What it Means to represent a Client Zealously

Missouri attorneys are well aware of Canon 7, which mandates every attorney to "represent a client zealously within the bounds of the law." Disciplinary Rule 7-101(A)(1) provides that "a lawyer shall not intentionally ... fail to seek the lawful objectives of his client through reasonably available means permitted by law and the Disciplinary Rules." DR 7-101(A)(3) provides that "a lawyer shall not intentionally ... prejudice or damage his client during the course of the relationship."

But what does it mean to be "zealous" for a client? Does it mean that anything an attorney does that is lawful and not barred by another canon is OK? Are attorneys required to be disagreeable, uncooperative, unreasonable, and unruly, all in the name of being zealous?

Over the years, I have heard many attorneys say "I am just doing my job" or "I am just representing my client." But when does attorney conduct become so zealous that it is no longer effective and, in fact, is counterproductive? It is sort of like the old TV show "The Price is Right," in which you tried to guess the price of a product, coming as close as you could without going over the top and guessing too high. If you guessed too high, you automatically lost. Being "zealous" can be very similar.

If an attorney becomes uncooperative, unreasonable, and unruly, he or she risks providing their clients with a disservice rather than a service. Attorney conduct can set the tone for the proceedings or negotiation process. In this world, we definitely reap what we sow. If an attorney refuses to provide any information informally, the other side will probably do likewise, thereby causing delays, uneasiness, bad feelings, and inflated legal fees. If attorneys schedule matters without contacting the other side, unnecessary motions, conflict, legal fees, and uneasiness are birthed and nurtured. The tone will have been set unless and until someone rises above it.

If an attorney asserts unreasonable objections to requests from the other side, without at least offering a good faith response as to what we feel will eventually be required, the other side is very tempted to do likewise. People tend to get self-righteous when they feel wronged. "How dare they" is a common response, followed quickly by "I'll show them." Oftentimes this self-righteous response causes unsightly things like road rage, abrupt endings to phone conversations, countersuits, and cross-motions. Many seem to have a difficult time turning the other cheek. However, if we lay down our self-righteous indignation, the spirit and tone of the proceedings tend to take a turn upward, instead of spiraling downward ad infinitum.

I heard a story years ago about a gentleman who went to a marriage counselor and said, "I hate my wife and want to get a divorce." The counselor suggested that if the man really hated her, then before filing for divorce, he should follow these instructions for 90 days: "Do everything your wife likes. Take her to her favorite restaurants and places. Never complain, get angry, or say a harsh word. Do extra work around the house that she does not even expect you to do." Then, the counselor reasoned, "when you leave her in 90 days, you really will being pulling the rug out from under her as she will be losing this kind person and her life will be turned upside down." The disgruntled husband thought that sounded perfect, so he decided to try it. When the man returned to the marriage counselor in 90 days, he joyfully reported that he no longer wanted to leave his wife. By being so cooperative and agreeable, his wife had changed and was doing the same back. He now loved his marriage.

The same principle holds true in the professional relationships attorneys have. I urge all attorneys to follow this approach to the treatment of opposing counsel for 90 days or so. They may discover that they actually like their job a lot more and will still be zealously serving their clients.

If attorneys work to establish a spirit of reasonableness and cooperation, both sides benefit. Both sides are then working toward a fair result, rather than trying to rob, cheat, club, and humiliate the other side. If we sow good seed, we reap good fruit. If we sow bad seed, we are fortunate if we reap any fruit.

If we go the extra mile to be reasonable and cooperative, despite what the other side is up to, we might be surprised to see the other side follow suit. We raise the bar, so to speak. It is hard to keep getting angry at someone who treats you fairly and courteously despite your discourteous conduct.

If there is a two-foot long sandwich in a room with several extremely hungry people who do not know each other and are on the verge of starvation, a tendency is to be zealous for yourself and grab the whole sandwich to make sure you get fed and live. What is the motive behind that behavior? It seems clear that it is a fear. But if one person treats his neighbor as he would like to be treated and gives some of the sandwich to the other hungry people, that spirit of fear is lifted, and the mood in the room changes from one of selfishness to one of neighborly love and cooperation.

Additionally, if everyone grabs for the sandwich, in the name of "zealousness," portions of the sandwich will almost assuredly get mangled, fall on the floor, get stepped on and not get eaten by anyone. A big mess will almost certainly result. People will not even be able enjoy the pieces they snatched because others are hovering over them and grabbing at what they have. In short, it is an adversarial system that is out of control. No one is satisfied or has any peace.

The goal is to change the climate in the room-to be reasonable, to be cooperative, to go the extra mile for the other person, and to share what you have with others. Let others go first. Gain their trust so that you can all have some of the sandwich and enjoy the process.

Let's assume peace has not yet descended upon the room. Instead someone has grabbed the whole sandwich, and everyone else is seemingly in dire straits. What are you to do? Many feel they must try to grab the sandwich from the one who has it. After all, that's what the other guy did. Then what ensues? Grabbing, biting, and scratching from every direction. In essence, many of us at times regrettably lower ourselves to the behavior level around us. Is that fruitful and productive? While our primitive survival instinct may say "yes," I feel that a more in-depth reflection will reveal otherwise.

When we are each looking out for ourselves, no one really wins. Oh, we may win for the short term and get to pig out and eat much of the sandwich ... today. In fact, today we may even get stuffed and overfed. But what about when the next sandwich comes and again there is no sharing? Same result: Some food falls to the floor, some gets ripped and mashed, and the winner gets it all ... but possibly none the next time.

Let's go back to the situation of having missed out on the sandwich that is now in the hands of the "bad guy." Instead of continuing to fight, how about conceding that he or she can have it all but gently pointing out that next time he or she might not be so fortunate? While he or she is getting fed today, it might be weeks before he or she savors another morsel. Also, if you are fortunate enough to get a piece of the sandwich, how about sharing it with someone else? A spirit of cooperation can help get everyone fed a little each time.

The same applies with our adversaries in the legal system. If attorneys do the unthinkable and go the extra mile for their adversary, their adversary will tend to realize that they do not have an overzealous one on the other side and are far more likely to work with the other attorney in a spirit of cooperation so everyone enjoys not only the meal but the process. When this happens, everyone benefits. The client avoids a lot of the anxiety and stress associated with the adversarial system - and legal fees.

