Northern Indiana Personal Injury Lawyers Help Victims Seek Justice

More than 50 years serving clients with diligence and compassion

Blachly, Tabor, Bozik & Hartman, LLC provides effective and aggressive legal representation to plaintiffs seeking compensation for the harm done by others. Injured people and families dealing with the loss of a relative might be intimidated by the apparent obstacles they face. Our attorneys deliver caring, compassionate counsel to each client and take the time to answer questions and explain your options during a free initial consultation. Whether your injuries resulted from a fall, a vehicle accident, medical malpractice or a defective product, we are committed to protecting your access to a fair resolution, whether through negotiations or in court.

Strong legal support for people hurt in motor vehicle accidents

Over more than a half century, Blachly, Tabor, Bozik & Hartman lawyers have obtained substantial compensation for individuals injured in vehicle crashes. If you’ve been in an accident, we provide comprehensive advice on legal concerns such as these:

• Insurance liability — Our attorneys will evaluate your circumstances and both drivers’ insurance policies to help determine how to proceed.
  
  
• Indiana’s modified comparative fault law — If the other driver bears a majority of the fault, you can recover damages even if you’re found to have partial responsibility.
  
  
• Statute of limitations — Indiana law requires a suit to be filed within two years of the accident. As you cope with the physical and property damage, you must also act promptly to assert your rights within that period.
  
  

We are always cognizant of the various challenges that arise from vehicle accidents and work tirelessly to achieve a favorable outcome for you.

Knowledgeable litigators for truck collision claims

Accidents involving large trucks require special attention to certain issues. Commercial drivers must have a special license and abide by specific federal regulations. Blachly, Tabor, Bozik & Hartman can investigate whether a driver was properly certified and trained and whether rules on speed, rest and weight were followed. If you’ve been injured in a collision with a truck, our attorneys will aggressively assert your legal rights and make sure that you are not pressured into an inadequate settlement.

Experienced counselors to handle traumatic brain injury cases

Medical evidence continues to grow concerning the devastating effects of traumatic brain injuries. Even if the impact appeared mild or occurred long ago, the consequences can be debilitating and last for a lifetime. Our attorneys can assemble the necessary facts and experts to provide a reasonable assessment of your potential claim. We will assist you in obtaining a just recovery however the injury occurred.

Assisting families who seek financial compensation after a wrongful death

If you have lost a loved one in a tragic accident, the emotional pain can be so overwhelming that you’re not thinking about enforcing your legal rights. Unfortunately, families who wait too long to file a wrongful death suit can lose their ability to hold the negligent party liable for the financial damage they have caused. Blachly, Tabor, Bozik & Hartman can pursue a recovery for the estate, spouse and children of the deceased for:

• Lost income and benefits that the victim would have received through their lives
• Medical, hospital and ambulance costs arising from the injury
• Funeral and burial expenses

The statute of limitations starts to run on the date of death, so even if you only suspect negligence as a cause, it is important to get legal advice promptly.

Contact a dedicated Northern Indiana personal injury attorney today

Blachly, Tabor, Bozik & Hartman, LLC represents clients in personal injury matters and numerous other areas of law. Call 800-921-2824 or contact us online to schedule a free initial consultation at one of our offices located in Valparaiso, Merrillville or Fort Wayne.

Please Call : 800-921-2824

Attorney Profile :

“The social purpose of tort law is accident and injury prevention. It is only when we fail in our initial purpose that we move to the secondary purpose, which is compensation for the injured person.” – Harry M. Philo

Jeffrey S. Wrage, Attorney/Partner, devotes 100% of his practice to litigation.  Jeff is a Board Certified Civil Trial Attorney by the National Board of Trial Advocacy and a member of the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum.  As a plaintiffs’ advocate Mr. Wrage represents individuals and families in state and federal courts in all types of personal injury, wrongful death, medical malpractice, and employment litigation.

With more than 35 civil jury trials to his credit, Jeff’s trial experience includes semi-truck and other motor vehicle cases, medical malpractice, slip and fall cases, insurance, and employment cases.  His civil trial experience includes numerous multi-million dollar results.  Mr. Wrage’s previous experience defending these types of cases serves him well in counseling his clients on what to expect in the litigation process and in helping them reach a successful conclusion.  Jeff also handles business and complex litigation for the firm’s business, municipal, estate and conservancy district clients.

Jeff has been a presenter at a number of Continuing Legal Education programs involving personal injury skills, trial techniques, and complex personal injury issues. Jeff is an adjunct professor teaching Trial Practice at Valparaiso University School of Law, and also coaches students in the Trial Advocacy Program.

Active within the community, Mr. Wrage discusses legal topics at local area schools, civic gatherings, labor union meetings, Chamber of Commerce programs and at Indiana University Northwest.  Jeff also volunteers for the Boone Grove Math Fair, the Valparaiso Chamber of Commerce Reality Store, the “Ask Me What’s Great About America” program, the “Talk to a Lawyer for Free Day” program, the “Why Lincoln was a Lawyer” program (all 3 programs are associated with the Indiana State Bar Association), the Valparaiso Lions Club, and as a youth sports coach.  Jeff is also involved with Leadership Northwest Indiana. He is also a past lector and Church Council member of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church.

