Miami Personal Injury Attorney Blog

Navigating Miami-Dade’s Civil Litigation Backlog

June 24, 2025 | Wolfson & Leon

Miami-Dade County’s civil courts are facing unprecedented case backlogs in the wake of recent events. If you’ve filed a lawsuit or are considering one, you may have heard about delays in getting court dates. As a Miami personal injury attorney firm, Wolfson & Leon has closely followed these civil litigation trends. In this article, we’ll break down what’s causing the backlog, what types of cases are affected, and why having an experienced Miami accident attorney on your side is crucial. We’ll also discuss how our firm’s extensive litigation and trial experience helps clients navigate delays and move their cases forward efficiently.

Miami-Dade Courts Are Dealing with a Backlog

Civil courts in Miami-Dade (and across South Florida) are working through a significant backlog of cases. Several factors contributed to this jam. First, the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020-2021 led to courthouse closures and remote hearings, which postponed many trials. In fact, for a long stretch during the pandemic, there were virtually no civil jury trials (for example, no medical malpractice trials) in Miami-Dade, Broward, or Palm Beach counties – resulting in a huge backlog of cases. Court officials anticipated a massive number of pending cases once normal operations resumed, with estimates of nearly one million cases statewide waiting in the pipeline.

Broward County’s Civil Court Backlog: What It Means for Personal Injury Cases

June 17, 2025 | Wolfson & Leon

Broward County’s civil courts – including those in Fort Lauderdale and surrounding cities like Hollywood, Pembroke Pines, Miramar, and Coral Springs – are grappling with a significant case backlog. If you have a pending personal injury lawsuit (for example, from a car accident or slip and fall) in this region, you may be wondering why everything is taking so long. In this article, we’ll break down what’s causing the backlog, how the courts are addressing it, and why having an experienced Fort Lauderdale personal injury lawyer on your side is more important than ever. We’ll also discuss common types of personal injury cases caught in the delay and how those delays impact accident victims. Finally, we’ll explain how the trial-tested attorneys at Wolfson & Leon help clients push their cases forward despite these court system challenges.

What Caused Broward County’s Civil Court Backlog?

Like many places, Broward County’s civil courts accumulated a backlog of cases in recent years due to extraordinary circumstances. The COVID-19 pandemic largely shut down in-person jury trials for many months in 2020 and 2021 for safety reasons. With trials on hold, cases piled up on the dockets. Even as courts adapted by holding some hearings over Zoom, most civil jury trials (needed to ultimately resolve many personal injury lawsuits) were postponed. This created a logjam of unresolved cases waiting for their day in court.

Palm Beach County Court Backlogs and Personal Injury Cases

June 10, 2025 | Wolfson & Leon

If you have a personal injury lawsuit in Palm Beach County – whether from a car accident, slip and fall, or another incident – you may be wondering why your case is taking so long. You’re not alone. The civil courts in Palm Beach County (covering areas like West Palm Beach, Boca Raton, Boynton Beach, Delray Beach, and Wellington) are dealing with an unprecedented backlog of cases. Pandemic-related court shutdowns and a surge of new filings created a traffic jam in the justice system. Even as courts reopen fully, judges are juggling thousands of pending cases, and it’s causing significant delays for injury victims seeking justice. In this blog, we’ll break down what’s going on with the backlog, how it impacts personal injury cases, and why having an experienced Palm Beach personal injury lawyer on your side is more important than ever.

The Civil Court Backlog in Palm Beach County: Causes and Context

Palm Beach County’s civil courts have been overwhelmed by a backlog of cases in recent years. When COVID-19 hit, courts across Florida paused jury trials for months to protect public health. This pause meant no civil trials – effectively freezing many personal injury lawsuits in place. By the time courts started resuming normal operations, thousands of cases had piled up in the queue. Adding to the strain, there was also a flood of new lawsuits filed during and after the pandemic. Foreclosure cases, contract disputes, debt collections, and personal injury claims all surged as people sought legal recourse wptv.com. According to Florida’s Trial Court Budget Commission, the statewide case backlog swelled to about 1.14 million pending cases at its peak wptv.com. In Palm Beach County alone (Florida’s 15th Judicial Circuit), roughly 67,000 cases were stuck waiting for trial by early 2021.

