Government Lawyer - U.S. Attorney

The Government Lawyer clinic allows students to examine firsthand the roles and responsibilities of a federal prosecutor. Students are placed at the United States Attorney's Office in Boston. Work may include research, writing, witness preparation, working with evidence, and attending hearings. The U.S. Attorney's Office offers placements in the following criminal divisions: Appeals Unit: The Appeals Unit is responsible for reviewing and approving all appellate briefs before they are filed. Anti-Terrorism and National Security Unit: The Anti-Terrorism and National Security Unit handles anti-terrorism investigations, those involving breaches of national security. Computer Crimes Unit: Investigates and prosecutes computer related crimes, including hacking, identity theft and other forms of computer fraud. Economic Crimes Unit: The Economic Crimes Unit handles complex economic crimes expected to require grand jury or other investigative effort. Health Care Fraud Unit: The Health Care Fraud Unit investigates and prosecutes complex health care fraud committed by corporate and individual defendants. Major Crimes Unit: The Major Crimes Unit handles violent crime, property crimes, fraud, theft, civil rights violations, and other matters of primary federal interest. Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force: Drug Unit cases range from "buy/bust" prosecution to sophisticated money laundering prosecution. Organized Crime Strike Force: The organized crime unit handles complex long term matters, utilizing extensive grand jury and electronic surveillance, often using statutes such as RICO. Public Corruption and Special Prosecution Unit: The Public Corruption Unit handles sensitive cases involving allegations of corruption against elected and appointed federal, state, and local officials. IMPORTANT INFORMATION All students must complete a lengthy security clearance process by the Department of Justice, which involves numerous forms and fingerprinting. This process takes at least eight weeks for final clearance, which is then valid for only six months. This clearance process is not just a formality, and in some instances clearance has been denied. CLINICAL AND COURSE INFORMATION Government Lawyer: United States Attorney Clinic Fall or Spring clinical Open to 2L, 3L students Pre- or co-requisite: Government Lawyer (offered in Fall 2012) Early add/drop deadline: June 18 for Fall 2012; Sep 4 for Spring 2013 CONTACT Office of Clinical and Pro Bono Programs 6 Everett Street, Suite 3085 (WCC) Harvard Law School Cambridge, MA 02138 clinical@law.harvard.edu

Brett Murphy Legal News

Two Chehalis women charged with providing alcohol to a minor who died in the road Two Chehalis, Washington women were charged on September 19 with numerous counts of providing alcohol to a minor and reckless endangerment, following a tragic incident where a teenager was hit and killed by a car as he lay intoxicated on a roadway in Lewis County back in May. More >>> Major road construction scheduled near Bellingham, Washington for September 2012 The Bellingham Herald reports that drivers should expect lane closures and delays on I-5 near south Bellingham. Beginning on Tuesday, September 18, road work will begin to repair the damaged roadway, so drivers will need to bring their patience with them for the foreseeable future in that area. Even though the project will utilize the left shoulder to make more room for traffic, drivers should expect significant delays and should consider finding alternative routes. More >>> Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) Event in Seattle on October 13, 2012 Brett Murphy – Washington’s Injury Lawyers is sponsoring the Walk Like MADD event in Seattle on October 13, 2012. This is MADD’s signature event, and is a community-focused 5K walk that raises money for this exceptional non-profit organization while also raising awareness of drunk driving. To learn more about the issues related to drunk driving accidents, please see our Drunk Driving Accidents page. More >>> Multiple serious auto accidents on Highway 2 in Snohomish County This past week has been especially dangerous on Highway 2 in Snohomish County, where there were three serious car accidents including two fatalities on this heavily traveled and notoriously dangerous highway. More >>> Fatal DUI car accident near Bellingham, Washington The fatal crash on September 5 in Custer, Washington, just north of Bellingham, was in part caused by alcohol, according to the Whatcom County Medical Examiner. The 72 year old man who ran a stop sign, causing a collision with two other vehicles that resulted in his death, had been drinking, initial tests showed. Read about common issues related to DUI accidents at our drunk driving accident page

Drunk Driving Victims Attorney

Brett Murphy personal injury attorneys help people who have been injured by the negligence of others. Nobody is more negligent than a drunk driver. The personal injury lawyers at Brett Murphy - Washington's Injury Lawyers represent victims of drunk driving who seek prompt, full, and just compensation for their injuries. Brett Murphy attorneys are proud to represent blameless drivers, passengers and families as they seek justice against those who choose to drive while intoxicated in Washington State. We practice throughout Washington State from our offices in Seattle, Tacoma, Spokane, Bellingham, Vancouver, and Mount Vernon. Because of technical systems, we are paperless and wireless so we can meet with clients anywhere in the state. For more than 39 years, our firm has been representing the victims and families of those hurt or killed by drunk drivers. We have helped many of these innocent victims win substantial settlements and awards to compensate for the devastation caused by drunk driving. For examples, see case results. If you or someone you love has been injured or killed by a drunk driver, you are the victim of a crime and need skilled attorneys to help protect your rights and ensure that you receive proper compensation. While our personal injury lawyers recognize that financial compensation cannot replace your loss, it can help to lessen your worry about medical bills, employment and rehabilitation, and your future. DRUNK DRIVING Drunk driving is a violent crime that accounts for more forty percent of traffic fatalities in the United States. More than 300,000 innocent victims are injured in auto accidents involving drivers impaired by alcohol or drugs. Perpetrators who cause serious injury while Driving Under the Influence (DUI) face felony charges in Washington State. People who choose to drink and drive put themselves and others at risk for injury and death. Innocent people are injured and killed in senseless car accidents with drunk drivers every day. Offenders are often more concerned with arrest than the trauma, physical pain, emotional suffering and devastation to innocent victims and their family members they have caused. More than half of drivers arrested for drunk driving are repeat offenders, while two-thirds of drivers with suspended licenses still drive. As of July 2004, every state and the District of Columbia make it a crime to drive with a blood-alcohol concentration (BAC) at or above 0.08%. This is the equivalent of a 150 pound person consuming three alcoholic drinks in a one hour period. Inflicting serious injury while driving under the influence (DUI) is a felony in Washington State and an alcohol or drug-impaired driver who causes an auto accident can be sued for negligence by the victim or a family member of a deceased victim. THOSE WHO PROVIDED THE ALCOHOL MAY ALSO BE LIABLE FOR DAMAGES, making a business liable for providing alcohol to a driver who later injures or kills someone in a drunk driving accident. WHAT WE CAN DO FOR YOU If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in an alcohol or drug-related car accident, call us today. We want drunk drivers to pay for the injuries and devastation that they have caused to their victims and to their victims' families. Only by making drunk driving offenders accountable for their actions will future victims be spared. At Brett Murphy, our personal injury attorneys give proactive attention to the needs of each client. We coordinate medical payments, organize documentation, and support each client through the difficult claims process. Since insurance companies know our firm’s determination to litigate cases when a settlement offer is inadequate, we are usually able to resolve personal injury claims through negotiation. Call the personal injury and wrongful death attorneys at Brett Murphy - Washington's Injury Lawyers today at 800-925-1875, 360-714-0900, or contact us via our online form.

What Money Damages Are Available In A Personal Injury Claim?

If you were a law student taking the bar exam the correct answer would be: The injured person is entitled to be put back into the position he was in before the injury occurred to the extent that can be done with money. The law cannot replace a severed leg or remove pain. The injured party is not entitled to a profit. Rather the injured party is entitled to be compensated for his losses. Compensation comes in six categories. 1. Property damage. For example, you are entitled to the full repair or replacement cost of your vehicle. 2. Medical expenses to date. If someone else has been paying your medical bills, like your health insurance plan, you do have to pay them back. That’s called subrogation and there are circumstances where we can avoid the payback, but that’s a detail we don’t have to deal with now. The basic rule is: you are entitled to have your medical bills to date paid in full. 3. Future medical expenses. You are entitled to a sum of money which will be sufficient to pay future medical bills. We could design a number of different systems. For example, we could have a system where you keep your receipts and submit them for payment at the end of each year, but insurance companies want to have claims closed once and for all. So instead, you get a one time lump sum payment for all future medical care. That means you need to get an estimate of the cost of future care like you would get an estimate for the cost of fixing a car except the human body is much more complicated. We have to obtain from a doctor a diagnosis (what is the injury), a prognosis (what is likely to occur in the future), a treatment plan (what specific medical care will more likely than not be needed in the future) and then convert that to a dollar figure representing future medical care. It’s a bit complicated, but we do it all the time. 4. Lost wages to date. Relatively easy to prove, it’s just a matter of data collection. 5. Lost future earning capacity. If you are temporarily or permanently, partially or completely unable to work, you are entitled to a lump sum representing the difference between the amount you could have earned before the injury and the amount you can earn now. That’s easy if you have a long term, full time job, you can no longer do. It is harder if you are a fisherman, or a realtor, or self employed. It is also harder if you suffer only a partial loss. We take your medical records to experts in physical capacity evaluation and vocational rehabilitation, quantify the impact of the injury on employment, and then obtain a written opinion from an economist, an expert in economic loss. In sum, you are entitled to a lump sum representing the difference between the amount you could have earned before the injury and the amount you can earn now. 6. The last, and most difficult item to evaluate, is general damages for pain, suffering, disability, and disfigurement. The other 5 items of damages are easy to add up: Property damage Medical expenses to date Future medical expenses Lost income to date Lost future earning capacity You can buy all those things, but there is no market for pain. You could put a thousand people up against a wall and ask “How much would I have to pay you to be run over by a truck and have your back broken? Nobody is going to volunteer for a thousand dollars or a hundred thousand dollars. People won’t volunteer for a life changing injury for a million dollars. But you are entitled to be compensated for a life changing injury. Your lawyer will have to convince a jury, or the insurance company of the impact of the injury on your life. That is a difficult assignment, but it is one we have successfully completed on many occasions. So to summarize: You are entitled to be put back into the position you were in before the injury occurred – to the extent that can be done with money. That involves full recovery in 6 categories: Property damage Medical expenses to date Future medical expenses Lost income to date Lost future earning capacity General Damages: for pain, suffering, disability and disfigurement. I hope that answers your question in general. If you want an estimate on how much your injury is worth, our website has a

How Should I Select A Lawyer To Represent Me?

First of all, I’d be very careful about asking a lawyer how to select a lawyer, because there is a tremendous incentive to say “Pick me.” I’m not going to do that. There are plenty of lawyers who will do a good job representing you on a personal injury case. The problem is: how do you find one? I suggest you look at three factors. One: Does the lawyer have a documented reputation for excellent legal ability and high ethical standards? I don’t mean, ask the lawyer, “Do you have a good reputation?” I mean research objective sources. The gold standard is The Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory, which rates the legal ability of all lawyers in the United States as A, B, C or no rating. A rating of V is also given for high ethical standards. Why hire a lawyer with anything less than an AV rating? The directory is online at martindale.com. We are proud of our Martindale Hubbell AV rating, the highest available. You can also go to a firm’s website, and see where they were educated. For example: our lawyers graduated from Whitman, Stanford, Princeton, Yale, University of Washington and Tulane. You can check to see how other lawyers rate the lawyer. Are they repeatedly selected as a “Super Lawyer” by popular vote of their peers in the annual Washington Law and Politics survey? Are they members of the most prestigious, invitation only groups, such as the American College of Trial Lawyers? If the lawyer doesn’t list all those qualifications in their website, they probably don’t qualify. Don’t rely on the lawyer’s own undocumented statements about his or her own abilities. Anybody can say, “I’m the best!” Two, does the lawyer have experience handling my particular type of personal injury case? A lot of lawyers do a fine job on family law, or criminal law, or business law, or estate planning. I’d recommend you hire an experienced, focused personal injury lawyer. Relatively few lawyers devote their entire practice to representing individuals with claims for personal injury or wrongful death. And some personal injury lawyers take lots of small cases: slip and fall, dog bites, whiplash claims. If you hire one of them, the insurance company is going to know you are being represented by someone who takes all kinds of personal injury cases. Before you hire a lawyer you should know how many times the attorney has successfully tried a personal injury claim. You should know whether that attorney has ever obtained a verdict in a personal injury case for over a million dollars. 99 out of 100 cases, the answer is no. Don’t allow the lawyer to answer your questions with generalizations. Ask for specific cases with specific results. Remember, when you talk to a lawyer you are interviewing him or her for a job working for you. Look at their resume. That applies to us too. Look at our case results. This website lays out our qualifications. Pick a lawyer who is not afraid to lay out his or her background in full. Three, does the attorney inspire your trust and confidence? You should hire a lawyer in whom you feel comfortable placing your trust and confidence. Remember, the lawyer is going to be employed by you to represent you. You need someone easy to talk to, someone who will explain clearly and advise you on your situation. The best way to determine your comfort level is to personally meet the lawyer. If you want to take things a step at a time, talk to the lawyer on the phone and test your comfort level prior to scheduling an appointment. At our firm, we offer a free initial interview and case evaluation to help determine the likelihood of a successful claim and the likely range of any financial recovery. This is an excellent opportunity to decide if you are comfortable placing your trust and confidence in any personal injury lawyer. And remember, there are many good ones, but they all have three qualifications: One: they have a documented reputation for excellent legal ability and high ethical standards. Two, they have successful experience handling your particular type of personal injury case. Three, you can talk to them, and they inspire your trust and confidence. Good luck in finding the lawyer best suited to represent you

How Can I Take Care Of Immediate Medical Expenses

To ensure that you continue to receive the highest quality medical care and to protect your credit it is important to immediately pay medical bills. As a part of our legal representation in your claim we manage and coordinate payment of medical bills. We will coordinate the paperwork to obtain payment of those medical bills through your own medical coverage. Sometimes, you don't have medical coverage, so in those cases, we look at any automobile/personal injury protection coverage that you may have. Sometimes, you don't have personal injury protection coverage, so we have to look at the insurance coverage of other parties involved in the accident. Sometimes that coverage is not available. Then we have to look at state and federal medical payment programs. And even if you can't qualify there, we'll arrange with your health care providers to hold collection on unpaid bills until you've received your settlement. The point is, there are a lot of alternatives, and we'll explore all of them. If there is one thing we are good at, it is finding coverage. And it turns out the order in which the payment sources cover the bills is important, because once you receive a settlement, how much you have to pay back to those who have covered the bills depends on the order in which the bills were originally paid. If you aren’t familiar with all the overlapping rules on coverage and subrogation don’t try to do this at home. Get legal help. It doesn’t have to be our firm. But get a lawyer to handle the paperwork, because you have to get your medical bills paid immediately. Developing a successful legal strategy is best left in the hands of an experienced personal injury attorney. At Brett Murphy - Washington's Injury Lawyers, we offer a free case evaluation to determine the likelihood of a recovery and the likely range of any recovery. Contact us for your free case evaluation.

How Much Will It Cost To Hire A Lawyer?

Different lawyers do it differently, but at our firm our clients have a choice in how they pay for legal services. We can charge on an hourly basis or on a contingency fee. If you choose to hire us on an hourly basis we will track the time our lawyers and paralegals spend on your case and bill you monthly. Our hourly rates range from $300 per hour for lead trial attorneys to $80 per hour for paralegals. On hourly billings, there are two basic rules: all fees and costs are paid monthly and we get paid win, lose, or draw. Alternatively, on a contingency fee we are paid one-third of any recovery. If there is no recovery, you owe us nothing for our legal services. Either way, the law requires that you pay your own costs, such as the charges doctors make for providing records and reports, out of the money you receive when the case is settled. While the case is underway, we advance all costs, so there are no upfront charges. The choice on the fee is entirely up to you: on an hourly basis or on a contingency fee.

What Kinds Of Cases Does Brett Murphy Handle?

We have a very narrow focus. We focus exclusively on major personal injury and wrongful death cases. A wrongful death case is where someone dies as a result of the negligence of another party. A major personal injury case involves a serious injury, for example: an injury to the brain or spinal cord a closed head injury, sometimes called a traumatic brain injury a burn injury an injury involving fractures requiring surgery neurologic injury, often involving injury to the discs -- bulging or ruptured discs causing pain and neuropathy. We do not do soft tissue or whiplash cases – we just can’t represent everyone. The cases we take come from a variety of sources: crashes: car, truck, motorcycle, bicycle and pedestrian accidents railroad crossing cases right now we are representing the victims of the largest domestic airplane tragedy of 2007. We don’t do slip and fall cases, dog bites, or rear end collisions with minor injuries – we just can’t represent everyone. We confine our practice to major personal injury and wrongful death cases.

The Bellingham Herald reports

Major road construction scheduled near Bellingham, Washington for September 2012 The Bellingham Herald reports that drivers should expect lane closures and delays on I-5 near south Bellingham. Beginning on Tuesday, September 18, road work will begin to repair the damaged roadway, so drivers will need to bring their patience with them for the foreseeable future in that area. Even though the project will utilize the left shoulder to make more room for traffic, drivers should expect significant delays and should consider finding alternative routes. The right lane of southbound I-5 will be closed at the Samish Way interchange beginning at 5:30 AM on Tuesday that so Department of Transportation crews can replace broken concrete panels on the freeway, some of which date back to when I-5 was originally built 50 years ago. The broken concrete panels make travel on the freeway especially dangerous for motorcycle riders; to learn more about motorcycle accident claims managed by Brett Murphy attorneys, please see our Motorcycle Accident page. Construction zones are always areas where car accidents occur frequently. Drivers who are not paying attention can be caught unaware of sudden slow-downs, and drivers who are speeding or who are tailgating are particularly dangerous in these zones. Road crews tasked with completing projects on these busy highways are intensely vulnerable to passing vehicles, where even a small collision puts workers’ lives in danger. To learn more about auto accidents that Brett Murphy personal injury attorneys have handled, please go to our Auto Accident Results page. The Department of Transportation asks that all drivers be especially cautious at construction sites; the road work needs to be done to improve safety, and as the summer comes to a close, drivers will see these construction zones across the county. Please take your time, slow down, give yourselves extra time when traveling, and put safety first. If you have been injured in an auto accident or motorcycle crash, learn more about your options and rights by contacting a Brett Murphy personal injury lawyer today. You can reach us by calling 1-800-925-1875 or completing our confidential contact form.

Ways We Help You with Your Insurance Claims

1) WE HELP YOU GET THE BEST POSSIBLE MEDICAL CARE AVAILABLE – NOW Getting you the care you need, when you need it, is our top priority. The healthcare system can be a confusing maze of options, restrictions, and denials. Quality of care and timely attention to medical needs are critical. As your advocates, we will work with the doctors, the medical facilities, the insurance companies, and all others to make sure that you receive the best care available for the treatment of your injuries. 2) WE HELP YOU GET YOUR MEDICAL BILLS PAID While you focus on getting well, Brett Murphy will make sure that all your bills are getting paid. Our attorneys have the experience to properly navigate the complex layers of insurance coverage to track your medical bills, coordinate the reimbursement of out-of-pocket medical expenses, and optimize settlements to ensure that your current and future costs are fully covered. We communicate with doctors and collection agencies to resolve problems related to overdue accounts. Lastly, we work with your medical providers to ensure that your medical treatment is not interrupted due to exhaustion of your medical benefits. 3) WE CREATE A FUND FOR FUTURE MEDICAL BILLS What if you still need help 20 years from now? Our experienced team of attorneys and accounting specialists work closely with medical providers to obtain a settlement which includes a provision for all possible medical costs that you will likely encounter in the future. We use our deep knowledge of legal standards to meet insurance company requirements and access funds from all applicable insurance policies, so that your medical expenses will be fully covered. 4) WE GET YOU FULLY COMPENSATED FOR YOUR PROPERTY LOSS Although you are entitled to be fully compensated for your losses, getting what's owed can be a struggle. As your representatives, we'll take on the insurance adjusters, repair shops, and auto-towing companies to make sure that you receive every dollar that is owed to you. 5) WE SEE TO IT THAT YOU DON'T LOSE OUT ON WAGES AND INCOME We determine your earning history, and we coordinate with your employer and doctors to document how your injury affects your short and long-term ability to work. To do this, we enlist the help of financial and rehabilitation experts who are knowledgeable about regional economics and wage scales, to quantify all possible lost earnings. We compile this information to present to insurance companies during the settlement or litigation process. 6) WE HELP YOU GET RE-TRAINED AND RE-EMPLOYED Serious injuries change lives. For some, the only option will be disability; for others it might mean a completely different vocation. If your injuries prevent you from returning to your former employment, we collaborate with rehabilitation experts to determine your physical and mental abilities, and to identify opportunities to complete new training or enter a new field. We track the costs of training and any loss of income due to a change in employment, and we factor this information into the settlement or litigation process. 7) WE GET COMPENSATION FOR YOUR PAIN, SUFFERING, DISFIGUREMENT, AND DISABILITY No amount of money can bring back the past. We will, however, do everything possible to help you to move forward with dignity and independence. We will represent you in all interactions with insurance companies and other parties, making sure that you are viewed respectfully as a person who has experienced genuine physical, financial, and emotional damages resulting from the accident. In short, our lawyers make sure that you are not just a number on an insurance claim form. We document the true and full impact that your injury has had on your life. We gather photos, interviews, and declarations of witnesses to support you in gaining the largest settlement possible. 8) WE HANDLE ALL THE PAPERWORK FOR YOU Even the simplest case can generate stacks of confusing paperwork. Not responding in a timely manner, honest errors, and omissions can undermine your case and potential settlement. We are highly experienced at managing the administrative demands required to secure a successful claim. Our injury lawyers and staff oversee all document preparation, filings, mailing, and tracking. We coordinate the high volume of communications with insurance companies, doctors, medical facilities, other attorneys, courts, and witnesses to gather and deliver all required information and documents, and make sure that your case is handled in an effective, timely manner. 9) WE DEAL WITH THE INSURANCE ADJUSTERS AND COMPANIES Insurance adjusters are paid well to settle your case for the lowest dollar amount possible. As your attorneys, we represent your interests, and we will not back away from going head-to-head with the big insurance companies. Our mission is to see that you are fully taken care of, and that you receive everything which is owed to you. Taking on the pros can be exhausting, which is why it's best to let an experienced legal team handle all day-to-day communications, manage the flow of information, documents, and related paperwork, so as to complete your claim with the best possible settlement in your favor. 10) WE KNOW WHAT CLAIMS ARE WORTH AND WE WON'T SETTLE SHORT With 40 years of practice and a record of landmark settlements, we know what a full settlement is, and we know how to get it. We access numerous legal databases and informational resources to determine claim values, taking into consideration all losses resulting from your accident and injuries. Our attorneys are known for putting the time into each case to identify all current and future losses, and we put forth all effort necessary to achieve the results you expect. 11) WE HANDLE THE TOUGH NEGOTIATIONS Battles over money are never pleasant. We engage in aggressive negotiations with insurance adjusters to deliver the highest settlements possible. Our lawyers use their negotiation skills to secure agreements with adjusters to reduce the amount of money owed to insurance companies to repay them for their payment of your medical bills, thus maximizing your net recovery. We know the legal processes required to obtain further settlements from insurance companies in situations where the at-fault person has inadequate coverage. THE BOTTOM LINE: WE GET RESULTS Our track record speaks for itself. Brett Murphy’s lawyers have attained record results across Washington State, both in negotiated settlements and trials. We are reliable, effective, and determined to provide you with the resources to move forward with your life. We help rebuild lives after an injury. Contact us today.

Have you been in a major car accident

We help people rebuild their lives after a personal injury Have you been in a major car accident? Are you, or is someone near to you, the victim of negligence resulting in serious personal injury, such as a brain injury, a back injury, a spinal cord injury, or even wrongful death? Perhaps your injury is the result of a workplace accident, a defective product, or unsafe conditions which have resulted in a life-changing injury. If so, then you need help from attorneys who are experienced in the practice of personal injury and wrongful death law. Brett Murphy is that law firm. Our attorneys focus on the fields of personal injury and wrongful death law, and we only represent innocent victims – never the insurance companies or other interests who are out to cut their losses, deny critical medical care, or evade responsibility for the harm caused to victims of negligence. Personal injury law is tremendously complicated, and most cases are only successfully resolved through tough negotiations by experienced attorneys who understand the intricacies of this field, and who are committed to getting the full settlement that is owed to the injured party. (Please see Our Results and Our Lawyers to learn more.) We limit our practice to Personal Injury and Wrongful Death Law When people of think of personal injury and wrongful death cases, they usually think first of car accidents. While these types of cases are the most common, every day innocent people are injured and killed in a variety of ways all across Washington. Throughout our 40-year history we've developed intensive expertise to handle cases involving all types of vehicular accidents including car, bike, pedestrian, and motorcycle accidents; truck accidents (including big-rig trucks, tractor-trailers, delivery vehicles, and SUVs); aircraft (private and commercial); public transportation (rail, busses, and taxis); boats and ships; farm, industrial vehicles, and machinery (tractors, combines, forklifts); snowmobiles, ATVs, and just about everything else that moves across the land, sea, or air. The fields of Personal Injury and Wrongful Death can also include accidents relating to fires, sporting injuries or deaths, and events which take place in pretty much any private or public space, from city streets to retail spaces to commercial and industrial properties. Simply put, we represent the interests of innocent people who have been seriously injured or killed, through no fault of their own. We serve all of Washington, with offices in Seattle, Tacoma, Spokane, Bellingham, Skagit, and Vancouver Washington is a large state with its own particular set of laws. It is also our home, where we've practiced for 40 years, and so we deeply understand the unique laws related to personal injury and wrongful death claims. From north to south, east to west, we've taken on the tough cases from all across this state. As our practice has grown, so has the demand for regional offices to better serve our clients. We are Washington's Injury Lawyers. If necessary, we can even bring our office to you - for example, in cases where injuries or medical issues restrict mobility. We'll fight hard for you If you have been injured through no fault of your own, you are legally entitled to compensation. Let us make sure that you receive the full amount that you deserve, and that you are not pressured into accepting a settlement that is only a fraction of what it should be. Let us help you. And remember, you won't owe us anything until you collect. That's our guarantee, and your assurance. Take the first step toward recovery by contacting us via email, phone, or by completing this contact form. Your initial case review is free, confidential, and without obligation. When to consult a Personal Injury Lawyer Personal Injury Law is a unique area of the law, and if you've been seriously injured you need an attorney who is experienced in this area of practice. Brett Murphy has a team of lawyers dedicated to this type of work, and maintains offices all across Washington State including Seattle, Tacoma, Spokane, Bellingham, Mt. Vernon, and Vancouver. We are Washington's Injury Lawyers. Learn more about Our Results and Our Lawyers. Get a Car Accident Lawyer experienced in Personal Injury Law If you have been involved in a serious auto accident, then you need an attorney with experience in personal injury law. Brett Murphy has a team of lawyers dedicated to this type of work, and maintains offices all across Washington State including Seattle, Tacoma, Spokane, Bellingham, Mt. Vernon, and Vancouver. We are Washington's Injury Lawyers. Learn more about Our Results and Our Lawyers. Why a Wrongful Death Lawyer is necessary If someone near to you has lost their life due to no fault of their own, then you will need experienced legal representation. Why? To manage the complicated and stressful legal process and ensure that the victim’s family receives a full settlement. We understand your grief and the hardships you're experiencing, and we understand what you will face as you move through the legal process. Our job is to take control of your claim and deliver a full settlement so you can concentrate on healing. Brett Murphy has a team of lawyers dedicated to this type of law, and maintains offices all across Washington State, in Seattle, Tacoma, Spokane, Bellingham, Mt. Vernon, and Vancouver. Please use the one of the Contact options at the top of this page to tell us what happened. This is a free, no obligation consultation, and everything you tell us will be kept completely private.

Bad Accidents in michigan

Bad Accidents

Since 1968, the Sam Bernstein Law Firm, a leading Michigan personal injury law firm, has represented Michigan accident victims with a wide variety of Michigan accident legal claims.

At the Sam Bernstein Law Firm, we bring the significant academic and professional accomplishments of highly qualified trial lawyers to work on behalf of our clients. Our Michigan personal injury attorneys have a combined total of over 250 years of experience fighting for clients injured in Michigan accidents.

Our Michigan law firm has helped over 100,000 clients and recovered over $500 million in lawsuit verdicts and settlements.

Video: Learn more about the Sam Bernstein Law Firm and our commitment to Michigan personal injury clients.

Just click on any of the types of cases or injuries below, to find out more about how we can help you with your legal claims.

Michigan Car Accidents
Michigan Truck Accidents
Michigan Pedestrian Accidents
Michigan Motorcycle Accidents
Michigan Boat Accidents
Michigan Bicycle Accidents
Airplane Crashes
Cruise Ship Accidents
Michigan Slip and Fall Accidents
Michigan Dog Attacks

Bad Accidents in michigan

Bad Accidents

Since 1968, the Sam Bernstein Law Firm, a leading Michigan personal injury law firm, has represented Michigan accident victims with a wide variety of Michigan accident legal claims.

