A Philadelphia Personal Injury Lawyer Talks About Monitoring Your Personal Injury Attorney

It is your job to be very actively involved with your case from day one. That is the best way to ensure that your lawyer does his job properly. Many personal injury attorneys are overworked or are simply too lazy to do the job right without prompting. Everyone has heard that "the squeaky wheel gets the grease." Nowhere is this truism more important than in personal injury litigation.

Especially if you have entrusted your case to one of the larger personal injury firms, your case may be pushed onto an associate who has nothing financially to gain by handling your case in an aggressive manner. The famous partner known for several multi-million dollar jury verdicts may simply not have the time for your little case. Don't be surprised if some fresh faced 24 year old gets handed your file. Now don't get me wrong. Many young lawyers are filled with energy for effective battle with the insurance companies. But many are handling a hundred or more other files and yours may be placed on a very slow assembly line.

Worse, the associate may have no financial stake in your case. The arrangements vary from firm to firm, but at the vast majority, the only lawyer who has a financial interest in your case is the one who brought the case into the firm. The lowly associate who actually ends up processing the case is undoubtedly on straight salary. His financial incentive is to turn over his cases with the least bother to him, even if this means settling the case for less than it's worth. On the other hand, if you retain a solo practitioner or small partnership, the lawyer who handles your case will actually receive the attorney's fees earned on the case. Nothing motivates like a financial incentive. Even though lawyers are ethically bound to zealously represent the interests of all their clients, human nature should tell you that you will do best if your lawyer has something to gain by the aggressive and forceful prosecution of your case.

Staying active throughout the process is important regardless of the lawyer you retain. If your case has been shuffled off to an associate, this is especially key. You should insist on receiving copies of all correspondence your lawyer sends out on your behalf. You should also ask for copies of all letters from the insurance company and its lawyers. You should also review your medical records for accuracy. This is the only way you can know for sure if your lawyer is being straight with you. Also, since the lawyer knows you are keeping close tabs on him, he will be sure not to "back burner" your case. In other words, he will know that unless he stays very active, you will be contacting him with difficult questions. It is your right to know what is going on at all times with your case. And it is your right to have a lawyer who will aggressively pursue a rapid and fair settlement of your case. Do not accept anything less. The squeaky wheel does indeed get the grease.

For more information about Evan Aidman, a Philadelphia, PA Lawyer Referral Service Injury Lawyer and his work with clients with serious injuries click here: Philadelphia, PA Lawyer Referral Service Injury Lawyer

Evan Aidman is the founder and principal of the Law Offices of Evan K. Aidman. Mr. Aidman received a Bachelor's Degree in psychology from the University of Florida where he was elected to the Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society after compiling a near perfect scholastic record. He graduated from the University of Pennsylvania Law School, an Ivy League Institution, in 1983.

Marvel Villains May Force You to Seek a Good Brain Injury Lawyer

There are many villains from the Marvel Universe with incredibly strong powers that affect the brains of their opponents. Many can read minds, alter thoughts, cause mild headaches to strokes, or even control how the brain allows the body to function. With powerful energy rays that emit from the hands or head, many super villains can easily do harm to the brain of their enemies and counterparts. As a result, those who are harmed by any of the Marvel super villains should probably have a good brain injury lawyer on reserve. This is a great strategy for those who find themselves constantly at risk of or fighting mutant villains with extremely strong powers that can damage the brain.

Consider Magneto's powerful magnetic powers. Electromagnetic waves powerful enough to shut the body down could easily be targeted toward the head to affect how the brain functions. On the other hand, other villains who can read minds and control thoughts could easy cause the enemy to do harm to his or herself, causing severe injury to the head, skull, and connecting vertebrae. This, of course, is reason enough for any human to try to acquire a mutant brain injury lawyer.

Or even consider what Emma Frost could do to one's mind. A power telepath, this mutant could sedate the mind, control various brain frequencies, and cause serious harm to those who come in contact with her. No one would want to encounter this powerful mutant without proper protection, and even many mutants have been harmed by her incredibly strong powers. A head injury is something no one -human or mutant- would want to risk. Physical and legal protection are both huge advantages when battling mutants that can cause physical damage to the brain.

A brain injury to a mutant could result in the loss of mutant powers or of even human conditions such as basic motor skills like walking, talking, or arm movement. One of the reasons Magneto wears a protective helmet is to shield him from those mutants who have the ability to cause mental or brain injury. It also prevents him from being located by Professor X's powerful Cerebrus computer system. While Professor X is already a paraplegic, he has always been at risk of being subject to a mutant villain's brain and mind altering powers. This is one of the reasons he often stays home during extensive X-Men battles.

While a human brain injury lawyer could be somewhat effective, it might take a mutant to be able to track down the culprit and bring them to justice. This would be the most effective for any human who has physically suffered from the powers of a villainous mutant from the Marvel Universe. While it wouldn't be guaranteed to receive proper adjudication during this process, finding a good brain injury lawyer that is also a powerful mutant would be one's best bet.

How Can We Help To Eliminate The Disadvantages To Personal Injury Lawyers

If you were recently involved in any kind of accident, you should be considering hiring a DC personal injury lawyer. There are more claims that hiring them has its disadvantages so can it really hurt you or help you more? One of the main reasons to even consider one for your auto accident or malpractice suit is the settlement you could obtain from it. Hospital bills and living expenses can add up, especially if you are unable to work due to the injury you obtained.

The real definition of personal injury law is when a person neglects to uphold personal care and in result, another person gets injured because of it. A good example of this is getting t-boned at a cross roads because someone failed to stop at the stop sign. That person's personal care was to uphold the law by stopping at the designated area, and they neglected to. To win your case and process your reports and claims properly, a personal injury lawyer can help you do this easily and with guidance. Unless you were approached by an ambulance chaser you probably found your lawyer in the yellow pages.

Even slip and fall attorneys are guilty of ambulance chasing. To think that some lawyers will actually follow an ambulance to the scene of an accident to solicit new business is wrong. When it comes to looking for legit criminal defense representation, you should always go to the lawyer first instead of them finding you.

We have handled everything from a car accident, malpractice suit to a mesothelioma death and helped each of them get justice within a court of law. There are so many risks to filing any law suit and having an honest lawyer or law firm on your side can really help the process go smoother. You need experience as well and trust and we can offer you that.

