April 28, 2017

BNTD’s Nichols, Bluestein and Sullivan selected for 2017 Super Lawyers List

We have some news to share from the office here at BNTD Law — partners John Nichols, Marti Bluestein, and Allison Sullivan have all been recently recognized by Super Lawyers Magazine! More information continues below.
April 18, 2017

Workers Compensation and Medicare: What if You Settle Your Case?

Last week, we took a look at how Workers Compensation claims can affect other government benefits, such as Social Security Disability (or SSDI), Medicare, and more. One thing we just touched on in that post was how your access to and benefits from Medicare can be affected. Today, we’ll go a little more in-depth and answer the question, “What happens to my Medicare if I settle my Workers Compensation claim?”
April 6, 2017

Does Workers Compensation Affect Medicare or Other Benefits?

Workers Compensation can be granted for any number of workplace-related injuries or illnesses caused by the workplace environment, including slips and falls, mental injuries, and more. Previously, we’ve answered Workers Compensation question like: How Much is My Workers Compensation Case Worth? My Employer Denied My Workers Compensation Claim. Can I Take Them to Court? What is the Role of Supervisors in Workers Compensation? Many workers who receive Workers Compensation may do so while receiving other benefits like SSDI or Medicare, and this grows more common as the average age of the American employee rises. Does Workers Compensation affect Medicare or other government benefits? Let’s take a look.
March 30, 2017

Are There Driverless Car Laws in South Carolina?

Driverless cars have been making national headlines since the original autonomous Tesla was first introduced.  Unfortunately, not all of these headlines have been positive. While Pittsburgh and other Pennsylvania cities continue to grapple with the safety and regulations of driverless Uber cars, other areas of the country have seen these autonomous vehicles involved in fatal crashes when the computer failed to recognize the difference between a clear blue sky and the side of a tractor trailer on a busy highway. Surveys have consistently shown that high numbers of current drivers are nervous or concerned about the potential for serious car wrecks involving driverless cars, with one national survey showing 3 out of 4 survey respondents stating they would be afraid to ride in a driverless car. With autonomous vehicles like the Tesla S are on the rise, you may be looking at headlines like this (in which autonomous cars ‘self-crashed’ during tests) and wondering… […]
March 21, 2017

Tired of Unwanted Junk Faxes? The TCPA May Protect You.

Unsolicited faxes have been a thorn in the side of businesses from the first day that fax machines became a common piece of equipment in just about every office. They interrupt your work, monopolize your fax line, and they’re not just a drain on your costly ink cartridges, but on your productivity, too. Most business owners have become resigned to unwanted junk faxes as just a part of the cost of doing business. Did you know that solicitations from businesses that you’ve never had a relationship with, and have no requested advertising from, could be against the law? 
March 17, 2017

Considering Becoming a Qui Tam Whistleblower? Read This First.

When you think of someone becoming a whistleblower, you may think of famous cases like Deep Throat and Watergate in the 70’s, Mark Whitacre and the price-fixing case that made national headlines in 1992, the fraud investigator who discovered Bernie Madoff’s crimes, and other headline-news events. Being a whistleblower on fraud doesn’t usually end up on the six o’clock news, however. Often, it looks more like everyday American citizens who stumble upon fraud being perpetrated against the state or federal government. When these citizens bring this information to the light, they become qui tam (KEE-tam) whistleblowers. Many whistleblowers work for the institutions or people they discover are committing fraud. If you have discovered that your employer is defrauding the United States government, you may wonder whether or not it’s safe to bring your suspicions or knowledge to light. Here are some tips for protecting yourself when becoming a qui tam […]
March 7, 2017

Injured By a Defective Product? You Have Options in South Carolina!

When you’ve been injured by a defective product, it may be hard to know where to turn. Should you simply try to return the product for the money you initially paid for it, taking on the cost of medical care for your injuries by yourself? Should you sue? In South Carolina, those who have been injured or made ill due to defective products they purchased have the ability to bring a products liability claim to court. Let’s take a look at the basics of defective product liability in South Carolina, what you’ll need to do to prove your claim, and what steps you should take in the event of injury or illness in this situation.
February 28, 2017

My Employer Denied My Workers Compensation Claim. Can I Take Them to Court?

Although work environments are much safer than in years past, work injuries still happen. Approximately 35,000 claims are filed each year in South Carolina for work related injuries or illnesses. South Carolina’s Workers Compensation law can cover the costs of medical care and provided compensation for time off work required for recovery after an on-the-job illness or injury.  Additionally, if the injury results in permanent disability, you may also be entitled to additional benefits for that disability If your workers compensation claim was denied, you may be wondering what to do next. Should you take your boss or company to court to attempt to recover the costs of medical care and time spent off work? Today, we’ll walk through the basics of why a claim might be denied, and what steps you should take to ensure your individual rights are respected.
February 20, 2017

Hiring a Personal Injury Attorney in South Carolina? Here’s What to Do:

Whether you’ve been the victim of a dog bite, your car has been damaged (or you’ve sustained injury) as a result of a vehicular collision involving a car, motorcycle, or tractor trailer, you or a family member has suffered due to medical malpractice, or any other personal injury matters, you may find yourself looking to hire a personal injury lawyer in South Carolina. Trying to decide how to get started on hiring an attorney to represent you in a court of law can be intimidating. We’d like to help make it easier by giving you a few tips on what to do when you’re preparing to meet with a personal injury attorney for the first time.