Driving Under the Influence Kills Two Resulting in Three Lawsuits

A three-vehicle auto accident in October 2010 that killed two has led to three lawsuits.  A twenty-seven year old man driving a Chevy pick-up truck crossed the center line and sideswiped a Ford pick-up truck before hitting a Honda Civic head-on.  The driver of the Honda and the front seat passenger died at the scene; two backseat passengers suffered serious injuries.  Blood tests showed the driver of the Chevy pick-up had Xanax and alcohol in his system; he pleading guilty and was sentenced to 25 years in prison.

The lawsuits filed against Bollinger Shipyards, the driver of the Ford pick-up, and the family of the drugged driver, are asking for unspecified monetary damages. The facts in the lawsuit are

• Earlier in the day the driver of the Chevy truck was with a friend who was arrested on DWI charges. 
• He was returning from posting bond for his friend when the fatal accident occurred, he was returning from posting bond for that friend.

One lawsuit alleges that both men had been given beer by their unnamed supervisor at Bollinger for working overnight.  The lawsuit said this is “a known and customary practice at Bollinger.”  Another suit states that the negligent driver’s family allowed him to get behind the wheel knowing he was impaired.  The suit against the driver of the Ford pick-up truck alleges that the he “did not take proper evasive action to avoid a collision between his vehicle and the vehicle driven by the DUI driver despite having ample time, opportunity, and warning of the upcoming dangerous situation.”

Unfortunately, the families who lost a loved one and those victims who were seriously injured may never recover full compensation; the driver of the Chevy pick-up truck was driving on a suspended license and had no insurance. The family’s only attempt at collecting from him will be from future earnings.  Is Bollinger responsible for its employees?  They may have provided beer, but did are they responsible if employees drink and then get behind the wheel?  What about the driver of the Ford pick-up? 

There are many unanswered questions in this fatal auto accident.  It may take years to reach a resolution.  In the meantime, the victims may be suffering from financial distress.  This is not uncommon since insurance companies do everything in their power to delay resolving the case and paying settlements, verdicts or judgments. Auto accident lawsuit funding is available to victims and is provided to help a grieving family cover medical expenses, household bills, lost income, and funeral expenses. Do not give in to corporate tactics pressuring you to settle for less. Lawsuit Funding can and often does ease your financial burden, giving your attorney the time needed to obtain full value in your case.

 

If you or a loved one has been a victim of an auto accident caused by a negligent driver or your loved one was killed by a drunk driver, consult a personal injury attorney who is knowledgeable and experienced in auto accidents. An experienced attorney will review your situation and determine the best way for you to obtain compensation for the damages you suffered. If you have mounting medical bills and expenses and feel the need to reach a quick settlement, stop! Lawsuit Financial is your auto accident lawsuit funding specialist. We provide lawsuit funding to help cover medical expenses, household bills, lost income, and funeral expenses. Do not give in to corporate and insurance tactics pressuring you to settle for less. Use auto accident lawsuit funding to ease your financial burden and give your attorney the time needed to obtain full value in your case.

St. Louis Hit-And-Run Accident Kills an 11-Year-Old Girl and Seriously Injures Her 16-Year-Old Sister

An 11-year-old girl was killed and two other people were injured following a multi-vehicle accident on I-170 in St. Louis.  The fatal accident occurred on October 8 when a hit-and-run driver of an SUV smashed into a Nissan Maxima driven by the 16-year-old sister of the girl killed.  The Maxima spun off the road and struck the median cable barrier; the force of impact spun the vehicle onto the interstate into the path of an oncoming SUV. After the vehicles collided, the SUV was struck by a third vehicle.  The 16-year-old driver and the driver of the SUV were seriously injured.

The Missouri Highway Patrol is still looking for any information on the vehicle that started the series of events that culminated in the loss of a life and serious injuries to two others.

Hopefully the authorities will find the person responsible for this accident.  No legal action can ever bring back a loved one killed in an auto accident, but it is more devastating when justice is forestalled by a hit and run driver who evades police and refuses to take responsibility for his/her carelessness and negligence.

Whether or not the family of the deceased child and the seriously injured sister can pursue the negligent party, because he/she is found, or whether the family pursues the case as an uninsured motorist case, lawsuit funding is a service they may want to consider.  If the family qualifies, ordinary and/or extraordinary expenses can be made by a lawsuit funding company while awaiting a settlement or verdict in the case.