At the Sam Bernstein Law Firm, we bring the significant academic and professional accomplishments of highly qualified trial lawyers to work on behalf of our clients. Our Michigan personal injury attorneys have a combined total of over 250 years of experience fighting for clients injured in Michigan accidents.

Our Michigan law firm has helped over 100,000 clients and recovered over $500 million in lawsuit verdicts and settlements.

Video: Learn more about the Sam Bernstein Law Firm and our commitment to Michigan personal injury clients.

Just click on any of the types of cases or injuries below, to find out more about how we can help you with your legal claims.

Michigan Car Accidents
Michigan Truck Accidents
Michigan Pedestrian Accidents
Michigan Motorcycle Accidents
Michigan Boat Accidents
Michigan Bicycle Accidents
Airplane Crashes
Cruise Ship Accidents
Michigan Slip and Fall Accidents
Michigan Dog Attacks

By Steven GurstenMichigan Lawyer of the Year Best Lawyers in America Top 100 Trial Lawyer Voted in top 100 out of over 48,000 Michigan lawyers President, Motor Vehicle Trial Lawyers Association Past-President, AAJ Truck Accident Lawyer Group Michigan Super Lawyer FREE CONSULTATION (800) 777-0028 Quick Links Categories Archives Blog Roll Former insurance consumer advocate blasts so-called No-Fault insurance “reform”

Butch Hollowell points to lack of savings, increased financial burden on taxpayers, loss of vital insurance protections
Former Insurance Consumer Advocate for Michigan, Melvin Butch Hollowell, made a compelling case for why so-called “reform” of Michigan’s No-Fault system was bad for Michigan drivers in a recent column in The Detroit News.

First and foremost, Mr. Hollowell emphasized that elimination of the No-Fault’s guarantee of unlimited medical benefits for seriously injured auto accident victims would not result in savings for Michigan drivers:

“Under cross-examination before the House Insurance Committee, insurance industry leaders admitted that their proposal to cut injury benefits would not lower insurance rates.”

As such, No Fault reform would yield the unacceptable result that Michigan drivers are “giving up our life-saving auto insurance benefits without receiving any cost reductions in return.”

Second, Mr. Hollowell points out that not only will No-Fault reform fail to deliver savings to Michigan drivers, but it will cost them and all taxpayers more money:

“[I]nsurers did not deny that capping auto injury benefits would shift the costs of caring for more severely injured accident victims onto the Medicaid system, costing state taxpayers millions more each year.”

Mr. Hollowell went on to list the improvements to the No-Fault system that would truly make a difference for Michigan drivers in terms of both affordability and savings:

The Michigan Catastrophic Claims Association, which contributes to high auto insurance prices through its annual per vehicle assessment, must be made more transparent to the public by removing its exemption from the Michigan Freedom of Information Act and Open Meetings Act.
The Michigan Insurance Commissioner should be empowered legislatively to regulate the prices that insurance companies charge for auto insurance.
Abolish “the unfair practice of using credit scores to set auto insurance rates …”
All of Mr. Hollowell’s points are correct. It is a message that the lawyers here at Michigan Auto Law fully agree with, and that we have shared in recent years while serving as President of the State Bar of Michigan Negligence Section and the Michigan Association for Justice.

Let’s just hope lawmakers are listening to more than just the political donations from Michigan’s auto insurance companies.

- Steve Gursten is an experienced insurance lawyer at Michigan Auto Law, Michigan’s largest law firm specializing in serious automobile accidents. Steve wrote the book, Guide to Michigan No-Fault Law.

Michigan Auto Law is the largest law firm exclusively handling car accident, truck accident and motorcycle accident cases throughout the entire state. We have offices in Farmington Hills, Detroit, Ann Arbor, Grand Rapids and Sterling Heights. Call (800) 777-0028 to speak with one of our lawyers.

Lawyer predicts bus accidents to skyrocket in Detroit and Michigan after Seldon ruling

Bus passenger pinball? Court rules buses have no duty to protect wheelchair-bound passengers
This may be my winner for worst decision of the year for 2012. In Seldon v. Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation (SMART), the Michigan Court Appeals ruled that SMART buses in Detroit have no obligation to secure wheelchair passengers, or even to inform these passengers of safety features so they can protect themselves.

The Court identified two incredibly outrageous reasons for why wheelchair-bound passengers like Ruby Seldon cannot sue SMART bus for injuries suffered as SMART bus passengers:

SMART bus has “no duty to secure [wheelchair passengers] using a personal restraint such as a seat belt or shoulder harness …”
SMART bus has “no legal duty to advise [wheelchair passengers] of the availability of a shoulder restraint [or shoulder harness] or [seat] belt.”
Accordingly, under the two-judge majority opinion in Seldon, when a SMART bus slams on the brakes, thereby causing a wheelchair-bound passenger to be “ejected from her wheelchair” and “sustain[] bilateral ankle fractures,” which is what occurred in Ruby Seldon’s case, the injured wheelchair passenger can forget about suing to hold a SMART bus and its driver accountable for negligence.

The dissenting judge in Seldon concluded that, at a minimum, SMART bus “owed [wheelchair-bound passengers such as Ms. Seldon] a duty to advise … of the availability of a seatbelt [and/or shoulder restraint] …”

She pointed out:

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s interpretation of federal regulations “exhorts the public transportation authority’s personnel to ‘ensure that a passenger with a disability is able to take advantage of the accessibility and safety features on vehicles.’ This arguably includes apprising the passenger of the existence of the accessibility features, as a passenger cannot take advantage of a feature of which she is unaware.”

Related information:

SMART bus tactics for avoiding accident liability

– Steven Gursten is recognized as one of the top bus accident lawyers in the country. He is head of Michigan Auto Law and also a founding member of the Truck Accident Attorneys Roundtable, where he works on serious bus accident cases from around the country. Steve is past president of the American Association for Justice (AAJ) Truck Accident Litigation Group, and is a member for the AAJ Bus Accident Litigation Group. He was named a Michigan Lawyers Weekly Leader in the Law for his work to promote national truck and bus safety.

