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Damaged Vehicle Glass Repair Steps

What Should You Do If Your Vehicle’s Glass Has Been Damaged?

With our level of construction and road debris, it is just a matter of time before most of us are confronted with a cracked or broken windshield here in Florida. But driving with a broken windshield can be extremely dangerous and Florida law recognizes this. Consequently, under Florida Statute § 627.7288, the state encourages anyone with the proper insurance to get it repaired as soon as possible without the cost of an insurance deductible.

Why is it Dangerous to Drive With a Broken Windshield?

Although a vehicle’s windshield is designed to be shatter-proof, a windshield will shatter or crack upon impact with an object or a projectile. While it takes a substantial impact to get a car’s windshield to break into pieces, a mere crack can potentially affect not only the windshield’s integrity but also the structural integrity and safety of the car itself.

The windshield plays a critical role in a vehicle’s engineering. While offering needed visibility to the driver, the windshield also strengthens the roof system of the car and makes it more resistant to crushing upon a rollover or other collision. When a windshield is cracked or broken, that integrity has been significantly diminished, which can put both you and your passengers at risk in an accident.

While some states make it illegal to drive with a cracked windshield, others, like Florida, make it easier for car owners to get it fixed, thereby reducing the risks of accidents and injuries.

No-Cost Windshield Repairs in Florida

If you have comprehensive automobile insurance, you can bring your car to any car repair facility to fix your windshield. This is at no cost to you.

Everyone who owns a registered vehicle in Florida is required to have PIP insurance protection, providing medical and other benefits to the insured if they are injured in a car accident. Comprehensive insurance coverage will repair or replace your car if it is stolen or damaged by something other than a collision. Not everyone has comprehensive coverage, however. If your windshield has been damaged and your car does not have comprehensive coverage, you will be required to get a repair at your own cost.

Are You Limited to Who Can Repair Your Windshield?

Here in Florida, you have the right to go to any repair shop you want to repair your windshield. Many insurance companies work with specific repair shops in their network. If you work with one of these shops, the insurance company has contracted to pay them directly. In other cases, your shop may ask you to sign an assignment of benefits so they can get paid by your insurance company.

When a Damaged Windshield Can Cost You More Than a Repair

Unfortunately, a cracked or shattered windshield may be a contributing factor in a car accident. If your damaged windshield caused an accident that injured another party, you may be held liable and required to compensate them for their damages. Even if you are only partly to blame, a court can reduce compensation for your injuries under our comparative fault laws if your damaged windshield factored into the accident.

Getting Legal Advice in Florida

If you have been injured in a car accident, you need skilled legal advice to ensure that your rights are being protected. At Ged Lawyers, LLP, our experienced Boca Raton personal injury attorneys have represented victims of wrongful acts and negligence since 1995. If you have been injured in a car accident, call us at (561) 562-4170 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation to discuss your case.

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By : Clarissa Romero

November 3, 2021

Windshield Damage After Car Accident

What Should I Do if There is Damage to My Windshield During an Accident?

Windshield damage can be a dangerous thing. Impaired vision is only part of the danger.

A damaged windshield can affect the strength of the entire windshield/sealant system of your car. This system ensures that your roof doesn’t crush in the event of a front impact or a rollover. A damaged windshield can have a significant effect on the system’s ability to keep you safe in a Boca Raton car accident. In addition, having a cracked windshield will also invariably lead to a ticket by local police.

While many drivers may put off getting necessary repairs to their windshield for fear of the costs od repair or replacement, in Florida, some drivers can get this done for free.

How Drivers Are Protected From Windshield Replacement Costs in Florida

There are some new ways that drivers are protected from damage costs under new Florida statutes. A new Florida windshield replacement law, FL Statutes, Sec. 627.7288, allows windshield replacement for properly insured individuals, prohibiting insurance companies from applying a deductible.

What the Law Says

If you have sustained windshield damage, you may be able to get your windshield repaired or replaced at no cost, depending on the cause of the damage and what kind of insurance coverage you have.

The new windshield replacement law states that a vehicle owner who has comprehensive or combined additional insurance coverage can get their windshield repaired or replaced without imposing deductible costs. This law is meant to motivate car owners to get damaged windshields replaced as quickly as possible.

What Kind of Coverage Do You Have?

