Joseph Edward Tomasik

My attorney grasped issues in my case which resulted in a "Bad Faith" suit regarding my insurance company's actions (or lack thereof). In getting us to and through mediation, he was able to get the insurance to finally pay the money which was owed. His analysis of the Bad Faith issues was critical ...to its utlimate success. He recommend and was able to interest one of the leading Bad Faith firms in taking the case from there. He was very trustworthy, and I appreciated his advice.

A summary of my case history with Joe can be found on his own website, under examples of cases he has handled (www.lawjt.com/04.html), where I am listed as Ryan R (v Simon). In short, I was involved in a motorcycle accident with permanent injuries, surgery, and a 3 day stay in the hospital. It ha...d initially not occurred to me to file suit against the other party (who was at fault), but because I had permanent damage to my body, I decided to file suit to recover something to substitute for what I had lost. I spoke to several attorneys in the Bay Area, largely concentrated in the East Bay of the SF Bay Area (where I lived at the time) and I had mixed results. Some firms would only let me talk to the secretary and insisted I come into the office to discuss any details of the case. Others were willing to talk to me to get basic facts to determine if it was a case they were interested in handling, but refused to offer any advice without being first hired and contracted. A select few were willing to offer basic advice over the phone. Joe was different. He not only was willing to give me extensive advice on the phone regarding not only regarding who he felt was legally at fault, but also regarding steps I could take at that moment that would strengthen my eventual case no matter which attorney I eventually hired. He also helped my resolve and kept me calm by letting me know how long I had to file my case and to not rush into things while I was still injured. After our lengthy phone conversation, I spoke with him for about 30 minutes in person so I could meet before making a final decision. We were able to get long and work together, and he immediately struck me as someone I could trust and who genuinely had my best interests in mind. After I hired him, he worked diligently on my case while remaining easy to get ahold of via both phone and email. He let me know many many times how the case was proceeding at each step, and prepared and advised me well during each step of the process so that nothing came as a shock or surprise. Instead, we knew in advance what the other insurance company might do or ask, and so I had time to think and prepare my answers. (though I must point out, in case you are wondering, that NEVER did Joe encourage me to exaggerate or stretch the truth in my answers, EVER. In fact, he always encouraged me to simply tell the truth and state the facts). The other insurance company was frustrating at times, but Joe told me, in advance, how they might treat things so that I was able to keep my head and keep calm and patient. Joe believed that I had a very strong case from the beginning and strongly argued with the other insurance company for the maximum amount he could get on my behalf. However, he was also honest throughout the process telling me that several factors were out of our control (such as how a jury might find) and that each case has a bit of randomness in the eventual settlement, so he never artificially raised my hopes, which I very much appreciated. In the end, the amount he was able to get in the eventual settlement exceeded all of my expectations and it appears to be the largest amount ever awarded in California for an injury of my type. Even though the settlement was several years ago, I still consider Joe a friend of mine and keep in contact with him. I have no hesitations about recommending him to anyone needing an attorney.