Look, there are many lawyers out there looking to scam you and over charge for their services, not just a DC personal injury lawyer will do this. You may think your injury is too small for a case but before you know for sure, you should talk to one of our representatives because you may in fact have a case. Before you spend your time making numerous phone calls to local lawyers out there consider the risk zone you are putting yourself in. Many of those lawyers can tell if it is your first time hiring a lawyer and could take advantage of your innocence.

A Philadelphia Children's Injury Attorney Talks About Children's Injuries

You just settled a big case and you're ready to hit the slots in Atlantic City? Not so fast. If you are overdue in your child support payments, that trip to the Jersey Shore may have to wait.

On July 7th, 2006, Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell signed into law Senate Bill 1205, which involves litigation settlements and back due child support. Your state may have a similar law.

This law affects any settlements, judgments, arbitration awards, workers' compensation awards or occupational disease awards with net proceeds to the plaintiff in excess of $5,000.00. Before the plaintiff can receive the proceeds from such a settlement or award, he or she must provide a sworn statement and documentation from the Pennsylvania Child Support Enforcement website of either (1) the amount of arrears or (2) documentation that there are no arrearages. An attorney that distributes funds after receipt of the said sworn statement and documentation is immune from any civil, criminal, or administrative penalties for making an erroneous distribution.

The policy behind this law is obvious. The legislature seeks to prevent adults flush with new cash from dissipating that wealth without first ensuring that their children receive the financial support to which they are entitled.

Do you think this type of law is fair? How would you change it if you were a lawmaker?

The Pennsylvania Child Support Enforcement website has the full text of this new law. You can review it and then let me know what you think of it. I'll be happy to discuss it with you.

For more information about Evan Aidman's work with clients with children's injuries click here: Children's Injury Lawyer

Evan Aidman is the founder and principal of the Law Offices of Evan K. Aidman. Mr. Aidman received a Bachelor's Degree in psychology from the University of Florida where he was elected to the Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society after compiling a near perfect scholastic record. He graduated from the University of Pennsylvania Law School, an Ivy League Institution, in 1983.

A Philadelphia Personal Injury Lawyer Talks About Suing for Philadelphia Pedestrian Injuries

This article involves the legal rights of pedestrians after they have been struck by a motor vehicle. This article reviews some of the relevant Pennsylvania law. Pedestrians have the right of way at intersections. Morris v. Moss, 425 A.2d 184 (Pa. Super. 1981). Motorists are under a duty to exercise a very high degree of care at intersections and be able to stop at the slightest sign of danger. Lane v. Samuels, 39 A.2d 626 (Pa. Super. 1944). Where the driver is making a right turn into an intersecting street, she is required to be observant as to a pedestrian crossing the street and act with the due caution should circumstances require. Id.

Pedestrians have a perfect right to rely on the exercise of reasonable care by the drivers of automobiles on the highways. Lavely v. Wolota, 384 A.2d 1298 (Pa. Super. 1978). Pedestrians in crossing streets have the right to rely upon automobile drivers not running them down. Lane v. Samuels, supra.

Where the testimony has shown that defendant drove her vehicle into plaintiff while the plaintiff was lawfully crossing the street, plaintiff is entitled to recover money damages for her pain and suffering, loss of wages, etc. The tort option selected by the pedestrian will apply to the pain and suffering award. If the plaintiff selected limited tort, or lives in a household with a relative who selected limited tort, she may be bound by that option. There are exceptions that apply, but are beyond the scope of this article. The medical bills are payable without regard to the tort option.

For more information about Evan Aidman, a Philadelphia, PA Injury Attorney and his work with clients with serious injuries click here: Philadelphia, PA Injury Attorney

Evan Aidman is the founder and principal of the Law Offices of Evan K. Aidman. Mr. Aidman received a Bachelor's Degree in psychology from the University of Florida where he was elected to the Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society after compiling a near perfect scholastic record. He graduated from the University of Pennsylvania Law School, an Ivy League Institution, in 1983.

The Best & Cheapest Personal Injury Attorneys

Many accident victims do not realize that they are legally entitled to compensation for the injuries that they may have suffered. While some victims are carried away by how time consuming the legal procedure may be, others are more concerned about the monetary aspects of a claims procedure. You can get lots of help to make the right claim in an effective manner if you find the right Philadelphia Personal Injury Attorney. Having a knowledgeable Philadelphia Personal Injury Attorney will help you gain some invaluable insight regarding the claims procedure, as well as about the compilation and collection of evidence and relevant documents.

A top Philadelphia personal injury attorney can assist you in getting your compensation quickly. It is a fact that having been in an accident can be extremely traumatic and emotionally stressful. With a professional Philadelphia personal injury attorney, you can save on time and costly mistakes. You can easily make a successful claim with a Philadelphia personal injury attorney who is not only the best but also the most affordable one.

For example, doing the "form" work online can help save you a considerable number of dollars. With a team of Philadelphia personal injury attorneys, you can speed up and of course simplify the entire procedure with regard to personal injury claims. Not only will you be able to get your compensation within a short period of time, but you will also be able to make a cheap and quick personal injury claim.

You can get all the help that you require and probably even more if you have the right Philadelphia personal injury attorney. Not only can he or she help you with some great insight about possible alternatives for making the claim but they can also make some worthy suggestions about the essential steps and procedures regarding making the personal injury claim.

Claims specialists can offer you insight regarding how much compensation you can expect from a personal injury claim. They can also make accurate estimates of the costs that you will have to incur during the claim and what other criteria you have to meet for your claim to fall into the category of "personal injury claim." On top of this, they can give you information about the relevant process and who pays.

Remember that it is your legal right to receive compensation in case you have suffered any injuries as a result of someone else's negligence, irrespective of whether it is your employer or a drunken driver. In case you have been injured at your work place, you could consider making an "injury at work" claim.

