Tech Savvy Trucks Saving Lives? September 12, 2008
Posted by Attorney Jonathan Groth in FAQ Personal Injury.Tags: personal injury, truck accidents, Wisconsin Personal Injury Attorney
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The Department of Transportation released a report stating that fatalities involving truck (semi-tractor trailers) collisions are down almost 4%. One of the reasons may be the additional of collision avoidance and lane departure warning/monitoring systems.
This reminded me of some recent semi-truck matters I’ve handled. If you are injured because of a trucker’s negligence be sure to immediately request a copy of the trucks “black box,” gps system and other tracking data. Nowadays, most every truck company keeps tabs on their trucks. This information can be invaluable to the prosecution of a claim for personal injuries.
Jon Groth is a Wisconsin Personal Injury Attorney handling cases throughout Wisconsin and most recently in Hartford, Jackson, New Berlin and Wauwatosa.
September 11th Anniversary September 11, 2008
Posted by Attorney Jonathan Groth in Personal Groth.add a comment
I don’t have much to say. There are far better tributes that you can read elsewhere. Just remember we live in the greatest county in the world.
Insurance Required for Dangerous Dogs? September 9, 2008
Posted by Attorney Jonathan Groth in FAQ Personal Injury.Tags: dog bite, Pit Bull Dog Bites, Wisconsin Dog Bite Attorney, Wisconsin Dog Bite Law, Wisconsin Dog Bites, Wisconsin Personal Injury Attorney
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Does that sound unreasonable? Semi trucks are required to have a certain amount of insurance. Why? Because they are more likely to cause serious injuries. I think it is pretty safe to guess that dangerous dogs are more likely to cause injuries. Why else would they be classified as “Dangerous”?
The story comes from Omaha, Nebraska. They propose that in order to obtain a license for a “dangerous” or “potentially dangers” dog the owner must show proof of $100,000.00 in liability insurance.
A “Dangerous Dog” is defined as:
an animal which attacks, snaps at, bites, or has a history of attacking a human being or domestic animal, one or more times, without provocation.
The city would enforce the law with fines. If a dog owner violates the law three times in 24 months all pets must be turned over to animal control.
Interesting law. Anyone hear of anything like this in Wisconsin?
Jon Groth is a Wisconsin Personal Injury Attorney handling cases throughout Wisconsin and most recently in Kansasville, Beloit, Sheboygan, Wauwatosa and Oconto.
Who’s Getting Older? September 8, 2008
Posted by Attorney Jonathan Groth in FAQ Personal Injury.Tags: health insurance, Nursing Home Abuse, wisconsin personal injury, Wisconsin Personal Injury Attorney
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Time magazinehas some interesting stuff. This week on page 54 is an article by Dan Kadlec about long term care insurance in the United States. Long Term Care is another word for a nursing home, assisted living facilities or at home nursing aids.
If you look around my blog you’ll see that my personal injury practice includes nursing home abuse. We often talk about what to do after the nursing home neglect took place. But, how do you avoid the neglect? There are lots of different things to look out for. Being proactive is one of them.
The Time magazine article talks about the cost of long term care and the difference in premiums depending on your age. For example, if you purchase long term care insurance (i.e. nursing home health insurance) in your 50s you may qualify for a “good-health discount” and only 14% of people are denied coverage. Wait until your 60s and only 42% get the discount and 23% are denied coverage.
This is really important if your family has a history of alzheimers, stroke or other degenerative illnesses. I suggest reading the article. It’s certainly something to think about sooner rather than later.
Jon Groth is a Wisconsin Personal Injury Attorney handling cases throughout Wisconsin and most recently in Algoma, Jackson, Two Rivers and Wauwatosa.
A Drunk Driver Ruins the Celebration September 5, 2008
Posted by Attorney Jonathan Groth in FAQ Personal Injury.Tags: designated driver, Drunk Driver, Drunk Driving, motorcycle accident, punitive damages, Wisconsin car accident lawyer, wisconsin personal injury
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Once again a drunk driver ruins a party. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports that a drunk driver killed a Harley rider during last week’s 105th Harley Davidsons Birthday Celebration. The drunk driver was about 3 times over the legal limit at the time of the collision.
The collision occurred at about 2:15pm on August 29th. She must have started drinking pretty early in the day to get that drunk before 2:15pm. When is it ever worth drinking that much that early? And why would you ever think of driving?
The victim is a 55 year old Michigander.
Once again the call goes out to the legislature to tighten the drunk driving laws in Wisconsin. Hopefully, the DA assigned to this case will enforce the laws currently on the books.
Time is (Not) On My Side September 4, 2008
Posted by Attorney Jonathan Groth in FAQ Personal Injury.Tags: Certified Medical Records, HIPPA, hiring a lawyer, medical care, Wisconsin Personal Injury Attorney
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I talked with one of my favorite clients today. At the end of our talk she said, “I have a professional question.” That’s when a lawyers ears perk up and you try to remember every class you ever took in law school. Who knows what topic is going to be discussed.
She asked about medical records. Her records were destroyed. She had the same primary doctor for years. That general practitioner retired. Her medical records were sent to another medical facility for ‘safe keeping.’ Well, they weren’t that safe because the facility destroyed them.
