How to Get Help With Your Hospital Bills After a Car Accident

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After being seriously injured in a car accident caused by a negligent driver, your life is instantly turned upside down. Not only are you in pain, you have a lot on your mind, which fills your days with anxiety about all sorts of matters. But how your accident affects your finances should not be one of them. If you are concerned about paying bills, including hospital and medical bills, do your best not to worry. That is because there are options available for recovering compensation for all the damages and losses you’ve incurred after being injured in a motor vehicle accident.

Continue reading to learn how to get started.

Indianapolis Car Accident Lawyers

Indianapolis Car Accident Lawyers 317-881-2700

Hire a Car Accident Lawyer Immediately

Your first step after being injured in a car accident that was not your fault is to hire a licensed personal injury lawyer who concentrates on motor vehicle accidents. With their assistance, you can make a claim for compensation. At the appropriate time, they will solicit an offer from the insurance company and negotiate with them until a full and fair settlement offer is made.

If the insurance company will not budge or resolve the case for full and fair compensation, then a more drastic course of action becomes necessary. Most often, a seasoned personal injury lawyer can negotiate a claim and settle out of court, but they will go to trial if the defendant’s insurance carrier makes it necessary.

If you win your case, the jury is allowed to award damages for all medical bills, future medical bills, past and future pain and suffering, compensation for scarring, reduced quality of life, lost wages and more. In certain egregious cases, you may even be able to win punitive damages. See our blog, “A Brief Explanation of Compensatory, Nominal, and Punitive Damages” to learn more about the types of damages in a personal injury case.

If Your Bills Keep Coming

Now that you are out of the hospital and recovering at home, you are likely already receiving hospital and medical bills in the mail. If you have the resources to pay them, do so for now. This would include making sure your medical bills are submitted to whomever your medical bills would normally get submitted to for payment, like Medicare,
Medicaid, and other non-governmental related private health insurance companies.

You may also have what is called medical payments coverage under your own automobile policy which would allow you to submit your medical bills for payment under your own automobile policy. See our blog, “What is MedPay?” to learn more. In addition, if you are injured on the property of a business or home, sometimes the insurance carrier for the business or home owner will have medical payments coverage that can be used to pay your medical bills while you are awaiting a settlement of your case.

Do not stop making payments, or the hospital or doctor might stop treating you. If you are having trouble keeping up with your payments, you may be able to request delayed or reduced payment, but this would require the help of a lawyer. This is just another reason why your first step to getting help with your medical bills is to hire a seasoned personal injury lawyer who focuses on Indiana car accident claims.

Who to Call for Personalized Advice

Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700

Indianapolis Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700

Call The Law office of Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 to make a car accident or slip and fall claim in Indiana. Our seasoned Indianapolis personal injury lawyers are ready and able to recover the full and fair compensation you deserve. Not only does our law firm offer free consultations, we never collect lawyer fees unless we prevail for you. Call 317-881-2700 to schedule an appointment, today.

FAQS About Commercial Truck Accident Claims

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If you or someone you love has suffered serious injuries as a result of a recent commercial trucking accident, it is important to begin educating yourself on your rights to compensation. Immediately contact a licensed Indiana truck accident attorney to discuss your accident and begin documenting an impactful case against all negligent parties.

In the meantime, it is helpful to review some of the most common inquiries personal injury law firms receive regarding commercial truck accidents, injuries, and claims. Continue below to do just that, including where to get started on your claim.

Commercial Truck Accident Lawyers

Commercial Truck Accident Lawyers 317-881-2700

What Makes a Truck “Commercial?”

A commercial truck is different from your average pickup truck on the road. Commercial trucks are those that are used to transport commercial goods. There are various types of commercial trucks that you can see driving down the interstate every day, including delivery trucks, semi-trucks, 18-wheelers, freight trucks, dump trucks, tractor-trailers, big-rigs, and even delivery vans and vehicles. The standard weight of a fully-loaded commercial truck can be up to 80,000 pounds or more, making them incredibly deadly and dangerous at high speeds.

What are the Indiana Drug and Alcohol Regulations for Truck Drivers?

Indiana, as well as the rest of the country, maintain strict policies and regulations for commercial truck drivers in terms of drug and alcohol use. See our blog, “State Regulations for Truck Drivers Regarding Drugs and Alcohol” to learn more about our state’s initiative to keep truck drivers sober on and off the road.

Who is Liable for the Truck Accident?

When it comes to commercial truck accidents, many parties may be liable to pay compensation to injured victims. Such parties may include the truck owner, trucking company, owner of the cargo, the automotive parts manufacturer, and the party responsible for the truck’s maintenance.

Is Indiana a “No Fault” State for Car Accidents?

No, Indiana is not a “no fault” state. This means that anyone injured in a motor vehicle accident must use their own or the negligent party’s insurance coverage to collect compensation for economic damages, up to the limit of that policy. Additional compensation can also be available outside of insurance proceeds.

What are 1st and 3rd Party Truck Accident Claims?

As mentioned, Indiana is not a “no fault” state; so following a truck accident, you would make a claim with your own insurance carrier to cover your damages, if the coverage is available. This is called a 1st party claim. However, if you suffered serious damages and losses as a result of being injured by a negligent truck driver or trucking company, you can also seek out compensation for non-economic damages as well, such as pain, suffering, lost wages, medical expenses, hospital bills, and more. This is called a 3rd party claim, and it would be to prove negligence and collect compensation.

Can I Collect Compensation if I was Partially at Fault for the Truck Accident?

Even if you were partially at fault, you may still be entitled to compensation, however, it varies from case to case. In Indiana, we use a modified comparative negligence system, which is also referred to as the “51% fault” system. This means you need to be less than 51% at fault for the accident in order to collect compensation for a personal injury claim. There are many complex factors involved in such claims, so it is necessary to consult with your personal injury lawyer for help understanding your rights to compensation.

How Long Do Truck Accident Victims Have to Make a Claim?

In Indiana, victims of trucking accidents have a 2 year statute of limitations from the date of the incident to make a claim for their damages and losses if the defendant is non-governmental. It is best to seek representation immediately following a collision.

How Do I Make a Truck Accident Claim in Indiana?

Call Our Seasoned Indianapolis Truck Accident Lawyers RIGHT NOW!

Personal Injury Law Firm 317-881-2700

Personal Injury Law Firm
317-881-2700

Call The Law office of Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 to make a commercial truck accident claim in Indianapolis, Indiana. Our experienced truck accident lawyers, Daniel Craven, Ralph Hoover, and Keith Blazek, are ready, willing and able to recover the full and fair compensation you deserve. We offer free initial consultations and never collect attorney fees unless we recover for you.

Winter Slip and Fall Prevention Tips for Employers

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This time of year, one of the most common injuries that take place at work are caused by slip and fall accidents. For this reason and more, it is necessary to prepare your premises for inclement winter weather by ensuring workplace safety all season long. Otherwise, you risk an assortment of financial and legal consequences, and worst of all, injured employees. The good news is, right now is the perfect time to start this initiative since the snow hasn’t arrived yet!

Continue reading to learn what you can do to winter-proof the workplace, including how to promote winter safety awareness among your employees.

Indianapolis Workplace Injury Lawyers

Indianapolis Workplace Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700

Employer Consequences for Winter Slip and Fall Accidents

As an employer, you have a grave responsibility to keep both employees and patrons safe from hazards. And in the winter time, this responsibility requires even more attention since accidents are more likely to occur. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2016 there were more than 20,500 workplace slip and fall injuries that resulted from conditions brought on by ice, sleet, and snow. Of these numbers, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimated that 28% resulted in more than 30 days off work for victims.

These numbers should be a wake-up call to you as a business owner, and for many reasons. Workplace slip and fall accidents can result in very serious injuries, including broken bones, herniated discs, concussions, head injuries, brain injuries, and paralysis. Not only do these injuries severely impact an employee’s life, they can also have a significant negative impact on the company and business owner too. Possible employer consequences for winter workplace slip and fall accidents include:

⇢ Reduced Company Productivity
⇢ Higher Workers’ Compensation Costs
⇢ Replacement Employee Costs
⇢ Overtime Payments for Remaining Employees

Winter-Proofing Tips You Need to Know

In order to protect yourself, your staffs, and your company from the negative impact of slip and fall accidents, you must ensure that all hazards are eliminated and employees are well-aware of winter safety practices. Here are some things to look out for and manage before the winter precipitation is here:

⇒ Snow Removal Management:

Meet with your snow removal provider and maintenance staff, and make a concrete plan for snow and ice management. Be sure they understand the protocol you expect, including which entrances and areas to clear first. Also go over an accountability plan to avoid staffing problems and poor workmanship.

