3 Myths about Traumatic Brain Injuries

Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI’s) require immediate attention and proper diagnosis. Unfortunately, unless an injury victim suffers a visible head injury, traumatic brain injuries often get neglected. Moreover, some minor head injuries are not immediately visible and start showing effects long after the patient is discharged from the hospital. TBI’s that develop over time can also affect the cognitive, physical, and behavioral functions of the victim.

At times, patients suffering from TBI’s (especially the mild ones) are not even aware that they have a TBI, many health care practitioners fail to diagnose a TBI patient. This leaves many patients stuck in a medical abyss with an injury that they have no idea of, and that can alter their life forever.

Many people believe certain myths about traumatic brain juries. In this post, catastrophic injury attorney Michael Pisanchyn will debunk some of these common myths, and help you gain a clear understanding of what TBIs really are.

Myth 1 – A brain injury is always accompanied by loss of consciousness

Loss of consciousness is one of the symptoms of a traumatic brain injury. However, it is not the sole indicator. Feeling dazed, disoriented or confused can also be indicators of a TBI. Often medical practitioners overlook these indicators due to ‘no loss of consciousness.’

These indicators of mild TBI can affect a person’s injury claim, because the defense lawyers often use the ‘no loss of consciousness’ premise in an attempt to rule out TBI.

Myth 2 – If an MRI or CT does not show a TBI, then there is no TBI

Individuals suffering a head injury typically undergo an MRI or a CT scan in the emergency room. However, a Traumatic Brain Injury can present itself in a number of ways, days after an accident. Considering this, it could be possible that life altering effects of a TBI can be neglected by the patient, his family, medical caregivers, an inexperienced lawyer, and other personnel associated with the case.

To counter this, having an experienced traumatic brain injury lawyer by your side is important. An experienced attorney will have a clear understanding of TBI’s, will be able to investigate the symptoms caused by the injury, differentiate between before and after behaviors, and draw up a testimony that includes TBI specialists, to speak before the defense, jury, and judge.

Myth 3 – Mild TBI’s are not disabling

Victims of a mild traumatic brain injury often exhibit normalcy – in reactions as well as behavior. However, they can also experience crippling disabilities that can be physical, emotional, cognitive, and behavioral in nature, or can even lead to degenerative brain diseases. All of these can alter a person’s normal life. The brain is a complex organ, therefore any injury – mild or severe – can lead to complex repercussions and often, trying to prove them in court can become even more complex.

 

Those who are victims of TBI’s should discard such myths, seek expert medical help, and most importantly, ensure your legal rights are protected by seeking the advice of a qualified attorney.
If you have you or a loved one is suffering from a TBI, Pisanchyn Law Firm can help. Call us today at 1-800-444-5309 or visit CatastrophicallyInjured.com to schedule a free case evaluation.

Pennsylvania’s New Red Light Law Goes into Effect

A new law allowing drivers to go through a red light--under certain conditions--went into effect in Pennsylvania on Sunday.

Governor Tom Wolf signed the bill into law in July. It took effect September 18.

The new rule allows drivers to go through a red light when the sensor appears to be malfunctioning--such as if it is blinking or if the light’s sensor appears not to be working, keeping the light from turning green.

The law was originally intended to help motorcyclists, but it was expanded to apply to all vehicles.
Some traffic lights use sensors that are under the pavement so when a car comes up, it triggers the sensor. The problem is motorcycles sometimes don't trigger it, so that light never turns green.

There is no designation as to how long vehicles must wait to proceed through the light making intersections controlled by traffic lights a little more dangerous.

Always proceed through a traffic light with caution, looking in all directions before going through, even on a green light.

For more about accidents or if you or a loved one has been injured as a result of an accident, call 1-800-444-5309 or visit PisanchynLawFirm.com.

5 Reasons to Hire a Workers Compensation Lawyer

If you’ve been injured in the workplace, you might be wondering whether or not to hire a lawyer to assist you with your claim. The answer is most likely, yes. In fact, most reputable lawyers will tell you if you have a claim that you can handle by yourself.