The client may even pick up on this spirit of cooperation and may make peace and forgive the other side, thus perhaps letting go of the bitterness that is eating them alive. We can all be transformed. When this happens, the entire process tends to run much more smoothly. Going to work might even become more enjoyable and less combative, adversarial and stressful. Attorneys can still be zealous for their client - just in a different sort of way than our instincts often dictate.

December 18, 2008

James F. Adler has been a Senior Partner at his law firm for 30 years and has handled 100's of cases as a personal injury auto accident lawyer in Missouri and Kansas.

Insurance Policy Doesn't Always Cover Against Lawsuit

Sometimes when a lawsuit is filed against you, your insurance company will provide you with an attorney to represent you but indicate that this is an "excess claim" and that it is defending you under a "reservation of rights". An excess claim is one in which the amount sought exceeds the policy limits. In such a situation, you are responsible for any amount awarded in excess of your policy limits.

A reservation of rights means that your insurance carrier is reserving its right to deny coverage and to withdraw its defense in the matter. This may be because it believes you are insured for one of the claims against you but not for others.

For example, if you sell and install a built-in oven that later explodes and injures someone, you may be sued for negligent installation and a breach of warranty. Your insurance carrier may believe you have coverage for the negligence claim but not for the warranty claim and thus will defend under a reservation of rights. If you win on the negligence claim and lose on the warranty claim, your insurance company may deny coverage.

If a claim for punitive damages is included in the lawsuit, your insurance company will usually indicate it is not responsible for that portion of the claim.

Another reason your insurance company may reserve its rights to deny coverage is if it thinks you may have provided false or misleading information on your application for insurance, such as failing to inform them that you install the ovens you sell.

Sometimes it is unclear whether your policy covers the type of claim being made against you. Your insurance carrier may choose to defend you because if it fails to do so and you lose, it would be responsible for the judgment if a court subsequently rules that the policy did provide coverage in this area.

When your insurance company indicates that you have less than full coverage and/or it is defending under a reservation of rights, your interests may be diametrically opposed to your insurance company's. While both of you hope that you win the case outright, your insurance company wants the matter to be settled or resolved outside of your coverage. You, of course, want it to be settled or resolved within your coverage.

While the attorney provided by your insurance company represents you on the claims against you, he or she cannot get involved in the coverage issues raised by your insurance carrier.

It is wise to consult your own attorney at the outset to represent you on the coverage issues. Your attorney can negotiate with your insurance carrier to settle the claim within your policy limits so that you do not run the risk of being liable for any award in excess of your policy limits. If you insurance company acts in bad faith and fails to settle the matter within your policy limits, it may become responsible for the excess amount, as well.

Your own attorney may also suggest that you reject the reservation of rights and force your insurance company to either defend without any limitations or to deny coverage.

If the insurer denies coverage and refrains from providing you with an attorney, it runs the risk of being responsible for the judgment if another court ultimately rules that your policy covered you against the claim. If either you or your carrier do not like this element of risk a separate suit on the policy (a declaratory judgment action) may be immediately filed by either of you seeking a judicial determination as to whether there is coverage and if so, where the coverage lies.

When you receive a letter from your insurance company indicating that the claim is in excess of your coverage or that it is defending under a reservation of rights, you should contact your own attorney immediately so that crucial strategic decisions can be made early on. If you wait until the case against you is ultimately resolved, it may be too late.

December 22, 2008

James F. Adler has been a Senior Partner at his law firm for 30 years and has handled 100's of cases as a personal injury lawyer for a truck accident in Missouri or Kansas.

Simple Tips For Winning Accident Insurance Claims

All those who have ever been involved in any accident of any kind know that filing accident insurance claims can be quite a challenge. While a great number of people forward such claims, only few are those who actually see their claim to a successful end. In what follows we will try to guide you through the process of filing the simple, yet most effective claim ever.

The first thing you MUST do after having been involved in an accident is to go see a doctor for a complete physical examination. This way, not only do you prevent any further discomfort but also, you will prove to your insurers that you have nothing to hide about your medical history, or your actual condition.

The next, absolutely crucial step is to inform your insurance company about the accident and the conditions it took place in. Your insurers must be put up to date with every little aspect of your auto accident, because any misinformation can backfire against you. If you haven't done this already, now would be a great time to have a look at your insurance policy. This will give you complete knowledge of the exact areas covered by your insurance and also a clue about just how much compensation you can get.

Even if you have done this with the police, you will have to write down in detail a complete auto accident insurance claim statement. Here you will support your words with actual facts such as witness testimonies, a declaration from the other driver if the accident involved two parties and of course, the most important, you would need photos from the accident site and fully detailed medical records. All of these will contribute to the final evaluation of your claim and will decide the amount of money you can ask for.

Every element relating to your injury claim is relevant. Do not, under any circumstance, rely on your memory alone. Write down every conversation you had with anyone regarding the accident, keep track of all bills, and repairing fees or lost property. If the claim cannot be settled in an amiable manner, you will have to go to court, where such details can be used in your favor during the trial.

As said before, you will need to consult your insurance. If you have multiple insurance policies you may have more than one accident claim to file for different reasons in order to get all the compensation you are entitled to. This is why you should take the time to get familiar and review, on a periodical basis, your insurance policies.

Nothing can be done without honesty. Just like in real life, when filing accident insurance claims you must be honest to yourself and to the others involved in the process. If your insurers come to see you are building a case on lies or incongruence your claim can be disbanded on fraudulent grounds.

All accident insurance claims can be solved in hearings with your insurers alone. But, if you have to go to court, these are the elements you must found your claim on.

Claiming Compensation For Work Place Injuries

Work place injuries are a common reason behind personal injury claims . There is a huge number of employees who get injured during the course of their work and duty. Any employee who experiences injury that is an outcome of his or her employer's fault and negligence, he or she is entitled to a compensation claim for the afflicted injury.

For this purpose, the injured employee needs to come into contact with an expert solicitor who will be able to assist the whole procedure in order to get a deserving amount of compensation claim. The personal injury lawyer is the one who after listening to you devises the whole plan based upon the proofs being provided to him in order to make your case presentable to the employer's insurers.

Work place injury claims can be filed on the grounds if you have experienced the injury not because of your fault but because of the irresponsibility of your employer. You need witnesses and solid proofs to strengthen your case. Such cases take months to get settled and in some cases if the employer is showing a lot of rigidity and he is not ready to accept his mistake, then the case can linger on till years even. Most of these case do not reach the court arena rather get settle off the court if the employer does not want to be get involved in the court proceedings and takes the whole responsibility for the medical expenses.