⇒ Outdoor Maintenance:

Handle all needed outdoor repairs that can turn into winter hazards before the winter precipitation begins. This includes parking lot surface damage (potholes, lamp posts, road marks, etc.), poor lighting, uneven walkways, curbs, ramps, handrails, staircases, plumbing pipes, water leaks, and more. By repairing these areas, you increase the safety of your exterior premises.

⇒ Indoor Maintenance:

Turn your attention to the interior and be sure to eliminate the possibility of slipping on wet floors. Implement warning signs and floor fans for entrances that collect melted snow and ice, ensure that all indoor lighting is sufficient, incorporate beveled floor mats to trap excess water, and keep some extra floor mats around to replace the saturated ones. This includes cleaning up all spills and puddles immediately. Also in the interior, eliminate any tripping hazards, such as electrical cords, torn carpeting, poor lighting, obstructed walkways, and anything else that can cause someone to trip and fall.

Indianapolis Workplace Injury Lawyers

Craven Hoover Blazek Personal Injury Law

Craven Hoover Blazek Personal Injury Law 317-881-2700

Call The Law Office of Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 to make a workers’ compensation claim in Indiana. Our seasoned Indianapolis workplace injury lawyers are ready and able to recover the full and fair compensation you deserve after suffering serious injuries at work. Not only does our law firm offer free consultations, we never collect lawyer fees unless we prevail for you! Call 317-881-2700 to get started, today!

Can I Make a Personal Injury Claim for Food Poisoning?

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Indianapolis Personal Injury Attorneys 317-881-2700

Indianapolis Personal Injury Attorneys
317-881-2700

If you have ever had a food borne illness, you know exactly how intense and traumatic the experience can be. But food poisoning doesn’t just make you extremely ill, it may also make you feel a little betrayed since an eating establishment’s primary responsibility is to provide a well-cooked, hygienic meal that won’t make you sick. So, when you suffer from food poisoning after eating out, you might be wondering if someone should be held accountable for your illness.

There are several courses of action one can take after becoming a victim of restaurant food poisoning. One possibility is to make a personal injury claim to recover compensation for damages and losses incurred as a result of the illness, such as hospital bills, pain and suffering, medical expenses and lost wages. Continue reading to learn more about food borne sickness, and how you might move forward with an accident/negligence claim.

There are More Than 250 Known Foodborne Illnesses:

According to the CDC, an estimated 48 million people per year get sick from a foodborne illness, of which 128,000 are hospitalized and 3,000 die. Foodborne illnesses come from ingesting either food or beverage that has been contaminated with bacteria, parasites, virus, or toxins. Most often, this type of contamination occurs as a result of poor or improper producing, shipping, or handling of food products.

Common types of illnesses contracted in this way include E. Coli, Hepatitis A, Listeria, Salmonella, Botulism, Norovirus, and Campylobacter. The standard symptoms from eating contaminated food include nausea, abdominal cramping, headache, and diarrhea. More severe symptoms may include vomiting, excessive diarrhea, high fever, loss of speech, difficulty breathing or swallowing, dehydration, and in rare cases, even death.

As for making a valid claim for food poisoning, the severity of symptoms will influence the outcome. Minor cases of food borne illness are not likely to be strong candidates for an injury claim since such symptoms can be treated with ample fluids and rest, which takes around one to three days. However, more severe cases might involve doctor visits, hospital stays, prescription medication, prolonged rehabilitation, time off work, and more. This is where a seasoned personal injury attorney can step in and help you recover full and fair compensation you deserve for your losses and damages.

If You Have Food Poisoning:

If you or a loved one becomes ill from a restaurant food borne illness, immediately seek medical attention. During your visit, request to have the illnesses medically confirmed by means of stool samples and more. These records are evidence of the incident that can be used to support your case later on. Furthermore, be sure to follow all instructions handed down from the medical professionals treating you.

If possible, save the contaminated food for testing and have the local health department immediately perform the testing. Directly following your doctor’s visit, it is recommended to keep a daily journal of all your symptoms in great detail. This date can also be used as evidence to support your personal injury claim. Contact a licensed and experienced Indianapolis personal injury law firm to learn more about making a claim for food poisoning.

