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Medical Malpractice

Top-Ranked Medical Malpractice Lawyers in St. Petersburg, 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 St. Petersburg, Florida are Chandra Lee Miller (LexRank 84.00), Donna Jo Fudge (82.60) and Inguna Varslavane-Callahan (80.00).

This ranking lists 25 medical malpractice lawyers in St. Petersburg, Florida, in order of their LexRank score, calculated from their Florida Bar records and other cited sources. Their experience ranges from 3 to 43 years in practice. 2 of the 25 list 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

    Chandra Lee Miller

    Independent practice · St. Petersburg, FL

    Verified
    • 28 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 20.5)
    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 0.3)
  2. No change

    Donna Jo Fudge

    Independent practice · St. Petersburg, FL

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

    Ranks #2 with 82.60: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Reputation (4/20). 1.40 points behind #1, mostly data quality.

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 20.5)
    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 0.3)

    1.40 points behind #1 (Chandra Lee Miller): Data quality −1.4.

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

  3. No change

    Inguna Varslavane-Callahan

    Independent practice · St. Petersburg, 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). 2.60 points behind #2, mostly reputation.

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 20.5)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.5)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 0/20 (ranking avg 0.3)

    2.60 points behind #2 (Donna Jo Fudge): Reputation −4.

  4. No change

    Scott Bennett Albee

    Albee & Stevens, PLLC · St. Petersburg, FL

    Verified
    • 33 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 20.5)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.5)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 0/20 (ranking avg 0.3)
  5. No change

    Matthew David Emerson

    Emerson Straw PL · St. Petersburg, FL

    Verified
    • 32 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 20.5)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.5)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 0/20 (ranking avg 0.3)
  6. No change

    Bradley T Guldalian

    Traub, Lieberman, Straus & Shrewsberry · St. Petersburg, FL

    Verified
    • 27 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 20.5)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.5)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 0/20 (ranking avg 0.3)
  7. No change

    Robert Edward Heyman

    Independent practice · St. Petersburg, FL

    Verified
    • 43 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 20.5)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.5)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 0/20 (ranking avg 0.3)
  8. No change

    Andrew Klymenko

    Independent practice · St. Petersburg, FL

    Verified
    • 31 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 20.5)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.5)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 0/20 (ranking avg 0.3)
  9. No change

    Nicolas Mate Babinsky Jr. “Nick”

    Independent practice · St. Petersburg, FL

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

    Ranks #9 with 78.60: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Professional credentials (15/15); held back by Reputation (0/20). 1.40 points behind #8, mostly data quality.

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 20.5)
    • Professional credentials 15/15 (ranking avg 14.6)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 0/20 (ranking avg 0.3)

    1.40 points behind #8 (Andrew Klymenko): Data quality −1.4.

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

  10. No change

    Robert Edgar Sharbaugh

    Independent practice · St. Petersburg, FL

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

    Ranks #10 with 78.60: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Professional credentials (15/15); held back by Reputation (0/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 20.5)
    • Professional credentials 15/15 (ranking avg 14.6)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 0/20 (ranking avg 0.3)

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

  11. No change

    Roxanne Carnegie “Roxanne”

    Independent practice · St. Petersburg, FL

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

    Ranks #11 with 77.60: strongest in Experience (27.6/30) and Data quality (10/10); held back by Reputation (0/20). 1.00 points behind #10, mostly experience.

    Strongest

    • Experience 27.6/30 (ranking avg 20.5)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.5)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 0/20 (ranking avg 0.3)

    1.00 points behind #10 (Robert Edgar Sharbaugh): Experience −2.4.

  12. No change

    Amy Anne Catledge

    The Ruth Law Team · St. Petersburg, FL

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

    Ranks #12 with 77.60: strongest in Experience (27.6/30) and Data quality (10/10); held back by Reputation (0/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 27.6/30 (ranking avg 20.5)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.5)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 0/20 (ranking avg 0.3)
  13. No change

    Wesley Thomas Straw “Wes”

    Emerson Straw PL · St. Petersburg, FL

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

    Ranks #13 with 76.40: strongest in Experience (26.4/30) and Data quality (10/10); held back by Reputation (0/20). 1.20 points behind #12, mostly experience.

