Larry F., Former Client
"I'm not sure where I would be today if it weren't for Justin and the law firm he is with... You become a part of the family the day you become a client and there is nothing more satisfying... If you want the best, the most terrific, then this is the man you want as your attorney."
Ben C., Former Client
"They're good people, plain and simple. I had the opportunity to work with Justin Demerath on a few issues. One where he had nothing to gain financially and the other, he did. There was no difference in his demeanor, the way he treated me or his intent. He just wanted to help in any way he could."
Herbert F., Former Client
"I want to thank you Justin for a job well done. My case was certainly a difficult one as attested to by the number of rejections I had before your name was given to me... You were up front about my chances for a win, never denying the road blocks that certainly would arise. I was impressed by the professional manner in which you handled my case."
Melanie S., Former Client
"The service I received from Justin Demerath has been unparalleled in every aspect. He is very professional, concise, and empathic towards his clients. My settlement exceeded my expectations on my collarbone injury case, in result of his strong desire for success."
Teresa P., Former Client
"WOW! I haven't seen this kind of customer service in years. Justin visited with me on the phone until all my questions were answered. He was extremely helpful, gracious, pleasant, willing, professional and very nice."
"In the midst of dealing with insurance, body shop, doctors and staff all of whom were 'just doing their job'... Justin was a ray of sunshine on a very gloomy day in my life. He made me feel very comfortable and encouraged me to continue with my questions... Thank you Justin...God bless you."
Jon S., Former Client
"Fantastic Representation. Justin Demerath represented me in a motorcycle accident where I was injured severely. The outcome was a best case scenario based on the realities of the at-fault driver. I received the largest settlement that was available and it turned out well. That was the bottom line, but what I wanted to comment on was Justin's willingness to explain each step of the process and his personal interest in my case. He came to visit me at my house while I was still unable to walk and his competence and ability to put things in simple terms allowed me to feel comfortable to take the details of my case off my plate and put it in his hands."
Nancy C., Former Client
"I am just so impressed in your scientific and legal knowledge. Your commitment and enthusiasm goes beyond compare. Should I ever need your services again or if someone I know needs your expertise, I will not hesitate to give you and call or make a referral."
Jay B., Former Client
"My experience with the insurance companies over the 15 months following the accident was frustrating... I admit I was also reluctant to find a personal injury lawyer, based on the stereotype of personal injury lawyers that I had ... I no longer carry that stereotype with me, I've since learned better."
Cindy R., Former Client
"Great Representation. I was involved in an auto accident two years ago and, after unsatisfactory dealings with the insurance company of the other driver, I hired Justin Demerath to represent me in my claim for medical bills coverage.... Mr. Demerath is a true professional whose compassion for his clients and for the law is first rate."
Motorcycle Accident / Product Liability
Gross Recovery: | $2,275,000.00 |
---|---|
Client Net: | $1,285,861 |
Attorney Fees: | $910,000 |
Expenses: | $79,138.18 |
Medical Bills: | In excess of $170,438.09 |
Product Liability
Gross Recovery: | $2,025,000.00 |
---|---|
Client Net: | $810,153.07 |
Attorney Fees: | $810,000.00 |
Expenses: | $58,831.93 |
Medical Bills: | In excess of $640,000.00 |
Auto Accident
Gross Recovery: | $1,850,000.00 |
---|---|
Client Gross: | $1,025,107.50 |
Client Net: | $690,651.27 |
Attorney Fees: | $671,000.00 |
Expenses: | $152,430.75 |
Medical Bills: | In excess of $339,982.00 |
Auto Accident
Gross Recovery: | $1,250,000.00 |
---|---|
Client Net: | $671,000 |
Attorney Fees: | $500,000 |
Expenses: | $17,000 |
Medical Bills: | $62,000 |
Apartment Fire - Negligent Design of an Apartment Complex
Gross Recovery: | $950,000.00 |
---|---|
Client Net: | $288,300.20 |
Attorney Fees: | $378,300.20 |
Expenses: | $251,730.48 |
Medical Bills: | In excess of $532,393.34 |
Negligence - 18-Wheeler Accident
Gross Recovery: | $900,051.64 |
---|---|
Client Net: | $540,305.24 |
Attorney Fees: | $279,000.00 |
Expenses: | $65,619.78 |
Product Liability / Defective Machinery
Gross Recovery: | $785,000.00 |
---|---|
Client Net: | $494,488 |
Attorney Fees: | $250,537 |
Expenses: | $39,975.45 |
Medical Bills: | In excess of $67,431.47 |
Auto Accident
Gross Recovery: | $600,000.00 |
---|---|
Client Net: | $330,643.88 |
