Patricia I. Murray Partner
Background
Patricia I. Murray is a partner with the Firm and a native New Yorker. She received her BA cum laude from the State University of New York in Oswego and was chosen to participate in an overseas program at the College D’Europe in Bruges, Belgium for intensified study of the European Economic Community. Patricia graduated with honors from the University of Florida College of Law in Gainesville, Florida and received high honors in appellate advocacy. She is Peer Review Rated/ AV Preeminent/Martindale-Hubbell rated.
Patricia has over 25 years of experience litigating complex civil cases on behalf of doctors, healthcare providers, businesses, individuals and governmental entities. Her areas of practice encompass a wide range of civil matters including, medical malpractice, coverage disputes, toxic torts, contractual disputes, premises liability, construction litigation, business torts, automobile accidents, industrial accidents, governmental liability, negligent security, insurance defense, employment discrimination and personal injury. Patricia relishes the challenge of crafting winning strategies for her clients, and over the course of her career has developed significant expertise in analyzing and evaluating medical issues.
Patricia was elected as President of the Florida Medical Malpractice Claims Counsel Inc., and served on its Board of Governors. While serving as in-house counsel for a professional liability insurance company dedicated to the defense of doctors and healthcare providers throughout the State of Florida. Pat had the opportunity to work along with physicians to develop protocols for early detection of breast cancer, colorectal cancer and acute myocardial infarction. She has won multiple defense verdicts and achieved successful resolution of disputes via trials, evidentiary hearings, dismissals and summary judgments. She has presented written and oral argument before State and Federal Appellate Courts and has tried cases in several counties throughout this state. Published Opinions: Childers v. Schachner, 612 So2d 699 (Fl. 3rd DCA 1993); Baker v. Fitzgerald, 573 So2d 873 (Fl. 3rd DCA 1990); Evanston v. City of Homestead, 563 So2d 755 (Fl. 3rd DCA 1990).
Admissions/Education
ADMISSIONS, PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS AND MEMBERSHIPS
Patricia is a member of the Florida Bar admitted to practice in all courts of the Florida. Patricia is admitted to practice in the Southern District of Florida and the United States Court of Appeals, 11th Circuit.
EDUCATION
University of Florida, Fredric G. Levin College of Law, Juris Doctor, 1989
Representative Cases
Final Arbitration Award for my client, an insurance company, following a two day Arbitration proceeding before a Retired Federal Magistrate. The opponent, an army reserve soldier who was injured in an automobile accident while in the line of duty contended that his military career ended as a result of the accident and sought damages from his UIM carrier for back injuries, traumatic brain injury and lost income.
11th Judicial Circuit, Miami Dade County, Florida. I obtained a Judgement of Foreclosure on behalf of my client. 20th Judicial Circuit, Collier County, Fl. I obtained a defense verdict in favor of a physician who performed a Green Light Laser procedure. The opponent alleged injury to his urinary sphincter, total incontinence and lack of informed consent. 4 day trial resulting in a defense verdict.
11th Judicial Circuit, Dade County, Fl. Defense verdict for my client, a hand surgeon who performed 8 surgeries in an effort to salvage a partially amputated finger. 11th Judicial Circuit, Dade County, Fl -Evidentiary hearing- I won an injunction against a physician who breached a non-compete agreement. My client, a healthcare clinic, ultimately obtained a monetary settlement.
11th Judicial Circuit, Dade County, Fl – Medical malpractice case brought by 68 year old female and her husband, alleging my client, an orthopedic doctor, inappropriately treated her spiral humeral fracture and failed to recognize that it was not healing properly, and that as a result, she developed RSD and permanent nerve damage. I obtained a defense verdict after a 8 day trial.
11th Circuit Dade County, Florida – Medical malpractice case brought by owner of a plumbing business who claimed that the defendants’ delay in diagnosing a Lis Franc fracture resulted in need for more complex surgery and need for multiple future surgeries to address the injury. Plaintiff alleged lost income and damages of 3.5mil. Defense verdict for my client following a 10 day trial.
17th Circuit Broward County Florida. Medical malpractice case brought by the estate of a deceased bishop who claimed numerous physicians failed to properly treat a pressure sore that developed in a neck fold following a heart attack with prolonged period of intubation. After several months of hospitalization, the bishop died of a bladder perforation that plaintiff claimed was a consequence of an infection that resulted from the sore. Verdict for the plaintiff following a 2 ½ month trial for a sum less than the set-off. On appeal, the court ordered set-off to be applied, resulting in a judgement for my client.
11th Circuit Miami Dade County – Dental malpractice case brought by the Estate of a successful businessman who underwent a full mouth extraction alleged to have caused trigeminal neuralgia and intractable pain, forcing him to sell his share of a lucrative business. After 8 years of litigation and 1 ½ weeks of jury trial, the opponent voluntarily dismissed the case.
11th Circuit Miami Dade County – Medical malpractice Case against an orthopedic surgeon who was alleged to have inappropriately treated a spiral fracture of the femur, resulting in infection and necessitating a total femur replacement. Verdict in favor of my client.