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Stamatakis and Thalji, P.L. is a leading consumer justice law firm located in the Tampa Bay area and throughout the State of Florida. Our attorneys are committed to consumers who have sufferred harm or injury as a result of the negligence of others.
Unlike other firms, Stamatakis & Thalji, P.L. dedicates their entire practice to helping consumers without hurting their pocket book. While many lawyers claim they help consumers they are usually only interested in their own bottom line. Our firm is dedicated to fighting for consumer rights against the insurance industry. You pay your premiums, in return insurance companies should pay full value for claims. We will fight for you. Call us today and we will help you.
Our firm provides AGGRESSIVE and EXPERIENCED representation. Our lawyers are highly trained and aggressive professionals ready to fight for your rights, even if that means going to trial. Consultations are always FREE, and there are no fees unless we recover money for you.
Why MyInjury.com?
MyInjury.com is a full service consumer justice law firm dedicated to fighting for consumer rights against the insurance industry. At our law firm you will deal with real lawyers dedicated to maximizing the full value of your claim. We are not chiropractors. We are not faces on a TV. We are real LAWYERS.
OUR JOB IS SIMPLE: WE FIGHT FOR YOUR RIGHTS
Things to Consider
1. INJURED? CALL IMMEDIATELY. Unfortunately, too many doctors and chiropractors are only concerned with billing your insurance. Many times the patient is not treated properly and his injuries persist while the claim actually becomes smaller over time.
2. SHOULD I CALL a 1-800-'asksomebody?' ABSOLUTELY NOT!! These services have one goal: to make money at your expense. These services take advantage of most consumers by standardizing medical treatment. Most times, these chiropractors standardize treament for all patients, regardless of how minor or serious the injury. The result: real injuries are worth LESS money. Call our firm and we will make sure you see doctors that will treat your specific injuries.
3. SHOULD I TALK TO THE INSURANCE COMPANY MYSELF? NO!! The goal of the insurance company is simple: to pay you the least amount of money possible. The State of Florida recently tried to shut down ALLSTATE for this type of fraud. If your injuries are real but minor in nature then the insurance company will likely offer you nothing. If you are seriously injured they will offer you very little and hope you don't talk to our firm first. Don't make that mistake. Call us today.
4. SHOULD I CALL THE POLICE AFTER AN ACCIDENT? YES!! If you are injured in an accident call the police immediately. Documentation is the best way to preserve your claim.
5. WHY MYINJURY.com INSTEAD of a big firm? At our firm you will deal with experienced lawyers that are truly advocates of all consumers. Large 'mill' firms use case managers to deal with clients and negotiate with insurance companies. At large 'mill' firms your case is nothing more then a number. At Stamatakis & Thalji you are a real 'client.' The reality is that you will never meet that face you see on TV. CALL and SPEAK to real lawyers today!!
MYINJURY.COM IS A LAW FIRM DEDICATED TO CONSUMER JUSTICE
Speak to a real lawyer today. Email us at ContactUs@MyInjury.com
Call us today at 813-282-9330 or 1-866-479-6946
THE INJURY
When you are injured in an accident it is important to immediately record as much information as possible. For example, if you are involved in a car accident, call the police immediately and have them complete a report. Take pictures or video if necessary. Record the names and contact information of any witnesses to the accident. Anyone injured in an accident should seek medical care as soon as possible. Often times injuries are not felt until weeks after the accident. Documenting your accident and injuries is crucial to filing a successful claim.
CALL A LAWYER FROM OUR FIRM TODAY
Any person injured in an auto accident or slip and fall should hire our lawyers to represent their interests against the insurance company. Our lawyers will guide you through the pitfalls of an injury case, making sure you receive the necessary treatment, and making sure your claim is properly valued. Our lawyers will keep your records organized and will settle your medical bills upon settlement of the case. Insurance companies are notorious for treating consumers unfairly.
TREATMENT
Immediately consult with your physician after an accident. Only a medical doctor (M.D.) can truly advise you on the extent of your injuries. While physical therapists and chiropactors do offer beneifical and necessary treatments to injured people, the opinion of an M.D. carries greater weight with insurance companies. Only Medical Doctors can give you an accurate and proper impairment rating at the conclusion of your regular treatment. Attending therapy on a regular basis, keeping track of and speaking to your Doctor about your continued symptoms, and excercising at home are all crucial to the value of your claim.
