John W. Sherrod
Personal Injury Attorney in Douglasville
Few injury lawyers in Douglas County and West Georgia have the drive, understanding, and success rate that John Sherrod has. Over four decades, he has fearlessly, passionately, and successfully fought for injured Douglasville-area residents, with several multimillion-dollar verdicts and settlements as proof.*
As a seasoned personal injury attorney at Sherrod & Bernard, P.C., John represents:
- Car accident victims whose lives have been shattered due to a crash
- Families who demand justice in wrongful death cases
- Hard-working employees who face administrative red tape and denials when seeking workers’ compensation benefits
- Patients who suffered life-altering injuries and afflictions at the hands of negligent healthcare professionals
- Other citizens whose high-stakes injury matters call for an aggressive legal advocate
“It’s being David against Goliath, trying cases against these large corporations,” John explains. “Without people like me, the average person out there doesn’t stand a chance going against these billion-dollar insurance companies and corporations when a wrong has been committed — and they’re committed every day.”
The secrets to John’s success are simple. He focuses closely on what every injured client goes through and needs when someone else’s negligence puts their lives in a tailspin. By taking the time to get to know every client personally, John builds long-term relationships that last long after he achieves a verdict or settlement.
Many injury cases often involve insurance disputes, medical evidence, liability questions, and long-term financial impact. John handles those claims with professionalism and care and makes sure to address every detail, from what his clients have lost due to the injury to each thing they’ll need on their journey to healing. That shows John’s depth of knowledge in plaintiff-side litigation and a strong understanding of how personal injury claims work from initial investigation through resolution.
Along the way, John has earned the praise and respect of his peers, as evidenced by his being named among Georgia’s “Super Lawyers” for several consecutive years and his involvement in regional and national legal associations.
The Road to Success Begins on the Other Side
One of the attributes that gives John an edge is his experience as a lawyer for the other side of injury claims: the defense. While earning his J.D. from Mercer University’s Walter F. George School of Law, John clerked for an insurance-defense law firm, which he eventually joined full time as an attorney. However, he soon had second thoughts about the type of law he was practicing.
“I felt like I was representing these faceless corporations that were motivated by greed, and I wanted to help the little guy,” John recalls. “That’s why I moved in the direction of where I still am today.”
He joined a plaintiff’s personal injury law firm in West Georgia, a move that provided him much greater personal and professional satisfaction. During this time, his old university friend, Ken Bernard, was finishing his service as a military lawyer for the U.S. Marines in California and was ready to begin his career as a civilian attorney. The two reunited, realized they had similar visions for practicing law, and in 1992, opened the doors of Sherrod & Bernard, P.C.
“My vision was for us to get back to our roots,” John explains. “We were both fairly local guys — Ken grew up here, and I’m from the next county over — and we could represent the people we grew up with, our friends and family and neighbors, and give them effective representation that they don’t have to go to Atlanta or somewhere else to get. They can get it right here in Douglas County.”
Results That Speak Volumes
Over the course of his career at Sherrod & Bernard, P.C., John has secured a number of noteworthy verdicts and settlements.*
In 2011, a Fulton County jury awarded his client $2 million, which was believed to be a Georgia record for a knee injury case. He also recorded a recent $12.5 million jury verdict against Suzuki Motor Corp. for failing to warn of a brake defect that resulted in spinal injury suffered by his client.
In another case, he represented a child who was badly burned when the employee of a Chinese buffet restaurant negligently spilled scalding hot soup from a large tub while transporting it to the serving area. With a network of field professionals to call upon, John brought in restaurant-industry experts to offer their assessment of the matter. They asserted that the restaurant was negligent for failing to properly transport the soup using a cart with a second person to provide direction. The result was a seven-figure structured settlement.
John retained experts in another crucial injury lawsuit. This one involved a farm trailer that occupied one lane of a road while the driver of the vehicle pulling it had stopped to open a gate into a field. A motorcycle driver came over the crest of a hill, struck the trailer, and was killed. In representing the man’s wife, John used experts who recreated the scene and showed that the driver could have pulled the trailer off the roadway, debunking a defense argument. The result was another seven-figure settlement.
“If there is someone who is hurt due to the neglect or wrongdoing of another person or company, that’s the kind of cases that I handle,” he says. “That can be someone being injured at work, and the employer and its insurance company refusing to do the right thing to provide workers’ compensation benefits, all the way to wrongful death cases.”
What His Clients Say
Over his nearly 40 years in personal injury law, John has had the privilege of serving people through some of their most difficult, unthinkable moments. In their five-star reviews, they praise his professionalism, timeliness, and effectiveness in resolving difficult injury claims; the following are just a few examples:
“When my son lost his life on a job, none of the companies would take responsibility. I hired John Sherrod. He took the case and was able to get me and my son’s children death benefits after we were told no by the insurance companies. John fought for us and I appreciate the work he and his assistant, Regina, did for Joe.”
– James J., Tallapoosa
“John Sherrod & his staff helped resolve my slip and fall claim in the United States Federal Court. I would highly recommend Sherrod & Bernard, P.C. for any personal injury claim. They always return my phone calls and were compassionate and professional in handling my case.”
– Judy B. – Douglasville
“I recommend John Sherrod as an experienced lawyer dealing with personal injury cases. He handled my case when I was almost killed after being struck by a truck on a sidewalk in Carrollton, Georgia. I was quite pleased with the outcome. Along the way, John kept me informed and always returned my telephone calls. John and his staff were able to help me overcome one of the darkest times in my life.”
– Benjamin F., Carrollton
A Name That Stands Out
John is more than a practitioner; he is a respected member of the Georgia legal community. He has been involved with the Georgia Trial Lawyers Association for more than 20 years and is a member of the Civil Justice PAC and the Douglas County Bar Association. John maintains these affiliations to help others in his profession through speaking engagements and, moreover, to use these forums to advance accident victims’ interests.
He has been named to the prestigious “Super Lawyers” list from 2019 through 2024, a designation that is based on peer recognition and professional achievement. Combined with his long tenure and client-focused results, these honors further demonstrate why he is a dependable and experienced advocate.
Outside his practice, John enjoys tennis and other physical activities, and he and his wife frequently travel.
How We Can Help
Skilled Representation from Attorneys You Can Trust
When you are in a legal bind, you need an experienced attorney you can count on to provide you with skilled representation and sound legal counsel. Every lawyer under the sun will tell you that he or she is the right person for the job, but you need a firm backed with a successful track record. You need the firm of Sherrod & Bernard, P.C. serving the Douglasville area.
After attending the University of Georgia together, attorneys John Sherrod and Ken Bernard founded the law firm of Sherrod & Bernard, P.C. in 1992. From the very beginning, the goal of our local personal injury law firm has been to provide each and every client with the quality personal service and skilled legal representation they deserve. You can count on our work ethic and our commitment to our clients.
You need a highly skilled attorney to successfully resolve your legal issues. One of our lawyers can help. Schedule a free consultation by calling our Douglasville office at 770-920-8350.
* Note that every case is unique, and past results do not guarantee future outcomes.
