Podhurst / Orseck
Elite Personal Injury Representation
Landmark Cases – Shaping the Law
Real Results, Respected Nationwide.
Our cases don’t just make headlines – they make history. For decades, we’ve been at the forefront of litigation that has changed industries, influenced public policy, and set national legal precedent. Our work in aviation disasters, class actions, antitrust litigation, and mass torts has earned us a reputation as the firm trusted to lead when the stakes are highest.
Here are just a few of the impactful cases that illustrate our legacy of strategic advocacy and legal excellence:
Our firm’s commitment to legal excellence ensures that Podhurst Orseck clients receive the representation they need during challenging times.
Explore More Of Our Landmark Cases
Podhurst Orseck: Trial-Tested Personal Injury Lawyers for Life-Changing Cases
Since 1967, Podhurst Orseck has been a national leader in complex personal injury and wrongful death litigation. Unlike settlement-focused firms, we are known for taking high-stakes cases to trial—and winning. From catastrophic injuries and product defects to international injury claims and wrongful death, we represent individuals and families whose lives have been upended by negligence. Our firm’s courtroom strength and strategic litigation approach have resulted in landmark verdicts and global recognition, including major victories in auto, aviation, and toxic exposure cases.
We’ve successfully held corporations, manufacturers, and institutions accountable in cases involving traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, burns, amputations, and more. Our legal team works closely with medical experts, forensic analysts, and life care planners to build powerful, evidence-based claims. When your life has been forever changed by someone else’s actions, Podhurst Orseck brings the experience, resources, and resolve to help you pursue full justice.
In-Depth Understanding of Personal Injury Law
Podhurst Orseck focuses on multifaceted personal injury litigation involving life-altering harm and systemic failures. Our practice is built to handle complex claims arising from aviation disasters, defective medical devices, mass torts, industrial accidents, and other incidents where negligence or corporate misconduct results in catastrophic injury or death.
These cases demand more than a general understanding of personal injury law. They require strategic insight, deep resources, and courtroom experience at the highest level. If you or a loved one was severely injured or suffering after a tragedy, our team is here to provide answers, justice, and ensure your case is handled correctly.
Catastrophic Injuries
Some injuries go beyond typical harm and medical bills. Often caused by structural failures, defective products, or large-scale disasters, severe injuries like those involving paralysis, disability, and lasting pain demand a higher level of legal sophistication. Podhurst is fully equipped to pursue accountability in matters where the physical, emotional, & financial consequences are profound and enduring.
Traumatic Brain Injuries
TBIs can affect every aspect of a victim’s life, from cognitive function to emotional regulation. We work closely with neurologists and life care planners to assess the full impact of a TBI and pursue compensation for lifelong care needs, lost income, and diminished quality of life.
Spinal Cord Injuries
Injuries to the spine may lead to partial or total paralysis. These cases are complex, involving substantial medical evidence and long-term projections. Our experience and resources let us pursue justice and maximum compensation for individuals who have suffered from spinal trauma.
Crushing Injuries
Crushing injuries, often caused by industrial accidents or structural collapses, can result in internal organ damage, amputations, or permanent disability. We help victims and their families investigate the cause of these traumatic incidents and hold responsible parties accountable.
Wrongful Death
When negligence leads to a loss of life, surviving family members deserve answers and accountability. Podhurst Orseck represents families in wrongful death cases arising from medical malpractice, defective products, catastrophic accidents, and more, with a focus on compassion, respect, and results.
Severe Burns
Burn injuries may require painful surgeries, skin grafts, and long-term rehabilitation. Beyond the physical damage, survivors often face psychological trauma and scarring. Our firm helps burn victims pursue claims for the full scope of their suffering and care needs.
Amputations
The loss of a limb is both physically and emotionally devastating. Whether caused by an accident, unsafe machinery, or medical negligence, amputation injuries require experienced legal counsel to pursue damages for prosthetics, rehabilitation, lost earning capacity, and more.
Permanent Disfigurement & Scarring
Disfigurement can have a lasting impact on a person’s self-esteem, career, and everyday life. We understand how to present these injuries to juries and insurers in a way that reflects their full human toll.
Blindness & Eye Injuries
Vision loss due to trauma, chemical exposure, or medical negligence can be life-changing. Our attorneys work with ophthalmologists and vocational experts to demonstrate the full effect of these injuries on a person’s independence and livelihood.
Defective Products
When dangerous products cause serious harm, victims may be entitled to compensation from the companies that designed, manufactured, or sold them. Podhurst Orseck has a proven track record in high-profile product liability litigation, holding corporations accountable for negligence on a national scale.
Recognized Leaders in Complex Personal Injury Litigation
With litigators whom judges have called “a true litigation hero” and peers say our trial experience is “second to none,” Podhurst Orseck lawyers are consistently recognized as some of the top attorneys in the U.S. Our personal injury and wrongful death successes in matters of automobiles, tire treads, commercial aviation, and other areas reflect both the breadth of our experience and our skill in arguing our clients’ cases.
High-Stakes Injury Cases We Handle
- Product liability and manufacturing defects
- Catastrophic personal injury and wrongful death
- Business torts involving personal harm
- Automobile and commercial vehicle accidents
- International injury cases and toxic exposure
- Dangerous premises and building collapses
- Inadequate security and sexual assault claims
- Medical malpractice and hospital negligence
- Construction site and workplace accidents
- Defective medical devices and pharmaceuticals
- Aviation, maritime, and transportation disasters
- Class actions involving widespread personal harm
Who is Liable in a Personal Injury Case?
