Dealing With Collection Calls during a Personal Injury Case
September 30, 2013 | Adriel B. VillarrealIn an ideal world, a personal injury case would conclude quickly, and everyone would be paid before a single medical bill makes it to any collection agency. However, a case can take a lot longer than anyone might wish, which means the phone may start ringing soon. When collectors start calling it’s natural to want to avoid the calls. Collection agents are trained to make you feel guilty and they’re trained to give you the sensation of being “in trouble,” even if their words remain within the boundaries of the Fair Debt Collection Act. This feeling can be exacerbated by the helplessness you can feel knowing that your ability to do anything about these bills seems trapped somewhere in legal limbo. Unfortunately, ignoring the calls only makes things worse. The phone will keep ringing, and you’ll keep experiencing more stress at a time when you should be trying to recover from the injuries you have sustained. All this stress is actually unnecessary! There’s a reasonably easy way to get these bulldog agencies off your back. Just pick up the phone and explain that the debt in question is part of a personal injury case. Give them all of your attorney’s contact information. Then tell them to “cease communications” with you or anyone other…
Read MoreWhat Should I Do If I’m Bitten by a Dog?
September 26, 2013 | Adriel B. VillarrealIf you are attacked by a dog or any other dangerous animal there is a chance that you have the standing to pursue a personal injury case. In fact, it’s a good idea to contact a personal injury attorney right away. Dog bites and other animal-related injuries are not minor concerns. Some injuries could be fatal, especially to children. Some injuries could be disfiguring. You may have medical bills associated with healing the bite, and they can skyrocket if there is any complication, such as an infection. The law entitles you to compensation that will help you cover those bills. If you need psychological treatment or lose wages you also have the right to get those expenses covered as well. In a case such as a dog bite injury, you may have to prove you were bitten unprovoked. The dog owner may claim you provoked the dog. The case gets harder if the dog was a stray, since the suit would be filed against the owner of the animal in question. The owner might try to claim that he or she had no reason to believe that the animal was dangerous or prone to attacking. Fortunately, this argument is completely irrelevant under Minnesota law. Even if your dog bite case seems straightforward you…
Read MoreStable Pathways Fundraiser Successful!
September 26, 2013 | Barna, Guzy & Steffen, Ltd.It was indeed a Starry, Starry Night for Stable Pathway’s first annual fall fundraiser event. Sarah Thies, Board Member of Stable Pathways and BGS Legal Administrative Assistant said, “It was amazing. Everyone worked so hard to prepare for this night and in the end, it all just fell into place.” The well attended event included a silent auction, live band, dinner and a program demonstration. The program demonstration displayed some of the many benefits the participants in Stable Pathways receive from equine-assisted activities for people living with physical and cognitive challenges. Therapeutic horseback riding helps riders “organize” body and brain. The horse’s gait is most similar to a human gait so riding provides a connection to a natural rhythmic movement from the horse that stimulated the rider’s body and brain. “Stable Pathways owns six horses which need both veterinary care and feeding over the coming winter months. The funds raised will go a long way to offset these expenses and necessary costs,” said Sarah, “We are grateful that the event was so successful.” Stable Pathways is a 501(c)(3) organization. To learn more about Stable Pathways and the Starry, Starry Night Gala, visit stablepathways.org
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