Category: Personal Injuries
It's My Money and I Want It Now – But Should You Do It?
March 16, 2011 | John T. BuchmanThere have been many t.v. ads from J. G. Wentworth and others urging people with structured settlements to convert them to cash now. These ads feature comments like, “It’s my money and I want it now.” For some it may be a good decision, particularly if they are in financial distress without any other options. A structured settlement is one that pays an injured person over a period of time rather than a one-time payment upon conclusion of a settlement. I have represented many people who have suffered injuries from car crashes in the Coon Rapids/Blaine area as well as in greater Anoka County, who have opted to explore a structured settlement. I also represented a client who suffered a brain injury at a construction site accident in Blaine, for which it worked out very well to purchase a structured settlement. Such settlements are common in cases involving injuries to minors as well as people with serious or catastrophic injuries. The advantage of these was that they can provide prudent financial counseling for young people, who may not otherwise make the best decisions about having a significant sum of money when they turn 18, or for those whose injuries have impacted their ability to earn a living and this becomes an income substitute….
Read MoreLawyers and Advertising
February 16, 2011 | Jon P. EricksonAll Minnesota lawyers are required to conduct their professional activities consistent with the MN Rules of Professional Conduct. These are often referred to as the “Canon’ of Ethics.” These rules/canons cover a wide range of activities including advertising, and direct communication to the public about legal services. The rules on advertising and direct communication can be found in Rules 7.1–7.5 of the MN Rules of Professional Conduct. Rule 7.3 sets out the restrictions on how a lawyer or law firm may have direct contact with a potential new client to solicit a case or legal representation. Some lawyers send out letters and brochures to injured people whose name they get from a public list. This written communication must identify itself as “advertising material.” A lawyer can contact a potential new client directly if that lawyer has a “family, close personal or professional relationship” with that person. Lawyers at BGS tell staff, family, neighbors and friends because of our personal and professional relationships with them, to let us know if they or someone they know has been in an accident and injured in some way. If they know someone injured, we then would ask our staff, family or friend to contact the injured person to get permission for one of our personal injury lawyers…
Read MoreTexting While Driving – A Dangerous Combination
January 18, 2011 | Adriel B. VillarrealWe live in a society where technology has, without question, made our lives easier and perhaps more organized. With the push of a few buttons we can communicate with friends, family, business associates located on the other side of the world or in the same room. During this last holiday season I finally agreed to purchase a cell phone for my 10 year old daughter. Of course my purpose for the phone was much different than hers. With the cell phone in hand my wife and I would be able to contact her instantly and get updates about homework, soccer practice and school activities. In her mind it was all about TEXTING and staying connected with friends and cousins. Naturally, the cell phone carrier was happy to add a new phone to the contract with unlimited texting for approximately $15.00 per month. While the new cell phone has been fairly convenient it has also proven to occasionally be a distraction during homework, dinner and bed time. I chuckle because she is now glued to her cell phone in the same way I have become dependent on my Blackberry. Recently, while driving home from work I heard a public service announcement about texting while driving. In short, the message to all drivers was that…
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