Accidents involving large trucks are more likely to cause injuries and deaths. This is due to the vehicle’s large size and the truck braking capability. For instance, a loaded truck-trailer takes about 20% longer to stop compared to a small car.

Determining whether the driver is at fault after a truck accident can be challenging. Additionally, dealing with the truck driver, the police, the insurance agents, and any other party involved can be overwhelming.

When you are involved in a truck accident, there are various steps you need to take. The most important step is hiring a good truck accident lawyer to help you navigate and file a claim.

A personal injury lawyer will shield you from liability, ensure your safety and maximize your potential compensation. However, finding an experienced truck accident lawyer isn’t a walk in the park.

In this article, we will give you some tips for hiring a good truck accident lawyer and also explore why you should.

Hiring a good truck accident lawyer: 4 tips

Truck accidents can be ridiculously complicated. Unfortunately, many ordinary personal injury lawyers may not have specific experience handling truck accident cases. Here are some expert tips to help you find the best attorney for your truck accident.

1.   Look for specific truck accident experience

Truck accidents are a subcategory in personal injury law. However, truck accident cases are dissimilar from standard auto accidents. The mechanics and legal principles of truck accidents are complex and distinct.

The lawyer should be experienced in dealing with truck accidents. If possible, ask for proof of experience and perhaps review some past cases and success stories.

2.   Proper and efficient communication

When looking for a truck accident lawyer, you want someone who guarantees proper and efficient communication throughout the case. You should be comfortable contacting your truck accident lawyer at any time whenever something comes up.

Additionally, your truck accident lawyer should constantly update you on the status of your case. For instance, if your case takes a new shape, they should always inform you in a timely manner. You want someone who keeps you updated even with the tiniest detail on your case.

Avoid lawyers who stick to legal jargon as it can confuse you. A good truck accident lawyer should be able to simplify the language for your understanding.

Furthermore, your truck accident lawyer should explain your role in the case. As much as they’ll handle almost everything, you’re the decision-maker. Therefore, before the lawyer decides anything about your case, they should inform you. Ideally, you should feel free and comfortable sharing any information affecting your case.

3.   Contingency fees

You’re likely to enter into a contingency fee agreement with your truck accident lawyer. This means you won’t pay any money upfront. Instead, you’ll only pay your lawyer once you get a settlement.

The truck accident lawyer gets a certain percentage of your settlement specified in the agreement. Many lawyers will demand at least 33% of the compensation amount. The fees will be higher if the case goes to trial.

The advantage of this agreement is that if you lose the case, you won’t have to pay the truck accident lawyer.

However, it’s essential to understand the contingency fee agreement offered by your attorney before signing it. So, once you receive the agreement, go through it thoroughly and ask questions for clarification. Your attorney should not force or lure you into signing a contract that you don’t understand.

4.   Get referrals

Connections can not only get you far, but also keep you on the right track. The quickest way to hire a good truck accident lawyer is to get referrals.

However, you should only get a recommendation from someone who has had first-hand experience with the lawyer. It would be a plus if the truck accident lawyer helped the individual win the case.

Why you need a good truck accident lawyer

Why go through the struggle of finding and hiring a good truck accident lawyer?

In many instances, accident cases are settled out of court. As a result, most people don’t see the need to hire a good truck accident lawyer.

Instead, they choose to negotiate with the at-fault driver/company and agree to the “small offers.” But with a good truck accident lawyer, you have better bargaining power over the other driver, the truck company, and the insurance agents.

Here are some benefits of hiring a good truck accident lawyer.

●     Decide liability

A good truck accident lawyer will help decide liability in a truck accident case, which is more complicated than auto accidents. The reason is truck accidents may involve multiple parties, including the truck driver, the trucking company, the insurance company, the truck manufacturer and the truck contractor.

An expert attorney will identify the cause of the accident and all the parties accountable. Remember, insurance providers will have a legal team, and so should you.

●     Gather necessary evidence

Your truck accident lawyer will investigate the scene to identify and preserve any evidence to help you win the case.

Lawyers can access essential information, including police reports and CCTV footage that you may not have access to. Then, they’ll use the information to prove liability to the other party.

●     Manage all communications on your behalf

Sometimes, you may suffer severe injuries from the truck accident, preventing you from handling your case. And even if you can handle the negotiations, you don’t have the skills and expertise to do it effectively. Your truck accident lawyer is mandated to represent you in all negotiations.

They negotiate with insurance representatives and adjusters to reach a fair deal. Some insurance adjusters might use various strategies to lower your payments or deny your claim. However, experienced lawyers know these strategies and will help you get a fair deal against the insurance adjusters.

●     Legal protection

While you can represent yourself in a truck accident claim, you may not understand the laws and regulations related to truck accidents and the trucking sector. Therefore, the at-fault party may use this against you, deny your claim, or offer minimal damages compensation.

An experienced truck accident lawyer will use their knowledge and expertise to protect your legal rights and apply the law in your favor.

