When Do You Need a Work Injury Attorney?

We have laws on workers compensation to protect the employees who might get injured or have an accident while at work. This is the reason why we have work injury attorney to assist us and help us understand the various aspects and proceedings in filing the lawsuit against the employer or the company we are working for. We work for them but the do not have the rights to employ us in the high risk fields just to get impaired and injured. We have to remember that along with the work that we do in the office, accidents typically occur - especially if somebody is negligent and it can lead to serious medical condition.

Since employers are entitled to have insurance, the employees have rights to file their claims and demand for their compensation. It is necessary that all the injured employers will receive the compensation entitled to them and the injury attorney is their only way to get what is due to them. Your attorney will make things work for you especially if the injuries you incurred leads to permanency.

Most likely in cases like this, you need the help of your attorney. If your employer is willing to help you, the insurance company of the employer will settle your claims. However, insurers are not very open when it comes to paying of claims. As much as possible, they will limit your compensation according to their standards. They also have lawyers to help them reduce your compensation. If this is the case, better get your own personal work injury attorney to the just compensation for the injuries your had.

When you choose your attorney, make sure that he or she is qualified to handle your case. He/She must have enough experience handling the same case as yours. Your attorney must be well versed when it comes to the laws and the ways and means on how to strengthen your case. You also have to be cautious about the statute of limitations. Different places and states have different timeframe. Sometimes, the type of case also matters -and one of the responsibilities of your attorney is not allow this to happen. Your party must use the given timeframe wisely so as not to invalidate your case. For sure, every attorney knows about the statute of limitation.

If you happen to incur serious and severe damages especially if it leads to permanent disability, your attorney works best in this case. Your lawyer has to make sure that you will get the necessary payment. Aside from the physical injuries, your employer has other liabilities. This includes pain and suffering, loss of wages, mental anguish, and capacity to earn a living. In the event your demanded claim is denied, you will be asked by your work injury attorney if you are willing to bring your case to the court. This is a good chance for you to make sure that your employer and the insurance company of your employer will pay their responsibilities to you.

Personal Injury Checklist - What to Do if You are Injured in an Accident

Here is a short checklist of what to do if you have had an injury in anyway. It is not intended to impart legal advice because each case is different and each case can pose its own legal issues. Regardless, you should consult a lawyer immediately to help protect your interests.

Report the accident to the Police, if the impact was significant. Your lawyer will then obtain the police report, if any.
Immediately obtain medical treatment if you are injured. Failure to obtain immediate medical treatment diminishes your claim that you suffered injuries as a result of the accident.
Take pictures of damages to any cars/property involved - before any repairs or improvements are made. Non-digital pictures, for example, from a disposable camera, are better than digital pictures because digital pictures are susceptible to later claims of alteration.
Take pictures of your injuries immediately. Pictures can more easily and accurately describe injuries.
Do NOT make a statement to any insurance representative without consulting a lawyer. Those statements may be used against you in your attempt to obtain full compensation for your injuries.
Keep a list of all doctors, hospitals and treatment centers you visit.
Keep a log of all work lost as a result of your injuries and treatments. Lost wages are recoverable and can be a large amount of your recovery.
Keep a log of all other out-of-pocket expenses (rental car, medical treatment co-pays, etc.).

Keep a log of how your life was specifically affected as a result of your injuries, including personal engagements and events missed.

I hope you find this list useful in obtaining full compensation for your injuries.

When Do You Need a Car Accident Lawyer?

Many people feel like they shouldn't make a fuss after being in an accident, and should just take care of things through their own insurance coverage. In many cases, though, a car accident lawyer becomes necessary to help you get what you deserve. Although they're not necessary after every accident, or even every major accident, there are many situations in which it can really pay to hire an accident attorney.

First, your need for an accident attorney depends on the severity of the accident and of any resulting injuries. A fender-bender usually does not require a legal case, and you probably won't need a lawyer to handle the situation. On the other hand, a serious accident in which one or more vehicles have been "totaled" will often call for legal counsel to guide you through the often confusing aspects of dealing with insurance companies. If you have been injured in a car accident, a car accident lawyer can help you get the settlement you deserve.

You should never accept any settlement offer without first consulting a lawyer. You need a professional auto accident attorney to help you get the compensation you deserve; many of these lawyers don't get paid unless you successfully negotiate a settlement. Too many victims of negligent drivers avoid going after what they deserve because they don't want to get caught in a long and drawn-out process, but an accident attorney can help everything go smoothly.

Car accident lawyers are often involved when the fault of the accident is questioned. While many accidents are clear-cut cases, in some, it is difficult to determine who is at fault. Whether the accident is major or minor, fault must be determined before insurance companies will pay for the damage or injuries. The types of car accidents vary widely, which can often make it difficult to determine who is truly at fault. If the accident is still being investigated by the police or by insurance agents, contact a lawyer as soon as possible. If you have been in a car accident caused by someone else, a skilled accident lawyer can help to guide you through this process and gain a favorable outcome.

If your insurance company has denied your claim for coverage, but you know that you deserve some compensation for the accident, you need a car accident attorney. Your lawyer can fight for your case, working between you and the other party, their insurance company, and your own insurance company to get your claim settled. The goal of an insurance adjuster is to pay out as little as possible to save the insurance company money. They may make an unreasonably low offer or argue that the accident was your fault. Car accident lawyers are skilled at dealing with insurance companies to get a fair settlement.

At some point in your life, you will probably be involved in some type of car accident. These can be very scary, especially if it's your first accident. In the aftermath of an accident, you may feel overwhelmed and frightened by the possibility of getting your car fixed and healing from your injuries. If ever faced with such a horrible situation, you should know what to do. Not only must you exchange your contact information and insurance numbers with the other party, but you must also know when the skills of a car accident attorney are needed.

How To Win Child Custody In PA For A Male

There are some proven ways for how to win child custody in pa for a male.

Advantages to Representing Yourself

There are many reasons why you might want to represent yourself. These include:

To Save Money

A main reason to self-represent is to save money. In family law you are not automatically entitled to an attorney if you can't afford one. Thus, for many lower and middle-income families, access to the legal system is limited.

For example, when you're seeking a minor adjustment to child support, an attorney to file a modification may not be worth it. The gain in monthly support would be less than the cost of the attorney to secure the increase.

And even a father who can afford an attorney may not want one when looking for how to win child custody in pa for a male. Some people hold the view that courts are primarily a place for lawyers to make money. For those individuals, going pro per offers psychological satisfaction.

The savings do not end with the first ruling either. Because child custody often represents an ongoing conflict, the father who self represents stands to save even more over the long run.

When You Should Consider Representing Yourself

1. You have a simple matter to bring before the court.

2. You can get legal assistance.

3. You can communicate with the other parent.

4. You're dealing with a small amount of money.

5. A mistake won't hurt you in a substantial way.

To Make the Decisions

Another reason to represent yourself is to retain control over I he decision making. Ultimately you-and not the attorney- have to live with the court orders. When you allow others to make the decisions for you, you lose your ability to influence the outcome.
Also, since every family is unique, you're the only one who can truly say what is best for your children.

