Fort Lauderdale Personal Injury Lawyer

The Law Offices of Wolf & Pravato is a personal injury law firm in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, founded in 1993 and led by a Board-Certified Civil Trial Lawyer. A serious injury caused by someone else’s negligence can upend every part of your life — physically, financially, and emotionally. In Fort Lauderdale, those injuries happen on congested highways, at beach and hotel properties, in construction zones, and across the entertainment districts that define this city. When they do, Florida law may give you the right to pursue compensation from the party responsible.

The Fort Lauderdale personal injury lawyers at the Law Offices of Wolf & Pravato have represented injured people across Broward County since 1993. Our team is led by a Board-Certified Civil Trial Lawyer and has recovered over $200 million for clients — including multi-million-dollar verdicts and settlements. We work on a contingency-fee basis, so you pay no attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you. Call 844-643-7200 for a free case evaluation.

Quick Answers

• How long do I have to file? Generally two years from the date of injury in Florida (Fla. Stat. § 95.11), shortened from four years by HB 837 on March 24, 2023.
• What does it cost? Nothing up front. We work on contingency — no fee unless we win.
• What if I was partly at fault? You can still recover if you are 50% or less at fault; your award is reduced by your share (Fla. Stat. § 768.81).
• How much is my case worth? It depends on the severity of your injuries, your medical bills and lost income, the fault involved, and the available insurance. There is no fixed formula.
• Where is the firm? 2101 W. Commercial Blvd, Suite 1500, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309 — serving all of Broward County.

Our Results: Verdicts & Settlements

Experience is best measured in outcomes. Our trial lawyers have more than 20 years of experience handling injury cases and know how to maximize the value of a claim — by negotiating aggressively or by taking a case to a jury when the insurer will not pay fairly. A sample of results:

Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Every case is different and depends on its own facts.

Why choose Wolf & Pravato for a Fort Lauderdale personal injury case?

Wolf & Pravato is a trial-ready Fort Lauderdale personal injury firm that has recovered over $200 million for injured clients since 1993. We prepare every case as if it will go to trial — because that is what moves insurers to pay full value. What sets our team apart:

• Over $200 million recovered for injured clients across Florida.
• 20+ years of experience and 75+ years of combined legal experience among our team.
• A Board-Certified Civil Trial Lawyer — a Florida Bar credential held by fewer than 2% of the state’s attorneys.
• Deep familiarity with Broward County’s 17th Judicial Circuit — the local courts, procedures, and insurance practices that shape how cases resolve.
• No fee unless we win — there is no financial risk to getting started, and the consultation is free.

What personal injury cases do we handle in Fort Lauderdale?

Wolf & Pravato handles the full range of personal injury cases in Fort Lauderdale and Broward County — including car, truck, motorcycle, pedestrian, slip-and-fall, construction, product-liability, and wrongful-death claims. Explore the practice area that fits your situation:

• Car accidents — from rear-end impacts to multi-vehicle and commercial-vehicle crashes.
• Truck & commercial vehicle accidents — complex claims involving drivers, carriers, cargo loaders, and maintenance providers.
• Slip and fall / premises liability — hazards at resorts, retail centers, parking structures, and private property.
• Construction accidents — falls, struck-by, vehicle, roadwork, and work-zone injuries to workers and the public.
• Traumatic brain injuries — concussions and TBIs with lasting effects.
• Wrongful death — claims for families under the Florida Wrongful Death Act.
• Product liability — defective products and medications.
• Motorcycle accidents — riders face far greater injury severity in crashes with larger vehicles, yet Florida law gives them the same road rights as drivers.
• Bicycle accidents — cyclists struck by inattentive drivers on Fort Lauderdale’s busy streets and bike lanes.
• Pedestrian accidents — heavy foot traffic near the beach, entertainment districts, and tourist corridors produces serious pedestrian-vehicle collisions each year.
• Uber, Lyft & rideshare accidents — claims complicated by the layered insurance coverage that applies while a rideshare app is on.
• Dog bites & animal attacks — Florida holds owners strictly liable for many dog-bite injuries, even without prior aggression.
• Negligent security — injuries from an assault or shooting that a property’s inadequate security failed to prevent.

Where do personal injury accidents happen in Fort Lauderdale?

Florida sees hundreds of thousands of traffic crashes each year, injuring more than 200,000 people, according to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles — and Broward County is consistently among the state’s highest-volume counties. Fort Lauderdale is not a generic Florida city for legal purposes: its year-round tourism, active nightlife, waterfront activity, and constant construction create injury risks and liability structures specific to this market. Common settings include:

• Las Olas Boulevard — restaurant, bar, and retail premises-liability incidents, including negligent security and alcohol-related injuries.
• Fort Lauderdale Beach and the boardwalk — pedestrian congestion, water-sports accidents, and hotel or resort hazards.
• Port Everglades — cruise-terminal and maritime-adjacent incidents involving visitors unfamiliar with the area.
• I-95, US-1, and Sunrise Boulevard — high-volume corridors with elevated crash risk.
• Downtown construction zones — active development creating fall, struck-by, and equipment hazards for workers and passersby.
• Hotels, resorts, and retail centers (Sawgrass Mills, the Galleria) — pool areas, parking structures, lobbies, and negligent-security incidents.

