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Spotting The Signs Of Elder Abuse In Nursing Homes

Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer

Elder abuse doesn’t just happen out in the world — it can happen right under your nose, even in nursing homes. Although some people think that abuse only takes place in isolated cases, it actually happens much more often than you might think. Unfortunately, it’s an issue that isn’t given the attention it deserves; many patients are afraid to speak up about what’s happening to them, and there aren’t enough people who check on them and make sure they’re safe, which is why you might need a nursing home abuse lawyer. Our friends at Disparti Law Group have put together some signs to help you recognize elder abuse.

Changes in Activity Level

Pay attention to changes in your loved one’s usual activity level. If you notice a sudden drop-off or a sharp decline, it could be a sign that something is going on. If you notice any increased apathy or physical lethargy, there may be an underlying medical reason or it could be that they are feeling depressed due to elder abuse. Either way, take note. If this continues for a few days, make sure to call their doctor. A change in appetite is also cause for concern and can indicate illness or depression as well as abuse. Watch out for rapid mood swings from calm and happy to crying spells and outbursts quickly followed by periods of serenity

Appearing Nervous

A nervous appearance is one of the signs that your loved one may be at risk for abuse. In nursing homes, your loved one’s condition may make them appear jittery or nervous, especially if they’re entering a new living situation. According to an investigation, residents are often medicated with anti-anxiety drugs to make them easier to manage. If your loved one seems overly nervous, it could be their medication playing tricks on them. It’s also important to know that dementia can sometimes cause unusual behavior. These symptoms aren’t necessarily abuse related; however, it’s still worth raising awareness among staff members if you see such changes in behavior.

Unexplained Injuries

Any unexplained injuries require immediate attention and possible legal action. The most common signs of abuse are unexplained bruises, bed sores, unexplained broken bones, or untreated injuries. If you see any of these injuries on your loved one during a visit to a nursing home, ask questions about them and look for answers that make sense. Any concerning information should be brought to your attorney’s attention as soon as possible so that they can begin investigating whether abuse is taking place at that facility.

Missing Clothing or Valuables

Are any clothing or valuables missing from your loved one’s room? This could be a sign that they’re losing their sense of autonomy. If you notice several items missing, there may be an issue with a staff member. You should report any suspicious behavior to your loved one’s doctor and his or her administrator.  If you believe this is happening because your loved one can’t afford to buy new clothes on their own, discuss this concern with the social worker on staff. They might offer help.

In the meantime, contact a nursing home abuse lawyer today for help with your elderly loved one that may be showing signs of abuse.

When a Personal Injury Lawyer is Needed

Personal injury situations and the suffering that an individual goes through all depend on various factors. Examples include the impact of the incident, the broken bones, whether the person gets a concussion, and more.  More importantly, an example of a personal injury that someone could get is an individual slipping on ice and getting a concussion. Another example could be work-related and someone having their shoulder dislocated, due to poor safety measures to work, when it comes to business.  When this happens, a personal injury lawyer can assist people in getting the compensation they need for their suffering.

How a personal injury lawyer can help

What a personal injury lawyer can assist with is working through compensation factors, as well as assessing not just physical trauma, but also mental trauma that can come with a personal injury. To give an example of trauma, a car accident, which is classified as a personal injury, can cause a person to feel guilt over someone they loved being injured in the car with them, trauma, and fear overriding a car again due to the suddenness and severity of the crash.  Moreover, an assessment of these factors by a personal injury lawyer also leads to questions such as when and where the accident took place, the damage and suffering that was caused, and more.  These focus on how the injury happened, whether the business has a history of these accidents happening and safety measures set in place, etc. The questions aid in refining the personal injury case, since such cases are not black and white.

Personal Injury Lawyer work

What makes a personal injury law firm so effective is that when it comes to their model, there is a strong approach in relation to how the work is completed and escalated over time.  In other words, a good personal injury law firm continues to expand in such a way that they focus on multiple types of personal injuries at once. This helps cases to be assessed with an in-depth approach.

