Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What makes Dennis M. Janssen & Associates different and why should I hire your firm?

A. This is one of our favorite questions.  There are many reasons, but here is a quick summary:

• By being selective in the cases that we accept, we are able to focus more efficiently on your case, ultimately ensuring the greatest outcome on your behalf.  Central Florida has a number of "big box" law firms that try to be all things to all people.  Not possible.  Here at Dennis M. Janssen & Associates, we decided it is better to serve the limited number of clients that we accept. We believe quality is better than quantity. 
• We are small and have intimate knowledge of the Courts and Judges in the counties in which we primarily practice. This benefits the client because we know the terrain.
• Having a lawyer who has been a victim of catastrophic personal injury benefits the client.
  • It has been said, "you will never know me, until you walk a mile in my shoes”.  How true that statement is for the person who has suffered from personal injuries. Mr. Janssen has experienced loss first hand, which allows him to be an effective advocate for his clients. When negotiating a case with an insurance adjuster or teaching a jury, he is able to explain the pain and disability associated with injury because he has been through it.
• An experienced lawyer can make a difference in the settlement amount. Insurance companies are in the business of risk assessment. The yellow pages and internet are full of attorneys claiming to be trial attorneys. The facts are that most attorneys do not take cases to trial. The insurance companies know the attorneys that try cases as opposed to the attorneys who do not try cases. A majority of civil cases do not go to trial because of the risks to both sides. However, a civil trial attorney should be trying 1-2 cases per year. Generally, cases that are handled by law firms that do not try cases are settled for a smaller amount than law firms that do try cases.

Q. Do I need to go to Orlando or Tampa or another big city to find an attorney to handle my case?

A. No. Dennis Janssen practiced in big cities before he decided to assist injured people in his home area of Central Florida. He practiced for a number of years in the Washington, D.C. area.  He is a big city attorney with hometown values, something hard to come by these days.

Q. What type of personal injury claims do you handle?

A. We handle many types of personal injury claims including medical malpractice, car accidents, motorcycle accidents, trucking accidenst, pedestrian/auto collisions, burn cases, slip and falls, premises liability and products liability.

Q. How soon after the personal injury should I call your office?

A. Call us at (800) 582-4407 or contact our office online for your FREE BOOK: FLORIDA AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENT SURVIVAL GUIDE: THE FIVE MISTAKES THAT CAN DESTROY YOUR PERSONAL INJURY CLAIM. This book is free to you even though you may not need a lawyer or we are not the firm for you.

Q. Will I get to speak with a lawyer if I call?

A. Yes. Everyone who calls for a free consultation gets to talk directly with Mr. Janssen.  Your case will be handled by an attorney.  Many law firms in Florida utilize case managers to screen and work-up the cases until the point a lawsuit is filed.  At Dennis M. Janssen and Associates, our attorney handles your case from start to finish. 

Q. How much is my claim worth?

A. If a law firm says they can tell you how much your claim is worth without doing a full investigation – call another law firm. The value of a personal injury claim depends on a number of things, such as the facts of the accident, the nature, extent and permanency of the injuries, amount of lost income, and whether there is available insurance to pay the claim. If you contact our office, we will provide a free consultation, discuss the elements of your claim and give you an idea of potential recovery.

Q. I was recently in an accident and the other person’s insurance company wants to settle the case; should I settle?

A. Settling a case is a very important decision. At the time of settlement, the at fault person’s insurance company will require that you sign a release foreclosing any future claims. Call us at (800) 582-4407 or contact us online to request our FREE BOOK: FLORIDA AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENT SURVIVAL GUIDE: THE FIVE MISTAKES THAT CAN DESTROY YOUR PERSONAL INJURY CLAIM, which will provide valuable information about insurance companies’ settlement tactics.

Q. Can I recover if the other driver has no insurance?

A. This is dependent upon whether you purchased Uninsured Motorist Coverage (UM) in your policy.

Q. Why is it important to hire an experienced trial lawyer to represent your interests?

A. A majority of personal injury claims settle before trial. The question then becomes, what is the settlement value? If you hire an attorney who has little or no trial experience, the attorney may dismiss you as a client if he/she is unable to settle the case before filing a lawsuit. This could make it difficult for the client to retain another attorney within the prescribed deadlines. Other attorneys may refuse to go to trial out of fear of losing or fronting the extra expenses needed for trial. Insurance companies know who these attorneys are, and will offer them considerably less money to settle than the case may be worth. At Dennis M. Janssen we work-up every case as if it is going to trial. This way, the case is prepared for trial if settlement negotiations break down.

Q. Do I need an attorney who focuses on personal injury law or can I use a general practice attorney?

A. In most professions the day of the general practitioner is gone. Why? The law, like medicine, has become much more complicated requiring attorneys to limit their practices. In order to settle or try your claim, you must deal with insurance companies. To get the best outcome, you need to understand the insurance companies’ culture, management and negotiation tactics. The companies’ goal is pay the injured party the least amount possible while protecting their policyholder from liability. It is difficult for somebody who does not deal with personal injury claims on a day in day out basis to have a good sense of a claims worth. Additionally, attorneys who do not handle these cases on a regular basis do not have relationships with the insurance claims professionals. We can tell you from experience that the attorney handling your claim makes a significant difference in the settlement amount. In the past, when we defended insurance companies, there were times that the insurance companies paid the injured party more than the insurance benefit because of the attorney’s reputation.

Q. Lawsuits are expensive, will it cost me any money upfront for filing fees, court costs or expert witness fees?

A. Working a case up properly can be expensive. It is necessary to gather the client’s medical records, investigate the accident scene and hire experts.  We know that most people cannot afford to pay these expenses up front, which is why we front all costs and only receive reimbursement if we are able to recover money for our client.

Q. In what parts of Florida do you handle cases?

A. Even though our main office is in Leesburg, our attorney has handled cases from Miami to Lake City and many places in between. We predominately practice in the five counties that make up the Fifth Judicial District, which include Lake, Marion, Citrus, Sumter and Hernando. However, we handle serious injury cases throughout the entire state.

Counties that we service include: Lake, Marion, Citrus, Sumter, Hernando, Orange, Seminole, Volusia, Alachua, Gilchrist, Clay, Putnam, Pasco, Hillsborough, Polk, Osceola, Brevard, St. Lucie, Palm Beach, Okeechobee, Broward, Miami-Dade.

Cities that we service include: Leesburg, Eustis, Clermont, Groveland, Mascotte, Winter Garden, Howey-in-the-Hills, Bushnell, Inverness, Crystal River, Homassa, Ocala, Belleview, Villages, Gainesville, New Port Richey, Winter Haven, Lakeland, Orlando, Altamonte Springs, Maitland, Sanford, Deland, Deltona, and Dade City.

The information you obtain at this site is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice. You should consult an attorney for individual advice regarding your own situation.

The hiring of a lawyer is an important decision that should not be based solely upon advertisements. Before you decide, ask us to send you free written information about our qualifications and experience.