Sometimes the professionals-no matter how well-intentioned-can't understand your situation. Often, child custody professionals will apply a one size fits all approach that may not be appropriate for you when looking how to win child custody in pa for a male. In those cases, it may be best to take charge of your own affairs.

How Professional Injury Lawyers Work

Injury lawyers in Toronto often work as individual professionals, or as part of a larger established law firms. The specialty of the injury lawyers however aims at helping people who have been injured in accidents to get full compensation from the people who either acted neglected or omitted their duties thus causing the accident. It is the role of the Injury lawyers to prove that the acts of omission or neglect further affected the injured person negatively by either causing a change in his or her lifestyle, making him or her dependent, making his or her life difficult or causing him to loose his or her abilities to earn a decent livelihood.

Injury Lawyers in Toronto often work with the injured parties starting with investigating the nature of the accident; the type of injuries caused and collecting any evidence that might help them advance their case.   Some of the cases that the lawyers investigate and help clients get full compensation include motor-vehicle accidents, brain injuries, disability claims, defective products, professional negligence and injuries to the spinal cord. They also investigate wrongful deaths and seek compensation on behalf of the bereaved family in addition to handling slip-and-fall claims. Like all other forms of legal claims, a thorough investigation is required if justice is to be served. As such, most lawyers in Toronto thoroughly gather as much information as needed in order to help their clients acquire just compensations for their injuries. Such could include medical reports regarding the nature of the injury, and where the clients have not had any medical check-up, the lawyer books hospital appointments for them.

To make the case easier for the lawyers in Toronto and increase the likelihood of getting compensation, clients are advised to take descriptive details of the injuries, which may include taking photos of the injuries, the vehicle and seeking medical help promptly. Injury lawyers in Toronto also advise clients to take up advice given to them by medical providers in order to avoid counter allegations by the insurance companies or those who acted negligently by abdicating their duties.

Other ways that most lawyers in Toronto advise their would be clients to do is write down as much information as they can about the site of accident, notify the insurance companies, keep the medical bills, invoices or receipts and hire a lawyer as soon as they can. The injured parties should however avoid give-recorded testimonies to the insurance company. They should also avoid taking cash settlements from insurance companies.

There is no denying that the Law profession has a commercial element in it. Lawyers specializing in Injury claims in Toronto are no exception. However, the competitive nature of the legal profession in Toronto has resulted in charges that are more considerate from Toronto Injury lawyers. Such include reasonable charges, or lawyers charging the client only when the cases have been presented in court and the client awarded compensation. A significant number of law firms in Toronto have also scrapped off consultation fees in a bid to attract more clients to their law firms.

Top Retirement Destinations and Advice

Since retirement means different things to different people, and everybody has differing ideas and priorities about how they want to live during this stage of their life, there is no single ideal retirement destination that will suit everyone. However, there are a few common factors that most retirees look for in a location they would consider relocating to, such as plentiful and varied recreation, affordable living costs, the availability of high quality health care facilities, low crime rates, safety, community services, good climate, beautiful landscapes, adequate transportation facilities, volunteer and work opportunities.

Although Arizona, Florida and Texas are still the most popular choice, but an increasing number of retirees are opting for cooler climes or places where they can experience all the seasons. According to surveys, here are a few places in the U.S. that have come up as the topmost retirement destinations because of the excellent health care, lots of cultural activities, and plenty of greenery or scenery, among various other desirable factors: Holland, Michigan; Walla Walla, Washington; St. Simons Island, Georgia; Prescott, Arizona; Boulder, Colorado; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; San Luis Obispo, California; Williamsburg, Virginia; Boca Raton, Florida; and Ithaca, New York.

If you want a low-cost destination, there are many retirement locales that have good amenities and charming surroundings, and yet are within your budget. By moving to a location where the living costs are lower compared to your current place of residence, you could probably even get a larger house that costs less, which will enhance your net worth, while also enabling you to live a better retired life.

According to the topmost experts on retirement destinations, some of the best low-cost retirement locations are: the sun-drenched Melbourne Beach, Florida; the aridly beautiful Yucca Valley, California; the rurally fresh Sandpoint, Idaho, close to Canada; and Kennebunk, Maine, which has lots of rocky beaches. Although not all of them might be out-and-out cheap, some being actually pretty expensive depending on where you reside today, yet every one of them has one common factor: You get good value living in retirement in these places.

However, many Americans are also looking to retire in other countries, such as Costa Rica, Panama, Mexico, Belize, Spain and New Zealand, mainly because living costs are comparatively cheaper, while they also want to experience a different culture and landscape from what they have always known. In addition, since these places are already home to quite a number of American retirees, hence they also have people who belong to the same age group and culture. However, if you do choose any of these countries, making new friends and adapting to a different culture are things that you should be prepared for. Central American countries are particularly popular with American retirees because they are just a few hours flight away from their home country. Here are some tips to keep in mind if you choose to retire overseas:

See that your Medical Insurance is in order
Find out about local markets that are cheap
If you do not want citizenship of the country, get a tourist visa
If you do want citizenship, apply for it before you move

Irrespective of where you choose to retire, whether within the country or abroad, here are some things you need to keep in mind and do before you decide:

First, you need to decide whether you want to stay somewhere close to your current hometown or venture out to some other locale.

Decide on what you like. Would you prefer the secure and structured environs of a retirement community, or would a town or city that has different types of people, with a broader scope in cultural and entertainment activities be a better choice for you?

Find out everything you can about the places you are considering. Check out on the Internet, and refer to magazines and books for information that will be useful for you.

As you gather more information, start cutting down on your list of probable locations, until you are down to a manageable four or five, at the most.

Then get on the road. Go to every place on your list, staying in each for three to four days, to check out the general feel of the location and its ambience.

Don't be in a hurry about anything. After all you are making an important decision about how you are going to be living for the rest of your life. So take your time, decide slowly and wisely, and not impulsively.

Then, reduce your list to just two to three locations, and go and live in each for about two or three weeks. Examine the advantages and disadvantages of each carefully, such as the living costs, the climate, and also the kind of neighbors and friends you will have. Meet real estate agents and check out if the home you are considering is within your budget. There are real estate agents who designate themselves as Senior Real Estate Specialists.

After you zero in on your choice, take some more time. Get opinions and advice from family and friends. But bank on your instincts, for ultimately it will have to be your choice.

Basic Elements in Medical Negligence Claims

Medical negligence, in legal sense, is the act or failure to act in accordance with the accepted standards of the health care practice. In many occasions, these performances or omissions have been the cause of numerous accounts of personal injuries and deaths in the United States.

Due to these scenarios, the government has ratified the necessary laws to give the injured victims the right to recovery.

This article seeks to provide basic information about medical negligence and how can the injured victims pursue their legal actions with the help of credible and reliable medical negligence lawyers.

The Contending Parties

A medical negligence claim generally has two opposing parties: the plaintiff or the injured person and the defendant or the healthcare provider who allegedly failed to abide by the standards of his/her profession. In cases of wrongful deaths, the patients' survivors are given the right to file their suits of behalf of the deceased.

