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There’s no doubt that being injured on the job can cause physical pain, but what many injured workers don’t realize is that workplace injuries can cause lasting effects that hang around long after the physical pain subsides. In fact, some injured workers may find that one injury in the workplace changes their lives forever. Many such workers go on to face mounting medical bills, job and income loss and even permanent disabilities that require lifelong care in a nursing facility.

Aren’t Workers Protected?

While it’s true that workers are supposed to be protected by compensation programs, the reality is that these programs are not perfect, and as a result, some injured workers are not able to benefit from them. Most workers compensation programs are underwritten by insurance companies, and this means that the insurance company ultimately decides the injured worker’s fate. Even if an injured worker’s supervisor and coworkers all back him or her in his or her injury claims, the insurance company can deny the claim, leaving the injured worker with little recourse. Liberty Mutual workers compensation is one of the larger insurance companies, and some injured workers have difficulty going through the claims process themselves, so it would be wise to get help with the process.

Why Claims Get Denied

The sad truth is, insurance companies are in business to make money, and as such, they often look for technical reasons to deny claims. For example, if an insurance policy states that injured workers will only be compensated for injuries that occur in the workplace, but an employee is injured while driving a company vehicle outside the workplace while on business, the insurance company may deny the injured worker’s claims. Using this tactic, insurance companies are often able to save money, but sadly, at the expense of injured people.

Delayed Claims

In addition, the insurance companies may also try to delay claims in order to keep from paying out. In some cases, worker’s compensation insurance companies have been known to delay claims for up to two years, all the while injured workers suffer. This practice is unethical, but as long as the insurance company can prove that it is still investigating a worker’s claim, then it is not illegal. Delayed claims by any insurer can be just as harsh as denied claims, as some delays can go on and on.

The Consequences of Denials and Delays

For injured workers, a claim denial or delay can be devastating, especially for injured workers who are no longer able to work. Without a job or a source of income, and while facing medical bills and household expenses, the pressures felt by injured workers who have been denied or had a claim delayed can seem insurmountable. In addition to the physical pain they might be in, injured workers in these situations may also experience a variety of mental and emotional complications, including depression, anxiety, insomnia and more. All of this can then lead to larger health problems, including high blood pressure and heart disease.

If you’ve been injured on the job and you’ve been denied compensation, or if you feel that your claim is being intentionally delayed by an insurance company or your employer, it’s important for you to partner with a worker’s compensation attorney for help. These attorneys will be able to investigate your claim and ensure that you are being treated properly and fairly. In many cases, just by partnering with an attorney, the insurance company that is handling your case will suddenly have a change of heart, and your claim will be processed, allowing you to get the compensation you need and deserve.

Kelly Kovacic keeps up to date with the latest information on workers compensation cases, and contributes articles for the legal community. Some people have suffered from issues related to denied or delayed Liberty Mutual workers compensation claims. The attorneys at Doyle Raizner in Houston are experts and have secured satisfactory settlements for many injured workers. The law forbids insurers from acting in bad faith toward their insured individual. But sometimes insurers do it anyway, therefore it is important to get the help you need to turn your situation around.

The fierce Hurricane Sandy has left thousands of people in heavily damaged homes, without power, heat or hot water. Many of Sandy's victims are still suffering, and living conditions are harsh for tens of thousands of people who have still been unable to return to their homes.

Hurricane Sandy destroyed the east coast and left New Jersey coastal towns, New York City and plenty of other locations with billions of dollars worth of damages. Teams are working night and day — ordering home inspections, helping people get meals, water and gas for generators.

With cases of flooding, structural damage, power outages and more, the clean-up process for Sandy is certain to be extended and costly. In a situation like this, many homeowners' insurance policies are pretty clever and do not cover the cost caused from flooding. In order for flood claims to be paid, a consumer must have already purchased a flood policy prior to the arrival of Hurricane Sandy.

Many victims may have to sue their insurance companies to get full coverage for weather related damages. In context of the present bad economy, most Americans probably cannot afford the services of an experienced lawyer.

In a situation like this, it is best for victims to get free legal advice and take advantage from pro bono legal services available online. These services have a staff of renowned lawyers and paralegals that will assist you in getting your required claim for damage caused as a result of Sandy.

