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Medical Malpractice

Top-Ranked Medical Malpractice Lawyers in Jacksonville, Florida

Updated Methodology LexRank v1.225 lawyers rankedReviewed by LexRanked editorial team

Summary

As of November 1, 2026, the top-ranked medical malpractice lawyers in Jacksonville, Florida are Matthew Willis Sowell “Matt” (LexRank 84.00), Robert Allen Cole (80.00) and Charles Wayne Alford Jr. “Charlie” (80.00).

This ranking lists 25 medical malpractice lawyers in Jacksonville, Florida, in order of their LexRank score, calculated from their Florida Bar records and other cited sources. Their experience ranges from 18 to 53 years in practice. 1 of the 25 lists Spanish on their Florida Bar profile.

Lawyers ranked
25
Fully verified
25 of 25

The ranking

Ordered by organic LexRank score; paid placements are labelled and never affect a position. How we rank

  1. No change

    Matthew Willis Sowell “Matt”

    Independent practice · Jacksonville, FL

    Verified
    • 38 years experience
    • Medical Malpractice
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #1?

    Ranks #1 with 84.00: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Reputation (4/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 21.1)
    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 0.2)
  2. No change

    Robert Allen Cole

    Independent practice · Jacksonville, FL

    Verified
    • 48 years experience
    • Medical Malpractice
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #2?

    Ranks #2 with 80.00: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Data quality (10/10); held back by Reputation (0/20). 4.00 points behind #1, mostly reputation.

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 21.1)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.8)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 0/20 (ranking avg 0.2)

    4.00 points behind #1 (Matthew Willis Sowell “Matt”): Reputation −4.

  3. No change

    Charles Wayne Alford Jr. “Charlie”

    Independent practice · Jacksonville, FL

    Verified
    • 27 years experience
    • Medical Malpractice
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #3?

    Ranks #3 with 80.00: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Data quality (10/10); held back by Reputation (0/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 21.1)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.8)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 0/20 (ranking avg 0.2)
  4. No change

    Mark Bajalia

    Independent practice · Jacksonville, FL

    Verified
    • 32 years experience
    • Medical Malpractice
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #4?

    Ranks #4 with 80.00: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Data quality (10/10); held back by Reputation (0/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 21.1)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.8)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 0/20 (ranking avg 0.2)
  5. No change

    Marsa Susan Beck

    Independent practice · Jacksonville, FL

    Verified
    • 31 years experience
    • Medical Malpractice
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #5?

    Ranks #5 with 80.00: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Data quality (10/10); held back by Reputation (0/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 21.1)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.8)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 0/20 (ranking avg 0.2)
  6. No change

    Marshall D Davis

    Independent practice · Jacksonville, FL

    Verified
    • 53 years experience
    • Medical Malpractice
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #6?

    Ranks #6 with 80.00: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Data quality (10/10); held back by Reputation (0/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 21.1)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.8)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 0/20 (ranking avg 0.2)
  7. No change

    Robert James Link

    Pajcic & Pajcic, PA · Jacksonville, FL

    Verified
    • 50 years experience
    • Medical Malpractice
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #7?

    Ranks #7 with 80.00: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Data quality (10/10); held back by Reputation (0/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 21.1)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.8)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 0/20 (ranking avg 0.2)
  8. No change

    Kevin Gray Mercer

    Independent practice · Jacksonville, FL

    Verified
    • 32 years experience
    • Medical Malpractice
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #8?

    Ranks #8 with 80.00: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Data quality (10/10); held back by Reputation (0/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 21.1)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.8)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 0/20 (ranking avg 0.2)
  9. No change

    Aaron Metcalf

    Independent practice · Jacksonville, FL

    Verified
    • 29 years experience
    • Medical Malpractice
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #9?

    Ranks #9 with 80.00: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Data quality (10/10); held back by Reputation (0/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 21.1)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.8)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 0/20 (ranking avg 0.2)
  10. No change

    Eugene Bullard Nichols

    Independent practice · Jacksonville, FL

    Verified
    • 28 years experience
    • Medical Malpractice
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #10?

