Royal Palm Beach Civil Assault and Battery Lawyers

Victims of assault and battery might get peace of mind if their assailant is convicted, but this won’t help them pay for medical bills, emotional distress, and other damages related to the incident. To recover compensation for your losses, you have to file a civil claim against the liable party.

Depending on the facts of your case, you might have grounds for a claim against both the person who attacked you and the owner of the property where the incident occurred. Unfortunately, recovering fair compensation may involve an uphill legal battle.

If you were hurt in a physical altercation, contact Donaldson & Weston to determine the best way to proceed with your case. Our Royal Palm Beach assault and battery injury attorneys are committed to helping innocent victims make their lives whole again. Call 561-299-3999 to schedule a free case evaluation.

Most victims of assault and battery are not inclined to call a lawyer right away following the attack. Although the financial impact of the incident can be significant, suing the transgressor for damages may not necessarily be a priority; however, there are several reasons to initiate your claim immediately, such as:

• Evidence May Be Time-Sensitive: Depending on the circumstances of the attack, certain pieces of evidence may not be available indefinitely. If the incident was captured on security footage, for example, there is no guarantee that the owner of the footage will retain it for years—or even months. Eyewitness testimony also becomes less reliable as time passes.


• You Could Jeopardize the Case Inadvertently: There are ways to jeopardize a personal injury claim before even commencing the proceedings. In cases involving assault and battery, for example, victims may have to participate in the criminal proceedings. And if the attacker’s lawyer argues he or she was merely acting in self-defense, your testimony could impact the outcome of the criminal case—and, subsequently, any civil proceedings that follow.


• You Have a Limited Amount of Time: Every state has statutes of limitations governing personal injury lawsuits. In Florida, claimants typically have four years from the date of the incident to file a formal lawsuit against the liable party; however, there are several exceptions to this deadline, which can shorten it considerably. If you want to sue a government entity, for example, you might have only three years from the date of the incident to file. Because there are so many variables that could affect the filing deadline, it is wise to call an assault and battery injury attorney as soon as possible.