How You Should Prepare for a Legal Consultation

Sometimes, when a person is considering a lawsuit against another person, he or she knows that a lawyer is necessary, but is unsure how to actually find one.  And, even if you find one, sometimes people are still unsure how to talk to one about your specific case and judge whether or not a given attorney is a good fit for them.  One mistake people frequently make is to not prepare for a legal consultation with a potential attorney at all, and they end up overwhelmed during their first meeting.  The result of this might be that a person leaves without an attorney, or that he or she hires the wrong person.

However, by preparing adequately for an initial legal consultation, you can guard against making this common mistake, and you can better your chances of hiring a person who is actually right for your legal and financial needs.

Questions You Should Ask

Every consultation is different for each individual, so your initial consultation with an attorney will be different from someone else’s.  Many people do not know where to start when they are getting ready to talk with an attorney, and end up just hiring the first person they talk to.  But with the right preparation, and with the right questions in hand, you can better ensure that your consultation will actually be fruitful for you.  Consider asking the following questions early in the consultation:

1. Have you won cases similar to mine in the past?  How many?
2. What kind of legal service fees / charges are applied to my case?  Are they the same if we do not win the case?
3. What will you need me to do during the lawsuit?  What will be my role?
4. Can I reach you easily throughout the case if I have questions or concerns?  What’s the best way to reach you?
5. Will you personally be handling my case, or will it be given to someone else at the firm?

These questions are just to get you started, and you can prepare for a legal consultation in other important ways.  For instance, you will want to be sure to begin collecting any information that you think could be relevant for your case, including pictures of your accident or injury, receipts from medical bills or hospital stays, or other physical evidence that documents your accident, injury, or expenses.

All of these steps could make an initial legal consultation easier for you, and result in a more fruitful meeting.  If you are considering filing a personal injury lawsuit, a consultation with an experienced injury lawyer is the first step to take.  Knowing how to prepare for this consultation can help you make sure you get the right representation, making the entire legal process easier on you.

What is an Accutane Lawsuit?

If you were prescribed with Accutane prior to 2009, you may be eligible for filing an Accutane lawsuit if you develop any of the diseases or medical conditions associated with taking the drug. Children who were born with birth defects because their mothers were prescribed with Accutane during pregnancy may also have a personal injury claim.

Accutane is the brand name for isotretinoin, a drug that was originally developed as a form of chemotherapy, but was observed to be a good treatment protocol for severe acne. Developed by Roche Pharmaceuticals, it wasn’t until around 1992, ten years after the drug was introduced into the market, that serious side effects began to be associated with the drug. Chief among these side-effects are birth defects and inflammatory bowel disorders such as Cronh’s disease or ulcerative colitis. It is also associated with depression and suicide.

To date, the manufacturer has been besieged with personal injury claims in excess of 7,000. This is a low figure considering that approximately 16 million people have been prescribed with Accutane before it was recalled from the US market in 2009. More cases are pending. Roche Pharmaceuticals has paid out $53 million to patients as of 2012, the majority of which went to three plaintiffs.

Isotretinoin is still being prescribed under the iPledge program but under strict supervision and only in very specific cases. Patients prescribed with isotretinoin are provided with information regarding the possible side-effects and sign a waiver prior to being admitted for treatment.

Not all claims succeed in making it to trial. It is likely that dismissed cases were not handled properly. If you believe that the drug was directly responsible for your illness, consult with an attorney experienced in drug liability cases to assess your claim and to help you file an Accutane lawsuit if your case is eligible.

Three Innovations for Car Accident Prevention

There are thousands of injuries and deaths reported every year which are attributed to reckless or negligent driving. Defensive driving techniques and careful attention to the road can greatly reduce your risk of an accident, but there are some times when another drivers’ negligence creates an unavoidable accident. It could be a momentary lapse in concentration, fatigue or just bad luck. The following gadgets could mean the difference between an accident and a near-miss, and could be well worth the trouble of obtaining them.

