FAQ on General Matters

What type of cases do you handle?
How much will your legal services cost?
How much will I have to pay to discuss my potential wage or overtime case with you?
When should I contact an attorney?
Have I waited too long to bring a claim?
I already have an attorney, can you still represent me?
How much is my case worth?
If an insurance company is handling my claim do I still need an attorney?
Should I talk with an insurance company before I contact an attorney?
Should I see a doctor if I am suffering mental or physical injury resulting from a potential claim?
What should I do if I am in a car, motorcycle or other vehicle accident?

Click on the links to the left to review a few of the frequent asked questions we have received regarding general legal matters. Additional questions on wage & hour and overtime claims are answered on the Overtime FAQ page. If you have additional questions regarding the legal services provided by the Law Offices of Paul Bennett Sopp, P.A., please give us a call at (561) 683-5612 to schedule a consultation.

What type of cases do you handle?

Paul Bennett Sopp has represented employees and injury victims for the past decade in Florida and California. Typical claims handled by our office include wage and hour claims, overtime claims, retaliatory termination, discrimination and intentional and accidental personal injury based claims. We also handle breach of contract and other business litigation matters unrelated to employment matters. For a more expansive discussion please refer to the “Practice Areas” page.

How much will your legal services cost?

We represent most clients on a contingency fee basis, with our legal fees being a percentage of the total amount we collect for you. There are no charges, fees or costs unless a successful recovery is made with a contingency agreement. All of our legal fees are clearly stated in a written agreement. We represent all clients with wage or overtime claims, negligence actions, slip and falls, premises liability, wrongful death, discrimination, and wrongful termination on a contingency fee basis. Other matters such as breach of contract or business disputes are evaluated on a case by case basis to determine if your case can be handled on a contingency or hourly rate basis.

How much will I have to pay to discuss my potential wage or overtime case with you?

We offer free initial consultations to ensure our firm is able to represent the prospective client's needs. We only accept a portion of the cases we are presented with, but may be able to refer you to another law firm that represents similar clients.

When should I contact an attorney?

We recommend that you contact the Law Offices of Paul Bennett Sopp, P.A. when you discover your legal rights have been violated. This would include following situations: (1) You are working more than 40 hours in a workweek but receive no additional compensation for the overtime hours; (2) Your job title is “Supervisor” or “Manager” and receive a set salary, but are required to perform the same duties as hourly employees; (3) You or a loved one has been injured in an car, motorcycle, truck or bicycle accident; (4) You or a loved one has been injured in a slip and fall accident; (5) You or a loved one has been injured, assaulted or robbed at a public meeting place such as in a shopping center. Basically, you should contact an attorney when you have a concern your legal rights have been violated.

Have I waited too long to bring a claim?

The answer depends on the type of injury or harm you have suffered, and depends on the type of case you have. In some cases, legal action must be taken immediately. In other cases, there may be years before legal action is required. It is important that you contact an attorney as soon as possible to preserve your legal rights. If you wait too long, you may be legally barred from any recovery or your rights to a full recovery may be diminished.

I already have an attorney, can you still represent me?

Yes. You are entitled to discharge an attorney. If you want to retain the Law Offices of Paul Bennett Sopp, P.A. as your attorneys, but you have already signed with another attorney, please contact us to determine if our firm can work towards a successful resolution to your case. In most cases, there will be no additional costs for discharging your prior attorney.

How much is my case worth?

No one can tell you how much your will recover since there is no standardized method for determining the value of your case. Each case is unique and must be valued on its own merits. There are several factors that can affect the value of a case. The factors include the nature and extent of the injuries, lost wages, medical treatment, recovery time, whether you are partially at fault, whether there is a permanent injury, and whether punitive damages apply. Common damages which you may be entitled to recover if your are involved in a personal injury claim include past and future medical bills, permanent impairment and disfigurement, pain and suffering, past and future lost wages, loss of consortium and loss of enjoyment of life. Additionally, you may be entitled to punitive damages depending on how your injuries occurred. Damages for overtime and wage based claims are set by statute. (See FAQ on Wage & Hours Cases for more information.)

If an insurance company is handling my claim do I still need an attorney?

You should contact an attorney to ensure you are receiving the full recovery you deserve. Insurance companies require a plaintiff to sign a release or agreement that precludes then from any further damages from the insurance company or defendant in the future. It is important to be certain of your injuries and the necessary medical treatment prior to signing this type of release. At the Law Offices of Paul Bennett Sopp, P.A. we work hard to ensure you obtain the maximum recovery to which you are entitled.

Should I talk with an insurance company before I contact an attorney?

No. Many insurance companies want to reduce the amount of money they have to pay to settle your claim. Anything you say can and will be used against you by the insurance company. Insurance companies often try to obtain recorded statements. If an agent or insurance representative contacts you, please call the Law Offices of Paul Bennett Sopp, P.A. before making any statements.

Should I see a doctor if I am suffering mental or physical injury resulting from a potential claim?

Yes. Do not delay seeking medical attention. Be honest with your treating physician, and describe all of your symptoms, regardless of whether you think the small symptoms are unimportant. It is also very important to continue receiving medical treatment until you are released by your doctor. Take your case and health seriously. You may have only one opportunity to receive compensation for your injuries. If you leave treatment early, you can negatively impact your health and weaken your personal injury claim. Insurance companies are almost guaranteed to argue that you were not injured or you are exaggerating based upon your failure to continue medical treatment before the doctor releases you.

What should I do if I am in a car, motorcycle or other vehicle accident?

If you are involved in a accident involving a car, motorcycle, or bicycle accident, you should call the police and seek medical care if needed. Get the name address and insurance information of all persons involved in the accident. If there are any witnesses to the accident, get their names and telephone numbers if possible. Keep in mind that shock of being involved in an accident may hide your injuries. Most importantly, prior to speaking to any insurance companies about your injury, contact an attorney.