Just Ask July 9, 2008
Posted by Attorney Jonathan Groth in FAQ Personal Injury.Tags: motor vehicle collision, Uninsured Motorist Coverage, wisconsin personal injury, Wisconsin Personal Injury Attorney
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I spoke with a client recently who was involved in a serious auto accident a few years ago. He was hit by a car that ran from the scene. He suffered a number of serious injuries and was admitted to Froedert Hospital’s ICU. Because he didn’t know who hit him he said nothing was done.
What would you do? Just call and ask. Most personal injury attorneys will not charge anything to investigate a situation like this. I will gladly order the police report and speak to witnesses and insurance agents to see if recovery for lost wages, medical bills and pain and suffering is possible.
Don’t forget in Wisconsin your insurance company supplies Uninsured Motorist Coverage. If you are involved in a hit and run collision you have the benefit of making a claim against your insurance company. Once your insurance company settles or is forced to pay what the value of your claim is then THEY have the burden of tracking down the at fault party and collecting from garnished wages or savings accounts.
Jon Groth is a Wisconsin Personal Injury Attorney handling cases throughout Wisconsin and most recently in Crivitz, Kenosha, Janesville and Wauwatosa.
No Car, Not Good. July 6, 2008
Posted by Attorney Jonathan Groth in Personal Groth.Tags: loss of use, motorcycle accident, wisconsin personal injury, Wisconsin Personal Injury Attorney
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I’ve battled with insurance companies recently over the loss of the use of my client’s vehicle. When someone is involved in a car accident and their car is out of commission it is a big inconvenience. The law in Wisconsin says that this “loss of use” must be compensated. It does NOT matter whether or not a rental vehicle was obtained.
So, let’s say Bob is involved in a motorcycle accident. His bike is a total loss. It’s sitting in his garage because the at-fault insurance company hasn’t come out to look at it yet. In the meantime he has to drive his “winter car”.
Bob didn’t suffer any out of pocket loss. He didn’t rent a vehicle or didn’t have to hire a taxi. But, he lost the use of his vehicle. He was certainly inconvenienced by the collision. The law says that the at-fault party must pay for this loss of use and inconvenience. (Hellenbrand v. Hilliard 2004 WI App 151, para. 34).
If you have questions about loss of use or loss feel free to call me. I’d be happy to help you. I’ll write later on about loss of value of a vehicle. (for example, if your new vehicle is in a collision it loses its resale value.)
Jon Groth is a Wisconsin Personal Injury Attorney handling cases throughout Wisconsin and most recently in Racine, Pleasant Prairie, Marinette and Wauwatosa.
Happy Birthday America! July 4, 2008
Posted by Attorney Jonathan Groth in Personal Groth.add a comment
The Groth family will be conducting our annual reading of the Declaration of Independence today. I’m sure our kids are going to get sick of this when they are older. But for now, I’m able to keep them captive long enough so at least a little bit of patriotism sinks in.
Enjoy your weekend. Be safe.
10 Is Enough July 3, 2008
Posted by Attorney Jonathan Groth in FAQ Personal Injury.Tags: injury settlement, Personal Injury Lawsuit, Wisconsin Personal Injury Attorney
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According to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Wisconsin has 10 confirmed cases of salmonella poisoning. The cause is likely tomatoes.
With the long weekend coming up and our love of hamburgers be careful what you eat.
Remember cherry tomatoes, grape tomatoes and those sold with the vine attached are not part of the recall.
Speaking of Cribs June 27, 2008
Posted by Attorney Jonathan Groth in Personal Groth.Tags: infant safety, wisconsin personal injury, Wisconsin Personal Injury Attorney
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What a coincidence! The Consumer Product Safety Commission has recalled the Stanley Furniture Company’s 2nd Nature Built to Grow Crib set. When the mattress support is in the middle setting the space between the middle mattress and the crib posses an entrapment hazard for infants. In other words kids could get their head stuck in the crib and suffocate.
The CPSC has pictures of the crib on its website.
Be safe. If you own this crib make arrangements for your child to sleep somewhere else right away. It’s not worth the risk of injury.
Jon Groth is a Wisconsin Personal Injury Attorney handling cases throughout Wisconsin and most recently in Crivitz, Kenosha, Janesville and Wauwatosa.
And Now About Bassinets. June 26, 2008
Posted by Attorney Jonathan Groth in FAQ Personal Injury.Tags: infant safety, personal injury, wisconsin personal injury, Wisconsin Personal Injury Attorney
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WebMD’s story about bassinet safety is a little disturbing.
First, Kelley Colihan the author states that “more and more families” are using bassinets but doesn’t give any stats. That fine because the stats she gives later on our shocking.
Between 1990 and 2004 the Consumer Product Safety Commission studied all infant deaths that involved bassinets.
- 85% of infant deaths were the result of suffocation;
- 74% of the bassinets had blankets, pillows, or PLASTIC BAGS in them;
- 37% of the babies had been placed face-down to sleep;
- 50% of the babies were found in their bassinets face down;
- 9% were due to sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)
- 9 of the infants died because the bassinet had a mechanical problem or weren’t used properly. (I’m assuming a product liability type situation)
I can’t understand why anyone would place a plastic bag in their child’s bassinet. Come on people. A little common sense goes a long way!
