Injured in Florida? How Ratzan Weissman & Boldt Can Help You Now
If you or someone you love was seriously hurt in a recent accident or harmed by medical negligence anywhere in Florida, you are likely facing one of the most difficult periods of your life. Maybe it was a multi-car collision on I-95 during rush hour. Perhaps a surgeon made a catastrophic error at a Miami hospital. Or a poorly marked construction zone near Tampa caused a devastating crash. Whatever happened, the pain is real, the medical bills are mounting, and the path forward feels uncertain.
Ratzan Weissman & Boldt (RWB) is a Florida-based trial law firm that focuses exclusively on serious personal injury and medical malpractice cases. We understand what you are going through, and we are here to help you pursue justice. Our consultations are always free, and we work on a contingency fee basis—meaning you pay no fees or costs unless we recover compensation for you.
We handle high-stakes personal injury cases throughout Florida, from Miami and Fort Lauderdale to Orlando, Tampa, Jacksonville, and Tallahassee. When necessary, we also handle matters nationally through co-counsel arrangements. Our attorneys have obtained hundreds of millions of dollars in verdicts and settlements for injury victims across the state, and we bring that same intensity to every case we accept.
If you need help right now, contact RWB for a free case review. Our intake team is available 24/7, and we respond same-day whenever possible. Call our office, submit an online form, or reach out however is most convenient. The sooner you speak with a knowledgeable personal injury attorney, the sooner we can begin protecting your rights and building your case.
Why Choose a Florida Personal Injury Lawyer at RWB?
The florida personal injury lawyer you choose can dramatically affect both your case outcome and your peace of mind during an already stressful time. Not all law firms approach injury cases the same way, and the differences matter.
Decades of Trial Experience — Our attorneys have spent their careers trying cases in Florida courtrooms, from Miami-Dade to the Panhandle. We know the judges, we understand local court procedures, and we have built relationships throughout the Florida legal community.
Leadership in Professional Organizations — Our lawyers have held leadership roles in organizations like the Florida Justice Association (formerly the Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers). This involvement keeps us at the forefront of developments in personal injury law and connects us with the best legal minds in the state.
Board Certifications and Recognitions — We pursue the highest credentials available, including board certification in civil trial law from The Florida Bar and the National Board of Trial Advocacy. These certifications demonstrate a proven track record of excellence that sets us apart from general practitioners.
Focus on Complex Litigation — RWB concentrates on serious, catastrophic, and complex injury matters. We do not operate a high-volume practice that treats clients like case numbers. Instead, we limit the cases we accept so each client receives the intensive, personalized attention their situation demands.
Our history includes securing seven- and eight-figure verdicts and settlements in Florida personal injury and medical malpractice cases. For example, a 2021 Miami birth injury case resulted in a multi-million-dollar confidential settlement that provided lifetime care funds for a child harmed by negligent delivery. We have achieved similar results in cases involving surgical errors, truck accidents, and defective medical devices.
Because we prepare every serious case as though it will go to trial, insurers, hospitals, and corporations know we mean business. This trial-ready approach often produces better settlement offers than firms that avoid the courtroom. Our contingency fee structure means you never pay attorneys’ fees out of pocket—our fee comes only from the recovery we obtain for you, calculated as a percentage consistent with Florida Bar rules.
Types of Florida Personal Injury Cases We Handle
Florida personal injury law encompasses a broad range of claims arising from negligence or wrongful conduct that causes harm. At RWB, we focus specifically on serious, complex, and catastrophic personal injury cases—the kind that require substantial resources, expert collaboration, and genuine trial experience.
Auto Collisions — Florida ranks third nationally for traffic crashes, with over 400,000 collisions annually. We handle car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, and bicycle crashes throughout the state. High-risk corridors like I-95 (notorious for multicar pileups due to congestion and heavy trucking) and I-4 (one of the nation’s most dangerous highways connecting Tampa and Orlando) produce devastating injuries that require experienced personal injury attorneys to navigate.
Medical Malpractice — When healthcare providers breach the standard of care, patients suffer. We represent injury victims harmed by surgical errors, delayed or missed diagnoses, emergency room mistakes, anesthesia monitoring failures, and negligent post-operative care. Florida’s medical malpractice cases require specialized knowledge and deep resources.
