If you or a loved one were injured by someone else’s actions or negligence, a Tampa personal injury lawyer can help you win compensation for your injuries.
Swope, Rodante is a top-tier law firm in Tampa, Florida with over 40 years of experience helping clients secure the compensation they deserve for their injuries.
Our personal injury attorneys have a proven track record of success handling personal injury claims across Florida.
If you have a complex case in Tampa, FL, we will provide the best legal representation for you or we will help you find the best attorney for your situation.
Benefits of Hiring a Personal Injury Lawyer at Swope, Rodante
When you choose our personal injury lawyers to handle your case, you can expect personal attention and aggressive representation.
Our attorneys, paralegals, and legal assistants will work tirelessly to build a strong case on your behalf.
The trial lawyers in our Tampa law office are skilled at negotiating insurance claim settlements to reimburse the cost of your medical care.
We specialize in representing clients with complex cases and catastrophic injuries.
We understand the physical, emotional, and financial impact that an injury can have on your life, and we are committed to helping you recover and move forward.
Our legal team will investigate the details of your accident, gather evidence, interview witnesses, and consult with experts to establish liability and prove the extent of your damages.
We believe in open and honest communication with our clients. We will keep you informed every step of the way and provide you with clear and realistic expectations about your case. Our goal is to achieve the best possible outcome for you, whether through negotiation or litigation.
Choosing the right personal injury law firm is crucial to the success of your case. With Swope Rodante, you can trust that you are in capable hands. Contact us today for a free consultation and let us fight for the justice and compensation you deserve.
Our personal injury lawyers will advocate for your interests and ensure you receive fair compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages.
Our injury lawyers will handle every part of your case including:
- Filing your claim.
- Settlement negotiation.
- Taking your lawsuit to trial.
Depending on the circumstances of the accident and the parties involved, you will have a limited amount of time to take legal action. By hiring a lawyer early on, you can ensure that all necessary paperwork is filed before the deadline.
Types of Personal Injury Claims We Handle
At Swope Rodante, we handle a wide range of personal injury claims. Our experienced attorneys have successfully represented clients in cases involving:
- Car accidents
- Truck accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Medical malpractice
- Product liability
- Wrongful death
- Slip and fall accidents
No matter the type of accident or injury you have suffered, our team is prepared to fight for your rights and pursue the compensation you deserve.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer?
Personal injury lawyers handle cases on a contingency fee basis, which means the plaintiff does not have to pay any upfront fees or out-of-pocket costs. The contingency fee is a percentage of the settlement or verdict obtained for the plaintiff. In some cases, the defendant must pay the plaintiff’s legal fees.
We understand that accident victims are already facing significant financial burdens and we help support our clients financially so that the cost of legal representation isn’t a barrier to seeking justice.
During your initial consultation, we will discuss our fee structure in detail and answer any questions you may have. We believe in transparency and want you to have a clear understanding of the financial aspects of your case before moving forward.
Don’t let concerns about the cost of hiring a lawyer prevent you from seeking the legal help you need. Talk to our personal injury lawyers today to learn how we can assist you.
How Much Compensation Can You Recover for a Personal Injury Claim?
Our law firm regularly achieves multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements for clients who have been catastrophically injured. The amount of compensation you can recover for a personal injury claim depends on the severity of your injuries, the impact on your daily life, and the at-fault party’s insurance coverage.
To determine the potential value of your claim, meet with a Tampa personal injury attorney. Our legal team will evaluate the specific details of your case, assess the damages, and estimate how much compensation you may be entitled to.
We’re dedicated to winning maximum compensation for our clients so they have the money they need to pay for medical bills and other costs associated with their injuries.
What Types of Damages May Be Recovered?
In personal injury claims, the plaintiff may recover compensation for economic damages such as medical expenses, lost wages, and property damage as well as non-economic damages including pain and suffering and lost quality of life.
In some cases, punitive damages are also awarded to the plaintiff to punish the at-fault party for reckless or malicious behavior and to deter others from engaging in similar conduct.
What Are the Requirements to File a Personal Injury Claim in Florida?