Common types of truck accidents

It’s essential to understand the various types of truck accidents. This is also crucial for understanding and filing your personal injury claim. The most common types of truck accidents include;

• Jackknife accident. Happens when the truck driver brakes hard and quickly, forcing the cab to stop and the trailer to swing outward, forming a 90 degrees angle
• Truck rollovers. Happen when a truck rolls or slips either on its roof or side
• Rear-end collisions. Occurs when the truck hits another motorist from the back
• Wide turn accidents. Occur when the truck driver fails to use turn signals or check blind spots, swings into oncoming traffic, or turns at a difficult/tight spot
• Head-on collisions. Happen when the truck collides with another vehicle head-on
• Underride accidents. Occur when a truck stops suddenly, forcing other cars underneath the truck trailer.
• Lost load accidents. Occur when a cargo/load shifts or falls from the truck, hitting oncoming vehicles

When should you hire a truck accident lawyer?

Ideally, you should hire a truck accident lawyer as soon as possible after the accident.

If you already have a lawyer, you should try to contact them immediately after the accident.

When you hire an attorney at the right time, your chances of winning the accident case are high. Compensation for truck accidents involves;

• Lost income
• Medical bills
• Emotional distress
• Pain and suffering
• Vehicle repair/replacement

Final thoughts on hiring a truck accident lawyer

If you’ve been involved in a truck accident, you’ll need to hire an experienced attorney to handle your case. Truck accident cases are complex and often need experienced lawyers. When looking for a good truck accident lawyer, consider their track record and contingency fees.

You want someone who guarantees proper and effective communication. Get recommendations from family or close friends, if they have first-hand experience with a lawyer. A good lawyer will gather sufficient evidence, decide liability, manage communications, and offer legal protection and advice. Additionally, you should hire an attorney as soon as possible after the accident.

Family law can involve all legal matters concerning marriage and divorce, wills and estates, custody and child support, family violence, and adoption, just to name a few! Due to the serious nature of these issues, the best way to navigate through the challenging experience is to seek the help of a professional family lawyer. If you are on the fence about whether you may need a family lawyer, we can help you gain some clarity on the subject.

What Is a Family Lawyer?

First and foremost, it is important to understand what exactly a family lawyer is. A family lawyer is a seasoned professional who could offer expert advice and solutions on any legal familial problems you may be facing. A family lawyer can offer advice ranging from simple issues to complex matters and, if necessary, can offer representation for you in court.

Why Do You Need A Family Lawyer?

There are several legal matters and instances that may see you needing to hire a family lawyer. These include:

Forming Financial Agreements

A financial agreement, sometimes known as a prenuptial agreement, is a private document that outlines how spousal support will be offered and how the property will be divided between a couple, if they ever decide to separate or get divorced. Prenups are normally signed by both parties before marriage. However, a financial agreement can be signed at any point before, during or after the relationship.

To draft this document, both parties need to have their individual interests taken into consideration, which is why these financial agreements can differ from couple to couple. To ensure the document is drafted correctly and avoid complications, it is advised to seek the help of an experienced family lawyer. Indeed, legally you must have an independent individual legal counsel for the agreement to be valid. However, an added benefit is that family lawyers can help sort out legal problems concerning the contract, if any, later.

Divorce or Separation

Divorce is never easy on anyone. The ending of a relationship can be an emotional rollercoaster which can take a heavy toll on both individuals. It gets a lot more complicated if the couple have children. Due to this, the process of sorting out parental responsibilities, along with the division of property and assets, can get really complicated and drawn out. In these situations it is highly recommended to consult a family lawyer to help you through the process and help relieve some of the stress and difficulty.

Family lawyers come with valuable expertise and can offer you concrete and clear-cut advice on how to proceed with any legal matters. If needed, they can even offer you representation in court. If the divorce or separation is particularly hard on both individuals, and they are having difficulty finding common ground, a family lawyer can help organise or offer mediation. Good family lawyers use tact and professionalism to solve problems and, if possible, can even help settle negotiations outside of court. This will help save you time and money and remove some of the pressure from both sides.

Custody, Parenting Arrangements & Child Support

Amidst a divorce or separation, deciding who gets custody of any children can be a really difficult thing to do. Both parents will need to mutually agree on parenting arrangements for their children. As this is a sensitive matter involving many tough decisions, a good family lawyer can help both parents find common ground. They take into consideration the family history and financial situation, among other things, before making any decisions. They can help you decide what is best for your child and help you come to a reasonable parental agreement for your specific situation. A valuable family lawyer will always prioritise your children’s best interests first and help you and your partner do the same.

Family Violence

Family violence is a serious matter that can appear in several forms including physical, emotional, sexual and economic abuse, as well as any other controlling behaviour. Victims of family violence can feel trapped and see no escape from their situation. That is where a family lawyer comes in. With a good family lawyer on your side, you do not need to feel unsafe anymore. They will consider your specific circumstances and put your safety and interests first. They will be able to implement legal safety measures and find ways to secure intervention or restraining orders if necessary. Seeking the services of a family lawyer can also help you if you need to progress the matter to court.

Adoption Formalities

For many couples, adoption can be a difficult, gruelling and time-consuming process. Often, it is because they do not have the right legal support to help them reach their desired outcome. Having an experienced family lawyer is highly recommended since they will consider the circumstances of adoption and help you decide the right path to follow. For example, the legal proceedings for the adoption of a minor varies from that of an individual over 18 years of age. Furthermore, the financial and personal circumstances of the parents can also heavily influence how long the adoption process will take. Since family lawyers are highly knowledgeable in all types of adoption, they will be extremely helpful in providing assistance and advice required to make the process easier.

