An injury caused by someone else’s carelessness can bring medical bills, missed work, and calls from insurance adjusters, all while you are trying to recover. The Law Office of Brantley Oakey represents injured people in Naples and throughout Collier County in personal injury claims based on negligence.
Call 239-963-2897 to talk through what happened and what options may be available.
Types of injury claims we handle
- Car, truck, and motorcycle crashes
- Slip-and-fall and other premises injuries at stores, rental properties, and other businesses
- Negligent security claims
- Nursing home negligence
- Wrongful death claims brought on behalf of a family
- Other negligence injuries, such as dog bites, boating incidents, and injuries caused by unsafe conditions
Injuries caused by medical care follow separate rules; see our Naples medical malpractice page.
Florida deadlines changed in 2023
In March 2023, Florida enacted HB 837 (chapter 2023-15, Laws of Florida). It shortened the general statute of limitations for negligence claims from four years to two years. That change applies to causes of action that accrued after March 24, 2023, the date the law took effect. Claims that accrued earlier generally keep the prior four-year period. The two-year negligence period is in section 95.11(5)(a), Florida Statutes (2026). Wrongful death claims are generally also subject to a two-year period, under section 95.11(5)(e).
Other rules can shorten the time to act or add extra steps, for example claims against government entities or claims involving minors. Because these deadlines can bar a claim completely, it is wise to get advice early.
How fault affects recovery in Florida
HB 837 also changed Florida’s comparative fault rule. Under section 768.81(6), Florida Statutes, a person found to be more than 50 percent at fault for his or her own harm generally may not recover damages in a negligence case. A person who is 50 percent or less at fault may recover, but the damages are reduced by that person’s share of fault. (This rule does not apply to medical negligence claims.)
Insurance companies often argue that an injured person was partly to blame, so early evidence matters.
Steps to take after an injury
- Get medical care and follow your providers’ instructions. Keep records of all treatment.
- Report the incident. Call law enforcement after a crash, and notify the property owner or manager after a fall.
- Preserve evidence. Take photos of the scene, the vehicles, the hazard, and your injuries. Get the names and phone numbers of witnesses.
- Be careful with insurers. You do not have to give a recorded statement to the other side’s insurance company before getting advice.
- Keep a file. Save bills, receipts, pay stubs showing missed work, and letters from insurers.
How we handle a personal injury claim
Brantley Oakey has been a member of The Florida Bar since 2012 and handles civil litigation in Naples and Southwest Florida. In a personal injury matter, the work typically includes:
- investigating the facts and identifying the insurance coverage;
- gathering medical records and bills;
- presenting the claim and negotiating with insurers;
- filing a lawsuit and taking the case to trial when a fair resolution cannot be reached.
Every case is different, and no lawyer can promise a particular outcome. What we can do is explain your options clearly, keep you informed, and pursue the claim carefully.
Talk with a Naples personal injury lawyer
If you or a family member was hurt in Naples or elsewhere in Collier County, call 239-963-2897 or contact us. The Law Office of Brantley Oakey is at 780 5th Avenue South, Ste 200, Naples, FL 34102.
This page is general information, not legal advice. Reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship.