What’s “Sovereign Immunity”?

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The word “sovereign” means : “a chief ruler with supreme power,” like a King or Queen or even a fiefdom run by a master. Back in the middle-ages when the world was largely run by sovereigns whether royalty or a chief ruler, one couldn’t sue the master. As the saying went, “rex non potest peccare”, or the king can do no wrong. So, if you couldn’t sue your sovereign, he or she had complete immunity. Royalty could rain down any number of nasties on you Read More +

“My Pet Groomer Just Smacked the **** Out Of My Pet! Can I sue?”

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Occasionally I get a call from a client about possibly suing someone for injuries to their pet. Someone called me years ago to tell me that their new groomer basically cut the hell out of her standard poodle since he was inexperienced as a groomer and the poodle was quite experienced as a wiggly, impatient dog. The dog’s fur was unevenly groomed and worse than that, the poodle looked like he had run through a narrow hallway filled with razor blades. Recently, a good friend Read More +

Injury Cases and Bankruptcy

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Whenever I sign up a new injury client, I always inquire about the possibility of their filing bankruptcy in the near future. It is an important topic that needs to be explored since it can make the difference between securing a settlement for a client, and getting the client nothing. Since personal injury cases usually take months or sometimes years to resolve, an attorney doesn’t know the financial situation the client is in or will face in the near future and bringing it up early Read More +

The Inevitable January Rush for Estate Planning……

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As an attorney who practices in Estate Planning, I know from talking to other lawyers that we all experience a flood of calls in January from family, friends and clients to “get our Wills done”.  Typically I write more Wills in January, February and March than any other time of the year. Undoubtedly the calls are a part of everyone’s New Year’s Resolution – an effort to stop procrastinating after years of putting off planning for the inevitable.  It’s never too late to tackle your Read More +

FAQ: I just won the Lottery! Wow! Should I Call Someone?

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Well, yes, you should call someone, but be very selective. Tell only those people you know and absolutely trust. Obviously, your spouse should be first on your list, but despite your obvious elation, keep your circle of confidants close.  I had one client who didn’t tell his adult children he won the lottery for weeks. Your next call should be to someone who can help you navigate the complexities of lottery collection and protection of your newly discovered wealth. Whether you won $300,000 or $30 Read More +

FAQ: My doctor has recommended I have surgery because of my injury. Should I?

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This is one question that makes every injury attorney cringe. Really? You’re asking me if you should have surgery? While I appreciate the opportunity to weigh in on a client’s medical decision, this is really a decision that is best made by the client, their doctor and their family. However, once in a while I will answer the question, when it’s phrased like this: “I cannot stand the pain any longer. I cannot go on like this. My surgeon has recommended surgery and I think Read More +