Drafting Your Will

Wills are documents that dictate whom your properties and assets will pass on to once you have died. There are some legal formalities and proceedings that are required to make a Will binding. It is better to seek the help of a family lawyer to avoid room for error and ensure that no complications arise later. They can help you in preparing your estate planning documents to ensure that your properties are passed on according to your wishes.

Choosing The Right Lawyer For Your Family

Now that you are aware how a family lawyer can be beneficial, it is important to know what to look for when hiring one. In addition to being highly experienced and knowledgeable about the relevant law, there are some qualities that are essential in order for someone to be a good family lawyer. These include:

Patience, Empathy & Honesty

A good family lawyer will understand that everyone’s situation is different and that family issues can be difficult to deal with. For this, they should have the patience to properly explain all the intricacies of the law to you, so that you are aware of what you are getting into. At the same time, they need to be sensitive and understand where you are coming from. They must be equipped to offer emotional support when required and keep your best interests in mind. However, they must also be honest with you. No matter how difficult the truth is to hear, they need to be able to give you advice that will prove beneficial for you. Rather than what you want to hear, they must be able to tell you what you need to hear.

Good Mediators With Problem-Solving Skills

If you are contracting a family lawyer, this indicates that your case might be slightly complicated to start with. There might be situations where tensions arise and coming to a decision can be quite hard. Throughout this process, a good lawyer will be able to function as a mediator and have the people skills required to prevent major arguments from breaking out. They will also have top problem-solving abilities and find innovative solutions to arrive at an acceptable outcome. Additionally, they should be able to refer you to other professionals or services as you need them.

Well-Reputed & Trustworthy

When you hire a family lawyer, you should look for someone who has a great reputation among their clients. You should be able to trust them and feel as though you are in good hands for the duration of your case. Make sure to look for reviews and conduct all the necessary research before contracting a family lawyer for yourself. It might be an idea to start by talking to any friends or family members about family lawyers they have used and what their experiences were. Even a negative experience can help you, for example, by highlighting what you do not want from your lawyer.

Dedicated & Passionate About Each Case

When you hire a lawyer, you want someone who is incredibly passionate about all their cases. A good family lawyer treats each case with the utmost care and always puts your interests and welfare first. They will be absolutely dedicated to every client and will do everything in their power to offer the most beneficial advice and support. They will see you as an individual and a human being and try to support you as best they can.

Experienced in Your Area

While all good family lawyers should have a sound knowledge of all relevant family law in Australia and your state, some may be better suited for your needs than others. Look for family lawyers who specifically practise or specialise in family law that concerns you, for instance, adoption. They will have more experience and be more able to manage the nuances of your situation as a result.

Find Your Family Lawyer Today

Family matters can be a mentally and emotionally taxing experience for everyone. Find yourself a professional family lawyer today to help you through the process and making it easier on all parties.

Every state has its own lemon law. In the State of California, consumers are protected by both federal and state protection laws that provide remedies to owners and lessees of defective consumer products, which largely include vehicles. A vehicle or consumer good is a lemon if it has not been repaired after a reasonable number of repair attempts while under the manufacturer warranty. The Lemon Laws offer several remedies including obtaining a refund for the lemon, getting a replacement, or getting money damages for the diminished value of the product but still keeping it.

The most common remedy is a refund. If you get a lemon law refund, you will be reimbursed for all money you have spent on the vehicle or consumer product including your down payment, monthly payments, pro-rated registration, and any incidental or consequential damages. The manufacturer will also be required to pay off the loan and make a reasonable contribution towards your attorney’s fees and costs. You should be aware that the manufacturer will be entitled to deduct a usage fee – this is a value for when you drove the vehicle or used the product, trouble-free.

Other remedies include the replacement which is where the manufacturer will replace the lemon with a product that is substantially similar or cash and keep. This is where you retain possession of the product and receive cash compensation for its diminished value as a result of its defects.

It!s a common misconception that California!s Lemon Law only applies to vehicles that are purchased new.  The reality is that many defective used vehicles still apply for all of the protections under the Song-Beverly Act.  In fact, used vehicles can sometimes be very strong cases where the manufacturer had notice of issues with a vehicle from the prior owner.

It is important to note that the safe use or value of the vehicle must be impaired by the problems in order for the vehicle to qualify as a lemon.

Whether it!s a car, truck, or SUV…a Chevy, Chrysler, or Ford…a Mercedes, Volkswagen, or BMW…Toyota, Honda, or Kia…even a Ferrari, Bentley, or Maserati. Regardless of the manufacturer, if you have had repeated problems with your car during the warranty period, you may have a lemon.

Tips for Starting Your Lemon Law Claim

If you believe your product is a lemon, there are some tips you should be mindful of…

(1) If you think there is something wrong with your consumer good, take it in for service or repair work and make sure it!s documented;

(2) Be sure to accurately report any and all of your concerns to the service advisors – take care that they document all the issues you report;

(3) Keep all your documentation for all repairs – your lemon law attorney will need to review these to evaluate and support your claim;

(4) Make note of the names of the people who worked on your vehicle – this includes the service advisors, technicians, and/or any mechanics;

(5) Finally, if you have had repeated repairs during the warranty period you should contact an attorney to discuss your matter.

How Should I Select an Attorney?

