Hilbrich Law Firm
Personal Injury | Serving Highland, IN
219-444-4330If you need Personal Injury help in Indiana, contact Hilbrich Law Firm, a local practice in Highland, for legal representation.
Free Consultation
Virtual Appointments
Details Attorney William J. Cunningham
Attorney Michael D. Dobosz
Attorney Daniel B. Vinovich
Attorney Walter F. Sandoval
Attorney Hunter N. Balczo
For Attorneys: Download Lead Counsel Badge
Experienced Lawyers Helping You Get Maximum Compensation and Real Results!
Here at Hilbrich Law Firm we are in the business of helping our clients secure justice. Since our inception in 1952, we have worked with thousands of clients on a range of cases, with our primary practice strengths in the areas of personal injury, medical malpractice, wrongful death, and estate planning services. From investigating claims to obtaining multi-million dollar jury verdicts, we fight for justice for our clients all over Indiana and Illinois.
We dedicate ourselves to placing our clients at the heart of every one of our cases and can offer you experienced, personalized guidance which extends from initial consultation right up to full litigation, including trials and appeals, if required. With a strong track record of investing time, effort, and genuine care in our clients, you can rest assured that your case is in safe hands, and we will do everything we can to help you achieve the outcome you deserve.
Contact us today if you need legal assistance with any of the following:
- Estate Planning
- Medical Malpractice
- Motor Vehicle Accidents
- Personal Injury
- Trucking Accidents
Call 219-444-4330 today to arrange your free initial consultation.
Attorney William J. Cunningham
Bar Admissions:
- Indiana, 1976
- U.S. District Court Southern District of Indiana, 1976
- U.S. District Court Northern District of Indiana, 1980
- U.S. Tax Court, 1992
Education:
- Loyola University New Orleans College of Law, New Orleans, Louisiana
- Juris Doctorate - 1976
- University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana
- B.A. - 1973
- Major: English
- Major: Economics
Professional Memberships and Achievements:
- National Diocesan Attorneys Association, Member, 1987 to 1991
- Lake Michigan Marina Advisory Commission, Member, 1988 to 1990
- Ogden Dunes Home Association, President, 1985 to 1986
- Ogden Dunes Town, Councilman, 1988 to 1991
- Indiana State Bar Association, Member
- American Bar Association, Member
- Indiana Trial Lawyers Association, Member
- Lake County Bar Association, Member
- Indiana State Bar Association - Probate, Trust and Real Property Section, Member
Attorney Michael D. Dobosz
Bar Admissions:
- Indiana, 1989
- U.S. District Court Northern District of Indiana
- U.S. District Court Southern District of Indiana
- U.S. Federal Courts
Education:
- Indiana University at Bloomington School of Law, Bloomington, Indiana
- Juris Doctor - 1989
- East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, Tennessee
- B.S. - 1986
- Honors: summa cum laude
- Honors: Graduated with the highest GPA in his Graduating Class
- Honors: Phi Kappa Phi, Member
- Major: Psychology
- Minor: Political science and Criminal Justice
Professional Memberships and Achievements:
- Lake County Bar Association, Member
- Lake County Bar Association - Probate and Trust, Member
- Indiana State Bar Association, Member
- Indiana State Bar Association - Probate, and Estate Planning and Elder Law sections, Member
- Indiana Trial Lawyers Association, Member
Attorney Daniel B. Vinovich
Bar Admissions:
- Indiana, 1990
- U.S. District Court Northern District of Indiana, 1990
Education:
- Indiana University at Bloomington School of Law, Bloomington, Indiana
- J.D., Doctor of Jurisprudence - 1990
- Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana
- B.A., Bachelor of Arts - 1987
- Major: Double majors: Political Science & History
Attorney Walter F. Sandoval
Bar Admissions:
- Indiana
- Illinois
- U.S. Federal Courts
Education:
- Loyola University Chicago School of Law, Chicago, Illinois
- 2002
- Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana
- 1996
Professional Memberships and Achievements:
- Lake County Bar Association - Board of Managers, Member
- Indiana Trial Lawyers Association, Member
- Indiana State Bar Association, Member
- Illinois Bar Association, Member
Attorney Hunter N. Balczo
Bar Admissions:
- Indiana, 2020
- United States Federal District Court for the Northern District of Indiana, 2020
Education:
- Valparaiso University Law School, Valparaiso, Indiana
- 2019
- Valparaiso University, Valparaiso, Indiana
- 2016
- Majors: History and Political Science
Professional Memberships and Achievements:
- Lake County Bar Association, Member
- Lake County Bar Association - Probate & Trust Section Member
- Indiana State Bar Association - Member
- Indiana State Bar Association - Probate, Trust & Real Property Section Member
- Kiwanis International-Highland Chapter Member, Board Member and Scholarship Director
- $6,200,000 Jury Verdict. Fall at Hospital (Fractured Hip and Bed Sores): This medical malpractice case involved a 78-year old woman who fell off an X-ray table, broke her hip, and developed bedsores. Her life expectancy was reduced by 22 months. The defendant hospital sent the patient home with bedsores and she never fully recovered.
