Miscellaneous

• Dangerous Dogs In Fairfax County

  Ben Glass | November 01, 2007 10:45 AM | 0 CommentsNorthern Virginia, VA

  I'm so glad to learn that upon searching, there are no dangerous dogs in Fairfax County.Now I can sleep at night.I'm sorry. This is idiotic. Who is going to go here to search. How much did Virginia spend on this?Oh, I get it now.The state is requiring liability insurance for dangerous dogs. Wonder who is insuring that?Here's the code section:Virginia Code § 3.1-796.93:1. Control of dangerous or...

• "No" to Mandatory Legal Malpractice Insurance

  Ben Glass | October 31, 2007 8:59 AM | 0 CommentsNorthern Virginia, VA

  The Virginia State Bar is again considering the issue of forcing lawyers to buy malpractice insurance. Complete waste of time.Their own statistics show that 90% of lawyers who deal with the public have malpractice insurance.I think that lawyers should carry malpractice insurance but its not the business of the bar to force any business owner to carry insurance any more than it could force the...

• "Sign Here and We'll Settle Quick"

  Ben Glass | October 25, 2007 1:04 PM | 0 CommentsNorthern Virginia, VA

  We often hear from potential clients who are being pressured by major insurance companies to sign documents now and "we'll be able to settle this case real quick."This is usually a really bad move.Don't be rushed, you have time.According to published reports, attorneys Robert Brown and Guy Daugherty of Norfolk, Virginia just completed a case where the neck pain, while noted in some of the...

• Is "SueEasy.com" for Real?

  Ben Glass | October 23, 2007 8:34 PM | 0 CommentsNorthern Virginia, VA

  The Wall Street Journal Blog had a post about SueEasy.com last week. Of course it blasted the site as indicative of today's "sue-happy" culture. But is the site for real? Can't tell yet. It looks to me like something a tort reformer would put up just to shoot at (and get tthe WSJ to blog about!).No legitimate trial lawyer would be involved in such a stupid site. No legitimate plaintiff would use...

• Another Reason for Long Social Security Claim Delays

  Ben Glass | October 03, 2007 8:05 AM | 0 CommentsNorthern Virginia, VA

  North Carolina Social Security Disability attorney Brent Adams makes and excellent point about long delays in social security disability claims. He quotes an excellent commentary from administrative law judge Ronald Bernoski, writing in the Charlotte Observer.I've got an additional theory. Fraud by the major long-term disability insurance companies. Here's how it works:Most long term disability...

• Video Surveillance Sinks Texas Claim

  Ben Glass | October 01, 2007 10:54 AM | 0 CommentsNorthern Virginia, VA

  A claimant who was caught on video (by Liberty Life Assurance Company of Boston) doing things she said she couldn't do, has had her disability claim denied by a federal judge who called the claim "fraudulent." According to a September 23, 2007 opinion, Perri Lemon was shown stooping, bending and kneeling, among other things. This contrasted with the report of her condition her doctor made that...

• Who Else May Be Responsible for This Sad Death

  Ben Glass | September 30, 2007 7:34 AM | 0 CommentsNorthern Virginia, VA

  The death of Leesburg, Virginia resident Kathleen Becker, killed by a drunk teenager, raises once again the issue of holding everyone responsible who played a part in this tragedy. According to the Washington Post, the Westfield High School student has now been charged with involuntary manslaughter and may face trial as an adult. But someone either sold this young lady alcohol or served it to...

• Don't Talk to the Insurance Industry "Unarmed"

  Ben Glass | September 28, 2007 9:08 AM | 0 CommentsNorthern Virginia, VA

  "Unarmed" with good information, that is. Alaska personal injury attorney Michael Schneider has a great example today of how an injured victim's trust ended up costing him. According to Mike, the Allstate rep "earned" the victim's trust with their "you don't need a lawyer, you'll do just fine with us" mantra.The problem is that in dealing with an adjuster, the information is usually flowing only...

• Jeanmarie Devolites-Davis Blames Tech Tragedy on Trial Lawyers

  Ben Glass | September 27, 2007 2:15 PM | 0 CommentsNorthern Virginia, VA

  The Republicans in Virginia are disperately trying to hold onto their seats in the Virginia General Assembly. On September 18, Republican Senator Jeanmarie Devolites-Davis, was in a debate with Chap Peterson when this question was posted:"In light of the tragedy at Virginia Tech, how will can we improve access to student records, particularly involving mental health?"Her answer: "the fear of...

• $10.4 Million Virginia Verdict "Not Excessive"

  Ben Glass | September 27, 2007 8:17 AM | 0 CommentsNorthern Virginia, VA

  The Supreme Court of Virginia has ruled that a City of Newport News jury's verdict of $10.4 million did not "shock the conscience of the court" in a case involving exposure to asbestoses. The defendant, John Crane, Inc. urged the Supreme Court to look at "average verdicts" in other similar cases involving injury and death from asbestos. Rejecting that argument, the Court ruled that the facts and...