SERIOUS PERSONAL INJURY ~ WRONGFUL DEATH ~ AUTOMOBILE CRASHES

Our strength in understanding debilitating disease and injuries also provides us with the skills to help people suffering from serious personal injury caused by motor vehicle accidents, defective products or unsafe work conditions. We have helped individuals with incapacitating brain and spinal cord injuries obtain compensation as well as the members of their families in obtaining wrongful death settlements. 

NURSING HOME/LONG-TERM CARE ABUSE and NEGLECT

Among the cases we handle:

• Wrongful death

• Physical injuries

• Slips and Falls

• Psychological damage

• Sexual abuse

• Mental cruelty

Nursing homes and other residential or in-patient facilities like drug and alcohol rehabilitation clinics and mental health centers should be safe places where our loved ones are protected.  In recent years we have been approached more frequently by people with concerns about poor care and mistreatment of their family members. We have a deep respect for the rights and feelings of the elderly and a special affinity for those trying to turn their lives around following the ravages of substance abuse.

Signs of possible neglect:

• Tension between patient and the caregiver

• Change in behavior

• Weight Loss

• Rocking and mumbling

• Signs of physical injury

  • Broken bones

  • Bruising

  • Dislocations

  • Scarring

  • Sprains

• Bedsores

• Torn or stained clothing

• Broken glasses

• Signs of overmedicated or undermedicated

• Unsanitary conditions

• Lack of sufficient staff

• Lack of answers from the staff to your questions

If you are uneasy or suspect that someone you love is not being properly cared for, call us. 

PRODUCT LIABILITY

Many injures occur as the result of the proper use of varies products, some in the home, some in the work place, and some regrettably by children. We can help you determine whether or not you have a meritious case to pursue.

• DePuy Orthopaedics, Inc., ASR XL Acetabular & Hip Resurfacing Systems

• DePuy Anle Fusion Implants & Replacement Implants

• Zimmer Holdings Inc. NexGen Flex Artificial Knees

PROFESSIONAL MALPRACTICE ~ MEDICAL  and LEGAL

Medical and legal professional organizations such as the American Medical Association and American Bar Association provide guidelines for the members of their professions in the conduct of their businesses. While most individuals conduct themselves in a professional manner, there are those that take shortcuts in an effort to maximize profits at the expense of those they have been hired to protect. We are experienced in evaluating those special situations and obtaining recovery for injuries that could have been prevented by following established codes of conduct.

MEDICAL MALPRACTICE

Among the cases we handle: 

• Birth Injuries

• Surgical Errors

• Anesthesia Errors

• Missed Diagnosis

• Medication Mistakes 

Whether an act of medical malpractice takes place in the emergency room, in the doctor’s office or elsewhere, we have the ability to take action and help you get the results you deserve.

Failure to Diagnose and Failure to Treat ~ Many medical malpractice cases don’t involve a doctor doing something wrong. Rather, they involve a doctor failing to do something right. When a patient comes to a doctor with symptoms, the doctor should consider all possibilities. Tests should be conducted if necessary, and the test results should be properly reviewed. Unfortunately, a doctor may not do everything that should have been done. This can lead to failure to diagnose cancer, a heart attack or other serious medical conditions. If it is not diagnosed, it can’t be treated.

Do Doctors Have the “Benefit of the Doubt”? ~ Doctors are highly respected in our society. Many times, they are granted the benefit of the doubt when a mistake is made. This poses a challenge in medical malpractice cases. We know how to build strong cases designed to prove that the doctor didn’t simply make a mistake, but that the doctor failed to meet the  reasonable standard of care. We will see that the doctor, the nurse or any other medical professional is held accountable.

LEGAL MALPRACTICE

Legal associations, like the Ohio State and American Bar Associations, have created very specific codes of conduct for their members and most attorneys build their practices and their lives around them.  But, as with any professional in whom you place your trust, there may be a situation in which mistakes are made and you are wrongly injured.  There is a common assumption that it is impossible to find a lawyer to represent you against another lawyer.  Not true.  We believe that we are honor-bound to serve individuals who are truly wronged.

Lawyers are responsible for representing their clients’ best interests, not their own. If you have a lawyer who failed to protect your interests, ignored your case, or misrepresents the facts of your case or disobeys your repeated requests, he or she may be committing legal malpractice. Malpractice occurs when a legal professional provides substandard care or services to his client that results in harm. When trying to determine if you are the victim of legal malpractice, four things need to be proven:

1.  That there existed an attorney/client relationship;

2. At the time of that relationship, the attorney owed a duty or obligation to you, the client;

3. There was a breach of that duty and the attorney failed to conform to the appropriate standard of care and there is a causal connection between the conduct complained of and the resulting damage; and

4. Of course, the case against the attorney must have occurred within the applicable statute of limitations.

Then , if you believe you may be the victim of legal malpractice contact us. We can help you better understand your rights and receive the compensation you deserve.

WORKPLACE INJURY ~ WORKERS’ COMPENSATION

Most business owners understand the value of the people who make their companies successful.  Unfortunately, there are some who try to maximize profits at the expense of their employees.  We are experienced in evaluating those situations in which injury to a worker may have been prevented if the employer had followed established codes of conduct or used a defective machine which caused injuries. We have helped individuals with workplace injuries and can help you.

