New Hampshire Personal Injury Lawyer - Miscellaneous

Voters Get The Other Side Of The Story Regarding Insurance Companies.

Rob Curtiss — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 16:08:31 GMT

It's no secret that trial lawyers have come under heavy fire during the past two Presidential campaigns. We have been characterized so often as greedy and irresponsible that it has had an impact on the jurors who decide our clients' cases. This in turn, makes it more difficult for us to obtain justice for our clients.

The 2008 campaign seems to be starting off a little different. The Democratic candidates are pointing out the stronghold that the insurance and drug companies have on the American health care system. The candidates have also pointed out many of the abuses related to this stronghold, including insurance companies refusing to authorize potentially life saving treatment for patients until it was too late.

As a victims lawyer, I am delighted the American electorate is beginning to get the other side of the story. I am hopeful that their efforts to inform people about corporate and insurance company abuses will help balance the pro-defendant bias which now exists. For more on the Democratic Candidates go to: http://www.democrats.org/

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Rob Curtiss

The Election Goes On After New Hampshire Primary

Rob Curtiss — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 16:05:35 GMT

Well, our first in the nation New Hampshire Primary has come and gone. We did ourselves proud by turning out in record numbers obviously aided by a unusually balmy January day. Today though, the candidates have left the state, presumably not to return until two have been chosen to square off in the general election.

It is important for us to remember that we have not completed our duty as citizens by participating in the primary. Instead, we have an obligation to stay tuned into the candidate selection process so we can make an informed choice in the general election. We need to continue considering what the various candidates say and write about the major issues we face; Iraq, health care, tax cuts, etc. Concentrate on what the candidates actually stand for, not what the various news agencies (which may have their own agenda) say they stand for. It is only by staying tuned into the issues that we can make an intelligent choice. http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2008/

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Rob Curtiss

Why Insurance Companies Take So Long to Pay You

Rob Curtiss — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 15:45:46 GMT

One common complaint we hear from accident victims goes like this: "The insurance company understands how bad I'm hurt but they still won't pay the claim." Often this is the case even if the company knows full well it will eventually have to fork over the full amount of the coverage.

The reason for this tactic is simple. The insurance company wants to have the use of the money it owes you for as long as possible. Once it pays you, of course, it no longer gets interest on your money. At Van Dorn & Curtiss we prosecute our client's claims aggressively so the insurance company can't stall. You should demand no less of any personal injury lawyer.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Rob Curtiss

The Importance of the New Hampshire Primary.

Rob Curtiss — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 15:42:51 GMT

For those of us who live in New Hampshire, the last month or two sometimes seems like non-stop politics. In my Upper Valley town, I can't even drive to the local convenience store without seeing representatives from four or five campaigns. And every night I can count on several telephone calls on behalf of the various candidates.

Like many of you I'm sure, there are times I'd like to take a little vacation from the campaign. However, I never forget how important it is to vote on Tuesday. Because our primary comes so early we in New Hampshire have a unique opportunity to influence the selection process. Remember, if we don't vote we really can't complain about the kind of representation. So whether you are Democrat or Republican, conservative or liberal, voting for the first time or a veteran of many primaries make sure to participate. Our vote in this state counts for so much. For more on the New Hampshire Primary see: http://www.thenewhampshireprimary.com/

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Rob Curtiss

Tort Reform and the 2008 Election

Rob Curtiss — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 15:49:24 GMT

While it has been overshadowed by Iraq and immigration thus far, tort reform is sure to be a hotly disputed issue in the upcoming election. If we recall in 2004, questions were asked about tort reform in both the Bush-Kerry presidential debates and the Cheney-Edwards vice presidential debates. It will undoubtedly be a subject of debate this time as well, particularly in the head to head meetings between the Democratic and Republican party presidential candidates.

If you are interested in preserving your constitutional right to a civil jury trial, you should make it your business to learn where the various candidates stand on this issue. Generally, Republican candidates, congressional as well as presidential, are thought to be in favor of some type of tort reform. Many say they would like to limit the number and type of lawsuits being brought. A substantial number also believe that a jury's ability to award damages for certain kinds of claims should be limited or capped by congress or state legislatures.

Democrats, by contrast, are generally thought to be in favor of leaving tort cases in the unfettered hands of local juries. However, some Democratic presidential candidates, including former trial lawyers, John Edwards, support at least some tenants of tort reform. So the bottom line is that to understand the candidates position on tort reform you need to read what they've said thus far, or maybe, if you live in New Hampshire ask them yourself. For more on the 2008 election, go to: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18296908/

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Rob Curtiss

Lawyers Helping Citizens to Fight Back Agains Corporate America

Ed Van Dorn — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 15:05:40 GMT

Lawyers are pushing laws to help ordinary Americans get their day it court. For years corporate friendly politicians have been whittling away the rights of citizens to bring claims for injuries caused by bad medicine, defective products and other corporate negligence. Now citizens, with the help of some lawyers and advocacy groups are fighting back.

Heard any good lawyer jokes lately? How about stories of lawyers helping people? I have one.

As most of you know there has been an enormous effort by corporate America to limit liability for harm caused to ordinary citizens by defective products, bad medicine and other negligence. The essence of the argument has been that law suits are too costly so the ordinary ciitizen should pay the price to preserve corporate profits. Unbelievably for the past several years many politicians have bought into that argument, even passing laws to protect corporate America against claims by ordinary citizens who have been harmed.

