Parma, Ohio - Personal Injury

Your Trusted Parma, Ohio Personal Injury Attorneys


Mizak & Pacetti is a Parma, Ohio law firm whose personal injury lawyers represent people hurt by someone else's negligence, from car accidents to falls and dog bites. Partner Vincent Pacetti leads the personal injury practice, our attorneys live in the community, and clients work with experienced legal professionals with no handoffs.

Community Involved

Local Practice

Real Lawyers

No Interns

Family Owned

Family-Owned. Parma-Based.

Mizak & Pacetti is a family-owned firm where attorneys live in the Parma community. Not a downtown Cleveland firm running ads in the suburbs.

No Handoffs

Parma clients work with experienced legal professionals at the firm from the first call through final resolution. No intake staff at any stage.

Courtroom Experience

Partner Vincent Pacetti, a former Cuyahoga County prosecutor, prepares injury claims with the evidence a judge or jury would need to see.

Personal injury work for Parma clients at Mizak & Pacetti is led by partner Vincent Pacetti from the firm's office on Broadview Road. Mizak & Pacetti attorneys live in the Parma community, so an injured client deals with a local personal injury law firm, not a call center. Mizak & Pacetti's Google reviews describe its lawyers as professional and responsive and its office staff as knowledgeable and polite.


The first consultation is usually about what happened, the injuries and the insurance companies involved. It helps to bring the crash or incident report, photos, hospital and doctor bills, insurance cards and any letters from an adjuster. The firm also handles criminal and traffic defense, divorce and custody, wills and probate, business law and cybersecurity. A Parma family can bring more than one legal question to one local firm, under one roof.

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OFFICE

5241 Broadview Road

Suite 400

Parma, OH 44134

HOURS

Mon to Sat: 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM

Sunday: Closed

What a Parma Personal Injury Lawyer Does

Mizak & Pacetti provides personal injury representation for people in Parma and the surrounding areas who suffered injuries because another driver, a property owner or a dog owner was careless. An injury changes a normal week fast. Medical bills start arriving, you may miss work, and the financial losses add up while the other side's insurance company is already building its file. Do I have a claim? Who pays for the hospital visit? Should I talk to the adjuster?


Mizak & Pacetti files personal injury lawsuits that do not settle in the Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court, the county's main trial court for larger civil cases. Clients from Cleveland and the other surrounding areas can meet with the firm at its Parma office. Parma Municipal Court, in the Parma Justice Center on Powers Boulevard, also hears smaller civil cases from Parma and nearby communities.


A personal injury attorney at Mizak & Pacetti explains your options in plain language and gathers the evidence. The firm also deals with the insurance companies, so you can focus on getting better. Personal injury law at the firm covers:


Car Accidents

Rear-end, intersection and distracted driving crashes, where proving fault decides the claim.

Truck Accidents

Crashes with delivery vans, semis and work trucks, where several companies may share responsibility.

Motorcycle Accidents

Riders hit by a careless driver, often with serious harm and unfair blame from the insurer.

Bicycle and Pedestrian

Cyclists and walkers hurt on Parma streets and crosswalks by a negligent driver.

Slip and Fall

Falls at stores, parking lots and rental properties caused by a hazard the owner ignored.

Dog Bites

Bites and other animal attacks, where Ohio law generally holds the dog's owner liable.

Uninsured Drivers

Uninsured and underinsured motorist claims made through your own auto insurance policy.

Injuries Big and Small

From whiplash to spinal cord and head injuries, each claim is reviewed on its own facts.

Who Handles Your Parma Personal Injury Case

At Mizak & Pacetti, partner Vincent Pacetti leads the personal injury practice for Parma clients. As a former Cuyahoga County prosecutor, he has seen how cases are built from evidence and presented in court. He brings that courtroom experience to personal injury cases, from reading a crash report to preparing a case for trial. When a claim does not settle, he serves as the trial attorney before a judge or jury. Parma clients get experienced personal injury legal representation from a lawyer who lives in the community. When an injury claim touches an estate, a business or a family law matter, founding partner Jason Mizak handles the related side at the same Parma office, so the whole matter stays with one local firm under one roof.

Vincent Pacetti

Partner · Personal Injury · Criminal Defense · Divorce


Vincent, a former Cuyahoga County prosecutor, leads the personal injury practice at Mizak & Pacetti and also handles criminal, traffic and divorce matters from the firm's Parma office.

Vincent Pacetti - Criminal Defense Lawyer - Parma OH
Jason Mizak - Parma Ohio Business and Estate Lawyer

Jason B. Mizak

Founding Partner · Estate Planning · Business Law · Probate


Jason, the founding partner of Mizak & Pacetti, handles estate planning, probate and business law, including the estate or business side of an injury claim.

