Michael joined Elk & Elk in 2006. He has been seeking fair compensation for injured people since 1996, and is very proud of the difference he has made for many victims of others’ neglect. Prior to joining Elk & Elk, Michael was a partner at a personal injury firm in Cleveland, Ohio.

Michael has been lead counsel in several trials throughout the state of Ohio. His practice includes representing people who have been injured or killed as a result of motor vehicle crashes, animal attacks, dangerous workplaces, and hazardous conditions on others’ property. He is very proud of his hard work and success in securing compensation for his clients. In 2009, Michael won the largest reported automobile accident injury verdict in Franklin County.

While in college, Michael interned in Washington D.C. for a prominent member of the Senate. He was also the executive editor of the law review while obtaining his law degree at Cleveland-Marshall College of Law, where he graduated Summa Cum Laude.

In his spare time, Michael is an avid skier and golfer and enjoys spending time with his family.

Settlements and Verdicts

$1.75 Million – Motor vehicle accident results in multiple injuries (March 2008)

Client was a passenger in a vehicle when it was rear-ended by a commercial vehicle. The impact forced our Client’s car across the center line where it was then broadsided by another vehicle. Plaintiff suffered severe facial, jaw, shoulder and pelvic injuries.

$1.4 Million (March 2014)

A 14 year old bicyclist was run over by a school bus, and the driver fled the scene. His injuries included a skull fracture, cranial nerve injury, and a severely broken leg requiring multiple surgeries. The statutory caps on non-economic damages (because the defendant was a political subdivision) was an obstacle to recovery.

$990,000 – Plaintiff was stopped on road and struck by another vehicle causing multiple injuries, including fractures to the shoulder, humerus and ankle, with severe laceration to the arm and an aggravation of a prior lung disorder. (March 2016)

$900,000 – Motor vehicle results in serious bodily injuries (January 2013)

Defendant’s tractor trailer rear-ended Plaintiff’s van. The collision caused our client to suffer a fractured left hand, injured knee, and back and neck injuries requiring implantation of spinal cord stimulator, and pain management.

$675,000 – Motor vehicle accident results in multiple injuries (September 2016)

Our client suffered a broken arm and leg, and significant injuries to his back as a result of being struck head on by a drunk driver who went left of center.

$323,000 – Motor vehicle accident results in multiple injuries (May 2010)

Defendant’s flatbed truck went left of center and hit Plaintiff. Plaintiff sustained lumbar radiculopathy, lumbar disc displacement, right wrist fracture and a triangular fibrocartilaginous complex tear, which required surgery.

$315,000 – Motor vehicle accident results in dislocated hip, fractured face (October 2009)

Defendant failed to yield at a left turn. Plaintiff suffered a dislocated hip, facial fracture and a dislocated jaw.

$302,166.67 settlement (post-mediation)

Defendant truck driver was attempting to make an illegal u-turn, and pulled into the path of the vehicle in which Plaintiff was riding. A high speed impact resulted in fractures to the femur and tibia-fibula requiring internal fixation. The injured person made a good recovery, and the physicians indicated that he would not have any long term effects from the fractures. The truck driver attempted to blame the other driver.

$250,000 – Motor vehicle accident results in internal bleeding (December 2010)

Plaintiff was a passenger in the Defendant’s vehicle that lost control and struck a median. Plaintiff suffered multiple fractures, bruising and contusions and internal bleeding.

$210,000.00 settlement

Woman slipped and fell in the bar area of an establishment. She fractured her shoulder, ribs and knee. She completed all of her treatment within a year of the incident. The amount accepted as payment in full of her bills was under $24,000.00. Defendant claimed lack of notice of the substance on the floor on which she fell.

$200,000 – Dog attack results in lacerations, puncture wounds (July 2009)

The three-year-old Plaintiff was with her father visiting a friend. The Defendant’s dog was on a leash but continued to growl, leading to the eventual attack of our Client. The Plaintiff’s left cheek was gouged, resulting in 30 stitches. She also sustained facial lacerations, puncture wounds, minor nerve damage and a five centimeter jagged scar.

$190,337.46 – Motor vehicle accident results in mild brain injury (June 2012)

Defendant failed to yield right of way to our client resulting in a loss of consciousness, concussion, post-concussive syndrome, and temporary memory loss and vision changes. Recovery was a combination of policy limits for the responsible party, and underinsured motorist coverage for the injured party.

$175,000.00 settlement

Individual was injured when Defendant failed to yield at a stop sign. She had a significant prior history for bowel obstructions and other abdominal surgeries. Approximately two weeks after the incident, she developed a complete bowel obstruction. There was a dispute as to causation of the delayed onset bowel obstruction. Defendant argued she suffered only soft tissue injuries, and retained a medical expert to testify to the same.

$160,000 – Motorcycle accident results in fractures, road rash, facial injuries, lost wages (July 2011)

The Plaintiff was riding his motorcycle when a dog ran out in front of him. Plaintiff suffered a broken right ulna, right ankle injury, road rash, nasal injury and chin injury. He also had to see an orthopedic surgeon and missed time from work as a result of his injuries.

$111,203.34 confessed judgment (at mediation)

Plaintiff was a passenger in a taxi when the driver lost control and struck a tree. The driver attempted to assert a sudden medical emergency defense. There were also significant coverage issues for the insurance/bond of the taxi company. Plaintiff fractured her C2 vertebral body, but had no neurological deficits. She passed away from unrelated causes approximately 10 months later. The taxi company became insolvent and payment was recouped through Plaintiff’s uninsured motorist and medical payments coverages.

$108,000.00 settlement

Individual suffered a broken ankle when an free standing, brick wall fell over on her leg at an apartment complex she was visiting. The injured party had surgery to place hardware in her ankle, and subsequent surgery to remove the hardware. Defendant alleged comparative fault against the claimant.

$100,000 – Motor vehicle accident results in multiple injuries (April 2013)

Defendant struck our client in a rear-end collision. He suffered from neck and back injuries (C6-C7 disc herniation), blurred vision and headaches. Plaintiff had fusion surgery to his Cb-7 vertebra, causation was disputed. The settlement was for complete exhaustion of all available policy limits.

All lawsuits are different and Elk & Elk makes no representation or promises that it can obtain the same results in other cases. These results do not guarantee, warrant, or predict the outcome of any future legal matter. You should consult an attorney for advice regarding your individual situation.