Were you injured due to someone else’s negligence or wrongdoing in Melbourne, Florida? If so, the Melbourne personal injury lawyers at Norden Leacox Accident & Injury Law will fight for maximum compensation for your injuries. Contact our office today by calling (321) 334-3929.
With over 100 years of combined experience, we have won tens of millions of dollars for our clients. We are also prepared to put our skills and knowledge to work for you.
Schedule your free consultation with a dedicated personal injury lawyer in Melbourne. You can discuss your case and learn more about your legal options.
We also serve Cocoa, Titusville, Palm Bay, and Orlando.
Why Choose Norden Leacox To Handle My Melbourne Personal Injury Claim?
After a serious accident in Melbourne, Florida, you deserve a legal team with the skills, insight, and determination to take on the insurance companies — and win.
At Norden Leacox, we bring over a century of combined legal experience and a powerful edge: our attorneys are former insurance defense lawyers who know exactly how the other side thinks. That insider knowledge allows us to anticipate insurance company tactics, dismantle weak offers, and build cases that demand full compensation.
Our proven track record has earned us a place in groups such as:
- The Florida Bar – Board Certified
- Super Lawyers
- Million Dollar Advocates Forum
- American Board of Association for Justice
We’ve recovered $89 million in settlements and verdicts for injured clients and earned 550+ five-star reviews for our aggressive, personalized advocacy.
Some of our recent verdicts and settlements include:
- $8.5 million verdict on an 18-wheeler crash
- $3.5 million verdict on a motorcycle crash
- $2.25 million verdict on a wrongful death case
- $1.25 million verdict in an auto accident
- $1.25 million verdict in a negligent security case
Our Melbourne personal injury attorneys can help you pursue full and fair compensation while you focus on recovering. Call Norden Leacox today for a free consultation, and let our advocates fight for your future.
Why Should I Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer?
When you’re dealing with the aftermath of an accident, working with a personal injury lawyer can make a significant difference in the outcome of your case. Here’s why having legal representation matters:
- You level the playing field when dealing with insurance companies. Insurers often seek to minimize payouts or deny insurance claims entirely. An attorney understands their tactics and how to fight back.
- An insurance adjuster may unfairly blame you for your accident and injuries. A knowledgeable lawyer is skilled at handling these allegations. They will fight for you to achieve the outcome you deserve.
- You give yourself time to focus on healing from your serious injuries. An attorney takes on the legal burden so you can prioritize your physical and emotional recovery.
With a personal injury lawyer on your side, you’ll significantly increase your chances of receiving the compensation you deserve.
Visit Our Melbourne, FL Office
Visit our law office conveniently located at 1600 W Eau Gallie Blvd, Suite 205 J, Melbourne, FL 32935.
Available 24/7 to take your call!
We Handle All Personal Injury Cases
Car Accidents
Car crashes happen far too often. When collisions occur, there may be mounting medical bills and out-of-pocket expenses. Our Melbourne car accident lawyers can help you understand how to get the compensation you need.
Truck Accidents
Motorcycle riders are less protected than motorists when colliding with other vehicles. This can result in severe accidents and injuries. You shouldn’t have to deal with the aftermath of a motorcycle crash alone. Our Melbourne motorcycle accident lawyers are here for you.
Motorcycle Accidents
Truck crashes can lead to catastrophic injuries, including spinal cord damage and paralysis. When this happens, your medical expenses and property repair estimates may be overwhelming. Our Melbourne truck accident attorneys can hold at-fault parties accountable.
Brain Injuries
Injuries to the brain can significantly affect you and your family. Whether your head trauma occurred because of a defective product or medical malpractice, you need support. Our brain injury attorneys can fight for you.
Bus Accidents
Accidents involving buses can cause immense damage and catastrophic injuries. You might be eligible for a financial recovery regardless of whether your crash involved public transportation or a private vehicle. Our bus accident lawyers are here to help you pursue your best course of action.