The most important decision a client makes is the choice of lawyer. There are many attorneys out there that take on lemon law cases but do not specifically practice lemon law. It’s important to find an attorney who specializes in this area. Many lemon law attorneys will settle cases early.

It’s best to find an attorney who will work hard to maximize your recovery and aggressively pursue your case. This attorney should have a proven track record and history and be respected in the community.

At the Lemon Law Experts, we are about fighting to the end and taking on the challenge to advocate for our client’s rights in an effort to get them what they deserve. The defense attorneys know who we are, the manufacturers know who we are, and the judges know who we are. Additionally, we do not get paid unless you do, and none of the costs will come out of your pocket.

You should seek an attorney as soon as you begin experiencing repetitive issues with your vehicle. This will ensure that you receive the proper guidance throughout your lemon law experience.

Vehicles with Known Defective Components

It’s very possible that any vehicle can qualify as a lemon. Having said that, there are a few vehicles that have been manufactured with known defective components. Consumers across the nation have dealt with these issues, so we’ve compiled a list of some of the most frequently noted defective vehicles below.

Nissan Automatic Braking Defect

• 2017-Current Nissan Altima
• 2017-Current Nissan Armada
• 2017-Current Nissan Leaf
• 2017-Current Nissan Maxima
• 2017-Current Nissan Murano
• 2017-Current Nissan Pathfinder
• 2017-Current Nissan Rogue
• 2017-Current Nissan Rogue Sport
• 2017-Current Nissan Sentra

Infiniti and Nissan CVT Transmission Defect

• 2015-Current Infiniti QX50
• 2015-Current Infiniti QX60
• 2017-Current Nissan Altima
• 2018-Current Nissan Armada
• 2018-Current Nissan Juke
• 2018-Current Nissan Leaf
• 2018-Current Nissan Maxima
• 2018-Current Nissan Murano
• 2015-Current Nissan Pathfinder
• 2015-2017 Nissan Quest
• 2014-Current Nissan Rogue
• 2018-Current Nissan Sentra
• 2018-Current Nissan Versa
• 2018-2021 Nissan Versa Note

General Motors Transmission Defect: Cadillac, Chevrolet, and GMC

• 2016-2019 Cadillac ATS
• 2016-2019 Cadillac ATS-V
• 2016-2019 Cadillac CTS
• 2016-2019 Cadillac CT6
• 2016-2019 Cadillac CTS-V
• 2015-2020 Cadillac Escalade
• 2015-2020 Cadillac Escalade ESV
• 2016-2019 Chevrolet Camaro
• 2017-2019 Chevrolet Colorado
• 2015-2019 Chevrolet Corvette
• 2014-2019 Chevrolet Silverado
• 2015-2020 Chevrolet Suburban
• 2015-2020 Chevrolet Tahoe
• 2017-2019 GMC Canyon
• 2014-2017 GMC Denali XL
• 2014-2019 GMC Sierra
• 2015-2020 GMC Yukon
• 2015-2020 GMC Yukon Denali
• 2015-2017 GMC Denali XL

While there are many vehicles with known defects, the ones listed above are some of the most common. If you have experienced these issues, make sure to contact a lemon law attorney as soon as you can. If you have one of these vehicles and have not experienced these issues, pay attention! We hope that your vehicle does not qualify as a lemon, but regardless it’s best to stay informed.

How Law Firms Can Benefit from SEO Practices

A lot of law firms are looking for ways to become more well-known than their competitors. While they may consider advertising as a way to do so, it is not the only solution. With the right SEO Company, they can rank much higher on Google’s first page and therefore catch many eyes.

Search engine optimization (SEO) is the process of creating, publishing, and distributing relevant content online to attract search engine traffic.

SEO for Law Firms

First, it is important to determine what kind of law firm or attorney is looking to do this. For example, some firms are looking for leads while others are looking for both leads and visibility. There are certain steps that should be taken for either case.

If a law firm is looking for leads, there are several ways to do this. In the same way that certain industry keywords would be important for a law firm’s website, it is important to look at what their potential clients would type into Google.

A local SEO agency should be hired to best determine these keywords and phrases. After they have been determined, a new site needs to be created for the first page of Google with those pertinent words and phrases.

In order to attract customers from that search result, it is also critical that the website has contact information on it as well as additional helpful information but not too much so as to distract them from making a phone call or emailing an attorney of interest. Engaging content that is uplifting will also entice clients.

When a law firm is looking for both leads and visibility, the first step should be to determine how they are going to prep their current content so that it can easily be found through search engines. The best way to do this is to look for patterns in keywords that are being used on their site often.

Choosing a Law Firm SEO Company

The first step to take is finding a good web marketing company to handle search engine optimization. The price of this service can vary from place to place, but you will want to hire one who has experience with legal firms and attorneys. It may also be helpful to have a list of references.

What to Look For in Law Firm SEO Services?

When looking for a law firm SEO company, it is important to know what to look for. Generally speaking, there are four main categories you should consider when hiring an SEO company: experience, link building, reporting capabilities, and cost.

Experience – The Company should have a lot of experience with SEO and legal firms. In order for them to be successful, they need to know exactly what each site needs in order to improve its rankings on Google.

Link Building – One main aspect that will help a law firm or attorney is link building. It helps search engines determine which website is the most relevant for a particular search. This not only helps the firm rank higher, but it also brings more traffic to their website.

