About Schuerman Law Firm

Document Downloads (New!) Living Will (PDF) Helping injured people is all we do. Truck & Auto Accidents Wrongful Death Accidents Spinal Cord Injuries Motorcycle Accidents Serious Burns Construction & Farming Accidents Injury for Unsafe Products We Can Help You! If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident, we'd like to help you. We've see how a personal injury can tear a life apart, financially as well as physically and emotionally. You need a concerned and understanding professional who cares about your pain, suffering, medical bills, lost wages, future expenses and any disability. Insurance adjusters are experienced professionals. You need a professional with honest answers and expert advice on your side. Although most claims can be settled without going to court, our lawyers have the trial experience you need. We'll go to court and fight for a fair and just settlement for you. Who Are We? We only handle Personal Injury Cases at THE SHUERMAN LAW FIRM. With over 30 years of experience we know and understand the laws relating to personal injury claims. We'll provide you with the honest answers and professional help you need. Affordable Fees We handle accident cases on a contingent fee system. You can see us for free. In fact, we're paid only if we win your claim and you collect. Our legal fees are paid as a percentage of the settlement or collectible jury verdict. All fee agreements are confirmed in writing prior to any claims being filed. Our Team Approach Our attorneys are experienced, dedicated fighters. Our support staff is professional, polite and enthusiastic. We're ready to answer any questions or handle your concerns. At THE SCHUERMAN LAW FIRM every case is assigned to an Attorney and Client Care Specialist. You have the benefit of the entire law firm working on your case. From phone calls requesting medical records and paying bills, THE SCHUERMAN LAW FIRM team is dedicated to you. Our team of attorneys and over 10 support staff allows us to work closely with every one of our clients. We'll protect your rights and work hard to get you a fair and just settlement. We'll keep you informed of what is happening in your case, and we are available to answer any questions. Who is John P. Schuerman? Born in Batesville, IN and raised on a dairy farm in Napoleon, John P. Schuerman is a familiar face around southeastern Indiana. He earned a B.S. Degree from Purdue University and received his Law Degree from Indiana University. John maintained his private practice while serving as Ripley County Prosecuting Attorney from 1975 until (1983). He has also served in various other city and county legal positions in Ripley County. He has practiced private law in this area for over 29 years. John lives with his wife, Kathy, and their children in Batesville. John has dedicated his career to helping people. If you or a loved one has been injured, you need an experienced attorney that will fight for a fair and just settlement. We will also meet with you in the evening, weekends, at home, or at your convenience.		Small Claims Unfortunately, we are unable to assist everyone who has been injured as a result of the carelessness of someone else. Occasionally, the amount of damages a person has suffered in not large enough to justify the involvement of our law office. Despite the fact that we would like to represent everyone, it just is not economically feasible. In many small cases, there would not be enough money to pay attorney fees, the expenses related to the accident and injuries suffered, and the expenses related to pursuing the lawsuit. In these situations, we recommend that the person either contact another law office or that they pursue the matter themselves through Small Claims Court If you are going to file a Small Claims Case, you will probably need to file your case in the county in which the Defendant lives or where the accident occurred. Check with the Clerk's Office at the Courthouse to get the assistance and forms you need. Why Small Claims Court You can sue someone in Small Claims Court for any amount up to $3,000. If you live in or can file in Marion County, you can sue someone for any amount up to $6,000. Do I Need A Lawyer? As an individual, you do not need a lawyer in Small Claims Court.That's one of the benefits of Small Claims Court. It is designed so that the average person can have a dispute resolved by a judge without a lawyer or the formalities of a normal lawsuit. A corporation must be represented by a lawyer if the claim is over a certain amount. So, if you sue a corporation, it is likely that it will be represented by a lawyer. This does not, however, mean that you have to have a lawyer. Who Decides My Case? If you file in Small Claims Court, you waive your right to a jury trial. Your case will be decided by a judge unless the party you are suing requests a trial by jury. How Do I Prove My Case? Bring all documents that support your claim. You also can get subpoenas from the Clerk to require witnesses to appear and testify on your behalf. What Do I Need To Know? The trial will be informal and is not governed