If you have been injured in DeSoto County, Chatham Gilder Howell Pittman helps you pursue the compensation you deserve. From our offices in Southaven and Hernando, we represent people across the county in personal injury, motor vehicle accidents, medical malpractice, workers’ compensation, Social Security disability, wrongful death, and criminal defense matters. Our DeSoto County personal injury lawyers have served North Mississippi families since 1932, and we offer free consultations. In injury cases, there is no attorneys’ fee unless we recover for you. We listen first, then build a strategy designed to protect your rights and your future.
Local Roots in DeSoto County Since 1932
DeSoto County is home for our firm. We keep offices in both Southaven and Hernando, and our roots in North Mississippi reach back to 1932, when Gerald Weissinger Chatham, a native of Hernando, founded the practice that grew into Chatham Gilder Howell Pittman. That history matters.
We know the local courts, the roads where collisions happen, and the communities we serve, from Olive Branch and Horn Lake to Walls and the county seat in Hernando. When you call, you speak with an attorney who listens, not a call center. We are not a big box law firm, and we do not treat clients like case numbers.
Why DeSoto County Residents Trust Our Firm
Choosing the right attorney after an injury can shape the outcome of your case. Clients across DeSoto County rely on Chatham Gilder Howell Pittman for:
- More than 100 years of combined legal experience in North Mississippi
- Convenient offices in Hernando and Southaven, close to the clients we serve
- Trial-ready attorneys recognized by Super Lawyers, the National Trial Lawyers, and the Million Dollar Advocates Forum
- Direct attorney contact, so your case is never handed off to staff
- A track record of recovering millions of dollars for injured clients
- Free consultations to learn about your rights and legal options
- Contingency fee agreements so you pay no attorneys’ fee unless we win your injury case
- Experience across the full range of injury matters, including car accidents, workers’ compensation, wrongful death, medical malpractice, product liability, and Social Security disability, as well as criminal defense
We treat every client like a neighbor, because in DeSoto County, that is exactly who you are. Let us put more than nine decades of North Mississippi legal experience to work for you.
Cases We Handle for DeSoto County Clients
Our attorneys handle a wide range of injury and legal matters for people throughout DeSoto County. Whatever your situation, we take the time to understand it before we act.
Car, Truck, and Motor Vehicle Accidents
Crashes on Interstate 55, Goodman Road, and other busy DeSoto County routes can cause serious, lasting injuries. We represent people hurt in many types of collisions, including:
- Car and truck accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Bicycle accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
We investigate what happened, deal with the insurance companies, and pursue full compensation for your medical bills, lost income, and pain. Learn more about how we handle motor vehicle accident claims.
Premises Liability and Dangerous Products
When a property owner ignores a hazard or a defective product causes harm, the people responsible should be held accountable. We handle premises liability claims such as slip-and-fall and trip-and-fall injuries, dog bites, and unsafe conditions on business or residential property. We also pursue product liability claims involving dangerous household items, defective vehicle parts, and harmful drugs. These cases often turn on evidence that disappears quickly, so getting legal help early can make a real difference.
Medical Malpractice and Wrongful Death
When a doctor or hospital provides care that falls below accepted standards, the consequences can be devastating. We help DeSoto County families pursue medical malpractice and wrongful death claims against negligent providers and other at-fault parties. Mississippi caps non-economic damages, which is the compensation for pain, suffering, and similar losses. In medical malpractice cases, that limit is $500,000. In most other injury and wrongful death cases, the cap is $1,000,000. These limits do not apply to economic damages such as medical bills and lost earnings, which is one reason careful case preparation matters.
Workers’ Compensation and Social Security Disability
A workplace injury or a disabling medical condition can put your income and your family at risk. We guide injured workers through Mississippi workers’ compensation claims and represent people seeking Social Security disability benefits, including those whose applications have already been denied. Both systems involve strict deadlines and detailed paperwork, and a single mistake can delay or reduce your benefits. We handle the process so you can focus on your health.
Criminal Defense
A criminal charge can threaten your freedom, your job, and your reputation. Our criminal defense practice is led by attorney Charles Nicholas “Nick” Smith, who defends clients in DeSoto County against misdemeanor and felony charges. From the first court appearance through trial, we protect your rights and work toward the best possible outcome. If you are facing charges, see how our team approaches criminal defense cases.
What Type of Compensation is Available in Injury Cases in DeSoto County?
Damages are paid by the at-fault party, or their insurance provider, to the victim to make them “whole” again after an accident or injury. Economic damages compensate you for your financial losses, such as medical bills, out-of-pocket expenses, lost wages, and decreased earning capacity. Non-economic damages compensate you for the pain and suffering you experience, including emotional distress, diminished quality of life, permanent impairment, and mental anguish.
In cases involving actual malice, gross negligence (reckless disregard for the safety of others), or actual fraud, an injured party may also receive punitive damages. These are not automatic. Mississippi law requires the conduct to be proven by a higher “clear and convincing” standard, and they are awarded only in limited circumstances.
How Long Do You Have to File a Claim in DeSoto County?
In Mississippi, you generally have three years to file a personal injury lawsuit, usually measured from the date of the injury, though in some cases the clock starts when the injury was or reasonably should have been discovered. Some claims have shorter deadlines. Most medical malpractice claims must be filed within two years, and claims against government entities generally must be filed within one year and require advance written notice. Missing a deadline can permanently end your right to recover.
Larger injury cases are typically heard in the DeSoto County Circuit Court in Hernando, the county seat. Because evidence fades and deadlines are firm, it is wise to speak with a lawyer as soon as possible after an injury.
Contact a DeSoto County Personal Injury Lawyer Today
If you have been injured or charged with a crime in DeSoto County, do not wait to get help. Chatham Gilder Howell Pittman offers free, confidential consultations, and in injury cases there is no attorneys’ fee unless we recover for you. Contact our DeSoto County team today to speak with a lawyer who will listen to your story and fight for your future.