I have two young boys. Were were told from day one ‘face up to wake up’ and “face up for safety.’ I also remember getting pamphlets regarding what not to put in a crib, bassinet etc. The simple answer was: Nothing. Don’t put anything in your kid’s crib or bassinet.
Again, just remember use common sense when trying to get your kids to sleep. And certainly don’t put plastic bags in your kids cribs or bassinets!
If there is a mechanical problem with the bassinet or crib give me a call. I’d be happy to discuss whether the bassinet or crib company didn’t use their common sense when they designed it.
Jon Groth is a Wisconsin Personal Injury Attorney handling cases throughout Wisconsin and most recently in Oconto, Racine, Janesville and Wauwatosa.
Fireworks Without the “Fireworks” June 25, 2008
Posted by Attorney Jonathan Groth in Personal Groth.Tags: fireworks injury, wisconsin personal injury, Wisconsin Personal Injury Attorney
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July 4th is next week. Let’s make is a safe and uneventful 4th.
According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission approximately 10,000 people were injured badly enough to need emergency room care in 2007 because of fireworks. About 64% of those fireworks-related injuries occurred around July 4th.
Hands (2,000), eyes (1,400) and legs (1,200) were the most injured.
I’ve had the fortune of being trained by the Bartolotta Fireworks company of Wisconsin. A few years ago I was the guy setting off fireworks for municipal 4th of July fireworks. Believe me, there are more than enough ways that someone can injured oneself and others. Listen to your common sense when dealing with fireworks.
If you were injured because of a private or municipal fireworks mishap feel free to contact me. I’ll give you my honest opinion on the situation.
Jon Groth is a Wisconsin Personal Injury Attorney handling cases throughout Wisconsin and most recently in Sheboygan, Jefferson, Beloit and Wauwatosa.
Let There Be Light! June 22, 2008
Posted by Attorney Jonathan Groth in FAQ Personal Injury.Tags: health insurance, medical care, wisconsin personal injury, Wisconsin Personal Injury Attorney
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It is time to shine the light on hospital costs. Medical care pricing is hidden in a shroud of secrecy (even though info is out there you may need a MD and CPA to understand it). Many people don’t really care what a medical procedure costs because “my insurance will pay it.” Remember that employers and individuals pay for insurance. The more health insurance premium’s increase the less likely it is that an employer will hire that next employee.
If you’d like to know the cost of some medical procedures at a local hospital check out Wisconsin’s PricePoint website. You can search by inpatient and outpatient services. Don’t be afraid to shop around. Not all hospitals offer the same quality and price. (As someone who has handled medical malpractice cases I can personally vouch for the quality comment).
This inforamation is great for consumers and invaluable for personal injury attorneys. At-fault insurance companies are always looking to pay as little as possible for what the law says is their responsibility. This information helps personal injury attorneys fight for their clients in proving what a reasonable medical expense actually is.
For more information about the cost of medical care in Wisconsin check out Sunday’s Business section in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
Jon Groth is a Wisconsin Personal Injury Attorney handling cases throughout Wisconsin and most recently in Wausaukee, Kenosha, Oconto and Wauwatosa.
In A Hazard June 21, 2008
Posted by Attorney Jonathan Groth in FAQ Personal Injury.Tags: golf cart injury, wisconsin personal injury, Wisconsin Personal Injury Attorney
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Sean Gregory of Time Magazine wrote a mini-article in June 30, 2008 issue about golf cart safety. He reduces the “safety” of golf carts to numbers. In 1990 there were 5,772 trips to the emergency room because of golf cart related injuries. In 2006 that number rocketed to 13,411. Common injuries are concussions, fractures and hemorrhages. Golf cart injuries are just documented on Johnny Knoxville’s Jackass anymore. Because of the rise of retirement communities and suburban cul-de-sacs these carts are used now more than ever. Most are battery powered so they cost less than driving your car to the grocery store.
Wisconsin has a proud history of excellent golf. Be careful out there, especially if your riding your cart on a course that I frequent!
Jon Groth is a Wisconsin Personal Injury Attorney handling cases throughout Wisconsin and most recently in Milwaukee, Racine, Kenosha and Wauwatosa.
Nursing Home Stars? June 19, 2008
Posted by Attorney Jonathan Groth in FAQ Personal Injury.Tags: Nursing Home Abuse, Wisconsin Personal Injury Attorney
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It’s not a new reality show it is the Bush Administration’s proposal to rate nursing homes. The AP reports that the Bush Administration would like to rate nursing homes with a “star system.” It sounds like it is similar to hotel ratings. The “best” nursing homes (or least worst nursing homes) will be given a 5 Star rating while the worst (really really bad) will get a 1 star rating.
I haven’t read if any nursing homes will get a 0 star rating.
I say “least worst” because later on in the article there is mention of how older nursing homes will be given until 2013 to install sprinkler systems. If nursing homes don’t install sprinkler systems by 2013 then they will not be able to accept Medicare participants.
Wow, don’t you think sprinkler systems are kind of important. I’d think that would be a little more important than waiting 5 years down the road.
Keep an eye out for this rating system. I think it is a move in the right direction. For more information about how to chose a nursing home check out the PKS nursing home abuse website.
Jon Groth is a Wisconsin Personal Injury Attorney handling cases throughout Wisconsin and most recently in Wausaukee, Kenosha, Oconto and Wauwatosa.
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