Your Trusted Personal Injury Law Firm:

Indianapolis Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700

Indianapolis Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700

Call Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 in Indianapolis, Indiana if you were injured as a result of a severe foodborne illness Indiana. Our personal injury attorneys have extensive trial and litigation experience and know how to recover the compensation you deserve. We offer free initial consultations and never collect attorney fees unless we win your settlement. Call today to schedule your appointment.

How Do Insurance Companies Estimate Compensation for Accident Victims?

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One of the most common questions accident lawyers hear from potential clients has to do with the amount of compensation an insurance company will offer for the losses and damages incurred after suffering a personal injury. The challenge with this inquiry is that there is more than just one answer. Injury claim recompense can be a tricky value to estimate upfront because there are so many variables involved and because no accident claim is the same.

Continue reading to learn some basics about how insurance companies might estimate the amount of compensation they will pay out for an accident claim.

Indianapolis Personal Injury Attorneys 317-881-2700

Indianapolis Personal Injury Attorneys
317-881-2700

Evaluation of Related Damages and Losses

An insurance company will initially look at what they are compensating you for. There could be a number of damages that validate compensation, such as hospital bills, medical expenses, lost wages, prolonged physical therapy, permanent handicap or disability, loss of companionship, loss of ability to perform work duties, reduced quality of life, emotional distress, physical pain, damaged property, and any other aspect of life that was negatively affected as a result of the injury. Once an insurance company makes this assessment, the next step in the standard claim process is generally the insurance company’s losses and damages formula.

Losses and Damages Formulas

The damages formula is exactly what it sounds like; it formulates a victim’s losses and damages into a numeric value. Insurance companies use the same damage formula to attain what it believes to be a fair and reasonable dollar value that is equivalent to the total amount of damages suffered by a claimant. The complicated part is assigning an appropriate dollar value for pain and suffering, emotional distress, mental anguish, and other non-economic damages. See our article, “The Difference Between Economic and Non-Economic Damages”, to learn more about such damages.

An Example of How a Formula Might Work

Although it differs from carrier to carrier, the basic process of using the damages formula involves calculating the total dollar amounts for hospital and medical expenses. This is the principle figure the insurance company uses to determine the dollar amount assigned to pain and suffering. For minor injuries, the insurance adjuster may multiply the principle number by a predesignated lower numerical value, such as 1.5 or 2.

However, the more serious the injury, the higher number, which can be as high as 5. If the injuries result in long-lasting or permanent implications, such as an amputation, medical condition, or disability, the number may go all the way up to 10. Once this value is calculated, the insurance company adds on any additional compensation necessary for losses, such as lost income from missing work, and similar economic losses.

It Takes More Than a Formula

Although the insurance company damages formula is complete at this stage, their final figure is not the amount of compensation that will be recovered. It is just the foundation used by the insurance companies and personal injury attorneys during negotiations. The number may increase if the accident attorney can prove more damages, or the extensiveness of damages. Also during negotiations, the percentage of fault among each party is assessed and applied to the deciding factors of the case. This is a central reason why you need a seasoned Indianapolis personal injury lawyer to represent your best interests after being injured in an accident caused by the negligence of another.

Get Started on Your Claim Today

Personal Injury Law Firm 317-881-2700

Personal Injury Law Firm
317-881-2700

Call The Law office of Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 to make a personal injury claim in Indiana. Our seasoned Indianapolis accident lawyers are ready and able to recover the full and fair compensation you deserve. Not only does our law firm offer free consultations, we never collect lawyer fees unless we prevail for you!

Why Choose Us to Represent Your Personal Injury Claim?

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Here at the Law Office of Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C., our Indianapolis personal injury attorneys each have more than two to three decades of experience providing steadfast, personalized, and responsive legal services for injured victims here in Indiana. Continue reading to learn more about our law firm, including why you should choose us to represent you for your personal injury claim.

Indianapolis Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700

Indianapolis Personal Injury Lawyers
317-881-2700

☑ Professional.
☑ Adept.
☑ Motivated to Obtain Your Settlement.

Our seasoned accident attorneys have enjoyed distinguished careers practicing in the field of personal injury law for more than 20-30 years, each. We provide personalized and responsive legal assistance for a wide range of accidents and injuries. From slip and falls, to car and trucking accidents, to burn injuries, product defects, workplace injuries, wrongful death cases, and everything in between, our seasoned personal injury attorneys know exactly how to recover the full and fair compensation a victim deserves.

