Archives August 2021

Why Should You Hire an Immigration Lawyer?

There are several reasons behind hiring an immigration lawyer. If you want your case to be analyzed comprehensively and keep off any legal issues, it is best to hire a qualified immigration lawyer. Finding the best San Jose Immigration attorney helps you stay on the safe side. With this in mind, you ought to work with a lawyer that has up-to-date information concerning immigration law. Below are some reasons you should engage an immigration lawyer:

Get assistance to acquire legal status

Hiring a legal lawyer means that you have additional force in your case. The attorney keeps you updated and discusses any issues arising in your case. When it gets to court proceedings, you need to appoint a professional that is conversant with the existing immigration laws.

From time to time, adjustments and updates are made on immigration laws. The immigration lawyer assists you in handling every step in the process: from filing the documents to submitting the paperwork in the right manner.

Speeding up the process of immigration

Acquisition of secured citizenship can be a lengthy process: hiring a lawyer assists you in tracking and managing the progress. A lawyer will guide you and prepare you for the future tests undertaken in obtaining citizenship. Some clients do not have relatives to assist, and attorneys know the questions asked in the citizenship tests. Obtaining citizenship in a country may be a daunting process due to the economic performance and existing laws in the region. The attorney will inform you of any developments, such as why the process could be taking longer and any other related updates. 

Representation in court case hearings

Hiring a legal lawyer to represent you in court gives you an upper hand in the legal proceedings. If you appear in front of a judge, the lawyer can fight your case. The attorney has in-depth knowledge of the situations surrounding the immigration process; it is recommended that you have somebody for your defense. Immigration attorneys make your case stronger through the adoption of the right approach in any situation arising during the immigration process.

Your immigration lawyer can answer the questions that arise during the legal hearings: this type of lawyer guarantees high levels of preparedness in the scenario that there is any situation arising in your case. The immigration application may be denied in some instances: the attorney appeals for a second opportunity on your behalf. You are guaranteed top-notch experience when you work with a trustworthy and reliable immigration lawyer.

Guidelines on Finding a Competent Immigration Lawyer

In some instances, one may risk death by returning to your home country. For such people with a valid reason to avoid going back to people’s home country, hiring a competent immigration attorney is essential as the laws keep changing. Here are some steps to take to assist you through the process:

Analyze the details of your case 

The first thing you need to look into is familiarizing yourself with the important information and the requirements of your case. Having in-depth knowledge assists you in understanding your needs as per your case. Through this, you can identify the role of your lawyer in your case.

Do you research

With the advent of technology, you can surf the web, government websites, and online immigration platforms. The convenience of the internet is that you can acquire information that helps you understand the branch of the immigration law your case falls under. Some of the varying areas in immigration law include family immigration, citizenship, and visa applications.

Every immigrant must undertake the tedious, difficult and lengthy immigration process in a foreign country. The immigration lawyers put together facts for you to see the available options in your immigration case: this, in return, makes the process simpler.

Factors to Look into When Hiring a Mediation Divorce Lawyer

Getting a good mediation divorce lawyer can be tedious and time-consuming. The process entails doing your homework: it is vital to research and plan for consultations before deciding on the best attorney for the task. On top of this, you must make inquiries regarding the attorney’s services, experience with similar cases, and custody issues.

Getting the financial resources to cater to the lawyers’ fees can be a great concern. It is advisable to opt for divorce rather than the court process involved in a divorce. The main reason is that divorce is cheaper, less time-consuming, and an ideal way of undertaking the divorce process. Here are some crucial tips for getting a good divorce lawyer:

Searching for a good mediation attorney

There are a variety of sources to seek referrals from the best lawyers. Some sources include other attorneys, therapists, referral firms, the bar association, close acquaintances, colleagues, or family members. With the advent of technology, you can surf the web for details on the locally available lawyers. It is advisable to get at least three or more lawyers to choose from, depending on who meets the desired criteria. After getting the list, reach out to the attorneys and plan for consultation. The decision you make is based on the outcome of the first consultation.

Interview the mediation divorce attorney

It is essential to ask queries during your first consultation with the attorney. Reach out to every attorney on your list and schedule meetings: discuss the requirements and rate the services during the appointment. Some mediation attorneys give free services during the consultation visit, while others set a small fee for the services provided. Make inquiries from the mediation attorney on the approach to be used in handling your divorce matter. Make sure you get the attorney’s opinion regarding the negotiations with your spouse. In the scenario that there are children involved, find out how the lawyer intends to guide you through the process of custody.

