No Fees Unless
You Win*
We found ourselves in an alien world, you think you understand the legal system, but you don’t.
-Dan & Tracy
We’ve Studied Their Game. Now We Play for Your Team.
Practice Areas
Big Firm Experience, Small Firm Touch
Once we decided representing the insurance companies wasn’t for us, we turned our focus toward serving individuals like you. We value the one-to-one relationships we make with our clients. We’re not a huge firm that will shuffle your case around between attorneys who don’t know your story. With us, it’s truly personal.
We Will Outwork the Other Side
Preparation is half the battle. We believe that each case is won or lost long before entering the courtroom. Our attorneys will outwork the other side and understand that preparation is the key to success.
We Will Go the Distance
With our background defending insurance companies in the past, we know how to prepare for their arguments — and their tricks. Our knowledge has helped us build stronger cases and aim for bigger verdicts. You can trust us to go to trial if necessary with all the tools to be your fiercest advocate in court.
100% Personal Injury, 100% of the Time
Standing up for the injured is what we’re proud to do. We want to help you and your family move forward from the unimaginable losses you suffered. As exclusively plaintiff’s lawyers, you can feel confident your rights as a personal injury victim will be upheld as we go after all the damages you could be owed.
Facial burns from chemical spill resulting in permanent injuries.
Record Breaking Workers’ Compensation Settlement
For a worker who fell 12 feet and sustained TBI and spinal cord injury.
Worker injured and suffered a TBI
Hand railing collapse on VRBO rental house resulted in severe orthopedic injuries
Minor bit in the face by a dog.
Slip and Fall from Leaking Commercial Refrigerator
Nick Mendez is the Founding and Managing Partner of Horton & Mendez, leading the firm’s vision, strategy, and growth across North Carolina while remaining deeply committed to representing individuals who have been seriously injured. Based in Wilmington, Nick focuses his practice exclusively on personal injury cases, including auto accidents, premises liability, vacation rental injuries, and other complex negligence claims.
As Managing Partner, Nick oversees firm operations, attorney development, and case strategy, ensuring every client receives the highest level of advocacy and service. His leadership is grounded in experience — before founding the firm, he represented national and regional insurance companies, Fortune 500 corporations, municipalities, and public utilities. That insider knowledge now gives him a strategic advantage when negotiating with insurers and litigating high-stakes claims.
Devlin Horton is a leading personal injury attorney and founding partner at Horton & Mendez Injury Lawyers, based in Wilmington, North Carolina. As the firm’s lead trial lawyer, Devlin represents individuals and families affected by catastrophic injuries, wrongful death, motor vehicle accidents, and other serious personal injury claims across the state. His dedication to aggressive litigation and strategic advocacy has earned him national recognition and landmark verdicts in personal injury law.
Devlin’s background includes years defending Fortune 500 companies and national insurance carriers, giving him a unique advantage in anticipating defense strategies and negotiating from a position of strength. Today, he’s recognized as one of North Carolina’s top personal injury lawyers by National Trial Lawyers, frequently invited to speak and instruct on trial tactics through professional legal organizations.
Alan Castro is a dedicated personal injury attorney and workers’ compensation lawyer serving clients throughout North Carolina. Based in Wilmington, Alan leverages his unique background as a former workers’ compensation defense attorney to pursue full and fair compensation for individuals injured due to negligence, workplace accidents, or insurance disputes. His deep understanding of insurance company strategies, combined with a disciplined and strategic approach, gives his clients a distinct advantage in complex injury cases.
Before focusing exclusively on representing injured individuals, Alan defended workers’ compensation claims on behalf of insurance carriers and employers. This experience provided him with firsthand insight into how insurance companies evaluate, negotiate, and litigate claims. Today, he uses that knowledge to anticipate defense tactics and strengthen his clients’ positions at every stage of the legal process.
Telana Poe is a dedicated personal injury litigation attorney at Horton & Mendez, representing clients throughout North Carolina. Based in Wilmington, she brings a deep passion for advocacy and a strong commitment to helping injured individuals navigate the legal process with confidence and clarity. Telana draws on her education and unique background to deliver informed, compassionate legal representation in complex personal injury matters.
Clients appreciate Telana’s thoughtful communication style and relentless advocacy on their behalf. Whether handling complex injury claims or guiding families through difficult legal decisions, she emphasizes clarity, responsiveness, and strategic planning to pursue the best possible outcome.
Jessica Cornette Faulk is a seasoned personal injury attorney in Wilmington, North Carolina, with extensive experience in both criminal prosecution and civil litigation. Known for her dedication to client advocacy, Jessica represents individuals injured in serious accidents, guiding them through every step of the legal process with compassion and precision.
