Millions of people visit Florida each year. Many of them come for the world-famous theme parks, like Walt Disney World Resort and Universal Studios. In 2022, Universal Studios welcomed 29,000 people a day, which tells you just how popular these parks are. Others come to enjoy the year-round warm weather and fabulous beaches, like Miami Beach, which attracts around 3.3 million international tourists each year.

Despite all the wonderful reasons why you’d want to visit Florida, injuries and illnesses can happen even when you’re on vacation. For this article, attorney Bill Allen, the founder of Allen Law Firm, P.A., a personal injury law firm in Gainesville, FL, suggests the steps you need to know if you suffered an injury or illness during vacationing in Florida.

Get Medical Help

The first thing to do if you get hurt or sick is to seek medical attention right away. Florida has many urgent care centers and emergency rooms that cater to tourists and visitors. Be prepared to show proof of travel medical insurance if you have it, as well as a photo ID. Check with your insurance provider to find in-network doctors, clinics, and hospitals. Most insurance plans require a copay or coinsurance payment when you receive care.

Recovery and Ongoing Care

Once you receive initial medical treatment, you will need to consider your recovery and ongoing care. If your injury or illness requires hospitalization or follow-up appointments, can you extend your stay in Florida? Or will you need to make travel arrangements to return home sooner than expected? This may require changing flights and hotel reservations, which can be costly. Fees to change a flight booking vary from $25 to $400+, depending on the airline and route.

Keep Records of Your Expenditure

Keep careful records of your medical treatment in Florida including bills, payment receipts, and medical reports. These documents will be necessary for filing insurance claims later on.

One other consideration – if your injury was the result of an accident that was someone else’s fault, you may need to file a personal injury claim in Florida. For example, if you were hurt in a slip and fall accident at your hotel, you might have a premises liability case against the hotel. Or if you were hit by a drunk driver while crossing the street, you could pursue that driver for compensation. According to one 2021 study, Metro Orlando was number two in a top 20 list of most dangerous places for pedestrians, with 716 deaths recorded in 2020. Florida was responsible for 12% of all pedestrian deaths in that same year.

Consult a Local Personal Injury Lawyer

It’s best to consult with a qualified Florida personal injury attorney to properly investigate fault and file a legitimate injury claim in the state. Most personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, meaning legal fees come out of any settlement or court award.

The key is – don’t let an unfortunate injury or illness ruin your entire Florida vacation if possible. Seek prompt medical care then align the proper resources you need for treatment, transport home if necessary, insurance claims and potential personal injury legal action. With some practical steps, you can still minimize the disruption and get back to enjoying your time in sunny Florida. But it’s wise to understand your medical coverage and options in advance, just in case something does happen. Being prepared can make all the difference in successfully managing an injury during your fun-filled travel