    Ranks #10 with 80.00: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Data quality (10/10); held back by Reputation (0/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 21.1)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.8)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 0/20 (ranking avg 0.2)
  11. No change

    Jennifer Lynn Reiber “Jennifer L. Reiber”

    Independent practice · Jacksonville, FL

    Verified
    • 27 years experience
    • Medical Malpractice
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #11?

    Ranks #11 with 80.00: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Data quality (10/10); held back by Reputation (0/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 21.1)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.8)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 0/20 (ranking avg 0.2)
  12. No change

    Mark Leon Rosenberg

    Independent practice · Jacksonville, FL

    Verified
    • 33 years experience
    • Medical Malpractice
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #12?

    Ranks #12 with 80.00: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Data quality (10/10); held back by Reputation (0/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 21.1)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.8)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 0/20 (ranking avg 0.2)
  13. No change

    Elizabeth Holland Howanitz

    Tyson & Mendes, LLP · Jacksonville, FL

    Verified
    • 21 years experience
    • Medical Malpractice
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #13?

    Ranks #13 with 79.20: strongest in Reputation (4/20) and Experience (25.2/30). 0.80 points behind #12, mostly experience.

    Strongest

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 0.2)
    • Experience 25.2/30 (ranking avg 21.1)

    0.80 points behind #12 (Mark Leon Rosenberg): Experience −4.8.

  14. No change

    Susan Marie Bird

    Independent practice · Jacksonville, FL

    Verified
    • 24 years experience
    • Medical Malpractice
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #14?

    Ranks #14 with 78.80: strongest in Experience (28.8/30) and Data quality (10/10); held back by Reputation (0/20). 0.40 points behind #13, mostly reputation.

    Strongest

    • Experience 28.8/30 (ranking avg 21.1)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.8)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 0/20 (ranking avg 0.2)

    0.40 points behind #13 (Elizabeth Holland Howanitz): Reputation −4.

  15. No change

    Michael Daniel McGrath

    Independent practice · Jacksonville, FL

    Verified
    • 24 years experience
    • Medical Malpractice
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #15?

    Ranks #15 with 78.80: strongest in Experience (28.8/30) and Data quality (10/10); held back by Reputation (0/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 28.8/30 (ranking avg 21.1)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.8)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 0/20 (ranking avg 0.2)
  16. No change

    Paul Heath Brockwell “Heath Brockwell”

    Independent practice · Jacksonville, FL

    Verified
    • 32 years experience
    • Medical Malpractice
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #16?

    Ranks #16 with 78.60: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Local relevance (5/5); held back by Reputation (0/20). 0.20 points behind #15, mostly data quality.

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 21.1)
    • Local relevance 5/5 (ranking avg 5)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 0/20 (ranking avg 0.2)

    0.20 points behind #15 (Michael Daniel McGrath): Data quality −1.4.

    Not on record (scores 0, never estimated): website.

  17. No change

    Sean B Cronin “Sean”

    Independent practice · Jacksonville, FL

    Verified
    • 28 years experience
    • Medical Malpractice
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #17?

    Ranks #17 with 78.60: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Local relevance (5/5); held back by Reputation (0/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 21.1)
    • Local relevance 5/5 (ranking avg 5)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 0/20 (ranking avg 0.2)

    Not on record (scores 0, never estimated): website.

  18. No change

    William John Scott

    Independent practice · Jacksonville, FL

    Verified
    • 40 years experience
    • Medical Malpractice
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #18?

    Ranks #18 with 78.60: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Local relevance (5/5); held back by Reputation (0/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 21.1)
    • Local relevance 5/5 (ranking avg 5)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 0/20 (ranking avg 0.2)

    Not on record (scores 0, never estimated): website.

  19. No change

    Herbert T Sussman

    Independent practice · Jacksonville, FL

    Verified
    • 45 years experience
    • Medical Malpractice
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #19?

    Ranks #19 with 78.60: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Local relevance (5/5); held back by Reputation (0/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 21.1)
    • Local relevance 5/5 (ranking avg 5)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 0/20 (ranking avg 0.2)

    Not on record (scores 0, never estimated): website.

  20. No change

    David Alan Wolf

    Independent practice · Jacksonville, FL

    Verified
    • 36 years experience
    • Medical Malpractice
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #20?

