Best Discrimination Attorneys in Panama City Beach, FL

The very first thing you should do in the event of a car accident is to contact law enforcement. Regardless of how you feel, or what the other parties suggest, we firmly believe that it is helpful to get an accident report and to have law enforcement investigate the accident. Second, seek medical attention immediately. Often you may not feel hurt, as your adrenaline may be preventing you from feeling the full extent of your injuries. Additionally, some injuries can take days to present themselves. As such, we believe that it is important to have a full medical examination by a medical professional. If you are able, take pictures of the accident scene, as this may be helpful later. You should never admit fault, even if you think that the accident was your fault. Quite simply, you may not be in a position to know all of the details of the accident at that time. Finally, get the contact details and insurance information of anyone involved in the accident (law enforcement can help facilitate this). Then, contact a lawyer who can evaluate your claim and immediately devise a plan to protect your rights.

If your claim is denied, the next step will be to file for reconsideration. At reconsideration, the claim is evaluated by a different examiner and state agency physician. If the claim is denied at reconsideration, you may request a hearing before an administrative law judge. Please note there are strict time deadlines to appeal decisions or file for reconsideration, and if you file late, then you have no recourse and have to start over. Usually, this is the point at which you will want to hire an attorney. Many claims are denied by Social Security in the initial stages. However, a majority are then approved at the hearing level. You have a good chance of winning at hearing level so it is important not to give up.

In most cases, the statute of limitations requires that you file your lawsuit within two years of the date of the injury, or else you can be prohibited from recovering from the negligent party. However, this deadline may be longer or shorter depending upon a variety of factors, such as the type of negligence (medical malpractice, birth injury, product defect), the age of the victim (minor, adult), and the status of the defendant (public entity, private person). Two years may seem like a long time, but it can pass by quickly while you are busy with the aftermath of a serious personal injury, such as concentrating on your physical recovery; dealing with insurance forms, doctor and hospital bills, and other paperwork; and getting back to work or collecting disability. If you are talking to the insurance company about a settlement, these negotiations can drag on past the deadline for you to file a lawsuit if you are not careful, which can be disastrous to your case. Contacting an attorney soon after the accident will help ensure that the statute of limitations will not be overlooked, as well as handling other important matters such as notifying your insurance company in a timely fashion. Also, your lawyer will get started right away gathering important evidence and preparing your case for the best result either through settlement or verdict.

Child support is calculated according to a statutory formula, but it can be more complicated than simply plugging in numbers. The formula can quickly become confusing when both parents are wage earners, or when one parent is self-employed or owns a business. Some individuals may also try to hide assets in order to pay less in child support or alimony or to take advantage of the other in the property settlement. Finally, even though child support is established according to statutory guidelines, the judge has the authority to deviate from these guidelines in appropriate cases. Having an attorney on your side can help make sure you are fairly represented throughout the process and that neither you nor your children are taken advantage of.