In the state of Florida, no-fault insurance rules apply to insurance claims. Under no-fault insurance rules, every registered vehicle owner in the state must have personal injury protection and property damage liability coverage.

Personal injury coverage will cover you for any injuries sustained in an accident. Property damage liability covers another driver’s property damage in the event of an accident. But state law only requires vehicle owners to have $10,000 in property liability coverage. Because of this, many drivers choose to cover their own vehicles with additional coverage.

If you are involved in an accident in Florida, your PIP insurance will pay for your injuries regardless of who is at fault. If your car has sustained damage in the accident, the at-fault party’s liability coverage will cover those repairs. Otherwise, your repairs will be covered by your collision coverage.

So What Happens if an Accident Caused My Windshield Damage?

It’s important to note that the new law only applies to comprehensive or CAC coverage. In the case of an accident, who is responsible for your windshield damage will depend on what caused the accident and who was at fault.

In a collision, if the other driver is at fault for the accident, their insurance will cover your repairs. If you are at fault, you will need to look to your own collision policy. In this case, you may still be subject to a deductible.

What About Those Who Do The Repairs?

While the new law is good news for car owners, it is not necessarily good for the businesses that do the repairs. Large insurance companies have been able to drive down windshield repair costs to save themselves money as a result. For small independent shops, charging industry-recognized prices for repairs often leave them fighting with insurance companies to get fairly paid for their services.

If you have been involved in a car accident and have had difficulty getting your windshield repaired, or you are a small business owner fighting with the insurance industry, getting the guidance of an experienced windshield attorney is critical.

Getting Skilled Legal Advice In Florida at Ged Lawyers

At Ged Lawyers, our team of skilled Tampa Bay windshield attorneys may be able to help. Call us at (561) 562-4170 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation to discuss your situation.

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By : Clarissa Romero

October 25, 2021

Johnson Johnson Baby Powder Lawsuits

Johnson & Johnson May Try to Use Legal Maneuvers to Deflect Liability in Their Baby Powder Lawsuits

The name Johnson & Johnson has been synonymous with healthcare and baby products for decades. However, for years now, they have been battling accusations that their baby powder, one of their hallmark products, contained asbestos and, consequently, caused ovarian cancer in thousands of women. Its sale has since been discontinued.

Johnson & Johnson’s reputation isn’t the only thing suffering because of these allegations. Thousands of product lawsuits have subsequently been filed against Johnson & Johnson throughout the United States and Canada.

So Is All Baby Powder or Talcum Powder Dangerous?

According to the American Cancer Association, talcum powder is created from talc, a mineral composite of magnesium, silicon, and oxygen. It has been widely used in many products, from cosmetics to baby powder. Unfortunately, in some cases, talc may contain asbestos, a known carcinogen. This can be particularly dangerous when inhaled or used around the genitals.

Johnson & Johnson’s particular liability comes from the fact that investigations of internal documents from the 1970s revealed that their baby powder did have asbestos in it, they knew about it, and they continued to sell it. Consequently, many users of their baby powder have been diagnosed with cancer, particularly ovarian cancer.

How Can a Company Be Held Liable for a Product Under Florida Law?

Product liability laws are designed to protect innocent consumers from dangerous products. In a product liability claim against a company, three different types of defects could create a liability:

  • Design defects if the product’s design had harmful elements
  • Manufacturing defects if the way the product was manufactured caused harmful elements
  • Failure to warn when a company knew of harmful elements as they concerned their product but failed to warn consumers

In this case, Johnson & Johnson fell under the last scenario by failing to warn the public about the potential of harm caused by their powder. Since the first lawsuits were filed, there are now more than 34,000 lawsuits alleging that Johnson & Johnson’s baby powder contributed to their or a loved one’s cancer.

How Johnson & Johnson Can Try to Avoid Liability

According to news reports, in order to offset liability, Johnson & Johnson allegedly explored taking measures to rid itself of many of these lawsuits by using a bankruptcy strategy called the Texas Two-Step strategy. This allows a company to reincorporate itself in Texas and then undertake a divisive merger that splits the company into two separate entities. While one of these gets most of the assets, the other gets most of the liabilities, such as these lawsuits. Afterward, the company with the liabilities files for bankruptcy. This is completely legal in the state of Texas.