A lawsuit cash advance is provided to help a grieving family cover medical expenses, household bills, lost income, and funeral expenses. Lawsuit Funding can help ease the financial burden, giving a plaintiff’s attorney time necessary to obtain full case. A lawsuit cash advance is available by phone or online, and is contingent on the outcome of your case. Repayment is excused if you lose. Call Lawsuit Financial to learn how we may be able to help secure the money you need to pay bills while waiting for fair compensation.

Is Your Kid College Safe?

Most college students have just settled in to the dorms or an apartment.  For many, this will be their first time away from home for any extended period of time.  College brings a sense of independence for most students.  With so much anticipation and excitement, personal safety can be easily overlooked.  Students may believe they are protected because they are surrounded by their peers and feel relatively insulated “in their own community – the college campus.”  Unfortunately, crime can be just as high on campus as it is off campus.

Is your child prepared to step into this unknown territory?  Will he/she be able to withstand peer pressure?  Is your child prepared in case an emergency occurs?

Here are a several campus safety tips to share with your college kids.

Be aware of your surroundings.  This is the single most important tip to ensure your personal safety.  Know the all routes around campus.  Be confident.  Walk with your head up, look around, and notice everything.  Be aware of anyone loitering or hanging around campus, your dorm, vehicle, etc.

Lock all doors and windows.  When leaving your dorm or apartment, make sure that all doors and windows are locked - including the main building entry and exits.  Never prop doors open.  Do not loan your keys to anyone.

Plan ahead.  Be safe when going out alone, even during daytime hours.  Whether your plans are a social event or studying at the campus library, map out a safety plan in advance.  Mention your plans to a friend and let someone know if your plans change.  Avoid potentially unsafe shortcuts.  Travel on well-lit and well-traveled streets.  Carry emergency cab fare.

Avoid going out alone at night.  Try to stay in a group.  Let at least one person know where you are going and who you will be with.

Equip your cell phone.  Program important phone numbers (campus security, police, etc.) in your cell for emergencies.  Put the word “ICE” (in case of emergency) in your cell phone with a parent or guardian number programmed.  The authorities know to look for this code in case an emergency occurs and they need to get in touch with a relative.  Make sure your cell phone is fully charged before going out.

Always trust your instincts.  Trust your intuition.  If something seems “off” it probably is.  Call the police or campus security if something doesn’t “seem” right.

Don’t carry too much money or wear expensive jewelry.  Credit cards, driver’s license, and keys should be concealed in a zippered pocket, security belt or stash pouch.  Make copies of important papers, credit cards, driver’s license, and insurance cards.  Keep the copies in a safe place in case you need to report a lost or stolen document or credit card.  Do not go to the ATM at night.

Watch your drink.  Do not accept drinks (alcoholic or otherwise) from others.  Alcohol is the # 1 date rape drug.

When dating, meet at a populated location.  Choose a restaurant or other public location.   Never meet in a dorm room or apartment.

Check around your vehicle as you approach it.  If there is a van parked on one side of your car get in on the other side.   Check under your vehicles and others around you. 

Consider a wireless alarm system for your apartment or dorm.  It is easy to set up, and you can take it with you when you move.

Practice Internet Safety.  Use caution when posting personal information on social networking sites, such as Facebook.  Avoid becoming friends with people you don’t know.

Don’t succumb to having your photo or personal information published for the campus community.  It is not uncommon for upperclassmen and fraternities to use this information to “target” naïve freshmen on campus.

Call home once a week.  Let your parents know what you plan for the week, dates, social events, etc.  It is just another safety measure to give them peace of mind.

Colleges are generally safe places, but remind your kids to not let their guard down.  Being armed with basic safety tips can significantly reduce their vulnerability.  Book smart is something they can learn anytime; street smart is something they must know and practice every day of their life.

Lawsuit Financial, a pro-justice litigation funding company can provide cash flow solutions and litigation cost financing for the necessities of life while a case is in the litigation process. Call Lawsuit Financial, toll free, at 1-877-377-SUIT (7848), or visit us at www.lawsuitfinancial.com.

When You Need A Lawyer, Who Ya Going To Call? Lawsuit Financial!

Venturing into the litigation arena can be a daunting experience. If you or a loved one is the victim of a wrong doing and need legal advice, where do you look for an experience attorney? You have several options.

Option 1:

Hire an attorney from a television advertisement. Is this a good choice? Many top-notch attorneys do little or no advertising; they don’t need to; their reputation precedes them and speaks volumes. Lawsuit Financial has built strategic, professional relationships with the professionals.  "Television" attorneys are often excellent lawyers and many handle only specialty that they advertise; others are not and do not. Some advertise, but may refer your case to other firms. It is up to you to decide whether this is, for you, the best way to pursue an attorney-client relationship.

