If you were in an auto accident severe enough to send you to the hospital, the hospital may claim a lien on your personal injury settlement if you did not have insurance. Missouri: A hospital, and other health care providers, may claim a lien on up to fifty percent (50%) of the amount that the… Read more »

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, more than 37,000 Americans died in motor vehicle crashes in 2016.  Motor vehicle collisions are now the leading cause of death in the United States.  This number represents a 7.2% increase in traffic deaths from the prior year and the largest year-over-year increase since 1966.  No doubt… Read more »

There are many actions we take that can harm a personal injury claim caused by an auto collision.  First, it is essential that the police be called to the scene of the collision.  This is true whether the collision is severe or minor.  It is also true whether you believe you have been injured or not…. Read more »

If you have been in an auto collision caused by the fault of the other driver, you have the right to pursue a claim/lawsuit for all of your damages.  These damages include economic (lost wages and medical bills) as well as noneconomic damages (pain, suffering, disability, mental anguish, and disfigurement.  However, that may not be… Read more »

The State of Kansas enacted no-fault insurance over forty years ago.  The no-fault law provides that, no matter who was at fault in causing the auto collision, you have certain benefits available to you.  These include: medical benefits ($4,500 minimum); lost wage benefits; and rehabilitation benefits.  For instance, if you are injured you should give… Read more »

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the U.S. had the highest rates of traffic deaths since 2008.  Last year an estimated 35,200 died on U.S. roadways.  This is a 7.7% increase in total traffic deaths from 2014 to 2015. There are a number of factors contributing to the increase in fatal collisions.  These… Read more »

There are numerous factors that go into determining the value of your case.  The first is the nature of your injury.  It is obvious that a broken bone, nerve injury, or traumatic brain injury is of greater value that a sprain or strain in your neck or low back or a short-term headache..  The value of… Read more »

For almost three decades, the insurance industry and corporations have been promoting tort reform.  The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, alone, spent of $50 million lobbying for tort reform.  Included in this effort was capping the amount of non-economic damages (pain, disability, disfigurement, mental anguish) that a jury might award an injured victim – regardless of the severity of… Read more »

As seen by the U.S. Department of Justice creation of nursing home neglect/abuse task force, many nursing homes fail to provide the proper care their residents deserve.  A congressional study found that almost 33 percent of nursing homes committed some form of abuse or neglect over a two year period of time. There are warning… Read more »

In every claim for damages form an auto accident personal injury claim, your testimony and that of a health care provider is essential.  However, the most important witnesses may be from what lawyer call “lay witnesses.”  These are other family members, neighbors, co-workers, close friends and priests, ministers, or rabbis.  These people will have first… Read more »