I have been practicing law in East Tennessee since 1995. I genuinely care about my clients. When I take your case, it becomes my duty to be on your side and use my expertise to fight on your behalf. I go above and beyond to ensure that due diligence is done in your case to maximize the chance of a win for you.
When I accept a case, I pursue it with the highest integrity. This means that I am available and work hard so that all angles are considered and no stone is left unturned. I am committed and dedicated to the interests of my clients and I will take whatever lawful and ethical measures are required to vindicate a client's cause or endeavor. In short, I will zealously advocate for you until your case is completed.
Although I work on a wide variety of cases, my primary focus is on personal injury, long term disability claims, and insurance-related matters. I usually work on a contingency basis - meaning that I typically require no payment until you recover in your case. I work this way because if I take your case, I believe in your case and I believe that we can recover.
Watch VideoI want my clients to be as comfortable as possible during the pendency of their cases so I will be there for every step of the journey. It's not easy having a legal matter and I understand that. My approach has always been to be upfront and honest about whether you have a case or not. If I believe you have a viable case, I will tell you. If you do not have a viable case, I will also be forthright and tell you.
Watch VideoI have been lead counsel for litigation in state and federal courts as well as complex mediation and arbitration matters. I have lead counsel experience in products’ liability, class actions, premises liability, worker’s compensation, medical malpractice, personal injury, and coverage opinions.
Contact me if you have questions about the legal rights for your specific situation. I am here to help fight for you. It is not always easy to understand your rights under the law but I will help you determine the best course of action for your situation.
Maybe you've suffered a major loss from fire, theft, or some other problem and you've filed an insurance claim. It's hard to understand your rights. It's a natural conflict of interest between your insurance company's financial interest and yours. You deserve a maximum payout. Your insurance claim is a business negotiation, pure and simple.
In 2008, a dike ruptured in Roane County, Tennessee releasing 5.4 million cubic yards of coal ash into the Emory River. Workers responded immediately but many became ill due to coal ash exposure. Several attorney friends and I tried the first worker lawsuit in 2018. After a month-long trial, the jury returned a verdict in our favor on November 7, 2018. To this day, we are still fighting for justice on behalf of these workers.
I am very active in the community and enjoy fighting the "good fight" for others and contributing to cases that will impact not only my current clients but create law standards and regulations that help the community as a whole. I enjoy being outdoors, spending time with my family, fishing and hunting.
Sometimes it is helpful to see the great diversity of cases that have been handled through my office. I like to think that when I take a case, I can win it. While I cannot guarantee a positive outcome, I have concluded many cases with a favorable result in the below practice areas
Significant litigation includes Bridges v. Security Insurance Company of Hartford, No. E1999-01775-WC-R3-CV, (Tenn. Nov. 3, 2000)(holding that permanent partial disability benefits are not available for pneumoconiosis claims; opinion recommended for publication); Lett v. Collis Foods, No. E-2000-02776-COA-R3-CV (liability of employer for acts of its off-duty, off-premises employees); Harken et al v. United States Cellular Corporation, Docket No. 1-290-00, Knox County Circuit Court (consumer class action for undisclosed fees and billing practices); Garland v. St. Mary’s Health System, Inc., 2006 WL 709054 (Tenn. Wk. Comp. Panel, March 21, 2006)(regarding medical testimony and Last Injurious Exposure doctrine); Mahal v. Tusculum College, et al., No. 3:03-CV-00411 (U.S. Dist. Ct, E.D. Mar. 25, 2005)(relating to ERISA and benefits thereunder); Huffaker v. St. Mary’s Health System, Inc., N0.:E2005-01512-WC-R3-CV, (Last Injurious Exposure doctrine in workers compensation); McCullers v. Colonial Wood Products, Inc., 1998 WL 128956 (Tenn. Wk. Comp. Panel, March 23, 1998)(causation in workers’ compensation case); Carroll v. Yucatan Resorts S.A. de C.V., No. E-2007-01807-COA-R3-CV, 2008 WL 2078090 (Tenn. Ct. App., May 16, 2008)(whether summary judgment was appropriate for defendant); Morgan v. Liuna Staff and Affiliates Pension Fund, No. 3:10-CV-51, 2011 WL 6122369 (E.D. Tn., Dec. 8, 2011)(Pension issues); Yates v. Bechtel Jacobs Co., LLC, No. 3:09-CV-51, 2011 WL 2462811 (E.D. Tn., June 20, 2011)(ERISA long term disability); Setser v. CIGNA Group Ins., No. 3:10-CV-293, 2010 WL 3883432 (E.D. Tn., Sept. 29, 2010)(Remand to Tennessee Court); Sheward v. Bechtel Jacobs Co. LLC Pension Plan, No. 3:08-CV-428, 2010 WL 841302 (E.D. Tn., March 4, 2010)(Pension offset issue); Maynor v. Hartford Life Group Ins. Co., No. 2:07-CV-244, 2009 WL 2601866 (E.D. Tn., Aug. 20, 2009)(Long term