THE DEMAND
At the conclusion of your treatment, our lawyers will issue a demand for settlement to the inusrance adjuster. The value of the demand is based on numerous factors; the extent of your injuries, the length of treatment, your continued symptoms, final impairment rating, long-term prognosis, likelihood of re-injury, cost of current and future treatment, the impact of the injury on your personal and professional life, and the amount of insurance available. A demand usually comes with a time-frame, but the length of negotiations tend to vary.
THE SETTLEMENT
If your demand to settle is successful then your insurance company will issue our firm a check for the full settlement. After your approval, our lawyers deposit the check into the firm's non-interest bearing TRUST account and distribute the fund appropriately. Florida law allows lawyers to accept 33 1/3% of the settlement as fees in a pre-suit case. Any Doctors fees outstanding will be neogtiated and paid. The balance of the funds will be distributed to the client. Only you have the authority to accept final settlement. You must also review and approve the final settlement statement and distribution of fees.
THE LAWSUIT
If your demand to settle does not resolve your claim our lawyers will file a lawsuit against the at-fault party. The filing of a lawsuit triggers the legal process and results in various timeframes and deadlines that culminate in the conclusion of your case. Timeframes vary, but 9-12 months is an average timeframe for such a lawsuit.
MEDIATION
Most lawsuits are referred to mediation in the early stages of the case. At mediation our lawyers will present your case to the insurance company and aggressively negotiate a settlement. Mediation is designed to give both parties an opportunity to settle the case for a fair and honest value prior to trial. If the insurance company maintains their unreasonable position the our lawyers will proceed to trial.
THE TRIAL
Most injury lawsuits are decided by a jury of your peers. During a trial, both parties have the chance to question and confront witnesses, introduce evidence, and make arguments. The jury decides the facts of the case while the judge decideds the correct interpretation of the law. The only issue typically decided by a jury in an auto accident trial is the amount of damages. Many times, the issue of liability has previously been decided and both parties ask the jury to decide the amount of damages your injury is worth.
DO YOU NEED A LAWYER?
Yes. It has been said that 'a person who represents himself has a fool for a lawyer.' These words ring true for a reason. Insurance companies have armies of 'tall building' lawyers in their back pocket. They will take advantage of you if you are not represented by a consumer justice advocate.
HOW LONG IS THE PROCESS?
The length of your case depends on a number of factors: the severity of the injuries and the length of treatment are two major contributing factors. A case settled after the demand for settlement usually takes 4-6 months from the time of the accident. If you pursue a lawsuit it may take a year or longer to settle your case. Do not settle your case until the time is right. Often times, early settlement will undervalue your case if the full extent of the injuries and treatment are not realized. Our firm will help you make the right decisions regarding your injury claim. Call us today for a free consultation.
FLORIDA INSURANCE LAW
Florida law does not adequately protect consumers when it comes to automobile insurance.
FLORIDA LAW REQUIRES:
No-Fault Insurance. Insurance companies must offer $10,000 Personal Injury Protection (PIP) with every policy. PIP insurance covers your medical bills (up to 80%) and lost wages (up to 60%) up to the first $10,000 regardless of fault in the accident (Florida No-Fault);
Property Damage minimum $10,000. Currently, Florida law only requires consumers to carry a minimum of $10,000 property insurance coverage. This coverage will serve to protect the other party in the event that the accident is your fault.
FLORIDA LAW DOES NOT REQUIRE:
Bodily Injury (BI) insurance. BI insurance is the portion of an insurance policy that pays your damages and pain and suffering when you are injured by the negligence of the at-fault driver. If the at-fault driver does not have BI coverage then their may be no coverage available to you in the event that you are injured.
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM). UM coverage covers your own injuries to the extent that the at-fault driver does not have sufficient coverage to make you whole. UM coverage is the only coverage within your own policy that serves solely to protect you.
FRIENDLY ADVICE:
Purchase UM insurance coverage. In the event that you are injured in a car accident UM will serve to protect you and cover the damages of your claim if the at-fault driver is un-insured or under insured. Too often, we find the people that cause car accidents either have no insurance at all or only a very minimal $10,000 in Bodily Injury coverage. If you are seriously injured by a driver with little or no insurance and find yourself out of work then UM insurance can provide the money you need to protect your family, home, and maintain your life.
Increase your BI coverage. BI coverage essentially protects you and your family in the event that you injur a person in a car accident. If you are at-fault and seriously hurt another driver or passenger and have inadequate insurance then you may be personally sued for excess damages. BI coverage protects your personal and family assets from attack in the event that a person is seriously injured.