Birth Injury — These heartbreaking cases involve harm to newborns during labor and delivery, including hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE), brachial plexus injuries, and injuries from improper use of forceps or vacuum extractors. We work with medical experts nationwide to investigate birth injuries and pursue maximum compensation for affected families.
Product Liability — Defective consumer products, unsafe medical devices, and dangerous prescription drugs cause serious injuries across Florida. From recalled metal-on-metal hip implants to defective pain pumps, we handle cases involving design defects, manufacturing flaws, and failures to warn consumers about known risks.
Transportation Negligence — Beyond typical car accidents, we handle commercial trucking crashes subject to federal FMCSA regulations, bus and shuttle negligence at airports and cruise ports, rideshare (Uber/Lyft) collisions, and aviation incidents. Florida’s tourism industry creates unique exposure to these types of accidents.
Highway and Construction Negligence — Florida’s construction boom exceeds $100 billion in annual projects, particularly in South Florida. Poorly marked work zones, missing signage, inadequate barricades, and dangerous lane shifts cause serious injuries. Liability may extend to negligent contractors and government entities.
Wrongful Death — Under Florida Statute 768.19, families who lose loved ones due to another party’s negligence can recover compensation for lost financial support, loss of companionship, and other damages. We handle wrongful death cases with the compassion and intensity these matters require.
Whistleblower/Qui Tam Actions — Though often associated with fraud recovery, some qui tam matters intersect with patient safety when healthcare fraud results in substandard care. We can evaluate whether your situation involves potential whistleblower claims.
While headquartered in Miami, RWB routinely handles matters from South Florida to the Panhandle and co-counsels nationally in major drug and device cases involving multidistrict litigation.
Medical Malpractice & Birth Injury in Florida
Complex medical malpractice and birth injury cases represent a core focus at RWB. Florida law in this area is particularly technical, with pre-suit screening requirements and strict deadlines that can trap even experienced personal injury lawyers unfamiliar with malpractice litigation.
Common Florida Medical Malpractice Scenarios:
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Type of Error |
Examples |
|---|---|
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Diagnostic Failures |
Delayed stroke or sepsis diagnosis in emergency rooms |
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Surgical Mistakes |
Wrong-site surgery, retained surgical instruments |
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Anesthesia Errors |
Failure to properly monitor during procedures |
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Post-Operative Negligence |
Inadequate monitoring, medication errors, infection failures |
These cases arise in busy hospitals throughout Miami, Orlando, Tampa, and Jacksonville, where high patient volumes can lead to dangerous shortcuts.
Birth Injury Cases We Handle:
Birth injuries are among the most devastating medical malpractice cases because they affect children who will live with the consequences for decades. We represent families dealing with:
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Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) caused by oxygen deprivation during delivery
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Shoulder dystocia leading to brachial plexus nerve injuries
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Delayed or improperly performed C-sections
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Injuries from forceps or vacuum extractor misuse
These cases require a comprehensive understanding of fetal monitoring strips, labor progression, and obstetric decision-making. We work with leading medical experts nationwide to reconstruct what happened and explain the standard of care to Florida juries.
Florida’s pre-suit requirements mandate a corroborating expert affidavit within tight timelines. The statute of limitations runs two years from discovery of the injury (with a four-year outer limit in most cases), though special rules may apply for minors. Claims against public hospitals face sovereign immunity caps and additional procedural hurdles.
In one South Florida birth injury case from the early 2020s, our aggressive litigation approach secured substantial funds to cover a child’s lifetime therapies and care needs after a negligent delivery caused permanent brain damage.
If you suspect medical negligence harmed you or your child, contact a florida injury lawyer immediately. The complex pre-suit investigation requirements and shortened deadlines make early legal intervention essential.
Product Liability, Drug Recalls & Defective Medical Devices
Dangerous products and defective medical devices cause serious injuries across Florida every year. From cardiac implants placed at Miami hospitals to everyday consumer products purchased at local stores, these cases require technical expertise and substantial resources to pursue effectively.
