Community resources
Legal Resources for Martin County & the Treasure Coast
Practical information for injury victims, accident survivors, and families navigating the Florida legal system. Compiled by Juan Cordero Lawyers — serving this community for 27 years.
Courts & Clerk of Courts
100 SE Ocean Blvd, Stuart, FL 34994 — (772) 288-5576
Civil Division handles personal injury lawsuits, small claims, and probate filed in Martin County. Search case records, file documents, and pay fees online.
218 S 2nd St, Fort Pierce, FL 34950 — (772) 462-6900
Civil Division handles personal injury lawsuits filed in St. Lucie County. Online case search and e-filing available.
Covers Martin, St. Lucie, Indian River, and Okeechobee counties
The circuit court with jurisdiction over all civil and criminal matters on the Treasure Coast. Includes the circuit judges who preside over personal injury trials.
myeclerk.myorangeclerk.com — statewide online filing system
Used by attorneys to file pleadings, motions, and documents in your case. Parties can also access filed documents through the portal.
Self-represented litigant resources for Florida courts
Forms, guides, and instructions for people navigating Florida courts without an attorney. Covers small claims, family law, and civil matters.
Law Enforcement & Crash Reports
800 SE Monterey Rd, Stuart, FL 34994 — (772) 220-7000
MCSO handles law enforcement in unincorporated Martin County. Request crash reports through the Records Division at (772) 220-7170.
200 SW Albany Ave, Stuart, FL 34994 — (772) 287-1122
Handles incidents within the City of Stuart. Request police reports through the Records Division or the online JustFOIA portal.
Online portal to request Stuart PD police and crash reports
Submit your public records request online. Crash reports are typically available within 5–10 business days.
Covers Martin and St. Lucie counties on state roads and I-95 — (772) 489-9100
FHP investigates crashes on state highways, I-95, and the Florida Turnpike. Request crash reports through the FLHSMV portal.
Request your official Florida traffic crash report online
Reports are available 10 days after the crash. You will need the crash date, county, and report number. A fee applies.
Florida Department of Transportation statewide crash statistics
Searchable crash data by county, road segment, and year. Useful for establishing a history of dangerous conditions at a specific intersection or road.
Jensen Beach is an unincorporated community — policed by MCSO
Crashes and incidents in Jensen Beach are handled by the Martin County Sheriff's Office, not a separate city police department.
Accident & Insurance Resources
Obtain driving records, license history, and vehicle title information
Useful after an accident for obtaining the driving record of the at-fault driver. A certified driving record can be used as evidence in your case.
Florida requires $10,000 in Personal Injury Protection coverage
Florida is a no-fault state. PIP pays regardless of who caused the accident, but only up to $10,000. You MUST seek treatment within 14 days of an accident to preserve your PIP benefits.
Florida's modified comparative negligence statute — effective March 24, 2023 (HB 837)
Under HB 837, you cannot recover damages if you are found more than 50% at fault. This is a major change from the prior pure comparative negligence rule. Consult an attorney immediately.
2-year deadline to file a personal injury lawsuit in Florida (HB 837, effective March 24, 2023)
You have 2 years from the date of injury to file suit. Missing this deadline permanently bars your claim. Call us immediately if your deadline is approaching.
File a complaint against an insurance company for bad faith or claim delays
If an insurer is unreasonably delaying or denying your claim, the DFS can investigate. Bad faith insurance practices are actionable under Florida law.
Regulates insurance companies doing business in Florida
Verify an insurer's license, file regulatory complaints, and access insurance company financial data.
Federal vehicle safety recalls, defect investigations, and crash data
Search for safety recalls on your vehicle. If a defective part contributed to your accident, a product liability claim may be available in addition to a negligence claim.
Florida statute governing slip and fall liability on business premises
Under §768.0755, a business must have actual or constructive knowledge of a dangerous condition to be liable for a slip and fall. This is a high bar — document everything and call an attorney.
Legal Aid, Bar Associations & Victim Services
Provides free civil legal services to low-income residents of Martin, St. Lucie, Indian River, and Okeechobee counties
Not a personal injury firm — handles housing, family law, and benefits matters for qualifying clients. Income eligibility required.
1-800-342-8011 — connects you with a licensed Florida Bar attorney
Referral service for finding licensed Florida attorneys by practice area and county. Initial consultations through the LRS are typically $25 for 30 minutes.
Verify any Florida attorney's license, standing, and disciplinary history
Before hiring any attorney, verify their Florida Bar license is active and in good standing. Discipline history is publicly searchable.
Local bar association for attorneys practicing in Martin County
The MCBA hosts legal education events, lawyer referrals, and community legal programs for Martin County residents.
Florida's leading organization of plaintiff trial lawyers
Attorney Juan Cordero is a member. The FJA advocates for the rights of injured Floridians and opposes legislation that limits access to justice.
Resources for crime victims, including negligent security and violent crime survivors
The AG's Office administers the Crime Victim Advocate certification program. Attorney Juan Cordero is a Florida AG-certified Crime Victim Advocate.
Financial assistance for victims of violent crime in Florida
May cover medical expenses, lost wages, and mental health treatment for qualifying crime victims. Must be reported to law enforcement and filed within 3 years.
Prosecutes criminal cases in Martin, St. Lucie, Indian River, and Okeechobee counties
If you were injured in a crime, the State Attorney's Office handles the criminal prosecution. A civil personal injury claim is separate and can proceed simultaneously.
Martin County Government & Local Agencies
2401 SE Monterey Rd, Stuart, FL 34994 — (772) 288-5400
The governing body for unincorporated Martin County. If your injury occurred on county-maintained property or a county road, a claim against the county may be required.
