Lawsuit Finance Blog

We all fall from time to time; most of the time, we get back up, brush ourselves off, and move on, without incident (other than, perhaps, embarrassment). No big deal, right? Maybe get a few bruises, cuts, or scrapes? Well, as much as we want to laugh when someone takes a tumble, people can be seriously injured, even killed, in slip and fall accidents. These serious injury accidents will cause pain, trauma, financial stress, and in rare incidents, even death.

As winter approaches, it is important for all of us to practice slip and fall awareness and prevention. A few simple precautions can help reduce our chances of being injured in a slip and fall accident. Here are some important, hopefully injury saving, tips:

• Wear proper foot gear, shoes or boots that provide good traction on snow and ice.
• Take your time; walk slowly and take small steps for stability
• Avoid slippery surfaces as much as possible; never run on icy ground
• Keep hands free for balance and use handrails whenever possible. If you slip, you will need your arms to restore balance. If you fall, your arms may help you break your fall and permit you to land in a safer position.
• Watch where you're going; walk in designated walkways as much as possible.
• Test possible slick areas first; see how slippery they are before putting your full body weight on these areas.
• Don’t carry large loads while walking on snow or ice. If you do and feel yourself falling, toss the load so you may break your fall with your arms.
• Use a floor mat to dry shoes when going indoors

While some slip and fall accidents are preventable, many are not. If you believe that your slip and fall accident was caused due to the negligence of another, you should contact a personal injury attorney. It is important to determine if the condition that caused your slip and fall was one that resulted from the negligence of another and/or could have been prevented. If a business or property owner is negligent and this negligence leads to your injury, you may be able to receive compensation for your pain and suffering, loss of compensation, and medical bills.

Slip and fall lawsuits can be hard to prove. They often take months, even years to settle or otherwise resolve. Lawsuit Financial offers litigation funding services for personal injury cases, including slip and fall cases. If you have a pending slip and fall lawsuit and are struggling to meet your financial obligations, Lawsuit Financial may be able to help. Our lawsuit funding service will provide the cash you need now, help you meet your financial obligations, and prevent you from being forced to settle too early for too little. And, with Lawsuit Financial, you only pay us back if you win your case. It is a win-win situation. Contact us at 1-877-377- SUIT (7848) or www.lawsuitfinancial.com for a free, no obligation consultation.

Remember that prevention is the best way to stop slip and falls especially during the winter months. You should not only ensure your safety from slip and falls, but those of others, as well so you are not held liable. Be sure to shovel driveways, walkways, and sidewalks. Salt any areas where ice may form. Fix hand rails that may be lose or broken. Make sure your property is well lit. If everyone took the time to make sure their property (personal and business) was safe, we would have far less tragic slip and fall accidents this winter season.

Posted by Mark Bello of Lawsuit Financial Corp. | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: Lawsuit Funding Tip of the Day

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Lawsuit Funding companies do what no one else will do. Banks won't do it; a traditional finance company won't either. Payday advance companies won't do it and your lawyer can't do it. What am I taking about? You know what I am talking about. Litigation funding companies provide cash-strapped personal injury victims immediate financial assistance. If you have suffered a serious accidental injury, you may be disabled from working now, and maybe, for the foreseeable future. Do your creditors care that you are disabled? Do they care that you can't work and won't return to work any time soon? Of course not! What do they care about? Getting their bill paid; that is all they care about!

Legal Finance services, like those offered by Lawsuit Financial Corporation, provide personal injury victims with the money they need to pay regular monthly bills, medical expenses, car payments, rent, groceries and other ordinary and necessary bills. There are no monthly payments to make; we are not a bank. There are no credit checks; your credit history does not matter. Bad credit, good credit, it does not matter. Our goal is to relieve your financial concerns, prevent you from settling your valuable case for less than it is worth, and continue to provide you with needed assistance throughout the long legal process. We want you to focus on your lawsuit; we want you to obtain full compensation for your injuries, no matter how long it takes.

There is very little "red tape" involved. Pre settlement funding companies like Lawsuit Financial fund only against qualifying personal injury cases. Even the application process is easy. You fill out a short form or provide some information by telephone, and you are done. Most of the information we need will be requested from and supplied by your attorney. Your case records will determine if you qualify and for how much. If you qualify, you will receive your money within 24-48 hours; sometimes, we can even provide same day service. And, the most important feature of all is that you only have to pay us back if you win or settle your case. You read that correctly: If you lose you case, you can keep the money we gave you, free of charge. In essence, we are guaranteeing you a recovery in your case equal to the amount we fund.

