Because They Deserve a Voice
James B. McHugh has built his career on a simple but powerful principle: the elderly and vulnerable deserve to be treated with dignity and respect. For decades, he has fought to hold powerful corporations accountable for the harm they cause, exposing the systemic failures that put residents at risk in long-term care facilities. His commitment to this work is deeply personal. When James was just a boy, his father suffered a life-changing car accident that left him in a coma and struggling with severe disabilities. The long recovery required extended stays in VA nursing homes, where James saw firsthand the neglect, overmedication, and lack of compassionate care his father endured. These early experiences left a lasting impression, inspiring him to become an advocate for those who cannot protect themselves.
As a trial lawyer, James has taken on some of the largest corporations in the country, exposing systemic failures in long-term care and fighting for justice on behalf of his clients. He has built a national practice focused on holding nursing homes and other healthcare corporations accountable for the harm they cause, with a particular emphasis on cases involving severe neglect, abuse, and wrongful death. James’s work has driven meaningful change in the long-term care industry, pushing for higher standards of care, better staff training, and more compassionate treatment for the elderly and disabled.
Throughout his career, James has remained deeply committed to his clients, providing a voice for the vulnerable and demanding accountability from those who put profits ahead of patient safety. He understands that these cases are about more than just financial recoveries. They are about giving families the justice they deserve and pushing for meaningful change in an industry that too often puts profits ahead of patient welfare. For James, this work is not just a profession, but a calling. It is a way to make a real difference in the lives of others and to ensure that no family has to endure the pain and injustice his own family faced.
Early Career and Path to Law
James B. McHugh’s path to the courtroom began in the classrooms of the University of South Florida, where he earned both his undergraduate degree in education and a master’s degree in administration and supervision. He spent several years teaching, driven by a desire to make a positive impact in the lives of young people. However, as his family grew, James sought a career that would allow him to advocate for a broader range of individuals and address more complex challenges.
Encouraged by his brother, a practicing attorney, James enrolled at Stetson University College of Law. Balancing full-time coursework with part-time work to support his family, James excelled academically, graduating magna cum laude, first in his class, and earning the distinction of Outstanding Male Graduate.
Founding His Career in Nursing Home Abuse Litigation
James B. McHugh built his career as a trial lawyer focused on holding nursing home operators accountable for the systemic neglect and abuse of their residents. For nearly two decades, James practiced law at the well-known firm Wilkes & McHugh, P.A., where his primary focus was on litigating nursing home cases. After seventeen years with the firm, including three years as a clerk and fourteen as a practicing attorney, James decided to establish his own practice. This decision was driven by a desire for greater independence and the opportunity to build a firm that reflected his values, one that prioritized justice for vulnerable residents over the interests of corporate profit.
From the beginning, James’s firm has focused on building strong cases that expose the hidden dangers faced by nursing home residents, from chronic understaffing to cost-cutting that compromises patient care. He has built a national practice, taking on some of the largest corporations in the country and securing meaningful recoveries for families harmed by nursing home negligence. His firm has grown significantly over the years, attracting talented attorneys who share his passion for justice and his commitment to pushing for meaningful change in the long-term care industry.
James is licensed to practice law in Alabama, Arkansas, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Oklahoma, Mississippi, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, and West Virginia. He is also a member of the American Bar Association, American Association for Justice, and Florida Justice Association.
For James, each case is a reminder of the importance of standing up for the vulnerable and pushing for higher standards of care. He remains committed to this mission, knowing that real change requires more than just financial recoveries. It requires a relentless pursuit of accountability and a deep, personal commitment to doing what is right.
Holding Corporations Accountable for Systemic Harm
James B. McHugh’s approach to the law is driven by a simple but powerful belief: the elderly and vulnerable deserve to be treated with dignity and respect. He has built a career holding powerful corporations accountable for the harm they cause, exposing the systemic failures that put patients at risk in long-term care facilities. For James, this work is not just about securing financial recoveries. It is about forcing meaningful change in an industry that too often puts profits ahead of patient safety.
James has built a national reputation as a relentless advocate for his clients, willing to take on the largest corporations and most complex cases. He understands that real change requires more than just winning individual cases. It requires holding entire industries accountable, pushing for higher standards of care, and demanding transparency from companies that put profit ahead of patient welfare. This focus has made him a respected leader in the field of nursing home litigation.
Throughout his career, James has exposed the hidden dangers of chronic understaffing, the risks of overmedication, and the devastating consequences of corporate cost-cutting. He knows that behind every case is a family that deserves justice, and he fights to give a voice to those who cannot speak for themselves. His cases have led to significant financial recoveries for families, but more importantly, they have forced nursing homes to confront their practices, adopt safer procedures, and improve the quality of care for their residents.
In addition to his work in the courtroom, James takes pride in mentoring the next generation of trial lawyers. He shares his insights on the legal and strategic aspects of nursing home litigation, helping young attorneys develop the skills they need to hold powerful corporations accountable. He believes that true advocacy means not just fighting for justice in the courtroom, but also preparing the next generation of lawyers to continue this important work.
For James, this work is about making a real difference in the lives of his clients and pushing for broader reforms that improve the quality of care for the elderly and vulnerable. He remains committed to this mission, knowing that real change is only possible when corporations are forced to answer for their actions and prioritize patient care over profit.
Because They Deserve Accountability
James B. McHugh has built a national practice focused on nursing home abuse, medical malpractice and personal injury because his clients deserve accountability. Over the course of his career, James has supervised and litigated thousands of nursing home cases, including hundreds valued in excess of $1 million. His firm currently has cases filed in nine states, representing clients across the country in complex, high-stakes litigation.
James’s commitment to this work is deeply personal. His firsthand understanding of the devastating impact of poor care in nursing homes has fueled his determination to hold corporations accountable for the harm they cause. He has built a career exposing the systemic failures that put vulnerable residents at risk, pushing for meaningful change in the long-term care industry.
In addition to his legal practice, James has served as a board member for a retirement home and a crisis pregnancy center, reflecting his broader commitment to supporting vulnerable populations. His work has made a lasting impact on the lives of his clients and the long-term care industry as a whole, setting new standards for accountability and patient safety.
For James, this work is about more than just winning cases. It is about giving a voice to those who cannot speak for themselves, pushing for higher standards of care, and making a real difference in the lives of the elderly and disabled. He remains committed to this mission, knowing that real change requires more than just financial recoveries. It requires a relentless pursuit of justice and a deep, personal commitment to doing what is right.
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