Attorney Fees: | $240,000.00 |
Expenses: | $4,501.59 |
Medical Bills: | In excess of $101,045.83 |
Bus Accident
Gross Recovery: | $410,000.00 |
---|---|
Client Net: | $240,693.11 |
Attorney Fees: | $164,000.00 |
Expenses: | $5,309.89 |
Medical Bills: | In excess of $97,892.23 |
Auto Accident
Gross Recovery: | $152,500.00 |
---|---|
Client Net: | $84,609.24 |
Attorney Fees: | $50,325.00 |
Expenses: | $892.93 |
Medical Bills: | In excess of $67,119.28 |
Product Liability / Defective Design
Gross Recovery: | $150,000.00 |
---|---|
Client Net: | $94,151.42 |
Attorney Fees: | $49,500.00 |
Expenses: | $6,348.58 |
Medical Bills: | In excess of $47,704.60 |
Auto Accident - Intoxicated Driver
Gross Recovery: | $25,000.00 |
---|---|
Client Net: | $16,072.18 |
Attorney Fees: | $8,332.50 |
Expenses: | $595.32 |
Medical Bills: | In excess of $17,892.00 |
Auto Accident
Gross Recovery: | $20,000.00 |
---|---|
Client Net: | $12,954.73 |
Attorney Fees: | $6,660.00 |
Expenses: | $385.27 |
Medical Bills: | $31,018.92 |
Skillful and Aggressive Legal Representation
When you or a loved one has endured personal injury or wrongful death, you have the right to seek justice and compensation. O'Hanlon, McCollom & Demerath is committed to providing each and every one of our clients with compassionate advocacy and skillful, tireless, aggressive representation. Our number one priority is providing each client with the most desirable legal outcome to every issue they are facing.
We Value and Respect Every Client
We believe that every client deserves and should receive one-on-one access and attention. Legal issues can be daunting without the protection of knowledgeable and experienced lawyers. O'Hanlon, McCollom & Demerath is dedicated to resolving your unique situation with compassion and diligence.
Superior Client Services
At O'Hanlon, McCollom & Demerath we ensure seamlessly integrated work product and representation through our utilization of state of the art technology and resources. We are committed to providing our clients superior legal representation at every turn.
Commitment to Getting you the Compensation you Deserve
In our efforts to obtain compensation for our clients who have suffered injuries and the related indignities arising from the negligent actions of individuals and corporations, we pledge to provide you with a personalized, "no stone unturned" pursuit in achieving the most favorable outcome on your behalf in what are, undoubtedly, the most important and often life-changing situations you may ever experience.
Our clients never owe any fees unless we obtain financial settlement on their behalf. We will go the distance for you.
Contact Our Personal Injury Attorneys Today
O'Hanlon, McCollom & Demerath offers you a free one-on-one evaluation of your personal injury case. Our clients never pay for our legal services unless we obtain a successful recovery of compensation for you. Contact us today for a free and confidential consultation with our experienced personal injury lawyers.
Kevin O'Hanlon
Kevin O'Hanlon, the founding partner of O'Hanlon, McCollom & Demerath began practicing law in 1974 and has vast knowledge of all areas of litigation. Mr. O'Hanlon became Board Certified in Civil Appellate Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization in 1987, and in Civil Trial Law in 1990.
Justin Demerath
Justin Demerath joined the firm as a law clerk during his final year of law school and has been with the firm since that day. He has dedicated his law practice to helping people who have suffered damages at the hands of others in the state of Texas recover monetary compensation. Mr. Demerath has one mission in his work: to fight for the rights of the clients he represents.
Benjamin Castillo
In 2010, Mr. Castillo graduated from The University of Texas at Austin with a Bachelor of Arts in Government. Upon graduation, Mr. Castillo worked as a government and history teacher in the Rio Grande Valley.
Nick Maddox
Nick Maddox is an associate attorney who represents clients in a diverse range of litigation issues. Licensed to practice in both State court and Federal court, Mr. Maddox handles injury, employment, business, and contract disputes.
Amalia Hanley
Ms. Hanley graduated with honors from the University of Notre Dame with Bachelors of Arts degrees in History and Art History. In 1998, Ms. Hanley graduated with honors from the University of Florida School of Law. During school, and continuing after graduation, Ms. Hanley clerked for the Public Defender's Office in Gainesville, Florida, gaining criminal litigation experience in the Misdemeanor Division.
Alice Ward
Alice Ward was born in Ithaca, NY and raised in Jersey City, NJ. The older of two daughters, she graduated from Friends Seminary, a Quaker high school, in 1996. Ms. Ward attended the University of Texas in Austin, attaining a BA in History in 2000. She also became a certified paralegal through Austin Community College.
