Were you or a loved one recently assaulted in Tampa, FL? You may have the right to file a personal injury lawsuit and recover compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more. A Tampa assault injury lawyer at Catania and Catania Injury Lawyers can help you fight for justice.
Our legal team has recovered over $500 million in compensation for injured parties since we started our legal practice in 1992.
If you or your loved one are struggling with painful assault injuries, don’t hesitate. Contact our Tampa law office at (813) 222-8656 to schedule a free consultation today.
Table of Contents
How Catania and Catania Injury Lawyers Can Help After an Assault in Tampa, Florida
Assault can be a terrifying and traumatic experience. Hopefully, the criminal justice system will hold your attacker responsible for their conduct. However, you can hold them financially responsible through a personal injury suit—even if law enforcement doesn’t charge them with a crime. Our Tampa personal injury lawyers can help.
Catania and Catania Injury Lawyers has been helping accident victims recover life-changing compensation for their injuries for nearly 30 decades. We prepare every case with an eye to trial. We’re veterans of the courtroom and the negotiating table. That’s why defense attorneys will take note when you hire our elite team of injury lawyers.
They know that we will be your fiercest advocate and their toughest opponent as we:
- Offer you top-rated legal advice at every step of your case
- Conduct an independent investigation into your attack to gather evidence
- Calculate the full extent of your damages — not leaving out a single penny
- Bring in Tampa Bay’s top experts to strengthen your case if necessary
- Insist on a fair settlement for your injuries
- Go to court if the defense team won’t play ball
We’ve developed this award-winning approach through 30 years of painstaking personal injury representation on behalf of individuals and families in Tampa. We know what it takes to get results.
We’re ready to help you get the compensation you deserve for your injuries. Contact us today to schedule a free case review with a Tampa personal injury lawyer.
How Common is Assault in Tampa, FL?
Assault and other violent crimes are a serious problem in the U.S. In 2019 alone, approximately 1.2 million violent crimes occurred in the United States.
When it comes to violence, it turns out that Florida is one of the most dangerous states in the nation. In 2019 alone, Florida victims reported:
- 55,475 cases of aggravated assault
- 8.456 cases of sexual assault and rape
- 1,122 murder cases
- 16,217 robberies
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement also keeps track of domestic assault cases. In 2018 alone, 104,914 domestic violence offenses were reported statewide.
So how safe is Tampa? Annually, about 1,671 violent crimes are reported in Tampa–making Tampa safer than only 26% of all cities in the U.S.
Were you a victim of assault in Tampa? Call our law firm to learn more about how we can help you fight to recover financial compensation.
Overview of Florida Laws on Assault and Battery
Like every other state, assault is a crime in Florida. In civil terms, assault is also an intentional tort. The criminal justice system is designed to punish people for wrongdoing. The civil system, on the other hand, is about compensating victims for their losses.
While a criminal conviction can give you a sense of justice, it doesn’t give you the money you need to cover your medical bills and living expenses while you recover. If you were assaulted, you deserve justice on both fronts.
Fortunately, a defendant can face criminal charges and a civil lawsuit for the same conduct.
Under Florida criminal laws, assault is defined as unlawful threats or words that cause you to feel threatened. When most people think of an “assault,” they’re actually thinking about the crime of battery.
Florida statutes define battery as:
- Intentionally striking or touching another person against their will, or
- Intentionally causing bodily harm to another person
If you were injured, your attacker will likely face criminal charges for both assault and battery. However, you may also have a valid civil assault lawsuit if you have even been threatened with violence.
We Handle All Types of Civil Assault Injury Cases in Tampa, FL
Assault can occur under all different types of circumstances. Your attacker could be a stranger who you’ve never met. You could also be threatened or harmed by a close friend or family member.
At Catania and Catania Injury Lawyers, we handle all types of civil assault cases in Tampa, including those involving:
- Fights between friends or acquaintances
- Bar fights
- Robberies and muggings
- Sexual assaults and rapes
- Domestic violence
- Police brutality
- Bullying
- And more
Would you like a personal injury lawyer to review your case and help you fight for compensation? Don’t rely on lawyer directories alone. Please contact our Tampa assault injury attorneys today to schedule a convenient time to discuss your case.
Who Might Be Responsible for Damages in an Assault Injury Case?
Of course, it’s your attacker who is ultimately responsible for the harm you’ve suffered. It’s also important to realize that your assailant may not have much money.
Filing a lawsuit against the attacker alone may not get you the fair compensation you deserve. After all, attackers can only pay if they have money or assets. After funding a criminal defense, there might not be enough to pay your damages.
