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Sarasota Personal Injury Lawyer

Have you or a loved one experienced an accident or injury that stems from the careless behavior of another individual? At Shapiro | Delgado | Hofmann law firm, you can make this wrong right in a Florida court of law.

With over 100 years of combined experience successfully winning personal injury cases, we’re proud of the work we do to get the maximum possible compensation for our clients.
Get in touch today with a Sarasota personal injury lawyer for your free, no-obligation free case review.

Why Choose Shapiro | Delgado | Hofmann

When facing the aftermath of a personal injury, choosing the right legal representation is crucial. At Shapiro | Delgado | Hofmann, we offer a compelling combination of experience, success, and unwavering dedication to our clients’ rights.

  • Collectively, our law firm has more than 100 years of combined experience in injury law
  • Our injury attorneys have successfully secured well over $300,000,000.00 in compensation for accident victims
  • Our team is comprised of award-winning injury attorneys: We were awarded best lawyer of the year in 2020
  • Our two founding lawyers have a perfect 10 AVVO rating and have decades of experience
  • Our team of experienced staff provides thoughtful service, catered to your needs
  • No Fees Unless We Win Guarantee: If we don’t make a recovery, you owe us nothing, not even costs!

At Shapiro | Delgado | Hofmann, our mission is simple: to fiercely protect and fight for the financial rights of our clients. When you choose us, you’re selecting a team that combines seasoned experience with a compassionate approach, ensuring your case receives the attention and skill it deserves.

Meet the Attorneys

David Shapiro

Managing Partner

David Shapiro is a seasoned injury lawyer with an impeccable reputation, boasting over 30 years of experience advocating for injury victims and their families. David’s deep-rooted connection to the local community allows him to provide personalized and effective legal representation tailored to the unique needs of his clients. When you choose David Shapiro as your advocate, you can trust he will stand by your side and fight for the compensation and justice you deserve.

 

Jim Delgado

Managing Partner

With over 20 years of trial experience, Jim Delgado is a renowned personal injury litigation lawyer serving Manatee County and beyond. As a U.S. Air Force veteran, he brings a disciplined approach and unwavering dedication to his legal practice. Fluent in Spanish, Jim ensures all clients receive comprehensive representation. His accolades and track record of success underscore his commitment to justice. Trust Jim Delgado to champion your cause and secure the compensation you deserve.

attorneys at Shapiro | Delgado | Hofmann with the caption: "trust Shapiro | Delgado | Hofmann to get the justice you deserve"

How Shapiro | Delgado | Hofmann Can Help After an Injury

At Shapiro | Delgado | Hofmann, our team of dedicated personal injury attorneys is committed to providing comprehensive support and leveraging our experience to bolster your case. Our skilled attorneys will:

  • Handle all legal documentation and correspondence while offering reliable legal counsel every step of the way.
  • Collaborate with experts to meticulously investigate your accident, collecting compelling evidence to strengthen your case.
  • Identify all liable parties involved in your accident to ensure that every avenue for compensation is pursued.
  • Precisely assess the worth of your case, factoring in long-term losses to ensure you receive rightful compensation.
  • Negotiate assertively with insurance companies on your behalf, aiming to secure a fair settlement that meets your needs.
  • And if required, we’ll represent you in court, advocating for your rights and pursuing the maximum jury verdict to ensure justice is served

What Our Clients Are Saying About Us

 

“Highly recommend!”
Shapiro Delgado is great! I found them through reviews online. I reached out and they were able to provide the help I needed with my case. Adam was extremely punctual and easy to talk to which made the process less stressful for me. I was always updated and kept in the loop. Highly recommend!


Jake H. | GOOGLE REVIEW


 

“There isn’t anyone else in Florida that I’d trust with my case”
I’ve known Adam Shapiro for many years, and there isn’t anyone else in Florida that I’d trust with my case.
Adam and his team made the entire process easy, made me feel important and understood, and worked tirelessly to get us justice.
I highly recommend working with Shapiro | Delgado | Hofmann.