Last month, plaintiffs in lawsuits sought a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction to prevent Johnson & Johnson from taking these measures. Although a bankruptcy judge has since sided with Johnson & Johnson, they have made no moves to use this tactic, and it is doubtful that it would be successful. If it does go forward, however, it will tie this matter up in bankruptcy court and may leave those with pending lawsuits further victimized by Johnson & Johnson.

The Importance of Filing a Baby Powder Lawsuit Now

In Florida, we have a statute of limitations for product liability claims. A claimant has two years from the time the injury was discovered to file a product liability claim. If a loved one died as the result of a defective product, a claimant only has two years from the date of their death to file.

If you or a loved one was harmed by Johnson & Johnson baby powder, the Tampa Bay product liability attorneys at Ged Lawyers are here to help. Call us at (561) 562-4170 or contact us online to schedule a no-cost consultation to discuss a possible claim.

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By : Clarissa Romero

October 15, 2021

Ged Lawyers Medical Data Handling

How Does Ged Lawyers Handle Sensitive Medical Data?

Insurance companies will rely on a patient’s medical records when they validate any claim for an injury. When someone has been injured in a car accident, slip and fall accident, or other accident requiring an insurance claim, the insurance carrier will require proof of those injuries. However, the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, or HIPAA, ensures a patient’s privacy and protects a person’s health information. It does this by limiting others from getting copies of their medical records.

If you have been injured in an accident and decide to pursue an injury claim or personal injury lawsuit, your attorney will need to have access to some of your medical records to understand your injuries, review what medical procedures have been done, and what compensation you may be due. If you give written permission, your attorney can request your records on your behalf. Without it, a healthcare provider can deny that request.

While it is necessary for your attorney to have access to these records to help pursue your claim or lawsuit, they have important and sensitive information about you, including delicate medical information and personal information such as your social security number. Do you know how your attorney extracts this information and what they do with it to ensure your privacy?

Why Does Your Attorney Need Your Medical Records?

Your attorney will need to understand the nature and extent of your injuries in order to get a comprehensive understanding of the viability of your case and what you may be entitled to as compensation. These records provide details about your injuries, possible causes, and enable the attorney to begin to calculate the damages.

How HIPAA is Designed to Protect You

HIPAA is a federal law that was passed in 1996 to set national standards for the protection of individuals’ medical and personal health information. Anything that identifies someone and is maintained or exchanged by a healthcare provider, either electronically or by hard copy, is subject to HIPAA rules.

HIPAA was enacted to enable portability of healthcare coverage, improve the efficiency of the healthcare system in sharing important medical information, and protect the privacy of patients. HIPAA compliance is critical when anyone has access to your sensitive medical information.

How Does HIPAA Work in a Personal Injury Claim?

A patient must be prepared for some of their medical information to be released during a personal injury case, since this information is fundamental to the claim. If the case goes to court, these medical records become part of the case and both sides must be able to have access to the records. Consequently, there are some important exceptions to HIPAA privacy requirements:

  • When there is a court order associated with a legal case
  • When processing payments for services
  • When tracking disease for public health reasons
  • For law enforcement purposes
  • When the individual requests their own record

How Ged Lawyers Protects Your Privacy

At Ged Lawyers, as designated “business associates,” we are bound by HIPAA rules. While we do need to access your records so we can determine fair compensation for an injury claim, we do so with complete care for your privacy and compliance with HIPAA rules. We are able to audit a patient’s records through a sophisticated electronic auditing process that is completely HIPAA compliant. All of our staff and auditors are HIPAA trained and get certified annually to ensure that your information is safe and completely protected.

To find out more about how we look at injury claims and how we access and protect records, see our YouTube video here.

Getting Skilled Legal Help in Florida

If you have been injured in an accident and are having difficulty collecting on an insurance claim or wonder if the at-fault party can be held accountable, let the Tampa Bay personal injury lawyers at Ged Lawyers help. Call us at (561) 562-4170 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation to discuss your case.

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By : Clarissa Romero

October 7, 2021

Tampa Auto Glass Lawsuits Overview

Tampa Auto Glass Owners Are Litigating to Get Paid for Windshield Replacements

Windshield damage, while a common occurrence, is more than just a cosmetic repair. A cracked or chipped windshield can impact a windshield’s structural integrity, cause dangerous shattering, and even inhibit the support needed for safety equipment such as airbags. Consequently, Florida has enacted legislation allowing properly insured drivers to get their damaged windshield replaced through an insurance claim without any out-of-pocket costs.

