Medical Malpractice

John W. Adkins is a trial attorney specializing in personal injury law including auto accidents, truck accidents, wrongful death, workers’ compensation, premises liability claims, dangerous or defective products, medical malpractice, and related plaintiffs’ tort litigation. He was born in Marietta, Georgia. He graduated Magna Cum Laude from Kennesaw State University where he received a B. B. A. in Finance and obtained his J. D. degree from Thomas Jefferson School of Law in San Diego, California. Additionally, he won various mock trial competitions in the Intensive Advocacy Program at the University of San Francisco.

Since 2003, Allaben & Bandeen Attorneys at Law has provided a range of legal services in Grand Rapids, MI, and communities across Michigan. Our attorneys have 60+ years of combined skills and experience. They practice in a number of areas and take a client-first approach to every case. We represent clients in a variety of legal matters including personal injury, wrongful death, medical malpractice, workers’ compensation, Michigan No-Fault law, divorce, and child custody cases.

“When a client selects our office to represent them, it is a great honor. Our clients trust us to navigate them through the rigors of a high-stakes legal system. There is nothing more professionally satisfying to me than rewarding that trust by achieving a successful result.” Tim is experienced in all areas of complex litigation and alternative dispute resolution and focuses his practice on medical malpractice, personal injury, and appellate law. A partner in Phelan, Phelan & Danek and head of the Appellate Law practice, his strength is a comprehensive knowledge of the law and understanding of the legal process. Prior to entering private practice, Tim served as an Appellate Court Attorney for the Appellate Division Third Department. This experience provided him an insider's perspective of the different courts, and how the court decision process works. He has been with Phelan, Phelan & Danek from the beginning, and values its big firm experience, small firm relationships, and the family environment. Tim is very active with his family and community. He serves as Board President with Niskayuna Youth Football & Cheerleading, works with the Niskayuna Town Parks & Recreation Committee, and coaches his daughter's travel softball team. Married for 14 years to his high school sweetheart Jessica, he has 3 children, softball player Cadence, 11, footballer Brooks, 10, and 6-year-old Lilly, who specializes in 'trouble'. Lawyer.com Member Questionnaire Please describe a case(s) in the last year or two where you made a big difference. I received a call from a 10 year old girl who broke her wrists using monkey bars at school.  After falling, her teacher declined to let her see the nurse and she completed the school day.  She was healing well, but several attorneys turned down her case believing that her damages were limited.  The School District’s insurance company claimed that they were only responsible for a couple of hours of pain and suffering and offered nuisance value.  I took the case and sued the School District for depriving the child of her civil rights under 42 U.S.C. section 1983, by depriving the child of her basic human right to medical care.  The case settled quickly after that for a substantial settlement. How did you build a successful practice? The cornerstone of my practice, as with most, is to listen specifically to my client’s needs.  I believe what sets my practice apart, is creativity in designing approaches to reach a client’s goals using all available avenues.  To achieve this goal, I have developed expertise in all means available.  From trial to alternative dispute resolution, I have the expertise to achieve the goals of my clients in the means that best suits their objectives. What should clients look for in a lawyer? First and foremost, clients should look for an experienced lawyer who listens to them and understands their core objectives.  I believe that a fundamental component to the lawyer’s job is to ensure that he or she understands exactly what the client’s objectives are.  Once the objectives are clearly identified, the attorney’s responsibility to provide the client with available options to achieve that goal and an honest evaluation of the case. What information can you provide in a free phone consultation? During our initial telephone conversation, we will discuss the aspects of your case and get an understanding of not only what happened, but what you would like to have happen moving forward.  At this point, we will determine if my firm is an appropriate match for you.  If so, we will make a plan to meet and discuss what materials, if necessary, we should review as we continue to develop a plan. What information do you need in a free phone consultation? During the initial telephone conversation, clients should be prepared to generally discuss the nature of their case and be prepared with as many details as possible.  We need to know what happened, and how it has impacted you.  In addition, we need to know the timing of the occurrences that give rise to your potential claim.  Time may be of the essence, so please call as soon as possible.  We are here and ready to help you. What differentiates you from other lawyers in your community? What differentiates me from other lawyers in this field is the perspectives on the law and the system that I have honed over the course of my career.  One of the keys to the development of my practice was my time as a clerk with the Appellate Division, Third Department.  Not only was I exposed to several types of cases while there, but I gained the valuable and rare perspective of the cases from the Court’s view.  Using these experiences, I have endeavored to create a practice model that is friendly to the Court’s needs.  I find that this approach has been helpful to achieve client goals. What is the most rewarding aspect of your job? The most rewarding part of my job is the satisfaction that I take away from making a difference in my client’s lives.  Clients come to our firm with a need, and often in distress.  We work hard to reach a conclusion of their case that meets their needs and improves their lives.  The opportunity to make a positive impact on the lives of others is what sparked my interest in the law years ago and still fuels my practice today. What are your other interests in addition to law? I am an active volunteer in the Community.  I have four children and coach youth football.

