Best Personal Injury Lawyer in Miami
Helena Tetzeli
Personal Injury Lawyer
Helena M. Tetzeli is a partner at Kurzban Kurzban Tetzeli and Pratt P.A.
Her practice focuses on business immigration, commercial litigation, and representation and advice to business and institutional clients.
Ms. Tetzeli has a nationwide reputation as a leading immigration attorney. She is frequently asked to write and speak on immigration law topics. Her primary immigration practice areas include E and L visas, EB -5 visas, Extraordinary Ability visas and National Interest Waivers for clients in the sciences, arts, business and athletics, as well as federal and administrative court litigation. Her immigration clients include unions for major league professional athletes, high profile US and foreign companies, individual investors and others seeking to do business or immigrate here, as well as US start-ups in a variety of business and industrial sectors.
In addition to her immigration law practice, Ms. Tetzeli also represents her clients in federal and state courts and in arbitration and mediation proceedings in a variety of complex commercial matters including substantial collection cases and defense of discrimination, FLSA, ADA and other employment law claims. She also advises her business and institutional clients on a variety of compliance and policy matters to minimize the risk of litigation.
Ms. Tetzeli has been recognized by Who’s Who in American Law, The Best Lawyers in America, Super Lawyers, Chambers and LawDragon. Because of her successful track record and high degree of ethics in all of her professional endeavors, she has received the highest possible AV Preeminent* peer review rating by Martindale-Hubbell.
Matthew Dolman
Personal Injury Lawyer
The Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum honors attorneys who have secured verdicts and/or settlements in excess of $2 million dollars. Less than 1% of practicing lawyers have achieved such status. Matthew became a member before his thirty-fifth birthday. He has been selected by his colleagues as a Florida Super Lawyer on multiple occasions. The selection process is multi-phased and includes independent research, peer nominations, and peer evaluations.
Further, Matthew was recently selected as a 2020 Florida Legal Elite, which appears every summer in Florida Trends magazine. Florida Legal Elite presents a prestigious roster of attorneys chosen for recognition by their peers and represents fewer than 1.2% of the active Florida Bar members who practice in Florida. The auto accident attorneys listed in Florida Trend’s Legal Elite exemplify a standard of excellence in their profession and have garnered the respect and esteem of their colleagues. Matthew was previously selected by his peers as Legal Elite in 2017 and 2011.
CARL J. HOGNEFELT
Personal Injury Lawyer
Carl J. Hognefelt graduated from the University of Tennessee, Cum Laude, with a Bachelor Degrees in Philosophy and History in 1999. He then attended University of Tennessee College of Law, where he graduated with the distinction of having completed both the litigation and the representing enterprises specializations. He has practiced law in Florida for almost 20 years in the Tampa Bay area.
Throughout his career, Mr. Hognefelt has represented injured clients as well as insurance companies and corporations. Mr. Hognefelt has represented consumers in bankruptcy and in suits against debt collectors and banks. Mr. Hognefelt has also represented clients in several appellate courts in Florida.
Carl originally heralds from Sweden, and speaks three languages: English, German and Swedish.
Monica R. Mase
Personal Injury Lawyer
Miami Law School graduate Monica Mase joined Mase Seitz Briggs first as an associate in 2008 and now acts as of counsel with the firm. Monica handles an array of cases for the firm, including dram shop, wrongful death, sexual assault and catastrophic injury cases.
Working alongside Curtis Mase, Monica successfully represented an underage college student who was illegally served and overserved alcohol which resulted in his being involved in a hit and run accident. The case settled for $11 million.
In 2019, Monica represented a family who lost a loved one as a result of a commercial property owner’s negligent security. The case was ultimately settled for a confidential 6 figure amount.
Monica has been named to the Super Lawyers List, Florida Trend’s Legal Elite and Cystic Fibrosis Foundation’s 40 Under 40 Outstanding Lawyers of South Florida. She has received an AV Preeminent rating by Martindale-Hubbell® and has been involved with various professional associations and community outreach programs.
Jeffrey B. Kaplan
Personal Injury Lawyer
Jeffrey B. Kaplan is an AV-rated lawyer who focuses his law practice on plaintiff-side securities arbitration and litigation and consumer fraud arbitration and class action litigation. He represents individual and institutional investors in stockbroker negligence and securities and investment fraud matters, as well as individuals and groups of individuals who are victims of corporate fraud, data privacy breaches, and cybersecurity fraud. In addition to his work in the investment and consumer fraud areas, Mr. Kaplan also represents securities industry professionals involved in employment disputes. He has extensive experience representing investment fraud and consumer fraud clients in FINRA, NYSE, and AAA arbitrations and in court proceedings, and he has recovered millions of dollars on behalf of his clients. Mr. Kaplan often serves as a guest lecturer to investor groups, consumer groups, accountants, and other professionals throughout the country concerning consumer fraud and investor protection.
He has extensive experience representing investment fraud and consumer fraud clients in FINRA, NYSE, and AAA arbitrations and in court proceedings, and he has recovered millions of dollars on behalf of his clients. Mr. Kaplan often serves as a guest lecturer to investor groups, consumer groups, accountants, and other professionals throughout the country concerning consumer fraud and investor protection.
Mr. Kaplan is a past Chairperson and Board member of the Young Philanthropists of Baptist Health. He also has served as Chairperson of a Florida Bar Grievance Committee and a member of the Miami-Dade County Bar Association SEC Litigation Committee. He has been active in the Greater Miami Jewish Federation Attorneys Division and is a Member of the Miami Innovation Fund, providing pre-seed funding to technology startups. Mr. Kaplan has served two separate three-year terms on the FINRA-nominated National Arbitration and Mediation Committee, an advisory committee that makes recommendations and drafts rules, regulations, and procedures governing FINRA arbitration.