Florida §768.28 — required notice before suing a government entity
If your injury was caused by a county or state agency, you must file a formal Notice of Claim within 3 years. Failure to do so bars your lawsuit. Call an attorney immediately.
121 SW Flagler Ave, Stuart, FL 34994 — (772) 288-5300
City of Stuart government services, public records requests, and city commission information. For injuries on city property, a Notice of Claim against the City may be required.
Property ownership records for Martin County
Useful for identifying the owner of a property where an injury occurred — essential for premises liability and negligent security cases.
Property tax records, vehicle registrations, and driver license services
Vehicle registration records can help identify the owner of a vehicle involved in an accident.
Building permits, code violations, and inspection records
Building permit and inspection records can reveal code violations relevant to premises liability cases — for example, a property with a history of failed safety inspections.
Maintains county roads, bridges, and drainage systems
If your accident involved a dangerous road condition, pothole, or missing signage on a county road, the Road & Bridge Division maintains maintenance records.
Maintains state roads and highways in Martin and St. Lucie counties
FDOT District 4 is responsible for US-1, I-95, SR-76, and the Florida Turnpike in Martin County. Crash reports and road maintenance records are available through FDOT.
Local Hospitals & Emergency Services
200 SE Hospital Ave, Stuart, FL 34994 — (772) 287-5200
Primary trauma and emergency facility for Martin County. Formerly Martin Memorial Hospital — now part of the Cleveland Clinic system.
2100 SE Salerno Rd, Stuart, FL 34997 — (772) 223-2300
Second Cleveland Clinic hospital in Martin County — serves the southern Stuart and Hobe Sound areas.
10000 SW Innovation Way, Port St. Lucie, FL 34987 — (772) 807-4300
Primary hospital serving the Tradition community and western Port St. Lucie.
1700 S 23rd St, Fort Pierce, FL 34950 — (772) 461-4000
Level II Trauma Center serving St. Lucie County and the northern Treasure Coast.
Emergency medical services and fire response for Martin County
MCFR provides emergency medical transport throughout Martin County. EMS run reports can be obtained through a public records request — important evidence in injury cases.
Public health services, vital records, and health statistics for Martin County
Vital records (birth and death certificates) and public health data. Death certificates are essential documents in wrongful death cases.
Stuart & Martin County Community Organizations
Downtown Stuart business district and community organization
Stuart Main Street promotes the historic downtown district and coordinates community events. Useful for understanding the Stuart business community.
Business and community advocacy for Martin County
The Chamber represents Martin County businesses and provides community resources. Attorney Juan Cordero is an active member of the local business community.
Youth baseball organization serving Martin County families
Attorney Juan Cordero serves as a Board Member of the Martin County Little League — a reflection of his commitment to this community.
3209 Virginia Ave, Fort Pierce, FL 34981 — (772) 462-4772
Attorney Juan Cordero is an Adjunct Professor at IRSC, teaching law and business-law coursework. IRSC serves thousands of Treasure Coast students.
Public schools serving Martin County students and families
If your child was injured at school or on a school bus, a Notice of Claim against the school district may be required under Florida's sovereign immunity statute.
Provides food assistance to families in need on the Treasure Coast
If a catastrophic injury has left your family struggling financially, the Treasure Coast Food Bank serves Martin, St. Lucie, Indian River, and Okeechobee counties.
Dial 2-1-1 or visit 211tc.org for social services referrals
Connects Martin County residents with local social services — food, housing, mental health, transportation, and more. Available 24/7.
Companion Sites & Statewide Resources
Companion local authority site for Stuart and Martin County personal injury
Additional local resources, case results, and practice area information for the Treasure Coast — maintained by Juan Cordero Lawyers.
Attorney Juan Cordero analyzes Florida premises liability and negligence scenarios
Public education resource — learn whether your situation may constitute negligence under Florida law. Written by Attorney Juan Cordero.
Florida personal injury firm — Miami, Broward, Palm Beach, Treasure Coast, Orlando, Tampa, Jacksonville
The mother firm behind this Treasure Coast office. Over $100 million recovered for injured clients across Florida.
Florida's leading organization of plaintiff trial lawyers
Attorney Juan Cordero is a member. The FJA advocates for the rights of injured Floridians and opposes legislation that limits access to justice.
Why Hire a Local Attorney?
Local courts, local rules
Martin County Circuit Court and St. Lucie County Circuit Court each have their own judges, local rules, and procedural expectations. An attorney who appears in these courtrooms regularly — not one who flies in from Miami — knows the judges, the clerks, and the unwritten norms that affect how cases are handled.
Knowledge of local roads and accident sites
When your case involves a crash on US-1 in Stuart, a slip and fall at a Jensen Beach hotel, or a negligent security incident at a Port St. Lucie apartment complex, a local attorney can visit the scene, document conditions, and identify evidence that an out-of-town firm would never think to look for.
Relationships with local experts
Personal injury cases require expert witnesses — accident reconstructionists, medical experts, life care planners, and economists. A local attorney has established relationships with qualified experts who know the Treasure Coast and can testify credibly about local conditions and costs.
Accessibility when it matters
When you have a question about your case, you should be able to reach your attorney — not a call center. Our office is at 2440 SE Federal Hwy, Suite O, Stuart, FL 34994. We are available to meet in person, and we answer our phones.
Community accountability
A local attorney's reputation is built in this community. We live here, our families live here, and we are accountable to the people we serve in a way that a large regional firm with no local presence simply is not.
Disclaimer: The resources listed on this page are provided for informational purposes only. Links to third-party websites are provided as a convenience and do not constitute an endorsement. This page does not constitute legal advice. For advice specific to your situation, contact our office for a free consultation.
Have Questions About Your Case?
Free consultation. No fees unless we win. Call 772.227.0577.