Paul has a trial practice focused on personal injury cases. He has earned experience in all facets of trial from preliminary hearings through trial and appeal. He has tried cases to verdict in the state and federal courts of Texas and has argued appeals before Texas and federal courts of appeal. Paul started his legal career with the law firm of Worsham, Forsysthe, Sampels & Wooldridge, L.L.P., a venerable Dallas firm started in the 1930s that focused on representation of railroads, utilities, and industrial clients. When Worsham Forsythe merged with Hunton & Williams, L.L.P. in 2002, a 100-year old Virginia-based firm, Paul joined as a litigation partner. Over the next seven years, Hunton & Williams grew to a firm with 1000 lawyers, 150 of which practiced in Dallas. In 2009, Paul left the international firm of Hunton & Williams to start his own firm, Wickes Law, PLLC. He now has the flexibility to represent individual clients and bring his years of experience to help injured victims.

Joel (Joe) D. Moses is a founding partner of Kass & Moses Personal Injury Lawyers, a law firm dedicated to representing individuals injured in bicycle, motorcycle, and auto accidents. With over 34 years of experience in personal injury law, Joel has earned a reputation as a compassionate advocate and relentless legal strategist who consistently delivers exceptional results for his clients. Joe’s practice focuses on navigating the aftermath of serious injuries for his clients. As a three-time cancer survivor, Joel brings personal insight into the challenges of recovery. He understands the complexities of medical care—billing, records, doctor visits, rehabilitation, and everything in between. This unique perspective deepens his empathy for clients who are enduring their own difficult journeys, and he often serves as a guide, helping them navigate the path toward healing and justice. At the heart of his work is the firm’s mission: to allow clients to focus on healing while we pursue the best possible legal outcomes on their behalf. His dedication to his clients is rooted in his personal experiences and his unwavering commitment to making a meaningful difference in their lives. As both a skilled negotiator and an accomplished litigator, He has secured millions of dollars in settlements and verdicts for his clients. His meticulous case preparation and ability to craft compelling arguments have earned him the respect of clients, colleagues, and opposing counsel alike. Whether negotiating a favorable settlement or fighting for justice in the courtroom, Joel’s unwavering commitment to his clients is evident in everything he does.

Don Sullivan has spent his entire career – over 40 years – fighting for regular people. He only represents real people who’ve been harmed by the misconduct and neglect of others – insurance companies, governments at all levels, hospitals and doctors, manufacturers, and the rich and powerful. Don has helped the Little Guy against: -a tire manufacturer whose defective tire killed several college kids -a Spanish gun manufacturer whose defective pistol destroyed a cop’s leg -a New York police department that hid evidence and put an innocent man in prison for many years -a surgeon whose refusal to return the nurse’s call turned his patient into a paraplegic -an ENT who got confused and drilled a hole into the patient’s brain -the hospital which gave a healthy young mom a full bag of insulin instead of antibiotics, and left her permanently unable to move, speak or show any reaction -careless drivers – the distracted guy on his cell phone, the trucker speeding after too many hours on the road, the drunk driver – who have caused families driving the highways of Wyoming to have their lives turned upside down. Don even established the legal rule that now holds bars responsible for selling alcohol to people who’ve had too much to drink, then hurt innocent people with their impaired driving.