3 Types of Personal Injury Cases

Personal injury law covers an incredibly wide spectrum of topics. It is always important to contact a personal injury lawyer, as soon as you think that you may have a case. Your lawyer will be able to look at the details surrounding your case to determine if it will be worth pursuing. Even if what happened is not included in this article, you may still be able to get compensation for your expenses. A personal injury case can be anything that involves the negligent actions of another party. 

Slip and Fall Accidents

One of the most common types of personal injury cases is slip and falls. This is likely because they can happen anywhere at any time. The injured party does need to prove that there was some kind of negligence involved and it was not merely gravity or the victim’s own clumsiness that caused the fall. For example, if the place that the fall occurred had a slippery surface or some kind of hazard that physically caused the fall, this could be the proof you need for a case. 

Car and Truck Accidents

Many people drive every single day, whether it is to run errands, go to work, or drive family members around to obligations. Unfortunately, accidents do happen and people can leave with injuries ranging from incredibly mild to severe. It is always important to hold the at fault party responsible for their actions. Sometimes, this is through an insurance settlement, but other times a person needs to go to court to get fair compensation. You should always consult with a personal injury lawyer before deciding how to best pursue the compensation you deserve. 

Dog Bite Injuries

Dogs are amazing pets. They can be a liability, though. If a dog bites someone else and the other person was not threatening the animal or owner, the victim may be able to get compensation. It will all depend on where the accident occurred and whether the victim was provoking the dog in any way. The severity of a dog bite injury often depends on how big the dog is and where the victim is bitten. No matter what, it is important to have an experienced personal injury lawyer on your side. 

Contact a Lawyer Immediately

You should always reach out to a personal injury lawyer as soon as you realize that you may have a case. A lawyer will be able to look at the details surrounding your case, figure out the best argument to use in court, and will make sure you do not miss the statute of limitations for filing. 

5 Common Mistakes In a Personal Injury Case

It’s important to be aware of the common mistakes in an injury case. While you may have a strong case, there are some things you can do to ruin your chances of winning.

If you’ve been injured due to the negligence of another, it’s important to understand the common mistakes that can hinder your injury case. While you may have a valid claim, there are some things that you can do on your own that will harm your chances of a successful outcome. It’s important to consult an experienced personal injury lawyer like Therman Law Offices, LTD after an accident as soon as possible so that you don’t unknowingly cause damage to your own claim.

Here are 5 common mistakes made in an injury case:

  1. Not Hiring a Personal Injury Lawyer

If you were injured due to the negligence of another person or company, it is best to hire an attorney as soon after the accident as possible. A personal injury lawyer like Therman Law Offices, LTD will be able to guide you through the process and tell you what information is best left out of any statements or documents provided during the course of the investigation or trial. Your lawyer will also handle all communications with insurance companies so that they cannot take advantage of you by getting you to make statements or sign documents that will damage your case. Your lawyer will also know how much compensation is reasonable for

  1. Don’t Lie to Your Personal Injury Lawyer

Some clients lie to their personal injury lawyers about their injuries or how their accident occurred. They do this because they are afraid that the personal injury lawyer will not want to accept the case if they tell him the truth. If a client lies to his personal injury lawyer and the personal injury lawyer accepts the case, this is a problem for both parties if the truth comes out later. If it comes out later, it may cause the jury to not trust anything you have to say and harm your credibility.

  1. Don’t Delay Seeking Medical Attention

You need to seek medical attention after an accident immediately and continue with treatment until you reach maximum medical improvement (MMI). There are many reasons why you need to seek medical attention immediately after an accident occurs and continue with treatment until you are completely healed.

  1. Signing documents from the insurance company without having them reviewed by a personal injury lawyer

Insurance companies are not in business to pay claims; they want to minimize their payout on the claim. The adjuster may seem friendly and helpful, but he or she is not your friend and does not have your best interests in mind.

Before signing any document from the insurance company, speak with an experienced personal injury lawyer about its contents and whether it might hurt your claim down the road. Many times we see clients who sign documents that limit their rights without realizing what they were signing.

  1. Don’t Wait Too Long To Call A Personal Injury Lawyer

An injured victim needs time to recover from their injuries before suing the responsible party. As your personal injury lawyer, the Therman Law Offices, LTD will handle all aspects of your case so that there is no added stress on top of how things are already. With the Therman Law Offices, LTD’s support, you can focus on regaining your health instead of worrying about anything else. We will fight for your rights while providing compassionate care throughout this challenging process.

Get Help When Insurance Agents Refuse to Settle

Car Accident Lawyer

After a car accident, you may be experiencing various emotions in addition to the physical pain of your injuries. This can be a difficult time for your as you try to navigate the different medical appointments you have and determine whether you would like to file a personal injury claim. Unless your injuries are very severe after a car accident, it can be hard to tell if filing an injury claim is the right move. You may be wondering if it is simply too much hassle and whether you will even need the help of a lawyer. The truth is, it is never a waste of your time or effort to reach out to a personal injury lawyer you can trust to discuss your claim and determine whether you have what is necessary for a personal injury claim.

Trouble With Insurance Companies

By far, one of the worst aspects of filing a personal injury claim after a car accident is dealing with the insurance company that will be involved in your claim. Insurance agents are all too happy to get you on the phone talking about the accident and discussing your injuries. If you are new to filing a personal injury claim, you should understand that they do this to get you to reveal as much information as possible, not so they can empathize and help you with your claim.

What To Do When Insurance Companies Refuse to Settle Claims

Many people are surprised to find that insurance companies will get on the phone with you, check in to see how you’re doing, then flat out refuse your claim. A car accident lawyer knows that when it comes to being helpful, that is not an insurance agent’s job. Instead, their job is simply to make sure their insurance company spends as little as possible on your claim, whether it is refusing your claim or giving you a lowball offer. If you are not working with a lawyer, you may think this is the end of the road. After all, the insurance company gets the final say, right? Wrong. You have every right to argue against their decision, but this could be much easier with the help of a lawyer.

You may find that the insurance company tries to delay the claims process (often done to encourage you to give up) or that they may try to intimidate you. One of the best things you can do is work with a lawyer you can rely on who will be more than happy to negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf.

If you are interested in seeing how a lawyer can help you with your claim, reach out to a local law firm today.

What Does Homeowner’s Insurance Cover?

Personal Injury Attorney

When an emergency arises, you might turn every which way to find compensation. You can’t always predict the disasters that are going to happen in your life, but you can protect yourself with proper insurance. If you recently experienced a tragic incident, you might wonder if homeowner’s insurance will help to cover the costs. The following are some types of coverage your homeowner’s policy might cover.

Contact a personal injury attorney today to advise you on the types of coverage a homeowner’s insurance policy provides.

Personal Property

One of the neat things about personal property coverage is your property is covered regardless of where the damage is sustained. Many times, it is damaged in or around your home, but not always. For example, if “personal property” in your policy includes your bicycle and you are hit by a car while in another town, your homeowner’s insurance coverage could pay for you to get your bike repaired or replaced. If “personal property” in your policy includes jewelry and yours is stolen from your hotel room while on vacation, coverage could pay for a replacement.

Dwellings

Dwelling coverage is what helps you financially recover if your home needs a repair or rebuild. Whether you experience a fire or another disaster included in your homeowner’s insurance policy, it will cover repairs or replacement of the cabinets, plumbing, foundation, deck, flooring, utilities and more. If you have a detached garage or shed, those could be included as well under “other structures.”

Additional Expenses

If you can’t live in your home for a time while it is being repaired, loss of use coverage steps in to cover the additional living expenses you’ll incur. This includes temporary residency costs such as rent and utilities. Most policies will only cover these expenses for the shortest time it would take someone to reasonably rebuild or repair a home. If your home gets destroyed beyond repair and you choose to relocate altogether, you would typically receive payments until the time you move into your new residence.

Liability

When someone is injured on your property, liability coverage is essential. Perhaps your dog bit someone who was visiting one of your children. Maybe a crack in your sidewalk made an elderly neighbor trip and fall. In any of these cases, you could be sued and taken to court. With proper insurance coverage, you might be able to avoid the lawsuit.

Contact a Lawyer Today

Regardless of the situation you have found yourself in, there are many tragedies that homeowner’s insurance covers. Contact a lawyer today to learn whether your particular situation qualifies for compensation.

Hit And Run Accident

Car Accident Lawyer

Car accidents are incredibly ugly events. You’re heading home or heading somewhere that you need to  and someone collides with you with their car. The experience is traumatic and you suffer a few injuries; the first and only thing on your mind is that you get justice for what has occurred to you. But instead of staying at the scene the other driver whose car for some reason still works drives away. Instead of facing the music, the other driver decided to be a coward and flee the scene, making getting justice for your injury much more difficult. After all, how can you sue a person when you have none of their information to give to a car accident lawyer or officer?

This is called a hit-and-run any event in which someone crashes into you with their vehicle and drives away before any exchange of information or before the police arrives. This incredibly unfair action often results from the other driver anticipating very severe consequences from having to see another police officer in the state that he/she is in (being in a car accident)  So they flee instead hoping to god that they don’t get caught.

There are the minor consequences of just being in a collision which are mostly paid for by your insurance resulting with a hike in your monthly premiums and assuming that you were following the rules and driving in a manner that your state laws demand, there won’t be much more than that. However, hit and run consequences are far more severe. A hit and run is classified as a felony meaning that if charged, you could spend up to a year in jail, face heavy fines, or both. Along with that, it’s an automatic driver’s license suspension.

But given that hitting someone and running away is an incredibly cruel act sometimes this just isn’t enough. Victims can ask for compensatory damages which are made to pay for losses like medical bills, time away from work, property damage, and pain and suffering. Even more, they can ask for punitive damages, which are thrown on just for the purpose of punishing the defendant  for irresponsible and “outrageous” behavior.

If you’re the victim of any kind of accident make sure you get the make, color, and model of the car. While surveillance footage (if captured) can provide this information, you can’t always expect there to be an outside source to identify the car and it’s better to take matters into your own hands. That way in the event of a hit and run, you’ll surely have the other driver’s car info and you’ll be sure to catch them.

Thanks to Andrew R. Lynch for their expertise on hit-and-run car accidents.

Steps To Take In Order To Heal An Injured Knee

It is always important to see a doctor at the onset of any kind of pain. This is why if you are experiencing any kind of knee pain, you should see a knee pain doctor, as soon as possible. He or she can rule out anything serious and give you treatment ideas for moving forward. If you were injured in an accident caused by someone else and need a personal injury lawyer, be sure to contact one right away to begin seeking compensation. Here are some other steps to take in order to heal an injured knee: 

See a Doctor

The first step to treating knee pain is always going to see a knee pain doctor. He or she will oversee any additional treatment that you decide to undergo so that everything can be confirmed safe to do with any health conditions you may have and to make sure you are doing some of the best things to relieve your knee pain. Your doctor will also be able to recognize if your knee pain is being caused by something serious, ensuring that you get any immediate treatment if necessary. 

Go to Physical Therapy

Physical therapy is often one of the best things you can do for any kind of chronic pain. It is a great alternative option to surgery if your knee pain doctor believes that strengthening exercises and stretching may be able to help ease your pain. Sometimes, surgery is unavoidable, but other times a physical therapist can help you avoid it by using natural techniques. Some of the most common things you will do at physical therapy include getting manual manipulation to help facilitate movement around the knee, strengthening muscles surrounding the knee to put less pressure on the joints, and learning gentle stretches to do on a daily basis to keep your knees healthy. Your PT will give you things to do at home so that you can work on making your knees healthy for the long term. 

Be Diligent About Diet and Exercise

Depending on what is wrong with your knees, you may be able to help slow the pain or even make it better by eating well and exercising properly. It is important to never overdo it, but to also keep things moving and healthy. You can eat certain supplements or even change to an antiinflammatory diet to prioritize pain management and the health of your knees. Your knee pain doctor will likely have suggestions, but you can also speak with a nutritionist who can assist with this. 

Contact a Doctor Today to Make a Plan

Your very first step should always be to reach out to an experienced knee pain doctor who can refer you to the proper medical professionals for the issues you are facing. He or she will be able to speak with everyone involved on your behalf to figure out how to make you the healthiest person you can possibly be. 

Submitting a Wrongful Death Suit?

Wrongful Death Lawyer

You might pursue a wrongful death suit when a loved one dies as the outcome of another individual’s legal fault. Examples of such an at-fault individual consist of a driver in a cars and truck accident, a bartender who served alcohol to an individual who then drove, a doctor or physician, or an owner of an organization that failed in the upkeep of their home, along with others.

The statutes for wrongful death vary for each state. Normally, the statutes of the state specify who is permitted to sue for wrongful death and offers limitations on the amount that can be offered for damages. Upon their creation, these kinds of suits aim to provide financial backing for orphans and widows.

When Wrongful Death Claims Apply

Wrongful death claims may emerge after a situation where a victim who could have lawfully submitted a personal injury claim versus another celebration dies as a result of the wrongful actions of the defendant. Numerous circumstances might result in this taking place, consisting of the following:

Deliberate Killing

If a single person intentionally kills another, a wrongful death claim may apply. For instance, if the defendant murders the victim, the offender will face charges in a criminal case. The households of the victim may also bring forth civil claims for wrongful death against the accused. The wrongful death case represents a civil matter, different from the criminal case.

Medical Malpractice

If a doctor fails to identify the condition that triggered an individual to pass away, or if the doctor acts negligently with the care that they supplied to the victim and the client passes away because of this recklessness, survivors may potentially file a wrongful death claim against the doctor and other treatment companies included under recognized medical malpractice statutes.

Car Accidents

If a person passes away as a result of an auto mishap, and detectives discover that the person who triggered the accident behaved negligently behind the wheel, a wrongful death lawsuit might likewise apply. Some examples of neglect while driving include: driving while intoxicated, not following traffic laws, and reckless driving.

Aspects of Wrongful Death Lawsuits

In order to bring forth a wrongful death lawsuit, several aspects should exist:

You should submit a wrongful death case within the time constraints set forth in the statute of constraints for the state where the person passed away. However, you might sue after this time if an examination of the death does not figure out the cause of action till a later time.

 

Accident Injury Lawyer

How Will My Accident Injury Lawyer Bill Me?

 

If you have to hire a lawyer for a personal accident injury, you might be concerned about how you’re going to pay for his or her services. How do lawyers bill their clients? It depends on the lawyer, the lawyer’s expertise, the type of case and a variety of other factors. The following are a handful of billing options lawyers often use.

Contingency Fees

Personal injury lawyers are especially known to bill on a contingency fee basis. Once your case has concluded, the lawyer would take a certain percentage of your settlement, so you wouldn’t have to pay any lawyer fee upfront. Many lawyers charge anywhere from 30% to 40%, and sometimes lower or higher. If the case is lost and you don’t receive a settlement, you wouldn’t have to pay the lawyer for services. If you can’t afford attorney fees, this is often a great option.

Hourly Rates

Some lawyers bill their clients at an hourly rate. This is a straightforward way for lawyers to ensure they receive compensation for their services regardless of whether the case is won. Billable hours could include time spent in court appearances, filing documents, analyzing evidence, communication, traveling and various other tasks. You should speak with your attorney to find out what his or her hourly rate is as they significantly differ from lawyer to lawyer.

Flat Fees

If a lawyer understands your type of personal injury case, he or she might charge a flat fee. Some lawyers only handle a very specific type of case, and will know how many hours to expect to spend on the case. While it’s not common that a personal injury lawyer would charge this way, it is a possibility.

Retainer Fees

Not every lawyer asks for a retainer fee, but many do. Whether the lawyer charges a contingency fee, hourly rate or flat fee, he or she might ask for a retainer as a downpayment for services rendered. Retainer fees are also used as security deposits in the case a client can’t pay a remaining invoice.

Additional Expenses

Keep in mind that while your attorney might bill a particular way for services, that billing doesn’t always take care of every expense. An attorney who charges on a contingency fee basis might ask you to pay for filing fees and investigative costs as they arise, for example. These are things you should speak with your lawyer about so you know what to expect beforehand.

Understanding Legal Fees

If you are worried about how you’re going to pay your accident injury lawyer for a personal injury case, realize there are several different ways that lawyers charge. Contact a personal accident injury lawyer from a reputable law firm such as Yearin Law Office today to understand more about legal fees and the way they are billed.