Personal Injury Attorneys And The Top Three Myths Associated To Them

Let's start this discussion off with the fact that if you have been part of a serious personal injury then you are probably eligible for some kind of compensation. Of course this all depends on the circumstances surrounding the situation. But be rest assured that the laws of this country have been created to make sure your rights are protected. But to do this in the most effective manner you will need a lawyer that specializes in this. Specifically this will mean finding a competent personal injury lawyer to represent your case. Before you get discouraged by the many myths surrounding them we will dispel three of them in this article. The rest of this write-up will cover some popular myths and then state the fact about it.

Myth #1 - Hiring A Personal Injury Attorney Can Be Expensive

If you watch a lot of TV then your own image of what lawyers do and don't do has probably been skewed. The going image is that most lawyers are money hungry and will do anything to get more money. Of course this statement is probably true of anyone that has a job or who works for a living.

If you are willing to do just a little research then you should be able to find a personal injury lawyer who has your best interests in mind. It will not be hard to find a lawyer who has built their practice on the backs of all of the clients that have successfully and mutually benefited. This usually means getting a free consultation as an initial step before hiring. This will allow you to feel at ease and learn if you have a case worth pursuing.

Myth #2 - Hiring A Personal Injury Attorney Means A Lot Of Red Tape

You shouldn't let your fear of this prevent you from moving forward to find a good lawyer. Many people feel like the great lawyers will be to busy to deal with them and their case. If you spend the time upfront to work with a reputable attorney you will not have to deal with someone dodging phone calls via voice mails and secretaries. They will welcome the opportunity to exchange information with you.

Myth #3 - Hiring An Attorney May Get You Fired

If your injury happened at work or as a consequence of your job then you shouldn't fear reprisal by seeking out a personal injury attorney. One of the first things you will find out from your lawyer is that your employer can not hold it against you to seek compensation for an injury. This is where knowing your rights comes into play. Your attorney can answer all of your questions regarding this.

This is why you need to take your time and choose the right lawyer. By doing this you will have someone on your side that knows the law and can use that information to your advantage. So go after the compensation that is rightfully yours and choose from the eligible personal injury attorneys now!

A Philadelphia Lawyer Referral Service Lawyer Talks About Finding a Lawyer Referral Service

It is essential that you find an attorney you can trust as soon after an accident as possible. Both your insurance company and the other driver's company may try to obtain information from you before you do so. They know that once a skilled attorney is involved, they will lose certain tactical advantages. One of the insurance companies may try to negotiate a quick settlement with you in exchange for your signature on a General Release. If you have been injured in the accident, do not let this happen. Although you might be able to negotiate a property damage settlement without a lawyer, it is extremely unlikely that you will obtain full compensation for your pain and suffering when you negotiate one on one with an insurance company.

The very best way to find a good personal injury lawyer is by asking close friends or family for recommendations. But be sure that the recommendation is to an attorney who specializes in personal injury litigation. The days when one lawyer can help you with all of your legal problems are over. Most lawyers today specialize in one or two areas and refer all other cases to other attorneys. There are so many competent personal injury attorneys out there that it is an absolute mistake to retain anyone but a specialist. You can also check with your local Bar Association to find out if the lawyer you are considering has a good reputation.

The worst way to pick a lawyer is by the recommendation of someone you first meet at the accident scene. This nation's big cities are filled with "ambulance chasers" who magically appear at accident scenes ready to advise the vulnerable accident victim. These vultures are on the payroll of unethical lawyers who make their living off of the assembly line handling of vast numbers of personal injury cases, some real and some faked, or at least exaggerated. You should not trust your important rights to someone who practices the great profession of law in an unethical and unscrupulous way.

For more information about Evan Aidman, a Philadelphia, PA Lawyer Referral Service Injury Lawyer and his work with clients with serious injuries click here: Philadelphia, PA Lawyer Referral Service Injury Lawyer

Evan Aidman is the founder and principal of the Law Offices of Evan K. Aidman. Mr. Aidman received a Bachelor's Degree in psychology from the University of Florida where he was elected to the Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society after compiling a near perfect scholastic record. He graduated from the University of Pennsylvania Law School, an Ivy League Institution, in 1983.

Philadelphia PA Lawyer Talks About The Crime Victims Compensation Fund

A vastly underused source of funds is available for crime victims and their families, perhaps at the time when it is needed most. Many states have a Crime Victims Compensation Fund.

The Pennsylvania fund may cover medical expenses, loss of earnings, loss of support, funeral expenses, money stolen or defrauded from individuals on a fixed income, such as Social Security or pension, counseling expenses, relocation expenses, childcare/home health care expenses and crime-scene clean up. The program does not cover pain and suffering or stolen or damaged property, except replacement of stolen or damaged medical devices.

The claim must be filed within two years of the date of the crime. A longer period applies if the victim is a child. In certain circumstances, family members of the crime victim may be eligible for compensation.

The crime must be reported to the proper authorities within three days. You must cooperate with law enforcement authorities investigating the crime, the courts and the Victims Compensation Assistance Program in processing the claim.

The Crime Victims Compensation fund is regarded as a payer of last resort. Payment will be reduced by the amount of any other source, including, but not limited to: health or life insurance, awards for civil lawsuits or insurance, Medical Assistance, Medicare, disability insurance, Workers' Compensation, or Social Security.

Most claims are processed within three months, but can take longer if the claim is complex.

The Pennsylvania Crime Victims Compensation Act became law in 1976. This fund consists of fines and penalties assessed against persons convicted of crimes. No general tax revenues of the state are used.

A Guide to the Different Types of Personal Injury Lawyers

The world we live in is based around control and risk assessments. Whatever happens there is always someone to blame and to hold responsible. When something goes wrong there is always someone that has to pay for the mistake, sometimes even if he was not directly responsible, and could not have foreseen the situation. This blame culture has been created thanks to the fear of being hold legally accountable, or being sued, for a mistake or problem. That is why it is so important to understand the basic facts about Personal Injury Lawyer In Philadelphia or whichever city you live in.

This short article will look into the basics of this branch of law so we can be better prepared to either face it or use it to our benefit. We will be looking at three basic questions: what requirements must a personal injury lawyer fill? What kind of qualifications must he or she have? And, what kinds of injury lawyers exist, and which should you choose?

This short article will look into three main aspects of this profession. First we will look into the requirements they must have, second the qualifications they must pass, and finally the types that exist.