How RWB Handles Product Liability Cases:
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Investigation — We identify whether the harm resulted from a design defect (the product was inherently unsafe), manufacturing defect (something went wrong during production), or failure to warn (the manufacturer knew of risks but provided inadequate warnings)
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Preservation — We immediately work to preserve the defective product or device before it can be lost, altered, or destroyed
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Expert Collaboration — We retain engineering, medical, and industry experts to analyze what went wrong and how it caused your injuries
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Litigation — We take on national and multinational corporations with the resources to fight back aggressively
Drug and Device Cases:
We have represented Floridians harmed by recalled medical devices such as metal-on-metal hip implants (which caused metallosis requiring painful revision surgeries), defective surgical mesh, and dangerous implanted cardiac devices. We also handle cases involving dangerous prescription medications, including blood thinners like Xarelto and diabetes medications like Actos that have been linked to serious complications.
These cases often involve multidistrict litigation (MDL), where claims from across the country are consolidated for coordinated discovery. RWB serves as local trial counsel, providing Florida clients with personal attention while working alongside national co-counsel teams. Our Florida personal injury attorneys bring genuine trial experience to these complex, document-heavy matters.
If a medical device or pharmaceutical product harmed you, our legal team can evaluate whether you have a viable product liability claim under Florida and federal law.
Transportation & Highway Construction Negligence in Florida
Florida’s rapid population growth, year-round tourism, and constant construction create uniquely dangerous conditions on our roads. Transportation-related personal injury lawsuits require attorneys who understand both the complexities of crash reconstruction and the multiple parties who may share liability.
Transportation Matters We Handle:
|
Case Type |
Key Considerations |
|---|---|
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Commercial Trucking |
FMCSA regulations, electronic logging devices, driver qualification files |
|
Bus/Shuttle Operations |
Airport and cruise port operators, common carrier liability |
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Rideshare Collisions |
Uber/Lyft insurance mandates, vicarious liability questions |
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Delivery Fleet Crashes |
Amazon, FedEx, and other delivery services’ contractor relationships |
Highway and Construction Zone Negligence:
Florida’s construction boom means work zones appear constantly along interstates and local roads. Accident victims in these cases face injuries from:
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Missing or confusing signage
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Poorly lit work zones during night operations
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Inadequate barricades separating traffic from workers
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Dangerous lane shifts without proper warning
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Contractor failures that cause multicar pileups
How We Investigate These Cases:
Our approach involves obtaining Florida Highway Patrol crash reports, downloading black-box or telematics data from commercial vehicles (which can reveal speeds, braking patterns, and driver behavior), preserving dashcam footage from surrounding vehicles, and securing Florida DOT and contractor records that may reveal prior safety violations.
In one Central Florida case, our investigation revealed that a serious wreck resulted from a negligently marked work zone where a contractor failed to follow required safety protocols. Liability extended beyond the other driver to include the contractor and potentially government entities that failed to ensure compliance.
Claims against public entities in Florida involve special notice requirements—often as short as three days for certain claims—and shortened timeframes that can forfeit rights if missed. If you were injured in a construction zone accident, contact a florida injury attorney immediately.
How a Florida Personal Injury Lawyer at RWB Handles Your Case
When you hire RWB, we guide you through every step of the legal process—from your first phone call to settlement or jury verdict—so you can focus on healing while we handle the fight.
Our Process:
Free Case Review — We start with a comprehensive evaluation of your situation. An experienced personal injury attorney (not just a paralegal) reviews the facts, identifies potential defendants, and assesses both liability and damages under Florida law.
Investigation and Evidence Gathering — We move quickly to preserve critical evidence. This includes scene photography, witness statements, surveillance footage, crash reports, medical records, and any defective products or devices. We subpoena records and issue preservation letters to prevent spoliation.
Medical Expert Coordination — We work with your treating doctors and retain independent medical experts to document your injuries, establish causation, and project future care needs. For catastrophic injuries, we engage life care planners to calculate lifetime costs.
Damages Calculation — We quantify both economic damages (medical bills, lost wages, future earning capacity) and non-economic damages (pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life). In cases involving brain injuries or spinal cord damage, lifetime costs can exceed tens of millions of dollars.
Negotiation — Armed with thorough documentation and expert opinions, we negotiate aggressively with insurance companies, hospitals, and corporate defendants. Many cases resolve through negotiated settlements or mediation.
Trial — If insurers refuse to offer fair compensation, we are fully prepared for a jury trial. Our reputation for trying cases in Florida courtrooms often encourages better settlement offers because defendants know we are not bluffing.
