Coral Gables Personal Injury Attorneys
Representing Injured People and Families in Coral Gables and Across Florida
Personal injury and wrongful death are our firm’s core practice areas. We are committed to representing people who have been seriously injured and families who have lost a loved one. Whether the party responsible is a corporation or an individual, we pursue answers and compensation on behalf of our clients.
Suffering a severe injury or losing a loved one is devastating. It is even more painful when the incident was preventable. We handle the legal work so you can focus on healing.
We limit our caseload, so every client receives direct attention from our attorneys and the resources a serious case requires.
Built for the Courtroom
We investigate each case and prepare it for the possibility of trial. A negotiated settlement is sometimes the best outcome, but we are prepared to go to court when it is not. Founders Frank Maderal and John Byrne are former federal prosecutors, who investigate and prove cases using documents, records, and witness testimony. Partner Rachel Furst served as Co-Chair Lead Counsel in the Champlain Towers South collapse class action.
Cases We Handle
We handle serious personal injury and wrongful death claims, including:
- Vehicle and Roadway Accidents
- Crashes involving cars, bicycles, pedestrians, rideshare vehicles, and commercial vehicles can cause catastrophic injuries and raise questions about who is responsible, including drivers, employers, and vehicle or parts manufacturers. Amazon delivery truck accidents raise additional questions because delivery vans may be operated by contracted companies and independent drivers.
- Premises Liability
- Property owners and managers have a duty to use reasonable care to keep their property reasonably safe. We handle premises liability claims involving unsafe conditions, inadequate security, elevator and escalator failures, and pool accidents.
- Product Liability
- Injuries from defective products can involve a design defect, a manufacturing defect, or a failure to warn. We handle product liability claims involving vehicles and parts, children’s products, appliances, medical devices, and drugs. When many people are harmed by the same product, the cases may proceed as class actions or mass torts.
- Maritime, Boating, & Cruise Injuries
- Injuries on the water are often governed by federal maritime law rather than ordinary state injury law. We handle boating and maritime injuries, including Jones Act and longshore claims, and cruise ship injury claims, where ticket terms can shorten deadlines and require suing in a particular court.
What Compensation Can Include
The compensation available depends on the facts of each case and the law that applies. In an injury case, it can include medical expenses, lost income, and non-economic harm such as pain and suffering. We cannot predict or promise the outcome of any case.
Wrongful Death Claims in Florida
Florida’s Wrongful Death Act allows a lawsuit when a person dies because of another’s wrongful act or negligence. The lawsuit is brought by the personal representative of the person’s estate, on behalf of the estate and the surviving family members.
Which damages are available depends on the survivor’s relationship to the person who died. Under Florida Statute § 768.21, survivors can recover the value of lost support and services. A surviving spouse can also recover for loss of companionship and protection and for mental pain and suffering. Children can recover for lost parental companionship, instruction, and guidance and for mental pain and suffering. Minor children can recover in all cases, and adult children can recover only if there is no surviving spouse. Parents of a deceased minor child can recover for mental pain and suffering, and parents of an adult child can in limited circumstances. A survivor who paid the person’s medical or funeral expenses may recover them, and the estate may recover certain losses, including lost earnings. Other limits and exceptions apply.
Deadlines for Florida Injury and Wrongful Death Claims
Under Florida Statute § 95.11(5)(a), a negligence lawsuit for an injury that happened after March 24, 2023, generally must be filed within two years. Florida shortened this deadline from four years in 2023 (House Bill 837). A wrongful death lawsuit also generally has a two-year limit, which runs from the date of death. Some claims follow different deadlines or notice requirements, including claims against government entities and cruise lines. Waiting can also make it harder to preserve evidence.
What to Do After a Serious Injury
The steps you take after an injury can affect your health and your claim.
- Get medical care and follow your treatment plan.
- Report the incident to the property owner, employer, or police when appropriate, and ask for a copy of any report.
- Preserve evidence, including photos, video, damaged items, medical records, and the names of witnesses.
- Keep records of your expenses and missed work.
- Be careful what you say to insurance companies. Consider speaking with an attorney before giving a recorded statement.
- Avoid posting about the incident on social media.
- Speak with an attorney early. Deadlines apply, and evidence can be lost.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to file a personal injury lawsuit in Florida?
For most negligence claims where the injury happened after March 24, 2023, the deadline is generally two years from the date of the injury. Some claims follow different deadlines or notice rules, so speak with an attorney as soon as you can.
Who can file a wrongful death claim in Florida?
A wrongful death lawsuit is filed by the personal representative of the deceased person’s estate, on behalf of the surviving family members and the estate. The two-year deadline generally runs from the date of death.
What if I was partly at fault for the accident?
In most Florida negligence cases, you can still recover if you were 50% or less at fault, though your award is reduced by your percentage of fault. If you are found more than 50% at fault, you are generally barred from recovering.
Does Florida’s no-fault law affect my car accident claim?
Florida is a no-fault state, so after a crash your own personal injury protection (PIP) coverage generally pays first for medical bills and lost wages, regardless of who caused the crash. To pursue the at-fault driver for non-economic damages such as pain and suffering, your injuries generally must meet the threshold in Florida Statute § 627.737, such as significant and permanent loss of an important bodily function, permanent injury, significant and permanent scarring or disfigurement, or death.
How much does it cost to hire a personal injury lawyer?
We generally handle personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis. When we do, you pay no attorney fees, and owe nothing for case costs, unless we recover compensation for you.
Contact Maderal Byrne & Furst Today
If you or a loved one suffered a serious injury, contact Maderal Byrne & Furst today for a free, confidential case evaluation.
Call our office directly at 305-520-5690 or fill out our secure online contact form to speak with a member of our team about your claim.
The hiring of a lawyer is an important decision that should not be based solely upon advertisements.
Submitting an online contact form or requesting a case evaluation does not establish an attorney-client relationship.
Past outcomes and verdicts do not guarantee a similar result in future legal matters.
The information on this page is for general informational purposes only and is not legal advice. The law is subject to change, and how it applies depends on the facts of each case. For advice about your situation, consult a licensed attorney.