Getting Paid For Their Services is Far More Difficult

But for those auto glass businesses that do the actual repairs, getting paid for their services by the insurance company is often far more complicated than doing the work itself. In many cases, windshield replacement shops end up fighting with the insurance company to get paid for an insurance claim replacement, often ending up in litigation.

Tampa Bay windshield replacement litigation lawyers have seen an exponential increase in these cases when insurance companies refuse to pay claims to these small business owners who want to be paid fairly.

Small Businesses Rely on Prompt and Fair Payment for Their Services

Florida insurance companies are large, for-profit enterprises. Consequently, saving money is integral to their bottom line and their shareholders’ happiness.

In anticipation of this new Florida insurance law, these large insurance companies have contracted with windshield replacement businesses that agree to do the work for significantly discounted prices. Unfortunately, for those other smaller repair businesses that aren’t in the insurance company’s “approved network,” it can be difficult, if not impossible, to get adequately paid for their work after a claim.

Most Tampa Bay auto glass shops are small independent businesses that use industry standards to set their prices and rely on prompt and fair payment for their services for their livelihood. But many of these business owners have discovered that for a simple windshield replacement covered by an insurance claim, they are frequently denied fair payment by the insurance company, often forcing them to seek legal remedies.

When the Insurance Industry Sets the Rules

Under policy liability limits, insurance companies are only responsible for paying for a windshield replacement that does not exceed “prevailing competitive” prices. But these prices have been driven down by large insurance companies that contract for work done at a significant discount from those customarily charged.

Although a business may charge what is typical for windshield replacement in the industry, insurance companies often deny that payment based on their contracted discount rate. Repair facilities should not have to fight to be paid for their work.

Unfortunately, there is little in the way of current legislation that ensures fair payment to Tampa Bay windshield repair shops to end this cycle. Until there is, small businesses are often left to fight in court for what they deserve. Experienced Tampa Bay windshield replacement litigation attorneys work diligently to ensure that small businesses get paid fairly for their services.

Experienced Tampa Bay Windshield Replacement Litigation Lawyers

At Ged Lawyers, LLP, our Tampa Bay windshield replacement litigation lawyers help auto glass and windshield repair businesses get paid fairly for their work. We have spent our careers holding big insurance companies accountable for their unfair practices. If you own a repair facility that has been denied payment for insurance claim work, let our experienced team of professionals help. Call us at (561) 995-1966 or contact us online to schedule an appointment.

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By : Clarissa Romero

September 24, 2021

Florida Passenger Car Accident Lawsuit

If I Was Injured in a Florida Car Accident as a Passenger, Can I Sue the Driver of the Car?

Car accidents can happen regardless of how careful we are. But when someone’s carelessness or recklessness has caused the accident, sometimes that person can be held responsible for any injuries that have resulted.

When you are riding in a car as a passenger in Florida, you have the right to expect that the driver is operating that vehicle cautiously and responsibly. If that driver acts recklessly and contributes to an accident and you are injured, that driver may be held liable for damages under certain conditions.

If you have been injured in an accident in Florida as a passenger, your best recourse is to get the immediate guidance of a Boca Raton personal injury attorney to understand your legal rights and options. At Ged Lawyers, LLP, we can help.

Establishing Negligence in a Lawsuit

A personal injury lawsuit requires proof that some form of negligence was involved. The legal concept of negligence has four separate factors, or elements, that must be proven in a successful lawsuit. They are

  • The driver had a duty of care toward you. As a passenger, the driver had a duty of care to drive carefully and cautiously to ensure your safety as well as all the other drivers on the road. All drivers have a duty of care toward each other and anyone else in the vicinity.
  • The driver breached that duty. If the driver was acting recklessly or unlawfully, he or she breached the duty of care that was owed you as their passenger.
  • The breach caused the accident. It is not enough that the driver was involved in an accident that resulted in your injury. The accident must have been caused, to some degree, by that driver’s breach.
  • The accident led to damages. You must have been harmed or injured in some way, resulting in measurable damages.

Getting the advice of an experienced Boca Raton personal injury lawyer is critical to understanding if negligence was involved and if the at-fault driver can be held liable for your injuries

Florida’s No-Fault Laws

Under Florida no-fault laws, if you have been injured as a passenger in someone else’s car, you will first need to exhaust any insurance coverage available to you before bringing a lawsuit against that driver.

