Matthew Sowell
Partner
Biography
Matthew Sowell is one of only sixteen Florida lawyers who are nationally certified by the American Board of Professional Liability Attorneys for their expertise in Medical Malpractice law. Additionally, Matt is Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Civil Trial Law; a distinction held by only 5% of Florida attorneys. He is also an AV Preeminent Peer Rated Attorney and has been recognized by Florida Super Lawyers. With this rare expertise in both civil trial and medical malpractice law, Matt exclusively represents victims of medical malpractice. A large portion of Matt’s practice is dedicated to helping clients with cardiovascular and neurological injuries (brain injuries, stroke, paralysis) caused by medical negligence.
Matt has a particular interest in stroke litigation, having founded the Stroke Litigation Group of the American Association for Justice – the largest organization of trial attorneys in the United States. He has also written for and made presentations to trial lawyer groups on how to successfully represent stroke victims. In his more than 35 years of practicing law, Matt has obtained numerous multimillion dollar verdicts and settlements for his clients on incredibly complex medical malpractice cases.
Matt is a sixth generation Floridian who has spent his entire career representing clients harmed by professional negligence or corporate misconduct. After earning a law degree from the University of Alabama, he spent two years researching banking law and creditor’s rights with the Dean of his law school. He then joined the commercial litigation group of one of the largest law firms in Jacksonville where he developed a special interest in prosecuting professional malpractice cases. Matt and his wife Sara have been married for over thirty-five years and enjoy being active with their two daughters grandson. Sara is an Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner who helps evaluate many of the medical malpractice cases Matt handles.
Education
- Baylor University (Bachelor of Business Administration,1983)
- University of Alabama, School of Law (Juris Doctor,1986)
Certifications
- Medical Malpractice, American Board of Professional Liability
- Civil Trial, Florida Bar Board of Education and Specialization
Professional Associations
- The Florida Bar
- Alabama State Bar
- American Board of Trial Advocates
- American Association for Justice
- Florida Justice Association
- Jacksonville Justice Association
- Stroke Litigation Group, AAJ (Chair 2013–2015; co-chair 2023-present)
- American Academy of Forensic Sciences
Awards & Recognition
- $2,500,000.00 Award for delayed diagnoses of cancer, resulting in death of teenager
- $725,000 Settlement Auto Accident: Motor vehicle crash where victim required hip surgery; against the roadway construction contractor. (Jim Terrell and Patty Dodson)
- $186,000.00 Verdict. Fractured arm and abuse at county jail. (Jim Terrell)
- $560,000.00 Settlement. Auto accident cases resulting in paralysis and amputations. Claims are still pending against the roadway construction contractor. (Jim Terrell and Patty Dodson)
- Six Figure Jury Verdict. Against commercial plumbing contractor for discrimination. (Patty Dodson and Jim Terrell)
- Seven Figure Settlement, policy limits. Auto accident case resulting in closed head brain injury and orthopedic injuries. (Mark Calvin, Patty Dodson, Jim Terrell)
- $125,000.00 Settlement, policy limits. Automobile accident resulting in orthopedic injuries. (Jim Terrell and Patty Dodson)
- $650,000.00 Settlement. Motor vehicle accident resulting in the loss of an eye
- $17,000,000.00 Judgment. Motor vehicle accident resulting in quadriplegia of 12-year-old girl and severe brain damage of 8-year-old girl.
- $600,000.00 Settlement. Skiing accident resulting in brain injury of 12-year-old boy
- $640,000.00 Settlement. Medical malpractice, failure to treat premature twins
- $1,400,000.00 Settlement. Inadequate apartment security resulting in rape of female
- $4,000,000.00 Settlement. Medical malpractice, failure to diagnose bleed from head trauma, resulting brain damage (with Chris Burns)
- $950,000.00 Settlement. Motor vehicle accident involving closed head injury resulting in brain damage
- $325,000.00 Settlement. Medical malpractice, failure to offer Zoster globulin to newborn for prevention of chickenpox, resulting in death
- $1,650,000.00 Settlement. Amputation of foot after forklift accident
- $1,000,000.00 Settlement. Product defect/improper design of crane, resulting in death
- $2,500,000.00 Settlement. Product liability/motorcycle accident, resulting in severe burns to two teenagers
Practice Areas
- Stroke litigation
- Medical Malpractice
- Catastrophic personal injuries
- Wrongful Deaths
- Dangerous Products
- Nursing Home Abuse
- Insurance Disputes