Fla. Stat. 766.103
Florida Medical Consent Law


(1)

This section shall be known and cited as the “Florida Medical Consent Law.”

(2)

In any medical treatment activity not covered by s. 768.13, entitled the “Good Samaritan Act,” this act shall govern.

(3)

No recovery shall be allowed in any court in this state against any physician licensed under chapter 458, osteopathic physician licensed under chapter 459, chiropractic physician licensed under chapter 460, podiatric physician licensed under chapter 461, dentist licensed under chapter 466, advanced practice registered nurse licensed under s. 464.012, or physician assistant licensed under s. 458.347 or s. 459.022 in an action brought for treating, examining, or operating on a patient without his or her informed consent when:
The action of the physician, osteopathic physician, chiropractic physician, podiatric physician, dentist, advanced practice registered nurse, or physician assistant in obtaining the consent of the patient or another person authorized to give consent for the patient was in accordance with an accepted standard of medical practice among members of the medical profession with similar training and experience in the same or similar medical community as that of the person treating, examining, or operating on the patient for whom the consent is obtained; and
A reasonable individual, from the information provided by the physician, osteopathic physician, chiropractic physician, podiatric physician, dentist, advanced practice registered nurse, or physician assistant, under the circumstances, would have a general understanding of the procedure, the medically acceptable alternative procedures or treatments, and the substantial risks and hazards inherent in the proposed treatment or procedures, which are recognized among other physicians, osteopathic physicians, chiropractic physicians, podiatric physicians, or dentists in the same or similar community who perform similar treatments or procedures; or
The patient would reasonably, under all the surrounding circumstances, have undergone such treatment or procedure had he or she been advised by the physician, osteopathic physician, chiropractic physician, podiatric physician, dentist, advanced practice registered nurse, or physician assistant in accordance with the provisions of paragraph (a).

(a)1.

The action of the physician, osteopathic physician, chiropractic physician, podiatric physician, dentist, advanced practice registered nurse, or physician assistant in obtaining the consent of the patient or another person authorized to give consent for the patient was in accordance with an accepted standard of medical practice among members of the medical profession with similar training and experience in the same or similar medical community as that of the person treating, examining, or operating on the patient for whom the consent is obtained; andA reasonable individual, from the information provided by the physician, osteopathic physician, chiropractic physician, podiatric physician, dentist, advanced practice registered nurse, or physician assistant, under the circumstances, would have a general understanding of the procedure, the medically acceptable alternative procedures or treatments, and the substantial risks and hazards inherent in the proposed treatment or procedures, which are recognized among other physicians, osteopathic physicians, chiropractic physicians, podiatric physicians, or dentists in the same or similar community who perform similar treatments or procedures; or
(a)1. The action of the physician, osteopathic physician, chiropractic physician, podiatric physician, dentist, advanced practice registered nurse, or physician assistant in obtaining the consent of the patient or another person authorized to give consent for the patient was in accordance with an accepted standard of medical practice among members of the medical profession with similar training and experience in the same or similar medical community as that of the person treating, examining, or operating on the patient for whom the consent is obtained; and
2. A reasonable individual, from the information provided by the physician, osteopathic physician, chiropractic physician, podiatric physician, dentist, advanced practice registered nurse, or physician assistant, under the circumstances, would have a general understanding of the procedure, the medically acceptable alternative procedures or treatments, and the substantial risks and hazards inherent in the proposed treatment or procedures, which are recognized among other physicians, osteopathic physicians, chiropractic physicians, podiatric physicians, or dentists in the same or similar community who perform similar treatments or procedures; or

(b)

The patient would reasonably, under all the surrounding circumstances, have undergone such treatment or procedure had he or she been advised by the physician, osteopathic physician, chiropractic physician, podiatric physician, dentist, advanced practice registered nurse, or physician assistant in accordance with the provisions of paragraph (a).

(4)(a)

A consent which is evidenced in writing and meets the requirements of subsection (3) shall, if validly signed by the patient or another authorized person, raise a rebuttable presumption of a valid consent.A valid signature is one which is given by a person who under all the surrounding circumstances is mentally and physically competent to give consent.

(4)(a)

A consent which is evidenced in writing and meets the requirements of subsection (3) shall, if validly signed by the patient or another authorized person, raise a rebuttable presumption of a valid consent.

(b)

A valid signature is one which is given by a person who under all the surrounding circumstances is mentally and physically competent to give consent.

Source: Section 766.103 — Florida Medical Consent Law, https://www.­flsenate.­gov/Laws/Statutes/2024/0766.­103 (accessed Aug. 7, 2025).

766.21
Misarbitration
766.31
Administrative law judge awards for birth-related neurological injuries
766.101
Medical review committee, immunity from liability
766.102
Medical negligence
766.103
Florida Medical Consent Law
766.104
Medical negligence cases
766.106
Notice before filing action for medical negligence
766.108
Mandatory mediation and mandatory settlement conference in medical negligence actions
766.110
Liability of health care facilities
766.111
Engaging in unnecessary diagnostic testing
766.112
Comparative fault
766.113
Settlement agreements
766.118
Determination of noneconomic damages
766.201
Legislative findings and intent
766.202
Definitions
766.203
Presuit investigation of medical negligence claims and defenses by prospective parties
766.204
Availability of medical records for presuit investigation of medical negligence claims and defenses
766.205
Presuit discovery of medical negligence claims and defenses
766.206
Presuit investigation of medical negligence claims and defenses by court
766.207
Voluntary binding arbitration of medical negligence claims
766.208
Arbitration to allocate responsibility among multiple defendants
766.209
Effects of failure to offer or accept voluntary binding arbitration
766.211
Payment of arbitration award
766.212
Appeal of arbitration awards and allocations of financial responsibility
766.301
Legislative findings and intent
766.302
Definitions
766.303
Florida Birth-Related Neurological Injury Compensation Plan
766.304
Administrative law judge to determine claims
766.305
Filing of claims and responses
766.306
Tolling of statute of limitations
766.307
Hearing
766.309
Determination of claims
766.311
Conclusiveness of determination or award
766.312
Enforcement of awards
766.313
Limitation on claim
766.314
Assessments
766.315
Florida Birth-Related Neurological Injury Compensation Association
766.316
Notice to obstetrical patients of participation in the plan
766.318
Civil liability for provision of sex-reassignment prescriptions or procedures to minors
766.1015
Civil immunity for members of or consultants to certain boards, committees, or other entities
766.1016
Patient safety data privilege
766.1065
Authorization for release of protected health information
766.1115
Health care providers
766.1116
Health care practitioner
766.1185
Bad faith actions
766.2021
Limitation on damages against insurers, prepaid limited health service organizations, health maintenance organizations, or prepaid health clinics
766.3145
Code of ethics

Current through Fall 2025

§ 766.103. Fla. Med. Consent Law's source at flsenate​.gov