Plaintiff lawyers, another name that is used to describe them, must meet high professional and ethical standards. The professional standards include providing a good service to their clients. They must be able to analyze a case, identify the legal issues that bind it, and carry out the necessary research to build a good case for his client. Ethical responsibilities include secrecy, privacy, and loyalty to the client's best interests.

They must all pass a set of exams and tests. Obviously they need a law degree, then they must pass the state bar examination. After that, some states require further examinations. A popular one is the Multi-state bar examination, which is often taken in tandem with a Professional responsibility examination.

There are a wide variety of branches of this type of law practice. They generally center on providing attention to specific types of personal damage like medical malpractice, workplace injury, wrongful death, etc.

This variety of fields of expertise makes it very important to do your research and find a lawyer that is proficient in the specific lawsuit you are planning to present. If you are looking for a Personal Injury Lawyer in Philadelphia you must spend some time finding about his record, qualifications and success rate. However, there are probably going to be other issues you need to think about, like how expensive he or she is, and how payments must be made. Sometimes lawyers will work for a percentage of the compensation the client receives from the defendant.

A Philadelphia Personal Injury Attorney Discusses Traumatic Brain Injury and Traumatic Head Injury

TBI can cause a wide range of changes affecting thinking, sensation, language, and/or emotions. It can cause epilepsy and increase the risk for Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and other brain disorders.

TBI is more than twice as likely in males. The highest incidence is among persons 15 to 24 years of age and 75 years and older. Given the large toll of TBI and absence of a cure, prevention is of paramount importance.

Available evidence supports the use of certain cognitive and behavioral rehabilitation strategies for individuals with TBI. Increased understanding of the mechanisms of TBI and recovery hold promise for new treatments. People with TBI, their families, and significant others are integral to the implementation of the rehabilitation process and research. Rehabilitation services, matched to the needs of persons with TBI, and community-based non-medical services are needed to optimize outcomes over the course of recovery.

What are the long-term consequences of traumatic brain injury? Individuals with brain injury often experience problems with both vision and hearing loss.

According to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, at least 5.3 million Americans currently have a long-term or lifelong need for help to perform activities of daily living because of traumatic brain injury.

To obtain full compensation for TBI, you must retain an attorney that is willing to work with your doctor, neurologist, neuro-psychologist, occupational therapist, and rehabilitation specialist. Only then can your legal/medical team fully appreciate the impact of the injury upon you and your family. The best way to find such a lawyer is by getting the recommendation of a trusted friend or family member.

For more information about Evan Aidman, a Philadelphia, PA Brain Injury Lawyer and his work with clients with serious injuries click here: Philadelphia, PA Traumatic Brain Injury Lawyer

Evan Aidman is the founder and principal of the Law Offices of Evan K. Aidman. Mr. Aidman received a Bachelor's Degree in psychology from the University of Florida where he was elected to the Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society after compiling a near perfect scholastic record. He graduated from the University of Pennsylvania Law School, an Ivy League Institution, in 1983.

Personal Injury Attorney Assistance

Personal injury attorneys specialize in legal disputes regarding the negligence of others that caused you harm or injury. Negligence can cover a wide variety of circumstances from an out of control driver to a company manager failing to have an employee clean up a spill. Even if the accident was a result of indirect carelessness, personal injury lawyers can help you build a strong case, fight against insurance companies, and if necessary, take the case to trial in order to help you win the recompense that you deserve.

Depending on your specific circumstance, there is a lawyer out there that can help you. Many personal injury lawyers do not specialize in medial malpractice law or workers' compensation law. If your case involves something related to those two, seek out a lawyer that specializes in that field. Personal injury firms primarily focus on car accidents, construction accidents, lawsuits regarding defective products, or slip and fall incidents, but are not limited to these situations. Make sure to ask your lawyer for their experience with your type of injury when making your decision.

Personal injury lawyers are responsible to serve you, as their client, and argue your case as well as they can. The ultimate responsibility of this type of lawyer is to help you, the plaintiff, get the justice and the compensation that you deserve for your losses and afflictions.

When hiring a lawyer, always ask for a written retainer agreement. This agreement ensures that the lawyer you have hired has agreed to take on your case and is aware of the time that it may take to complete it. Many times the agreement may look short and simple, but make sure to thoroughly read the entire agreement before signing.

Generally speaking, if at any time you decide to appeal your case, your attorney will not need to represent you. However, there are times when your retainer agreement will require that the lawyer takes on the appeal.

If you, or someone you know, has been affected by the negligence of someone else, a company, or a government agency, there is a way to bring justice to it.

Billings Farnsworth is a freelance writer. Meyerson's Law Firm in Pennsylvania specializes in personal injury cases you can learn more from them about pennsylvania litigation and pennsylvania accident lawyer.

Qualities of a Trustworthy Personal Injury Attorney

When it comes time to hire a personal injury attorney you need to get serious about your search. You and your family's livelihood is on the line. Losing your case could prove disastrous. That said, choosing the right lawyer to take your case should be done carefully. Here are a few qualities you should look for in your chosen attorney.

• He has a professional website-Sure you shouldn't judge a book by its cover, but when it comes to hiring a personal injury attorney, you can learn a lot by looking at their website. A good attorney understands the importance of having a clean, well-maintained website to present to you. It's their job to sell themselves to you. And their website is pretty much their resume. Just as a boss wouldn't hire an employee with a sloppy resume, you should not hire a lawyer with a cheap website.

• He and his staff are experienced-With so much at stake, you don't want to entrust your case to a new personal injury attorney. No, you want someone who knows their way around the court room. Someone who has been in the field for many years and has lots of skills under his belt.

• He has a record marked by success-Of course, experience alone is not enough. Your chosen personal injury attorney needs to have a winning record. How can you be sure? Easily. Just look at his site. If he has experienced much success, he'll post about it on his site. Remember, if you have a winning record, you aren't going to hide it. You're going to post it in plain sight for the world to see. It's your strongest selling point.

• He gives a free initial consultation-You should never pay for your initial consultation. Period. That first meeting is for you to gain information and clarity on your situation, as well as deciding if the personal injury attorney is a good fit for your case. Not to mention for your personality. Sometimes people just don't gel. And you shouldn't have to pay to figure that out.

