Florida Personal Injury Law Guide for Hollywood Victims

Estimated Read Time: 12 min read

Introduction: Why Hollywood, Florida Residents Need a Local Personal Injury Guide

Every year, thousands of people in Hollywood, Florida find their lives upended by unexpected accidents—whether a crash on bustling Hollywood Boulevard, a slip on the Broadwalk, or a boating mishap off Port Everglades. Florida’s personal injury laws give victims a pathway to recover medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages, but the process can be confusing, especially after recent legislative changes. This guide breaks down the rules that govern Florida personal injury law Hollywood claimants must follow, explains common accident scenarios, and offers practical next steps so you can protect your rights from day one.

Because evidence can disappear quickly and strict filing deadlines apply, what you do in the first hours and days matters. This resource is slightly claimant-oriented: we assume you are the injured party and want clear, pro-victim information. Still, nothing herein is legal advice; for individual guidance call Louis Law Group at 833-657-4812.

Common Personal Injury Scenarios in Hollywood

• Motor vehicle collisions on I-95, US-1, or Hollywood Boulevard

• Slip-and-fall or trip-and-fall incidents at hotels, restaurants, or the Seminole Hard Rock complex

• Boating accidents on the Intracoastal Waterway or Atlantic Ocean

• Workplace injuries at the Port, construction sites, or hospitality venues

• Defective products—from e-scooters to household appliances

• Wrongful death actions after fatal crashes or negligent security cases

Understanding Florida Personal Injury Law

1. Statute of Limitations

As of March 24, 2023, Florida House Bill 837 reduced the negligence statute of limitations from four years to two years. (See Fla. Stat. § 95.11(4)(a)). If you fail to file before the two-year mark, the court will likely dismiss your claim, no matter how strong the facts.

2. Modified Comparative Negligence

Florida recently adopted a modified comparative negligence standard (Fla. Stat. § 768.81). You can still recover damages even if you were partially at fault, but not if you are found more than 50% responsible. Your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, a $100,000 verdict where you are 30% at fault nets $70,000.

3. Personal Injury Protection (PIP)

Under Florida’s no-fault auto regime, every vehicle owner must carry at least $10,000 in PIP coverage (Fla. Stat. § 627.736). PIP pays 80% of reasonable medical expenses and 60% of lost wages up to the policy limit, regardless of fault. However, to step outside PIP and sue an at-fault driver, you must meet the “serious injury” threshold—significant and permanent loss of bodily function, permanent injury within a reasonable medical probability, significant scarring, or death.

4. Damage Categories

• Economic: Medical bills, rehabilitation, lost earnings, property damage.

• Non-economic: Pain and suffering, mental anguish, loss of enjoyment.

• Punitive: Awarded in rare cases of intentional misconduct or gross negligence (capped at three times compensatory damages or $500,000 under Fla. Stat. § 768.73).

5. Medical Malpractice Caps

Florida caps non-economic damages in medical malpractice suits against practitioners at $500,000 per claimant for most injuries, and $1 million for catastrophic injuries or death (Fla. Stat. § 766.118). These limits do not apply to economic losses.

Common Types of Personal Injury Cases in Florida

Car and Truck Accidents

To succeed, you must prove the other driver owed you a duty, breached that duty (e.g., speeding, distracted driving), and caused your damages. Evidence often includes the Florida Traffic Crash Report, dashcam footage, and medical records. According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles 2022 Crash Facts, Broward County—home to Hollywood—saw more than 41,300 crashes in 2022.

Slip-and-Fall / Premises Liability

Property owners must maintain reasonably safe premises (Fla. Stat. § 768.0755). You must prove the business had actual or constructive knowledge of the dangerous condition and failed to remedy it. Video surveillance and incident reports are key.

Boating Accidents

Florida leads the nation in boating accidents. Operators are governed by Fla. Stat. § 327.32 (negligent operation). Promptly report crashes involving injury, death, or >$2,000 in property damage to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

Workplace Injuries

Most employers must carry workers’ compensation. Benefits include medical treatment and wage replacement, but if a third party (e.g., subcontractor) caused your injury, you may pursue a separate tort claim.

Defective Products

Florida follows strict liability in product defect cases (West v. Caterpillar Tractor Co., 336 So.2d 80 (Fla. 1976)). You must show a dangerous defect existed when the product left the manufacturer’s control and that it caused your injury.