Car keys, reading glasses, and a plain manila folder on a desk beside a blurred toy model car, soft daylight, muted tones.

Proving negligence, meaning who was at fault, is where a car accident case is won or lost.


Truck accidents usually bring more parties into the case. The trucker, the trucking company, the company that loaded the cargo or the owner of a work vehicle may each share responsibility. Trucking companies follow federal safety rules on driver hours, inspections and maintenance, and those records can matter in a Parma truck accident claim. The injuries from a crash with a heavy vehicle are often serious, which is one more reason to have the evidence collected early. Our guide on what you need to prove to win a car accident case in Ohio covers the basics.


Parma Car Accident and Truck Accident Attorney


Mizak & Pacetti represents Parma drivers and passengers hurt in car accidents across the city and the surrounding areas. Ohio is an at-fault state, so the person who caused the traffic collision, and their insurance company, is generally responsible for the harm.


A car accident lawyer at Mizak & Pacetti will gather evidence for each piece of the auto accident claim:

The police crash report and any traffic citations

Photos of the vehicles, the scene and your injuries

Witness names and statements

Dash camera, doorbell or business video, which is often overwritten within days

Medical records that link the injury to the crash


Parma Motorcycle, Bicycle and Pedestrian Accident Attorney


Mizak & Pacetti represents Parma motorcycle riders, cyclists and pedestrians injured by a negligent driver. With no vehicle frame to absorb the impact, these crashes often cause serious injuries such as broken bones and head injuries. Some cause long-term damage that changes how a person works and lives.


These cases also tend to draw unfair blame. An insurance adjuster may suggest the rider was speeding, the cyclist was hard to see or the pedestrian was outside the crosswalk. Ohio's comparative fault rule is in Ohio Revised Code 2315.33. An injured person can still recover damages if their share of fault is not greater than the combined fault of the others. The damages are then reduced by the injured person's percentage of fault. A Mizak & Pacetti attorney reviews the crash report, the scene and the available evidence so the fault picture rests on facts, not on the insurer's version of events.

Full Service Parma - Mizak and Pacetti

That matters most when an injured rider is hurt due to someone else's negligence but is still blamed for it.

Warm upscale small law office interior, solid walnut desk, leather chair, shelves of unlabeled law books, brass desk lamp, tall window with soft afternoon daylight, empty room.

A fall is not automatically the property owner's fault.


Dog bite cases in Parma work differently. Under Ohio Revised Code 955.28, the owner, keeper or harborer of a dog is generally liable for injuries the dog causes, even if the dog never bit anyone before. The main exceptions cover a person who was trespassing or committing a crime on the owner's property, or who was teasing, tormenting or abusing the dog there. Bites to children are common, and a Mizak & Pacetti attorney can explain how a claim may work against a homeowner's or renter's insurance policy. Our post on special concerns when a child is injured in Parma covers the extra steps involved.


Parma Slip and Fall and Dog Bite Attorney


Mizak & Pacetti represents Parma residents hurt in falls at stores, restaurants, parking lots, apartment buildings and other properties. An Ohio premises liability claim usually turns on whether the owner knew, or should have known, about the hazard. It also matters whether the owner had a fair chance to fix it or warn people. Open and obvious hazards can change the analysis, depending on the circumstances.


Winter adds its own questions in Parma, since snow and ice cases follow special rules in Ohio. Our post on whether you can sue for falling on ice or snow in Ohio explains them. After any fall, report it to the manager and ask for a copy of the incident report. Photograph the spot and keep the shoes you were wearing.


Dealing With Insurance Companies After a Parma Injury


Mizak & Pacetti handles the calls with insurance companies for Parma clients, with no handoffs, so that early conversations do not hurt the claim. Within a day or two of a crash, the other side's insurance adjuster often calls, friendly and ready to help. A recorded statement given while you are still in pain can cost an injury victim money later. So can a quick settlement check signed before you know the full extent of your injuries.


A personal injury lawyer at Mizak & Pacetti can step in early to:

Handle the communication with the insurance company

Collect medical expenses, records and proof of lost income

Put together a demand that reflects the full extent of the injuries

Claim paperwork, a calendar and a calculator on a desk, representing insurance claims after an injury in Parma, Ohio

The adjuster's job is to limit what the insurance company pays.