1. Costs Nothing Upfront

Our Workers' Compensation lawyers represent you on a contingency basis when dealing with workers’ compensation cases. This means that the attorney will only collect payment—a portion of your workers’ compensation benefits—if you win the case. If you’re not awarded any benefits from the case, then you don’t owe the attorney anything. This makes the process of hiring a lawyer relatively risk free.

2. Specialized Knowledge

There are complex laws and procedures in workers’ compensation proceedings. If your claim is being disputed by the insurance company, it can be extremely difficult to navigate the proceedings yourself. The judge will only act as a referee in most instances as they cannot give you legal advice or tell you when a settlement offer is unfair.  Our workers’ compensation attorneys have experience in navigating the legal system surrounding these cases.

3. Prevent Retaliation

If your employer knows that you have an attorney, they are less likely to take retaliatory action against you. An attorney is a good insurance policy to ensure that you are treated fairly, and with respect, throughout the claim process.

4. Fair Settlement

An insurance claims adjuster’s job is to try to keep insurance payouts as low as possible. They have no incentive to pay quickly or make a large payment. Our workers’ compensation attorneys will fight for you to get the best settlement possible.

5. Protect your future needs

When your case settles, it is over. However, there are situations where the insurance company will have to pay for more related future medical needs. If you are receiving Social Security disability, Medicare or Medicaid benefits, a poorly drafted settlement agreement can impact your future benefits. Our experienced attorneys won’t let that happen!

If you have been hurt in a workplace accident and have other questions, contact The Pisanchyn Law Firm at 1-800-444-5309 or visit PisanchynLawFirm.com today for a free consultation.

Talk Is Cheap: Many attorneys consult for free or a low fee. That means you can make an appointment to sit down with an expert and not worry about what it might cost you. Instead, just focus on what counsel is saying and getting useful information to help with your claim. Prevent a Denial: Although you can certainly appeal a claim denial, it's always easiest when you get things right the first time. To have your claim approved you must submit documentation and fill out certain forms, meeting deadlines and responding to requests in a timely fashion. Having an expert administrator in charge of your case, helps to ensure your claim goes smoothly. Stress Prevention: You are already experiencing medical difficulties and stress can certainly exacerbate physical illness. Managing your claim may take a toll on you that you could offload to an attorney. Form Hell: If you do your taxes yourself then you may be familiar with form hell. This is when you try desperately to understand the seemingly simple statements on your form but cannot because they are actually deceptively complicated. Like tax forms, workers' compensation claim forms use the language of government and administration, which is not always clear, to say the least. Claim Expertise: Your workers' compensation attorney knows a lot about claims generally, and that is good. It means that you can answer questions quickly and with relative ease, focusing on providing what the authorities need rather than spending all your time trying to figure that out. But in addition to this, should your claim be delayed or denied, you will already have an expert on your side, someone who knows how to handle requests for more evidence or objections to your claim. - See more at: http://blogs.findlaw.com/injured/2016/02/5-reasons-to-hire-a-workers-compensation-lawyer.html#sthash.RKOXhpqs.dpuf

Talk Is Cheap: Many attorneys consult for free or a low fee. That means you can make an appointment to sit down with an expert and not worry about what it might cost you. Instead, just focus on what counsel is saying and getting useful information to help with your claim. Prevent a Denial: Although you can certainly appeal a claim denial, it's always easiest when you get things right the first time. To have your claim approved you must submit documentation and fill out certain forms, meeting deadlines and responding to requests in a timely fashion. Having an expert administrator in charge of your case, helps to ensure your claim goes smoothly. Stress Prevention: You are already experiencing medical difficulties and stress can certainly exacerbate physical illness. Managing your claim may take a toll on you that you could offload to an attorney. Form Hell: If you do your taxes yourself then you may be familiar with form hell. This is when you try desperately to understand the seemingly simple statements on your form but cannot because they are actually deceptively complicated. Like tax forms, workers' compensation claim forms use the language of government and administration, which is not always clear, to say the least. Claim Expertise: Your workers' compensation attorney knows a lot about claims generally, and that is good. It means that you can answer questions quickly and with relative ease, focusing on providing what the authorities need rather than spending all your time trying to figure that out. But in addition to this, should your claim be delayed or denied, you will already have an expert on your side, someone who knows how to handle requests for more evidence or objections to your claim. - See more at: http://blogs.findlaw.com/injured/2016/02/5-reasons-to-hire-a-workers-compensation-lawyer.html#sthash.RKOXhpqs.dpufdsf

Getting compensation for injured workers is supposed to be relatively easy. Theoretically you can apply without an attorney and succeed in your claim. But in practice workers' compensation is like any government program, complicated and not super clear.
If you feel you need guidance, you are not alone. Many people need help navigating the system, and getting expert help from the start can prevent problems down the line. Here are five reasons to hire a workers' compensation attorney.