Work place injuries are of different types like accidents in constructions, dangerous machinery operations, falls from height, falling materials, and electrical equipment break downs, defective lifts, exposed dangers from the dangerous tools etc. these type of accidents keep on happening on the work places resulting in severe or minor injuries and at times they can result in death cases even. Back injuries and head injuries are the most common injuries to be experienced at the working sites.

It is the liability of the employers to provide with the safe working environment and premises to his employees. He should be able to make the whole risk assessment plan before the starting of his business in order to minimize the injury risks. The employers need to ensure that all the machines being used are absolutely danger free and the electrical equipment also needs to be safe. In case the employer does not meet the above mentioned responsibilities of his and any of his employees experience injury due to this negligence, then he is the only one liable for the whole accident.

We provide free consultation regarding personal injury claims along with the professional assistance to get you the best Toronto Personal Injury lawyer.

Making a Claim For Compensation Following a Whiplash Injury

There continues to be criticisms in the media about an ever increasing claims culture that is allegedly sweeping the nation. Most recently there have been warnings over a "whiplash epidemic" of fraudulent claims that is supposedly spreading across the UK. Statistics published by the Association of British Insurers (ABI) claim that approximately 1,200 whiplash claims are made each day, amounting to costs of ?2 billion each year.

In spite of these critiques, whiplash is scientifically recognised and sufferers of the condition are often in a considerable amount of pain and discomfort following the injury, therefore, they should not be discouraged in pursuing a genuine personal injury claim.

A whiplash injury occurs when the soft tissue and/or ligaments in the neck and/or back are strained after a sudden movement or forceful jolt. Although the injury can occur in many circumstances they most commonly occur when people are involved in road traffic accidents.

Symptoms of whiplash often include: pain and stiffness of the neck and shoulders, lower back pain, headaches, dizziness, numbness or tingling in the arms/ hands, tiredness, ringing in the ears and blurred vision. Signs of the injury usually become apparent within a few hours of the accident; however, some people begin to develop symptoms after a few days.

Soft tissue injuries can often take several weeks to fully settle, however only a very small number of incidents, between 5-10% have been known to take longer than 1 year to fully recover.

When whiplash is suspected, it is important to get medical advice from either an Accident & Emergency department or a G.P. Treatment of the injury often takes the form of rest, painkillers and the use of an ice pack to reduce any swelling. After a 24 hour period, injured parties are encouraged to move their neck and stay active, to allow the body to adjust and recover as quickly a possible. However, some people may also benefit from complementary therapies such as physiotherapy and osteopathy.

Research has shown that the severity of a whiplash injury is governed by the position of the car's headrest and the president of the AA has stated that drivers could prevent potential injuries by adjusting the headrest on their seat, as

In an attempt to reduce the number of whiplash claims, ABI has requested the government to put into place frameworks to emphasise safe following distances to learner drivers and encourage car retailers to show buyers how to adjust the head rest on the vehicle.

If you or someone you know has suffered an injury as a result of a road traffic accident, you may have grounds to pursue a claim to recover whiplash compensation for the injury or loss suffered

This article has been written by Sarah Nandhra who is a trainee solicitor working for Winston Solicitors, based in Leeds, West Yorks UK. Website; http://www.theclaimsconnection.co.uk/

When Do You Require Personal Injury Lawyer

When someone suffers physical harm in using a product that is manufactured or marketed in a defective or dangerous, this person may sue those responsible for the damage suffered. This is a trial for damages caused by defective products. The law of product liability is based on the responsibility of the manufacturer or supplier of goods to compensate users of these products because they are the ones who put these products on sale. The basic idea of the law on product liability is that companies that handle these products are in the best position to prevent defective products from reaching the consumer. So if you fail, they are the ones who should be responsible. A lawyer experienced in personal injury can advise injured persons to determine whether there is a lawsuit against the manufacturer or seller of a product, and can help you recover damages to which they are entitled under the law.

Personal Attacks by injuries or Animal Bites
The attacks of animals can result in much more than physical pain like disfigurement, fear of rabies and other diseases, including trauma to the type of animal that caused the injuries. The owner of a pet animal can be liable for the injuries that result when the animal bites or attacks someone, the owner must compensate the injured person for damage caused.

Slips, fall and other damage occurred in Personal Property
The laws of the responsibility of the owners and occupiers of properties are related to damage caused to people in those properties. One of the most common causes of such damage are slipping or falling, such as falls in an entry with ice, one step irregular or loose, some junk, or liquid spilled on the floor. The responsibility of individuals varies according to the rules and principles adopted in the jurisdiction where the accident occurs. A lawyer experienced in cases of damage occurred in property can determine if the case is strong, and can help you recover damages and costs for lost wages, medical bills, pain and suffering.

For more information visit on link: Personal Injury Attorney

Personal Injury Claims in Relation to Injured Children

If you've picked up a newspaper recently, you'll be fully aware of the case involving the death of the young boy who was living in north London and is known in court and in the media as 'Baby P'. The mother of the 17-month-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons due to age and privacy reasons (hence 'Baby P'), has been convicted of causing or allowing his death by a jury at the Old Bailey. Two men - one of whom was the mother's boyfriend - have also been convicted of causing or allowing his death.

This comes on the back of the case of Garcia v East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust in which a baby damaged at birth attempted to claim damages against the East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust. In Garcia v East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust the court looked at what was the cause of the damage to the child and determined there was no negligence by the NHS trust concerned. Difficult cases such as this will rest on the medical evidence concerned.

Garcia v East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust helped bring attention to personal injury claims in regards to babies. There are a wide range of reasons as to why someone might make a personal injury claim, but few are as traumatic as when a baby dies or is injured at birth.

Although the case of the 17-month-old boy known as 'Baby P' was not a personal injury one, it did highlight that social services had not done as much for the child as it could have. Likewise, in Garcia v East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust, attention was brought upon the idea that the hospital could have done more for the child, although in that particular case it was cleared of any wrongdoing. A damaged child will cost the parents considerable amounts of money to raise and where the hospital has been negligent a claim can be brought to help aid these costs. Although in the Garcia case, the connection between the action of the hospital and the damage was not found and the court determined that even if the child had been induced and the birth been earlier, the injury, which was a stroke, would still have occurred. In other cases a valid claim can be made as it is important that those responsible are called to account. The same applies if you are injured at work through the fault of an employer or in an accident whilst driving a car.