Review any settlement offer before you sign a release, so you can seek full compensation


Some at-fault drivers have no insurance, or not enough to cover the harm. A Parma driver may then be able to make an uninsured or underinsured motorist claim through their own auto policy. Your own insurer still works to pay as little as possible on those claims. For more, read our guide on what to do if you are hit by an uninsured driver in Ohio and our post on how insurance affects personal injury cases in Ohio.

A quiet law office with a desk and leather chair, representing personal injury compensation questions for Parma clients

Economic damages are not capped.


Nobody can put a fair value on a case at the first meeting. What a claim may be worth depends on the type of injury, the medical treatment, the time missed from work and the long-term effect on daily life. The available insurance coverage and how clear the fault is also matter. Mizak & Pacetti gives Parma clients a realistic read once those pieces are known. Outcomes depend on the specific facts of each case.


Compensation in a Parma Personal Injury Claim


Mizak & Pacetti helps Parma clients understand what an injury claim may cover before any number is discussed. Injured people can recover compensation for the losses the injury caused. Compensation in an Ohio personal injury case generally falls into two groups:

Economic damages: medical bills, future medical treatment, lost wages, lost earning ability and property damage such as vehicle repairs

Noneconomic damages: pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life and the emotional toll of the injury

For Parma injury victims, one Ohio rule shapes the second group. Ohio limits noneconomic damages in most tort cases under Ohio Revised Code 2315.18. The general cap is the greater of $250,000 or three times the economic loss, up to $350,000 for each plaintiff or $500,000 for each occurrence. The cap does not apply to the most severe harm. That includes permanent and substantial physical deformity, loss of use of a limb and loss of a bodily organ system.


How a Parma Personal Injury Claim Works


Mizak & Pacetti attorneys live in the community and walk Parma clients through each stage of the personal injury process, so nothing comes as a surprise. Most claims follow these steps:

Medical care. Seek medical attention right away and follow the treatment plan. Gaps in treatment give the insurance company an argument that something else caused the injury.

Evidence. Report the incident, take photos and keep copies of everything, including bills, receipts and names of witnesses.

Investigation. The attorney gathers records, reports and video, and confirms the insurance coverage.

Demand and negotiation. Once treatment is complete or the long-term picture is clear, the attorney sends a demand to the insurer and negotiates a settlement.

Lawsuit if needed. If the insurer will not offer a fair settlement, a personal injury lawsuit may be filed in the Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court. It is then prepared for trial before a judge or jury.

A county courthouse in soft light, representing personal injury lawsuits and trial preparation for Parma clients

Many personal injury claims reach a settlement without a trial, but an offer may improve when the case is prepared as though it will be tried.


Timing matters too. Ohio's personal injury statute of limitations is in Ohio Revised Code 2305.10. Under it, most bodily injury lawsuits must be filed within two years after the injury. Some claims carry shorter windows or special notice rules, such as claims against a government entity, so a Parma resident should not assume there is plenty of time. Our post on how long a personal injury claim takes in Ohio covers the timeline in more detail.

Why Mizak & Pacetti?



Mizak & Pacetti is a family-owned law firm where the attorneys don't just work in Parma, they live here. When people ask who the best lawyer in Parma is, they are usually looking for someone local, accessible, and trustworthy. Someone who returns calls, explains the process clearly, and works with no handoffs.


We provide hands-on legal representation for personal injury, criminal and traffic defense, divorce and custody, estate planning, business law, and cybersecurity and data protection matters. Our approach is practical, direct, and client-focused, not volume-driven or transactional.


Most of our work comes from referrals, not advertising. That trust has been earned case by case and neighbor by neighbor, and it's why so many Parma residents and small business owners turn to Mizak & Pacetti when the stakes are real.


Why Parma Residents Choose Us

18+

Years experience: Jason B. Mizak

100+

Trials: Vincent Pacetti, former prosecutor

7

Practice areas under one trusted local firm

Free

Consultation for all new clients

Honored to serve Parma, Parma Heights, Cleveland, Seven Hills, Broadview Heights, Brecksville, Independence, North Royalton, Brooklyn Heights, and the surrounding areas.

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Talk to a Parma Personal Injury Attorney

Mizak & Pacetti is a Parma law firm whose attorneys live in the community and handle personal injury claims with no handoffs. Partner Vincent Pacetti, a former Cuyahoga County prosecutor, leads the practice, and one local firm covers the other legal needs of Parma families under one roof, from divorce to cybersecurity and data privacy. Call (216) 398-9870 or request a consultation to talk with a personal injury lawyer about your accident, your injuries and the compensation a claim may involve.


Disclaimer: This page provides general information and is not legal advice. Contacting Mizak & Pacetti does not create an attorney-client relationship. Ohio Revised Code links go to Justia, a third-party site not affiliated with the firm.

