Bollwerk, Ryan & Tatlow, LLC

Workers' Compensation,Personal Injury

This lawyer is licensed to practice in Missouri and has no record of discipline from the Missouri bar association.*

Firm Overview

Our firm is a full-service personal injury law firm. We handle all kinds of injury cases, including auto, truck and motorcycle accidents, premises liability cases, workers' compensation claims, Social Security Disability appeals, products liability cases, Accidental Death Insurance appeals, and ERISA Life and Disability appeals. An injured person's situation may involve several different cases, and we can handle them all. For instance, if the person is badly injured in a work-related car accident, we can handle the car accident, the workers' compensation claim, any disability insurance matters, and we can help the person apply for Social Security Disability as well.

I started my solo practice "Jill S. Bollwerk, LLC" in 2001. I joined forces with fellow SLU Law '91 classmate, Dan Ryan, in 2003 and the firm became known as "Bollwerk & Ryan, LLC" at that time. Then, in 2010, Phil Tatlow became a full partner, and the name was changed to "Bollwerk, Ryan & Tatlow, LLC."

Example cases

I handled a case of a construction worker who was working on the side of a highway and was struck by a vehicle and who suffered severe orthopedic injuries along with a head injury. I handled the workers' compensation claim to conclusion.

I also handled the personal injury matter against the vehicle driver. I also made a claim against the Missouri Department of Transportation for their failure to supervise and plan the highway work and that case was arbitrated. I also negotiated with the workers' compensation carrier in their subrogation interest and with Medicare on their repayment rights.

Main Office

Main
10525 Big Bend Road
St. Louis MO 63122

Phone

(314) 315-8111

Websites

http://www.bollwerkryan.com

Fees

Free Initial Consultation?

Up to an hour.

Services Offered For Fixed Fees?

I handle most cases on a contingent basis:

• 33 1/3% on personal injury matters (auto accidents, premises liability
• 40% on products liability and medical malpractice cases
• 25% on workers' compensation matters
• 25% of back benefits (up to $6000 max.) on Social Security cases

Hourly Rates

$200 per hour.

Office Information

Office Hours

Monday through Friday
8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

After hours and weekends by appointment.

Office Manager

Office Manager Jessica Pessoni; Paralegal Julie Tribbey

Emergency After Hours

Yes

Languages Spoken

Jeff Damerall and Frank Carretero both speak fluent Spanish.

How did your firm decide on the primary area of practice(s)?

I worked as a legal secretary for a personal injury lawyer, and I liked the fact that this field allowed me to work with people from all economic levels. The rich and the poor can afford an attorney when they are injured in an accident due to the contingent nature of the fee, and I don't know many other areas of the law where poor people can afford an attorney.

What is your firm's point of view regarding clients educating themselves on legal issues?

I find that a well-informed client can be helpful to me in proving their case.

Is your firm willing to review documents prepared by clients?

Not a problem.

Is your firm willing to coach clients who want to represent themselves?

No.

Jill S. Bollwerk

• Partner at Bollwerk, Ryan & Tatlow, LLC (originally Jill S. Bollwerk, LLC) 2001—present
• Attorney at Welsh and Hubble 1998—2001
• Attorney at Toft & Dorothy (in house for USF&G Insurance) 1996—1998
• Attorney at Hoffman & Wallach 1994—1996
• Attorney at Kell, Custer, Weller, Miller & Hays 1991—1994

I feel that I am an effective trial lawyer due to my years performing in amateur theatre. That experience gave me the courage to stand up in front of people and to give them all of me. I also feel that my upbringing as the daughter of a railroad worker and a secretary made me see the tremendous value of hard work. I attended law school while working a full-time job, which was one of the hardest things I have ever done in my life, and the work ethic I gained from that experience translated to my current attitude of working until the job is done--not when the clock says that the work day is over. Finally, I did spend a few years working on the insurance side of the personal injury field, and that gained me valuable insight into the workings of the insurance industry that helps me advocate for my clients more effectively.

I care a lot about my clients. They are not dollar signs to me. If a client calls, I don't want them waiting overnight for a return call. If I cannot call them back on the same day, Julie will talk to them and try to help them until I can call them back. Also, I am very detail-oriented. I leave no stone unturned in my cases. I always try to outwork my opponent, but I am also friendly and professional to my opponents and try to work out problems amicably before going to battle.

Personal interests:

I travel to watch my daughter play college soccer, and I enjoy watching my son sing and perform in local theatre and in his rock band. I also enjoy singing myself, along with playing golf, working out, walking the dogs with my husband, and doing volunteer work at my kids' schools and in the St. Louis area.

License

Bar Number: 38721
Missouri , 1991
Bar Number: 6211651
Illinois , 1993

Education

Saint Louis University
Juris Doctorate
1991, MO
Litigation emphasis
Southern Illinois University at Carbondale
Bachelor's Degree , 1987
Carbondale, IL
Radio station disc jockey on WIDB from 1985-1987

* Nolo has confirmed that every member attorney has a valid license and is in good standing with the state agency that licenses lawyers. Any past disbarments and suspensions (with possible exceptions for minor violations or nonpayment of dues, in our discretion) will be indicated accordingly in the badge. Member attorneys are required to notify Nolo immediately if they become the subject of any disciplinary action by any state licensing agency.