• He's worked for the other side-Your best bet is to find a personal injury attorney who has worked on the other side of the fence. Someone who has represented big employers and insurance companies in the past. The reasoning here is obvious. If they have experience fighting against people like you, then they'll be even more prepared to wage war in your defense. They'll know exactly how the opposing team will fight against you and be adequately prepared for rebuttal. It's like having the opposing team's playbook during a football game, but not cheating. You're sure to win.

Remember, when it's time to hire a personal injury attorney, take it seriously. Look for one who exhibits the above qualities and you'll have yourself a winner. Failing to do so could put your personal finances and well being in grave danger. And why would you do that if there's a feasible option right under your nose?

Choosing An Injury Lawyer: What You Need To Ask

If you've been hurt in an accident due to another party's negligence, it may be in your best interests to seek out the advice and representation of an injury lawyer. While the general public tends to have a certain, jaded view of civil trial attorneys, the truth is that they represent one of the few professions out there that continue to look out for the little guy. If you are facing down the prospect of exorbitant medical bills, lost wages, and possibly even the ramifications of a wrongful death, you'll be glad they are there. Here are some questions you should ask when choosing someone to be on your side.

What's Your Experience?

Don't make the mistake of assuming every injury lawyer is coming to the table with the same credentials. Nothing could be further from the truth. Even if every attorney went to the same law school and graduated with the same grades, there would still be an enormous gap between the best guy for the job and the worst. Some of this is down to skill, but much of it is down to experience. Not only do you want an attorney with years of general courtroom experience, you want someone steeped in your specific case law. For instance, if you've been hurt in a motorcycle accident, you want someone who has handled motorcycle cases in the past. Knowing the ropes can make all the difference.

Who Will I Be Working With?

There's nothing wrong with considering a larger law firm, but you need to know who you'll be working with. Many potential clients sign on with the expectation that they'll be working with the injury lawyer they met with in the initial consultation, or maybe the one who's in all of the TV commercials. This isn't always the case and it can lead to confusion and irritation, to say the least. Before you sign a contract, you deserve to know what exactly it is you'll be getting.

What Is Your Strategy?

An injury lawyer isn't going to be able to map out the entire case for you during an initial consultation, but they should be able to give you a general idea of how they will proceed. Make sure the skeleton of their strategy matches up with what you want out of the case. If you're interested in settling the case as soon as possible, you don't want to sign on with an attorney who is ready to take the case to trial. Being on the same page with your counsel is an extremely important factor of success.

Personal Injury Attorney and Cases

Many times in the legal world, people are placed with personal injury lawsuits. The attorney in a personal injury case is looking for whose fault the accident was and basically if there was a reason for why the person was hurt. For example, if the person is hurt in the home of someone else since the homeowner has a home that is accident prone. In this case, the homeowner is responsible. When the attorney addresses this, then they may file a claim against the person that is responsible, in order to get losses for the victim. And just what kind of losses are people claiming when they make one of these cases? Their attorney may sue for medical costs that they have received from the damages that they had at the home. They may also sue for the money that they have lost from being unable to work due to their injuries.

There are quite a few factors that are going to contribute to whether the person has a personal injury case or not. For example, assertion of risk is a factor that has to be considered. Which is basically stating that the person knew that they were taking a risk when they went into an area or performed a job. If the defendant can state the client did know the risk, then the attorney may state that the client does not have much of a case to stand on, thus it is not the case that the attorney is going to want to take. However, the key factor that most personal injury attorney's are looking for is liability. Liability is when the person is held liable when it can be determined that a person was hurt because the person did not take the responsibly for safety that they should have.

Personal injury is something that takes up a lot of cases, and a lot of time that an attorney is spending in courts and preparing. However, it is intriguing to know that the majority of personal injury cases never really make it to court. The reason for this is that most attorney's and their clients are ready to settle out of court to avoid not only the length of trails but the added cost to going to trial. Many people are going to have their trial heard in small claims court in which a judge may hear the case and allow the parties to reach a decision that is mutual. If the parties cannot make a decision that is mutual, then the case may then go to state court, and perhaps even federal court, though this is rare.

What Exactly Is A Personal Injury Attorney?

A personal injury lawyer is someone who can legally represent you in a case that has been caused because of an injury, whether it is psychological or if the injury is because of something physical. It can be caused from another individual, employer, employee, etc..If you have had an injury caused by someone else they may handle your court case.

Most of these cases fall under the category of tort law. Because of this they may have more knowledge in this field than other general practicing attorneys. Tort law deals with economic and non-economic claims to an individual.

Although a personal injury lawyer can handle other cases besides tort law, most often they will only take on these types of cases. That is how they are identified.

The major practicing areas for personal injury lawyers are most often the following but not limited to:

Car Accidents - vehicle wrecks, wrongful death, property damage, non-compliance to motor vehicle code, anything that deals with an automobile accident, etc..

Truck Accidents - proper loading, truck inspection, driver fatigue, and any other truck related cases.

Motorcycle Accidents - not wearing a helmet, lane changes, personal injury, not adhering to motorcycle codes, etc..

Pedestrian Accidents - striking a pedestrian, crosswalk violations, hit by an uninsured driver, etc..

Drunk Driving - alcohol impaired driving accidents.

Bicycle Accidents - riding on the sidewalk and not adhering to bicycle codes and bicycle related accidents.

Medical Malpractice - any malpractice dealing with medical problems or injuries.

Premises Liability - negligent accidents such as slip and falls and other premises accidents.

Wrongful Death - the wrongful death of an individual.

Dog Bites - animal attacks and other injuries that have been caused by animals.

A personal injury attorney must follow the same legal code of ethics that all other lawyers adhere to. After passing the bar exam and other legal documents they can represent you in a court of law. These are strict codes of conduct that are very detailed and are different from state to state.

Most attorneys are paid with a contingency policy attached to your particular case. A percentage will be awarded to the attorney based upon the settlement outcome. This is the most popular method of compensation but not all injury attorneys have the same type of payment option. It is popular because it allows the client to get legal representation without having to put any money up front. The attorney is only awarded on the performance outcome.

If you have been injured in Chicago Illinois and need a Chicago personal injury lawyer then contact Dwyer & McDevitt by clicking on the highlighted links. Chicago car accident attorneys will handle many types of vehicular cases.

