The Meehan Law Firm recently concluded litigation for Khiry Thomas, who was 16 when he was struck by an uninsured motorist in his neighborhood.  Several other lawyers had dropped the case because they could not find any insurance.

The Meehan Law Firm recognized that uninsured motorist benefits are available to anyone who is a minor but lives in multiple households.  At the time Khiry had lived with his mother, and also his maternal grandfather.  His maternal grandfather had a policy of insurance with Geico, and The Meehan Law Firm was able to successfully persuade Geico to pay its policy limits of $100,000.00.

Khiry sustained a serious fracture to his right leg that required an operation and the insertion of metal prosthetics.  This case is a good example of why you never want to give up on any claim, even if the original driver is uninsured.  It also points out problems with the new Missouri statute that prohibits uninsured drivers from pursuing injury claims.  In this case, the law would have been inapplicable because Khiry was a pedestrian.

If you think you are entitled to uninsured motorist benefits or need help in an accident claim, contact The Meehan Law Firm.

For more about your rights in a traffic accident and the laws in Missouri, please visit our website, www.motruckaccident.com.

The major provisions of the law prohibit any driver who is without insurance who is involved in a motor vehicle accident from recovering non-economic damages (also known as pain and suffering) from any other driver, even if the other driver was at fault in the accident. This law was pushed by the insurance industry and its paid political allies in the State Assembly. Gov. Jay Nixon courageously vetoed the bill; however, his veto was overridden and the law now takes effect October 11.

If you have been involved in a motor vehicle accident that was not your fault and you did not have insurance, you need to call The Meehan Law Firm. The Missouri Association of Trial Lawyers is mounting an attack on this law, however it will be some time before the challenge can reach the Missouri Supreme Court. In the interim, The Meehan Law Firm expects the insurance companies and their lawyers to raise this issue in almost every case that will be filed or may be pending after the October 11 effective date. The TV law firms will not take your case because they do not want to be involved in this type of complex litigation. The Meehan Law Firm is always there to protect your interests. Call today for a free consultation.

The Meehan Law Firm has litigated multiple claims with Gerber, Globe and AARP and has been successful in obtaining benefits for all of its clients. The two most common denial reasons are health and misstatements on the policies. The Meehan Law Firm has discovered that the policies generally do not have any type of affirmation or oath, and therefore under Missouri law the policies cannot be denied unless there is a material misstatement of fact that is known to be intentional by the applicant. This is almost impossible to prove, and The Meehan Law Firm has been successful in refuting that defense in almost every claim.

The Meehan Law Firm has seen a new development, where a higher policy amount is applied and paid for, but when the death benefit is paid only a percentage of the payout is made. The Meehan Law Firm believes that many claimants are being systematically denied their true life insurance benefits.

If you have been denied benefits by any insurance company, but especially one of these TV life insurance companies, call The Meehan Law Firm today for a free consultation.

As anyone who has ever taken a road trip knows, driving long hours can be physically strenuous.  Overall health and fitness is very important to safe driving.  That’s why the federal Department of Transportation (DOT) requires physical exams for commercial drivers every two years.

But there are problems with the medical certification process.  “The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has found evidence that improper medical certification of commercial vehicle drivers with serious disqualifying medical conditions has directly contributed to significant fatal and injury crashes,” says Anne Ferro, Administrator of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.

High blood pressure is the most common condition that affects medical certification.  In the last four years, consistently 10 percent of drivers have had their certification limited to one year due to high blood pressure.  Also known as hypertension, high blood pressure can lead to heart problems and increased risk for strokes.

Blood pressure is easily measured and a clear standard is set for medical certification.  But other conditions that can affect driver fitness, such as other cardiac concerns, non-insulin diabetes and Obstructive Sleep Apnea, are harder to screen for – and may be more deadly on the road.

Even if a driver has passed the medical certification process, they may not be healthy enough for the road.  If you have been involved in a truck accident and suspect the driver was not physically fit for the job, you need expert legal representation with in-depth knowledge of the trucking industry.  Put the expertise of the Meehan Law Firm to work for you today.

Learn more at http://motruckaccident.com.

Sources:

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

Lexis Nexis 2012 Commercial Driver Safety Report

National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration

National Transportation Safety Board

If you are in this situation, here are the first steps to getting help.

1. Call Missouri’s Elder Abuse and Neglect Hotline at 800-392-0210.  This service of the state Department of Health and Senior Services responds to reports of abuse, neglect, or financial exploitation of residents 60 and older, and people with disabilities between 18 and 59.  These individuals may live in the community or in long-term care facilities.
2. Talk with an experienced nursing home abuse lawyer.  Why?  Because facing nursing home corporations, home health care agencies and insurance companies is daunting, and most abuse cases involve complicated legal and medical issues.

When you report an incident, be as prepared as possible to provide the following information.  This information also will be useful to your attorney.

• The alleged victim’s name, address, telephone number, sex, age and general condition;
• The alleged abuser’s name, address, sex, age, relationship to victim and condition;
• The circumstances which led you to believe that the older person is being abused, neglected or financially exploited, with as much specificity as possible;
• Whether the alleged victim is in immediate danger, the best time to contact the alleged victim, if he or she knows of the report, and if there is any danger to the worker going out to investigate;
• Your name, daytime telephone number, and relationship to the alleged victim;
• The names of others with information about the situation; and
• Any other relevant information.

