Gerson and Schwartz Accident & Injury Lawyers

Philip M. Gerson is a top-rated Miami personal injury lawyer and the founder and senior partner of Gerson & Schwartz Accident & Injury Lawyers, a nationally recognized plaintiff-only law firm that has represented injury victims and their families for more than five decades. Since establishing the firm in 1970 alongside longtime partner Edward Schwartz, and later practicing with partner Nicholas Gerson, Philip M. Gerson has helped build one of Florida’s longest-standing and most respected personal injury and maritime litigation firms. Clients frequently describe him and the firm among the “best” personal injury lawyers in Miami based on their courtroom strength, professionalism, and longstanding record of client results.

Philip M. Gerson is particularly well known for his work in cruise ship and maritime injury litigation. Working alongside Nicholas Gerson and Edward Schwartz, he has helped establish Gerson & Schwartz Accident & Injury Lawyers as one of the nation’s leading cruise ship injury and maritime law firms, representing passengers and crew members injured aboard vessels around the world. The firm has handled cases involving slip and falls, gangway accidents, shore excursion injuries, ship malfunctions, negligent shipboard security claims, sexual assault cases, passenger injuries, crew member claims, and wrongful death matters arising at sea.

The firm has litigated claims involving many of the world’s largest cruise lines, including Carnival Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, Disney Cruise Line, Holland America Line, Virgin Voyages, and MSC Cruises. Gerson & Schwartz Accident & Injury Lawyers has also been involved in significant maritime litigation matters, including cases such as Kartagener v. Carnival Corp., Villeta v. Carnival Corp., Nelson v. Carnival Corp., and Magical Cruise Co. v. Turk.

Beyond the courtroom, Philip M. Gerson has been a vocal advocate for cruise passenger safety and crime victim rights. He testified before the United States Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation regarding cruise ship crime and passenger protection issues, helping advocate for stronger safety measures and greater accountability within the cruise industry. His advocacy efforts also contributed to discussions surrounding the Cruise Vessel Security and Safety Act of 2010, landmark legislation designed to improve passenger safety aboard cruise ships. The firm’s maritime and crime victim advocacy work has also included involvement with organizations such as the International Cruise Victims Association and the National Crime Victim Bar Association.

Over the decades, Gerson & Schwartz Accident & Injury Lawyers has tried more than 350 jury trials to verdict and recovered hundreds of millions of dollars on behalf of injured clients and grieving families. Trial advocacy remains central to the firm’s philosophy, with senior attorneys actively involved in case strategy, negotiation, investigation, and courtroom litigation from beginning to end. Under Gerson’s leadership, the firm has earned a reputation for handling high-stakes litigation requiring extensive preparation, aggressive trial strategy, and experienced courtroom advocacy.

The firm handles a broad range of personal injury and wrongful death matters, including automobile accidents, trucking collisions, medical malpractice, construction accidents, defective products, negligent security claims, traumatic brain injuries, catastrophic injury litigation, maritime claims, and wrongful death lawsuits throughout Florida and nationwide. Its litigation-focused approach emphasizes accountability against negligent corporations, cruise operators, property owners, and insurance companies responsible for serious injuries and preventable harm.

For more than 50 years, Philip M. Gerson has dedicated his legal career to advocating for individuals harmed by negligence, recklessness, and intentional wrongdoing. A cum laude graduate of the University of Miami School of Law, he served on the law review editorial board, won a moot court competition, and graduated near the top of his class. He is admitted to practice in all Florida courts as well as the Supreme Court of the United States, the U.S. Court of Claims, and multiple federal appellate and district courts.

Gerson & Schwartz Accident & Injury Lawyers consistently receives top-rated recognition from organizations including Best Lawyers, Super Lawyers, Martindale-Hubbell, and Best Law Firms – U.S. News & World Report. Philip M. Gerson maintains an AV Preeminent rating through Martindale-Hubbell, reflecting the highest levels of professional excellence and ethical standards. The firm’s reputation for trial advocacy, professionalism, and outstanding client results continues to reinforce its standing as one of Florida’s best-known plaintiff injury and maritime litigation firms.

Today, Philip M. Gerson continues leading Gerson & Schwartz Accident & Injury Lawyers alongside Nicholas Gerson and Edward Schwartz with a hands-on, litigation-focused approach to complex injury and maritime cases. Whether representing victims in catastrophic injury claims, wrongful death lawsuits, negligent security cases, cruise ship assault litigation, or medical malpractice actions, the firm remains committed to securing justice, accountability, and meaningful results for injured clients and their families.