Frank A. Cerino

Frank A. Cerino is a founding partner at Morales & Cerino, P.A. in Miami, Florida, where he leverages over 30 years of legal experience to advocate for individuals facing catastrophic life changes. Focusing his practice on workers' compensation, serious truck accidents, and slip-and-fall cases, Frank has built a reputation for delivering exceptional results for his clients. His authoritative command of the courtroom and relentless dedication have secured record-setting victories, including a pivotal role in a $10,000,000 mediation settlement for a victim of the tragic FIU bridge collapse.

For Frank, practicing law is profoundly personal.

He understands that for the primary breadwinner of a family, a severe injury is not just a physical crisis; it is an economic emergency. His background in finance and economics uniquely equips him to accurately calculate and fight for the long-term financial survival of his clients while they are unable to work following a significant injury.

What truly sets Frank A. Cerino apart in the Miami legal landscape is his accessibility and genuine connection to the people he represents. At a time when clients feel most vulnerable, Frank removes the traditional barriers between attorney and client. He provides his personal cell phone number to his clients, ensuring they can reach him directly with concerns at any time.

If you are looking for a highly skilled advocate who treats your family's future with the same urgency as his own, Frank is ready to stand in your corner.

Education & Early Career Experience

Frank graduated cum laude with a double degree in finance and economics from Bentley College. He went on to earn his Juris Doctor cum laude from the University of Miami Law School in 1993, where his academic excellence earned him a position on the prestigious Entertainment and Sports Law Review.

Demonstrating a broad capacity for complex legal practice, Frank has been admitted to practice law in both the Florida and Connecticut Bars since 1994.

Early in his career, Frank represented insurance carriers and self-insured employers, equipping him with invaluable inside knowledge of the system. This experience now serves as a powerful weapon for his clients, allowing him to anticipate defense tactics and force fair resolutions.

Today, his practice is exclusively dedicated to plaintiffs. Whether he is securing over $5 million in benefits for a catastrophically injured truck driver in a rollover accident or prevailing at trial to win more than $1 million for a Lee County city employee (the largest workers' compensation settlement of its kind in the county at that time), Frank’s track record speaks for itself. He knows how to try cases and win them.

Distinguishing Characteristics & Differentiators

Frank’s foundational knowledge sets him apart from other personal injury attorneys in South Florida. When people are seriously injured on the job or in a devastating accident, they need more than just a personal injury lawyer; they need a strategic advocate who understands how the other side thinks.

Recognized as a respected voice in the Florida legal community, Frank is a proud member of Florida Workers' Advocates and the Workers' Compensation Section of the Florida Bar.

His deep understanding of complex injury claims has made him a trusted authority in the media, and he’s been interviewed by local news channels to provide professional legal commentary on sick building litigation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I sue my employer for a workplace accident in Miami, or just file for workers' compensation?

In most cases, Florida law limits employees to filing a workers' compensation claim, which provides medical care and partial wage replacement without needing to prove your employer was at fault. However, if your injury was caused by someone outside of the employment relationship—like a defective product, an outside contractor, or extreme gross negligence—you may have grounds for a "third-party" personal injury lawsuit, which can provide significantly more compensation.

What happens if the insurance company denies my Florida workers' compensation claim?

Do not panic. Insurance companies routinely deny claims to save money. When this happens, an experienced workers' compensation lawyer can file a Petition for Benefits (PFB) and take the insurance company to court. With over 30 years of experience, Frank Cerino knows how to aggressively litigate these denials to force carriers to provide the medical care and financial benefits you deserve. If you have a valid PFB, he can assist with every stage of the process: Claim Review, Benefit Determination, Medical Examination, Administrative Hearings, and the Appeals Process.

How does a lawyer's background in finance help maximize my personal injury settlement?

When you suffer a life-changing injury, you aren't just losing today's paycheck. You are losing years of future earning potential and facing decades of inflation. Frank’s unique academic background, which includes a double degree in finance and economics, allows him to project these long-term financial impacts so that the settlement demanded truly covers your family’s long-term financial needs.

What is the difference between a standard workers' compensation claim and a third-party personal injury lawsuit?

Workers' compensation is a no-fault system that covers your medical bills and a portion of your lost wages, but it does not compensate you for pain and suffering. A third-party personal injury lawsuit is filed against a negligent party who is not your employer (such as the driver who hit you while you were making a delivery), and it allows you to recover full damages, including emotional distress and total lost wages.

Can I call my personal injury attorney directly if there's an emergency with my case?

At many large law firms, you will only ever speak to a paralegal or case manager. What sets Frank Cerino apart is his deep personal connection to his clients. When you hire Frank, you are given his personal cell phone number so you can reach him directly with questions or concerns at any time, day or night.