Common Causes of Head and Brain Injury in NC

2 March, 2010 (16:39) | personal injury | By: attorneynews

The most common causes of head and brain injuries are falls, which account for 28% of such injuries. Auto accidents contribute 20% of brain injuries, and blows or strikes to the head account for 19%. Eleven percent of head and brain injuries are caused by assaults.

Falls
Falls are the most common cause of head and brain injuries because they can happen under almost any circumstances. Falls effect people of all ages, which is another reason they cause so many injuries. Small children who fall risk bumping or shaking brains that have not yet grown to be fully protected, and the elderly suffer a similar sort of risk – as a person ages their brain becomes less able to handle physical trauma.

Car Accidents
Car accidents of any kind can cause head injury in North Carolina. Even if your car has not been dramatically slammed into by a drunk driver plummeting through an intersection, you can suffer as if it had been. Merely being rear-ended at a slow speed can cause brain trauma. It is critical to seek medical attention if this occurs .

Sports
Sports can cause head and brain injuries in two main ways. The first is if unsafe actions are taken while participating in a sport: for example, riding a bicycle without wearing a helmet. Cycling accidents cause the most sports-related head and brain injuries because too many people do not wear helmets or wear helmets that are the wrong size. The second way sports can cause head and brain injuries is by hitting the head with such force that the brain is effected.

These accidents happen in more violent sports like football or boxing, where physical contact is inevitable and the force behind every movement is calculated to be as severe as possible.
Sports injuries are only responsible for about three percent of head and brain injuries, but because they are often quite severe, it is important to remember that even injuries that seem minor can translate into much more serious issues later on.

This information has been brought to you by The Law Offices of Anastopoulo & Clore, LLC, North Carolina brain injury attorneys,800-610-2546

Your Rights If You Have Been Arrested in Houston

24 February, 2010 (11:47) | Criminal Defense | By: attorneynews

Constitutional rights are granted to every individual being charged with a crime no matter what the crime is. In certain instances individuals are mistreated by the police and are not given their undeniable rights after being arrested. In these circumstances a case dismissal is in line, and an attorney should be hired immediately. Rights for individuals that are arrested include:

• Right to legal representation
• Right to have rights read
• Right to be informed of charges

Right to Legal Representation

The right to legal representation is an important right. If representation cannot be purchased due to economic inability, an attorney will be given to the defendant. An attorney is important to your defense; he/she will possess knowledge concerning what steps need to be taken, the legal process, and how to effectively communicate your case. An criminal defense lawyer in Houston will also benefit your defense because he/she will be there in every stage of the legal process giving you advice.

Right to have Rights Read

Every individual has the right to have his or her rights read. The police officer initiating the arrest will read the accused his or her Miranda rights and will tell the accused anything they say or do will be able to be used against them. Whether the individual being arrested decides to remain silent is their decision. The police officer making the arrest will also tell the accused they have the right to legal counsel, and if legal counsel is not economically feasible, an attorney will be provided.

Right to Be Informed of Charges

During the arrest the police officer making the arrest must tell the individual what offense they are being charged with. If this right did not exist police officers could simply arrest individuals off the street for any reason. The details of the offense must also be communicated to the individual charged with the offense.

Houston Legal Representation

No matter what crime an individual is being charged with, their Constitutional rights should never be breached. If you or a loved one has recently been charged with a crime and it is believed certain rights were denied to you, immediately contact an attorney.

This article was provided courtesy of the Duke Firm, a  Houston criminal defense law firm, 888-314-5720

Choosing A Personal Injury Legal Representative

18 February, 2010 (12:20) | personal injury | By: attorneynews

Most importantly, do your research before picking a personal injury attorney.  Investigate the certification of the professional you choose, and, if attainable, search for personalized and professional testimonials for your potential lawyer. All lawyers will market themselves as the most suitable – but make that determination on your own. The settlement you receive could depend upon it.

Usually the major part of personal injury situations are not resolved in the court, you should still ensure that your personal injury lawyer is outfitted to go the distance if needed. Select a attorney who offers a personal service too, one who is reachable to you, and with whom you feel at ease working. Your first opinion can go a long way in assisting you pick the right attorney – make sure that at your initial meeting he or she is timely, efficient, and communicative. If this is not the situation, you may be better off going elsewhere with your research.

First, certify that your lawyer has direct knowledge in personal injury. The law is an monumental area, and specializations within it have formed for a reason. By selecting a professional who deals mainly with this kind of case, you will be making sure that you are dealing with a law firm who is knowledgeable in this selected area of the law in detail, which in turn means they will be equipped with the skill and experience

Alabama Divorce Statistics

11 February, 2010 (14:40) | Divorce | By: attorneynews

No couple ever predicts that their marriage will someday end in divorce, but in our busy and stressful world, divorce has become a sad reality.  50 percent of marriages in the United States are estimated to end in divorce or legal separation.  The state of Alabama holds true for that statistic.  If you are involved with the Birmingham divorce process, you may have already found these statistics to be useful.

  • Approximately 38 percent of all couples divorce within the first four years of their marriage.  This insinuates that these marriages begin to suffer within the first year or two.
  • According to the Forest Institute of Professional Psychology in Springfield, Missouri, 50 percent of first marriages, 67 percent of second and 74 percent of third marriages end in divorce.  This research suggests that any problems that cause a first divorce tend to carry over to any following relationships.
  • Unless physical or verbal abuse is involved, most divorces in Alabama are granted on “no-fault” grounds, which is to say that the couple is incompatible, but neither is at more fault than the other.
  • Alabama is an equitable distribution state—meaning that property, assets, and liabilities should be divided fairly, but not necessarily equally.  Be sure to consult a reputable Alabama attorney before making assumptions if you think that you are automatically entitled to particular assets because your spouse is at fault for the divorce.

