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If you were injured because someone else was careless, you may be able to recover compensation through the Palm Beach County court system. The process can seem intimidating, especially when you’re dealing with medical appointments, insurance calls, or time away from work, but knowing how the system works makes everything feel more manageable.
Palm Beach County uses three civil divisions for injury cases: Small Claims, County Civil, and Circuit Court. Where you file depends on the value of your case. Filing in the wrong place can slow things down, so choosing the right court is an important first step.
Florida’s statute of limitations for most personal injury cases is two years, meaning you have a limited time to take action. Waiting too long can affect your rights and your ability to recover compensation.
This guide walks you through how the process works locally, from determining where to file to what happens after your claim is submitted.
Circuit Court (Over $50,000)
This is where most personal injury cases are filed, especially if injuries are serious or long-term. Circuit Court allows for full discovery, expert witnesses, depositions, and jury trials. There are two lower level courts for cases with lesser value; however, most injury cases exceed $50,000 simply due to medical treatment alone. Undervaluing your claim to stay in a lower court can limit what you’re able to recover later.
To know where your case belongs, you’ll need a good estimate of your total damages, including:
For most cases, the damages listed above combine to exceed $50,000. Therefore, filing your lawsuit in Circuit Court is not only appropriate, but necessary to ensure that you receive full compensation.
Palm Beach County is the correct place to file if:
Main Courthouse – West Palm Beach
Handles Circuit Court cases (over $50,000)
205 N. Dixie Highway, West Palm Beach, FL 33401
Get Directions from West Palm Beach’s Main Courthouse to Gold & Gold, P.A.
Having strong documentation helps your case. Collect:
The more complete your evidence, the easier it is to show the full impact of your injuries.
Circuit Civil (Over $50,000)
You can file:
Florida law gives you limited time to file:
Filing too late usually means the court will dismiss your case.
Filing fees depend on which court handles your case:
You may also have additional costs for:
If cost is an issue, you can apply for a fee waiver.
After you file, the defendant must be officially notified. This is called service of process, and it must be completed within 120 days.
Service can be completed by:
If service isn’t completed on time, the court can dismiss your case.
Once the defendant is served, they have 20 days to respond. From there, your case moves into several phases:
Both sides exchange documents, take depositions, and build their evidence.
Palm Beach County typically requires mediation to encourage settlement before trial.
Many claims settle through negotiation, either before or after mediation.
If no agreement is reached, your case goes to trial, where a judge or jury will decide the outcome.
While every case is different, most follow a general timeline:
Complex cases or those involving significant injuries can take longer.
Florida now uses modified comparative negligence.
If you are more than 50% at fault, you cannot recover damages.
Most injury cases do not have damage caps, but certain types, like claims against government entities or some medical malpractice cases, do have limits.
Some claims, such as nursing home cases or medical malpractice, require special notices or pre-suit procedures before you can file.
Handling a personal injury claim on your own can be stressful and time-consuming. A lawyer can:
Most personal injury attorneys, including our team, work on a contingency fee, so you don’t pay anything upfront.
At Gold & Gold, P.A., we guide clients through every step of the claims process. We:
We offer free consultations, and you don’t pay unless we recover for you.
Most cases must be filed within two years, but certain claims have shorter deadlines.
Filing fees range from about $55 to $450, depending on the court division.
It’s not required, but it can make a significant difference in the outcome of your case.
It depends on the total value of your case:
It varies, but many cases are resolved within several months to a few years.