Although most people may assume that health care providers pertain to physicians, these professionals may also include nurses, dentists, laboratory technicians and therapists. In some occasions, the hospitals or clinics, where the malpractice happened, are also being charged for some kind of negligence.

Establishing the Elements of the Case

Normally, the plaintiffs in a medical negligence action have to establish the following elements of their cases in order to end up with favorable results and biggest recoveries:

o The healthcare provider owes a legal duty to provide care or treatment to the patient or plaintiffs

o The defendants have breached their duty of adhering to the appropriate standards of their professions

o The breach was indeed the proximate reason of the victims' injuries

o The plaintiffs have sustained have sustained injuries and damages or died due to the defendants' negligence (a claim does not exist without any damages to recover)

Possible Recoveries Available

In pursuing a claim with medical negligence lawyers, the plaintiffs may be eligible for these types of damages:

o Compensatory Damages - These may include economic (financial losses such as medical expenses, lost wages etc.) and non-economic (physical and emotional sufferings such as loss of enjoyment, severe body pain, emotional distress and loss of relationship among others)

o Punitive Damages - These are based on the statutory provisions of the existing laws that involve reckless and negligent actions

The Need for Expert Legal Assistance

Since most cases of negligent torts entail various intricate law and legal procedures, many victims of medical malpractice, who do not fully understand their rights, choose not to further pursue their case. Indeed, filing a lawsuit without the assistance of credible medical negligence lawyer is just like a warrior without a weapon.

For an instance, proving liability certainly necessitates enough evidences. Without the help coming from a lawyer, the plaintiffs may not know the vital documents to gather. The legal process may also take long period. An able legal advocate can take charge of the case while the victims spend their time with their families or attend medical treatment sessions.

Thus, it is definitely important for medical negligence victims to have someone who can help them with their claims. With expert advice and representation, the plaintiffs will have better opportunity to obtain justice.

Do You Need An Auto Accident Lawyer?

If you have been hurt in an auto accident, you should consider getting an auto accident lawyer. A professional lawyer can win the case for you. With their expertise of auto accident law, they do the necessary research and talk to the insurance companies so that you get the money you deserve.

Most accidents happen because of the negligence of the driver involved. The person who is injured can make a claim against the insurance company and collect money for the injuries. Often insurance companies want to offer settlement before the injured person has fully recovered. This is because occasionally what seems to be a minor injury can turn out to be a serious one and may require some extended treatment. In such cases, the guidance of the attorney comes handy.

When you talk about settlement, it is final. Which means you can't ask for some money now and leave the option of coming back for more money in case of further complications. So you might not obtain full compensation for your injuries if you settle for a claim before you have fully recovered.

Although everybody assumes that lawyer's fees are hefty to pay, chances are they can be realistic. Most accident lawyers will handle the case on a contingency fee basis that means they receive the percentage of your settlement money as their remuneration. So they get their fees only if they can get you your insurance and compensation money.

To find the best attorney, the first thing you should do is ask your friends and family about attorneys whom they have used in the past. References are always the best because you know people who have used their services. You can talk to a few lawyers and have them give their suggestions on your case. Choose the one you feel comfortable with.

Steps Taken By An Auto Accident Attorney:

When the attorney meets you after an accident, he discusses the claim with you. He then gathers the related evidence and researches on the facts given by you.

The attorney explains the entire legal process in relation to your claim. If you have any questions feel free to clear your doubts.

The auto accident attorney negotiates with the insurance company to get you a settlement you deserve.

So if you have been injured and feel that you deserve justice, immediately consult an auto accident lawyer. You definitely deserve to seek compensation. It is always a good feeling to know that someone is by your side, helping you fight for justice.

Special Issues Arising in Car Accident Cases

Car accident cases have many kinds of special issues that arise during litigations. These make litigations for auto accident claims more difficult and complicated.

In these issues, potential third parties spring out to become liable for the injuries incurred by the victims. As such, the litigation process must take steps to consider or hear out these special matters in order to litigate a case, thoroughly.

Here are several subjects occurring from the accident, which usually turns up as the litigation proceedings unfolds:

- Accidents involving hit-and-run - these cases have the driver as the main cause of injuries due to his failure in stopping at the scene of the accident. The hit-and-run victim may encounter some difficulty in identifying or pinpointing the liable driver and therefore brings on a lawsuit.

- Accidents involving Car-Pedestrian - these kinds of cases evolves once an automobile collides or hits a pedestrian. Often, the pedestrian victim suffers catastrophic injuries. However, they find it difficult to make claims against the liable driver since the conduct or actions of the pedestrian is also being attributed.

- Accidents involving Car-Motorcycle - Collisions between cars and motorcycles usually leave the motorcycle operator with severe injuries. This is the case although the crash may be considered relatively minor if it had been two cars colliding.

Some suggestions imply that motorcycle operators suffer from predisposition by the jury panel. They were usually blamed for causing the collision. This, even if the accident has clear indications and evidences that it was the negligence of the car driver that caused it.

- Accidents involving Car-Bicycle - like the car-motorcycle collisions, the bicyclist is usually left with serious injuries after being hit by a car. Some accidents also happen when car drivers accidentally open their car doors in front of a speeding bicyclist. The car driver's arguments usually state of not seeing the bicyclist before opening his door or having misjudged the bicycle's speed.

On the other hand, it is also a fact that some bicyclists engage in dangerous activities while on the road. Noted violations are ignoring of traffic signals and riding on the wrong side. These actions make accidents a possibility.

- Accidents involving buses - The sheer mass and size of typical buses make accidents quite serious matters and attract great attention. Furthermore, bus passengers are most often unrestrained, causing more victims to suffer injuries.

Other accidents, which arouse special issues in motor vehicle - involved car accidents, are the following:

o tractor-trailer and semi-truck accidents

o vehicle modifications involving after-market parts

o road debris accidents

Pennsylvania Divorce Records

Upon entering a relationship with someone or the beginning stages of bringing that relationship to the next level, finding the marital status and history of your partner should be of utmost interest to you. They may have told you already, and maybe you believe them, maybe you don't.

The truth is that with the ease of finding out for yourself one way or the other, there's no reason not to look up Pennsylvania divorce records and make sure for yourself. As much as we want to give people the benefit of the doubt, there's simply no harm in looking, and it could save you from potentially bad scenarios down the line.

Pennsylvania divorce records are now easily accessible online, from the comfort and anonymity of your living room, or whichever room in your home houses your computer. These records will give you definitive results about the marital status of the person in question.

Your county registry contains close to 200 million public records files which includes Pennsylvania divorce records. This means that a quick search with as little as the person's name to go on will give you all the answers. If they've been married/divorced, the public record of it will be here.

Should a match be found though, you'll be presented with pages and pages of documentation relating to the divorce, including settlements, names, addresses, lawyers and many more. Most importantly you'll see the reasons listed for the cause of the divorce. You may not care whether they were married or not, but the reasons of why it ended are absolutely vital information.