Areas of Practice: Personal Injury/Wrongful Death; Civil Litigation; Medical Negligence; Employment Discrimination; Civil Rights; Business Torts Litigation; 100% of practice devoted to litigation

Professional Credentials: J.D., Valparaiso University School of Law, 1994; B.S., Business Economics & Public Policy, Indiana University – Bloomington, 1991

Bar Admission: Indiana, 1994; Illinois, 1994; U.S. District Court, Northern & Southern Districts of Indiana; U.S. District Court, Northern; District of Illinois; U.S. Court of Appeals, 7th Circuit

Distinctions: Certified Lifetime Member, Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum; Indiana Super Lawyer in Personal Injury – 2010, 2013, 2014, 2015; Board Certified by the National Board of Trial Advocacy in Trial Advocacy and Pre-Trial Advocacy (2006 to the present)

Membership Associations: Indiana State Bar Association; Illinois State Bar Association; Porter County Bar Association; Indiana Trial Lawyers Association (Sustaining Member, 2006-present; Board of Directors, 2014-present); The American Association for Justice, formerly The Association of Trial Lawyers of America; National Employment Lawyers Association

Publications and Presentations: Presenter – October 1999 – Tank Truck Carriers Association St. Louis, Missouri – “What a Carrier Should Do:  The First Hours after a Serious Loss”

Contributing Author – 1999/2000 – TransPoints – monthly publication of the ATA (American Trucking Association)

Author – Indiana Lawyer – 2003 – “Recent Indiana Supreme Court Decision Ignores Indiana Children”

Author – The Verdict (a publication of the Indiana Trial Lawyers Association) – Spring 2006 – “The Risk of Serious Personal Injury or Death by Electrocution is a Non-Delegable Duty”

Presenter – 2006 ITLA Lifetime Achievement Seminar Indianapolis, IN – “The Risk of Serious Personal Injury or Death by Electrocution is a Non-Delegable Duty”

Author – Winter 2007 Article – “Back to Basics:  Seven Steps for Litigation an Auto Crash Case with the Client” (also published in the Spring 2008 Verdict Magazine with permission)

Presenter – December 2007 – NBI Seminar Merrillville, IN – “Personal Injury:  Practical Tips and Applications”

Presenter – December 2008 – NBI Seminar Merrillville, IN – “Personal Injury:  Practical Tips and Applications”

Author – The Verdict (a publication of the Indiana Trial Lawyers Association) – Spring 2010 –  “Do you need to retain a vocational expert?  An overview of Indiana law regarding proving damages for lost time, earnings, salary, and lost or impaired earning capacity”

Presenter – November 2011 – ICLEF Seminar Merrillville, IN – “Successfully Handling Employment Matters from the Employer and Employee Perspective”

Presenter – Employment Law Seminar – Merrillville, Indiana – Plaintiff’s Employment Law:  Counseling Clients on a Variety of Issues

Published Cases: Mayflower Transit, Inc. v. Davenport, 714 N.E.2d 794 (Ind. App. 1999)

Sweet v. Art Pape Transfer, Inc., 721 N.E.2d 311 (Ind. App. 1999)

Randolph v. Methodist Hospitals, Inc., 793 N.E.2d 231 (Ind. App. 2003)

East Chicago Police Dept. v. Bynum, 826 N.E.2d 22 (Ind. App. 2005)

Beta Steel v. Rust, 830 N.E.2d 62 (Ind. App. 2005)

Mayfield v. Levy Co., 833 N.E.2d 501 (Ind. App. 2005)

Hlinko v. Marlow, 864 N.E.2d 351 (Ind. App. 2007)

In re Estate of Holt, 870 N.E.2d 511 (Ind. App. 2007)

Wiley v. McShane, 875 N.E.2d 273 (Ind. App. 2007)

State Farm Mut. Auto Ins. Co. v. Jakupko, 881 N.E.2d 654 (Ind. 2008) (amicus curiae)

Manns v. Richie, 937 N.E.2d 44 (Ind. App. 2010)

Powers v. VSF Holland, Inc., 667 F3d 815 (C.A.7 Ind. 2011)

Harper v. C.R. England, Inc., 687 F3d 297 (C.A. 7 Ind. 2012)

Mr. Bults, Inc. v. Orlando, 990 N.E.2d 1 (Ind. App.  2013)

Newman v. Gagan, LLC, 939 F.Supp.2d 853 (N.D. Ind. 2013)

Wiseman v. City of Michigan City, 966 F. Supp. 2d 790, (N.D. Ind. 2013)

Perry v. Bath & Body Works, LLC, 993 F. Supp. 2d 883 (N.D. Ind. 2014)

Zoeller v. Sweeney, 19 N.E.3d (Ind. 2014)

Personal: Born in Rockford, Illinois, Dec. 6, 1968

Please Call : 800-921-2824