Pennsylvania Injury Lawyer Talks About Philadelphia Injury To Pedestrian

This article has a sample complaint for a pedestrian who is struck by a car. The complaint also seeks damages for the pedestrian's wife.

1. Plaintiff, Joshua Williams is an adult individual who resides at the address indicated in the caption.

2. Plaintiff, Rachel Williams is an adult individual who resides at the address indicated in the caption.

3. Defendant, Gina Davis is an adult individual who resides at the address indicated in the caption.

4. On or about October 5, 2006 at approximately 5:15 P.M., plaintiff, Joshua Williams was a pedestrian who was struck by a motor vehicle at or near Curie Boulevard and University Avenue, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, as a result of which he sustained serious personal injuries, the details of which are hereafter more fully set forth.

5. At the aforesaid time date and place, the said motor vehicle was owned and operated by defendant, Gina Davis.

6. The said accident was caused solely by the negligence of defendant, Gina Davis and was due in no manner whatsoever to any actions taken by plaintiff.

7. Following the accident, plaintiff, Joshua Williams was required to undergo medical attention with the following health care providers:

Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania

Benjamin Chang, M.D.

8. Plaintiff avers that the injuries he sustained in the above accident were the result of the defendant's negligence which consisted of the following:

a. Operating the motor vehicle at a high and excessive rate of speed under the circumstances;

b. Failing to have the said motor vehicle under proper and adequate control at the time;

c. Failing to give proper and sufficient warning of the approach of the said vehicle;

d. Operating the said vehicle without due regard for the rights, safety and position of the plaintiff at the point aforesaid;

e. Violating the various ordinances of the City of Philadelphia and the statutes of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania pertaining to the operation of motor vehicles;

f. With plaintiff in plain view, failing to exercise care and vigilance so as to avoid hitting plaintiff;

g. Passing a stopped bus and over double yellow lines before striking the body of the plaintiff;

h. Otherwise failing to exercise due care under the circumstances.

COUNT I

JOSHUA WILLIAMS v. GINA DAVIS

9. The allegations contained in paragraphs 1 through 8 above are incorporated by reference as though set forth in full.

10. As the result of the defendant's negligence, plaintiff sustained severe personal injuries including but not limited to left fifth finger fracture, contusions, shoulder and knee pain, shock and injury to his nerves and nervous system, and he was otherwise injured.

11. As a result of this accident, the plaintiff became sick, sore, lame and incurred physical pain all of which may continue in the future.

12. As a further result of this accident, the plaintiff has suffered great pain and agony and will continue to suffer the same in the future.

13. As a further result of this accident, the plaintiff has suffered an injury which is in full or part a cosmetic disfigurement which may be permanent, irreparable and severe.

14. Plaintiff has the full tort option since the motor vehicle he owned at the time of this accident carried the full tort option.

15. As a further result of this accident, plaintiff has been and/or will be obliged to receive and undergo medical attention and care and to expend various sums of money or to incur various expenses which have or may exceed the sum recoverable under the limits in 75 P.S. §1711 and he may be obliged to continue to expend such sums or incur such expenditures for an indefinite time in the future.

16. As a further result of this accident, plaintiff has or may incur hereafter other financial expenses or losses which exceed amounts which he may otherwise or entitled to recover or which may constitute otherwise unrecoverable expenses or losses.

WHEREFORE, plaintiff, Joshua Williams demands judgment in his favor and against the defendant, Gina Davis in an amount not in excess of FIFTY THOUSAND ($50,000.00) DOLLARS, plus costs.

COUNT II

RACHEL WILLIAMS v. GINA DAVIS

17. Plaintiff, Rachel Williams hereby incorporates paragraphs 1 through 16 above as if set forth herein at length.

18. Solely as a result of the foregoing negligence of the defendant, plaintiff, Rachel Williams has been deprived of the aid, comfort, assistance, society, companionship and services of her husband, and she may be deprived of the same in the future, all of which is to her great damage and financial loss.

19. As a further result of this accident, plaintiff, Rachel Williams has been or will be obliged to expend various sums of money or to incur various expenses resulting from the aforementioned injuries suffered by plaintiff, Joshua Williams, and she may be obliged to continue to expend such sums or incur such expenditures for an indefinite time in the future.

WHEREFORE, plaintiff, Rachel Williams demands judgment in her favor and against the defendant, Gina Davis in an amount not in excess of FIFTY THOUSAND ($50,000.00) DOLLAR, plus costs.

For more information about Evan Aidman, a Philadelphia, PA Injury Lawyer and his work with clients with serious injuries click here: Philadelphia, PA Injury Lawyer

Evan Aidman is the founder and principal of the Law Offices of Evan K. Aidman. Mr. Aidman received a Bachelor's Degree in psychology from the University of Florida where he was elected to the Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society after compiling a near perfect scholastic record. He graduated from the University of Pennsylvania Law School, an Ivy League Institution, in 1983.

A Philadelphia Personal Injury Lawyer Talks About Slip And Fall Injuries And Settlement

For a case involving injuries resulting from a slip and fall on ice, a special settlement demand letter is warranted. Here is a sample for you to use in your own case.

Dear Insurance Adjuster:

Enclosed is wage loss documentation and the complete medical specials for Nira Thomas. Ms. Thomas was severely injured on January 9, 2001 in a fall down accident for which you have accepted full liability.

Nira Thomas fell flat on her back after sliding on the ice on your insured's property. She immediately made an appointment with Dr. Jess P. Jones and was seen by him later that day. Ms. Thomas received chiropractic treatments from Dr. Jones on January 9, 11, 17, 29 and February 5, 2001. Because the pain was not abating after these treatments, Ms. Thomas requested a referral to an orthopaedist. The pain actually got worse during the first six weeks after the accident. The injury was exacerbated in the first two months by the physical and emotional stress of Ms. Thomas's work responsibilities, which as detailed below, she was unable to substantially curtail.

Dr. Leroy Hamm examined Nira Thomas on February 12, and March 14, 2001. Dr. Hamm's reports document that Ms. Thomas had been having some lower back pain just prior to this accident. The accident of January 9, 2001 exacerbated her lower back pain, causing it to radiate to her right buttock. Dr. Hamm diagnosed Ms. Thomas as having suffered a lumbo sacral strain. He prescribed medication and a lower back physical therapy program. My client took medication for several months in conjunction with physical therapy, reducing the medication as tolerable.

