If you’ve been injured in Florida lately, you might be standing on legal ground that isn’t quite as stable as it once was. The rules have changed, quietly, but significantly. And if you’re not paying close attention, those changes could come back to hurt you at the worst possible time.
House Bill 837, passed in 2023, is now in full effect. It hasn’t made headlines every day, but it’s reshaping how personal injury cases are handled across the state in 2025. For many people trying to recover after an accident, the new legal landscape feels less like a reform and more like a trap.
Key Legal Changes Every Floridian Should Know
When HB 837 was signed into law, the message from lawmakers was clear: reduce “frivolous” lawsuits, lower insurance costs, and make Florida more business-friendly. But those goals came with consequences that regular folks (injured pedestrians, crash victims, gig workers) are starting to feel in real time.
A Two-Year Deadline
The statute of limitations for personal injury lawsuits has dropped from four years to two. Two years might sound reasonable until you’re deep in recovery, sorting through insurance red tape, missing work, and trying to stay afloat. By the time some victims consider legal action, their window has already closed.
Modified Comparative Negligence
Florida has adopted a modified comparative negligence system. Translation? If you’re found 51% at fault or more, you get nothing. Even if the other party was 49% responsible, that one extra percent can disqualify you from compensation. It’s harsh. And it’s already being used by insurers and defense lawyers to tilt the scales early.
New Limits on Medical Damages
Previously, your compensation for medical expenses was tied to what was billed, and what the services cost. Now, it’s based on what was paid after insurance discounts. That might sound like a technical change, but in practice, it means significantly less money in the hands of people who are already dealing with huge out-of-pocket expenses.
A Case That Illustrates the Impact
Not long ago, a pedestrian was hit in a clearly marked crosswalk in Orange County, Orlando. The driver? Speeding. The video? Clear. But the court still decided the pedestrian was 51% at fault, allegedly for crossing “too slowly.” The result? No payout. None.
One percentage point made the difference between receiving compensation and walking away with a stack of bills and no support. That’s how narrow the line is now.
Who Benefits from These Reforms?
Proponents of the reform say it’s about fairness and efficiency. Maybe in theory. But on the ground, the groups being hit hardest are the ones with the fewest resources:
- People who don’t speak English fluently
- Workers without employer protections or health benefits
- Families are already struggling with limited access to care
These changes don’t level the playing field; they raise the bar for entry. And not everyone can jump that high.
If You’re Injured in 2025, This Is What You Need to Know
This is not the time to delay or guess your way through the process. Here’s what experienced attorneys are advising:
- Start collecting evidence immediately: photos, hospital records, police reports, contact info, get it all.
- Don’t say you were at fault, even casually. That kind of thing can stick.
- Don’t go back and forth with insurance adjusters alone. They know the new rules better than you do, and they’re not in your corner.
- Get legal help early, not later.
And if you’re in Central Florida, getting legal advice from a personal injury lawyer in Orlando as soon as possible can mean the difference between having a strong case or having no case at all. Attorneys who understand the new tort landscape can help you avoid the technical pitfalls and protect what you’re entitled to.
Navigating a New Legal Era
Florida’s tort reform isn’t just a policy update. It’s a shift that’s changing real outcomes for real people. The system used to offer some flexibility. Now? Not so much.
If you’ve been injured, don’t wait to find out how the new rules apply to your situation. By the time you figure it out, it might be too late.