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Frequently Asked Questions


Q: How long do I have to file a personal injury claim in Ohio?

A: Many Parma residents ask this once the shock of an accident wears off. Ohio generally allows two years from the date of the injury to file most bodily injury lawsuits. Some claims, such as those against a government entity, have shorter notice rules. Evidence also gets harder to collect over time, since witnesses move and video gets overwritten. Mizak & Pacetti can confirm which deadline applies to a Parma client's claim.


Q: The other side's insurance adjuster keeps calling me. Should I talk to them?

A: A lot of Parma drivers get that call within a day or two of a crash. Giving a recorded statement before you know the full extent of your injuries can hurt a claim, since early comments may be used later to lower the value. It is usually reasonable to confirm basic facts and hold off on anything more until you have talked to an attorney. Mizak & Pacetti can handle that contact for Parma clients.


Q: I was in a car accident but I feel mostly fine. Do I still need to see a doctor?

A: Yes, and this trips up many people in the Parma area. Soft tissue injuries and concussions often show up a day or two later. A gap between the crash and the first medical visit also gives the insurer an argument that something else caused the problem. Getting checked also creates the medical record a claim will rest on. Mizak & Pacetti can explain what to document once a Parma client has been seen.


Q: What is my personal injury case worth?

A: Parma clients often ask this on the first call, and an honest answer is that nobody can put a number on it that early. Value depends on the medical treatment, time missed from work, the long-term effect on daily life, the available insurance coverage and how clear the fault is. Ohio also caps noneconomic damages in most cases, with exceptions for the most severe harm. Mizak & Pacetti reviews those pieces and gives Parma clients a realistic read rather than a sales pitch.


Q: Can I still recover if I was partly at fault for the accident?

A: Many Parma drivers worry that one mistake ends their claim. Under Ohio's comparative fault law, an injured person can still recover if their share of fault is not greater than the combined fault of the others. The amount is then reduced by that percentage. Insurers often push fault onto the injured person to lower what they pay. Mizak & Pacetti reviews the evidence so the fault question rests on facts, depending on the circumstances.

Q: I slipped at a store in Parma. Is that automatically the store's fault?

A: Not automatically, and this surprises many Parma shoppers. An Ohio premises liability claim usually turns on whether the property owner knew or should have known about the hazard and had a fair chance to fix it. An open and obvious hazard, or snow and ice, can change the analysis. Mizak & Pacetti reviews the incident report, any video and the conditions that day to see what a Parma claim may look like.


Q: A neighbor's dog bit my child in Parma. Who is responsible?

A: A dog bite to a child is frightening, and Parma parents often feel unsure about making a claim against a neighbor. Ohio law generally holds the dog's owner, keeper or harborer liable for injuries the dog causes. The exceptions cover trespassing, committing a crime on the property or teasing the dog. Many of these claims are paid through a homeowner's or renter's insurance policy, not out of the neighbor's pocket. Mizak & Pacetti can explain how a claim may work for a Parma family.


Q: The driver who hit me has no insurance. What are my options?

A: Being hit by someone with no insurance is a common worry in Parma, and it does not always end the claim. Many Ohio auto policies include uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage, which may pay when the at-fault driver has no insurance or too little to cover the harm. Your own insurer still works to limit what it pays on that claim. Mizak & Pacetti can review a Parma client's policy and explain what coverage may apply.


Q: How long does a personal injury case take in Ohio?

A: Parma clients understandably want their case wrapped up quickly. Many claims cannot be valued until medical treatment is finished or the long-term picture is clear, so settling too soon may leave costs uncovered. A claim that settles may take months, while a lawsuit in the Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court can take longer. Mizak & Pacetti explains the expected timeline for a Parma client's case as it develops.


Q: How much does a personal injury lawyer cost in Parma?

A: Cost is a fair question for any Parma family dealing with treatment costs and missed work. The answer depends on the type of claim and how much work it involves. Mizak & Pacetti explains how a specific Parma injury case would be handled and billed before any work begins, so there are no surprises about what the lawyer can help with. Comparing what is included matters as much as comparing price.

Mizak and Pacetti Law Firm - Parma Ohio - logo white

A family-owned law firm serving Parma and the surrounding communities. Experienced legal professionals handling cases for individuals, families, and businesses across Ohio.

(216) 398-9870

5241 Broadview Road, Suite 400 · Parma, OH 44134

Service Areas

Parma

Parma Heights

Seven Hills

Broadview Heights

Brecksville

North Royalton

Brooklyn Heights

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