Negligence laws apply to all types of individuals and prevent them from acting in ways that harm others. Everyone must conform to certain standards of behavior or potentially face lawsuits. Florida negligence laws specify the limitations of these lawsuits.
Damages
The types of damages covered depend on the type of negligence, the type of injury, and the defendant’s identity. According to the state’s comparative negligence rule, the number of damages is reduced if the plaintiff is partially at fault.
The three types of comparative negligence vary by pure, modified, or slight negligence. Comparative negligence is used in cases of auto accidents, medical malpractice, product liability, etc.
The two main types of damages are general and special. Special damages mainly cover bills, such as medical expenses, property damage repairs, lost wages, transportation, and other fees. General damages cover non-tangible damages like emotional distress or pain and suffering. A plaintiff may qualify for one type of damage, both or neither depending on the circumstances of the accident.
Statutes
Negligence laws are validated by the statutes of limitations. The time limit is generally four years since the date of the accident in Florida.
Determining who is liable
Every case of negligence is different, but the main goals are to hold the responsible party accountable for the harm they caused. In some cases, the plaintiff is a corporation suing a smaller business, and in other cases, there are multiple plaintiffs or defendants. The main purpose is to determine if the plaintiff or defendant is liable for an accident and to which degree each person is responsible.
