Brett Oppenheimer | Louisville Accident & Injury Lawyer

Re: Opioid Epidemic: we represent ~500 individuals who have lost their lives, suffered addiction, or been born in withdrawal from or addicted to opioid drugs. Re: Making Hospitals Safer/Holding Medical Professionals Accountable for Errors: we have successfully prosecuted cases in which hospital staffs and physicians have failed to properly monitor patients and/or have failed to timely call for a C-section resulting in oxygen deprivation to the babies and diagnoses of Cerebral Palsy. Holding medical providers accountable not only provides needed/deserved financial resources for the victim, but, arguably, makes the labor and delivery process safer for the ""next patient"". Re: Defective Products: we have recently successfully represented families who have lost loved ones in fires and similar events, resulting from dangerously and defectively designed products, including: -a disposable lighter (which had a defective ""child resistant"" feature allowing a 3 year old to ignite his home resulting in the death of two family members); an excessively flammable sofa (which accelerated a house fire rather than acting as a retardant-resulting in injuries to a husband and the death of his wife); a defective portable room heater (the defect failed to turn off the heat in a 2 year old's room-resulting in his dehydration, hyperthermia and, tragically, his death).

Initially, I handled many types of cases, including criminal, divorce/custody, real estate, injury, bankruptcy, disability etc. I wanted as much trial experience as I could get…so I took "all comers". Eventually, I learned that I was a better lawyer if I only accepted cases in areas that I enjoyed practicing-those that have medicine at their base (e.g. motor vehicle accidents, medical malpractice, product liability). Once I achieved a certain level of experience and success, I came to understand that I can be a better lawyer for fewer clients…and so I have become more and more selective…taking on fewer cases versus a "more-is-better" model. I have also learned to not force-settlements: If I feel an offer is reasonable, but the client does not-we do not settle. But, the single most important factor in our success has been our ability and willingness to communicate: Everyone gets my cell # and my office #--and I respond quickly to all emails, texts and calls.

Strong communication skills. Honesty. Hard Work.

It is beneficial to know the judges, clerks, bailiffs, secretaries, staff, etc. However, if we represent someone outside of our strongest geographic area, we associate with local counsel to gain the local knowledge that we may be missing.

During the initial consultation, I feel my job is NOT to "candy-coat" or "cheerlead"…rather, I want to answer questions, advise the potential client of their rights, advise the potential client of the law (as it applies to their situation) and determine if we make a good fit for an attorney-client relationship.

I like to hear the ""story"" in timeline fashion, including the discussion of the facts surrounding the incident, the allegations against the alleged wrong-doer, the ""damages"" (i.e. injuries) and the ways in which this incident has and will impact the potential client into the future.

1) Excellent communication skills-everyone gets our home and office numbers as well as my cell and email-we respond quickly-7 days a week. Also, my wife, Laurie, is my assistant and she is intimately involved in moving cases forward and providing meaningful and timely communications. 2) Non-pressure approach-often clients have come to us with complaints that their previous attorney pressured them to accept settlements that were unacceptable-we do not do that. The client is the ""boss"".

At this point, we only accept cases in which we have a real affinity-if I do not feel strongly about the cause of action and if I don't love the client, I feel I'm not the right attorney. For these reasons, we are very selective in who we represent. As a result, I love what I do.

I am an artist (sculptor) and love to collect art. I enjoy playing golf and poker. I enjoy hiking. I love my dogs (boxers). I practice Transcendental Meditation daily.

Yes. Laurie and I are very involved. Between us, we have had the honor to serve on many Boards of Directors (Louisville Visual Arts Association, KIDS Center for Pediatric Therapies (developmentally-challenged kids therapy facility), Harmonium (alcohol and drug support entity)). We are members of the Speed Museum and the Ft. Wayne Museum of Art. Laurie is very involved as a long-time volunteer at the West End School. We also support many charities including, but not limited to: The YMCA, St. Jude Children's Hospital, Juvenile Diabetes, Wayside Christian Mission, St. Joseph Children's Home, The Alzheimer's Association, Best Buddies, Norton Cancer Institute, Birthright Israel Foundation, Columbia Christian Church, Public Justice, Honor Flight, Cystic Fibrosis, Dance Blue, Dare to Care Food Bank, Disabled American Veterans, The KIDS Center for Pediatric Therapies, Kentucky Humane Society, Little Flock Baptist Church, Impact Africa, Louisville Urban League, Make a Wish International, River Fields, Saint Agnes Catholic Community,St. Baldrick's Foundation, St. John Missionary Baptist Church, The Healing Place, The Temple-Congregation Adath Israel, Brith Sholom, West End School, Community Foundation of Louisville, Restaurant Workers Relief Program, Blessings in a Backpack, St. Gabriel.

• Million Dollar Advocates Forum | Lifetime Member
  Member | Kentucky State Bar Association

• Top 100 Kentucky | National Trial Lawyers
  Distinguished | Martindale-Hubbell | 2018
  Million Dollar Advocate | Million Dollar Advocates Forum | 2018

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