Watson, Jimmerson, Martin, McKinney, Helms & Artrip, P.C. is a general practice law firm located in Huntsville, Alabama. Our firm was established in 1980, although our senior partner, Herman (Buck) Watson, Jr., has practiced law in the Tennessee Valley Region for over 42 years. We maintain the highest available Martindale-Hubbell firm rating (AV). Our main practice areas are personal injury and wrongful death (plaintiff), complex litigation and class actions, and corporate and business/commercial work. Our practice also includes the following areas of law: airport, construction, employment (including sexual harassment).
We have a very plaintiff-centered orientation and a long history of successful litigation. Through the years, we have worked alongside many nationally recognized law firms, often taking a leading role. We have been involved in at least thirty high profile class action lawsuits of national scope. Many of our major litigation and class action cases have been handled by our senior partner, Herman (Buck) Watson, Jr., who has a tremendous track record in his forty-two years of practice.
It is our goal to put the client at ease right from the start. We strive to provide a professional and personable environment in which clients can feel comfortable and assured that their legal needs are understood and being addressed by experienced attorneys. Clients are treated with respect and courtesy, and their inquiries always receive a prompt response
Our office is located in the historic downtown YMCA building. The building was built in 1910 and completely renovated in 2001. The restoration has won numerous design awards and was given the Alabama Historical Commission’s highest award for historic renovation in 2001.
We utilize state-of-the-art technology and cost-effective methods to provide services in a timely, client-oriented manner. Our technological advancement allows us to provide a level of service typically associated with a large firm, but at more reasonable rates.
Watson, Jimmerson, Martin, McKinney, Helms & Atrip, P.C. is dedicated to providing high quality, dependable legal counsel to individuals and businesses in the diverse areas of personal injury and wrongful death actions, complex civil litigation, employment claims, corporate and real estate transactions, general trial and appellate practice, and the representation of local municipalities and governmental agencies. Our firm combines experience, knowledge and professionalism with a desire to protect our clients’ rights and interests without compromise.
We represent plaintiffs in all types of personal injury cases, including but not limited to, motor vehicle accidents, products liability, medical malpractice, construction accidents, medical malpractice, premises liability, nursing home negligence, toxic torts, and workers’ compensation.
Personal injuries not only cause physical pain, but often emotional and financial hardship through loss of work, medical bills and stress placed upon families and loved ones. We often take our physical and mental well being for granted—until something goes wrong. When an accident happens lives are forever changed. Simple pleasures become chores. Daily routines are disrupted. Economic losses are often devastating. Whether caused by an automobile accident, a defective product, medical malpractice, or other negligent, careless or reckless conduct, injuries alter lives forever.
Motor Vehicle Accidents- At some point you or a loved one is likely to be involved in a motor vehicle accident. Auto accidents may involve negligence on the part of drivers, including drunk driving and reckless behavior. If you are injured in a motor vehicle accident we can assist you in receiving compensation for your injuries, lost wages, and other damages.
Products Liability - We represent individuals who have been injured as a result of a dangerous or unsafe product that was designed, manufactured, sold, and/or furnished by a person or company. We assist those injured individuals in bringing their claims and being fairly compensated for their injuries. Our attorneys have experience litigating cases involving defective medical devices, dangerous pharmaceutical drugs, defective automobiles, defective household products and machinery, non-flame retardant furniture, and many other products.
Construction Accidents— Owners and general contractors have an obligation to keep work sites safe. If there is an accident, in many cases a worker will be able to bring a claim against the owner or general contractor in addition to a workers' compensation claim. It is important to consult a firm with expertise in this area of the law to ensure that your rights are fully protected.
Premises Liability—Too often, property owners neglect the condition of their property and create dangerous and hazardous conditions for others who come into contact with it. Whether a property owner allows ice and snow to accumulate on walkways or a grocery store fails to clean up a slippery spill in the aisle, these conditions are dangerous. If you are hurt because a “slip-and-fall” or a “trip-and-fall” due to dangerous conditions, you may be able to recover for your injuries.
Medical Malpractice -- We are experienced in medical malpractice law and can help clients determine whether malpractice has occurred. Doctors and other healthcare providers must follow certain standards when caring for patients. While a simple mistake is not enough to constitute negligence or malpractice, a death or injury caused by the failure to provide reasonably appropriate standard of care or the failure to diagnose an easily detectable illness may be malpractice. When someone is injured as a result of the negligence or misconduct of a dental or medical professional, the law provides a means of obtaining compensation, allowing the injured party or parties to get on with their lives.
Nursing Home Neglect and Abuse - We represent individuals and their families in cases where nursing homes have failed to provide adequate care to their residents. We will gladly evaluate any case where someone has suffered physical injury or death while under a nursing home’s care. We are experienced in evaluating and handling cases involving decubitis ulcers (“bedsores”), broken bones, head injuries, infections, poor wound care, amputations, dehydration, malnourishment, and a host of other conditions.
Workers Compensation - When employees are injured on the job, we will help them receive payment for lost wages and medical treatment expenses. Through the years, we have fought for clients against private industry, federal, state and local government employers and their workers’ compensation insurers.
Complex Litigation & Class Action - We have years of experience handling complex litigation including matters of civil rights, consumer protection, mass torts, and many others. Our complex litigation attorneys have also handled a number of class action suits, mainly dealing with mass torts.
Consumer Protection – Consumer protection law involves allegations and disputes related to deceptive business practices. When businesses engage in fraudulent schemes they damage their customers and unjustly enrich themselves. When many individuals have suffered similar damages from the same business, or a business has been unjustly enriched as a result of its deceptive business practices, it may be appropriate to initiate a class action suit. If you believe you may be a victim of consumer fraud we gladly evaluate your situation.
Mass Torts - We have years of experience litigating mass tort suits on both the local and national level. Several of our attorneys specialize in evaluating and pursuing claims for victims of defective medical devices and pharmaceutical drugs that have been recalled or removed from the market after injuring or killing its users. If you suspect that you or a loved one has been injured by a defective product we will gladly evaluate your situation.
Corporate, Business, & Commercial - Business & Commercial Law - We provide a wide variety of services to business clients, including assistance in selecting the type of organizational entity under which to operate, negotiating and preparing business agreements, drafting contracts, assisting in the sale and purchase of a business, obtaining financing and funding for business operations, and assisting in dissolution or business succession.
Contracts - From negotiations to drafting to final review, each stage of contract development is crucial in obtaining the goals of the parties. We understand the nuances of language and apply them to our clients’ advantage.