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Attorneys
James F. Bleeke has tried medical malpractice cases in federal and state courts throughout Indiana and state court in Florida. He has also tried a variety of other cases involving death, brain damage, and neurological injuries. The focus of Jim’s practice is medical malpractice defense, nursing home defense, prisoner litigation, corrections cases, insurance defense and general litigation. Jim’s appellate experience includes three arguments before the Seventh Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals. Prior to becoming a partner at SweetinBleeke in 2002, Jim worked seven years at Ice Miller Donadio & Ryan in a broad-based litigation practice. In 1992, Jim became Litigation Manager and later Vice-President of Claims and Legal Affairs for Physicians Insurance Company of Indiana (now Pro Assurance) and served in that capacity until 1998. He continued defending medical malpractice cases on behalf of the insured physicians of Pro Assurance as an attorney for Arnold and Associates from 1998 through 2001. Jim learned much during seven years at Ice Miller Donadio & Ryan, where his practice focused upon insurance defense, coal-related issues of black lung and mining regulation, UCC warranty law, and general litigation. He developed a particular affinity for working with and interrogating experts in medicine and other scientific fields, including mold cases. He also learned from one of the firm's founding partners, Jim Donadio, that an attorney's reputation for honesty, hard work and responsiveness to a client is invaluable. Jim Bleeke also has handled cases involving issues such as improper sterilization and re-use of single-use medical devices; tracheotomy errors; and airway and brain injuries. Jim has spoken at seminars for the Indiana Continuing Legal Education Forum, the Indiana Podiatric Association, the National Business Institute and the Indiana Medical Directors Association as well as numerous risk management presentations for physicians and medical students. Jim has four children, Christina (age 20), Nathan (age 18), Brendan (age 14) and Annika (age 8). Jim has coached all four children in softball, soccer and basketball. Jim attempts to use the wisdom of the Bible whenever appropriate in his litigation practice. He believes that the concept of "loving your enemies" actually works quite well even in the context of litigation, when coupled with diligent preparation and a firm desire to confront the opposition with the weaknesses in their cases. Of course, Jim also understands it is imperative that the attorney carefully analyze the weaknesses in his own case and provide realistic advice to the client. Notable Cases: |
