It’s a cruel world out there a lot of times, especially when we struggle with the idea of our elderly and defenseless loved ones being abused by the very people paid to professionally care for them. As we grow older, start a family and live with added major responsibility, it sometimes seems like the best option to put our elderly parents or grandparents in a nursing home where they can (so we think) be cared for better and more efficiently than we can ourselves. However, studies show nursing home abuse in the US, especially in Tennessee, continues to rise – what a shame. If your loved one is in a nursing home or any kind of assisted living center, lookout
The manager of a store has a duty to protect you from dangerous spills and objects on the floor. Find out more in this video. Video Transcript Hello this is Darrell Castle. I’m an attorney licensed to practice law in the state of Tennessee and on this video, I’m talking about accidents that happen in places of business like stores and restaurants. Accidents that are typically referred to as slip & fall accidents, or fall down accidents. What I mean by that is you go into a store to shop or a restaurant to eat and you slip on something that might be called unsafe like a wet floor or food left on the floor. You fall and injure yourself.
By: Darrell Castle Property owners have a duty to keep their guests safe. And when they don’t, they need to be held accountable. If you’re injured on someone’s property — whether the hand rail broke or you slipped on a grape — then you shouldn’t be held liable for the medical bills and other damages. The person at fault should. Why You Should Contact a Personal Injury Attorney When this happens to you, the first thing you should do — after seeking medical attention — is contact an experienced personal injury attorney. That attorney will investigate your case and determine if the property owner was actually liable. And if he or she was, then your attorney will battle with the
Imagine you’re at a car dealership and you’ve found a new SUV that’s just perfect. It has everything you could want in a vehicle, and you seriously consider purchasing it. They run a quick credit check and tell you you’re clear to buy it. But then you start to think about your kids, who will be in college soon and need help with tuition. You remember your friend who was laid off. And suddenly you hesitate. Perhaps this isn’t the perfect car. Perhaps you could get a used one that wouldn’t cost as much, or a smaller car to save money on gas. You thank the dealer and tell him you’ll be in touch, that you need to think about
By: Darrell Castle Sneezing while driving not only has a history of causing car accidents, but it has a history of causing FATAL car accidents. The Washington Post published a story on the topic last year, highlighting two specific stories. One happened in Australia when a 79 year old woman died after her car rolled over — sneezing being the cause. And a few years before, a Missouri mother was killed when a sneezing driver lost control of her car. “Sneezing can be very violent, causing the sufferer to close their eyes temporarily, especially with a severe cold,” said Steve Rounds, a British police official. Rounds went on to say that driving with such symptoms is irresponsible and could be
Your social media life represents you more and more every day in employment, legal battles, and more. A company called Social Intelligence Corp. has just been given permission by the FTC to sell social media background checks. Employers can use the service to vet candidates applying for a job. The reports flag pictures and other information from your online presence if they show potential for violence, racist tendencies, or other problems. The file can last up to seven years; but the FTC says it is not a violation of the Fair Credit Reporting Act. Social Intelligence Corp. claims that they will create a new report for each new search in order to keep it up-to-date and accurate. They also claim
By: Darrell Castle You will have to go to court for your Social Security Disability application, but not like you’re thinking Video Transcript If you file for Social Security Disability, do you have to go to court? Hi, this is Darrell Castle and I’m an attorney licensed to practice law in the state of Tennessee and the answer to that question is yes…and no. YES, you have to go to a hearing. But NO, it’s not as formal as what you think of as court. Though it is a hearing in front of an administrative law judge, it’s normally in something like a conference room or something like that – not really a court room setting. When you go into
Disability Help: SSDI for Veterans If you’re a military veteran with a disability that keeps you from working, you have options. Here’s what you need to know about SSDI for veterans. Options for Veterans With Disability Disabled military service members have access to both Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Veterans Affairs benefits like Compensation or Pension. In fact, the Social Security Administration (SSA) offers members of the armed forces an expedited process. If your disabling injury occurred while serving in active military service on or after October 1, 2001, you’re eligible to apply for this fast-tracked process. The expedited claims option applies regardless of where the disability first took form. So Iraq War veterans, soldiers deployed in Afghanistan, and
Form of SSDI Qualification Finally Changed In a recent decision, the Social Security Administration (SSA) has removed an offensive term for one form of SSDI qualification and replaced it with “intellectual disability.” This is a welcome decision to the many people who apply for SSDI for an intellectual disability. The change follows an initiative three years ago to remove the term from federal usage. Advocates for the mentally impaired argue the phrase has a negative connotation and can lead to misunderstanding about the individual’s illness or unique challenges. What Do These Changes Mean? These changes will especially affect the Social Security Disability (SSDI) wing of the administration. People with intellectual disability may qualify for SSDI, depending on the severity of
April has brought an influx of solar energy to the Memphis area. First, the 2012 Solar Solutions Conference, hosted by the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) and Tennessee Solar Institute (TSI), convened at the Memphis Cook Convention Center. The conference brought in over 500 people, including representatives from some of Tennessee’s 180 for-profit companies in the solar sector – 33 of which are new companies since 2008. Then, on Wednesday April 12 the Agricenter celebrated the opening of their new solar array – a farm of solar panels expected to produce 1 megawatt of energy over the course of a year. Manufactured in Memphis, the panels were installed by a Nashville-based company. State representatives and economic developers hope the growing solar