Personal Injury, Criminal Defense, & General Litigation Attorney in Ridgeland, Mississippi

The Guthrie Firm, PLLC

350 Arbor Drive
Suite D
Ridgeland, Mississippi 39157
USA

(601) 991-1099 or (866) 991-1555

(601) 206-1612

www.guthriefirm.com

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Law Firm Overview Free Consultation

The Guthrie Firm is a Mississippi-based injury and criminal defense law firm handling injury, litigation, and appeals cases for people throughout the state of Mississippi who have been seriously injured. Clarence’s goal is to be the lawyer you depend on when you need help the most. We represent those that have been seriously injured, whether on the road, on the job, or anywhere due to the negligence of others, or those who have been arrested in Mississippi on state or federal charges. We also litigate matters and provide advice for businesses in Mississippi as needed.

Clarence is a former United States Marine prosecutor, criminal defense counsel, and Battalion Commander of 225 Marines. He also is an accomplished trial lawyer, having tried over 250 cases early in his legal career. Clarence served 23 years in the Marines, and lived according to the core values of Honor, Courage, and Commitment. These values naturally influence the operation of this law firm, and if you become a client you can expect to be treated as Clarence treated his Marines – with respect, fairness, and a sincere concern for your best interest.

We are going to listen to your needs, coordinate medical payments, organize documentation, and support you all the way through the claims process. At the same time, we will be preparing your case for trial. We are going to do what it takes to ensure you receive the justice and compensation you deserve. In addition, we are going to provide detailed explanations of every legal term and concept along the way. Our technology allows us to respond to your inquiries and calls promptly, and you are encouraged to email us for a case update as often as you wish.

Practice Areas

Additional Practice Areas: ATV Accidents; Governmental Liability; Swimming Pool Incidents; Emotional Distress; Federal Offenses; Violent Crimes; Criminal Defense Post-trial Practice and Appeals; Representation Before You Are Charged; Bond And Bail Hearings; Post Conviction Relief; Collateral Consequences of a Criminal Conviction; Mail Fraud; Bank Fraud; Bankruptcy Fraud; Antitrust Violations; Immigration Law Violations; Counterfeiting; Conspiracy; Federal Property Crimes; Carjacking; Hate crimes; Kidnapping; Terrorism; Vehicular Manslaughter; Copyright Infringement; Extortion; Forgery; Securities Fraud; Tax Evasion; Illegally Claiming Government Benefits; Filing False Insurance Claims; Breach of Contract; Injury Claims Defense; Civil Appeals; License Suspensions; Search and Seizure Issues.

Practice Areas Description

Our practice includes:

- Personal Injury

A personal injury claim arises when a person sustains injuries due to the intentional or negligent actions of another. When you are injured, it is a serious matter that can devastate your health, earning potential, and future. You don’t always need a lawyer to resolve your case, but if you are seriously injured it is very important to seek out an effective, aggressive personal injury lawyer to help litigate your Mississippi personal injury claim. Clarence approaches personal injury cases in a no-nonsense, results-oriented, deliberate manner. He understands the importance of resolving your case as quickly as reasonably possible, and will strive to communicate and explain all options available to you as the case progresses.

* Pedestrian Accidents

Pedestrian accidents usually occur due to distracted driving (texting, eating, changing the radio), and they often injure those who are most vulnerable, children playing or going to school, or the elderly trying to cross the street. Other possible causes of pedestrian accidents include: Failure to yield the right of way to a pedestrian; Ignoring a stop sign, stop light, or other traffic signal; Failure to stop when a school bus arm was extended; Failure to look when turning into a crosswalk; Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol; Speeding or careless or reckless driving.

* Governmental Liability

It is difficult, but not impossible to sue the government. Claims against local, state and federal government agencies and their employees are difficult to pursue due to special immunities, time limits, and other procedural rules and deadlines. However, when someone is injured by the negligence of a government agency or employee, that person has a right to bring a cause of action to recover compensation for those injuries. Establishing government liability requires sophisticated legal representation, and experience in this area of law.

* Construction Accidents

Construction workers and contractors are faced with some of the most dangerous working conditions in any industry. Unfortunately, serious work–related injuries are too common on worksites across Mississippi. The construction industry is highly regulated, with workplace safety laws and educational programs, project specifications, and rigorous inspection requirements, all designed to prevent injuries and promote safety. The types of accidents include falls from scaffolds and rooftops, exposure to asbestos and chemicals, electrocution, injuries due to defective products, unsafe equipment, falling machinery or parts, and lifting or repetitive motion injuries.

* Railroad Accidents

Whether you are a passenger on an Amtrak route, an employee of a railroad in Mississippi, or you are involved in an accident with a train at a crossing, we can help you receive prompt and fair compensation for injuries caused by an incident involving a railroad. An accident is going to leave you overwhelmed with emotional, physical, and financial burdens. It is difficult to take care of these issues yourself while going the process of recovery. The money that we may be able to recover for you won’t change the past, but it can help you worry less about your future.

* Medical Malpractice

If you were injured during a medical procedure, I would like to hear from you. Time is of the essence – the Mississippi Statute of Limitations dictates that an action for medical malpractice must commence no later than two years after the act or omission which caused the injury, or from the reasonable date of its discovery. These types of cases can include: Wrong site surgery; Wrong diagnosis and resulting bad outcome; Brain injury; Medication errors; Wrongful death due to medical negligence; Hospital staff negligence; Surgical injuries; Cancer diagnosis issues; Birth injuries and fetal death; Plastic surgery issues.