Reporting Capabilities – At the end of each month, the marketing company should be able to provide reports on all campaign activity and progress made throughout that time frame. The reports should let the law firm know how much progress is being made and what will need to be improved in the next month.

Cost – Considering that law firms are already spending thousands on advertising, they probably do not want an SEO company with a high monthly rate. Generally speaking, it never hurts to ask about any hidden costs or charges before signing a contract with one of these companies.

What to Expect from Your SEO Company

There are many different things that one should expect from their law firm’s marketing company. Generally speaking, they need to have a deep understanding of each website and what kinds of changes are needed in order for it to improve its rankings on Google. The more detailed this process is beforehand; the better ranking the website can have.

SEO companies should also include monthly reports so the law firm knows what changes are being made throughout that time frame, as well as how much progress is being made each month. They should also be able to explain everything in detail to help keep costs down. Conclusion

If a law firm decides to hire an SEO company, it will be able to greatly improve its ranking on Google. There are many different things that they will need to consider such as the price, reporting capabilities, and experience. Once they have done this, however, they will see a dramatic difference in the amount of traffic coming to their website and how well it ranks on Google. For more information click here.

It is a very important question, that is, what does a criminal lawyer do? Contrary to popular belief, the criminal lawyer represents individuals from many different socio-economic backgrounds.

The system of criminal justice is based on the concept that the prosecution should prove their case beyond any reasonable doubt. Until this part, a person needs to afford the presumption of innocence.

This includes the use of the protections offered by the law. A criminal lawyer should build the defense of the client, develop a powerful winning case strategy. Investigate properly and research the case law. Also, they need to negotiate with the prosecution and represent and defend their client in court. Here we will discuss the role and duties of a criminal lawyer.

The role of a criminal lawyer:

A role of a criminal lawyer is to carefully analyze the evidence police rely on and also identify any issues with the credibility and reliability of this evidence. They should recognize and negate any unreliable evidence provided by the police from being used against their client.

If the evidence provided by the police is not challenged sufficiently, an innocent person could be framed as guilty and sentenced to a term of heavy punishment. That is the reason why it is important to ask for the help of an experienced criminal lawyer who specializes in criminal law.

Here is a list of the duties of a criminal lawyer:

• Research the law, crimes codes, statutes, and procedural law

• Carefully investigate the case and interviewing the witnesses

• Negotiate with the prosecution to offer a plea for lessening the charges

• Develop a defense and a case strategy

• Draft, file, and argue motions

• Argue appeals

• Advocate for the client at trial

What are the important skills of a criminal lawyer?

The criminal lawyer needs some special skills to carry out the given task properly and efficiently. Some of those skills are:

• Investigative skills: Research and investigative skills are very crucial in building the case of a client and also establishing a strong defense.

• Good speaking and writing skills: Excellent speaking and written skills so that the lawyer could argue while handling the case of a client before a judge and also while persuading a jury.

• Legal knowledge and experience regarding criminal cases: Deep understanding of state, country, and local rules, various court procedures, laws, and also local judges to efficiently and competently navigate the criminal justice system.

• Creative thinking: Powerful creative thinking and strong analytical skills are necessary so that the lawyer could build a legal strategy, or analyze the case and litigate those cases that are very complex.

• Strong Interpersonal skills: Strong interpersonal skills are really necessary to create a powerful client-attorney relationship. Criminal lawyers or defendants are a special group who sometimes go through some other lawyers while analyzing the case. Therefore, the ability to both attract and retain clients is crucial to powerful criminal defense practice.

• Good communication ability: A lawyer should be able to understand the situation and can easily communicate to the victim or client.

Working environment of a criminal lawyer:

Many criminal lawyers nowadays work in private practice. Some also work for various non-profit agencies. They can also work for the government as public defenders. Criminal lawyers often need to work for long and irregular hours. They often need to meet with clients outside their office or also in prisons, courthouses, hospitals, and other public venues. Some criminal lawyers maintain a local practice. However, for working as a criminal lawyer, frequent travel is needed.

Therefore, a criminal lawyer is really important for us, as this person is capable of offering us a secure and dignified life if we are innocent.

AARP reports that more than 10 percent of Georgia’s population is older than age 65, with more than 122,000 residents age 85 and older. Many of these people require long-term medical care, and if their families are unable or unwilling to provide such care, they can live in nursing homes to make sure their medical needs are met. With Georgia’s 85-and-older population expected to nearly double by 2030, more and more people will need the type of care nursing homes provide.

Unfortunately, many nursing home residents experience severe abuse and neglect in the nursing homes where they should be receiving care. Nursing home abuse occurs when someone intentionally harms a resident in some way. Neglect is generally more passive.