Option 2:

Search the Yellow Pages. Select the guy with the biggest advertisement, right? Maybe. The same general principle for television ads applies here. There may be little, if any, correlation between large ads and quality legal representation. Again, many are fine lawyers who may specialize only in the area that they advertise. Some, however, have a lot of money to spend on ads, but have little courtroom experience.

Option 3:

Ask family, friends, and co-workers for recommendations. This may a good option if their case was successfully concluded and was similar to yours. If the attorney did a good job on their case, he will probably do a good job on yours. Sometimes, however, the person recommending a lawyer fails to mention their own type of case.  The case you are seeking to pursue may be something the lawyer dabbles in, but does not specialize in. This can make a huge difference in your case.  If you are seeking to hire someone to handle your personal injury case, for example, it is important to retain an attorney that specializes in personal injury cases. Your brother’s estate planning attorney may not be qualified to represent you. Do your homework; it is important to get at least three recommendations and speak with each one before making a decision.  Even though he is a doctor, you would not go to a dermatologist to treat a heart attack.  The same applies for lawyers.

Option 4:

Search the Internet. The internet is a “virtual” phone book. Researching lawyer directories may provide a comprehensive profile of attorneys, but how helpful is the information they provide? You are still sifting through and finding hundreds of attorney listings in your area. Who do you choose?

Option 5:

Call Lawsuit Financial. If you are looking for legal representation, you need to know that you are entrusting your case to an attorney that has your best interest in mind; an attorney who specializes in cases similar to yours. Lawsuit Financial can assist you in finding the best attorney available in all 50 states because we have strong relationships with the best attorneys nationwide. Within 24 hours, we will have at least one, most often three, top-notch attorneys for you to choose from, and our referral system is absolutely free. Don’t settle for less than the best.

Lawsuit Financial, a pro-justice litigation funding company can provide cash flow solutions and litigation cost financing for the necessities of life while a case is in the litigation process. Call Lawsuit Financial, toll free, at 1-877-377-SUIT (7848), or visit us ate www.lawsuitfinancial.com.

Dangerous Product Burning Consumers For Years. Will the FDA’s New Sunscreen Rules Give Us Enough Protection?

The FDA has traditionally only required sunscreens to protect against sunburn.  Until now, products could claim broad-spectrum protection without any basis for it. Maybe you wouldn’t leave the beach looking like a tomato, but your sunscreen may not have been shielding you from subtle damages caused by Ultraviolet A (UVA) rays.

For the first time in 33 years, new rules will require sunscreens to protect against ultraviolet B rays—which cause sunscreen, and not ultraviolet A rays—which cause skin cancer and wrinkles—to carry a warning label.  The new regulations, effective next year, will force companies to improve the accuracy of their sunscreen protection claims.

Here are highlights of the new rules: 

The claim “broad spectrum” will appear only on sunscreens tested for a minimum standard of UVA protection.

All sunscreens will carry their SPF rating. Those without the broad-spectrum claim, SPF will rate only UVB protection.  Higher SPF numbers mean more protection against UVB as well as more protection against UVA.  Warning labels will read: "Skin Cancer/Skin Aging Alert: Spending time in the sun increases your risk of skin cancer and early skin aging. This product has been shown only to help prevent sunburn, not skin cancer or early skin aging."

Sunscreens will have a “fact box” listing warnings and other important information in an easy-to-find location.

Manufacturers cannot make claims that sunscreens are "waterproof" or "sweatproof," or identify their products as a "sun block." Water resistance claims on the product's front label must tell how much time a user can expect to get the declared SPF level of protection while swimming or sweating, based on standard testing. Sunscreens that claim to be water resistant must show how long they last after a person has been swimming or sweating: 40 minutes or 80 minutes.  It must be noted in the “fact box” if they are not water resistant.

SPF values higher than 50 will be labeled as "SPF 50+." FDA does not have adequate data demonstrating that products with SPF values higher than 50 provide additional protection compared to products with SPF values of 50.

The new requirements will be effective by summer 2012, although some sunscreen makers will launch their new labels sooner.  What does this mean for your summer in the sun this year?  Experts say that although the inconsistency is the UVA protection, the SPF tests should be accurate.  Since some protection is better than none, they do not suggest throwing out your sunscreen or staying indoors all summer long.

Here are three simple ways to protect your skin from damaging sun exposure:

• Use sunscreen regularly and re-apply every two hours.
• Avoid the midday sun, when rays are the strongest.
• Wear a hat to shade your face and neck.

You may also check out “Screen Test,” to learn what to look for in your sunscreen and how to apply it for best results.

