Practice Areas: Personal Injury, Products Liability, Class Action & Mass Torts view more
Licensed in Kentucky since: 2000
Education: Northern Kentucky University Salmon P. Chase College of Law
Selected to Super Lawyers: 2012 - 2023 
Free Consultation Thomas Law Offices
9418 Norton Commons Blvd.Suite 200
Louisville, KY 40059 Phone: 877-955-7001 Email: Tad Thomas Visit website
Details
Tad Thomas has been a trial lawyer for over 20 years. After graduating with honors from law school at Northern Kentucky University, he opened his own practice in Louisville handling criminal and civil cases. He quickly gravitated to the area of personal injury and complex civil litigation, an area where he could assist clients in their time of need.
In 2008, Mr. Thomas started a three year stint with the Office of the Kentucky Attorney General as one of two Assistant Deputy Attorneys General. In addition to handling high profile civil litigation for the office he was responsible for overseeing four divisions and all of the office’s civil litigation. These four divisions consisted of over 100 personnel including lawyers, staff and sworn law enforcement officers.
Mr. Thomas returned to private practice in 2011 and formed Thomas Law Offices in Louisville, Kentucky. Over the years, as Tad’s reputation and practice grew, the firm began expanding its reach beyond Kentucky. Today, the firm has grown to more than a dozen attorneys in four offices while handling cases across the country. Thomas Law Offices has offices in Chicago, IL. Columbia, MO. and Cincinnatti, OH.
In addition to making sure his firm provides quality representation to all of its clients, Mr. Thomas spends a great deal of time advocating for changes in laws to protect consumers and ensuring Americans’ Seventh Amendment right to jury trial is protected. Mr. Thomas is currently the President-Elect of the American Association for Justice, the nation’s largest organization for trial lawyers. Finally, education of his fellow lawyers is also important to Mr. Thomas who spends travels the country speaking at conventions and continuing legal education programs on a wide range of issues such as deposition and trial techniques, ethics and technology.
Practice Areas Include:
- Personal Injury
- Accounting Auditing Malpractice
- Auto Accidents
- Business/Commercial Litigation
- Class Action Cases
- Dangerous Drugs
- Dangerous/Defective Drugs List
- Medical Malpractice
- Motorcycle Accidents
- Premises Liability
- Product Liability
- Trucking Accidents
- Wrongful Death
Practice areas
Personal Injury - General: Plaintiff, Personal Injury - Products: Plaintiff, Class Action/Mass Torts: Plaintiff, Personal Injury - Medical Malpractice: PlaintiffFirst Admitted: 2000, Kentucky
Professional Webpage: https://www.thomaslawoffices.com/attorneys/tad-thomas/
Bar/Professional Activity:
- American Association for Justice (AAJ) formerly ATLA (2000-Current) Parliamentarian (2017-2018); Treasurer (2018-2019); Secretary (2019-2020), Vice President (2020-2021), President Elect (2021-2022) AAJ Board of Governors (2013–Current) Budget Committee (2013–2015) Executive Committee (2015-Current) National College of Advocacy Board of Trustees (2012-2016); Executive Committee (2013-2016); AAJ PAC Task Force (2016-Current) AAJ Press Advisory Board (2012-2015) Convention Planning Committee (2006-07, 2017-Current) Evergreen Advisory Board (2016-2017) Leaders Forum (2014-Current) Affinities and Sponsorship Committee (2015-2017) Website and IT Advisory Committee (2012-2017) Marketing and Practice Development Committee (2012-Current) Law Schools Committee (2007, 2013-Current) Legal Affairs Committee (2016-Current) Membership Oversight Committee (2012-Current) Minority Caucus Board of Governors Representative (2013) Education Committee (2016-Current) Scholarship Committee (2016-Current) Solo and Small Firm Section (2010-Current; Education Coordinator 2011-2012; Secretary 2012-2013; Vice-Chair 2013-2014; Chair Elect 2014- 2015; Chair 2015-Current) Nursing Home Litigation Group (2014-Current; Secretary 2015-2016, Treasurer 2016 to Current) Section Leaders Council (2014-Current); Vice-Chair 2014-Current) AAJ Political Action Committee "M" Club (2006-2007, 2010-Current) National Finance Council (2011-2014, 2016-Current) Leadership Academy (2013) Retirement Plans Oversight Committee (2011-2012) New Lawyers Division Board of Governors (2005-07); Publications Committee (2005-2007), Chairperson (2006-07); Board of Governors Committee Chairperson (2006-2007); Special Projects Committee Chairperson (2010-2011) President's Club (2005-2007)
- American Association for Justice (AAJ) formerly ATLA Secretary
Pro bono/Community Service:
- Kentucky Family Safety Foundation (2015-current) Louisville Free Public Library Advisory Commission (2007-2015); Executive Committee (2008-2015); Chair (Nov. 2008-2015) Library Foundation – Louisville Free Public Library (2006-Current; Investments and Finance Committee Jan. 2009-2015) Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation Prevention Board (Chair – 2010-2011) Friends of the Louisville Free Public Library Executive Board (2004-2008); President (2006-2008); Vice President (2005-2006)
- Kentucky Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation Prevention Board
- Louisville Free Public Library Foundation
Educational Background:
- Georgetown College, Georgetown, KY BA in Political Science, 1996
- SALMON P. CHASE COLLEGE OF LAW Northern Kentucky University Juris Doctorate (cum laude) 2000 GEORGETOWN COLLEGE Georgetown, Kentucky Bachelor of Arts, Political Science, 1997
Verdicts/Settlements:
- Hospital Negligence At age 78 a gentleman with back pain was admitted to the hospital for several nights. The hospital’s policies and procedures required that any admitted patient be evaluated to determine whether or not they were at risk of falling. Once assessed, it was determined that the Plaintiff was a high fall risk and required the placement of a bed alarm which warns staff when a patient is trying to get out of bed. The night before he was scheduled to be discharged the Plaintiff fell at 4:50 a.m. and broke his hip. The hospital defended the case arguing that the patient had disabled the bed alarm himself and even admitted as much to his doctor. However, at trial it was proven that this statement was unreliable because it was made while the patient was under the influence of pain medications and that it was impossible for the alarm to be disabled if it was properly installed. The jury returned a verdict in favor of the Plaintiff for $134,000 including medical expenses and pain and suffering., 2010
- A 92-year old woman with dementia was illegally evicted from the skilled nursing facility where she resided. As a result, she suffered from Relocation Stress Syndrome which caused a GI bleed and a sudden cardiac death. After a jury trial the nursing home was found negligent and awarded the woman's estate over $2.2 million. , 2019
- On December 22, 2015, a Circuit Court Judge in Louisville, Kentucky, entered an Agreed Judgment and Consent Degree between the Office of the Kentucky Attorney General and Janssen Pharmaceuticals resolving the litigation between the Commonwealth of Kentucky and the maker of the drug. (Commonwealth of Kentucky v. Janssen et. al. 13-CI-002488, Jefferson County Circuit Court Division 3). Thomas Law Offices served as co-counsel to the Office of the Attorney General in representing the Commonwealth. To resolve the claims, Janssen will be making a payment to the Commonwealth of $15.5 million dollars and has agreed to cease its promotion of Risperdal for non-FDA approved uses. In addition, the company has agreed to adequately disclose known risks associated with the use of the drug., 2015
- Lead Poisoning In July of 2007, two employees of a contractor were working at a lead battery plant in Richmond, Kentucky when they were exposed to large doses of toxic lead particulate which is used in the battery manufacturing process. In the 1970’s the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (“NIOSH”) estimated that more that one million workers were occupationally exposed to lead and the some of the highest exposures come from lead battery operations. It has long been known that over-exposure to lead can result in accumulation in the body resulting in high blood lead levels. This hazardous condition, diagnosed by blood testing, may cause permanent damage to an individual’s nervous, renal, reproductive and cardiovascular systems and may even cause death. Individuals with lead poisoning may see symptoms such as loss of appetite, a metallic taste in their mouth, constipation, anemia, malaise, weakness, insomnia, headaches, nervous irritability and muscle and joint pains. Both of Mr. Thomas’ clients claimed in their suit that they suffered severe adverse health affects as a result of this exposure which left them permanently disabled and unable to work. They also claimed that their exposure was partially the result of the failure of their employer and the battery manufacturing plant to train them properly as required by OSHA. Because lead is inherently ultra-hazardous in nature it is specifically covered under federal Occupational and Safety and Health laws. 29 CFR § 1910.1025. In 1979 NIOSH expanded the code to provide for medical monitoring, record keeping, employee education and training, medical removal protection, hygiene facilities and practices, respiratory protection, protective clothing and equipment. The workers filed suit in 2008, but after two years of little activity to move the case forward, Mr. Thomas was asked to join the suit in 2010. Once involved, he aggressively litigated the case for less than a year resolved the matter in a confidential settlement., 2010
