It was back to the grind today after a beautiful week in Prince Edward County.
We have had a lot of great articles that have been picked up on the web over the past few weeks.
Here they are some for starters:
Answers to 7 Questions Accident Victims Must Know is at http://searchwarp.com/swa347430.htm
Sexual Assault Primer: Legal Options for Victims is at
http://www.goarticles.com/cgi-bin/showa.cgi?C=1001233
Myths About "Impaired Driving", "Drunk Driving" or Driving "Over 80" Charges is at
http://www.goarticles.com/cgi-bin/showa.cgi?C=1000201
Settlement Savvy: 5 Tips for the Car Accident Scene is at
http://www.goarticles.com/cgi-bin/showa.cgi?C=1000201
Let us know what you think.
Monday, July 21, 2008
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Settling an Accident Claim
I was happy for an Ottawa car accident victim whose claim we settled today. A day of mediation is tough for everyone-- especially the client who was talked about and talked at hour after hour. I was very glad I had spent the time with her yesterday to prepare her for what was in store. Because she had been briefed in advance, the developments were at least somewhat expected. This is a good news story. The accident was less than 2 years ago and she is very happy to be receiving a nice-sized cheque.
Sunday, July 6, 2008
Back to the Grind
The first real summery weekend is done. Rich and I were supposed to record our new videos for the firm...but it was too nice out. We just couldn't get it done.
I have one video on You Tube now. The lighting isn't great but it gives a good sense of who I am, at least as a lawyer. Take a peak. Here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cYLWh4_GrAk
Looking forward to making more soon.
I have one video on You Tube now. The lighting isn't great but it gives a good sense of who I am, at least as a lawyer. Take a peak. Here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cYLWh4_GrAk
Looking forward to making more soon.
Friday, July 4, 2008
More about Accident Benefits
Let me follow up on Wednesday's post.
Yesterday I wrote to the insurance company to claim the attendant care benefits back to the date of the accident. I also claimed the client's housekeeping benefits back to the date of the accident.
This morning, by the time I arrived at the office, I had received a fax from the adjuster saying a cheque for almost $10,000 would be sent to my client right away.
This is money Ms. X never would have received if she had not hired a lawyer. She is not someone who was ignoring her accident benefits. She was handling them on her own, dealing with the adjuster directly.
It just goes to show...and it made my day.
Yesterday I wrote to the insurance company to claim the attendant care benefits back to the date of the accident. I also claimed the client's housekeeping benefits back to the date of the accident.
This morning, by the time I arrived at the office, I had received a fax from the adjuster saying a cheque for almost $10,000 would be sent to my client right away.
This is money Ms. X never would have received if she had not hired a lawyer. She is not someone who was ignoring her accident benefits. She was handling them on her own, dealing with the adjuster directly.
It just goes to show...and it made my day.
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Some Thoughts About Accident Benefits
Among other services, we represent clients dealing with their accident benefit insurers.
Today I received a report from an occupational therapist indicating that a new client, whose accident was 18 months ago, is entitled to attendant care in the amount of $250 per month. Not a lot of money, maybe. But, over the past 18 months, it would have been an extra $5000 in her pocket instead of the insurance company's. And that assumes that her need wasn't higher right after the accident, which it probably was.
This is a prime example of the problem with not getting a lawyer early. It does not take too many missed benefits before those legal fees are paid for...
Today I received a report from an occupational therapist indicating that a new client, whose accident was 18 months ago, is entitled to attendant care in the amount of $250 per month. Not a lot of money, maybe. But, over the past 18 months, it would have been an extra $5000 in her pocket instead of the insurance company's. And that assumes that her need wasn't higher right after the accident, which it probably was.
This is a prime example of the problem with not getting a lawyer early. It does not take too many missed benefits before those legal fees are paid for...
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
The Titanic, Part 2
We did in fact spend Canada Day at the beach, which was lovely. Our plan was to divide our time between the beach and our small motor boat which we had towed to the park.
However, as we loaded it off the trailer it promptly began to, uhm, fill rapidly with water. At first, Rich was pretty sure that the water was the result of the rainy weather. He assumed the boat had filled up while outside at the mechanic's shop...yes, that's another story. But, it soon became clear that the water going in was keeping pace with the water pumping out. Not good. So we abandoned ship, onto the dock, and went back to the lawn chairs. No harm. No foul.
As we towed the boat back to the beach our 5-year-old broke into a rousing rendition of the Titanic, changing the words to suit the occasion.
That's my segway into the topic of boating accidents and boating safety. Pretty slick.
Early in my career I was involved in a tragic boating case resulting in two fatalities and a severe brain injury. Speed, darkness, alcohol and inexperienced boating all played a role in that terrible accident. The case took ten years to get to trial and was successful. But in the end, all anyone got was money. Shattered lives remained shattered.
The better route, of course, is to operate safely. www.safecanada.ca has some important information about boating safety for Canadian waters. In particular, I like their take on the importance of lifejackets, even for adults. They make the point:
Research has shown that unexpected immersion in water can place a boater at serious risk if they are not wearing a flotation device to assist them in those first moments. This is true regardless of the experience of the boater, the nearness to shore and even swimming ability. The body's reaction to the surprise of going overboard and the shock of cold water can profoundly affect breathing, nerves and muscle strength. Wearing a lifejacket gives you time to adjust to the emergency and allows you to assist others.
I am a pretty good swimmer, was a life guard, etc. Nevertheless, I cannot sit comfortably in a boat with my kids without wearing lifejacket myself. I worry that I wouldn't be able to help them if I needed to.
I wish someone would invent a stylish lifejacket. Not a scuba / windsurfer look but an actual piece of clothing that looks presentable even on someone who is not hanging ten. But I digress...
I hope you all had a happy Canada Day and happy July.
However, as we loaded it off the trailer it promptly began to, uhm, fill rapidly with water. At first, Rich was pretty sure that the water was the result of the rainy weather. He assumed the boat had filled up while outside at the mechanic's shop...yes, that's another story. But, it soon became clear that the water going in was keeping pace with the water pumping out. Not good. So we abandoned ship, onto the dock, and went back to the lawn chairs. No harm. No foul.
As we towed the boat back to the beach our 5-year-old broke into a rousing rendition of the Titanic, changing the words to suit the occasion.
That's my segway into the topic of boating accidents and boating safety. Pretty slick.
Early in my career I was involved in a tragic boating case resulting in two fatalities and a severe brain injury. Speed, darkness, alcohol and inexperienced boating all played a role in that terrible accident. The case took ten years to get to trial and was successful. But in the end, all anyone got was money. Shattered lives remained shattered.
The better route, of course, is to operate safely. www.safecanada.ca has some important information about boating safety for Canadian waters. In particular, I like their take on the importance of lifejackets, even for adults. They make the point:
Research has shown that unexpected immersion in water can place a boater at serious risk if they are not wearing a flotation device to assist them in those first moments. This is true regardless of the experience of the boater, the nearness to shore and even swimming ability. The body's reaction to the surprise of going overboard and the shock of cold water can profoundly affect breathing, nerves and muscle strength. Wearing a lifejacket gives you time to adjust to the emergency and allows you to assist others.
I am a pretty good swimmer, was a life guard, etc. Nevertheless, I cannot sit comfortably in a boat with my kids without wearing lifejacket myself. I worry that I wouldn't be able to help them if I needed to.
I wish someone would invent a stylish lifejacket. Not a scuba / windsurfer look but an actual piece of clothing that looks presentable even on someone who is not hanging ten. But I digress...
I hope you all had a happy Canada Day and happy July.
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