Personal Injury Attorney in Hopkins County, Kentucky
At the personal injury practice of Rhoads & Rhoads, we believe in standing up for injured clients and disabled individuals during their time of need. With offices in Madisonville and Owensboro, our law firm primarily focuses on personal injury, wrongful death, workers’ compensation, and social security disability cases. For over 50 years, we have built a legacy of trust by providing our clients with a personal injury attorney in Hopkins County, Kentucky.
Since Rhoads & Rhoads founding in 1974 by Jerry P. Rhoads, our personal injury firm has secured hundreds of millions of dollars in settlements across various injury cases. Notably, Jerry played a pivotal role in ensuring the largest verdict in Hopkins County history, a victory that reflects our firm’s dedication to justice. This legacy of excellence is backed by our deep roots in the community.
Jerry Rhoads began the firm in Madisonville, representing members of the United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) in personal injury and workers’ comp claims. With his brother Tom Rhoads joining in 1976, Rhoads & Rhoads practice became a trusted name in western Kentucky for aggressive advocacy and outstanding results for injured clients.
Our Connection to Hopkins County
Our connection to Hopkins County runs deep. The Rhoads family has been present in Hopkins county for generations. Jerry and Tom have raised their families here, with all their children attending Madisonville North-Hopkins High School and actively participating in the community. Now, Rhoads & Rhoads attorneys Chris Rhoads, Brad Rhoads, Kyle LaMar, Ben Byers and Nathan Bishop, maintain strong family ties to Hopkins county and its surroundings.
The Rhoads family has given back to Hopkins County in countless ways. Jerry’s wife, Dr. Judy Rhoads, dedicated her career to public education and community development, serving as President of Madisonville Community College for 18 years. Under her leadership, MCC gained national recognition as one of the highest-performing community colleges. Tom and his wife, Elizabeth Rhoads, have similarly served tirelessly in numerous community organizations. The Rhoads family has served on dozens of boards and government agencies for community betterment in Madisonville and Hopkins county. Jerry and Judy Rhoads were also inducted into the Hopkins County Hall of Fame.
Jerry also served as State Senator for the 6th District from 2003 to 2014, representing Hopkins, Muhlenberg, Ohio, McClean, and Butler Counties, where he advocated for over 100,000 constituents. Alongside his son and law partner, Chris Rhoads, Jerry has been recognized as an outstanding plaintiffs’ personal injury attorney statewide, with both earning leadership roles in the Kentucky Justice Association (formerly Kentucky Academy of Trial Attorneys). Jerry served as statewide president of the Trial Lawyers Association and is in line to serve again in 2026.
The Value of Working With a Rhoads & Rhoads Personal Injury Lawyer in Hopkins County
Having an experienced personal injury attorney in Hopkins County, Kentucky, on your side can make all the difference in securing the financial support you need from insurance or another agency. With a proven track record of winning hundreds of millions of dollars for clients, our firm specializes in cases involving nursing home injuries, traumatic brain injuries, and wrongful death in automobile wrecks, trucking collisions, and industrial accidents.
We offer over 20 personal injury practice areas and legal support tailored to each Hopkins County client’s unique needs. With a team of over 9 skilled attorneys and convenient locations in Owensboro and Madisonville, we are committed to providing exceptional legal representation for the residents of Hopkins County and beyond.
Cases We Handle in Hopkins County
We practice law to support clients through a variety of legal challenges. Our expertise includes practice areas such as personal injury, wrongful death, coal mining accidents, semi-truck collisions, workers’ comp, product liability, and social security disability cases. Here are examples of Hopkins County cases we represent on a daily basis:
Car Accidents
In Kentucky, over 100,000 car accidents occur annually. Reports note a 10% increase in fatalities and serious injuries. The types of collisions commonly seen include head-on, side-impact (“T-bone”), rear-end, and sideswipe collisions. Despite the decrease in crashes over the past five years, the risk of death or severe injury is rising. Injured clients in Hopkins County involved in car crashes need experienced and local Kentucky attorneys to negotiate with insurance adjusters and attorneys to properly handle their insurance claims.
Dog Bite Injuries
Dog bites can lead to severe physical and emotional trauma. Hiring an experienced Hopkins County, KY lawyer focused on personal injury ensures you receive the funds you need for your injuries and pain and suffering. We help clients navigate the complex claims process and get their medical expenses, wage claims and pain and suffering covered.
Social Security Disability
If you are unable to support yourself due to a long-term disability, from an injury or illness, getting the benefits you need should not be hindered by a difficult, time-consuming process. On average, only 28% of initial claims are approved, and only 45% are approved over ten years. Let us help you with the Hopkins County Social Security disability process. We are experienced and have been handling disability claims for over 50 years. Our success rate is unparalleled.