• iPhone Anti-sleep Pilot App – Cell phones have taken a large share of the blame when it comes to preventable car accidents due to individuals texting and calling while driving. Today’s smart phones are capable of more than fielding texts and calls. The iPhone anti-sleep pilot, for instance, is an app that gauges your fatigue level using your own input and the device’s GPS function. It can be customized for different drivers. The app requires the driver to occasionally tap a button that will pop up at intervals which will gauge your current fatigue level, and will recommend driving breaks when appropriate, a process which helps prevent you from falling asleep at the wheel.
• Anti-Sleep Driving Alarm – If you don’t have an iPhone or iPod, you can still have an anti-sleep alarm gadget. The simplest  types are worn around ear and detects when the head tilts more than 30 degrees. An alarm sounds directly into the ear that jerks the sleepy driver awake. It is a great gadget for keeping drivers from nodding off on long trips and preventing car accidents.
• Bluetooth Car Kit – Speaking of calling and texting, this gadget lets you do this safely by routing calls automatically so that you never use your hands. One of the best reviewed Bluetooth car kits is the Motorola Roadster 2, which not only allows you to make and receive calls hands-free, it also allows you to text using voice activation. It clips to the visor so it’s out of the way but still strategically placed. This kit is compatible with most cell phones, but some features are only available for Android phones, such as the Car Finder App. This gadget is a good way to multitask safely.

These three gadgets address two of the leading causes of car accidents: mobile phone use and driver fatigue. The costs are relatively low considering that it could keep you and others from being injured in a car accident.

Boston Marathon Bombing Update

Two bombs exploded at the finish line of the Boston Marathon on Monday, killing three people and injuring more than 160 others.

Investigators believe that the bombs were made from modified pressure cookers left in backpacks on the sidewalk. These pressure cookers were filled with sharp objects and ball bearings in order to inflict piercing and slashing damage when they exploded. Some victims of the bombing were taken to emergency rooms with mere scraps of tissue holding their limbs to the rest of their bodies. A vast majority of the injured are now in stable condition and Boston’s hospitals were able to accommodate all of the victims.

So far, there are no suspects in the case and the bomber’s motive remains unknown. Al Qaeda denies involvement in this bombing. However, two years ago, a magazine with ties to the terror organization described how to convert a pressure cooker into a bomb similar to the ones used in Monday’s explosions. The organization has also been encouraging individuals to act alone, which some believe may be what happened in Boston. Remember, though, that there is no confirmation that this is the case. Remnants of the bombs are being collected to be reconstructed and studied by forensic experts. The clues gathered through this analysis can help create some indication of what kind of pressure cookers were used, which can help narrow down where and when they were purchased.

As the investigation progresses, authorities are asking the public for its cooperation. If you saw anything or have a picture of the scene around the time of the bombing, please share it with the police. You can leave an anonymous message on the city’s tip line at 1-800-494-TIPS or send email to boston@ci.fbi.gov. Other ways you can help the investigation and victims are listed here.

Our thoughts are with our fellow Bostonians and we hope that the perpetrator or perpetrators of this heinous act is soon captured and brought to justice. Many have found solace in the brave reactions of those on the scene who ran towards the explosions to help the wounded. As has been said frequently since the bombing, people who are good greatly outnumber those who are willing to commit evil acts against innocents and always will.

Why People Get Rhinoplasty

Cosmetic surgeries have become fairly common as people seek to improve their overall appearance, repair damage, or seek to rectify medical problems. One of the most popular and well-known types of plastic surgery is rhinoplasty, also known more commonly as a nose job. Rhinoplasty is used to reshape the nose, for both cosmetic reasons as well as for facial reconstructions. However, there are several other reasons why people seek to have a nose job.

One other common reason many people choose to have a nose job is for proper breathing. Because proper oxygen intake is important in the daily functions of the body, having problems with breathing can cause serious complications to a person’s health. For example, a lower oxygen count can cause the heart to pump harder, straining the heart, which can cause it to weaken over time. It can also decrease a person’s concentration and affect brain function. Thus, for people experiencing these and other health problems, rhinoplasty may be one way to help achieve proper breathing and solve these issues.

