When you are injured because of someone else's negligence, the consequences reach into every part of your life. Medical bills pile up, you cannot work, and the physical pain is compounded by the stress of not knowing how you will support yourself and your family. Insurance companies begin calling within days, pushing lowball settlement offers designed to close your case cheaply and permanently. You need an attorney who will fight back.
TMiller Law represents personal injury victims throughout the state of Ohio. I handle car accident cases, truck accident claims, motorcycle crashes, slip and fall injuries, wrongful death actions, dog bite claims, and traumatic brain injury cases. I work on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay nothing unless I recover compensation for you. Every consultation is free, and I am available to meet with you at your home or hospital if your injuries prevent you from traveling.
Types of Personal Injury Cases We Handle
Personal injury law covers a broad range of accidents and incidents where another person's carelessness, recklessness, or intentional conduct causes harm. At TMiller Law, I handle the following types of personal injury cases throughout Ohio.
🚗 Car Accidents
Car accidents are the most common source of personal injury claims in Ohio. I handle rear-end collisions, intersection accidents, head-on crashes, distracted driving cases, drunk driving accidents, and uninsured or underinsured motorist claims. Ohio requires drivers to carry minimum liability coverage, but minimum policies rarely cover serious injuries. I pursue all available sources of compensation including the at-fault driver's insurance, your own uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, and any other applicable policies.
🚚 Truck Accidents
Commercial truck accidents cause catastrophic injuries due to the massive size and weight of semi-trucks, tractor-trailers, and delivery vehicles. These cases are more complex than car accident claims because they often involve Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulation violations, electronic logging device data, multiple liable parties including the trucking company, and corporate legal teams working to minimize liability. I investigate these cases aggressively, preserving critical evidence before it disappears.
🏍️ Motorcycle Accidents
Motorcycle riders face unique dangers on Ohio roads. Without the protective shell of a car, riders suffer disproportionately severe injuries including road rash, broken bones, spinal cord damage, and traumatic brain injuries. Insurance companies frequently try to blame motorcyclists for accidents. I fight back against these tactics and pursue full compensation for your injuries, lost income, and pain and suffering.
⚠️ Slip and Fall
Property owners in Ohio have a legal duty to maintain safe conditions for visitors. When they fail to address hazards such as wet floors, uneven surfaces, broken stairs, icy walkways, or inadequate lighting, and you are injured as a result, you may have a premises liability claim. I investigate the property owner's notice of the dangerous condition, maintenance records, and any prior complaints about the hazard.
💔 Wrongful Death
When negligence takes the life of a loved one, surviving family members deserve justice and financial security. Under Ohio Revised Code §2125.01, wrongful death claims can be brought by the personal representative of the deceased person's estate on behalf of surviving family members. Recoverable damages include funeral and burial expenses, lost financial support, loss of services, loss of companionship, and mental anguish of surviving family members.
🐕 Dog Bites
Ohio follows a strict liability standard for dog bite cases under ORC §955.28, meaning the dog owner is liable regardless of whether they knew the dog was dangerous. You do not need to prove the dog had a prior history of biting. I handle claims for medical treatment, reconstructive surgery, scarring, emotional trauma, and lost wages resulting from dog attacks anywhere in Ohio.
🧠 Traumatic Brain Injury
Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) range from mild concussions to severe brain damage that permanently alters cognitive function, personality, and the ability to live independently. TBI cases require careful medical documentation and expert testimony to establish the full extent of current and future damages. I work with neurologists and life care planners to build comprehensive claims that account for long-term care needs, lost earning capacity, and diminished quality of life.
Ohio Personal Injury Laws You Need to Know
Understanding the key Ohio statutes that govern personal injury claims is essential for protecting your rights and maximizing your recovery. Below are the most important laws that affect your case.
Statute of Limitations — ORC §2305.10
Ohio Revised Code Section 2305.10 establishes a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims. This means you must file your lawsuit within two years of the date you were injured. If you miss this deadline, the court will almost certainly dismiss your case, and you will lose your right to compensation permanently. For wrongful death claims, the two-year clock starts on the date of death under ORC §2125.02. There are limited exceptions for minors (the statute is tolled until the child turns 18) and cases involving fraud or concealment by the defendant.
Comparative Negligence — ORC §2315.33
Ohio follows a modified comparative negligence rule. Under ORC §2315.33, you can still recover compensation as long as your share of fault does not exceed 50 percent. If you are found 51 percent or more at fault, you recover nothing. If your fault is 50 percent or less, your recovery is reduced proportionally. For example, if you are awarded $200,000 in damages but found 25 percent at fault, your recovery is reduced to $150,000. Insurance companies routinely attempt to inflate the injured person's share of fault to reduce their payout, making strong legal representation critical.
Damage Caps in Ohio
Ohio places limits on certain categories of damages in personal injury cases. Understanding these caps helps set realistic expectations for your case.
| Damage Type | Cap / Limit | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Economic Damages | No Cap | Medical bills, lost wages, future treatment costs, and property damage have no limit. |
| Non-Economic Damages (Standard) | $250,000 or 3x economic damages | Pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life are capped at the greater of $250,000 or three times economic damages per plaintiff. |
| Non-Economic Damages (Catastrophic) | No Cap | Cases involving permanent and substantial physical deformity, loss of use of a limb, or loss of a bodily organ are exempt from the non-economic damage cap. |
| Punitive Damages | 2x compensatory damages | Available only in cases of intentional or egregious misconduct. Small employers have lower caps. |
What Your Personal Injury Case Is Worth
One of the first questions every personal injury client asks is how much their case is worth. The honest answer is that every case is different, and no ethical attorney can guarantee a specific dollar amount before investigating the facts. However, there are well-established factors that determine the value of a personal injury claim in Ohio.
