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Richard Hastings

Hastings, Cohan & Walsh, LLP
440 Main Street
Ridgefield, CT 06877
Map

Phone: (888) 842-8466 | Fax: (203) 438-0263
http://www.hcwlaw.com

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Types of Cases
Qualifications
Work History
Personality & Philosophy
Office Information
Fees

Legal Topic

Personal Injury

Preferred New Clients

We are happy to review any Connecticut case for matters involving Personal Injury or Medical Malpractice.

Sub-Topics

Accidents & Personal Injury

Construction Site Injuries
Slip & Fall
Sports Injuries

Car Accident

Auto Accident
Whiplash

Dangerous Property

Intentional Injuries

Assault & Battery
Child Abuse
Dog Bites & Animal Attacks
Police Misconduct
Sexual Assault

Mass Accidents

Airplanes
Buildings
Mass Transit - Bus, Train, Subway
Ships & Boats

Medical Malpractice

Anesthesia Malpractice
Birth Injuries and Defects
Cosmetic Surgery
Dental Malpractice
Elder and Nursing Home Abuse
Emergency Room Errors
HMO Managed Case
Lasik Eye Surgery
Medication Malpractice
Nursing Home Negligence
Optometry Malpractice
Prescription/Drug Malpractice
Psychiatric Malpractice
Spinal Cord Injury
Surgical Errors
Wrong Diagnosis or Misdiagnosis

Motorcycle Accident

Personal Injury Mediation/Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)

Product Liability

Design Defects
Manufacturing Defects

Professional Malpractice

Legal Malpractice

Serious/Catastrophic Injuries

Amputation
Birth Injury
Burn Injury
Head/Brain Injury
Paralysis

Toxic Tort

Dangerous Drugs & Products
Medical Products & Devices

Truck Accident

Wrongful Death

Bar Admissions

CT, May 1984

Other Court Admissions

Connecticut and US District Court of Connecticut

Association Memberships

Connecticut Trial Lawyers Association

Continuing Education

Despite the fact that Connecticut does not have a requirement for continuing legal education, I have received training as a mediator at the Center for Mediation in Law. I received Mediation training at Harvard Law School. I received Advanced Negotiation training at Harvard Law School. I also attend seminars presented by the Connecticut Bar Association and the Connecticut Trial Lawyers Association.

Papers and Publications

I have published over 100 articles on a variety of subjects on personal injury and medical malpractice law covering topics such as: motor vehicle accidents, motorcycle accidents, truck accidents, slip and fall cases, product liability cases, dog bites, insurance law, developing your lost wages claim, getting better medical care, increasing the value of your case, doctor malpractice, hospital malpractice, surgical malpractice, misdiagnosis cases, nursing home malpractice, and medical malpractice cases. These articles have been viewed over 25,000 times.

I have also written the following books: "The Crash Course on Personal Injury Claims in Connecticut", "The Crash Course on Child Injury Claims", "The Crash Course on Motorcycle Accident Claims", and "The Crash Course on Heart Attacks and Cardiac Arrest". I have also written a workbook for each of the four Crash Course Books. These four workbooks are each customized around their specific topics, and are designed to allow the client to be a stronger self-advocate. These workbooks are intended to help the client to communicate with their attorney efficiently by identifying what data the client should compile; suggesting methods for collecting the information, how to organize it, and providing tips for preserving evidence.

Example Cases

The case that immediately comes to mind is a wrongful death case involving a young child. The unimaginable horror which this family faced helped me to view life in a very different light. This case made me a better lawyer and father. Unfortunately, despite the excellent economic result, the fact of the matter is that this family lost a child.

Another case involved a young man who was racing a motorcycle at a drag strip. He signed a waiver and was hit from behind by another racer. We were able to show a number of instances of negligence on the part of the racetrack. Despite the fact that the lawyers for the racetrack argued to the judge that we waived any and all claims for damages because our client signed a comprehensive waiver and release, we were able to obtain over half a million dollars for our client.

