What is Medical Malpractice?

When a trusted medical professional makes a mistake, the consequences can be devastating. At Hollander Law Firm, we understand the devastating physical, emotional, and financial toll medical malpractice can take on you and your family.

Medical malpractice occurs when a healthcare provider fails to meet the accepted standard of care, resulting in serious injury or harm to a patient. This can happen in hospitals, doctor’s offices, or even during routine medical procedures. To pursue a successful medical malpractice claim, it is important to demonstrate that the medical professional’s actions (or lack of actions) directly caused your injury.

Unfortunately, the legal process for medical malpractice claims is notoriously complex, and many patients have long-term relationships with their doctors, which makes it difficult to file a lawsuit. Laws are structured to protect healthcare providers who are genuinely doing their best. This makes it challenging to prove that negligence occurred, but that does not mean you should let those responsible off the hook.

Choosing a Medical Malpractice Lawyer in Fort Lauderdale

Choosing the right experienced malpractice attorney for your medical malpractice case is one of your most important decisions. Hiring an experienced medical malpractice lawyer Fort Lauderdale is necessary when going up against powerful insurance companies. A small mistake in the complex legal process can lead to the dismissal of your case. It is imperative to have specialized legal representation who understands the specific demands of medical malpractice claims, which are often much more intricate than other personal injury cases, like car accidents or slip-and-fall incidents.

At Hollander Law Firm, we provide compassionate, personalized service while aggressively pursuing justice on your behalf. Our experienced legal team understands Florida medical malpractice law and is committed to fighting for your needed and deserved compensation. With over 33 years of experience handling complex medical malpractice cases in Fort Lauderdale, we have the knowledge and resources to build a strong case. Our firm has secured significant multi-million dollar medical malpractice settlements and verdicts for medical malpractice victims.

If you are searching for a “medical malpractice lawyer near me,” our attorneys are committed to treating every client with the care and attention they deserve. Limiting our caseload ensures that your case gets the dedicated focus it needs. We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you do not pay us unless we win your case. This lets you focus on your recovery while we handle the legal process.

Types of Medical Malpractice Compensation You Are Entitled To

Getting prompt quality medical care immediately when you are sick or injured can be the most important thing you do. When your doctor makes a mistake, the new treatment is bound to be more expensive, financially, emotionally, and physically. So, you will need the maximum financial indemnification possible.

Economic damages represent your actual expenses caused by the malpractice. You can recover money for:

  • Medical bills and ongoing future medical expenses
  • Past and future lost wages and income
  • Reduced earning potential
  • Physical therapy and rehabilitation
  • Long-term care and in-home care

Non-economic damages provide money for the more subjective, non-financial harm. Those damages offer compensation for:

  • Permanent scarring and disfigurement
  • Past and future pain and suffering
  • Severe emotional distress, PTSD, anxiety, and depression
  • Loss of enjoyment of life
  • Loss of consortium, financial support, and other damages for wrongful death

Until 2017, Florida statutes limited how much non-economic damages medical malpractice victims could recover. A Broward County victim challenged that cap, and the court agreed. Under the Florida Supreme Court ruling, medical malpractice victims are entitled to the full total value of their non-economic damages for things like pain and suffering, PTSD, and emotional distress.

We cannot give you back your health, but our dedicated malpractice lawyers can fight to preserve your financial security. We aim to make sure you receive the maximum compensation needed to recover and move forward.

The Medical Malpractice Process in Florida

Filing a complex medical malpractice lawsuit involves several key steps. During your comprehensive free initial consultation, we will review the details of your case and help you understand your legal options. We also provide a thorough free case evaluation, so you have nothing to lose by speaking with us.

Statute of Limitations

In Florida, medical malpractice claims must be filed within two years of the date of the injury or the discovery of the injury according to Florida Statute Chapter 95, Section 95.11(5)(c). There are some exceptions, so it is critical to consult with a qualified attorney as soon as possible to protect your rights.

