Yaffa Clan Lawyers Secure $1.2M in Med-Mal Triumph

In a unique display of family unity and legal prowess, three brothers and a son from South Florida law firms came together in Palm Beach Circuit Court to secure a $1.2 million jury verdict for their client, Gary Coletti, in a medical malpractice case stemming from the death of the litigant's wife.

In the Gareth Colletti v. Antonella D. Leary M.D. trial, the Yaffa brothers—Andy, Sam, and Greg—along with Andy Yaffa's son, Ryan, came together to represent Coletti in the case, which centered on a routine laparoscopic hysterectomy that went wrong.

The complaint alleged that during the medical procedure, the attending surgeon inadvertently perforated Coletti's wife Diane's bowel, leading to sepsis and, ultimately, death.

Read the complaint here

The case was a natural fit for the attorneys as family history played a pivotal role as their upbringing made them well-versed in the intricacies of medical malpractice cases.

"This case was right up our alley," said Andy Yaffa, the eldest of the three brothers. "Growing up, our father was a general and vascular surgeon, and Sam and I worked as orderlies in the hospital."

The brothers, who practice at different firms—Grossman Roth Yaffa Cohen; Samuel M. Yaffa P.A.; and Rafferty, Dominick, Cunningham and Yaffa—put aside any potential rivalries or conflicts to unite for the Colettis. Their home base work locations span from Delray Beach to Miami and Coral Gables.

"Sam worked the case up from 'ground zero,' got it up until the point that he was going to trial, and he asked whether or not we would be willing to join him in trial, and we enthusiastically took that opportunity," said Andy Yaffa.

They attribute their shared passion for the law and commitment to their client for a positive outcome for their client at trial.

"Nothing brings me greater pride and joy than to be able to bring justice for Gary Coletti, but to do so with my son and my brothers," Andy Yaffa said, his voice brimming with emotion. "Our parents, may they rest in peace, are surely smiling down on us, watching the three of us and [my son] Ryan come together to represent Gary [Coletti] in this worthy cause."

The brothers faced several challenges in the case, including the potential for the jury to place blame on the nurses who failed to notify the attending physician of the patient's deteriorating condition. However, the Yaffas were able to convince the jury that the attending physician bore the ultimate responsibility for the tragic outcome.

"The nurses did not call when the patient was tachycardic at 8:25 that evening, and the jury very easily could have locked on to that and placed most of the blame on them, but they agree that as the attending defendant doctor, Dr. Leary was responsible and had the earliest and best opportunity to have stepped in, but didn't do it," Sam Yaffa said. "She left the hospital without setting the safeguards in place," said Sam Yaffa.

The Yaffa family of attorneys shared history and deep understanding of the medical field proved invaluable in their ability to navigate the complexities of the case and deliver a resounding victory for their client they said.

Follow in their footsteps

Youngest brother Greg said he remembered when Sam and Andy both first practiced together at Grossman Roth many years ago, long before he decided to become an attorney, sitting in the courtroom witnessing Anonthy Bregman v. Broward Co. School Board nearly 25 years ago.

"My mom and I went and watched every single day of the trial where Andy and Sam represented a young kid who became paralyzed, and that ultimately convinced me that this is what I wanted to do for a living," Greg Yaffa said. "I wanted to follow in their footsteps. And so now to be here, sitting in the same courtroom with them and playing whatever little role I played was just unbelievable for me and, to have it come full circle where I watched them-I wanted to be like them- and now to be sitting next to them was just so special."

For Ryan Yaffa, the youngest of the group, the experience was particularly meaningful, as he had grown up watching his father and uncles in action. 

"I idolized them," Ryan Yaffa said. "It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be a part of this case and for all of us to pull through for Gary Coletti."

In this case, the Yaffa family's triumph serves as a testament to the power of unity, expertise, and a deep commitment to justice – qualities that have been ingrained in them since childhood and now shine through in their professional lives, the team insists.

The clan lost their family patriarch in August. Andy Yaffa said their father will be buried along with their Mom, who preceded him.

"Across the top of her tombstone is 'family is forever,'" Andy Yaffa said. "And I will tell you, I'm getting chills telling you this, nothing brings me greater pride and joy than to be able to bring justice for Gary Coletti, but to do so with my son and my brothers."

 Article featured in Daily Business Review.