You can search other PA divorce records and other public records, from which you can find records relating to military history, criminal records, adoption records and many more. You can feel like a private investigator and get the real skinny on someone with just a few clicks of a mouse.

Enhanced Title Insurance - Who Needs It?

Why have title insurance in the first place? Because it protects one of the most important investments you will ever make...your home or investment in real estate! And because your lender will require it.

When preparing for your real estate closing, the closing agent will conduct a "title search", which means that they search the courthouse records for the chain of title on the property you are purchasing. Some of the things they look for include:

Any outstanding liens or judgments on the property

Any unpaid taxes, special assessments or homeowners association charges

Zoning violations

Fraud

Easements

Mistakes in any recorded documents

Forged or improper information on deeds, releases or wills

Any undisclosed heirs

Because your lender is providing the money for your purchase, they want to be sure that the property is free of encumbrances.

There are two main types of Title Insurance:

Lender's (or Loan) Policy - This policy is issued in the amount of the loan and protects the lender's interest in the property in case of any problem or defect with the title. This coverage is typically paid for by the seller of the property as part of giving the new buyer a clear title. One exception to this will be in the purchase of new construction. Most builders don't like to pay title insurance, so when you are considering the purchase of a brand new home, be prepared for this extra expense. This policy does not protect the buyer.


Owner's Policy - This policy provides protection for and is usually paid for by the homebuyer. I always ask for a "simultaneous issue" because the title company will provide this coverage for a very small one-time fee if it is purchased at the time of closing. The normal cost will be in the $35-$50 range. This policy will protect the buyer for as long as they (or their heirs) own the property...and will pay any legal fees involved in defending the claim.

What is an "Enhanced Policy"? And why do I ask for one in the purchase contract?

Because as your Exclusive Buyer's Agent, I want to provide all the protection I can to my homebuyer clients! Here are some of the additional benefits of having an enhanced policy:

Value added protection - The policy amount automatically increases (over 5 years) up to 150% of the original policy.


Post policy coverage - In the event of any liens being placed on the property after the policy is issued due to unpaid labor and materials not authorized by the homeowner, adverse possession or forgery.


Additional insured - Provides coverage for anyone who inherits title from the insured, including a spouse who might be awarded title in a divorce or the beneficiaries of the trust after death of the insured.


Zoning Law violations - Coverage in the event that the land was not properly zoned.


Encroachments - Coverage in case the homeowner is forced to remove existing structures which were located on the property at the time of policy issue...but encroach onto a neighbor's property. Also provides protection in the event a neighbor builds a structure (other than a fence) on the homeowner's property after the policy is issued.


Easements - Provides coverage if the homeowner is required to remove existing structures because they encroach into an easement or setback line. Also provides for any damage caused by use or maintenance of an easement.


Water and Mineral Rights damage - Coverage for damage to existing improvements and landscaping due to exercise of existing mineral rights.

There are more benefits (and also some restrictions) on the enhanced policies, but certainly worth the effort. The cost is minimal compared to the potential cost of any claims that could arise. Be sure to consider this type of coverage when you purchase your next home.

How to Deal With Social Security Overpayment

One of the worst nightmares that you may encounter when you're receiving social security is an overpayment notice. Now you might be thinking how anyone can incur his / her overpayment from social security. In most situations, it works like this. A man, while receiving disability checks, would work part time to supplement his income. He reported it to the Social Security Administration (SSA) that he's working part time so that any adjustments on the amount he's receiving for disability benefits would be adjusted (or stop disability checks from coming altogether). For some reason, the disability checks keeps coming, although there's no confirmation from the local social security office that they're going to stop giving disability benefits. After a while you will receive a notice from the mail informing him that you owed X thousands of dollars to SSA.

Given the circumstance, the recipient was diligent enough to inform SSA that he's receiving income from other sources, so SSA should have stopped sending him checks from that point. So clearly it's not his fault that SSA is still giving him benefits. So what should one do when he receives an overpayment claim?

Usually if the SSA determines that an overpayment has been made, they will demand restitution, even in cases where the error is their own. However, you can file a "request for waiver of overpayment" (Form SSA-632-bk). The form can be used to explain why the overpayment is not the recipient's fault and why paying it back would either be unfair or would place undue hardship to the claimant.

You can get the request for waiver form from your local social security office, then complete it and return to SSA. You should receive a reply from the SSA regarding your request (usually via mail). However if the waiver request is denied, the waiver situation can be granted consideration through the appeals process. You may have to bring the appeal before an administrative law judge - the same judge who decides on social security and SSI disability claims.

If, after the appeal process the administrative law judge deemed the overpayment notice justified, you can make a payment arrangement. SSA usually accepts repayment arrangements that involve fairly small monthly payments (repayments are usually are done in about ten or twenty dollars per month).

Of course, appealing for waiver for overpayment is usually inconvenient and also time-consuming and can be very frustrating if you end up having to repay. The best way for you to win the case of your overpayment is to get a social security disability lawyer who will arrange everything in terms of appealing before the ALJ and proving you not liable for SSI overpayment.

Misuse of Anesthesia

When undergoing surgery, there are a number of factors which could go wrong and complicate the procedure. A doctor must consider all aspects of the surgery beforehand. One such consideration is determining the appropriate method of anesthesia for a patient. Misuse of anesthesia is a common problem in surgeries, which can cause serious injury and even death to patients.

Ways It Can Go Wrong

When distributing anesthesia to a patient, there are a number of ways in which a doctor or nurse can mess up. Some common errors include:

o Incorrect dosage. If a vile is incorrectly labeled, or a nurse misunderstands the doctor, an incorrect amount of anesthesia can be administered to patients prior to an operation.
o Delayed delivery. This can be caused by misplaced IVs, complications swapping syringes, or vaporizer leaks.
o Prolonged sedation. When a patient is placed under anesthesia for too long, it can affect their brain activity. Prolonged sedation can cause coma, brain damage, and death.
o Inadequate monitoring. Monitoring a patient during and after a surgery can be vital to ensuring their safety. If something goes wrong and no one is there to assist them, an easily solved problem can quickly worsen and compromise the patient's life.
o Intubation complications. Often, intubation is done during an operation in order to help the patient breathe; however, if not properly installed, it can cause serious complications.
o Adverse reactions. If proper testing is not completed prior to surgery, a patient can suffer from an allergic reaction, heart complications, and other difficulties.
o Communication errors. The chain of communication from doctor to nurses is not always the most reliable. Misunderstood or forgotten information can cause patients undue suffering during an operation.
o Impaired or incompetent practitioners. If a medical professional is working while under the influence of mind altering drugs, they are much more likely to make mistakes, which can cause serious injury or even death.
The Effects of Anesthesia Misuse

The repercussions of incorrectly administering anesthetic are numerous, and include:

o Awareness during surgery, potentially causing post-traumatic stress, emotional distress, and physical pain
o Brain damage
o Coma
o Cardiovascular injury
o Damage to tracheal, or surrounding areas due to intubation
o Death

Unfortunately, complications with anesthesia occur quite frequently. According to statistics from the National Practitioner Data Bank:

o From 1990-2002, 5,691 medical malpractice payments were made due to anesthesia related accidents
o The mean amount for medical malpractice payments made between 1990 and 2002 due to anesthesia related accidents was $245,935.

