Anchorage Personal Injury Lawyer - Miscellaneous

Crime Victims Have a Chance to Get Their Losses Back

Mike Schneider — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 19:30:19 GMT

Violence is easily found in most editions of the local paper. But the criminal justice system rarely does much to take care of the wage losses, medical bills, and other harms and losses that crime often inflicts on crime victims. Most crime victims who have such losses should consult an attorney that knows something about insurance law and claims handling. If the crime has as its basis, an act of "recklessness" or "criminal negligence" the criminal may be covered for the losses he/she inflicted by a policy of homeowner's insurance. Youthful offenders often "reside" with parents or other relatives who own or are buying a home. Almost always, these homes are covered by homeowners insurance and residents of the home are "additional insureds" under the policy.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Mike Schneider

AAJ CEO Jon Haber Made a Difference for All of Us

Mike Schneider — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 13:02:10 GMT

Jon Haber worked tirelessly for the American Association of Justice over the last many years. He brought the AAJ into the current century by updating its use of technology and making it appreciate what needed to be done to better advocate the "People Over Profits" philosophy of the organization. Attorneys who work for people owe him a debt of gratitude, as do all Americans who value their right to be treated fairly in America's courtrooms.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Mike Schneider

Mixing Alcohol and Minors Leads to Liability

Mike Schneider — Sun, 17 Aug 2008 16:33:16 GMT

Every few weeks there is a story, with an unhappy ending, that involves minors and alcohol. The recent double fatality in Anchorage is just one example. Those giving or selling alcohol to minors, both licensed premises (bars and liquor stores) and individuals can be held liable for all the harm that the sale or gift causes, without reduction for the "comparative negligence" of the minor. The are two cases now before the Alaska Supreme Court that test whether this will continue to be the rule in this state.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Mike Schneider

Pit Bull Mauls Girl in East Anchorage

Mike Schneider — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 19:29:50 GMT

APD responded this afternoon to a report that a young girl was mauled by a pit bull in East Anchorage. The dog was later shot and killed. The girl is being treated at a local hospital. If the dog can be shown to have been owned by someone with significant assets, or someone with a homeowner's insurance policy, its owner may be held to account for the harms and losses suffered by its victim. Her family should immediately consult an experienced personal injury attorney.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Mike Schneider

Shooting Victim May Have Claims

Mike Schneider — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 00:53:00 GMT

The incident happened at a fish camp near Akiachak. A 13 year old boy was accidentally shot while target practicing with other children. They were using a .22 rifle. The injured boy, through one or both of his parents, may have claims for his injuries. If the shooter was a resident of a home with homeowner's insurance, the insurance will cover the claim, even though the shooter was a young child, and even if the shooter's conduct is reckless or grossly negligent. An experienced attorney will be needed to help find and recover any available insurance proceeds.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Mike Schneider

Petra Davis Mauled by Brown Bear, But Who Planned this Bike Race?

Mike Schneider — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 19:37:07 GMT

We all wish this young woman, 15, a speedy recovery. But area biologists have been warning about a terrible event like this for years. Ms. Davis was a participant in a mountain bike race. The route took racers through Bicentennial Park, and its heavy vegetation, and its salmon-choked stream, and its salmon-foraging black and brown bears, late at night. Petra was seriously injured and is lucky to be alive.

And while it might not be a popular case to bring, Petra and her parents likely have personal injury claims against those who, many would argue, set this kid up to get hurt as she did. Safety is no accident. And "Safety Science 101" teaches that we all need to examine our activities for any chance of serious injury or death. If such a risk, even a slight one, is identified, then it needs to be eliminated, if practical and feasible to do so. If the risk can't be practically or feasibly eliminated, it must be guarded against. If not practical and feasible to guard against, it should be the subject of an adequate warning. This route, for this race, at this time of year, at that time of day, broke all of these rules.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Mike Schneider

High Fire Danger And Personal Responsibility

Mike Schneider — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 00:51:00 GMT

Alaskans are being encouraged to enjoy the Nation's favorite holiday, but to do it without fireworks. Fireworks are illegal in the Municipality of Anchorage, but even where they can be legally possessed, purchased and used, fire danger is high. Officials are warning that any careless use of fireworks could start hard to control fires that can cause property damage, serious injury, and death. Anyone starting such a fire may be held liable for all resulting harm of any kind. If they live in a home covered by homeowner's or renter's insurance, that insurance company should pay for any losses caused by the negligent fire starter, up to the limits of the policy.but even where they can be legally possessed

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Mike Schneider

Fire Deaths May Result In Lawsuits

Jane Schneider — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 00:08:24 GMT

There have been many deaths and serious injuries this winter from fires where smoke alarms were apparently not in use. Where these events happen in private homes and the dead and injured are the owners or the family members of the owner, there is often little that can be done. But in rental property, and under certain circumstances, the victims may have claims against those that own or maintain the units. It take a good attorney and good investigation to put such claims together and get a good outcome for the client.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jane Schneider

Assault Conviction Could Make Civil Suit Easy

Jane Schneider — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 00:48:35 GMT

Cassalin Blawat, 18, has been charged with assault for stabbing her boyfriend in Anchorage a couple of weeks ago. If she is convicted, or pleads either guilty or no contest to the charges, her civil liability to pay for her boyfriend's harms and losses will be "collaterally established" by the criminal proceedings. The Alaska Supreme Court has so held on many occasions. If she had homeowner's coverage or renter's insurance at the time of the assault, the boyfriend may be able to recover his damages.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jane Schneider

How To Find a Personal Injury Attorney

Jane Schneider — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 00:12:55 GMT

There are many ways to find a good attorney to help with a personal injury or wrongful death case. Rating companies like Martindale-Hubbell or "Best Lawyers in America" can be consulted. Ask court system personnel or retired or sitting judges who is capable of taking on such a case. Your attorney must know a lot more than the law...he or she much have a sense of the practical, be able to try a case to a jury, and must have the money to prosecute the case to a just conclusion.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jane Schneider