Recently in Product Defect Claim Category

In September 2010, the FDA took a closer look at Actos, a drug that has been in production since 1999 in the United States.  The FDA determined that there is a link between Actos users and an increased risk of bladder cancer.  The risk appears to be higher in men than woman, although both genders are at risk according to recent scientific research.  Actos has many potential side effects, including stomach pain, rapid weight gain, pale skin, painful urination, nausea and a general feeling of sickness.  Actos is used to regulate blood sugar levels, primarily in patients with type II diabetes.

If you are taking Actos and experience serious side effects such as a painful urination, blood in urine, kidney pain, or other similar pains notify your treating doctor immediately.  Do not abruptly stop taking Actos unless directed by your physician.  If your physician makes a diagnosis of bladder cancer, contact a Actos injury lawyer immediately to protect your claim for compensation. 

Once you have been diagnosed with bladder cancer, it is important to take steps to protect a legal claim that you may have against Actos.  Claims for compensation in these prescription drug cases can include a settlement for medical expenses (past and future), pain and suffering (past and future), and wage loss associated with treatment.  Bladder cancer is serious and should be attacked immediately with medication and aggressive medical care.

An Actos lawsuit should be filed by an attorney who is experienced in product defect and product liability laws.  Because these drugs are sold nationwide, there will likely be claims from victims made nationwide as well.  Drug litigation can often times be consolidated into what is known as "multi-district litigation", or MDL.  When drug injury lawsuits are consolidated in MDL, the litigation process, especially discovery of documents and depositions, are streamlined into a more efficient means of dealing with each individual claim.

If you are an Actos taker and have been diagnosed with bladder cancer, you may have the right to an Actos bladder cancer settlement.  To learn more about the Actos lawsuits that are currently being filed across the country, call toll-free (866) 840-3636 for immediate help. 

Folks injured in automobile accidents, by defective products, or at work have a right to fair compensation if someone else is legally responsible for causing those injuries.  That is where the role of a Missouri injury lawyer comes into play.  A lawyer can help maximize your compensation from a claim by providing a variety of services, which include 1) help obtaining the best medical treatment possible, even if you do not have health insurance 2) investigating and discovering all forms of compensation and insurance applicable to your injury 3) maintaining your right of privacy from probing insurance questions, and 4) negotiating an injury settlement that is satisfactory to your case.

Medical treatment is one of the most important aspects of any injury claim.  And breaking that down further into two components, 1) quality and 2) timeframe.  If you don't obtain the right type of treatment it can be just as damaging to your case as not getting treatment at all.  So if you have a spine injury, go see an orthopedist or neurologist that specializes in spine trauma.  Just like the law, medicine is broken into many, many specialties.  Second, getting the right treatment in the right timeframe is critical.  If you wait too long to get medical care, or have long "gaps in treatment" the insurance adjuster will likely lowball your case or deny it all together.  A personal injury lawyer can offer more advice on this important aspect of your case.

Investigating and discovering all insurance policies that apply your case is vital to maximizing settlement value.  Claims adjusters do their best to conceal available coverage, or mislead as to the 'policy limits' available to compensate an injury victim.  An injury attorney ends these games and ascertains all available insurance coverage, and determines what applies and what doesn't.  Sometimes insurance can be "stacked" to provide even additional compensation.  This aspect of the law is evolving in Missouri and predominantly determined by caselaw and policy language. 

Insurance companies love to uncover all your prior medical history, even if it bears no relevance to the case at hand.  They do this through the use of unrestricted medical record release authorizations that they will demand that you sign in order to present a claim for injury.  An accident injury lawyer would never permit this type of invasion of privacy to take place.   Prior health history can devalue your claim and ultimately lead to poor compensation when it comes time to negotiation of a settlement.  Rely on your lawyer to present only the evidence necessary to prevail in your accident injury claim, nothing more.  For more information, contact Missouri injury lawyer Stephen Schultz.  Mr. Schultz is AV-Rated and a Top 100 Trial Lawyer in Missouri for the 4th consecutive year.  He can be reached at (866) 840-3636 or locally at (314) 448-0934


  

Many people are hesitant to involve a personal injury attorney in their claim due to the fear of the unknown.  Though no two injury claims are exactly the same, most follow the same timeline of events.  After being involved in a situation that causes injury, it is in your best interest to seek immediate medical attention.  Documentation of your injuries through medical records and reports provides uncontested proof that you were injured as a result of an accident and were in enough pain to seek medical attention.  Once we have a better understanding of your exact injuries, we are able to refer you to a specialist who can use their expertise to further treat you. 

Most Missouri injury lawyers have close working relationships with many of Missouri's best doctors - all of which have the same goal: to help YOU. During the first phase of your claim, you are given a main focus and we (as your attorney) are given a main focus.  Yours is to obtain all recommended medical treatment.  The duration of your Missouri injury claim is the only time you will be able to receive medical treatment at the at-fault party's expense.  All charges for treatment incurred during this time is treated as addition to your final compensation amount. 