For more information about anesthesia misuse and medical malpractice suits, contact the Pennsylvania medical malpractice lawyer at the law firm of Lowenthal & Abrams.

Truck Accident Lawyers - Semi Tractor Trailer Accident Attorneys

Every 16 minutes, a person is killed or sustains injuries in accidents involving 18-wheelers, tractor-trailers or semi-trucks

In 2001, 429,000 large trucks were involved in traffic crashes (both fatal and minor) in the United States:
- 4,793 were involved in fatal crashes
- 5,082 people died
- 131,000 were injured
- In 2001, there were 6,536 total crashes involving tractor-trailer trucks in Pennsylvania;154 were fatal.

In 2003, there were 58,512 total vehicle accidents involved in fatal crashes in the U.S.

- 4,669 were large trucks involved in fatal truck accidents
- Large trucks are more likely to be involved in a fatal multi-vehicle crash than are passenger vehicles.

In 2003, Texas witnessed 5040 fatal traffic accidents, of which 438 were fatal truck accidents. This number has risen from 5039 total traffic accidents and 401 fatal truck accidents for the previous year 2002. Similarly, in Pennsylvania, there were 2233 fatal traffic accidents in 2003, of which 213 were fatal truck accidents, as opposed to corresponding numbers of 2198 and 174 for the year 2002. Florida had 4432 fatal traffic accidents in 2003, with 343 of them involving trucks, which was higher than 4431 total traffic accidents for 2002 but lower than the 351 fatal truck accidents in the same period. The highest number of fatal traffic accidents happened in California, with the number being a staggering 5725 fatal auto accidents in 2003. But at 332, the number of fatal truck accidents was not the highest among all states in the US.

Trucking revenues totaled $610 billion last year and revenues are forecasted to nearly double by 2015. The majority of fatal truck accidents occur in rural areas (68 percent) during the daytime (66 percent) and on weekdays (78 percent). In 2002, the majority of large truck crashes occurred in good weather (71 percent), on dry roads (71 percent), during the daytime (75 percent), and on weekdays (88 percent).

About 27 percent of all large truck drivers involved in fatal truck accidents throughout the United States had at least one prior speeding conviction compared to 19 percent of the passenger vehicle drivers involved in fatal crashes. From 1992 to 2002, the number of large trucks involved in fatal crashes has increased by up to 10% due to driver fatigue, unsafe vehicle operation, large, unstable loads or defective equipment.

Defects contribute to the number of large truck accidents each year. Some of these defects include:

- Tires or wheels: 80 crashes
- Brake-related: 76 crashes
- Engine/Transmission: 52 crashes
- Steering Wheel: 13 crashes

About 700 heavy truck drivers and passengers in truck cabs die each year. In addition, almost 3,700 persons in cars and other passenger vehicles die annually in collisions with heavy trucks.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety reports that in crashes involving large trucks and other vehicles, 98% of the fatalities occur to the people in passenger vehicles.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has warned groups using 15-seat passenger vans about the dangers of fully loading the vans and then putting an inexperienced driver behind the wheel. The NHTSA also stated that 15-passenger vans are large trucks and should only be driven by people with experience driving large trucks.

The FMCSA's Motor Carrier Management Information System (MCMIS) classifies a truck as large if its gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) exceeds 10,000 pounds.

The majority of fatal crashes involving tractor-trailer trucks include trucks that are pulling one trailer. A recent survey showed that 64% of fatal truck crashes had one trailer. Thirty-two percent of those involved single-unit trucks (no trailer) and fewer than 4% of the those involved multi-trailer vehicles (more than one trailer).

Personal Injury Lawsuits - Basic Knowledge You Must Be Aware in Regards to Personal Injuries

Personal injury lawsuits are occurring more frequently than ever before as more people realize that they may not be simply stuck with the costs associated with injuries caused from an accident. When that accident occurs at the fault or negligence of another person, the injured party and their family may find cause to serve the responsible party with court notice. There are many people in the world who may not realize that they have this right and may not be sure of what a personal injury lawsuit is.

Financial Distress
Accidents happen, as the saying goes. But not all accidents have to mean financial distress on the victim and their families. Occurrences such as slip-and-fall accidents most often occur due to the negligence or another person - failing to remove snow and ice, not cleaning a spill on tile, a rift in flooring, and many other instances can all be deemed the fault of another person. The person deemed responsible for the injuries suffered may be ordered to pay a number of monetary damages to the victim and/or their family.

Consulting A Personal Injury Lawyer
After an injury occurs and has stabilized, a doctor may recommend discussing the accident with a personal injury lawyer. Normally, this is the last thing on a victim's mind, and the reminder can mean a world of difference for the financial future of the victim and their family. With the proper evidence, a skilled attorney may be able to seek compensation for the victim for medical bills, lost wages since the accident and lost wages that are yet to come due to the accident, pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, costs of care and the lost wages of family members who may have to care for the injured party.

Personal Injury Lawsuits
A personal injury lawsuit involves approaching the person or business responsible for the accident that caused the injury to the victim. Usually, the attorney takes care of this and serves notice of the lawsuit to the defendant. Normally, the opportunity to reach a settlement is presented before the case is brought to trial. Sometimes, the injured person and the person responsible for the injury can come to an agreement regarding compensation with the aid of their attorneys and the intervention of a judge is not required. This is normally the quicker and more convenient process, not requiring formal presentations of witnesses or evidence exhibits.

If an agreement cannot be reached outside the courtroom however, the case may be pursued in front of a judge. Here, evidence and witnesses will be presented to support and disprove each case. The final outcome of the case will be decided upon by a judge, and although appeal processes are available, they are lengthy and hard to succeed with.

Top 4 Tips on Hiring the Right Personal Injury Attorney

OUCH! You've just had an accident!! Did someone else cause you the accident because of something they did (they hit you with their car), or something they failed to do (a restaurant manager didn't take care to dry the bathroom floors, and you slipped and fell)? If you got hurt because of someone else, the law may award you some compensation for your suffering or lost wages.

The key thing to remember is that if you have been involved in an accident, it is your right to claim compensation. But claiming compensation can be complicated, so you owe it to yourself to get in touch with a personal injury attorney.

A personal injury attorney is indispensable in personal injury cases. She will guide you on the formalities required to file your claim. Your personal injury attorney will also appear in court as your representative. She will cross examine witnesses and plead your case before the judge. But not just any personal injury attorney will do; to give yourself the best chance of winning your case, that you win your claim, it is important that you hire a highly competent personal injury attorney.

Here are the four top tips to help you hire the right personal injury attorney:

Tip 1: Ask people you know. The best way to find out about a good personal injury attorney is by asking your colleagues, friends and relatives. Make a list of all the personal injury attorneys referred to you. Then, sort them in order of the strength of the recommendation.

