Grand Rapids, Michigan Personal Injury, Criminal, Toxic Tort, & Litigation Law Firm

Law Firm Overview FREE CONSULTATION

At Worsfold Macfarlane McDonald, PLLC, our attorneys have more than 100 years of collective experience assisting individual and business clients facing legal issues involving accidents, employment law, criminal charges and other types of cases. In addition to our multiple six- and seven-figure settlement and jury awards, we bring unsurpassed credentials and recognitions to each case we handle.

Worsfold Macfarlane McDonald, PLLC was established in 1997 when founding members Charles Worsfold, Evan Macfarlane and William McDonald Jr. left a large litigation firm in Grand Rapids to form their own law practice. Their philosophy: To offer the litigation skills of a large law firm with the personal service and efficiency of a small firm.

Whether you are a national manufacturer seeking local counsel in a product liability or asbestos claim or an individual needing help with a no-fault auto accident claim, Worsfold Macfarlane McDonald, PLLC, will give you the prompt service and professional attention you deserve. We handle litigation efficiently, with the expertise necessary to bring matters to a swift and successful conclusion.

Areas of Law

Areas of Law Description

Our primary practice areas include:

- Personal Injury

We are highly experienced in effectively investigating all types of accidents, and we work with respected accident scene investigators to uncover the true facts behind your injuries. We also research all legal issues involved in each individual case and prepare each case for trial, so that we can negotiate from a position of strength. When insurers are willing to make fair offers we can discuss compensation amounts by drawing on decades of negotiation, mediation and arbitration experience.

* Product Defects

We provide product liability legal services to plaintiffs and defendants across Michigan and the entire U.S. Our attorneys have handled cases involving faulty food ingredients and dangerous auto parts, medical devices and consumer products, as well as product-related industrial accidents involving workers' compensation claims. We are also certified mediators and experienced negotiators and have maximized clients' results in hundreds of injury claims.

* Workers' Compensation

If you were injured at work and your employer has denied your workers' compensation claim, the Grand Rapids workers' compensation attorneys of Worsfold Macfarlane McDonald, PLLC can help. We can work diligently to prove your injuries are related to your work duties or a workplace accident. If your employers have used the opinion of their doctor to deny your claim, we can obtain additional medical opinions. We can prepare a strong case and present it on your behalf in hearings where the continuation and reinstatement of benefits are decided.

* Boat, Jet Ski, and ORVs/ATVs

When you are injured or lose a loved one in a boat or ATV accident, how can you ensure you will receive the compensation you will need to cover lost wages and medical bills? When an insurer denies your injury claim or makes a minimal settlement offer, who can assist you in pursuing a fair result? The Grand Rapids attorneys of Worsfold Macfarlane McDonald, PLLC, are skilled at resolving insurance coverage and insurance rider disputes, identifying all sources of insurance coverage, and investigating claims. Our effectiveness in handling boat, jet ski and ORV/ATV accidents is enhanced by experience on both sides of injury disputes.

* Motorcycle Accidents

Motorcycle accidents can be physically and financially debilitating. If your motorcycle accident involves serious bodily injury or serious permanent disfigurement, or the loss of a loved one, you may also pursue a claim against the at-fault party. We are skilled and experienced in litigating accident cases, and several of our six-figure results are described on our verdicts and settlements page.

* Dog Bites

When a dog attacks a person, whether an adult or child - the results can be catastrophic. Dog bites often cause significant physical injuries (like lacerations, puncture wounds, and scarring) as well as emotional injuries to the victim. At Worsfold Macfarlane McDonald, P.L.L.C. we know how to make sure any victim, whether adult or child, is properly compensated for a dog bite injury.

* Asbestos/Toxic Tort

Worsfold Macfarlane McDonald, PLLC is a nationally prominent toxic tort litigation law firm. We are lawyers trained and experienced in advising and defending corporations in toxic tort matters such as: Asbestos; Benzene; Lead Paint; Mold; Silica; and Talc. Our law firm recognizes that mass toxic tort claims, such as asbestos litigation, can threaten a company's existence. Our lawyers therefore employ aggressive strategies to defend existing cases as well as employ strategies to control future litigation.

