Pickaway County Personal Injury Lawyers  

Representing Clients in Circleville, Logan Elm, & Throughout Pickaway County 

At Rourke & Blumenthal, our seasoned attorneys have over 150 years of experience helping clients navigate personal injury claims. Our team has been privileged to represent numerous clients, guiding them through complex legal landscapes while keeping their best interests at the forefront.

Whether you are involved in a motor vehicle accident on State Route 33 or Interstates 70 and 71, a bicycle accident on E Main Street, or a negligence-related accident at a local business, Rourke & Blumenthal offers sound legal counsel. We are proud to note that our steadfast dedication and unwavering commitment have resulted in significant client recoveries

Our strength lies in our experience and approach —we don't just handle cases; we build relationships. You can trust us to stand by you every step of the way.

Why retain our services?  

• We have numerous awards and accolades. Attorney Mike Rourke has been recognized in Best Lawyers in America® since 2002, and we have been recognized by and are members of multiple organizations, including Super Lawyers®, Million Dollar Advocates Forum®, Martindale-Hubbell® Rated AV Preeminent®, and Best Lawyers®.  
• We are backed by over 150 years of collective experience. Our team has extensive experience and a proven track record of success in handling personal injury cases—put our experience on your side.  
• We work on a contingency fee basis. We are not compensated unless we obtain a settlement for you. 
• We handle big and small cases. Whether you have a complex catastrophic injury case or a straightforward car accident claim, our firm will work tirelessly to help you obtain the best possible case results possible.  
• We are committed to alleviating our clients’ stress. We are committed to lightening our clients’ loads. While they focus on their injury and healing journey, we can handle all the case legalities.  
• We offer our clients personalized attention. Our attorneys take the time to understand our client's situations and unique needs, and case goals. When you work with our firm, we make ourselves available to you, even on weekends and evenings, to answer your questions and advise you.  
• We work with leading experts in their respective fields. To strengthen your claim, we can retain and manage expert witnesses, and our firm works with top professionals in diverse fields.  

Call (614) 321-3212 today! Schedule a free consultation with our Pickaway County attorneys to get started on your case.  

Questions to Ask Your Attorney About a Settlement  

In the realm of personal injury law, a settlement refers to an agreement between the parties involved to resolve the case without going to trial. This typically happens when the defendant (or their insurance company) agrees to pay the plaintiff (the injured party) a certain amount of money to compensate for various damages.  

The exact amount is often a point of negotiation between the two sides, ideally resulting in a mutually agreed-upon figure. It's important to note that once a settlement is accepted, the plaintiff relinquishes their right to pursue any further legal action related to the same incident or injury.

During consultations with an attorney, you should ask the following questions about your potential settlement:  

• When will my case settle? Knowing when your case will settle and when you can expect to receive your award is crucial information for any individual engaged in a legal dispute. Understanding the timeline not only helps you manage your expectations but also assists you in planning for your future. Legal proceedings can sometimes last longer than anticipated due to complexities in the case or delays in the justice system. Similarly, the process of awarding and receiving settlement money can also take time, depending on the specifics of your case. By asking your attorney these questions, you can gain clear insights into the expected duration of your legal journey, allowing you to prepare yourself both emotionally and financially.
• How much do you think my case is worth? Understanding the potential worth of your case is a critical aspect of the legal process. By asking your personal injury attorney what they perceive your case's value to be, you gain insight into the realistic compensation you can expect from the settlement. This allows you to make informed decisions regarding your matter. It also helps you gauge your attorney's experience and understanding of similar cases, their assessment capabilities, and their confidence level in successfully handling your case.
• How does the insurance company determine the value of my case? This knowledge helps you to make informed decisions about whether or not to accept the offered settlement. Also, understanding this process will equip you with the necessary resources to negotiate a more favorable outcome.
• Will the insurance carrier pay the demand figure in my attorney’s request? In a personal injury case, a letter of demand is a detailed document that outlines the facts of the accident, the medical treatment received, lost wages, and how the incident has affected the individual's personal life. This letter also includes a demand for a specific amount of compensation, which the claimant believes fairly represents the damages incurred. However, it is essential to understand that the insurance company is not often likely to pay the full demand figure listed by your attorney. This happens because the demand figure is typically part of a negotiation strategy and is generally higher than the actual amount that might be considered fair compensation. The initial demand is to leave room for negotiation. The insurance company, on the other hand, is primarily interested in minimizing costs and will generally propose a significantly lower settlement offer. The talks then involve a back-and-forth until both parties reach an agreement, which may be less than the original demand yet still within a range acceptable to the claimant.
• Because the insurance company will undercut my attorney's request for settlement, why not request a very large sum to begin with? Although requesting a large sum of money in the initial letter of demand may seem like an effective strategy, it is important to remember insurers are not likely to take this seriously. Asking for an amount that is too far out of range could hurt your case as it sends a message to the insurance company that you are not serious about negotiating or do not understand what settlement figure actually encompasses your damages.
• How long does it take to complete a settlement after the first letter of demand? After the initial letter of demand has been sent, it is not unusual for a settlement to take several months or even as long as a year, depending on the complexity of your case and how well both parties negotiate.