In Florida, anyone who owns a car is required to have a minimum of $10,000 in personal injury protection coverage. As an injured party, if you have personal injury protection coverage, you will need to first seek reimbursement for your damages through your own PIP coverage.

If you do not own a car, have no PIP coverage of your own, and no one else in your family has coverage, you will then file a claim against the driver’s insurance of the vehicle you were in. Our lawyers have represented many clients involved in car accidents in the Miami Metro area and beyond.

Filing a Lawsuit Against the Driver

Under Florida statute 627.737, a lawsuit may be filed against the car’s driver for economic damages if your injuries meet the no-fault threshold. You may also be able to sue the driver for non-economic damages such as pain and suffering.

Requirements for meeting the no-fault threshold in Florida are injuries that have caused

  • A significant and permanent loss of an important bodily function
  • A permanent injury within a reasonable degree of medical probability, other than scarring or disfigurement
  • Significant or permanent scarring or disfigurement
  • A fatality

The term “significant” can be highly subjective and can vary based on the individual, the circumstances and seriousness of the accident, and the severity of the injuries. Consequently, any lawsuit brought against a driver can be highly complex and will require the assistance of an experienced Florida personal injury attorney who understands the nuances of our laws.

At Ged Lawyers, LLP, we diligently represent those who have been injured due to the negligent actions of others. If you have been injured as a passenger in a car accident, call us at (561) 562-4170 or contact us online to schedule a no-cost consultation to discuss your case.

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By : Clarissa Romero

September 21, 2021

Road Debris Car Accident Claims

Car Accidents Caused by Debris

If flying debris or obstacles in the road damage your car or cause injuries, your own insurance policies are your best hope for recovering damages, unless you can identify the source of the debris.

Insurance companies advertise the fact that they are always there for you when “stuff happens,” but whenever something happens that causes you financial losses, the insurance company tries to assign as much of the blame for the accident as possible to you, so that they can pay you less money. If you get into a collision involving two or more vehicles, a car accident lawyer can help you protect yourself against the insurance companies assigning you more than your fair share of fault for the accident. What happens when the accident was not caused by a person, but rather a flying or stationary object? Even though it is not possible to sue an abandoned broken tire or an airborne plank of plywood, a Boca Raton car accident lawyer can help you negotiate with your own insurance company and get compensation for the losses you suffered in an accident caused by debris.

Flying Debris From a Nearby Vehicle

Flying debris that falls off of a vehicle moving at a high speed can cause serious damage to nearby vehicles and severe injury to their occupants. Whether it is a piece of wood, rock, or metal that flies off of a truck hauling debris away from a construction site or a bicycle that has been poorly secured to the roof of a passenger car, it is still something big and heavy flying toward your car. Whether the debris hits your car or you swerve to avoid it and crash your car, the damage can be costly.

If you can tell which vehicle was the source of the flying debris, get the driver’s attention, if possible, so that you can both pull over and exchange insurance information. Have a passenger take a picture of the vehicle, if possible, or write down the license plate number or, if applicable, the company logo on the commercial truck. Then contact a car accident lawyer for help filing a claim for the debris-related accident.

Road Debris from a Recent Accident

If there is debris in the road from a major car accident that happened recently, the police should have blocked off the area until the debris was cleared to make travel in those lines safe again. Unfortunately, if the cause of your accident was a broken tire, cardboard box, or other piece of debris lying in the road, it is usually not easy to determine the source of the debris. Your own car insurance is your best bet for recovering damages in a case like this. As with accidents where the debris flew from a nearby vehicle, your Florida car accident lawyer can help you get the best possible settlement.

Contact Ged Lawyers in Boca Raton About Car Accidents Caused by Debris

A car accident lawyer in Boca Raton can help you recover damages if the cause of your accident was debris lying in the road or falling from a nearby vehicle. Contact Ged Lawyers in Boca Raton, Florida to discuss your case.

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By : Clarissa Romero

September 21, 2021

Florida Motorcycle Insurance Impact Doctors

How Florida Motorcycle Insurance Impacts Doctors

As a medical provider in Florida, you’re forced to navigate the state’s personal injury laws. When you care for a motorcycle accident victim, the process of recovering your costs isn’t the same as with car accident patients. Insurance coverage varies, and receiving payment may come down to who caused the crash and whether that person has bodily injury liability coverage.You hope there’s insurance coverage, and the insurer pays your invoices promptly. When that doesn’t seem likely, it’s best to talk with an experienced Florida motorcycle accident lawyer from Ged Lawyers. We’re not only personal injury attorneys for accident victims; we also have years of experience helping medical providers recover their costs.