To file a personal injury claim in Florida, there are a few key requirements:
- The injury must have been caused by someone else’s negligence or intentional wrongdoing. This could be a car accident caused by another driver, a slip and fall on someone’s property due to a hazard, medical malpractice by a healthcare provider, or any other situation where another party failed to exercise reasonable care.
- You must have suffered compensable damages as a result of the injury. This includes economic damages like medical bills, lost wages, etc. as well as non-economic damages like pain and suffering.
- You must file your claim within the statute of limitations, which in Florida is generally 4 years from the date of the injury for most personal injury cases. Some exceptions may extend the typical statute of limitations, so it is wise to consult an attorney promptly to determine if different filing deadlines apply to your situation.
- You must be able to establish negligence by the other party through evidence. This includes proving they had a duty of care, that they breached this duty, that you were injured, and that your injury was directly caused by their breach of duty.
- You must comply with the pre-suit requirements of Florida’s insurance laws, which usually entail submitting a detailed demand letter to the prospective defendant before filing suit.
The process can be complex, so most personal injury victims benefit greatly from hiring an experienced Florida personal injury attorney to represent them and ensure all requirements are properly met.
What is the Deadline to File a Personal Injury Claim in Florida?
Florida has reduced the statute of limitations for filing personal injury claims from four (4) to two (2) years. The new statute of limitations applies to most civil actions accruing after March 24, 2023. There may be exceptions to this rule, depending on the type of case and the parties involved.
Consult with a lawyer promptly after your accident to ensure you don’t miss the deadline for filing your claim or you may miss the opportunity to seek compensation. Call (813) 273-0017 or contact us online to discuss your legal options today.
What is Negligence in a Florida Personal Injury Case?
Chapter 768 of the Florida Statutes defines negligence as “when a party fails to act with reasonable care and breaches a duty owed, causing harm or damage as a result.”
Negligence claims require establishing four elements: (1) the defendant owed a duty of care to the plaintiff, (2) the defendant breached that duty of care, (3) the breach actually and proximately caused injury or damages to the plaintiff, and (4) there are measurable damages.
There are different negligence standards and duties of care depending on the relationship between the parties and the activity at issue. Common legal negligence claims involve motor vehicle accidents, premises liability, medical malpractice, product liability, etc.
How to Prove Liability
To prove liability in a personal injury case, the plaintiff must establish the following elements:
- Duty of Care – You must show that the at-fault party owed you a duty of care. For example, drivers must operate their vehicles safely and obey traffic laws.
- Breach of Duty – You must demonstrate that the at-fault party breached their duty of care through negligent or reckless actions, such as speeding or distracted driving.
- Causation – You must establish a causal connection between the at-fault party’s breach of duty and your injuries.
- Damages – You must prove that you suffered damages caused by the accident or injury including medical expenses, lost wages, and other financial losses.
Proving these elements requires thorough investigation, evidence, and a compelling argument. That is why it is essential to have an experienced injury attorney on your side. Our team will investigate the accident, consult expert witnesses, and present a bulletproof argument to support your claim.
Our personal injury attorneys have a deep understanding of Florida law and know what it takes to win. Contact us to schedule a free consultation and learn more about how we can help you prove liability.
Comparative Negligence
Florida follows a comparative negligence rule, which means that your compensation may be reduced if you are found partially at fault for the accident. However, even if you were partially responsible, you may still be able to recover damages.
A bill passed in 2023 amended Florida law to prevent plaintiffs from recovering damages in personal injury lawsuits if the jury determines they are more than 50% at fault.
An experienced lawyer can help you navigate this new legislation and fight for the maximum compensation possible even if you were partially at fault for the accident.
The specifics of a negligence claim can be complex and very fact-specific under Florida law. Speak to our personal injury attorneys for further guidance about negligence claims and civil litigation.
Contact Us for a Free Consultation
If you have been injured due to someone else’s negligence, the personal injury lawyers at Swope Rodante are ready to help.
Our attorneys are here to support you every step of the way. Our injury attorneys will keep you informed, answer your questions, and provide the guidance you need to make informed decisions about your case.
Call (813) 273-0017 for a free consultation with a Tampa personal injury lawyer at Swope Rodante.