If you have received a settlement offer, you should then ask yourself and your attorney the following questions:  

• What is included in this settlement? You should determine whether the settlement covers your economic and noneconomic damages, such as your present and future medical expenses, pain and suffering, lost wages, and property damage. In most cases, the insurance company will make the first settlement offer lower than what is needed to cover all your damages.
• What does my attorney have to say about this settlement? When deciding whether to accept an offer, you should consider what your attorney has to say about the offer. They may be able to tell you if the offer seems like it was made in bad faith or fails to factor in your damages besides your medical expenses. Your attorney can also explain any clauses included in an offer that may require confidentiality or bar you from pursuing punitive damages. If you receive a settlement offer before retaining an attorney, do not feel rushed to accept the offer. Consulting with an experienced attorney can help protect your right to fair compensation, as an attorney can act in your best interest and ensure that the insurance company is not lowballing you.  
• Do I want this case to go to trial? If the insurance company is not willing to make another offer or accept a counteroffer, your case will proceed to trial. You should consider whether you are comfortable with litigation based on your attorney’s trial experience and your willingness to endure a trial.  

How Our Pickaway County Attorneys Can Help You  

At Rourke & Blumenthal, we understand the pressures of a legal dispute and strive to provide our clients with clear, honest advice so that they can make informed decisions about their cases. Our firm handles a wide variety of personal injury matters, including:  

• Camp Lejeune. The Department of Justice has recognized a link between water contamination at Camp Lejeune and certain illnesses, including cancer and reproductive disorders. Veterans and family members who served or resided at the camp may be eligible for compensation from the VA as well as medical benefits. Our attorneys have extensive experience handling these claims and can help you understand your rights under the law.
• Medical malpractice. Medical professionals, hospitals, and other medical institutions can face medical malpractice claims if they fail to provide a standard of care that meets the industry guidelines. Our personal injury attorneys can help victims receive compensation for medical costs, pain and suffering, and lost wages due to the injury.
• Motor vehicle accidents. Motor vehicle accidents are a common cause of personal injury claims. These cases often arise when a driver or other party fails to exercise a reasonable standard of care on the road, resulting in harm to others. Factors such as reckless driving, distracted driving, or even mechanical failure can contribute to these accidents. If you have been injured in a car, truck, or motorcycle accident, our firm can help you pursue compensation.  
• Premises liability. Premises liability claims arise when an individual is injured on another's property due to the property owner's negligence. These cases can encompass a variety of situations, such as slip and fall incidents, accidents caused by unsafe property conditions, or injuries resulting from inadequate maintenance. The key point in these cases is that the property owner failed to keep the premises reasonably safe for visitors.
• Product liability. Manufacturers and distributors may be held liable when products fail to function as intended, resulting in an injury. Our team of attorneys has experience representing those who have been harmed by defective products or poorly designed consumer goods. We can help you investigate the cause of the incident and determine who is responsible for your injuries, then take action against them to get you compensation for your damages.
• Wrongful death. If your loved one’s death was caused by someone else’s negligence, a representative of the deceased’s estate can file a claim on behalf of the surviving family. Our attorneys can help file a lawsuit.  

For strong, reliable representation, contact our firm online or via phone at (614) 321-3212 to schedule a consultation. We can come to you if you are currently unable to visit our firm.