Accident & Injury

Brain injuries are devastating and life changing not only for the victim, but for their loved ones as well. Stephen M. Smith, Esq., the founder of Brain Injury Law Center, is an internationally recognized expert in traumatic brain injury litigation. He handles and assists with lawsuits and settlements across the United States and the world. If you or a loved one has suffered a head injury and are experiencing difficulties, contact him to learn about your rights by calling 757-650-9818.

Attorney Smith is a strong advocate for the rights of injured and disabled. He possesses over 25 years of legal experience. After graduating with honors from Boston University School of Business Management, he started his career as a workers compensation claims adjuster. Attorney Smith soon realized he could accomplish more in his career if he earned a Law Degree. He decided to attend Suffolk University Law School on Beacon Hill, Boston, MA. Soon after graduation, he worked briefly at a prestigious Insurance Defense Firm in Boston, Massachusetts. He quickly realized he did not want to represent big insurance companies and employers against the working class. Attorney Smith then took his talents to Lowell, Massachusetts and practiced law at one of the largest plaintiff oriented law firms in Merrimack Valley. It was there he determined it was his calling to represent the less fortunate and pursue injury and disability claims on behalf of clients and their families. After handling personal Injury, disability and workers compensation matters for over a decade in Lowell, he was offered an opportunity to work at one of the largest plaintiff personal injury firms in the State of Massachusetts. While at this firm in Boston, he handled countless workers compensation and third party claims on behalf of his clients. After working at a large specialty plaintiff personal injury law firm, he decided he could properly serve the needs of his clients if he started his own law firm. Attorney Smith is the founder of the Mass Injury Group. His firm represents hundreds of clients across the state of Massachusetts. His firm specializes in handling all types of injury claims including motor vehicle and pedestrian accidents, wrongful death claims, negligence claims, premises liability cases, workers compensation injuries and social security disability matters. Attorney Michael O. Smith has handled countless jury and non-jury trials. Attorney Smith and his firm have recovered Millions of dollars on behalf of clients.

Mark is a trial attorney and founder of Mark Casto Personal Injury Law Firm where he represents individuals or families who have suffered an injury or the loss of a loved one. He has civil litigation experience in the areas of motor carrier/transportation liability (tractor-trailer wrecks), motor vehicle accidents, product liability, premises liability, medical malpractice, nursing home abuse, employment discrimination, and insurance bad faith. Mark was voted as one of Georgia’s Elite Lawyers by his peers. He has also been voted by the people of the Columbus Community as a Reader’s Choice Award Winner in the Columbus Ledger-Enquirer. Mark has litigated cases across the State of Georgia and other states including, Alabama, Florida, Mississippi, Texas and New Jersey. Garnering Courtroom Experience as a Former Prosecutor Mark’s career began at the Office of District Attorney where he prosecuted numerous cases and was specifically assigned to prosecute child victim crimes. Mark acted as lead prosecutor in over 50 jury trials in Superior Courts of Georgia with an astonishing success rate. Mark was a sole practitioner attorney for almost five years. In his sole practice, Mark gained extensive experience in representing the injured victim due to others' neglect. Mark, also, handled numerous criminal defense cases including the successful trial defense of an individual accused of murder. Additionally, Mark handled contested and complex domestic/divorce cases. All in all, Mark has developed a great skill in the presentation of his cases at trial. The History of Mark Casto Personal Injury Law Firm In January 2006, Mark was a founding partner of The Law Firm of Bennett and Casto. Mark’s practice focus on injured persons expanded to include personal injury, workers compensation, Nursing Home Neglect and Abuse, medical malpractice and employment discrimination claims. Ten years later, in April 2016, Mark founded Mark Casto Personal Injury Law Firm on the premise of providing superior service to his clients. Believing that it is hypocritical to sue medical doctors when also asking these doctors to care for his personal injury and worker’s compensation clients, Mark will not file a claim against a doctor for medical malpractice, but rather the hospital or other negligent parties. Successful Appellate Practice Mark also has handled numerous cases on appeal. He has argued in person before the Georgia Supreme Court and Georgia Court of Appeals. He has never lost an appeal in which he was allowed to argue in person before the Appellate Judges.

Andrew L. Shapiro is a seasoned personal injury attorney based in Tarzana, CA, with a strong commitment to helping clients who have been injured due to the carelessness or negligence of others. Known for his dedication, compassion, and aggressive advocacy, Andrew provides a personalized approach to each case, ensuring that every client receives the support and attention they deserve. His tireless work ethic has resulted in numerous successful settlements and verdicts for clients, securing the justice they seek. Andrew has a wealth of experience handling a broad range of personal injury cases, including car accidents, slip and falls, premises liability, wrongful death, and more. He is highly respected in the legal community and has earned recognition for his outstanding legal skills. As a proud member of various legal organizations, including the prestigious Million Dollar Advocates Forum, Andrew is recognized for his exceptional ability to achieve favorable outcomes for his clients. With over two decades of experience, Andrew is deeply invested in his clients’ well-being and is dedicated to helping them recover both physically and financially. He earned his J.D. from a top-tier law school and has built a reputation for being an advocate who is passionate about fighting for the rights of injured individuals. If you or a loved one has suffered injuries due to another party's negligence, don't hesitate to contact JUSTICENTER Personal Injury Lawyers for a free consultation. Let Andrew L. Shapiro help guide you through the legal process and fight for the compensation you deserve.

