Charles C. Goetsch

The principal attorney at his own law firm based in New Haven, Connecticut, Charles C. Goetsch has tried over 55 federal civil cases and argued a landmark case before the United States Supreme Court. His track record and superb ethics in all of these matters have earned him the respect of his colleagues, as evidenced by his receipt of an AV Preeminent* peer review rating through Martindale-Hubbell.

Mr. Goetsch devotes his practice exclusively to protecting injured railroad workers and individuals who blow the whistle on safety hazards and fraud.

Railroad workers are not covered by workers' compensation; instead, these actions are brought under the Federal Employers Liability Act. In these types of actions, negligence on the part of the railroad has to be demonstrated, and Mr. Goetsch has had extensive experience in trying these cases in front of juries. He has obtained multimillion-dollar settlements and jury awards on behalf of his injured clients.

Another part of Mr. Goetsch's practice involves the prosecution of claims under whistleblower protection statutes such as the Federal Railroad Safety Act. That statute covers railroad workers who are subjected  to retaliation after engaging in protected activities such as reporting an injury or a dangerous safety condition. Mr. Goetsch was the first attorney to successfully try a FRSA case before a jury, and in the published decision the federal district court judge took note of his effective performance during the trial.

An equally important part of his practice is representing individuals who blow the whistle on fraud against the federal government or States. Not only are such clients entitled to protection from adverse action, they also have a right to file a False Claims Act qui tam action that explains the fraud and potentially entitles them to million dollar bounties. Such claims must be filed under seal using special procedures, and it is imperative individuals call as soon as possible to discuss the feasiblity of such claims.

Mr. Goetsch is a 1973 graduate of Brown University, where he received a Bachelor of Arts magna cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa. After graduating with his Juris Doctor in 1976 from the University of Connecticut School of Law, he earned an LL.M graduate degree from Harvard Law School in 1977. He is admitted to practice in Connecticut, New York, and the District of Columbia, as well as numerous federal trial and appellate courts, including the Supreme Court of the United States.

*AV®, AV Preeminent®, Martindale-Hubbell Distinguished and Martindale-Hubbell Notable are certification marks used under license in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell certification procedures, standards and policies. Martindale-Hubbell® is the facilitator of a peer review rating process. Ratings reflect the anonymous opinions of members of the bar and the judiciary. Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Review Rating™ fall into two categories – legal ability and general ethical standards.