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South Florida’s dense urban core, high rate of tourism, and complex insurance laws create a perfect storm of risk and complication for accident victims. From the crash scene to the courtroom, the team at Buchalter, Hoffman & Dorchak has spent more than four decades holding insurance companies accountable and securing justice for local families.  If […]

With Florida’s population and tourism continuing to grow, questions about “who is at fault” in an accident are more important than ever—especially after a sweeping change in the state’s comparative fault laws in 2023. If you’ve been hurt in Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, or West Palm Beach, don’t wait for an insurance company to decide your […]

Florida premises liability law is grounded in ordinary negligence principles: a property owner or occupier must keep the place reasonably safe and warn of hidden dangers. Since March 24, 2023, most negligence claims—including slip and falls, negligent security, and other on‑property injuries—must be filed within two years because House Bill 837 cut the deadline in […]

A sudden crash raises two urgent issues: Who is legally responsible, and how much money will actually reach you? In Florida, those answers are driven by no‑fault/PIP rules, the “serious injury” threshold, a two‑year lawsuit deadline paired with a 51% fault bar, and the size and behavior of every insurance policy in play. If you […]

Medical malpractice cases are never just “patient vs. doctor.” The real fight is usually with an insurance company that controls defense lawyers, settlement authority, and—even with a cooperative physician—how and when your case can be resolved. Florida adds another layer: a strict two‑year statute of limitations, a four‑year statute of repose, and a seven‑year outer […]

When a life is cut short by negligence or misconduct, Florida law gives survivors a narrow window to demand accountability. If you’re anywhere in Miami-Dade, Broward, or Palm Beach, call 305‑891‑0211 for a comprehensive case review with Buchalter Hoffman and Dorchak. What is Florida’s Two-Year Rule? Florida gives most families two years from the date […]

Slip and fall settlements are, at their core, negotiations about accountability and loss: how clearly the property owner’s negligence can be shown, how seriously you were hurt, and how Florida’s current rules limit—or enhance—what you can collect.  Typical Florida slip and fall settlements range widely because they depend on provable liability, medical evidence, comparative fault, […]

Are personal injury settlements taxable? For most Floridians who were hurt and recovered money for medical bills, pain tied to real bodily harm, or lost function, the core of that payout is not taxed under Internal Revenue Code §104(a)(2). But portions like punitive damages, interest, and payments for purely emotional distress (without a physical component) […]

When facing the challenges of a personal injury case, securing a fair settlement is crucial for covering medical bills, lost wages, and emotional distress. Whether you’ve been in a car accident, suffered a slip-and-fall, or experienced another injury, taking strategic steps and hiring Buchalter, Hoffman & Dorchak can strengthen your case and increase your compensation. […]

If you’ve been injured due to someone else’s negligence, you might be wondering how to pursue justice and compensation. Starting a personal injury lawsuit in Florida involves several critical steps, and understanding these can help ensure you build a strong case. At Buchalter, Hoffman & Dorchak, we guide our clients through this process every day. […]