Paul W. Painter III founded Bowen Painter Injury Lawyers with the purpose of building a personal and trusting relationship with his clients, providing them with high-quality, aggressive, and ethical representation. As a personal injury attorney in Savannah, Atlanta, throughout the state of Georgia, and around the country, Paul has devoted his practice to representing victims of serious injury as well as families who have lost loved ones due to other’s negligence. Paul is a Savannah native and a graduate of Benedictine Military School. He received his B.B.A. from the University of Georgia and his J.D. from Mercer University Walter F. George School of Law. Between college and law school, Paul served five years as a Surface Warfare Officer in the U.S. Navy, attaining the rank of Lieutenant. He deployed in support of Operation Noble Eagle, Operation Enduring Freedom, and participated in the initial invasion of Iraq. Paul spent four years on sea duty, becoming qualified on all systems of two blue water ships and numerous small crafts. He stood engineering watches for diesel, gas turbine, and steam engines and was a leader in damage control operations. But his passion and where he spent most of his time was on bridge watch. He was qualified on all positions from helmsman to Officer of the Deck, which is the senior most topside watch officer position with control of the ship in the captain’s absence. He was an instructor for junior officers on the COLREGs Rules of the Road, navigation, and seamanship. He served as navigator and circumnavigated the globe, crossing the equator and the prime meridian (once at the same time). He was also on both ship’s Visit Board Search and Seizure teams, responsible for boarding other vessels that were in distress or under suspicion of carrying contraband. The training and experience for that job made him familiar with the operations of civilian commercial vessels and how to tell when a vessel was properly and safely maintained, and when it was not. After law school, Paul began practicing at a defense firm in Savannah where he focused on tractor-trailer litigation. Realizing that he preferred individual representation, he left to work with some of the state’s top plaintiff firms before opening his own firm. Paul has represented clients in many multi-million dollar cases throughout the state of Georgia and around the country. He has tried cases nationwide, from coast to coast, and obtained hundreds of millions of dollars for his clients in verdicts and settlements. He has spoken frequently at legal seminars and lawyer education workshops throughout the state. He specializes in in various practice areas such as car accident, slip and fall, wrongful death, truck accidents, and other distinct legal matters. In 2023, Paul was appointed by the Georgia Supreme Court to act as a Special Master in attorney discipline cases. When the State Bar of Georgia brings an action against an attorney, often seeking the attorney be suspended or disbarred, a Special Master acts as a judge in the case. Special Masters preside over a docket of cases on which they holds hearings, controls scheduling, rules on motions, acts as the finder of fact in evidentiary hearings, and ultimately issues a report to the Supreme Court – which has exclusive authority to decide attorney discipline – recommending what action should be taken. Only about 20 lawyers in the State of Georgia are appointed as Special Masters. Paul believes in staying involved in professional and community organizations. He is member of the State Bar of Georgia’s Board of Governor and is President of the Southern District of Georgia Federal Bar Association. He is a graduate of Leadership Savannah and the State Bar of Georgia Leadership Academy. He is the past president of the Savannah Trial Lawyers Association, past-Chair of State Bar of Georgia’s General Practice and Trial Section, the Bar’s largest section, past executive committee member and regional vice president of the Georgia Trial Lawyers Association, and past member of Mercer Law School Alumni Association Board of Directors. He is also a Fellow of the State Bar of Georgia and serves on numerous State Bar Committees. Paul is married to Stephanie Painter (nee Boaen) and has three young children. He is a member of St. James Church in Savannah and serves on the St. James Catholic School Advisory Board and the Dutch Island Homeowners Association. He is an avid boater and saltwater fisherman, enjoys bird hunting with his four bird dogs, and loves watching his alma mater (and back to back national champion) Georgia Bulldogs play football.

Tyler Gross is an associate with Gross & Schuster, P.A., licensed to practice in Florida. He is a trial attorney who practices personal injury law. Tyler is a Pensacola native. He is a graduate of Florida State University and the Florida State University College of Law. While in law school, Tyler was a member of the Florida State University Student Supreme Court, where he represented students who were accused of violating the Student Conduct Code, or a Student Government Rule or Regulation. Tyler received book awards for obtaining the highest grade in Legal Writing I and Legal Writing II. Additionally, as a result of his academic success, he was inducted into Phi Delta Phi Legal Honor Society. At an early age, Tyler realized two things: he wanted to be a trial attorney, and he wanted to return to Pensacola to raise a family. After graduation, Tyler was eager to return to Pensacola with his wife, Katie, to pursue his passion. He accepted a job in Pensacola as a criminal defense lawyer. Tyler has since represented over 2,000 individuals. He has developed a reputation for zealous advocacy and fighting for justice. Tyler has also dedicated significant time to community service endeavors through organizations such as Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Florida. At Gross & Schuster, P.A., Tyler handles civil cases involving personal injury, automobile accidents, boat accidents, wrongful death, dog bites, nursing home neglect, disaster recovery and premises liability.