Additionally, some people may have issues with sleep apnea, a condition where the airways become blocked, clogged up, or closed up while the person is asleep, which can pose significant dangers to the affected person. Although there are many contraptions that help people with sleep apnea, rhinoplasty is among the most effective ways to stop this problem. Reshaping and redesigning the nose helps in relieving this issue for many people.

While many people choose to get nose jobs or rhinoplasty work purely for appearance reasons, there are many who require this type of plastic surgery for their health and well-being. Regardless of what a person’s reason for getting rhinoplasty is though, every person who chooses to undergo this procedure should know how it is done and how it could affect him or her.

DWI Charge of Intoxication Assault

Driving while intoxicated (DWI) charges cover a whole range of alcohol-related cases, and one of the more serious ones is Intoxication Assault. Under Section 49.07 of the Texas Penal Code, it is considered a third degree felony on par with possession of marijuana (5 to 50 lbs), possession of a controlled substance penalty group I i.e. heroin, cocaine (1 to 4 grams) and indecent exposure to a minor.

You can be charged with Intoxication Assault if you accidentally cause serious bodily injury to another person while operating a motor vehicle, aircraft, watercraft or amusement ride with a blood alcohol content of .08 or higher. Under the same circumstances but death to another person happens, this is referred to as Intoxicated Manslaughter, which is much more serious and considered a second degree felony.

The penalties for an Intoxicated Assault conviction may include:

• Maximum fines of $10,000
• Maximum of 600 hours community service
• Probation
• Revocation of license
• Maximum imprisonment of 10 years

But circumstances or your criminal history can either mitigate or exacerbate your punishment. A Texan man was sentenced to 45 years in prison after he was convicted of Intoxicated Assault after a motorcycle accident that left his female companion with serious brain and face injuries. The severity of the sentence was due to his driving with a suspended license and prior conviction records that included a DWI, forgery, possession of marijuana and credit card abuse.

A DWI charge is serious enough even when no one actually gets injured. An Intoxicated Assault charge is much worse, and that’s not including any civil liability that may arise in the aftermath. If you or someone you know is charged with Intoxicated Assault, it is important to consult with DWI attorneys as soon as possible to get a precise assessment of your case and to get advice on your best options of defense.

What is Neuromuscular Dentistry?

Neuromuscular dentistry (ND) is the latest attempt to solve an ancient problem: jaw misalignment. A significant portion of the world’s population (12%) suffers from the incorrect seating of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). The TMJ is the portion of the jaw that is actively associated with speaking and chewing and has a major impact on the muscle, tissue, teeth and nerves of the face. In many instances, facial pain as well as a host of other pain symptoms can be traced to a misalignment of the TMJ. ND is a modality that deals directly with the diagnosis and treatment of temporomandibular joint disorders (TMJD).

The diagnostic phase of ND aims to find the right position for the TMJ so that it can function optimally. In general, the neuromuscular dentist employs a combination of jaw motion analysis, electromyography, computerized mandibular scanning, electro-sonography, joint vibration analysis and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation to find the optimal position. This may suggest there would be a lot of machines in use, however not all of them have to be employed.

Once the “sweet spot” is located on the TMJ, there are several therapies that may be used to reposition the TMJ. One of the most effective methods is through the use of a removable appliance or orthotic for a prescribed period, followed by the appropriate orthodontic treatment to correct occlusion and jaw position.

Not all dentists have the necessary knowledge to provide ND services. TMJD is a complex condition that can be hard to diagnose and treat effectively. But because the effects of TMJD are so far-reaching that it can cause a lot of neuromuscular, skeletal, psychological and emotional problems, it is important to address the problem as soon as possible. Consult with a dentist specializing in ND and TMJD to get an idea of the extent of your condition and what can be done.

Sexual Assault

Statutory rape is defined as the sexual penetration by an adult of a person considered legally incapable of consenting to intercourse. In some states, the prescribed ages of the perpetrator and the victim are defined, while others refer only to the age of the minor, who is generally someone 17 years old or younger.

