In the News
Past results are no guarantee of future outcomes. But Mr. Roe's cases have shown they can reach national prominence.
Every client gets the same preparation and commitment, whether the case stays local or draws national attention. When a case exposes how institutions treat the people they're supposed to protect, the public takes notice, and so do the news outlets that cover it.
Featured Case
$25,000,000 Jury Verdict Against a Florida Hospital
Mr. Roe represented a 67-year-old woman who was sexually assaulted by a nurse while she was a patient in a hospital emergency department. The case focused on the hospital's hiring and supervision of its staff and how it responded once the assault was reported, including a delay of nearly six hours before police were notified.
After an eight-day trial, the jury returned a verdict of $25 million in the client's favor.
“Hospital protocol on sexual assault is not written with the patient in mind. It’s designed to protect the profits.”— Gregory S. Roe, as quoted by NBC News
What He Meant
NBC News reviewed the hospital’s written policy for sexual misconduct allegations. It listed 26 steps for hospital officials to take, and notifying law enforcement was number 19, about three-quarters of the way down. By comparison, the Veterans Affairs protocol puts contacting police near the very start.
In this case, the hospital took almost six hours to alert police. By the time a detective arrived, key evidence, including bed sheets and a pillowcase, was gone from the patient’s room. When a policy is built around managing the institution’s risk instead of protecting the patient, the patient pays for it. Holding the hospital accountable for that choice was at the heart of this trial.
The Coverage
The verdict was reported locally and then became the lead example in a national NBC News investigation into sexual assaults in hospitals, which was republished in Spanish by Telemundo.
If an institution failed to protect you or someone you love, call 727.656.8855 or send a message for a free case evaluation.
Past results do not guarantee future results. Every case is different, and the outcome of any matter depends on its own facts and the applicable law. News coverage is linked for informational purposes; Gregory S. Roe, P.A. is not affiliated with and does not endorse the publications listed.