Legal Bugle

A lawyer who has passed the bar exam and is practicing law, with specialization in a particular area, is usually considered that type of attorney . For example, an attorney that handles clients with family law issues may be thought of as a divorce attorney. Likewise, an attorney that helps clients with wills and matters of estate may be considered a probate attorney. The type of attorney is defined by what branch of the law for which the attorney specializes.

Attorneys who maintain a private practice may handle all types of matters for their clients. There may be duties involving contract law, trusts and wills, matters involving interpretation of tax laws or even more. If the situation the client needs help with gets beyond the experience of the attorney, a good attorney will refer his client to another attorney who specializes in that area of law. (more…)

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) recently released a recommendation to the United States that a ban be imposed on all use of cell phones while operating a motor vehicle.  The federal organization has no power to enact laws, but because they are responsible for investigating and reporting on transportation safety issues, they do have tremendous influence with lawmakers at both the state and federal levels.  And although many states currently have laws prohibiting texting while driving (35 states plus the District of Columbia) and use of cell phones for new drivers (30 states), not to mention laws requiring the use of hands-free devices while driving (9 states), banning all use of cell phones while driving is a pretty controversial stance. (more…)

The holidays are intended to be a time of fun and relaxation after long months of hard work, and parties are something that employees look forward to so they can blow off steam, drink some eggnog, and generally have a good time.  Unfortunately, these sorts of events have a tendency to get out of hand, which can lead to inappropriate behaviors and maybe even lawsuits.  Here are a few tips to help you avoid trouble at the company Christmas party this year: (more…)

You might be familiar with former Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich for the legal troubles (allegations of fraud and solicitation of bribery) that got him impeached from his office, banned from holding public office in Illinois in the future, and most recently, sentenced to fourteen years in federal prison.  He also had his law license suspended, which means he can’t even act as his own attorney (insert rim shot following punch line).  In truth, he did not turn out to be a popular governor, and it’s fairly common knowledge that he used the confusion with his opponent’s name to turn the election in his favor (many voters confused candidate Jim Ryan with former Illinois governor George Ryan, no relation, who was convicted on federal corruption charges).  And now it seems that alcohol was to blame for his poor decisions. (more…)

A doppelganger, according to German mythology, is literally your evil twin, an exact replica of you that bodes no good.  The word has come to mean to anyone who looks like you, but the creepy context remains.

Mark Zuckerberg has one.

You’ve heard of him – the founder of Facebook, recently immortalized by actor Jesse Eisenberg in the 2010 film The Social Network that documents Zuckerberg’s rise to becoming a multibillionaire. (more…)

You may know Saab best for their boxy yuppie-mobiles, but the Swedish company was actually founded for the purposes of aerospace and defense back in 1937, making only airplanes until the 1940s, when they sought to diversify (probably after the end of WWII).  It was at this point that they began making their signature automobiles, which have since become synonymous with safety and reliability, if not exactly style.  And while the company had a run of success a couple of decades ago, the popularity of their vehicles dropped off in the ‘90s, precipitating a takeover by General Motors (which bought out the Saab Automobile division between 1989 and 2000).  And they’ve been on something of a roller coaster ride ever since, ending with the company’s recent filing for bankruptcy. (more…)

Ok, so it’s January, the Christmas period is officially over, and it’s time to return those gifts that were faulty or unwanted. So how does the law help you?

Firstly, make sure you do your research! A ‘Which?’ survey found that 82% of consumers who attempted to return a gift in the last two years had experienced difficulties when it came to getting a refund. Many retailers, no matter how big, will refuse to make you aware of your consumer rights, and even attempt to flout them. (more…)

If you are arrested for a DUI charge, you will almost certainly need to retain the services of a qualified DUI attorney to help protect your rights. Without an experience lawyer, you may suffer from unnecessary consequences and harsher punishments than are typical. Keep these 5 important aspects in mind as you choose your own lawyer. (more…)

A medical negligence claim is a legal proceeding against a medical professional for errors, omissions or even neglect where this has led to some form the patient can demonstrate harm or injury.

A commonly asked question is who may bring a medical negligence claim? The answer is simple, any person who can demonstrate to a court that they has been harmed in some fashion by the treating professional. Examples include where a doctor fails to diagnose an illness, a nurse does not follow standardized protocol or a test is administered incorrectly. Medical negligence also includes improperly conducting medical surgery or causing another injury while in the care of a professional. (more…)

Police see increases in hit-and-run accidents, and they advise “Protect yourself!” Law enforcement officials lament, however, most hit-and-run victims have no idea how to manage their injuries and losses.

In the twenty-five largest American cities, hit and run accident statistics stun and terrify: Felony hit-and-run is far more common than most people imagine. Reckless, negligent drivers flee the scene in one of every four serious traffic accidents. Similarly, hit-and-run accidents do far more damage than most people suspect. Nearly two-thirds of hit-and-run accidents involve pedestrians or bicyclists, and the majority of hit-and-run victims sustain serious injuries, which require extensive treatment and prolonged rehabilitation. Not surprisingly, the majority of drivers who flee accident scenes either are driving on suspended licenses, are carrying no insurance, or are driving under the influence of alcohol or narcotics at the time of the accident. Police apprehend only a fraction of all drivers suspected of hit-and-run, typically catching them during subsequent traffic stops. (more…)