October 1, 2025
Government Shutdown and Your Benefits: What South Carolina Veterans and Social Security Recipients Need to Know When news of a federal government shutdown makes headlines, one of the first questions many people ask is, “What happens to my benefits?” For South Carolina residents who depend on Social Security or Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits, that concern is very real. At Bluestein Attorneys, we believe you deserve clear information about how a shutdown impacts your financial security and access to care. Social Security Benefits Will Continue The Social Security Administration (SSA) has released its contingency plan for the shutdown. The good news: Benefits will continue retirement, disability (SSDI), and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments are not expected to stop. Claims processing and customer service remain active. Many SSA employees are considered “essential” and will stay on the job to make sure benefits are delivered on time. In other words, if you are receiving Social Security benefits, you […]
August 21, 2025
Margaret “Marti” Miles Bluestein, a founding partner of Bluestein Attorneys, is being honored as Lawyer of the Year for Columbia by Best Lawyers in America® for 2026 in the area of Workers’ Compensation Law – Claimants. She was one of five Bluestein Attorneys partners recognized by Best Lawyers for 2026. The additional Lawyer of the Year designation is reserved for individuals with the highest overall peer feedback for a specific practice area and geographic region. Only one lawyer is named “Lawyer of the Year” in each practice area and location. The location in this case is Columbia. Marti’s practice focuses on workers’ compensation and mediation. She has been recognized multiple times by Best Lawyers and was previously named several times a Lawyer of the Year. She has also been honored frequently by Super Lawyers, and in 2012 was named a Compleat Lawyer by her law school. Other recognitions have come […]
August 21, 2025
Best Lawyers in America® has again named four Bluestein Attorneys to its 2026 Best Lawyers list for Columbia, and another to its “Ones to Watch” list. One of the four on the main list – Founding Partner Marti Bluestein – was also singled out for an even higher honor, being named as Lawyer of the Year for Columbia in the practice area of Workers’ Compensation Law – Claimants. The attorneys on the Best Lawyers list, and the practice areas in which they are cited, are as follows: Margaret “Marti” Miles Bluestein: Workers’ Compensation Law – Claimants Clarke Newton: Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs, Product Liability Litigation – Plaintiffs John Shannon Nichols: Appellate Practice Allison Sullivan: Mediation: Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs, Workers’ Compensation Law – Claimants All four were also named last year in the same areas. Bluestein’s Timothy Mercer was yet again named to the Ones to Watch list, […]
August 12, 2025
Columbia Business Monthly has named three Bluestein Attorneys to its “Legal Elite of the Midlands” list for 2025. The list, based on a vote of active attorneys in the area, honors Midlands lawyers whom peers consider outstanding in their practice areas. The attorneys, with the practice areas in which they are cited for this year, are: Clarke Newton, Criminal – General and Personal Injury – Plaintiff Marti Bluestein, Workers’ Compensation – Plaintiff Allison Sullivan, Workers’ Compensation – Plaintiff All three are partners with Bluestein Attorneys. Clarke Newton and Allison Sullivan have been recognized on the Legal Elite list in the past. The 2025 “Legal Elite” will be published in the August editions of Columbia Business Monthly, Greenville Business Magazine, Charleston Business Magazine, B2B: The Grand Strand, and B2B: Pee Dee Business. “We know how hard we work to help our clients, and our clients know it, too,” said Marti Bluestein, […]
August 6, 2025
At Bluestein Attorneys, we’re committed to protecting South Carolina drivers, especially as vehicle technology continues to change. Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) feature is one of the most talked-about advances in modern driving, but it’s also raising serious safety concerns. A recent investigation by The Dawn Project revealed that Tesla vehicles failed key safety tests. During controlled demonstrations, cars in FSD mode didn’t stop for child sized mannequins or school buses using flashing red lights. These findings highlight the gap between what technology promises and how it performs in real-world conditions. Despite the name, Tesla’s Full Self-Driving is not fully autonomous. Drivers must remain alert and ready to take over at all times. Unfortunately, many people assume the car can drive itself and that can lead to devastating consequences. Legal Reality: Who’s Liable After an FSD Crash? In South Carolina, the driver is still responsible for the vehicle’s operation, even when […]
June 16, 2025
Even 35 years in the U.S. Military, serving in Vietnam and during the Cuban Missile Crisis, weren’t as hard as fighting mesothelioma. Just ask veteran John Conway, who was diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma decades after his first asbestos exposure. Veterans like John aren’t alone; 1 in 3 mesothelioma patients are former service members. But navigating the VA system, understanding your rights, and securing the benefits you deserve can be overwhelming on top of everything else. At Bluestein Attorneys, we guide veterans through the VA claims process with clarity and dedication. In this article, we break down the benefits and resources available to veterans and their families after a mesothelioma diagnosis. You Are Not Alone! 1 in 3 Mesothelioma Patients Are Veterans Mesothelioma is a rare cancer, with fewer than 3,000 new cases diagnosed in the U.S. each year. Yet, veterans make up a staggering 33% of all diagnoses, largely […]
June 9, 2025
Golf carts have become a staple of summer fun in South Carolina. While they offer a convenient way to get around, it’s crucial for every operator to understand the state’s specific laws to ensure safety and avoid legal trouble. At Bluestein Attorneys, your trusted legal advocates in South Carolina, we want to help you stay informed. Knowing what’s legal and what’s illegal when operating a golf cart on public roads is key to a safe and enjoyable experience as recently reported by WIS 10. What’s Legal for Golf Carts in South Carolina? To operate a golf cart legally on public roads in South Carolina, you must adhere to several important regulations: Driver Requirements: The operator must be at least 16 years old and possess a valid driver’s license. It’s illegal for unlicensed minors to drive a golf cart on public roads, even with an adult present. Permit and Registration: Your golf cart must […]
May 27, 2025
As the South Carolina summer unfolds, golf carts are increasingly popular for transportation in South Carolina, and surrounding areas. Once confined to golf courses, these vehicles are now common sights in residential communities and vacation spots. However, this surge in golf cart use correlates with a significant rise in golf cart accidents and subsequent injuries, particularly affecting vulnerable populations like children and those without proper training. Alarmingly, statistics reveal that over 55% of golf cart injuries happen during the summer months (May to September), with weekends and holidays posing the highest risk. Many incidents occur on private land or low-speed roads, potentially leading to a dangerous underestimation of the risks involved. Tragically, in some cases, these accidents can even be fatal, as was recently highlighted by the tragic passing of Jeff Sperbeck, bringing golf cart safety in the spotlight after tragic incident. Understanding the primary causes of golf cart accidents is vital for prevention: Speeding and Sharp Turns: Operating golf […]
May 12, 2025
Injured at work? Wondering what to do next? Two common avenues exist for obtaining compensation after a workplace injury. One option — and the most commonly used — is filing for workers’ compensation, which covers medical bills and lost wages. But there may be more to your workers’ compensation case than you realize, and that’s where the second avenue comes in. The second option, which may be available under certain circumstances, is to pursue a third-party lawsuit in addition to your workers’ compensation benefits. Understanding both options could significantly impact your recovery — both physically and financially. What Is a Third-Party Liability Lawsuit? Third-party liability lawsuits are legal claims related to workplace injuries but separate from workers’ compensation, which only involves an employer. As the name suggests, these lawsuits are filed against a third party (an individual or entity) other than the worker’s employer, who bears at least some […]