Accident injury victims need help from a personal injury lawyer in order to get a fair settlement for their claim.  After a serious car accident, motorcycle accident, or truck accident, you are vulnerable and prone to accepting a lowball settlement offer from the insurance claims adjuster.  In order to get a fair settlement, a good place to start your search for a lawyer is by using Internet search engines such as Google, Yahoo! and Bing.  Internet searches will provide you with a wide range of legal options.  Nevertheless, it is important to understand that the choice of a lawyer is an important decision and should not be based solely upon advertisements. 

When searching for a personal injury lawyer in Missouri, make sure to ask questions which probe that lawyers experience, mission statement, and communication frequency.  Experience is important, and that experience should be in your specific type of injury.  For example, only a few personal injury attorneys are qualified to handle Missouri wrongful death claims or catastrophic injury claims.  These types of cases require a high level of knowledge in order to achieve a successful outcome in the client's case. 

An accident lawyer's mission statement should be tailored to dedication to the representation of clients victimized in serious accidents and the surviving family members who have lost a loved one.  Lawyers without a mission statement tend to be more focused on the bottom line than the client's legal interests.  An injured client needs help from a lawyer who is driven and passionate for the cause of personal injury claims.  Bringing negligent and reckless truck drivers, car drivers, and large corporations to justice should be the mission of any reputable Missouri personal injury law firm.

Communication frequency is an issue that often times comes up as a matter of contention between the client and the lawyer.  The communication expectations should be addressed from the start because the lawyer will have a different idea in mind when it comes time to how often the client gets updates on the case.  Clients need regular case updates from the lawyer.  After all, they are at home, injured, and dependent upon the actions of their lawyer to protect their rights and obtain compensation.  A frequency of communication should be set from the start.  Our personal injury lawyers give out personal cell numbers so that each client can reach their lawyer day or night.  Very few lawyers would dare provide a client with their cell number.  However, open communication between lawyer and client is critical in maintaining a healthy attorney-client relationship.

One of the most common topics in an initial consultation with a car accident injury claimant is pain and suffering.  Missouri law allows for compensation in a St. Louis car accident claim for general damages, which include pain and suffering.  So how much is pain and suffering worth in a personal injury claim?  This question has no definitive answer, but there are several guidelines to give you a ballpark.  First and foremost, it is a myth that a car accident injury claim can be valued at 3X your medical bills.  There is no truth to this proposition.  In fact, our St. Louis personal injury attorneys typically obtain much more than 3X medical 'specials' for each injury claim. 

The value of a pain and suffering claim depends on the injury sustained, particularly whether it was traumatic and whether it will be 'permanent.'  For example, whiplash often times resolves itself unless there is a permanent disc injury.  If there is a permanent disc injury, the value of pain and suffering increases because of the future medical issues which are probable to aggravate the victim for quite some time.  If the victim suffers an emotional injury, pain and suffering is likely not to be worth much.  For some reason, juries are apprehensive to award a large pain and suffering verdict for emotional or psychological damages.  Pain and suffering compensation is typically not permitted for a Missouri wrongful death claim, unless the decent suffered consciously prior to the death. 

Pain and suffering in a car accident claim also depends on the age of the victim.  Younger plaintiff's typically are valued higher when it comes to settling the pain and suffering part of the injury claim.  The younger the plaintiff, the longer the future he/she has to experience future pain and suffering.  If you suffer a neurological injury from a car accident at an early age, pain and suffering for your catastrophic injury claim can be 10X medical bills or even much more. 

All in all, speaking to a personal injury lawyer about the specific circumstances of your accident claim will provide you with advice as to the value of the pain and suffering part of your case for compensation.  Call the toll-free injury line by dialing (866) 840-3636 for advice from a top personal injury lawyer.  Don't wait for the insurance adjuster to TELL you what your pain and suffering claim is worth.  Get advice from a professional who knows Missouri law.

