Facts About Punitive Damages

Posted on May 12, 2020
Personal Injury Lawyer To deal with the death of a loved one is never easy. It feels worse when you know that someone died because of someone else’s actions or negligence. What you may not know about wrongful death is that in some cases, you can receive punitive damages. If a driver hit your loved one and he or she lost his or her life, then you may be able to recover punitive damages. What Are Punitive Damages? Punitive damages are damages awarded to plaintiffs that are outside the normal compensatory damages. When the court orders punitive damage, this often is used as a deterrent to keep him or her from doing the same thing over again. In most cases,
Bankruptcy Can Help Millennials During Covid
As the coronavirus continues to upend local economies throughout the country, credit card debt is on the rise. A recent report from CreditCards.com revealed that 47% of adults in America—roughly 120 million people—have credit card debt, an increase of 43%. There is no corner of our country untouched by the pandemic. As recent unemployment figures show, people of all ages are grappling with financial hardship. But according to the most recent numbers, young people have been hit especially hard. 1 in 3 millennials, about 34%, have gone deeper into credit card debt because of the coronavirus. It’s easy to see why. Many millennials were struggling long before the pandemic. Millions of them live paycheck to paycheck, with just enough to

When to Create a Will

Posted on May 12, 2020
There’s a lot of talk about wills and how everybody needs one, but do you really? When do you know it’s time to get a will? The following are some things to think about to get you started. Married Individuals Need Wills Now When you get married, you are committing a lot of things to another individual. You want the best for that person, and that includes after your death. If you don’t have a will in place, it’s possible your spouse will not inherit everything you own. Be sure your will clearly states your intention to leave all your assets to your spouse. If that’s not how you want it to be, then clearly state your plan to have
After an accident that leaves you seriously injured, you may experience severe financial stress. Medical bills may be coming due, and you may be temporarily or permanently off work due to your injuries. If the accident was someone else’s fault, you may be interested in filing a lawsuit to recover some of your damages. However, you know that hiring an attorney costs money, and with your financial situation already uncertain, you may not think that you can afford the legal fees involved. Personal injury attorneys understand the unique situation you are in. For this reason, they often structure their billing system a little bit differently than most other lawyers do. Percentage of Your Award Instead of charging you by the
An infant was seriously injured in Minneapolis after being mauled by a dog, reports the StarTribune (https://www.startribune.com/baby-mauled-in-minneapolis-dog-attack-that-also-left-mother-injured/570094382/). The same dog went after the child’s mother when she tried to stop the dog and save her baby’s life, according to the local police. According to the police report on the incident, this vicious attack occurred in the evening on Penn Avenue North in the City of Minneapolis. Officers were called to the address in question for an “animal attack” and arrived to find both of the victims in critical condition. Lisa Clemons, who is a civilian and part of the crisis response team for the local police department, reported that the child’s mother received serious injuries to her hands as a
A slip and fall accident can be serious for anyone, but for an elder in a nursing home it can be catastrophic. The resulting injuries may be painful and life-threatening or fatal. For this reason, it’s critical that nursing homes take extra precautionary steps to ensure that their residents do not slip and fall. Visiting family members who see potential issues should notify staff immediately, and follow up to be certain that the facility addressed them. Documenting problem areas with photos and written notes that include dates and times can be included in claims against the nursing home should that become necessary. Common Injuries from Slip and Fall Accidents As we age, our bones become more brittle, our skin becomes
What Premises Liability Means This Summer
As summer approaches, many of you are clearing off the patio furniture and soaking up all that a backyard swimming pool has to offer. However, with a pool on your property, there are responsibilities to uphold and safety issues to consider. Have you heard of premises liability? Essentially, it means that you’re responsible for injuries that occur on your property. Unfortunately, even if someone trespasses and uses your pool without your permission, their safety is still your responsibility. Under the law, pools can be considered an “attractive nuisance” for kids who may be tempted to sneak onto the property only to injure themselves, or worse. This summer is atypical. In this era of social distancing, you may be throwing fewer
Personal Injury Lawyer When someone you love has been killed by the negligence of another person, you may want to check with an attorney to determine whether you have a wrongful death claim. No amount of money can return your loved one to you, but you can be compensated for the added expenses you’ve incurred and will incur due to the loss of your family member. Most people get very concerned when they have to hire a lawyer. It can be expensive to hire a lawyer, but wrongful death lawyers usually work on a contingency basis. What Is a Contingency Fee? Many types of attorneys work on an hourly basis. For example, a criminal attorney or family law attorney bills
Nursing Home Negligence in the Time of Coronavirus
The effects of COVID-19 extend far beyond the physical symptoms of the virus. By now, you probably have a sense of just how dire it’s looking for millions of Americans, with record levels of unemployment. Perhaps you’re one of them. But don’t be discouraged. There is a solution, and no, it isn’t your credit card. Too many Americans don’t have the safety net to endure a crisis of this magnitude. I’ve shared before that 80% of Americans live paycheck to paycheck. Many say they are not prepared for an unexpected bill of even $400. Here are some new statistics that paint a fuller picture. A survey from last year found that: 45% of respondents had $0 in a savings account.
Car Accident Lawyer Dealing with your insurance company, and sometimes the insurance provider of another driver, can get complicated and stressful after you’re in a car accident. The good news is that there are lawyers who specialize in car accidents and can help you through the situation. The following are a few things you should know about dealing with the insurance company to get you started. Insurance Adjusters Don’t Look Out for You When an insurance adjuster calls you or is investigating your accident, his or her top priority isn’t protecting you; it’s protecting the insurance company he or she works for. The adjuster typically has great negotiating and interpersonal skills that will make your interaction seem like he or