Jerry A. Garau

Jerry Garau represents individuals in medical malpractice and serious personal injury claims. He was named Indiana Trial Lawyer of the Year by the Indiana Trial Lawyers Association in 2019 after securing a $15 million verdict in a medical malpractice action and having that verdict affirmed by the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit. Webster v. CDI Ind., LLC, 917 F3d 574 (7th Cir. 2019). He is a fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, an invitation-only fellowship of exemplary trial lawyers from the U.S. and Canada. Membership in ACTL is limited to 1% of the total lawyer population in the U.S. and Canada. He is also a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates, is listed in the Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers, and has been named an Indiana Super Lawyer every year since 2012.

Jerry began his career in 1986 after graduating with honors from the Indiana University School of Law at Indianapolis. He has secured verdicts for individuals throughout the state of Indiana, and has argued before the Indiana Court of Appeals, the Indiana Supreme Court, and the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit. He has served on the executive committee of the Indiana Trial Lawyers Association and is currently secretary of the organization.

In 1997, Jerry and four other attorneys started a firm focused on representing victims of medical malpractice. That firm, now known as Garau Germano, P.C., has its offices in Indianapolis and represents individuals throughout the state. In addition to the firm's work in medical malpractice, the firm also represents individuals in claims involving serious personal injury, sexual abuse, and nursing home negligence.

Current Employment Position

Attorney

Professional Associations

Indianapolis Bar Association

Indiana State Bar Association, Member, 1986

American Association for Justice

Indiana Trial Lawyers Association, Executive Committee

American College of Trial Lawyers, Fellow

American Board of Trial Advocates

Indiana Bar Foundation, Fellow

Past Positions

Hon. Patrick D. Sullivan, Indiana Court of Appeals, Law Clerk, 1986 to 1987

Honors

Indiana Super Lawyers, 2012-2024

Top 50 Indiana Super Lawyers, 2021-2024

Indiana Trial Lawyers Association Trial Lawyer of the Year, 2019

Indiana State Bar Association Civility Award, 2011

Classes & Seminars

Speaker, Masters of Med-Mal Advocacy, ITLA Seminar, 2020

Speaker, Legal Ethics: Attorney Fees and Client Funds, NBI Seminar, 2017

Speaker, Illustrated Ethics: Case Studies to Avoid Legal Malpractice, NBI Seminar, 2013

Litigating to Win Through Advanced Trial Advocacy, NBI Seminar, 2010

Evaluating and Settling Personal Injury and Death Claims, PESI Seminar, 2006

Representative Cases

Anonymous Hosp. v. Spencer, 158 N.E.3d 380 (Ind. Ct. App. 2020) (Amicus counsel)

Webster v. CDI, Ind., LLC, 917 F.3d 574 (7th Cir. 2019)

McKeen v. Turner, 71 N.E.3d 833 (Ind. 2017) (Amicus counsel)

Oaks v. Chamberlain, 76 N.E.3d 941 (Ind. Ct. App. 2017) (Amicus counsel)

Collip v. Ratts, 49 N.E.3d 607 (Ind. Ct. App. 2015)

Sharpsville Cmty. Ambulance, Inc. v. Gilbert, 47 N.E.3d 1265 (Ind. Ct. App. 2015)

Helms v. Rudicel, 986 N.E.2d 302 (Ind. Ct. App. 2013)

Morse v. Davis, 965 N.E.2d 148, (Ind. Ct. App. 2012)

Lasley v. Moss, 500 F.3d 586, (7th Cir. 2007)

Ellenwine v. Fairley, 818 N.E.2d 961, Ind (Ind. 2006).

In re Estate of Wade, 768 N.E.2d 957, (Ind. Ct. App. 2002)

Clemans v. Wishard Memorial Hospital, 727 N.E.2d 1084, (Ind. Ct. App. 2000).

Published Works

Should Juries Know Whether the Medical Expert Practices What He Preaches, ITLA Verdict, Vol. 30, No. 1, 2008