Valparaiso Personal Injury Attorney
Accidents happen in an instant, but the effects can last a lifetime. Whether you were hit by a car on Lincolnway, slipped on an icy parking lot in downtown Valparaiso, or were harmed by a medical mistake at a local hospital, the aftermath of an injury can leave you overwhelmed and uncertain where to turn. You may be facing mounting medical bills, lost income, pain, and stress, all because someone else was careless. That’s why our Valparaiso personal injury attorney law firm offers compassionate, confident, and relentless representation when it matters most.
At Theodoros & Rooth, P.C., we help people in Porter County get the justice and compensation they deserve after serious injuries. Since 1988, our personal injury attorneys have used their 75+ years of combined legal experience to hold negligent parties accountable and secure meaningful recoveries for our clients. We understand that behind every case is a person whose life was turned upside down. We are here to help make your world right again.
What Qualifies as a Personal Injury Case?
In Indiana, a personal injury case arises when someone is harmed due to another person or entity’s negligence, recklessness, or intentional misconduct. The term “personal injury” refers to harm to the body, mind, or emotional state, not just property damage.
Some of the most common personal injury claims we handle include car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle crashes, and pedestrian injuries. But personal injury law goes far beyond roadway incidents. It also covers slip and fall cases, dog bites, construction and industrial accidents (excluding workers’ comp), nursing home abuse, defective products, and even medical malpractice.
A key element of any personal injury case is proof that the injury could have been prevented if someone else had upheld a reasonable standard of care. At Theodoros & Rooth, P.C., we’ve spent decades proving fault and fighting for people hurt through no fault of their own.
Common Causes of Injury in Valparaiso and Porter County
While injuries can occur anywhere, specific environments and behaviors increase the risk. In Valparaiso and the surrounding Porter County region, we’ve seen injury patterns tied to both infrastructure and industry.
High-speed crashes on U.S. Route 30 and Indiana State Road 49 often result in devastating collisions, particularly involving distracted or intoxicated drivers. Urban intersections like Campbell Street or Calumet Avenue see pedestrian and cyclist injuries due to drivers ignoring crosswalks or failing to yield.
During icy winters, slip-and-fall injuries on unshoveled sidewalks and poorly maintained parking lots spike. Property owners and businesses have a responsibility to address dangerous conditions, but too many ignore that duty until someone gets hurt.
Construction zones and industrial sites in Northwest Indiana pose additional hazards. Even though workers’ compensation typically doesn’t apply to Theodoros & Rooth, P.C.’s cases, we regularly represent third-party claims against negligent contractors or equipment suppliers.
Our personal injury attorneys have deep knowledge of local accident patterns, which helps us anticipate how injuries happen and how to prove liability.
Types of Injury Cases Our Law Firm Can Handle
Serious injuries are more than painful; they alter lives. At Theodoros & Rooth, P.C., we’ve seen how a single traumatic event can derail a career, strain a family, or lead to permanent disability. Our Valparaiso personal injury lawyers are committed to helping clients recover from a wide range of physical and psychological harm.
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) can occur from falls, crashes, or blunt force trauma. Victims may suffer memory loss, confusion, headaches, and mood changes, often requiring long-term neurological care.
- Spinal cord injuries (SCI) may result in partial or complete paralysis. These injuries demand major lifestyle adjustments, home modifications, and assistive devices like wheelchairs.
- Burn injuries caused by fires, chemicals, or electrocution often involve hospitalization, skin grafts, and permanent scarring.
- Bone fractures are common in falls and collisions. Severe breaks may require multiple surgeries, physical therapy, and time off work.
- Soft tissue injuries, including whiplash, torn ligaments, and deep bruising, can lead to chronic pain, reduced range of motion, and lifelong complications.
- Internal injuries, such as organ damage or internal bleeding, can be life-threatening and are sometimes missed without thorough medical evaluations.
- Psychological trauma affects many injury victims. Anxiety, PTSD, and depression are real consequences of personal injury that deserve recognition and compensation.
Each case we handle begins with a thorough understanding of how the injury has impacted the client’s life physically, emotionally, and financially.
What to Do After a Personal Injury Accident in Valparaiso, IN
In the chaos that follows an accident, it can be hard to know what steps to take. But what you do in those first hours and days can make or break your personal injury case. First and foremost, seek medical attention, even if you feel fine. Some injuries, such as internal bleeding or concussions, may not show symptoms right away but can worsen without treatment.
Be sure to report the incident to the proper authorities. For vehicle accidents, call the police and obtain an official crash report. For falls or premises injuries, notify the property owner or manager. Then, begin documenting everything. Take photographs of the scene, visible injuries, and anything that may have contributed to the accident, such as ice, broken steps, or a missing stop sign.
Keep track of all medical visits, pain symptoms, and any time missed from work. Avoid giving a recorded statement to the insurance company before speaking to one of our Valparaiso personal injury lawyers. Unfortunately, their goal is often to minimize your claim or shift blame.
At Theodoros & Rooth, P.C., our personal injury attorneys guide clients through these early steps with clarity and support. With 24/7 availability and free consultations, we’re here when you need us most.