Let’s hope the US law can get all damages caused as a result of the ferocious Sandy rightly claimed for ones who deserve the most…

Each year, nearly 800,000 Americans are the victims of a dog bite, which is serious enough to require medical attention. The “one free bite rule” is a name for a legal doctrine that determines if the dog owner can legally be held responsible for injuries caused by their pet. The premise under this rule allows the dog owner not to be held liable the first time their dog bites or inflicts injury to someone. However, this type of dog attack law only protects the owner if they followed all of the local laws pertaining to dogs. If the dog owner was in violation of local leash laws when the attack occurred, they can be held legally responsible. The one-bite rule would also be waived if the owner was aware or should have been aware of their dog’s propensity to be dangerous. This can be established by the following:


• The dog has a history of barking at strangers

• The dog often growls and snaps at anyone who comes near it

• The dog has a habit of jumping on others when visitors are present

• The owner often puts a muzzle on the dog

• The dog has been trained to fight other dogs


Whether the state follows the one bite rule, the dog owner can be held liable if they were negligent in the handling or confinement of a dog.


Determining Liability in Dog Bite Cases

Most states throughout the nation hold the owner of the dog strictly liable, even if the owner was not at fault. A majority of compensation claims are paid under the homeowner’s insurance policy, which includes coverage for damages and liability caused by domestic animals. The dog attack laws vary in each state, which can be broken down by these three types of liability:


• Negligence Laws—The owner is liable for the injury because the owner was careless or negligent in controlling the dog.

• Strict Liability—The owner is automatically liable for any injury or property damage the dog causes without provocation.

• One Bite Rule—The owner of the dog is not liable for damages caused the first time the dog bites a victim unless the owner knew or should have known that the dog had a propensity for violence.

Some states have moved away from the one free bite rule and the owner can be held responsible for any and all injuries caused by their dog, whether the animal has previously demonstrated vicious or aggressive tendencies. A victim may use the legal doctrine of premises liability when the person is harmed on the property of the dog owner. This is a specific form of negligence that applies to landowners and landlords. If a landlord knows that a vicious dog currently lives with one of their tenants and fails to do anything to control the dog, the landlord can be held liable. Determining liability will depend on where you live and which dog attack law applies in that state.


How a Dog Bite Lawyer Can Help

A dog owner may not be held liable if any of the following occurred during the incident:



• The victim was trespassing onto private property

• The victim was a professional that works with animals, such as a veterinarian or kennel owner

• The victim was committing a felony at the time

• The victim provoked the dog and was over the age of 5 years old at the time

• The dog was assisting the police or the military at the time


Dog bite cases can be extremely serious and cause undue consequences on the pet’s owner. Therefore, it is important to hire a personal injury attorney specializing in dog bites who will make sure that your rights are protected at all times.
It is no secret that the housing situation in America has been a poor one for some time now. Foreclosures have been on the rise over the past several years, and as a result consumers have responded by devising several different approaches to deal with potential foreclosures. Unfortunately, walking away from a foreclosure only exacerbates the problem.

Credit Scores

The first negative effect of a foreclosure is the effect that such action has on the credit scores of homeowner. No matter what the ultimate result of the foreclosure might be, whether the property is sold at short sale, or the property is voluntarily returned to the bank, the credit agencies will still treat the situation identically by noting that the homeowner paid less on a settled account. The practical effect is that the homeowner’s credit score will be downgraded, which will result in the homeowner having to pay higher rates on his credit card, auto loans, and other consumer debt.

Effect on Employment

A little known effect of a foreclosure is that it may make it more difficult for the one to obtain employment. Many employers not only make routine credit investigations as part of their hiring practice, but there are some employers that use a foreclosure as a basis for termination. Both of these situations may appear to be unfair, but employers are within their rights to take such action, and homeowners facing a potential foreclosure should be aware of these possibilities.