According to Wisconsin Administrative Code medical records must be “preserved” and “maintained” for at least 5 years. (See HFS 124.14(2)c)). But, what happens if the records are destroyed!
I’ll let you know the answer after I do a little research. If you know, please post a comment!
Thank you.
Jon Groth is a Wisconsin Personal Injury Attorney handling cases throughout Wisconsin and most recently in Sheboygan, Slinger, Pleasant Prairie and Wauwatosa.
Ocho Cinco September 2, 2008
Posted by Attorney Jonathan Groth in FAQ Personal Injury.Tags: auto accident, wisconsin personal injury, Wisconsin Personal Injury Attorney
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AKA Chad Johnson of the Bengals. Mr. Ocho Cinco has changed his name from Chad Johnson to Chad Ocho Cinco. So what does this have to do with Personal Injury law in Wisconsin?
Simply put, trust but verify. I’ve had a great number of clients that came to me because the at fault driver fled the scene, didn’t give any insurance information or lied about who was driving the car. So, what happens if someone doesn’t appear to be completely honest at the scene of an accident (i.e. when you exchange information gives you the name Chad Ocho Cinco)?
The key is to take as much information as possible. First call the Police. Then get their address, license number, remember what they look like and don’t be afraid to take a picture of the accident scene with your cell camera. Also, don’t forget to ask for their mobile phone number! A mobile phone number can be useful in determining if the at fault driver was distracted at the time of the collision.
It’s sad but true. Nowadays you can’t trust that anyone is giving you the right information. I have a lot of experience tracking down people across the United States. I’ll do what I can to help you too.
Jon Groth is a Wisconsin Personal Injury Attorney handling cases throughout Wisconsin and most recently in Wauwatosa, Ixonia, Crivitz and Sheboygan.
Harley Davidson’s 105th = Lots More Bikes August 27, 2008
Posted by Attorney Jonathan Groth in FAQ Personal Injury.Tags: Harley Davidson, motorcycle accident, wisconsin personal injury, Wisconsin Personal Injury Attorney
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You’ve seen the bumper stickers reminding us that “bikes have equal rights” and to “watch out for bikers.”
In Milwaukee this weekend these stickers take on a whole new meaning. This weekend is Harley Davidson’s 105th Anniversary Celebration. There will be a lot more motorcycles on the roads in and around Milwaukee.
Sadly, I read about the first fatality of the HD Celebration. In Sheboygan a car struck a Harley rider. The car driver was treated at the ER and released. The bike rider was killed.
I’ve represented a great number of motorcycle owners over the years. Many of the collisions and serious injuries could have been avoided if the at fault driver would have just taken the bumper sticker’s advice: Bikers have equal rights.
Jon Groth is a Wisconsin Personal Injury Attorney handling cases throughout Wisconsin and most recently in Oconto, Sheboygan, Janesville and Wauwatosa.
$840 Million August 26, 2008
Posted by Attorney Jonathan Groth in FAQ Personal Injury.Tags: medical care, wisconsin personal injury, Wisconsin Personal Injury Attorney
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If any doctors complain about the high cost of malpractice insurance in Wisconsin please refer them to this story from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
In Wisconsin, Doctors must pay the first $1 million in malpractice insurance. If a doctor’s negligence causes injury and the compensation due the victim is more than $1 million then a state fund pays the rest. So, Doctor’s in Wisconsin only need to pay for $1 million in malpractice insurance.
When you hear stories about how lawsuits against doctors are causing them to leave the state take it with a grain of salt. In other states Doctors must pay for much more insurance. Many doctors would be happy to only pay for $1 million in coverage.
Another interesting bit from this article. Payments from this large fund to victims who file medical malpractice claims total $20 million per year. The fund had $840 million in funds available. A lawyer for the State of Wisconsin said the fund “can easily pay the $20 million or so in claims made against it each year.”
Again, take this into account when you hear doctors gripe about lawyers and lawsuits. There is much more to the story.
Jon Groth is a Wisconsin Personal Injury Attorney handling cases throughout Wisconsin and most recently in Milwaukee, Lomira, Sturgeon Bay and Wauwatosa.
Name, Number and Maybe Even E-Mail August 21, 2008
Posted by Attorney Jonathan Groth in FAQ Personal Injury.Tags: Bicycle Accident, bike accident, Wauwatosa Personal Injury, wisconsin personal injury, Wisconsin Personal Injury Attorney
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I was driving home the other day and traffic was horrendous. There was a collision involving a bicycle and a car. An ambulance and fire truck were present taking care of the injured bicyclist. There must have been a dozen or so people standing around who had gotten out of their vehicles to help.
This reminded me of something. If you see a collision please give your name, number, address and/or e-mail to the parties involved or, better yet, the police at the scene.
If you don’t want to give your address then a telephone number or email is fine.
Many times I’ll get involved in a case a few weeks or months after the collision. The person that caused the collision may have admitted fault to the injured party and the witnesses at the scene. But, when confronted by their insurance company and the potential of higher premiums some people’s memory changes. That is why it is important for witnesses who know the truth to share their information with the parties and police.
If you were involved in a collision wouldn’t you want others to stand up and tell the truth too?
Jon Groth is a Wisconsin Personal Injury Attorney handling cases throughout Wisconsin and most recently in Kansasville, Cudahy, Sheboygan and Wauwatosa.
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