December 11, 2025
Electric pressure cookers have become a popular kitchen staple, but recent incidents across the country show they may be far more dangerous than advertised. Over the past several months, pressure cooker explosions and recalls have surged many involving well-known brands sold in big-box stores and online marketplaces. At Bluestein Attorneys, we’re monitoring these developments closely to help protect South Carolina consumers from defective products that can cause catastrophic burn injuries. Recent Pressure Cooker Incidents and Recalls Several lawsuits filed in the last several months highlight a concerning pattern: Farberware (sold at Walmart): A Louisiana woman suffered serious burns after the lid allegedly blew off, launching hot contents outward. Sunbeam Crock-Pot: A Michigan plaintiff claims the lid opened while still under pressure, causing severe burns. Ambiano (sold at Aldi): An October recall followed reports of hot contents being forcefully ejected while the unit was still pressurized. Instant Pot (sold through Amazon): A Colorado lawsuit alleges the […]
November 24, 2025
Holiday travel brings some of the busiest and most dangerous driving days of the year in South Carolina. Congested highways, distracted drivers, and unpredictable weather all contribute to a rise in car crashes and injuries. As a personal injury law firm based in Columbia, SC, Bluestein Attorneys wants to help you and your family stay safe. These practical holiday travel safety tips are designed to reduce your risk on the road and ensure you know what to do if you’re injured and need guidance from an experienced car accident attorney in South Carolina. Holiday Travel Safety Tips Every South Carolina Family Should Know The holidays bring excitement, celebration, and unfortunately some of the busiest and most dangerous travel days of the year. Whether you’re driving across the state to visit family or the country staying safe is key. At Bluestein Attorneys, we want you and your loved ones to enjoy a stress-free […]
November 6, 2025
We’re deeply honored to be recognized once again by Best Lawyers in America®. Even after 16 years, the thrill of being cited among the best never gets old. ****** Honored for Excellence Across Multiple Practice Areas On the 2026 list, the firm was named to Metropolitan Tier 1 in Columbia in the following practice areas: Appellate Practice Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs Product Liability Litigation – Plaintiffs Workers’ Compensation Law – Claimants Celebrating Our Honored Attorneys No firm is considered for this recognition unless it has at least one lawyer included in The Best Lawyers in America® in the same year. In August, four Bluestein Attorneys were honored with that distinction: Margaret “Marti” Miles Bluestein in the area of Workers’ Compensation Law Clarke Newton in the areas of Personal Injury Litigation and Product Liability Litigation John Shannon Nichols in the area of Appellate Practice Allison Sullivan in the areas of […]
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 […]