Life in Fort Myers moves on its roads and its water, from bumper-to-bumper season traffic on U.S. 41 and I-75 to the boats heading out on the Caloosahatchee. When a careless driver or an unsafe property turns an ordinary day into an emergency, everything else stops. Suddenly, you’re weighing medical bills against missed paychecks and fielding calls from an insurance company that isn’t looking out for you.

At Lytal, Reiter, Smith, Ivey & Fronrath, we help injured people and families across Southwest Florida, including Fort Myers and Lee County. If someone else’s negligence caused your injury, a Fort Myers personal injury attorney from our firm can explain your rights, take on the insurance company, and pursue the compensation you may be owed. Our Fort Myers office is at 2200 Broadway, Space 301. Call (561) 655-1990 for a free consultation.

Why choose Lytal, Reiter, Smith, Ivey & Fronrath?

The firm you hire shapes how your case is handled from day one. Many firms are built to settle a high volume of claims quickly. We built ours to try cases. We prepare every personal injury claim as though it’s heading to a courtroom, and that readiness often changes what an insurance company is willing to pay.

Lytal, Reiter, Smith, Ivey & Fronrath has represented injured Floridians since 1985. Many of our partners are Board Certified Civil Trial Attorneys, and the firm has earned recognition from Super Lawyers, Best Lawyers in America, and U.S. News – Best Law Firms. Serious cases demand real resources, and we bring them: trial attorneys, investigators, registered nurse paralegals who work through complex medical records, and the support staff to keep everything moving.

We advance the costs of investigating and building your case, and you owe no attorney’s fees unless we recover money for you. That means you can pursue a claim without new bills landing on top of the ones you already have. And through all of it, you’re a person to us, not a file number, but someone working to heal and get back to your life.

Case results

Past case results don’t guarantee future outcomes, but they show the kinds of cases we take on and try. Examples from our firm include:

$35 million — wrongful death
$11 million — wrongful death involving a defective product
$8.25 million — medical malpractice

What our clients say

Clients often tell us they felt supported and informed during one of the hardest times in their lives. These client reviews reflect our commitment and dedication:

“Lance Ivey and Jo Hunerberg are the kind of team you want in your corner. They’re insightful, strategic, and remarkably easy to work with. Their preparation and attention to detail were unmatched, while their patience made the entire process far less stressful. I’m genuinely grateful for how hard they fought on my behalf.”

Joe D.

“I cannot say enough good things about Lytal, Reiter, Smith, Ivey & Fronrath. From the moment I reached out, I felt supported, protected, and genuinely cared for. This team doesn’t just handle cases—they take care of people. A very special thank-you to Claudine and Jo, who were nothing short of exceptional throughout the entire process.”

Shelly F.

“I must say that Steven Kogan is a fantastic attorney. He was very transparent with me about my case. He also recommended a couple of great doctors to get me going with my therapy. I would definitely recommend Steven Kogan.”

Steven H.

Fort Myers personal injury cases we handle

Personal injury law covers harm caused by the careless actions of drivers, businesses, property owners, and product manufacturers. Our Fort Myers attorneys handle a wide range of claims across Lee County, including:

Car accidents: Crashes on U.S. 41, I-75, Colonial Boulevard, and McGregor Boulevard, from multi-vehicle pileups to rear-end collisions.
Motorcycle accidents: Riders are often badly hurt when a driver doesn’t see them or misjudges their speed.
Truck accidents: Semi-truck and commercial-vehicle crashes that may involve the driver, the trucking company, or a cargo loader.
Premises liability: Property owners must keep their spaces reasonably safe. Spilled liquids, poor lighting, faulty flooring, and negligent security can all cause serious injuries.
Nursing home abuse: Residents have a legal right to safe, dignified care under Florida’s nursing home bill of rights. When neglect or abuse harms an older loved one, families can hold the facility and its staff accountable.
Medical malpractice: When a doctor, hospital, or other provider fails to meet the accepted standard of care and causes harm.
Product liability: Poorly designed or manufactured products, including defective medical devices, that injure the people who rely on them.
Wrongful death: Under Florida’s Wrongful Death Act (Fla. Stat. §§ 768.16–768.26), a personal representative can pursue a family’s losses, from lost financial support and funeral expenses to the companionship and guidance a loved one can no longer provide.

If you’re not sure whether you have a case, a Fort Myers personal injury attorney can review what happened and explain your options.

