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Practice Areas
MANGES LAW FIRM
At Manges Law Firm, we recognize that behind many injuries and fatalities lies negligence. These incidents are not mere chance but are often preventable through proper care and attention. If you or a loved one has suffered due to such negligence, there exists a legal avenue to pursue compensation. Typically, such claims fall within the purview of insurance coverage. Pursuing a claim not only seeks redress for the affected party but also serves to underscore the importance of accountability, potentially preventing similar incidents in the future. Should you find yourself confronted with a preventable injury or loss, do not hesitate to reach out to us. Our firm stands ready to provide guidance and representation. Tom, a seasoned professional, is dedicated to disseminating knowledge on a range of personal injury matters through his speaking engagements and written works, details of which can be explored in our About page.
Wrongful Death
Whether a death happens due to a car crash, fall, or medical malpractice, Indiana law usually allows a “wrongful death” claim to be made against the person or business at fault (or their insurance company). But Indiana has three different wrongful death statutes. Knowing your rights can be confusing. There are often more questions than answers.
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Who has the right to make a claim?
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Who has the right to hire a lawyer to pursue the case?
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What can be claimed?
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Does an estate need to be opened?
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How much time do you have to make a claim or file a lawsuit?
Manges Law Firm has the experience and knowledge to handle these claims in a sensitive, professional, and competent manner.
Cars: Even in “clear liability” cases, insurance companies will often use any excuse they can to reduce settlement offers. This includes arguments that the victim is partly at fault. Manges Law Firm uses professional investigation, experts, and legal knowledge to combat these insurance tactics.
Trucks: Big-rig trucks have the power to change lives forever. Both Indiana and Federal rules may have been violated. Was the driver properly trained? Did the driver follow the rules? Was the truck maintained correctly? Did the driver get enough sleep? Was the driver distracted? Manges Law Firm can help find which “rules of the road” apply to each case.
Motorcycles: The rules of the road are the same for "bikers", but they are less protected in crashes, so they are more likely to be hurt. Insurance companies often unfairly blame bikers for crashes. Manges Law Firm can work to make sure that this doesn’t happen.
Pedestrians hit by vehicle(s): When motor vehicles hit pedestrians, joggers, bicyclists, or skateboarders, a claim can usually be made, even in a “hit & run”. The injured person may be too hurt to give his/her side of the story. The at-fault driver will often claim that the pedestrian "came out of nowhere." Manges Law Firm uses professional investigators and experts to protect the rights of pedestrians.
Vehicle Crashes
Medical Malpractice
Studies show that thousands of patients die each year from medical malpractice (preventable medical mistakes). Doctors must be held accountable for their mistakes, just like drivers who cause car crashes. Most doctors have insurance, just like motorists, but Indiana law makes these “med mal” claims far more complicated than most other personal injury cases. Doctors and their insurance companies seldom admit fault. Patients often don’t even realize that malpractice has occurred. Indiana has a special statute (law) in these cases that must be strictly followed in order to make a successful claim. This law was, unfortunately, created in the 1970’s mainly to protect negligent doctors and their insurance companies. Many people lose their right to make a claim by waiting too long to hire a qualified lawyer to investigate. If you think an injury or death has occurred due to medical malpractice, we can help. Manges Law Firm is one of the few firms in Northeast Indiana willing to tackle these cases.
People who need rehabilitation and long term care, usually the elderly, often suffer from preventable injuries and death. Just because someone is old or infirm doesn't mean they don't deserve dignity and respect. All life has value. Most facilities are owned by “for-profit” corporations that put profits over safety. Often, facilities don’t hire enough staff to safely care for their patients. This can lead to nursing errors, and preventable injuries and deaths. Falls, painful bed sores, infections, malnourishment, medication errors and dehydration commonly occur, but are usually preventable. Manges Law Firm has the know-how to investigate and pursue a claim.
Nursing Home Neglect and Abuse
Birth Injuries
Many birth injuries, including "stillborn" births, are the result of preventable medical errors. The doctors and nurses may be unwilling or unable to tell the whole story. Manges Law Firm can gather the necessary records, have them reviewed by independent medical experts, and help give you answers.
The National Safety Council estimates that over 16,000 Americans die from falls every year. Most businesses and their insurance companies know that falls by visitors are foreseeable and preventable if certain basic safety rules are followed. Unfortunately, basic common-sense steps aren’t taken to prevent this. When someone is injured or killed due to a fall, it is often due to a violation of safety rules. Making a claim can provide financial compensation, but also cause the defect to be fixed by the business, preventing future injuries to others. Whether the fall is due to the failure to salt or clear ice outside, or to maintain a safe walking surface inside, Manges Law Firm has the experience and knowledge to investigate and pursue these serious cases.
Slip and Fall Injuries and Deaths
Dog Bites
Dog attacks can cause serious injuries and death. Such attacks are often preventable. Dog owners usually know if their pet has bitten someone before, but are often reluctant to chain or confine the animal when visitors come. An Indiana dog owner has a duty to prevent a dangerous dog from attacking someone. When an attack occurs, a claim can be made against the dog owner. This is usually covered by the dog owner’s homeowner’s insurance. Special rules apply to Indiana dog bite cases and must be followed for a claim to be successful. Manges Law Firm knows the rules and can use them to find you compensation.
Construction work is one of the most dangerous occupations in the United States. Thousands of preventable injuries and deaths occur at construction projects. Construction companies often ignore basic safety rules. People commonly assume that the only remedy in these cases is worker’s compensation benefits, which usually does not give a recovery of “full” damages. Manges Law Firm knows that there are other ways to fully compensate injured workers and families.
Construction Site Injuries
Defective Products
Safety should never be an option. But many manufacturers put their profits ahead of safety. We assume that any product we buy is safe if used properly. Surprisingly, there often aren’t “government standards” that can guarantee the safety of products. Badly designed or made fireworks, toys, cribs, tools, and other products kill and injure many people. The involvement of foreign manufacturers can make it hard to get compensation. Manges Law Firm knows the law and can help you.
Insurance companies are quick to demand your premium payment but are often slow to pay a claim. That’s because they usually look out for their own interests, not yours. If you’ve been injured by an uninsured motorist, are not sure how to pay medical bills after a car wreck, or can’t get a straight answer from the insurance companies, we can help. Even your own insurance agent may not understand when a policy should or should not pay. Manges Law Firm has the knowledge and experience to help you find coverage and make the insurance carrier pay what it owes.
Insurance Coverage Litigation
Subrogation and Lien Resolution
The insurance company for the person or business at fault does not usually pay any money until the very end of the case. That can take a long time. The patient’s own insurance (like a health plan, auto medical payments coverage, or worker’s compensation) often pays the doctors and hospitals before a settlement. That’s good because it gets the medical providers paid and keeps the patient out of “collections”. But it also creates a “lien” against the case. There are many types of “lienholders” that have the right to get reimbursement from your settlement. When they get paid, your share of the settlement shrinks. What if the liens or medical balances are higher than the settlement amount? (Perhaps due to a low policy limit). What if the lienholder wants too much of your settlement money? Manges Law Firm knows how to shrink or eliminate these liens, which allows you to keep as much of the settlement “pie” as possible.