Biker riding a motorcycle

Insurance for Motorcycles in Florida

You know there’s no-fault insurance in Florida. When you care for a car accident patient, you bill their health insurance and Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance. But the PIP law in Florida doesn’t extend to motorcyclists.

This can be confusing. The motorcycle rider has PIP insurance if they own a car. The coverage protects them if they’re hurt in a car accident or as a pedestrian or cyclist. But it won’t cover them when injured riding a motorcycle.

Florida doesn’t explicitly require motorcycle riders to carry insurance at all times. Yet riders are financially responsible for any accidents and injuries they cause. Because of this law, it’s best if motorcyclists buy bodily injury and property damage liability policies.

Motorcycle insurance

Riders are supposed to protect themselves, as well. According to Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV), Florida requires motorcyclists to wear a helmet if they don’t carry at least $10,000 worth of medical insurance coverage. Unfortunately, many riders forgo this coverage.

The moral of the story is that riders can be in motorcycle accidents in Boca Raton, Florida without insurance. Even if a motorcyclist has insurance, it probably won’t be PIP coverage. Most insurance companies don’t offer PIP products to riders in Florida, and if they do, the rates are high.

Instead of assuming a patient has PIP insurance, ask if they have Med Pay, which may pay you, the medical provider, directly, or the injured rider. Uninsured Motorist (UM) coverage that’s part of the patient’s auto insurance is another option. A UM policy pays outstanding medical bills that the at-fault driver’s bodily injury policy (or lack thereof) doesn’t pay.

Winning Compensation After a Motorcycle Accident in Florida

When a motorcycle rider is hurt in an accident, they may have an at-fault claim. Their ability to receive compensation for the accident and injuries rests on proving someone else caused the collision.

Usually, the rider pursues compensation through a third-party claim against the at-fault driver’s policy. Here, complications can arise. Drivers must carry PIP insurance to pay for their injuries, and property damage liability insurance to pay for the crash victim’s bike repair or replacement. But a negligent driver might not have bodily injury liability coverage to pay for the rider’s injuries.

Florida limits when crash victims, including out-of-state riders, can sue properly insured drivers. The motorcyclist must have a serious and permanent injury to file a personal injury lawsuit against the Florida at-fault driver. If they have the right to sue, they can demand compensation for their medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages.

How Motorcycle Crashes Impact Medical Providers

Recovering payment from a motorcycle accident victim can be complicated. If they have health insurance, it applies to their injuries. If they have a PIP or a Med Pay policy, it may cover some of their medical bills. PIP covers up to 80% of medical bills, and Med

Pay covers all medical costs up to the policy limit. UM coverage is another option.

If the patient has to pursue a third-party claim, the insurer won’t pay you directly. Instead, you’ll need to demand payment from the patient directly or wait for the motorcycle accident injury settlement or verdict. Either way, receiving payment takes longer than after a car accident. You may need to wait years to get paid.

You Decide Whether to Accept These Patients

If you provide emergency medical services, then you don’t turn away people in need. But you may provide medical care for motorcyclists after they’ve been to the ER and received immediate care. Whether you’re a general practitioner, chiropractor, physical therapist, or another type of physician, it’s up to your practice to decide whether to take motorcycle accident patients. You have the right to turn away these patients because of the challenges you may face in recovering payment.

Running Into Trouble With Insurers

You might have hope for timely reimbursement when you learn the motorcyclist or at-fault driver has good insurance. Unfortunately, that’s often not the case. Insurers fight everything because they want to limit their costs. They’re all about profit.

If your medical practice is having trouble getting paid when there’s insurance coverage, let us help. We are highly experienced in helping medical providers get their due payment. We’re used to dealing with major insurers and their legal teams and have successfully handled lawsuits against insurers who wrongly denied accident victims compensation.

Making Sure Your Medical Practice Gets Paid

Doctor

It’s essential to make your claim against a personal injury settlement official. You can do this by receiving a Letter of Protection (LOP) from your patient’s personal injury lawyer. Through an LOP, you agree to treat the patient and wait for payment through a settlement or court award.

