What Is HB 837 in Florida?
In 2023, the Florida Legislature enacted HB 837, a sweeping civil-justice reform bill designed to reshape how personal injury and insurance cases move through Florida courts. Sponsors introduced the measure to address increasing lawsuit costs, concerns about how attorney fees were awarded, and a rise in claims against individuals and businesses.
In reality, Florida House Bill 837 reduces rights for injury victims across the state. The bill makes major changes to personal injury law that affect the timing, strategy, and value of injury claims in Florida. If you were injured in South Florida and have questions about how the new law applies to your case, call our office today.
What HB 837 Changed in Florida Personal Injury Law
HB 837 changed several core rules that govern personal injury cases in Florida, including by:
- Reducing the filing window for general negligence claims from four years to two years, which means a court can dismiss your case if you do not file within that shorter deadline
- Modifying Florida’s comparative negligence system to prevent you from recovering compensation from other parties if you’re more than 50 percent at fault for your own injuries
- Limiting how courts evaluate medical expenses by tying compensation awards to amounts actually paid, rather than the full amounts billed
How HB 837 Affects Your Personal Injury Claim in Florida
Now that Florida HB 837 is in effect, it can influence both the timing and the value of injury claims. For instance:
- The shorter two-year deadline means you must act quickly to protect your rights. Two years might sound like plenty of time, but it can go by quickly when you factor in how long it can take to gather evidence and complete insurance negotiations.
- The new negligence rules also raise the stakes. Insurance companies now have an incentive to shift at least 50 percent of the blame onto you. If they succeed, you could lose the right to recover compensation from the at-fault party or their insurer.
- Getting fair compensation for your medical expenses now requires even more detailed documentation. Courts no longer allow juries to consider just any amount that appears on a medical bill. The law limits what counts toward your claim, so careful recordkeeping and proof of payment methods now matter more than ever.
How Our Lawyers Help Accident Victims Maximize Compensation
At Rosen & Ohr, P.A., we begin every injury case by investigating the incident thoroughly and identifying all potentially responsible parties. Then, we gather records, secure witness statements, and work with qualified professionals to document the full extent of your injuries and losses.
Our lawyers build clear, evidence-based arguments that counter attempts to shift the blame onto you. That way, we can protect your right to recover compensation and pursue the highest payouts possible.
Our team has been serving injured people across South Florida for more than 50 years and has recovered millions in fair compensation to date.* We understand both new and existing laws will affect your case, and we use that knowledge to demand the recovery you deserve.
Contact Rosen & Ohr, P.A. to Discuss Your Florida Injury Claim
Since HB 837 was enacted, deadlines for Florida injury claims are shorter, fault-based arguments are more aggressive, and evidence of medical expenses is limited to amounts actually paid.
If you were injured in South Florida and want to explore your options under the new law, contact Rosen & Ohr, P.A. for your free consultation. We can evaluate your situation, answer your questions, and discuss how we can pursue the full compensation available for your claim.
*Each case is unique, and past results do not guarantee future outcomes.
Jerrad Ohr focuses on workers’ compensation cases, personal injury claims, motor vehicle accidents, wrongful death lawsuits, and medical malpractice cases. Mr. Ohr’s hard work ethic, innovative drive, technical experience, and extensive array of knowledge provide great assets to our firm’s clients.