Attorney Berman graduated from New York University in 1974 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts. He earned his Juris Doctorate, with honors, from the University of Connecticut Law School in 1979. He was admitted to the Connecticut Bar in 1979, and is a member as well of the Hartford County Bar Association, the Connecticut Trial Lawyers Association, and the American Association for Justice. Attorney Berman has served as legal counsel to the State Senate Democrats in the Connecticut General Assembly. He has served as a court appointed arbitrator and trial referee. Attorney Berman's practice consists primarily of matters in trial or litigation, particularly auto-accident injury claims.

Joe has been practicing injury law for over 31 years in the Hampton Roads, Virginia area. He is admitted to practice law in both Virginia and North Carolina. He has also successfully represented injured victims on a ‘pro hac vice’ basis in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee, Maryland, and Florida. Joe earned his B.A. at Emory University in Atlanta, GA, in 1984. He is a graduate of the Marshall-Wythe School of Law at William & Mary, where he received his Juris Doctor degree in 1987. Joe was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., but he has spent most of his life in the Hampton Roads area, having grown up in the Churchland area of Portsmouth and the Western Branch area of Chesapeake. He graduated from Western Branch High School in 1980. He currently resides in Norfolk, VA with his wife, two daughters, and their Australian Shepard, ‘Luna’ Outside of law practice, Joe enjoys engaging in religious studies, playing guitar, writing and recording music in his music studio, mountain biking, snow skiing, and just spending time with his family at home. Joe says his favorite part of practicing law is, “when it is crystal clear that the client you are helping is in dire need of your services. You realize that if the two of you had not been brought together, this person would likely be making choices that would have severe adverse consequences for him or her. It feels really good when you can present an injured client with advice and a plan of action that puts him or her on the right path to a successful future, a new start, and financial security. Just knowing that the client is sleeping better at night—with fewer clouds of worry and doubt that were there before you came along— that helps me sleep better as well."

David W. Clark is the founder and owner of the Wheaton, Illinois, law firm. As a sole practitioner in the firm, Mr. Clark has extensive knowledge in the areas of personal injury, workers' compensation, and limited scope representation/pro se help. With more than 20 years of legal experience devoted to personal injury law and those who have been injured in the workplace, Mr. Clark is licensed to practice in all state and federal courts in Illinois, and is admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court. He is a volunteer with the Administer of Justice and works with their Legal Aid Clinic. He is a member of the Federal Trial Bar. He is also a board member of the DuPage County Lawyer Referral program. In 2012, David Clark was selected for the prestigious Award for Excellence in Pro Bono Service from the United States District Court, in conjunction with the Chicago Chapter of the Federal Bar Association David was nominated for this award by Judge E. Cox, who felt that his Pro Bono work on behalf of a client merited this award. This award will be presented in May at the Excellence in Pro Bono and Public Interest Service Award Ceremony by Chief Federal Judge James F. Holderman.

Brad, a Baton Rouge native, fearlessly launched his own law practice straight out of law school, dedicated to battling relentlessly for his clients’ rights. With a background as a Prosecutor for the City of Baton Rouge, Brad knows firsthand the importance of protecting victims’ interests and is unyielding in his pursuit of justice. In the courtroom, Brad is a force to be reckoned with, tirelessly advocating for his clients in front of judges and juries. His tenure as a prosecutor honed his skills, securing numerous convictions across a spectrum of cases, from D.W.I. to Domestic Abuse Battery. Brad is a relentless advocate who never backs down from a fight. As a founding member of Mansfield, Melancon, Cranmer, & Dick, Brad has represented countless clients throughout Southeast Louisiana, leaving an indelible mark on multiple Parishes. Brad’s unwavering dedication has not gone unnoticed. Recognized with prestigious accolades including Avvo’s “Clients’ Choice Award,” “SuperLawyers Rising Star,” and the “American Institute of Personal Injury Attorneys 10 Best Attorney Client Satisfaction” award, his commitment to excellence is unmatched. Brad earned his J.D. and D.C.L. from Paul M. Hebert Law Center at Louisiana State University, where he excelled academically and served on the Trial Advocacy Board. He is deeply involved in legal and charitable organizations, championing causes close to his heart. Admitted to practice in all Louisiana State Courts and Federal Courts, Brad is a tenacious advocate both in and out of the courtroom. Married to his supportive wife Chloe, with two children, Brad finds solace in family, philanthropy, and cheering on his beloved Saints and Tigers when he’s not tirelessly fighting for his clients.