Felipe G. Bernal

Biografía

Phil Bernal is a Board-Certified Personal Injury Trial Lawyer with more than 30 years of courtroom experience representing individuals and families in complex, high-stakes litigation throughout South Texas and the Hill Country. His practice focuses on catastrophic personal injury and wrongful death cases, including negligent security, premises liability, commercial vehicle and 18-wheeler crashes, ATV wrecks, assault cases, and medical malpractice.

Board Certification in Personal Injury Trial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization is a distinction Phil has held since 1998 and reflects substantial jury trial experience, peer review, and demonstrated excellence in courtroom advocacy. He prepares every case for trial and has spent decades litigating serious injury and wrongful death claims before juries in both state and federal courts.

Over the last three decades, Phil has obtained multiple significant settlements and jury verdicts in cases involving medical malpractice, commercial trucking collisions, automobile accidents, premises liability, product defects, and excessive force claims against law enforcement. In 2016, he secured the 51st highest jury verdict in the nation and the 6th highest verdict in the State of Texas between 2016–2018 — a $37,875,000 verdict in Dallas County against a commercial driver and his company.

In 2024, after nearly a month-long federal trial in the Western District of Texas, a jury returned a verdict of more than $9.2 million against two San Antonio police officers for excessive force. This verdict was the first excessive force jury verdict in the Federal Western District of Texas since 1989 and reflects Phil’s willingness to try difficult cases and hold powerful defendants accountable in the courtroom.

Born in Eagle Pass, Texas, and fluent in Spanish, Phil graduated from Southside High School in San Antonio before earning his law degree from St. Mary’s University School of Law. Prior to becoming an attorney, he practiced respiratory therapy, treating and rehabilitating patients with pulmonary disease and overseeing ventilated patients in surgical, coronary, and medical intensive care units. His medical background provides him with a unique perspective when handling complex catastrophic injury and wrongful death litigation.

Outside the courtroom, Phil is an accomplished endurance athlete and triathlete. He has completed two full Ironman triathlons, ten half Ironman triathlons, nine marathons, and more than eighty half marathons, along with multiple century rides. He also enjoys ranching and horseback riding. Phil shares his life with the love of his life, Michelle, his daughter Nicole, and his granddaughter Sabrina.

 

Áreas de practica

  • Lesiones Personales
  • Accidentes automovilísticos
  • Muerte injusta
  • Mordidas de perro
  • Accidentes de Camiones
  • Accidentes de vehículos comerciales
  • Responsabilidad del local
  • Negligencia médica
  • Lesiones por productos médicos y medicamentos recetados
  • Lesiones Infantiles
  • Seguridad negligente
  • ATV Wrecks
  • Sexual Assault

Admisiones a la barra

  • Texas, 1991

Lo que dicen los clientes de Phil

Fue una experiencia increíble ver a Phil y a su equipo luchar por algo que realmente creían que valía la pena. A pesar de los obstáculos que se presentaron, Phil y su equipo maniobraron hábilmente a través del sistema legal y lograron una victoria impresionante. Si está buscando algo más que un abogado común y corriente, le recomiendo encarecidamente que Phil sea la opción perfecta para usted. Sly, su asistente, me brindó un gran apoyo y siempre estuvo dispuesto a responder cualquier pregunta o inquietud que tuviera. Estamos realmente agradecidos por todo su arduo trabajo. ¡¡Gracias por todo!!

– Bren Herrera

Janicek Law es un bufete de primera de principio a fin. Desde el primer día, cuando hablé por teléfono con un asociado, mostraron preocupación y compasión por mi accidente. Se ocuparon de toda mi atención médica como si fuera un miembro de la familia en lugar de un cliente. Durante todo el proceso, Sly Rede me proporcionó actualizaciones y se aseguró de que estuviera bien. El Sr. Philip Bernal hizo que mi visita con él fuera personal y profesional. Es una persona con los pies en la tierra que se comunica no como su abogado, sino como su mejor amigo. ¡Sin trucos con números o anuncios, solo la Verdad en la que puede confiar!

– Rubén Vidales

Nadie quiere tener que contratar a un abogado, pero si se encuentra en esa situación, lo invito a que considere al Sr. Phil Bernal de Janikcek Law. Phil y su equipo tienen la experiencia, la tenacidad y el coraje para defender a sus clientes. Sin reservas, ¡recomiendo encarecidamente al equipo de Janikcek Law!

– Sindi Rosales

¡Estoy muy agradecida con Janicek Law Firm! Trabajar con Philip Bernal y Cassidy Muniz fue una bendición. Se pusieron a trabajar desde el primer día de mi accidente. Ni siquiera sabía por dónde empezar con lo que pasó. Priorizaron mis necesidades y se aseguraron de que me atendieran. Me sentí libre de estrés y pude concentrarme en mejorar. ¡Se aseguraron de eso!

No hay palabras que puedan describir verdaderamente lo fenomenal que es Cassidy. Hizo todo lo posible para ocuparse de cada aspecto, desde las citas médicas hasta la fisioterapia, el trabajo con mi seguro y mucho más. Siempre estaba a una llamada de distancia para ayudarme con lo que necesitaba.

Me informaron bien sobre cada paso de mi caso. Reunieron toda la documentación y las pruebas necesarias para conseguirme un acuerdo maravilloso. Pero quiero que sepan que esta sensación de paz no podría haber sido posible sin Cassidy, Philip y el bufete de abogados Janicek. ¡Muchas gracias por todo! ¡Los recomiendo encarecidamente!