Prior to the advent of legal funding, many personal injury victims were forced to settle with defendants and insurance companies, out of court, for far less than the full value of their case. They had to do that because they could not support their families while waiting for justice and an appropriate settlement or verdict. In other words, financial circumstances forced them to settle early and cheap, for far less than the amount they deserved. Lawsuit Financial feels that those responsible for your serious injuries should pay full compensation; we offer solutions that assure that the perpetrators will do just that. If you have been seriously injured; if you have retained an attorney and are pursuing a lawsuit, please, do not settle your case for less than full value, just because you are in desperate need of immediate cash. Consult with your attorney; tell him/her that you are experiencing financial difficulties and would like to pursue pre-settlement funding. Then, call Lawsuit Financial, the gold standard in lawsuit finance services. We provide auto accident lawsuit funding, slip and fall lawsuit funding, medical malpractice lawsuit funding, wrongful death lawsuit funding; we provide lawsuit funding for almost any and every kind of personal injury case. If you have been seriously injured in any type of accident, and don't yet have an attorney, Lawsuit Financial will locate a professional who specializes in your type of injury accident within 24 hours of your inquiry. We want to help you achieve justice for your case. The call to 1-877-377-SUIT (7848) is free; the advice is priceless. Visit our website at www.lawsuitfinancial.com

Posted by Mark Bello of Lawsuit Financial Corp. | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: Lawsuit Funding Tip of the Day

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The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimated that distracted driving may contribute up to 80 percent of auto accidents, and nearly 6,000 teens die annually in such accidents. Driving while texting (DWT) has become a major concern especially with teenagers, but there are many other distractions equally as dangerous such as talking on a hand-held phone, talking on the phone using an earpiece, eating or drinking while driving, changing the radio station, reading a map, chatting with a passenger, and the list can go on. Distractions can sharply elevate the risk of an accident, and more so with novice drivers. Teens are more vulnerable to driver distractions because they lack experience behind the wheel and may not understand the risks. It is important for parents to set rules, know where their teens are going and who they will be with, and give reminders of the importance of wearing seatbelts and focusing on the road at all times while driving.

Ford Motor Company recently became the first automaker to endorse a federal ban on manually sending text messages on hand-held devices while driving. Ford is also committed to helping reduce teen auto accidents and fatalities through its Ford Driving Skills for Life teen safety program. The program offers hands-on training in a classroom setting and behind the wheel of specially equipped vehicles that simulate wet or potentially dangerous driving conditions. The online training modules are designed to help teens recognize and avoid driving distractions. There are five different learning units followed by a quiz to test your knowledge, focusing on speed management, space management, vehicle handling, and hazard recognition. Ford also offers hands-on training in which teens are placed on controlled courses to test their concentration. Instructors prompt the drivers to visually and verbally interact with passengers, manually operate the radio, climate controls, and electronic devices such as cell phones and MP3 players. By increasing the distractions, it helps the teen driver recognize and avoid dangerous behaviors. Ford holds several hands-on safety driving events across the United States, and provides free educational materials to high schools allowing instruction of the program in the schools.

The Driving Skills for Life website offers short video spots providing a variety of driving tips to both teens and adults, and feature instructors from the Driving Skills for Life “ride-and drive” events. They teach teens what to do if the passenger-side wheels leave the road, how to recover in a skid, proper sitting for safe driving, how to brake safely, how to anticipate danger, and when it is important to slow down.
“We’re turning to the Web because that’s where teens live, and where they get much of their information. We want the video spots to get teens thinking about safe driving, and we think the tips can be valuable for adults, as well,” says Sue Cischke, Ford Vice President, Environmental and Safety Engineering.

Teens will have the opportunity to complete various e-learning modules, take a safe driving quiz, play safe driving games, and complete a variety of other activities. There are also opportunities to win prizes. Adults can use the site to help their teens, while educators can incorporate the tips into lesson plans for classroom learning.

Although Ford is taking great strides in helping educate teens on the importance of safe driving, the best training is for teens to get behind the wheel with an experienced driver who can share their knowledge first-hand. Don’t forget one of the best things both teens and adults can do to remain safe is to buckle up.

