Phil Fulton

Social Security and Veterans Benefits

• Social Security Disability

Workers Compensation

• Workers' Compensation

Why did you become an attorney?

I decided to become an attorney because I thought I might like the competitive aspects of the profession. I was a high school athlete, and later an elementary school and high school coach. As it turns out, I like being an attorney because I get to help people at a difficult point in their lives. Now I channel my competitive spirit toward helping the underdog, the injured worker, against companies that may have many more resources. That’s why at my firm we do everything we can to help the worker and social security disability claimant, even services that don’t figure into compensation for you, like getting doctor’s bills paid.

What experiences (work and personal) help you to be a better attorney?

In 1991 I wrote what has become the leading book on Ohio worker’s compensation law. It is published on lexis nexis, and is used by worker’s comp practitioners, including lawyers, doctors, judges and the state. As the author, I am required to constantly update this book. Now I’m a law professor on the subject, teaching worker’s compensation law at my alma mater, Capital Law School. As a result, I have a very deep knowledge of the worker’s compensation system in Ohio, and am always on top of any changes or potential changes to the law. I’ve also benefited from my work with the Ohio Academy of Trial Lawyers because I get to work closely with other attorneys who, like me, care about the worker’s comp system enough to volunteer their time and energy to protect it for the worker.

What made you choose your primary specialty focus of law?

I wanted to help the "little guy" against big corporations and the state which may not be trying to protect them when they become injured or disabled. I decided early on in my career that my passion was to represent the injured worker, so I represent them exclusively. I stopped representing employers so there is no conflict of interest in how I spend my time as an attorney.

What makes your law firm unique?

We are recognized for handling difficult and complex cases as well as the more routine ones. Personally, I like the intellectual challenge and look forward to unusual cases! We are also recognized as having a unique understanding of worker’s compensation law. We will take every case, regardless of the potential outcome. We only represent workers, not employers. We care about helping the injured worker get to a better stage in his or her life. We consider ourselves problem solvers for your worker’s compensation claim. The office is a caring environment – my wife even takes charge of office management issues.

Describe your ideal client.

My ideal client is any man or woman who is injured or a victim of disability in the work place. You can call me at any point in your claim or injury. No one should ever feel like they are burdening me to represent them, or that their issues aren’t important. As I always say, if it looks, sounds or walks like a worker’s comp case, you should feel free to call me.

Describe your personal interest and hobbies.

My wife and I have three children, all of whom are either lawyers or on the path to becoming lawyers. Our personal interests and hobbies have always revolved around the kids. Now that they are mostly grown, I really do spend most of my time on issues related to worker’s compensation. It has become my hobby as well as my work. I will admit to watching the new TV legal show “Damages” with my daughter, and my wife and I enjoy discussing the newspaper over breakfast every morning.

Free Initial Consultation?

Yes.

Typical Retainer Fees

None.

Fixed-Price Services and Fees

I charge by contingency fee so only if we obtain compensation for you is there a fee.

Fees by Hourly Rate

I do not charge an hourly rate; I only charge by contingency fee so only if we obtain compensation for you is there a fee.

Degrees

School	Degree	Graduated
Capital University Law School	Juris Doctor (JD)	1980

State Licenses

State	Date Admitted	License #
Ohio	01/01/1980	0008722

Court Admissions

• Ohio Supreme Court
• All Ohio Courts
• Federal Court, Southern District of Ohio

Bar Association Memberships

• Columbus Bar Association
• Ohio State Bar Association
• American Bar Association
• Ohio Academy of Trial Lawyers

Other Memberships

• Past President of the Ohio Academy of Trial Lawyers

Continuing Education

My continuing education requirements are current. In addition, I am an adjunct professor on workers' compensation law at Capital University Law School.

Significant Cases

Argued and represented many clients before Ohio Supreme Court. In addition, when I see cases at the Ohio Supreme Court level that might change worker’s comp law, I write “friend of the court” briefs representing the rights of all injured workers in Ohio. I do this as a volunteer service through my association with the Ohio Academy of Trial Lawyers, because I care deeply about how the system works on behalf of injured workers. Recently the Ohio Supreme Court reversed an opinion based on the strength of one of my briefs. It’s a rare occasion, but in this case good for the worker’s compensation system and the worker.

Accomplishments

Elected into Ohio Academy of Trial Lawyers Workers' Compensation Hall of Fame; author of treatise, Ohio Workers' Compensation Law; adjunct professor on workers' compensation at Capital University Law School; Past President of the Ohio Academy of Trial Lawyers

Previous Employment

Over 27 years representing both injured workers and social security disability claimants. Started my own firm in 1992 and now have 20 employees. See Firm website at: www.ohiocompensationlawyer.com.