Heber Simmons III, the founder of Simmons Dallas, PLLC, is a lawyer who always remembers whom he represents, and keeps their interests at heart from start to finish. He is licensed in all federal and state courts in Mississippi and Tennessee. He originally started his legal practice in 1989 with the firm of Watkins Ludlam and Stennis in Jackson, Mississippi. He then joined Armstrong Allen, a Memphis, Tennessee firm, to start a Mississippi office in 1994. After becoming Managing Partner, Mr. Simmons decided to pursue his individual interests and the freedom to represent clients across a broad spectrum of legal matters. His representations include Fortune 500 companies, as well as individuals and businesses, in matters involving medical malpractice, product liability, administrative healthcare matters, nursing law, nursing licensure, contracts, workers' compensation, wrongful denial of insurance, contract actions, personal injury, toxic exposures/injury, and business litigation. Mr. Simmons also serves as a mediator, and is approved by the Mississippi Bar and the Federal Panel of Mediators. Mr. Simmons received his law degree from the University of Mississippi School of Law, where he served as Editor in Chief of the Mississippi Law Journal. He has served as an adjunct professor of Healthcare Law at the Else School of Management at Millsaps College, and authored and co-authored many published materials, including the Mississippi Chapter from West Publication's Product Liability in 50 States, and numerous lectures for continuing education seminars and in-house presentations. Mr. Simmons is a member of the Mississippi Bar Association, the Tennessee Bar Association, the American Bar Association, the Mississippi Defense Lawyers Association, and National Health Lawyers Association. He serves as a member of the Mississippi Bar Committees for Health Law and Alternative Dispute Resolution. He is active with the Rotary Club of Jackson, where he currently serves as a member of its Board of Directors. He enjoys time with his family, as well as hunting, fishing, archery, tennis, golf, scuba diving and being an amateur carpenter. Mr. Simmons has been named a SuperLawyer by Top Lawyers of Mid-South for 2012, 2013, and 2014, and he has served as the Chairman of the Medicine and Law Committee of the American Bar Association, and President of the Jackson Rotary Club (2011-2012).

Margaret Moses Branch is married to Turner W. Branch, senior partner of the Branch Law Firm. Ms. Branch is the managing partner. She is a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates and International Women’s Forum, named Woman of the Year in 1995. She serves on the Board of Directors of the New Mexico Trial Lawyers Association and is currently on the Board of Directors of the Center for Civic Values (Interest on Legal Trust Accounts). She was Chair of the Association of Trial Lawyers Women’s Law Caucus (5,000 members) and was founding President of the New Mexico Women’s Bar Association. She has been a frequent lecturer on Continuing Legal Education programs for attorneys. Ms. Branch has served as Vice-Chair of the Association of Trial Lawyers of the America Tobacco Litigation Group. In her practice, Margaret Moses Branch has been particularly interested in women’s health issues. She has served on the Executive Committee of the Failure to Diagnose Breast Cancer ATLA Litigation Group. She was moderator for the National College of Advocacy, Medical-Legal Update Seminar, for the section entitled “Medicine and the Law: Special Issues Facing Women.” Ms. Branch served as a moderator of the ATLA National College of Advocacy, “Litigating Women’s Health Issues”. She has served as counsel in cases that involved failure to diagnose breast cancer, colon cancer, uterine cancer, pancreatitis, leukoplakia, peritonitis, appendicitis, compartment syndrome, aneurysms, pneumonia, meningitis, abruptio placenta, kernicterus, and other illnesses and diseases. She has been involved in cases that addressed issues of surgical negligence, i.e., laminectomies, cholecystectomies, colonoscopies, hernia repairs, and hip replacements. Additionally, she has been involved in cases that dealt with obstetrical issues, i.e., failure to perform timely Caesarean sections, inappropriate radiological procedures, unnecessary hysterectomies, and incomplete abortions.

The firm is based on the belief that our clients' needs are of the utmost importance. Our entire team is committed to meeting those needs. As a result, a high percentage of our business is from repeat clients and referrals. Principal attorney Charles Chester has served thousands of clients successfully because of his background with judicial clerkships, jury trials, lobbying of public officials, appellate arguments, and years of counseling clients on their options. He has lectured and written extensively on many topics for both bar associations and various industry trade groups. He has been asked to serve on various boards, commissions and committees for county and state governments, bar associations and community groups. His local health care cases were reported on throughout the print and electronic media, including The Washington Post and DC area television stations, and his national election litigation in Florida was covered by CNN and MSNBC.

A local graduate of North Charleston High School, attorney John Price has practiced since 1985, serving as a state prosecutor in the Charleston County Solicitor’s Office before founding John Price Law Firm, LLC in 1988. An experienced attorney, he has served as president of the Charleston Art of Trial Advocacy Workshop for Charleston-area lawyers, a fellow of the Litigation Counsel of America, and Board of Governors for the South Carolina Association of Justice. Mr. Price also serves as president of the Palmetto Touchdown Club, an academic scholarship and booster club as well as an assistant coach of several youth basketball teams and Board of Governors for travel league organizations… Charleston attorney John Price has been practicing law since 1985. He founded the John Price Law Firm, LLC in 1988. Mr. Price and his associates have handled thousands of cases of auto accidents, dog bites, falls, on-the-job injuries, medical negligence cases, workers’ compensation claims and other personal injury and wrongful death claims.