Lawsuit Financial joins Ford in banning texting while driving. We urge parents to set driving safety rules with their teens, and we urge teens to learn safe driving habits early and avoid all distractions. It is time that everyone focused more on safe and distraction-free driving. Lawsuit Financial is a strategic lawsuit funding company. If you or a loved one has been seriously injured or a loved one is killed in an auto accident at no fault of your own, you may be entitle to compensation for your injuries and losses. It is important to contact an attorney that specializes in auto accident litigation. If you need assistance locating an attorney, the Lawsuit Financial Attorney Referral program is for you; we have a strategic relationship with auto attorneys all over the country and can locate a specialist in your area within 24 – 48 hours; a free service to you. Auto accident lawsuits can be hard fought and take months, even years to settle. You may be suffering from serious injuries or a death, but what happens if added to that suffering is financial hardship? How do you pay the bills while awaiting settlement? Call Lawsuit Financial at 1-877-377-SUIT (7848) or visit our website at www.lawsuitfinancial.com. We will evaluate your case and if approved, you can have funding within 24 – 48 hours. The call is free; the advice is priceless.

Posted by Mark Bello of Lawsuit Financial Corp. | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: Lawsuit Funding Tip of the Day

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Within a day of each other, two Indianapolis men have died after suffering traumatic brain injuries. On November 11, David Jansen was fatally injured. Jansen was working on a large piece of equipment when his head got caught in the machine. No one witnessed the accident so it is uncertain whether Mr. Jansen slipped and fell, became entangled in the equipment, or had a medical condition that caused him to fall into the equipment.

On November 12, Manuel Maldonada was in a minor auto accident. Witnesses say that Mr. Maldonada got out of his car and slapped the windshield of the other vehicle with his hands before walking away. Moments later, he was found, collapsed on the side of the road. It is unclear what caused Maldonada to fall, if he was struck by another vehicle, or if he had a prior medical problem that caused him to fall. Again, there were no witnesses.

While it appears that both these fatalities occurred quickly after the incident, it is important to be aware that the first few hours after an accident are the most crucial in determining the severity of the injury. It is common to suffer a slip and fall or an auto accident, appear perfectly fine, then suddenly and rapidly deteriorate. This may have been the case with Mr. Jansen or Mr. Maldonada. Although he walked away from the accident, pursuing immediate medical attention may have saved his life. It is imperative to seek medical attention, following any accident, even if there is no pain or sign of external injury. Internal injuries could result in serious, life-long medical problems or fatalities; never assume you are ok; it may cost you your life.

Falls, and auto accidents, and work related accidents are a major cause of traumatic brain injuries. Obviously, these injuries can be devastating to victims and their families. Brain injuries can leave an individual severely debilitated and often result in fatality. The most important thing we can all do is take precautions to lower our risks of traumatic brain injuries. Preventive measures such as seat belts, helmets, and hard hats can greatly reduce traumatic brain injuries.

The unfortunate circumstances of Mr. Jansen and Mr. Maldonada are not necessarily cases for potential litigation. Further investigation may determine the cause of these traumatic brain injury fatalities and whether litigation is or is not appropriate. In contrast, there are many auto accidents, maritime accidents, slip and falls, construction accidents and others that may result from the negligence of someone else.

If you or a loved one has experienced a traumatic brain injury, caused by the negligence of another, you may be able to pursue litigation. It is important to consult an attorney who specializes in cases like yours; if you do not know an attorney or cannot locate one, Lawsuit Financial will find one for you in any of our 50 states. If the traumatic brain injury resulted in a serious financial hardship and you are pursuing a lawsuit, you may qualify for lawsuit funding. Lawsuit Financial provides financial assistance while you wait for you case to settle. You have enough pain and stress from the actual injury, why worry about how to pay your bills? Lawsuit Financial is here to help. We will evaluate your case and typically provide the needed legal funding within 24 – 48 hours. Call us toll free, at 1-877-377-SUIT or visit us on the world wide web at www.lawsuitfinancial.com

Posted by Mark Bello of Lawsuit Financial Corp. | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: Legal Funding Case of the Day