Wherever your injury happened, our team can evaluate whether a viable claim exists.

What serious injuries do we represent in Fort Lauderdale cases?

Fort Lauderdale accident cases commonly involve traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, fractures, and other life-changing harm. The injuries we see include:

• Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) and concussions
• Spinal cord injuries and herniated or bulging discs
• Bone fractures — simple and compound
• Whiplash and soft-tissue injuries
• Burns, lacerations, and permanent scarring or disfigurement
• Loss of a limb or permanent disability
• Internal injuries
• Emotional distress and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

Some injuries — particularly spinal, neurological, and internal ones — do not show full symptoms right away. That is why prompt medical evaluation matters even when an injury seems minor.

Florida Personal Injury Laws That Affect Your Case

Florida’s rules for injury claims changed significantly in 2023. Understanding them helps you protect your rights.

How long do I have to file a personal injury claim in Florida?

Under Florida Statutes § 95.11, most negligence-based claims must be filed within two years of the injury — shortened from four years by HB 837, effective March 24, 2023. Wrongful-death claims carry the same two-year deadline. Missing it can permanently bar recovery, no matter how strong the claim.

What happens if I was partially at fault?

Florida uses a modified comparative fault standard under Florida Statutes § 768.81. Your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault, and if you are found more than 50% at fault, you may recover nothing. Insurers routinely try to inflate a claimant’s share of blame — countering that early is one of the most valuable things a lawyer does.

How does Florida’s no-fault (PIP) system work?

Florida drivers must carry Personal Injury Protection. Under Florida Statutes § 627.736, PIP pays up to 80% of reasonable medical bills and 60% of lost wages after a crash — regardless of fault — up to a $10,000 limit when an Emergency Medical Condition is established. You must seek treatment within 14 days to qualify. To pursue more than PIP — including pain and suffering — your injuries must generally meet Florida’s serious-injury threshold.

What if the at-fault driver had no insurance?

Florida has one of the highest uninsured-driver rates in the country. If the at-fault party lacked adequate coverage, your own uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) policy may be your primary path to compensation. A lawyer can identify every available source of coverage.

What Compensation Can You Recover?

Depending on the severity of your injury, you may be entitled to several categories of damages.

Economic damages

Measurable financial losses: emergency and ongoing medical care, future medical expenses, lost wages, reduced earning capacity, in-home or childcare costs during recovery, and property damage.

Non-economic damages

Personal, subjective losses: physical pain and suffering, emotional distress and mental anguish, loss of enjoyment of life, permanent disability or disfigurement, and loss of consortium.

Punitive damages

In cases of especially reckless or intentional conduct, a court may award punitive damages to punish the defendant and deter similar behavior. They are not common, but we can evaluate whether your facts support them.

How We Build a Strong Personal Injury Claim

Filing a claim is a process, and here is how it works with our team:

1. Free case evaluation — we review your incident, explain your options, and assess whether a claim is viable, at no cost.
2. Investigation and evidence — we examine the scene, obtain police and incident reports and medical records, request surveillance footage, and interview witnesses, working with reconstruction, medical, and financial experts as needed.
3. Identifying every liable party — a driver and their employer, a property owner and a maintenance contractor, a manufacturer and a distributor. We pursue all of them.
4. Calculating your full damages — we document every economic and non-economic loss to establish a complete, well-supported claim value.
5. Negotiating with the insurers — we handle all communications and push for a fair settlement, while preparing the case for trial from day one.
6. Filing suit if necessary — cases that do not settle are filed in Broward County’s 17th Judicial Circuit, and we are prepared to take them to a jury.

What should you do after an accident in Fort Lauderdale?

After a Fort Lauderdale accident, get medical care, report the incident, document the scene, and avoid recorded statements to insurers — the steps you take immediately can significantly affect your ability to recover. If you are able:

1. Seek medical attention right away — even if injuries seem minor, some symptoms surface hours or days later (and PIP requires care within 14 days).
2. Report the incident — file a police report for a vehicle crash, or report the hazard to the property owner or manager.
3. Document everything — photograph the scene, the hazard, your injuries, and the surroundings.
4. Collect contact information from witnesses and everyone involved.
5. Do not give a recorded statement to any insurance company before consulting a personal injury lawyer.

Why Do Insurance Companies Try to Minimize Claims?

