Dog bites can be serious and even life-threatening, and if you have been the victim of a dog bite, you may be wondering whether or not you should pursue a case with the help of a dog bite attorney. Dog bites can be a traumatic experience and unfortunately, they happen more often than many of us would like to admit. If you or a loved one has been the victim of a dog bite, it is important to consider your options for legal action. According to our friends at Cohen Legal, there are various factors to consider when making this important decision:

Understanding Dog Bites

Dog bites are a common injury, and they can lead to serious physical and emotional trauma. In California, for example, a dog bite victim can file a lawsuit to receive financial compensation for the damages they have suffered. In order to do so, it is important to understand the legal rights and responsibilities of both the victim and the dog’s owner. Dog owners are strictly liable for their pet’s actions under most state laws. This means that if a dog bites someone, the owner is legally responsible for any resulting injuries. It does not matter whether the dog had been known to be aggressive in the past or not; the law requires owners to take responsibility for their pet’s behavior.

Determining If You Have a Claim

According to most state’s strict liability laws, the owner of the dog is liable for any injuries that the animal causes, regardless of whether they had knowledge of their pet’s dangerous tendencies or not. To make a successful claim, there are several key elements that must be present. You must be able to show that the injury occurred due to the dog bite or attack, and that the owner of the animal was responsible for the injury. Additionally, you must have proof of the extent of your injuries, including medical records and evidence of lost wages or other damages incurred as a result of the incident.

When determining whether or not you have a valid case, it is important to consider any other contributing factors that may have resulted in your injury. For example, if you provoked or otherwise agitated the dog before it attacked, then you may not be able to pursue a claim against the owner. Similarly, if you were trespassing on private property when the incident occurred, then you may not have a valid claim either.

The Process of Filing a Claim

First, it is important to determine if you have a valid claim. You will need to provide evidence of the dog’s prior behavior, or prior attacks, if any. If the dog was previously declared dangerous by a court, this would be a good starting point. Additionally, you will need to provide proof that the owner was negligent in some way, such as not providing proper containment or warning others of the dog’s tendency to bite.

Once you have determined that you have a valid claim, you should contact an experienced dog bite attorney in your area. Your attorney will help you collect evidence and file the necessary paperwork with the court. The attorney will also provide advice on how to negotiate with the other party for a settlement or go to trial if necessary. The lawyer will also represent you in court proceedings and can help obtain damages from the responsible party. This may include medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and punitive damages (if applicable).

Every member of your family is precious. That’s why you never want to think about anything happening to any of them. However, if you have a loved one that is elderly or you are a senior citizen yourself, elder law impacts you; elderly family members often need protection from serious matters and it’s good to plan ahead just in case. If there is a legal matter that you need guidance on, you can turn to a lawyer for personalized help. They can offer beneficial and specific legal advice so that you can make the best decisions regarding your loved one. If you need more information, do not hesitate to ask a lawyer about how you can consider your options. Below are some of the most common questions that clients have for lawyers who specialize in elder law.

What documents do I need for my estate plan? 

Preparing an estate plan is often a complex possession. And you want to make sure that you do it right. However, knowing exactly what legal document that you need to prepare your plan can be difficult to figure out. There are documents such as a last will and testament, medical directives, financial records and more that you may want to include in order to create a detailed estate plan that addresses your goals.

What are common nursing home abuse signs? 

Finding out that your loved one may be a victim of nursing home abuse is shocking and is difficult to deal with. Common signs of nursing home abuse include unexplained injuries like bruises, anxiety around staff members, and uncharacteristic behavior like changing a will. According to an elder law lawyer from our friends at Kaplan Law Practice, LLC, it’s important if you believe that your loved one is a victim of abuse, you can depend on a trusted lawyer to investigate and assess your case. They will tell you how to prepare your case by gathering evidence, information, and other steps that you need to take.

How should I prepare in case my loved one becomes incapacitated? 

Before your loved one becomes incapacitated, it is a good idea to put together an elder care plan that details what kind of medical treatment they will get, procedures that they consent to, and other important decisions. End of life planning can be a lot to consider, but it is best to know beforehand what kind of care that your loved one will receive. You and your family should have a discussion with your loved one so that they can communicate what kind of treatment that they would prefer to receive as well.

You can ask an elder law lawyer about a variety of issues that impact you as a senior citizen or an aging loved one. Turn to an experienced lawyer who has years of legal experience so that you can navigate your case successfully. Elder law can be a complex topic to understand and it concerns many areas. Whether you need legal or financial assistance, you can count on a lawyer to provide quality legal assistance. If you would like to learn more about how you can receive assistance from an elder law lawyer, request a consultation now.

