If you or a loved one suffered injury anywhere in Florida because of medical malpractice, you could be eligible to receive substantial compensation. A medical malpractice lawyer in Florida can help you fight for the compensation you deserve.
The attorneys at the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine want to help you win the money you deserve. We focus on medical malpractice and have a long track record of winning big payouts for our clients. We offer a free consultation, and we never get paid until we win money for you. Call us now to get started. Our Florida personal injury lawyers are ready to get to work for you.
What Is Medical Malpractice?
Medical malpractice occurs when a healthcare professional fails to provide treatment that meets the accepted standard of care, resulting in harm to the patient. While not every poor outcome is malpractice, when a provider’s actions—or inactions—deviate from what a competent medical professional would reasonably do under similar circumstances, and that deviation causes injury, it may be grounds for a legal claim.
Patients place immense trust in doctors, nurses, surgeons, and other medical providers. When that trust is broken due to carelessness, lack of attention, or poor decision-making, the consequences can be devastating—physically, emotionally, and financially.
Medical malpractice can take many forms. Common causes include:
- Misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis, which can lead to a lack of proper treatment or unnecessary procedures.
- Surgical errors, such as operating on the wrong body part, leaving instruments inside the body, or performing an unnecessary procedure.
- Medication mistakes, including prescribing the wrong drug, incorrect dosage, or failure to recognize harmful drug interactions.
- Birth injuries, which may occur due to improper monitoring or failure to respond to complications during delivery.
- Anesthesia errors, such as administering too much anesthesia or failing to properly monitor the patient.
- Failure to follow up, where providers do not monitor a patient’s recovery or fail to communicate crucial test results.
These and other mistakes can lead to serious complications, long-term health problems, or even death. If you or a loved one has experienced harm under a provider’s care, you may have a valid medical malpractice claim. A Florida medical malpractice lawyer from the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine can review your case and help determine the next steps.
Injuries Caused By A Florida Provider’s Medical Negligence
When a healthcare provider fails to meet the accepted standard of care, the results can be life-altering. Medical negligence can lead to a wide range of injuries, some of which may not be immediately apparent. Below are several categories of harm that victims of malpractice may suffer.
Birth Injuries
Mistakes during pregnancy, labor, or delivery can cause devastating harm to both newborns and mothers. These injuries often stem from a failure to monitor vital signs, a delay in performing a necessary C-section, or improper handling during delivery.
- Shoulder dystocia can occur when a baby’s shoulder gets stuck during birth, leading to nerve damage or paralysis.
- Kernicterus, a severe form of brain damage caused by untreated jaundice, is another preventable condition in newborns.
- Maternal death can tragically result from undiagnosed complications or surgical errors during childbirth.
These types of injuries not only affect the child or mother physically but also place immense emotional and financial stress on the family.
Neurological and Brain Injuries
Errors in diagnosis, anesthesia, or emergency care can lead to irreversible damage to the brain and nervous system.
- Stroke may result from a delayed diagnosis or improper medication administration.
- Locked-in syndrome and vegetative states can occur when oxygen supply to the brain is cut off for too long during surgery or recovery.
- Spinal cord injuries due to surgical mistakes or mismanagement of trauma can lead to full or partial paralysis.
These conditions can dramatically reduce a person’s quality of life and often require lifelong care.
Loss of Physical Function Or Sensory Ability
Medical errors can lead to the loss of body parts or critical senses, impacting a person’s ability to live independently.
- Loss of limb may occur due to untreated infections or surgical complications.
- Loss of vision or loss of eye could stem from incorrect procedures or delayed treatment of eye conditions.
Such injuries not only affect daily functioning but can lead to severe emotional distress and financial hardship.
If you or a loved one has suffered any of these or other serious complications due to a provider’s negligence, you may be entitled to significant compensation. Our Florida medical malpractice lawyers can help evaluate your case.
We Help You Build A Strong Medical Malpractice Case And Win Fair Compensation
If a doctor or healthcare provider’s negligence caused you or a loved one to suffer physical, mental, or emotional harm, our lawyers want to hear from you. We will investigate your claim and gather evidence that the provider’s actions or lack of action constituted medical malpractice. You could be eligible to receive substantial compensation.
To show that the doctor or provider committed malpractice, our lawyers must demonstrate four things:
The Provider Had A Duty of Care to You
A duty of care is a professional obligation to a patient by which a doctor or healthcare provider is bound. For us to have a valid medical malpractice claim, this duty must be present. We prove your doctor had a duty of care to you by showing that a doctor-patient relationship existed.
The Provider Did Not Uphold The Standard Of Care For Their Profession
To show that your doctor or provider did not uphold their duty of care, we use the reasonable person standard. This standard compares their actions to those that one would expect of a reasonable physician faced with the same circumstances. If your doctor’s behavior did not live up to what a reasonable physician would have done in the same situation, we can show that they did not uphold their duty.
The Provider’s Wrongful Actions Injured You
Next, we must establish a clear link between the provider’s failure and your resulting injuries. To make this link as strong as possible, we rely on several types of evidence, including medical records, statements from other doctors, the provider’s own statements, and testimony from expert witnesses.
Your Injuries Resulted In Economic Or Non-Economic Losses
To win compensation, we have to demonstrate that you incurred losses because of your injuries. Some of these losses will be financial, such as the cost of your medical bills or your lost income from work, but you can also receive compensation for non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering.