Our Tampa personal injury attorneys have decades of experience winning compensation for clients who were injured because of someone else’s actions or negligence.
At Swope, Rodante P.A., we specialize in standing up against large, powerful corporations on behalf of families harmed by the business’s negligence. Our formidable team of attorneys will help you get back on your feet after an accident and assist you and your family in seeking the necessary treatment throughout your recovery journey.
If you or a loved one were injured in an accident, call (813) 273-0017 for a free consultation with our expert personal injury lawyers.
Our attorneys will communicate on your behalf, so you don’t have to worry about dealing with insurance companies, opposing attorneys, doctors seeking payment, or any other burdens. When our team takes on your case, you can focus on your recovery while we work hard to win the compensation you deserve.
As a personal injury law firm in Tampa, we pride ourselves on supporting the community and forming personal relationships with our clients. The Swope, Rodante personal injury team has more experience than any other firm in handling complex cases, especially those involving catastrophic injuries. Our lawyers fight harder than anyone else to help our clients get justice and recover damages.
The Most Experienced Personal Injury Attorneys in Tampa
Over the past 40 years, our firm has established a reputation among other attorneys that differentiates our team from any other type of personal injury firm. Our attorneys will fight a battle that seems unwinnable by other attorneys through extensive expertise and determination. When an attorney has a case that they do not know how to win, they call Swope, Rodante P.A.
Our lawyers expertly handle cases involving catastrophic injuries and will locate all means of recovery — in many of our successful cases, we find potentially unknown parties or insurance policies.
We do not stop until we find a way to win for you. After an accident involving a catastrophic injury, the resulting case can take years to fully litigate and get you the result you desire.
When our team decides to take on a case, we immediately begin to prepare for trial, as opposed to taking the first settlement offer possible. Through this process, we take pride in the personal relationships we build with our clients and value close communication with them throughout the process of their case.
We take pride in getting to know all of our clients deeply and personally as we handle their cases. Once we make a friend in a client, we consider them a friend for life and want to do our best to attempt to provide for their care their care beyond the short-term life of their case.
We Have the Resources to Win Your Personal Injury Claim
While other people may want a quick and easy fix, the Tampa personal injury lawyers at Swope, Rodante P.A. understand that winning a complex case at its maximum value can take years and we guide our clients through that process.
At our Tampa office, we built a mock trial room that evokes the feeling of a courtroom, including a judge’s bench, witness stand, and jury box. In addition to trial preparation, we understand the value of getting things done the right way.
This appreciation for detail led us to employ our own in-house photographer and videographer, as well as a document and exhibit specialist who ensures every detail of your case, no matter how minute receives the necessary attention.
Through our vast experience with catastrophic injury cases, the entire legal team at Swope, Rodante P.A has built relationships not only on the legal side of the equation but also to help our clients in a holistic manner.
We know the best rehabilitation treatment facilities and know where our clients might need assistance as they begin their road back to a new normal.
Our Tampa attorneys have also helped in the crafting of these pieces of legislation that get passed in Tallahassee, so they know exactly how to win cases based on these intricate laws.
Our Firm Handles Every Aspect of Your Case
As a client of Swope, Rodante P.A you will have more than one lawyer working on your case at all times.
Our firm handles cases using a team approach that ensures we have an expert attorney handling every aspect of your case, our teams include litigation (trial team), medical malpractice, insurance coverage, insurance bad faith, post-trial motions, and appeals.
Using the team approach, we ensure that we explore every avenue of your case to maximize your potential recovery.
Types of Personal Injury Claims We Handle
Auto Accidents
In terms of personal injury cases, the majority fall in the category of auto accidents. Our team has over four decades of experience handling auto accident claims, and we specialize in cases involving catastrophic injuries, caused by the recklessness of another driver.
In this kind of auto accident, insurance companies will bring their lawyers ready for a fight, but our Tampa auto accident attorneys thrive on challenges and complex cases. If you need a Tampa accident attorney, we can help you.
Appellate Practice
In order to properly handle an appeal, you must work with a lawyer who has extensive legal prowess in addition to a wealth of legal experience. At Swope, Rodante, P.A. we have an entire team of Tampa attorneys and legal assistants devoted to taking a case through the appellate process.