* Wrongful Death

Wrongful death claims are among the most serious types of cases, and they require experienced legal representation coupled with compassion and understanding. Obviously, the emotional and financial impact on the surviving family is devastating. The last thing you want to be thinking about while grieving a lost loved one is building a legal case, but unfortunately that is probably what the insurance company is doing while you are suffering. Clarence and The Guthrie Firm can help you through this process. Let us work on it while you take care of the more important things in your life.

* Premises Liability

Premises liability generally refers to injuries that you incur as a result of unsafe conditions on someone else’s property. Premises liability encompasses an almost limitless variety of cases, including slip and falls, swimming pools incidents, fires and explosions, broken glass, animal attacks, faulty store displays, and inadequate security. Dangerous property conditions can exist in just about every type of building or open space, including homes, apartment complexes, theaters, malls, sports facilities, amusement parks, government buildings, commercial buildings, farms, and other open land spaces.

* Products Liability

There are product liability laws to protect you. These laws govern how products are designed, manufactured, marketed, sold and recalled. In general, if a product is unreasonably dangerous, or if a product does not include sufficient warnings or instructions and causes injury, you may have grounds for a product liability case. The product or drug’s designer, supplier, manufacturer, distributor, wholesaler, dealer, and everyone else in the chain might be held accountable if you are injured by their unsafe product.

* Traumatic Brain Injury

A traumatic brain injury (TBI, or “intracranial injury”) is an injury to the brain caused by an external violent jarring or force. It can be caused by a direct impact, or by acceleration. The force usually causes the brain to move inside the skull, and sometimes it breaks the skull and directly harms the brain. The brain can bruise, tear, or swell, and this can result in seizures, memory loss, headaches, loss of bodily functions, speech impairment, and behavioral issues.

* Burns

Burn injuries are perhaps the most painful type of injury you can experience. The pain comes not only from the injury itself, but from the treatment you must suffer through as well. The personal injury lawyers at The Guthrie Firm, PLLC represent victims of burn injuries, and we will help you seek fair and just compensation for burn injuries cause by the negligence of others. A burn injury can obviously be caused by contact with intense heat, such as a flame, hot liquid, steam, etc., but it can also be cause by exposure to sunlight, acids, chemicals, radiation, and even something extremely cold.

* Bicycle Accidents

Insurance companies hate bicycle accidents, and one of the main mitigating arguments they raise is that of contributory or comparative negligence. This is because accidents are sometimes aggravated by the conduct of the bicyclist, like failing to follow the rules of the road. It is very important in these instances to hire a lawyer who knows personal injury law, and particularly auto – pedestrian and auto – bike accidents, in order to unearth any negligence by the motorist.

* Motorcycle Accidents

Motorcycle cases are especially tough. The injuries involved are typically very serious and the cases can be difficult to win. The facts are that most motorcycle accidents take place because of the negligence of automobile drivers or because of debris and unsafe road conditions. Unfortunately, however, insurance companies and juries are often biased against motorcyclists. They blame motorcyclists for their own injuries because insurance adjusters and jurors don’t understand the difficulties of riding with cars on the road.

- General Litigation

In our General Litigation practice we have represented clients on both sides of the law in a wide range of issues, such as breach of contract disputes, open meetings and Freedom of Information Act requests, defamation actions, mortgage litigation, employment law, education and disability law, political matters, family law, and other legal challenges. We can provide complete state and federal trial and appellate representation, and arbitration, mediation, and alternative dispute resolution services throughout Mississippi.

* Business Disputes & Litigation

There are many types of business disputes. You may have difference of opinion about whether certain goods or services were supplied. You may feel you have suffered damages due to another party’s actions. You may think you are owed compensation by another. An amount of money may be in dispute. A good lawyer will be able to advise on what course of action to take, and when. Clarence is experienced in all facets of commercial disputes and their resolution, and is well placed to advise his clients on the best course of action to ensure their interests, and profits, are maximized.

* Breach of Contract

Breach of contract disputes are specialized and complex. The result of a dispute will usually be determined through the content of the contract which was signed; however attorneys deal with many cases of contractual disputes where they did not play a part in the original negotiations. Breach of contract cases will either end up as a dispute where a party has not performed its obligations or where the attorney’s client is sued for breach. Breach of contract cases do not have to end in court, and there are a number of more conciliatory means of settling these disputes. Should the matter reach litigation, however, special consideration should be given to what remedy should be sought.

* Injury Claims Defense

It is a sad fact of life however that we cannot be insured for every eventuality. We have to insure ourselves by law (cars, trucks, boats, home), and we may choose to insure ourselves through prudence (life, disability, employment). If you are sued and have no insurance, or you don’t have a sufficient level of insurance to cover the claim, the consequences can be far reaching, as the plaintiff may pursue your income until full judgment is paid. The plaintiff can ask for payments to cover medical payment and even lost wages. This is why you will want to retain a litigator to ensure that your best interests are protected.

- Criminal Defense

If you are facing charges for a violation of Mississippi or federal criminal law, you need a strong and knowledgeable criminal defense attorney you can respect and trust. Money, freedom, and even your life may be on the line, and your criminal lawyer has to be trusted to fight hard for your best interests. Even seemingly minor charges based on questionable evidence require the careful, personal attention of a lawyer who believes in you, has experience, and knows the law. We handle the following types of criminal cases: Federal Offenses; White Collar Offenses; Violent Crimes; Sex Crimes; Drug Crimes; Firearms Offenses; Theft and Fraud Offenses; Juvenile Crimes; Criminal Defense Post-trial Practice and Appeals; Representation Before You Are Charged; Bond And Bail Hearings; Expungements – Clearing your Record; Appeals and Post Conviction Relief.