However, some states don’t include a statutory rape clause in their penal codes. Instead, when there is consent but the female is a minor between the ages of 14 and 17, it is considered sexual assault.

A person charged with sexual assault may face imprisonment between two and 20 years if convicted as a second degree felony. If the minor was less than 14 years of age, the charge becomes aggravated sexual assault, which carries a minimum of 25 years imprisonment.

A defense that may be used by a person charged with sexual assault (where the victim was 14 years old or older and consented) is that of age difference. A person who is less than 36 months older than the victim may avoid a conviction. Other defenses include when the victim and defendant are married, the defendant is insane, there was a lack of intent or knowledge on the part of the defendant, or the contact occurred during medical attention and precluded the use of the mouth, anus or sexual organ of the defendant in any way.

Sexual assault is a serious crime anywhere, especially if aggravating circumstances apply. It is important to consult criminal attorneys experienced in sexual assault cases if you or someone you know is charged with this crime as soon as possible. It may be possible to avoid a conviction if an affirmative defense can be supported, and a criminal lawyer will know precisely how to go about building.

Pine Street Inn and hopeFound Merger Finds Success

Last year’s merger between Pine Street Inn and hopeFound, two local organizations designed to help Boston’s homeless population find work and improve their self-sufficiency, is finding success. The organization will continue to be known as Pine Street Inn and aims to end homelessness in Boston.

The merger made perfect sense, considering the two groups offered complementary services, but did not individually fully equip their clientele for the job market. Before the merger, hopeFound offered job placement, but not training, while Pine Street Inn had training services, but not placements. In addition to the many challenges they already face, homeless individuals had to travel between multiple, independent agencies to get the help they needed.

Because these two agencies have merged, their ability to offer personalized service has drastically improved. Since combining forces, the organizations have helped more than 200 people find jobs, paying an average hourly wage of $11.56.

There are numerous benefits to helping the homeless find work. Not only is getting people off the streets a worthy humanitarian effort, it also adds more people to the tax base, which increases revenue to the government, especially once these people become self-reliant and no longer need aid. In turn, they now have money to spare, which flows back into the economy.

While Pine Street Inn’s good work is deserving of recognition, there is still a lot more that will need to be done to eliminate homelessness in the city. A December 2012 census of Boston’s homeless shows there are nearly 7,000 people in the city who don’t have a place to call home. However, of these homeless, less than 200 live on the street, which is a relatively good figure for a city of Boston’s size. To learn about what you can do to help fight homelessness in Boston, click here.

Assault: Criminal or Civil?

To ensure a fair trial and possibly be saved from a criminal conviction, you will need a criminal lawyer who is proficient in all aspects of criminal law. Lawyers should know and understand that a criminal charge alone can already alter your present life and your future. It is a serious thing that no one can and should take lightly.

There are many kinds of criminal acts one can be accused of – from a simple misdemeanor to a serious offense. As the offense aggravates, so does the need for evidences. Other than evidence, what you will also want to have is a really good lawyer who can put up a strong defense on your behalf.

One serious criminal act is assault, which is an unlawful attempt to inflict bodily harm upon another, whether due to malice or negligence. Assaults are classified as either simple assault or aggravated assault. It is simple assault if there is no intent to inflict any other harm on a person; it is considered aggravated if the offender attempts to inflict serious bodily harm while being extremely indifferent to the value of human life. This includes an attempt to (intentionally) cause bodily injury with the use of a deadly weapon.

An assault can be considered as a criminal or a civil wrong. If the intent of the victim is to sue for damages or compensation, then it will be tried as a civil offense. The different forms of assault include assault and battery, rape and sexual assault, domestic violence, manslaughter and vehicular manslaughter, intoxication manslaughter, negligent homicide, murder or homicide, and felony weapons charges.

If found guilty of this crime, the sentence can range from fines, community service, or even long imprisonment.  All too often the accused is at a loss when it comes to offering evidences that will lead to his or her acquittal. Do not delay any move of contacting a criminal attorney to make sure that a solid defense would be made on your behalf.