No matter which type of accident you have experienced, you can rest assure your claim is in the hands of truly skilled and qualified professionals. And over the past 2-3 decades, we have earned a solid reputation for providing an aggressive, all-inclusive legal team for injured victims in Indiana. Furthermore, we are we proud members of The Trial Lawyers of America, the Indiana Trial Lawyers Association, and active in several other notable administrations and organizations as well.

Our Clients Come First, From Start to Finish.

Our Indianapolis personal injury law firm is strictly dedicated to the well-being of our clients in more ways than one. Since the start of our practice, we have represented hundreds of accident victims, and continue to put our clients first at every step of the way. Our teams are always nearby and easily reachable to clients. That is because we work with our clients, side by side, throughout the entire legal process, from the initial consultation to the final judgment or settlement.

If you have questions about your recent accident or injury, all you have to do is contact our office to schedule a meeting with one of our distinguished attorneys. There is no upfront obligation either! We offer free initial consultations to discuss your potential claim, and provide advice on the best course of action for your particular case. Best of all, there are no preliminary attorney fees, so you don’t pay us unless we get a settlement or judgment for you!

Schedule Your Free Consultation Today

Indianapolis Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700

Indianapolis Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700

Call the Law Office of Craven, Hoover and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 for personal injury case assistance you can trust. Not only do we represent clients with personal injuries throughout the state, we also represent residents of other states who suffered injuries in Indiana. Our seasoned accident lawyers will be aggressive with your claim, and do everything in our power to recover the compensation you deserve.

What is Premise Liability?

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If a person is wrongfully injured on another’s property, they may be entitled to collect compensation for their damages and losses through a premise liability personal injury claim. Continue reading to learn more about premise liability, including some of the important organizations that helps influence regulations for such laws and how to make a claim for yourself or a loved one.

Personal Injury Law Firm 317-881-2700
Personal Injury Law Firm
317-881-2700


A property’s “premise” is defined as inside and outside of a property, including sidewalks, parking lots, and gates, staircases, parking garages, and more. Properties can be residential, commercial, governmental, municipal, and various other public or private owned properties. This includes schools, office buildings, restaurants, retail stores, museums, hotels, movie theaters, bars, malls, parks, playgrounds, residential homes, apartment buildings, swimming pools, and any other property that is open to the public.

Premise Liability Law

Premise Liability refers to is a set of laws that hold property owners accountable for any damages or losses suffered by victims of accidents that occur on their premises. This type of liability can vary depending on many factors, especially whether or not the victim was invited onto the property, licensed to enter the property, or trespassed onto the property. Cases of premise liability can involve various types of accidents and injuries; some of the most common being slip and fall accidents, structural hazards, victims of violence and assault, food poisoning, animal attacks, pedestrian accidents, orthopedic injuries, burn injuries, swimming pool accidents, and more.

Premise Liability Organizations

Important organizations related to premise liability law in Indianapolis, IN are the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) and the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control (NCIPC). These associations have dedicated years of combined efforts to reform the law and rights of injured individuals.

The National Association of Insurance Commissioners seems like an unlikely ally in the premise liability law world. But, in fact, this association has worked to promote markets, protect the public’s interest, implement equal and fair service of insurance customers, promote reliability of insurance companies, and the improve the state’s regulation of insurance. Finally, the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control was established 20 years ago to promote safety and injury prevention across the country and works closely with research institutions to get closer to their goals.

Making a Premise Liability Claim

The base objective for premise liability claims is to hold property owners accountable for any injury-causing accidents that take place on their grounds. This can be done by making a personal injury claim against the responsible party. If you or someone you loved has been negligently hurt in a serious accident on public property, you may be entitled to legal compensation. Contact an Indianapolis personal injury attorney right away to get started on your claim.

Indianapolis Personal Injury Attorneys

Indianapolis Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700
Indianapolis Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700

Call The Law Office of Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 to discuss your recent accident with a seasoned Indianapolis personal injury attorney, and learn the best course of action for your claim. We have even successfully represented premises liability cases for big box stores like Walmart, Lowes, and Menards. We offer free initial consultations and never collect lawyer fees unless we prevail for you.

Can I Settle a Personal Injury Claim if I Cannot Prove Fault?

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If you wish to settle your personal injury claim with an insurance company, you do not have to ‘prove’ fault in order to obtain compensation for your losses and damages. Continue reading to learn what you need to know about personal injury claims and settlements, including how to get started and who to trust with your case.