Before You Accept A Settlement, Talk To Our Florida Malpractice Lawyer
Medical malpractice claims are complex, and each case unfolds differently. In some situations, the provider may deny wrongdoing entirely. Others may offer a fast settlement to avoid litigation—often before you understand the full extent of your injuries or losses.
If you’re facing mounting medical bills or lost income, a quick payout might seem like the easiest way forward. However, accepting an early settlement without legal guidance could cost you far more in the long run. These initial offers are typically far below the full value of your claim.
Don’t settle for less than you deserve. At the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine, our Florida medical malpractice lawyers can review your offer, explain your legal options, and fight for the maximum compensation you’re entitled to. In many cases, we can negotiate a significantly higher settlement on your behalf.
Our Florida Medical Malpractice Attorneys Fight to Recover Full Damages
Do you know how much your medical malpractice claim is worth? It could be more than you think. Medical malpractice settlements are among the most lucrative in personal injury law. While every case is different, and it is difficult to estimate figures before evaluating your claim, you could be eligible to collect damages for some or all of the following items:
- Medical bills: Including both current and anticipated future expenses. These costs include those for hospital stays, doctor visits, prescriptions, medical devices, and more.
- Lost income: The money you are unable to earn while recovering from your injury or attending medical appointments.
- Reduced earning capacity: Any long-term drop in income that occurs because your injury prevents you from doing the same type of work you did before.
- Pain and suffering: The physical distress you have incurred because of your injury.
- Emotional anguish: Emotional distress, which could include nightmares, phobias, avoidance behaviors, or loss of enjoyment of previous hobbies.
- Scarring and disfigurement: The mental and emotional anguish resulting from a permanent or long-term change in your appearance.
If a loved one dies due to medical malpractice, you may be able to file a wrongful death claim under Florida law. Compensation can cover medical expenses, funeral costs, lost income, and loss of companionship or support.
Types Of Medical Providers Who May Be Liable For a Florida Malpractice Claim
When medical malpractice occurs, liability doesn’t fall solely on doctors. In Florida, any licensed healthcare professional or facility that breaches the standard of care and causes harm may be held legally responsible.
Physicians And Surgeons
Doctors are most commonly associated with malpractice claims, whether due to surgical errors, misdiagnoses, or improper treatment.
Nurses And Nurse Practitioners
Nurses play a critical role in patient care. Errors in administering medication, monitoring vitals, or failing to report concerns can result in liability.
Anesthesiologists
Anesthesia mistakes—such as incorrect dosages or failure to monitor—can lead to severe injury or death, making these specialists accountable when they deviate from proper protocols.
Hospitals And Medical Facilities
Hospitals may be liable for systemic issues like understaffing, inadequate training, or failure to maintain proper patient records. They can also be responsible for the actions of their employees.
Pharmacists
Dispensing the wrong medication or dosage can cause serious complications, making pharmacies and pharmacists subject to malpractice claims.
Malpractice can involve a single provider—or several acting in combination. A Florida medical malpractice attorney can investigate your case and identify all potentially liable parties.
Florida-Specific Legal Nuances In Medical Malpractice Cases
Medical malpractice claims in Florida are subject to several unique legal requirements that can affect how and when a case is filed. Understanding these rules is essential to protecting your right to compensation.
- Before filing a lawsuit, Florida law requires a pre-suit investigation, including obtaining a written expert opinion that confirms malpractice occurred. The plaintiff must then serve a notice of intent to initiate litigation to each prospective defendant, triggering a 90-day settlement period before a lawsuit can proceed.
- Florida follows a comparative negligence rule, meaning your compensation could be reduced if you’re found partially at fault.
Because of these complexities, having a knowledgeable Florida medical malpractice lawyer is crucial. The right legal team will ensure every procedural step is followed and that you pursue the full compensation you deserve.
The State Statute Of Limitations Can Limit How Long You Have To Seek Damages
If you’re considering a medical malpractice claim in Florida, it’s critical to act quickly. The state enforces strict deadlines that limit how long you have to file a lawsuit under Florida Statutes § 95.11.
Under Florida law, you generally have two years from the date you discovered the injury—or should have discovered it with reasonable diligence—to file a medical malpractice claim. However, depending on the circumstances, victims may have longer to file. For example:
- If the provider actively concealed the malpractice or committed fraud to hide it, the deadline may be extended to seven years.
- For minors, different rules may apply depending on the child’s age and circumstances.
Because these time limits can be complex and unforgiving, it’s important to consult with a Florida medical malpractice attorney as soon as you suspect something went wrong. Missing the deadline could permanently bar you from seeking compensation—even if your case is otherwise strong. A lawyer can help determine how much time you have and ensure your claim is filed on time.
How Long Does A Medical Malpractice Case Take?
The timeline for a medical malpractice case in Florida can vary widely, depending on the complexity of the case and whether it goes to trial. Some cases can take less than a year, while others may take longer if expert testimony is needed or if the provider contests liability.
While this process can feel lengthy, it ensures your legal team has time to gather critical evidence, consult medical experts, and build a strong case. Our goal is always to resolve your claim efficiently—without sacrificing the compensation you deserve.
Free Case Evaluations For Florida Medical Malpractice Victims
The medical malpractice lawyers at the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine serve all of Florida and can help you win the fair compensation you deserve. We offer a free, no-risk case evaluation and work on a no-win-no-fee basis, meaning we do not get paid until you do. Our team is available 24/7 to take your call.
We Can Help.
