You have enough to deal with after a serious injury without also having to chase down your own attorney. Too many Treasure Coast clients end up with firms based in Miami or Orlando that treat this region as secondary market. Calls go unreturned. Settlements get pushed through fast. Nobody prepares for trial. Felice Trial Attorneys is a Stuart personal injury lawyer based out of West Palm Beach, less than an hour away. We appear in the 19th Judicial Circuit regularly, we know this market, and we do not settle cases that should go to trial.
Call (561) 444-8822 — Free case evaluation, available 24/7.
Personal Injury Cases We Handle in Stuart and on the Treasure Coast
Felice Trial Attorneys represents clients injured through someone else's negligence across the full Treasure Coast region. If you are not sure whether your situation qualifies, call us. The consultation is free.
Vehicle and Road Accidents
- Car accidents
- Truck and commercial vehicle accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Bicycle and pedestrian accidents
- Rideshare accidents (Uber and Lyft)
- Boat and watercraft accidents
Catastrophic and Serious Injuries
Premises and Property Liability
Other Practice Areas
If you do not see your situation above, call us. We will give you a direct answer.
Boating and Water Accident Claims on the Treasure Coast
The Treasure Coast is one of the most active boating regions in Florida. The St. Lucie River, Indian River Lagoon, the Okeechobee Waterway, and direct Atlantic access create conditions that put more people on the water here than in most parts of the state. That also means more serious watercraft accidents.
Felice Trial Attorneys handle boat accident cases throughout Martin, St. Lucie, and Indian River counties. If you were hurt on the water, here is what makes these cases different from a standard vehicle accident claim.
Does Florida State Law or Federal Maritime Law Apply to My Boat Accident?
It depends on where the accident happened. Florida state personal injury law governs accidents that occur on non-navigable or purely intrastate waters. But when an accident occurs on federally navigable waters, which includes most of the Treasure Coast's major waterways and the Atlantic, general maritime law may apply instead of or alongside Florida state law.
This distinction matters because:
- The deadlines for filing a claim may differ from Florida's standard two-year statute of limitations
- The legal standards for proving fault and calculating damages are different under maritime law
- Which court has jurisdiction over your case may change
What Role Does the FWC Play in a Treasure Coast Boat Accident?
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is required to be notified of any boating accident in Florida that results in injury, death, disappearance, or property damage above a certain threshold. That report becomes a key piece of evidence in your case and needs to be filed promptly. If law enforcement was not called to the scene, contact the FWC and an attorney as quickly as possible.
Who Can Be Held Liable for a Boat Accident on the Treasure Coast?
Liability in boating accidents can extend beyond just the operator. Depending on the facts, potentially responsible parties may include:
- The boat operator (negligence, impairment, unsafe speed)
- The vessel owner, if different from the operator
- A charter company or tour operator
- The boat manufacturer, if a mechanical defect contributed to the accident
- A marina or dock operator, if negligent maintenance played a role
If you were hurt on the water anywhere on the Treasure Coast, call us before taking any other steps. The legal framework that applies to your case depends on facts that need to be assessed immediately.
Do You Need a Personal Injury Lawyer in Stuart, FL?
Yes. Florida's insurance system is structured to protect carriers, not injured people. The at-fault party's insurer begins building its defense the same day your accident is reported, and without an attorney, you are negotiating alone against professionals whose job is to pay you as little as possible.
What an attorney does in practice:
- Locks down evidence and witnesses before they disappear
- Manages all insurer communication so you do not inadvertently damage your claim
- Retains medical, economic, and accident reconstruction experts when the case requires them
- Builds the full picture of your losses, including future costs and long-term impact
- Negotiates from strength or files suit when the insurer will not move
Insurance companies settle for more when the firm across the table is prepared to litigate. That preparation is not a threat. It is the reason the number goes up.
What Can You Recover After a Personal Injury on the Treasure Coast?
Florida allows injured victims to pursue two categories of compensation from the at-fault party. The total depends on the severity of your injuries, your treatment timeline, and how your daily life has been affected.