disability); Edwards v. Life Ins. Co. of North America, No. 3:07-CV-247, 2009 WL 693139 (E.D. Tn, March 13, 2009)(Long term disability); Proffitt v. Group Long Term Disability Plan for Family Practice Center, No. 2:06-CV-97, 2007 WL 2692177 (E.D. Tn., Sept. 12, 2007)(Long term disability); National Coal Corp. v. National Union Fire Ins. Co. of Pittsburgh, P.A., No. 3:07-CV-97, 2007 WL 2385388 (E.D. Tn., Aug. 17, 2007)(Insurance premium/settlement dispute); Aqua-Chem, Inc. v. D & H Machine Service, Inc., No. E2015-01818-COA-R3-CV (Tenn. Ct. App. Oct. 17, 2016)(breach of contract dispute on battleship “cooler”); Adkisson v. Jacobs Engineering Group, Inc., 342 F.Supp. 791 (E.D. Tn., Sept. 19, 2018)(TVA coal ash spill litigation); State v. Williams, No. 112985, Knox County Crim. Ct (vehicular homicide related to Gay Street bridge accident); State v. Cromwell, No. E2017-01320-CCA-R3-CD (Tn. Ct. Crim. App, July 3, 2018)(vehicular homicide); Buchanan v. Sun Life Health Ins. Co., No. 3:15-cv-202 (E.D. Tn., Feb. 1, 2017)(Long term disability); Mumpower v. Sopranos, Inc. et al., No. 2:17-cv-219 (E.D. Tn.)(tractor-trailer accident); Hoffpauir, et al v. Amtrak & BNSF, No. 08-1721 (W.D. Louisiana)(train death case)
I work hard to obtain maximum compensation for my clients and am incredibly proud of my track record of substantial verdicts and settlements achieved on my client’s behalf.
The claimant had a long history of lupus and fibromyalgia in addition to other afflictions including hypothyroidism, memory loss symptoms, depression, carpal tunnel syndrome, and low back pain. She was employed as a staff nurse at a local Knox County facility. Like may claimants, she continued to work through the pain and discomfort until her condition got to the point where she could no longer continue. She applied for disability benefits with Jefferson Pilot but was denied because Jefferson Pilot’s hired physician (who never examined the claimant), stated that she could perform sedentary employment. His reasoning was based upon his conclusion that most of the claimant’s difficulties were self-reported with little in the way of objective findings. Further, a Jefferson Pilot vocational rehabilitation specialist found four jobs that the claimant could perform. Not jobs actually available, but hypothetically available and Jobs for which the claimant had no training. The "specialist" came to this conclusion even though only 9 months prior, the Social Security Administration determined that the claimant was totally disabled from any work nationwide. After two denials, the case was settled to the satisfaction of the claimant prior to litigation.
This claimant was a special lady. She was 49 years old with an eighth-grade education, having dropped out to help her family. However, through sheer determination, intelligence, and hard work, she progressed in the workforce until she had positioned herself in a management position at a large manufacturing facility in Oak Ridge, TN. Although she had the drive to continue employment, she eventually could not perform the functions of her job because of her medical conditions and had to apply for disability. She had six months' worth of short-term disability but Lincoln denied any payments for long-term disability. Lincoln made a concerted effort to “pigeon hole” the claimant into choosing only one condition as the “primary” condition for pursuing disability. However, no such requirement could be found in any of the terms of the disability plan. Further, Lincoln apparently used two non-practicing nurses’ opinions to support its denial of the claim. Following the administrative appeal, we brought suit against Lincoln. Only then, after litigation began, did Lincoln approach settlement. Following negotiations, this matter settled to the satisfaction of the claimant.
The Plaintiff was a 37-year-old man when he was injured while driving through the parking lot of his employer in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. The Plaintiff was a security guard and noticed skateboarders on the property. He suddenly turned his head to the left and felt a pop in his neck. An MRI showed herniated discs at the C5-6 level, C3-4 level and C4-5 level. His physician performed fusion surgery in his cervical spine and then prescribed more physical therapy. Despite his continuing serious difficulties, Cigna denied his claim. After a period of litigation, the case was settled to the client's satisfaction.
Over the years I have represented clients with a host of different illnesses and afflictions, including amputations, head injuries, traumatic breaks, mental illness, paralysis, torn rotator cuffs, blindness, deafness, bed bug attacks, allergic reactions, dog bites etc…… I have litigated in almost every county in east Tennessee from Nashville to Bristol and south to Chattanooga. So if you live in east Tennessee and need legal representation for your disability claim, you can be fairly certain that I have litigated in your county and I have probably encountered your illness or injury.
Feel free to reach out with any inquiries and we will get back to you as soon as possible, we are here to help!
I am results-focused and a trusted and honest adviser and consultant for legal situations for many impactful clients.
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