Fletcher, J. R.

Gary Cowan joined Elk & Elk Co., Ltd. in 2000 as a trial attorney and litigator. He has been involved in personal injury and medical malpractice litigation since 1988, and has been lead trial counsel in over 80 jury trials.

Gary has successfully been involved in high profile medical malpractice cases that have been televised and reported on Court TV and A Current Affair, as well as cases covered by local television stations and newspapers. His practice and emphasis is on serious personal injury claims, motor vehicle accidents, wrongful death and medical malpractice law.

Gary Cowan graduated from Cleveland-Marshall College of Law in 1987 with a Juris Doctor Degree. He has a Bachelor of Science Degree with Honors from the University of Ottawa (1981) and a Masters Degree in Health Administration from the University of Ottawa (1983). He is a member of the Ohio State Bar Association, D.C. Bar Association and the Ohio Academy of Trial Lawyers. He is currently licensed to practice law in Ohio and the District of Columbia, as well as the Federal Courts.

Settlements and Verdicts

$2.1 Million Settlement – Motorcycle collision results in traumatic brain injury (March 2011)
Plaintiff was riding a motorcycle when he was hit by semi-truck on the turnpike. Plaintiff suffered traumatic brain injury and fractures to the back.

$1.025 Million Settlement – Motorcycle collision results in wrongful death (August 2009)
The 42-year-old Plaintiff was killed after his motorcycle collided with an irrigation trailer that came unattached from the vehicle towing it. The pump traveled left-of-center and hit the motorcycle, ejecting both the driver and passenger.

$935,645 Settlement – Trucking accident results in multiple injuries (July 2009)
A 33-year-old male was rear-ended by another truck who failed to maintain the assured clear distance ahead. He sustained thoracic disc herniations, resulting in two spine surgeries, as well as lengthy pain management treatment.

$600,000 Settlement – Motor vehicle accident results in fractures, collapsed lung (July 2010)
The 57-year-old male was a passenger in a vehicle hit head on by a small construction truck and suffered fractures to his ribs, acetabulum, pelvis and patella. He also sustained a collapsed lung and splenic laceration.

$450,000 Settlement – Motor vehicle accident results in trauma (August 2008)
Our client, 18-years-old at the time, was traveling with three passengers when an 18-wheeler in the left-hand lane negligently merged into the Plaintiff’s lane, striking the driver-side door and forcing the vehicle off the highway and into the woods. A rescue crew had to extricate her from the tangled wreck and she was taken to an area trauma center where she remained for 11 days.
The Plaintiff was diagnosed with severe craniofacial trauma, multiple facial lacerations, a large laceration on her neck and an eye injury. She sustained severe head, face and chest trauma, including a collapsed lung, blown-out eye socket, bleeding of the brain, fractures to the nose, jaw and eye and a severe concussion. In addition to rehab and therapy, she underwent several reconstructive surgeries.

$385,000 Settlement – Motor vehicle vs. pedestrian collision (April 2010)
A 46-year-old male was struck while placing tables back into a pick-up truck on a four-lane roadway. He sustained a comminuted right tibia/fibula fracture, left tibia/fibula fracture, fracture/dislocation of the right shoulder and fractures of L2 and L3 transverse processes.

$290,000 Settlement – Motor vehicle accident results in multiple injuries (April 2010)
While riding his bike, the Plaintiff was side wiped by a pick-up truck. He suffered a fractured left arm, multiple abrasions, contusions and a concussion. He underwent surgery to repair the fracture.

$282,000 Settlement – Motor vehicle accident results in cervical spine surgery (November 2009)
The 43-year-old male was struck by a motor vehicle, which failed to yield the right of way at a stop sign. He sustained a disc herniation requiring cervical spine surgery, as well as a right foot fracture.

$275,000 Settlement – Pedestrian accident results in wrongful death (March 2011)
Decedent, a 19-year-old male, was struck on the side of the road at nighttime by a motor vehicle. He sustained a closed-head injury and died six weeks later after slipping into a coma.