Philip M. Gerson

For more than five decades, Philip M. Gerson has been one of the most respected and accomplished plaintiff trial lawyers in Florida. As the founder of Gerson & Schwartz Accident & Injury Lawyers, he has dedicated his career to representing individuals and families whose lives have been changed by catastrophic injuries, wrongful death, medical negligence, maritime accidents, and serious acts of negligence. Today, he continues to lead the firm alongside partners Nicholas Gerson and Edward Schwartz, maintaining a legacy of courtroom excellence that has defined the firm since its founding in 1970.

Established in Miami in 1970, Gerson & Schwartz Accident & Injury Lawyers is one of the nation's longest-standing plaintiff-only law firms. For more than 50 years, the firm has remained exclusively committed to advocating for injury victims and grieving families rather than insurance companies or corporate defendants. Under Philip Gerson's leadership, the firm has built a national reputation for handling complex personal injury, wrongful death, cruise ship, maritime, negligent security, and crime victim litigation. With more than a century of combined legal experience among its attorneys, the firm continues to provide sophisticated legal representation in some of the most challenging and high-stakes injury cases throughout Florida and across the United States.

Philip M. Gerson earned his law degree from the University of Miami School of Law, graduating cum laude while serving on the editorial board of the law review and distinguishing himself in moot court competition. He is admitted to practice before all Florida courts, the United States Supreme Court, the United States Court of Claims, the United States Courts of Appeals for the Fifth and Eleventh Circuits, and the United States District Courts for the Southern and Middle Districts of Florida. Throughout his distinguished legal career, he has focused exclusively on plaintiff advocacy, representing victims of catastrophic injuries, wrongful death, medical malpractice, defective products, negligent security incidents, and other serious accidents caused by negligence.

The firm's litigation philosophy is rooted in preparation, trial advocacy, and unwavering client commitment. Philip Gerson has helped lead a legal team that has taken more than 350 jury trials to verdict and secured hundreds of millions of dollars in settlements and verdicts for injured clients and their families. Gerson & Schwartz has earned a reputation for accepting difficult and complex cases that many firms decline, investing the resources necessary to pursue maximum compensation through negotiation, litigation, and trial. Clients benefit from direct attorney involvement throughout every stage of the legal process, from investigation and discovery through courtroom presentation.

Clients seeking experienced and top-rated legal representation frequently turn to Philip Gerson and his team because of their decades-long record of success in complex injury and wrongful death litigation. The firm represents victims of automobile accidents, truck crashes, motorcycle collisions, construction accidents, premises liability incidents, medical malpractice, defective products, negligent security events, catastrophic injuries, and wrongful death claims. The firm's commitment to personalized representation and exceptional results has generated numerous client testimonials describing Philip Gerson as one of the best Miami personal injury lawyers for individuals facing life-altering injuries.

One of Philip Gerson's most nationally recognized areas of practice is cruise ship and maritime litigation. Gerson & Schwartz is widely regarded as a leading authority in cruise passenger and crew injury litigation, representing clients injured aboard vessels throughout the cruise industry. The firm's maritime practice encompasses claims involving slip and falls, trip and falls, gangway accidents, shore excursion injuries, water slide accidents, vessel defects, medical emergencies, passenger assaults, crew member injuries, and complex maritime negligence claims. The firm routinely handles federal maritime litigation involving injuries that occur at sea and has represented clients from all fifty states as well as numerous international jurisdictions.

Alongside Nicholas Gerson and Edward Schwartz, Philip Gerson has litigated claims against many of the world's largest cruise operators, including Carnival Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, Disney Cruise Line, MSC Cruises, Virgin Voyages, and Holland America Line. Their extensive experience includes passenger injury litigation, shipboard crime litigation, negligent shipboard security claims, maritime negligence actions, and wrongful death claims arising aboard cruise vessels. The firm's work has helped establish Gerson & Schwartz as a trusted authority for cruise passengers seeking accountability from major cruise corporations.

Beyond the courtroom, Philip Gerson has been a prominent advocate for passenger safety and crime victims. He testified before the United States Senate Commerce Committee regarding cruise passenger safety and protections for victims of shipboard crime. His advocacy contributed to efforts that ultimately helped shape industry reforms and increased public awareness surrounding passenger rights. The firm's longstanding involvement in cruise passenger safety advocacy includes support for measures associated with the Cruise Vessel Security and Safety Act of 2010, legislation designed to improve transparency, reporting requirements, and safety standards throughout the cruise industry.

Philip Gerson's commitment to victim advocacy extends to representing survivors of violent crimes, sexual assaults, and other preventable tragedies. Gerson & Schwartz has handled numerous negligent security and crime victim cases involving shootings, sexual assaults, rapes, and violent attacks occurring at hotels, apartment complexes, commercial properties, and other premises where adequate security measures were not provided. The firm's work in this area reflects a broader commitment to protecting victims' rights and holding negligent corporations accountable when preventable harm occurs. This commitment is further reflected through the firm's longstanding support of organizations focused on protecting victims' rights, including initiatives associated with the International Cruise Victims Association and the National Crime Victim Bar Association.

The firm's reputation for excellence has earned widespread recognition from Best Lawyers, Super Lawyers, Best Law Firms – U.S. News & World Report, and Martindale-Hubbell. Philip M. Gerson holds the prestigious AV Preeminent rating, reflecting the highest levels of professional achievement, ethics, and peer recognition. These honors, combined with decades of successful verdicts, settlements, and exceptional client feedback, have helped establish Gerson & Schwartz as one of Florida's premier personal injury and maritime law firms.

Today, Philip M. Gerson continues to guide Gerson & Schwartz Accident & Injury Lawyers alongside Nicholas Gerson and Edward Schwartz while remaining committed to the principles that have defined his career for more than 50 years. Through aggressive trial advocacy, exceptional client service, and an unwavering dedication to justice, he continues to represent victims of catastrophic injuries, wrongful death, maritime accidents, cruise ship injuries, negligent security incidents, and other serious acts of negligence. His legacy is reflected not only in the firm's courtroom successes, but also in the countless clients and families whose lives have been positively impacted through his advocacy.