Before joining Horton & Mendez, Jessica tried hundreds of cases as an Assistant District Attorney, including serious traffic offenses and homicide cases. She later transitioned to civil litigation, advocating for injured individuals and workers in a wide range of injury and compensation matters
Rebecca Linder is a personal injury attorney at Horton & Mendez, representing clients throughout North Carolina in serious injury and accident cases. With a background in social work and prior legal experience in family, juvenile, and guardianship law, Rebecca combines compassion, strategic advocacy, and a client-centered approach to help individuals and families navigate complex legal matters after life-changing injuries.
Rebecca’s prior experience in sensitive areas of law, including family and juvenile matters, gives her unique insight into supporting clients through difficult circumstances. She brings meticulous preparation, thoughtful communication, and a strong dedication to achieving maximum compensation for injury clients across North Carolina.
Ryan McCollum is a dedicated litigation attorney at Horton & Mendez, where he focuses on high-stakes personal injury litigation and complex accident cases throughout North Carolina. With a disciplined background rooted in military service and academic excellence, Ryan approaches every case with integrity, strategic insight, and a commitment to securing meaningful results for injured individuals and families.
Before entering law, Ryan served as an Infantry Officer in the U.S. Army, where he learned leadership, discipline, and accountability, qualities he brings to his legal practice. After his military service, he pursued law at Campbell University’s Norman Adrian Wiggins School of Law, where he graduated magna cum laude and served as Editor-in-Chief of the Campbell Law Review. His academic achievements and commitment to excellence support his meticulous approach to legal strategy and advocacy.
Beyond The Courtroom
Giving back isn’t just something we do, it’s who we are. Through Horton & Mendez Cares, our team is deeply invested in the communities we serve across North Carolina.
In 2025, we gave back over $75,000, supporting impactful organizations like Paws4People, NourishNC, and local children’s museums. You’ll also find our team out in the community year-round, cheering in the Veterans Day Parade, supporting K9s for service, and showing up at local events that bring people together. Through partnerships with i9 Sports, UNCW Athletics, and Charlotte FC, we proudly support youth and professional sports that build stronger, healthier communities.
Because when our communities win, everyone wins.
We’re proud to stand alongside Charlotte FC as an Associate Partner. Soccer has a special way of bringing people together, and this partnership lets us celebrate the teamwork, determination, …
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In 2025, Horton & Mendez Injury Attorneys launched the Best of NC Heroes giveaway to honor North Carolina’s first responders, including firefighters, police officers, nurses, EMS personnel, …
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2025 marked the first year of our Best of NC Teachers giveaway, where Horton & Mendez Injury Attorneys awarded $2,000 cash prizes to outstanding NC educators, nominated and voted on by …
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Paws4People® trains and places Assistance Dogs, empowering users to transform their lives for a better tomorrow. We believe every person is deserving of priceless and well-deserved independence.
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If someone’s negligence causes you harm, contact a Gastonia personal injury lawyer to evaluate your case.
It’s always in your best interests to choose legal representation carefully. Although it may appear obvious that someone’s negligence caused the harm, the manner in which it occurred could affect the outcome of your case. One of the advantages the Horton & Mendez Injury Attorneys team offers is direct experience in a wide range of accident types.
What To Look For When You Consider Gastonia Personal Injury Lawyers for Your Case
If you or a loved one suffers a serious injury caused by another party’s negligence, you could find yourself facing difficult decisions. One of those decisions involves your choice of legal representation. Here are two important issues to consider when choosing a personal injury lawyer.
Does the lawyer you’re considering focus on handling personal injury cases?
Some lawyers handle a wide range of case types that include practice areas unrelated to personal injuries. The lawyers working for the insurance company involved in your personal injury claim, however, will have years of experience in one specific area. Their job is to save the insurance company money, which often involves lowballing settlement amounts or finding a reason to deny claims.
Consider choosing one of the experienced Gastonia personal injury lawyers who won’t get outgunned by a seasoned insurance company attorney.
Will the lawyer you choose take your case to court if the insurance company offers an unacceptable settlement?
Insurance companies usually know which personal injury lawyers are willing to take a case to court if a claim gets lowballed or denied. Some personal injury lawyers may have little courtroom experience or none at all. Other attorneys have track records of winning cases in court.
You could receive a more realistic settlement when an insurance company knows your attorney will bring your case to trial. An insurance company will often increase its settlement offer to avoid the costs of fighting a personal injury claim in court.
Why Do I Need a Personal Injury Lawyer?
Going up against an insurance company on your own may not be the best approach to take if you suffered harm because of someone’s negligence. It’s not uncommon for an insurance company to argue that you shared some or a greater degree of responsibility for the harm you suffered.
Because of North Carolina’s doctrine of pure contributory negligence, an insurance company could deny your claim and accuse you of fault. You could also face an uphill battle if you’re seeking compensation for the pain and suffering or emotional distress an at-fault party caused.
The Gastonia personal injury lawyers on the Horton & Mendez team provide accident victims with skilled and experienced negotiators. They know what strategies the insurance companies will use to reduce a settlement amount, and they know how to overcome them. Our attorney team members’ experience as former defense lawyers for insurance companies gives them a unique advantage in obtaining settlements for our injured clients.