Some examples of nursing home neglect include:

• Failing to take care of patients’ bathroom needs– Older residents, especially patients with neurological illnesses or movement issues, may have difficulty using the bathroom without assistance. If there aren’t enough nurses to check in with patients regularly, residents may end up sitting for hours or days in their soiled clothes or lying in beds with soiled linens.
• Not changing residents’ clothes or bedding– Some nursing home residents are unable to change their clothing or bedding without assistance. Clothes can become dirty or damaged if residents wear them over and over, and the same is true of residents’ bedding.
• Residents not getting enough to eat or drink– Like everyone else, nursing home residents need regular, healthy meals if they want to keep their bodies in top condition. Unfortunately, many facilities don’t hire enough staff to make sure residents are getting enough to eat and drink, and some residents may have difficulty communicating their needs due to speech or neurological issues.
• Not attending to residents’ medical needs– Many nursing home residents require complex care, and they also need assistance with ordinary tasks. If patients are getting incorrect medication, not having their bandages changed, or suffering other similar neglect, their condition is likely to deteriorate.
• Letting residents suffer abuse at the hands of other residents– Resident-on-resident abuse is, sadly, common in nursing homes, and facilities should be on the alert for abuse of this kind. When they fail in this responsibility, it’s easy for one resident to physically, verbally, emotionally, or sexually abuse another resident.

If you or someone in your family has experienced nursing home neglect, call the office of Jonathan R. Brockman, P.C., today. Brockman is a skilled Georgia nursing home neglect attorney with more than 30 years of experience. Our clients have recovered millions of dollars with our help, and we would be honored to fight for you. We can help you recover compensation for your medical bills, pain and suffering, and more.

Get a free initial consultation today by calling our office in Carrollton or visiting our contact page. We look forward to hearing from you.

Getting involved in a major legal battle is absolutely the last thing you want to think about if you or someone in your family has recently been hurt in an accident. Nevertheless, it’s important to think about your future after sustaining a serious injury. You likely have medical bills piling up, and you may have had to miss many days or weeks of work. You may need care for a long while after the accident, maybe even for the rest of your life. And that’s to say nothing of the physical and emotional toll a significant injury can take.

How do you know if you should talk to a lawyer after being injured in an accident? Here are a few tips from the Texas personal injury lawyers at The Benton Law Firm on when you should speak to an attorney:

• You’ve suffered a long-term or permanent disability– A long-term or permanent disability can cause a significant change to your entire life. You may be unable to do your current job or may be unable to work altogether. You’ll need to figure out how to get the money you need to pay for your medical expenses and other bills. This is something a personal injury lawyer in Texas can help you with.
• It’s unclear who is at fault for the accident– If there isn’t clear evidence to show who is at fault for your injuries, you want to talk to a personal injury attorney in Texas right away. First, you’ll likely need an attorney’s help to get the proof you need to claim compensation for your injuries. Second, if the case is unclear, you may have your claim denied or have someone come after you for compensation. You need a lawyer to stand up for your rights.
• There are multiple parties involved in the accident– More parties involved in an accident means more claims to file if you want full compensation for your injuries. More parties also mean having to deal with more potential claims against you. This is especially common in motor vehicle accidents, but it’s something a Texas car accidents attorney can help you with.
• You’ve already filed a claim, but it’s been delayed or denied– Insurance companies and other entities save money by paying out as little as possible to victims after an accident. They’ll generally do whatever they think they can get away with to delay payment or keep their settlement offer low. This happens all the time in workplace injury claims, and a Texas workplace accidents attorney can assist you in getting the benefits you’re entitled to. If someone in your family died in an accident and you’re having difficulty getting compensation for your loss, talk to a wrongful death lawyer in Texas.

If you’ve been injured in an accident and any of these conditions apply to you, we urge you to contact the personal injury team at The Benton Law Firm. We’ve recovered millions of dollars on behalf of our clients in all manner of personal injury claims.

Get a free initial consultation today by calling one of our offices, or you can fill out our contact form online.

Pressure to raise the federal minimum wage has been building for years even as several states have put themselves on the path to having a $15 per hour minimum wage by 2025. Whether President Joe Biden and Democratic majorities in the U.S. House and Senate succeed in increasing the federal minimum wage from $7.25 per hour is unclear, but employers and employees across the United States must know what to do if wage increases go into effect.

How Do I Know What the Minimum Wage Is?

The Wage and Hour division of the U.S. Department of Labor maintains the most official list of minimum wage rates for each state and the District of Columbia. The web-based list is updated each year, along with notes on the current situation and planned increases. A federal law called the Fair Labor Standards Act also requires nearly all workplaces to post information about the minimum wage in a conspicuous location where employees can easily see it.

Minimum wage laws vary greatly from state to state, and sometimes from city to city. For instance, a handful of states, including Arizona and Louisiana, do not set their own minimum wage. This means employers must comply with the federal standard.

Most states mandate a higher minimum wage. In Ohio, where we advise and represent clients in wage and hour cases, the basic minimum wage in 2021 is $8.80 per hour. Still other states, notably New York and New Jersey, are consistently raising the minimum hourly wage to a target of $15.

The situation grows more complicated for employees who regularly receive tips and for residents of certain large cities. First, states generally set a tipped wage that is half or just slightly more than half of the general minimum wage. In 2021, the minimum wage for tipped employees in Ohio is $4.40 per hour. Tips that the employee receives must then raise the average hourly earnings  to at least $8.80. When that does not happen, the employer is legally required to pay the difference.

A last consideration is that a small number of cities have used authorities under their state’s law to raise the minimum wage on their own. This most famously happened when Seattle and nearby cities mandated a $15 minimum wage in the early 2010s. The state legislature has since put all localities on track to hit $15 per hour.

What Does a Minimum Wage Hike Mean for Paychecks?

New state and local laws typically take effect on January 1 or July 1, when the state budget cycle starts. Also, higher minimum wages generally go into effect a full year after the new wage law is passed.