Restaurant Accidents in Florida: Your Legal Rights

June 3, 2025 | Wolfson & Leon

If you’ve been injured in a restaurant accident anywhere in Florida—whether in Miami, Orlando, Tampa, Jacksonville, or another city—you may be entitled to compensation under Florida’s premises liability laws. From slip and falls to negligent security incidents, restaurant injuries can be serious. The experienced accident attorneys at Wolfson & Leon are here to fight for your recovery. Call 305-285-1115 for a free consultation today.

Florida’s vibrant dining scene is a magnet for millions, with restaurants in major cities like Miami, Orlando, Tampa, Jacksonville, and Fort Lauderdale serving locals and tourists alike. The state welcomed over 140 million visitors in 2023, according to Visit Florida, fueling bustling eateries from Key West to Pensacola. However, the fast-paced nature of restaurants, combined with Florida’s tropical climate, can lead to accidents that cause significant injuries. Whether you’re enjoying seafood in St. Petersburg or brunch in Boca Raton, understanding the risks of restaurant accidents and your legal options is essential. Here are common restaurant accidents across Florida, the injuries they cause, state laws, and how Wolfson & Leon can help you seek justice.

Why Restaurant Accidents Are Prevalent in Florida

Tourist Car Accidents in Miami: Legal Guide for Visitors

May 22, 2025 | Wolfson & Leon

Summary: Miami’s vibrant allure draws millions of tourists, but its congested roads pose significant risks for tourist car accidents. Visitors face unique challenges—unfamiliar laws for out-of-state drivers, language barriers for international travelers, and complex rental car insurance issues—making crashes especially daunting. After an accident, tourists should call 911, document the scene, and seek medical care, even if leaving soon. Legal hurdles like jurisdiction and insurance disputes can complicate claims, but Wolfson & Leon (call 305-285-1115) offers expert remote representation to ensure out-of-state and international visitors recover fair compensation. With a trusted Miami car accident lawyer, tourists can protect their rights and focus on enjoying their trip.

Introduction: Miami’s Charm and Its Traffic Risks

Miami’s sun-soaked beaches, lively nightlife, and cultural hotspots make it a top destination for millions of tourists annually. But the city’s bustling streets—packed with locals, visitors, and chaotic traffic—also make it a hotspot for tourist car accidents. For out-of-state drivers navigating unfamiliar roads or international visitors grappling with language barriers, a crash can turn a dream vacation into a legal nightmare. At Wolfson & Leon, a Miami personal injury law firm with over 60 years of experience, we specialize in helping tourists overcome these challenges. This guide explains the unique issues visitors face, key steps to take post-accident, and how our personal injury attorneys ensure your rights are protected.

Apartment Living Comes with Hidden Risks

May 15, 2025 | Wolfson & Leon

Living in or visiting a Miami apartment complex offers convenience and community, but it can also mean navigating unexpected dangers—slip and falls from neglected stairs, slippery lobbies, or poorly lit halls. Tenants and guests alike face these risks, yet many don’t realize they have legal recourse when a landlord’s negligence causes harm. At Wolfson & Leon, with over 60 years of advocating for injury victims, we’ve seen how apartment hazards disrupt lives. This guide outlines common dangers, landlord duties, and the distinct rights of tenants versus guests—plus how our personal injury attorneys can help you recover.

Common Hazards: What Causes Apartment Slip and Falls

Apartment complexes are rife with potential trouble spots, especially in busy, humid Miami. Watch for these frequent culprits:

How Pre-Existing Conditions Impact Your Injury Claim

May 8, 2025 | Wolfson & Leon

Having pre-existing conditions doesn’t automatically ruin your injury claim after a car accident or slip and fall in Miami—Florida’s eggshell plaintiff doctrine ensures liable parties must compensate you for how injuries affect you, prior health aside. Insurers often try to blame old conditions or downplay new injuries to deny or reduce payouts, but medical evidence and expert testimony can prove aggravation or distinct harm. Be honest with your lawyer about your medical history (not the insurer), and let Wolfson & Leon, a top Miami injury law firm, counter these tactics—call 305-285-1115 to protect your rightful compensation.