Michigan Auto Law exclusively handles car accident, truck accident and motorcycle accident cases throughout the entire state of Michigan. We have offices in Farmington Hills, Sterling Heights, Ann Arbor, Grand Rapids and Detroit to better serve you. Call (800) 777-0028 for a free consultation with one of our bus accident lawyers

auto accident attorneys at Michigan Auto Law different

Before you talk to another personal injury lawyer, see what makes the auto accident attorneys at Michigan Auto Law different.

“Michigan's largest law firm completely specializing in serious automobile accidents”

- Michigan Lawyers Weekly

At Michigan Auto Law, our lawyers practice exclusively in helping people who've been hurt in car accidents , truck accidents and motorcycle accidents in the state of Michigan.

We understand that an auto accident can cause pain and sleepless nights. You may be too injured to return to work, and wondering who will pay for your medical bills or car damage. Maybe your insurance adjuster is giving you the run around and you're not sure of your No-Fault insurance rights.

Michigan Auto Law can help get your life back on track. Here, you will always be treated with the utmost respect, compassion and consideration. Our auto accident attorneys are only paid if we win your case. More than 98 percent of our lawsuits resolve in substantial settlements, because our focus is combined with an excellent trial record that defense attorneys pay to avoid, including the top-reported auto accident jury verdicts and settlements in Michigan.

Below, our personal injury lawyers have organized car accident, truck accident, and motorcycle accident legal resource centers to help you better understand Michigan's auto laws and your legal rights if you've been injured.

Do I need a Michigan car accident lawyer?

Car Accident Lawyer Blog
September 10, 2012: Beware of Smart key hazards causing injury and carbon monoxide poisoning
If you've been injured in a car accident in Michigan, you may be asking yourself, "Do I even need a lawyer in my situation?" Having the right car accident lawyer makes an enormous difference, not only in higher settlements, but in protecting your legal rights. Know the clock is ticking after a car accident. Michigan has a very strict one-year time limit for auto accident victims to recover important No-Fault insurance benefits like medical bills and wage loss. Call Michigan Auto Law at (800) 777-0028 for a free consultation.

Why hiring an experienced truck accident attorney in Michigan is critical

Truck Accident Lawyer Blog
September 12, 2012: Lawyer predicts bus accidents to skyrocket in Detroit and Michigan after Seldon ruling
Many large trucking companies have deep pockets - and they use them to avoid responsibility after they've caused preventable truck accidents. For instance, motor carriers often employ rapid response teams that arrive at the scene of a serious truck crash within hours, aiming to minimize damaging evidence. Trucking companies in Michigan can also legally destroy critical evidence if they don't receive notice to preserve it in time. That's why it's important to speak with an experienced truck accident attorney now.

Michigan motorcycle accident lawyers

Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Blog
September 8, 2012: Why rise in motorcycle accident deaths hasn’t made for tougher motorcycle helmet laws
Motorcycle accidents in Michigan can present special challenges for crash victims and their lawyers: Under Michigan's No-Fault insurance laws, a motorcycle is not considered a motor vehicle. Still, there are exceptions that allow a person injured in a motorcycle accident to recover No-Fault insurance benefits and compensation for pain and suffering. Our motorcycle accident lawyers can help you.

How Michigan's No-Fault law works...

No-Fault Insurance Lawyer Blog
September 11, 2012: Former insurance consumer advocate blasts so-called No-Fault insurance “reform”
If you've been in an auto accident in Michigan, there will almost always be three potential sources for legal recovery:

The first-party claim for Michigan No-Fault insurance benefits,
The third-party claim for pain and suffering against the negligent driver who caused the car, truck or motorcycle accident and,
The claim for vehicle damage, known as the Michigan mini-tort.
You're not alone... Our attorneys can help

Michigan Auto Law has helped people who were told they had no case by other lawyers, or that their case was too old. We invite you to read client testimonials or watch videos from real auto accident victims whose lives we helped change.

To better serve you, Michigan Auto Law has office locations in Farmington Hills, Sterling Heights, Detroit, Ann Arbor and Grand Rapids. Call (800) 777-0028 for a free consultation with an auto accident lawyer. You can also use our consultation form. Our top-rated accident attorneys are here for you - anytime you need us

Michigan Pedestrian Injury

Pedestrian Injury

Pedestrian deaths are second only to occupant deaths in vehicular accidents. While crossing the street is a skill everybody learns, it is not something that can be taken for granted. Every year, thousands of pedestrians are injured. If you are injured, you may be eligible for compensation for your injuries. Be sure you get all the information you can about the accident. Secure any evidence available, find out the names and contact information of witnesses, and get the names and insurance information of the driver involved. Witnesses are especially important to furnish evidence as to whose negligence caused the injuries. In general, pedestrians have the right of way. You will be questioned as to whether you used due care in crossing, used proper crossing locations, etc. You may want to contact an attorney to assist you.