Charges involved in appointing an attorney

Involving an attorney in your divorce means you are expected to pay some money for the services. The money acts as a surety that the attorney will guide and help you through the divorce issue until the last minute. Different law firms have varying billing methods for the legal services given. Some attorneys will charge based on an hourly rate for every consultation or service offered. It is vital to have an agreement or sign a contract that captures all the fees incurred in getting the services of a divorce lawyer.

Things to keep in mind

Always remember that the first consultation with an attorney does not mean that you have appointed the professional. You can opt for another mediation divorce lawyer after the first consultation with one of the potential candidates. Choose a lawyer who clearly understands the mediation divorce procedure by asking the professional to explain to you during the initial consultation sessions. The attorney should be able to handle the mediation process in an efficient manner. Ensure that you plan for the consultation session: write down issues you may need to discuss with the potential divorce lawyer to ensure you ask and discuss all your concerns.

Undertaking a divorce process with the help of a lawyer is a significant necessity. It is essential to make a correct selection to ensure the divorce procedure happens conveniently and favorably. For you to complete the divorce within a short time, find a well-established and reputable lawyer for your mediation.

Types of Maritime Injuries and Laws

Considering the unpredictable and hazardous working conditions both on the shore side and at sea, it is not surprising that sea travelers risk injury. However, such an expectation does not excuse the negligence of the employer from contributing to an injury. If you suffer from injuries on the docks, in a port, on a vessel, or while doing other maritime activities, you deserve to receive the justice and compensation that you deserve by filing a maritime injury claim. This guide highlights the critical aspects you need to know regarding maritime injuries and claims.

Types of maritime accidents

Slip and fall

Vessels have decks that can result in serious slip and fall accidents due to cluttered or uneven floors.

Fishing injuries

Lack of proper safety gear or dangerous equipment can lead to injuries.

Falling overboard

One might fall overboard due to fishing or loading cargo, leading to drowning or hypothermia.

Enclosed spaces

Tight workspaces can lead to contributing to injuries. For instance, toxic injuries can lead to poisoning, and in places with limited oxygen levels, the risks of asphyxia can increase.

Types of maritime injuries

  • Eye injuries– Impairment or loss of vision can make it challenging for one to resume working.
  • Burns– Burns can result in physical disfigurement and emotional scars
  • Amputations– In some cases, injuries can lead to the loss of a limb.
  • Back injuries– Back injuries vary from herniated disks to strains
  • Acoustic trauma– Injuries can lead to long-term hearing damage
  • Brain injuries- Head injuries include cognitive, hemorrhaging, and concussions.

Maritime Laws

Maintenance and care

When seafarers suffer from injuries, they have the right to receive maintenance and cure benefits despite when or how the accident happened, provided they were working. In this case, maintenance covers the living experiences of the seafarer during recovery, including taxes, food, utilities, and mortgage. Other expenses such as insurance, repairs, gas, internet, and cable television bills are not covered. In contrast, the cure benefits include medical costs associated with the injuries suffered, including traveling to medical appointments, special medical equipment required, rehabilitation, examinations, medications, and doctor visits.

Jones Act

Seafarers who want to receive a settlement under the Jones Act should prove that they suffered injuries due to another party’s negligence. In particular, an employer can be held liable under the Jones Act for the following reasons:

  • Failure to offer proper safety gear and equipment
  • Co-worker assault
  • Spills including grease and oil on the deck of a vessel
  • Failing to ensure that equipment works correctly and up to date
  • Failure to install hazard and warning signs around dangerous places
  • Overworking of the staff resulting in fatigue

Under Jones Act, you can receive a settlement for damages such as loss of earning capacity, lost wages, disfigurement, suffering, pain, medical expenses, and lost wages.

Longshore Act

Maritime law recognizes a worker’s compensation program famously regarded as Harbor Worker’s Compensation or Longshore. It offers compensation to employees who suffered injuries while they worked in navigable waters, including decks and piers, repairing ships, and loading or unloading cargo. Most importantly, the Longshore Act covers workers employed to perform maritime duties, including ship mechanics, shipbreakers, harbor workers, and longshore workers.

However, the Act excludes employees who receive state benefits, including recreational vessel workers, small vessels, retail, and office workers. Under the Longshore Act, maritime workers have rights such as:

  • The first option of choosing a physician of their choice
  • A provision for the employer to pay for permanent or temporary disability and loss of organs and limbs to compensate for the loss of earning capacity
  • If the victim dies, the widow or widower is entitled to approximately 50 payments
  • Injured employees can receive 66 percent of their weekly salary until they recover

You need to know that if you work in maritime areas, you have the right to receive compensation if you suffer from injuries. However, if you think your rights are violated and require assistance, you can consult a professional maritime lawyer at Naylor Law. In the meantime, you should report an injury (severe or minor) to your employer, seek immediate medical attention and fill in the required paperwork. That can help in establishing credible proof of your injury if one violates your rights. 