Tip 2: Use a lawyer referral service. Another way to find a personal injury attorney is by talking to a lawyer referral service that lists personal injury attorneys. This method is especially useful if you are too busy, or incapacitated by your injury, to do your own research. You may have to pay a small fee for the service, but it will save your time and effort.

Tip 3: Use the Yellow Pages. You will find many personal injury attorneys listed in the Yellow Pages of your telephone directory. However, you will still have to do some additional research, as you can't rely completely on a Yellow Page listing to be assured of competence.

Tip 4: Interview potential candidates. Once you have zeroed in on a few potential candidates for your personal injury attorney, take the time to interview all the candidates before you finally select one. The best way is to do this in person, but if you cannot visit with them in person, a phone interview will suffice.

Car Accident Lawsuits

Although over the years, safety aspects of cars and automobiles have improved tremendously, car accidents are still quite common in each and very country. Research data proves that any given person will be involved at least once in an automobile accident in his lifetime. If you have been unfortunate to be involved in a car accident, then you need the help of a personal injury lawyer.

A point to be noted is that not every car accident will lead to litigation. There may be accidents where no one gets injured or the injuries sustained are minor. In these accidents, it is always possible to resolve any problems by getting your claim for medical care and car damage directly from the driver's insurance company. It is when there are serious injuries or the damage to property is too great that a lawsuit happens.

Car accidents can happen for many reasons. The most common cause is the driver's error. However, distractions, driving while intoxicated, bad weather, vehicle defects, road conditions and road design can also contribute to car accidents.

If you happen to get into a car accident and the case goes for litigation, there will always be two cars involved. One would be your car and the other would belong to the person with whom you had the accident. Either you and / or the other person would claim that the accident was caused because of negligent driving on the part of the other driver. At times, the lawsuit can involve a passenger accompanying you who would claim injury on account of your negligent driving.

Car accident lawsuits can also be against a government agency for not maintaining or designing a roadway or intersection properly. You can also file a car accident lawsuit against the manufacturer of the car for not designing the car or a part properly which lead to the car accident.

Ultimately, your lawyer would be the best suited to advice you on the type of car accident lawsuit and it would be in your best interest to follow his or her advice.

Joint Child Custody - What is It?

Custody of a child is and should be one of the most important aspects when it comes To the separation of the parents. Joint child custody is where each of the child's parents has Equal custody of said child or children.

This type of custody is characterized by the responsibility of Both the mother and the father of the children. Physical and legal matters can be covered under a joint child custody agreement.

The parent with legal custody gets to make all the decisions of a child's life including health-doctor, Education-school, Welfare of said child. Physical custody is who the child will actually be with most of the time.

Both parents can have joint custody in these two areas. One parent may have the child during the week for school. The parents may split the time during the week. This has to be thought through very carefully. You do not want to make it tough for the child while in school. Staying at a parents house during part of the week that is quite a ways away from the child's school will make it tough on the that child and can affect the school work being done.

Now if the parents have split up and are both still in the same school district this would not be a problem.

How do you about obtaining the joint child custody result? The parents may differ on this.

The easiest way is to come to an agreement between the two parents themselves. This will save each parent a significant amount of money in terms of lawyer's fees and court costs.

Another alternative is to let a judge or master decide. Depending on the parent, the judge may rule for joint child custody. He also may rule that one parent would be better for the child to stay with. This is most certainly true in the case of mental and physical abuse to the child by one of the parents.

The state in which you reside needs to be taken into account. There are states that are no fault states as is the case in Pennsylvania.

What this means is that no matter how many times you spouse has cheated on you, the courts will not take this into consideration when it comes to determining if joint child custody is warranted.

The best thing you can do to prepare yourself and to increase your chances of joint child custody is to get as much information and some proven strategies that will work in you favor.

What Is A Judgment Lien?

A judgment lien is a court ordered lien that is placed against the home or property when the homeowner simply fails to pay a debt. This doesn't seem like a big deal, but when the homeowner has a judgment lien against his or her home and wants to sell it, the judgment lien has to be paid in full before the home or property can be sold. Judgment liens can be placed against the property for a variety of reasons such as unpaid credit card bills, utility bills, department store bills, landscaping or home improvement bills, and just about any bill that the homeowner has failed to pay in a reasonable amount of time. Any bill that can cause one to end up in court can result in a judgment lien.

A judgment lien is different than a trust, in that the judgment lien holder cannot foreclose on the home or the property as trust holder can. Judgment lien holders can demand payment, but ultimately they must wait for the homeowner to sell the property before they can expect to be paid the money that they are owed according to the judgment. Luckily for the judgment lien holder, the court will typically assign an interest rate to these liens so that the lien holder is compensated for their waiting as the interest will continue to accrue until the debt is paid in full. Because the majority of people will live in their home for quite some time, the interest can make a judgment lien grow, and grow, and grow over the years so that it is quite large. Imagine what a lien of just $3,000 would grow to over the years if the interest rate were 15% annually and that would be an even bigger amount if the debt were $5,000 or $10,000!

Of course, judgment liens require court action. A creditor will take the homeowner to court where the judge will determine if the homeowner does in fact owe the creditor any money. If the court decides that the creditor is owed the money, and the homeowner will not or cannot make payment, the judge will order that a judgment lien be placed against the property. The judgment lien will then be entered into land records offices for the city or county so that the home cannot be sold without repayment of the debt. Once the lien is filed with the land records office, the judgment lien is said to be attached to the property, meaning that it cannot legally be sold without paying off that lien. If the judgment lien is not listed at the land records office, then it means that the debt or lien is not legally attached to the property and does not need to be paid off to sell the home.

A home or property can have numerous liens against it, which may present a problem when the home is to be sold. Fortunately, the law says that liens will be paid off in the order that they were attached to the property, meaning the first lien will be paid first, the second will be paid second, and so on. This is a law that was basically developed for when a home is foreclosed on. If a foreclosed home is auctioned it will first pay off the first lien, then the second, and the third until there is no money left to pay the debts that are still attached or associated with the home. Of course, all trusts against the house, such as mortgages and home equity loans, would be paid off before the judgment liens, so it's not uncommon for these liens to simply go unpaid because there is no money remaining to pay these debts after the trusts are paid. If there is not enough money to pay for all of the judgment liens and trusts on the home or property, they are then wiped out and can no longer be collected on. Of course, the auction will usually attempt to pay for all of these debts, and they are paid for until there is no money. The reason for this is that the new owner will not be able to get any home equity loans or second mortgages with judgment liens already on the home. If there is money left over after everything is paid off, the remaining amount would go to the foreclosed homeowner as all debts are paid.

You can look for judgment liens at the land records office, though you will typically not find them listed with trusts. Investors or homeowners looking to sell their home will have to look into both trusts and judgments, as they are listed in different areas. Investors can often be caught off guard when they realize how much debt is attached to the home, and sellers are often startled at old judgment liens that they had forgotten about and don't want to afford to pay off in order to sell their home. It's a good idea to go over all of this information before one bids on a home or attempts to sell it or put it on the market.

