If you were hurt in Palm Beach Gardens, the rules for your injury claim may be very different from the rules your neighbor dealt with just a few years ago. In March 2023, Florida passed one of the biggest overhauls of its civil justice system in decades. Known as House Bill 837, the law changed how long you have to file, how fault is shared, and how medical bills are proven.
Many injury victims still do not know about these changes, and some only find out after a deadline has already passed. Here is what you need to know.
What Is HB 837?
HB 837 was signed into law and took effect on March 24, 2023. Supporters described it as a way to reduce lawsuits and insurance costs. For people hurt by someone else’s carelessness, it created new hurdles that make early action and careful documentation essential.
The Biggest Changes for Injury Victims
1. The Filing Deadline Was Cut in Half
Before HB 837, most Florida negligence claims had a four-year statute of limitations. For negligence claims that arise after March 24, 2023, that deadline is now generally two years.
What This Means in Practice
- Two years can pass quickly when you are recovering, going to appointments, and waiting on insurance.
- Evidence such as surveillance video and witness memories fades even faster.
- Missing the deadline can bar your claim completely, no matter how strong it is.
2. Florida Moved to Modified Comparative Negligence
Florida used to follow pure comparative negligence, which let injured people recover damages even if they were mostly at fault, reduced by their share of blame. Under the new law, if you are found more than 50% at fault, you generally cannot recover anything.
A Simple Example
- You are found 30% at fault for a crash on PGA Boulevard. Your damages are reduced by 30%.
- You are found 50% at fault. You can still recover half of your damages.
- You are found 51% at fault. You recover nothing.
That one percentage point can be the difference between compensation and nothing, which is why insurers now work harder to shift blame onto injured people. Medical negligence cases are an exception and still follow pure comparative fault.
3. New Rules for Proving Medical Expenses
The law added Florida Statute 768.0427, which changes what evidence a jury can see about your medical bills. In many cases, the focus shifts from the amount billed to the amount actually paid or owed, and the type of insurance you have can affect what is admissible.
Letters of Protection Get More Scrutiny
If you received treatment under a letter of protection, where a provider agrees to wait for payment until your case resolves, the new law requires additional disclosures about that arrangement and any referrals.
4. Changes to Insurance Bad Faith and Attorney Fees
- Negligence alone is no longer enough to prove an insurer acted in bad faith.
- Insurers now have more breathing room to respond to claims before bad faith exposure applies.
- One-way attorney fee rules that once helped policyholders who won against their insurers were repealed for most cases.
Why These Changes Make a Lawyer More Important
HB 837 did not take away your right to compensation, but it made the process less forgiving. Shorter deadlines, stricter fault rules, and new evidence standards all reward the side that is organized and moves early. Insurance companies have adjusted their strategies, and injured people should too.
Steps to Take After an Injury in Palm Beach Gardens
- Get medical care right away, and within 14 days for car crash PIP benefits.
- Write down what happened while it is fresh, and photograph the scene.
- Avoid statements that could be used to assign you more than your share of fault.
- Keep every bill, receipt, and explanation of benefits.
- Talk to an attorney well before the two-year mark.
Note: Deadlines can vary depending on the type of claim and when it arose. A lawyer can confirm which rules apply to your situation.
How Dermer Law Can Help
Whether you were hurt in a car accident, a fall at a shopping center, or another incident caused by someone’s negligence, our team stays on top of Florida law so you do not have to. Explore our practice areas to see how we help injury victims across Palm Beach County.
Florida’s new tort laws give you less time and less room for error, so let our team protect your claim from day one. Contact Dermer Law today for a free consultation.