Serious Personal Injury
Every year, hundreds of Texans suffer serious injury because of the reckless actions of another. If you were hurt in a car accident or pedestrian accident, or a loved one was injured using a defective product, the personal injury attorneys at O'Hanlon, McCollom & Demerath are here to help.
Wrongful Death
It is unfortunate, but it is usually up to the victim's family to pursue a wrongful death claim after the accidental death of a loved one. At a time when you feel most vulnerable and emotionally exhausted, a lawsuit is the last thing on your mind. But it's important to give it some consideration. An experienced, dedicated Austin injury attorney can help.
Car Accidents
Car accidents carry serious physical and financial consequences. Injuries can leave you unable to work and prevent you from enjoying a normal life. To make matters worse, your insurance company may more committed to its bottom line than your recovery. At O'Hanlon, McCollom & Demerath in Austin, Texas, our main priority, is representing people who have been injured in car accidents and make them whole again.
Motorcycle Accidents
With the freedom and excitement motorcycle riders enjoy comes the risk of serious injury in an accident. Despite the consistent warnings drivers receive to “start seeing motorcycles,” thousands of people across Texas are injured in motorcycle accidents. If you have been involved in an accident, you can benefit from immediate representation from an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer .
Truck Accidents
Collisions between commercial trucks and cars or passenger trucks almost always result in life-changing injuries or tragic deaths. Because of the seriousness of these accidents, it's important to work with an experienced Austin personal injury attorney who will protect your rights.
Product Liability
Whether you buy something from a big-box retailer, midsize market, outlet store, mall, or small grocer, you expect the product to be safe. However, sometimes you may buy a product that injures you, and product liability and defective product law dictates who is responsible for this breach of the implied warranty of fitness for the product’s intended uses. The place from where you purchased the product, the company that made the product, or even the company that advertised the product may be legally held responsible for your injury.
Defective Drugs
The defective drug product liability attorneys at O'Hanlon, McCollom & Demerath law firm understand that your injuries and complications may be the result of a defective drug. We are here to help you get the compensation you deserve for your injuries.
Defective Medical Devices
The defective medical device liability attorneys at O'Hanlon, McCollom & Demerath law firm understand that your injuries and complications may be the result of a defective medical device. We are here to help you get the compensation you deserve for your injuries.
Business Litigation
Disputes are an unfortunate, and often expensive, part of doing business. At O'Hanlon, McCollom & Demerath in Austin, Texas, our business litigation attorneys are experienced professionals who can protect your interests if you are embroiled in a legal dispute.
Fatal Auto Accidents
Car accidents are the leading cause of accidental death, bringing pain and grief to hundreds of Texas families every year. If a loved one has died in a fatal car accident, an SUV rollover, a collision with a commercial truck, or a motorcycle crash, you will be facing financial challenges, and we are here to solve your problems.
Defective Machinery / Equipment
Heavy equipment and workplace machinery can be dangerous even when it’s used properly. But when that equipment is faulty, has defective parts, or has been improperly repaired or serviced, even careful users can suffer serious injury or death. The injury lawyers at O'Hanlon, McCollom & Demerath hold companies responsible for negligence in the manufacturing and maintenance of equipment and machinery that leads to injuries and deaths.
Pedestrian Accidents
Bike riders and cycling enthusiasts bear an unfair burden when car and truck drivers do not drive carefully. With so little protection beyond a bike helmet and their quick reflexes, cyclists often suffer severe injuries when a car makes a sudden stop or a truck turns into their path. Sadly, many bicycle accident victims are children. If you have been seriously injured or a loved one has died in a bicycle collision with a motor vehicle or a cycling accident on a dangerous property, you may have a right to financial compensation.
How do I choose the right attorney for my case?
When you or a loved one has suffered an injury, hiring an attorney is one of the most important steps you will take toward seeking compensation from those who are responsible for your injuries. This can be a daunting and complicated process if you have never before hired an attorney and do not know how it all works.
What are my rights as a client?
If you ever have any questions about these rights, or about the way your case is being handled by your attorney, do not hesitate to express your concerns to your attorney. He or she should be readily available to represent your best interests and keep you informed about your case.
What should I do immediately after an accident?
Just after an accident or other event which seriously injures your or a loved one you may not know what to do or where to turn for help, especially when you have been injured by the negligence or wrongdoing of another person, or in many instances, the manufacturer of defective equipment or other products.
What is the Personal Injury Lawsuit Process?
After an accident in which you or a loved one are injured, and you have sought medical attention and have hired an attorney to handle your insurance claim, you may be on your way to becoming a plaintiff in a personal injury lawsuit if the insurance company has refused to make a reasonable offer of settlement on your injury claim.