Pedestrian Accidents
Pedestrians involved in collisions face an immense risk of severe or fatal injuries. After being struck by a vehicle, you may wonder how to move forward. Get in touch with our pedestrian accident lawyers so we can help you understand your rights.
Slip and Fall Accidents
Slip, trip, and fall accidents can lead to catastrophic injuries regardless of where they take place. All property owners have a legal duty to secure their premises and ensure they are free of hazards. Whether you slip on a freshly waxed grocery store floor or fall down a malfunctioning escalator at the mall or on someone else’s property, you may be entitled to damages. Our Melbourne slip and fall attorneys can help you navigate the legal process.
Wrongful Death
If you’ve lost a close family member in an accident, you’re undoubtedly going through an incredibly difficult time. Wrongful death damages can’t ever make up for your loss, but they may help you move forward financially as well as with a sense of justice. Our compassionate wrongful death attorneys can provide immediate assistance.
Our team also handles claims involving:
- Bicycle accidents
- Construction accidents
- Premises liability
- Uber accidents
- Nursing home abuse
- Boating accidents
What is Negligence and How Do I Prove it?
Most personal injury claims in Florida arise due to negligence. You typically must prove that the opposing party acted negligently.
You must demonstrate the following legal elements by a preponderance of the evidence:
- The defendant owed you a duty of care
- They breached their duty through some unreasonable act
- The breach caused the accident
- You incurred damages
You can prove each element with the following types of evidence:
- Medical records
- Photos
- Accident reports
- Surveillance footage
- Police reports
- Invoices
- Receipts
- Videos
- Pay stubs
- Affidavits in medical malpractice cases
If you can prove negligence, you may be able to recover damages for your injuries and other losses.
How Much Is My Personal Injury Case Worth?
The value of injury claims varies. However, several common factors often play a role in determining what a case is worth, including:
- The severity of your injuries
- The medical treatment required
- Time missed from work
- Your ability to return to work
- The available insurance policies and limits
- Opportunities for additional compensation (such as through a third-party claim)
- Comparative fault
- The impact on your quality of life
- The strength of the proof
A seasoned attorney can assess your claim’s value and ensure you don’t settle for less than it’s worth.
What Damages Are Available to Accident Victims?
Under Florida personal injury law, injured people may be entitled to various damages after accidents. These compensate for the financial and mental harm you suffer as a result of your injuries.
Economic damages could include the following:
- Current medical bills
- Future medical expenses
- Property damage
- Lost wages
- Physical therapy
- Diminished earning capacity
- Rehabilitation
- Costs for home modifications (e.g., a wheelchair ramp)
Melbourne injury victims may also be able to obtain compensation for non-economic damages, such as:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Mental anguish
- Anxiety
- PTSD
- Depression
- Loss of enjoyment of life
You may also be awarded punitive damages if it is proven that the defendant engaged in intentional misconduct or gross negligence.
An attorney can gather evidence, calculate your losses, and make sure that at-fault parties are held accountable.
How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit in Florida?
Under Florida law, you typically have two years to file a personal injury lawsuit. You also have two years to bring a wrongful death case if you tragically lose a loved one in an accident.
You must initiate your lawsuit before the statute of limitations expires. If you fail to take legal action, you will be barred from recovery through the court.
Being mindful of crucial deadlines while focusing on your well-being can be overwhelming. Your lawyer can keep track of vital details and ensure you comply with the applicable time limits.
How Much Does it Cost to Hire a Melbourne Personal Injury Lawyer?
Most personal injury attorneys work on a contingency fee basis. That means each personal injury client can access skilled legal representation without paying any upfront fees.
Under this arrangement, the attorney only gets paid if they successfully recover compensation through a settlement or trial verdict.
If your case is not successful, you won’t owe attorney’s fees. However, if you win, the attorney will receive a pre-agreed percentage of your total award.
You can learn more about the cost and fee agreements by contacting our dedicated team for a free assessment. Contact us or submit an online request for more information.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to file a personal injury lawsuit in Florida?