DRUG RELATED PRODUCT and OTHER CLASS ACTIONS

Pharmaceutical companies often rely on the fact that they have subjected their products to extensive testing at the hands of the Food & Drug Administration to deflect blame for side effects resulting from the use of their drugs. While many times that is true, in today’s marketplace where manufacturers rush to be first and target patients directly through television and print ads, the quest for financial gains can overcome the sharing all negative information with the FDA. If you are injured because of a risk you were not warned about, you may be entitled to compensation and we can provide you with the information and guidance you need to obtain the largest recovery possible. The list of potential class actions is too vast to list here. Contact us for an evaluation.

MOTORCYCLE CRASHES

In motorcycle crashes, the riders do not have the protection of a metal vehicle surrounding them, nor safety devices such as an air bag or padded dash. As a result motorcyclists are more susceptible to severe injuries in an accident than the occupant of a car or truck. We have the resources and experience to help you pursue the maximum compensation for your injuries or loss in a motorcycle crash.

DOG BITES

Ohio law is very explicit in holding an owner or keeper of a dog liable for any injury, death, or loss to person or property caused by his or her dog. There are very few statutory exceptions to this form of strict liability. Proof of negligence on the part of the owner or keeper of the dog is not required. Generally, it is enough that the injury occurred as a result of the dog’s action. Often there is reluctance on the part of the injured person to bring actions against a neighbor, friend, or other family member because of the injuries suffered as a result of a dog bite. However, because the statute provides strict liability seldom, if ever, is a lawsuit required. Most, if not all, of the cases we have handled have resulted in compensation directly from an insurance company providing homeowners coverage to the owner of the dog.

BOARD OF NURSING DISCIPLINARY CASES

Complaints to the Ohio State Board of Nursing can be filed by anyone: patients or their family members, co-workers, doctors, and hospital personnel. Complaints can be filed against registered nurses for a variety of reasons — some valid and some not. If you are a nurse who has been accused of violating nursing regulations or is facing disciplinary proceedings before the nursing board because of a drug charge, you should seek experienced legal representation.

Don’t underestimate the seriousness of a complaint against you. Your nursing license is essential to your ability to work and earn a living. Failure to properly respond to a complaint or cooperate with an investigation may result in the loss of your license, even if you are innocent of the underlying charges.

We recognize the importance of learning the unique facts of each case. We work closely with our clients to obtain a positive resolution to the charges. This often involves negotiating the matter closely with representatives of the appropriate medical board and also representing clients at hearings before the appropriate board as well as being defense counsel before the courts of Ohio

ATTORNEY DISCIPLINARY CASES

Anyone can file a disciplinary complaint against a lawyer. Keeping in mind that the disciplinary system is not designed to provide remedies to aggrieved parties, but rather is charged with protecting the public from unethical practices by attorneys, the Disciplinary Counsel can, and will, entertain complaints from any and all sources. While most complaints are received from the petitioner-attorney’s own client, complaints are also received from opposing parties, opposing counsel, judges, and third parties (such as beneficiaries of an estate in which the respondent-attorney represents the personal representative of the estate). Disciplinary Counsel is also authorized to open a complaint on its own motion, and often does so, for instance, based upon conduct of an attorney that is reported in the news media. We provide disciplinary and grievance defense to lawyers.

Don’t represent yourself. Yes, this sounds self-serving. But more importantly, you will serve your own interests in consulting with an attorney who concentrates his or her practice in attorney ethics and disciplinary law. Your career, your livelihood, and your reputation are all at stake, and a complete and thorough knowledge of both the substantive rules, the procedural rules, case law interpretation, and the disciplinary system itself is necessary to optimize your chances for a favorable outcome to the complaint.

Mr. Henretta has spent six years in service as a member of the Ohio Supreme Court’s Board of Commissioners on Grievances and Discipline as well as having represented many lawyers charged with disciplinary action and restatement cases.

AGRICULTURE ~ HOG FARMS ~ CAFOs ~ NUISANCE AND NEGLIGENCE CLAIMS

Mr. Henretta is part of a national industrial agriculture litigation group consisting of trial lawyers around the country who represent individul land owners who have sufferedat the hands of nearby industrial farms. These are not your typical farming operations. They are large, industrial, hog, fish, poutry and egg, and other farms as well as concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs). They not only cause harm to neighboring lands because of the run off waste, but the operations of these mega farms mistreat and abuse the animals as well.

CRIMINAL DEFENSE

Representing adults in the municipal and common pleas courts who have been accused of committing the following felony and misdemeanor offenses:

• Murder

• Assault

• Drugs and Narcotics

• Drunk Driving (DUI /OUI)

• Traffic Violations

• Weapons Charges

• Theft and Grand Larceny

• Burglary

• White Collar Crimes

• Sexual Assault

• Probation Revocation and Parole

DRUNK DRIVING (DUI / OUI) It is important to hire a lawyer immediately after your arrest. You need to be advised of your legal rights and responsibilities. A drunk driving (DUI / OUI) conviction can lead to potential jail time, fines, license revocation, or community service. As your lawyer, we will fight for driver’s license reinstatement and apply for a hardship permit which would enable you to drive to and from work.

OTHER DRUG OFFENSES

• Trafficking in Drugs

• Possession of Drugs

EXPUNGEMENT OF CRIMINAL RECORD                                                                 

If you are ever arrested  and convicted, you may be entitled to an expungement of your record.  This includes police department, court, FBI, and Ohio records. Your record only may be expunged in certain situations, contact us to find out if this is a viable option for you.