Most cases reported to the hotline are investigated in 24 hours to seven days, depending on the severity of the case.   Meehan Law Firm is prepared to quickly respond to your need for help and has the experience necessary to achieve justice for you and your loved one.

Sources:

http://health.mo.gov/safety/abuse/

Elder Abuse – It Is a Crime

http://health.mo.gov/safety/abuse/pdf/FY11CryingEyeAR.pdf

Unlike 17 states that have legalized or decriminalized marijuana possession, Missouri still classifies it as a criminal offense. The amount you possess plays a major role in the charge you might face.

If you are found with 35 grams or less, you will face a misdemeanor charge carrying up to one year in jail and $1,000 in fines. Possession of over 35 grams – about the weight of a single filtered cigarette – is a felony subject to up to a five-year prison sentence and a $5,000 fine. If you are charged with sale, trafficking or distribution of even 5 grams of marijuana, it is a felony punishable with up to seven years in jail and $5,000 in fines.

Why you need a lawyer

Notice the legal statutes for penalties read “up to….” Often, the difference between facing the maximum penalty and getting a lighter or alternative sentence is a good criminal defense lawyer.

While cities such as Columbia and St. Louis are changing laws to decriminalize marijuana possession, the rest of the state still upholds harsh penalties that can affect your future. The changing laws make it more important than ever to understand how the charges, location, amount and other specifics can affect your case.

Whether you face charges for a single marijuana cigarette or for trafficking more serious drugs, it is critical to your defense that you work with an experienced criminal defense team that knows the Missouri law cold. Contact the Meehan Law Firm to get started on your defense today.

Sources:

http://norml.org/laws/penalties/item/missouri-penalties-2

http://www.narcoticnews.com/Marijuana-Information,-Is-Marijuana-a-Narcotic.php

http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/marijuana-abuse/what-scope-marijuana-use-in-united-states

http://www.drugscience.org/States/MO/MO.pdf

An example cited to the Meehan Law Firm has been legal bills in excess of Twenty-Five Thousand Dollars ($25,000.00) for simple divorces that do not require extensive discovery.

In these cases, the divorce clients have been charged over Twenty-Five Thousand Dollars ($25,000.00) to investigate simple cases that do not involve complex legal issues, business valuation, or any other extensive litigation. Instead, the charges typically go for reviewing the file and ordering documents that do not ordinarily need to be ordered.

If you think you have been victimized by an evergreen retainer arrangement and been overbilled by an attorney, please contact the Meehan Law Firm.

Some divorces are simple and amicable, and handled without attorneys.  But the vast majority of people who have been married for more than a few years face complicated situations involving alimony, the division of property and custody.  Because it is difficult to untangle lives, both financially and emotionally, an experienced divorce attorney can be a level-headed guide to the process at a time when you may be more focused on the new life ahead of you.

An experienced divorce lawyer can help you with questions such as:

• What should I know about alimony before filing for divorce?
• How is property divided in divorce?
• What is the difference between no-fault divorce and fault-divorce?
• Should I file for separation or divorce?
• What factors are considered in custody arrangements?
• How can I find out if there are hidden assets?

A well-handled divorce can put the past behind you and build a foundation for your future.  Your divorce lawyer should help you explore all the options available, and advise you on strategy and tactics that will help you achieve your goals.  Divorce cases are a specialty of the Meehan Law Firm, which represents clients throughout Missouri.

Sources: www.cdc.gov; http://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/divorce

Fighting Back Against False Charges

One of the biggest criticisms of the legal system that addresses domestic abuse is the frequency in which false allegations of abuse are made to seek an advantage in divorce and custody proceedings. If you find yourself the victim of false allegations from a bitter spouse or ex-spouse, you need to take immediate counter-action. Start out by consulting a lawyer to help you with these critical first steps.

1. Avoid Conflict. When there is marital conflict, it is important to de-escalate any conflict.
2. Rely on witnesses. It is always a good idea to have independent witnesses available when events are planned that could result in conflict.
3. File for a reciprocal order. If the allegations of abuse stem from a particular domestic conflict, you may wish to file for a restraining order.

It is important to remember that although false allegations may be intimidating, they are often difficult to prove. Allegations of abuse can be generalized so that no specific dates or times are included. Charges that are too general or inconsistent will likely be insufficient in proving that abuse has occurred.

Protecting Yourself Against Allegations of Abuse

Instances of domestic violence will show up on background record checks, can harm employment opportunities or interfere with professional licenses or security clearances. That is why it is extremely important to be vigilant for the warning signs that allegations of abuse may be made and, if they are made, being aggressively proactive in contesting them.

The attorneys of Missouri’s Meehan Law Firm represent individuals who have been charged with domestic assault. If you feel you have been falsely charged with domestic abuse and would like a consultation on the case, contact us today at (314) 725-9994. At the Meehan Law Firm, your consultation is free.

Sources:
http://www.hg.org/article.asp?id=6008, http://meehanlawfirm.com/domestic-assault-and-violence.html, http://family.findlaw.com/child-abuse/do-s-and-don-ts-false-allegations-of-child-abuse.html

In a case of first impression, the Meehan Law Firm successfully brought a lawsuit against the law firm and its lawyers, alleging negligence.  No other successful cases alleging negligence in an insurance defense firm are thought to exist in Missouri.  After seven years of intense litigation, the case was settled after mediation and a confidential settlement was reached.  This case is thought to be the first of its kind in the State of Missouri.

If your Company thinks it has been misrepresented by an attorney, please contact the Meehan Law Firm to discuss your options in pursuing a civil suit.