Ms. Thomas began receiving physical therapy on February 15, 2001 at Nova Care. She treated consistently through May 18, 2001. Ms. Thomas received additional treatment at Physical Therapy Now from May 21, 2001 to December 4, 2001. It was only this physical therapy which provided significant relief to my client.

Ms. Thomas was examined by her internist, Dr. William Schetzy in the Fall of 2001. The report he prepared for the U.S. Department of Labor is enclosed.

Note that Nira Thomas continues to this day to suffer considerable back pain and has significant limitation in her activities of daily living as the result of this accident. She takes pain medication typically on an intermittent basis, and on a daily basis when the pain is exacerbated. She does exercises at home and receives massages from her husband, Robert.

The marital strain on both of my clients, sexual, emotional and physical from the time of this accident, has been great. In addition to the daily marital and personal and work stresses Ms. Thomas has been under, the delay in pursuing her biological reproductive objectives greatly impacted and continues to impact my clients to this day. Financially, emotionally, physically and spiritually, it has been devastating.

Following the accident, Ms. Thomas's supervisor would not permit her to substantially reduce her total weekly hours or work responsibilities for many weeks, until she was determined to be qualified under FMLA. In extreme pain in January-March, 2001, Ms. Thomas alternated standing and sitting at her desk, attempting to work on the computer. She was unable to sit for more than 10-15 minutes at a time. It was only after the FMLA qualification was submitted to the Human Resources department, that her supervisor was obligated to reduced Ms. Thomas's hours and shift some of her work load to another employee. Until then, Ms. Thomas simply worked through the pain.

Another work consequence of the injury was that this supervisor did not allow Ms. Thomas to pursue professional development training programs in the Spring of 2001. My client had previously signed up for these programs but could not attend them because of her decreased hours. This loss of professional development for Ms. Thomas has impacted her earning horizons. Ms. Thomas loss in productivity after the accident was a major reason that she did not get a raise or cost of living increase during her annual review in July, 2001.

In view of the clear liability and severity of the damages sustained, settlement demand is hereby made in the amount of $85,000.00 for Nira Thomas and $10,000.00 for Robert Thomas. Please contact me after your review of this claim is complete.

For more information about Evan Aidman, a Philadelphia, PA Injury Lawyer and his work with clients with serious injuries click here: Philadelphia, PA Injury Attorney

Evan Aidman is the founder and principal of the Law Offices of Evan K. Aidman. Mr. Aidman received a Bachelor's Degree in psychology from the University of Florida where he was elected to the Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society after compiling a near perfect scholastic record. He graduated from the University of Pennsylvania Law School, an Ivy League Institution, in 1983.

A Philadelphia Brain Injury Lawyer Talks About ADR and Brain Injury and Head Injury Litigation

Jury trials are expensive, time consuming, stressful and risky. Many litigants prefer Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR). The principle forms of ADR are mediation and binding arbitration. ADR can take place in virtually any setting, utilizing virtually any procedure, provided that everyone agrees.

There are many companies that offer arbitration/mediation services for legal disputes.

Mediation involves bringing the sides together before a (hopefully) neutral mediator. This can be a judge, an ex-judge, a practicing attorney, a professional mediator or any other individual both sides agree on. By bringing the parties together in this setting, the mediator hopes to expedite settlement of the case or, at least, to bring the sides closer together.

Mediators promote settlements by pointing out vulnerabilities that the parties may not realize exist in their own case. The mediator's neutral perspective may give both sides the first truly independent evaluation of the case. This can greatly influence the way the parties view the settlement value of the case.

Binding arbitration is second choice, and a better option if the sides are entrenched in their positions. Binding arbitration may involve a mini or summary trial. The rules of evidence are relaxed to permit admission of evidence without the formalities required in jury trials.

For example, medical reports may be used to prove damages rather than medical testimony. This greatly reduces the length and expense of litigation. With binding arbitration, the ruling of the arbitrator ends the dispute. With non-binding, the ruling is advisory only.

High-low arbitrations are a special kind of binding arbitration in which the parties agree to high-low parameters. These parameters set the upper and lower limits of the award. For example, in a 100/10 high-low arbitration, the most the plaintiff could receive is $100,000, regardless of the size of the award. The lowest possible award would be $10,000, even if the arbitrator returned a $0 award. If the award is somewhere between $10,000 and $100,000, the plaintiff receives that in-between amount.

United States Arbitration and Mediation is a company that uses high-low arbitrations.

The scary thing about submitting your legal dispute to binding arbitration is that it is binding. Absent gross misconduct by an arbitrator or litigant, here is essentially no appeal from an unsatisfactory binding arbitration award. With jury trials, the grounds for reversal on appeal are much broader. Thus, one of the most crucial elements of any binding arbitration is the identity of the arbitrator(s).

With a jury trial, you case is decided by "a jury of your peers". You have some degree of control over the makeup of that jury through the voir dire process. Effective voir dire is crucial to a good outcome and requires great care. With binding arbitrations, you must select the arbitrator(s) with an even higher degree of care.

The danger with arbitration is that the arbitrator(s) often have pre-existing relationships with one or more of the attorneys and/or the insurance company. There is little danger of that with juries since jurors who know one of the parties or lawyers are stricken for cause from the panel.

For more information about Evan Aidman, a Philadelphia, PA Brain Injury Lawyer and his work with clients with serious injuries click here: Philadelphia, PA Head Injury Lawyer

Evan Aidman is the founder and principal of the Law Offices of Evan K. Aidman. Mr. Aidman received a Bachelor's Degree in psychology from the University of Florida where he was elected to the Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society after compiling a near perfect scholastic record. He graduated from the University of Pennsylvania Law School, an Ivy League Institution, in 1983.

Tips That Help You Find a Personal Injury Attorney

When you see yourself in a situation that requires legal service, it is best if you know who the good Personal Injury Attorneys are. Whether you want to file a claim against your insurance company, or are involved in a lawsuit, a litigation lawyer can help you.

