Blog Posts
Debt Collection Abuse. Legal Constraints on Collection
Debt piles up due to loss of employment, illness and other life events. Outrageous interest rates, charges and fees are enough. But, over aggressive bill collectors top it off. Rude tactics at all hours violate the law. Abusive Debt Collection Federal law prohibits abusive debt collection. This is conduct by debt collectors […]
Personal Injury: Settlements are Forever – A Full Final Release is Eternal
When a case is settled, the document bringing the case to a close is usually referred to as a “full and final release”. As the words imply, there is no going back. Questions sometimes arise later, when the injured person finds new or persisting symptoms for whatever reason unknown at […]
Bankruptcy: Essex County, MA
Where do we go for the creditors meeting after filing bankruptcy? That’s a good question if you live on the Massachusetts north shore, specifically in Essex County. Bankruptcy filers in Lawrence file petitions and attend creditors meetings in Worcester, MA. However, those who file 19 miles away in Salem, […]
Personal Injury: Emotional Distress
Stress infiltrates our lives. Between bills, demanding jobs, nerve-wracking traffic, getting kids to their activities and other worries, who isn’t stressed? How do courts distinguish every day stress from trauma that crosses the line? For years, courts rejected emotional distress claims. They feared “opening the floodgates”. Foreign Objects in Food […]
Bankruptcy Basics: Chapter 7, Chapter 13
There are two basic types of consumer bankruptcy, Chapter 7 and Chapter 13. Chapter 7 cancels or “discharges” many types of debt. Most credit card, medical, and other unsecured debts are discharged, as are most court judgments and loans. Many filers find all of their debts discharged. Debts not discharged […]
Prescription Error, Pharmacy Negligence & Damages
Prescription error unfortunately presents a growing problem. A legal cause of action exists against a pharmacy that negligently provides the incorrect prescription. It may be the wrong medication. Other times the wrong dosage is indicated for the “right” medication. Pharmacy negligence was relatively unheard of at one time but has actually become […]
Rules of the Road: Turn Signals
Yes, turn signals are required under the law. With degenerating driving habits this issue actually went all the way up to the New Hampshire Supreme Court. Justices reviewed the law and what one driver said about ‘turn only’ lanes. A motor vehicle operator in Dover drove into one of those […]
Bankruptcy Discharge
The point of filing a bankruptcy, most often, is to discharge debt. What debts are discharged and what debts are not? A bankruptcy discharge means that the legal obligation to pay a debt is wiped away. For all intents and purposes, the debt is gone. This applies in a Chapter […]
Personal Injury – Preexisting Injuries and Conditions
“Bad things happen to good people.” But, what if they happen twice? You suffer an injury, and while healing you have an accident. Or, you have a medical condition worsened by an accident. Preexisting injuries and conditions are not as unusual as you might think. Basic Law on Preexisting Injuries and Conditions A person […]
First Meeting With Attorney: Bankruptcy – What To Take
First meeting with attorney: prior to giving advice a bankruptcy attorney needs facts. The more facts provided, the better the quality of the advice. So, here are some basics: Gather Documents Tuck all bills in a folder. Many people don’t even like looking at bills. That’s OK. Put them in […]