Deficiency Judgments

Many homeowners may be under the mistaken belief that once their property has been foreclosed on, they are free and clear of any further financial obligations for said property. Unfortunately, this is not the case. Depending on the circumstances, even after the foreclosure there may be remaining debt, and the mortgage holder may elect to pursue that. The options available to the mortgage company include taking a deficiency judgment against the homeowner and using such judgment to pursue a wage garnishment. This can be a consequence of the foreclosure that might follow the homeowner for some time and that could also jeopardize one’s employment, as some employers are not sympathetic and may use garnishment as a reason for termination.

Stress

In addition to the clear and direct consequences of foreclosure, there are also a number of more subtle consequences that homeowners should be aware of. The circumstances leading up to and continuing throughout the foreclosure process are the source of considerable stress. The pressure of trying to make payments, dealing with the mortgage company, and facing the likelihood of losing one’s home are all stress creating events. Living with day-to-day stress can cause a homeowner to act in ways that are inconsistent with his or her normal behavior, which may serve to cause them additional difficulties.

Conclusion

Foreclosures are not pleasant for anyone. The mortgage holder incurs expenses that they would like to avoid, and are burdened with disposing of the foreclosed property. Mortgage companies are not in the real estate business, and would prefer not to have this additional responsibility. The problems for the homeowner, as described above, certainly are not pleasant. The bottom line is that homeowners should make every effort to avoid foreclosure. The effects can be devastating, and it may take the homeowner years to escape them.

About the author

This article was composed by Ty Whitworth for the team atwww.manhattandallasapartments.com/.
If You Witness a Car Accident, What Should You Do?

Most people are not aware of the incredibly large number of motor vehicle accidents and fatalities that occur every year in the United States:

  • According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in 2010 there were 32,885 motor vehicle traffic crash fatalities in the US.
  • Additionally, there were an estimated 2.24 million injuries as a result of these motor vehicle crashes.
  • Every year in the past there have been at least 10 million auto accidents and in some years more than 13 million.
  • According to projections, there will be at least 10 million more accidents every year.

With so many accidents occurring every year, it is quite likely that you have already witnessed one or more accidents already. And it is even more likely that you will witness one or more accidents in the future. The question is, if you witness a car accident, what are you supposed to do, if anything?

Practical Steps to Follow if You Witness a Car Accident:

  1. If you are in your car and you witness a serious motor vehicle accident, maintain a safe distance from the vehicle(s) – suggestions range from 100 ft. to 1000 ft. – and pull over to the side of the road.
  2. Turn on your emergency blinkers.
  3. If you have a phone, immediately call 911 and report the accident. If you don’t have a phone, ask another person to call 911.
  4. If you have road flares, you may choose to place them several hundred feet in front of and behind the vehicles. Make absolutely sure that the flares do not come into contact with leaking gasoline on the ground. If there is a risk of an explosion from leaking gas, do not light them.
  5. If there is an injured person in a vehicle who cannot get out, or if they are unconscious, many experts recommend not moving the person because of the possible harm that may result. It is usually recommended, if possible, to wait until professional emergency help arrives.
  6. However, if there is a fire and a very likely possibility of an explosion, or if there are other compelling reasons such as intense bleeding, this obviously raises other concerns.
  7. Most jurisdictions have “Good Samaritan Laws” that protect certain persons from liability if they render aid in emergency situations. In some jurisdictions, the Good Samaritan Law protects all persons. In other jurisdictions the Law protects only professionals such as emergency technicians and medical doctors.
  8. Some Good Samaritan Laws actually require a person to offer reasonable aid at the scene of an emergency situation. What is “reasonable aid?” In some circumstances, calling 911 is all that a person can do. Obviously not everyone is capable of offering physical assistance, nor should they.
Other Ways to Offer Help if You Witness a Car Accident:

You may choose to take photographs of the accident scene with your cellphone camera, as well as take notes of what you observed. Record the license plates, makes of cars, persons in the vehicles, and other important points. When help arrives, you may offer this information to the authorities. You may be issued a summons to testify as a witness if there is a future case in court. You also may be questioned by attorneys, insurance adjusters and/or other persons who have a legitimate interest in the accident. Your observations may be of extreme importance to the parties in the case and to law enforcement. Just be as clear and truthful as possible. If you or someone you love is involved in a car accident caused by the negligence of someone else, contact an experienced Dallas accident attorney for a free legal consultation.