Litigation Lessons: Trying Tough Cases in Small Towns

Katherine Karres is a Personal Injury Lawyer at Hurst Limontes, an Indiana law firm focused exclusively on helping victims of negligence. With over 13 years of experience in injury litigation, Katie has tried 27 injury cases over her legal career and has helped thousands of clients resolve their cases. Before joining Hurst Limontes, she worked as a medical negligence claims litigator. As a graduate of the University of Indianapolis and the Indiana University School of Law, Katie has lived in Indiana for most of her life. She has been a Super Lawyers Rising Star since 2017 and named Top 40 Under 40 by The National Trial Lawyers. In this episode… When you slip and fall, who's really at fault — and just how hard is it to prove your case in a court of law? In Indiana, premises liability cases present unique challenges, often tipping the scales against the injured. Can a strategic approach to trial lead to outcomes that defy expectations? Personal injury lawyer Katherine Karres shares insights into overcoming such challenges. Katie shares her experience of successfully trying a trip and fall case in Fulton County, a rural area where most everyone knew the defendant. She dissects critical aspects of trial preparation and litigation, from the power of jury selection to the advantages of bifurcating trials into separate liability and damages proceedings. By anticipating jury biases, presenting clear and convincing evidence, and being transparent about the "bad facts" of a case, attorneys can mitigate the impact of any negatives used by the opposing side. Illustrating the nuances that shape courtroom battles and the tactics that can lead to a favorable verdict, Katie discusses how her strategic approach resulted in a favorable and swift settlement post-verdict in the Fulton County case, highlighting how even seasoned defense attorneys can underestimate the determination of a well-prepared plaintiff's lawyer. In this episode of Circle City Conversations, Alex Limontes interviews Katherine Karres, Personal Injury Lawyer at Hurst Limontes, about the legal procedures and psychological dynamics in personal injury trials. Katie dives into the nuances of a premises liability case that unfolded in the rural setting of Fulton County, Indiana, expounds on her approach to jury selection and the concept of bifurcation, and highlights the pitfalls one might encounter, from dealing with biases to battling summary judgments.