    Ranks #20 with 78.60: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Local relevance (5/5); held back by Reputation (0/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 21.1)
    • Local relevance 5/5 (ranking avg 5)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 0/20 (ranking avg 0.2)

    Not on record (scores 0, never estimated): website.

  21. No change

    Robert Ray Underwood II

    Independent practice · Jacksonville, FL

    Verified
    • 23 years experience
    • Medical Malpractice
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #21?

    Ranks #21 with 77.60: strongest in Experience (27.6/30) and Data quality (10/10); held back by Reputation (0/20). 1.00 points behind #20, mostly experience.

    Strongest

    • Experience 27.6/30 (ranking avg 21.1)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.8)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 0/20 (ranking avg 0.2)

    1.00 points behind #20 (David Alan Wolf): Experience −2.4.

  22. No change

    Dana Aubrey Jacobs

    Coker Law · Jacksonville, FL

    Verified
    • 18 years experience
    • Medical Malpractice
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #22?

    Ranks #22 with 75.60: strongest in Reputation (4/20) and Data quality (10/10); held back by Experience (21.6/30). 2.00 points behind #21, mostly experience.

    Strongest

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 0.2)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.8)

    Held back by

    • Experience 21.6/30 (ranking avg 21.1)

    2.00 points behind #21 (Robert Ray Underwood II): Experience −6.

  23. No change

    Robert Carl Davis

    Independent practice · Jacksonville, FL

    Verified
    • 22 years experience
    • Medical Malpractice
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #23?

    Ranks #23 with 75.00: strongest in Experience (26.4/30) and Local relevance (5/5); held back by Reputation (0/20). 0.60 points behind #22, mostly reputation.

    Strongest

    • Experience 26.4/30 (ranking avg 21.1)
    • Local relevance 5/5 (ranking avg 5)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 0/20 (ranking avg 0.2)

    0.60 points behind #22 (Dana Aubrey Jacobs): Reputation −4, Data quality −1.4.

    Not on record (scores 0, never estimated): website.

  24. No change

    Melissa Anne Hayes

    Independent practice · Jacksonville, FL

    Verified
    • 20 years experience
    • Medical Malpractice
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #24?

    Ranks #24 with 74.00: strongest in Experience (24/30) and Data quality (10/10); held back by Reputation (0/20). 1.00 points behind #23, mostly experience.

    Strongest

    • Experience 24/30 (ranking avg 21.1)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.8)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 0/20 (ranking avg 0.2)

    1.00 points behind #23 (Robert Carl Davis): Experience −2.4.

  25. No change

    Christen Elizabeth Luikart

    Murphy & Anderson, P.A. · Jacksonville, FL

    Verified
    • 20 years experience
    • Medical Malpractice
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #25?

    Ranks #25 with 74.00: strongest in Experience (24/30) and Data quality (10/10); held back by Reputation (0/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 24/30 (ranking avg 21.1)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.8)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 0/20 (ranking avg 0.2)

Data sources behind the scores

Every score on this page is calculated from facts backed by these sources. Each profile shows which source supports which fact and when it was last checked.

  • floridabar.org · Official / regulatory · 25 profile pages250 facts for 25 lawyers

Medical Malpractice market in Jacksonville

LexRanked tracks 50 lawyers and 9 law firms in medical malpractice law in Jacksonville, Florida. 50 of the lawyers have verified professional data. Data verified October 30, 2026.

Lawyers
50
Law firms
9
Verified professional data
50 of 50
Average rating
Withheldtoo few sourced ratings
Median review count
Withheldtoo few sourced counts
Median experience
18.5 years50 lawyers

Calculated by LexRanked from its own records on ; data verified . Ratings and review counts count only when backed by a source; figures from fewer than three profiles are withheld. All lawyers in Jacksonville

What sets these Jacksonville lawyers apart

Every lawyer in this ranking has a The Florida Bar license verified as eligible to practice, and every fact shown links to its source. The figures below come from each lawyer's Florida Bar profile.

Fact about the 25 ranked lawyers Figure
Years in practice 18 to 53 (median 29)
Languages besides English Spanish (1)
License status with The Florida Bar Eligible to practice, verified for every lawyer
Most common law school University of Florida, Fredric G. Levin College of Law (9 lawyers)

Who is included in this ranking?

