Page 3 - Robert Wisniewski

Hurt on the Job, Call Bob!
On the job injuries severely impact the worker and his family. Wisniewski’s duty to his client is paramount.
“I try to give the best service, to speak for the injured worker who cannot speak for himself,” Wisniewski says. “I set high standards for my clients, myself and my staff. We apply those principles of honesty and integrity when dealing with opposing counsel. I let my clients know we focus on what is important, gathering all required evidence. Understandably, injured workers often personalize their case assuming the insurance company is doing harm only to them. That does not help their case, as they often do not understand what needs to be proven.
“The process is difficult and can be frus- trating for clients because they are the less educated blue-collar workers often with language and communication difficulties,” he continues. “I work with my clients to ac- curately present the facts to the judge in a well-prepared, forthright manner.”
The Future
Despite practicing for 40 years, Wis- niewski remains as dedicated as ever.
“I know every detail of my clients’ case,” he says. “I’m with them from the initial in- terview through all the hearings. The firm has become the lifeline for hundreds of in- jured people across Arizona.”
Indeed, Bob Wisniewski has been rec- ognized by his peers, selected in 2015 as a Fellow of The College of Workers’ Com- pensation Lawyers. Wisniewski is the only claimant’s counsel in Arizona to be so rec- ognized with this peer-vetted designation.
Most of the firm’s business referrals are from other attorneys. “Lawyers confidently refer cases to me, recognizing my skill, my many years of experience and that I do the best for the client communicating with them and presenting the most effective case possible. A good portion of my refer- rals come from satisfied clients as well,” he says. “A referral from a former client means more to me than any award recognition. It reflects the former client’s trust and en- dorsement!”
With such an extensive reputation, Wis- niewski is frequently invited to lecture to lawyers statewide, sharing his expertise in workers’ compensation and liens. He has testified as an expert witness in state and federal courts. Occasionally, lawyers hire him to compromise insurance company liens. At times, he represents uninsured employers.
Developing a special expertise in han- dling post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) cases has proven effective on be- half of his clients and has influenced exist- ing law. Wisniewski successfully litigated the first case acknowledging PTSD for a law enforcement officer. Presently, many police and fire unions refer their members to him for injuries including PTSD claims because of this recognized expertise.
Acknowledging his reputation, experi- ence and results, Wisniewski has been des- ignated one of the local panel counsel for the National Football League Players Asso- ciation (Arizona Cardinals), the National Hockey Players Association (Arizona Coy- otes), and the Professional Hockey Players Association (Roadrunners).
Wisniewski notes, “I treat all my clients the same whether professional athlete or an everyday laborer. Not only have I been the lawyer for my clients, many have become longtime friends. I’m approachable; I tell my clients, don't call me Mr. Wisniewski, I’m Bob. In fact, if you are ‘Hurt on the job, call Bob!’”
A Tradition of Service
The son of a refinery mechanic, Wis- niewski understands the value of hard work. Working his way through college at several labor jobs, he appreciates the strug- gles of the working man. After earning his Bachelor of Arts in political science and a master’s degree in public administration, Wisniewski served four years as an active duty Air Force Officer, concluding his 22- year military service as a Reserve JAG of- ficer. He credits this experience with giving him the tools to run a successful, indepen- dent practice.
“The military gives you lots of respon- sibilities,” he says. “You have to be a self- starter without a lot of direction. You are held responsible for what you accomplish. A successful mission is the goal. It is no dif- ferent in a client’s workers’ compensation case.”
Following active military service, Wis- niewski graduated from the University of Toledo College of Law on the GI Bill and relocated to Arizona in 1976.
“I came for the weather like everyone else, and I recognized opportunity.”
I am assisted by my knowledgeable and capable bilingual staff; they have almost 100 years of experience and ensure the best client service. Most of all
my staff has been with me for decades. We work hard for our clients."
Andrew Paul Photography