Robert E. Paradela - Wicker, Smith, O'Hara, McCoy & Ford, P.A.

Profile

Robert E. Paradela joined Wicker Smith in 1989. He serves as one of the firm’s four Managing Partners and leads the Fort Lauderdale office, where his practice deals mostly with medical malpractice, auto negligence, and bad faith claims, as well as overseeing the day-to-day operations of one of the largest offices in the firm.

Bob is a trial lawyer with an exemplary record. Throughout his career, he has defended major hospital systems, national auto insurance carriers, and a variety of Fortune 500 companies in both state and federal court throughout South Florida. As a senior trial attorney, he is frequently asked to handle cases that involve complicated medical claims with significant economic damages. In addition to his courtroom experience, Bob serves on the national counsel advisory panel for the largest hospital system in the United States, where he reviews and advises on strategy for high exposure cases pending in jurisdictions throughout the country.

Bob holds undergraduate degrees in communications and political science, an MBA, and a law degree, all from Florida State University. As a student he was committed to public service, and spent time working on the executive staff of two Florida governors, in the Florida legislature, in the First District Court of Appeals, and for the Florida Attorney General’s Office. He was a recipient of the Ralph Bailey Scholarship, an award for law students involved in public service.

Bob was born and raised in Chicago, and moved to Florida in 1974. He is active in the American Bar Association, the Broward County Bar Association, DRI, the South Florida Medical Claims Council, and the American Board of Trial Advocates. When he’s not working, Bob enjoys playing golf, going to the beach, and spending time with his family.

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Credentials

Education

Florida State University (J.D./M.B.A. 1989; B.S., 1985)

Representative Matters

Successful Bench Trial Result in a Heel Ulceration Case

The subject case of this bench trial involved allegations of medical negligence resulting in the patient developing a left heel ulceration. The case was a survival action wherein we were able to dismantle the claims of pain and suffering via summary judgment. Additionally, we were able to reduce the associated medical expenses to $142.

No Legal Cause Found by Jury in Rejected Tender Case

A rejected policy limits case that involved a T-bone collision with significant damage to both vehicles. Plaintiff was 30 years old at the time of the accident, with no prior medical history. He underwent a 2-level ACDF, multiple injections and lumbar rhizotomies. It was recommended that he have additional surgery to the cervical spine at two levels, as well as a future lumbar surgery. The medical bills were $270,000, with an $800,000 life care plan. The jury returned a verdict of no legal cause, and Plaintiff was awarded $0.

Defense Verdict: Miami-Dade County, Florida (Auto Negligence)

Fort Lauderdale Partners William Peters and Robert Paradela obtained a defense verdict in an admitted liability uninsured motorist case in Miami-Dade County last week. Plaintiff in this case was a young man in his 20’s who claimed that he underwent extensive injection therapy for his cervical spine and lumbar discectomy at L4-5 in the lumbar spine. He had a limited history of prior chiropractic visits and the medical bills were in excess of $200,000. Plaintiff’s counsel asked the jury for a total of $4.7 million but the jury awarded past medical bills only and determined that the Plaintiff did not suffer a permanent injury. The amount recovered by the Plaintiff was less than a proposal for settlement served by the Defendant in 2022, triggering a claim for the Defendant’s attorneys’ fees and costs. Congratulations to the entire team that worked up this file for this excellent result.

Summary Judgment: Broward County, Florida (Medical Malpractice)

Fort Lauderdale Partners, Robert Paradela and William Fink, and Associate, Victoria Sosa, recently obtained Final Summary Judgment in a medical malpractice action on behalf of a hospital system in Broward County, Florida. This case involved a Plaintiff who underwent a hysterectomy and an alleged ureter thermal injury that she claimed led to a prolonged hospital stay and additional surgeries. Plaintiff sued our client, the hospital, alleging that they were vicariously liable for the purported negligence of her treating OBGYN and Urologist. Through strategic discovery, motion practice, and strict adherence to the trial court’s deadlines, we moved for final summary judgment arguing that Plaintiff failed to present any evidence supporting her claims of negligence against the hospital. A nominal proposal for settlement was served to the Plaintiff in 2023. The Court granted Final Summary Judgment and our client is now entitled to recover almost two years of fees and costs. Congratulations to the entire team who worked this file on this excellent work on behalf of our client.

Favorable Verdict: Broward County, Florida (Auto Negligence)

We represented the defendant carrier in this admitted liability underinsured motorist case regarding a rear-end accident on I-95. Plaintiffs claimed injuries to their neck and back, and also claimed surgeries to their shoulder and knee as a result of the accident. The soft tissue injuries were not disputed, but the medical records showed significant gaps in treatment. Defendant argued that these gaps demonstrated that Plaintiffs’ claimed injuries had completely resolved within six months of the accident and that the medical care costs were grossly inflated. After five days of trial, Plaintiffs’ counsel asked the jury for $770,000. The jury ultimately found that both Plaintiffs suffered injuries but awarded nominal damages for pain and suffering and discounted the past medicals by over $50,000 as to each Plaintiff. The final award to each Plaintiff was below the policy limits.

Practices

Education

Florida State University (J.D./M.B.A. 1989; B.S., 1985)

Honors

AV® Preeminent™ rated attorney by Martindale-Hubbell

Credentials

Admitted to Bar

1990, Florida; U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida
1992, U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida

Professional Affiliations

The Florida Bar
American Bar Association
Broward County Bar Association
Defense Research Institute
South Florida Medical Claims Council
American Board of Trial Advocates

Languages

Spanish