Florida Personal Injury Disputes | Settle Faster & Fairly Through Mediation

Lawsuits can drag on for months, even years, forcing you into an exhausting legal fight when all you really want is closure and a way to move forward. There’s a better way. Mediation provides a faster, more private, and less stressful path to resolving personal injury disputes.
Instead of getting lost in the courtroom shuffle, you and the other party work with an experienced, neutral mediator to negotiate a fair settlement—without unnecessary delays or skyrocketing legal fees and costs.
With decades of experience in Florida civil litigation and mediation, Penny understands the complexities of personal injury cases and helps clients find solutions that make sense—so you can focus on healing instead of fighting.
Common Personal Injury Disputes in Florida – What Mediation Can Resolve
Personal injury disputes come in many forms, but they all share one thing in common—both sides want closure, but getting there can feel impossible.
Mediation offers a better path forward by reducing delays and hostility. It helps both parties reach a fair agreement and avoids the uncertainty of a courtroom battle.
Penny mediates a wide range of personal injury disputes in Florida, including:
- Car Accidents & Auto Insurance Disputes – Negotiating settlements for injuries due to motor vehicle accidents and auto insurance disputes.
- Slip-and-Fall & Premises Liability Claims – Resolving disputes involving property owners, landlords, and businesses.
- Nursing Home Cases – Helping patients and healthcare providers find common ground without years of litigation.
- Wrongful Death Disputes – Offering parties a more compassionate way to seek justice and compensation.
No matter the complexity of the case, mediation puts the power back in your hands—allowing you to reach a resolution that works for you, not one forced upon you by a judge or jury.
Skip the stress and uncertainty of a jury trial. Find a resolution that gives you peace of mind.
Why Mediation? The Benefits of Resolving Personal Injury Disputes Without Litigation
Penny Schmidt understands how overwhelming personal injury disputes can be.
The uncertainty, the legal complexities, and the constant back-and-forth with attorneys and insurance companies can leave you feeling frustrated, exhausted, and powerless. But you don’t have to go through this battle alone—or in a courtroom.
Mediation offers a faster, more controlled, and cost-effective way to resolve disputes without waiting years for a trial.
Here’s why more individuals, businesses, and insurers in Florida are choosing mediation over litigation:
✅ Confidential & Private – Unlike lawsuits, mediation is not a public record, keeping personal details and settlements strictly between the parties involved.
✅ Faster Resolutions – Court cases can drag on indefinitely, but mediation moves at your pace, often reaching agreements in a day instead of years.
✅ Lower Costs—Legal battles involve excessive attorney fees and court expenses. Mediation saves money while still ensuring a fair outcome.
✅ Less Stress, More Control – Instead of a judge or jury deciding your fate, you control the resolution.
✅ Encouraged by Florida Courts – Florida’s legal system requires mediation for personal injury disputes because it helps reduce case backlogs and leads to more efficient settlements.
Every dispute deserves a fair and efficient resolution—mediation makes that possible.
If you’re tired of the delays, the uncertainty, and the emotional toll, Penny is here to help you find a better way forward.

Why Choose Penny Schmidt for your Personal Injury Mediation?
When it comes to resolving personal injury disputes, experience, trust, and fairness matter.
Penny facilitates conversations and guides both parties toward solutions that work.
She understands the complexities of personal injury cases and the frustration of delayed negotiations, uncooperative parties and the emotional toll of legal battles.
Here’s why individuals, attorneys, and insurance companies across Jacksonville and the state of Florida use Penny to mediate their disputes:
✔ Experienced in Florida Civil Litigation – With over 30 years experience as a civil trial attorney, Penny knows what it takes to navigate the legal, financial, and emotional aspects of personal injury cases.
✔ Certified Circuit Civil Mediator – For nearly 2 decades, Penny has been a Certified Circuit Court Civil Mediator and has extensive experience mediating a variety of matters including personal injury and wrongful death claims and insurance disputes.
✔ Neutral, Fair & Focused on Resolution – Mediation works because the parties have a voice in the process. Penny ensures that everyone is heard, negotiations stay productive, and disputes move toward resolution—not more conflict.
✔ Proven Track Record – Penny has successfully mediated thousands of cases, helping clients secure fair settlements without the delays and costs of litigation.
✔ Local Knowledge, Statewide Service – Based in Jacksonville, FL, Penny mediates cases throughout Duval County, St. Johns County, Clay County, and beyond. She offers mediation sessions that fit your schedule, including evening mediations upon request.
Penny knows that every case is unique, and she approaches each mediation with care, expertise, and a commitment to fairness.
Her goal is simple: help you reach a resolution that works—without dragging you through an exhausting legal fight.
Your case. Your future. Let’s resolve it the right way.
Take the Next Step – Schedule Your Mediation Today
The stress, the uncertainty, the endless back-and-forth—it’s time for a resolution that works for you, not against you. Mediation gives you control over the outcome without the cost, delays, and unpredictability of litigation.
Penny Schmidt is committed to guiding you through the process with fairness, professionalism, and a results-driven approach.
Whether you’re an individual, an attorney, or an insurance representative, Penny provides the structure and expertise needed to resolve personal injury disputes efficiently and effectively.
Schedule Your Mediation Today – Let’s move toward a solution that works for everyone.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Personal Injury Dispute?
A personal injury dispute occurs when an individual seeks compensation for injuries caused by another party’s negligence. These disputes often involve insurance claims, settlement negotiations, or legal action to recover damages such as medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
How Does Mediation Help in Personal Injury Cases?
Mediation provides a confidential, cost-effective, and faster way to resolve personal injury disputes without going to court. A neutral mediator facilitates negotiations between the injured party, the defendant, and insurance representatives to reach a mutually agreeable settlement.
What Types of Personal Injury Cases Can Be Mediated?
Mediation is effective for various personal injury disputes, including:
- Car accidents & insurance disputes
- Slip-and-fall injuries
- Nursing Home claims
- Wrongful death cases
- Premises liability disputes
- Negligence & liability cases
Is Mediation Legally Binding in Florida?
Yes, if both parties reach an agreement, they sign a legally binding settlement agreement that can be enforced in court. However, mediation is a voluntary and non-adversarial process, meaning no party is forced to settle.
How Long Does Personal Injury Mediation Take?
The length of mediation depends on the complexity of the case. Many personal injury disputes in Florida are resolved within a few hours to a full day, while more complex cases may require multiple sessions.
What Happens If Mediation Fails?
If mediation does not result in a settlement, parties can proceed or continue with litigation, where a judge or jury will determine the outcome. However, most personal injury cases settle in mediation, as it avoids the costs and delays of trial.
How Do I Prepare for Personal Injury Mediation?
To prepare for mediation:
- Gather all relevant documents, including medical records, accident reports, and insurance communications.
- Identify your key concerns and settlement expectations.
Be open to negotiation, as mediation requires compromise from both sides.