Personal Injury

A serious accident can turn your life upside down. Suddenly, you may be facing physical, economic and emotional consequences. You need an experienced fighter on your side so you can focus on recovery. At Kitrick, Lewis & Harris, we get it.  We represent people who have suffered injuries due to car or truck accidents, motorcycle accidentsplane crashesdefective productsdangerous property conditions, and other circumstances caused by negligence or wrongdoing. Our focus is to deliver the compassionate counsel and remarkable results you deserve.

Our Strategy

We use modern technology and sound legal strategies to demonstrate who was at fault for your injuries — and hold them accountable. We thoroughly investigate your accident to determine the cause and who, if anyone, was at fault. When necessary, we consult with medical specialists and life-care planners to carefully define the extent of your injuries and the life-long medical and financial impact they will have. Our goal is to ensure you get full and fair compensation for everything a personal injury has cost you and your family.

We have the background and experience to handle complex cases involving a wide variety of injuries, such as:

  • Traumatic brain injury
  • Damaged spinal cord, paralysis, paraplegia, and quadriplegia
  • Bulging and herniated disc injuries
  • Back injuries and fractures
  • Severe burns, including disfigurement
  • Amputations and amputation-related injuries
  • Broken bones and soft tissue injuries
  • Loss of eyesight
  • Elevator injuries

Personal Injury FAQ’s

At Kitrick, Lewis, & Harris, we understand that people injured as a result of negligence or wrongdoing have many initial questions about what to expect when pursuing a personal injury claim. Here are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions our Columbus injury attorneys hear.

What are your attorney fees?
Our firm handles all personal injury cases, including wrongful death claims, on a contingent fee basis. This means that we do not require any payments up front for our services, and we will only collect when you receive an award for your injuries. The percentage we collect of the award depends on when the case is settled, but we would hope that the general rule of “no win, no fee” is a testament to the confidence we have in the cases we take on.

What is the statute of limitations on a personal injury claim?
In cases of wrongful death, personal injury, and auto accidents, Ohio law limits you to two years from the date of the death or incident to file your claim. In cases involving medical malpractice, state law limits you to one year from your last date of treatment from the alleged negligent provider, although there can be exceptions based upon when you learned of a malpractice injury. As always, it is in your best interest to speak to a Columbus personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. If you wait too long, you will forfeit your chance to file a case, regardless of the evidence.

How is negligence proven?
Ohio uses a comparative negligence system, which allows an injured person to collect damages even if he or she was partially to blame for causing the incident that leads to injury. Ohio Rev. Code § 2315.33 places the Buckeye state among the 21 states that follow a “51 percent rule” regarding its modified comparative fault. In other words, if an injured party is determined to be 50 percent or less at fault for the incident, then he or she may collect damages.

How does the appeals process work?
Although many cases are settled before going to trial, our Columbus personal injury lawyers will discuss your appeal options with you and possibly seek outside consultation should a judge or jury rule in favor of the defendant.

What is liability?
Proving liability is critical to your personal injury lawsuit, as you cannot sue a party for damages if you cannot prove that party was responsible. Liability plays different roles in different lawsuits, as motor vehicle wrecks, for example, may involve a variety of factors that contribute to a collision. Some personal injuries, such as slip and falls, might rely on premises liability. Other personal injuries caused by defective or dangerous goods may be grounds for a product liability lawsuit. Our Columbus injury attorneys can help establish the liability in your case that will help ensure you receive a favorable settlement or sizeable jury award.

Why do I need an attorney?
Having legal representation ensures that you do not miss a single step that could ultimately forfeit your entire lawsuit. Furthermore, the defendant in your case is likely to have a lawyer or insurance company that presents a settlement offer far less than you deserve. Our Columbus personal injury attorneys at Kitrick, Lewis, & Harris have dedicated their entire careers to protecting the rights of individuals injured because of the negligence or wrongdoing of others. Law firm partners Mark Kitrick, Mark Lewis and Sean Harris have all been recognized among the Best Lawyers in America and Ohio’s Super Lawyers.