This article was brought to you by Lawsuit Financial, a pro-justice lawsuit funding company headquartered in Southfield, Michigan. We help relieve the financial pressure during the litigation process by providing a cash advance against your lawsuit.  Can’t pay your bills? Get the money you need now to avoid settling your case too soon, for too little. 

Lawsuit Funding Helps Wrongfully Terminated Employees

One of the worst situations you could possibly find yourself in, especially in this economy, is being fired from your job. What if you were wrongfully terminated? Wrongful termination based on an employee's health is prohibited in most cases. Wrongful termination based on illness may occur if an employer breaches a contract that specifies terms of employment in the case of disability. Luckily you can contest the termination by filing a lawsuit.

Being fired is troublesome, but the impact on one’s life, family, health, and finance can be devastating. Filing a wrongful termination / discrimination lawsuit is a way for an employee to seek relief, but it can also take a long time to settle adding more emotional and financial stress. Lawsuit funding is a no-risk cash advance provided to plaintiffs during the litigation process. Without income, plaintiffs worry about making ends meet. Lawsuit funding may be the perfect solution to staying financially afloat until the case settles.

The litigation funding process is quite simple; after retaining an attorney, complete an online application or call a lawsuit funding company representative. Once your application is received and all necessary documents are reviewed, if approved for a “lawsuit loan” funds will be transferred to your account. The whole process takes less than 48 hours.

Every year, more and more employees are being fired for illegal reasons. If you are an unfortunate victim of a wrongful termination, don't quietly accept your fate. Contact an experience attorney and take a stand. Then, contact Lawsuit Financial. We may be able to provide the financial relief you need until your case is settled or you are otherwise back on your feet.

U.S. Navy Veteran Settles Mesothelioma Lawsuit

Here is a recent lawsuit that settled for $32 million.  While this appears to be a large sum, let's examine the case and see who among us would trade places with the plaintiff; who would trade their health for the money the plaintiff received.

A U.S. Navy veteran developed pleural mesothelioma, an incurable form of cancer, while working as a boiler tender.   Although the man served in the Navy 28 years, his exposure to asbestos occurred during the 18 years he spent aboard seven ships working in the boiler or fire room repairing Crane Co. manufacturing valves laden with asbestos.  He was also exposed to asbestos while working on one ship removing and replacing asbestos-containing lagging pads and manhole gaskets manufactured by Elliott Turbomachinery Co., Inc.

The man filed a mesothelioma lawsuit, against the Crane Co. and Elliott Turbomachinery Co., Inc., the companies who supplied the asbestos-laden parts.  After an eight-week trial, a jury awarded $32 million - $16 million for past pain and suffering and $16 million for future pain and suffering.  Crane Co. was determined to be 99% responsibility; Elliott Turbomachinery was assigned 1% responsibility.

You be the judge. Would you trade your healthy lungs, your precious ability, simply, to breathe, for $32 million? Would you accept the death sentence of mesothelioma or lung cancer for a large verdict because that is exactly what it is; a death sentence?

Unfortunately, no amount of compensation will ever stop the pain and suffering; no amount will save a dying loved one because there is no known cure for mesothelioma cancer.  Holding the negligent party accountable for wrongdoing helps ensure these incidents are not repeated.

Due to the complexity of these types of cases, many families wait several years for a settlement to be reached. The long, hard battle to reach justice may place a financial burden on a victim’s family as the bills keep coming. Often times, plaintiffs do not have the financial resources to wait for their case to settle.

Lawsuit Financial offers a pre-settlement cash advance so plaintiffs have the staying power to await fair compensation for their loss rather than accepting a speedy, low-cost settlement. A lawsuit cash advance is a strategic tool to help your attorney maximum case value.  At Lawsuit Financial, we know that it is tough to manage a loved one's illness, medical expenses, funeral expenses, plus all the daily household bills and expenses. The corporate giants have all the time and money in the world; they wait until most plaintiffs become financially desperate to settle.  Lawsuit Financial hopes that by assisting with daily expenses, plaintiffs can wait for justice to be served.

If you or a loved one is the victim of  mesothelioma cancer due to improper working conditions and you have filed a lawsuit, you may be able to receive pre-settlement funding. If you qualify, the lawsuit loan can be received within 24 – 48 hours. Use litigation funding to pay for medical expenses, therapy, medications etc., in addition to the monthly bills such as mortgage, rent, car payments or utilities. There are no fees and no monthly payments. Credit and employment do not matter because we focus on the case and the case, alone. And, if you lose your case, you do not have to repay the lawsuit cash advance. This is, truly, no-risk legal funding.