Business Details
44 Years
experience
Experienced Mississippi Personal Injury Lawyers
Since 1982, Merkel & Cocke has provided thorough, aggressive legal representation for clients throughout Mississippi, Tennessee, Arkansas, and federal courts. As one of the largest plaintiffs' personal injury law firms in the state, we combine over 200 years of collective experience with a team approach to litigation, leveraging diverse perspectives to anticipate and resolve complex legal challenges. Our practice spans personal injury, medical malpractice, product liability, wrongful death, and commercial litigation, supported by strategic partnerships with investigators, medical experts, and liability professionals.We operate on a contingency fee basis, ensuring accessibility to justice while maintaining a commitment to transparency, ethical standards, and client-centered advocacy. With offices in Clarksdale, Jackson, Meridian, Greenville, and Oxford, we serve clients statewide and beyond, upholding a reputation built on landmark verdicts, peer recognition, and a relentless focus on client needs.
Services
Personal Injury
Medical Malpractice
Product Liability
Wrongful Death
Workers Compensation
Legal Malpractice
Contract Disputes
Casino Litigation
Mass Tort Claims
Premises Liability
Details
- Year established: 1982
Highlights and features
- Over 200 years of combined legal experience
- Team approach to complex case strategy
- Contingency fee basis ensures accessible representation
- Proven track record of multimillion-dollar verdicts
- Recognized by peers and legal organizations
Associations and certifications
- BBB
- Lawyers of Distinction
- National Trial Lawyers
- Super Lawyers
- Best Lawyers
What people say
Changed my life
Diligent work
Favorable outcome
Restored faith in justice system
Compassionate representation
Services
Personal Injury
We represent clients injured through no fault of their own in car accidents, truck crashes, motorcycle collisions, and other incidents. Our attorneys prove liability through expert investigation, demand full compensation for medical bills and lost income, and litigate cases involving traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, and catastrophic losses. With over 40 years of experience, we handle complex cases against insurance companies to secure settlements or verdicts.
Medical Malpractice
Our team holds healthcare providers accountable for birth injuries, surgical errors, misdiagnoses, and medication mistakes. We collaborate with medical experts to demonstrate substandard care, focusing on cases involving cerebral palsy, HIE, and surgical complications. With an in-house RN and proven trial experience, we recover compensation for lifelong treatment costs and family impact, maintaining a national reputation in this complex legal field.
Product Liability
We pursue manufacturers and retailers for injuries caused by dangerous drugs, faulty medical devices, and defective vehicles. Our attorneys handle mass tort litigation involving products like Bair Hugger warming blankets and silica-based toxins. We prove design flaws, manufacturing defects, and inadequate warnings to secure compensation for burns, amputations, and chronic injuries caused by consumer and industrial products.
Wrongful Death
We help families recover compensation when loved ones die from medical negligence, vehicle accidents, or workplace hazards. Our attorneys calculate economic losses, funeral costs, and non-economic damages like loss of companionship. We handle complex cases involving delayed deaths from injuries, ensuring families receive punitive damages where applicable through jury trials or negotiated settlements.
Workers Compensation
We assist injured workers navigating Mississippi's workers' compensation system, challenging denied claims and delayed payments. Our attorneys prove work-related injuries from construction accidents, equipment failures, and occupational hazards. We secure benefits for medical treatment, lost wages, and permanent disabilities, representing clients in hearings and appeals when employers or insurers dispute claims.
People
Charles M. Merkel, Jr.
Managing Member
Co-founder with decades of experience in personal injury litigation. Specializes in complex trial strategy and catastrophic injury cases. Maintains active trial practice while mentoring junior attorneys.
John Hartwell Cocke
Managing Member
Recognized trial attorney with Best Lawyers in America designation. Focuses on medical malpractice and product liability cases. Combines technical expertise with courtroom advocacy to secure multimillion-dollar verdicts.
Edward P. Connell, Jr.
Member
Handles contract disputes, will contests, and commercial litigation. Known for meticulous case preparation and negotiating favorable settlements in complex business disputes while maintaining trial readiness.
Cynthia I. Mitchell
Of Council
Specializes in medical malpractice and wrongful death cases. Advocates for victims of nursing home neglect and surgical errors. Recognized for compassionate client representation and detailed case analysis.
Christopher W. Winter
Member
Focuses on personal injury and workers' compensation claims. Represents clients in vehicle accidents and workplace injury cases. Prioritizes client communication while building strong evidentiary foundations for trial.
Questions
How much does a personal injury lawyer cost in Mississippi?
Our lawyers work on a contingency fee basis. You pay nothing upfront; fees come from settlement or verdict proceeds.
What if I'm partly at fault for my injuries?
Mississippi's pure comparative negligence rule allows recovery reduced by your percentage of fault.
How long do I have to file a personal injury claim?
Most claims require filing within three years, but medical malpractice has a two-year deadline.
Do you handle cases outside Mississippi?
We represent clients in Tennessee, Arkansas, and federal courts in all three states.
Can I meet with a lawyer if I'm unable to travel?
We offer home visits, phone consultations, and video conferencing through FaceTime or Zoom.
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