Medical malpractice lawsuits are among the most complex civil cases you will see in Palm Beach County court records. At the center is a claim that a healthcare provider—often a physician, hospital, practice group, or other clinical professional—failed to meet the accepted standard of care, and that the failure resulted in injury or harm.

These cases can involve alleged surgical errors, missed or delayed diagnoses, medication issues, treatment decisions, or breakdowns in monitoring and follow-up care. The complaints may describe serious outcomes, but the legal fight usually happens in medical detail: what was done, when it was done, what should have been done differently, and whether the outcome would have changed.

Why medical malpractice cases are different from most civil suits

Two things separate medical malpractice litigation from more routine negligence cases.

Technical proof. Malpractice cases typically require expert review and expert testimony. The standard of care is not defined by what “seems reasonable” to a layperson. It is argued through medical professionals, medical literature, clinical protocols, and records.

Causation disputes. Even when there is disagreement about a clinical decision, the case often turns on causation—whether the alleged breach of the standard of care caused the harm claimed. Defense arguments commonly include alternative medical explanations, pre-existing conditions, progression of disease, or uncertainty about whether a different decision would have changed the outcome.

What you’ll often see in filings

Malpractice cases can produce heavy motion practice and extensive discovery. Common features include:

• Requests for medical records across providers and years
• Disputes over expert qualifications and testimony
• Motions regarding confidentiality and protective orders
• Long timelines tied to depositions, records production, and expert scheduling

Because of these moving parts, the case timeline may not match the emotional weight described in a complaint. A serious allegation can still take a long time to reach a courtroom—if it ever does.

Settlements and outcomes

Many malpractice cases resolve without trial. That may happen after expert review, mediation, or after key depositions clarify what the parties believe they can prove. Some cases are dismissed. Others proceed to dispositive motions. A smaller number reach trial.

The presence of a lawsuit does not establish wrongdoing. It establishes that a claim has been filed and will be contested through the court process unless resolved earlier.

What readers should keep in mind

A complaint is one party’s allegations at the time of filing. Defendants may deny the allegations and raise legal defenses. This explainer is background information to help readers understand malpractice reporting in court records. It is not legal advice.

More civil lawsuit coverage and explainers are available in Boca Post’s legal desk.