Mirror of Justice

Many Personal Injuries Occur While at the Local Market

July 18th, 2009 at 07:08pm Under Personal Injury Law

Grocery stores are often considered safe and making a run to the grocery store is a common, everyday occurrence for most families and individuals. But grocery stores are actually one of the riskiest places to be and many customers commonly find themselves in a sticky situation after being involved in an accident that leaves them with slip and fall injuries. A report, conducted by the National Floor Safety Institute (NFSI), even found that $450 million in legal settlements and expenses is paid out annually to victims of these accidents. Learning how to protect yourself whether you are a customer or employee is important, even in a place you’d think could never harm you.

Victims Over 60 At Higher Risk

Given the preponderance of spilled liquids, loose items and runaway carts at grocery stores and supermarkets, it is not surprising that slip and fall injuries are a danger to customers and employees. One of the most interesting finds of the NFSI report was that women, specifically 60 years or older, are more likely to endure a serious slip and fall injury. Grocery store falls take place most often in crowded entry areas, where water is often tracked into the store and not cleaned up as easily or quickly as promotes optimal safety. In addition, the high polish on most supermarket floors means that it is hard to detect stray liquids. Liquid-related risks can occur often in refrigerated areas where equipment may leak or in the produce area, where produce is kept fresh with water continually spraying the products available for purchase.

Victims’ Rights in Slip and Fall Injuries

It is a grocery store or supermarket’s obligation to provide a safe space for customers to walk and to prevent slip and fall injuries to the best of their ability. Grocery stores should always have unsafe areas marked and designated with caution signs as well as have employees nearby to continually scan the store for areas of potential danger. If the unavoidable does occur, you still have rights, whether you are a customer or an employee.

Customers

If you are a customer, inform the store manager as soon as possible, and get that person’s contact information. Contact the appropriate medical personnel and have your injuries checked out. Speak with a personal injury law firm for consultation if a supermarket or grocery store does not cooperate in compensating you for your injuries. Your personal injury attorney can help you recover the damages and compensation you deserve after a slip and fall injury. This can include, but is not limited to, attorney’s fees, medical bills, lost wages, and other benefits.

Employees

If you have been injured in a slip and fall accident on the job, inform a supervisor as soon as possible. Fill out the proper paperwork and consult with your employer’s doctor. A workers’ compensation claim may become relevant to employees who are not thoroughly examined by the company’s medical personnel, or if an employee’s wages decrease or lost because of missed work and low mobility because of a slip and fall injury. An employer will typically try to resolve a workers’ compensation claim through its insurer, but you may wish to have legal representation to make sure your rights are upheld and you are given the care and compensation you deserve.

How to Significantly Increase Referrals to Your Personal Injury Law Firm

July 17th, 2009 at 07:07am Under Personal Injury Law

One of the biggest challenges personal injury lawyers face in marketing their law firm is finding new clients without spending a lot of time or money.
The solution, however, isn’t a difficult as you might think. It is a well-known fact that people do business with those they know, like and trust. While marketing slogans and newspaper ads may cause people to know you or even like you, they will rarely do everything you need at least as quickly as you might wish. Referral marketing, on the other hand, can help a personal injury attorney achieve all those goals more quickly.
Referrals are the most effective way for personal injury lawyer to market their law firm and generate new business because every client is pre-qualified and enters the relationship with a pre-established foundation of trust.
So how do you receive quality referrals? Your legal marketing strategy should include these five key steps:
1)Define Your Ideal New Client Profile: Instead of wishing for any and every referral, you need to be specific. Are you looking for dog bite victims? Pedestrian accident cases? Motorcycle accidents? Don’t open the floodgates; generate qualified leads so you can build referral relationships that last.
2)Educate: If your referral sources don’t know what you’re looking for, there is a slim chance they’ll give you what you need. By educating your clients for specific referrals based on people they know who can use your services, you’ll obtain a great number of quality leads.
3)Get More Than a Name: It isn’t enough these days to receive a name and make a call. If you want to get ahead of the game, you need a formal introduction from one person to the next.
4)Say “Thank You”: When someone sends a referral, you should pick up the phone to say thanks. You can also send a card or a box of chocolates.
5)Over Deliver: Whether you win every case or not, the most important thing is that your clients believe you did your best. By continuously providing high quality work, people will be proud to refer you to friends or family members who need a personal injury attorney.
As you can see, referral marketing is an incredibly valuable law firm marketing strategy because it helps you cross a trust-bridge from one relationship to the next. By fully understanding what it takes to generate quality referrals, you’ll be more prepared than ever to market your law firm and reach your full potential!

Personal Injury Accident Information: How An Attorney Can Help

July 14th, 2009 at 01:07am Under Personal Injury Law

Personal injury attorneys provide valuable legal assistance to those injured in an accident through no fault of their own. Attorneys have the skills to help victims of personal injury obtain justice through compensation, in the form of monetary damages for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. In certain instances, personal injury victims may even be entitled to punitive damages.

Financial Effects of Injuries

Injuries can cause much more than physical pain. Financially, injuries can be devastating. Victims of personal injury may not be able to return to work, and may be crippled by ever-mounting medical bills. Attorneys are able to obtain settlements and verdicts from the parties responsible for serious injury. In the case of fatal accidents, wrongful death claims can secure damages from the responsible party. Compensation can never take away an injury or a loved one’s unexpected passing, however, it can ensure a future free of financial worry.

Types of Accidents

Personal injury lawyers represent victims injured in all types of accidents, including car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle and bicycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, slip and fall accidents, construction accidents, boating accidents, aviation disasters, and accidents caused by defective products. Wrongful death attorneys provide representation to surviving family members of those killed in fatal accidents.

Serious Injuries

Types of injuries resulting from a serious accident can be mild to severe or even catastrophic, and may include broken bones, abrasions, burn injuries, spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries and other types of trauma. Some injuries are so serious that victims require lifelong medical care. An experienced attorney can help you obtain the highest possible compensation for your injuries, and ensure all of your medical needs in the future are taken care of.

Discussing Your Case With a Personal Injury Attorney

Talking to an accident attorney can help you better understand your legal rights, and ensure you do not miss out on an opportunity to recover the compensation you need for your injury.  Don’t trust your case to just any lawyer – find a law firm with experience handling your type of case. All cases are different, and compensation can vary widely depending on the type and severity of the injury, and other factors. If you have been injured, discussing your case with an experienced and qualified attorney with a proven record of success is an important first step to obtaining justice.