Law for the Layman

Deductible on the No-Fault Portion of Your Automobile Insurance

lbartell — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 15:22:25 +0000

Many people are not aware that in New York (and perhaps in other states as well, so you should check where you live) an automobile insurer can offer No-Fault insurance with a $200 deductible or no deductible. Where your policy has a deductible for No-Fault this means that if you make claims against the No-Fault portion of your automobile insurance for medical expenses stemming from an accident, you will have to pay the first $200 of any medical treatment. This is true even if you didn’t cause the accident. It is important to note that where you have a No-Fault deductible and someone else has caused the accident, you won’t be able to recover that deductible from the negligent person because the deductible is part of your insurance policy. While this may not seem fair the truth is that you are paying a lesser premium on your automobile insurance policy because of this deductible (even though you may not have realized it).

While it is absolutely your choice to have the $200 deductible, many people are not aware that they have this deductible because they don’t closely check their policy. Very often people don’t learn about the deductible until they have made a claim and then it’s too late.

The lesson you should take from this is to check your policy at each renewal and ask your broker or the insurance company if there have been any changes since the last renewal. Since the policy itself can be confusing, if you’re not sure about something you see in your policy it’s best to ask the insurance agent or the insurance companyand clarify it. If you don’t get a straight answer it might be a good idea to find someone who gives you a straight answer. Remember that the laws governing insurance vary from state to state so make sure to check with someone who knows your state’s laws.

As always, whenever you have a legal question it’s best to consult an attorney in your area.

Til next time,
Turning legalese into legal ease,
Lewis

Can your Facebook Photos be “Discovered”?

lbartell — Mon, 10 Jan 2011 17:30:13 +0000

In my last entry I started discussing what “Discovery” in a lawsuit might involve. I briefly explained that for the most part, the rules allowed a party in a lawsuit to get just about anthing that was reasonably related to the claim being made, but that there were some exceptions.

Recently, a person injured in a car accident brought a lawsuit, and in the course of “Discovery” the defendant demanded access to the plaintiff’s (the person bringing the lawsuit) Facebook account information and photographs on her Facebook account to determine if she had actually sustained a serious injury in the accident. She objected claiming the request was too broad and asked the Court to protect her privacy. The Court granted plaintiff a protective order ruling that the defendant (the person being sued) failed to show that the Facebook information or photographs were relevant and refused to order the plaintiff to turn over the requested “Discovery”.

The defendant brought the argument to the next higher Court and the Appellate Division sided with the plaintiff finding that the defendant’s request for the Facebook account information and photographs was a “fishing expedition” in the hope of finding something reasonably related to the claim. Interestingly the Appellate Division also found that the protective order given to the plaintiff was improper because it prevented the defendant from getting access to the Facebook account in the future if it could somehow show it was relevant.

Although the plaintiff’s Facebook account information and photographs was safe this time, no one knows what the Court might decide the next time the issue comes up. So be forewarned–what you put up on Facebook may become “Discovery”, and that could impact a lawsuit.

As always, whenever you have a legal question it’s best to consult an attorney in your area.

Til next time,
Turning legalese into legal ease,
Lewis

What is Discovery?

lbartell — Wed, 05 Jan 2011 21:25:25 +0000

Soon after a lawsuit has started, the parties request information from each other regarding the claims made in the lawsuit. This part of the lawsuit is referred to as “Discovery” because it is through the exchange of this information that the parties discover specifically what the other side’s case is about.

During “Discovery” the parties can request information in many different forms and as long as it is reasonably connected to the claim and is not privileged or otherwise protected the law allows parties to request just about anything. But there are limitations and a competent lawyer will make sure the other side doesn’t abuse the process. (Check back for future posts which will explain when something may privileged or otherwise protected).

Depending on the claims made in the lawsuit “Discovery” can include medical/hospital records, bills, invoices, photographs, information regarding witnesses, statements that were made at the time of an accident and much more. It is for this reason that if you are involved in an accident and are thinking about starting a lawsuit or concerned that you might be sued, that you should consult an attorney as soon as possible. Statements you make about an accident or other event may become “Discovery” and could impact your position in a lawsuit.

Every state has its own set of rules which control what is to be produced in “Discovery” so you should contact a lawyer where the lawsuit is pending to get the best possible advice.

Til next time,
Turning legalese into legal ease,
Lewis

All contents copyright Lewis A. Bartell except where indicated. A blog is not legal advice and is not intended to substitute for consultation with a lawyer licensed in your jurisdiction. Kaplan Belsky Ross Bartell, 666 Old Country Road, Garden City, NY 11530 (516)745-1100

Supplemental Spousal Liability Coverage

lbartell — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 16:09:55 +0000

In New York, your car insurance will not provide coverage for a spouse who is injured in a car accident where the other spouse was driving unless you have purchased “Supplemental Spousal Liability” coverage.

