Recent Blog Posts
WILL “DISCOVERY” INVADE MY RIGHT TO PRIVACY?
Sometimes in the course of discussion about the pros and cons of proceeding into litigation a client will ask me, “Will the discovery process invade my right to privacy?” The short answer is – “Yes”. If “right to privacy” means an expectation on your part that you would be able to avoid having to… Read More »
BUILDING A CASE THROUGH PUBLIC RECORDS
Federal, state, and local governments, as well as their various agencies and subparts, generate records for countless reasons. The public has a great interest in transparent government. As a result, there are laws on the books for the safekeeping and release of public records. Under federal law, there is the Freedom of Information Act… Read More »
CAN WE NEGOTIATE UP FROM A LOWBALL OFFER?
The short answer is: “Yes, maybe”. As long as the initial lowball isn’t so low it is offensive and would leave you—the injured person—“in the hole” financially speaking, there is a chance that productive back and forth negotiation could occur. To see an overview of the typical personal injury claim process, click here. This blog… Read More »
SHOULD I KEEP A JOURNAL AFTER I GET INJURED?
So you’ve heard that your personal injury case might drag out a long while. You also know it’s likely that someday a bunch of insurance adjusters, lawyers, and doctors are going to be asking you a lot of questions about what happened, what hurt, how long it hurt for, and how it impacted your… Read More »
PREVENTING BRAIN INJURY – BICYCLE HELMETS AND CHILDREN – LET’S MAKE IT HAPPEN
(from left) Partner Scott Staples, Office Manager Paula Kleven, Caden, and me In pushing for safety through the formation of a volunteer fire department in the city of Philadelphia in 1736, Benjamin Franklin wrote: “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” In the case of bike helmets, and protection of the… Read More »
HOW DO INSURANCE COMPANIES EVALUATE CLAIMS?
I started my career working for the largest insurance defense law firm on the West Coast. I spent three years working directly with insurance adjusters as they evaluated cases, and determined whether to cover an insurance claim submitted by one of their insureds. After this experience I was offered a position working directly for… Read More »
WHAT IS A POLICY LIMIT?
What is a Policy Limit? Short Answer: It’s the most money an insurance company is contracted to pay out for its insured for a specific purpose. LONG-WINDED & MORE INFORMATIONAL ANSWER In any industry, the jargon and shorthand people in that field use can cause even the sharpest of outsiders’ eyes to glaze over. Attorneys… Read More »
WHAT COMPENSATION FOR DAMAGES ENDS UP IN MY POCKET WHEN A CLAIM RESOLVES?
It is important to understand, generally, how to determine what compensation for damages actually ends up in your pocket when a personal injury claim resolves. As we’ve said before on this blog: “Sometimes, when a case is at its end — whether that is a settlement or a jury verdict – clients think that means the… Read More »
SHOULD I TRUST MY OWN INSURANCE COMPANY?
You’re trying to navigate the maze of issues after a car crash: medical payments, property damage, rental cars, bodily injury settlements. You may find yourself asking, “should I trust my own insurance company?”, in terms of what they tell you, what they want you to do or sign, and whether what they’re offering you… Read More »
OUT OF OFFICE: SCHAUERMANN THAYER HITS THE SLOPES
For skiers and snowboarders, the snowstorms this February were a welcome sight for fun. About two weeks in advance, Scott Staples, Scott Edwards, and I planned our ski day at Mt. Hood Meadows. The weather forecast did not give us any real idea of what to expect until just a few days before. By… Read More »
