Where to Get Legal Representation for Your Injury ClaimWritten by Granny's Mettle
Nowadays, getting legal assistance and representation are so costly that many are finding other ways to look for cheap and sometimes "free" legal advice. The Internet is filled with online sources and legal websites that offer supposedly free legal counsel.Quite a few sites actually, offer detailed analysis of situations most often for free, or sometimes for a minimal fee. Many of them entertain legal queries. However, legal advice that you may get from these sites are not reliable, and most of sites even have a disclaimer on advice provided. Nothing beats advice coming from a reputable and knowledgeable lawyer. Here are some ways to help you find a good, experienced personal injury lawyer, whom you feel you can trust: Innie Minnie Miny Moe… Who do you refer? Getting referrals on experienced lawyers is easy. However, you need to meet with each of them to discuss your claim before you decide to hire someone. And be prepared to get rejected. Remember that lawyers are practicing their profession for their own gains. Many do not take cases if they fall below a certain potential recovery amount. In addition, there are also those who reject claims that are not crystal clear. So make sure you have everything in place and all information when you meet with potential lawyers. You can get referrals from (1) friends and acquaintances, (2) other lawyers, and (3) referral services. Talk with friends or acquaintances who have been represented by a lawyer in their own cases. If they have nothing but good things to say about a lawyer, put him/her on list. Discuss your case with that lawyer and decide if you feel that you will be comfortable working with him or her. Other lawyers you know would also be able to make referrals of other lawyers. They usually confer cases with one another so most of them may know someone who can handle your case. On other hand, most bar associations have referral services where names of lawyers and their specialties are available. Let's discuss problem… As with all referrals, discussing your case with each of lawyers will help you determine best representation that could handle your personal injury claim. Bring all pertinent documents from police report, to medical bills and correspondences with insurance company. Most lawyers do not charge at initial consultation. Nevertheless, there still those who already want to charge for discussing whether or not he or she will take case. When this happens, it's time for you to go look somewhere else.
| | DOJ Ruling on Disabled Rights in Cruise ShipsWritten by Lala C. Ballatan
It is interesting to note that many disabled persons, instead of slinking away and being embarrassed by their conditions, are asserting their rights. They already educate themselves with basics of Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, a law which protects them against discrimination and rules that establishments and such give proper accommodations for them. Adopted to remove barriers that prevented society from benefiting from participation and contributions of individuals with disabilities, ADA took effect in July 26, 1990. Its Title I prohibits private employers, state and local governments, employment agencies and labor unions from discriminating against qualified individuals with disabilities – whether in job application, procedures, hiring, firing, advancement, compensation, job training and other terms, conditions and privileges of employment. It also has qualifications of a person with disability. Four other titles of ADA includes other aspects where issue of disability is very much considered: public services and public transportation, public accommodations, telecommunications and miscellaneous. Many states have also adopted and enforce versions of federal ADA. Now, on Supreme Court rulings posted by Peggy McGuiness at Opinio Juris, referred to by Walter Olson on March 2, 2005 at site, http://www.overlawyered.com/archives/cat_disabled_rights.html several important and interesting issues about ADA were raised. An argument ensued at Supreme Court when Department of Justice (DOJ) sided with a group of disabled cruise passengers who sued Norwegian Cruise Lines (NCL) for failing to provide kinds of accommodations required on public transportation under Americans with Disabilities Act. The defendant, NCL argues that they should be exempt from ADA regulation in same way that they are exempt from federal labor laws because their ships fly under Bahamian flag. The DOJ and plaintiffs argue that ADA can be applied to foreign flagged vessels operating in US waters precisely because they come in and out of US jurisdiction and operate as a public accommodation.
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