* Auto Accidents

We at Worsfold Macfarlane McDonald handle lawsuits resulting from automobile accidents and resultant no-fault automobile insurance claims on a daily basis. Our attorneys are experienced in all aspects of auto accident claims. We have successfully represented thousands of individuals and their family members who have had the misfortune of being involved in a serious car accident. We have also represented and defended numerous insurance companies in matters involving automobile negligence, wrongful death and no-fault automobile insurance claims. The firm has years of experience pursuing and defending claims and lawsuits arising out of automobile accidents.

* Truck Accidents

Proper investigation of a semi-truck accident claim requires an in-depth knowledge of the state and federal regulations that govern truck drivers, such as hours of service (HOS) laws that are designed to prevent truck driver fatigue. Our lawyers know what is required by Federal and State regulations to properly maintain and certify a truck as road worthy. Our lawyers have good relationships with police agencies in Western Michigan. This enables us to gather information from accident reports quickly. In any truck accident case, it's important for your attorney to conduct a prompt investigation of the tractor-trailer accident scene to collect and preserve evidence.

* Wrongful Death

Compensation for family members in wrongful death cases may include expenses not covered by insurance such as funeral expenses, lost wages, loss of support, and loss of society and companionship. The lawyers at Worsfold Macfarlane McDonald in Grand Rapids understand wrongful death cases. We represent the surviving family members as well as the insurance companies that pay these claims. Our lawyers understand how insurance companies investigate and value wrongful death claims, and this knowledge helps us protect the rights and interests of survivors.

- Professional Liability

Worsfold Macfarlane McDonald, PLLC's long-standing litigation defense practice has always included the defense of professionals. Our attorneys have vast experience defending law firms, attorneys, physicians, dentists, optometrists, architects and engineers against all manner of professional liability claims. We are experienced litigators, mediators and negotiators who can aggressively and knowledgeably handle your professional liability claim anywhere in Michigan.

- Employment Law

We are litigation attorneys who have handled employment law disputes since the founding of our firm in 1997 and before. We are also transaction lawyers skilled at drafting employment contracts, non-compete agreements, severance agreements and other types of employment law documents. For example WMM recently obtained a quarter of a million dollar settlement on behalf of an African American executive who was discriminated and retaliated against by a multinational corporation.

* Discrimination Defense

Federal and state laws provide powerful protections against discrimination in the workplace based on race, gender, age and disability. When employers violate discrimination laws, you can count on the supportive and aggressive litigators of Worsfold Macfarlane McDonald, PLLC. Our Grand Rapids firm was founded in 1997 and many of our attorneys have experience dating into the '80s and before. At Worsfold Macfarlane McDonald, PLLC, we know the law, and we know the requirements needed to succeed in discrimination cases.

* Wrongful Termination

Wrongful discharge cases are often complex. Why? Because they often involve more than one violation on the part of an employer. The first violation may occur in the form of discrimination or in violation of laws governing workers' compensation, ERISA or FMLA The second violation may occur when an employer retaliates against an employee. Whether you were wrongfully discharged or whether you were unlawfully retaliated against in response to another dispute, the lawyers of Worsfold Macfarlane McDonald, PLLC, can provide experienced and effective assistance.

* ERISA Disputes

The federal Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) provides numerous protections and benefits for employees in Michigan and in many situations governs the provision of short- and long-term disability benefits. ERISA disputes are resolved in a specialized area of the federal court system. Cases are often highly complex because they involve the many aspects of ERISA law and complex insurance plans. Litigation may be filed against your employer, your employer's insurer or both. We have years of experience handling complex and high-value ERISA disputes.

* Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA)

The federal Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) provides protections for employees in numerous situations, including the pending birth or adoption of a child, illness, the illness of a family member or the need to care for a service member. If you believe you qualify for benefits under the FMLA and your employer has denied your leave request, fired you or not allowed you to return to work following your leave, talk to the Grand Rapids FMLA attorneys of Worsfold Macfarlane McDonald, PLLC.