The disadvantage of an LOP is that, traditionally, medical providers don’t send the patient to collections for delinquent payment, though you aren’t barred from doing so. In many situations, the patient doesn’t have the income or savings to pay you immediately. Your best chance may be to wait for the settlement or award. However, an LOP client might not recover compensation if the at-fault driver lacks bodily injury coverage.

Our Motorcycle Accident Attorneys Can Help Doctors Recover Their Payment

After you have treated a patient, their insurance should pay your invoices if they are insured. If you treated an uninsured motorcycle accident patient and have not been paid, our motorcycle accident attorneys can help you. We will:

  • Handle communications with insurers on your behalf
  • Speak to the patient’s lawyer for you
  • Answer any questions you have
  • Explain the state’s insurance laws

Working with a motorcycle accident patient who is not insured can put you in a tricky spot. You do not have to try to recover your due payment alone. Our firm has experience working with medical providers and can help you.

Contact Ged Lawyers for a Free Case Review

As a medical provider, you are entitled to your payment even if the patient you treated does not carry insurance. Our motorcycle accident attorneys at Ged Lawyers can help you recover payment if the motorcycle accident patient you treated does not have insurance.

Our team can support you, and we are available to take your call 24/7. For a free case review, contact Ged Lawyers today.

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By : Clarissa Romero

September 13, 2021

Hiring Personal Injury Lawyer Advice

When Should I Hire a Lawyer for My PI Case?

You should hire a personal injury lawyer to help you recover damages after a motor vehicle accident if your injuries are very serious, the at-fault driver did not have liability insurance, or your insurance company is putting up obstacles to paying a satisfactory amount for your claim.

The court systems of Florida are meant to be accessible to everyone, and it is possible to represent yourself, as opposed to hiring an attorney, in most kinds of legal actions. It is possible to represent yourself in a personal injury case, where an injured person seeks compensation for their injury-related financial losses from the person or company whose negligence caused the injury, but if your case is so complex that filing a lawsuit is the only way to resolve it, you should probably hire a lawyer. In uncomplicated cases, you simply file a claim with your insurance company and get a sufficient insurance payout. These are some situations in which you should hire a Boca Raton car accident lawyer to help you recover compensation after a motor vehicle accident.

The More Money at Stake, the More You Need a Lawyer

You have probably never thought much about your insurance policy limits. Medical bills are so expensive, though, that an injury that is severe enough to require surgery followed by months of physical therapy can easily exceed the limits that insurance companies are required to pay, according to the terms of your policy or that of the at-fault driver. If you had to miss work for more than a few days because of your injury, then the money you need to compensate for your accident-related losses (medical bills and lost income) can easily exceed the policy limits.

Trouble With Insurance Companies

Suing people is not all that personal injury lawyers do to help injured people get the money they need. They also negotiate with insurance companies and persuade them that offering an adequate settlement without going to court is in everyone’s interest. Insurance companies prey on consumers’ lack of knowledge on the industry and on the vulnerability of injured people. You should hire a personal injury lawyer to help you deal with the insurance companies if you have received an insufficient settlement offer or if it is taking an unreasonably long time to get your money. If possible, you should have your lawyer talk to the claims adjusters, instead of talking to them directly, so that they do not ask you trick questions and use your answers against you. Even if you have already given a recorded statement to the insurance company, it is not too late to get a lawyer involved.

Contact Ged Lawyers in Boca Raton for Help Today

A personal injury lawyer can help you recover damages if you were injured in a motor vehicle accident, if you fell and got injured at a place of business, or if you were harmed because of a medical error. Contact Ged Lawyers in Boca Raton, Florida to discuss your case.

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By : Clarissa Romero

September 6, 2021

Florida Surfside Building Collapse Lessons

Learning From the Building Collapse in Florida Surfside Community

The Surfside building collapse in Florida left the community, government officials, civil engineers, and inspectors in shock. Champlain Towers South, a 12-story condominium building in southern Florida near Miami Beach, is only 40 years old, yet suffered a partial collapse on June 23, 2021. At present, 242 residents are now accounted for, 98 of which have been confirmed dead. The search party officially called off their efforts around July 7, concluding that such an event, called a “pancake” collapse, likely left no survivors.