Economic Damages — Your Documented Financial Losses
- Past and future medical expenses
- Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
- Rehabilitation, therapy, and ongoing care
- Out-of-pocket costs tied directly to the injury
Non-Economic Damages — Your Personal Losses
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of companionship in wrongful death cases
What Is the Comparative Fault Rule in Florida?
Under the modified comparative fault law passed as House Bill 837 (HB 837), effective March 24, 2023, you cannot recover any damages if you are found more than 50% responsible for an accident. Insurance adjusters work to assign fault to injured parties to reduce or eliminate payouts. An attorney challenges that assignment with evidence from the start.
How Long Do You Have to File a Personal Injury Claim in Florida?
Two years from the date of the accident. Under Florida Statute § 95.11, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims was reduced from four years to two years when House Bill 837 (HB 837) took effect on March 24, 2023.
Note for boating accident victims: if your accident occurred on federally navigable waters, a different deadline framework may apply. Do not assume the standard two-year window governs your claim without confirming which law controls your case.
For all other personal injury claims, waiting within the two-year window still creates problems. Medical records need gathering. Expert witnesses need identifying. Insurance negotiations happen before any lawsuit is filed. The earlier you move, the stronger your position.
If you are unsure whether your deadline has passed, call us before doing anything else.
Why Stuart and Treasure Coast Clients Choose Felice Trial Attorneys
Are You Close Enough to Actually Handle a Treasure Coast Case?
Yes. Our office is in West Palm Beach, less than an hour south of Stuart. We appear in the 19th Judicial Circuit courts regularly. Martin, St. Lucie, Indian River, and Okeechobee counties are not distant markets for us. They are courts we know and cases we take seriously.
Is the Firm Actually Prepared to Go to Trial in the 19th Judicial Circuit?
Yes, and this is the difference that matters most in a market where most local firms only settle. Our attorneys have more than 75 years of combined trial experience and have all worked on the insurance defense side of litigation. They know how carriers build their case, what makes them settle fairly, and what it takes to beat them in front of a Treasure Coast jury when they refuse to.
Can Felice Take Over a Case That Is Already in Progress?
Yes. Florida law gives you the right to change your attorney at any point before your case is resolved. If your current firm is not communicating, is pushing a settlement you are not comfortable with, or is simply not preparing for trial, call us for a confidential review. We will tell you exactly where your case stands and how a transition would work.
Does the Firm Communicate With Clients Throughout the Case?
Yes. Clients hear from us consistently from intake through resolution. We do not go quiet for weeks at a time. You will know where your case stands because we treat communication as part of the job, not an afterthought.
What Does Hiring a Treasure Coast Personal Injury Lawyer Cost?
Nothing upfront. We handle personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis. You pay no attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you. No retainers, no hourly billing. Our fee is a percentage of what we win.
Our Results
Felice Trial Attorneys has recovered more than $85 million for injured clients across Florida. Select results include:
- $92.3 Million — Trucking Accident
- $5.775 Million — Confidential Settlement
- $3 Million — Premises Liability
- $2.3 Million — Confidential Settlement
- $2.2 Million — Auto Accident
- $1.5 Million — Slip and Fall
- $1.3 Million — Auto Accident
- $1.2 Million — Auto Accident
Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Results vary based on the specific facts, injuries, and legal circumstances of each individual case.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does federal maritime law apply to boating accidents on the St. Lucie River, Indian River Lagoon, or Okeechobee Waterway?
It may. When a boating accident occurs on waters that are federally navigable, general maritime law or other federal statutes may control your claim in addition to, or instead of, Florida state law. This affects which court hears your case, which deadlines apply, and how damages are calculated. The analysis depends on the specific waterway and the nature of the accident. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) handles accident reporting for Florida waterways regardless of which legal framework ultimately applies.
Can I file a personal injury claim if I did not see a doctor right away after my accident?
