It's hard to believe, but SettlementBoard.com has been online for almost two years! In that time, we've grown as an online resource where lawyers and their potential clients can learn about lawsuit settlements both past and present. Our posts now include law firm profiles developed around topics of divorce, personal injury, workers compensation and other hot topics.
What's next for legal news on big settlements? You tell us! Submit your lawsuit settlement articles for consideration. Toward that end, let's get to the news! This month's batch of bloggers have selected the following high-dollar cases to highlight:
February 8th, 2010 — Settlements
Sallie Mae Sued for TCPA Violations – Consumer Protection Law in Birmingham, AL
On February 2, 2010, Bloomberg reported that the largest student-loan company, SLM Corp (better known as Sallie Mae), is being sued by a borrower who claims to have been receiving harassing prerecorded phone calls on his cellular phone. The complaint alleges that these harassing, unsolicited and never-consented-to phone calls are in violation of the Telephone Consumer Protection Act. The proposed class-action lawsuit seeks to represent tens of thousands of borrowers who claim to be receiving similar harassing phone calls. The lawsuit claims damages of at least $1,500 for each violation of the consumer-protection law.
The case is Arthur v. SLM Corp., U.S. District Court, Western District of Washington. www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20670001&sid=a2YU3uqz9jzE
February 8th, 2010 — Criminal Law, DUI/DWI
The police must respect your rights. If he or she does not, then it can harm the prosecution’s case. You should be aware of your rights and what to do if the police try to detain you in Vermont. If your rights are violated, you and your Burlington criminal defense lawyer can file a complaint against the police officer.
Your Rights if a Police Officer in Vermont detains You
• You have the right to remain silent.
• You have the right to ask to speak to an attorney.
• You have the right to ask for an attorney to be present during questioning.
• If you cannot afford an attorney, you must be provided one.
• You have the right to offer your name, address, and identification only.
• You have the right to ask why you are being detained.
• You have the right to not offer any information or express guilt of any kind. Anything you say or do can be used against you in court.
• You can refuse to be searched other than a pat down if it seems like you are concealing a weapon.
If you are Detained do not
• Run or drive away if the police approach or detain you;
• Threaten, bribe, or yell at the police officer;
• Make any quick hand movements;
• Get out of your car unless you are asked to;
• Complain about the police officer’s actions;
• Admit anything about the situation; and
• Say anything without an attorney present.
How a Criminal Defense Attorney can Help
If you remember your rights and things to avoid if detained by the police, your criminal law firm will have a better chance to create a strategy to maintain your freedom.
For seasoned legal representation, contact the Burlington criminal defense attorneys at Bergeron, Paradis & Fitzpatrick. Contact our criminal law firm today for a consultation and to understand how we can help you at 802-316-4318. We conveniently have offices located in Burlington and Essex Vermont.
February 5th, 2010 — Criminal Law
Learn more about Ohio Criminal Laws. In order to hold you in custody, police in Ohio must file charges against you within 72 hours of your arrest. When charges are filed, you will appear at your arraignment, at which you can enter four possible pleas in response to the charges:
- Guilty plea: you admit the facts of the crime
- Not guilty plea: you reject the charge and then a trial date is set
- No contest plea: you do not admit guilt, but you do not dispute the charge; this results in a plea bargain
- Mute plea: results in a not guilty plea and avoidance of admitting that the proceedings against you have been valid to that point
During your arraignment, bail—or the refusal to set bail—will be determined. For more information about the criminal process in Ohio and your rights, contact an experienced Ohio Criminal Law Attorney. The Quickjd.com Legal Portal is a great resource to find Ohio criminal defense lawyers. Call Toll Free at: 1-877-263-4613
February 5th, 2010 — Workers Compensation Settlements
The U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor and Statistics reports on work related injuries for Pennsylvania and the entire nation. Here are some of the most recent statistics:
- In 2007 there were 220 work related fatalities in Pennsylvania. 93 of those fatalities resulted from transportation incidents, 36 were caused from falls and 36 more were from contact from objects or equipment. 6 of the deaths were caused by fires or explosions and 36 were caused from assaults or violent acts. Twelve of those fatalities were from exposure to harmful substances or environments.
- Of the 2007 work related fatalities, 204 of them were men and 16 were woman. Eleven of the woman who died were involved in traffic accidents.
- Most work-related injuries are actually preventable. Only 4% of workplace injuries are from faulty equipment or technical issues.
- Car accidents are the leading causes of work-related injuries for the U.S. and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
- Also in 2007 employees in transportation and material moving jobs had the highest number of work related deaths at 56, followed by those in construction and extraction occupations which had 41 fatalities. These two working groups accounted for 44% of all fatal occupation injuries in Pennsylvania.
- Among the Pennsylvania’s metropolitan areas, Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-Del.-MD. registered the highest amount of job-related fatalities at 93, followed by Pittsburgh, PA at 26.