Other lawyers come to our expert team to learn about how to handle the appellate process as part of continuing legal education seminars held throughout the state of Florida. If your case needs appellate work, please reach out to Swope, Rodante P.A.
Children’s Daycare Injuries
A situation can arise where a dereliction of duty by a childcare provider results in the injury of your child. Due to these actions, parents or a court-appointed guardian can sue on behalf of a child to recoup any costs associated with medical bills, physical rehabilitation, or counseling needed to aid in recovery. Our team can guide you through the process of filing a daycare injury claim for damages.
Construction Site Injury
Some construction site injuries are truly accidental, but other cases result from a company or employee failing to follow proper safety regulations. Accidents at a construction site have many complex elements and involve state and federal laws.
This multitude of differing laws may call for investigation of multiple employer sites with subcontractors. Our attorneys take pride in the work we have done to help our clients injured in these types of accidents.
At Swope, Rodante P.A., our trial team puts in the work necessary to determine all sources of liability. If you are unsure about your construction site injury, reach out to our office in Tampa.
Dangerous Workplace
Every person deserves the right to work in a safe environment free from danger. However, in some cases, employers fail to meet that standard. While many cases resulting from a workplace accident result in a workman’s compensation claim, some exceptions do apply.
These types of cases can include a case where an employee suffers an injury due to a defective product, or a case that seeks damages not from your employer.
When an employee works at a location not run by their employer or qualifies as a contractor at a location, the injured person may have a lack of protection. In those specific cases our Tampa personal injury lawyers will fight to ensure the protection of your rights.
Diving and Drowning Accidents
Summertime in Florida leads to long days often spent relaxing and resting by the pool. However, these sunshine-filled leisure days can take a dangerous turn without proper operation, maintenance or security.
When these failures occur, a variety of different cases can result including cases regarding, negligence, product liability, or premises liability. If you find yourself or a family member injured in a diving or drowning accident, our Tampa personal injury attorneys can help you in your pursuit to recover damages including, medical bills, physical therapy or counseling.
Dog Bite Injury
Unfortunately, a situation may arise where you may find yourself a victim of a dog bite injury. These accidents can result in costly medical bills including surgery and antibiotics for the victim. Our team of Tampa injury attorneys will fight to prove the dog owner’s liability if the attack occurs on public property or lawfully on private property.
Guillain-Barre Syndrome
Our team handles cases resulting in patients diagnosed with Guillain-Barre syndrome. This condition presents as a rare autoimmune disorder in which a person’s own immune system damages the nerves, causing muscle weakness and sometimes paralysis. Our team of Tampa Injury lawyers assists families facing this diagnosis to win a jury trial to cover their new medical bills and other compensation. In order to win these complex cases, it takes a lawyer who can invest both emotionally and financially on behalf of their clients and our team takes a personal approach to each and every case.
Insurance
Few firms can inspire the level of fear in the eyes of an insurance company that comes with the name Swope, Rodante to any case — they have learned we provide the expertise and resource that will outsmart and outfight them at every turn. Specifically, when fighting a bad faith case against an insurance company, when they fail to represent their client properly, our lawyers at Swope, Rodante have earned the reputation of the preeminent Bad Faith firm in the state of Florida. Our teams provide the expertise and tenacity to fight and win at trial, on complex cases that other wills cannot or will not touch. When facing a complex case against an insurance company, call our team.
Legal Malpractice
When a client works with an attorney, they have the expectation that their lawyer will act with integrity, competence and skill, in line with their ethical duty. When a lawyer fails to meet these responsibilities, a case of legal malpractice may result. The issue of legal malpractice can result from four areas — negligent errors; exercising negligence in the professional relationship; claim filed by an adversary or non-client against a lawyer; or fee disputes. If you believe your lawyer has committed legal malpractice, reach out to a member of our team, and ensure that you receive the representation you deserve.