Although it may seem strange to consider, other parties may also be financially responsible for your injuries. It’s possible that a third party’s acts or omissions made the attack possible in the first place.
Depending upon the circumstances, responsible parties may include:
- Property owners
- Landlords
- School administrators
- Your college or university
- Daycare centers
- Clergy members, churches, and other religious institutions
- Government authorities
- Employers
- The owner of a bar, restaurant, nightclub, or business where the assault happened
Florida premises liability laws impose certain duties on property owners. Property owners are required to keep their property reasonably safe. That includes installing adequate security.
Depending on the situation, adequate security might include:
- Proper lighting
- Security guards
- Surveillance cameras
- Locked fences and gates
- Alarm systems
Our battery attorneys will conduct a detailed investigation into your case to determine whether you have a case for negligent security, premises liability or negligence of a third party.
We’ll Fight to Recover Compensation for All of Your Assault Injuries
Assault injuries can dramatically diminish your quality of life. You could be left struggling with debilitating injuries for months, if not longer. An attorney can help you get the compensation you need during this challenging time.
Some of the most common types of assault injuries include:
- Broken bones
- Stab wounds
- Gunshot wounds
- Cuts and lacerations
- Soft tissue damage
- Internal organ damage
- Traumatic brain injuries and concussions
- Spinal cord damage
- Back injuries
Assault victims may also be left struggling with painful emotional injuries. Victims often suffer from anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Those scars can be even more lasting than your physical injuries.
At Catania and Catania Injury Lawyers, we’ll fight to recover compensation for the full range of injuries you’ve suffered. If you’re ready to explore your legal options, contact us today for a free case review.
What is My Tampa Assault Injury Case Worth?
Money won’t ever take away the trauma you’ve suffered. It’s still important to understand what your personal injury case is worth before filing a claim. Without that information, you risk accepting a lowball settlement and letting the responsible parties off the hook.
More serious injuries generally lead to higher settlements and verdicts. However, judges and juries consider a number of different factors when awarding compensation. That means insurance companies take those issues seriously, as well.
Some factors that will likely influence the value of an assault injury case include:
- The nature of the attack
- The types of medical treatment you’ll require
- Your financial losses, including medical bills, lost wages, and other out-of-pocket costs
- The emotional trauma you’ve suffered
- The impact of the injury on your quality of life
Assault injuries are different from your typical car accident injuries. Even if your physical injuries heal quickly, you can be left with emotional scars that last a lifetime. When someone else’s negligence caused you to get hurt, they should be held accountable.
Our civil assault and battery lawyers are here to help you fight for a settlement that considers every aspect of your situation. We’ll do everything we can to recover the maximum compensation available, including hiring experts and specialists to strengthen your claim.
What Compensation Can I Recover for Assault Injuries in Tampa, Florida?
There are two primary forms of compensation in the personal injury context: economic damages and non-economic damages.
Economic damages reimburse you for financial expenses, such as:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Lost wages and income while you recover
- Reduced future earning capacity
- Rehabilitation
- Psychological counseling
- Property damage
Non-economic damages account for your subjective pain. Many assault injury victims are entitled to compensation for:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Diminished quality of life
- Anxiety
- Depression
- PTSD
- Disfigurement and scarring
- Loss of consortium
If you lost a loved one in a violent attack, we can also help you pursue damages for wrongful death.
The attacker may also be liable for punitive damages. Punitive damages are usually only awarded in cases involving intentional wrongdoing or gross negligence. Courts may be inclined to award punitive damages based on the circumstances of your assault.
How Long Do I Have to File an Assault Injury Lawsuit in Florida?
Even if your assailant was caught and charged, you don’t have an unlimited amount of time to take legal action. Injured parties have two years to file a personal injury lawsuit under Florida state law. Wrongful death claims must be filed within two years of the date of death.
This statute of limitations is important. Once the fourth anniversary of your attack passes, you’ll lose your right to compensation if you haven’t filed a lawsuit.
Contact a Tampa Assault Injury Lawyer for a Free Consultation
Were you the victim of assault in Tampa, FL? Even if your attacker is facing criminal charges, you could be entitled to compensation. Our Tampa personal injury lawyers can help you fight for the justice you deserve.
At Catania and Catania Injury Lawyers, we have over 28 years of experience helping injured parties with assault and battery cases. Our legal team has recovered over $500 million in compensation, and we’re ready to stand up for you.
Legal help is only a phone call away. If you were hurt, call a Tampa assault injury lawyer to schedule a free consultation today.
