Fort Lauderdale personal injury
Trial lawyers,
not just lawyers.
Two Florida Bar Board Certified Civil Trial Specialists. Over 500 jury trials. We try cases — and the insurance companies know it.
photograph: William and Vanessa, conference room
Florida Bar Board Certified · ABOTA · Martindale AV · Super Lawyers · Million Dollar Advocates
The attorneys
Meet your attorneys.
Both partners are Florida Bar Board Certified Civil Trial Specialists — a credential held by roughly 1% of Florida lawyers. Together, they have tried more than 500 cases to verdict.
photograph: William C. Ruggiero
William C. Ruggiero
Partner · Board Certified · ABOTA
Founding partner. 35+ years of practice and over 400 jury trials. AV-rated by Martindale-Hubbell for 25 consecutive years.
Read full profile →photograph: Vanessa Lagios
Vanessa Lagios
Partner · Board Certified · ABOTA
Partner. 100+ jury trials in 18 years. University of Miami J.D.; Vanderbilt undergraduate, Track and Field captain.
Read full profile →Practice
Areas of practice.
01
Car accidents
Florida no-fault, PIP, third-party claims.
→02
Truck accidents
Commercial vehicle and FMCSA cases.
→03
Motorcycle accidents
Severe-injury and bias-jury cases.
→04
Pedestrian and bicycle
High-injury collisions involving vulnerable users.
→05
Slip and fall
Premises liability and notice cases.
→06
Catastrophic injury
TBI, spine, amputation, severe burns.
→07
Wrongful death
Florida Wrongful Death Act, survivor claims.
→08
Dog bites
Florida strict liability, scarring claims.
→09
Products liability
Defective product and design claims.
→Results
Results that matter.
$4.0M
Settlement for the family of a six-year-old child killed in a car collision.
$3.2M
Auto verdict for plaintiff with leg and wrist injuries requiring multiple surgeries.
$2.9M
Verdict in fatal automobile collision in Dade County.
Credential
What it means to be board certified.
Board certification is the highest level of recognition The Florida Bar offers, earned by roughly 1% of Florida lawyers. To qualify as a Civil Trial Specialist, an attorney must have tried a substantial number of cases to verdict, passed peer review, completed continuing legal education in the field, and passed a rigorous written examination. The certification must be renewed every five years.
When you hire Ruggiero & Lagios, both attorneys handling your case have cleared every one of those bars. Learn more about the program →
"They tried our case. The other side knew it was coming, and that changed everything."
Carla M. · Car accident client · 2024
Questions
Common questions.
How long do I have to file a personal injury claim in Florida?
Florida's statute of limitations for most personal injury claims is two years from the date of the injury — reduced from four years by the 2023 tort reform. Wrongful death and certain other claim types have different deadlines. Don't wait: evidence disappears, witnesses move, and the clock runs whether or not you've hired a lawyer.
What does PIP cover after a Florida car accident?
Florida's Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage pays up to $10,000 in medical expenses and lost wages regardless of fault, as long as you receive initial medical treatment within 14 days of the accident. PIP does not cover pain and suffering. To recover those damages, you must pursue a third-party claim against the at-fault driver.
Do I have to give a recorded statement to the insurance company?
You generally do not have to give a recorded statement to the at-fault driver's insurance company, and we usually advise against it. You may have an obligation to cooperate with your own insurance company under your policy, but we recommend speaking with an attorney before any recorded statement.
How much does it cost to hire a personal injury lawyer?
We work on a contingency fee, meaning you pay nothing up front and we are paid only if we recover money on your behalf. The initial consultation is free.
What if I was partly at fault for the accident?
Florida operates under a modified comparative negligence rule (effective March 2023): you can recover damages only if you are 50% or less at fault, and your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault. Even if you think you may have been partly responsible, contact us — fault is often more nuanced than it first appears.
How long will my case take to resolve?
Most cases resolve within 12 to 24 months, though serious injury and wrongful death cases that proceed to trial can take longer. We will give you a realistic timeline at the first consultation based on the specifics of your case.
Talk to us
Free case review.
Talk to one of our attorneys directly. No intake screener, no auto-responder. We answer the phone.
Mon–Fri, 8am–5pm · Hablamos español
200 South Andrews Avenue, Suite 703
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301