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About Us

The Higgins Firm was established to give the general public access to quality legal services. The law firm is separated into multiple distinct but interwoven sections to help serve its clients more effectively and to capitalize on each attorney's skills and knowledge. The main divisions include, catastrophic injury, nursing home neglect, medical malpractice and employment litigation. The founding members of the firm oversee the direction of these separate divisions.

Attorneys at Our Firm

James "Jim" Higgins: Is the founding member and director of the Catastrophic Injury and Wrongful Death Litigation team of the law firm. This team focuses on life changing work injuries, nursing home neglect, malpractice, car accidents, and premises liability lawsuits. Several team lawyers and support staff work with Jim Higgins who has extensive litigation experience with significant injury cases. Mr. Higgins began his career defending corporations and insurance companies but he has only represented victims of neglect for the past several years. He is a long time member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum. This forum is limited to lawyers that have won million and multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements for clients. Mr. Higgins has litigated serious injury and wrongful death cases throughout the nation.

Jon Street: Proudly graduated from the University of Tennessee and Wake Forrest College of Law. Jon focuses his practice in the field of Employment Law and Bad Faith Insurance Claims. Mr. Street has successfully pursued Wage and Hour (FLSA) Collective Action Cases Across the nation and is routinely associated by other law firms on complex employment law cases. He is a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, MENSA (high IQ society) and an active supporter of the Boy Scouts of America.

Rick Piliponis: Rick in charge of the firm's Nursing Home Neglect and Products Liability team. Mr. Piliponis graduated from the University of Tennessee and DePaul University School of Law.

William W. Merrell: Bill graduated from the University of Texas in 1964 and from the South Texas College of Law in 1974. Bill also attended graduate school at La Universidad de las Americas in Mexico as well as the University of Madrid in Spain. Mr. Merrell is fluent in Spanish and routinely serves as an interpreter in court and for depositions. He is known in the Hispanic community as“El Abogado del Pueblo” or "The lawyer of the People" for his extensive legal assistance in the Latino community. He focuses his practice on work comp, car accidents and employment law. He is admitted to practice law in both Tennessee and Texas.

Ben Miller: Ben graduated from Vanderbilt University and Wake Forrest School of Law. He worked in a highly regarded insurance defense firm for the first 10 years of his career defending complicated civil cases. He now works in the firm's nursing home neglect and catastrophic injury section. He is also a pretty good tennis player.

Ryan Simmons: Ryan is a graduate from the University of Colorado School of Law. He practices litigation in the firm's employment law division.

Why Choose The Higgins Firm

As one of the top personal injury law firms in Chattanooga, and Tennessee as a whole, The Higgins Firm has over a 98% success rate. We have proudly recovered more than 100 MILLION in Compensation for clients. In addition to this, you might decide in choosing The Higgins Firm because:

We Have a 98% Success Rate

In a majority of cases, approximately 95%, we are able to settle fast and without having to go to court. This kind of case is favorable as it keeps you from having to endure potentially long trials. Our 98% success rate is something we are proud of, and is a sound example of our ability to get positive results. Although this high success rate doesn't guarantee success for your own case, it should provide you with a sense of confidence in knowing your case is in good hands.

We Fight for the Rights and Interests of Every Client

Regardless of what happened, or what the circumstances of your case might be, please know we will fight tooth and nail to recover fair and just compensation.

We Handle Our Cases on Contingency

If we believe your case has merit, and we decide to move forward with it, The Higgins Firm will cover the upfront costs and expenses for things like:

  • Investigations
  • Research
  • Identifying and interviewing potential witnesses
  • Filing any required documentation
  • Preparing motions and briefs
  • Maintaining communication with the defendants
  • Negotiating with the defendants
  • Handling any depositions or court appearances

We make this financial commitment because we fervently believe our knowledge and skills will yield us a financial victory that will compensate you fairly, including any legal fees, for all of your undue suffering. Our contingency arrangement protects you, and we don't get paid unless we win. You have nothing to lose, and everything to gain.

We Know the Personal Injury Laws of Tennessee

Personal injury law is complex and ever changing. Even if you believe your injury is developing, you should protect yourself as soon as possible. Waiting to seek legal guidance and advice can damage your case. We can explain to you what you might expect, as well as what possible hurdles lie ahead. By having one of the top Chattanooga personal injury law firms on your side, you can feel peace of mind in knowing we will be on your side.

We Can Protect You From Insurance Adjusters

Insurance adjusters are not on your side. They typically are not ready to offer a fair and just settlement, and may utilize many different tactics to avoid doing so. With a background in insurance law, lawyer Jim Higgins knows what to expect from insurance companies. Knowing the enemy will give your legal team, and case, a major advantage.

Personal injuries can be devastating. Your medical bills may be piling up, and your life may be spiralling out of control. You may feel upset, confused, and unsure about what you should do. Calling one of the top Chattanooga personal injury law firms should be your priority. Call The Higgins Firm today to explore your legal rights and options.

What Our Clients Say
★★★★★
When my mother was neglected in a nursing home I was referred to The Higgins Firm for help. They did a great job representing my family and obtained a significant settlement. Hopefully, this will keep someone else's parent from being mistreated in the future. Angie S.
★★★★★
I have a large collection practice and don't handle personal injury cases. Instead of simply declining a case, I referred it to The Higgins Firm. They handled everything. My client got a large recovery and I got a large co-counsel fee. The client and I were both very happy. Attorney Bo Melton
★★★★★
The best injury lawyers in Nashville. They represented my son in a car accident case and did an awesome job. James D.