Types of Personal Injury Cases We Handle
There is no one-size-fits-all approach to the range of accidents that can cause injuries and harm. Our personal injury lawyers in Gastonia, NC represent accident victims in a wide range of injury claims that result from roadway and other accident types.
The vehicle injury cases we handle include accidents involving:
- Cars
- Trucks
- Motorcycles
- Pedestrians
- Bicycles
- Uber and Lyft rideshare vehicles
We also handle personal injury cases associated with:
You could lessen your injury-recovery concerns when you place your trust in an attorney experienced in the type of accident you suffered. A knowledgeable personal injury attorney can do more than navigate the often complex issues involved in an accident case. Conducting an investigation and interviewing eyewitnesses could play an important role in obtaining a fair and just settlement.
How You Can Strengthen Your Personal Injury Claim
If you or a loved one suffered an injury as a result of someone’s negligence, you could have overwhelming medical bills and lost wages to contend with. You’ll want to obtain the maximum amount of a settlement to help you move forward and get your life back to normal.
Although our Gastonia personal injury lawyers will do most of the work involved in obtaining compensation for you, there are some things you could do to strengthen your case.
Call the police and get an accident report
If you become injured during a roadway accident, contact the police while at the accident scene. You also have a legal responsibility to do so, and the resulting accident report could help support your case. If there is another vehicle involved, obtain the driver’s insurance information, but don’t discuss or comment on the accident. If possible, you may also obtain contact information from eyewitnesses.
Don’t delay getting medical assistance, and be sure to stick to your doctor’s recovery program
If you wait to seek medical attention after your accident, an insurance company may argue that your injury was less serious than you claim. A similar argument could apply if you fail to stick to your doctor’s recovery advice. Seeing a doctor immediately also provides medical documentation that can help prove your case. Some injuries may not reveal themselves immediately, which is another good reason to get checked by a medical professional as soon as possible.
Don’t accept an insurance company’s settlement offer before speaking to a personal injury attorney
If you hope to get the most out of your settlement, let one of our Gastonia personal injury lawyers describe what a fair settlement should look like. You may have issues such as pain and suffering and future lost income that apply.
Show your attorney your employment records so that your requested settlement amount includes a realistic accounting of your lost income and future earnings.
Save all documents and make note of your recovery progress
Your medical bills, prescription receipts and personal recovery notes can help demonstrate the extent of your injuries. Our team of personal injury lawyers in Gastonia will use the materials you supply to strengthen your case.
You could also ask if your friends, family members or coworkers are willing to testify on your behalf. In cases involving pain and suffering or emotional distress, their testimonies could help show a jury how your injury affected your quality of life.
Don’t post anything on social media after your accident
Posting details or comments on social media about your accident recovery could provide an insurance company with ways to argue against your settlement expectations.
How Our Gastonia Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help You
In addition to applying our skills to maximize your personal injury settlement, we’ll be there to answer your questions. You can remain focused on your physical recovery while we take care of all the details involved in getting you the injury compensation you deserve. We’ll bring in expert witnesses, such as accident reconstruction professionals if they’re needed to prove your case. If an out-of-court settlement offer doesn’t adequately address your injuries, we’ll be ready to take your case to a jury trial.
The Gastonia personal injury lawyers at Horton & Mendez Injury Attorneys won’t charge you for our services unless we recover compensation for you. You can contact us online or by phone 24/7. Get in touch with us now to set up a no-fee case evaluation.
Personal Injury Claim FAQs
Do I still need a personal injury lawyer if I have insurance?
You may have health insurance, but it could have a high deductible amount. Coupled with copayments, you could find yourself swamped with out-of-pocket medical bills. You may also lose income while you recover from your injuries. Your personal injury attorney will work to obtain compensation for these losses.
When should I file my personal injury case?
It’s best to file a personal injury claim as soon as possible after the injury occurred. This will allow your attorney to begin the investigation and interview witnesses while the accident is still fresh in their minds. Our Gastonia personal injury lawyers will also advise you on managing and documenting your injury recovery.
What is the statute of limitations for injury cases in Gastonia, NC?
You have up to three years in which to file a personal injury claim in North Carolina. The statute of limitations begins when the accident occurs or when the injury is first discovered. In cases in which an accident victim becomes disabled or incapacitated, the statute of limitations may pause until the disability or incapacitation clears up. If an accident involves a minor, North Carolina’s statute of limitations begins when the child reaches the age of 18.
What type of compensation could I receive for a personal injury case in Gastonia?
When someone’s negligence causes you or a loved one harm, North Carolina’s laws allow you to file a claim for damages against the at-fault party. The damages you could recover include financial losses, such as medical expenses and lost wages, along with non-economic losses, such as pain and suffering.
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