Thomas J. O’Connell

Thomas O’Connell was born and raised in Ohio and has been practicing law in the state since 1985.

Thomas has devoted nearly his entire professional career to representing the rights of individuals who have been harmed by negligent or wrongful conduct. Thomas has been rated one of the top plaintiffs’ lawyers by Ohio Super Lawyers. Thomas collaborated with his partner, Lawrence Abramson, in winning a record $17.8 million verdict for a child that was severely injured as a result of an anesthesia error. Thomas has a wide scope of experience in the field of personal injury law. He has undertaken complex medical negligence cases such as those involving birth injury, surgical errors, and delay in diagnosis. Thomas has also been entrusted with representing the victims of serious automobile collisions, defective products and unsafe premises. In all such cases, Thomas provides his extensive knowledge of personal injury law, thorough preparation and commitment to trial advocacy.

Thomas has lectured on trial advocacy and served for several years as the Chairman of the Franklin County Trial Lawyers Medical Negligence Committee. In addition to his professional commitments, Thomas has served as a volunteer for Hospice of Columbus and Big Brother Big Sister.

Areas of Practice

  • Motor Vehicle Accidents
  • Medical Malpractice
  • Catastrophic Injuries
  • Child Injuries
  • Wrongful Death
  • Personal Injury
  • Product Liability

Bar Admissions

  • Ohio, 1985
  • U.S. Court of Appeals 6th Circuit, 1986
  • U.S. District Court Southern District of Ohio, 1986
  • U.S. District Court Northern District of Ohio, 1986

Education

  • University of Dayton School of Law, Dayton, Ohio
    • J.D. – 1985
    • Honors: Moot Court Finalist; Editor, University of Dayton Law Review
  • The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
    • B.S. – 1982

Publications

  • Co-Author, Ohio’s Attempts to Halt the Medical Malpractice Crisis: Effective or Meaningless?,  Univ. of Dayton Law Review, Vol 9 No. 2 (1984) – Selected for inclusion in “Worth Reading” section of National Law Journal

Reported Appellate Cases

  • Ohio v. Akron Center for Reproductive Health, 497 U.S. 502 (1990)
  • Lonberger v. Marshall, 808 F. 2d 1169 (1987)
  • In re Stouffer, 76 Ohio App 3d 181 (1991)
  • York v. Tate, 858 F. 2d 322 (1988)
  • State ex rel. Valley Radiology v. Gaughn, 640 S.E. 2d 136 (2006)
  • Venegoni v. Johnson. 2002 Ohio App. Lexis 1920 (Ohio 10th App. Dist. April 23, 2002).

Seminar Instructor

  • Trial Advocacy, Franklin County Trial Lawyers Medical Negligence Committee, 2009
  • Fatal Cerebral Venous Thrombosis, Cleveland Academy of Trial Lawyers Assoc, 2008
  • Jury Selection, Franklin County Trial Lawyers Assoc, 2007

Honors and Awards

  • President’s Award: Central Ohio Association for Justice for Outstanding Service
  • Certificate for Outstanding Legal Service: Ohio State Highway Patrol
  • Chairman, Franklin County Trial Lawyers Medical Negligence Committee

Professional Associations and Memberships

  • Ohio Association for Justice, Member
  • American Association for Justice, Member

Past Employment Positions

  • State of Ohio, Assistant Attorney General