Broward County’s Civil Court Backlog: What It Means for Personal Injury Cases

Broward County’s civil courts – including those in Fort Lauderdale and surrounding cities like Hollywood, Pembroke Pines, Miramar, and Coral Springs – are grappling with a significant case backlog. If you have a pending personal injury lawsuit (for example, from a car accident or slip and fall) in this region, you may be wondering why everything is taking so long. In this article, we’ll break down what’s causing the backlog, how the courts are addressing it, and why having an experienced Fort Lauderdale personal injury lawyer on your side is more important than ever. We’ll also discuss common types of personal injury cases caught in the delay and how those delays impact accident victims. Finally, we’ll explain how the trial-tested attorneys at Wolfson & Leon help clients push their cases forward despite these court system challenges.

What Caused Broward County’s Civil Court Backlog?

Like many places, Broward County’s civil courts accumulated a backlog of cases in recent years due to extraordinary circumstances. The COVID-19 pandemic largely shut down in-person jury trials for many months in 2020 and 2021 for safety reasons. With trials on hold, cases piled up on the dockets. Even as courts adapted by holding some hearings over Zoom, most civil jury trials (needed to ultimately resolve many personal injury lawsuits) were postponed. This created a logjam of unresolved cases waiting for their day in court.

Compounding the issue, there was also an increase in new case filings once courts re-opened. As Chief Judge Krista Marx of nearby Palm Beach County noted, “all manner of civil cases” saw a huge influx of filings during and after the pandemic wptv.com. People who had been waiting to sue – over car accidents, business disputes, insurance claims, you name it – filed their cases, and new incidents were occurring as life returned to normal. In short, South Florida courts were hit with a double whammy: a backlog of old cases from the pandemic shutdown, plus a wave of new lawsuits entering the system.

The numbers are striking. Statewide, Florida’s trial courts had a backlog of nearly 1 million pending cases by late 2020, and that grew to about 1.14 million cases by mid-2021. In the 15th Judicial Circuit (Palm Beach County), for example, the civil case backlog was estimated at around 67,000 cases at one point. Broward County (the 17th Judicial Circuit) – being even more populous – faced a similarly daunting mountain of civil lawsuits waiting to be heard.

How Are Broward Courts Addressing the Backlog?

Broward County court officials have not been passive in the face of this challenge. The court has implemented a “case management” initiative to move cases along more efficiently. Judges now take a more active role in monitoring the progress of each civil case, setting stricter deadlines and court dates to prevent files from just languishing. In fact, Florida’s Supreme Court approved new civil case management rules (effective statewide in 2022-2023) that require courts to push cases forward on a tighter schedule than the old, more lawyer-driven timeline. In Broward, the chief judge and civil division judges have been working diligently to enact these reforms so that cases don’t sit idle.

One highly visible strategy has been the use of “trial blitz” events – concentrated efforts to rapidly schedule and conduct multiple jury trials in a short time frame. The idea is to clear out as many older cases as possible by giving them firm trial dates and forcing the parties to either go to trial or reach a settlement. Circuit and county courts in Broward (as well as in Palm Beach and Miami-Dade) have been tackling backlogs with a blend of innovative case management tactics and aggressive scheduling – essentially, all hands on deck to reduce the logjam. In some instances, judges have even set aside special weeks devoted to trying older cases back-to-back, bringing in additional senior judges or magistrates to help get through the volume.

Thanks to measures like these, Broward’s civil lawsuit backlog has begun to shrink. One of the successes touted by Broward’s Chief Judge (Jack Tuter) as he prepared to retire in 2025 was reducing the civil backlog to roughly 18,000 pending cases, down from a much higher number a few years prior. This indicates significant progress, but 18,000 cases is still a lot of people in Broward waiting for resolution. The courts recognize that and continue to prioritize methods to work through the remaining backlog as efficiently as possible.

Technology is also playing a role. Broward courts embraced remote hearings (via Zoom) for pre-trial matters during the pandemic, and many of those remote procedures have continued for status conferences and minor hearings. By handling routine matters online, the judges free up courthouse time and space for the more critical in-person proceedings like jury trials that must happen live. In other words, Zoom hearings are here to stay for convenience, but when it’s time for trial, the courts are pushing to get cases back in the courtroom.