The focus of any experienced accident lawyer is concentrated on investigative work, gathering all details we can revolving around your case.  During this time, we are also able to assist you in finding, scheduling, and getting to your crucial medical appointments. Once your medical treatment is complete, we are able to move forward with establishing your claim's worth.  Together, we consider every aspect in which this injury has affected you and your lifestyle.  Some clients are able to fully recover physically and return to their lifestyle as it was prior to an accident.  Unfortunately, this is not always the case and clients are faced with a future of uncertainty.  Combining your physical, emotional, economical, and social losses, we fight hard to obtain a fair monetary amount to compensate you for this.  Our fight for this does not end until we (including YOU) are satisfied with a settlement. 

If a reasonable settlement offer is not agreed upon in a fair amount of time, a lawsuit is filed on your behalf in which we continue your legal battle for fair settlement.  Again, nothing is accepted without the knowledge and approval of a client. Upon settlement of your claim, we handle all remaining medical bills and account balances to ensure that nothing is lingering after a final settlement.  After reaching a settlement both the attorney and client are pleased with, all parties are able to continue with their lives as an injury claim being part of their past. A good lawyer prides himself on the ability to maintain open communication.  Clients always have access to attorney and staff office phones, email addresses, attorney cell phones, and office visits.  

Your injury claim is just that - yours.  You should never be left out of any communications regarding your case and should never be wondering the status of your case.  A compassionate St. Louis personal injury lawyer is available to discuss your case 24/7 and will come to you to address your concerns about the case.

This is a common question that many people ask after they are involved in a car accident or other incident in Missouri.  Its hard to say with certainly whether you need an accident injury lawyer unless you weigh your chances of obtaining a fair settlement from an insurance company.  There are studies and statistical data indicating that having legal representation on your side increases your chances of a fair shake at compensation by over 300%.  You have to look at it this way:  the insurance company is a well-funded, well-represented giant that does not have a personal interest or duty to treat you with respect or fairness.  Insurance companies are in business to generate huge profits.  They keep profits up and shareholders happy by minimizing payouts on PI claims, plain and simple.  Anyone who tells you otherwise is just not being truthful or realistic.

There are instances in which you can settle a case on your own without hiring a lawyer.  Those situations include cases where there is little to no property damage and your injuries are minimal.  By minimal I mean that you saw your primary care doctor, got checked out, and everything is clear and you are feeling fine.  One important piece of advice though:  Never, ever settle your case, even if your injuries are very minor, until you give your body at least 60 days to show any signs of lingering symptoms.  This most commonly comes up in whiplash cases or soft tissue car accidents.  Soft tissue injuries can be sneaky.  You can appear sore for a few days, then fine for a few days, and then things can deteriorate quickly.  In some events, victims experience "radicular" symptoms, which are radiating pains down the arms and legs.  This is a sign of a very serious disc problem.

As an experienced Missouri lawyer with an AV-Preeminent peer review rating from Martindale Hubbell, I can tell you that there will be times that we will turn down potential clients.  We feel that unless we can add value to a client's case by aggressive legal representation, that we would rather explain the process to the caller and advise them to handle the case without a lawyer.  This is something that not all lawyers will do.  There are some personal injury attorneys that will accept every case that walks in the door, even if the injured client could have settled the case without legal representation and therefore avoid paying attorneys' fees.

If you ever need to discuss your case and whether hiring a lawyer is in your best interests, contact a St. Louis personal injury lawyer at Schultz Legal Group law firm by calling toll-free (866) 840-3636.  Schultz Legal Group has offices in Missouri, Illinois, and Arkansas and will come to clients locations whenever necessary to consult on a one-on-one basis.

Lexapro is an SSRI (Selective Serotonin Re-uptake Inhibitor) which is used to treat depression.  This powerful medication is also used to treat certain forms of adult anxiety.  Unfortunately, studies have linked Lexapro to several serious birth defects.  If you are pregnant, it may be important for you to discuss complications between Lexapro and heart defects.  If you have a child that is diagnosed with heart defects, contact a Lexapro birth defect lawyer immediately by calling (866) 840-3636. 

The first step to protecting your legal rights is to investigate whether a heart defect was caused by a prescription medication.  Drug manufacturers have a duty to keep dangerous drugs out of circulation.  This includes comprehensive testing for all potential customers, including pregnant women.  The studies that have linked Lexapro to heart defects are compelling.  When you speak with a Lexapro heart defect attorney, they will collect all of your medical records and have them reviewed by a heart specialist.  Then a determination will be made whether you have a viable product liability claim.  This entire review process is free to clients.  Our Lexapro attorneys only charge attorneys fees if we win the case for our client.  Their is no financial risk for our clients to have us collect and review medical records and diagnostic reports.  This is important.  After all, our clients are already under a high level of stress when they contact us. 