Finding the right injury lawyer may not be difficult, if you follow our simple tips. Remember that having a competent lawyer is your best tool to have a good litigation or settlement. There are many ways to find lawyers who do well in their specialization.

Your friends, relatives and even colleagues can be a good source. Maybe, at one point in their lives, a few of them had hired a lawyer. Whether it was divorce, immigration, or car accident lawyers, they can be helpful.

Surely, the attorneys whom your friends or relatives hired before may know many personal injury attorneys who can take care of your needs. Depending on your situation, you can even get a free consultation from a litigation lawyer.

If they cannot recommend a good legal help to you, or if they do not know where the law offices are located, in your local area, you can do a search on the web.

If you have access to the internet, you can type the word injury attorneys, to narrow down your search to your specific needs. A list of their websites will then appear on your screen.

Start getting the contact details of the ones that are nearest to your home or office. You can also visit their site to determine the reputation of the law office.

The American Bar Association can also help you to find the best personal injury attorneys. When you visit their website, you can do a search of lawyers on the box that says, "Find Legal Help".

The search tool will take you to the US Map. You have to choose which State you are located in so that the website will give you links to a list of attorneys in your area. The bureau can even provide other legal resources that can help your legal situation.

If you cannot access the web, you can do your search using the telephone directory. It contains complete contact information on legal offices in your city. You can start making a list of potential personal injury attorneys and start calling their offices for appointment.

Sometimes, people have a list of questions they will ask the potential injury lawyer once they meet. This is a good way to gauge the competence of the litigation lawyer.

It depends on your style and confidence, but some people are straightforward in asking questions about the lawyer's qualifications. For example, people may ask directly how long they have has been in their specialization and what are their rates.

They also ask how many cases he had handled and how many juries have given him favorable verdict. Most importantly, people ask how many settlements he had worked out in behalf of his clients.

Good personal injury attorneys put you at ease during your meeting and are attentive to your needs. They may also give you advice on how to proceed with your situation or what your best options are.

At times, it will be useful to know straightforward about their legal fees. Some personal injury lawyers have been in business for a long time and their reputation gives them the ability to charge a bit higher than others. Take those free consultations that lawyers give so you can evaluate them. Work with one that you feel comfortable with, since you will be talking with him frequently.

Philadelphia PA Lawyer Talks About The Power of the Internet

The Internet is a great place to start an
investigation.

I recently filed a lawsuit against a lawyer
who refused to pay me a referral fee for
a personal injury case I had referred to
his firm. He had agreed to pay me one
third of the total fee. When the case
settled, he conveniently forgot about me.

I decided to sue him in Philadelphia in
order to gain the "home field advantage".
This lawyer practices in New York and
New Jersey. He filed objections to my
lawsuit, claiming that he did no work in
Pennsylvania, had no connection of any
Kind to Pennsylvania and that, therefore,
the Pennsylvania courts had no jurisdiction
over him. "Jurisdiction" is defined as the
power, right, or authority to interpret and
apply the law. He seeks transfer of the
case to New York or New Jersey.

I decided to "Google" him, just to be sure.
I tried "Googling" his name and his law
firm's name, but found nothing helpful.
Finally, I added his middle name, and
struck pay dirt. It turns out that this
lawyer was licensed to practice law in
Pennsylvania in 1998. I learned this
from his advertisement.

He currently holds himself out on that
website as a "specialist in personal
injury in NY, NJ and PA".

Also, the Disciplinary Board of the
Pennsylvania Supreme Court recently
transferred him to "inactive status",
for reasons I have yet to determine.

Since jurisdiction in Pennsylvania is
proper over any person who engages in
any business or profession in this
Commonwealth, I believe the Pennsylvania
courts have jurisdiction over him.

For more information about Evan Aidman, a Philadelphia Personal Injury Lawyer and his work with clients with serious injuries click here: Philadelphia Personal Injury Attorney

Evan Aidman is the founder and principal of the Law Offices of Evan K. Aidman. Mr. Aidman received a Bachelor's Degree in psychology from the University of Florida where he was elected to the Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society after compiling a near perfect scholastic record. He graduated from the University of Pennsylvania Law School, an Ivy League Institution, in 1983.

Finding Personal Injury Lawyers

If you have been the victim of an accident and suffered an injury, then the next step is to find a personal injury lawyer. Nowadays, many personal injury lawyers are readily available. Because of the availability of lawyers that are in this specialty, it is very important to make sure that the attorney that you are considering retaining has a good track record, is honest and most of all, that they can be trusted with your case.

When trying to select a personal injury attorney, it is important to find out about the potential lawyers' fees. Some attorneys will give you a free consultation while other may charge a nominal fee. Depending on the type of injury that you have, it will be a personal decision if you want to have your initial meeting with an attorney that charges a consult fee. That doesn't make them "bad" attorneys; just some attorneys do business different from others.

During your initial meeting and shopping around it is important to do research on the lawyer to find out their track record and what type of injuries that have worked with. Finding out a lawyer's success rate should be one of the first things anyone should do when they are considering hiring personal injury lawyers. This alone will help to determine if you should pay the consult fee that may be required by the lawyer that you are interested in.

Once you go for your initial meeting with your attorney, you will need to bring all proof that you have any related documents to your case. Being well prepared can help you and your lawyer get to the bottom of the issue at hand as well as expedite your case in the lawyers mind so he has a good idea of which direction to go with your case, it is also important to be as honest as possible when you are speak to your attorney. This way, he can adequately defend you and your case.

Again, it is very easy to find personal injury lawyers. Often times there will be many solicitors in your town that can help you locate the attorney that is right for your case. It is just important to make sure they have a reliable track record and a high level of success in your city. If you have any friends that have had to make a claim, find out which attorney that used and speak with them. If that is not the case, then you can find out if anyone at your place of employment has ever been in a situation that needed a personal injury lawyer and if they can make a recommendation.

Remember, hiring an attorney is a very personal decision and one that should be researched according to your particular needs. There are many honest and reliable personal injury lawyers that can help you with your issue at hand, regardless of the magnitude of your case. Before we go we have a final word of warning when selection personal injury lawyers, if you find a lawyer who is not ready to meet you in person to discuss your case, it is best to move on the next candidate.