At Van Wey & Johnson, L.L.P., we represent individuals and their families who have been seriously injured or killed as a result of the negligence, carelessness, or recklessness of others. Plaintiff personal injury and wrongful death cases can be difficult. We understand how insurance companies and lawyers on the other side think: we used to be those lawyers. Insurance companies want to limit their exposure or liability when a serious injury or death occurs. Insurance companies hire attorneys whose job it is to aggressively undermine each aspect of the plaintiff's claim.

At Van Wey & Johnson, L.L.P., we limit our practice to serious, catastrophic personal injury and wrongful death litigation. Typical cases involve injuries or deaths caused by:

• Medical Negligence / Malpractice
• Work Place Injury and Retaliation 
• Nursing Home Neglect and Elder Abuse
• Dangerous and Defective Products / Product Liability
• Premises Liability
• Car Accidents and Truck Collisions
• Construction and Workplace Accidents
• Toxic Torts
• Unfair Insurance Practices

Our Focus
While some law firms handle personal injury claims on an occasional basis, we practice exclusively in this area and work only on behalf of injured individuals and their families. We do not represent businesses, corporations, HMOs, or insurance companies: we represent people. Our firm strives to manage personal injury litigation in a professional, dignified, and compassionate manner, recognizing the misfortunes of our clients that bring them to our firm, and the delicacy required in the handling of their claims.

Personal Injury and the Insurance Companies
Invariably, personal injury and wrongful death cases involve insurance companies. In the claims process, insurance companies have always held a big advantage over the insured. Insurance carriers, armed with a battery of legal and forensic experts and extensive resources used to investigate and handle claims, have often projected a "David and Goliath" image when dealing with an insured who challenges the settlement of his or her claim. Typically, the insured does not understand the claim process until a loss occurs. Without foreknowledge of the policy, coverage, exclusions, and interpretations, the insured feels helpless when presented with the carrier's interpretation and settlement offer. Oftentimes, the insured recovers far less than what the policy provides.

The Claims Process
The attorneys at Van Wey & Johnson, L.L.P. know the claims process and how to challenge the large insurance companies. The reason we know this is because a number of our attorneys used to work for insurance companies as defense counsel in personal injury and wrongful death cases. We understand how insurance companies and lawyers on the other side think because we used to be those lawyers. Insurance companies want to limit their exposure or liability when a serious injury or death occurs. Insurance companies hire attorneys whose job it is to aggressively undermine each aspect of the plaintiff's claim. Our attorneys know the games that insurance companies play, and are well versed in the interpretation of insurance policy language and litigation of insurance claims.

The Team Approach
At Van Wey & Johnson, L.L.P., we handle all of our personal injury and wrongful death cases through a team approach. In addition to seasoned attorneys, we also employ a registered nurse, two full-time investigators, paralegals, and additional support staff to properly manage each individual case. Our team of lawyers, nurses, paralegals, and investigators effectively works to level the playing field with the vast resources of insurance companies by putting our experience and proven techniques to work, including early investigation, careful review of medical records, assisting and directing clients to appropriate, supporting medical providers, and thoroughly evaluating economic and emotional losses. Throughout the years, we have helped recover millions of dollars for our clients' injuries and damages. We made a difference for them and can make the difference for you. Please contact us today.

We have help injuried people in Oklahoma and throughout Texas in cities like Dallas, Fort Worth, Tyler, Longview, Lufkin, Marshall, Houston, Beaumont, Brownsville, Austin, San Antonio, San Angelo, Abilene, Midland/Odessa, Wichita Falls, Amarillo, and Lubbock just to name a few.

About Our Atorneys:-

Kay L. Van Wey

Kay L. Van Wey began her legal career as an Assistant District Attorney in Comanche County, Oklahoma in 1984. Kay gained invaluable "in the trenches" experience trying criminal and civil cases to juries throughout Oklahoma and Texas. Kay has built upon that experience with a philosophy of thorough preparation and aggressive prosecution. As a result of her vast trial experience and expertise, Kay is board certified in Personal Injury Trial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. To become Board Certified in personal injury trial law, an attorney must have been licensed to practice law for at least five years; devoted a minimum of 25% of their time to the practice of personal injury trial law in Texas; handled a wide variety of matters in the area to demonstrate experience and involvement; attended at least 60 hours of continuing education seminars in personal injury trial law during the 3 years preceding certification; have been evaluated by fellow lawyers and judges and passed a day-long written examination.
 
Kay has been licensed to practice law in Oklahoma since 1983 and Texas since 1990. She received a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science in 1980 from the University of Oklahoma. She is a member of the Dallas Bar Association, Texas Trial Lawyers Association and The Association of Trial Lawyers of America. Kay is a frequent speaker at seminars teaching other attorneys about personal injury law and litigation tactics.

Professional Affiliations and Accomplishments
Admitted to the Oklahoma bar in 1983 and the Texas bar in 1990; 1985, U.S. District Court, Western District of Oklahoma; 1991, Illinois and U.S. District Court, Northern District of Texas. Education: University of Oklahoma (B.A., Pol. Sc., 1980); Oklahoma City University (J.D., 1983). Member, Oklahoma University President's Leadership Class, 1976. Outstanding Young Woman of America, 1986; Leadership Oklahoma, 1989. Author and Speaker: "Relational Claims," Insurance Law Seminar, May 1993; March 1994; "Survivorship, Wrongful Death and Related Claims," Insurance and Tort Law Seminar, August 1994; "Final Summation," Litigation and Trial Tactics Seminar, December 1995, 1996 and 1999; "Expert and Opinion Evidence," February 1998. Staff Assistant, Congressman Wm. Patman (D-Tx), 1984. Assistant District Attorney, Comanche County, Oklahoma, 1985. Member: Dallas Bar Association; Texas Trial Lawyers Association; The Association of Trial Lawyers of America.

Julie E. Johnson

Julie E. Johnson earned her law degree in 1991 from the University of Houston. She spent the first four years of her legal career representing insurance companies and large corporations. That experience gave her a unique and invaluable insight which she utilizes in holding defendants accountable for their unfair and sometimes overreaching practices.

Julie has been licensed to practice law in Texas since 1991. Julie is a member of the Texas Trial Lawyers of America, Dallas Trial Lawyers and American Trial Lawyers. Notably, Julie was recently inducted into the Patrick Higginbotham Inn of Court as a Barrister.

Julie has commanded respect from opposing counsel and insurance companies which enabled her to successfully resolve hundreds of cases in her career.

Professional Affiliations and Accomplishments
Admitted to the Texas bar in 1991; U.S. District Court, Northern and Eastern Districts of Texas; U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit. Education: University of Texas, Austin (B.A., 1987); University of Houston (J.D., 1991). Member: Dallas and American Bar Associations; State Bar of Texas; Texas Trial Lawyers Association; Dallas Trial Lawyers Association; The Association of Trial Lawyers of America; Dallas Women Lawyers Association; Dallas Employment Lawyers Association; National Employment Lawyers Association.