In practice, then, employers would need to comply with a new wage law passed in 2021 at the start of January or July 2022 typically. The higher pay would then show up on employees’ next paycheck—January 15 or July 15.

Employers are allowed to reduce hours or cut staff in order to keep their books balanced. Employers also are not legally obligated to increase pay for workers who already earn more than the minimum wage.

How Does the Minimum Wage Affect Overtime Pay?

Every non-exempt hourly employee, including those who earn the minimum wage, qualifies to make at least time-and-a-half after they work 40 hours during a seven-day workweek. This is true for tipped employees, as well.

The overtime clock starts as soon as the employee works over 40 hours in one week.  When an employee receives tips, their overtime rate is calculated as if they earned the regular minimum wage.

Employers are not allowed to force employees to clock out and keep working just so they do not go into overtime. Employers also cannot use the tipped wage as the basis for determining how much overtime pay is due.

What Happens When an Employer Does Not Raise Employees’ Pay as Required by Law?

As Ohio wage and hour attorneys, we have seen employers use these illegal tactics to deny employees the minimum wage and overtime pay:

• Requiring workers to perform tasks off the clock,
• Promising leave in lieu of paying time-and-a-half but then never approving time off,
• Giving hourly workers managerial titles because managers are not typically not entitled to overtime,
• Claiming that hourly workers are actually salaried employees who are generally exempt from overtime eligibility,
• Classifying employees as independent contractors who cannot demand either the minimum wage or overtime,
• Deliberately miscalculating tips, and
• Telling tipped employees they are not eligible to earn either the minimum wage or overtime pay.

When any of this happens, an employee has the right to file a lawsuit and demand unpaid wages, unpaid overtime, interest on the amounts owed, and monetary damages. Such a lawsuit can be filed by a current employee or by a former employee as long as it is brought within the applicable time period. Additionally, more than one wronged employee can be listed as a plaintiff. An experienced wage and hour attorney will know how to obtain and analyze the company records needed to prove that violations of the minimum wage and overtime laws occurred.

During the coronavirus pandemic, many borrowers have taken advantage of available 180-day mortgage deferrals. These deferrals provide much-needed short term relief. Unfortunately, the deferral will eventually expire, with the standard term being about 180 days. When the mortgage deferral does expire, lenders will want their money and may come at borrowers aggressively.

Other secured debt relief, such as vehicle payment deferrals, might be available on a case-by-case basis. Even assuming such relief is possible, the same thing inevitably happens. The grace period ends, and aggressive collection techniques begin.

No one is sure how big the coming Chapter 13 bankruptcy wave might be, but almost everyone agrees that it could be a tsunami. These bankruptcies are rather intricate, but they are not nearly as complex as some lawyers believe they are. If the client is unable to pay upfront, the trustee charges nothing to collect the remaining balance.

Assessing the Client’s Need

A few people reach out to bankruptcy attorneys relatively early. They are only a month or two behind on secured debt payments. But most clients wait until a foreclosure sale or other adverse action is imminent. At that point, an attorney must act quickly and decisively to preserve the client’s interests.

As discussed in our companion post, most bankruptcy preparation software programs automatically populate most documents, including the creditor matrix. Home mortgage are bought and sold so frequently that the public record information might not always be up to date. Additionally, not all servicing companies timely inform borrowers of such changes.

So, be sure notice of the bankruptcy filing goes to the proper parties. If a foreclosure sale is scheduled in the next few days, the sheriff or other auctioning agency should also receive official notice. Bankruptcy’s Automatic Stay does not apply if the creditor receives no notice. Additionally, it is rather difficult to undo a foreclosure sale, especially when there is egg on your face.

Charging a Fee

In most jurisdictions, $3,000 is the customary fee for a Chapter 13. Ideally, the client pays the entire fee upfront. But we do not live in an ideal world. Many Chapter 13 debtors do not have instant access to sufficient funds. And, as discussed above, circumstances often dictate that the lawyer file the petition in a few days, or even a few hours, as opposed to a few months. So, a pre-filing payment plan might be impractical.

Many lawyers heavily advertise zero-down bankruptcies. Typically, the client only pays the filing fee. The lawyer receives the full fee via the monthly debt consolidation payment. More on that below. Zero-down and other problematic attorney’s fees arrangements are technically ethical, but there are some concerns in this area.

Typically, it is best to charge some money upfront, perhaps a third, and roll the reminder into the monthly debt consolidation payment. That approach speeds the filing, protects the client from excessive charges, and ensures that lawyers receive compensation for their services.

The Monthly Debt Consolidation Payment

In a Chapter 13, the protected repayment period lasts either three or five years, depending on the debtor’s income. So, it is rather easy to at least estimate the monthly payment amount. Add the debtor’s secured debt and priority unsecured debt together (the legal fee is a priority unsecured debt), add a 10 percent trustee’s fee, and divide that amount by either fifteen or sixty.

Advise the client that the amount is subject to change and the first payment is usually due seven days after the petition is filed. Also advise the client that, if the monthly debt consolidation payment is unaffordable, a conversion to Chapter 7 is usually possible.

Generally, if the debtor stays in the plan at least six months, that is enough time to pay the attorneys’ feel balance.