A client recently came to me after she was injured in a car accident where her husband was driving. Thankfully they had purchased Supplemental Spousal Liability coverage as part of their insurance policy and we were able to make a claim on her behalf against her own policy. Without this type of coverage she would have had to rely on Medicare and Medicaid and would not have been able to make a claim for her pain and suffering.

This coverage is usually inexpensive and can be invaluable should you ever need it. Check your automobile policy as soon as you finish reading this. Call your insurance agent and discuss this type of coverage. There are many different options that may be important for you to consider and we’ll discuss them in future entries (See my prior entry “Personal Injury Protection“). If you are injured in a car accident you should always consult an attorney to discuss your options.

Til next time,
Turning legalese into legal ease,
Lewis

All contents copyright Lewis A. Bartell except where indicated. A blog is not legal advice and is not intended to substitute for consultation with a lawyer licensed in your jurisdiction. Kaplan Belsky Ross Bartell, 666 Old Country Road, Garden City, NY 11530 (516)745-1100

New Law Benefits You at the Expense of Your Health Care Insurer

lbartell — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 15:37:36 +0000

Yesterday, Governor Patterson signed new legislation that changed the New York State General Obligation Law and eliminated the right of Health Care Insurers to recoup money for payments they made from an injured person who recovers money in a personal injury, medical malpractice action or wrongful death case, except where there are statutory rights of reimbursement (for example, Medicare, Medicaid, Worker’s Compensation, ERISA, No-Fault).

If you or someone you know is a Plaintiff in a personal injury, medical malpractice, or wrongful death lawsuit, they should make sure they are aware of this if they are trying to resolve their case without a lawyer, or if they are represented by a lawyer, they should make sure to discuss how this new law impacts their lawsuit.

‘Til next time,
Turning legalese into legal ease,
Lewis

All contents copyright Lewis A. Bartell except where indicated. A blog is not legal advice and is not intended to substitute for consultation with a lawyer licensed in your jurisdiction. Kaplan Belsky Ross Bartell, 666 Old Country Road, Garden City, NY 11530 (516)745-1100

Are Independent Medical Examinations Really Independent?

lbartell — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 12:40:17 +0000

The party you are suing arranges this examination as part of their defense (see my prior entry Independent Medical Examination). Understandably, you would never consider the IME doctor to be your doctor, but a recent New York case would prove you wrong!

After being injured in a car accident, Mr. A. brought a lawsuit for his injuries. The person he sued sent Mr. A. for an IME. During the IME, Mr. A.’s neck was injured by the IME doctor. Two years and 11 months after being injured, Mr. A. sued the IME doctor. Lawyers for the IME doctor moved to dismiss the lawsuit because it was beyond the 2 ½ year medical malpractice statute of limitations. The Supreme Court (a lower court in New York) dismissed the lawsuit ruling that there was a Patient-Physician relationship established as a result of the IME and Mr. A. should have sued within the 2 ½ year timeframe. Mr. A. appealed and the Appellate Division ruled that there was no Patient-Physician relationship and therefore the 3 year negligence Statute of Limitation applied as opposed to the 2 ½ year period and reinstated Mr. A.’s lawsuit. The IME doctor was permitted to appeal to the Court of Appeals (New York’s highest court) who ruled that there was in fact a “limited physician-patient relationship” and dismissed Mr. A’s lawsuit finding that it was commenced after the 2 ½ year medical malpractice statute of limitations had expired.

If you believe you suffered an injury during an IME you should tell you lawyer immediately. Otherwise you should contact an attorney where you live as soon as you realize you may have suffered an injury like this.

‘Til next time,
Turning legalese into legal ease,
Lewis

All contents copyright Lewis A. Bartell except where indicated. A blog is not legal advice and is not intended to substitute for consultation with a lawyer licensed in your jurisdiction. Kaplan Belsky Ross Bartell, 666 Old Country Road, Garden City, NY 11530 (516)745-1100

“Independent Medical Examination”

lbartell — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 15:47:52 +0000

An Independent Medical Examination (sometimes referred to as an Independent Medical Evaluation) is conducted by a doctor chosen by the person being sued as part of preparing to defend the injury he or she is claimed to have caused in the accident. The doctor who performs the evaluation is not a party to the lawsuit.

If you are involved in a lawsuit that claims an injury, you will almost always be sent for an Independent Medical Examination (IME, for short). The party you are suing arranges this examination as part of their defense. The purpose of this examination is to allow the person you are suing to make his/her own determination as to the severity of your injuries and if necessary, how these injuries have affected your daily activities. You will be advised by your attorney as to the time and place for this examination. Depending on where you live, and the type of injury you suffered in the accident, the IME doctor may be able to take x-rays and conduct more extensive testing beyond a simple physical check-up. If you are sent for an IME you should discuss what to expect with your attorney. This will allow you to avoid any surprises during the examination.