Indianapolis Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700Indianapolis Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700

Indianapolis Personal Injury Lawyers
317-881-2700

Who’s At Fault?

One of the most common reactions involved parties tend to have after an accident is to assign or question fault. Who or what is to blame for the accident? Who is responsible for the damages and losses suffered by the victims? How do I prove that they are to blame? How do I prove I am not to blame for the incident? These are all common, and quite normal, questions to have regarding personal injury liability.

You May Not Need to “Prove” Fault

Proving fault is not an essential part of the personal injury claims process when you wish to settle out of court. First you need liability insurance coverage and then some evidence of fault. Virtually all cars, homes, businesses, and other types of real estate, are covered by liability insurance policies. That means that most accidents end up involving the involved parties and the insurance adjusters assigned to the case.

Basically, the process of negotiating a settlement with an insurance company does not require you to provide legal ‘proof’ that the opposing party was negligent, and that the negligence caused the accident. All you really need is a reasonable argument demonstrating such facts, although the more facts and evidence you have in your possession, the stronger the argument becomes. In cases of defective products, you don’t even have to go that far due to strict liability laws.

Dealing With the Insurance Adjuster

In order to settle a claim with an insurance company after being injured in an accident, most often all you have to do is give the insurance adjuster a clear and concise explanation of what happened along with whatever evidence exists at that time. Within this explanation, include why the wrongdoer was negligent, and how their negligence caused the accident and subsequent injuries.

Once the insurance adjuster accepts your explanation and feels confident that you fully understand how the basic rules of liability coverage applies to your accident, the insurance company may pay you for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. But the most fragile factor is not being approved to receive compensation; instead, your claim focus will quickly transition from being paid to how much you will be paid.

When Proof of Fault May Be Required

If a claim goes to court, there will be a need to prove negligence with evidence and facts. In order to prove negligence, the claimant must show evidence of 4 facts:

❶ The negligent party had a duty of care (legal responsibility) to prevent injuries to the victim;

❷ The negligent party failed to uphold their duty of care;

❸ The negligent party’s failure to uphold their duty of care was a proximate cause of the accident;

❹ Your damages and losses are a proximate result of the accident.

Receiving a Low Settlement Offer

If you receive a low settlement offer from the liability insurance company, you need a seasoned personal injury attorney to fight for your rights to the full and fair compensation you deserve after being injured in an accident that was not your fault. To get started, simply choose a licensed and reputable Indianapolis personal injury law firm, and schedule a time to sit down and discuss your case in detail. They will give you advice on the best course of action to take for your particular claim goals.

Indianapolis Personal Injury Law Firm

Indianapolis Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700

Indianapolis Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700

Call Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 for help with your Indiana personal injury claim. Our esteemed and seasoned attorneys are ready, willing and able to help injured victims recover the full and fair compensation they deserve. We offer free initial consultations and never collect lawyer fees unless we prevail for you. Contact us to get started in your financial recovery, today.

Halloween Candy Safety Tips

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This Halloween, don’t let yourself or your loved one’s become victims of unsafe Halloween candy. Continue reading to learn some helpful safety tips for checking your delicious and delectable treats before enjoying them!

Indiana Child Injury Attorneys 317-881-2700

Indiana Child Injury Attorneys 317-881-2700

Safety Tips for Checking Halloween Candy:

Always wait until all of your children are home from Trick-or-Treating before sorting and eating anything collected. Once everyone is together, have them dump out their candy at the same time to sort and check each individual piece. This will ensure that the candy in your home has been safely inspected, regardless of whose bag it came from. Furthermore, always have a responsible adult present to closely inspect each piece of candy.

Immediately discard any pieces of candy that show these signs:

🎃 Unusual Appearance
🎃 Strange Discoloration
🎃 Tiny Pinholes
🎃 Ripped or Torn Wrappers
🎃 Unwrapped Candy
🎃 Spoiled Foods
🎃 Homemade Items (i.e. baked goods, candy, etc.)

OVERALL: WHEN IN DOUBT, TOSS IT OUT!

Safety Rules to Consider:

Teach children to wait until they get home to eat any candy from their collection bag. Also, teach children to never accept anything that is not commercially wrapped.

Be aware that items like chewing gum, hard candies, nuts, and small toys can be a choking hazard for small children. It is wise to remove such items before letting children freely rummage through their stash.

It is also important to teach children about the dangers of sharing certain candies with other children since they can be choking hazards.

