Florida Personal Injury Attorneys Who Recover the Full Picture
Workers' comp covers what the system allows. Personal injury law recovers what negligence actually costs — medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, and in some cases, punitive damages. If someone else's carelessness put you here, you're entitled to more than the minimum. We help you understand what that is and fight for all of it.
What Personal Injury Claims Cover That Workers' Comp Doesn't
Florida's workers' compensation system is no-fault and limited by design. It covers authorized medical care and a portion of your lost wages — but it does not compensate you for pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, or the full value of your future earning capacity.
Personal injury claims operate under a different legal framework. When your injuries were caused by someone else's negligence — a distracted driver, a property owner who failed to fix a hazard, a manufacturer who put a defective product into your hands — you have the right to pursue full compensatory damages. In cases involving egregious conduct, Florida courts may also award punitive damages.
The practical difference is significant. A workers' comp settlement reflects what the system allows. A personal injury recovery reflects what your injuries actually cost — physically, financially, and personally.
If you were hurt at work and a third party's negligence contributed to your injury, you may have both a workers' comp claim and a personal injury claim running simultaneously. Our attorneys evaluate both and advise you on which path — or which combination — serves your recovery best.
Personal Injury Cases We Handle in Tampa and Across Florida
Car Accidents
Florida processes more car accident claims than almost any other state. When the other driver was at fault — distracted, impaired, speeding, or running red lights — you have the right to pursue full compensation beyond what your own PIP coverage provides.
Truck Accidents
Commercial trucking accidents involve federal regulations, multiple liable parties, and carriers with experienced defense teams. These cases require aggressive early investigation and legal counsel who understands the full scope of what's recoverable.
Motorcycle Accidents
Motorcyclists face disproportionate injury severity in accidents caused by other drivers — and disproportionate bias from insurance adjusters. We've handled these cases and know how to counter the assumptions carriers make about riders.
Pedestrian Accidents
Pedestrians struck by vehicles suffer some of the most catastrophic injuries in personal injury law. When a driver's negligence caused the accident, the full scope of those injuries — physical, financial, and personal — is recoverable.
Slip & Fall
Property owners in Florida have a legal duty to maintain safe conditions and warn of known hazards. When that duty is breached and you're injured as a result, the property owner's insurance carrier is responsible for your damages.
Dog Bites
Florida's dog bite statute imposes strict liability on dog owners — you don't have to prove the owner knew the dog was dangerous. If you were bitten or attacked, you have a claim, and we can tell you what it's worth.
Defective Products
When a product fails because of a design flaw, manufacturing defect, or inadequate warning, the manufacturer and distributor can be held liable for the injuries that result. These are complex cases that benefit from early legal intervention.
Wrongful Death
When negligence takes a life, Florida law gives surviving family members the right to pursue compensation for their loss — funeral costs, lost financial support, loss of companionship, and the pain of grief. We handle these cases with the gravity they require.
Florida's Personal Injury Statute of Limitations — Don't Miss Your Window
Following Florida's 2023 tort reform legislation, the statute of limitations for most personal injury negligence claims is two years from the date of injury. This is a hard deadline. If you file after it passes, Florida courts will almost certainly dismiss your claim regardless of its merit.
Two years sounds like enough time. It often isn't — especially once you account for the time required to gather medical records, reconstruct the accident, identify all liable parties, retain experts, and build a case worth presenting. The earlier we're involved, the more we can do.
If you're unsure whether your deadline has passed, one conversation with our attorneys will give you a clear answer. Don't assume it's too late before you call.
If the Insurance Company Has Already Called You, Read This First
Insurance adjusters are trained to contact injured parties quickly — often within days of an accident — before those parties retain legal counsel. The goal is to secure a recorded statement and, frequently, a fast low settlement that closes the claim before its full value is understood.
Accepting a settlement offer from an insurance company — or giving a recorded statement — without first consulting an attorney can permanently limit your recovery. Once you sign a release, your right to additional compensation is gone.