But the tide may be changing. According to Bloomberg News :

Provisions backed by the lawyers have already been inserted in more than a dozen bills. They've scored a victory for victims of railroad accidents and strengthened consumer rights in prescription-drug cases. Now, they are quietly joining with advocacy groups to push legislation to limit the use of arbitration in consumer-rights disputes, preserve state regulations opposed by companies and make it easier to sue Chinese manufacturers.

All these proposed laws do is restore the right of citizens to bring claims against corporate wrongdoers without the draconian limitations and impediments that corporate friendly politicians have imposed in the past.

The idea that all of us are entitled to our day in court is at the very foundation of the principles and laws that make us the country that we are. Its about time that we, as oridinary Americans, begin to take back what Corporate America is so anxious to take away. Its about time that we have a government that no longer supports profits over people.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Ed Van Dorn

Workplace Deaths Down in New Hampshire

Ed Van Dorn — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 09:01:38 GMT

Workerplace deaths are down in New Hampshire and all of New England. Employers and Government Agencies responsible for improving workplace safety should be diligent in preventing worker injuries and deaths.

According to statistics released yesterday by the Boston office of the Federal Bureau of Labor Statistics Workplace deaths declined in New Hampshire from 18 the year before to 14. This is obviously good news. As a personal injury attorney with 30 years experience I have seen that the increase in enforcement of labor safety regulations directly leads to fewer deaths and injuries in the workplace.

The statistics also show that workplace deaths throughout New England are down. Today's Union Leader has a full story on the study.

Although OSHA inspections are rare, I believe that just knowing they may take place will motivate most employers to improve workplace safety. Of course there are always a few bad apples. According to Judy Elliott, director of the New Hampshire Coalition for Occupational Safety and Health these recalcitrant employers need more motivation to take safety precautions.

They know it's unlikely they'll see the inspector and, if they do, the fines are not terribly high. It's cheaper to take the chance and pay the fine for many companies,

As a personal injury I have seen first hand the devasting impact workplace accidents can have on workers and their families. So, I encourage our government officials to be diligent in enforcing the laws we already have on the books to protect workers.

For more information on this subject, please refer to the section on Workplace Injuries and Worker Compensation.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Ed Van Dorn

Changing Attorneys in Personal Injury Cases

Ed Van Dorn — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 14:35:59 GMT

We often get calls from people with personal injury claims who are dissatisfied with the lawyers who represent them or have represented them. If the caller has a valid claim and a valid gripe against their present lawyer we will consider taking over the case. The real problem occurs when the case is already closed and the caller has accepted a settlement they felt was inadequate based on the lawyer's insistence. In those cases, most of the time it is too late to help the aggrieved client.

We uniformly ask these people why they didn't call us earlier and most often get the response that they didn't know they could change lawyers once their case was started. This is an unfortunate misconception.

The fact is that a client may change lawyers whenever they want to and for whatever reason they choose. In personal injury cases this usually doesn't even require the payment of extra fees depending on the law firm you hire to replace your old lawyer. Our firm has a policy that if we take on a case from another lawyer we will work out any fee disputes with that other lawyer without the client having to pay any extra fees.

A personal injury victim with a valid serious claim should not feel compelled to go forward with a lawyer that they are not completely satisfied with.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Ed Van Dorn

Wearing Orange Prevents Hunting Accidents

Ed Van Dorn — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 14:22:10 GMT

Studies show that hunters are seven times less likely to be involved in a hunting accident if they wear Hunter's Orange. Deer can't see the color, but other hunters can.

Its hunting season again in New Hampshire. Every year a number of hunters are tragically injured or killed in unnecessary accidents. New Hampshire Fish & Game Department has hunter saftey courses through out the state.

Hunter Orange is highly visible to other hunters but not to deer. National studies show that a hunter wearing orange is seven times less likely to be injured or killed in a hunting accident.

According to the Portsmouth Herald:

A New York study found that 94 percent of hunters involved in mistaken for game accidents were not wearing hunter orange. This statistic is even more startling when you consider that 81 percent of New York hunters do wear hunter orange.

Its a sad fact that not everyone uses their common sense. But in a situation like this it could be fatal not to. If you are out hunting or in the vicinity where hunters may be ----- WEAR ORANGE.

As personal injury lawyers we recover compensation for people injured or killed by the negligence of others. We see the tragedies first hand. Hunting accidents are tragedies that can be avoided.--- WEAR ORANGE!

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Ed Van Dorn

Halloween Hosts Are More Careful to Protect Trick or Treaters From Personal Injury

Rob Curtiss — Fri, 02 Nov 2007 16:30:22 GMT

The street I live on in West Lebanon, New Hampshire draws a lot of trick or treaters. My best estimate is that last night my wife and I were visited by over 300 assorted ghouls, ghosts, goblins, etc. I notice that our neighbors, in an anticipation of the onslaught all made sure to have well lit walkways to protect the children and their families from falling and getting injured.

I'm sure some people, noticing how careful we have become say, "it's the lawyers, they've got everybody afraid they'll be sued if somebody falls." First, I don't think this is true. The people on our street simply care about the neighborhood children and want to keep them safe. But even if we personal injury attorneys did have something to do with it, I certainly don't apologize for that. If our insistence upon accountability has the effect of keeping children safer then I believe it is a good thing.

For more on Halloween safety visit: http://www.nsc.org/library/facts/halloween.htm

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Rob Curtiss