If you have more questions about contaminated candy, contact the POISON CONTROL CENTER at 1-800-222-1222, day or night. If you suspect that someone is passing around unsafe Halloween candy this year, contact the Indianapolis Police Department at 317-327-3811 to make a report.

Were You or Your Child Harmed By an Unsafe Product?

If you suspect that you or your child has suffered harm as a result of an unsafe product, contact a licensed Indianapolis personal injury lawyer right away to learn how to make a claim against the wrongdoer. You could be entitled to compensation for your family’s subsequent losses and damages, such as hospital bills, medical expenses, lost wages, and more.

Seasoned Accident Attorneys Who Can Help

Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700

Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700

Call Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 if you believe you were injured by a defective product in Indianapolis, Indiana. Our seasoned accident attorneys are well-versed in product liability law and can help you obtain the settlement you deserve. We offer free initial consultations and never collect attorney fees unless we prevail for you. Call 317-881-2700 to get started, today.

Can a Law Firm Decide Not to Represent a Personal Injury Claimant?

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When someone becomes a victim of serious injury at the hands of another, it is common for them to seek legal counsel in order to make a personal injury claim against the negligent party, seeking recovery from the negligent party’s insurance carrier. But is it possible for a victim’s claim to be denied by a law firm?

Continue reading to learn why a personal injury lawyer might choose to pass on a case.

Indianapolis Personal Injury Attorneys 317-881-2700

Indianapolis Personal Injury Attorneys
317-881-2700

How Personal Injury Lawyers Get Paid

Many law firms that concentrate on personal injury work on contingency, meaning they will represent a client and handle their case for free, initially, and only collect lawyer fees if they obtain a settlement for their client. If they cannot settle, and fail to recover a judgment in court, the law firm does not get paid and loses the expense money the law firm spent on pursuing the claim.

For this reason, it is important for personal injury lawyers to take on cases that have a strong chance at being successful. If a victim of a personal injury has a claim that is not strong enough to win a settlement or judgement in the attorney’s opinion, a law firm may choose to pass on representing that potential client, and in doing so, refer them to other sources.

On the other hand, if the client insists on pursuing a claim that they could win but is not as strong as other cases, a lawyer may agree to do so in exchange for an upfront, non-refundable fee. So what makes a case weak? And why do lawyers pass on certain cases and personal injury claims? There are several reasons why a personal injury law firm might decide to not take on a case or to take on the case but have the plaintiff pay some of the up-front expenses.

Accepting and Passing on Personal Injury Claims

In order for a victim of a personal injury to successfully win a settlement for their damages, they must prove that they were injured as a result of another’s negligence or carelessness, that person had a certain duty of care to prevent such accidents, and more. There are several laws and stipulations that regulate these boundaries of negligence and fault, all of which vary among states, and personal injury lawyers are extensively well-versed in each of them. If they review a case that seems to have flaws or holes within it or a case where the evidence that once existed no longer exists, they may not see value in representing the client because the case is weak.

For example, if a person is injured in a motor vehicle accident because the opposing driver failed to stop at a red light, they likely have a valid case at first glance. A lawyer will assess whether or not the injured driver followed and obeyed all traffic signals and laws; and in the case they did, a lawyer will most likely agree that they were injured as a result of direct negligence and is entitled to compensation for their damages. In this situation, a personal injury attorney would most likely accept this case and represent this client for free, only collecting lawyer fees if they recover a settlement. If there is a witness stating the opposing driver ran the stop light, obviously the case and evidence would be even stronger and worthwhile pursuing.

Speaking with Different Attorneys

If you call and discuss your potential case with an attorney and they decide not to represent you, it is important to speak with different attorneys for their thoughts on the pros and cons of you potentially pursuing a case. Some attorneys will only represent a personal injury claimant who has undeniable evidence of negligence of the opposing party. Other law firms will represent a personal injury claimant who has strong evidence but not undeniable evidence.

Who to Call for Direct Personal Injury Advice

Personal Injury Law Firm 317-881-2700

Personal Injury Law Firm
317-881-2700

Call The Law office of Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 to make a personal injury claim in Indiana. Our seasoned Indianapolis personal injury lawyers are ready and able to recover the full and fair compensation you deserve. Not only does our law firm offer free consultations, we never collect lawyer fees unless we prevail for you. Call 317-881-2700 to schedule an appointment, today.