- The 2007 rate of nonfatal job injuries and illnesses which required days away from employment was 122 per 10,000 full-time workers.
- There were 32 job-related homicides in 2007 in Pennsylvania, the highest level documented since 1996 when 33 work related homicides were reported. Homicides accounted for 15% of fatal work injuries in Pennsylvania and 11 percent of those in the U.S. in 2007.
The Delaware County workers comp attorneys at Larry Pitt & Associates, P.C., 888-PITT-LAW, have successfully represented employees in a variety of professions and industries who have suffered disabling injuries, both total and partial, in work-related accidents. The firm takes pride in its proven record of accomplishment in obtaining full and fair compensation for their claims’ medical treatments, rehabilitation, and continuing wages.
February 5th, 2010 — Citizenship, Immigration
After you have filed your application for citizenship:
The citizenship test and interview follow the application. A citizenship lawyer can help prepare their clients for oral and written questions demonstrating their ability to ready, write, and speak English, and familiarity with U.S. civics. A typical citizenship test session may require that you read up to three sentences and pass an oral exam of up to ten questions in U.S. government and history.
An immigration lawyer in Nashville can coach clients with advice on study approaches for the citizenship test. They reccommend free citizenship courses in their local area. A Nashville adult education center may offer sample citizenship tests, for example. Immigration lawyers also suggest following the news to prepare for government questions on the citizenship test. Flash cards with likely citizenship test questions can also prepare applicants.
Finally, numerous immigration and citizenship websites offer tips on preparing for the citizenship test. The USCIS (United States Citizenship and Immigration Services) website has helpful information for anyone preparing for the test and going through the citizenship process. If you are looking for a Nashville immigration service, it is helpful to search this site.
February 5th, 2010 — General Practice Attorney
With the abundance of advertisements on TV, the radio, and in magazines, it is easy to believe certain misconceptions about hiring an attorney. However, you should disregard these misconceptions and conduct your own research. By researching and comparing lawyers in your area, you can find the attorney who can best meet your needs.
Some common misconceptions about hiring an attorney in Denton include the following:
Lawyers are expensive
Depending on your case this may or may not be true. If you are seeking legal aid for a personal injury case, most personal injury attorneys do not require attorney fees or money up front. Instead they offer a contingency fee. This means that your lawyer is only paid if and when you win your case. Once your case is won, your attorney receives a percentage (usually one-third) of the compensation you receive.
A lawyer will resolve my case immediately
Hiring a lawyer is a wise decision. However, it does not mean that your case will be instantly resolved. Depending on your case, it could take up to several years.
If you hire a lawyer, you will go to court
Many people believe that hiring a lawyer means they must go to court. Many times you will not even have to testify at trial or court. In fact, you may avoid the anxiety and stress of being in court altogether if your lawyer is able to reach a settlement with the defendant outside of court.
I am stuck with whatever attorney I hire
If you hire an Denton attorney who does not perform up to your standards, you are not stuck with that attorney. You can fire and hire an attorney as you see fit. You are the client and you always have control over the relationship with your lawyer.
February 5th, 2010 — Divorce Settlements, Mediation
Michelle Goodwin is a Dallas divorce lawyer who prides herself on personally addressing the unique needs of each of her clients. Ms. Goodwin takes into account the trying emotional circumstances that many clients face when approaching a family lawyer. She realizes that the outcomes of family law and divorce proceedings can have life-changing consequences for her clients.
Dallas Divorce Process
Michelle Goodwin has been practicing as a divorce lawyer in Dallas, Tarrant, and Collin counties since 2003. She has handled divorce cases with varying levels of complexity, from uncontested divorces to those requiring a full courtroom trial to decide issues such as child custody and property division.
Ms. Goodwin also practices Dallas collaborative family law, a progressive approach to divorce that seeks to avoid courtroom judgments and open hostility in favor of cooperation. Regardless of the type of family law issue that you are facing, Ms. Goodwin will handle it professionally and sensitively with your best interests in mind.
February 4th, 2010 — Legal Malpractice Settlements, Medical Malpractice Settlements, Settlements
Doctors, nurses, technicians, dentists, therapists, and any other kind of medical professional offering healthcare services may make grievous errors resulting in serious personal injury or death. This behavior is known as medical malpractice. Medical malpractice means that a healthcare worker, provider, or facility has breached the duty to provide proper care and treatment to a patient. Common types of medical malpractice include:
- Birth injuries or trauma
- Failure to diagnose, treat, or monitor a condition
- Delay in diagnosis or misdiagnosis
- Medical negligence
- Surgical or anesthesia errors
- Prescription drug errors
- Misuse of medical devices
- Failure to obtain the informed consent of the patient
Do you think you have a claim?
