Michael A. Worel, Attorney

Michael A. Worel has 29 years of experience in handling catastrophic personal injury cases and is a senior shareholder in the Litigation department. Considered one of the nation's premier plaintiff's personal injury and medical malpractice lawyers, Mike's most recent jury verdict was for the sum of $20 million for the family of a 32-year-old wife and mother of two who died on January 16, 2006 after receiving improper anesthesia care prior to an elective laparoscopic exploratory surgery.

Mike is Board Certified as a Civil Trial Specialist by the National Board of Trial Advocacy. He has been listed in Best Lawyers in America since 2003 and in 2007 was named one of 500 leading plaintiff's lawyers in America in Lawdragon, Inc. Mike is also listed in The Best of the U.S., L.L.C. and Super Lawyers has named him one of the top attorneys in Alabama since its inception. A frequent speaker about medical negligence and general trial practice, Mike's presentations have included Deposing the Expert in a Medical Negligence Case , People's Law School: Medical Malpractice and The TBI Case.

Before returning to his roots and joining Parsons Behle & Latimer, Mike was a partner at Cunningham Bounds in Mobile, Alabama from 1988-2009. He was managing partner from 2003-2005 and in 2009. After graduating from Cumberland School of Law, he served as law clerk for Justice Janie L. Shores, Supreme Court of Alabama from 1981-1982.

Mike thoroughly evaluates the underlying events of each case before filing a lawsuit. For instance, he will only proceed with a medical malpractice case when it has been supported by highly qualified experts. He recognizes that the defendants in the substantial cases he handles rely on the enormous resources of their insurers who will aggressively defend cases even when there is no merit. Despite the financial resources of the insurance companies supporting the defendants, he has continued to achieve success at trial due to his commitment to justice and his clients.

Significant Jury Verdicts

• 2009 $20 million: Paula Pettaway v. Coastal Anesthesia et al; CV-07-901577 Mobile County Circuit Court, AL
• 2007 $4 million: Stan Watson v. St. Vincent's Hospital, CV-03-0983, Jefferson County Circuit Court, AL
• 2006 $10.25 million: Randy Earl Scheurer v. Target Corp., CV-04-1049, Mobile County Circuit Court, AL
• 2004 $2.75 million: Connie Pugh Reynolds v. Mobile Infirmary Medical Center, CV-CV-01-2075, Mobile County Circuit Court, AL
• 2001 $1.5 million: Timothy Enfinger v. Dr. Dale Greene, CV-98-066, Dale County Circuit Court, AL
• 2000 $1.75 million: Donna Sanders v. Gaylord Walker, M.D., CV-95-36, Clarke County Circuit Court, AL
• 1997 $1.75 million: Sylvia Bettis v. Mobile Infirmary Medical Center, CV-94-1494, Mobile County Circuit Court, AL
• 1993 $1.75 million: Marion M. Ray v. Providence Hospital, CV-91-2042, Mobile County Circuit Court, AL
• 1993 $4.5 million: Woodrow Smith v. William J. Schulte, M.D., CV-90-1334, Mobile County Circuit Court, AL
• 1992 $5.161 million: John Richards v. Michelin Tire Corp., CV-88-1022-P-C, U.S. District Court, Southern Division, Alabama
• 1992 $4 million: Sharlista Suttle Williams v. Holy Name of Jesus Hosp., CV 89-124-DWS, Etowah County Circuit Court, AL
• 1991 $1.5 million: McCarl Bennett v. A.V. Mankad, M.D., CV-84-1620, Mobile County Circuit Court, AL
• 1991 $10 million: Thomas L. Madden v. Family Planning Medical Center of Mobile, CV-87-899-DIJ, Mobile County Circuit Court, AL
• 1991 $6.5 million: Joshua Medders v. Gerald C. Woodruff, M.D., CV-88-364, Calhoun County Circuit Court, AL
• 1990 $2.5 million: William Paul Lakeman, Sr. v. PPG Industries, Inc., Case No. 88-0716-C, U.S. District Court, Southern Division, Alabama
• 1987 $1.5 million: Ross Talmage v. Humana Hospital Florence, CV-85-135, Florence County, AL
• 1986 $2.5 million: Misty Wilson v. Cullman County Medical Center; Ensor, Baccus & Williamson, P.A., CV-81-5487, Circuit Court, Tenth Judicial Circuit of Alabama