    Strongest

    • Experience 26.4/30 (ranking avg 20.5)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.5)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 0/20 (ranking avg 0.3)

    1.20 points behind #12 (Amy Anne Catledge): Experience −1.2.

  14. No change

    Jonathon Wesley Douglas

    Battaglia, Ross, Dicus & McQuaid, P.A. · St. Petersburg, FL

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

    Ranks #14 with 75.20: strongest in Experience (25.2/30) and Data quality (10/10); held back by Reputation (0/20). 1.20 points behind #13, mostly experience.

    Strongest

    • Experience 25.2/30 (ranking avg 20.5)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.5)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 0/20 (ranking avg 0.3)

    1.20 points behind #13 (Wesley Thomas Straw “Wes”): Experience −1.2.

  15. No change

    Aldo Bolliger

    Independent practice · St. Petersburg, FL

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

    Ranks #15 with 74.85: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Practice-area relevance (20/20); held back by Reputation (0/20). 0.35 points behind #14, mostly professional credentials.

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 20.5)
    • Practice-area relevance 20/20 (ranking avg 19.7)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 0/20 (ranking avg 0.3)

    0.35 points behind #14 (Jonathon Wesley Douglas): Professional credentials −3.8, Data quality −1.4.

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

  16. No change

    Natalie Davy

    Independent practice · St. Petersburg, FL

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

    Ranks #16 with 70.20: strongest in Experience (21.6/30) and Professional credentials (15/15); held back by Reputation (0/20). 4.65 points behind #15, mostly experience.

    Strongest

    • Experience 21.6/30 (ranking avg 20.5)
    • Professional credentials 15/15 (ranking avg 14.6)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 0/20 (ranking avg 0.3)

    4.65 points behind #15 (Aldo Bolliger): Experience −8.4.

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

  17. No change

    Jovita Wysocka Ahava

    Ahava Legacy Law, PA · St. Petersburg, FL

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

    Ranks #17 with 69.20: strongest in Data quality (10/10) and Professional credentials (15/15); held back by Reputation (0/20) and Experience (19.2/30). 1.00 points behind #16, mostly experience.

    Strongest

    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.5)
    • Professional credentials 15/15 (ranking avg 14.6)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 0/20 (ranking avg 0.3)
    • Experience 19.2/30 (ranking avg 20.5)

    1.00 points behind #16 (Natalie Davy): Experience −2.4.

  18. No change

    Christina Maria Benitez

    Independent practice · St. Petersburg, FL

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

    Ranks #18 with 65.60: strongest in Data quality (10/10) and Professional credentials (15/15); held back by Reputation (0/20) and Experience (15.6/30). 3.60 points behind #17, mostly experience.

    Strongest

    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.5)
    • Professional credentials 15/15 (ranking avg 14.6)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 0/20 (ranking avg 0.3)
    • Experience 15.6/30 (ranking avg 20.5)

    3.60 points behind #17 (Jovita Wysocka Ahava): Experience −3.6.

  19. No change

    Alvis Lee Horne II

    Independent practice · St. Petersburg, FL

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

    Ranks #19 with 59.60: strongest in Data quality (10/10) and Professional credentials (15/15); held back by Reputation (0/20) and Experience (9.6/30). 6.00 points behind #18, mostly experience.

    Strongest

    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.5)
    • Professional credentials 15/15 (ranking avg 14.6)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 0/20 (ranking avg 0.3)
    • Experience 9.6/30 (ranking avg 20.5)

    6.00 points behind #18 (Christina Maria Benitez): Experience −6.

  20. No change

    Lindsay Elizabeth DeCarlo

    Independent practice · St. Petersburg, FL

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

    Ranks #20 with 58.20: strongest in Professional credentials (15/15) and Practice-area relevance (20/20); held back by Reputation (0/20) and Experience (9.6/30). 1.40 points behind #19, mostly data quality.

    Strongest

    • Professional credentials 15/15 (ranking avg 14.6)
    • Practice-area relevance 20/20 (ranking avg 19.7)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 0/20 (ranking avg 0.3)
    • Experience 9.6/30 (ranking avg 20.5)

    1.40 points behind #19 (Alvis Lee Horne II): Data quality −1.4.

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

  21. No change

    Elana M. Denmark

    Independent practice · St. Petersburg, FL

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

    Ranks #21 with 58.20: strongest in Professional credentials (15/15) and Practice-area relevance (20/20); held back by Reputation (0/20) and Experience (9.6/30).

