Michael W. O'Neil

Setting a New Standard in Workers' Compensation Law Through Empathy, Experience, and Excellence

“Just about everyone can name moments in their life when everything changed,” says Michael O'Neil, reflecting on his path to practicing workers' comp law as an attorney with NRS Injury Law. “Sometimes it's for the better, sometimes it's for the worse. In workers' comp law, we're helping people who, within an instant, had everything change for them and their families due to a workplace injury.”

For Mike, his path to law began in the Armed Forces. From 1984 to 1990, Mike served in the United States Army, arriving there by way of the ROTC. He served with the 2nd Infantry Division in Korea and took stateside assignments at Fort Moore (formerly Fort Benning) and Fort Jackson. His time overseas and postings at Moore and Jackson gave him a deep appreciation for organization, teamwork, strategy, and case-building. His last assignment had him working as a supply officer. Mike was tasked with performing investigations and presenting cases regarding damaged or destroyed Army property to a Judge Advocate General. After transitioning out of the Army, that last role stuck with Mike, and he quickly enrolled at the Cleveland-Marshall College of Law.

Approaching Workers' Comp Cases with Optimism and Strategy

Mike began clerking at a law firm while attending law school. “A skillset with workers' comp soon became what I could bring to the table,” says Mike. “And it was coincidentally what I was most passionate about. Each case is different, and each involves someone whose life has been turned upside down from a workplace injury or illness. I committed to approaching each case with a glass-half-full mindset, and I soon found I had a knack for turning around the client's devastating life event and helping them secure a brighter future.”

After putting in the work clerking and going to law school, Mike took the bar, passed, and accepted a job offer at a firm where he continued his focus on workers' comp. The glass-half-full mantra carried on, and Mike's positive demeanor, infectious smile, and charismatic cheer proved invaluable in setting clients at ease and preparing them for case-building, deposition, mediation, and trial.

Committed to the Cause

Mike's career experience now includes more than two decades of diligent work in workers' comp. However, Mike still embodies the same youthful cheer, persistence, empathy, and optimism that were on display during his years as an Army supply officer and later as a law student/clerk. Mike dedicates several hours each day to finding ways to maximize efficiency, strengthen his strategies and arguments, and optimize the nuances and finer details of each case that comes before him. “I've seen thousands of cases in my time,” Mike said. “Each is different, and each requires me to draw on my experience and find unique and compelling ways to argue that case.”

In addition to his casework, Mike has also taken on a mentorship role at the firm, where he advises new attorneys on their workers' comp cases.

Community Involvement:

Pursuing a career in workers' comp law means committing oneself to a life of service, and that mindset doesn't end when Mike clocks out for the day. Passionate about helping his community, Mike has been involved in several programs that give back. For example, since 1993, Mike has been a team leader on the Sunday lunch ministry at Cleveland's Trinity Cathedral. The program provides meals to the homeless and food-depraved community members. Mike's son is now an Eagle Scout, but in previous years, Mike served as Assistant Scout Master in the local troop.

Work/Life Balance:

Mike lives in Rocky River with his wife Tamzin, who is also a practicing attorney. Between their dedicated careers, two dogs, and two cats, the pair stays more than busy. When they have some free time, they can be found heading over to Kent State University to spend a weekend with their son Aidan, a business management major with aspirations of joining the ROTC as his father did.

Don't Wait to Seek Legal Help from Mike O'Neil

“NRS Injury Law provides clients with the best opportunity to maximize their workers' compensation claim,” Mike added in closing. “The large complement of staff enables us to leverage our individual skills and get results for clients, without any of the employees ever feeling spread too thin. Everyone has their role, and they're great at it. Our processes are streamlined, comprehensive, and thorough. We're able to proceed with constant compassion, ever-present excellence, integrity, patience, and professionalism. In my time, I've never seen a firm operate in such a strategic way, and it makes a difference.”

To retain an effective legal team with a proven track record and to speak with Mike and the firm about your case, call 855-GOT-HURT or fill out a convenient online contact form.