Miscellaneous

• Unsafe Products and NC's Statue of Repose

  Christina Medlin | May 18, 2007 8:02 AM | 0 CommentsRaleigh, NC

  A statute of repose normally applies in products liability cases and are enacted to limit the liability of manufacturers and sellers. A statute of repose begins to run from a certime time or event regardless of whether any claim has come about or any injury has occurred. NC consumers have protection for 6 years from the date of purchase of a product (regardless of what type of product). After 6...

• New Postage Rates May Lead to Significant Increases in Law Firms' Postage Expenses

  Sheila Chavis | May 15, 2007 3:51 PM | 0 CommentsRaleigh, NC

  Effective, Monday, May 14, 2007, new postal rates went into effect. The standard price for a postage stamp went from thirty nine cents ($.39) plus twenty four cents ($.24) for each additional ounce, to the new rate of forty one cents ($.41) plus seventeen cents ($.17) for each additional ounce. Effectively, people mailing standard one once mail will see an increase of three cents ($.03). ...

• Medical Malpractice Insurer Rates to be Investigated

  Sheila Chavis | May 11, 2007 9:52 AM | 0 CommentsRaleigh, NC

  The North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers has filed a complaint with the North Carolina Department of Insurance, requesting that the Insurance Commissioner investigate rates being charged by Medical Mutual Insurance of North Carolina. It is a violation of state law to charge "excessive rates" for insurance. Insurance companies like Medical Mutual have, for years, been claiming that expensive...

• Why You Should Hire an Attorney in Your Social Security Disability Claim

  Vance Jennings | May 08, 2007 1:49 PM | 0 CommentsRaleigh, NC

  Q: DO I NEED AN ATTORNEYA: It is possible for a claimant to represent themselves at a hearing, however, statistics have shown that people who are represented by attorneys have been successful more than those without representation. Whether you hire an attorney is entirely a personal choise; but, you should consider what an attorney can do for you. An attorney can advise you on the vast law...

• Cost of Attorney in Social Security Disability Claims

  Vance Jennings | May 08, 2007 1:31 PM | 0 CommentsRaleigh, NC

  The Social Security Administration (SSA) must approve all fees charged by attorneys. However, attorneys can and do charge in different ways. Generally, attorneys do not get paid unless they win your case and you receive benefits. In Social Security cases, federal statutes limit attorneys fees to 25% of back benefits or $5,300, whichever is less. Typical fee contracts may require the client...

• Who Protects The interest of the Child in an Accident?

  Christina Medlin | April 27, 2007 10:06 AM | 0 CommentsRaleigh, NC

  Who Protects the Interest of the Child in a Accident: Role of the Guardian Ad Litem in a Personal Injury ActionA guardian ad litem (GAL) is a special guardian appointed by the court to represent the interests of a minor. In personal injury actions the GAL is appointed by the court to protect the interest of the minor IN the litigation surrounding the personal injury action. However the GAL is...

• North Carolina's Favorable Insurance Rates in Danger of Increasing

  Sheila Chavis | April 18, 2007 1:14 PM | 0 CommentsRaleigh, NC

  The North Carolina Legislature is currently considering a bill that was recently introduced by Senator Tony Rand. This bill, SB 901 (and House Bill 1430) has created significant controversey and discussion around the State, as the bills are projected to have a negative impact on drivers who are involved in car accidents and workers who suffer work-related injuries . The state's major...

• Supervisor Picks Worker Up By the Throat and Throws Him to the Concrete Floor

  Brent Adams | April 11, 2007 11:05 AM | 0 CommentsRaleigh, NC

  The tire changer told this supervisor that his own supervisor had instructed him not to perform such work. When the tire changer refused to comply with the request to work on ambulance tires this supervisor, Mr. King, threatened him. As the tire changer started to walk away, King grabbed him by the throat, picked him up in the air, and threw him down to the concrete floor where he landed flat...

• Court of Appeals Upholds Injured Employee's Award

  Robin Martinek | April 11, 2007 9:20 AM | 0 CommentsRaleigh, NC

  In a recent decision, the North Carolina Court of Appeals upheld an injured workers' award of total disability despite protests by his employer that he had a previous disabling injury. Mr. Raymond M. Ard was employed by Owens-Illinois as a stock handler and was consistently required to move forty-pound boxes as part of his job duties. On May 11, 2001, Mr. Ard sought treatment for back pain...

• The Different Types of Social Security Disability Benefits

  Staff Writer | April 05, 2007 4:27 PM | 0 CommentsRaleigh, NC

  Most people do not realize this but there are at least five types of Social Security disability benefits. The first and perhaps most important is Disability Insurance Benefits. This goes to individuals who have worked and paid into the system (generally five of the last 10 years) and are now disabled. The second type is Disabled Widow's and Widower's Benefits. Qualifications require the...