Adam W. Rhys - Wicker, Smith, O'Hara, McCoy & Ford, P.A.

Profile

Adam W. Rhys is a Shareholder in Wicker Smith’s West Palm Beach office. He joined the firm in 2000.

Adam focuses his practice on the defense of doctors and hospitals in medical malpractice and healthcare matters, as well as general liability. In his nearly 30-year career, he has represented small and large hospital systems throughout the state of Florida, and several national hospital systems with operations in Florida as well. Adam has tried numerous cases to verdict in Indian River, St. Lucie, Okeechobee, Martin, Palm Beach, Miami-Dade, Broward, Hillsborough and Polk County.

He is frequently asked to handle catastrophic injury cases with high exposure and potential damages. Effective defense of hospital systems requires an in-depth understanding of a broad scope of issues, and Adam is a strategic thinker known for his nuanced approach. In the early presuit stage of a medical malpractice claim, he evaluates all available statutes, caps and other strategies to determine if the case is suitable for early resolution, arbitration or trial. As the case progresses, he combines a thorough understanding of medical practices with meticulous case analysis and effective communication with multiple stakeholders to bring the matter to an efficient and satisfactory conclusion. At all times, Adam is mindful of providing the most efficient legal advice to his clients to help them achieve their desired outcome.

Adam is admitted to practice in the state of Florida, as well as the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida. He holds an AV-Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbel, and has been featured in magazines such as South Florida Legal Guide and South Florida’s Top Rated Lawyers since 2013.

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Credentials

Education

Brooklyn Law School (J.D., 1992)
Trinity College (B.A., 1984)

Representative Matters

Avoiding a Nuclear Verdict in South Florida

We represented the hospital in this admitted liability case involving a medication error during the resuscitation of an infant, allegedly resulting in HIE and brain damage. Plaintiff’s life care expert presented a life care plan in excess of $32 million, and Plaintiff’s counsel asked for $72.5 million in closing arguments. The jury ultimately awarded $158,000, which triggered an award for attorneys’ fees pursuant to a previously rejected proposal for settlement.

Defense Verdict: Palm Beach County, Florida (Medical Malpractice)

West Palm Beach partners Adam Rhys and Amanda Ritucci, and associate Darya Momeni, obtained a defense verdict in a medical malpractice case in Palm Beach County, Florida, this week. Plaintiff in this case alleged that our client, a CRNA, negligently discharged the Plaintiff following a cosmetic procedure performed at the plastic surgeon’s office. These allegations included that our client did not appreciate the Plaintiff’s compromised condition following the procedure while in the recovery room, failed to administer critical reversal medications and/or call 911, and failed to provide crucial information to EMS once they were called. As a result, Plaintiff claimed brain damage resulting in cognitive impairment, including loss of memory and function, headaches, and depression and anxiety. Defense of this case centered around the position that our client appropriately assessed the Plaintiff, who met the discharge criteria at the time but experienced a marked change in condition afterwards once at home. After a seven day trial, Plaintiff’s counsel asked the jury for $1 million. The jury deliberated for three hours before returning a complete defense verdict in our client’s favor. Congratulations to the entire team that worked on this file for this excellent result.

Adam Rhys

Adam Rhys - Partner

Adam Rhys

Partner

Profile

Education

Representative Matters

Avoiding a Nuclear Verdict in South Florida

Defense Verdict: Palm Beach County, Florida (Medical Malpractice)

Practices

Education

Honors

Credentials

Admitted to Bar

Professional Affiliations