Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Experienced Personal Injury Lawyers in Southaven, MS
Chatham Gilder Howell Pittman has been a trusted legal advocate in North Mississippi since 1932, providing first-rate representation to personal injury victims and families. Our firm combines over nine decades of collective experience with a deep commitment to client-centered service, having recovered millions of dollars in settlements and judgments. We specialize in personal injury, workers' compensation, social security disability, product liability, and medical malpractice cases, guided by a legacy of ethical practice and courtroom excellence.Our attorneys, including seasoned trial lawyers with memberships in prestigious organizations like ABOTA, prioritize transparency, local community ties, and personalized attention. We operate on a contingency fee basis, ensuring clients pay nothing unless we secure compensation. With offices in Southaven, Hernando, and Memphis, we serve DeSoto, Marshall, Tate, and Tunica counties, offering free consultations to help clients navigate complex legal challenges.
Services
Personal Injury
Workers Compensation
Social Security Disability
Product Liability
Medical Malpractice
Criminal Defense
Wrongful Death
Premises Liability
Truck Accidents
Dog Bites
Details
- Year established: 1932
Highlights and features
- Over 90 years of combined legal experience in Mississippi and Tennessee courts
- Proven trial attorneys with memberships in ABOTA and Martindale-Hubbell-rated excellence
- Contingency fee basis ensures no payment unless we win your case
- Dedicated to North Mississippi communities with local offices in Southaven and Hernando
- Comprehensive support for personal injury, disability, and workers' compensation claims
Associations and certifications
- Martindale-Hubbell
- American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA)
What people say
Excellent service
Highly recommend
Professional and focused
Exceptional support
Trustworthy representation
Services
Personal Injury
We represent clients injured by negligence in car accidents, slip-and-falls, and workplace incidents. Our attorneys negotiate with insurers and litigate when necessary to secure compensation for medical costs, lost wages, and pain. With decades of experience, we ensure clients receive fair settlements reflecting their injuries' long-term impact.
Workers Compensation
Our team advocates for workers denied benefits after job-related injuries. We handle claims involving back injuries, machinery accidents, and occupational illnesses, challenging insurance denials and securing medical care and wage replacement. We protect clients' rights when employers or insurers delay rightful compensation.
Social Security Disability
We assist clients with initial applications and appeals for disability benefits due to severe injuries or chronic illnesses. Our attorneys present medical evidence proving inability to work, navigating complex SSA requirements to secure SSDI or SSI benefits for long-term financial stability.
Product Liability
We hold manufacturers accountable for injuries caused by dangerous products, including defective auto parts, medical devices, and children's toys. Our firm investigates design flaws, manufacturing defects, and inadequate warnings to recover damages for catastrophic injuries like burns or amputations.
Medical Malpractice
We pursue cases involving surgical errors, misdiagnoses, and birth injuries, working with medical experts to prove substandard care. Our attorneys seek compensation for additional treatments, long-term care costs, and emotional trauma caused by healthcare providers' preventable mistakes.
People
Jefferson D. Gilder
Partner
Jefferson D. Gilder specializes in personal injury and workers' compensation cases, bringing over 30 years of litigation experience. He graduated from the University of Mississippi School of Law and is known for his aggressive advocacy in court and successful settlements for clients injured in workplace accidents.
Jamie W. Howell Jr.
Partner
Jamie W. Howell Jr. focuses on personal injury and medical malpractice, with a career spanning 35+ years. A former president of the Mississippi Bar Association, he combines courtroom tenacity with compassionate client support, recovering millions for victims of negligence.
Steven W. Pittman
Partner
Steven W. Pittman handles complex personal injury and product liability cases, leveraging his background as a former Circuit Judge. His legal expertise and strategic approach have secured numerous multi-million-dollar verdicts for clients suffering catastrophic injuries from defective products.
Charles Nicholas Smith
Partner
Charles Nicholas Smith specializes in social security disability and workers' compensation, assisting clients with denied claims. His thorough understanding of administrative law ensures effective representation during appeals, helping injured workers regain financial stability.
Josephine Gilder
Attorney
Josephine Gilder focuses on personal injury and wrongful death cases, bringing a client-first approach to every case. She graduated from the University of Mississippi School of Law and is recognized for her empathetic representation of families grieving preventable losses.
Questions
What should I do immediately after a personal injury accident?
Seek medical attention, document the scene with photos, collect witness contact information, and report the incident to authorities. Contact our firm before speaking to insurance companies to protect your rights.
How long do I have to file a personal injury claim in Mississippi?
Mississippi's statute of limitations is three years from the injury date. Claims against government entities require 90-day notice. Consult our attorneys promptly to avoid missing critical deadlines.
What if my workers' compensation claim gets denied?
Appeal the decision with legal representation. Our attorneys challenge denials based on medical evidence, procedural errors, or employer disputes, ensuring you receive rightful benefits for work-related injuries.
Can I afford a personal injury attorney?
Yes. We work on contingency fees, meaning you pay nothing unless we win your case. This ensures access to quality legal representation regardless of financial circumstances.
What damages can I recover in a medical malpractice case?
Compensation includes medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and punitive damages in cases of gross negligence. Our attorneys maximize recoveries by proving causation and long-term injury impacts.