On November 19, 2014, what began as an ordinary lunch break turned into a life-altering event for John Ratzlaff, a Santa Rosa County employee. After slipping on water from a cracked tile at a Church’s Chicken restaurant, Mr. Ratzlaff struck his head and sustained a traumatic brain injury. The fall led to years of debilitating symptoms — including migraines, cognitive deficits, and memory loss — ultimately ending his career and changing the course of his life.

In this episode, we sit down with Chris Crawford of Crawford Law to discuss how he, along with co-counsel Phil Hall, secured a $4 million jury verdict on behalf of Mr. Ratzlaff. The defendant, MSK Enterprises, admitted liability but disputed the extent of damages, arguing the case was worth no more than $250,000. The jury disagreed.

Chris shares his perspective on the challenges of trying a brain injury case, the importance of storytelling in the courtroom, and how he helped the jury see the human toll of a preventable fall.

We hope this episode honors the perseverance of Mr. Ratzlaff and sheds light on the lasting effects of traumatic brain injuries — both in and beyond the courtroom.

Chris Crawford Contact Information

Crawford Law
15 W La Rua St
Pensacola, FL 32501-3933

Office: 850-432-7726

Cell: 850-898-4904

Fax: 850-226-5725

chris@bettercallchris.net

Host Law Firm Website: https://www.beacon.legal/