Here in Alaska, we love our outdoor sports and activities. As summer rolls around, one of the favorite pastimes for many Alaskans is to take to the hills riding motorcycles and ATVs. For many people, there is no better way to experience the scenery and beauty of our state. In many cases, however, these trips can lead to a hospital emergency room—or worse.
personal injury lawyers
This Man Turned Down a $50,000 Settlement Offer But Was Awarded $1.63 Million
After being offered just $50,000 by his employer following an injury on the job, a former employer was awarded $1.63 million by a jury.
Rather than taking the low-ball settlement offer, the victim was wise to secure the services of a personal injury lawyer who was not afraid to take the case all the way to court.
In this issue, the Alaska personal injury lawyers will talk about the specifics of the case, and the importance of selecting a lawyer with the courage to refuse a settlement and proceed to court.
4 Tips for Selecting the Right Personal Injury Lawyer
If someone else harms you, a personal injury lawyer is your best option for securing the compensation to which you’re entitled. Because medical bills and lost income can quickly put most of use in a bind, it’s crucial that you get as much compensation as possible.
In this issue, the personal injury lawyers with Barber & Associates will equip you with the knowledge you need to make sure you’re able to select the right lawyer for your case.
5 Ways Insurance Adjusters Try To Get You To Settle For Less
We’ve implored our fellow Alaskans to never, under any circumstances, attempt to negotiate with the insurance provider of the person, business or organization that has caused an injury. The gist of our argument is that the insurance adjustors who contact you are in no way truly interested in you, your health, or what you’re facing … Read more
Which States Have Toughest Distracted Driving Penalties?
As we reported in a recent issue, distracted driving – and its deadly consequences – are on the rise. Just last year, more than 40,000 people died from vehicle crashes caused by distracted drivers. Now, a new AAA study has confirmed that more U.S. drivers than ever before have admitted to dangerous actions behind the wheel that could easily divert their attention from the roads.
In this issue, the Alaska personal injury lawyers with Barber & Associates will share the news that more states are taking action to increase the penalties for distracted driving. While Alaska has the nation’s harshest distracted penalties, others are catching up.
Can Your Personal Injury Claim Can Be Reopened?
An question often asked of lawyers specializing in personal injuries is whether or not a case can be reopened. The short answer is “no,” and we’ll talk about the reasons why in this issue. Why can’t a personal injury lawsuit be reopened? The overriding rule to remember is that if you file a personal injury … Read more
What’s Behind the Multi-Million Dollar Jury Awards in Seattle?
Two separate jury awards in Seattle –reached within days of one another – have resulted in multi-million dollar awards for bicyclists who were hit by vehicles. One verdict was against the City of Seattle, while the other was against a driver’s employer.
We’ll talk about them both in this issue.
Can You Guess The Nation’s Most Dangerous Jobs?
When you’re on the job, it’s your employer’s responsibility to make sure you have the right safety gear before going to work.
Still, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) tell us there were about 2.9 million nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses and 4,821 fatal injuries in private industry employers sectors last year.
Why Are Traffic Deaths in Alaska Increasing?
We shared news recently about traffic deaths nationwide increasing by just over 10% for 2016 from last year, but here in Alaska the news is much worse.
According to information released by the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities, traffic fatalities here have jumped almost 34% since last year.
You’ll Never Guess What Happened on This “Death Trap Escalator”!
The family of a man who was strangled to death after his clothing became ensnared in an escalator has received a settlement of $1 million from King County, Washington.
The Case at a Glance
As the 42-year-old victim was nearing the bottom of an escalator at University Station, he fell and the drawstring on his hooded sweatshirt became caught in the moving steps, which caused the rest of his clothing to become trapped.
How to Preserve Evidence After an Injury
A key component of just about any personal injury case is the preservation of evidence. If you can actually prove that the defendant was at fault and that their action caused you to be injured, you’ll be in a much better position to be compensated for your pain and suffering. With that in mind, here … Read more
Three Injured in Crash; Driver Charged with DUI
Three people were injured – one critically – when a car they were riding in overturned near Denali National Park on May 11. Although the driver walked away with no injuries, she was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol. While two of the passengers were airlifted to Providence Alaska Medical … Read more
Ferry Worker Awarded $16 Million for Injuries
An Alaska ferry workers has been awarded $16 million in damages for injuries sustained from operating a defective passenger loading-ramp. The city of Port of Bellingham, WA – which runs a ferry route to Alaska – has been ordered to cover the damages. In reaching their verdict, the jury found the city negligent for their … Read more
Jury Awards $900,000 in Wrongful Death Lawsuit
The family of a man who died in a jail cell has been awarded $900,000 in a wrongful death lawsuit. A Bethel jury originally awarded the family $1 million, but the amount was reduced by 20 percent because of an error in instructions to the jury.
During the case, it was revealed that Hooper Bay Police Department policy called for officers
to check on the man’s condition every five minutes while in custody. Records revealed, however, he was checked on twice in 38 minutes. What were the officers doing? Two of them owned up to reading Facebook rather than checking on the victim.
Putting a Dollar Figure on Your Pain and Suffering
If you’ve been hurt because of someone else’s negligence, you can probably seek compensation from a third party (i.e. the insurance provider of the at-fault party) through a personal injury lawsuit. But how are numbers for pain and suffering reached? In this article, we’ll talk about it.
Pain & Suffering Defined
Simply put, physical pain and suffering is the pain experienced from actual physical injuries and any detrimental effects anticipated to be experienced in the future because of the injury.
Understanding Comparative Liability
Sometimes victims of a personal injury accident do not take action to recover damages because they are afraid that they will be blamed for their own injuries. This is true, for example, if someone is speeding and is hit by another car. While the accident may be the other driver’s fault, the victim may fear … Read more
New Hope for SCI Victims
A new study presented at the November 2014 Society for Neuroscience convention holds promise that patients with severe spinal cord injuries may be able to breathe on their own without the help of a ventilator. This research represents a large step forward in efforts to reverse damage that is caused to the muscles of the … Read more
Distracted Driving Can Have Tragic Consequences
The recent case of a 17-year-old Anchorage boy sentenced to a year in prison after a distracted-driving collision speaks to the tragic consequences that can occur when someone chooses to text and drive. Murphy Madison Gross, 17, was convicted of criminally negligent homicide and three misdemeanor assault charges as part of a plea agreement. He … Read more