Economic Damages
Economic damages compensate you for the financial losses directly caused by your injury. These are objective and can be documented with bills, records, and receipts.
- Medical expenses: Emergency room visits, hospital stays, surgery, physical therapy, prescription medications, medical devices, and future treatment costs
- Lost wages: Income you lost because you could not work during recovery
- Lost earning capacity: If your injuries permanently reduce your ability to earn income at the same level as before the accident
- Property damage: Vehicle repair or replacement costs and personal property destroyed in the accident
- Out-of-pocket expenses: Transportation to medical appointments, home modifications for disability access, and hired help for tasks you can no longer perform
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages compensate you for the intangible harms that do not come with a price tag but profoundly affect your quality of life.
- Pain and suffering: The physical pain caused by your injuries and ongoing discomfort during recovery
- Emotional distress: Anxiety, depression, PTSD, and other psychological effects of the accident and your injuries
- Loss of enjoyment of life: The inability to participate in hobbies, activities, and experiences you enjoyed before the injury
- Loss of consortium: The impact on your relationship with your spouse, including loss of companionship and intimacy
- Disfigurement and scarring: Permanent physical changes resulting from the injury
The Personal Injury Claims Process
Understanding what to expect during your personal injury case helps reduce anxiety and prepares you for each phase. While every case follows its own path, most personal injury claims in Ohio move through these stages.
- Free Consultation and Case Review: You call TMiller Law and describe your accident and injuries. I evaluate the facts, explain your legal options, and determine whether you have a viable claim. There is no charge and no obligation.
- Investigation and Evidence Gathering: I collect police reports, medical records, photographs of the accident scene, witness statements, surveillance footage, and any other evidence that supports your claim. In truck accident cases, I send preservation letters to prevent the trucking company from destroying electronic data.
- Medical Treatment and Documentation: You continue treating with your doctors until you reach maximum medical improvement (MMI), the point where your condition has stabilized. I work with your medical providers to obtain detailed records and opinions about causation, prognosis, and future care needs.
- Demand Package and Negotiations: Once your medical treatment is complete, I assemble a comprehensive demand package documenting all of your damages and send it to the insurance company. I then negotiate aggressively to reach a fair settlement. Most personal injury cases settle during this phase.
- Filing a Lawsuit: If the insurance company refuses to offer fair compensation, I file a lawsuit in the appropriate Ohio court. Filing a lawsuit does not mean you will go to trial. Many cases settle after the lawsuit is filed, often during the discovery phase when the insurance company realizes the strength of your evidence.
- Discovery and Depositions: Both sides exchange information, take depositions of witnesses and experts, and prepare their case. This phase allows me to expose weaknesses in the defense and strengthen your position for settlement or trial.
- Mediation or Settlement Conference: Many Ohio courts require mediation before trial. A neutral mediator facilitates negotiations between the parties to reach a resolution. Mediation is often successful in resolving personal injury disputes.
- Trial: If no fair settlement is reached, I take your case to trial and present your evidence to a judge or jury. While most cases settle, I prepare every case as if it will go to trial so the insurance company knows I am serious.
Why Hire a Personal Injury Attorney
You are not required to hire an attorney to pursue a personal injury claim. You can negotiate directly with the insurance company on your own. However, there are important reasons why retaining experienced legal representation significantly improves your outcome.
Insurance Company Tactics
Insurance companies are not on your side, even your own insurer. Their primary goal is to pay as little as possible on every claim. Adjusters use specific strategies to reduce your compensation.
- Quick lowball offers: They contact you days after the accident, before you know the full extent of your injuries, and offer a fast settlement that sounds reasonable but is far below what your case is worth
- Recorded statements: They ask you to provide a recorded statement and then use your own words against you, twisting innocent remarks to suggest your injuries are not serious or that you were partly at fault
- Delay tactics: They drag out the claims process hoping you will become desperate and accept less money
- Surveillance: They hire private investigators to follow you and film you in an attempt to show your injuries are not as severe as claimed
- Medical record fishing: They request your entire medical history looking for pre-existing conditions they can blame for your current symptoms
- Blaming you: They argue you were partially or entirely at fault for the accident to reduce their payout under Ohio's comparative negligence law
Evidence Preservation
Critical evidence in personal injury cases has a limited lifespan. Surveillance camera footage is typically overwritten within 30 to 90 days. Skid marks on the road fade. Witnesses move away or forget details. Vehicle damage is repaired or the car is scrapped. Electronic data from commercial trucks is overwritten. An attorney acts immediately to preserve this evidence before it is lost, including sending spoliation letters to businesses and trucking companies requiring them to preserve relevant data.
Contingency Fee — No Fee Unless We Win
TMiller Law handles all personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis. This arrangement is specifically designed to ensure that injured people can access quality legal representation regardless of their financial situation. Here is how it works.
- No upfront costs: You pay nothing to hire me. There is no retainer fee, no hourly billing, and no deposit required.
- No fees during your case: I advance all costs related to investigating and pursuing your claim, including filing fees, medical record costs, expert witness fees, and other expenses.
- Fee comes from your recovery: My fee is a percentage of the settlement or verdict I obtain for you. If I recover nothing, you owe me nothing for legal fees.
- Aligned interests: Because my fee depends on winning your case and maximizing your recovery, my financial interest is directly aligned with yours. I have every incentive to fight for the highest possible compensation.
- Free consultation: Your initial case evaluation is always free and carries no obligation. I will review the facts, tell you whether you have a case, explain your options, and answer your questions.