Category Archives: Insurance
What to look for when buying car insurance
You don’t want to wait until you are in a car accident to think about insurance. Car insurance is required by law, but what kind of insurance do you need? We’ve provided some general guidelines offered from the Wall Street Journal that you should use when buying insurance or thinking of updating your policy…. Read More »
SEVEN MISTAKES YOU CAN AVOID WHEN INJURED ON THE JOB – PART 3
5. IF CONTACTED BY INSURANCE COMPANY – If you are contacted by the insurance carrier (or their investigator) regarding a “statement” that they want to obtain from you – if you are represented, contact your attorney immediately. If you are not represented let the person know that you will be more than willing to… Read More »
Five Things To Do After an Accident
Should you have the misfortune of being involved in an auto accident, it is important that you gather information and undertake a few responsibilities. These are the most important steps to take following a collision. Click here for a useful form that you can keep in your vehicle. This form will help you gather… Read More »
ARE LAWSUIT SETTLEMENTS TAXABLE?
The simple answer to the question regarding the tax consequences of a settlement claim is it all depends on the nature of the settlement! Generally speaking, settlement money received from cases involving personal physical injury or physical sickness can be excluded from taxation (IRS Code sect. 104(a)(2)). Certain other types of settlement awards, (considering… Read More »
IS THE EMPLOYER RESPONSIBLE FOR INJURIES THAT OCCUR ON THE WAY TO OR FROM A MEDICAL APPOINTMENT?
An employer bears the risk of incurring compensability liability under the California Workers’ Compensation Act for an injury suffered in route to or from a medical appointment related to an existing compensable injury. If an employee suffers a new injury while traveling a reasonable distance, to or from a medical appointment for an existing… Read More »
NOT IN MY CAR: WHY THE REPAIR SHOP WILL BE LIABLE FOR A JOY RIDE
A coffee-run to my local Starbucks (Brockton and Arlington) prompted my last article about the liability of an automotive repair or service shop for damage to a vehicle left in its care. Since posting my last article, I am happy to report that I have not seen any other mechanics using customer’s cars to… Read More »
NOT IN MY CAR: Why the Test Drive Should be Limited to Testing
One recent morning while leaving my local Starbucks drive-thru, I waited while two men wearing mechanic uniforms crossed the parking lot to what I assumed was their vehicle. I thought nothing more of this until, several days later, I saw the same men, again clad in uniforms, only this time walking to a different… Read More »
SHOULD SETTLEMENTS BE CONFIDENTIAL?
Heiting & Irwin You have sustained an injury or some form of damage, filed and prosecuted your Complaint, and have now reached a settlement with the adverse party. Upon receipt of the Settlement Agreement and Release, the defendant requests that the settlement be deemed confidential, that the nature of the settlement, its terms, and… Read More »
WHEN TO REFORM TORT REFORM
Reform. A positive-sounding word connoting improvement and enhancement, Webster’s defines “reform” as “an amendment of what is defective, vicious, corrupt, or depraved; a removal or correction.” However, you can have too much of a good thing, and unfortunately, tort reform supporters don’t often realize the negative effect their efforts may have upon the lives… Read More »
BEWARE OF EXCLUSIONS IN AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE POLICIES
Heiting & Irwin My office was recently contacted by a young woman on a clear liability, rear-end automobile accident. She was driving “her” vehicle (one of many insured by the family) and she assumed she was an insured driver. Wanting to immediately obtain a replacement vehicle (rental car) she contacted “her” insurance company, only… Read More »
