What we handle
If you or a family member were injured — or lost your life — in an accident in Italy, the claim is governed by Italian law, against an Italian insurer, in Italian. That is our home ground. Studio Legale Doraci acts only for victims and their families, never for insurance companies, and follows the case from the accident to the payment.
Road accidents while visiting Italy
Car, rental car, scooter, bicycle, pedestrian: a direct claim against the responsible driver’s Italian insurer — even after you have flown home.
Fatal accidents — claims for the family
Italian law grants each close family member a separate compensation claim, even if the family lives in the United States.
Medical malpractice in Italian hospitals
Errors during treatment in Italy: we obtain the complete medical records and have them reviewed by our medico-legal experts.
Hit-and-run or uninsured drivers
Italy has a Guarantee Fund for road victims: compensation is possible even when the driver was never identified or had no insurance.
Accidents at work
Injuries on the job in Italy: coordination between the Italian workers’ compensation authority (INAIL) and the employer’s liability.
Other injuries in Italy
Falls and injuries in hotels, streets and public places: Italian law holds the custodian of the premises liable.
Why claiming under Italian law is worth it
- Italian compensation tables for personal injury and wrongful death are among the most favorable in Europe;
- the claim is brought directly against the insurance company, which must respond within deadlines set by law;
- family members living abroad have the same rights as residents of Italy;
- first offers from insurers are almost always calculated low — don’t sign a release without an independent check: a signed settlement closes the claim forever.
Compensation for a fatal accident: the Milan Tables
For wrongful death, Italian courts apply the point-based tables of the Milan Observatory (2024 edition). Maximum values, for each family member — even if you live in the U.S.:
| Family member | Up to |
|---|---|
| Spouse or partner | €391,103 |
| Each parent, for the death of a child | €391,103 |
| Each child, for the death of a parent | €391,103 |
| Each brother or sister | €169,831 |
| Each grandparent or grandchild | €169,831 |
Source: Milan Civil Justice Observatory, point-based tables, 2024 edition.
The actual amount depends on the points of the specific case (age, cohabitation, surviving family, closeness of the relationship). Each relative holds a separate claim, so in one family the awards add up — plus financial losses, expenses and interest.
Don't accept the first offer
The figures above are the maximum amounts Italian law provides. Insurers' first offers are almost always far lower — and signing a full-and-final release closes your claim forever. Before you sign anything, ask us what the tables provide for your case: the review is free and without obligation.
How it works from the United States
- Free assessment by video call. We review what happened and the documents you have, and tell you plainly whether there is a case — calls scheduled on U.S. time zones.
- Power of attorney, without traveling. Signed before a U.S. notary with an apostille or at an Italian Consulate: from then on we act for you in Italy.
- We gather the evidence in Italy. Police report, prosecutor’s file for serious accidents, witnesses, our own accident-reconstruction expert.
- Medical documentation. We work from your U.S. medical records; when an in-person medico-legal examination is needed, we organize it.
- Negotiation — and court, if needed. Formal claim to the insurer, advance payments for urgent expenses where possible, and litigation in Italy when the offer is not fair. The payment is wired to your U.S. account.
Frequently asked questions
I’m back in the U.S. Can I still claim?
Yes. The claim proceeds in Italy through your power of attorney; you follow it by email and video call. Distance does not reduce your rights — most of our international clients never travel back.
The accident was in a rental car. Does that change anything?
No: the claim runs against the insurer of the responsible vehicle. We also deal with the rental company’s insurer when their vehicle caused the crash, and coordinate with any travel insurance you hold.
I was treated in Italy first, then in the U.S.
That is the normal pattern. We collect the Italian emergency-room and hospital records, add your U.S. medical documentation, and our medico-legal expert quantifies the permanent injury under the Italian tables.
What does it cost?
The first assessment is free. Our fee is agreed in writing at the outset and tied to the result obtained; expenses (expert reports, court fees) are itemized and discussed case by case.
Someone offered to “handle everything” right after the accident.
Be careful: claim farmers approach foreign victims and have them sign broad mandates, sometimes with unpleasant surprises at settlement. Ask us for a free review before signing anything.