The Importance of Courtroom Experience (and Getting Lawyers Back In Court)

With judges determined to whittle down the backlog, having a lawyer with real courtroom experience is more valuable than ever. Why? Because if the court calls your case up for trial, you want an attorney who knows how to handle themselves in front of a judge and jury. During the pandemic, many newer attorneys in Broward got used to handling everything via Zoom, and some have never actually litigated a case in a live courtroom. Broward judges have expressed that it’s time to get those younger lawyers back into live proceedings so they can gain experience and help move cases along.

From a client’s perspective, an attorney’s courtroom experience can directly impact your case. An experienced trial lawyer will be prepared to go to trial without endless delays – they won’t be intimidated into taking a lowball settlement just because a trial date is approaching. They’ll also be familiar with the local court rules and judges’ expectations, which means fewer procedural hiccups. In contrast, an attorney who lacks trial experience might be more likely to keep requesting continuances (extensions) or might not anticipate how to meet the new strict deadlines, potentially dragging your case out longer than necessary.

Judges in Broward are encouraging attorneys (especially newer ones) to seize opportunities for live trials. In fact, some judges have noted that you “can’t try your way out of a backlog one case at a time”, meaning attorneys and the court system need to work smarter and more efficiently to resolve cases. Part of that is having lawyers who are trial-ready and willing to go before a jury when a case truly requires it. The bottom line: If you’re an accident victim waiting for justice, you want a lawyer who is confident in court and has a track record of actual trial work. That skill and confidence can help cut through delay tactics and keep your case on track toward resolution.

Common Personal Injury Lawsuits Caught in the Backlog

The civil backlog in Broward affects all kinds of personal injury and accident cases. Our firm has seen virtually every type of claim slowed down by court delays. Some of the most common types of personal injury lawsuits caught in the traffic jam include:

Car Accident Claims: Auto accident lawsuits are very common in Fort Lauderdale and surrounding areas. A Fort Lauderdale car accident attorney may have multiple crash cases waiting for trial or settlement. These cases range from fender-bender injuries to serious crashes with disputed liability, all stuck in line for court dates.
Slip and Fall Injuries: Slip-and-fall or trip-and-fall cases (a form of premises liability claim) often involve injured plaintiffs who are eager to get compensation for medical bills. Many such cases – for example, someone slipping in a supermarket or tripping over a hazard in a Hollywood or Pembroke Pines business – are part of the backlog.
Premises Liability Claims: Beyond slips and falls, other unsafe property cases (negligent maintenance, building safety hazards, etc.) are pending. If you were hurt due to a property owner’s negligence (say, an apartment complex with broken security gates or a Coral Springs store with falling merchandise), those lawsuits are also waiting their turn in court.
Wrongful Death Lawsuits: Tragically, some backlog cases involve families who lost a loved one in an accident or due to someone’s negligence. Wrongful death claims – whether from fatal car accidents, workplace incidents, or other causes – are especially urgent for families seeking closure, yet they too face delays in the Broward civil system.
Negligent Security Cases: South Florida has seen many negligent security lawsuits (for instance, assaults or injuries at apartments, parking lots, or nightclubs where adequate security was lacking). These cases are often complex and require jury trials to resolve disputes over what security measures were reasonable. Many are pending on crowded dockets.
Insurance Dispute and Bad Faith Claims: When an insurance company unfairly delays or denies paying a valid claim, policyholders sometimes sue for breach of contract or bad faith. These insurance dispute cases – whether related to car insurance, homeowners insurance, or other policies – have also added to the backlog. Accident victims might be waiting on an insurer to pay, only to find their court date far out because the system is overloaded.

In short, virtually every type of personal injury case in Broward County has felt the effects of the court slowdown, from routine fender-bender lawsuits to high-stakes wrongful death trials. If your case falls into any of these categories, you’re not alone – many others are in the same boat, waiting for the logjam to clear.

