Big Medicine” is a multi-trillion-dollar industry in the United States. Many hospital chains rake in millions of dollars each year marketing their services on TV, billboards, radio, and other media. The medical community in South Florida is no different. We’ve all seen the advertisements. When it comes to hospitals, however, patient safety may not be rising quite as fast as profits.

In Florida, a medical malpractice claim is essentially a negligence action against a medical doctor or other “health care provider,” as that term is defined by Florida Statute § 766.202. While Florida Statute § 766.202 does not include all medical professionals, it does include the following: medical doctors, osteopathic physicians, chiropractors, podiatrists, optometrist, and dentists.

The U.S. Department of Transportation and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration issue federal regulations that apply to all employers, employees, and commercial motor vehicles that transport property or passengers in interstate commerce. Additionally, each state has its own unique set of guidelines for how large trucks can operate safely within their borders.