James Sawran brings nearly 40 years of experience in civil litigation to defending professionals and health care clients in high-stakes litigation matters. He represents hospitals, nursing homes, physicians, surgeons, podiatrists and other health care providers in medical malpractice and related claims.

Over the course of his career, James has served as lead trial counsel to one of the largest hospital corporations in Florida and has represented clients in class actions and complex product liability matters. He also regularly represents clients in pharmacy and other professional liability claims, as well as with insurance coverage and bad faith matters.

Prior to joining Segal McCambridge, James was a senior partner at McIntosh, Sawran & Cartaya.

James has authored numerous legal publications, including an article in the Trial Advocate Quarterly dealing with a controversial constitutional amendment passed in Florida: “Amendment 7: Will the Patient’s Right to Know Come at Too High a Price?

He also co-authored the chapter “Preparing Your Client for Deposition; Trials and Tribulations” in a book for the Florida Defense Lawyers Association. He has lectured to physicians, surgeons, nurses, hospital risk managers and medical records custodians, as well as other professionals involved in the delivery of health care.

His dedication to the support of peer review and medical staff was demonstrated in Cruger v. Love, a case of first impression he argued before the Florida Supreme Court, which resulted in a unanimous opinion in which the court upheld the peer review privilege relating to a physician’s application and delineation of medical staff privileges. 

Professional & Civic Involvement

  • Boys & Girls Clubs
  • Florida Defense Lawyers Association
  • American Society of Law and Medicine
  • DRI
  • Florida Medical Malpractice Claims Council, Inc.
  • Board of Governors of the Florida Medical Malpractice Joint Underwriting Association
  • Florida Bar Association, Military Affairs Committee

Practice Highlights

Representative Matters

  • Litigated a “mini-class action” of 140 medical malpractice cases involving allegations of post-coronary bypass graft infections for a Palm Beach County, Florida, hospital, resulting in a successful resolution of all claims.
  • Regularly lectures and publishes in the field of physician and hospital liability.
  • Authored and co-authored publications and blogs related to medical malpractice, COVID-19 immunity from liability for health care professionals and other timely topics.