Possible Adversarial Matters

In addition to motions for turnover and objections to discharge, which were discussed in our Chapter 7 post, a Chapter 13 could involve a motion to lift the Stay. Creditors frequently file these motions if the debtor is more than three or four months behind on payments or the debtor has threatened the collateral in some way.

Getting All Your Affairs in Order

Most bankruptcy adversarial matters settle out of court. That settlement commonly includes an accelerated repayment schedule that is customized to the borrowers’ ability. If you’re unsatisfied with your lawyer or the service you’ve received, you can change lawyers before your bankruptcy is filed. You deserve the highest quality services and expertise to handle your bankruptcy.

 

Lee Paulk Moran has been a member of the Georgia State Bar Association since 1979, and a member of the National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys since 2000. His areas of practice include bankruptcy, disability, Workers’ Compensation, and more.

When you are ready to talk about your case, you will receive a free consultation with an actual attorney from Morgan & Morgan. We pride ourselves in treating clients like family, not case numbers.

Although Uber has revolutionized public transportation and provides many advantages for drivers as well as passengers, many Uber drivers worry about whether their liability will be increased if they are involved in an accident while on the job. They are also worried about whether any injuries they suffer will entitle them to sufficient compensation.

If you are an Uber driver with concerns about possible accidents, or if you have already been involved in an accident with injuries, it’s important to understand both your rights and your responsibilities by consulting with an Uber accident attorney.

What a Sharp Personal Injury Attorney Can Do for You

Whether you live and work in California where Uber drivers have been legally designated as employees, or in one of the other states in which Uber drivers are still considered independent contractors, you need a lawyer knowledgeable about your state’s Uber laws and highly competent in both negotiation and litigation.

There is ambiguity surrounding Uber’s ability to shield itself from liability with the independent contractor argument, especially since California law has ruled otherwise. In any case, Uber accident cases can be complex. All the more reason to make sure to seek an attorney with experience and a history of successful outcomes.

A strong Uber accident attorney can make all the difference when it comes to fighting for your rights. You’ll want a lawyer with the skill set [1] to assist you in obtaining damages for losses you’ve sustained and [2] to help protect your assets in case you were the at-fault party and your passenger(s) or individuals in the other vehicle suffered injuries. Because you are David and Uber is Goliath, you need a powerful Uber accident attorney to level the playing field.

How Uber Insurance Works for Uber Drivers

There are several important facts to know in order to fully understand how Uber insurance works for its drivers:

1. Uber offers collision and comprehensive insurance that covers damage to your vehicle when you are working for them (i.e. when your app is on). This insurance has a $1,000 deductible, however, and kicks in only after your own drivers insurance policy has rejected your claim.
2. Your personal car insurance covers you when you are not working for Uber, but you will need rideshare insurance or commercial auto insurance or for when you are working as an Uber driver. If you have an accident while working as an Uber driver, your personal insurance company will almost certainly reject your claim.
3. The level of Uber insurance offers varies according to when your accident takes place relative to Uber employment, depending on whether your accident takes place while you are waiting for a call, driving to pick up a passenger, or actively driving your passenger to a destination. If you are driving a passenger, Uber is required to provide $1 million of insurance on your behalf.
4. If you are at-fault for the accident, Uber covers you only for third-party injuries — that is, those of your passengers or the other driver and his/her passengers. The company does not normally cover your own injuries — those are covered by your personal insurance.
5. If the driver of another vehicle is at-fault for the collision, the at-fault driver’s insurance policy will bear most of the burden. A smaller Uber insurance policy may, however, also be tapped and your own auto insurance may also apply.

Comparative  and Contributory Negligence Make Legal Support Crucial

It is important to remember that not all traffic accidents are the fault of only one person. In a great many cases, for example, at the time of the collision one driver was speeding and the other was making an illegal turn. Such cases are designated comparative negligence or contributory negligence, depending on which state you are in.

Though it seems unfair, in some few states the fact that you bear any amount of blame for the accident makes it impossible for you to collect damages. In  the majority of states, you must be less than 51 or 50 percent at fault to win your allocated percentage of compensation, and in a few others, like California, you can win your piece of the pie even if you are deemed 99 percent responsible for your own injury. Many states use modified versions of comparative or contributory negligence.

The permutations of liability and the various rationales for compensation make it imperative that you have an agile attorney arguing your case. Uber accidents are expensive, financially, emotionally, and in terms of physical harm, especially if driving is your primary source of income. This is why it is essential to have appropriately vigorous legal counsel if you are to come away able with the damages you need to restabilize your life.

Your Rights as an Uber Driver

Your most significant right as an Uber driver is your right to have a dedicated rideshare accident attorney represent you. Accidents involving Uber drivers tend to be more complicated to resolve than those between ordinary drivers. For this reason, you need a savvy attorney who beyond having consummate legal skill has compassion and respect for you as a worker and as a human being.

Author Bio: Joseph Shirazi

As an experienced California car accident attorney, I know that insurance companies take advantage of their customers’ inexperience to short-change them and delay paying them the money that they need now. I take an ambitious and proactive approach to avoid delays in payouts and obtain optimal recoveries, a strategy which has earned me a spot in National Trial Lawyer’s Top 40 Under 40 and more importantly, helped my clients get back on their feet, faster and better. I obtained a doctorate in law from Loyola Law School in 2009 and graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles with honors in 2005. I am also a member of the Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles.