On Sunday, a 10-yr-old boy died while on the Verrückt water slide at the Schlitterbahn Water Park in Kansas City, KS. The Kansas City Star reported soon after that the child was the son of State Rep. Scott Schwab and his wife Michele. It was “elected officials day” at the park, and Rep. Schwab’s son was among many others enjoying the slide, which is the tallest water slide in the world. The park has closed temporarily, but the slide will stay closed indefinitely. Kansas law requires approval from inspectors before a ride can be reopened after a serious injury. The park’s representatives join in the public’s shock. As of now, no one seems sure of what happened or what caused the accident. So what can we do after an
Bankruptcy can be a powerful financial tool to help you get your life back on track when you’re drowning in debt. Once you’ve taken the time to assess your situation, decided bankruptcy is right for you, and filed a chapter 7 or chapter 13 bankruptcy with an experienced bankruptcy lawyer, it’s time to turn your focus towards the future. Many people have questions about how bankruptcy might affect them and their future like: Will I be able to get a new job? Will I be able to buy a car? Will I be able to buy a house? Will it hurt my credit? We’re here to support you and help you get your life back on track once bankruptcy has
Being bankruptcy lawyers Memphis, TN trusts, we’ve practiced in and around Somerville for 37 years, and we know its struggles and triumphs and how much Somerville depends on its farming. When the farming economy is good, the Somerville economy is good. And when farms suffer, Somerville suffers. Unfortunately, that means income is never really certain. Farming comes with a lot of unexpected costs and risks, and regular life brings twists too. Even when the economy is doing OK, one medical problem or job loss can mean financial devastation. For a lot of people in Somerville, that can cause an everyday sense of dread: Will you have enough money this week to cover basic expenses? Should you dig into savings again? Will you
A few weeks ago, I discussed Dallas’ dog problem and the way in which the city has struggled to get it under control after a shocking death. In researching this issue, the Dallas Morning News reported that “almost 8 in 10 dog bites happen in neighborhoods with below-average household incomes. And close to three-quarters of victims were black or Latino.” As a Memphis dog bite lawyer, I’ve seen how these attacks disproportionately affect minority communities. The numbers play out similarly in Memphis, and for a number of reasons: Wealthier, often white, neighborhoods can afford better animal control. Surgery to spay or neuter one pet can cost about $100, which is prohibitive in poorer communities. Even when available for free, spay-and-neuter isn’t as common a
Your car was totalled by that distracted driver last week, and your spinal fracture means countless hours of missed wages and sky-high medical bills, not to mention pain! Or maybe you slipped on a sweet tea spill at a restaurant and broke your hip. Restaurant staff had been notified of the spill and had plenty of time to clean it up, but their neglect resulted in your hospitalization and chronic pain.You’re very clearly injured, and the injury is obviously someone else’s fault. You should be fine negotiating with an insurance adjuster yourself, right? Wrong! You should never negotiate with an insurance adjuster yourself, and here’s why. 1. Receive a larger settlement Studies show time and time again that claimants represented
It didn’t take long to see reports of car accidents caused by Pokémon GO, the phone game sweeping the nation and world. People are using trains, Ubers, and even drones to “catch ’em all,” so it was only a matter of time before they tried to play from behind the wheel. And of course car accidents aren’t the only risk involved. Police have reported injuries from walking onto busy highways, trespassing by accident, and falling into ditches, all while playing this addictive game. App developer Niantic does warn users to stay alert and be aware of their surroundings at all times, but clearly that may not be enough for some people. A Darrel Castle & Associates car accident lawyer Memphis, TN motorists recommend
India has passed its first national bankruptcy law, which it hopes will help speed up the process for companies overwhelmed with debt. The law has been celebrated by investors, and that’s probably because it reflects why bankruptcy is such a valuable option. If you’re struggling with debt you can’t pay, perhaps you could use some of these advantages: Bankruptcy increases payments to lenders. A lot of people don’t realize bankruptcy actually helps companies get paid. Chapter 13 bankruptcy sets up a payment plan, and Chapter 7 frees up debtors to be able to pay their debts in the future. If you are considering filing for bankruptcy, or would like to explore other options around resolving your debt, please call a leading bankruptcy law
One very common situation we see as bankruptcy attorneys is clients who have taken out a loan or early withdrawal from their 401(k) or retirement fund in an attempt to try and pay off their debts. Many of these clients view this as a last resort before considering bankruptcy, but the truth is, the last resort should come before borrowing from retirement. Borrowing against your retirement is not advised for multiple reasons. Do you feel like you’re drowning in debt? Call us today. Depleting your present retirement is not an investment in your future You’ve spent many hard-working hours to earn the money in your 401(k), taking advantage of a retirement account to do so, and these accounts
Why Was My SSDI Application Denied? If you did all the work to submit your information for a disability claim, you may be devastated to find your SSDI application denied. Know that you’re not alone. In this short video, Memphis SSDI lawyer Darrell Castle explains why so many SSDI applications are denied and how you could benefit from using an attorney for your appeal process. Get an Attorney for Your SSDI Appeal Remember, if you’ve been denied SSDI, you have 60 days to appeal. Our attorneys can help you build a strong appeal and get the benefits you need. We look at all the most common reasons SSDI gets denied and figure out what might strengthen your application. For
Help When Your Social Security Disability Claim Is Denied If your Social Security Disability claim is denied, you may be tempted to try again without any major changes. Or maybe you think you think about appealing the decision on your own. As a Memphis SSDI attorney, I’ve had clients try both options. Unfortunately, these paths usually end in disappointment. As frustrating as it might be, the SSA denies the majority of disability claims. In fact, they deny as many as 70% of claims on the first try. When this happens, you have 60 days to appeal the decision. And rather than do it alone, you need a trusted SSDI attorney by your side. Appeal Your Case With Our Memphis