Gerson & Schwartz Accident & Injury Lawyers | Edward S. Schwartz

About

Edward S. Schwartz has spent more than four decades advocating for individuals and families affected by serious injuries, wrongful deaths, and preventable acts of negligence. A Miami-based personal injury attorney and partner at Gerson & Schwartz Accident & Injury Lawyers, he brings extensive experience in complex civil litigation, appellate proceedings, and legal research to cases involving substantial questions of liability and compensation. His work includes representing victims of catastrophic accidents, medical negligence, dangerous property conditions, defective products, and violent crimes. Edward's legal career reflects a sustained dedication to protecting the rights of plaintiffs and addressing difficult legal issues that can determine whether injured individuals receive appropriate relief. He practices alongside Philip M. Gerson, the firm's founder and senior partner, and fellow partners Nicholas I. Gerson and David Markel. Together, they continue the work of a nationally recognized plaintiffs' law firm that has represented accident victims and families throughout Florida since 1970.

Civil claims arising from criminal violence and inadequate property security constitute a significant part of Edward's legal experience. He represents individuals harmed when businesses or property owners allegedly fail to take reasonable precautions against foreseeable dangers. Such matters can involve assaults, shootings, sexual violence, and other attacks occurring at hotels, apartment buildings, nightclubs, commercial establishments, and similar locations. Determining liability in these circumstances often depends on evaluating a property's history of criminal activity, existing safety measures, security practices, and whether reasonable steps might have prevented the incident. His premises liability work also addresses unsafe buildings, dangerous walking surfaces, slip and fall accidents, and hazardous conditions that result in serious injuries. Edward applies his understanding of negligence law and the evidentiary requirements of these cases to pursue civil accountability for crime victims and others injured because of unsafe premises.

His practice extends to maritime injury disputes, including accidents aboard cruise ships, injuries sustained by maritime workers, and claims governed by the Jones Act. As part of Gerson & Schwartz's established maritime practice, Edward contributes to the representation of passengers and crew members who suffer harm aboard vessels or in other maritime settings. These claims may concern inadequate shipboard safety, dangerous conditions, negligent security, slip and fall incidents, or failures in medical care. Unlike many conventional personal injury lawsuits, maritime disputes may involve federal maritime principles, jurisdictional questions, contractual restrictions, and distinct duties owed to seamen and passengers. Edward's background in researching complicated legal questions, interpreting applicable standards, and handling liability disputes supports the firm's approach to these specialized matters. The firm's nationally recognized maritime litigation experience provides an additional foundation for pursuing claims involving negligent cruise lines and other maritime operators.

Edward also handles a wide variety of accident-related litigation involving passenger vehicles, commercial trucks, motorcycles, bicycles, and construction sites. His representation encompasses cases in which negligence causes life-altering injuries or the loss of a family member. Particularly serious claims may involve traumatic brain damage, spinal cord trauma, severe burns, childhood injuries, and other catastrophic conditions requiring prolonged medical treatment or rehabilitation. In evaluating these matters, he considers not only the immediate consequences of an accident but also the potential effects on a person's financial stability, earning capacity, independence, and long-term quality of life. Wrongful death litigation presents additional challenges for surviving relatives dealing with emotional loss and substantial financial disruption. Edward's experience with complex liability questions helps inform the investigation, assessment, and development of claims intended to establish responsibility and recover appropriate damages under Florida law.

In addition to representing clients, Edward has helped advance professional discussion concerning negligence, victims' rights, and complex litigation through published legal scholarship. His article, "An Unconstitutional Deprivation of Access to the Courts: An Analysis of Section 19 of Chapter 99-225, Florida Statutes," appeared in the St. Thomas Law Review in 1999. He subsequently co-authored "Issues and Experts in Negligent Security Cases," included in the 2001 Expert Witness Update: New Developments in Personal Injury Litigation, published by Aspen Law and Business Publishers. That work addresses critical aspects of negligent security claims, including the role of expert witnesses, questions of foreseeability and preventability, and the evidence necessary to establish liability. In December 2002, Edward and Philip M. Gerson co-authored "When Negligence Leads to Crime," featured on the cover of TRIAL magazine, a publication of the Association of Trial Lawyers of America. These contributions demonstrate his involvement in examining the legal principles and practical challenges associated with premises security, civil liability, and access to judicial remedies.