Visit an attorney who specializes in Seattle medical malpractice law. Tell the lawyer exactly what happened to you, from your first visit to your doctor until the last. Many victims believe they surrender their rights to a malpractice claim if they sign a consent form. This is not necessarily so. Collect your medical records from all your doctors and hospitals. Take them with you on your visit to the attorney. Explain your situation.
- What were the conditions surrounding your illness or injury?
- What treatment did your doctor offer?
- What did your doctor tell you about your treatment?
- Did you follow your doctor’s instructions correctly? Then what happened?
Future issues resulting from medical malpractice can be…
Medical malpractice can affect your life for a very long time. Be sure you choose an attorney with the knowledge and trial experience you need. Johnson Flora Law Firm in Seattle, WA, 206.388.2456, can help. A good attorney can review your case and possibly win reparations for your losses, including:
- Pain and suffering
- Job loss
- Lost wages
- Loss of earning capability
- Permanent disability
- Medical expenses
- Future medical expenses
February 3rd, 2010 — Legal Malpractice Settlements, Medical Malpractice Settlements, Settlements
Do you think you have been the victim of medical malpractice? Did you have surgery that resulted in serious health complications? Did a medical treatment backfire? If you have questions of any kind concerning your health status or that of a loved one, you should get a second medical opinion and consult a medical malpractice attorney for guidance. The Johnson Flora legal counsel members offer these suggestions to help you understand what to expect if you want to file a medical malpractice lawsuit in Seattle.
- Seek another medical opinion. Collect medical documentation.
- Meet with an attorney with a strong medical background, in-depth trial court experience, character and trust. Ask for references, win/loss data, settlement statistics, contingency fee options.
- Establish negligence.
- A duty is owed. The hospital or healthcare provider has a legal duty to provide correct care.
- A duty is breached. The provider did not meet the usual standard of care.
- The breach causes an injury. The healthcare provider, as the proximate cause of the injury or illness, breaches its duty.
- Damages occur. If there are no damages, there is no claim.
- File a civil suit within the correct jurisdiction and observe the proper statute of limitations. Statutes of limitations vary within states between one and four years.
- Locate expert witnesses.
- Begin the discovery process.
- Parties exchange interrogatories, requests for documents, and depositions.
- Consider pre-trial settlement if offered.
- Trial begins before either a judge or jury.
- Plaintiff must prove all of the elements of negligence by a preponderance (51 percent) of the evidence.
- Verdicts, judgments of the court, appeals may follow.
Count on Johnson Flora
The Seattle medical malpractice litigation attorneys at Johnson Flora have decades of experience in handling cases against healthcare workers and providers. Filing a medical malpractice suit can be an arduous, complex, and exhausting process. Whether you are a potential client, or an attorney seeking a consultation, we will be happy to speak with you. Please call our office or use our contact form if we can help. Our phone number in Seattle is 206.386.5566.
February 3rd, 2010 — Brain Injury Settlements, Medical Malpractice Settlements, Personal Injury Settlements, Product Liability Settlements, Slip Fall Settlements, Wrongful Death Settlements
Brain injuries range from mild to severe. Early detection and proper treatment are vital to the patient’s long-term recovery. If you or a loved one have suffered a head injury in Georgia, it is imperative you seek medical attention from a skilled Atlanta brain injury physician as soon as possible.
Brain injuries in Georgia
Individuals suffering from a traumatic brain injury in Georgia have many treatment options. The doctors and medical staff at many area hospitals are prepared to treat brain injuries in Atlanta.
Treatment options for Georgia brain injuries vary depending on the severity of the injury. All head injury victims should be examined by emergency medical personnel to determine if a serious injury exists. This may include a visit to the emergency room where physicians can monitor the patient’s bodily functions, respond to any life-threatening changes, and perform additional tests to diagnose and further treat the injury.
According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke at the National Institute of Health, approximately half of severe head injury patients require surgery to remove or repair hematomas (ruptured blood vessels) or contusions (bruised brain tissue). If surgical treatment is necessary, the medical team may include—
- Neurosurgeons
- Trauma nurses
- General surgeons
- Orthopedic surgeons
Patients recovering from brain injuries in Atlanta often receive rehabilitative care—especially following surgery. Treatment is provided by specialists experienced in caring for Georgia brain injury victims. The rehabilitative team works together to stabilize or prevent the development of any secondary infections or issues like pneumonia, pressure sores, or the loss of joint motion.
Rehabilitation may also include working with the injured person to recover any lost memory or adapt to lost brain function or bouts of confusion.
Contact Henry Spiegel Milling LLP today
Traumatic brain injuries can require lifelong treatment. A skilled Atlanta brain injury law firm can help protect the rights of individuals suffering brain injuries in Georgia. Patients may be entitled to compensation to cover medical expenses, including future medical care. The legal team at Atlanta’s Henry Spiegel Milling LLP is experienced in handling Georgia head injury victims. Contact us today for assistance and additional information on the brain injury recovery process.