Many personal injury cases can be handled on a no-win, no-fee basis if you prefer and once liability is established the question of damages needs to be determined. There are many ways in which someone can suffer personal injury. It could be the result of a road traffic incident, accident at work or in a public place, or other accidental injury, and if you have suffered personal injury through the fault of others, you may be eligible for compensation. Even if you are not sure whether or not you have a valid claim, the best law firms will offer all initial consultations free of charge and without obligation. This will help clarify the options available and can put your mind at ease.

This article is free to republish provided the authors resource box below remains intact.

Ian Robinson is the managing partner of Churchers No Win No Fee Solicitor and surrounding areas and are also leading Personal Injury Claim Lawyer specialists.

Unlucky Enough to Be Caught Out by Snow This Winter? Time to Claim For Your Car Accident

Being caught driving in bad weather is bad enough, but being involved in an accident in winter and when it is snowing, or running into a snow drift on a country road or lane, is worse. Being involved in a car accident in winter is quite common in the UK because it is virtually impossible to keep all the roads snow free and safe. Also pinpointing whose fault it was can be quite difficult, as it all depends on where the accident took place and how it happened. Was one not maintaining a safe speed and distance, or was an attempt made to suddenly avoid an obstruction in front? Was visibility poor or did a driver not switch on the headlights? There could be any number of reasons, and a car impacting hard packed snow is like running into a wall. There maybe an obstruction in the snow which was not visible, and hitting that is definitely going to cause extensive damage to the car.

Well whatever the reason the car has suffered damages, and may need time in the shop - or could even be a total write off. In either case, alternate transport would be required until the car gets repaired or replaced. Needless to say, the insurance company would need to be informed as soon as possible about the accident; the location, circumstances and detailed information of the other driver or drivers and of any witnesses should be given. Also report where the car is and give an estimate of the damages and estimate the time and cost of repairs. Insurance companies want to make sure that the car is with a certified workshop. In case of an accident due to snow in which the car gets damaged but there are no injuries to anyone, inform the insurance company, or they may have provided a list of workshops to which the car can be taken for an estimate of costs for repair. Insurance companies do send their surveyor who does an independent assessment of damages, and that is generally what the insurance company agrees to pay. The insurance company may provide an alternate car till the car is repaired or replaced depending on the damages, claim, etc. - all this is dependent on the age of the car and type of insurance on it. If the car is more than 5 years old, don't expect to get a brand new car as replacement. Only the cost of repairing it or its insured value is what the insurance company is obliged to pay. Stalling of an early claim in case there are no injuries or damage to private property can certainly damage a claim. So no matter what the circumstances, an immediate report must be made to the insurers.

Drive safely and in bad weather try to avoid driving; but then there are necessities that force a person to drive. But being prepared for the worst always helps, no matter how good a driver or how pristine the car may be. Informing the police and insurance company is a big plus. So don't delay filing a report and a claim.

Start your car accident claim now at My Injury Lawyer

A Personal Injury Overview

There is hope and relief for victims of personal injury. Today, many laws have been enacted to help victims fight back. Many times, such victims lack the proper information to fight their case and end up in frustration and anger. The first thing you need to know is what personal injury law is.

A personal injury is said to occur to a person when an accident or medical malpractice results in some kind of physical or psychological injury to such person. This includes a vast category of injuries like industrial disease cases, automobile accidents, tripping accidents, other accidents at work, assault claims, defective product accidents, accidents at home, holiday accidents and the like. The injured person is entitled to monetary compensation from the person who is responsible for the occurrence due to his negligence.

In United States, the personal injury law is laid down as various forms of "torts". Torts are acts, or failure to act, that interferes with somebody's freedom to enjoy their personal and property rights. These can be based on intentional misconduct, strict liability without regard to actual misconduct or negligent misconduct.

Intentional misconduct refers to illegally invading a person's privacy, assault, battery or intentionally inflicting emotional distress on another person. Strict liability refers to product failures. Negligent misconduct refers to personal injury claims.

When you become a victim of any kind of injury, you should first get in touch with a personal injury lawyer who can help you claim damages for your injury in accordance with the law. You can then present your case in the most convincing manner, gathering all required evidence of negligence on part of the defaulter, for you to get a favorable verdict. One is required to file such personal injury lawsuit without much delay.

The pain and suffering that you suffer varies with regard to the personal injury inflicted on you. In some cases, it could be very bad and even lead to permanent disability. Such monetary compensation can help you fight with the pain or suffering that you have to bear all through your life. The injury attorney can help you determine how much compensation you are entitled to and also your chances of recovery. The amount of personal injury settlement depends on the severity of the injury, sum of lost wages, treatment expenses and time taken to heal the injury.

Such injury lawsuits could take three months to as long as eighteen months. The duration of such settlement depends upon the circumstances and complexity of the injury. If the victim is a minor, such settlement is blocked in his bank account till he is an adult. Only when such minor requires immediate money for treatment purposes does the court give an order accordingly.

Often the injured victim makes use of structured settlement to get financial protection after they receive an injury settlement. Structured settlement is designed so that the victim can get tax benefits and also plan for his future needs accordingly.

Marc Dean is a freelance writer. He has done significant research on Personal Injury, Auto Accidents and wrongful death and recommends seeking out Personal Injury Attorney.

Sports Injuries

Sports injuries are a major concern for all sports teams. No team wants any of its players to be injured. The team will suffer because its talent will not be able to play and contribute to the team's success. Moreover, an injured players will cost a team because of the medical care and attention that she or he required. Moreover, even no athlete wants to be injured. An inured athlete is basically useless: she or he cannot contribute to the team and cannot even practice.

Sports injuries can occur to athletes of all levels, from elementary school children to professionals. Many sports injuries are common. Sprained ankles, for example, affect many athletes. The more athletes have to run, the more stress their ankles experience. For example, after 4 quarters of almost continuous running, a basketball player's chances of spraining her or his ankle increase dramatically. Or, when a basketball player jumps for a shot and lands, her or his ankle may get sprained because the player lands too hard.

Another common injury that athletes sustain is broken bones. After running for years, or getting hit continuously, as football players do, the body starts to wear down. The bones, after absorbing lots of force, begin to crack little by little. As a result, basketball players, whose knees get pounded, or football or hockey players, whose entire bodies get pounded, are likely to break bones.

Back injury or strain is another major sports injury. The spinal column is an integral body part when it comes to sports, as the spinal column is connected to other bodily movements and thus it also takes a lot of strain when athletes' play exerts force on other body parts.

These sports injuries are among the more common sports injuries. They occur rather regularly and can be treated efficiently. There are other sports injuries, however, that are more serious and more dangerous that these. One such sports injury is the concussion. Concussions are injuries that affect the brain and are caused when an athlete's head gets hit. Concussions usually occur to football and soccer players because their heads get hit. Football players tackle one another and soccer players often hit the soccer ball with their head. Additionally hockey players often experience concussions after they body check each other. Another serious sports injury is fractured collar bone. The collar bone is a very delicate bone, and it can tolerate any excessive force well.

Sports injuries can be minor or serious. Most of them affect an athlete's performance, though. For more information about sports injuries, contact the Milwaukee personal injury attorneys of Habush, Habush, & Rottier by calling 1-800-242-7205 or by sending us a message.

Joseph Devine

Choosing Lawyers For Brain Injury Compensation

In more extreme cases, a family member who has had a trauma resulting in a brain injury may be unable to feed, clothe or wash themselves unaided; speech and cognitive thought may be impaired. It is also possible that co-ordination and movement could be adversely affected by a brain injury. For example, in some milder cases a family member who has had a trauma resulting in a brain injury may lose the ability to remember what was said or done a few moments previously, or may be unable remember much of their previous life, but may function quite normally in all other respects.

Precisely which effects are experienced will depend on which areas of the brain have suffered injury and damage. Unlike many other body tissues, our nervous system is not able to heal or repair itself very effectively, even with time.

However severe a brain injury may be, the time will come when the patient can be brought home, and day-to-day responsibility for care will pass to the family and specialist nursing staff. This means that practical plans must be made to address the realities that face a family member who has had a trauma resulting in a brain injury in the months and years ahead.

A compensation award will fund the ongoing care of a family member who has had a trauma resulting in a brain injury, enabling families to achieve the best possible quality of life in the years ahead for all concerned.

The issues are many and complex and only one compensation award will be made. Settlements may take between three and five years to achieve, and in the interim, the brain injured patient will still need specialist equipment, adaptations to homes, therapy and specialist nursing care. A legal firm that specialises in serious brain injury cases will be able to help you, as contrary to widely held beliefs, they will do far more than merely fight your case for you in the courts.

If you are reading this article because you are experiencing the trauma of a loved one having suffered a brain injury and are seeking further information, visit the website of any prospective serious law firm to check that they specialise in serious injury compensation cases, and have successful track record in dealing with brain injury cases. Brain injury does not have to be a life sentence for the whole family.

Neil Glover - Serious injury lawyers with unrivalled expertise. Specialist services for spinal injury, brain injury, head and amputation clients from the UK's leading specialised injury law practice.

ng@seriouslaw.co.uk

0800 61 66 81

Securing Compensation For Brain Injury

If you are reading this review because one of your relatives or friends has recently suffered a catastrophic brain injury, you or may be facing a wide range of conflicting emotions and extraordinary distress as you come to terms with the consequences of such a serious accident.

However, these cases are rare and more frequently the victim of a brain injury will recover consciousness and will be able to be discharged from hospital to return home. However, they may be seriously affected by the brain injury and may be completely unable to care for themselves.

However, not all brain injury will produce such severe symptoms. There are also milder cases of brain injury where, for example, a loved one may lose the ability to remember what was said a few moments previously, but function quite normally in all other respects. Care will still be required, but to a lesser extent.

Unfortunately, it is impossible to accurately predict the extent and consequences of a brain injury resulting from a head trauma in the early stages following an accident; in many cases, the full effects will only become apparent with time. Perhaps the hardest fact to come to terms with is that the chances of a full recovery from a brain injury are slight. Unlike many other body tissues, our nervous system is not able to repair itself very effectively, even with time. This means that the effects of a brain injury must be considered to be permanent.

The considerations that must be made in cases of brain injury are many and complex and only one compensation award will be made. If the sum awarded as compensation for the brain injury proves to be inadequate to provide lifelong care, there is no opportunity to go back to the courts to ask for further funds at a later date. Furthermore, you will need financial and practical assistance both before and after the brain injury compensation case has been heard; when a final settlement may take up to five years to achieve, this is an important consideration to bear in mind when selecting your legal firm.

A legal practice that specialises in serious brain injury compensation cases will do far more than merely fight your case for you in the courts. Further, firms that speicialse in serious injury law are likely to have a wide range of managed care solutions that are offered to their clients, free of charge, and for the lifetime of their brain injury client.

Neil Glover -
Serious injury lawyers with unrivalled expertise. Specialist services for spinal injury, brain injury, head and amputation clients from the UK's leading specialised injury law practice.

ng@seriouslaw.co.uk
0800 61 66 81

How a Personal Injury Lawyer Can Help You

Do you know what personal injury is in legal terms? It is described as a state where an individual suffers any kind of bodily or mental injury because of an accident or any medical negligence. The most common personal injury claims consist of the following incidents, traffic accidents that happen on the road; accidents while a person is at their work place; accidents due to tripping; accidents that happen inside the house; and accidents that happen due to substandard products or services.

When an accident occurs, the person who is injured may seek to assign fault to someone or something. After all, the victim may not be able to work, and may also face a long period of recovery. The emotional trauma affecting not only the person, but the extended family can be extensive. If fault can be proven, then the injured person may stand to receive substantial monetary payment as compensation.

If you intend to follow this procedure, you must first determine whether or not you are entitled to be compensated. You must find out if you have a case. It is at this juncture that many victims engage a personal injury lawyer.

A personal injury lawyer is a person who can offer legal help to an individual who alleges to have been hurt, bodily or mentally, in a personal injury case.

Personal injury attorneys and accident lawyers are given specific training in personal injury matters. They are licensed so that they can take on nearly any type of grievance, but usually they accept cases which are related to tort law. Tort law comprises civil errors and monetary or other damages related to an individual's reputation, or their privileges. This area would also include theft or damage connected to personal property.

Injuries happening in the work place, automobile accidents, faulty products, or mistakes due to medical incompetence, are some of the examples of tort cases. Even though personal injury attorneys may have a vast understanding of tort law, many prefer to concentrate their attention and specialize only in certain areas. As a result cases that involve things like medical malpractice and labor accidents gain prominence.

Locating the right injury expert for your particular situation can take some research on your part. When performing your search, check out the legal training, past achievements, and successful cases of the attorney you are considering. A lawyer who is versed and efficient in their areas of expertise will publicize this fact. So be sure and match your assignment to the attorney who has the most knowledge and practical experience.

The final goal of the lawyer is to assist you, the injured party, to get justice and payments that you ought to have because of your injuries. Even if the accident was your fault, in some instances you can be compensated. It is definitely worthwhile to at least explore your options. Don't suffer any longer, get a personal injury lawyer on your side.

For a free evaluation of your case and to find an experience personal injury lawyer visit InjuryExperts.com - You will be contacted quickly by phone to schedule your free, confidential case review. Article source - Info Articles.

Accidents Happen, Are You Prepared?

You look down at your phone, you take a drink, your talking to your friend, suddenly an explosion occurs. You are flung forward, someone has hit your side door, you are sore, you think you are bleeding. This scene plays out to almost 2.5 million people each year who are injured in car accidents. And virtually everyone has a car crash at some point in their lives. Despite the improvements to automobiles to withstand collisions with other vehicles many people are still seriously injured.

If you have been involved in a traffic accident you know how traumatic it can be. It is often very difficult to think clearly in those moments right after the accident. You may not remember all of the details of the crash correctly and yet you are expected to tell the police investigating the accident exactly what happened. Obviously if you are hurt or the other party is injured call for medical assistance. If the vehicles are drivable move them off the main road and on to the side of the road for safety. You should collect all pertinent information from the other driver involved either before the police officer arrives or while they are on the scene. The key contact information that is required is their first and last name, address, contact phone numbers and their insurance company.

Now I am going to let you in on a little secret to make sure you manage the accident correctly you need to call a personal injury attorney. You may be wondering why this is important and the answer is simple everyone else you will need to contact the insurance company, the other parties insurance company even the police can impact how your case is handled and what you may be entitled to in terms of damages. By preparing ahead of time to select a qualified law firm and keeping their phone number in your wallet you can protect yourself even if you are not at fault. A personal injury lawyer provides valuable information regarding your legal rights and will help you with all the paperwork involved that may help protect you even if you are not at fault. Many times a person's story changes once the police start to write up the accident report. If there is injuries involved your attorney can start the process of identifying the lost wages, medical expenses and other compensation that you may be entitled to in a lawsuit.

A lawyer will limit your liability and make sure that a financial settlement if you are not at fault is in your best interest. Many lawyers will evaluate your case at no charge and let you know what they feel you may be entitled to and most will work on a contingency fee meaning they work for free unless there is a settlement in your favor. While we all hope to avoid accidents many times those vehicle mishaps are completely out of control. However if you take the time to prepare ahead of time, you can avoid costly mistakes and maximize your compensation should you ever be involved in an auto accident.

Remember everyone has a right to make a compensation claim, if ever involved in a car accident. Make sure you have everything you need in before that emergency happens.

Resources

USAhurt.com is a lawyer directory focused on providing access to the top personal injury attorneys and law firms across the country. They offer Free consultations regarding your accident by qualified Chicago personal injury lawyers and New York personal injury lawyers.

Keith is a contributing writer for http://www.usahurt.com

What Every Injury Claim Must Have

First: liability

The first issue your lawyer must consider in every auto accident claim is whether it can be proven the other party was at fault. Lawyers call this establishing liability. Legally, it means the other party owed a duty which they breached, such as driving at a reasonable speed, maintaining control of their car, stopping when required, or yielding the right-of-way. You may be thinking this should be quite obvious. Many times it is. But many times it is not so obvious. What about two cars colliding in an intersection with both drivers claiming to have had a green light? Many multi-car rear end collisions involve proving which car caused the first impact. For example, did the second car in line cause the accident by striking the first car (car number two is liable), or did the third car hit the second car, driving it into the first car (car number three is liable). The physical evidence of how the accident occurred, along with statements of the most credible witnesses, will control the question of proving liability.

In evaluating the issue of liability, the insurance company will look for every opportunity to argue the injured party also was at least partially at fault in the accident. This is known as arguing comparative fault. Florida is a comparative fault state, which means when an accident occurs involving two cars, it is possible that both cars may be found responsible (or be held liable) for the accident. Every insurance adjuster evaluates every accident with the goal of attempting to place as much blame as possible on the injured party for any fault they may have had in causing the accident.

Why is this important to you?

The evaluation process requires a careful examination of the facts to determine whether the insurance company will be successful in proving whether you are also at fault. They do not have to place the fault entirely on you. Any amount of comparative fault they can successfully prove will reduce the amount they you owe in compensation . For instance, if the at fault driver turned into the path of your oncoming vehicle, they would be liable for damages. However, if their insurance company could successfully prove you were also responsible for some percentage of fault in the accident, due to unlawful speed or some other factor, any percentage of your fault would reduce your settlement or verdict by that percentage. Proving comparative fault by you of twenty five percent in causing the accident would reduce your settlement or verdict by twenty five percent. Any combination of fault can be made by a jury, if the evidence shows that both parties were at fault.

The issue of evaluating exactly what each driver did leading up to a crash is extremely important. Your lawyer needs to question you closely and you need to be honest in telling your lawyer exactly what happened. Otherwise, both you and your lawyer may be caught off guard later, hurting your case. Rest assured, the other driver's insurance company is going to look for every argument you were also at fault. If they are successful in making that argument, it will save them money.

Second: causation

The second issue which must be proven is that someone's negligent act caused your injury. This is referred to as causation. Causation can be straightforward, such as when a pedestrian's leg is broken by a car running them down, or when your car is severely damaged in a rear end collision which causes you neck or back injuries. However, there are two major areas involving auto automobile accidents where causation issues frequently arise. The first is in rear end impact cases where there is no evidence of impact on your vehicle. Lawyers frequently see cases involving collisions resulting in absolutely no evidence of impact on the car occupied by the injured person. Commonly, complaints of neck and back injury result from such collisions involving minor soreness and soft tissue damage. Many insurance companies have set up special teams to handle the defense of claims involving little or no property damage. They are sometimes as MIST cases (minor impact soft tissue). They believe showing photographs of a car with no property damage will allow them to convince a jury the accident did not cause any injury claimed.

However, other accidents involving little or no property damage result in clear, objectively provable injuries, typically disk injuries of the neck or back. Many people are seriously injured in low-impact or low property damage collisions. Proving causation in these types of cases requires your lawyer to have a full understanding of the medical and engineering principles which will be argued by the insurance industry against you. This must be fully discussed with any lawyer you hire.

The second area in which causation issues may be argued by the insurance company typically arises if you have been injured in a prior accident or reported a prior injury, most commonly involving the back or neck. When the injury claimed in your current accident involves a part of the body which has been previously injured, or otherwise required medical treatment, you can expect the insurance company to question whether the accident caused the current injury or whether it simply aggravated a pre-existing condition. The insurance company will work very hard to find any such evidence. They have access to a medical claims database which often shows whether you have previously had medical claims paid. Armed with that information they will ask your lawyer for medical records from every provider they can locate in search of evidence of some pre-existing injury or condition to the same area of your body involved in the current accident. This requires your complete cooperation with your lawyer. The last thing you want in your claim is for your lawyer to be surprised with medical records produced by the insurance company revealing treatments or complaints of a pre-existing condition. You should fully discuss with your lawyer any prior accidents, particularly accidents in which you received any injury. You should also a carefully recall whether you have ever reported pain or discomfort to your doctor to any part of your body injured in your current accident. Your attorney will need a full understanding of these facts.

Third: damages

Once you and your lawyer consider liability and causation, the issue of damages must be evaluated. Damages include both tangible and intangible losses. Tangible losses are your financial losses, including wages, wage earning capacity, medical expenses which must be repaid to insurance companies and other third parties, including Medicare, Medicaid, VA and Worker's Compensation insurance carriers, as well as unpaid medical expenses incurred and in those you more likely than not will need in the future. This will require your lawyer to have a full understanding of your medical treatment and any medical treatment your doctor believes you will more likely than not require in the future, together with the cost of such treatment. In proving any lost wages and wage earning capacity, your lawyer will need to obtain evidence of your earnings and evaluate whether an expert could be used to establish the likelihood that you will suffer a loss of your earning capacity in the future.

Fourth: insurance coverage

Finally, your lawyer must determine if the at fault party has the ability to pay the losses that you have suffered. This usually comes down to insurance coverage and investigation of the defendants assets, if necessary. Is the at fault party insured and what limits of insurance coverage are available to pay your losses? Are there other sources of insurance? Based on the circumstances of your case, your lawyer may be required to do one or more of the following in order to investigate coverage:

Determine whether the vehicle was owned by the driver or some other person, corporation or governmental entity;

Request and obtain sworn policy information from any insurance company providing coverage for the driver, the owner, and any other entity having legal responsibility for the vehicle, including any excess or umbrella insurance policy;

Request and obtain sworn policy information from your auto insurance company regarding any uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage available on your policy. If your insurance company maintains you rejected uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage on your policy, require them to produce any rejection form to make sure it complies with the requirements of Florida's insurance laws.

Conduct an assets check of any assets owned by the owner, driver, or other entity legally responsible for the vehicle.

Attorney James W. Dodson is a Clearwater, Florida personal injury trial lawyer with over 20 years experience representing clients in all types of injury claims including vehicle accidents, fall cases and wrongful death. He is the author of three books offered FREE to consumers as a guide to dealing with accidents and insurance. Visit his website at JWDodsonLaw.com for FREE copies of these books, other articles, videos, news and commentary.

Tips For Finding a Good Accident Lawyer

If you are injured in an auto accident, you need someone on your side to protect your rights and ensure you get the compensation you deserve. That's where the process of finding a good accident lawyer comes into play. But how do you know whether the attorney you choose will be able to handle your case competently and successfully? We have the tips for finding a good accident lawyer that will ensure your case gets properly represented.

The first step in finding a good accident lawyer is to look for a firm that specializes in this area of law. Ask the attorney you consult with how many accident cases he has handled in the past year. Since attorneys who represent accident victims don't usually take cases for other parties involved, you can ask who the firm primarily represents in these cases as well. To make sure the attorney you choose is in good standing, check with your local bar association. It is also a good idea to ask the firm for references so you can find out if other clients have been pleased with the service they received.

Fees are another aspect in finding a good accident lawyer. While your attorney should not be chosen by cost alone, it is important to get an accurate idea of how much it will cost to settle your case. Many attorneys work on a contingency fee, meaning they will get a percentage of your settlement if you win your case. Finding a good accident lawyer will make all the difference in ensuring you get the settlement you deserve.

Meyerson & O'Neill http://www.meyersonlawfirm.com specializes in accident law and is the place to find an expert Pennsylvania accident lawyer. Billings Farnsworth is a freelance writer.

You Have Entered a War Zone Against the Insurance Company

Did you know that the day you were injured you entered a war zone with the insurance industry? Over the past 30 years, the insurance industry has spent billions of dollars on advertising to spread false and misleading information about accident claims. The industry wants people to believe that the justice system is out of control and that people who file lawsuits are getting millions of dollars for minor injuries. Such propaganda has created the perception among the public that the tort system is broken. Even President Bush regularly argued that there were too many "frivolous lawsuits". Unfortunately, this misinformation campaign has had its desired effect upon people who are called for jury duty. Too many jurors today are highly skeptical of people who file lawsuits claiming money for pain and suffering. They have bought the myths created by the insurance industry. This can be a huge obstacle to achieving justice in your case, even when injuries are severe and negligence has been proven. Lawyers who handle these cases have learned over the past years that it is much more difficult to achieve justice for their clients.

You need to be aware that the insurance claims adjuster has one goal in dealing with your injury claim, settle it for as little money as possible. Adjusters receive extensive training on how to save the company money. There are evaluated on that basis and promoted on that basis. Here are some of the things they do in order to minimize what they will pay on your claim.

First: deny liability

One of the first steps every insurance company undertakes in evaluating any claim is whether they can deny liability. They immediately look for any argument they're insured was not at fault, the injured party was entirely at fault or they are not otherwise legally responsible, as when they're insured's auto was loaned to an unlicensed driver or their policy has lapsed. Many policies actually exclude certain people as authorized drivers.

