What is a personal injury statute of limitations?

What is a personal injury statute of limitations?  

Say your car was rear-ended.  Or you were bitten by a dog. Or you slipped and fell on a wet floor in a supermarket.  It wasn’t your fault. Your injuries were severe.  It took you a long time to recover.

Let’s assume further that, a little over two years after the incident, a friend suggests that you see a personal injury lawyer. Perhaps, he advises, you can be compensated for your pain and suffering. You see the lawyer. But you are disappointed when the attorney tells you that you waited too long. The personal injury statute of limitations has expired.  Therefore, you will never be able to recover a dime for your pain and suffering.

Simply put, a personal injury statute of limitations is a law that limits the time you have to sue for accident injuries. There may also be other deadlines involved

Normal Deadlines Are Extended Only Rarely, in Unusual Circumstances.

In rare cases, these deadlines can be extended. To obtain an extension, you usually have to prove that you weren’t reasonably aware at first that an accident injured you. For example, if a doctor botches your operation, but you don’t experience symptoms until a month later, the deadline might be extended an extra month.

In most case, though, you will be immediately aware that the accident caused injury. Therefore, you will be bound by the normal personal injury statute of limitations.

Another exception might be if you were negotiating with the other party’s insurer, and the insurer lulled you into believing it would settle the case out of court, to get you to miss the suit deadline.

If you’re injured in an accident, Attorney Michael Pisanchyn recommends that you "see an EXPERIENCED attorney immediately."  This is the only way to ensure that you get the compensation you deserve after suffering an injury that wasn't your fault.

If you've been injured, contact the Pisanchyn Law Firm for a free consultation toll free at 1-800-444-5309 or visit PisanchynLawFirm.com.

Samsung Galaxy Note 7 Recall

Samsung released new guidance for Galaxy Note 7 users on Saturday: Turn off the phone and bring it in for a replacement phone.

The message comes a week after Samsung announced it would immediately stop selling the phone and replace the 2.5 million it had already sold.

Samsung is not calling what it is doing a recall and instead labels it a "global replacement program." But, let's face it, it's a recall. Both Verizon and AT&T are calling it a recall on their websites.

Here's what you should know: 

 

What's the problem?

 

There's a risk that the Note 7 can catch fire while charging due to problems with the battery.

In the U.S., the Consumer Product Safety Commission urged users to power down their phones and said it would be providing guidance about an official recall "as soon as possible."

What should you do?

 

Samsung "strongly" advised customers to power down their phones and participate in the program in a statement posted on their global website.

Customers are advised to contact their local call centers or visit the retail location where the phone was purchased. In the U.S., customers can call 1-800-SAMSUNG or 1-800-726-7864.

According to Attorney Michael Pisanchyn, "If you or a loved has suffered an injury as a result of the Samsung 7 you could be entitled to compensation."

"We have prosecuted numerous cases of this nature and can honestly pledge to you, without any equivocation, that should we accept your case, we will make completely sure that you get the justice you deserve." Please, call toll free at 1-800-444-5309 or visit our website for more information.

How Long Do Spinal Cord Injuries Last?

Spinal cord injury effects are usually lifelong. After stabilizing the injury and the victim, care becomes focused on preventing complications that could happen as a result of prolonged bed rest and keeping the victim comfortable.

Some spinal cord injuries take away the victim’s ability to move on their own for the rest of their life, especially with complete spinal cord injuries, so while in the hospital, and for the rest of their lives, a great deal of care must be kept to prevent long-term effects such as:

• bed sores
• progressive muscle weakness
• blood clots

Common long-term effects for any spinal cord injury victim, whether the injury is complete or incomplete are:

• Loss of movement
• Loss of sensation
• Loss of bowel and/or bladder control
• Exaggerated reflex actions or spasms
• Changes in sexual function, sexual sensitivity and fertility
• Pain or intense stinging sensation
• Physical, emotional, and mental wear

These effects could be temporary or life-long depending on the victim and the type of spinal cord injury. Spinal cord injury victims usually need to rely on others for assistance with even basic everyday tasks. Those close to spinal cord injury victims also experience physical, emotional and mental wear as their lives have also been altered to care for their loved one.

If you or a loved one is suffering from the long-term effects of a spinal cord injury that was caused by another's negligence, please, contact our Pennsylvania Spinal Cord Injury Lawyers by calling 1-800-444-5309 or email us now for a free consultation. The attorneys at The Pisanchyn Law Firm want to help you and your loved ones after the tragedy you have experienced. We, along with our team of medical and legal experts, will fight to get you the compensation and justice you deserve. 

Types of Spinal Cord Injuries

The two types of spinal cord injuries are complete spinal cord injury and incomplete spinal cord injury.  

Complete spinal cord injuries are injuries to the spin that result in complete loss of function below the level of injury.  

Incomplete spinal cord injuries are injuries to the spine that result in some sensation and feeling below the level of injury. Incomplete spinal cord injuries vary depending on the way the spinal cord has been damaged.

If a victim suffers an incomplete spinal cord injury there varying degrees and types that he or she can suffer.

• Anterior Cord Syndrome- Victims of an incomplete anterior spinal cord injury suffer with loss of movement and sensation. Anterior cord syndrome is an injury to the front of the spinal cord, and the motor and sensory pathways in the front affected area of the cord are usually broken. Anterior cord syndrome can affect the entire front of the spine, or just a section of the spine. Some sensation may be possible with this level of injury depending on which pathways are broken.
  