Heart defects are serious.  Certain heart defects can be treated if they are diagnosed at an early age.  In fact, it can still be possible for victims of congenital heart defects to mature and live healthy, normal lives.  However, future medical expenses can be staggering and it is critical to obtain compensation to assist with these costs.  Contact a Lexapro birth defect lawyer today by calling our experienced nationwide drug defect law firm.

The over wrought judicial system consolidates DePuy cases being filed for plaintiff's as of January 2011. Numerous hip replacement lawsuits are being consolidated into a multidistrict litigation case (MDL) by Judge David A. Katz. The judge issued an order with specific assignments for counsel nationwide in various roles on a federal court level in Northern District Ohio. Needless to say, it will be captivating to follow those cases in the federal court. DePuy hip defect lawyers are being appointed to various positions on committees and sub-committees by Judge Katz.

A MDL case is like a class action in regards to the simplification of pre-trial proceedings for plaintiff's discovery. Unlike a class action, it allows each DePuy ASR implant injury case to be heard in court on their individual claims. The compensation in a class action suit is divided up proportionately amongst the numerous plaintiffs. The compensation in the MDL cases will be appropriated to the plaintiffs in regards to their individual claims, which will allow a more reasonable outcome for each plaintiff.

Over 90,000 plaintiffs are suffering with the effects of a "defective ASR device", used in the hip replacement procedure. DePuy hip recall lawyers are seeking damages for medical cost, lost earnings and pain/suffering through litigation. The company is making every attempt to replace the faulty device and just pay medical expenses. Did you have a hip replacement after July 2003, this recall may affect you?

The first step in finding out if you have a DePuy hip defect lawsuit is to contact our nationwide DePuy recall lawyers at (866) 840-3636.  These claims are very serious and must be handled by a skilled litigator who is familiar with defenses in a product liability/design defect case.

So you have been injured and you think the hard part is over.  You have received medical treatment and doctors and the hospital want to be paid.  Your health insurance covered part of the bills, but there are co-pays, deductibles and other expenses that need to be paid out of your pocket.  To make matters more complicated, the ambulance service that took you to the hospital has decided not to submit your bill to health insurance.  Instead, the ambulance service decided to put a lien on your settlement directly with the car insurance company for the negligent driver that caused the crash.  The insurance claims adjuster tells you that no settlement can be paid to your directly...and that the ambulance service will be written a check directly from the insurance claims adjuster. 

So now you think it is time to negotiate an injury settlement with the insurance claims adjuster.  After presenting your evidence and  reasonable settlement demand, the claims adjuster comes back with a lowball offer.  It isn't fair.  Maybe your initial decision not to hire a Missouri personal injury lawyer was a poor choice.  You know start calling around and finally locate a quality St. Louis semi-truck accident lawyer. 

Insurance claims adjusters are highly skilled in negotiation.  Unfortunately, they are not highly trained in Missouri law and jury verdict trends.  A lawyer on your side is able to negotiate a fair settlement for any injury claim.  Many, many factors determine the value of a personal injury claim.  From venue to the judge, there are many considerations that injury victims and claims adjusters just don't appreciate.  It takes a lawyer who has experience in litigating cases to fully understand the accurate settlement value of an case.

Contact Missouri personal injury lawyer Stephen Schultz and get advice from an expert in handling injury cases throughout the state.  Mr. Schultz can be reached at (866) 840-3636 or by email. 

Finally, a book that provides free advice on the personal injury claims process!  "Navigating a Personal Injury Claim" is authored by St. Louis personal injury lawyer Stephen Schultz.  Continuing his pledge to provide valuable information to personal injury victims involved in accidents and injured by defective products, Schultz provides copies of his book free of charge.  Downloading your free copy of Navigating a Personal Injury Claim is easy and can be done by providing three small pieces of information.  Persons interested in obtaining their free download of Navigating a Personal Injury Claim must certify that they do NOT work for an insurance company, defense lawyer, or law firm. 

Websites can provide personal injury victims with general information.  However, research indicated that providing people with detailed information within the format of a booklet offers more valuable research.  The vast majority of people injured in accidents are unfamiliar with the claims process.  They are unaware of how to maximize their settlement, or even what is considered "fair" compensation for any given injury claim or lawsuit.  Navigating a Personal Injury Claim provides people with useful advice directly from personal injury lawyer who battles it out in the claims process every day. 