Test your Insurance Agent. If your agent suggests that you should not elect extra coverage benefits under a UM policy or additional BI coverage then you should fire that agent immediately. Protecting yourself, your family, and your assets should always be your top priority. If your agent does not agree then they do not have your best interests in mind.
FLORIDA NO-FAULT
The History of PIP. The original purpose of Florida's 'no fault' insurance law was to provide immediate coverage for medical and other injury related expenses without having to litigate the claim to determine fault. Forty years ago, insurance companies refused to pay any money damages towrds medical and injury related expenses after a car accident without a full determination of fault. This system took its toll on Florida's consumers who were forced to come immediately out of pocket to cover such expenses. Over time, Florida juries began awarding large verdicts in favor of injured consumers who were forced to sue insurance companies to receive any compensation for their claims. In response to their consistent defeats in court, the insurance industry developed a system to deter injured consumers from pursuing litigation in order to receive compensation for their medical bills and pain and suffering. The assumption was that paying for the injured consumers medical bills up front would deter most from pursuing the additional monies they were owed in court. Ironically, the system developed by the insurance industry more then 4 decades ago to cheat consumers out of their rightful money is now the same system they are tirelessly trying to destroy through the State legislature.
Sunset of PIP. In an effort to mitigate the money paid on accident and injury claims the insurance industry has conspired with many doctors and chiropractors to standardize treatment through the implementastion of billing codes and same day payment systems. The insurance companies believe, and rightfully so, that they will defeat the high values typically associaited with serious injuries by having chiropracotrs treat all patients and injuries in a standardized format. Over the years, the insurance companies have used these new, lower values as the starting point for valuing today's claims. Since they have been successful in de-valuing claims, the insurance company has now turned their attention to destroying Florida's No-Fault system and forcing consumers back into court for even the most basic of claims. With values so low, the belief is that many consumers will not pursue claims as vigorously as they do today, driving many lawyers out of business. With their enemy eliminated, nobody will stand up for consumer's rights and insurance companies will be free to pay pennies on the dollar for legitimate injury claims. The medical profession's acceptance of standardized medical treatment combined with the growth and consolidation of representation through 'mill' auto accident firms coupled with the birth of the "800call" chiropractor centers, the insurance industry has nearly destroyed a system that was once considered the best on the country.
Exceptions to Florida No-Fault. Florida does have exceptions to the "No-Fault" law. You may collect non-economic damages from the at-fault party if you can establish that the bodily injury resulted in: 1) significant and permanent loss of important bodily function; 2) permanent injury; 3) significant and permanent scarring or disfigurement; or 3) death.
THE SOLUTION
Competent Medical Treatment. The key component to the resurrection of the auto accident insurance system is the elimination of standardized treatment in the medical profession. The elimination of this type of treatment will help weed-out the medical clinics that exist for the sole purpose of exhausting the consumer's PIP insurance. Additionally, medical doctors must play an integral part in the evaluation of the injured. Proper documentation and evaluation performed by a Medical Doctor (M.D.) will give the claim value credibility and make the insurance companies less likely to challenge these values in court.
Competent Legal Representation. Consumers need lawyers to represent their interests against the insurance industry. Lawyers must be prepared to treat every case and client differently. Standardization in representation of auto accident and injury claims must be avoided to keep the best interest of each client in mind.
HOW MUCH DOES A LAWYER COST?
Our firm uses the Florida Bar approved Contingency Fee Contract. Pursuant to State law, a lawyer can charge the following contigency fee rates for an auto accident or injury claim:
1. Pre-Lawsuit: 33 1/3% + costs of any settlement up to $1 million.
2. Lawsuit: 40% + costs of any settlement or verdict.
Keeping your costs to a minimum while effectively and aggressively adovacting on your behalf is always our first priorty. Any money wasted in pursuit of your settlement takes money directly out of your pocket.
Once a suit is filed our firm is prepared to pursue your case to its conclusion. Obviously, costs increase once the suit is filed. Typically, this is factored in when deciding whether the case should go to trial.
Stamatakis & Thalji has the resources necessary to fight the insurance companies. In many cases litigation is necessary to get the full value for your injury claim.
WHAT IF I DO NOT RECOVER ANY MONEY?
You owe us NOTHING (Thats right - $0). We only recover if you do.
MYINJURY.COM IS A LAW FIRM DEDICATED TO CONSUMER JUSTICE
Speak to a real lawyer today. Email us at ContactUs@MyInjury.com
Call us today at 813-282-9330 or 1-866-479-6946