By FEELINGRIPPEDOFF May 02, 2012
Richard Barton Ray is the laziest person I have ever met. He sure talked a big game, made me feel like he was going to work for me. 4 months after paying $1500 UP FRONT, he put in 2 "motions" (3 pages each) and now, he needs another $1,000 to "move forward". i am so frustrated. I can never reach him by phone. This guy takes your money, doesn't communicate with you, spends your money up with no explanation, needs more money to move forward... I am by no means wealthy, hence I hired him. He said he would be able to take care of and lead me to believe it wouldn't cost more than the initial $1,500. I would never use him again and urge you all to stay away. ...read more
By Dr Burns at Citysearch February 24, 2012
This poor excuse of an attorney took my cash and has refused to finish the task of representing me. On numerous occasions I requested and I did not even get copies of all my documents, an itemized bill, or the follow-thru to obtain what I should be getting as a settlement. I do not have enough space here to state all he did wrong or refused to do for me. I have had to report him to the FL Bar. I suggest those of you as unhappy as I do the same. Here is the contact information for the\t\nAttorney Consumer Assistance Program\t\nThe FL Bar\t\n651 E Jefferson St\t\nTallahassee, FL 32399-2300\t\nACAP Hotline 866-352-0707 ...read more
By Sportsfan64 at Citysearch October 27, 2011
My whole family was in a car accident. The other driver was clearly at fault and cited. Jodat makes you believe that they will take care of you. It's a joke. They have had a big turnover in legal assistants in the past year and everything is a mess. Despite on-going medical problems from the accident they make excuses why you should settle for a pitiful amount. If they can't do the job, they should release the client and let them find another attorney. ...read more
Evaluating Your Claim To determine whether you have a claim, your lawyer will consider whether another person's conduct wrongfully caused you any loss. There are three kinds of wrongful conduct: 1. Negligence 2. Intentional Misconduct 3. Strict Liability Negligence is the most common basis of recovery from an accident. The law holds individuals responsible for their own carelessness. For example, drivers who neglect to stop for stop signs or doctors who fail to follow established medical procedures are guilty of being negligent. Intentional misconduct may result if someone has deliberately hurt you or your property. For example, if someone has deliberately hit you without your permission or against your will. Individuals and companies may be responsible for damages on the basis of strict liability if they have engaged in dangerous activity such as conducting blasting operations or keeping wild animals or pets or if they have manufactured a defective, dangerous product. What is Your Injury Worth? Your lawyer can help put a dollar value on your injury. You are entitled to compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages and the cost of repairing your property. You are also entitled to compensation for any pain, disfigurement, physical handicap, embarrassment, loss of enjoyment of life, mental distress, emotional pain and other psychological injuries. Finding Sources of Compensation The time, effort and expense of a lawsuit are not ordinarily worthwhile if the person responsible for your injury does not have sufficient assets to pay for your damages. Your lawyer can help you determine what assets or insurance are available to compensate you. Preliminary Interview and Investigation Your lawyer will carefully interview you to learn the facts of the accident, who is responsible, the extent of your injuries and the amount of your loss. After the initial interview, your lawyer will obtain medical records, interview witnesses, obtain police reports and other information to help prove your claim. Filing a Lawsuit Your lawyer may be able to settle your claim and obtain compensation for you without a lawsuit. Your claim may also be settled after a lawsuit is filed, or even after a trial. If a lawsuit is necessary, your lawyer will prepare the necessary documents to file your claim with the court and gather evidence as needed to prove your claim at trial. The process of gathering evidence is known as discovery. It ordinarily includes the exchange or relevant documents, the answering of written questions known as interrogatories and orally questioning witnesses under oath before trial in depositions. This process may take several months to complete depending on the complexity of your claim. If not settled, your case will go to trial after the pretrial discovery. Most cases that go to trial are decided by juries. However, your case may be decided by a judge if it is required by statute or agreed to by the parties in a lawsuit. Preserving the Evidence It is very helpful to photograph or videotape the evidence of the nature and extent of your injures and the damage to your property. Photos should be taken of your bruises, stitches, or other visible signs of injury. In the case of an auto accident, photo's should be taken of the vehicle before and after any repairs have been completed. After a fire in your home, take pictures of the damage. You can also help establish the date of the photos by keeping notes and records and having someone witness the taking of the photos. Preservation of the evidence is essential to the successful resolution of your claim. If the evidence is lost or destroyed, it will be a bit difficult to prove your case at trial. Therefore, the evidence should be kept in a safe and secure place where it cannot be damages. Conclusion Under the law, others may be responsible for your injuries. In the event of such an injury, consult a lawyer as soon as possible. It is important to act quickly to preserve your rights to compensation from those who caused your injuries. Any inquires that you receive should be referred to your lawyer. Your lawyer will estimate the value of your claim and help you collect fair compensation for injuries and damage to your property. ...read more
By Legler, Murphy & Battaglia June 22, 2009
Getting a legal internship can help boost your career by giving you the much needed experience to place on your resume. A job canidate that has just left school but has several intern experiences under his belt will have a better chance getting a new position in a law firm than a job canidate that doe... ...read more
Low income people sometimes have a difficult time receiving legal help. Many do not know they have the opportunity to receive free legal help. Some of these services available to them are by public service charities, volunteer lawyers and law student clinics. People seeking information on these progra... ...read more