Medical Malpractice
A patient trusts their doctor to make decisions that will do no harm in regard to their care. However, when a physician fails to follow the required standard of care, a patient may face physical, mental, or emotional wounds. Our medical malpractice attorneys provide insight and expertise on how to win these complex and challenging cases, especially through the difficult pre-suit phase. While these medical malpractice cases bring many challenges, our expert team has found success in helping clients that have suffered at the hands of physicians who have failed to properly treat them. If you have questions about your medical provider’s care, please call Swope, Rodante P.A.
Motorcycle Accident
Injuries or death due to a motorcycle accident can result in expensive medical bills, lost wages, or even funeral expenses, all due to the negligence of another driver. These types of complex litigation cases require expert personal injury attorneys that can devote the necessary time and resources to your case. To get the justice you deserve, call our Tampa motorcycle lawyers to help you and your family in your recovery process.
Negligent Security
An owner of property often has a responsibility to provide for the safety and security of their customers, visitors, and guests. When an owner fails to meet this duty, a case may result based under premises liability law. In order to successfully litigate a negligent security case, a lawyer will need to prove the owner should have had awareness of the danger and failed to act to protect the safety of others. Our Tampa personal injury lawyers can investigate your claim and determine if you have a case against a property owner.
Nursing Home Abuse
One of the hardest decisions a family can make, results from the need to seek additional support for an older family member. When a family member begins residence in a long-term care facility, their traditional caretakers have the expectations that their family member will receive top-notch care. However, when a facility fails to meet the standard of care, a lawsuit against a nursing home can result to recover damages related to bodily injury, psychological and mental suffering due to the abuse. If you have questions about what you can do, please call us.
Product Liability
A manufacturer wields the social and legal responsibility to ensure their product meets all safety requirements and lacks defects. When they fail to meet this standard, and a consumer suffers a catastrophic injury resulting from the failure of the product, the resulting case can find negligence on the part of the manufacturer, distributor or seller. Our firm handles product liability cases including those resulting from; dangerous chemicals and hazardous materials, defective children’s products, unsafe industrials and commercial equipment, dangerous pharmaceuticals and medical devices, or defective automotive equipment. Call our Tampa lawyers today to learn more about your rights.
Spinal Cord Injuries
A spinal cord injury can leave families with an entirely new reality that they could have never planned for, but our Tampa spinal cord injury attorneys know how to help prepare you for this next phase of life. Our expertise in handling these types of cases illuminates our reputations as the premier spinal cord injury firm all over the state of Florida. We take pride in knowing the number of families we have helped as they face an uncertain future resulting from a spinal cord injury. If you or a member of your family suffers from a spinal cord injury after an accident, please call us.
Sports Injury
In Florida, nearly all children are involved in a sport throughout the year and those sports teach them values and work ethic that will often serve them throughout life. However, when a child is injured in a sport whether at a game or practice, an investigation must follow to determine if there was a failure by any party to properly protect a child in that circumstance. Our team of sports injury attorneys have worked with families of children whose lives were forever changed as a result of a sports injury that should have never happened.
Traumatic Brain Injuries
An accident resulting in a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) can lead to long term side-effects including headaches, attention difficulties, difficulty remembering, dizziness and anxiety. Depending on the severity of the case the injured person may require assistance caring for themselves for the rest of their lives. Our team of traumatic brain injury lawyers has experience taking on large corporations and insurance companies to fight on behalf of our clients with a TBI to help them navigate the complex journey of recovery. The lawyers at Swope, Rodante P.A. have handled TBI cases resulting in large settlements across Tampa and the state of Florida.
Trucking Accident
After you or a family member have suffered bodily harm from an accident with a commercial truck, our team at Swope, Rodante P.A. will fight to hold the negligent party accountable. Victims of commercial trucking accidents can find themselves saddled with expensive medical bills, lost wages, physical impairment, and emotional trauma. While handling your personal injury case, we will take the time to investigate all theories and prepare your case for your desired resolution. To find the most detail-oriented lawyers in Tampa, call our team today.
Wrongful Death
No amount of money can replace what was lost after the death of a loved one. However, if their death was due to the negligence of another person, you may have a civil claim to bring against them through a wrongful death suit. These cases differ from a criminal case, and occur in civil court, brought against the liable party from the family or dependents of the person who has died. If you have questions about a wrongful death case, please call our lawyers.
