Its Important to Know the Law/Pacific Seafoods Clamming Accident

   In today's paper is a story about 5 clammers working for Pacific Seafoods who died in a tragic accident. 

   In most Alaska work accidents, the Alaska Workers' Compensation Act prevents the accident victim from suing their employer.  Inability to sue the employer is the tradeoff for workers' compensation benefit.

   However, in this case, the accident occurred on the water and maritime law applies.  The families of the clammers that died have the right to bring suit for their losses against the clammers' employer.

   Its always important to play your hand smartly.  To do so, you have to know your cards.  See http://www.junelawyer.com/

  



Persistence Pays

   In Alaska, the loser is required to pay a portion of the winner's attorney fees.  Sometimes, the defense becomes the "winner" because the amount recovered is less than the amount offered before trial.  These are hard-fought motions because the only thing worse than being an accident victim is having a court order you to "pay" for the privilege of being an accident victim.

   I spent a lot of time on one of these motions last week.  It was a complicated case in which a client had been formally offered a significant sum of money to resolve a case involving 2 injuries.  While the offer was pending, the client reached an agreement to settle the less serious of the 2 injuries on the condition that the combined settlement offer for both injuries be taken off the table. 

   The case went to trial and the jury's verdict disappointingly found fault but, at the same time, found that the client should not recover money for his losses, but also found that his ongoing medical bills should be paid as they were incurred.  While less than the client had hoped for, the recovery of future medical expenses was at least some consolation.

   Despite this small victory, the insurer proclaimed itself the winner based on the settlement offer the client had agreed would be taken off the table.  The insurer asked for $60,000 in attorneys' fees and approximately $20,000 in costs from a 100% disabled man who had not worked for 4 years. 

   At first, the judge agreed with the insurer.  Last Friday, however, the judge reconsidered and effectively changed her mind.  A lawyer has to be persistent and fight on every issue.  You have to play your hand hard.  See www.junelawyer.com

Cell Phone data

It is a constant challenge these days to stay abreast of technology.  This week, I am attending a seminar regarding cell phone data.  I'm interested in how (and if) one can obtain past text messages from cell phone providers.    Not only are people increasingly texting, teenagers communicate almost exclusively by this method.

When driving, one sees people using cell phones regularly.  However, after an accident, no one voluntarily admits to doing so.  Recovery of text messages would allow discovery of the statements most contemporary to the occurrence of an accident.

You have to play your hand smartly.  See http://www.junelawyer.com/.