For many families who have children participating in school athletics, a common fear is that those children may get seriously injured. The stories of kids being permanently or fatally injured while participating in football or gymnastics, for example, are not unusual. But, where does potential liability for catastrophic sports injuries lie? The reality is, the athletic trainers, coaches, and...
Continue ReadingTexting while driving, or simply talking on your cell phone, are not the only types of distractions that put people at risk when driving. If you are involved in an auto accident, you may not see the other driver with that cell phone in his hand. You may have noticed a cheeseburger, instead. This would be an important detail...
Continue ReadingMost customers visiting a store never give the condition of the sidewalks a second thought. We just assume they are safe and well-maintained. The reality is, a crack in the pavement or a sudden unevenness in the surface can send you sprawling. Sidewalk injuries can actually result in more serious injuries than you might suspect. But, what is the...
Continue ReadingMany personal injury cases do not make it all the way to trial. Not because they lack merit, but because the parties are able to reach a settlement early on. This is usually a good thing for everyone involved. When a settlement is reached, the person who was injured (the plaintiff) agrees to dismiss the lawsuit in exchange for...
Continue ReadingA common question from clients who have been injured on the job is whether they can be fired while out on worker’s compensation leave. The answer is not as simple as yes or no. While you cannot be terminated simply because of a worker’s compensation claim, it is possible to be terminated while you have an open worker’s compensation...
Continue ReadingWrongful death is a type of legal claim that can be filed with someone is killed as a result of the negligence or other misconduct of another. Certain surviving family members of the deceased may be able to bring a lawsuit against the responsible party, and receive monetary compensation for the death of their loved one. Most commonly, wrongful...
Continue ReadingSocial Security Disability benefits may be available for both physical and mental illnesses. In fact, many people apply for Social Security Disability for mental impairments such as depression, anxiety and bi-polar disorder. The unfortunate fact, though, is that these types of claims can be more difficult to get approved. However, understanding the type of evidence you will need to support your...
Continue ReadingAs we walk down the sidewalks of our cities and towns, most of us assume that they are safe and well-maintained. However, time and the elements take their toll on streets and sidewalks, leaving cracks in the pavement, for example, that can cause someone to trip and fall. Believe it or not, sidewalk injuries can be serious, even resulting...
Continue ReadingA common question clients ask, after the death of a spouse who was receiving Worker’s Compensation Benefits, is whether or not they are entitled to Workers Comp Survivor Benefits. There are certain eligibility requirements that must be met. The amount of benefits that may be received will also depend, in part, on the circumstances surrounding the spouse’s death. However,...
Continue ReadingTruck-related highway accidents are far too prevalent. In both Missouri and Arkansas, there were nearly 100 motor vehicle fatalities in 2012 that involved large commercial trucks. The reality is, accidents involving 18-wheelers are usually very serious, even catastrophic, due to the sheer size and weight of those trucks. A car is no match for an 80,000 pound commercial truck. ...
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