Types of Personal Injury Compensation in Florida

When you have a personal injury case in Florida, it is natural to wonder what types of damages you can ask for in your settlement or award. Sometimes the compensation that you will receive will be very cut and dry, but there are some situations in which you may be entitled to more than one type of compensation. 

Compensatory damages are the most common in personal injury cases in Florida. Compensatory damages are compensation for specific damages that you can prove, such as medical bills and costs of future medical treatment. Here are some other examples of compensatory damages.

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The Broad Definition of Sexual Harassment

Most people think that sexual harassment is limited. Women are often not fully aware of what sexual harassment in the workplace is and who can commit it. While most women are aware that they cannot be made to perform sexual favors or accept sexual advances to keep their job or earn a promotion, sexual harassment in the workplace goes well beyond this.

Image of woman being harassed at work

The Primary Definition of Sexual Harassment

Sexual harassment in Florida is defined as behavior, statements, or actions that are sexual in nature and contribute to a hostile work environment. What constitutes sexual harassment in terms of behavior and statements can be a bit arbitrary, and its definitions can vary across company literature. However, any sexual or romantic advance that is unwanted and unwarranted can be considered sexual harassment.

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What Constitutes Wrongful Termination in Florida

Unfortunately, it is very common for people to be wrongfully terminated. Whether you were fired for something you didn’t do, or you were fired for some unspecified reason unrelated to your performance or attendance, you may feel as though your rights have been violated. However, these things typically do not constitute wrongful termination under the law.

Florida is an at-will state, which means that you and your employer can terminate your employment at any time, for any reason or no reason at all. Because of this, it is very difficult to prove wrongful termination in the State of Florida. 

Because Florida is an at-will employment state, this also means that the only situations in which you can claim wrongful termination is when your legal rights have been violated. This includes, but not limited to, situations such as retaliation for sexual harassment reporting, age discrimination, racial discrimination, or gender discrimination. Let’s look at each of these in more detail.

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Are Non-Compete Agreements Enforceable in Florida?

Employers often deem non-compete agreements an important step in protecting their legitimate business interests. However, sometimes these agreements are unnecessarily restrictive, or they may have no basis in law. There are certain times when a non-compete agreement is enforceable in Florida, but there are also many instances in which you could still work for a competitor.

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Requirements for a Non-Compete Agreement

There are certain requirements that must be met in order for a non-compete agreement to be enforceable. First, it cannot extend past the geographical area in which the employer operates. Second, it cannot extend past a reasonable amount of time.  Third, the non-compete agreement is more likely enforceable if the employer has trade secrets or proprietary information to which the employee had reasonable access.

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Why Hiring an Experienced Truck Accident Attorney Is Essential

When you are in any car accident, you need someone fighting on your side. But when you are in a truck accident, it is even more essential that you have an experienced attorney familiar with truck accidents specifically. There are several reasons you don’t want to tackle these situations on your own.

Determining Liability

When it comes to your average car accident, determining liability is fairly simple. Usually, it is going to fall on one of the drivers. But in a truck accident, liability may not be immediately clear. While the truck driver may be responsible for causing the wreck, it could also have been caused by the company’s policies or lack of maintenance on their vehicles. There are a lot of contributing factors to an accident with a commercial truck, and it takes an experienced attorney to be able to determine who should be compensating you for your injuries.

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What to Do When Insurance Doesn’t Want to Pay Your Claim

When you are in a car accident that is someone else’s fault, you expect that their insurance is going to pay your property damages and medical costs. After all, that is the purpose of having insurance, right? Unfortunately, there are many reasons that you can’t trust the insurance companies to do the right thing. Here’s what you need to know and what to do when you come up against a wall.

Looking Out for Number One

The insurance companies aren’t in business to pay claims. They are in business to make money. And as such, they will often do everything they can to either deny a claim or to pay out as little as possible. It is entirely likely that the insurance company will not give you a fair settlement without a fight. Many people simply take the settlement offered to them by the insurance company thinking that is all they can get, but this is wrong. With the help of an attorney, you can fight for the compensation that you deserve.

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Three Common Car Accident Injuries

A car accident can be devastating in more ways than one. When you are injured during a car accident, it can affect your income, your employment, and your family life. There are a lot of different injuries that can happen during an auto accident, but here are the most common.

Whiplash

Whiplash is a very common injury from car accidents. Whiplash occurs because the seatbelt holds you firmly to the seat, but your neck has no such support. Upon impact, the head slams forward and then back again, and this can cause whiplash. Whiplash isn’t always apparent right away. In fact, most people feel no symptoms for up to three days.

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Four Signs You Are Being Sexually Harassed at Work

Sexual harassment is against the law, and employers that allow it to occur can and should be held accountable. Many women do not really know what constitutes sexual harassment. It isn’t just about being propositioned for sex or given ultimatums. Here are five signs that you are being sexually harassed at work.

Image of woman being harassed at work

Sexual Behavior that Makes You Uncomfortable

Any behavior that is sexual in nature that makes you uncomfortable should be addressed immediately. While some people simply think that they are engaging in workplace antics and sarcasm, if the comments or behavior cause you stress, anxiety, or upset and they happen on a frequent or repeated basis, it constitutes sexual harassment.

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Slow Down and Share the Road: One Common Cause of Accidents

Road rage and similar behaviors are responsible for many of the car accidents that happen in the United States. Refusing to slow down and share the road with drivers obeying the traffic laws is one reason many people cause auto accidents. Here’s what you need to know.

What Is Road Rage?

Road rage occurs when a driver becomes angry with other drivers. Sometimes the anger may be justified, such as being cut off in traffic. More often, it is the result of someone being in a hurry and not wanting to obey the laws themselves. Road rage behaviors include tailgating, weaving in and out of traffic, and excessive speeding. Road rage accounts for about 10,000 accidents in the last 12 years.

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Why Driver Fatigue is as Dangerous as Drunk Driving

Everyone knows that your driving is impaired when someone drinks alcohol and drives. Drunk driving accounts for 28 percent of all traffic related deaths in the United States. But new evidence shows that driving fatigued can be every bit as dangerous as driving drunk, and some officials believe that it should be treated in much the same way, as a negligent driver.

In fact, 20 percent of traffic related deaths in America occur due to driver fatigue. That’s only eight percent fewer than drunk drivers. A new study done by AAA could be evidence that missing too much sleep can be as bad or worse than driving under the influence.

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