Insurers are businesses that protect their bottom line. Expect these common tactics:

• Delay — dragging out your claim so financial pressure pushes you to accept less.
• Recorded statements — asking for one before you understand your injuries, then using it against you.
• Early low offers — a quick, small settlement before your full injuries are known- accept it, and you usually waive future compensation.
• Fault shifting — assigning blame to you under the comparative-fault rule to cut their payout.
• Minimizing injuries — arguing your injuries were pre-existing or your treatment was unnecessary.

From the moment you hire us, we handle all insurer communications on your behalf and shield you from these strategies.

What Our Clients Say

“Brian was amazing throughout this entire process. His expertise, patience, and dedication made a long and stressful situation so much easier to navigate. The communication was always clear, timely, and reassuring. Highly recommend!” — Francine S. (Google)

“They worked very hard for me and I strongly recommend Wolf & Pravato. Brian went above and beyond to help me with my case. I had lots of questions and needed lots of help, and these guys walked me through it every step of the way.” — Zachariah R. (Google)

“I am deeply grateful to the Law Offices of Wolf and Pravato for their exceptional handling of my car accident case. They guided me through each step with clarity and compassion and ensured a favorable outcome.” — Raul P. (Google)

“From the initial consultation to the final resolution, the entire team was professional, compassionate, and dedicated to achieving the best possible outcome for me.” — Tavia M. (Google)

Reviews reflect individual experiences; results vary by case.

Richard P. Pravato — Board-Certified Civil Trial Lawyer

Richard P. Pravato, Esq. is the Managing Partner of the Law Offices of Wolf & Pravato and a Board-Certified Civil Trial Lawyer — a designation earned through the Florida Bar’s rigorous program in 2004 and held by fewer than 2% of Florida attorneys.

Attorney Pravato has litigated personal injury cases in Broward County’s 17th Judicial Circuit for nearly three decades. His trial-ready approach means every case is prepared with the same rigor whether it settles or proceeds to a jury verdict.

Serving Fort Lauderdale & Nearby Communities

From our office at 2101 W. Commercial Blvd, Suite 1500, we represent injured people throughout Fort Lauderdale and Broward County — including Downtown, Las Olas, Victoria Park, Flagler Village, Wilton Manors, Oakland Park, Plantation, Sunrise, Davie, Pompano Beach, Coral Springs, Hollywood, Pembroke Pines, Miramar, and the surrounding communities. If you cannot come to us, we can come to you.

Speak With a Fort Lauderdale Personal Injury Lawyer Today

If you were injured because of someone else’s negligence in Fort Lauderdale or anywhere in Broward County, Florida’s two-year deadline means there is no benefit to waiting. The Law Offices of Wolf & Pravato is ready to evaluate your case at no cost and explain your options — with no fee unless we win.

📞 Call 954-522-5800 — free consultation, no fee unless we win.

Frequently Asked Questions — Fort Lauderdale Personal Injury

How much does a personal injury lawyer cost in Fort Lauderdale?

Nothing up front. The Law Offices of Wolf & Pravato handle personal injury cases on a contingency-fee basis — you pay no attorney fees unless and until we recover compensation for you. If we do not recover, you owe no attorney fees.

How long does a personal injury case take in Florida?

It varies. A straightforward claim may resolve in a few months, while a serious or disputed case that requires litigation can take a year or more. Cases generally settle faster when liability is clear and treatment is complete; we prepare every case for trial so insurers cannot stall for a discount.

How long do I have to file a personal injury claim in Fort Lauderdale?

Under Florida Statutes § 95.11, most negligence-based claims must be filed within two years of the injury — shortened from four years by HB 837, effective March 24, 2023. Wrongful-death claims carry the same two-year deadline, so speaking with a lawyer promptly is strongly advisable.

What if I was partially at fault for my injury?

Florida’s modified comparative-fault rule lets you recover as long as you are 50% or less at fault, with your compensation reduced by your share. If you are found more than 50% at fault, you may be barred from recovering. Insurers often try to inflate your fault percentage to limit their payout.

What is the serious-injury threshold in Florida?

To pursue non-economic damages such as pain and suffering from an at-fault driver’s insurer in a motor-vehicle case, your injuries must typically meet the threshold: significant and permanent loss of a bodily function, permanent injury within a reasonable degree of medical probability, significant and permanent scarring or disfigurement, or death.

How much is my personal injury claim worth?

The value depends on the severity and permanence of your injuries, total medical expenses, lost income, the degree of fault, and available insurance coverage. There is no standard formula. Our team can evaluate the full extent of your damages and pursue the maximum compensation available in your situation.

Can I file a claim if the at-fault party was uninsured?

Yes, in many cases. If the at-fault party was uninsured or underinsured, your own UM/UIM coverage may provide a path to compensation. Florida has one of the highest uninsured-driver rates in the country, and a lawyer can identify all available coverage sources.

What should I bring to my first consultation?

Bring whatever you have: the police or incident report, medical records and bills, photos from the scene, pay stubs showing lost wages, insurance information, and any correspondence from insurers. You do not need everything to start — we can help gather what is missing.