Finding a medical malpractice attorney in Florida.

A medical malpractice attorney looks at whether the care you or a family member received fell below the accepted standard, whether that caused real harm, and whether a claim can be brought in time. In Florida, that work usually includes:

• Gathering the medical records from every provider involved.
• Getting a medical expert’s review. Florida requires a verified written opinion from a qualified medical expert before a lawsuit can begin (Fla. Stat. § 766.203(2)).
• Handling the presuit process: the notice of intent to each provider and the 90-day review period that follows (§ 766.106).
• Negotiating or going to court, if the matter isn’t resolved.

Because of those steps, timing matters. See Florida medical malpractice deadlines.

Every lawyer who practices in Florida must be a member of The Florida Bar. Its free lawyer directory shows whether a lawyer is eligible to practice, their contact information, and any public discipline history. Check any lawyer you’re considering, whether you find them through us or anywhere else.

Also look at the lawyer’s own website for the kinds of cases they handle, and whether medical malpractice is a regular part of their practice.

• How many medical malpractice matters like mine have you handled?
• Have you taken medical malpractice cases to trial?
• Who will work on my case day to day, and how will you keep me updated?
• Which deadlines do you see, and what do you need from me first?
• Do you have any conflict, such as representing the hospital or doctor involved?

A lawyer may decline after an initial review. That’s common in these cases and doesn’t necessarily mean you have no claim. See why attorneys turn down medical malpractice cases.

A medical malpractice claim is usually brought where the care took place, so the attorney needs to be licensed there. If your care was in Florida, you can live in most other states and still work with a Florida attorney.

Some providers follow different rules. Claims involving state or local government providers, such as some public hospitals, require written notice to the agency first (Fla. Stat. § 768.28(6)). Claims about VA or military facilities go through federal law (28 U.S.C. § 2401(b)). Mention the facility early so an attorney can check.

• Misdiagnosis and delayed diagnosis
• Surgical errors and complications
• Hospital and emergency room care
• Birth injuries, including Florida’s NICA program
• Medication errors

Not sure which fits? You don’t need to know. Start with what medical malpractice is.

We’re not a law firm and we don’t give legal advice. We’re an attorney advertising service: participating Florida attorneys pay us to take part, and it’s free for you.

• 1. Tell us what happened. Six short questions. Approximate dates are fine.
• 2. See the participating firm we can connect you with, including its office city and county, before anything is shared.
• 3. Approve it, or don’t. We share your request with that one firm only if you sign.
• 4. The firm contacts you the way you asked, and decides independently whether it can help.

We choose the firm by objective factors only: where the care took place, the type of concern, and availability. We don’t rank attorneys or evaluate your case. See how it works.

• The Florida Bar Lawyer Referral Service: floridabar.org/public/lrs.
• Your county or local bar association, many of which run their own referral services.
• People you trust who have worked with a lawyer on a similar matter.

Whichever route you choose, check the lawyer in The Florida Bar’s directory and don’t wait on deadlines.

• Fla. Stat. § 766.203: presuit investigation and expert opinion
• Fla. Stat. § 766.106: notice of intent and presuit review
• Fla. Stat. § 768.28: claims against the state and its agencies and subdivisions
• 28 U.S.C. § 2401(b): federal tort claims
• The Florida Bar lawyer directory · Lawyer Referral Service