Yes, but the gap creates a challenge that needs to be addressed. Insurance companies routinely argue that a delay in seeking medical care means the injuries were not serious or were caused by something other than the accident. The longer the gap, the harder that argument is to overcome, but it is not insurmountable.
Does Felice Trial Attorneys serve Jensen Beach, Palm City, Hobe Sound, Port St. Lucie, Fort Pierce, and Vero Beach?
Yes. We represent clients throughout the entire Treasure Coast region, including all communities in Martin, St. Lucie, Indian River, and Okeechobee counties. Whether you are in Stuart, Jensen Beach, Palm City, Hobe Sound, Port St. Lucie, Fort Pierce, Vero Beach, or anywhere else in the region, we are available for a free case evaluation at no obligation.
What should I do right after getting hurt in an accident in Stuart or on the Treasure Coast?
Seek medical care first, even if you feel okay. Injuries like concussions, internal trauma, and soft tissue damage often do not produce clear symptoms for 24 to 72 hours. Photograph the scene, collect the other party's information, and get witness contact details. Do not give a recorded statement to any insurance adjuster before speaking with an attorney. For boat accidents, contact the FWC if law enforcement did not respond. Then call us.
I live on the Treasure Coast seasonally. Can I file a personal injury claim if I am not a full-time Florida resident?
Yes. Florida law applies to accidents that happen in Florida regardless of where the injured person permanently resides. Snowbirds, seasonal residents, and visitors from out of state have the same legal rights as full-time Florida residents when they are injured here. The two-year statute of limitations still applies.
What if I was injured on a charter fishing boat or tour vessel on the Treasure Coast?
Charter boat and tour vessel operators have specific legal duties to their passengers. When an operator's negligence, a vessel defect, or unsafe conditions cause injury, multiple parties may be liable, including the operator, the charter company, and in some cases the vessel owner or manufacturer. These claims may fall under federal maritime law rather than Florida state law, which changes the legal framework and potentially the deadlines that apply.
What if the driver who hit me on the Treasure Coast had no insurance?
Your own Uninsured Motorist (UM) coverage may apply. Florida law allows injured people to seek compensation through their own insurance policy when the at-fault party is uninsured or underinsured. This is one of the most important and underused protections available to Florida drivers. We review your full insurance coverage during your free consultation and identify every available source of recovery, including parties whose liability may not be immediately obvious.
What if I was hurt at a marina, hotel, or business on the Treasure Coast?
Property owners and operators in Florida have a legal duty to maintain safe conditions for guests and visitors. When a dangerous condition, negligent maintenance, or inadequate security causes injury, the property owner or operator may be liable. This applies to marinas, hotels, restaurants, shopping centers, and private properties. We handle slip and fall and negligent security cases throughout Martin, St. Lucie, and Indian River counties.
Related Practice Areas for Treasure Coast Residents
- Boat Accident Attorneys in Florida
- Traumatic Brain Injury Attorneys
- Car Accident Lawyers in Florida
- Truck Accident Lawyers in Florida
- Slip and Fall Accident Lawyers
- Wrongful Death Attorneys in Florida
Felice Trial Attorneys | 3 Harvard Circle, West Palm Beach, FL 33409 | (561) 444-8822 | Serving Stuart, Jensen Beach, Palm City, Port St. Lucie, Fort Pierce, Vero Beach, and the full Treasure Coast | Available 24/7
Disclaimer: The information on this page is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. The case results listed are specific to the facts and legal circumstances of those individual matters. Past results do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome in any future case. Viewing this page or contacting our firm does not create an attorney-client relationship. Florida personal injury law, including the statute of limitations, is subject to change. The information on this page reflects Florida law as amended by House Bill 837 (HB 837), effective March 24, 2023. Cases involving boating accidents on federally navigable waterways may be governed by federal maritime law rather than, or in addition to, Florida state law. The applicable legal framework depends on the specific facts of each case. Please consult with a licensed Florida attorney regarding your specific legal situation. Results may vary.