If you are injured in an accident, stay away from social networks such as Facebook.  Why you ask?  Because one of the fist things that insurance claims adjusters and defense attorneys do is look you up on Facebook, My Space, and other social networks to find out a little more about who they are dealing with.  Anything you say or post on your Facebook page can be used as an "admission" against you in an accident injury claim that is filed in which you seek compensation.  Pictures can also be used against you.  For example, if you claim you are seriously injured and then you post pictures of yourself drinking on the beach in Florida, the jury is not likely to believe your story.  In fact, it can completely discredit your claim.

Facebook is a great way to keep in contact with friends and family, but its not the forum to post comments about your injuries from a car or truck accident.  Never make comments about your injuries or post pictures of damage to your vehicle.  Don't give the insurance company or defense attorney reason to not believe your story or minimize your injury claim.  Keep things about your personal injury claim private.  If you post things that hurt your claim, it may become more difficult for your accident lawyer to obtain fair compensation in your case.

There are several ways you can protect your claim.  Your lawyer should discuss these strategies with you at the initial client consultation.  Keeping the facts and circumstances of your injuries private is important.  Discussions should be limited to your lawyers and immediate family.  It may become hard to resist the urge to discuss your injuries with friends, but rumors can spread and your own friends can become witnesses that can be used against you.  Don't make it easier for the insurance company to sabotage your accident injury claim.  Call the Missouri car accident lawyers at Schultz Legal Group for additional advice.

Our DePuy hip implant defect lawyers are currently being retained by patients who have the DePuy ASR hip replacement system.  Johnson & Johnson first received complaints as early as 2007 that their ASR hip implants were experiencing a high rate of failure.  The DePuy acetabular cup is the component of its hip implant that is suspected of failing in at least 13% of the 93,000 units that are currently implanted in patients.  This is a particularly high rate of failure, especially for a surgical medical device that is supposed to undergo comprehensive testing prior to introduction to the market. 

If you are on of the patients who have a DePuy hip implant defect claim, chances are high that you will have to undertake another surgery to remove the defective hip replacement.  Another surgery is a daunting proposition and will inflict emotional distress on just about any patient.  After all, you were told that the DePuy hip implant was a state of the art medical device that would sustain your hip for 15-20 more years.  Unfortunately you were misled.  The recall of the DePuy ASR hip replacement will result in future medical expenses that could reach into the hundreds of thousands.  You are entitled to compensation for your claim.  Call our toll-free DePuy hip recall hotline at 866.840.3636 for an immediate consultation.

A failure rate of 13% will affect 11,000 of the 93,000 patients that have this hip replacement system implanted in their pelvis.  A failure rate over 2-4% is very concerning, especially if you consider the cost of the DePuy hip implant system.  Product and installation typically costs patients and health insurance over $150,000, not including costs associated with rehabilitation and post-op imaging.  Call 866.840.3636 for an immediate consultation with one of our DePuy hip implant lawyers.

You are sitting a home injured after a car accident, wondering what to do and who to call.  The insurance company wants to record your story of what happened in the accident, including the extent of your injuries.  From this recorded statement, you will be judged by the insurance claims adjuster.  You don't know what kind of treatment you may need or how long you have to file a personal injury claim against the driver's insurance company.  These are all answers you can obtain from a St. Louis personal injury attorney.  Some lawyers will charge you for an initial consultation.  However, firms such as Schultz Legal Group offer free consultations to injury victims, and they offer them the same day of the request.

When you are dealing with the claims adjuster, understand that you are at an informational disadvantage.  Insurance claims adjusters have a rough knowledge of the law, which they commonly misinterpret to serve the interests of their employer.  These adjusters are highly trained in negotiation tactics that are designed to minimize injury settlements and maximize corporate profits.  The medical bills from a car accident can stack up quickly.  You end up being in a position where you are desperate to settle your injury claim JUST to get those bills paid.  Don't fall into this trap!  You are legally entitled to more than just medical bills reimbursement.  Missouri law allows for several forms of compensation for a car accident personal injury claim, including economic and non-economic damages.