Could ERISA reduce my claim recovery?
The Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, known as "ERISA", is a federal law that may allow your insurance company, or your employer's health plan, to recover its costs on your claim, from a settlement or trial verdict award you may receive as a result of a personal injury lawsuit. This is known as "subrogation", and is considered to be a complex area of law. Potential subrogation interests should be discussed with your personal injury attorney after his/her review of any subrogation clauses in your insurance policy or your employer's health plan provisions.
What information will my attorney need from me?
When you or a loved one have been injured in any type of accident it is important to keep extensive documentation of the incident and your injuries. Your personal injury attorney will interact with insurance companies and defense attorneys on your behalf, and in order to make a proper claim for all the benefits you are entitled to, this documentation is necessary.
Some of our Victories
Our firm represented a golf course grounds keeper who, due to a mechanical design defect in the industrial mower he was operating, was crushed under the machine when it fell into 15 foot ravine. The client suffered partial blindness, memory loss, and permanent brain damage.
Justin Demerath, in joint representation with his father, Attorney Larry Demerath, represented the widow of a truck driver who was killed when his vehicle struck a large tire that had detached from another truck. Larry and Justin are pictured above with the client.
Our firm represented a family in a wrongful death action against a large trucking company when their father was struck and killed by an 18-Wheeler due to a defective brake pedal. The case settled prior to trial. The brothers are pictured above.
When truck collisions occur, trucking companies involved in the accident often send representatives to the accident scene to confront accident victims immediately following the event, when they are most vulnerable. These agents work to handle everything at the scene of the accident so that they can limit their company’s liability. It is important that you contact a Rio Grande Valley Personal Injury Attorney at O'Hanlon, McCollom & Demerath to work to preserve the evidence and advocate for your rights and help you get the compensation you deserve. The Highways through the Rio Grande Valley are becoming more and more crowded. The construction on Highway 83 seems to be never ending. There are significant risks posed by these conditions.
We all know the feeling: that uncomfortable tightening of the chest we get when we look into our rearview mirror and see an 80,000 pound 18-wheeler truck barreling down on our back bumper. According to federal statistics, commercial trucks are involved in thousands of collisions each year. Some of the reasons are obvious, others are not. A collision between a big rig and a car is likely to come out badly for the car. Trucks are bigger, heavier, and longer than cars; trucks need more room to maneuver; trucks take a lot more road to come to a stop. Given their size and weight, common sense tells you that a collision between a big rig and a car, or even an SUV, is likely to come out badly for the car. In fact, commercial truck crashes killed over 5,300 people in 2001 and injured over 125,000 more, many of them seriously.
As with other kinds of automobile collisions, there are various causes of big-rig accidents. Many of these collisions are caused by the same things that cause run-of-the mill car accidents: poorly maintained trucks, speeding, overly aggressive driving, failing to yield the right of way, or bad driving conditions caused by rain or snow. However, some of the collisions are caused by other factors unique to commercial trucks.
For example, some collisions are caused by trucks that are overloaded and therefore cannot stop in time. Other collisions are caused by the driver’s inexperience in operating a particular kind or size of truck. Still other collisions are caused by tired truckers who have been on the road for too long and who are fatigued. Tired truck drivers are now more likely to be on the road, with the deregulation of the trucking industry, changes in the way goods are shipped to a “just in-time” delivery system, and recent changes in the rules governing how long a trucker may drive before he is required to stop for a rest.
People injured by the negligence of commercial truck drivers are entitled to compensation for their injuries. But, be aware that lawsuits involving truckers are often more difficult than other kinds of collision lawsuits, for several reasons. First, it may be difficult to find the trucker after the collision. The nature of a trucker’s job means that he might be involved in a collision in a state far from where he lives and to which he will never return. Trucking companies are also very skilled in defending themselves against negligence claims (which, to them, are just a part of doing business), and they can be very aggressive in denying claims because every dollar they pay out in compensation to accident victims is a dollar that does not go into their pockets.
Further complicating matters is the fact that most commercial big rig accidents involve far more parties than the typical fender-bender. Parties can include the truck driver, the trucking company, the shipper(s), the insurance adjuster, and the insurer, and the legal relationships among all of these parties can be difficult to unravel.
People who have been involved in a collision with a trucker are entitled to recover compensation for items such as medical bills, time lost from work, pain and suffering, mental anguish, disfigurement, and loss of earning capacity. The complexity of these cases means that you should consult an experienced attorney and should NOT rely on the trucking company’s insurance adjuster to look out for your interests. If you or someone you know has been involved in a big-rig collision, contact us. We will be happy to discuss the matter with you and work to get you the compensation that you deserve.