(GEISLEMAN & BROWN, LLP - Fort Wayne, IN) Personal Injuries

Most claims for personal injuries (those which do not fall under a specific statutory class, such as Medical Malpractice actions, Governmental Tort Claims, or Worker's Compensation cases) are evaluated based upon the degree of fault that can be assigned to and proved against the adverse party. This percentage is then compared to any percentage of fault you might be assigned in causing the incident. In addition to this Comparative Fault analysis, we also focus on developing evidence to prove the nature and extent of your injuries as the other primary area of claim evaluation.

The battle to achieve fair compensation can be fought on either or both of these grounds. Oftentimes, insurers for at-fault parties will deny they are liable for the crash or incident, AND will dispute the level of your own injury. Choosing the right lawyer will play a key role in forcing the insurer to admit liability when necessary, and to fairly compensate you for your physical, emotional, and economic damage.

At GEISLEMAN & BROWN, LLP we have the experience necessary to help you evaluate your own claim so that the insurer cannot lowball you. And our willingness to go to trial for you can be used as leverage to make the insurance companies fairly evaluate your claim. Our professional and organized staff help us submit thorough and convincing settlement packages which allow the large majority of our cases to settle without requiring trial. Our job is to develop the evidence necessary to prove your claim, and to use that proof to obtain fair compensation. Insurers will never pay you fair value for your claim, unless the necessary proof has been developed to support it.

We will use our experience to help you evaluate both your claim and the offers made by the other side. But remember that at our firm, you are in control of whether your case settles or whether it goes to court.

Auto Accidents

Many of the cases we take involve some form of motor vehicle crash, whether it be car, truck, semi, motorcycle, ATV or any other roadway crash. Each type of case carries with it its own issues and obstacles, and we have experience in each of these areas. No two cases are the same, and with our personal, hands-on approach, we will help you obtain the result which is right for you (lawyers at some firms do not even meet their clients directly until the case is already in litigation - at our firm, either Dennis Geisleman or Dennis Brown or both will be personally involved in your case from day one).

Every automobile crash is traumatic. We handle all levels of collision cases because we understand that what the insurance companies call "fender-bender" crashes and "whiplash" injuries are still very traumatic, painful and disruptive. That said, the more serious the crash, the more likely it is you need an attorney to protect all of your rights.

Usually this means hiring an attorney to develop the proof of your claim so that you can increase the gross monetary recovery. But at GEISLEMAN & BROWN, LLP we also work hard to maximize the in-pocket net for our clients. When possible, we will negotiate with health insurance providers and lienholders to reduce the amount of your repayment obligation, so that more of your settlement goes into your own pocket, and is not all used to repay subrogated insurance benefits.

Semi, Tractor-Trailer, and other Trucking Accidents

Understandably, the most serious automobile accident cases we handle usually involve semi-trucks or other large commercial vehicles. We understand that most over-the-road commercial vehicle drivers are well-trained and dedicated to respecting the safety requirements of the roadway. But the sheer size of these vehicles, and the force with which they impact other vehicles when driven improperly will usually cause devastating and debilitating injuries, or even death.

Dennis Geisleman and Dennis Brown each have experience handling claims arising out the negligent operation of Semis, Tractor-Trailers, and other commercial delivery vehicles. When necessary, we use highly qualified experts (accident reconstructionists, human factors specialists, and others) to establish the collision facts and mechanism of injury. Our familiarity with the rules and regulations specific to trucking accidents, as well our experience in handling large level damage claims means that we know what it takes to prove the liability of the trucking company, and we know how to confirm and procure the maximum amount of insurance proceeds available.

Premises Liability and/or Dog Bite Cases

We also handle premises liability claims which can include claims for negligently exposing a guest to some hidden danger (like with slip or trip and fall cases), negligently failing to control a potentially dangerous animal (most commonly dog bite cases), or even negligent maintenance of a potentially dangerous device or machine.

These cases are usually filled with many liability hurdles, and are often the hardest cases to win. If you've been hurt by the negligence of a property owner, or by the actions of an uncontrolled animal, then you will most likely need an attorney to obtain a fair recovery. GEISLEMAN & BROWN, LLP have the experience you need to evaluate, submit, and resolve your premises liability claims.

Dog bite cases are often some of the more troubling cases we handle. For whatever reasons, young children often seem to be the victims of vicious animal attacks. The type of injuries sustained in these attacks are also very likely to produce long term scarring, physcially and emptionally. You need to protect yourself if injured by such an attack, by choosing the right law firm, one with attorneys experienced in the handling of such cases. If you are pursuing the claim on behalf of a child, please remember that our firm will do what it takes to make sure proper court approval is in place for any settlement, via a guardianship, and we will do what it takes to make sure that all of your child's long term interests are protected.

Product Liability Cases

Exploding bottles, foodborne illnesses, improper safety warnings, defective medical implants or defective safety devices are just a handful of the type of product liability cases we have experience handling at our firm. Product Liability actions are governed by specific laws that affect your ability to bring a claim. It is important that you select an attorney or lawfirm with the knowledge and experience to protect your rights if you have been injured while properly using a product which had a defect which was unreasonably dangerous.