Cleveland & Columbus area · The Law Firm for Immigrants
Richard T. Herman, Esq. brings more than 30 years of immigration-law experience.
We evaluate your inquiry and, if appropriate, arrange a free consultation in your language by video, phone or in person.
Protecting your health, your rights and your family’s future—in Ohio and beyond.
An accident can bring pain, medical bills and lost income. You may also worry about your visa, your family or explaining what happened in English.
HLG combines immigration knowledge, multilingual support and coordination with licensed local injury counsel on accepted cases.
Call 216-696-6170. Tell us what happened, where and when, and your preferred language.
Often, yes. Tourist, student, green-card, asylum or undocumented status does not automatically rule out an injury claim.
Richard T. Herman, Esq., founder of Herman Legal Group, has more than 30 years of immigration-law experience.
HLG’s work centers on immigrants, their families and the businesses they build. Learn more about Richard’s experience and approach.
An injury can affect rent, childcare, work and school—and sometimes immigration status. We coordinate those concerns with the right lawyer for each issue.
Do not assume that your immigration status means you have no claim. Responsibility, state law and the compensation sought still matter.
Tell counsel early about threats to report you or concerns about disclosing your status.
Confidential legal advice is different from a public court case. No lawyer should promise that your status can never arise or that hiring counsel prevents immigration enforcement.
An injury claim does not itself provide lawful status, work authorization or a stay of deportation.
Injury claims and insurance may work differently in your home country. You may feel uncomfortable complaining or challenging an employer or business.
We listen to your concerns without making assumptions about your culture or nationality.
Asking for advice does not commit you to a lawsuit. We can explain your options, evidence, insurance and next steps.
A personal injury claim seeks compensation for harm another person or business may be legally responsible for. Your lawyer investigates fault, insurance and losses.
Your lawyer reviews evidence, offers and litigation risks. Compensation requires a valid claim; an accident alone does not guarantee payment.
The right to pursue compensation, permission to remain in the United States and permission to work are separate questions. Coordinating advice can help you avoid overlooking one while addressing another.
| Team member | Role in a coordinated representation |
|---|---|
| Personal-injury lawyer | Investigates responsibility, preserves evidence, reviews insurance, documents damages, negotiates and litigates when appropriate. |
| HLG immigration lawyer | Examines relevant status, employment, travel, pending applications, immigration proceedings and dependent-family concerns. |
| HLG paralegals and language support | Help clients communicate, organize documents and coordinate next steps within their assigned roles under attorney supervision. |
Examples: an injured employee may need advice about an employer-sponsored status; a student may need guidance about interrupted studies. These are illustrations, not case results.
Your engagement agreement will identify who represents you, the scope of each lawyer’s work and the applicable fees. HLG’s immigration team should not be understood as the trial team for every injury inquiry.
Ohio is our home base. We welcome inquiries statewide, including Cleveland, Columbus, Akron, Canton, Toledo, Youngstown, Cincinnati and Dayton.
Our offices are in Cleveland and Worthington. Phone and video consultations are available when appropriate.
We evaluate your inquiry and identify suitable injury counsel. On accepted cases, HLG addresses immigration issues and licensed injury counsel handles the injury claim.
Injured in another state? We evaluate nationwide inquiries and can collaborate with appropriately licensed local injury co-counsel on accepted matters.
Availability depends on the case, conflicts, jurisdiction and suitable counsel accepting it.
Your agreement identifies the firms, responsibilities and fees. Representation must meet the licensing and court requirements of the jurisdiction involved.
Tell us the state where the injury occurred and where you live now. Deadlines, fault rules, damages and workers’ compensation requirements vary by jurisdiction. The Ohio examples below do not apply nationwide.
Generally, yes. Visitor status does not automatically bar a personal-injury claim. Bringing a claim does not extend your authorized stay.
If treatment will continue or you need to return home, immigration counsel can assess stay and travel questions while injury counsel plans for your participation in the claim.
Generally, yes. F-1 student status does not automatically prevent an injury claim.
If your injuries interfere with classes, OPT or other authorized employment, obtain advice about the applicable requirements and coordinate with your school’s designated official. Do not assume a medical problem automatically excuses enrollment or employment requirements.
Generally, yes. Lawful permanent residents, including conditional residents, can pursue injury claims.
Being injured or bringing an ordinary civil injury claim does not, by itself, cancel permanent residence. Travel, pending filings and other individual concerns may still warrant advice.
Generally, yes. Lack of lawful status does not automatically eliminate a potential injury claim. Immigration history, work authorization and the damages sought may raise additional legal questions, particularly concerning lost earnings and disclosure of information.
Discuss these privately with counsel rather than assuming either that you have no rights or that status can never matter.
A pending asylum application does not automatically prevent an injury claim. Immigration counsel should consider work authorization, required appointments, court dates if applicable and travel issues.
A pending application is different from an asylum grant; do not make travel decisions based solely on the needs of the injury case.
Pending removal proceedings do not automatically eliminate a potential injury claim. Counsel should evaluate deadlines and practical arrangements if detention or departure could affect your participation.