Jorge L. Gonzalez
Personal Injury Lawyer
Attorney Jorge L. Gonzalez is a graduate of the University of Miami with a BBA in Accounting. For several years he worked at the then Big 8 Accounting Firm of Arthur Young & Co. Subsequently, he graduated with a JD degree from South Texas College of Law in Houston, Texas, where he began practicing law with the personal injury firm of Branch & Lambert. After several years, he relocated back to Miami, FL, and continued his practice as a partner in the firm of Betancourt & Gonzalez, P.A., a general civil litigation firm. Starting approximately in 2003, he opened his own law firm of Law Offices of Jorge L. Gonzalez, P.A., dedicated to the areas of family law, bankruptcy, and traffic law.
In 2020, Jorge, along with his business partner Vincent Gonzalez, established 305 Ticket Defense which is a South Florida traffic ticket firm. The firm is dedicated to defending and dismissing traffic violations including but not limited to speeding, DUI, reckless driving, and red light tickets.
Education
- South Texas College of Law Houston, Houston, Texas
- J.D.
- University of Miami, Coral Gables, Florida
- B.A. – 1985
- Major: Accounting
Current Employment Position
- Attorney at Law
Jim Hurley
Personal Injury Lawyer
Jim Hurley has been practicing law throughout Virginia for more than two-and-a-half decades. During his career, he has tried more than 100 jury trials — a staggering number — and handled hundreds more that were settled out of court. He is guided by the principle that the client is in charge of his or her case and should be kept fully aware of the litigation process. Jim has been awarded an AV Rating by Martindale-Hubbell, the highest rating given, for his practice of law. He was named in Virginia Super Lawyers in 2014-2021.
Jim lives in the Larchmont area of Norfolk. He is married to Pam, a retired Norfolk schoolteacher and has two adult children. Every year, Jim Hurley supports countless good causes in the Hampton Roads area and further afield.
Richard N. Shapiro
Personal Injury Lawyer
Richard N. (Rick) Shapiro has practiced as a Virginia Beach personal injury lawyer for over three decades in Virginia, North Carolina, and throughout the Southeastern United States.
A relentless personal injury trial attorney, he was named a 2022 Leader in the Law by Virginia Lawyer’s Weekly. American inventor & product designer (18 U.S. patents, Radio Flyer patent license). Amazon #1 best-selling thriller author. During his three-decade career, Shapiro has won client appeals before the VA Supreme Court, VA Court of Appeals, NC Supreme Court, SC Supreme Court, WV Supreme Court, TN Supreme Court, and three times before the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, underscoring Shapiro’s trial achievements.
In addition, he and his law firm have won settlements/verdicts in excess of 100 million dollars. On the successful TN Supreme Court appeal, Shapiro worked tirelessly for seven years to achieve victory for his client. When you consider hiring your personal injury lawyer, reputation, integrity, and track record all matter.
He is a Board Certified Civil Trial Advocate by the National Board of Trial Advocacy (ABA Accredited) and has litigated injury cases throughout the eastern United States, including wrongful death, trucking, faulty products, railroad, and medical negligence claims.
He has written and lectured on evidence law to the AAJ, VTLA, and Georgia TLA, as well as to Virginia lawyers. Rick was elected chair of the Railroad Law section of the American Association for Justice (AAJ) twice (2013-2014 and 2005-2006) and was named President of the Railroad Accident Division of the National Trial Lawyers Association (NTLA 2013-14). He was also named a “Leader in the Law, Class of 2022” by Virginia Lawyers Weekly (a total of 33 statewide honorees consisting of lawyers and judges across Virginia).
Hiring the best personal injury lawyer in Miami is essential for several reasons:
Legal Expertise: Personal injury cases can be complex, involving intricate laws, regulations, and legal procedures. An experienced attorney understands these nuances and can navigate the legal system effectively on your behalf.
Case Assessment: A top personal injury lawyer will assess your case thoroughly to determine its strengths and weaknesses. They can provide you with a realistic evaluation of your potential compensation and the merits of pursuing legal action.
Maximizing Compensation: A skilled attorney knows how to build a strong case to maximize your compensation. They can help you identify all possible sources of compensation, including medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.
Negotiation Skills: Most personal injury cases are settled through negotiations with insurance companies. The best personal injury lawyers are adept at negotiating with insurance adjusters to secure fair settlements. They can prevent you from accepting a lowball offer that doesn’t adequately cover your losses.
Trial Experience: While many cases settle outside of court, some may need to go to trial. Top personal injury attorneys have trial experience and can represent you effectively in court if necessary.
Evidence Gathering: Attorneys have the resources and knowledge to gather crucial evidence for your case, such as medical records, accident reports, witness statements, and expert testimonies. This evidence can strengthen your claim.
Peace of Mind: Dealing with a personal injury can be overwhelming, especially if you’re recovering from injuries. Having a competent attorney handling your case can provide peace of mind, allowing you to focus on your recovery while they handle the legal aspects.
No Fees Unless You Win: Many personal injury attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, meaning they only get paid if you win your case. This arrangement ensures that your attorney is motivated to achieve a favorable outcome for you.
Access to Resources: Top personal injury lawyers often have access to a network of experts, investigators, and resources that can be invaluable in building a strong case.
Statute of Limitations: In Miami, as in the rest of Florida, there are strict deadlines for filing personal injury claims. Missing these deadlines can result in the loss of your right to seek compensation. A knowledgeable attorney will ensure your case is filed within the required timeframe.
In summary, the best personal injury lawyer in Miami can provide you with the legal expertise, advocacy, and support you need to pursue a successful personal injury claim. They can increase your chances of receiving fair compensation for your injuries and losses while allowing you to focus on your recovery.