Sam M. | GOOGLE REVIEW


 

“Can’t say enough great things about David and Shapiro | Delgado | Hofmann.”
The mistake I made was not calling David much sooner. His knowledge and skills proved to be so important in putting what was a very difficult period behind me. I really just can’t say enough great things about David and Shapiro | Delgado | Hofmann.


Philip T. | GOOGLE REVIEW

 

Shapiro | Delgado | Hofmann Case Results


$6M

Brain Injury

On a car accident case with a traumatic brain injury

 

$5.75M

Product Liability/Wrongful Death
On a wrongful death product liability claim

 

$1.2M

Car Accident
On an auto case where there was only $50,000 in insurance, we made the insurance company over twenty times their policy limits.

 

$5.37M

Truck Fatality Accident
Verdict for clients that had lost their mother due to a tragic accident where she was struck by a large commercial truck and ultimately passed away.

Contact Shapiro | Delgado | Hofmann Today

To take the first step towards the justice you deserve, call us at (941) 954-4000 or fill out our online form for your free personal injury case evaluation. Let Shapiro | Delgado | Hofmann be your trusted ally in navigating the path to recovery and compensation.

Table of Contents

Types of Cases We Handle

If you’ve sustained injuries due to another person’s negligence, you may have grounds for a personal injury claim in court. Here are examples of situations that could constitute a basis for such a case:

Given the uniqueness of each situation, it’s crucial to reach out to a reliable Sarasota personal injury lawyer at Shapiro | Delgado | Hofmann as soon as you suspect you might have a case.

Why File a Personal Injury Claim?

Personal injuries impose significant burdens on their victims, resulting in mental, physical, emotional, and financial hardships.

When individuals suffer personal injuries, they often need to take time off from work and their regular routines to address their physical ailments. The extent of this can range from hospital stays and doctor’s appointments to surgeries, rehabilitation programs, or other forms of necessary care.

The aftermath of a traumatic accident can also take a toll on a person’s mental and emotional well-being, sometimes necessitating therapy or group counseling. In some cases, medication may be prescribed to help manage post-traumatic stress disorder.

The costs associated with medical and psychological care can be substantial, compounded by the fact that personal injury victims are unable to work while receiving treatment. This can lead to unpaid living expenses and mounting medical debts without any means of repayment.

Filing successful personal injury claims can provide financial compensation to cover these expenses, while also offering a path to justice for innocent victims. Such claims hold negligent individuals, companies, and governments accountable for the harm they cause others and can serve as a deterrent against future misconduct.

For those who are left with permanent disabilities, compensation can provide ongoing access to quality medical care and financial support in the future.

What is My Personal Injury Case Worth?

No two personal injury cases are the same. Every personal injury case has a unique set of circumstances and people involved. Victim’s injuries and healing times are personal as are their accident experiences.

No personal injury attorney can accurately estimate the value of a case without thoroughly reviewing a victim’s case. There are several factors that go into any compensation calculation.

These may include any of the following:

  • The type and severity of the victim’s injuries;
  • Whether the victim’s injuries are temporary or permanent;
  • If the victim is disabled due to a spinal injury;
  • If the victim can resume employment;
  • The duration of a victim’s recovery;
  • How the victim’s injuries will impact their quality of life;
  • If the victim sought immediate medical care;
  • The victim’s total economic losses;
  • The victim’s total property damage;
  • Any available insurance coverage;
  • Who the other parties are in the case; and
  • If the victim shared fault for the accident.

Generally victims who share little to no fault for their accidents can recover their total economic losses. These are any medical expenses, lost wages, and other provable costs.

It is more difficult to prove non-economic damages or pain and suffering. These are personal losses like loss of enjoyment of life or the mental effects of disfigurement. A Sarasota personal injury lawyer can help place a value on these damages and explain how such losses are determined.

