In Florida, new laws have been passed that will affect many types of cases. Understanding their impact is crucial if you’re considering filing a lawsuit.
The good news is that Ginnis, Krathen & Zelnick can be your source of information and guidance on the approximately 200 new laws recently enacted. If you live in the Fort Lauderdale, FL area and are considering legal action, it’s imperative to talk with a personal injury lawyer right away.
Failing to do so could cause you to miss your window of opportunity, leaving you with large medical bills that affect your financial stability. On the flip side, when you work with one of our personal injury attorneys, they’re your advisor and advocate. They can help you understand the new laws and get the justice and compensation you deserve.
Why Staying Up to Date on New Laws Is Important
No one outside the legal profession is probably familiar with all of the hundreds of laws that took effect recently. Reviewing and understanding them would be an overwhelming task for someone injured by another party’s actions.
But knowing how the legislation affects current and previous cases is critical. Statute 837 which went into effect in March, for example, has shortened the statute of limitation for filing negligence claims from four years to two. That change could catch you off guard if you previously understood you had four years to take action.
And that’s just one example. Across the many new laws, litigants may be affected by changes to:
- Statutes of limitations
- Compensation eligibility
- Compensation amounts
- And more
That’s why talking with an experienced personal injury attorney promptly is so important. Your Fort Lauderdale attorney at Ginnis, Krathen & Zelnick can help you understand what’s at stake and how to move forward.
New Florida Laws That May Affect Your Case
The list of new laws in Florida is long, but some of those most likely to affect you are described below.
HB543: Firearms and Concealed Carry- July 2023
This law could affect hunting and accidental shooting accidents.
- A person can now carry a weapon without a conceal-and-carry permit. They only need to be able to legally own a gun.
- It could make it more difficult to prove a shooter negligent if they are not required to have a carry permit.
HB 1521: Facility Requirements Based on Sex- July 2023
This law could impact slip-and-fall or premises liability cases.
- It requires people to use bathrooms based on the sex they were assigned at birth.
- Transgender people are one of the minorities with the highest rates of violent victimization. This law may put them at even further risk of violence and personal injury claims.
- Problems may arise if a slip-and-fall accident occurs when a person uses the bathroom opposite to the gender assigned at birth. That may make it difficult to prove liability.
SB 7052: Insurer Accountability- July 2023
This law might affect property damage and car accident insurance claims and the filing of a Civil Remedy Notice in Florida.
- It prohibits insurers from canceling a property insurance policy during a pending claim.
- It could make proving that an insurance company was negligent easier if they mishandled a car accident claim.
Florida Statute 768.071: Personal Injury Claims- March 2023
This statute will affect all personal injury cases.
- It establishes a statute of limitations for personal injury claims in Florida.
- This means you must file a claim within four years of the date of the injury, or it will be barred.
Florida Statute 766.1451: Drunk Driving – July 2023
This law could affect drunk driving and car accident cases.
- It establishes a shop liability statute in Florida for bars and restaurants serving alcohol to intoxicated customers.
- This means a bar or restaurant can be held liable for the injuries caused by a customer who is served alcohol while intoxicated.
Florida Statute 768.81: Product Liability Claims- March 2023
This legislation could affect product liability cases in several ways.
- It establishes liability for manufacturers and sellers of defective products.
- It makes it easier for plaintiffs to win product liability cases by lowering the standard of proof for proving a defect.
- The law expands the types of damages that plaintiffs can recover in product liability cases.
- It makes it more difficult for defendants to raise certain defenses, such as assumption of risk.
Take Action To Protect Your Rights in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Many new laws have gone into effect in Florida recently. It’s crucial to contact a personal injury attorney in Fort Lauderdale if you’ve been hurt due to another party’s negligence. The same is true if you’re the parent or guardian of someone who has suffered an injury. Our team is well-versed in all the recently enacted laws. Contact Ginnis, Krathen & Zelnick today to learn how Statute 837 or any new legislation may affect your case.