Medical malpractice lawsuits have some of the highest settlements in the legal industry, with juries awarding $1 million on average. As a result of this and other factors, some states have implemented changes to court procedures related to medical malpractice lawsuits designed to cut down on the number of frivolous lawsuits. One of those changes is requiring plaintiffs to file affidavits of merit before their cases can proceed. Here’s what you need to know about this requirement to ensure you get your day in court.…
If you have been injured on your job and you are currently receiving pay from workers’ compensation, you may be approached by the insurance company about entering into a settlement agreement. This is a contract between you, your employer, and their workers’ compensation insurance company. While the amount the insurance company offers may seem to be sizable, there are deductions that must be paid out of it. Knowing what these deductions are upfront will help you to calculate the net amount you may actually see.…
If you are charged with a DUI, you may be wondering whether you should try to fight the charge or simply plead guilty and move on. If you plead guilty to a DUI, or are convicted of the charges, your life can change. You can be fined thousands of dollars, face jail time, be forced to attend and pay for alcohol education classes and find yourself with a criminal record that you must disclose to employers.…
If you’re a practicing lawyer in the Freestone State, you may already take advantage of some of the continuing legal education (CLE) courses available in your area(s) of practice. Keeping abreast of changes in law and procedure can help ensure a greater likelihood of success in court and help you speak knowledgeably to your clients and colleagues. However, because Connecticut is a voluntary CLE state with no minimum hours requirement, you’re technically permitted to pass the bar exam and then practice for decades without ever taking a refresher course on law, ethics, or procedure.…
If you pass the means test for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, you will be able to file if you decide to. When you file, your debts will be separated into categories. One category will be debts that are dischargeable, and the other category will be debts that are not dischargeable. Before you file, it will be important for you to know which categories your debts fall into, because this may help you decide whether bankruptcy will be beneficial for you.…
A divorce is already tough enough as it is, and saying or doing the wrong thing can make it even worse. When your emotions are running high through a stressful time like this, it is easy to make the wrong decision. Here are six mistakes you will want to avoid making during a divorce:
Not Considering Unsecured Debt
If you or your spouse incurred unsecured debt, such as credit card debt, while you were married, you are both responsible for paying it.…
The Fifth Amendment of the United States prohibits people from being prosecuted for the same crime a second time if they were acquitted or convicted of the crime previously or after a certain types of mistrials. However, like pretty much anything in life, there are a few exceptions to the rule. If you have been previously charged for a DWI, here are the times when you may face a double DUI conviction.…
According to Nolo, just over 2,300,000 American citizens apply for Social Security Disability benefits every year. If you’ve recently applied for disability benefits and were dismayed by a denial letter, the next step you need to take is to file an appeal. The appeals process can be long, harrowing and very confusing. Before you begin your application, here are a few important questions you might have, including whether you should contact an attorney:…
Medical malpractice is defined as an incident that results in death or injury due to a medical professional’s neglect or an error that was made. Typically, the treatment provided by the health professional will fall below the accepted standards of practice. While many of these complex medical malpractice suits are filed against the doctor and the establishment, other medical caregivers could be subject to a medical malpractice lawsuit as well. It can be difficult to know when medical malpractice has occurred, especially when many people don’t really know about medical procedures or how they should be carried out properly.…
Did your actions lead you to slip and fall at a local business? Did your fall result in an injury that caused you to lose work and/or wrack up extensive medical bills? Perhaps you wore slippery shoes and lost your step on a slick tile, or maybe you were browsing through coupons when you tripped on a box at your local grocery store. Whatever action you’re blaming yourself for that caused you to be injured by a slip and fall accident, it’s time to reevaluate your percentage of fault in the incident.…