Second, get the injured party to give a recorded statement

Insurance adjusters are trained to get a recorded statement of the victim after a car crash. They call at the earliest opportunity and try to put them at ease. Their goal is to obtain harmful admissions about how the accident occurred, or to minimize the victim's injury complaints and need for medical care. Lawyers see the harmful effects of such recorded statements. For instance, it is not uncommon for someone injured in an accident to downplay the significance and force of the impact, or to simply agree with the adjusters misstatement of how the accident really occurred. In addition, they may not feel the need for medical attention for several days. All too often, the adjuster is able to obtain a recorded statement in which the person says they feel good and don't need to see a doctor. When their condition worsens, requiring extensive medical treatment, they are left to later explain why they made such an earlier admission, making it appear they've changed their story.

Third: obtaining a signed medical authorization

The adjuster would love to have the injured party sign a general, unrestricted medical authorization giving the insurance company the ability to request medical records from any medical provider they have ever seen. It gives the adjuster the advantage of having the information from treating and other physicians before the victim's lawyer has received those records. While we do not play hide the ball with medical records given to adjuster, we certainly need to know what records they have in their possession. Additionally, the adjuster has no reason to have any medical records unless, and until, a claim is actually made seeking compensation for injuries received in the accident. At the appropriate time, once a claim is made, all relevant medical records will be delivered to them. There is no reason for the insurance adjuster to have them before a claim is made.

Fourth: quick settlement in release

A very common insurance tactic is to contact the victim quickly after an accident and offer a small amount of money to settle any potential claim. This is done before they have ever visited a doctor or realized their need for medical attention. Many serious injuries are not always apparent immediately after an accident. It is not uncommon for people to wait days or weeks before realizing they need treatment. Insurance adjusters are well-trained and understand this fact. Some companies aggressively pursue people injured in an in a car accident, offering them $500, $1000, or $1500 to settle their case on the spot. The condition, of course, is giving the adjuster a signed release of all claims. A release is a legally binding document written by the insurance company to serve as a complete bar against any further recovery, even if the person's condition turns out to be far worse than they realized at the time the release was signed. Accepting a small amount of compensation when no injury has occurred is one thing. Excepting a small amount of compensation, which turns out to bar recovery for a much more serious injury, is totally different. Insurance companies well know that paying a few people a little bit of money, when they have little or no injury, is much cheaper than paying them a great deal of money later after the full extent of their injury is known.

Fifth: convincing the accident victim the adjuster will be fair to them and a lawyer will only cost them money

Lawyers regularly deal with clients who have been contacted by adjusters who have assured them that are their claim will be fairly evaluated. Injured victims are actually told not to contact a lawyer. Adjusters do this for one purpose, to save money. They understand claims settle for larger amounts to clients represented by lawyers. The job of an adjuster is to minimize the amount they pay in settlement of any claim. They also know the injured party has never attempted to place a value on any injury, has no experience negotiating, nor do they have any knowledge of verdicts juries award for similar injuries. Dealing with the adjuster without the assistance of a lawyer is not a level playing field and they know it.

Sixth: surveillance It must be assumed anyone with any significant injury in a car crash will be under surveillance.

Adjusters hire investigators to photograph and videotape accident victims bending over to pick up the newspaper, walking the dog, working in the yard, shopping, going to the gym or to the store. They are looking for evidence of any activity which "appears" to be inconsistent with any physical limitations claimed to have occurred from the accident. Often at trial, they will attempt to introduce a videotape of the victim simply carrying on their daily routine without any apparent difficulty. When asked about the effect of their injury, many accident victims, unaware that they been under surveillance, are not careful in describing their actual limitations, making statements that may conflict with what surveillance appears to show.

These are just a few of the tactics that the insurance industry uses. The effort of the industry has resulted in a national call for "tort reform". Political parties even use it as part of their platform. In too many instances the success of the tort reform movement has emboldened the insurance industry to withhold fair settlements. Any lawyer you select must be familiar with these issues and ready to confront them aggressively on your behalf.

Attorney James W. Dodson is a Clearwater, Florida personal injury trial lawyer with over 20 years experience representing clients in all types of injury claims including vehicle accidents, fall cases and wrongful death. He is the author of three books offered FREE to consumers as a guide to dealing with accidents and insurance. Visit his website at JWDodsonLaw.com for FREE copies of these books, other articles, videos, news and commentary.

What You Should Avoid With Your Injury Claim

People often take for granted the help of a lawyer in their injury claim. What one should be aware of is that no matter how good your personal injury solicitor may be he is not alone in winning your case. It is up to you to come to terms with him and to be absolutely correct in your actions and statements.

Even as a victim you are never considered completely innocent. Maybe you were as much to blame as the other party; it's all a matter of perception. This is why a lawyer comes in handy. He will thoroughly revise your case and mark your advantages but also your weaknesses.

Accident injury claims are often influenced by the physical and mental condition of the victim, both before and after the accident. Medical records should be included in your compensation claim file, not to prove to the court that the accident utterly altered your life, but moreover to show a progressive development of your physical condition and exactly how the accident has affected it.

We said that honesty is the key to a successful claim. Indeed it is. Lying about your history of accidents, or denying it can be just as harmful because insurance companies can, at all times check your records. If this does happen and you have concealed this to your solicitor you might as well consider your claim rejected as no one can believe a liar.

Another important aspect in a compensation claim is the pecuniary factor. Most claims are forwarded on grounds of money lost on medical bills, repairing and maybe even legal taxes, although the last could be eliminated if people applied for a "no win no fee" law firm. In your discussion with your lawyer you must never forget anything. It is, therefore, vital you be honest about your tax history. Even in cases where you may have had problems, your claim should not have to suffer from this. Making a clean start will also give your lawyer a chance to turn tables in your favor; and who else could you think better to sweet-mouth an audience if not an attorney.

Usually, people are afraid to claim or simply don't do it because they think that injuries just go away and they are lucky to get out with nothing more than a scare and a scratch. It is seldom the case. Injuries may take time, up to several years to become obvious. When it does happen you realize it's too late. Accident compensation claims have up to 3 years of delay to be forwarded, but that often varies from state to state. After that period it is hard to keep track of medical or police records and even your memories will have changed.

Our advice for you is to forward your injury claim in complete honesty, avoid things we highlighted here and be as honest as possible. Be assured, it will help your case a great deal and your lawyer will have nothing more to do but state the obvious.

While it is never easy to forward an injury claim you should not make it harder on you by lying. Come clean and let your attorney do his job. You will be granted the compensation you deserve in no time.