Legal Bugle

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…)

The past year or two have firmly establish Latin America, and Brazil first and foremost, as very lucrative markets for corporate expansion. Enthusiasm over these markets is at times tempered by concerns over navigating complex international law issues or facing lax legal protection in these new markets, especially when it comes to issues relating to intellectual property and licensing.  In addition, there are very knotty labor and tax laws in these jurisdictions, and the United States has a relatively weak tax treaty structure with Latin America. (more…)

Defaulting on your student loans can have serious consequences. Pursuing an MBA is expensive and student loans are practically a must.  However, by defaulting on those loans you can face lawsuits, wage garnishments and detrimental effects to your credit. If you’ve defaulted on your business school loans, there are ways that you can rebuild your credit, though the process may be a slow one. (more…)

Navigating the ins and outs of filing for bankruptcy can be hard. While many online resources can simplify the laws for your basic understanding, it is impossible to know whether you’ve missed a key component of the law. Complications may arise if your research is incomplete, and you file for bankruptcy without realizing qualifications you may need or fees you may need to pay. Hiring a bankruptcy lawyer to ensure a smooth operation when filing for bankruptcy can eliminate these problems and speed up the process. (more…)

Part of interacting effectively with technology law is understanding what defenses courts will allow and taking appropriate steps based on that understanding. When it comes to issues like the storage of sensitive company and client data, employee mobile device policies, and data control, many companies need the expertise of a technology law firm to even identify relevant court holdings, as well as an onsite technology lawyer to identify where they can make changes to their policies and enforcement in light of these holdings. The overall goal is to avoid problems and especially to limit legal liability in case something goes wrong. (more…)

When a landscaper or any contractor fails to complete a project as promised, you should take legal action. But do not craft a personal episode of “Law and Order” before you have exhausted all your other options.

Your landscape contractor promised a garden fit for Architectural Digest, but he delivered work so sloppy and shoddy most overgrown vacant lots look better than your yard. You see telltale signs your contractor cut costs on materials and plants, and you see other signs that he simply failed to complete the job. Yet the contractor still demands payment according to your original agreement, and you feel a nasty dispute brewing. Take a few deep breaths and calmly consider your alternatives. (more…)