Ponce Law

Slip and Fall Injuries Can Be Disabling

The world is full of safety features that help us stay upright when we’re walking. Whether it’s handrails, wet floor signs, or rubber grip backings on carpets and rugs, there are many things we count on to avoid slipping and falling when we’re at home or in public.

Unfortunately, not all property owners safeguard their premises effectively. That means when guests arrive, they can be in danger of suffering serious slip and fall injuries. Everything from spills and pooling rainwater to broken steps and ripped carpet can pose serious risks to people, regardless of their age, activity level, or mobility.

At Ponce Law, our Nashville premises liability lawyers know how dangerous, painful, and disabling slip and fall injuries can be and often are for victims. Common slip and fall injuries include:

• Torn ligaments and muscles – When people unexpectedly fall, they can suffer serious damage to ligaments and muscles in their legs and backs. That can result in debilitating pain and reduce range of motion, making it difficult or impossible for them to work.
• Broken bones – Serious slips and falls can also cause broken bones. Simple fractures are painful and require prolonged healing periods, while compound fractures involve parts of broken bones penetrating the skin. Victims require immediate medical attention, and they may suffer from significant blood loss and be at risk of infection.

Other potential complications include spinal injuries, head injuries, and brain injuries. If you or someone you love were hurt in a slip and fall accident, get an experienced legal team on your side right away to help protect your rights to the compensation you deserve.

Call us today for a free consultation.

Don’t Make These Drug Injury Mistakes

Getting a prescription for a new medication is a hopeful time for many people, as it represents an opportunity for them to take control of their health by treating their illnesses and managing their symptoms. Most patients trust that the medications they take are safe and effective, but not all prescription drugs are as safe and well-tolerated as their manufacturers want you to believe.

At Ponce Law, our Nashville drug injury lawyers know how effective certain medications can be for people suffering from injuries or health problems—but we also know that they’re capable of causing devastating health complications.

If you suspect you or someone you love is suffering from a drug injury, it’s important that you avoid making these two mistakes to protect your health and your rights to compensation:

• Stopping the medication without speaking to your doctor – Many people search the internet for potential drug injury symptoms after taking medications, but the symptoms they’re experiencing aren’t always due to the drugs they were prescribed. Never stop taking a medication without consulting your doctor, as your health problems could be unrelated to your medication.
• Waiting too long to get medical attention – While you should never stop taking a medication without supervision, you also shouldn’t wait too long to have your symptoms examined by a doctor. Drug injuries can quickly worsen, and if you wait too long to speak with your doctor about your concerns, your health may become seriously compromised.

After you’ve been treated and a healthcare provider has determined that you were harmed by a prescription drug, it’s time to get experienced legal advocacy on your side. Call us today for a free consultation—we’re here to help.

What Tactics Do Insurance Adjusters Use Against Truck Accident Victims?

The biggest SUVs and pickup trucks typically weigh around 6,000 pounds. And while those vehicles can make drivers feel safe, they pale in comparison to fully-loaded semi trucks, which can weigh up to 80,000 pounds and be more than 50-feet long.

When tractor trailers are involved in accidents with other vehicles, the consequences are often serious for drivers and passengers, as severe, painful, and disabling injuries are common. To make matters worse, insurance companies are often reluctant to pay settlements to truck accident victims.

Insurance companies employ teams of adjusters whose job is it to find ways to reduce or deny the amount of money they have to pay to people who file claims. Almost all truck accident victims are contacted by adjusters soon after their accidents, and adjusters may use these strategies to accomplish their tactics:

• Getting victims to admit fault for accidents – While speaking with an adjuster on the phone is inevitable for most truck accident victims, it’s important to stick to the facts of what happened and not admit fault, even if you think you might have contributed to the crash. If evidence later proves you weren’t at fault, you may be unable to pursue compensation.
• Getting victims to accept lowball settlements – Another tactic adjusters use is to entice victims who are desperate for money with immediate “lowball” settlements. These offers may seem substantial, but they’re rarely enough to cover all initial expenses, let alone future expenses. And after victims accept them, they may be unable to pursue future compensation.

Having an experienced Nashville truck accident lawyer on your side is your best defense against those tactics. Get in touch with Ponce Law today for a free consultation.

Dog Bite Injuries Can be Painful and Disabling

Many establishments throughout middle Tennessee are dog-friendly. It’s not uncommon to see dogs in offices, supermarkets, and other public places. And while most dogs don’t pose any threat to people, some dogs can lash out and bite—even those with no history of aggression or attacks.