Their first call is a business decision. Your response to it should be an informed one. Our consultation is free, and we'll tell you plainly whether the offer on the table reflects the actual value of your claim.
The Attorneys Handling Your Personal Injury Case
Personal injury litigation at Barbas Nunez Sanders Butler & Hovsepian is led by three attorneys whose backgrounds bring distinct strengths to every case.
Kelly Barcia Nunez
Kelly Barcia Nunez is a Florida Bar Board Certified attorney and founding partner with more than 30 years of litigation experience. Her command of Florida injury law and her direct client communication style have made her one of the firm's most trusted advocates for accident victims.
L. Gray Sanders
L. Gray Sanders spent time on the defense side of civil litigation before joining the firm, which means he approaches every personal injury case understanding exactly how the opposing carrier will evaluate and contest it. That inside knowledge shapes case strategy from the first file review.
Kristen Emerson
Kristen Emerson holds a nursing degree alongside her law license. In personal injury cases involving serious physical injuries, disputed diagnoses, or contested medical causation, her clinical background is a concrete advantage — she understands what happened to your body, not just what the records say.
Real Results From Real Cases
We update our case results regularly because we think prospective clients deserve to see actual numbers — not marketing language about our commitment to maximum recovery.
$3.5M
Personal Injury
Autoclave explosion resulted in the client suffering from third degree burns over 80% of his body.
$2.5M
Back Taxes
Paid by multiple oil companies for back taxes owed to the City of Tampa.
$2.3M
Workers’ Compensation
Client fell off ladder/scaffold and suffered from quadriplegia.
$2.2M
Workers’ Compensation
Client fell from ladder and became partial quadriplegia.
What Florida Personal Injury Clients Ask Before They Call
How long do I have to file a personal injury claim in Florida?
Following 2023 tort reform changes, most personal injury negligence claims in Florida must be filed within two years of the date of injury. Missing this deadline typically bars your claim permanently. If you're uncertain about your timeline, contact us immediately — one conversation will tell you where you stand.
What damages can I recover in a Florida personal injury case?
Florida personal injury law allows recovery for medical expenses, lost wages, reduced future earning capacity, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life. In cases involving particularly reckless or intentional conduct, punitive damages may also be available. This is meaningfully broader than what workers' compensation covers.
What if I was partially at fault for the accident?
Florida follows a modified comparative negligence standard following the 2023 tort reform. If you are found more than 50% at fault, you cannot recover damages. If you're found partially at fault but under 50%, your recovery is reduced proportionally. An attorney evaluation will help you understand how fault allocation affects your specific claim.
The insurance company already offered me a settlement. Should I take it?
Not before you speak with an attorney. Insurance companies extend early offers specifically because early settlements are almost always below the actual value of the claim. Accepting an offer and signing a release permanently waives your right to additional recovery. Our consultation is free — find out what your case is actually worth before you decide.
How much does a personal injury attorney cost in Florida?
We work on contingency — you pay no legal fees unless we recover compensation for you. There are no upfront costs and no hourly charges. Our fee is a percentage of your recovery, so our financial incentive is exactly aligned with yours: recover as much as possible.
Can I file a personal injury claim and a workers' comp claim at the same time?
Yes, in some cases. If a third party's negligence contributed to a workplace injury — a contractor, equipment manufacturer, or delivery driver, for example — you may be entitled to pursue both a workers' comp claim and a separate personal injury claim simultaneously. Our attorneys evaluate both avenues and advise you on how to maximize total recovery.
How long does a personal injury case take in Florida?
Cases that settle without litigation can resolve in months. Cases involving disputed liability, serious injuries, or uncooperative carriers often take longer — sometimes significantly. We keep every client informed throughout the process and push for efficient resolution without sacrificing recovery value.
Someone Else's Negligence Shouldn't Cost You Everything. Let's Talk.
Florida's two-year statute of limitations means the window to act is real. Our personal injury attorneys are available for a free consultation — in English or Spanish — and we don't get paid unless you do. If you were injured in Tampa or anywhere across Florida, the conversation starts here.