Expert Testimony
A claimant must include a verified written medical expert opinion corroborating that there are reasonable grounds to believe that each named defendant was negligent. This must be done in his notice of intent to initiate medical malpractice litigation. Unless the alleged negligence is obvious to a layman, expert testimony is necessary to establish a claim for medical malpractice. A defendant who denies the existence of reasonable grounds for the claim must also provide a corroborating verified written medical expert opinion.
Other Florida Medical Malpractice FAQs
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Arbitration
A: Florida does not require that medical malpractice actions be referred to an arbitrator, although judges are authorized to refer cases to nonbinding arbitration. …
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Attorneys' Fees
A: Florida has declared that attorneys' fees in excess of the following amounts are presumed unreasonable: In cases that settle before filing an answer or appointing an …
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Contributory Or Comparative Negligence
A: Florida adheres to the pure form of comparative negligence.
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Collateral Source Rule
A: Florida has held that the court must reduce a claimant's damages by the amounts paid to the claimant from collateral sources. However, the court must also receive …
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Contribution
A: Florida has held that joint tortfeasors are afforded a right of contribution with the exception of a settling tortfeasor, who is not entitled to contribution from a …
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Damage Caps
A: Punitive damages in excess of three times the claimant's compensatory damages are presumed to be unreasonable, and the court must order a remittitur unless it …
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Immunities
A: The State of Florida and its counties, municipalities, and other political subdivisions does not enjoy sovereign immunity. The statutory waiver of immunity is limited …
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Joint And Several Liability
A: In any action for professional negligence accruing on or after July 1, 1986, wherein damages exceed $25,000, liability is apportioned among the defendants on the basis …
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Patient Compensation Funds And Physician Insurance
A: Florida has established two patient compensation funds: The Florida BirthRelated Neurological Injury Compensation Plan, which is the exclusive means of obtaining …
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Periodic Payments
A: The court must order that any future economic damages in excess of $250,000 be made as periodic payments upon request from any party. The court may require security …
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