Deborah J. Gander has dedicated her career to helping victims receive justice. A fierce and proven advocate, she is a board-certified civil trial lawyer with over $100 million in verdicts and settlements for her clients. She represents clients who have suffered catastrophic injuries or lost family members and clients who face financial ruin because of insurance companies’ bad faith.
A Track Record of Success
Deborah has more than twenty verdicts exceeding $1 million. This includes an award that was the largest ever in a Federal Tort Claims Act Case: $60 million for medical negligence at a Naval hospital. It was the first time in history the U.S. government was held liable for the acts of a doctor it alleged was an “independent contractor.” She recently obtained a verdict of $20.3 million against Royal Caribbean Cruises, Ltd. in an admiralty case on behalf of a crew member seriously injured aboard a vessel. Deborah was also awarded “CVN’s Top 10 Most Impressive Plaintiff Verdicts of 2023” for a $20.2 Million verdict in a malpractice trial over a patient’s death after receiving opioids. She obtained a verdict over $8 million for the parents of two pedestrians who were killed while crossing the street at dusk. Additionally, she handled several multimillion-dollar settlements in medical malpractice, heavy trucking (18-wheelers), product liability, and other personal injury cases.
Deborah works closely with clients during lengthy and complex cases, developing lasting relationships. Compassion for her clients and passion for their cause motivates Deborah to put an end to injustice. She knows from decades of experience there is no greater equalizer than a courtroom with a jury.
Education
- University of Miami
Representative Cases
- Bravo v. USA – $60.3 million
- Spearman v. Royal Caribbean – $20.3 million
- Chen v. Pequeno – $8.5 million
- Badia v. Chen-Med – $5 million
Bar Admissions
- Admitted to the Florida Bar since 1994
- Board Certified Civil Trial Lawyer since 2004
- Currently serving on the Civil Trial Board Certification Committee for the Florida Bar
Associations & Affiliations
- American College of Trial Lawyers – Inducted in 2023
- American Board of Trial Advocates – Inducted in 2005
- Florida Justice Association
- Martindale-Hubbel Bar Register of Preeminent Women Lawyers
- Florida Association of Women Lawyers
Honors & Awards
- AV-Rated by Martindale-Hubbel for over 25 years
- 2006 Daily Business Review “Most Effective Lawyer” – Civil Litigation
- Daily Business Review “Verdicts Hall of Fame” twice
- Lawdragon 500 Leading Plaintiff Consumer Lawyer
- American’s Top 100 Attorneys Lifetime Achievement Award
