September 8, 2017
Some serious changes are coming for South Carolina’s drug possession laws. New legislation aimed at addressing the growing opioid and heroin epidemic is making its way through the State House and Senate, and the South Carolina Attorney General is in the process of suing the maker of Oxycontin, one of the most well-known opioids on the market, for alleged deceptive marketing practices. The Attorney General cites Purdue Pharma “downplaying the addictive quality” of the drug as one of the main alleged deceptions. The State House and Senate aren’t waiting for the outcome of the lawsuit, however: a slate of bills were introduced as early as February by a group of Republican state lawmakers intended to address the opioid epidemic from a legislative point of view. We’ll take a look at a few of these bills, and how they could affect prescription drug possession laws in South Carolina.
August 31, 2017
Whether you’ve been involved in a hit-and-run, a car wreck that included texting-while-driving as a factor, or someone simply ran a stop sign — there are a thousand ways for a collision to happen while on the road. Some of the most potentially destructive types of vehicle collisions involve semi trucks, also known as tractor trailers.
August 24, 2017
In an earlier post, we took a look into filing a personal injury lawsuit after a dog bite, including what steps to take immediately following being bitten, and potential legal outcomes. Many states utilize a so-called “one bite rule” when it comes to lawsuits following a dog bite. South Carolina stands apart in this case, as well as in their use of the “provocation defense”. What is the “one bite” rule? Why doesn’t South Carolina use the “one bite” rule, and what is the “provocation defense” in dog bite cases? Let’s take a look.
August 15, 2017
The “image” of those applying for VA Disability tends to fall into two categories: older Veteran servicemembers from around the time of Vietnam, or soldiers just now coming back from time spent in the Middle East. While these two groups make up a significant percentage of VA Disability representation, there is one group of Veterans that too often find themselves left out — those who served during Operation Desert Storm and the first Gulf War conflict. Relatively few VA Disability claims have been approved for the resulting health issues from smoke inhalation and other issues Gulf War Veterans suffered, but our case today shows a victory for Desert Storm Veterans seeking VA Disability. Let’s take a closer look.
August 10, 2017
Last week’s post, “Can Mediation Help You Avoid Going to Trial?“, went over the basics of the mediation process and how it can benefit those looking to avoid going before a judge or jury in a courtroom. Today, we’re going to take a closer look into two types of case resolution— direct negotiation and assisted mediation — how they differ, and how to know which process may work better in your unique situation. Lawsuit mediation is quite often ordered by the court during a lawsuit’s early stages. Even if you are certain that your particular situation will end in court, it’s worth taking the time to familiarize yourself with this particular tool, to ensure you have all the information you need before moving forward.
July 21, 2017
Were you involved in a court case and you feel that the outcome was unjust? You may be wondering if appealing your case is an option and just what goes into an appeal. If you’re considering speaking with a legal representative about the possibility of appeal, we have a few basic facts you may want to know.
July 13, 2017
When a veteran applies for VA Disability benefits as a result of service-connected conditions or other concerns,, they often present reams of documentation to prove their claim to the VA. One of the documents that you may find useful, when looking to provide supporting evidence, is a “buddy statement.” What is a VA Disability buddy statement, and when is a buddy statement important for proving your claim? Let’s take a closer look.
July 6, 2017
Social Security Disability, intended to help those who find it hard or even physically impossible to support their households through employment due to injury or disease, can be difficult to gain access to. On average, 55% of applicants are ultimately rejected. It can take nearly two years just to get a hearing. Many of those with “invisible” disabilities — that is, disabling illnesses or injuries that are not immediately visible or apparent — find it even more strenuous and frustrating a process. Having an “invisible” disability doesn’t mean you can’t still get access to the Social Security Disability benefits that will allow you to maintain your quality of life. Today, we’ll take a look at these sometimes hard-to-prove disabilities and what you can do to fight for your individual rights when applying for SSD.
June 29, 2017
Our nation’s “birthday”, the Fourth of July is famous for fireworks, backyard barbecue parties, and red, white, and blue desserts. Unfortunately, the Fourth of July isn’t just a popular day for pulling out the grill — it’s also one of the top days for serious injury or accidents due to misused fireworks, drunk drivers, and other increased risks. We have three essential safety tips to keep in mind to help you make the most of our nation’s 241st birthday.