What Does a Car Accident Do?

In the scenario that you experience an automobile accident, you may spend a lot on medical bills and car repairs. You may also suffer from lost stability and wages. Such expenses should not be from your finances due to an accident that is not a result of your fault. You ought to get accident compensation as a victim. As a result, you may be required to file a compensation claim against the liable party to cater for the injuries and damages caused. Below are the roles performed by car accident attorneys:

Helps in filing for accident settlement claims

 An Antelope Valley car accident attorney handles the legal processes resulting from a car accident. Making errors when providing the required documents may cost you a huge sum of money when getting the compensation you are entitled to. The attorney assesses the claim before submitting it. A car accident lawyer evaluates the physical injuries and car damage to determine the intended damage or foul play. The legal professional compiles and prepares the important legal credentials to submit for the accident claim to be processed.

Handles the insurance firms 

The majority of insurance firms may take advantage when dealing with a person who knows little or no information about the applicable laws. Such companies may cover only one part of the claim: car damages or medical bills, rather than both. The insurance agents are skilled at convincing clients to agree to less compensation and, in some cases, may not give the accident victim anything. An expert in personal injury lawyers understands how to handle claim settlement procedures. Having handled several similar cases, an experienced lawyer makes sure you get the right amount of compensation. A car accident lawyer saves you effort and time.

Represents clients in court

After an accident, you may be required to undertake a court process. You may need the services of a car accident lawyer to represent you in the court process. The lawyer ensures that you get maximum compensation. The main role of the lawyer is to ensure that the ruling is made in your favor. The lawyer will check the auto and medical expenses to ensure you are paid what you deserve.

As an accused after a car accident, you also need the services of a personal injury lawyer. In terms of the representation of an accused, the lawyer attempts to get the lowest penalty. The legal professional will establish facts that favor reducing the amount used to compensate the accident victim. The car accident legal expert ensures that you do not incur expenses you are not liable for. In many cars accident cases, the car accident lawyers attempt to settle the case outside the courtroom.

Why should you hire a car accident lawyer?

A car accident is not planned for; hence it can be overwhelming when it occurs. To reduce stress when dealing with a car accident, you should consider seeking an attorney. Lawyers will assist you when filing a claim against the driver at fault and prepare a lawsuit to recover from the civil damages suffered. The attorney negotiates on your behalf to make sure you earn the compensation you are comfortable with.

A lawyer helps you understand your rights regarding the accident case. It is beneficial to work with a car accident attorney as the professionals know how to maneuver the legal procedure to ensure you are protected accordingly.

The procedure to seek compensation, also referred to as a personal injury claim or settlement, is lengthy and tedious. Undertaking the process on your own may result in getting only a portion of what you deserve. Working with a car accident attorney enables you to get advice and help sail through the process.

3 Warning Signs You Need to Hire a Car Accident Lawyer

When you’re hit by someone else driving carelessly or recklessly, it can be a life-changing experience for you and your family members. An insurance company will work very hard to make you feel like you’re overreacting to the situation if you even think about having legal counsel look at the situation as they process your claim. 

Here are three warning signs that indicate you should consider hiring a car accident attorney.

Someone from the insurance company says things that indicate they are unfamiliar with traffic and weather patterns in your local area

For example, if you live in the Southwest, a torrential downpour might make the roads highly slick as it brings up the accumulated oil from busy or typically heavy traffic, causing an increase in risk. Someone not from the area may not understand that. Thankfully, local attorneys understand these things. For example, a Denver car accident lawyer will understand snow patterns, ice slicks, and which roads are more subjected to accidents during which points of the year. If someone from the insurance company isn’t familiar with your local area, they will be more likely to dismiss critical aspects of your claim.

You have a severe injury

A severe injury leaves you with doctor or hospital bills, time off work you didn’t plan for, and interruption to getting back to your normal daily activities. It upends your life and places strain upon your family and your finances.

Your doctor can’t figure out what’s wrong.

How will your life be changed if the doctors can’t pinpoint what’s causing your medical issues? What happens if those medical issues only started happening because of a car accident? How can you expect to continue your life in this way (let alone pay your bills) when you can’t function at 100% anymore? No one asks to be in a car accident, and no one asks to have their lives changed potentially forever.

Conclusion

If the accident wasn’t your fault, you deserve to be compensated. Working with a car accident lawyer or personal injury lawyer helps you gather the evidence you need to help support your claims. You shouldn’t have to move forward without having some or all the financial burden removed.

If you feel like something is just “off” or missing from your recovery process or if you’re having difficulty working with the insurance company, don’t hesitate to look for a car accident lawyer. Many good ones exist throughout the country.