You have exactly two years from the date of your accident to file a personal injury lawsuit in Florida for most negligence claims. If your accident occurred after March 24, 2023, this stricter two-year deadline applies; accidents before this date generally fall under the previous four-year limit.
Under Florida Statutes § 95.11(3)(a), the courts strictly enforce this statute of limitations. If you fail to file your civil complaint before the two-year window expires, the judge will dismiss your case with prejudice, and you will lose your right to seek financial compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Because investigating a claim and gathering evidence takes time, you should contact a Melbourne personal injury attorney immediately. Waiting until the deadline approaches puts your case at risk, as evidence may disappear and witness memories can fade over time.
Florida Statutes § 95.11(3)(a)
Can I get compensation if I was partially at fault for my accident in Melbourne?
You can still recover compensation if you were partially at fault for an accident in Melbourne, provided you were not more than 50% responsible. Florida follows a modified comparative negligence system, meaning your total compensation is reduced by your specific percentage of fault assigned during the settlement or trial.
According to Florida Statutes § 768.81, if a jury finds you are 51% or more at fault for the incident, you are barred from recovering any damages from the other party. For example, if you are awarded $100,000 but found 40% at fault, you would receive $60,000. If you are 51% at fault, you receive nothing.
Insurance adjusters often try to shift blame to accident victims to trigger this 51% bar. An experienced attorney can fight these tactics by collecting evidence to prove the other party held the majority of responsibility for your injuries.
Florida Statutes § 768.81
What is the 14-day rule for car accident injuries in Florida?
Florida’s 14-day rule requires you to seek initial medical care within 14 days of a motor vehicle accident to qualify for Personal Injury Protection (PIP) benefits. If you fail to see a qualified medical provider within this two-week window, your own insurance company can legally deny your claim for medical coverage entirely.
Under Florida Statutes § 627.736, PIP coverage provides up to $10,000 for medical bills and lost wages regardless of who caused the crash. However, you only qualify for the full $10,000 limit if a physician determines you suffered an “Emergency Medical Condition” (EMC). Without an EMC diagnosis, your benefits are capped at just $2,500.
Even if you feel your injuries are minor, seeing a doctor immediately is crucial to protect your rights. Visit a hospital or urgent care in Brevard County right away to ensure your medical bills will be covered.
Florida Statutes § 627.736
What do I need to prove to win a slip and fall case in Florida?
To win a slip and fall case in Florida, you must prove that the business owner had actual or constructive knowledge of the dangerous condition that caused your injury. It is not enough to simply show that you fell; you must demonstrate that the property owner knew about the hazard and failed to fix it.
Florida Statutes § 768.0755 specifically places the burden of proof on the injured person in cases involving “transitory foreign substances,” like spilled liquids. You can prove constructive knowledge by showing the hazard existed for a long time or that the condition occurred regularly, making it foreseeable to the business owner.
If you are injured at a store in Melbourne or Palm Bay, take photos of the spill immediately and get names of witnesses. These pieces of evidence are essential for establishing the “notice” requirement needed to secure compensation for your injuries.
Florida Statutes § 768.0755
When can I sue for pain and suffering after a Florida car accident?
You can sue a driver for pain and suffering damages in Florida only if your injuries meet the “serious injury threshold” defined by state law. Because Florida is a no-fault state, minor injuries are covered solely by your own PIP insurance, which does not pay for non-economic damages like pain, suffering, or mental anguish.
Under Florida Statutes § 627.737, a qualifying serious injury must result in significant and permanent loss of an important bodily function, permanent injury within a reasonable degree of medical probability, significant and permanent scarring or disfigurement, or death.
If your injuries are severe, consult with a personal injury lawyer who can review your medical records. We can help establish that your condition meets these statutory requirements, allowing you to pursue a liability claim against the at-fault driver for full compensation.
Florida Statutes § 627.737
Is a dog owner liable if their dog bites me in Brevard County?
A dog owner is generally strictly liable if their dog bites you in a public place or while you are lawfully on private property in Florida. This means you do not need to prove the owner was negligent or that the dog had a history of aggression to recover damages for your injuries.