People who are bitten by dogs can suffer serious injuries. All dog breeds have sharp teeth and powerful jaws, and their bites can cause muscle, tissue, and nerve damage. Some bites may bleed profusely and require immediate medical attention, and deep wounds can become infected, putting victims’ lives at risk.

If you or someone you love were hurt by a dog that wasn’t properly leashed or enclosed, the Nashville dog bite lawyers at Ponce Law may be able to help by:

• Proving the dog’s owner violated a local ordinance – Dog laws in Tennessee are enforced on a local basis, but almost all cities, communities, and neighborhoods have strict standards for the handling of dogs in private and in public. Our legal team can determine if the owner of the dog that injured you violated an ordinance or law, creating a situation where the bite could occur.
• Proving the dog bite caused your injuries – In addition to proving the dog’s owner was negligent, we’ll also collect records and other evidence to conclusively link your serious injuries with the dog bite itself. While we do that, we’ll calculate how much the dog bite will cost you, including medical bills and lost wages.

Dog bites can be serious, and they deserve serious representation. Get in touch with our legal team today for a free consultation.

What Are the Requirements to Receive Veterans Disability Benefits?

It’s something no member of the United States Armed Forces wants to be concerned about, but service-related injuries may leave servicemen and women unable to work or continue fulfilling their duties.

Unfortunately, service-related disabilities are a reality for thousands of American military members every year. People who serve in all branches of the military are eligible to file claims for veterans disability benefits with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) if they meet certain important qualifications, including:

• Service in the military on active duty – In addition to standard active duty service, this qualification is also met by people who were on active duty for training exercises and who were on inactive duty for training.
• Discharge under other than dishonorable conditions – Per the VA’s website, applicants can’t be discharged dishonorably for any reason and remain eligible for veterans disability benefits.
• Service-related disability and and rating of at least 10 percent – Medical evidence must be able to prove that mental or physical disabilities exist, that they’re linked to active duty service, and that they rate at least 10 percent on the VA’s veterans disability scale.

Even if you meet all of those requirements, there’s no guarantee you’ll get the benefits you deserve. The VA can take time to process claims, and many deserving applicants are denied. At Ponce Law, our Nashville veterans disability lawyers know how the process works, and it’s our goal to help you get the benefits you deserve.

Let our experienced legal team help you maximize your chances of approval. Call us today for a free consultation.

Don’t Make These Common Auto Accident Mistakes

At Ponce Law, our Nashville car accident lawyers help many people just like you who were hurt in auto crashes that weren’t their fault. We do everything we can to get them the money they deserve for their medical bills and lost wages, but sometimes victims may unknowingly jeopardize their chances of getting full compensation during the legal process.

Unfortunately, insurance companies employ teams of adjusters who watch claimants carefully and wait for opportunities to reduce or deny their claims. And in many cases, victims unintentionally make mistakes that can keep them from getting the money they need for their accident-related expenses.

Two of the most common and costly mistakes victims can make include:

• Accepting an initial settlement offer without speaking to a lawyer – Insurance adjusters know that victims may be in shock and worried about their expenses after accidents. They often reach out right away with initial settlement offers that seem substantial, but after accepting, victims are unable to pursue further compensation.
• Admitting fault for the accident – Whether it’s to the responding police officer, on a social media account, or even directly to the insurance adjuster, admitting fault for the accident can mean losing all opportunities for getting compensation—even if you didn’t cause the crash.

Let us handle all communication with the insurance company so that you can focus on your recovery. Call us today for a free consultation.

How Do Employers Discourage Workers’ Compensation Claims?

Getting hurt at work isn’t just painful—it can also be financially devastating for you and your loved ones. Even if your injury wasn’t your fault, you still may be too hurt or disabled to do your job for weeks or months to come.

Tennessee requires almost all employers to carry workers’ compensation insurance to cover workers like you who face these difficult situations, but some employers are reluctant to admit that their employees were injured through no fault of their own. In fact, businesses and business owners may even go out of their way to discourage their workers from filing workers’ compensation claims—even if their own negligence or carelessness caused their employees to get hurt.

Common ways that employers discourage or impede claims include:

• Threatening retaliation – Whether directly or indirectly, some employers attempt to silence employees who want to file for workers’ compensation benefits by threatening their titles, their jobs, and even their careers.
• Providing false information – Some employers take advantage of their workers’ lack of knowledge concerning workers’ compensation. They may claim that they don’t carry insurance, that they can’t afford the claim, or that the specific injuries workers suffered aren’t covered.