5 Reasons to Hire a Lawyer:

1. Talk Is Cheap: Many attorneys consult for free or a low fee. That means you can make an appointment to sit down with an expert and not worry about what it might cost you. Instead, just focus on what counsel is saying and getting useful information to help with your claim.
2. Prevent a Denial: Although you can certainly appeal a claim denial, it's always easiest when you get things right the first time. To have your claim approved you must submit documentation and fill out certain forms, meeting deadlines and responding to requests in a timely fashion. Having an expert administrator in charge of your case, helps to ensure your claim goes smoothly.
3. Stress Prevention: You are already experiencing medical difficulties and stress can certainly exacerbate physical illness. Managing your claim may take a toll on you that you could offload to an attorney.
4. Form Hell: If you do your taxes yourself then you may be familiar with form hell. This is when you try desperately to understand the seemingly simple statements on your form but cannot because they are actually deceptively complicated. Like tax forms, workers' compensation claim forms use the language of government and administration, which is not always clear, to say the least.
5. Claim Expertise: Your workers' compensation attorney knows a lot about claims generally, and that is good. It means that you can answer questions quickly and with relative ease, focusing on providing what the authorities need rather than spending all your time trying to figure that out. But in addition to this, should your claim be delayed or denied, you will already have an expert on your side, someone who knows how to handle requests for more evidence or objections to your claim.

Consult With Counsel
If you are applying for workers' compensation now or have had a claim denied, speak to a lawyer soon. Do not delay. Get help navigating your claim today.

- See more at: http://blogs.findlaw.com/injured/2016/02/5-reasons-to-hire-a-workers-compensation-lawyer.html#sthash.RKOXhpqs.dpuf

Getting compensation for injured workers is supposed to be relatively easy. Theoretically you can apply without an attorney and succeed in your claim. But in practice workers' compensation is like any government program, complicated and not super clear.
If you feel you need guidance, you are not alone. Many people need help navigating the system, and getting expert help from the start can prevent problems down the line. Here are five reasons to hire a workers' compensation attorney.

5 Reasons to Hire a Lawyer:

1. Talk Is Cheap: Many attorneys consult for free or a low fee. That means you can make an appointment to sit down with an expert and not worry about what it might cost you. Instead, just focus on what counsel is saying and getting useful information to help with your claim.
2. Prevent a Denial: Although you can certainly appeal a claim denial, it's always easiest when you get things right the first time. To have your claim approved you must submit documentation and fill out certain forms, meeting deadlines and responding to requests in a timely fashion. Having an expert administrator in charge of your case, helps to ensure your claim goes smoothly.
3. Stress Prevention: You are already experiencing medical difficulties and stress can certainly exacerbate physical illness. Managing your claim may take a toll on you that you could offload to an attorney.
4. Form Hell: If you do your taxes yourself then you may be familiar with form hell. This is when you try desperately to understand the seemingly simple statements on your form but cannot because they are actually deceptively complicated. Like tax forms, workers' compensation claim forms use the language of government and administration, which is not always clear, to say the least.
5. Claim Expertise: Your workers' compensation attorney knows a lot about claims generally, and that is good. It means that you can answer questions quickly and with relative ease, focusing on providing what the authorities need rather than spending all your time trying to figure that out. But in addition to this, should your claim be delayed or denied, you will already have an expert on your side, someone who knows how to handle requests for more evidence or objections to your claim.

Consult With Counsel
If you are applying for workers' compensation now or have had a claim denied, speak to a lawyer soon. Do not delay. Get help navigating your claim today.