Pre-Suit Notification

Florida Statute Chapter 766, Section 766.106 requires a mandatory pre-suit screening process before a medical malpractice claim can proceed. This includes obtaining qualified medical expert affidavits and meeting strict deadlines. Failure to comply with these requirements can result in your case being dismissed. We will handle all aspects of this complex screening to ensure your case complies with state law.

How We Will Build Your Case

You can rely on us when you hire Hollander Law Firm Accident Injury Lawyers for your serious medical mistake claim. We promise to:

  • Investigate Thoroughly: We review detailed medical records, interview witnesses, and thoroughly investigate your procedure to determine what went wrong and whether negligence occurred.
  • Work with Experts: We collaborate with certified medical and financial experts to strengthen your case and ensure all damages are accounted for, maximizing the value of your claim.
  • Handle Complex Legal Requirements: Florida’s medical malpractice laws involve strict procedural steps. We will ensure your claim meets all legal standards to avoid costly errors.
  • Negotiate on Your Behalf: We handle discussions with insurance companies and defense attorneys to seek a fair settlement that reflects the full extent of your losses.

If the insurance company does not offer a fair settlement, we are fully prepared to take your case to jury trial. With over 33 years of experience, we know how to build a strong case and fight for justice in court.

Types of Medical Malpractice Cases & Consequences

Most doctors try to provide safe quality health care. Some, unfortunately, offer the care they are not qualified to provide. Sometimes, your healthcare provider is simply tired and overworked. Hospitals today are chronically understaffed. These situations can jeopardize a patient’s health, and you should not have to suffer the consequences.

Medical negligence has devastating and extremely serious consequences. Patients who were already suffering from some injury or illness usually get worse, leading to the need for more complex, extensive, and invasive treatment, dangerous unnecessary side effects, worsening new symptoms, severe additional pain and suffering, or preventable wrongful death.

At Hollander Law Firm, we handle all types of complex medical malpractice cases, including:

  • Surgical Errors: Surgical mistakes operating on the wrong body part, leaving surgical instruments inside the body, causing permanent nerve damage, or performing medically unnecessary surgery.
  • Diagnostic Errors: Failure to properly recognize a patient’s symptoms, cancer misdiagnosis, failure to run appropriate diagnostic tests, or incorrectly misreading diagnostic tests.
  • Medication & Prescription Errors: Medication errors such as prescribing the wrong drugs, administering dangerous incorrect dosages, or failure to identify life-threatening harmful drug interactions.
  • Communication Failures: Failing to take a complete full patient history, failure to properly communicate with the patient, or failure to timely consult a specialist.
  • Birth Injuries: Preventable birth injuries during childbirth leading to conditions like cerebral palsy or brain damage.
  • Emergency Room & Anesthesia Errors: Misdiagnosed emergency room errors in high-pressure environments, delayed treatment, or life-threatening anesthesia mistakes made by anesthesiologists.
  • Hospital-Acquired Infections: Patients contracting life-threatening infections when hospitals fail to maintain proper hygiene and safety standards.
  • Lack of Informed Consent: Healthcare providers failing to explain risks and alternatives before undergoing a procedure.

Seniors & Medical Malpractice Fort Lauderdale

With over 18% of Fort Lauderdale’s population aged 65 and older according to Census Reporter, our community relies heavily on specialized medical care. Unfortunately, older adults are uniquely vulnerable to medical negligence. When healthcare providers fail to meet the standard of care, the results are often devastating. Our legal team is highly experienced in handling malpractice cases that frequently impact seniors, including medication errors, nursing home negligence, delayed diagnosis of age-related illnesses, and surgical errors.

Schedule a Free Consultation With a Medical Malpractice Lawyer Near You!

We are passionate about holding negligent medical providers accountable at Hollander Law Firm. We have successfully recovered substantial compensation from doctors, hospitals, and medical facilities so our clients can get their lives back on track.