Many engineers and building inspectors were left astounded by the event, and several theories have since been put forward to account for the tragedy. Below, we discuss some of these theories and what they might entail in terms of legal responsibility. If you or a loved one have experienced property damage or personal injury due to structural damage, contact Ged Lawyers to discuss your case.

Building Collapse in Florida Surfside

Structural Integrity of Buildings

Many engineers and building inspectors were left astounded by the event, and several theories have since been put forward to account for the tragedy. Below, we discuss some of these theories and what they might entail in terms of legal responsibility.

Theory 1: Spalling (Structural Concrete Deterioration)

The term spalling refers to damage in concrete surfaces that, when left unattended, can lead to serious vulnerabilities in a structure’s integrity. In 2018, a consultant brought on by Champlain Towers South’s condo board examined the building and found significant cases of spalling in the building’s structural concrete, the worst of which was in the subterranean parking garage. Significant spalling in a parking garage column may have brought the building down. At the same time, saltwater intrusion due to the recent rise in sea levels may have seeped into the columns, further weakening the steel rebar that strengthens the columns.

Theory 2: Impacts From a Nearby Construction Site

Construction on Eighty Seven Park, a luxury tower comprising 18 stories and 71 units, located across the street from Champlain Towers South, reportedly shook the condos in the years prior to the collapse. A condo board member wrote to Surfside officials to report the vibrations and expressed worry about the building’s structural integrity. Officials familiar with the area say that this theory may not have much validity since all new buildings in the area are engineered to withstand hurricanes.

Theory 3: Sinking Foundation Due to Rising Sea Levels

Like many other parts of Florida, the ground under Surfside is slowly sinking. Champlain Towers specifically is sinking much faster than the surrounding buildings at a rate of 2 millimeters every year. Uneven sinking may have contributed to the building’s collapse.

Theory 4: Structural Flaws in the Building’s Construction

Champlain Towers was constructed during the building boom of the 1980s. Officials are now wondering whether construction was rushed, under-regulated, and cheaply done. This theory arose after inspectors noticed the building contained fewer than normal shear walls and steel reinforcements, which are essential requirements for making a building structurally sound.

Structural Design in Hurricane-Prone Areas

South Florida is prone to hurricanes and the damage that they bring to communities. After Hurricane Andrew devastated the state in 1992, Florida adopted new building codes that continue to impose a higher standard for new buildings constructed in the area. The main points of focus in the new codes include wind-resistant designs, approvals for products intended for use or installation in homes, and education and certification of building officials. A failure to comply with these codes in the state of Florida may entail legal responsibility of the noncompliant party, especially if damage or injury occurs as a result.

People watching building Collapse in Florida Surfside

Responsibility for the Loss of Life and Property

Determining liability for the damage and loss of life that the Surfside collapse incurred is difficult at this time. This is because the precise cause, or number of contributing factors that played a part in the collapse, is still yet unknown. However, there are many parties involved in the building’s maintenance and oversight that may come to share the blame, including the engineers, inspectors, and consultants who worked in the building, the condo board that oversaw maintenance and knew of structural damage, and Miami-Dade County.

Florida Laws Present and Future Related to Building Collapses

One potential influencing factor on the Surfside collapse involves lax regulations and ongoing inspections when it comes to Florida’s buildings. While many inspections were carried out over recent years, these inspections were minor in scope and didn’t include an overview of the building’s structural integrity. This hands-off approach to building regulations may soon change in the wake of the Surfside devastation. A task force has since been appointed to examine Florida’s regulatory laws as they pertain to condominiums, with the goal of suggesting legal reforms that may prevent a similar event in the future.

What to Do If Your Condo Collapses or Suffers Structural Damage

The potential for a condo collapse or devastating structural damage may be a source of worry for many in Florida after the Champlain Towers incident. If you notice structural damage in or around your condo, you should document the damage and report it to your condo association or building officials immediately. If you suffer an injury on the property due to negligence, contact a personal injury attorney to determine whether filing a condo insurance claim is right for you.

Champlain Towers incident

Need Help With a Condo Insurance Claim? Contact Ged Lawyers to Discuss Your Case

If your home, condo building, or property suffers structural damage and/or collapses, or if your loved ones perish in a building collapse, you need help from a property attorney or personal injury attorney. Call Ged Lawyers to learn more.

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By : Clarissa Romero

September 1, 2021

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