At Ponce Law, our Nashville workers’ compensation lawyers know the facts of workers’ compensation, and we want to help you maximize your chances of getting the full benefits you deserve. Call us today for a free consultation.

How Are SSD Benefits Calculated?

If you were hurt or injured on the job, being unable to return to work can put enormous stress on you and your family—especially if you were the primary income earner for your household. Thankfully, American workers are eligible to receive a percentage of their incomes when they can’t go back to work through Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits.

SSD benefits are paid out to eligible employees after they’ve worked for a certain amount of time and paid enough money into the system, which is controlled by the Social Security Administration (SSA). When workers who are injured or ill file for SSD benefits, the SSA can either approve or deny their claims, and those who are approved may receive a percentage of their incomes to assist with their living expenses.

How much do recipients earn? The amount can vary depending on multiple factors, including:

• Your earnings history – The SSA calculates the amount it pays to SSD recipients via a formula called average indexed monthly earnings. This formula is calculated by factoring in the amount of money you’ve earned over a period of several years. The maximum monthly benefit for SSD recipients is $2,788.
• Your secondary replacement income – If you also receive workers’ compensation benefits or temporary state disability benefits, your SSD benefits will be reduced proportionately. However, disability benefits from private insurance policies don’t affect SSD payments.

Got additional questions or concerns about SSD benefits, including the application and appeals process? Call our Nashville Social Security Disability Lawyers today for a free consultation.

Common Injuries Associated with Motorcycle Accidents

Riding a motorcycle is a unique experience. Not only are you on two wheels, but you’re also completely exposed to the open air as you cruise down Tennessee’s highways and interstates. Being exposed can create a tremendous sense of freedom and independence while you ride, but it’s also the reason why motorcycles are statistically more dangerous than passenger vehicles, especially when they’re involved in accidents.

At Ponce Law, our Nashville motorcycle accident attorneys know that most riders are safety-conscious people who follow traffic laws and wear full safety gear, including helmets, riding jackets and pants, gloves, and boots. But even the most well-prepared and cautious riders can still be severely injured during accidents when other drivers are negligent or don’t pay attention to their surroundings.

Two of the most common and most devastating injuries that can occur during motorcycle accidents include:

• Brain injuries – Tennessee law requires that all riders wear helmets when they venture out on public roadways. Riders who wear helmets are less likely to suffer fatal injuries during accidents, but they may still suffer traumatic brain injuries, as even the best helmets can only offer so much protection for the skull and brain during a crash.
• Leg and feet injuries – The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that around 30 percent of non-fatal motorcycle injuries involved victims’ legs and feet. Road rash, broken bones, and even amputations are all possible outcomes during motorcycle accidents, even when victims are wearing protective pants and boots.

Motorcycle accidents can lead to disability and prolonged recovery periods that involve hospital stays, surgeries, and physical rehabilitation. Don’t pay out of pocket for an accident that wasn’t your fault. Call us today for a free consultation.

What Causes Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect?

Nursing homes are supposed to provide quality comfort and care for elderly adults and people with special needs. But for some nursing home residents in the mid-state area, they’re dangerous facilities that can lead to malnutrition, infections, and even physical abuse.

At Ponce Law, our Nashville nursing home abuse lawyers know how shocking it is when families find out that their loved ones were abused or neglected while living in nursing facilities. Many nursing homes are extremely expensive, and it can be difficult for residents to be admitted or allowed to move in.

Unfortunately, even some of the best and most exclusive nursing homes aren’t immune to cases of neglect and abuse. The causes of nursing home abuse can vary by facility, but they often fall under two common scenarios:

• Understaffing – Nursing homes require a small army of doctors, nurses, healthcare workers, and support staff to keep residents healthy and happy. When nursing homes face staff shortages, whether intentionally or unintentionally, patient care suffers, increasing the risk of abuse or neglect.
• Inexperience and poor training – Nursing home staff should be well-trained and experienced before they’re put in charge of patient care. That doesn’t always happen, and sometimes residents are cared for by staff members who aren’t qualified or trained for the roles they’re assigned to.

Don’t delay if you have reason to believe your loved one is a victim of nursing home abuse or neglect. Call our legal team today for a free consultation to discuss the best options for your loved one and your family.