If you are considering getting a divorce, it’s important to discuss your case with a divorce lawyer residents trust. A divorce isn’t something that you want to go through on your own. An experienced lawyer can guide you through the process and look out for your best interests.

 

Why You Have to Be Honest with Your Divorce Lawyer

Some people going through a divorce find it difficult to be completely truthful with their lawyer. They might feel embarrassed or just don’t want to share private information with a stranger. However, if you want a successful outcome in your case, you must tell the truth. Here are a few reasons why you have to be truthful with your divorce lawyer.

 

• Your lawyer has to be prepared. From collecting evidence to taking depositions, there is a lot that goes into preparing a divorce case. That is why it is important to be honest with your lawyer from the start. You don’t want there to be any surprises. If you don’t provide your lawyer with the truth, he or she may struggle to represent you in court. 

• Your lawyer has likely heard it all. If your divorce lawyer has been in practice for a while, probably nothing you say will shock him or her. Therefore, you should not feel embarrassed to tell your lawyer anything. He or she isn’t there to judge you.

• Your lawyer has to trust you. In order for a successful attorney-client relationship, your Johnson County divorce lawyer, such as from the Law Office of Daniel E. Stuart, P.A. has to be able to trust you. For that to happen, you must tell your lawyer the complete truth. If your lawyer finds out that you lied, he or she may lose trust in you.

• You will feel relieved. Initially, it may be difficult to discuss the private details of your divorce with someone you don’t know. However, once you get it off your chest, you may feel immense relief. You know that your lawyer has all the information he or she needs about your case and that there won’t be surprises later on.

• You have attorney-client privilege. Attorney-client privilege means that your divorce lawyer can’t tell anyone else the information you provide. Unless you give your lawyer consent, he or she has to keep quiet. This can give you peace of mind.

Preparing for a Consultation with a Divorce Lawyer

In order to have a successful first meeting with a divorce lawyer, it is important to come prepared. Gather documents relating to your case, such as mortgage statements, tax returns, prenuptial agreements and joint financial accounts, and bring them to the consultation. Be prepared to answer multiple questions about your case and don’t hesitate to ask questions of your own. For example, you may have questions about your lawyer’s past experience. Write these questions down to avoid forgetting them.

 

Schedule a consultation with a divorce lawyer to discuss your case in detail.

Setting up a new business is challenging. Fortunately, you do not need to go through this process alone. Many business owners choose to set up their business operations as a partnership. A partnership offers many benefits for the founders. It can be an excellent way to create a sustainable, successful, and profitable business. Of course, a business lawyer knows that a partnership will only be able to maximize its potential if the partners are able to work together.

If a serious intra-partnership dispute arises, it could potentially destroy the business. It is critical that business partners take proactive steps to prevent disputes. Further, when a dispute does occur, business partners need to know how to protect the legal rights and financial interests of both themselves and their businesses.

Preventing Disputes with a Carefully Drafted Partnership Agreement

When forming their business, partners should always have a written operating agreement. Further, this agreement should not be a standardized form of contract. Instead, it should be drafted or reviewed by an experienced business lawyer. Every business has its own unique set of needs and a good partnership agreement must be individually tailored. A list of non-exhaustive issues that should be addressed within the agreement includes:

• Day-to-day decision-making
• How disputes are to be resolved
• Details about the financial interests and contributions of each partner
• Information about compensation and distributions
• The process by which shares of the partnership can be transferred
• How the partnership can be terminated

Resolving Disputes by Work Collaboratively, Focusing on the Solutions

A partnership dispute can grind even the best company to a screeching halt. In fact, a long-lasting dispute is likely to cause tremendous damage to the underlying value of the business. Ultimately, it is in the best interests of both partners to get any disputes resolved as quickly as possible. The best way to do this is to work towards collaborative progress. By working together, and focusing on the solutions, partners can often find mutually agreeable answers.

Protecting Your Rights; Be Prepared to Exit the Business

Of course, not all partnership disputes can be resolved. In some cases, there are irreconcilable differences or competing visions. When this situation arises, business partners need to do what they can to protect their remaining value and move on. This means exiting the business as quickly and seamlessly as possible. The last thing you want to deal with is a dispute dragging on and destroying the value of the business. A business lawyer can help you dissolve your partnership in a way that will protect your interests and which will be in accordance with the requirements of state business law.

Contact a Business Law Firm Today

Having your own business can be challenging. Fortunately, you do not need to go through this process alone. Call an experienced attorney, like a new business lawyer from a law firm like Kaplan Law Practice, LLC.