Practical Support Along the Way:
We help injured victims navigate practical challenges that arise during their case. This includes coordinating with medical providers regarding bills and liens, advising on FMLA and employer issues, and coaching clients on how to handle insurance adjuster tactics. We keep clients updated with regular phone calls and emails, and a trial lawyer—not just staff—oversees strategy and remains available for major questions.
You will never owe legal fees or case costs unless we obtain a recovery for you. Our contingency fee is a pre-agreed percentage consistent with Florida Bar rules.
Florida Personal Injury Law: Deadlines, Fault & Damages
Recent changes in Florida law make it critically important to understand time limits and fault rules after an injury. Missing a deadline or misunderstanding how fault affects your recovery can permanently destroy an otherwise valid personal injury claim.
Statute of Limitations:
As of March 2023 (when House Bill 837 took effect), most Florida negligence-based personal injury claims must be filed within two years from the date of injury. This is a significant change from the previous four-year deadline.
|
Claim Type |
Deadline |
|---|---|
|
General Negligence (post-March 2023) |
2 years from injury |
|
Medical Malpractice |
2 years from discovery (4-year maximum) |
|
Wrongful Death |
2 years from date of death |
|
Product Liability |
4 years from injury |
Special tolling provisions may apply in cases involving fraud, concealment, or injuries to minors. However, waiting to consult with personal injury lawyers puts your rights at risk.
Modified Comparative Negligence:
Florida adopted modified comparative negligence in 2023, fundamentally changing how fault affects recovery. Under the new system:
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If you are more than 50% at fault for your injuries, you are barred from any recovery
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If you are 50% or less at fault, your damages are reduced by your percentage of responsibility
This represents a major shift from Florida’s previous pure comparative negligence system, which allowed injured parties to recover even if they were mostly at fault (though with proportionally reduced damages).
No-Fault Auto Insurance and Serious Injury Threshold:
Florida’s no-fault system under Section 627.737 requires most auto accident victims to first seek compensation through Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage, which is capped at $10,000. To pursue a bodily injury claim against the at-fault driver, you must demonstrate a “serious injury”—meaning permanent injury, significant scarring or disfigurement, or disability lasting 90 days or more.
Types of Damages Available:
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Economic Damages — Past and future medical treatment costs, lost wages, diminished earning capacity, out-of-pocket expenses
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Non-Economic Damages — Pain and suffering, mental anguish, loss of enjoyment of life, loss of consortium
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Punitive Damages — Available only in rare cases involving gross negligence or intentional misconduct under Florida Statute 768.72
Only a qualified florida personal injury lawyer can evaluate how these rules apply to your specific circumstances. Delays can permanently forfeit your rights under Florida’s shortened deadlines.
What to Do After an Accident or Medical Error in Florida
The steps you take in the first hours and days after an incident can significantly affect both your health and your ability to recover compensation. Evidence degrades quickly, and memories fade. Acting promptly protects your interests.
Immediate Steps:
First, seek emergency medical care. Even if you believe your injuries are minor, getting examined creates crucial medical documentation establishing when your injuries occurred. Follow up with appropriate specialists in Florida based on your emergency room evaluation. Brain injuries, spinal injuries, and internal damage are not always immediately apparent.
Second, document everything possible while at the scene (or as soon as safely possible afterward). Photograph skid marks, vehicle positions, road conditions, signage, and your visible injuries. If a product caused your injury, preserve it exactly as it is—do not repair, discard, or return it.
Third, collect contact and insurance information from all witnesses and involved parties. Note names, phone numbers, addresses, license plate numbers, and insurance details.
Fourth, avoid providing detailed recorded statements to insurance companies before speaking with counsel. Adjusters are trained to elicit statements that can be used against you later. Politely decline and explain that you will cooperate after consulting with your attorney.
Ongoing Documentation:
Keep a written or digital journal documenting your symptoms, medical appointments, medications, missed workdays, and how your injuries affect daily activities. Record pain levels on a consistent scale (such as 1-10 daily), note activities you can no longer perform, and describe how the injury has changed your life. This contemporaneous documentation supports claims for pain and suffering and other non-economic damages.
For Potential Medical Malpractice Claims:
Request your complete medical records as soon as possible. Avoid signing broad releases or waivers without legal advice, as these can inadvertently waive important rights. Hospitals and healthcare providers may attempt to obtain statements or releases that benefit them—speak with a florida personal injury attorney first.
