Charlotte Injury Lawyer Blog

On August 3, 2009, Attorney Michael Chandler received an arbitration award of One Million One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($1,100,000.00) on behalf of a client in a catastrophic automobile accident.

Our client was injured by a drunk drive when the drunk driver crossed the center line in the road and collided with her vehicle. Our client was severely injured in the crash impairing her ability to walk. Multiple surgeries and other medical treatment was required due to the injury.

Expert testimony was required to prove the permanent nature of the injuries and lost earning capacity. The arbitration was held before a panel of three arbitrators and the award was made of $1,000,000.00 for the injuries sustained and $100,000.00 for loss of consortium.

The victims of the ConAgra plant explosion in Garner, North Carolina have already started employing lawyers to investigate the cause of the explosion and determine what happened and what claims are available. Many of the law firms are starting to share information and compare notes on what caused the tragedy that killed and injured workers at the plant.

At least one lawsuit has been filed and others are expected to follow in the coming weeks and months. Many might view the timing of the lawsuits in a negative light since the wounds are so fresh to the victims and their family members. Unfortunately the lawsuits are necessary in a day and age when corporations and their insurance companies will go to great lengths to conceal, withhold or in some rare cases destroy evidence. The purpose of the lawsuits are to invoke the court's power and force any and all potential defendants to share valuable evidence with the victims before it becomes stale or the proverbial trail to responsibility gets cold.

It is unclear at this time as to whether any of the potential defendants in this case have taken any steps to withhold valuable evidence but it has become clear the victim's lawyers are not going to give them a chance.

The explosion that rocked a Garner, North Carolina ConAgra plant is being blamed on a gas leak. Now the victims devastated by the disaster are asking questions and want to know who or what caused this tragic disaster. Early indications form the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives traced the blast to a pump room where the gas leak occurred. It is being reported that contractors with Southern Industrial Constructors had been installing water heaters. The first lawsuit has been filed alleging negligence against the contractor.

It is important for employees and their families who were affected by the explosion to consult with a qualified attorney. Many employees might believe the only avenue of recovery to be a worker's compensation claim. However, if a third party is found to be negligent, such as the contractor alleged in the lawsuits, the victims can recover not only worker's compensation but other damages not generally available through the worker's compensation system.

On May 14, 2009 attorney Michael Chandler of the law firm of Hull & Chandler obtained a jury verdict in the amount of $44,100 against a dog owner who was found to be negligent. The dog in question attacked the claimant on February 25, 2007. The claimant suffered a badly dislocated ankle in the attack. Prior to the trial the only offer from the defendants was $1,000, made just three weeks before the trial.

The prosecution of dog attack/bite cases can be a lot more complicated than one might presume. In order to prevail, the owner or keeper of the dog must be shown to have acted in a negligent manner. A common misconception is every dog gets "one free bite". This is not always the case and a recovery can often be achieved when the dog has never bitten or attacked in the past. Another issue that can complicate the case is the type of insurance the owner carries. Many policies now exclude dog attacks form coverage. At Hull & Chandler, we are experienced at handling dog attack cases and have experience in obtaining recoveries where other law firms have told the claimant the case is without merit. If you or a family member has been injured by a dog or other domestic animal you need to consult a personal injury attorney who is experienced in handling similar cases.

To most people in North Carolina the goal when purchasing car insurance is to save as much money as possible. It is only when a person has been in an automobile accident that they become concerned with the actual terms of their insurance policy. If you are at fault in the car accident, you could be liable to the other driver if your insurance cannot fully cover their claim. If you are not at fault and you are injured in the accident, the at-fault driver may not have the insurance coverage necessary to pay your claim.

In North Carolina every driver is required to have $30,000.00 of liability coverage per person $60,000.00 per accident. ( N.C.G.S. § 20-279.21) This liability coverage does not cover you but rather covers the injuries of the other party if you are at fault in an accident. While these same limits have applied since 1999, medical costs and other measures of damages have increased dramatically. Depending on your personal assets, a higher amount of liability coverage may be recommended.

As stated above, liability coverage does not pay you if you are injured. Since many drivers have the minimum limits coverage described above or no insurance at all, you may want to purchase Uninsured Motorist Coverage (UM) and Under Insured Motorist Coverage (UIM). Under Insured Motorist Coverage (UIM) protects you if the at-fault driver does not have enough insurance coverage to pay your claim. Uninsured Motorist Coverage (UM) can be purchased to protect you if the at fault driver has no insurance at all.

Adding UM and UIM coverage should not be very costly and may be very important in the event you actually have an insurance claim. If you would like to discuss your insurance policy with a lawyer please feel free to contact the law offices of Hull & Chandler, P.A.

If you have recently been injured in an accident in North Carolina you may require the assistance of a competent personal injury attorney to ensure that you are properly compensated for your loss. Different legal issues and potential injuries arise in car accidents, trucking accidents, dog bites, slip and falls or other types of injury cases. You will require an attorney with an understanding of what insurance policies may be used to compensate you for your injury. A lawyer that is unfamiliar with the types of insurance available may settle your case with the primary insurance and not be aware that a second or third policy is available to compensate you for your injury.

It is also important that the law firm have experience with your particular type of claim. Specific injuries may require specialized medical treatment for recovery and expert testimony to prove your case. An attorney already familiar with your type of injury and claim will know how to prove your case in court.

Since many injury cases go to court, there is extensive legal precedent that can trip up a novice attorney. Familiarity with this legal precedent will allow your attorney to better advise you as to the value of your case during settlement negotiations.

When deciding on which law firm best fits your needs it is important that you be able to speak with an actual attorney. If you are unable to speak with the lawyer up front, you may not have easy access to the lawyer later in your case.

Choosing an experienced personal injury lawyer to assist you in your injury case can help maximize the value of your claim and prevent unnecessary delay in resolving your claim.

At Hull & Chandler, P.A., located in Charlotte, North Carolina, we feel that we fit the criteria above and would be happy to discuss your case with you.