Judgment liens are not something that anyone wants put against their home, but they are common enough. There comes a time for many people when they simply cannot pay a bill, and a judgment lien is ordered. Making a continued effort to pay down the debt is a great idea so that you don't acquire large interest fees in addition to the initial dollar amount of the lien. The homeowner does not have to wait until the home is sold to pay off the lien, instead they can be paid off as soon as possible. The judgment lien is simply put in place so that the home cannot be sold without the debt being paid, and when you look at it from the creditors point of view, this is a great tool to ensure that you'll eventually be paid the amount you are owed in addition to an interest fee that will pay you for waiting.

DUI Drivers License Restoration in Michigan

This article deals with DUI driver's license restoration in Michigan. Michigan is different from many states in that drivers who have been convicted of two or more alcohol related charge in seven years automatically lose their driver's license. This means that they have to petition to have their driver's license restored.

Most people find that losing their driver's license severely cripples their lifestyle. They have to depend on other people or public transportation for all of the basics of life including going to work, shopping, and going to church. And much of the state of Michigan is made up of small communities that lack public transportation options.

Getting your driver's license restored in Michigan is a complicated process. Many people who try to do it on their own are unsuccessful. For this reason, you may want to consider hiring an experienced attorney for your DUI driver's License Restoration in Michigan.

If you are trying to get your license restored, you must file a case with the Michigan Driver's License Appeal Division. If you lose this hearing, you cannot reapply for six months, so it's important to get it right the first time.

At the DLAD hearing, the Petitioner (you) have the responsibility to show clear and convincing evidence that any substance abuse problems are under control, that repeat alcohol problems are unlikely, that repeat drunk driving is unlikely, and that petitioner has the ability and motivation to drive safely and within the law.

The petitioner must present three different sources of evidence to prove his or her claims. This can include urinalysis to prove that a petitioner is "clean," letters from people involved in treatment, and proof of AA meetings.

If the petitioner proves his or her case, they can get either a restricted license or full restoration of driving privileges.

That's the low down on DUI driver's license restoration in Michigan.

What to Expect After a Filing a Workers' Compensation Claim

The Workers' Compensation system was established to protect injured workers by providing for benefits (and to their families) in the event there is an on-the-job injury or an injury sustained due to the type of work performed. Some Workers' Compensation claims are for accidents on the job such as loss of limb in a machine or a back injury due to heavy lifting. Other Workers' Compensation claims are due to medical problems due to repetitive motion, such as carpal tunnel syndrome. Still other Workers' Comp claims are for the inhalation of dangerous chemicals such as asbestos, which often results in a form of lung cancer called mesothelioma. Regardless of the type of injury you have suffered at your job, you should seek the legal advice of an experienced Workers' Compensation lawyer today to ensure that you and your family get the benefits to which you are entitled.

Filing a Workers' Compensation claim is no easy task. The language can be difficult and confusing, and often times, the first filing is quickly denied. Workers' Comp will deny claims for reasons such as a deadline was missed or a form was filled out incorrectly. Workers' Compensation attorneys have a great deal of experience filling out these forms and dealing with the difficult aspects of Workers' Compensation law.

The Claims Process

Before making a workers' compensation claim, the injured worker or their representative must tell the employer that an injury has occurred and provide medical information. In certain cases, a an injured worker will need to submit a written claim form:

o If the insurer requests one
o If the worker needs weekly payments for more than 12 weeks or medical expenses of more than $7,500
o If the insurer decides to not start provisional liability payments, or stops making provisional liability payments, and the worker disagrees.

After this step, the insurer will decide whether or not to accept the claim. Before payments begin, the insurer will need certain facts and will investigate the matter by questioning the employer and the injured employee. Information will also be sought from the medical doctor who examined the injured employee. Within seven of being informed of the accident/injury, the insurer must begin provisional liability payments to the injured worker unless there is a compelling reason to not begin payments.

A claim for workers' compensation benefits must be made within six months of the date of the injury in most states. This may be extended to three years in some cases. A worker is not entitled to compensation unless notice of the injury was given to the employer as soon as possible after the injury occurred.

The Holidays and Auto Accidents

Thanksgiving Marks the Beginning of Dangerous Times on America's Roads

While a familiar holiday song labels this "The Most Wonderful Time of the Year," it's also one of the most dangerous.

While we're giving thanks for so many other wonderful things in our lives, we also need to be mindful that the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, year after year, produces more alcohol-related auto accidents and wrongful deaths than any other time of the year - including Christmas. The high level of drunk driving fatalities continues until after New Year's Eve. As a Seattle-based personal injury lawyer, I can't help but notice the increase in senseless auto accident tragedies that happen during what should be solely a celebratory time.

Some shocking facts:

o In the U.S., the leading criminal cause of death is drunk driving.
o More than 17,000 people are the victim of drunk driving auto accidents annually.
o Between Thanksgiving and New Year's Day, 38% of all wrongful deaths from auto accidents are alcohol related.
o Repeat drunk drivers are responsible for almost 60% of those alcohol-related fatalities.

What's important is trying to stop these auto accidents before they happen - so everyone can enjoy a peaceful and happy holiday time. Here are a few suggestions from MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving)
to help make that happen:

o Be a Safe and Responsible Party Host - Make sure none of your guests drive home when they're in no condition to operate a vehicle. Don't just depend on their physical appearance to evaluate their sobriety.
o Designated Driver - If one of your group makes the commitment not to drink, you can easily avoid an alcohol-related auto accident.
o Non-Alcoholic Party Drink Recipes - Give your guests a choice when it comes to beverages, or eliminate alcohol altogether - and serve fun party drinks for the whole family.
o Tie One on For Safety - Displaying the MADD ribbon on your vehicle shows your commitment to avoiding personal injury and wrongful death because of drunk driving - and can inspire other motorists to do the same.

There are ways to celebrate the holidays in a responsible way - and still have plenty of "good cheer." Starting this Thanksgiving, I hope all of you will do your best to keep the roads safe for everyone.

Biography of Top Ten NBA Players

Michael Jeffrey Jordan was born in Brooklyn, New York, February 17, 1963. He was the fourth of five children born to James and Deloris. In June 2006, he became part owner of the Charlotte Bobcats. Later that year, he filed for divorce from Juanita, his wife of 17 years. They have three children together.

Wilt Chamberlain was born in 21th August 1936 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. His nick name is The big dipper. He was unmarried. He personally believed that "Nobody roots for Goliath". He was the only player in NBA history to lead the league in scoring average and rebounding average in the same season. He died in 12th October 1999.

Kareem Abdul Jabber was born in 16th April 1947 in New York City, New York, USA. His nick name is Lew. His spouse name was Janice Habiba' Brown' (divorced). He coached the Oklahoma Storm of the United States Basketball League in 2002, leading them to the league championship before resigning.

Larry Bird was born December 7, 1956. He was the fourth of Joe and Georgia Bird's six children. His birthplace was West Baden, Indiana. Bird was always somewhat injury-prone. He missed much of the 1988-89 seasons after major surgery on both heels.