It is worth noting that while economic damages aim to reimburse the victim for their financial losses, punitive damages are a different category altogether. Punitive damages, though relatively rare, are intended to punish the at-fault party for their egregious behavior and deter others from engaging in similar misconduct. They may be awarded in cases where the defendant’s actions were particularly reckless, malicious, or intentional.

the justice we pursue is yours

How Common Are Injuries in Sarasota County?

The most current national injury data is from 2019. It ranked Florida 8.90% higher than the national average for injuries, and 12.57% higher than the national average for unintentional injuries.

When compared to the six most populous states in the nation, Florida’s injury fatalities stood out, particularly in motor vehicle accidents, suicides, drownings, pedestrian accidents, and bicyclist accidents. These statistics are a stark reminder that various accident types can result in personal injury claims when negligence comes into play.

Sarasota County closely mirrors the state’s trends, especially concerning personal injury accidents and fatalities, where motor vehicle accidents take the lead. The 2022 report by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles paints a clearer picture:

Sarasota Car Accidents

In 2022 alone, Sarasota County has witnessed a significant number of car accidents in recent years,

  • Reporting 7,065 car crashes.
  • Of these crashed,  59 resulted in fatalities
  • The toll on individuals involved in these accidents was substantial, with 4,122 reported injuries.

Sarasota Motorcycle Accidents

Motorcycle accidents are a concerning issue in Sarasota, with both fatalities and injuries being reported:

  • In 2022, there were 178 motorcycle crashes in Sarasota County.
  • Sadly, 9 of these accidents resulted in fatalities.
  • Injuries were reported in 15 cases, underscoring the vulnerability of motorcyclists on our roads.

Sarasota Bicycle Accidents

Bicycling is a popular mode of transportation and recreation in Sarasota, but it’s not without risks:

  • In 2022, there were 217 bicycle accidents in Sarasota County.
  • Injuries were reported in 206 cases, highlighting the importance of safety measures for cyclists.
  • 6 of these accidents resulted in fatalities.

Sarasota Pedestrian Accidents

Pedestrian safety is crucial, yet Sarasota has seen its share of accidents involving pedestrians:

  • In 2022, there were 186 pedestrian-involved accidents in Sarasota County.
  • Of these accidents, 9 resulted in fatalities.
  • Injuries were reported in 158 cases

Sarasota Hit and Run Incidents

Hit and run accidents are not uncommon, often leading to serious consequences:

  •  Shockingly, there were 1,651 hit and run accidents reported in Sarasota County.
  •  Tragically, one of these accidents resulted in a fatality.
  •  Injuries were reported in 308 cases

Slip and Fall Injuries

Injuries resulting from slips, trips, and falls are a significant concern, not only in Sarasota but across the entire country. These incidents affect individuals of all ages but carry graver consequences for older adults, who make up 37% of the county’s adult population.

Nationally, falls rank as the second leading cause of injuries, with older adults succumbing to fall-related injuries every twenty minutes. Additionally, in 2021, slips, falls, and trips stood as the second most fatal workplace injury in the United States, as reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Florida’s Pure Comparative Negligence Law

Florida uses a system of damage recovery called pure comparative negligence. Under this system, parties to an accident can share blame for an accident.

The court will assign parties a percentage of fault for an accident up to 100%. Any monetary award the jury awards, will be reduced by a party’s assigned percentage of fault.

For example:

  • An injured party is determined to be 60% at fault for an accident;
  • That party is awarded $100,000 in damages;
  • Their award is reduced by 60% or $60,000;
  • The injured party receives an award of $40,000.

In a pure comparative fault system, an injured party can receive damages even if they are 99% at fault for an accident.

The Four Elements of Negligence

A Sarasota personal injury lawyer must prove four elements when making a case for negligence. These are duty of care, breach of duty, causation, and damages.