- $3,000,000 Settlement. Truck Accident (Wrongful Death): This case involved an intersection accident where a truck entered the intersection and hit a passenger vehicle on a service road. The driver of the passenger vehicle was killed. The truck company denied liability.
- $2,160,000 Jury Verdict. Negligent Delivery of Baby (Erb’s Palsy): In this medical malpractice case, a baby sustained a brachial plexis injury known as Erb’s Palsy at birth when the OB/GYN failed to timely perform a cesarean section. The mother’s second stage of labor lasted four hours and the physician mismanaged a condition known as shoulder dystocia, which causes the baby’s shoulder to become stuck on the mother’s pubic bone. The baby was found to have a 5-10% permanent impairment with her arm. The jury awarded damages to the child and to the parents for the negligent delivery and the Court ordered an additional $60,000 for prejudgment interest.
- $5,200,000 Verdict. Failure To Diagnose (Breast Cancer): This medical malpractice case involved a one year delay in the detection of breast cancer and caused a decreased chance of a final cure of the breast cancer. The patient is in remission. The jury concluded that the increased risk of cancer is a valuable damage.
- $3,000,000 Verdict. Surgical Errors (Wrongful Death): This medical malpractice case involved a death of an 80-year old woman who went to the hospital for a routine surgical insertion of a venacava filter. Within 15 hours after the operation, she was found dead. We filed suit against the doctor who gave inappropriate attention to phone calls from the hospital and the hospital staff who failed to appropriately monitor the patient.
- $1,075,000 Settlement. Detached Retina (Blindness in One Eye): This client suffered blindness in one eye from a detached retina that was not timely diagnosed by an Optometrist. By the time she was referred to an Ophthalmologist, her vision could not be saved in one eye. The Optometrist paid the maximum amount under the Indiana Medical Malpractice Act and the Patient’s Compensation Fund paid the excess.
- $750,000 Jury Verdict. Car Crash with Police Car (Shoulder Injury): In this case, a police car entered an intersection without lights or siren, and crashed into the plaintiff’s van causing a shoulder injury. Her medical bills were $4,000.
- $1,250,000 Settlement. Negligent Delivery of Baby (Cerebral Palsy): This medical malpractice case involved a catastrophic birth where a doctor and the hospital staff delayed an emergency cesarean section resulting in a fetus being starved for oxygen and essentially born dead. Apgars were zero at one minute, zero at five minutes, and zero at ten minutes. Miraculously, the baby survived but will have cerebral palsy for her entire life. Our investigation of the event revealed that the doctor was called by the hospital staff but continued to fall back asleep, and no other doctor was called. The case settled for the maximum statutory amount.
- $3,000,000 Settlement. Surgical Errors (Brain Injury): This medical malpractice case involved mistakes made during brain surgery at a major university hospital. The defendant performed experimental surgery on a 78-year-old patient.
- $750,000 Settlement. Fall at Hospital (Fractured Ankle): A mentally disabled man who was a fall risk at a hospital was left unmonitored and fell getting out of bed. The patient suffered a fractured ankle and developed significant complications that the defense blamed on him.
- $500,000 Jury Verdict. Surgical Errors (Bile Duct Clipped): This medical malpractice case involved a surgeon who clipped a woman’s common bile duct when he removed her gallbladder. This required an additional surgery to correct the mistake. Although the physician denied he was negligent, the jury found he was and awarded the woman damages.
Office Locations
Since 1997, the "Lead Counsel Verified" status has been granted to attorneys who possess:
- The Right Professional Experience
- A Spotless Record
The following attorneys at this firm are Lead Counsel Verified:
Michael D. Dobosz
This attorney practices in Indiana and is Lead Counsel Verified in the following practice areas:
| Practice Area | Year |
|---|---|
| Estate Planning | Since 2021 |
| Medical Malpractice | Since 2023 |
| Personal Injury Defense | Since 2021 |
| Personal Injury | Since 2023 |
| Probate | Since 2023 |
| Real Estate | Since 2023 |
Walter F. Sandoval
This attorney practices in Indiana and is Lead Counsel Verified in the following practice areas:
| Practice Area | Year |
|---|---|
| Personal Injury Defense | Since 2021 |