If you or a family member has been seriously injured, contact RWB promptly. We can help preserve evidence, meet critical deadlines, and begin building your case immediately.
Frequently Asked Questions About Florida Personal Injury Lawyers
What is a personal injury claim in Florida?
A personal injury claim is a civil action seeking financial compensation when someone is injured due to another party’s negligence or wrongful conduct. These claims can arise from car accidents, slip and fall injuries, medical malpractice, defective products, and many other situations. The injured party (plaintiff) must prove that the defendant owed them a duty of care, breached that duty, and caused damages as a result.
How long will my case take?
Case timelines vary significantly based on complexity. Most personal injury cases involving straightforward auto accidents may resolve through settlement within 6-12 months. However, medical malpractice cases, product liability matters, and cases involving catastrophic injuries often take 1-3 years or longer due to extensive discovery, expert depositions, and court backlogs. Florida courts averaged 18-month median case dispositions before the pandemic, and delays have increased since.
How much does it cost to hire RWB?
We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay no upfront fees or costs. Our attorneys’ fees come only from the recovery we obtain for you. If we do not recover compensation, you owe us nothing. This arrangement allows accident victims to access effective legal representation regardless of their current financial situation.
Will my case go to trial?
The vast majority of Florida personal injury lawsuits—over 95%—settle before trial. However, RWB prepares every serious case as if it will be tried to a jury. This trial-ready approach matters because powerful insurance companies offer better settlements when they know the opposing attorney has a proven track record of winning at trial. We will never pressure you to accept a settlement that does not represent fair compensation.
How do I know if I have a case?
The best way to find out is to schedule a free consultation with our legal team. During this case review, an attorney will evaluate the facts, identify potential liable parties, assess the strength of evidence, and explain relevant deadlines under Florida law. This evaluation is confidential and comes with no obligation.
Can you help if my loved one died?
Yes. We handle wrongful death cases throughout Florida under the state’s Wrongful Death Act (Florida Statute 768.19). Surviving family members may recover compensation for lost financial support, lost companionship, and other damages. Children may recover for pain and suffering in certain circumstances. These cases require prompt action due to specific notice requirements and deadlines.
What if I was partially at fault for my accident?
Under Florida’s modified comparative negligence system adopted in 2023, you can still recover compensation if you were 50% or less at fault for the accident. Your damages will be reduced by your percentage of fault. However, if you were more than 50% at fault, you are barred from recovery. An experienced personal injury attorney can evaluate how fault allocation may affect your case.
Do you handle cases outside Miami?
Absolutely. While our firm is headquartered in Miami, we handle personal injury cases statewide—from South Florida to Orlando, Tampa, Jacksonville, and the Panhandle. We also co-counsel nationally in major drug, device, and product liability matters.
Contact Ratzan Weissman & Boldt for a Free Florida Personal Injury Case Review
If you or someone you love has suffered serious injuries anywhere in Florida, we invite you to reach out to Ratzan Weissman & Boldt today. We understand the fear, frustration, and financial pressure that follow a serious accident or medical error, and we are committed to providing compassionate, aggressive representation to help you seek justice.
Our Credentials:
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Florida-based personal injury and medical malpractice trial law firm
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Hundreds of millions of dollars recovered in verdicts and settlements
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Focus on complex, catastrophic, and high-stakes injury cases
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Board certifications and leadership in professional organizations like the Florida Justice Association
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Recognized among super lawyers and national trial lawyers in the personal injury field
What You Can Expect:
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Free initial consultation with no obligation
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Contingency fee representation—you never pay out-of-pocket legal fees
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24/7 intake availability with same-day response when possible
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Personal attention from experienced trial lawyers, not just staff
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Virtual meeting options for clients throughout Florida and beyond
Contact Us: Call our Miami office directly, submit a case review form on our website, or send us an email to schedule your free consultation. We can arrange in-person meetings at our Miami headquarters or virtual consultations for clients anywhere in Florida or nationwide.
You do not have to face insurance companies, hospitals, or corporations alone. The legal system can feel overwhelming after a serious injury, but our legal team will stand with you through every step of your legal journey. We are here to fight for the full and fair settlement—or jury verdict—you deserve.
Contact Ratzan Weissman & Boldt today. Let us put our track record and resources to work for you.