Wrongful Death

The Florida Wrongful Death Act (Fla. Stat. §§ 768.16-768.26) allows survivors to recover lost support, companionship, and funeral expenses within two years of death.

Florida Legal Protections & Recent Court Rulings

Key Statutes

• Fla. Stat. § 95.11 – Statutes of Limitations

• Fla. Stat. § 768.81 – Comparative Negligence

• Fla. Stat. § 627.736 – PIP Requirements

• Fla. Stat. § 440 – Workers’ Compensation Law

Recent Case Law Affecting Claims

• Wilson v. United States, 989 F.3d 970 (11th Cir. 2021) — Clarified sovereign immunity exceptions in Federal Tort Claims Act cases arising in Florida.

• Ring Power Corp. v. Condado-Perez, 335 So.3d 1174 (Fla. 2022) — Florida Supreme Court reaffirmed strict products liability even where the product meets industry standards.

• Sedgwick Claims Mgmt. v. Pagan, 347 So.3d 7 (Fla. 1st DCA 2022) — Strengthened penalties for insurers acting in bad faith on PIP benefits.

Insurance Regulations

The Florida Department of Financial Services Consumer Services Division oversees insurer compliance. You may file a civil remedy notice if an insurer undervalues or delays your claim, a prerequisite to a bad-faith lawsuit.

Steps to Take Immediately After an Injury

Swift action preserves evidence and maximizes your claim value. Here’s a practical checklist for Hollywood residents:

1. Seek Medical Attention

• Call 911 or visit Memorial Regional Hospital within 14 days for PIP coverage eligibility.

• Request detailed diagnostic imaging; soft-tissue injuries often appear days later.

2. Report the Accident

• Motor Vehicles: Notify Hollywood Police Department or Broward Sheriff’s Office if injuries or >$500 in damage.

• Boating: File FWC crash report within 48 hours.

• Workplace: Inform your employer within 30 days under Fla. Stat. § 440.185(1).

3. Document the Scene

• Photograph hazards, vehicle positions, and visible injuries.

• Collect witness names, phone numbers, and statements.

• Preserve torn clothing or defective products as evidence.

4. Notify Insurance Carriers

Contact your insurer promptly but provide only basic facts. Avoid recorded statements to the other party’s insurer until you have legal counsel.

5. Track Expenses and Symptoms

Maintain a pain diary and retain copies of medical bills, prescriptions, and mileage to appointments—recoverable as economic damages.

6. Preserve Digital Evidence

Download dashcam or surveillance footage before it is overwritten. Florida’s spoliation doctrine can hurt your case if evidence is lost.

When to Seek Legal Help in Florida

You are not legally required to hire counsel, but representation often yields higher settlements and protects you from procedural pitfalls. Consider hiring a Hollywood accident attorney when:

• Liability is disputed or comparative fault is alleged.

• Your injuries meet or approach Florida’s serious injury threshold.

• An insurer delays or denies reasonable PIP or bodily injury payments.

• You face long-term disabilities or permanent impairment ratings.

• A government entity or large corporation is involved.

Louis Law Group exclusively advocates for injury victims across Florida. Our attorneys are licensed under the Florida Bar, maintain malpractice insurance, and appear in Broward County Circuit Court daily. We advance all litigation costs and only get paid if we win. For a free consultation, call 833-657-4812 now.

Local Resources & Next Steps for Hollywood Residents

Government & Legal Agencies

Florida DHSMV Crash Report Portal

• Broward County Courthouse: 201 S.E. 6th Street, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301

• Legal Aid Service of Broward County: (954) 765-8950

• Hollywood City Hall Risk Management: File notices of claim for city-related incidents

Support Services

• Memorial Regional Hospital Trauma Center: 3501 Johnson Street, Hollywood

• Florida Vocational Rehabilitation office – Job retraining for injured workers

• Sun Trolley and Broward County Transit – Accessible transport to medical visits

Moving Forward

• Confirm your filing deadline based on accident date.

• Gather all medical and accident documentation.

• Schedule your free attorney consultation.

If you’ve been injured in Florida, call Louis Law Group at 833-657-4812 for a free case evaluation today. We’ll explain your rights, value your claim, and fight to secure the compensation you deserve.

Disclaimer: This guide is for informational purposes only and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Laws cited are current through 2023; always verify statues and case law for updates.