michigan Settlements

Settlements

INSURANCE UNDERPAYMENT Oakland County, Michigan
$360,000 dollars First-Party No-Fault claim against Allstate Insurance Company for underpayment made to a paraplegic regarding family provided attendant care.
NEGLIGENCE Oakland County, Michigan
$2.1 million dollars Tenant struck on the head by falling brick at an apartment complex resulting in cortical blindness and neck surgery.
AUTO ACCIDENT Wayne County, Michigan
$14.5 million judgment for catastrophically injured woman struck by an exploding manhole cover while occupying the front passenger seat of a vehicle.
BREACH OF CONTRACT Wayne County, Michigan
$875,000 settlement for failure to pay disability benefits to an insured.
PRODUCTS LIABILITY Wayne County, Michigan
$750,000 settlement for man's loss of a hand due to a defective press.
FIRST-PARTY/NO-FAULT Wayne County, Michigan
Wayne County, Michigan arbitration award based on breach of contract by automobile insurance carrier in failing to pay first-party/no-fault benefits.
MEDICAL MALPRACTICE Wayne County, Michigan
$592,500 settlement for male patient based on a failure to timely diagnose and treat infection.
AUTO ACCIDENT Wayne County, Michigan
$1.9 million settlement in third-party auto claim, for woman suffering herniated disc.
AUTO ACCIDENT Wayne County, Michigan
$300,000 settlement for woman who suffered traumatic brain injury in a rear-end auto accident.
PREMISES LIABILITY/CONSTRUCTION SITE ACCIDENT Livingston County, Michigan
$519,000 trial verdict for subcontractor injured on job site, due to lack of guardrails around open-sided floor of home under construction.
NURSING HOME NEGLIGENCE Oakland County, Michigan
$145,000 settlement for woman who suffered a broken hip after falling out of her bed.
AUTO ACCIDENT Wayne County, Michigan
$875,000 judgment for catastrophically injured man struck by an exploding manhole cover while driving a motor vehicle.
PREMISES LIABILITY Gratiot County, Michigan
$114,500 trial verdict for man suffering toxic inhalation injury at oil refinery.
PRODUCTS LIABILITY Livingston County, Michigan
$7.5 million settlement for man suffering spinal cord injury as a result of tread separation/SUV rollover.
PREMISES LIABILITY Oakland County, Michigan
$102,000 trial verdict for woman who slipped and fell at nightclub fracturing her ankle.
DOG BITE Wayne County, Michigan
$40,000 trial verdict for child suffering one-inch laceration to her buttock from dog bite.
PREMISES LIABILITY Oakland County, Michigan
$220,000 settlement for female real estate agent who fractured her ankle on a slip and fall on ice-laden stairs.
MEDICAL MALPRACTICE Wayne County, Michigan
$100,000 settlement for a man suffering from orthopedic malpractice which led to poor outcome in a forearm fracture.
FIRST-PARTY/NO-FAULT Wayne County, Michigan
$300,000 settlement for breach of contract by automobile insurance carrier in failing to pay First Party/No Fault benefits
MEDICAL MALPRACTICE Washtenaw County, Michigan
$225,000 settlement against nursing home for wrongful death after patient/resident chokes on food
AUTO NEGLIGENCE Wayne County, Michigan
$760,000 settlement against City for bus accident causing herniated disc and disability
MEDICAL MALPRACTICE Wayne County, Michigan
$337,500 settlement against hospital for failure to timely diagnose tongue cancer
MEDICAL MALPRACTICE Washtenaw County, Michigan
$137,500 settlement against nursing home for failure to supervise and assist patient/resident resulting in leg/hip fracture
PREMISES LIABILITY Wayne County, Michigan
$400,000 Trial Verdict for deliveryman who slipped and fell on a staircase injuring his shoulder/rotator cuff

femus Attorneys in michigan

Attorneys

Gerald H. Acker

Gerald H. Acker is a senior partner at Goodman Acker, P.C. Mr. Acker specializes in personal injury litigation, including catastrophic automobile negligence claims, no-fault claims, medical malpractice, premises liability and nursing home negligence. For over twenty years Mr. Acker has successfully negotiated and tried multiple million dollar claims for victims of accidental injuries. Read more
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Barry J. Goodman

Barry J. Goodman is a senior partner with Goodman Acker, P.C. He specializes in personal injury litigation with emphasis in claims involving automobile negligence, premises, liability, medical malpractice and defective products. Goodman has successfully handled claims to conclusion with multi-million dollar results, including a recent award of 14.5 Million Dollars on behalf of one of his clients. Read more
Tim Sulolli

Tim Sulolli graduated with honors from the University of Michigan-Dearborn in 1994 with a Bachelor of Business Administration. Thereafter, he attended law school at The University of Detroit-Mercy School of Law, graduating with his Juris Doctorate in 1998, and in the top third of his class. Read more
Larry Maitland

Larry Maitland graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from Purdue University, with honors, in 1999. He then attended law school at Southern Illinois University, graduating with his Juris Doctorate in 2002. Read more
Kevin Z. Komar

While at the University of Michigan, Kevin Z. Komar took a course entitled environmental law. The course focused on the rights of victims that were infringed upon by large polluting industries. Mr. Komar realized that this was the good fight that he wanted to continue. He graduated from the University of Michigan with a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science in 1997 and immediately went onto law school at Indiana University. He worked his way through school assisting in the representation of individuals that had been deprived of their social security rights graduating and quickly being admitted to the State Bar of Michigan in 2000. Read more
Brian J. Nagy

Brian Nagy joined Goodman Acker in March, 2011, as a litigation associate, specializing in personal injury and employment litigation, with emphasis in claims involving automobile negligence, premises liability, employment discrimination and wrongful discharge. Since his admission to the Michigan Bar in 2003, Mr. Nagy's practice as a trial attorney has been devoted to representing individuals in personal injury and employment litigation matters. He has successfully represented the rights of victims in both federal and state courts, including both the trial and appellate levels. Read more
Bradley M. Peri

Bradley M. Peri graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from Michigan State University in 2006. Thereafter, he attended law school at The University of Detroit Mercy School of Law, graduating with his Juris Doctorate in 2009, in the top third of his class, and a member of the Dean's Honor Society

Negligent Security

A business owner has a duty to provide a safe place for its employees to work and its customers to visit. Since perpetrators of violent crimes are often not caught and are usually judgment proof, the victims will occasionally turn to the property owner for compensation for their injuries.

A recent study of premise security liability throughout the United States found that the main targets of these lawsuits were residential apartment building owners and hotel and motel owners.

A landowner's duty may arise when the criminal conduct of a third party is the foreseeable result of a landowner's negligence. When criminal conduct of a third party is foreseeable, the landowner has a duty to prevent injuries to invitees if it reasonably appears or should appear to them that other innocent persons may be injured on the property.

If a business is in a high crime area, the landowner may be required to take special safety measures such as hiring security personnel or installing security systems. Failure to do so may result in liability.