Chances are relatively high that you will be involved in a car accident at some point in your life.  Hopefully the incident is minor and no one is injured.  However, if you are injured, don't despair.  A St. Louis personal injury attorney can assist in protecting you from medical bill collections and negotiate maximum compensation from the insurance company.  Your accident claim is always worth more once a lawyer gets involved.  You only get one shot at obtaining a fair settlement.  Don't leave it to chance.  Call an attorney for a free consultation at 866.840.3636 and get your questions answered by a professional.

St. Louis personal injury and accident attorney Stephen Schultz has had his cases published in the Missouri Lawyers Weekly, St. Louis Post Dispatch, STL.TODAY.COM, News Channel 5, and other local media outlets. His cases have also been featured in nationwide legal publishing such as the Jere Beasley Report.  The St. Louis personal injury lawyers at Schultz Legal Group represent injury victims in automobile accidents, trucking accidents, motorcycle accidents, slip & falls, products liability, medical negligence, and drug recall claims.  Our injury lawyers seek maximum compensation for each injured client.  No matter how small or large the injury case is, our attorneys work the case up as if it will go to trial.  A strong work ethic such as this is critical in obtaining full financial recovery for each case.

There is negligence everywhere.  Whether or not the negligence will result in liability depends on many factors.  One of the things our St. Louis car accident injury lawyers do is use our private investigator on each automobile accident case.  Even simple rear-enders will sometimes prove difficult and unless you treat each case as your top priority, evidence will fall through the cracks.  Our private investigators will obtain recorded statements on each car accident case.  These statements can later be used against the defendant as an 'admission'.  Often times we find that drivers are most candid BEFORE a defense lawyer or insurance claims adjuster 'coaches' them on what to say.  Getting our investigator involved early in each case is paramount to success.  It can make or break your car accident claim for compensation.

Don't leave your personal injury claim to chance.  You only get one shot and full compensation.  If you don't use the best, you won't get the best result.  Our results are boasted in legal and media periodicals across the country, and for good reason.  The personal injury attorneys at Schultz Legal Group at rated in the top 1% of trial lawyers in the country and rated Top 100 trial lawyers in the state of Missouri.  This recognition only comes with dedication to serious personal injury and wrongful death litigation, in conjunction with a passion to achieve the best possible result on each and every claim.  Contact our St. Louis car accident injury lawyers by calling the injury free consultation hotline at 314.448.0934 or toll-free at 866.840.3636.

Seroquel users had a lot to be upset about.  The drug Seroquel, which was used as a antipsychotic, was causing diabetes in patients that took the medication as prescribed by a doctor.  The drug was used to treat bipolar and other pyschotic disorders and soon after taking the medication users were reporting acute onset diabetes.  In fact, over 17,000 Seroquel lawsuits were filed against AstraZeneca, causing the company to quickly circle the wagons to prepare its defense against the drug defect claims.  The $198 million in settlements was obtained through court-ordered mediation in March 2010.  The federal government was also paid $520 Million by AstraZeneca in fines for the Seroquel drug defects.

GlaxoSmithKline has also agreed to pay $1 Billion to settle more than 800 Paxil drug defect claims that have been filed against the drug company.  Paxil is used to treat depression and is quite a powerful prescription medication.  GlaxoSmithKline had originally earmarked $2.4 Billion to settle Paxil claims and Avandia drug defect claims.  It is suspected that Paxil can cause serious birth defects in newborn.  Avandia has also faced intense scrutiny for triggering dangerous side effects in diabetes patients.  There are at least 100 remaining Paxil birth defect cases pending in the U.S. and each Paxil injury settlement is averaging $1.2 Million per family.

If your child has suffered a birth defect caused by Paxil, contact our Paxil drug recall injury lawyer hotline at (866) 840-3636 and find out what compensation you are and your family is entitled to by GlaxoSmithKline. 

Were you prescribed Reglan for acid reflux or diabetes?  If you were, chances are high that you have been exposed to dangerous side effects now known to be caused by Reglan.  This is a very powerful drug that was first introduced in 1985.  The FDA now suspects that the manufacturer of Reglan knowingly (intentionally) misled the FDA in regards to the dangerous side effects caused by Reglan, including Tardive Dyskinesia (TD), a movement disorder disorder with no known cure. 

