FREE CONSULTATIONS

Miramar Medical Malpractice & Injury Representation from Freedland Harwin Valori Gander

Written and edited by our team of expert legal content writers and reviewed and approved by Daniel Harwin

vertical gold line
horizontal gold line

Table of Contents

Freedland Harwin Valori Gander is proud to serve Miramar with trusted, trial-ready representation for victims of medical malpractice, catastrophic injury, and wrongful death. When a medical mistake harms you or your child, it can shake your trust in the people you counted on most.

Miramar has grown into one of Broward County’s largest cities, with young families settling in communities like Silver Lakes, Monarch Lakes, Sunset Lakes, and Riviera Isles. FHV Legal, headquartered just up the road in Fort Lauderdale, helps Miramar families stand up to hospitals, healthcare systems, and insurance companies when preventable errors cause serious harm.

Healthcare in Miramar: Where Local Families Receive Care

Miramar residents commonly turn to:

  • Memorial Hospital Miramar, including its labor and delivery unit
  • Memorial Regional Hospital and Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital in Hollywood
  • Memorial Hospital West in Pembroke Pines
  • Cleveland Clinic Weston for specialty and surgical care

Many families also visit pediatric practices, OB-GYN offices, and urgent care centers along Miramar Parkway, Pembroke Road, and University Drive.

Several major local hospitals are run by a public hospital district. That doesn’t prevent you from pursuing a claim, but it does change the rules, which is one reason working with an experienced medical malpractice team matters so much here.

Birth Injuries: A Major Concern for Miramar Families

Welcoming a new baby should be one of the happiest moments of your life. When something goes wrong during pregnancy, labor, or delivery, the effects can last a lifetime.

Common causes of preventable birth injuries include:

  • Failure to monitor fetal heart rate or respond to signs of distress
  • Delayed C-section when the baby needed to be delivered quickly
  • Improper use of forceps or vacuum extractors
  • Mismanaged shoulder dystocia, which can cause brachial plexus injuries
  • Missed or untreated conditions such as preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, or infections
  • Medication errors involving Pitocin or anesthesia

These mistakes can lead to hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE), cerebral palsy, seizures, developmental delays, and other lifelong challenges.

Case Results

  • $24.5 million wrongful death verdict for the family of a woman who died during childbirth due to medical malpractice
  • $20 million wrongful death verdict against a doctor for failure to monitor a patient who died from a narcotics overdose.
  • $15.2 million arbitration award for a woman who suffered a stroke during childbirth
  • $10 million settlement on behalf of a woman who suffered a brain injury due to medical malpractice
  • $9 million medical malpractice settlement on behalf of a family after a young woman was discharged from the hospital with signs and symptoms of a subarachnoid hemorrhage and subsequently died
  • $6.5 million medical malpractice settlement for the family of a husband and father who died of cardiopulmonary arrest as a result of overprescribed medication
  • $5.3 million settlement for an elderly gentleman whose spinal cord injury became permanent as a result of emergency room malpractice
  • $2.7 million medical malpractice settlement for a delayed diagnosis of cancer after doctors failed to interpret pathology results after a nasal surgery
  • $1.25 million settlement for failure to timely diagnose and treat a post-operative infection after a total knee arthroplasty

Client Testimonials

We have dedicated ourselves to protecting the rights of medical malpractice victims in Miramar. Our clients sense from the beginning how much we care and regularly send us unsolicited testimonials about our kindness, compassion, and the results we get for them.

Awards and Recognitions

Our attorneys have earned numerous honors from prestigious organizations for the consistent results we have obtained for injured clients. We have been recognized by SuperLawyers, Best Lawyers in America, and the South Florida Legal Guide. Our attorneys have also received the following awards and honors as a result of the hard work and care we put into every case:

  • Best Lawyers in America
  • National Trial Lawyers Top 100
  • Martindale Hubbell AV Preeminent Rating
  • Courtroom View Network – Who We’re Watching
  • Florida Legal Elite
  • Top Verdict Awards
  • America’s Top 100 Attorneys Lifetime Achievement Award
  • Lawdragon 500 Leading Plaintiff Consumer Lawyer
  • Daily Business Review’s Medical Malpractice Lawyer of the Year

What Is NICA, and How Does It Affect a Birth Injury Claim?

Florida has a unique program called the Florida Birth-Related Neurological Injury Compensation Association (NICA). Many parents have never heard of it until they’re dealing with a serious birth injury.

Here’s a simplified comparison:

NICA claims are handled through an administrative process, not a traditional lawsuit. The program covers certain severe brain or spinal cord injuries caused by oxygen deprivation or mechanical injury during labor, delivery, or immediate resuscitation. Families don’t have to prove negligence, but benefits are set by statute and may be more limited.

Medical malpractice lawsuits require proof that a provider was negligent. If successful, they can provide compensation based on your child’s actual lifetime needs, including pain and suffering.