Navigating a Personal Injury Claim is broken down into 7 Parts as follows:

1. Introduction into the injury claims process
2. Proving liability in a personal injury claim
3. Proving damages in a personal injury claim
4. When you can expect settlement in a personal injury claim
5. Special pitfalls and what to watch out for in a personal injury claim
6. The role of a personal injury lawyer
7. Biography of Stephen Schultz - St. Louis personal injury lawyer

If you are injured in an accident, do your homework and learn the claims process.  Clicking for your free download of Navigating a Personal Injury Claim will arm you with an inside look into the personal injury claims process.  You will be warned of the pitfalls and learn what insurance claims adjusters look for in offering a settlement. 

Contact the Missouri personal injury lawyers at Schultz & Myers by calling toll-free (866) 840-3636, or visit our Missouri personal injury lawyers online.

A common question that callers ask when contacting our St. Louis personal injury lawyers is: what do you charge for handling an injury claim?  The answer is nothing, unless our lawyers win your case.  This is a relief for most injury victims.  After all, most accidents cause financial stress on an unimaginable level.  The last thing that anyone in this position needs is a lawyer that charges a large up-front attorney retainer.  The attorneys fees that Schultz & Myers charges are contingency on the outcome of each case.  Therefore, our lawyers and clients share a common interest of reaching a successful outcome in each case.

There are many ways to contact an accident injury lawyer for advice on presenting an injury claim.  Some people use the internet.  The internet is a good resource for researching personal injury lawyers.  For example, using a search engine like Google or Yahoo and plugging in search terms such as "St. Louis car accident lawyer" will provide results that are a good starting point for choosing the best lawyer for your case.  It is wise to never choose an accident injury lawyer based upon how flashy a website is.  In fact, the Missouri ethical rules have made it a point to require lawyers to tell potential clients that decisions for legal representation should not be based solely upon advertisements. 

Choosing a lawyer based upon a referral from a friend or family member can also offer choices.  CAUTION:  Do not think that a lawyer referred by someone else is the right lawyer to handle a serious injury claim.  Traffic lawyers do not make good injury lawyers, and vice versa.  Would you seek a foot doctor if you had migraine headaches? No.  The same holds true with lawyers.  Yes, all lawyers have a general understanding of civil personal injury litigation.  The lawyers at Schultz & Myers would conceivably be able to assist a client with a Will, however, we would never do as good as a job as a lawyer who only does Wills.  Accident injury claims for compensation involve complex civil state statutory laws and civil court procedures.  Never take your serious injury case to a law firm that dabbles in all areas of law.  Chances are high that you will not receive all forms of compensation that you deserve.  

When choosing a personal injury lawyer, also bear in mind that going with the biggest law firm in town does not necessarily mean you are getting the best legal representation available.  It is important for all injury victims to get one-on-one personal service from a lawyer, especially in situations like these where the client is under a high degree of emotional and physical stress.  When selecting your lawyer, make sure that he or she plans on staying in touch with you personally on a weekly or bi-weekly basis.

Do your homework before retaining any lawyer.  Personal injury claims require handling by an accident lawyer who has both experience and an aggressive strategy.  Without this, your claim can be drawn out for months or years while the lawyer does his best to feel his way through the complexities of these case types. 

Have you ever wondered who the right personal injury attorney would be to handle your car accident, slip & fall, or other St. Louis personal injury claim?  The answer may be as simple as understanding the differences between an aggressive personal injury lawyer and a passive injury lawyer.  Aggressive does not equate to being mean, obtuse, or argumentative.  An aggressive personal injury attorney is simply one that understands the nuances of injury laws and is aggressive when it comes to seeking applicable insurance coverage to cover an accident.  An aggressive personal injury lawyer is also known for ultimately seeking, and obtaining, justice against the negligent or recklesss party that caused the injury in the first place.  After all, shouldn't we all be held accountable to those people that we injure?

Discovering and decoding what insurance coverage will actually apply to an injury claim is a bigger deal that most people understand.  Liability coverage, medical payments coverage, decreased value, uninsured, underinsured, no-fault, etc, are examples of just some of the insurance coverages that may apply to a particular set of facts.  Then of course there is subrogation, an area of Missouri law that is not very well understood by most St. Louis personal injury attorneys.  The debate over insurance coverage can lead to the Court of Appeals and eventually the Missouri Supreme Court.  There is often a lot of money at stake in personal injury claims when it comes to insurance coverage disputes.  This brings in the big insurance defense firms in St. Louis.

What every personal injury victim needs to know is that there is help out there.  An aggressive personal injury attorney can offer you peace of mind after an accident.  That peace of mind is knowing that your claim is being prosecuted in a means that will reap a successful outcome.  It also means that your lawyer will be seeking compensation from all insurance coverages available or applicable to this "loss."

So in the unfortunate event that you are injured, do not despair.  There is help out there.  Call a personal injury attorney at Schultz & Myers and discuss your claim for compensation with an experienced injury lawyer.  Lawyers can be reached 24 hours a day by calling (314) 448-0934 or toll-free at (866) 840-3636.  And please, drive safe, and remember to put down that cellphone when behind the wheel.