Reglan's link to Tardive Dyskinesia is confirmed by our medical experts and our Reglan injury lawyers are now filing product defect/product liability claims on behalf of its victims.  How do you know if you have a Reglan recall claim for compensation? First lets talk about the symptoms.  Tardive Dyskinesia is a very serious disorder that can, and will, cause debilitating symptoms, including:

• uncontrollable facial movements
  
• facial grimacing
  
• smacking of the lips / twitching of the lips
• rapid arm and/or leg movements
• bodily movements that have no purpose

Reglan users that are experiencing the symptoms of Tardive Dyskinesia may be entitled to compensation for their injuries.  TD can cause a Reglan users to lose their jobs, become alienated from their families, and generally experience a diminished quality of life.  Reglan users are urged to contact a Reglan recall injury lawyer immediately to see if they quality for compensation.  Reglan claims can include allegations of product liability and users may be entitled to compensation for past and future injuries, including lost wages and loss of earning capacity.  The tragic nature of these injuries is heartbreaking, especially since the manufacturer had knowledge of these potentially serious side effects caused by Reglan.  Don't sit on your hands and let the manufacturer get away with it.  Call 866.840.3636 to speak with a Reglan injury claim lawyer and get your place in line for compensation. 

Getting injured in a car accident can quickly bankrupt you if you don't have health insurance.  Health insurance these days is expensive, and unless you are employed with a large corporation, it can be be unafforable.  So who pays your medical expenses in the event of car accident, truck accident, or motorcycle accident?  It all depends on who was at fault, what type of insurance is out there, and what you sign at the hospital or doctor's office.  If you are injured in an accident and don't know how to play the insurance claims game, you will end up with less money in your pocket and more money in the hands of your medical providers. 

First, demand that your health insurance pay all medical bills.  This is extremely important.  If you don't, hospitals and medical providers will sit on the balances and charge you "dollar for dollar" for the treatment rendered OR they will take payment directly from the at-fault insurance company....either way, money is taken out of your pocket...compensation that you are legally entitled according to Missouri law.  Health insurance companies have contracts with hospitals and doctors to accept and pay reduced charges for medical treatment rendered.  When the hospitals or doctors refuse to bill health insurance, they are breaching their agreement; an agreement which you are the third-party beneficiary of.

Second, never have the negligent driver's insurance company pay your medical bills directly.  They will use this against you when it comes time to settle the case and offer final compensation for the personal injury claim.  Again, you need to have your health insurance pay the bills, not the car insurance company.  If you don't have health insurance, there may be a chance your St. Louis personal injury lawyer can assist you in obtaining medical treatment based on a 'lien' from a doctor.  Few doctors will do this however, as it is a risky proposition for which the doctor may be left holding the tab.  Contact a St. Louis accident injury lawyer for more information.

Most accidents, especially ones in traffic, result in minor damage to vehicles.  Today's cars have bumpers and body paneling that is manufactured and designed to absorb low-speed impacts.  Most bumpers can withstand impacts of 5-10mph without resulting in any damage, other than perhaps the clips that are located behind the bumper panel itself.  However, even low speed car accidents that result in less than $1000 in property damage can still cause injury to people in both cars. 

A common injury caused by minor low speed impacts is whiplash.  Whiplash involves the cervical area of the spine and can be properly diagnosed at the hospital by x-rays and MRI.  Whiplash can be minor or severe.  Minor whiplash can usually be treated with pain medication and neck adjustments.  Most of the time it can resolve itself.  However, severe whiplash can require extensive medical treatment, ranging from physical therapy, to interventional pain management, to possible surgery of the discs in the cervical spine. 

Whiplash can also interfere with a victims ability to continue working.  Persons who use computers or talk on the phone throughout their work day will find it hard to labor through a severe case of whiplash.  Even with regular breaks for stretching, a victim will find it difficult to concentrate on the task at hand.  Sleeping is also interrupted and whiplash victims cannot get enough quality REM sleep, even when using sleep medications such as Ambien or Lunesta. 