Common injuries in Florida personal injury cases

Injuries range from minor to what Florida law calls “serious bodily injury” under Fla. Stat. § 316.027, a condition that creates a substantial risk of death, serious disfigurement, or lasting impairment of a body part or organ. Common injuries we see include:

Traumatic brain injuries and concussions
Spinal cord and neck injuries, including fractured vertebrae and herniated discs
Broken bones and dislocations
Internal bleeding and organ damage
Boating injuries, including propeller lacerations and near-drowning
Burns and permanent disfigurement
Amputation and loss of a limb
Emotional trauma, including anxiety, depression, and PTSD

Serious injuries often begin with emergency care at a hospital like Lee Memorial Hospital and continue with months of treatment. That care usually makes up the largest part of a personal injury claim, and we work to account for its full cost, now and in the future.

What to expect from the personal injury process

You don’t have to navigate a claim alone. To recover, you generally have to show by a preponderance of the evidence that another party’s negligence caused your injuries, and your attorney does most of that work for you. Here’s how a case usually unfolds:

We investigate the crash or incident and gather evidence: police reports, medical records, photos, video, and witness statements.
We track your medical treatment and bills so the full impact of your injuries is documented.
We prepare a demand to the insurance company that lays out how the injury happened and what you’re owed.
If the insurer won’t be fair, we file suit in Lee County, that means the Twentieth Judicial Circuit Court.
Many cases settle, but if yours doesn’t, we’re prepared to present it to a judge and jury.

Throughout, you stay in charge of the big decisions. We keep you updated and advise you on when to accept an offer and when to push forward, so you can spend your energy healing.

Types of compensation in a personal injury case

What a case is worth depends on your injuries, your medical needs, your lost income, and how the injury has changed your daily life. Compensation may include:

Past and future medical care, from surgery and hospital stays to therapy and medication
Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
Property damage
Pain and suffering
Emotional distress and loss of enjoyment of life
Permanent disability, scarring, or disfigurement
Funeral and burial costs in wrongful death cases

Insurers often try to pay less by blaming you or downplaying your injuries. A personal injury attorney can protect your claim and push for a fair result.

How long you have to file a claim in Florida

Florida gives you a limited time to sue. For most negligence claims, you have two years from the date of the injury to file, under Fla. Stat. § 95.11. Medical malpractice cases run on a different clock that often starts when the injury is discovered, and they require pre-suit steps before a lawsuit can be filed.

If your claim is against a government entity, say, a county vehicle or a hazard on public property, Fla. Stat. § 768.28 adds pre-suit notice requirements and a waiting period before you can sue. Because these deadlines are strict, it’s best to talk with an attorney as soon as you can.

How fault works in Florida

Florida uses a modified comparative negligence rule under Fla. Stat. § 768.81. If you share part of the blame, your compensation drops by your share. For example, being 20% at fault means 20% less. But if you’re found more than 50% at fault, you generally can’t recover from the other party at all. Because your percentage of fault directly affects your recovery, a careful investigation and a clear presentation of the evidence matter.

Talk to a Fort Myers personal injury attorney

After an injury, a Fort Myers personal injury attorney at Lytal, Reiter, Smith, Ivey & Fronrath can listen to what happened and explain your options honestly. Whether your case involves a car crash, a fall, a defective product, nursing home neglect, or the loss of a loved one, we’re ready to help. Visit our Fort Myers office at 2200 Broadway, Space 301, contact us online, or call (561) 655-1990 to arrange your free consultation.

Frequently asked questions about Fort Myers personal injuries

What should I do after an accident?

Get medical care first; call 911 if needed and get a full evaluation. If you’re able, report the crash to the Fort Myers Police Department, photograph your injuries and the scene, collect the other driver’s and any witnesses’ contact information, and keep copies of your medical records and bills. If you were hurt at a store, ask for a copy of the incident report. Avoid giving the insurance company a recorded statement before you talk to a lawyer.

How much does a personal injury lawyer cost?

Most personal injury lawyers, including ours, work on a contingency fee basis. You pay no upfront attorney’s fees, and we’re paid from the recovery only if your case succeeds. Consultations are free.

How do I know if I have a case?

You may have a case if someone else’s negligence injured you and you suffered damages such as medical bills, lost wages, or pain and suffering. The clearest way to find out is a free case review with a Fort Myers personal injury attorney.

How long will it take to resolve my Fort Myers personal injury case?

It depends on the facts. A straightforward case with clear fault might resolve in a few months, while a complex or disputed one can take one to three years. Settling too early can leave long-term medical and financial needs uncovered.

Can I recover compensation if I’m partially at fault?

Yes, up to a point. Under Florida’s modified comparative negligence rule, your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault, so a $10,000 award drops to $8,000 if you’re 20% at fault. But if you’re found more than 50% at fault, you generally can’t recover from the other party.