- See more at: http://blogs.findlaw.com/injured/2016/02/5-reasons-to-hire-a-workers-compensation-lawyer.html#sthash.RKOXhpqs.dpuf

Getting compensation for injured workers is supposed to be relatively easy. Theoretically you can apply without an attorney and succeed in your claim. But in practice workers' compensation is like any government program, complicated and not super clear.
If you feel you need guidance, you are not alone. Many people need help navigating the system, and getting expert help from the start can prevent problems down the line. Here are five reasons to hire a workers' compensation attorney.

5 Reasons to Hire a Lawyer:

1. Talk Is Cheap: Many attorneys consult for free or a low fee. That means you can make an appointment to sit down with an expert and not worry about what it might cost you. Instead, just focus on what counsel is saying and getting useful information to help with your claim.
2. Prevent a Denial: Although you can certainly appeal a claim denial, it's always easiest when you get things right the first time. To have your claim approved you must submit documentation and fill out certain forms, meeting deadlines and responding to requests in a timely fashion. Having an expert administrator in charge of your case, helps to ensure your claim goes smoothly.
3. Stress Prevention: You are already experiencing medical difficulties and stress can certainly exacerbate physical illness. Managing your claim may take a toll on you that you could offload to an attorney.
4. Form Hell: If you do your taxes yourself then you may be familiar with form hell. This is when you try desperately to understand the seemingly simple statements on your form but cannot because they are actually deceptively complicated. Like tax forms, workers' compensation claim forms use the language of government and administration, which is not always clear, to say the least.
5. Claim Expertise: Your workers' compensation attorney knows a lot about claims generally, and that is good. It means that you can answer questions quickly and with relative ease, focusing on providing what the authorities need rather than spending all your time trying to figure that out. But in addition to this, should your claim be delayed or denied, you will already have an expert on your side, someone who knows how to handle requests for more evidence or objections to your claim.

Consult With Counsel
If you are applying for workers' compensation now or have had a claim denied, speak to a lawyer soon. Do not delay. Get help navigating your claim today.

- See more at: http://blogs.findlaw.com/injured/2016/02/5-reasons-to-hire-a-workers-compensation-lawyer.html#sthash.RKOXhpqs.dpuf

Getting compensation for injured workers is supposed to be relatively easy. Theoretically you can apply without an attorney and succeed in your claim. But in practice workers' compensation is like any government program, complicated and not super clear.
If you feel you need guidance, you are not alone. Many people need help navigating the system, and getting expert help from the start can prevent problems down the line. Here are five reasons to hire a workers' compensation attorney.

5 Reasons to Hire a Lawyer:

1. Talk Is Cheap: Many attorneys consult for free or a low fee. That means you can make an appointment to sit down with an expert and not worry about what it might cost you. Instead, just focus on what counsel is saying and getting useful information to help with your claim.
2. Prevent a Denial: Although you can certainly appeal a claim denial, it's always easiest when you get things right the first time. To have your claim approved you must submit documentation and fill out certain forms, meeting deadlines and responding to requests in a timely fashion. Having an expert administrator in charge of your case, helps to ensure your claim goes smoothly.
3. Stress Prevention: You are already experiencing medical difficulties and stress can certainly exacerbate physical illness. Managing your claim may take a toll on you that you could offload to an attorney.
4. Form Hell: If you do your taxes yourself then you may be familiar with form hell. This is when you try desperately to understand the seemingly simple statements on your form but cannot because they are actually deceptively complicated. Like tax forms, workers' compensation claim forms use the language of government and administration, which is not always clear, to say the least.
5. Claim Expertise: Your workers' compensation attorney knows a lot about claims generally, and that is good. It means that you can answer questions quickly and with relative ease, focusing on providing what the authorities need rather than spending all your time trying to figure that out. But in addition to this, should your claim be delayed or denied, you will already have an expert on your side, someone who knows how to handle requests for more evidence or objections to your claim.

Consult With Counsel
If you are applying for workers' compensation now or have had a claim denied, speak to a lawyer soon. Do not delay. Get help navigating your claim today.

- See more at: http://blogs.findlaw.com/injured/2016/02/5-reasons-to-hire-a-workers-compensation-lawyer.html#sthash.RKOXhpqs.dpuf

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.