When NICA applies, it can prevent a traditional lawsuit against participating doctors and hospitals, with some exceptions. Whether it applies depends on the type of injury, the baby’s birth weight, whether providers participated in the program, and whether proper notice was given.

These are highly technical questions. Before making any decisions, speak with a lawyer who understands both paths.

Other Medical Malpractice Cases FHV Legal Handles in Miramar

Beyond birth injuries, our attorneys represent Miramar clients in cases involving:

  • Pediatric malpractice, including missed infections, meningitis, and appendicitis
  • Surgical errors, such as wrong-site surgery and retained instruments
  • Misdiagnosis and delayed diagnosis of cancer, stroke, and heart attack
  • Anesthesia errors during surgery or delivery
  • Emergency room errors, including unsafe discharges
  • Hospital negligence, including medication mistakes and understaffing
  • Wrongful death caused by preventable medical errors

How Florida's Malpractice Rules Apply to Your Case

Florida requires a detailed pre-suit process before any malpractice lawsuit is filed.

  • Two-year deadline: Generally measured from when the injury and its possible connection to medical care were discovered, or should have been.
  • Four-year outer limit: Most claims must be brought within four years of the incident.
  • Exception for young children: For injuries to a minor, the four-year limit generally doesn’t bar a claim filed before the child’s eighth birthday.
  • Expert support: A qualified medical expert must provide a written opinion supporting the claim.
  • 90-day screening period: Providers receive notice and time to investigate before suit is filed.
  • Public hospital rules: Claims against government-run hospitals involve extra notice steps and limits on damages.

Birth injury cases often aren’t recognized right away. Developmental delays may not become clear for months or even years. Talking to a lawyer early helps protect every option.

Step by Step: How FHV Legal Builds a Miramar Case

  1. Listen. We start with a free, confidential conversation about your family’s experience.
  2. Gather records. We obtain prenatal records, labor and delivery charts, fetal monitoring strips, and NICU records.
  3. Consult experts. Obstetricians, neonatologists, pediatric neurologists, and nurses review the care.
  4. Evaluate NICA. We assess whether NICA applies and what that means for your family.
  5. Complete pre-suit steps. We handle notice, expert affidavits, and deadlines.
  6. Pursue resolution. We negotiate for a fair settlement and are prepared to try your case in Broward County Circuit Court.

Planning for Your Child’s Future

A serious birth injury affects more than medical bills. It shapes where your family lives, how you work, and what your child will need for decades.

We work with life care planners, economists, and medical experts to account for:

  • Lifetime medical care, therapy, and equipment
  • Special education and developmental services
  • Home modifications and accessible transportation
  • In-home nursing or attendant care
  • Lost earning capacity for your child
  • Parents’ lost income from caregiving

Catastrophic Injury and Wrongful Death in Miramar

FHV Legal also represents Miramar clients in cases involving:

  • Brain and spinal cord injuries
  • Nursing home abuse and neglect
  • Defective drugs and medical devices
  • Wrongful death caused by medical or institutional negligence

We handle select high-stakes vehicle and premises cases as well, including serious crashes on I-75, the Florida’s Turnpike, and Miramar Parkway.

Why Miramar Families Trust FHV Legal

Several of our attorneys previously defended doctors and hospitals. That experience gives us a clear view of how the defense operates and how to build a case that holds up.

Miramar families choose FHV Legal for:

  • A primary focus on medical malpractice and birth injury cases
  • Every case prepared for trial
  • Top experts in obstetrics, neonatology, and pediatric neurology
  • Recognition from Best Lawyers in America, Super Lawyers, and Martindale-Hubbell (AV Preeminent)
  • A main office in Fort Lauderdale, close to home

Frequently Asked Questions About Medical Malpractice in Miramar

How do I know if my child's cerebral palsy was caused by a birth injury?

Cerebral palsy can have several causes, and not all are preventable. Reviewing fetal monitoring records, delivery notes, and imaging with medical experts can help determine whether a medical error played a role.

Does NICA mean I can't file a lawsuit?

Not necessarily. NICA only applies to certain injuries and certain providers, and some exceptions allow a lawsuit to proceed. A lawyer can review your situation and explain your options.

Can I file a claim against Memorial Hospital Miramar?

Yes, but claims against public hospital systems involve special notice requirements and damage limits. It’s important to follow those rules carefully and on time.

How much does it cost to hire FHV Legal?

There’s no upfront cost. We work on a contingency fee basis, so you don’t pay attorney’s fees unless we recover compensation.

How long do I have to file a birth injury claim?

It depends on the facts, but Florida generally allows extra time for injuries to young children. Still, evidence is easier to preserve early, so don’t wait to get advice.

Talk to FHV Legal About Your Miramar Case

Hospitals have lawyers. Doctors have insurance teams. You deserve someone in your corner, too.

If your child or another loved one was hurt by a medical mistake, we’re here to listen, answer your questions, and help you plan the next step. Justice is personal, and we treat every Miramar family that way.

Contact us online today or call (954) 467-6400 to schedule your free, confidential case evaluation.