Introduction: Pre-Existing Conditions Don’t End Your Claim

If you’ve been injured in an accident but had a prior condition—like arthritis, a bad back, or migraines—you might worry it disqualifies your injury claim. It doesn’t. In Miami, where car crashes and slip-and-falls are all too common, pre-existing conditions often complicate claims but don’t kill them. Insurers love exploiting this gray area, but the law is on your side. At Wolfson & Leon, with over 60 years of fighting for victims, we’ve helped clients with prior health issues win fair settlements. This guide explains how pre-existing conditions affect your case, insurer tricks to watch for, and how our personal injury attorneys ensure you’re not shortchanged.

Rights of Passengers Injured in Car Accidents

May 1, 2025 | Wolfson & Leon

Summary: Passengers injured in car accidents have unique passenger rights that are often overlooked, including the ability to file claims against any at-fault driver—even their own—and access PIP coverage through the driver’s policy. Multi-party crashes and insurer blame-shifting can complicate these claims, but passengers can protect themselves by seeking immediate medical care, documenting the scene, and collecting insurance details from all drivers involved. Wolfson & Leon, a trusted Miami car accident lawyer, specializes in untangling liability and securing full recovery for passengers—call 305-285-1115 to ensure your rights aren’t ignored after a crash.

Introduction: Passengers Deserve Justice Too

When a car accident strikes, drivers often dominate the conversation about fault and claims—but what about passengers? Whether you’re riding with a friend, family member, or rideshare driver in Miami’s bustling streets, you have distinct passenger rights that too many overlook. Injured passengers aren’t just bystanders; they’re entitled to compensation for their losses, yet these claims can get tangled in legal complexities. At Wolfson & Leon, with over 60 years of fighting for accident victims, we’ve empowered countless passengers to claim what’s theirs. This guide outlines your rights, the challenges you might face, and how our personal injury attorneys can help you recover.

What to Do if Your Slip and Fall Claim Is Denied by Insurance

April 24, 2025 | Wolfson & Leon

Summary: An insurance denial for your slip and fall claim in Miami doesn’t mean the end of the road—options like appealing or suing remain viable. Insurers often deny claims citing “no property owner negligence,” late reporting, or insufficient evidence, but these can be challenged with the right steps. Request a written denial explanation, revisit the scene for photos or video, and gather witness statements to bolster your case. Wolfson & Leon, as your Miami slip and fall lawyer, excels at analyzing denial weaknesses and negotiating with insurers—or filing a lawsuit if needed—to reverse the outcome. Persistence and expert counsel can turn a “no” into fair compensation—call 305-285-1115 to fight back.

Introduction: A Denial Isn’t the Final Word

Slipping on a wet floor or tripping over a hazard can leave you injured and frustrated, but nothing stings more than an insurance denial for your slip and fall claim. You might feel defeated, assuming the insurer’s decision is set in stone. It’s not. In Miami, where slick lobbies, uneven sidewalks, and tourist-packed venues breed slip and fall risks, denials are common—but they’re not unbeatable. At Wolfson & Leon, with over 60 years of advocating for victims, we’ve turned countless denials into victories. This guide explains why claims get rejected, what to do next, and how our personal injury attorneys can help you prevail.

Signs of Delayed Injuries After a Car Accident (and Why to Seek Care)

April 17, 2025 | Wolfson & Leon

Summary: After a car accident in Miami, delayed injuries like whiplash, concussions, soft tissue damage, or spinal issues can take hours, days, or even weeks to show symptoms, masked by adrenaline or gradual inflammation. These hidden injuries can worsen without early treatment, threatening your health and weakening your legal claim. Seeking prompt medical care—documented with a symptom journal and records—is crucial to protect both your recovery and your right to compensation. Wolfson & Leon, a trusted Miami car accident lawyer, urges victims to get evaluated even if they “feel fine” initially—call 305-285-1115 to ensure your injuries don’t go unnoticed or uncompensated.

Introduction: The Hidden Danger of Delayed Symptoms

A car accident can leave you rattled, but walking away without immediate pain doesn’t mean you’re in the clear. Delayed injuries—serious conditions that emerge hours, days, or weeks later—are more common than most realize. In Miami, where high-speed crashes on roads like I-95 or collisions in tourist-heavy areas are frequent, these hidden harms can catch victims off guard. At Wolfson & Leon, with over 60 years of helping accident victims, we’ve seen how untreated delayed injuries can derail lives and claims. This guide highlights the signs to watch for, why they hide, and why seeking care ASAP is non-negotiable.