by the same rules that govern other lawsuits. The purpose of the hearing is to allow all parties to tell the judge, through witnesses who have been sworn, their version of what happened. You do not have to worry about the rules of evidence or formal rules. What Am I Entitled To? You are entitled to recover any and all damages that were proximately caused by the defendant's carelessness or negligence. Some of the things in which you are entitled to recover for include: Medical Bills. All reasonable and necessary medical bills you incurred as a result of the accident. Prescriptions. Any medicine that was prescribed because of the injuries you sustained in the accident. Pain and Suffering. You should ask for some amount of money based upon the pain and suffering you were forced to endure as a result of the accident. Mental Anguish. You should recover for the mental anguish you suffered following the accident. Lost Wages. If you missed work because of your injuries or because you were going to the doctor you should document and ask for that amount. Mileage and Parking. You should keep a record of the miles you travel to the doctor or to other places as a result of the accident. Also, keep a record of the amount you pay for parking on those trips. Scarring. If you have any scarring as a result of injuries sustained in the accident, you should point that out to the judge. Ask for some amount of compensation for scarring. Auto Repair. If your car was damaged, you are entitled to the lesser of the cost of repairing the vehicle or the fair market value. Loss Of Use. You are entitled to be compensated for any days you go without the use of your vehicle, or the cost of a rental car. Other Damages. You are entitled compensation for any other property that has been damaged, i.e., clothing, glasses. You are entitled to towing expenses or any other damages directly caused by the wrongful conduct of the defendant. Consortium Your spouse is entitled to receive money for the loss of love and affection and other problems related to your injuries. A parent has a similar claim when a child is injured.
We believe that you and your loved one should know your legal rights and should not have your life interrupted anymore than it already has been. I, Attorney John P. Schuerman, an experienced trial lawyer and negotiator, will focus on your needs during this difficult time. You pay us only after we successfully negotiate your claim or obtain a judgment on your behalf. The following are some of our services we provide you and your family: Initial accident investigation and liability summaries. Investigate all areas of potential compensation, including, but not limited to, insurance coverage, personal assets, potential umbrella policies or corporate policies that might be applicable. Investigate MPC contractual coverage. Review all UIM and UM insurance coverage possibilities. Review and protect county and state tort claim deadlines. Anticipate affirmative defenses. Review and protect statute of limitation deadlines. Obtain, assess and summarize all medical records. Assess the value of claim through computerized analysis,experience, recent court judgments and case law. Track and document all correspondence and activities with the claim. Negotiate on your behalf to reduce all medical bills and work with your medical providers and collection agencies. Ensure you mitigate your damages in accordance with the law. Gather all information, package that information and send a request for settlement to the insurance company, after consulting with you and your family. Negotiate the settlement package on your behalf with keeping in constant communication with you during the negotiating process. If the insurance company refuses to pay a fair settlement during the negotiations, we will set up a meeting with you and any loved ones that you might want to attend, to discuss our continued strategy for a successful conclusion of your claim. If a settlement is eventually agreed upon, you will have access to complete documentation and a complete copy of all documentations in your file for any future needs. We will distribute all funds for any outstanding medical bills and provide you with copies of all the fund balances, medical bills, etc., and the checks that were issued to pay those outstanding balances. We will pay all advanced expenses for medical reports, any other reports that might be needed, any accident investigation, any doctor charges for depositions, and mock jury trials during the course of your claim, so you will not be burdened with those additional expenses. Most importantly, you will receive honest answers and straight talk while we fight for you and help relieve you from the stress of dealing with the legal aspects of your claim. Please give us a call, it's free 1-800-274-0045. My staff, and or I, would be glad to meet with you at no cost to you. Our pledge to you is honest answers. In certain situations you might not need to hire an attorney. If we feel this is in your best interest not to hire an attorney, we will tell you that also and try to guide you to your best alternative.