Education

School:

Fordham University School of Law

Degree:

Juris Doctor

City:

New York

State:

Year:

1983

School:

University of Connecticut

Degree:

Bachelor of Science in Business Administration

City:

Storrs

State:

Year:

1979

Number of Attorneys

State Licensed In

Connecticut and New York

Firm Focus and History

Our firm was established in 1988. Hastings, Cohan & Walsh, LLP is one of Ridgefield's largest law firms. Our attorneys have collectively lived in Ridgefield for over 100 years and have been practicing law for over 70 years. The firm encourages continuing professional development and the attorneys participate in civil affairs, professional association activities and continuing legal education programs. As a complement to its abilities, the firm receives numerous referrals from other attorneys both locally and nationally to act as lead counsel in a variety of cases. The firm also has contacts with a large number of some of the best lawyers throughout the country for cases involving serious injury, wrongful death or medical malpractice. We would be able to properly assist you for any of these cases located outside of Connecticut.

We believe in changing the way traditional personal injury law firms do business to better serve our clients. We think and act differently! The way we challenge the status quo is to give our clients FREE books, which we have written - full of practical advice and information - that can help them improve physically and dramatically increase the value of their case. We just happen to really care about our clients. Can we help you?

Previous Employment Summary

I have worked at a number of law firms before starting my current firm in 1988. I have lived in Ridgefield since 1963 and have practiced exclusively here for my entire legal career.

Activities and Awards

• Member of the "Million Dollar Advocates Forum"
• Rated Superb by AVVO 10.0/10.0
• National Republican Congressional Committee's Businessman of the Year Award
• Distinguished Toastmaster - Toastmasters International
• Expert Author on Personal Injury and Medical Malpractice on EZine
• Expert Author in Personal Injury and Medical Malpractice on BizyMoms.com
• Legal Author on Ridgefield Patch
• New England Super Lawyer
• Connecticut Super Lawyer
• National Academy of Best Selling Authors
• America's Premier Experts

What is your opinion regarding clients educating themselves on legal issues?

We feel that the better educated a client is about their particular case the better the expected result can be. This is why we have written books that we provide to our clients for FREE; so they can better educate themselves.

Are you willing to review documents prepared by clients?

We are happy to review client documents.

Are you willing to coach clients who want to represent themselves?

We are happy to advise clients who are in need of legal assistance.

Why did you decide to be a lawyer?

I am an aggressive individual with a Type A personality who enjoys helping people who are not able to properly take care of the situation in which they find themselves.

What work experience and education helps you be a better lawyer?

I have over 25 years of experience in helping injured people and their families. I am a Harvard Law School trained negotiator. I have written over 6 books and 100 articles on various personal injury and medical malpractice topics.

Why did you decide on your primary area of practice?

I have been drawn to helping people who are injured and unable to take care of the pressing legal challenges that they are faced with. I derive a great deal of satisfaction from seeing how what I do can make such a significant difference in the lives of so many people.

What do you like best about your career?

I get considerable satisfaction from helping people with challenges that they cannot handle themselves and seeing how this help can dramatically improve their lives.

Tell us about your law firm:

Our firm is built on the premise that we are here to give exceptional client care. We are very accessible and get back to our clients right away. We realize that our clients could have chosen from a number of firms to represent them so we strive hard to earn and keep their trust and respect. This philosophy has also been instilled in our staff that is equally helpful and accessible.

What are your strengths and style?

My strengths are my legal experience in that I have been doing this for two and a half decades and I fight hard for my clients. I am very aggressive. I thoroughly prepare my clients cases prior to submitting them to the insurance adjusters and defense attorneys, which increases the likelihood that my clients will receive a favorable settlement.

Personal Interests:

Going to motivational seminars, hiking, fishing, golf and riding my Harley.

Office Manager/Assistant

Diana

Fax

(203) 438-0263

Office Hours

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

Emergency After Hours

Foreign Languages

Spanish

Additional Offices

Georgetown
74 Redding Road
Georgetown, CT 06829
By Appointment Only

Danbury
58 Post Road
Danbury, CT 06810
By Appointment Only

East Haven
829 Foxon Road
East Haven, CT 06513
By Appointment Only

New Fairfield
25 Old Route 37
New Fairfield, CT 06812
By Appointment Only

Fixed-Price Services and Fees

We represent accident injury claims on a contingency fee basis and advance all costs.

Hourly Rates

Not applicable

Free Initial Consultation?

We offer a free initial consultation for up to one hour.

Typical Retainer