How a Valparaiso Personal Injury Attorney Can Help
Hiring a personal injury lawyer doesn’t just level the playing field; it gives you an advocate who knows the system and can fight for your best interests. When you work with Theodoros & Rooth, P.C., you gain a team that knows how to build a strong case from the ground up.
We start by thoroughly investigating what happened. That means reviewing accident reports, interviewing witnesses, securing camera footage, and consulting with specialists in accident reconstruction or medical care. Once we understand who was at fault, we gather evidence to prove negligence and demonstrate the full extent of your losses.
Next, we communicate with the insurance companies on your behalf. We prepare a compelling demand package that includes medical records, wage loss documentation, and expert testimony. If the insurance carrier refuses to offer a fair settlement, we’re ready to take your case to trial.
Most importantly, our Valparaiso personal injury attorneys keep you informed at every stage. You’ll never be left in the dark wondering what’s happening with your case. Whether you’re dealing with a broken leg or a life-altering brain injury, we take your recovery seriously, and we never treat you like just another file.
Proving Liability in Indiana Personal Injury Cases
To recover damages in a personal injury case, you must prove that someone else was legally responsible for your injuries. Indiana law requires showing that the other party owed you a duty of care, breached that duty through negligence or wrongdoing, and directly caused your injuries as a result.
For example, a driver who runs a red light and crashes into your vehicle has breached their duty to obey traffic laws. A store that fails to clean up a spill, causing a customer to fall, may be liable for unsafe premises. In medical malpractice cases, the standard of care is based on what a reasonably competent doctor would have done under similar circumstances.
Indiana follows a comparative fault system. This means that if you were partly to blame for the accident, your compensation may be reduced by your percentage of fault. However, you can still recover damages as long as you are not more than 50% responsible. Understanding how to calculate and prove liability is where our legal team’s decades of experience truly shine.
What Compensation Can You Recover?
When you’re injured due to someone else’s negligence, you’re entitled to seek full compensation for your losses, both tangible and intangible. At Theodoros & Rooth, P.C., we fight to ensure you receive every dollar you’re owed.
Economic damages include all the financial losses associated with your injury. This begins with medical expenses, including emergency care, surgeries, hospital stays, rehabilitation, physical therapy, medication, and medical devices. If your injury has long-term consequences, we also pursue compensation for future medical costs and long-term care needs.
Lost income is another major category. If your injuries forced you to miss work, you may recover compensation for wages lost during your recovery period. If you’re unable to return to your previous job or must accept reduced hours or pay, we will calculate and pursue damages for your diminished earning capacity.
Non-economic damages reflect the personal impact of your injury. This includes pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life. These damages recognize the day-to-day struggles and mental anguish that come with living in pain or with permanent limitations.
In rare cases, punitive damages may also be awarded. These are designed to punish particularly reckless or egregious behavior, such as drunk driving or medical malpractice involving intentional harm.
We work closely with doctors, life care planners, and forensic economists to build a strong case for the compensation you need to move forward.
Indiana’s Statute of Limitations
Like all states, Indiana sets a legal deadline for filing personal injury lawsuits. In most cases, you have two years from the date of your injury to file a claim. If you miss this window, your case may be permanently barred, regardless of how strong your evidence is or how severe your injuries might be.
However, there are some limited exceptions to this rule. For example, if the injured person is a minor, the two-year clock may not begin until they reach the age of 18. Likewise, individuals who are mentally incapacitated at the time of the injury may receive additional time once they are deemed legally competent. However, these exceptions are narrowly applied, and relying on them without legal guidance can be a risky proposition.
It’s also important to understand that certain types of potentially at-fault parties, such as government entities, can trigger much shorter notice deadlines. If your injury involves a city vehicle, public hospital, or unsafe municipal property, you may need to file a notice of claim within just 180 days of the incident. Failing to meet these special requirements can undermine your entire case before it even begins.
As such, it’s imperative to speak with our experienced personal injury attorneys as soon as possible. The sooner we investigate your case, preserve evidence, and meet legal filing deadlines, the stronger your position will be. At Theodoros & Rooth, P.C., we act quickly to protect your rights and make sure no technical deadline stands in the way of your recovery.
Why Choose Theodoros & Rooth, P.C.?
At Theodoros & Rooth, P.C., we’ve been fighting for the injured in Northwest Indiana for over 35 years. With more than 75 years of combined legal experience, our team has the skill and local insight to handle complex personal injury cases and win.
We’re proud to be recognized by Best Lawyers, Indiana Super Lawyers, and Martindale-Hubbell for our dedication and results. But our true success comes from the trust of the people we serve. We treat every client like family and approach each case with care, tenacity, and a deep sense of responsibility.
You’ll benefit from:
- Local knowledge of Valparaiso roads, courts, and community norms
- A team approach that puts multiple legal minds on your case
- Access to respected medical experts and investigators
- 24/7 availability for your questions and concerns
- Free consultations and no fee unless we win with our contingency fees
From slip-and-falls downtown to high-speed crashes on U.S. 30, we know the injury landscape in Porter County, and we’re here to help you reclaim your future.
Contact Our Valparaiso Personal Injury Attorney Today
You don’t have to face the aftermath of a serious injury alone. The team at Theodoros & Rooth, P.C. is ready to listen, evaluate your case, and begin the fight for the justice you deserve. Contact us online to schedule your free consultation.