    Strongest

    • Professional credentials 15/15 (ranking avg 14.6)
    • Practice-area relevance 20/20 (ranking avg 19.7)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 0/20 (ranking avg 0.3)
    • Experience 9.6/30 (ranking avg 20.5)

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

  22. No change

    Jessica P. Wood

    Independent practice · St. Petersburg, FL

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

    Ranks #22 with 57.20: strongest in Data quality (10/10) and Professional credentials (15/15); held back by Reputation (0/20) and Experience (7.2/30). 1.00 points behind #21, mostly experience.

    Strongest

    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.5)
    • Professional credentials 15/15 (ranking avg 14.6)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 0/20 (ranking avg 0.3)
    • Experience 7.2/30 (ranking avg 20.5)

    1.00 points behind #21 (Elana M. Denmark): Experience −2.4.

  23. No change

    Ciera Lynn Lipps

    Independent practice · St. Petersburg, FL

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

    Ranks #23 with 57.00: strongest in Professional credentials (15/15) and Practice-area relevance (20/20); held back by Reputation (0/20) and Experience (8.4/30). 0.20 points behind #22, mostly data quality.

    Strongest

    • Professional credentials 15/15 (ranking avg 14.6)
    • Practice-area relevance 20/20 (ranking avg 19.7)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 0/20 (ranking avg 0.3)
    • Experience 8.4/30 (ranking avg 20.5)

    0.20 points behind #22 (Jessica P. Wood): Data quality −1.4.

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

  24. No change

    Ryan Patrick Dowd

    Independent practice · St. Petersburg, FL

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

    Ranks #24 with 53.60: strongest in Data quality (10/10) and Professional credentials (15/15); held back by Reputation (0/20) and Experience (3.6/30). 3.40 points behind #23, mostly experience.

    Strongest

    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.5)
    • Professional credentials 15/15 (ranking avg 14.6)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 0/20 (ranking avg 0.3)
    • Experience 3.6/30 (ranking avg 20.5)

    3.40 points behind #23 (Ciera Lynn Lipps): Experience −4.8.

  25. No change

    Camilli Carvalho Da Silva

    Albee & Stevens, PLLC · St. Petersburg, FL

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

    Ranks #25 with 52.20: strongest in Professional credentials (15/15) and Practice-area relevance (20/20); held back by Reputation (0/20) and Experience (3.6/30). 1.40 points behind #24, mostly data quality.

    Strongest

    • Professional credentials 15/15 (ranking avg 14.6)
    • Practice-area relevance 20/20 (ranking avg 19.7)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 0/20 (ranking avg 0.3)
    • Experience 3.6/30 (ranking avg 20.5)

    1.40 points behind #24 (Ryan Patrick Dowd): Data quality −1.4.

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

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 pages251 facts for 25 lawyers

Medical Malpractice market in St. Petersburg

LexRanked tracks 27 lawyers and 6 law firms in medical malpractice law in St. Petersburg, Florida. 27 of the lawyers have verified professional data. Data verified October 30, 2026.

Lawyers
27
Law firms
6
Verified professional data
27 of 27
Average rating
Withheldtoo few sourced ratings
Median review count
Withheldtoo few sourced counts
Median experience
22 years27 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 St. Petersburg

What sets these St. Petersburg 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 3 to 43 (median 23)
Languages besides English Spanish (2), German (1), Other (1), Polish (1)
License status with The Florida Bar Eligible to practice, verified for every lawyer
Most common law school Stetson University College of Law (9 lawyers)

Who is included in this ranking?

Lawyers eligible to practice in Florida, with a St. Petersburg 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 Pinellas County is in Florida's Sixth 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 St. Petersburg?

State court cases in Pinellas County are heard in Florida's Sixth Judicial Circuit.

Are there Spanish-speaking medical malpractice lawyers in St. Petersburg?

Yes. 2 of the 25 ranked lawyers list 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: Chandra Lee Miller, Donna Jo Fudge, Inguna Varslavane-Callahan, Scott Bennett Albee and Matthew David Emerson and others.

What is the difference between the top two lawyers?

Chandra Lee Miller scores 84.00 and Donna Jo Fudge 82.60, a gap of 1.40 points, mostly in data quality. 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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