Another component of Edward's practice involves claims against healthcare providers and manufacturers whose negligence or defective products cause serious harm. In medical malpractice litigation, he addresses allegations involving surgical mistakes, birth-related injuries, diagnostic failures, delayed diagnoses, medication errors, and inadequate medical treatment. Such disputes frequently require scrutiny of medical records, professional standards, expert opinions, and the connection between alleged negligence and a patient's injuries. His product liability experience includes claims involving malfunctioning machinery, defective automobiles or vehicle components, hazardous consumer goods, and unsafe medical devices. Establishing responsibility in these cases can involve technical investigations and contested evidence regarding product design, manufacturing defects, medical causation, and applicable duties of care. Drawing on his background in complex plaintiffs' litigation, Edward works to identify the legal and factual issues necessary to pursue compensation from responsible medical professionals, manufacturers, businesses, corporations, and insurers.

Edward's educational background includes academic distinctions from two respected institutions. He completed his undergraduate studies at Williams College in 1978, graduating magna cum laude. He later attended the University of Miami School of Law, receiving his Juris Doctor cum laude in 1981. During law school, he served as Articles and Comments Editor of the University of Miami Law Review, gaining experience in scholarly legal analysis, editorial review, and the examination of developing legal questions. He became a member of The Florida Bar in 1982 and holds admission to practice before all Florida state courts. His professional memberships include The Florida Bar and the Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers, including the Academy's Appellate Practice Section. Since entering the profession, he has built a career combining courtroom-oriented personal injury representation with research-intensive legal work and participation in matters affecting the broader plaintiffs' bar.

A distinctive aspect of Edward's professional background is his participation in appellate advocacy beyond the litigation of individual injury claims. His involvement with the Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers has included service on its Amicus Committee, where he has prepared and submitted amicus curiae briefs concerning significant legal issues presented to appellate courts. Such briefs provide courts with legal arguments and perspectives on matters that can have consequences extending beyond the parties to a particular lawsuit. This work involves evaluating judicial decisions, examining statutory and constitutional principles, analyzing precedent, and developing persuasive written arguments. His association with the Academy's Appellate Practice Section further reflects his interest in appellate procedure and legal protections available to plaintiffs. Through these activities, Edward has contributed to discussions surrounding access to the courts and the legal rights of injured people across Florida. His appellate experience is also relevant when trial-level disputes involve complicated procedural questions, contested interpretations of law, or legal issues requiring additional judicial review.

Throughout his professional career, Edward has earned recognition as a Top-Rated Miami personal injury attorney for his legal accomplishments and extensive experience. His distinctions include a 10/10 Justia Lawyer Rating and recognition in The Top Attorneys of North America. Gerson & Schwartz Accident & Injury Lawyers and its attorneys have also received recognition from respected legal organizations and rating services, including Best Lawyers, Best Law Firms, Super Lawyers, and Martindale-Hubbell. Clients have praised the firm for its professionalism, responsiveness, and personalized attention, qualities that are especially important to individuals seeking the best Miami personal injury lawyer for their cases. These recognitions, combined with Edward's distinguished academic background, published legal scholarship, decades of litigation experience, and contributions to appellate advocacy, reinforce his established professional standing within Florida's legal community.

As a partner, Edward contributes to a litigation team whose history includes hundreds of jury trials and extensive experience pursuing claims on behalf of people injured through the conduct of others. Gerson & Schwartz Accident & Injury Lawyers emphasizes comprehensive case investigation, careful preparation, expert evaluation, and the ability to take disputed claims before a jury when necessary. Established in 1970, the firm has developed its practice around representing plaintiffs in consequential civil disputes, including cases involving severe injuries, wrongful death, and complicated questions of negligence. Clients have frequently commended the firm's attorneys for their responsiveness, professionalism, individualized attention, and commitment to obtaining favorable results. Edward's knowledge of Florida personal injury law, appellate procedures, and complex legal analysis strengthens the firm's capacity to confront challenging disputes and pursue claims against parties alleged to have caused preventable harm.

Edward S. Schwartz continues to represent clients in Miami and throughout Florida, applying his extensive legal experience to matters involving motor vehicle collisions, catastrophic injuries, dangerous premises, violent criminal incidents, medical malpractice, defective products, maritime accidents, and wrongful death. His professional contributions also extend to legal publications, appellate advocacy, and work addressing legal principles that affect plaintiffs and their ability to seek justice. Whether confronting difficult questions of causation, interpreting complex liability standards, or helping develop a strategy for a serious injury lawsuit, Edward remains focused on protecting the interests of those harmed by negligence. His work at Gerson & Schwartz reflects the firm's longstanding commitment to thorough preparation, determined legal advocacy, and meaningful representation for injured individuals and their families.