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Two years ago, a Texas couple was in a head-on collision when a truck swerved, over-corrected, and collided with their vehicle. They survived the collision, though they endured a long, grueling recovery. Tragically, almost unbelievably, the couple’s family experienced an even worse set of circumstances on October 1, 2009. Gregory and Alexandra Bruehler were riding a tandem bicycle on Texas 16; a truck driven by Gilbert Sullaway lost control, veered off the road, over-corrected, and slammed into the couple from behind, dragging their bicycle 200 feet. Both were wearing bicycle helmets; they were not enough to protect them from death in this tragic accident. Alexandra was pronounced dead at the scene; Gregory was airlifted to the hospital where he later died. The couple is survived by their seven-year-old daughter, Kylie. Investigators said that Mr. Sullaway took his eyes off the road; the curve came much faster than anticipated. There was no evidence of alcohol or drug involvement.

What is unknown is why Sullaway was distracted. He was traveling 70 mph in a 65 mph zone – a violation of the law, yet, he did not receive a traffic violation. He, admittedly, drove on the shoulder of the road – another violation of the law; again, he received no citation. No criminal charges have been filed; authorities opined that for Sullaway to be subject to arrest, he would have had to intentionally strike the Bruehler’s or be under the influence. Under the current law, unless a driver is intoxicated or high, it is difficult to prove recklessness and negligence. Should the law be changed? Should drivers be fully responsible for their actions? And what of the Bruehler’s little girl, Kylie? Who speaks for her? Who protects her rights? She receives a life sentence without parents.

Kylie’s grandfathers filed a wrongful death lawsuit on November 9, 2009 on behalf of their granddaughter. In addition to Sullaway, the lawsuit was filed against his employer, Advanced Detection Security Services because Sullaway was on duty at the time the accident occurred. Gray Bruehler, Kylie’s grandfather, said they filed the lawsuit to ensure that Kylie has enough financial support to “at least get her through college.” The lawsuit seeks compensation for medical and funeral expenses, loss of companionship, mental anguish, and for the bicyclists “pre-death pain, suffering, and mental anguish.”

According to Bike Texas, a Texas Bicycle Coalition, approximately 50 cyclists, 400 pedestrians, and 500 motorcyclists are killed every year in Texas. Many of those fatalities could have been prevented under the Safe Passing Bill. Is the Bruehler’s case one more reason that Texas bicycle laws must change? Earlier this year, anti-justice, pro-insurance, Texas Governor, Rick Perry, vetoed a bill that would have allowed cyclists and other vulnerable road users a little more space on most highways. Might passage of this law have saved the Bruehler’s? Difficult to determine since we do not fully know the extent to which Sullaway’s distracted driving played a role in the tragedy; existing law required him to be responsible, careful and attentive on that day. Cyclists and pedestrians will, at one time or another, be in the roadway. Sometimes, they will be in our path of travel. It is imperative that all drivers be aware of their presence in and about the traveled portion of our highways, roads and bridges. Cyclists and pedestrian are much more vulnerable than vehicles. Bicycle helmets offer little proctection against 55-70 MPH cars and trucks.

Pedestrian or bicyclists injured in a collision with a motor vehicle are, almost always seriously or catastrophically injured. In litigation, an innocent pedestrian or bicyclist may recover damages for medical and funeral expenses, loss wages, loss of companionship, pain and suffering, loss of financial support, and mental anguish. A personal injury attorney who specializes in auto/truck bicycle accidents will guide you through the difficult legal process; if you do not have a lawyer, the Lawsuit Financial Attorney Referral Program will locate a specialist for you within 24 hours of your request.

Determining liability and obtaining case resolution are often long and complicated processes. The daily necessities of life continue; bills must be paid. You want to fight for your rights, but struggle to meet your daily financial obligations. Should you settle your case as quickly as possible for whatever you can get? That strategy guarantees that you will settle the case for less than its true value. Do yourself a favor: Discuss lawsuit funding with your attorney. Ask him whether a strategic lawsuit cash advance might enhance the value of your case. Legal finance services may be preferred to an early and cheap resolution of your valuable case.

Lawsuit Financial provides strategic pre-settlement funding to help plaintiffs pay important financial obligations while their case is pending in litigation. Losing a parent is devastating to a young child. Losing children is equally devastating; it is not the natural order of things, and we extend our heartfelt sympathies to Kylie and the entire Bruehler family. Wrongful death lawsuits are very contentious and often take years to resolve. Lawsuit Financial helps families through such difficult times; we are very sensitive to your needs. We offer free consultations to evaluate your case and financial needs. Contact us online or call 1-877-377-SUIT (784), toll free to speak with one of our lawsuit funding specialists.