Earvin Johnson was born August 14, 1959, in Lansing, Michigan, the fourth of Earvin and Christine Johnson's seven children. In 1977 Johnson and his Everett High School team won the state championship.

William Felton Russell (born February 12, 1934) is a former American basketball player remembered for his central role in the Boston Celtics dynasty that won 11 NBA championships in 13 seasons, during which he led the Boston Celtics to eight straight championships. Bill Russell's famous saying was "Don't knock the ball in the stands, keep it in your hands.

Oscar Palmer Robertson was born November 24, 1938 in Charlotte Tennessee. His nick name was the big O of O Train. He came from a poor family. As a result instead of baseball he played basketball. His parents could not afford baseball.

Shaquille Rashaun O'Neal was born in 6th March 1972, New Jersey, USA. His nick name was Superman. O'Neal graduated from Louisiana State University and is the only current NBA player with an MBA (Master of Business Administration). He intends to pursue a career in politics and/or sports ownership upon retiring from the NBA.

Hakeem Olajuwon was born January 21, 1963. His birth place is Lagos, Nigeria. His nick name is the dream. He has wife, Dalia Asafi with children. Prior to coming to the U.S. to attend the University of Houston, he had never played basketball and actually came to Houston to play soccer.

Tim Duncan's full name is Timothy Theodore Duncan and he was born April 25, 1976 in American Virgin Islands to Ione and William Duncan. His father is a mason, while his mother is a midwife. He has two older sisters, Cheryl and Tricia. He plays professional basketball for the San Antonio Spurs and he is also the captain of the team.

Common Causes of Car Accidents in the United States

Every year in the United States there are over six million auto accidents. The financial cost of these crashes are more than $230 billion and almost three million people are injured every year in the United States because of car accidents. The fact of the matter is, car accidents are not rare.

Statistics show that there are three major causes for automobile accidents. Being made aware of these three major factors can help the knowledgeable driver avoid being one of the statistics referenced above. The most common known reason for automobile accidents is due to what is known as driver distraction. Although there has been no "official" definition for driver distractions, it has been defined as "anything that diverts the driver's attention from the primary tasks of navigating and responding to critical events." Basically, anything that causes a driver to take his or her eyes off of the road or paying attention to the situation at hand.

These distractions can be caused by the driver eating or drinking, grooming activities, tending to children or pets in the car or even something as simple as smoking a cigarette or adjusting a CD or MP3 player in a motor vehicle. Many of these activities cause a driver to remove their attention from their first responsibility, which is road safety.

Another major cause of car accidents in the United States are from persons driving under the influence of alcohol. In the past 10 years, approximately 250,000 people died in alcohol-related accidents. Drinking alcohol and driving a motor vehicle are simply known as a combination for disaster.

Another major cause of automobile accidents is failure of drivers to abide by speed limit laws. Many drivers don't realize that speed limits are carefully chosen to allow for certain contingencies, such as weather conditions, sudden turns and the visibility of certain roads. Obviously, if one exceeds the speed limit it reduces the time in which that driver has to react to any contingency that may occur on the road.

It should be noted that if you have been injured by a driver that was engaged in one of the above activities, his or her liability may allow for you to receive compensation for your lost wages, pain and suffering and other related costs. An attorney can greatly assist you with regard to helping you determine the liability of that driver and the correct amount of compensation that you should be awarded. Certainly the insurance company for that driver does not want to pay you full value for whatever injury the driver may have caused to you. Knowledgeable, experienced attorneys, such as those at Pellettieri, Rabstein & Altman, can assist you and your loved ones in the unfortunate event that you are involved in an automobile accident.

Networking Groups, Not Therapy Sessions

Joining a business networking group can be an excellent move in making strong relationships with like-minded professionals and providing yourself a means of continuous referrals. It really can be a valuable and fulfilling experience. If you can find the right group and participate accordingly, you may wonder why you had not become involved sooner.

The "Right" group would consist of real professionals who engage in real professional behavior. In other words, a great networking group is one that interacts in a warm manner but keeps professionalism alive at all times. This is a vital element if a group is to survive for any great length of time.

A few reasons why this is so important;

- As potential new members visit the group and are considering joining, the professionalism aspect will show through very strongly. Serious business people love this kind of atmosphere because it could prove productive and profitable for them.

- When professionalism is kept in mind, all of the groups activities will reflect it. A professional business networking group doesn't deviate or take detours from its primary objectives. When a group begins to practice activities that aren't consistent with its original purpose, it could be a sign of a lack of focus and could begin to fall apart.

Some may say that there is a fine line between business dialogue or general business interactions and that of more personal exchanges in communication. This is true to a large extent but nevertheless, there is a line. Sometimes things can happen when people begin to get very comfortable around one another.

Personal issues can make their way up to the surface and into what is supposed to be business speak intended to grow and improve careers. It can be a subtle merging and blind side the very integrity of the group. An example, is when someone in the group is perhaps going through a difficult divorce. This is a highly emotional experience and the individual can lose perspective and discuss such things openly.

When such things are brought to the surface, it causes the other members of the group to be affected because they are naturally empathetic human beings and want to show their sympathy as well as help. This is amicable on their part as real people but directly contradicts the purpose of the group and its objectives.

If such behavior is left unattended for too long, a pattern could develop and the productivity of the group will lessen until its ultimate failure. This is not to suggest being non-caring or cold but keeping the focus on appropriate activities could mean the survival of the group.

Can They Garnish My Wages?

Recently, I've had several calls to my office about Garnishment of Wages, so perhaps a short article is in order. Wage Garnishment is a legal procedure in which a person's earnings are required by court order to be withheld by an employer for the payment of a debt. The key to the preceding statement is the term "court order". A garnishment of wages cannot occur without a judge agreeing to the garnishment. This means that some type of court action must occur. The creditor cannot merely attach or garnish your account without due process of law.

In Pennsylvania, where I practice law, a Garnishment of Wages can occur only under limited circumstances. The most prevalent circumstance is for an obligation of child or spousal support. Garnishment is usually very easy to procure under those types of matters. Other circumstances where garnishment of wages can occur include repayment of PHEAA student loans, room and board for four weeks or less and obligations relating to a final divorce distribution. In PA, these are just about the only instances when your wages can be garnished while they are in the hands of your employer.

Many of the inquiries that I receive at my office are regarding credit card collections and garnishment of wages. Except under very limited or special circumstances, in Pennsylvania, an ordinary creditor cannot garnish your wages on a Pennsylvania case. This does not mean that the money that you earn cannot ever be garnished. There is a distinction here that must be made. Once the money is earned and deposited into your bank account, the monies are no longer wages. Those funds become part of the corpus of your bank account and are subject to garnishment. If a creditor is privy to your banking information AND if they have obtained a judgment against you, they will be able to garnish the funds in your bank account, even if those funds were at one time wages. This type of "regular" garnishment does not require a court order, but instead requires the creditor to obtain a judgment against you in a court of law. After a judgment is obtained, a creditor can commence garnishment proceedings by applying for a Writ of Execution. The Writ of Execution is delivered to your bank and your accounts are then frozen.