‘Til next time,
Turning legalese into legal ease,
Lewis

All contents copyright Lewis A. Bartell except where indicated. A blog is not legal advice and is not intended to substitute for consultation with a lawyer licensed in your jurisdiction. Kaplan Belsky Ross Bartell, 666 Old Country Road, Garden City, NY 11530 (516)745-1100

“Personal Injury Protection”

lbartell — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 14:48:22 +0000

The portion of your automobile (or other vehicle) insurance policy which provides payment for the treatment of injuries to the driver or passengers in your car.

Commonly referred to as “PIP”, this insurance coverage does not consider whose fault the accident was before making payments. PIP provides coverage for injuries to the driver and passengers in an automobile accident and is looked to first before the person’s health insurance. This may become very important if the driver or passenger does not have private health insurance. Under certain circumstances the PIP coverage from your insurance may be available for an accident if you were driving someone else’s car, and PIP will also cover injuries to a pedestrian. PIP coverage is usually included in motorcycle and ATV policies but covers injuries to pedestrians only.

PIP usually provides money for medical fees, lost wages, funeral costs and other out-of-pocket expenses. PIP coverage will be available without having to start a lawsuit. It is very important to remember that there may be time limits for you to file a claim for these benefits so you should consult an attorney or your insurance agent immediately after any accident. The amounts and availability of PIP coverage vary from state to state and a reputable insurance agent will help you determine the PIP coverage available where you insure you vehicle. You should also consider “Additional PIP Benefits” which expand the coverage available for injuries you may sustain.

‘Til next time,
Turning legalese into legal ease,
Lewis

All contents copyright Lewis A. Bartell except where indicated. A blog is not legal advice and is not intended to substitute for consultation with a lawyer licensed in your jurisdiction. Kaplan Belsky Ross Bartell, 666 Old Country Road, Garden City, NY 11530 (516)745-1100

“Continuous Treatment”

lbartell — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 22:12:40 +0000

The period of time during which you are receiving treatment from a doctor for one particular condition.

The idea behind the concept of Continuous Treatment is that while a doctor is treating you for a particular condition, and malpractice occurs, you are not required to start an action against that doctor for malpractice. The law does not want the possibility of a lawsuit to interfere with the medical treatment you might receive from the doctor. As an example, you are treated by an orthopedist for a broken wrist which first requires surgery (during which the orthopedist commits malpractice), followed by a second surgery two months later, a cast for six to eight weeks and finally physical therapy for three or four months during which time, the Orthopedist sees you to check on the healing progress. This covers a period of 7-8 months. The Statute of Limitations does not begin to run until the doctor sees you for the last time and discharges you from his care.

Knowing exactly when the Continuous Treatment doctrine will apply requires a careful analysis and is often look at on a case by case basis. If you are being treated by a doctor for more than one condition, the continued treatment for the second condition does not stop the Statute of Limitations. (The idea of not starting a lawsuit while you are in a continuous realtionship may also apply to other professional realtionships.) So if you are being treated by a doctor and believe that you are the victim of malpractice, you should immediately contact an attorney in your neighborhood.

‘Til next time,
Turning legalese into legal ease,
Lewis

All contents copyright Lewis A. Bartell except where indicated. A blog is not legal advice and is not intended to substitute for consultation with a lawyer licensed in your jurisdiction. Kaplan Belsky Ross Bartell, 666 Old Country Road, Garden City, NY 11530 (516)745-1100

“Statute of Limitations”

lbartell — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 14:15:51 +0000

This refers to the time in which you must start a lawsuit to recover for damages or injuries.

The statute of limitations is the period of time , where following an accident, injury or other act which caused damage, within which you must start a lawsuit. Think of it as a ticking clock! If you don’t start a lawsuit before the clock strikes zero, your lawsuit will be dismissed by the Court without any further consideration.

Depending on where you live, there are certain things that might “toll” or “stay” the statute of limitations. Some situations which might stop the ticking clock include: infancy, certain mental conditions, and a continuing relationship with the person who injured you, which in the case of a doctor is referred to as “continuous treatment” or in the case of a lawyer “continuous representation” (more on these in another blog, so keep an eye out for that one). You should be aware that the statute of limitations for medical malpractice may be different than the statute of limitations for a car accident or a breach of contract.

Further, depending on what caused your injury or damage, there may be other filings that are required to preserve your rights which have to be done in a much shorter time period than the statute of limitations, such as filing a no-fault claim or a Notice of Claim. And depending on who you end up suing, the statute of limitations may be shortened. For example, if you sue your local government because they owned the property where you were injured, the time to start the lawsuit may be shorter than if you had the same injury on private property.

As always, if you have been injured or suffered damages, and you believe you have a reason to bring a lawsuit you should immediately contact an attorney where you live to get accurate information and advice on the statute of limitations specifically related to your circumstance as well as what other filings you might need to make and when you have to file.

‘Til next time,
Turning legalese into legal ease,
Lewis

All contents copyright Lewis A. Bartell except where indicated. A blog is not legal advice and is not intended to substitute for consultation with a lawyer licensed in your jurisdiction. Kaplan Belsky Ross Bartell, 666 Old Country Road, Garden City, NY 11530 (516)745-1100