How Court Delays Affect Accident Victims

Delays in civil litigation can have serious impacts on accident victims. When you’re hurt due to someone else’s negligence, you’re often facing mounting medical bills, lost income from time off work, and plenty of stress. A slow court process means the compensation you deserve is delayed, sometimes by months or even years. Here are a few ways this backlog can hurt victims:

Financial Strain: Bills don’t wait for the court. Victims often have to pay upfront for medical treatment or repair costs. If your case is stuck in litigation limbo, you might feel pressure to settle for less just to get some money sooner. Insurance companies know this and might drag out negotiations, hoping you’ll become desperate enough to take a low offer. This is a common tactic when they know the courts are backed up.
Medical Care and Recovery: Many people rely on settlement or verdict proceeds to afford ongoing treatment or rehabilitation. If that payout is far in the future, it might interfere with getting necessary care. Some victims put off procedures or therapy because they can’t afford them while waiting. In serious injury cases, this can worsen health outcomes.
Emotional Toll: The phrase “justice delayed is justice denied” exists for a reason. Living with an unresolved case causes anxiety. It’s hard to move on from a traumatic accident when the legal aftermath is still hanging over your head. Victims and their families feel frustration and helplessness when each court status hearing just pushes the trial further out. Closure is part of healing, and delays postpone that healing.
Evidence and Witness Issues: Over time, evidence can become stale. Witnesses’ memories fade, or witnesses move away and become hard to locate. Physical evidence might deteriorate. A long delay between an accident and a trial can make it harder to present the strongest possible case. This is especially concerning in disputes where fault is contested – you don’t want a jury evaluating years-old recollections. An experienced attorney will try to mitigate this (for example, by preserving testimony on video or in depositions), but nothing truly replaces a prompt trial.
Legal Deadlines and Pitfalls: Florida’s new case management rules set firm timelines for moving a case along. Ironically, while intended to reduce delay, these rules mean if a lawyer isn’t staying on top of things, a case could get dismissed for inactivity or missed deadlines. A backlog can lull some attorneys into complacency (“the court is slow, so I have plenty of time”), but that’s no longer true – delays are no excuse for not progressing the case. You need a lawyer who actively shepherds your lawsuit despite the court slowdowns.

In summary, delays can hurt your financial stability, medical recovery, emotional well-being, and even the strength of your case. This is why it’s crucial to have the right legal representation fighting to minimize those impacts.

Why You Need an Experienced Fort Lauderdale Personal Injury Lawyer

With the challenges in the Broward court system, having an experienced Fort Lauderdale personal injury lawyer is critical for anyone pursuing an accident claim. Experience matters in several key ways:

Navigating the System: Seasoned personal injury attorneys know the ins and outs of the Broward County courts. They understand the local procedures, the judges’ preferences, and how to keep a case moving. Experience means your lawyer can anticipate potential roadblocks and proactively address them. For example, they’ll promptly comply with new case management orders and ensure all filings are timely, so your case isn’t thrown out due to a technicality.
Pressure on Insurance Companies: When an insurance company sees that your attorney has a track record of taking cases to trial and winning, they are more likely to negotiate in good faith. Insurers often exploit delays, but a battle-tested lawyer can turn the tables. They can effectively say, “We’re ready for trial as soon as the court can give us a date.” That puts pressure on the other side to consider a fair settlement rather than stringing you along. In contrast, if an insurer knows your lawyer never actually goes to court, they might think you’ll eventually accept a low offer – and they’ll have less incentive to settle sooner.
Courtroom Confidence: Trials are high-stakes and unpredictable. Experienced litigators are confident in the courtroom. They know how to select a jury, present evidence, handle expert witnesses, and make compelling arguments in front of judges and jurors. If a judge suddenly says your case is set for trial in 60 days as part of a backlog reduction push, an experienced lawyer won’t panic – they’ll be ready. That confidence can only come from having done it before. It can make a huge difference in the outcome of your case (and your stress level during the process).
Problem Solving and Adaptability: Lawyers who have handled many cases develop a knack for problem solving. Say a key witness becomes unavailable or an unexpected legal issue arises; an experienced attorney will know how to adapt – maybe by using a deposition transcript in lieu of live testimony, or by drawing on similar past cases to persuade the judge on a point of law. In the backlog context, this adaptability extends to finding creative ways to resolve cases. For example, a veteran lawyer might suggest mediation or arbitration as an alternative if court dates are far out, potentially securing compensation for you sooner. They’ll discuss these options from a place of knowledge, whereas an inexperienced lawyer might not explore them at all.
Personal Guidance and Reassurance: Let’s face it – going through a lawsuit is tough, and more so when it drags on. An experienced Fort Lauderdale accident attorney has guided other clients through this maze and can give you practical advice and reassurance at each step. They know what to expect and will keep you informed, so you’re not left in the dark. This personal touch matters greatly for your peace of mind.

