, the amount of your past and expected future medical bills, and the effect of the accident on your income. It is important to remember that every personal injury case is different so even an estimate of the recovery amount is not possible without knowing all the details. Contact our Tampa personal injury attorneys for more information.
Contingency Fee Agreement
Unless we collect for you, our service is FREE
People with an injury claim may think they cannot afford quality legal representation because people typically think of attorneys charging clients on an hourly fee basis for working on their case or charging an up-front retainer. At Pawlowski//Mastrilli Law Group we stand behind a strong contingency fee agreement, wherein the client is not charged an up front fee but agrees to give us a certain percentage of the money received if we win or settle the case out of court. If you lose, our team does not receive a fee.
We represent clients for personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis. In a contingency fee arrangement the attorney is only paid for the representation if there is a recovery for the client, either through settlement or a judgment. In other words, under a contingency fee agreement if the client gets nothing the lawyer gets nothing…no matter how much time and energy was expended on the case. Contact our Tampa personal injury lawyers today.
Tampa Personal Injury FAQ
How do I know if I have a personal injury case?
First, you must have suffered an injury to your person or property. Second, you should consider whether your injury was someone else’s fault. It is not always necessary to have a physical injury to bring a personal injury lawsuit — some personal injury claims can be based on a variety of nonphysical losses and harms. In the case of an assault, for example, you do not need to show that a person’s action caused you actual physical harm, but only that you expected some harm to come to you. Similarly, you also may have a case if someone has caused injury to your reputation, invaded your privacy or intentionally inflicted emotional distress upon you.
How soon after I am injured do I have to file a lawsuit?
The state of Florida has certain time limits, called “statutes of limitations,” which govern the amount of time you have to file a personal injury lawsuit. If you miss the deadline for filing your case, you may lose your legal right damages for your injury. Consequently, it is important to contact a lawyer as soon as you suffer or discover an injury.
What should I bring with me for my meeting with my lawyer from Pawlowski//Mastrilli Law Group?
You should provide our team with any documents that might be relevant to your case. Police reports, for example, contain eyewitness information and details about the conditions surrounding the event from which your claim arises. Copies of medical reports and bills from doctors and hospitals will help demonstrate the extent and nature of your injuries. Information about the insurer of the person who caused your injury is extremely helpful, as are any photographs you have of the accident scene, damaged property and your injuries. The more information you are able to give your lawyer, the easier it will be for him or her to determine if your claim will be successful. If you haven’t collected any documents at the time of your first meeting, however, don’t worry; our team will be able to obtain them in the investigation of your claim.
How long will it take to bring my auto accident case to a conclusion?
The complexity of the accident as well as the particular injuries sustained will determine the time frame of the outcome. We resolve our client’s cases based on an understanding of their current and future medical conditions. Once our law firm becomes involved, the average car or auto accident case is resolved within eight to twelve months but often less.
What if the victim of an accident dies before bringing a personal injury lawsuit?
If a person injured in an accident subsequently dies because of those injuries, that person’s heirs may typically recover money through a lawsuit known as a wrongful death action. Also, even if a person with a personal injury claim dies from unrelated causes, the personal injury claim survives in most cases and may be brought by the executor or personal representative of the deceased person’s estate.
What is the definition of “negligence?”
The critical issue in many personal injury cases is just how a “reasonable person” was expected to act in the particular situation that caused the injury. A person is negligent when he or she fails to act like an “ordinary reasonable person” would have acted. The determination of whether a given person has met the “ordinary reasonable person” standard is often a matter that is resolved by a jury after presentation of evidence and argument at trial.
Is there any other basis for personal injury liability besides negligence?
Yes. Some people or companies may be held “strictly liable” for certain activities that harm others, even if they have not acted negligently or with wrongful intent. Under this principle, a person injured by a defective or unexpectedly dangerous product, for instance, may recover compensation from the maker or seller of the product without showing that the manufacturer or seller was negligent. Also, persons or companies engaged in using explosives, dangerous substances, or keeping dangerous animals can be strictly liable for harm caused to others as a result of such activities.
Will the person who caused my injury be punished?
Not in the traditional sense that they would be entered into the penal system. Defendants in civil actions for personal injury do not receive jail terms or criminal fines as punishment. Those are criminal sentences, and personal injury cases are civil actions. However, in some cases, juries and courts can award what are called “punitive damages,” which are designed to punish defendants who have behaved recklessly or intentionally against the public’s interest. The goal in ordering the payment of punitive damages is to discourage such defendants and others from engaging in the same kind of harmful behavior in the future.
Does my auto insurance cover my motorcycle accident?
Many motorcycle owners believe that they will be covered by their automobile insurance if they are involved in an accident. Unfortunately, this is not the case. In the state of Florida, insurance is not required for the owner and rider of a motorcycle. Furthermore, the PIP coverage a motorcycle owner may have on his car will not cover the owner if injured on a motorcycle.
Criminal Defense
If You Have Been Accused of a Crime
If you or a loved one has been accused of a crime, we will aggressively fight for you so that you get the justice that you deserve. We help clients defend against numerous types of charges, including DUI and drug offenses.
The Bill of Rights was designed to protect the individual from overreaching, and in order for the government to prosecute you, it must respect your constitutional rights. We opened our offices 20 years ago because we wanted to dedicate our practice to helping people seek justice. We take pride in treating our clients with compassion and respect. We have a non-judgmental approach to defending the accused, so let us represent you. Let our Tampa criminal defense lawyers assist you today.
Sports Representation
We have experience representing professional athletes such as football players, baseball players, wrestlers, and others. We use our superior negotiation skills to get you a better contract. The firm is certified by the NFL as contract advisers and, over the years, we have developed a reputation for being successful contract negotiators. Contact our Tampa sports representation lawyers.
Call Our Tampa Family & Personal Injury Lawyers Today
Finding a good Tampa personal injury or family lawyer can be challenging, at Pawlowski//Mastrilli Law Group you will notice the difference from the moment you call us to the time your case is complete. We understand that this may be a stressful time for you, and we are here to help. Call the experienced Tampa personal injury lawyers at Pawlowski//Mastrilli Law Group today at 813-803-6518 for a free consultation to help evaluate your case.