– Virginia Ann Bernal

Resultados multimillonarios For Over 30 Years

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Francisco Gutierrez Garcia
13 October 2026
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I really appreciate everything you did for us.
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Victoria Nixon
13 October 2026
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I lost my mother due to the hands of the hospital in Corpus Christi and I contacted this Law Firm which went above and beyond for me they stayed in contact they were professional, compassionate, and understanding. Thank you so much Janicek Law and a special thank you to Andrew Skemp Heidi and Gabby. thank you for all that you did and all that you do.
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Caroline Hutton
11 October 2026
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Having a truck and trailer rear end me on a highway in 2024 started the toughest season of my life. After countless hours of doctor's appointment, PT, injections, two surgeries, and more, no amount of money could give me that time or season of my life back. But I appreciate that Jacy and Nyssa's hard work to recoup the costs and get money for future costs so I can move forward. I couldn't have gotten through it all without them! And I appreciate the team approach at Janicek. Beth, Phil and I'm even more that I didn't personally interact, were in it with me.
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Carmen
8 October 2026
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Great communication and follow through. Professional, kind, and caring individuals.
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Yvette Ramirez
1 October 2026
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Mr. Andrew Skemp and Gabby his assistant are the best. Very knowledgeable and were amazing in my case. I am very pleased and thankful of the outcome. If I could give more stars I would. I extremely and highly recommend them.
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Natasha Garza
31 August 2026
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We had an amazing experience with Janicek Law from beginning to end. Karen Rangel recommended us to Cassidy Muniz, and we are so thankful she did. Cassidy assisted myself, my husband, and our two daughters, and all four of us are extremely happy with the experience and outcome. Cassidy truly went above and beyond for our entire family. She was always responsive, patient, professional, and helpful, and she kept us informed throughout the entire process. Everything went smoothly, we had no issues, and she made what could have been a stressful situation so much easier for us. The entire team at Janicek Law is amazing, and we felt like we were in great hands from start to finish. We are incredibly grateful to Karen for recommending Cassidy and especially grateful to Cassidy for everything she did for our family. We would 100% recommend Cassidy and Janicek Law to anyone looking for a team that truly cares about their clients. Thank you all so much for everything! ❤️
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Alex McWhirter
18 August 2026
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We were referred to Janicek Law firm from a lawyer in Brownsville, who pointed out that they are experts in the field of medical malpractice and I am so grateful. We worked with Andrew and Gaby and they were dedicated and worked hard to get us the best possible outcome. They kept us informed and updated through every step of the process, always with a friendly and very professional disposition. Despite language and distance challenges, they accommodated all of our needs, and I would highly recommend Janicek Law Firm. They made a bad situation better by listening to our concerns, helping us through a sorrowful time for my family, and advising on how to defeat our opponent. For any families that have a beloved and elderly relative who suffered in the hands of callous and neglectful medical institutions, Janicek Law Firm were amazing in advocating for our relative and making these corporate entities accountable. Thank you, Andrew and Gaby, we really appreciated your help!
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Heidi Soto
8 August 2026
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Mr Bernal and Karen were great. They always kept me up to date on all that was going on at all times. When it came down to mediation Mr Bernal knew exactly what to do and say to make things clear with the insurance company who wanted to take advantage of me. I highly recommend Mr Bernal if you ever are in an accident. He will definitely take care of you.
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Lucy
30 July 2026
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I am beyond thankful for everyone at Janicek law for the professionalism, dedication, and support you all have showed throughout my lawsuit. From the very beginning, you all made a difficult and stressful situation much easier to navigate! Thank you for taking the time to answer my questions, keeping me informed every step of the way and making this process as stress free as possible! I can without a doubt definitely recommend this law firm!
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Iris Contreras
16 July 2026
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I have started this review so many times, but every time I do, I realize there simply aren't enough words to thank the people at Janicek Law. Almost 3 years ago, my world ended. I lost my son, Zayden—the greatest love of my life. My other son, Zy, witnessed the unimaginable that day. He carries those memories with him every single day, and we are forever grateful that he is still here because we very easily could have lost him too. Our family didn't just experience a tragedy—we experienced trauma that changed us forever. When I first met the team at Janicek Law, I wasn't just grieving. I was broken. I was a mother trying to survive the unthinkable while helping my surviving son heal from something no child should ever witness. I didn't know if I had the strength to keep fighting. There were so many moments when I wanted to give up. Every deposition, every conversation, every piece of evidence forced me to relive the worst day of my life. I told them I couldn't do it anymore. But they never let me forget why we were fighting. They reminded me that Zayden deserved justice. They reminded me that Zy deserved justice. They believed in my family even when I couldn't believe in myself. What makes Janicek Law different is that this was never just a job to them. They never made me feel like another client or another case number. They knew my children by name. They celebrated Zayden's life. They cried with us, prayed with us, hugged us, encouraged us, and walked beside us through every heartbreaking step. They carried a piece of this burden with us, and I will never forget that. Even after the case was over, they didn't disappear. They still answer my calls. They still help me with paperwork. They still check on me. They still make me feel like my family matters. That's something you cannot fake. That's love. Somewhere along the way, I stopped seeing them as "my attorneys" and started seeing them as family. And I truly believe I have a family for life. No amount of money will ever bring my little boy back. I would trade every penny to hear his laugh one more time. But because of Janicek Law, I have peace knowing that his life mattered, his story was heard, and that they fought for my boys with everything they had. From the deepest part of a mother's heart... thank you. Thank you for loving my children. Thank you for never giving up on us when I wanted to give up myself. Thank you for standing beside us through the darkest chapter of our lives. You gave my family more than legal representation—you gave us hope, dignity, and people we will love for the rest of our lives. You helped a grieving mother find the strength to be the voice her son no longer had. In a world that can feel so unfair, you reminded me that there are still genuinely good people. We love each and every one of you, and we will never forget what you did for Zayden, for Zy, and for us.❤️
Premios y reconocimientos
Premios y reconocimientos
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