Nursing Home Abuse
Placing a family member in an assisted living or skilled nursing facility is a difficult decision. We want to ensure your loved ones are treated with dignity and respect. Our Hopkins County firm helps families navigate the challenges of nursing home abuse cases to ensure your loved one’s injuries are compensated.
If you’ve been injured, we are here to help you explore your lawsuit options and fight for the justice you deserve through workers’ comp or another law area. Contact us today for a free consultation in Hopkins County and take the first step toward receiving the compensation you deserve.
What You Should Know Before Filing a Personal Injury Claim
If you want to file a claim following a motor vehicle, pedestrian, motorcycle, or slip and fall accident, you may have several questions. What should you do about medical expenses? How can you address financial insecurities, debt, and emotional strains? These issues are common after a Hopkins County accident caused by someone else’s negligence.
We recommend setting up a free consultation with an experienced KY attorney to discuss the details of your case and start building your claim before building debt. With thorough sharing of accident and injury information in a consultation with one of our lawyers, your case will be supported by the best evidence from a Hopkins County, KY lawyer. Learn more about filing a personal injury or wrongful death claim with a free case evaluation today.
Living in Hopkins County
Hopkins County, located in western Kentucky, has a population of about 45,423 people. Formed in 1806, the county is named after General Samuel Hopkins, an officer in the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812. Madisonville is the county seat of Hopkins county, and was founded in 1807. It was named for James Madison who later became president of the the United States. The county has a population of 19,000 people. Madisonville and Hopkins county have been statewide leaders in coal production and manufacturing.
Hopkins County has a variety of nature to enjoy, including wetlands, forests, lakes, and rivers. Due to its location near important roadways, Madisonville, the county seat, serves as a manufacturing hub for the region, revitalizing the local economy post-coal.
Emergency Services in Hopkins County
Fire
- Madisonville Fire Department
Address: 98 E Center St, Madisonville, KY 42431-2000
Phone: (270) 824-2134 - Webster County Elsmere Fire Protection District
Address: 401 Garvey Avenue, Elsmere, KY 41018
Phone: (859) 342-7505
Fax: (859) 342-2292
Email: pam@elsmerefd.com - South Hopkins Fire Department
Address: 8920 Hopkinsville Rd, Mortons Gap, KY 42440
Phone: (270) 821-5661
Website: Hopkins County Fire Resources
Hospital
- Baptist Health Deaconess
Address: 900 Hospital Dr, Madisonville, KY 42431
Phone: (270) 825-5100
Website: Baptist Health Deaconess
Police
- Hopkins County Sheriff
Address: 56 N Main Street, Madisonville, KY 42431
Phone: (270) 821-5661
Website: Hopkins County Sheriff
Court
- Hopkins County Circuit Court
Address: 120 E. Center St., Madisonville, KY 42431
Phone: (270) 824-7502
Website: Hopkins County Courts
Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer in Hopkins County, Kentucky
Rhoads & Rhoads is a full-service law firm equipped to handle the needs of Madisonville and Hopkins County residents, in and out of probate court. Whether you’ve suffered injuries due to someone else’s negligence or need assistance with a disability claim, our team will represent you and treat you like family. We take pride in continuing our tradition of helping our friends and neighbors in Hopkins County during their most challenging times. From slip and fall injuries to car crashes, semi-truck accidents, and nursing home abuse, we have the experience and expertise to guide you through the entire process.
Rhoads & Rhoads practice is a client-centered law firm with a history in Western Kentucky. We’ve collected millions as your KY attorney. Our probate court attorneys will ensure your daily experience with us is positive. Call us today at 270-216-3849 or contact Rhoads & Rhoads online for a free consultation with a personal injury attorney in Hopkins County, Kentucky.
Video Transcript
Hopkins County and Madisonville, obviously a very special place to Rhoads and Rhoads. I grew up in Madisonville, went to Madisonville North Hopkins High School, as did my brother, Brad Rhoads, who practices law with me. Also my cousin, Lee Rhoads Doyle, who practices here at our firm as well. My father Jerry Rhoads, my uncle Tom Rhoads, practiced in Madisonville. That’s home to them and that’s where I grew up, it’s still home to me.
We’ve had several opportunities to try cases in Madisonville in the court systems and that’s actually where I learned to practice law, going over to court with my dad, watching him try cases, watching him have hearings in front of Judge Spain, Judge Boltler, Judge Brantley. My mom, she was the President of Madisonville Community College for about fifteen years and lots of aunts, family, cousins, all over the county and it’s just a very special place. What I really love about it is how hardworking the people are in Hopkins County and we’ve handled so many workers’ comp claims for injured workers, injured coal miners, automobile cases, social security/disability claims. We have an office in Madisonville. Just it brings a lot of pride to me to be able to represent somebody from Hopkins County.