A divorce is never something you should go through alone, especially with our economic uncertainty and downfall.  Divorce attorneys can help if you have been troubled with a contested, uncontested, or collaborative divorce in Birmingham.

Your Divorce Options

28 January, 2010 (16:37) | Uncategorized | By: attorneynews

Those seeking a divorce – also known as a legal dissolution of marriage – should seek help from an experienced divorce lawyers. Attorneys provide clients with an informed look at the legal process that surrounds both uncontested and contested divorces and additional legal processes including child support, child custody and spouse support.

• Dissolution of Marriage (Divorce)

A Dissolution of Marriage is a “no fault” procedure that residents can undergo to legally terminate their marriage. To do this, both spouses must file a collective petition with the court requesting that the court review their agreement they have come up with regarding issues involving child custody and support, distribution of property and debt and spouse support. This petition also requests that the state legally terminate their marriage.

• Mediation

A mediated divorce is one in which a husband and wife attend sessions with a mediator who aids in their decision-making and helps the process run smoothly. This is an option for divorcing couples who wish to dissolve their marriage in a more amicable and less-conflicting manner.

• Separation

A legal separation is an alternative to divorce for a husband and wife who can’t continue living together but do not want to legally end their marriage in a divorce. In Texas, a couple is legally separated after asking the court to recognize their separation.

Understanding and compiling with TX “Helmet Laws”.

14 January, 2010 (17:27) | Uncategorized | By: attorneynews

Understanding and compiling with TX “Helmet Laws”.

Texas Motorcycle Helmet Law

There is important information relative to Texas’s motorcycle helmet law on the Texas Department of Public Safety’s website (http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/).  Texas’s Senate Bill 1967 was signed in June of 2009 and has been enforced since September 1, 2009.  This law has modified exemption requirements specified in the motorcycle helmet law in Texas. A motorcycle accident law firm in Houston should have full understanding of these laws.

Changes to the Texas Motorcycle Helmet Law

1. The minimum requirement for medical insurance for helmet law exemption has been removed.  Previous to this bill, the minimum insurance requirement was $10,000.  The health insurance must provide benefits for health care expenses due to an accident.

2. The Texas Department of Insurance will be creating a standard proof of health insurance for those riders who are 21 years of age and older and covered by health insurance.  Motorcycle stickers will no longer be used as proof.

3. A motorcycle rider or passenger may not be detained or asked to stop by a peace officer to check whether he or she has insurance, or if the individual has successfully finished a motorcycle operator training and safety course.

To find out more about the Motorcycle Safety Unit and the training programs the Unit provides, go to the Texas Department of Public Safety website.

According to the Traffic Safety Factsheet 2007 Data by the National Center for Statistics and Analysis of the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, there were 375 motorcycle riders killed in 2007.  Of those 375 fatalities, 60% of the riders were not wearing helmets.  Please do not be a statistic.  Wear a motorcycle helmet.

This article regarding changes to the Texas Motorcycle Helmet Law was provided by the Houston motorcycle accident lawyers of the Duke Firm, P.C.

Workers’ Rights in Workers’ Compensation Cases

7 January, 2010 (13:23) | Uncategorized | By: attorneynews

Of all the employment benefits workers receive, Workers’ Compensation benefits are probably the least likely to be explained to employees at any point during their employment beyond telling you, during orientation, that if you’re injured you must report the injury within 30 days. This is true even when a claim is filed for a valid on-the-job injury. While employers will assist in filing the claim, they are not likely to discuss many benefits in detail unless you ask about them. This means you have to know something about them.

Basic Rights

All of Florida’s Workers Compensation laws apply to employers of 15 or more employees. If you belong to a union, your rights may be somewhat different. Not all rights are listed here, so you should check your bargaining agreement or consult with a personal injury attorney who can point out subtleties that may or may not affect your claim.

* Employer’s cannot fire employees for filing a Workers’ Compensation claim, or for having been injured while performing their jobs.

•    Employers don’t have to hold jobs open for injured workers who are on temporary disability and receiving workers compensation benefits.

•    Employers are not required to rehire former workers who took temporary disability leave due to an on-the-job injury.

•    Workers’ Compensation benefits include rehabilitation and re-employment services, including assessment and training.

•    Although employers are not subject to civil suit when covered by Workers’ Compensation Insurance, there are exceptions when the employer is guilty of:

* Violating a state or federal law
* Sexual harassment
* Discrimination
* Willful intent to injure the worker
* Firing or threatening to fire the employee for filing a legitimate workers comp claim
* Engaging in fraudulent activities

•    You have the right to file for a settlement if your initial claim has been denied within 120 days from the date of the accident.

* If you have received any workers compensation benefits, you must wait to file for a settlement until you have reached the maximum medical improvement anticipated

* Your settlement will include all benefits paid prior to the settlement date

•    The employer and insurance carrier have the right to choose the treating physician. However, if the employer fails to offer a doctor
or pay for the accident, the employee can then choose his own doctor.

* You must report your accident or injury within 30 days following the accident or your claim may be denied.

* Your employer must report the accident to the insurance carrier on form DWC-1 within seven days of learning of the accident.

* If your employer does not report the accident or injury to the carrier within seven days, you have the right to report it to the carrier.

The sooner you report your accident or injury to your employer, the more credibility you establish. Delays in reporting raise questions about the facts, the severity, and the actuality that the injury occurred at work.

Experienced personal injury attorneys can help protect you in the case of a work-related injury.