- Tad Thomas, serving as local counsel for Clifford Law Offices of Chicago, recently settled a lawsuit against several parties involved in a train derailment that took place in 2013. Plaintiffs Leonard Carrillo and Gregory Powers, were severely burned in flash fires that occurred during a train derailment cleanup. A derailed train car spilled butadiene, a chemical used in synthetic rubber production. The plaintiffs were instructed to use a cutting torch in order to separate two train cars. A worker for one of the defendants inspected the area and gave the plaintiffs a thumbs up to separate the train cars, failing to notice a chemical leak. One of the train cars was carrying the hazardous chemical, butadiene and instantly started two flash fires. Both men were severely burned, Carrillo suffered second and third degree burns to 80 percent of his body, also a shoulder injury that inhibits him from performing most manual labor. Powers also had second and third degree burns on 50 percent of his body and suffers from neuropathy in his hands. The case was mediated several times before reaching a settlement on December 12, 2016 for $18.5 million., 2016
- Airline Disaster On August 27, 2006, Comair Flight 5191 crashed in Lexington, Kentucky taking the lives of 47 passengers and two crew members. The aircraft was given permission to taxi and take off from the only runway open to commercial jets. Unfortunately, the pilots attempted to take off from a second, unlit runway intended for only small, general aviation aircraft. The runway was too short for the Bombardier Canadair Regional Jet and the pilots were unable to get the jet airborne before it crashed into a tree line just past the airfield. Tad Thomas was hired to represent the estate of a young lady killed in the crash while on her way to get married. This case resulted in a confidential settlement with the airline., 2006
Honors/Awards:
- Selected as one of the top two Plaintiff's product liability lawyers in Louisville by a vote of the members of the Louisville Bar Association., Louisville Top Products Liability Lawyer - Plaintiff, Louisville Magazine, 2016
- The Distinquished Service Award is given to members of the American Association for Justice who exceed expectations and go above and beyond for the organization and protecting the 7th Amendment. , Distinguished Service Award, American Association for Justice, 2015
- The Distinquished Service Award is given to members of the American Association for Justice who exceed expectations and go above and beyond for the organization and protecting the 7th Amendment. , Distinguished Service Award, American Association for Justice, 2016
- The Distinquished Service Award is given to members of the American Association for Justice who exceed expectations and go above and beyond for the organization and protecting the 7th Amendment. , Distinguished Service Award, American Association for Justice, 2014
- The Distinquished Service Award is given to members of the American Association for Justice who exceed expectations and go above and beyond for the organization and protecting the 7th Amendment. , Distinguished Service Award, American Association For Justice, 2017
- The Outstanding Board Member award is presented by the President of the Kentucky Justice Association to the Board Member who most excelled at assisting the organization in pursuing its mission. , Outstanding Board Member - KJA, Kentucky Justice Association, 2013
Scholarly Lectures/Writings:
- AAJ Essentials of Trial Advocacy College: Conducting Voir Dire;American Association for Justice, Salt Lake City, UT, March 7, 2019., Faculty, AAJ Essentials of Trial Advocacy College: Conducting Voir Dire, American Association for Justice, 2019
- Ethics of Legal Marketing;American Association for Justice, Annual Convention, Denver, CO, July 8, 2018., Faculty, Ethics of Legal Marketing, American Association for Justice, 2018
- Defeating Causation Defense;American Association for Justice, Winter Convention, Miami, FL, February 2, 2019., Faculty, Defeating Causation Defenses, American Association for Justice, 2019
Industry Groups:
- American Association For Justice
- Kentucky Bar Association
- Kentucky Justice Association
- Louisville Bar Association
- New York Bar Association
Office location for Tad Thomas
9418 Norton Commons Blvd.
Suite 200
Louisville, KY 40059
Selections
12 Years Super Lawyers
- Super Lawyers: 2012 - 2023