- Criminal Defense

If you have been arrested for a crime, some of the potential consequences are more serious than others. While most people are concerned about whether they spend time in jail or pay significant fines, others are concerned about the possibility of carrying a permanent criminal. At the law firm of Worsfold Macfarlane McDonald in Grand Rapids, our lawyers are experienced in defending people charged with all types of crimes. If you have been arrested for any crime, you should seek immediate legal help. You should never confess to police or plead guilty to a crime without having spoken with an experienced criminal defense attorney.

* Drunk Driving Defense

A lot is at stake in the outcome of your Michigan drunk driving case. Even first-offense drunk driving charges can result in jail time, fines, costs, the imposition of community service and costly "driver responsibility fees". The Grand Rapids drunk driving defense attorneys of Worsfold Macfarlane McDonald, PLLC, are experienced in defending people charged with all types of drunk driving charges in Michigan. We provide strong advocacy for clients facing drunk driving charges, fighting to protect their rights and preserve their driving privileges.

* Expungement

In this economic environment, good jobs are hard to come by. It is even more difficult to secure employment with a criminal conviction on your permanent record. Employers frequently utilize background checks as part of their hiring process. Likewise, background checks may impact your ability to rent an apartment, obtain a mortgage or secure insurance. If you have a past criminal conviction, lawyers at Worsfold Macfarlane McDonald may be able to clear your record through the expungement process.

- Construction Law

With more than 30 years experience, the construction lawyers at Worsfold Macfarlane McDonald have been successfully representing clients involved in commercial and residential construction disputes. Our commercial construction lawyers are experienced in handling claims involving construction defects, performance bonds, payment bonds, delay damages, personal injuries and insurance. If you are a residential building contractor or an owner contracting to have a residence built, you may need the experience, cost effective legal advice and representation of the residential construction attorneys at Worsfold Macfarlane McDonald.

- Estate Planning

Estate planning offers benefits to people of all ages. It can preserve your assets, protect your children, and give you the peace of mind of knowing that your wishes will be carried out if you die or are incapacitated. At the law firm of Worsfold Macfarlane McDonald in Grand Rapids, our lawyers provide a free initial consultation to discuss what estate planning can do for you. A discussion with an estate planning lawyer now can give you peace of mind and save your family members thousands of dollars later.

- Insurance Law

Worsfold Macfarlane McDonald is one of the premiere insurance litigation law firms in the State of Michigan. With over eighty combined years of insurance law experience, the attorneys at Worsfold Macfarlane McDonald are knowledgeable in every aspect of insurance law, including Michigan no-fault law, automobile negligence, homeowner's insurance, arson claims, fraud, commercial claims, property damage claims, toxic mold claims and issuance coverage issues. Worsfold Macfarlane McDonald can help resolve your insurance law problems.

- Local Counsel

Worsfold Macfarlane McDonald attorneys routinely serve as local counsel for attorneys and their clients litigating matters in the Michigan State and U.S. District Courts. Worsfold Macfarlane McDonald's attorneys know each Kent County Circuit and Western District United States District Judge professionally. We know and work with and through the court staff to help non-resident clients, law firms and lawyers efficiently navigate the local courts.

Attorneys

	Mr. Evan L. Macfarlane Attorney Civil Rights, Criminal Law, Employment, Litigation		Mr. William E. McDonald, Jr. Attorney Administrative Law, Criminal Law, Employment, Personal Injury
	Mr. Charles H. Worsfold Attorney Commercial Litigation, Employment, Personal Injury, Toxic Mold

More Information on Worsfold Macfarlane McDonald, PLLC

Grand Rapids, Michigan Toxic Tort Law Firm
Personal Injury Lawyers in Grand Rapids, MI
Grand Rapids, Michigan Construction Law Firm
Insurance Attorneys in Grand Rapids, Michigan
Grand Rapids, MI Professional Liability Lawyers
Criminal Defense Attorneys in Grand Rapids, MI
Grand Rapids, Michigan Estate Planning Law Firm
Worsfold Macfarlane McDonald, PLLC News and Publications