Lawyers eligible to practice in Florida, with a Jacksonville office address and medical malpractice as a practice area on record. It compares 25 medical malpractice lawyers, using only facts with a cited source. The Florida Bar does not board-certify lawyers in medical malpractice, so the practice area is the one each lawyer lists on their Florida Bar profile, which The Florida Bar does not review. How we rank.

Florida rules to know

A Florida medical malpractice claim must be filed within 2 years of discovering the injury and never later than 4 years, after a presuit investigation with a medical expert opinion and a 90-day notice period.

Rule What it means
Filing deadline 2 years from the incident or from when it was or should have been discovered, and no later than 4 years from the incident; claims for a minor may be brought until the child's eighth birthday (Fla. Stat. § 95.11)
Expert opinion The claimant must investigate first and send a verified written medical expert opinion with the notice of intent (§ 766.203)
Notice of intent Before filing suit, the claimant must notify each prospective defendant of the intent to sue (§ 766.106)
90-day presuit period No lawsuit may be filed for 90 days after the notice; the defendant must then reject the claim, offer to settle or offer arbitration (§ 766.106)
Lawyer fees With a contingency fee, the patient keeps at least 70% of the first $250,000 and 90% of any damages above that, after costs (Fla. Const. art. I, § 26)
Court Where cases are heard
State court circuit Duval County is in Florida's Fourth Judicial Circuit

How to choose among these lawyers

Confirm the license, ask who will handle your matter, and get the fee terms in writing before you sign.

  1. Look up the lawyer in The Florida Bar's directory and check the bar number shown on their LexRanked profile.
  2. Ask whether the lawyer you meet will handle your matter personally, and how many matters like yours they have handled recently.
  3. Ask how they charge and what costs are extra, and get the agreement in writing.
  4. If you prefer to work in another language, check the languages listed on each profile.

Further reading

Sources for the rules above

Frequently asked questions

How long do I have to file a medical malpractice claim in Florida?

Within 2 years from the incident or from when it was or should have been discovered, and no later than 4 years from the incident, under section 95.11. A claim for a minor may be brought until the child's eighth birthday.

What must happen before a medical malpractice lawsuit is filed?

The claimant investigates, obtains a verified written opinion from a medical expert and notifies each prospective defendant (sections 766.203 and 766.106). No suit may be filed for 90 days after the notice.

How much can a lawyer take from a medical malpractice award in Florida?

With a contingency fee, the patient keeps at least 70% of the first $250,000 and 90% of damages above $250,000, after reasonable costs, under article I, section 26 of the Florida Constitution.

What happens during the 90-day presuit period?

The doctor or hospital and its insurer review the claim and must respond by rejecting it, offering to settle or offering to arbitrate damages (section 766.106).

Which court handles cases in Jacksonville?

State court cases in Duval County are heard in Florida's Fourth Judicial Circuit.

Are there Spanish-speaking medical malpractice lawyers in Jacksonville?

Yes. 1 of the 25 ranked lawyers lists Spanish on their Florida Bar profile. Each LexRanked profile shows the languages on record.

How is this ranking ordered?

By the LexRank score, calculated only from facts with a cited source: experience, practice-area relevance, awards on record such as board certification, professional credentials, data quality and location. Client reviews do not affect the LexRank score: neither star ratings nor the number of reviews is scored. Payment never changes a position.

Do client reviews affect the LexRank score?

Client reviews do not affect the LexRank score: neither star ratings nor the number of reviews is scored. Reviews are shown on profiles for information only, and Reputation counts only awards on record, such as board certification. How we rank

Which lawyers are verified?

25 of the 25 ranked lawyers have fully verified profiles: Matthew Willis Sowell “Matt”, Robert Allen Cole, Charles Wayne Alford Jr. “Charlie”, Mark Bajalia and Marsa Susan Beck and others.

What is the difference between the top two lawyers?

Matthew Willis Sowell “Matt” scores 84.00 and Robert Allen Cole 80.00, a gap of 4.00 points, mostly in reputation. Compare them side by side

About this ranking

Last updated
Methodology
LexRank v1.2 - deterministic, reproducible scoring
Editorial review
LexRanked editorial team,
Independence
Positions are never sold. Paid placements, if any, are labelled and do not affect scores.

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