Filing an injury claim does not stop removal proceedings, stay deportation or excuse a hearing or check-in.
You may also have a claim. These circumstances have different rules. For an employment-based visa holder, an interruption in work may need prompt review.
For other clients, document expiration dates, employment authorization, travel or pending appointments may be the priority. The injury and immigration issues should be assessed individually.
Español · Русский · 中文 · العربية · Français · دری · پښتو
¿Sufrió lesiones en un accidente? Cuéntenos qué pasó y qué idioma prefiere. Evaluaremos su consulta y, si corresponde, coordinaremos una consulta gratuita en su idioma por video, por teléfono o en persona.
Вы получили травму в результате несчастного случая? Расскажите нам, что произошло и на каком языке вам удобнее общаться. Мы рассмотрим ваше обращение и, если это целесообразно, организуем бесплатную консультацию на вашем языке по видеосвязи, телефону или лично.
您是否在事故中受伤？请告诉我们发生了什么，以及您希望使用的语言。我们会评估您的情况，并在适当时安排以您的语言进行的免费咨询，可通过视频、电话或面谈进行。
هل أُصبت في حادث؟ أخبرنا بما حدث واللغة التي تفضلها. سنقيّم طلبك، وإذا كان ذلك مناسبًا، سنرتب استشارة مجانية بلغتك عبر الفيديو أو الهاتف أو بالحضور الشخصي.
Vous avez été blessé dans un accident ? Expliquez-nous ce qui s’est passé et indiquez votre langue préférée. Nous examinerons votre demande et, si cela est approprié, organiserons une consultation gratuite dans votre langue, par vidéo, par téléphone ou en personne.
You should be able to explain your concerns and understand the answers. Tell us which language you prefer when contacting the office. We will discuss the appropriate team member or language assistance for your appointment.
Your team’s roles: HLG attorneys advise on immigration matters. Paralegals support communication and case preparation under attorney supervision. The engagement agreement identifies the injury lawyer responsible for your claim.
Meet our immigration attorneys. Their role is immigration advice; the engagement agreement identifies your injury counsel.
Meet our paralegal team. Paralegals help with communication and case preparation under attorney supervision.
Depending on the assignment, support may include organizing reports and correspondence, coordinating appointments and helping you communicate questions to the lawyers.
Court interpretation, depositions and certified document translation may require separate arrangements. We will clarify availability and any associated costs.
An attorney should review the circumstances, available evidence and applicable law. Potential matters include:
Brain injuries, spinal injuries, burns and permanent disabilities may require substantial evidence of future treatment and care. Specialized counsel and case screening are important; contacting HLG does not mean a matter has been accepted.
Serious injuries and wrongful death affecting immigrant families: explore coordinated help.
Brain injuries, spinal injuries, amputations and severe burns may require evidence of long-term needs:
The evidence and recoverable losses depend on the injury and applicable law.
If a loved one died: tell us the incident date and location, your relationship, and whether an estate representative has been appointed.
Families abroad may contact us for evaluation; state law determines who can bring the claim or benefit.
Wrongful-death rules differ by state. In Ohio, Ohio Revised Code §2125.02 generally requires the personal representative to bring the action for the statutory beneficiaries.
Potential damages include specified losses of support, services and companionship, mental anguish, and reasonable funeral and burial expenses. The statute generally provides two years from death, with exceptions that require review. Other estate or survival claims may have different requirements.
If the injured or deceased person supported a spouse’s or child’s immigration status or pending application, prompt immigration advice may also be necessary.
Local injury counsel, estate counsel where needed and HLG’s immigration team can coordinate the relevant issues. Do not assume an injury settlement replaces lost immigration eligibility or that every relative can sign a binding settlement.
You can contact HLG from outside the United States. If you were hurt in the U.S. while visiting, working, studying or living here temporarily and have since gone home, or if a relative was injured or killed here, you can usually still pursue the case.
Our step-by-step guide explains how to pursue a U.S. injury case from abroad, including deadlines, remote testimony, visas for court, wrongful death claims for families abroad and receiving a settlement in another country.
You may still have a claim. Not having a valid license does not, by itself, decide who caused the crash or end your right to seek compensation.
Our full guide explains driving without a license after a crash, including foreign licenses, insurance and immigration concerns.
Liability insurance often pays a covered settlement or judgment. Auto, business, homeowners or other policies may apply.
Coverage limits and exclusions matter. Some claims have insufficient insurance or none; the responsible party may remain liable.
A possible settlement does not mean the other party’s insurer will pay every bill as it arrives.
Ask counsel to review available health insurance, auto medical-payments or personal-injury-protection coverage, workers’ compensation and any other applicable benefits. Eligibility, policy terms and state rules differ.
If you are struggling to pay, ask the hospital’s billing office or financial counselor about available assistance and payment arrangements. MedlinePlus explains options for financial assistance.
Eligibility for a particular program must be checked; do not assume that every program is available to every patient.
Ask whether an insurer, government program or provider may seek repayment from a recovery. For example, Medicare has a recovery process for certain accident-related payments.