  1. Duty of care. This is a legal duty owed by the at-fault individual to the victim. People owe one another a duty of care not to act recklessly as they perform daily tasks such as driving;
  2. Breach of the duty. The at-fault individual must breach the duty of care;
  3. Causation. This breach must cause the victim harm. For instance, while driving, the at-fault individual chooses to run a stop-light and broadsides the victim’s car;
  4. Damages. The at-fault individual causes the victim some type of compensable loss. Damages may take any form so long as they are definable. In the car accident scenario, the victim may suffer property loss, medical bills, and pain and suffering. A Sarasota car accident attorney works diligently to advocate for the victim and seek the recovery of these compensable losses.

Sarasota Personal Injury FAQs

What is the Statute of Limitations in Florida?

The statute of limitations in Florida for negligence was previously 4 years. However, in March 2023, Governor Ron DeSantis enacted House Bill (HB) 837, which establishes a new Florida law requiring cases based on negligence to be filed within two years from the date of the incident. Failure to meet this deadline will result in the permanent barring of such cases.

Previously, there was an exception to the statute of limitations rule in Florida for wrongful death cases, which allowed a filing period of 2 years instead of the standard 4 years for other negligence-related cases. However, with the enactment (HB) 837 the statute of limitations for cases based on negligence, including wrongful death claims, has been revised to match the 2-year timeframe. It is crucial for individuals involved in wrongful death cases to take appropriate legal action promptly and contact a Sarasota wrongful death attorney to protect their rights and pursue justice in such sensitive cases.

How Do I Choose the Right Lawyer?

First, when selecting a Sarasota personal injury attorney, it is important to find a local attorney that has the time to sit and discuss your case with you. Second, look for attorneys with a proven track record of successful settlements and jury verdicts, like Shapiro | Delgado | Hofmann.

And finally, don’t forget that you’ll likely be working with the same lawyer for years in your case. Your personal comfort is paramount in developing a positive working relationship with your Sarasota personal injury lawyer.

What Does it Cost to Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer?

Never hesitate to meet with an experienced Sarasota personal injury attorney. Most work on a contingency fee basis meaning they only get paid when you do.

If you are concerned, schedule an initial consultation to speak with one of our personal injury lawyers in Sarasota and ask about their fee schedule. At the law firm of Shapiro l Delgado l Hofmann, we offer a complimentary consultation and work on a contingency fee basis.

Meet with one of our knowledgeable lawyers to discuss your case today.

How Much Compensation is Available?

The amount of compensation available in a personal injury claim depends on the extent of the injuries and specific circumstances. Economic damages cover measurable financial losses like lost profits, wages, medical expenses, and property damage. Non-economic damages are intangible and include pain, suffering, emotional distress, and loss of society. Since non-economic damages are subjective, their value varies. Consulting a Sarasota personal injury attorney is crucial to understand the potential compensation and navigate the legal process for a fair settlement or court award.

Areas We Serve

Our Sarasota personal injury attorneys serves all over Sarasota County including:

Sarasota Springs, Englewood, Fruitville, Gulf Gate Estates, Bee Ridge, Laurel, North Sarasota, Venice Gardens, Southgate, Osprey, Siesta Key, Warm Mineral Springs, South Sarasota, Lake Sarasota, The Meadows, Kensington Park, Vamo, Desoto Lakes, Nokomis, Plantation

The Law Firm of Shapiro | Delgado | Hofmann Doesn’t Rest Until Justice Is Served

Shapiro | Delgado | Hofmann has over $100 million worth of settlements and successful jury verdicts to our name. Our Sarasota personal injury lawyers are so confident we’ll win your personal injury claim that we never take a cent in compensation unless we win – guaranteed.

If you or a loved one has suffered personal injuries due to someone else’s negligence, reach out to Shapiro | Delgado | Hofmann today to schedule your free, no obligation case review. You can call us at (941) 954-4000 or fill out our online form to speak with an experienced personal injury attorney about your case and learn more about how we can pursue the justice you deserve.