Are you struggling with painful injuries and life changes because of a medical error in Florida? Contact Coker Law Personal Injury Lawyers at (904) 356-6071 for help. You may deserve significant compensation. During your free consultation, an experienced Florida medical malpractice lawyer can evaluate your right to compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and more.
Our attorneys have over 45 years of combined legal experience. By standing up to powerful hospitals, doctors, and their insurance companies, we’ve recovered hundreds of millions of dollars. Call our law offices in Florida to learn how we can fight for you today.
Why Choose Coker Law Personal Injury Lawyers To Help Me Pursue Compensation for Medical Malpractice in Florida?
Medical malpractice claims are complex. When a medical error turns your life upside down, you need a law firm with the experience, resources, and passion to help you fight for justice. Coker Law Personal Injury Lawyers is a powerful advocate for injured parties across Florida. We’re known for our dedication and commitment to helping our clients secure top financial results.
For our success over the years, our Florida personal injury lawyers have been recognized in the legal community, including by:
- Martindale-Hubbell, with an AV-Preeminent rating
- The National Trial Lawyers, with a Top 100 ranking
- Super Lawyers
- The American Association for Justice
We’re honored that injured parties have been trusting our lawyers since we opened our doors. We take a client-first approach in every case we take on–providing personalized support and attention as we aggressively fight for justice.
Our Florida personal injury attorneys are here to step in quickly to preserve key evidence and build the strongest case possible. Call us today to learn more about how we can fight for you during a free consultation.
What Is Medical Malpractice in Florida?
All healthcare providers in Florida must adhere to a standard of care. Specifically, under Florida law, doctors must provide care that is recognized as “acceptable and appropriate by reasonably prudent similar health care providers”.
Medical professionals have training that most of us haven’t received. Many spend years learning how to provide critical care. When they deviate from accepted medical standards, they can be held liable for the resulting harm.
Our Attorneys in Florida Handle All Types of Medical Malpractice Cases
Medical standards apply to all medical providers. Malpractice can occur in many different scenarios.
Our lawyers handle all types of medical malpractice cases, including:
- Surgical errors
- Emergency room errors
- Anesthesia errors
- Pharmacy errors
- Medication errors
- Radiology errors and lab mixups
- Hospital negligence
- Failure to diagnose
- Misdiagnosis
- Delayed diagnosis
- Birth injuries and OBG-YN negligence
- Nursing negligence
Our attorneys are dedicated to helping victims like you hold negligent doctors and hospitals accountable for their mistakes. We know the thought of navigating a complex medical malpractice lawsuit can be overwhelming. We’re up to the challenge. Call us today to learn more about your rights.
What Do I Have To Prove To Win a Medical Malpractice Case in Florida?
To win your medical malpractice case, you’ll have to prove the doctor deviated from the standard of care and harmed you.
The specific elements of medical negligence are:
- You are the defendant’s patient, so they owed you a duty of care
- The defendant provided care that did not satisfy the medical standard
- That failure caused you to suffer some type of harm
- You sustained damages or identifiable losses as a result
Prior to filing a formal lawsuit, Florida law requires that you conduct a pre-suit investigation. This gives the defendant notice of your intent to take legal action. It’s also meant to ensure you have reasonable grounds for your allegations.
Expert testimony is a critical component of the investigation phase. A medical expert can testify about the care you received and the care you should have received.
Navigating this process can be incredibly difficult on your own. Without a lawyer by your side, it’s easy to make a mistake that could get your case dismissed. Let our experienced attorneys handle the details. Call us today to learn how we can help you recover the maximum compensation you deserve.
What Is My Florida Medical Malpractice Case Worth?
It’s important to evaluate the following questions to get an idea about how much your medical negligence case is worth:
- Will your injuries lead to a long-term or permanent disability?
- Do you have extensive medical expenses?
- Have you lost income while you recover?
- Are you unable to work and earn a living due to your injuries?
- Are you unable to engage in the same activities you enjoyed prior to the disability?
- Are you going to need ongoing medical care, rehab, or assistance?
- Have you experienced extensive pain, suffering, and/or trauma?
These are the primary factors that will impact your case value. The nature of the healthcare provider’s error can also be relevant.
Expect considerable pushback from the defense in your case. Doctors and hospitals have deep-pocketed insurance companies in their corners. They have many tools in their arsenal to undervalue your claim and downplay your losses. Hiring an experienced Florida medical malpractice attorney is the best way to protect your interests.
What Types of Compensation Are Available to Victims of Medical Malpractice in Florida?
Damages in medical malpractice cases are designed to address the losses you’ve suffered due to the medical error. Most victims can recover economic damages and non-economic damages.
Economic Damages
Common economic damages that are available include:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Rehabilitation and therapy
- Lost wages
- Long-term disability and lost earning potential
- Nursing care
- In-home assistance
- Out-of-pocket expenses
The goal of these damages is to relieve the financial strain you’ve experienced. Your settlement or verdict should account for all financial costs associated with the medical error.
Non-Economic Damages
Not all losses are financial. You’re also entitled to damages designed to address the human impact of the medical error.
Examples of non-economic damages include:
- Pain and suffering
- Mental trauma and distress
- Depression, PTSD, and other mental health issues
- Diminished quality of life
- Reduced life expectancy
- Damage to relationships
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of consortium
There’s no exact formula for calculating the value of these damages. A multiplier method is a common strategy. This method bases the value of a victim’s non-economic damages on their economic damages. Economic damages are multiplied by a factor, depending on the overall severity of the harm involved.
How Much Does It Cost To Hire a Medical Malpractice Lawyer in Florida?
Our attorneys at Coker Law Personal Injury Lawyers take cases on a contingency fee basis. You don’t pay out-of-pocket to hire our team. Instead, we take our fees out of your final settlement or verdict.
What Should I Understand About Florida’s Comparative Negligence Laws and Medical Malpractice?
Comparative fault can arise in some medical malpractice cases if a healthcare provider argues that your own actions contributed to your injuries. Unlike most Florida personal injury cases, the state’s 50% bar on recovery does not apply to medical malpractice claims.
However, if you are found partially at fault, your compensation may be reduced based on your percentage of responsibility. An experienced Florida medical malpractice lawyer can explain how these rules may apply to your case.
How Long Do I Have To File a Medical Malpractice Lawsuit After a Medical Error in Florida?
Florida generally gives injured patients two years to file a medical malpractice lawsuit. In many cases, the deadline begins when you discover, or reasonably should have discovered, that the injury was caused by medical negligence.
Florida also has a statute of repose that generally bars most medical malpractice claims filed more than four years after the alleged malpractice, regardless of when the injury is discovered. Limited exceptions may apply in certain circumstances.
Call Our Florida Medical Malpractice Lawyers for a Free Consultation Today
You don’t have to accept less than what your case is worth–and you don’t have to let the doctor, hospital, and their defense teams pressure you into taking a lowball settlement. Demand top financial results by hiring our team at Coker Law Personal Injury Lawyers.
Our Florida medical malpractice attorneys have helped our clients recover hundreds of millions of dollars over the years. Today, we’re here to help you demand justice after an injury in Florida. Call us today for your free case review.