Have counsel explain anticipated repayments before evaluating what a settlement would leave for your family.
A settlement generally closes the claims in its release. You may not be able to reopen them if later treatment costs more.
Future surgery, ongoing care or worsening symptoms require medical evidence. Evaluate supported future losses as well as today’s bills.
Depending on the claim, compensation may cover medical costs, lost income, reduced earning capacity, pain or disability. Family and wrongful-death claims have separate rules.
Insurance limits, legal limits, liens, fees and expenses affect your net recovery.
Ask what the offer covers, what you would receive after deductions, and the risks of continuing the case.
Many personal injury lawyers accept qualifying cases on a contingency fee basis: the attorney’s fee is an agreed percentage of money recovered through a settlement or judgment. Under that arrangement, no recovery generally means no attorney’s fee for the lawyer’s work.
Case expenses are a separate question. Acceptance and terms are case-specific; see the American Bar Association’s explanation of contingent fees.
Get a written agreement that explains:
Medical bills and repayment obligations can also reduce your recovery.
If appropriate after evaluation, we arrange a free injury consultation in your language. It does not commit you to hiring a lawyer. Representation, fees and expenses are explained separately.
Keep originals. Tell counsel promptly about video that may be overwritten.
Make a timeline of the accident, symptoms, treatment, missed work or school, and help needed at home. Include prior injuries accurately. You can contact us before gathering every document.
Many Ohio bodily-injury claims generally have a two-year filing period under Ohio Revised Code §2305.10.
Medical claims commonly have a one-year period and additional restrictions under §2305.113. Claim-specific rules and exceptions can change the analysis. Have counsel calculate the actual deadline.
Being partly at fault does not always prevent recovery. Under Ohio’s comparative-fault rule, recovery in covered claims may be reduced by your share of fault and barred if your fault exceeds the combined fault of the others specified by the law.
Do not accept an insurer’s fault assessment as the final legal answer.
A legitimate personal injury claim, by itself, ordinarily is not a reason to deny naturalization.
The underlying facts and your overall eligibility still matter. An injury lawsuit does not excuse immigration appointments, filing requirements or truthful answers.
Tell immigration counsel about related citations or criminal charges, disputed identity or employment records, and statements that may conflict with earlier immigration filings. Fraud or false statements can create separate problems.
USCIS evaluates unlawful acts relevant to good moral character; that is different from simply seeking compensation for a real injury. HLG’s citizenship and naturalization team can review the particular facts before making promises about your citizenship case.
Departure does not necessarily end a civil claim. Counsel should assess testimony, examinations, court requirements, communication and other practical issues. Remote participation is not guaranteed. Obtain separate immigration advice before traveling.
An ordinary accident does not itself qualify someone for U status. Certain qualifying criminal activity and additional eligibility requirements may warrant a separate assessment.
See the State Department’s information on visas for victims of criminal activity. Do not assume an injury settlement establishes immigration eligibility.
Contact us with the child’s age, the date and place of the injury, treatment received and your relationship to the child.
Injury counsel should review who may act for the child, the filing deadline and whether court approval or special arrangements are needed for a settlement. Do not assume that every deadline waits until the child turns 18.
Our guide to children’s injuries, guardians and settlements for immigrant families explains Ohio probate approval, mixed-status households and parents abroad.
Tell counsel what was said and preserve related messages. Workplace reporting, workers’ compensation and potential claims against other responsible parties have different rules and deadlines.
An employer’s statement does not settle your legal rights. If you were threatened about immigration status, tell HLG so the immigration and injury issues can be assessed together.
There may be other coverage to investigate, including your own policy or a policy that covers the vehicle you occupied. Coverage, notice requirements and hit-and-run rules vary.
Give counsel the policy documents and incident information you have; do not assume that no insurance card means there is no possible recovery.
Tell counsel how you were paid and what accurate records exist, such as deposits, tax filings, work schedules, messages or employer records.
Do not invent documents or exaggerate earnings. Work authorization, immigration history and state law may affect which losses can be claimed and how they are proved.
Send counsel the complete document and explain when you signed it, what you understood, whether interpretation was provided and what payment you received.
A release may close some or all claims. Its effect depends on the language and applicable law; do not assume that it can be canceled or that all remaining claims are barred.
There is no reliable timeline without reviewing the case. Treatment, disputed fault, insurance coverage, evidence, negotiations and court schedules can affect timing.
Ask counsel what can happen now, what information is still needed and how updates will be provided. A faster settlement is not necessarily the best resolution.
Tell us whom you would like involved. Counsel can discuss authorization, privacy and interpretation needs. For sensitive legal advice or formal testimony, an appropriate interpreter may be preferable to relying on a relative.
Contact us with as much detail as possible. It is okay if you do not know every answer.
You do not need to decide who was legally at fault before contacting us.
Call 216-696-6170 to request your injury case evaluation. Tell us about any urgent insurance, court or immigration deadlines. An inquiry does not pause a filing deadline.
This page provides general information, not advice about a particular case. Contacting the firm does not establish representation. Counsel, scope, fees and any co-counsel arrangements will be confirmed in an engagement agreement.