Posted by Mark Bello of Lawsuit Financial Corp. | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: Lawsuit Funding Thought of the Day

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"Three strikes and you’re fined"; this is the story of Rhode Island Hospital after three different brain surgeons operated on the wrong parts of the heads of three different patients. Rhode Island Hospital is the state's most prestigious medical center and a teaching hospital for the Ivy League's Brown University. All three mistakes happened in less than a year. A fourth case involved a surgeon who operated on the wrong side of a patient with a cleft palate. How does a surgeon miss a cleft palate?

On October 22, another wrong-site procedure took place when a patient was having elective surgery on two different fingers of the right hand. Remarkably, both procedures were performed not only on the same hand, but on the same finger. By now, you should be asking yourself "how could this happen"?

State Health Director David R. Gifford had this to say:

“This pattern of surgical errors is completely unacceptable and must be corrected to protect the safety of all patients at the hospital.”

Equally alarming is that the surgeons involved in these errors are (or were) highly regarded. The most well trained doctor who has done the same or similar procedure hundreds of times needs to follow protocol. Surgeons are required to follow a three-step process called the "Universal Protocol" to ensure they are about to do the correct operation, usually via a checklist. Obviously, protocol is loosely followed, if at all, at Rhode Island Hospital.

Fortunately, none of these wrong-site surgeries resulted in fatalities. The Hospital has been slapped with a $150,000 fine, required to install video cameras in all its operating rooms, and must assign a clinician, not part of the surgical team, to observe all surgeries at the hospital, for a period of not less than one year. The hospital will, apparently, use video of these procedures as a monitor and training tool.

Will these measures work? They might decrease mistakes and increase safety in the operating room, but given the hospital's recent track record, slapping the perpetrators with a fine and making them “promise” to follow safety protocol does not seem adequate to this observer.

The hospital must also conduct a mandatory training and review of the uniform surgical procedures with all surgical staff, and implement the safety checklist. Obviously, these critical safety procedures were not being used or were being misused. What happened to patient care and safety? How would you, as a juror in these victims' cases, handle these medical mistakes and victims' compensation? Would it anger you to find out that your verdict was thrown out in favor of a lower damage cap? Where is adequate punishment? Where is justice?

These questions lead me to the ultimate question I repeatedly ask in many of my posts: Why do congressional conservatives and the citizens who support these politicians seek to punish the victims of medical error rather than the perpetrators? Tort Reform, a fancy name for placing a damage cap on serious verdicts for serious injuries or fatalities at unreasonably low numbers, will do nothing to improve safety in the operating room. It will further encourage those responsible for committing medical errors to be less responsible. Why? Because there will be little or no consequence for mistakes made. Insurance companies will get a financial windfall and the public sector, in the form of increased taxes for assuming the burden of the wrongdoers, will take the financial hit. Is that what fiscal conservatives stand for? They do if their hands are in the pockets of insurance companies and big pharmaceutical companies. While insurance companies receive a “get out of trouble” free card, the taxpayers get the bill. Is this what the American people want?

Rhode Island Hospital should be a wake-up call to all who favor placing damage caps and other anti-justice restrictions on patients and their loved ones as they seek to recover full and fair compensation for injuries and losses caused by negligent medical and hospital personnel. Hospitals and doctors must be held fully accountable for inadequate care. It is time we address the real problem–preventable medical errors. The easiest way to reduce the cost of medical malpractice is to prevent or reduce the incidents of medical errors; the system will not repair itself by punishing the victim a second time. Stop blaming the victims; hopefully the situation at Rhode Island Hospital has sent this loud and clear message to Congress as they continue to ponder changes in our health care system.

Lawsuit Financial is a pro-justice lawsuit funding company that provides cash flow solutions and litigation cost funding to plaintiffs in a pending lawsuit. If you or a loved one is involved in a lawsuit and concerned with meeting your financial obligations, contact Lawsuit Financial toll free at 877-377-SUIT (7848) or visit our website at www.lawsuitfinancial.com for a free consultation.

Posted by Mark Bello of Lawsuit Financial Corp. | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: Lawsuit Funding Thought of the Day

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