Steps to Take After a Wrongful Death in a Hotel When you check into a hotel, you expect a safe and peaceful place to rest. You trust the hotel to look out for your safety. But wrongful death in hotels happens more often than most of us realize. When that trust is broken—and someone you love dies as a result of a hotel’s negligence—it can lead to a wrongful death lawsuit. If you’ve lost a loved one due to something that happened in a hotel, it’s important to understand your legal rights. Not every accident is considered wrongful death, but if the hotel failed to provide reasonable care and that failure caused someone’s death, they may be held responsible. How
What to Do If You Can’t Reach Social Security About Your Disability Claim If you’re applying for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), waiting for a decision, or trying to appeal a denial, it can be incredibly frustrating when you can’t reach the SSA about your disability claim. You might be stuck on hold for hours, get vague answers, or never hear back at all. You’re not alone—and you’re not out of options. Here’s what to do if you can’t reach Social Security about your disability claim. 1. Understand the Wait Is Part of the Process The SSDI system is chronically overwhelmed. Long waits are, sadly, part of the process. If you’re just wondering about the status of your case, it
Navigating Debt and Tariffs in a Global Economy When we talk about debt, most people think of things like credit cards, medical bills, or car loans. But global trade policies—like tariffs—can also affect your personal finances. It might seem like something only economists or business owners worry about, but personal debt and tariffs impact each other. As a result, changes in the global economy can have an immediate impact on your family’s finances. Rising tariffs can lead to higher prices on everyday goods and, over time, push more people deeper into debt. As a bankruptcy lawyer here in Memphis, I’ve seen how outside forces—like inflation, interest rate hikes, and yes, even tariffs—can strain household budgets and lead people to consider
Who Can Garnish Your SSDI Benefits? If you receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), you likely rely on those monthly checks to cover rent, food, medication, and other essentials. So what happens if you owe money to the government—like back taxes or student loans? Can the IRS or other agencies garnish your SSDI benefits? The short answer is yes, in some cases, but not for everything. Let’s break it down so you know what to expect and how to protect yourself. What Is Garnishment? Garnishment is when a creditor takes part of your income or benefits to pay off a debt you owe. This is usually done through a court order or government action. Most commonly, people know of wage
Sexual Abuse in Nursing Homes: Protecting Your Loved Ones When you trust a nursing home to care for your family member, it can be very difficult to know what to look for and how to prevent abuse. Unfortunately, sexual abuse in nursing homes does happen, and it’s often hidden behind silence, fear, and shame. As a Memphis nursing home abuse lawyer, I can help you understand what to look for so you’ll have the knowledge to step in and protect your loved one if something is wrong. What Is Sexual Abuse in a Nursing Home? Sexual abuse in a nursing home is any non-consensual sexual contact or behavior. Contrary to popular belief, this includes not just physical acts, but also
Chapter 7 Bankruptcy: What Happens to Cosigned Debts? Filing Chapter 7 with cosigned debts can mean a more complex case, so it’s important to understand how Chapter 7 and cosigned debts work together. Whether it’s a car loan, a credit card, or a personal loan, cosigned debts can make things a little more complicated during bankruptcy. As a Memphis bankruptcy lawyer, I’ve seen how this situation can affect both the person filing and the cosigner. So I’m here to break it down for you in simple terms. What Is a Cosigned Debt? Family members, partners, or close friends often want to help you get approved for a loan or credit card. As a cosigner, they can offer big help in
Helping Injured First Responders in Memphis As a Memphis workers’ compensation lawyer with over 40 years of experience, I understand how vital it is to protect those who protect us. As part of this obligation, we have workers’ compensation for first responders in Memphis. First responders, including paramedics, police officers, firefighters, and emergency medical technicians (EMTs), face dangerous situations daily. From responding to fires and accidents to handling high-stress emergencies, first responders experience unique risks that can lead to serious injuries. If you’re a first responder in Memphis and you’ve been injured on the job, you have rights and protections under workers’ compensation law. So let me break down how workers’ compensation works for first responders and what you need
The Role of Consent in Medical Procedures and Malpractice When you go to a doctor or hospital, you trust that they’ll explain what they’re doing and why. In fact, you usually give them permission to perform the operation you expect and have discussed. So how do medical malpractice and consent relate to each other? When a medical procedure happens without your full understanding or permission, it’s not just wrong—it could be medical malpractice. So let’s talk about what consent really means and how it plays a big role in medical mistakes. What Is Informed Consent? Informed consent means that your doctor or healthcare provider clearly explains: What the procedure is Why it’s being done What the risks are What other
Motorcycle Repossession: Your Rights and Options Falling behind on your motorcycle payments can be stressful, whether you rely on your bike for everyday transportation or just plain joy. If you need to stop motorcycle repossession, it’s important to understand your rights and what you can do to protect yourself. As a Memphis bankruptcy lawyer, I’ve helped plenty of people in your shoes. Here’s what you need to know if your motorcycle is at risk of being repossessed. Can They Really Take My Motorcycle? If you miss payments on your motorcycle loan, the lender has the legal right to repossess it. In Tennessee, they don’t have to take you to court first or give you any warning. They just have to
How Pharmaceutical Companies Are Held Accountable for Dangerous Drugs What is the responsibility of drug companies for dangerous drugs? When you take a prescription drug, you expect it to help you, not harm you. Unfortunately, some pharmaceutical companies put profits over patient safety and release medications that cause serious, long-term health problems. If you or a loved one has suffered from a dangerous drug, you might be wondering: how are these companies held accountable? As a Memphis dangerous drugs lawyer, I fight to make sure these companies answer for their actions and that victims like you get the compensation you deserve. The Legal Duty of Pharmaceutical Companies Pharmaceutical companies have a legal duty to make sure the drugs they release