In essence, an experienced lawyer acts as your champion and navigator in a complicated, delay-prone system. They can’t magically make the backlog disappear, but they can make sure that your case doesn’t fall through the cracks and that you’re in the best possible position to get justice as soon as the opportunity arises.

Wolfson & Leon: Guiding Clients Through Broward’s Court Challenges

At Wolfson & Leon, our team of litigators has extensive experience in Broward County civil courts, including the Fort Lauderdale courthouse. In fact, our firm has been representing accident victims in South Florida since 1963 – that’s over 60 years of service. We’ve weathered many changes in the legal landscape over the decades, and the recent court backlog is just one more challenge that we help our clients overcome. Our attorneys are in the courtroom regularly and have handled cases from the simplest slip-and-fall to complex wrongful death trials. This depth of experience is exactly what you want on your side when court systems are strained, because we know how to keep pushing a case forward.

Trial readiness is a cornerstone of our practice. We prepare every case as if it will go to trial. Why? Because being ready and willing to go before a jury often leads to better settlements. Insurance companies and opposing counsel in Broward County know Wolfson & Leon as a firm that will not hesitate to litigate and try cases to get justice for our clients. We don’t just take quick, low settlements to churn cases. Even if the court scheduling is slow, we use that time to methodically build the strongest case possible – gathering evidence, consulting experts, and staying on top of every development. When a trial date does arrive, our attorneys are fully prepared to present a compelling case on your behalf. And if the court calls a last-minute calendar call or “blitz” to clear backlogs, we can leap into action because we’ve done the work ahead of time.

Importantly, we also understand the human side of the backlog. We know that clients are often struggling financially and emotionally while waiting for their case to resolve. Our lawyers and staff strive to maintain open communication and provide support throughout the process. If you ever have questions about where your case stands or what the next steps are, we’re here to answer them. We also explore interim solutions, such as recommending medical providers who might treat on a lien (to be paid from the future settlement), so you aren’t left without care during a long wait. In some cases, we can file motions to expedite a trial if a client’s circumstances warrant it (for example, in certain hardship situations). We truly partner with our clients to get through this challenging time together.

Wolfson & Leon is proud to serve clients across Broward County – from the busy streets of Fort Lauderdale and Hollywood to communities like Pembroke Pines, Miramar, Coral Springs, and beyond. No matter where your accident happened in South Florida, if we take your case, we take it fully – we will handle everything from the initial investigation all the way through trial and even appeal if necessary. We also have multiple office locations and flexible appointment options, including virtual consultations, to make it convenient for you. Our goal is to remove as much burden from you as possible, especially given the external delays that we’ll navigate on your behalf.

Don’t Let Delays Stop You – Contact a Fort Lauderdale Accident Attorney Today

If you or a loved one has an active personal injury case in Broward County – or you’re thinking about filing one – don’t be discouraged by the court backlog. With the right legal team, you can still achieve a fair and timely outcome. At Wolfson & Leon, we fight every day to cut through the red tape and delay tactics. Let our Fort Lauderdale accident attorneys put their experience to work for you. We’ll deal with the courts, the insurance companies, and all the complications, while you focus on healing.

Contact Wolfson & Leon today for a free consultation. We’ll review the details of your accident, answer your questions, and explain your options. There’s no obligation, and no fees unless we win for you. Call us at (954) 530-3918 or reach out online to schedule your consultation. The civil justice process may be slower than usual right now, but with an aggressive and knowledgeable legal team by your side, you can still move your case forward and get the compensation you need. Don’t navigate the Broward court backlog alone – let our experienced trial attorneys guide you every step of the way to the justice you deserve.