Fort Lauderdale Personal Injury & Criminal Defense Lawyers

In Florida, the statute of limitations for most personal injury cases is two years from the date of the accident or injury, as updated by Florida law effective March 24, 2023. This means you must file your lawsuit within this two-year window or likely lose your right to seek compensation through the court system. For cases against government entities, you must typically file a notice of claim within three years and follow specific procedural requirements.

Certain circumstances can extend or “toll” these deadlines, such as when the injured person is a minor or when the injury wasn’t discovered immediately. Medical malpractice claims have specific pre-suit requirements that must be fulfilled before filing, which effectively shortens the practical time available. It’s advisable to consult with an attorney well before these deadlines approach to ensure all requirements are met.

Most cases are heard at the Central Judicial Complex, 201 SE 6th Street, Fort Lauderdale — the Seventeenth Judicial Circuit. Circuit Civil handles claims where alleged damages exceed $50,000; smaller claims go to County Civil. Broward also has three regional courthouses in Deerfield Beach, Hollywood and Plantation. Our office is roughly two miles from the Central Judicial Complex.

You are transported to the Broward County Main Jail at 555 SE 1st Avenue for booking and must see a judge within 24 hours. Broward’s First Appearance Division sits every day, including weekends: 8:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 8:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. Friday, and 8:30 a.m. only on weekends and court holidays. At that hearing, the judge rules on probable cause, release and bond, and any conditions. You have the right to an attorney present. Call us at (954) 845-0505; we are available 24 hours a day.

Possibly, but Florida law changed here too. Under the modified comparative negligence standard adopted in 2023, you can still recover if you were partly at fault, with your compensation reduced by your share. But if you are found more than 50% at fault, you recover nothing. Because fault allocation now determines whether you recover at all rather than just how much, early investigation matters enormously.

Florida’s no-fault PIP coverage pays 80% of reasonable medical expenses and 60% of lost wages, up to a $10,000 combined cap, regardless of who caused the crash. You must receive initial care within 14 days. The full $10,000 is only available if a treating provider certifies an emergency medical condition. Otherwise, the cap is $2,500. PIP is usually only the beginning; serious injuries require a claim against the at-fault driver’s bodily injury liability coverage.

Yes, substantially. There is no PIP for boating accidents; boat insurance is not mandatory in Florida the way auto coverage is, and a serious incident often triggers a Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission or U.S. Coast Guard investigation running parallel to your civil claim. Maritime law can also apply depending on where the incident occurred. Given how much of Fort Lauderdale is waterway, we handle these regularly.

The timeline for settling a personal injury case in Florida typically ranges from several months to two years, depending on the complexity of the case. Simple cases with clear liability and moderate injuries might settle within 3-9 months after medical treatment is completed. More complex cases involving severe injuries, disputed liability, or multiple parties can take 18-24 months or longer to resolve.

A significant factor affecting the timeline is reaching maximum medical improvement (MMI), as settlement negotiations typically don’t begin in earnest until the full extent of injuries is understood. The negotiation process itself often takes several months, with additional time required if the case proceeds to litigation. Court backlogs in busy jurisdictions like Miami-Dade or Broward County can further extend the timeline for cases that don’t settle pre-trial.