Joseph S. Miller

Joe is a Partner and has been at Starnes Davis Florie LLP since 1992. Joe has served as a member of the firm’s Executive Committee. His practice is devoted to defending physicians, nurses and other healthcare providers in medical malpractice cases. Joe has participated in trying 89 cases to juries throughout the State of Alabama. He regularly speaks at legal and medical seminars regarding medical malpractice litigation.

Professional Recognition

•fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers (ACTL)
•Member of The American College of Trial Lawyers (ACTL) Judicial Independence Committee for 2023 - 2024
•Member of the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA). Past President, Vice-President and Treasurer of ABOTA's Alabama Chapter.
•Top Leading Litigator by Chambers USA.
•Super Lawyer in Alabama by Mid-South Super Lawyers magazine.
•Listed in Best Lawyers in America . In addition, Best Lawyers in America has named Joe Miller “Birmingham Best Lawyers Medical Malpractice Defense Lawyer of the Year” for 2021
•Listed as a Local Litigation Star for the State of Alabama in Benchmark Litigation

Highlights

Obtained a defense verdict in a case alleging an obstetrician mismanaged a labor and delivery by administering too much medication to augment labor in a trial of labor after cesarean section, resulting in uterine rupture and death of the child.
•Obtained a defense verdict in a 6-day trial, for an electrophysiologist in a case alleging negligent recommendation of an ablation procedure, and negligent failure to obtain informed consent, regarding a patient with atrial fibrillation
•Obtained a defense verdict for a pediatric anesthesiologist in a two-week trial alleging negligent intubation and airway management in the MRI suite, resulting in the death of a 29-day-old infant.
•Obtained a defense verdict for a defendant emergency physician in a case alleging negligent failure to diagnose aortic dissection, resulting in the death of a 47 year old patient the day after being treated and released from the emergency department.
•Obtained a defense verdict for a psychiatrist in an 8-day trial, in a case alleging medical malpractice and wrongful death.
•Obtained a jury verdict for a general surgeon accused of negligently performing a gallbladder removal surgery, causing a bile duct injury.
•Obtained a jury verdict in favor of two surgeons accused of negligently delaying surgery to repair a gunshot wound to the abdomen.
•Obtained a defense verdict for an obstetrician in a case claiming negligence in failing to remove a sponge from the patient’s body after vaginal delivery, resulting in alleged permanent pelvic floor injury.
•Obtained a defense verdict for a family practice physician in Madison County in a case alleging wrongful death after prescribing antibiotics for community acquired pneumonia.
•Obtained a defense verdict for a defendant gynecologist after a 5 day trial in a case alleging negligent failure to diagnose breast cancer, resulting in mastectomy and chemotherapy.
•Obtained a defense verdict for an emergency physician after a 7 day trial in Federal Court in Memphis, Tennessee in a case alleging negligent failure to diagnose and treatment acute coronary syndrome, resulting in myocardial infarction and permanent heart damage in a 36 year old patient.
•Obtained a defense verdict for an emergency physician in an 8 day trial of a case alleging negligent failure to diagnose septic arthritis, resulting in below the knee amputation.
•Obtained a defense verdict for an emergency physician in a 5 day trial of a case involving alleging negligent failure to diagnose an aortic dissection, resulting in death of a 29 year old patient.
•Obtained a defense verdict for a pediatrician in an 8 day trial of a case alleging negligent failure to diagnose subarachnoid hemorrhage in a 15 year old girl, resulting in brain surgery and brain injury.
•Obtained a defense verdict for a defendant gynecologist in a 9 day trial of a case involving alleged negligent administration of anticoagulant medications and negligent failure to consult a hematologist, resulting in death of a hospitalized post-operative patient.
•Obtained a defense verdict for a dentist in a 5 day trial of a case alleging improper application of short-term orthodontic appliances, resulting in jaw surgery.
•Obtained a defense verdict for two obstetricians in an 8 day trial of a case alleging negligent failure to timely diagnose pre-eclampsia, resulting in the complication of Purtscher’s-Like Retinopathy and maternal blindness following cesarean section.

Presentations and Publications

•Professionalism, American College of Trial Lawyers Panel, University of Alabama School of Law, May 18, 2022.
•Professionalism, American College of Trial Lawyers Panel, Cumberland School of Law, October 15, 2021.
•Defending Fetal Death Cases: CLE Presentation at medical malpractice conference for Alabama attorneys.
•Medical Expert Witnesses - Why Do We Have Them and What Do They Go Through? CLE Presentation regarding legal challenges facing healthcare providers, Cumberland School of Law.
•Depositions in a Medical Negligence Case From a Defendant’s Point of View. CLE Presentation. The Art of Taking and Defending Depositions, Birmingham, Alabama.
•Strategies for Working with Evidence at Trial. CLE Presentation.

News & Insights

•35 Starnes Attorneys Listed in Best Lawyers in America 2026
•Starnes Attorneys Miller & Huntley Obtain Defense Verdict in a Wrongful Death Trial
•Starnes Davis Florie Ranked as a Highly Recommended Litigation Firm in the 2025 Edition of Benchmark Litigation
•Starnes Attorneys Joe Miller & Joseph Reese Prevail in a 6-Day Medical Malpractice Trial
•33 Starnes Attorneys Listed in Best Lawyers in America 2025
•Starnes Davis Florie Achieves Multiple Appellate Victories
•Starnes Davis Florie Ranked a Top Law Firm by Chambers USA 2024
•SDF Attorneys Miller & McIntyre Obtain Defense Verdict in 2-Week Wrongful Death Trial
•Starnes Davis Florie Ranked as a “Highly Recommended Litigation Firm” in the 2024 Edition of Benchmark Litigation
•30 Starnes Attorneys Listed in Best Lawyers in America 2024
•Starnes Davis Florie Ranked a Top Law Firm by Chambers USA 2023
•Starnes Davis Florie Highly Ranked in Benchmark Litigation 2023
•30 SDF ATTORNEYS LISTED IN BEST LAWYERS IN AMERICA 2023
•STARNES DAVIS FLORIE RANKED A TOP FIRM BY CHAMBERS USA 2022
•SDF Attorneys Miller & McIntyre Obtained Defense Verdict in Wrongful Death Trial
•SDF Attorneys Miller & McIntyre Obtain Defense Verdict for Psychiatrist in Med Mal Case
•STARNES RANKED AS A “HIGHLY RECOMMENDED FIRM” IN THE 2022 EDITION OF BENCHMARK LITIGATION
•29 SDF ATTORNEYS LISTED IN BEST LAWYERS IN AMERICA 2022