  
• Central Cord Syndrome- The uppermost part of the spine is affected when a victim is suffering with central cord syndrome. A disruption in the communication between the brain and the spinal cord to control movement is the result of this type of spinal cord injury. Weakness and/or paralysis in the arms are the common end effects of central cord syndrome. The legs are usually unaffected, and spontaneous recovery is possible. Improvement is usually shown within 6 weeks of the initial injury.
  
  
• Brown-Sequard Syndrome- Injury to the spinal cord can happen on either side of the spine with brown-sequard syndrome. Loss of temperature and pain sensation on the opposite side of the injury is the result. The affected area is opposite the injury due to crossing pathways on the spinal cord.
  
  
• Nerve Cell Injuries- The symptoms for this type of spinal cord injury vary, depending on which nerves are injured. Usually a loss of sensory and motor function in only the injured area of the body is affected by the injured nerve root.
  
  
• Spinal Contusions- Bruising, inflammation, and bleeding blood vessels are all symptoms of a contusion in the spinal cord. Victims experience temporary disability of the spinal cord. This disability commonly lasts for 1-2 days. Spinal contusions are the most common type of spinal cord injury.

When a spinal cord injury occurs as a result of someone else's negligence "compensation is possible for the victim," according to Attorney Michael Pisanchyn.

If you or a loved one is suffering any of the above types of spinal cord injuries, please, contact our Pennsylvania Spinal Cord Injury Lawyers by calling 1-800-444-5309 or visit CatastrophicallyInjured.com now for a free consultation.

A Nurse Case Manager Keeps Calling Me- Is That Normal?

Nurse case managers, or rehabilitation nurses, will sometimes be assigned to monitor your recovery after your work injury. These nurses are hired by the insurance company. They are to report back to the company on doctor’s recommendations and will normally suggest or guide the injured worker to different doctors or specialists.

After 90 days of treating with a doctor provided to you by your employer you can seek your own doctor. In order for the insurance company to pay for your medical bills a medical report must be provided from your treating physician along with the bill. Due to this requirement, the insurance company and your employer are always kept up to date and informed on your condition so it is OK to decline a nurse case manager.
If you do accept a nurse case manager you should not allow he or she to go in the exam room with you and you should also not allow your doctor to speak to them at all, but especially not without you being present. You should also know that you have no obligation to update the nurse case manager on your condition or when your doctor’s appointments are.

If you retain us as your PA Workers’ Compensation attorneys any communication between you and a nurse case manager must go through us. Nurse case managers cannot contact you directly once you have legal representation.

Workers Compensation is a complex area of the law and having expert workers’ compensation legal help is the only way to guarantee you will be receiving any and all benefits owed to you.

Our Workers' Compensation attorneys will not only protect your rights, we will also take the time to explain and educate you on all areas of the Worker’s Compensation system so you know what to expect and what to do when certain situations come up. Just like your injury is 24/7, so is our assistance, guidance, and consultation.

Call us toll free at 1-800-444-5309 or visit pisanchynlawfirm.com for your free workers' compensation consultation.

U.S. Wants to Force Lower Speeds On Truck and Bus Drivers

The U.S. wants to forcibly limit how fast trucks, buses and other large vehicles can drive on the nation's highways

A new proposal Friday would impose a nationwide limit by electronically capping speeds with a device on newly made U.S. vehicles that weigh more than 26,000 pounds. Regulators are considering a cap of 60, 65 or 68 mph, though that could change. Whatever the speed limit, drivers would be physically prevented from exceeding it. The proposal, which comes from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, does not force older heavy vehicles to add the speed-limiting technology, but the regulators are still considering it.

The government said capping speeds for new large vehicles will reduce the 1,115 fatal crashes involving heavy trucks that occur each year and save $1 billion in fuel costs.

While the news is being welcomed by some safety advocates and non-professional drivers, many truckers said that such changes could lead to dangerous scenarios where they are traveling at much lower speeds than everyone else.

The government agencies involved will take public comment for 60 days, then determine the final limit and decide if the regulation should be put in place.

The agencies said that limiting the speed of heavy vehicles to 60 mph could save as many as 498 lives annually. Limiting it to 65 mph could save as many as 214 lives, and limiting it to 68 mph could save as many as 96 lives. There are 3.6 million big rigs on U.S. roads.

For more information on Tractor Trailer Accidents and how the Pisanchyn Law Firm's truck accident attorneys can help you or your loved one after suffering a devastating truck accident, visit our website or call 1-800-444-5309 for a free consultation.

How Do "No Win No Fee" Attorneys Get Paid?

You've heard it from many lawyers, including our attorneys at the Pisanchyn Law Firm, "No Fee Unless We Win!" but what does that mean?

At the Pisanchyn Law Firm legal consultations and advice for personal injury victims are provided at no cost to our clients unless we win their case and even then, it is never out of their own pocket; we will only be paying them the money they deserve.  

How? We work on what is known as a “contingency fee” basis. What this means for an injured individual is that he or she will not be burdened with paying costly attorney fees up front (which is often a frightening prospect for those who may not be able to afford legal services).

With a contingency fee arrangement, we will deduct our fee from the final amount awarded as part of a settlement or a verdict in the case. 

This is beneficial to clients because the more money you get, the more money we get. Thus, yours and our injury attorneys’ interests are completely aligned and in opposition of the insurance company.

To get your free consultation call us at 1-800-444-5309, or learn more about our services at pisanchynlawfirm.com.