Florida Statutes § 767.04 establishes this strict liability standard but notes that your damages may be reduced by your percentage of fault if your negligence contributed to the incident. Additionally, if the owner had displayed a “Bad Dog” sign that was easily visible, they may avoid liability unless the victim is a child under six.
Dog bite cases can result in severe scarring and infection. If you are bitten in Brevard County, seek medical attention immediately and report the incident to local animal control to create an official record of the attack.
Florida Statutes § 767.04
Who can file a wrongful death lawsuit in Florida?
Only the personal representative of the deceased person’s estate has the legal authority to file a wrongful death lawsuit in Florida. While family members are the beneficiaries who ultimately receive the compensation, the lawsuit itself must be initiated and managed by the estate’s representative named in the will or appointed by the court.
Florida Statutes § 768.20 governs this process, while Section 768.21 outlines who may recover damages. Eligible survivors typically include the surviving spouse, children, parents, and any blood relatives who were partly or wholly dependent on the deceased for support or services.
Wrongful death claims are complex and emotionally difficult. Our Melbourne attorneys can help appoint a personal representative and ensure the estate pursues all available damages, including lost support, loss of companionship, and mental pain and suffering for surviving family members.
Florida Statutes § 768.20Florida Statutes § 768.21
What is the deadline for filing a medical malpractice claim in Florida?
You generally have two years from the date you discovered, or should have discovered, a medical injury to file a malpractice lawsuit in Florida. However, there is also a strict “statute of repose” that bars any claims filed more than four years after the actual incident, regardless of when you discovered the injury.
Florida Statutes § 95.11(4)(b) defines these critical timelines. There is an exception for cases involving fraud or concealment by the medical provider, which can extend the statute of repose to seven years. Additionally, Florida law requires a comprehensive pre-suit investigation process before you can even file the complaint.
Because of the pre-suit requirements and strict deadlines, you should not wait to seek legal advice. If you suspect medical negligence at a hospital in Melbourne or Orlando, contact an attorney immediately to begin the mandatory review process.
Florida Statutes § 95.11(4)(b)
Can I recover damages if the at-fault driver has no insurance?
You can recover damages from your own insurance policy if you have Uninsured Motorist (UM) coverage and are hit by a driver with no insurance. While Florida law requires drivers to carry PIP and Property Damage liability, it does not require Bodily Injury coverage, leaving many accident victims vulnerable.
Under Florida Statutes § 627.727, insurance companies must offer UM coverage equal to your bodily injury limits, though you can reject it in writing. If you have this coverage, it steps into the shoes of the at-fault driver, paying for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering up to your policy limits.
We strongly recommend checking your policy declarations page to confirm you have UM coverage. If you are injured by an uninsured driver in Brevard County, our team can help you file a claim against your own insurer to secure the funds you need.
Florida Statutes § 627.727
Can I sue the city if I am injured on public property in Melbourne?
You can sue a city or state government entity for personal injury in Florida, but you must follow strict notice requirements and limitations on damages. Unlike standard injury cases, you cannot simply file a lawsuit; you must first provide an official notice of your claim to the appropriate agency and the Department of Financial Services.
Florida Statutes § 768.28 waives sovereign immunity for certain torts but imposes a cap of $200,000 per person and $300,000 per incident for damages. Furthermore, you must file your written notice within three years of the accident, and the government has a six-month investigation period before you can file a lawsuit.
If you were injured by a government vehicle or on public property in Melbourne, strict compliance with these procedural rules is essential. A mistake in the notice process can result in your claim being permanently dismissed.
Florida Statutes § 768.28
Contact Our Experienced Melbourne Personal Injury Lawyers For Help
If another party’s actions caused your injury, you shouldn’t have to pay for their mistakes. Don’t go through the stress of managing a complex case alone.
Norden Leacox is here to seek justice and support you during this time of uncertainty. We can walk you through seeking accountability after being injured in Brevard County. Call our law firm today for a free case evaluation with a Melbourne personal injury attorney.