Insurance claims adjusters are notoriously unfair in minor low speed impact car accident cases.  The adjuster will argue that the injury could not be that bad if the damage to the cars was minor.  The argument is an unfair one, and can be debunked by a treating orthopedist or physician.  The key in these cases is for the personal injury lawyer to use statistical data and other medical testimony to completely destroy the erroneous link between low speed impacts and a lack of serious injury.  Don't despair, it can be done.  Get the help you need from a good doctor AND a quality personal injury lawyer to succeed in a low speed car accident case.

Cell phones and driving don't mix, and the research is there to prove it!  The New England Journal of Medicine and the British Medical Journal recently completed studies that confirm the that driving while on the phone drastically increases the risk of getting into a serious or fatal accident.  In fact, drivers who use cell phones have a slower reaction time on the road than a drunk driver!  This data is a rude awakening for all of us that conduct business, talk to family and friends, or check email on our phones from behind the wheel of a moving car.  This danger is also only going to rise, as cell phone users rose to almost 276 million in 2009.

Take for instance the story of an investment broker who was on his phone in New York when he drove through a red light, striking a young man on a motorcycle and killing him.  In 2004, an attorney was on the phone when she hit and killed a teenage girl.  The law firm the lawyer worked for eventually paid a settlement and the attorney was disbarred.  These two careless drivers aren't necessarily 'bad people' but they did make a conscious decision to risk life and limb to talk on the phone.  Is there ANY phone call that is THAT important?  We don't think so.  And rest assured, our personal injury lawyers request cell phone records in each and every car accident case to verify who was on their phone at the time of the crash.  We even request our own client's cell phone records to make sure they were not on the phone at the time of the crash and thus partially to blame.

In situations where we discover that the other driver was using a cell phone at the time of the crash, our lawyers are taking it one step further to determine whether that phone call was anything "work-related."  If we determine that the call was work related, our lawsuit will also include the employer of the negligent driver who caused the crash.  In a claim against the employer, our lawyers will prevail if we can prove:

• The driver was in the 'course and scope' of his/her employment at the time of the crash; and
• The employer did not have a policy against using cell phones while driving a car; and
• The use of the cell phone contributed to the cause of the crash.

Many people are unaware how dangerous drivers can be when using their cell phone from behind the wheel.  How many times have you seen the guy driving down the highway, veered in and out of his lane, only to pull up beside him and see him text messaging or talking on his phone?  It happens all the time.  Unfortunately, preventable car accidents take place each day due to the decision we make to use our phone.  Think twice.  Call 866.840.3636 or 314.448.0934 for more information.

If you have just been hit by a negligent driver or distracted driver, chances are high that you are in the hospital or seeking treatment from your primary care physician.  The last thing you are thinking of is locating a personal injury lawyer or car accident attorney.  However, you should locate one sooner than later so that evidence and other items of importance are not tampered with or destroyed.  Evidence collected at the crash site may prove critical in presenting a personal injury claim to an insurance company down the line.

The statute of limitations in Missouri for most personal injury claims is five years.  A statute of limitations is essentially a time frame of which you are permitted to file a personal injury lawsuit against negligent parties.  If your case has value in excess of $25,000, Missouri law allows you to file the case in a "Curcuit" court.  There are variations and exceptions to the standard statute of limitations, including but not limited to circumstances involving death, medical malpractice, and intentional acts.  This is another reason why it behooves you to locate a competent attorney at your earliest convenience following an incident involving negligence such as a car accident.

Locating a personal injury lawyer can be as easy as using the Internet, talking to a friend, or picking up the yellow pages.  There are many choices when looking into legal representation for a car accident and the search can become overwhelming.  Our advice is to ask as many questions as possible and if the situation feels 'weird', then the fit is probably not a good one.  You need to feel comfortable and confident with your lawyer.  Your lawyer should be dedicated to personal injury law and should not be a general practitioner.  Your lawyer should give his or her cell phone number to you for emergencies.  Your lawyer should pledge to update you on the status of your case on regular intervals.  If you are looking for all of these things in a personal injury lawyer, call 314.448.0934 or 866.840.3636 for more information and a free case evaluation.