Professional Listings and Achievements:

• Civil Trial Specialist, National Board of Trial Advocacy; (Board of Directors 1998-2001)
• Secretary/Treasurer, International Society of Barristers; (Board of Governors 2003 - present)
• Founding Fellow, Litigation Counsel of America
• Member, American Board of Trial Advocacy since 1999
• Best Lawyers in America (2003 to present), Personal Injury and Medical Malpractice
• One of 500 New Stars, Law Dragon, Inc. (2006)
• One of 500 Leading Plaintiff's Lawyers, Law Dragon, Inc. (2007)
• Alabama Super Lawyers since inception
• Martindale-Hubbell AV Rating
• Member of the American Association of Justice
• Cumberland School of Law Advisory Board, 2005-present
• Invited faculty, national and state seminars in the field of medical negligence and general trial practice
• North Alabama Trial Lawyers Association, President, 1987-1989
• Associate Editor of the Alabama Trial Lawyers Journal, 1988-1990
• Alabama Association for Justice, Executive Committee, 1986-2009

Published Works:

• TRIAL magazine (American Association for Justice), June 2008, Vol. 44, "Don't Depose All Medical Defense Experts," Michael A. Worel
• TRIAL magazine (American Association for Justice), November 2007, Vol. 43, "Don't neglect the nurse's duty of care," Michael A. Worel and David G. Wirtes, Jr.
• Alabama Trial Lawyers, JOURNAL, Vol. 15, No. 3 (Fall 1995) The Alabama Medical Privilege Statute 22-21-8 and 34-24-58: "Is It Just A Crack Or Are The Walls Tumbling Down?" Michael A. Worel and Kelli D. Taylor.
• Alabama Trial Lawyers, JOURNAL, (Fall 1988, pg. 11) PART TWO - "The Alabama Medical Liability Act of 1987 Can It Withstand Judicial Scrutiny?"
• Alabama Trial Lawyers, JOURNAL, (Fall 1987, pg. 19) PART ONE - "The Alabama Medical Liability Act of 1987 Can It Withstand Judicial Scrutiny? "

Classes/Seminars Taught:

• AAJ's Jazz Fest Seminar for Litigating Auto Collision Cases (April 29, 2010, New Orleans, Louisiana), Speaker: "Using the Rules of the Road in Opening Statement.
• Oral Persuasion: Sage Advice for Increasing the Power of Your Advocacy - Utah State Bar (April 8, 2010), Speaker: "Motions for Summary Judgment."
• 2010 Brain Injury Conference - Utah Association for Justice, Brain Injury Association of Utah (March 5, 2010), Speaker: "The TBI Case."
• Landing the Big Fish - Idaho Trial Lawyers Association (Sept. 18, 2009, Coeur d'Alene Resort) Speaker: Southern Ideas for Northern Medical Negligence
• LawCall - Live television talk show on NBC Channel 15 (June 28, 2009), "Nursing Home Negligence."
• Litigating Medical Negligence Cases Seminar - American Association for Justice (Jan. 30-31, 2009. Ritz Carlton Phoenix, AZ), Speaker: Deposing the Expert in a Medical Negligence Case
• LawCall - Live television talk show on NBC Channel 15 (October 5, 2008), "Medical Malpractice."
• Annual Meeting - Alabama Association for Justice (June 12-14, 2008, Sandestin Beach Resort, FL) Speaker: New Approaches to Handling Defense Experts
• Ski Medical Seminar - American Association for Justice (Feb. 29 Mar. 2, 2008, Steamboat Grand, Steamboat Springs, CO), Speaker: New Approaches in Handling Defense Experts
• Litigating Catastrophically Injured Infant Cases - Association of Trial Lawyers of America (Feb. 2-3, 2007, Westin La Paloma, Tuscon, AZ), Speaker: Nurse's Liability for Physician's Negligence
• Alabama Tort Law Update - Mobile Bar Association (December 15, 2006) Speaker: Plaintiff's Perspective
• LawCall - Live television talk show on NBC Channel 15 (October 15, 2006), "Medical Malpractice."
• Cumberland School of Law - (10/11/06) Speaker: "Medical Malpractice: The Plaintiff's Perspective. How to Spot 'Em, Work 'EM, and Win 'EM."
• LawCall - Live television talk show on NBC Channel 15 (May 7, 2006), "Bad Medicine."
• The People's Law School - Alabama Trial Lawyers Association (April 3, 2006, Huntsville, AL). "Medical Malpractice"
• Injured Infant Cases - Association of Trial Lawyers of America (Feb. 3-4, 2006, Marina Del Rey, CA), Speaker: "New Approaches in Handling Defense Experts "
• Sandestin Seminar - Alabama Young Lawyers Section (May 20-21, 2005; Sandestin, FL), Speaker: "Voir Dire and Opening Statement: Plaintiff's Perspective"
• Mid-Winter Conference - Alabama Trial Lawyers Association (Jan.15-17, 2004; Birmingham, AL) "Strategies for a New Day in Court," Speaker: "Medical Litigation: New and Different Approaches to Standard Defense Techniques"
• Annual Alabama Law Update - Mobile Bar Association (11/16/01), Speaker: Tort Update: Plaintiffs' Perspective
• ABICLE Ski & CLE (The Canyons Ski Resort, Park City, UT)(12/27/2000) Speaker: "Recent Developments in Plaintiff's tort Law"
• Annual Alabama Law Update - Mobile Bar Association (12/15/00), Speaker: "Tort Update: Plaintiff's Perspective"
• Annual Bench & Bar Conference, (Mobile, AL) (12/03/99), Participant: "Demonstration of Trial Techniques: How to Handle the Most Significant and Difficult Aspects of Trial"
• ATLA Ski Seminar, (Beaver Creek, Colorado) (12/26/98 01/02/99) Speaker: "Off Label Use: Are Drug Companies Liable For Injuries," in light of Proctor v. The UpJohn Company, 1997 WL 384780 (IL. App. 1 Dist)
• Cumberland School of Law - Medical Malpractice Seminar (Birmingham, AL) (10/24/97) Speaker: "New Approaches to Handling the Defense Expert"
  ABICLE Recent Developments Seminar, (Teton Village, Wyoming) (12/30/96) Speaker: "Recent Developments in Civil Litigation"
• ATLA 44th Annual Mid-Winter Conference (Birmingham, AL) (01/26/96) Speaker: "A New Approach to Old Defense Tactics In a Medical Malpractice Case"
• ABICLE Ski Seminar (Park City, UT) (12/29/95), Speaker: "Recent Developments in Civil Law: Plaintiff's Perspective"
• Mobile Bar Association - 1995 Current Law Update (11/17/95), Speaker: "Recent Developments In Civil Law: Plaintiff's Perspective"
• Cumberland School of Law - Medical Malpractice Seminar (Birmingham, AL) (02/04/94) Speaker: "Medical Malpractice Cases: How to Spot 'Em, Work 'Em and Win 'EM"
• 1994 Mobile Bar Association - Annual Civil and Criminal Law Update Seminar (Mobile, AL) Speaker: Current Developments of Civil Law: Plaintiff's Perspective.
• Mobile Bar Association - Update on Alabama Law, Civil and Criminal (11/19/93) Speaker: "Current Developments of Civil Law Plaintiff's Perspective"
• Alabama Trial Lawyers Association - Annual Seminar (Sandestin Beach Resort, FL)(06/15-17/89) Speaker: "Preparation And Trial of A Birth Injury Case: Ideas For Success"
• Alabama Trial Lawyers Association - Annual Seminar (Sandestin Beach Resort, FL)(06/11-13/87) Speaker: "The Operation Was A Success, BUT the Patient Died - Nuts and Bolts of a Medical Malpractice Trial"
• Alabama Bar Institute - CLE (Birmingham, AL) (03/20-21/87) Speaker: "Trial Of A Case For The Plaintiff"

For Litigation History Since 1990

Non-Legal Activities:

• Big Brothers, Big Sisters, Board of Directors
• YMCA, Board of Directors
• Victory Health Partners, a non-profit health clinic for uninsured patients, Board of Directors
• Egyptian Theater, Park City, Board of Directors