Corporations & Manufacturers
Defective products—from industrial machinery to medical devices—can cause devastating harm. Manufacturers, distributors, and retailers may be held strictly liable for design flaws, production errors, or failure to warn.
Employers, Contractors & Site Supervisors
In cases involving workplace accidents or construction injuries, third-party contractors, equipment suppliers, or negligent supervisors who ignored safety protocols or provided faulty tools may be liable.
Healthcare Providers & Medical Institutions
When medical negligence results in brain damage, paralysis, or wrongful death, doctors, nurses, and hospital systems may be accountable for errors in diagnosis, treatment, or post-operative care.
Property Owners & Security Firms
Owners of commercial or residential property must maintain safe environments. When a hazardous condition or lack of security causes a life-altering injury, the property owner may be held responsible for failing to protect lawful visitors.
Negligent Individuals or Companies
Any party whose actions—or inaction—contribute to serious harm can be held accountable, from distracted drivers to negligent employers. In high-impact cases, multiple defendants are often involved.
Compensation in Personal Injury Claims
Victims of serious injuries are often saddled with costs and losses that no one could anticipate. Fortunately, the law entitles you to compensation for both your economic and non-economic injury-related damages.
At Podhurst Orseck, we build detailed damage models and collaborate with financial and medical experts to ensure our clients receive the full value of their claims.
Fatal Injury Damages
For families who have lost a loved one, compensation can cover funeral expenses, lost income, medical bills, and intangible losses like the loss of companionship and guidance.
Punitive Damages
Punitive damages may be awarded in cases involving gross negligence, recklessness, or intentional misconduct. These are designed not just to compensate the victim, but to punish the wrongdoer and deter similar behavior.
To understand the value of your claim, Podhurst Orseck meticulously investigates each case to identify all responsible parties and your full scope of losses. Our attorneys collaborate with medical experts, engineers, accident reconstructionists, and forensic specialists to build a case rooted in evidence and focused on justice.
Other types of compensation may include:
- Medical Expenses: Covers emergency care, surgeries, hospitalization, rehab, and future medical needs.
- Lost Wages & Earning Capacity: Compensates for missed work, diminished ability to earn a living, or permanent disability.
- Pain & Suffering: Accounts for physical pain, emotional trauma, and a reduced quality of life caused by the accident.
How Our Trial Experience Sets Us Apart From Settlement-Only Firms
Many personal injury firms rely on quick settlements—but Podhurst Orseck is built for the courtroom. We are trial lawyers first, which makes all the difference when maximizing compensation for our clients. Our ability to try high-stakes, complex cases signals to defendants and insurers that we won’t settle for less than justice demands.
From holding global manufacturers accountable for defective products to representing families harmed by corporate misconduct across the U.S. and abroad, our litigation experience gives us—and our clients—a powerful edge. Whether a case involves contaminated medical products, toxic exposure, or catastrophic injury, we’re prepared to go wherever the fight leads, delivering results that reflect the full impact of our clients’ suffering.
How Do I Know If I Have a Valid Personal injury Claim?
If you were seriously injured due to someone else’s negligence—whether a company, individual, or institution—you may have a valid claim. A personal injury attorney can evaluate the facts and help determine liability and potential compensation.
How Long Do I Have to File a Personal Injury Lawsuit?
Every state has a statute of limitations that limits how long you have to file a claim—often ranging from one to four years. It’s crucial to consult an attorney promptly to preserve your rights and evidence.
What If I Was Partially at Fault?
You may still recover compensation even if you were partially at fault, depending on your state’s comparative negligence laws. Your recovery may be reduced based on your percentage of responsibility.
How Are Personal Injury Settlements Calculated?
Settlements are based on the severity of the injury, financial losses, long-term impact, and the strength of the evidence. At Podhurst Orseck, we work with economists, medical experts, and life-care planners to present a full picture of damages.
Will My Case Go to Trial?
Many personal injury cases settle out of court, but Podhurst Orseck prepares every case as if it will go to trial. Our trial-ready approach strengthens your negotiating position and ensures we’re ready to fight in court if necessary.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer?
We handle personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay no legal fees unless we win compensation for you. Your initial consultation is always free.
Why Choose Podhurst Orseck’s Personal Injury Attorneys
We’ve earned national recognition for handling some of the country’s most complex and high-value personal injury cases. Our attorneys bring:
- Decades of experience with catastrophic injury and wrongful death claims
- A proven record of success against large corporations, insurers, and government entities
- A client-first approach that emphasizes dignity, respect, & transparency
- Deep resources & a network of experts to support your claim
We understand the immense physical, emotional, and financial burdens our clients face — and we fight to lift those burdens through exceptional legal advocacy and meaningful results, including our $57 million settlement against Volkswagen over suspension defects; a $553 million settlement over faulty Takata airbags, and a settlement with the NFL over player concussion and brain damage issues.
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Speak to a Trusted Personal Injury Lawyer Today
Podhurst Orseck is ready to investigate, protect your rights & fight for the justice you deserve. We offer free initial consultations and handle injury claims on contingency, meaning you don’t pay unless we recover for you.
+1(305) 358-2800