Whether you need representation from our medical malpractice lawyers Boca Raton or the trusted guidance of our medical malpractice lawyers West Palm Beach, we are ready to advocate for your rights. In addition to handling complex medical claims, our firm is equipped to assist you with other serious matters. If you have been hurt in a crash, our car accident lawyers Fort Lauderdale are here for you, alongside our dedicated personal injury lawyers Fort Lauderdale who handle a wide range of negligence cases.

Your first consultation is completely confidential and free, so don’t hesitate to get legal advice. You can schedule a free consultation. To learn more about how we’ll put our experience to work for you, all you have to do is call our law offices.

1975 E Sunrise Blvd Suite 702,
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304
(561) 347-7770

Read What Others Are Saying About Our Fort Lauderdale Medical Malpractice Lawyers Near You

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Frequently Asked Questions on Medical Malpractice in Fort Lauderdale

Where Does Medical Malpractice Happen in Fort Lauderdale?

Medical errors can occur in any healthcare setting, from private specialized clinics to large hospital emergency rooms. Our medical malpractice lawyer Fort Lauderdale team is deeply familiar with the local healthcare systems across Broward County.

One of the largest and most utilized healthcare facilities serving the Fort Lauderdale community include:

  • Broward Health Medical Center: 1600 S Andrews Ave, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316

Whether an injury occurs during a surgical procedure at a major hospital, a misdiagnosis at an urgent care clinic, or a medication error at a local pharmacy, our firm has the resources to investigate the facility’s safety record, staffing protocols, and standard of care. Read more on how to find out if your doctor has a history of medical malpractice claims in Florida. 

Disclaimer: The healthcare facilities listed on this page are provided solely as examples of major medical centers serving the Fort Lauderdale area. Their inclusion does not suggest, state, or imply that they have committed medical malpractice or are currently subject to litigation. Furthermore, the instructions provided for accessing public records are for informational and educational purposes only and do not constitute formal legal advice. If you believe you have a claim, please contact our office directly for a case evaluation.

How Can I Prove Medical Malpractice Under Florida Law?

We trust healthcare professionals to provide the care we need, especially when we lack the medical expertise to make critical decisions. However, when a doctor or healthcare provider fails to meet the accepted standard of care, and you suffer harm, you can seek compensation through a comprehensive medical malpractice claim.

Healthcare provider negligence happens when a doctor or other licensed healthcare professional:

  • Owed you a duty of care (for example, a doctor-patient relationship existed),
  • Strayed from the medical standard of care,
  • Caused you to suffer some type of injury, illness, or worsened condition,
  • Caused you to suffer damages, whether physical, emotional, or financial.

When you search for a medical malpractice lawyer near me, our experienced team will comprehensively investigate to find out what happened, and why.

What is the Medical Standard of Care?

Medical malpractice cases often hinge on establishing the relevant medical standard of care. The testimony of a board-certified medical expert is required to establish this standard under Florida law. Not just any doctor will qualify to provide expert testimony. Per the Board of Medicine, the doctor must complete a certification process first.

Factors relevant to establishing the medical standard of care include:

  • The medical professional’s qualifications
  • The patient’s medical history
  • The condition or injury being treated
  • The patient’s age
  • The geographic location

At Hollander Law Firm, our experienced attorneys have developed relationships with respected experts in South Florida. We have the resources needed to engage these specialists, who are key to proving that your doctor committed medical negligence.

Who Can Be Held Liable For Damages in a Florida Medical Malpractice Case?

Florida is a modified comparative negligence state. This means that the negligent medical provider can be held responsible for the damages. When you file a South Florida medical malpractice claim, any of the following could potentially be named as liable parties:

  • Your primary care doctor
  • Specialist Surgeons
  • Anesthesiologists
  • Registered Nurses and CNAs
  • EMTs
  • Pharmacists
  • ER doctors
  • Medical clinics
  • Hospital staff
  • Medical equipment manufacturers
  • Pharmaceutical drug companies
  • Ambulance companies

A dedicated medical malpractice attorney has the skills you need to find out what happened. If you suspect you were harmed by a medical mistake, call us today to learn more about pursuing your right to compensation.