Experienced Elkhorn Personal Injury Lawyers Serving Walworth County & Southeastern Wisconsin
A serious injury can change the course of your life in an instant. Medical bills accumulate. Paychecks stop coming in. Dealing with insurance adjusters adds stress to an already overwhelming situation. At Godfrey, Leibsle, Blackbourn & Howarth, S.C., we understand the pressure injured victims face and we are here to help. Our attorneys provide thorough, determined representation for individuals hurt by someone else’s negligence. We handle every personal injury case on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we recover compensation on your behalf.
Based in Elkhorn, Wisconsin and strategically located in the greater Milwaukee, Madison and Chicago metropolitan triangle, our firm has built a strong network of relationships and an expanded presence to serve clients throughout Wisconsin and across the United States.
Personal Injury Cases Our Team Handles
We fight on behalf of our clients in a comprehensive range of personal injury matters. Among these are:
- Car accidents
- Truck wrecks
- Motorcycle, pedestrian and bicycle accidents
- Accidents caused by distracted driving and road rage
- Uninsured motorists and underinsured motorists
- Boat accidents
- ATV, snowmobile and recreational vehicle accidents
- Construction accidents
- Farm accidents
- Food contamination
- Medical malpractice
- Products liability
- Premises liability
- Wrongful death
We will assist in helping you find suitable medical treatment and getting a professional evaluation of your injury, with which we can pursue the appropriate parties.
We are available to assist individuals who have been injured by an uninsured motorist or an underinsured motorist. There is a specific procedure in Wisconsin by which you can file a claim against your own policy for coverage, and we will guide you through this.
Get answers to your personal injury questions.
Key Wisconsin Laws That May Affect Your Injury Claim
Understanding how Wisconsin law applies to your situation can make a meaningful difference in how you approach a claim. Three areas stand out:
- Statute of limitations: Wisconsin law generally gives injury victims three years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit under Wis. Stat. § 893.54. Delays can put your right to recover at serious risk.
- Comparative negligence rules: Wisconsin follows a modified comparative negligence standard under Wis. Stat. § 895.045. You may still pursue compensation as long as your share of fault does not exceed 50%, though your recovery is reduced proportionally by your assigned percentage of fault.
- Damage caps and exceptions: Wisconsin does not impose caps on compensatory damages in most personal injury cases. Noneconomic damages in medical malpractice cases are capped at $750,000, and punitive damages are limited to the greater of $200,000 or twice the compensatory award under Wis. Stat. § 895.043(6).
Our personal injury attorneys can help you understand how these laws affect your situation.
What Damages May Be Available To You?
Depending on the facts of your case, you may have grounds to seek recovery for a range of losses, including:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
- Pain, suffering and emotional distress
- Property damage
- Loss of companionship in wrongful death cases
The amount you may recover depends on the severity of your injuries, the parties involved and the long-term impact on your daily life and livelihood.
What If You Were Partly At Fault For The Accident?
Many injury victims mistakenly believe that sharing some fault disqualifies them from recovering compensation. Under Wisconsin’s modified comparative negligence rule, that is not necessarily the case. As long as your percentage of fault stays at 50% or below, you retain the right to pursue a claim. Your recovery is reduced by your share of fault, but you are not left without options.
At Godfrey, Leibsle, Blackbourn & Howarth, S.C., we carefully analyze every detail of your case and work to present the strongest possible account of what happened on your behalf.
We Are Experienced In Accidents Near Lake Geneva
Throughout the summer, many visitors come to the area to enjoy the many recreational and lake attractions offered in Wisconsin. While these are usually times of relaxation and enjoyment with family and friends, it is not uncommon for a lax attitude and potential use of alcohol to create unsafe conditions, resulting in injury.
We often represent these visitors, providing local representation to pursue the individuals responsible for the injury. From boating accidents to regional events, we review the circumstances of the injury and build a case on your behalf.
Do You Have A Third-Party Claim After A Work Injury?
We also represent clients in matters of third-party personal injury claims. Many times, this involves employees injured on the job due to the negligence of a party that is not their employer. For instance, many workers are injured as a result of equipment malfunction or improper signage. These cases lie outside the realm of workers’ compensation, and we will help you recover the damages you are entitled to, which you often need to cover costly medical bills.
Do Not Delay Justice. Work With Lawyers You Can Call Your Allies.
All personal injury matters are handled on a contingency basis. To speak with our skilled personal injury lawyers, please call our office today at 262-422-6607 or complete this online form.