Welcome to Michael's Article Collection

Cases Involving Defective Products

Each year, millions of people are being harmed by defective products. A defective product is a product that causes injury or harm to a person. A product may be considered to be defective for many different reasons such as design defect, failure to warn, failure to guard, unfit for intended use, defect in construction, or a defect in materials. With this, defective product claims can be based on. . .

I'm Making A Stand For The Children

Canada’s low age of consent for sexual intercourse is composing a risk to our Canadian children. Canada's age of sexual consent is 14, one of the lowest in the world .Because of the low age of consent,predators are looking at Canada as their playground.It is evident that Canada must raise the age of consent from 14 years to at least 16 years of age, I myself would prefer to see it 18.Adolescent. . .

Why Probate?

Why Probate?Nobody voluntarily chooses probate. People are too busy or preoccupied with health or other issues to plan. They pass away without a living trust and their heirs----usually their children---- find that they can’t sell Mom or Dad’s house without a court order or can’t transfer Mom or Dad’s bank account without court approval. Even with a will, they may be forced to file a probate pro. . .

School Bus Mishaps

Buses are a fairly safe mode of transportation. However, they can be very dangerous if they are involved in an accident.Bus accidents often result in serious injuries and even death. Factors that contribute to these accidents are driver negligence, inadequate security, dangerous roadways, weather conditions, defective products and improper maintenance, among others.According to the University o. . .

Filing a Law Suit for Personal Injury Victims

Did you suffer physical injuries and incurred hospital bills and other costs, that are the result of the negligence or fault of another person? Under the personal injury or tort law, you can file a lawsuit and charge the person for compensation. Indeed! So, what do you need to understand in filing for personal injury law suit? Personal injury law is the branch of civil law referred to for a. . .

Questions and Answers on the Hague Convention on the Civi...

Q: What is the Hague Convention?A. The Hague Convention is a term used to cover a number of international treaties on different areas of the law, ranging from commercial issues, legal procedures and money judgments to international child abduction and adoption. There are many Conventions, each covering a different topic and having its own title. This Q&A publication is concerned with the Hagu. . .

Legal Issues Surrounding Divorce

There are two types of divorce: absolute and limited. Absolute, or “divorce a vinculo matu monii”, is the judicial termination of a marriage based on marital misconduct or other statutory causes after the wedding ceremony—such as adultery. After the divorce, both parties are deemed single again. Limited, or “divorce a mensa et thoro” is a separation decree, where the marriage is not fully termi. . .

Is It Necessary To Go To Court?

In the United States, personal injury claims are given a statute limitation of two (2) years before the claim is outlawed. Within this period, one must obtain a lawyer and file a case before going to trial in court.Most people find this quite a hassle. Hiring a lawyer takes not only a lot of money, but also demands a considerable amount of time and energy to set up meetings and, of course, show. . .

How to Write a Cease and Desist Letter

A Cease and Desist letter is one of the simplest legal forms in use today. With the spread of the web, and the copyright infringement that has brought, C&D's (as they are known) have become very common. The problem is, a standard C&D can cost $50 or more if sent from a lawyer, and you may find, if you have any kind of business at all, that you can't afford this on an on-going basis. So here is . . .

Sexual Harassment in the Workplace

According to the EEOC, 40% of all working women claim to have been sexually harassed at some point in their career. Obviously, sexual harassment, although deemed as taboo and obviously inappropriate behavior, occurs more often than we perceive it to be. If you or anyone you know has been sexually harassed in the workplace, the first step is to come forward with it. Report to your supervisor, em. . .

Securing Evidence In Winning Defective Product Cases

Oftentimes when people get into accidents that involve defective products (such as car accidents), they get into shock and delay filing a case. While it is understandable that certain personal injuries can cause you to not file a case right away, you must remember that the company whom you plan to sue is already one, if not two, steps ahead of you. To start, call an experienced products liabili. . .

Filing a Case Against Canine Bite Injuries

Man’s best friend can be man’s worst enemy. Statistics show dog attacks have accounted for more than 300 dog-bite related deaths in the United States from the period of 1979 through 1996. Most of these victims were children. And someone seeks medical attention every forty seconds because of this bites.There are 800,000 approximate bites encountered every year in the US that needs medical treatm. . .

What is Intellectual Property?

Intellectual Property is the product of your thinking that can be used for commercial value. In other words, you think of a song and write down the words – you have the legal right to prevent others from copying or making a song based on your lyrics. This right you have can make you money if someone is willing to pay you for your song. Maybe your boss asked you to write a computer program. Who . . .

Claiming Sexual Harassment

If you’ve already approached your employer about the sexual harassment that took place and was not given proper attention, or believe that your company’s policy does not treat your case fairly, then you may consider other options.You can file a Title IX complaint with the office for Civil Rights. This can be found at the United States Department of education. Title IX covers all students and em. . .

To Settle or Not to Settle: A Case Dilemma

A dilemma besetting many cases is the question whether to settle or not. A practical assessment of your position with the aid of a trusted lawyer will provide the answer. It is never easy to make a decision like settling a case. Many factors come into play but a thing to be remembered is that choosing to settle is based on calculated risks and chances of winning litigation. If you find yourself. . .

Filing A Mesothelioma Lawsuit

Mesothelioma is a deadly cancer that is caused by exposure to asbestos fibers, and this cancer can reduce lifespan to a matter of months from the onset of symptoms. Over recent years, the number of mesothelioma cases coming to light has risen quite dramatically, and in line with this, the number of mesothelioma lawsuits being filed has also increased. Because mesothelioma lawsuits have become s. . .

Asbestos and Mesothelioma

Asbestos is a dangerous and potentially deadly substance that was once widely used in a range of items, from ceiling and wall tiles to insulation and auto brakes. In the past, most people outside of the industry were totally unaware of the dangers relating to asbestos. However, over recent years the dangers and deadly effects of asbestos have become all too apparent, with more and more cases of. . .

Child Support in the Arizona Family Court: How Do Social...

Social Security benefits can affect child support in two ways. First, if either the parent paying child support (the "obligor") or the parent receiving child support (the "obligee") receives Social Security benefits, the Arizona Child Support Guidelines require that the Social Security benefits be included in determining either parents income. Thus, the Social Security benefits help to determin. . .

Selecting Your Mesothelioma Attorney or Law Firm

As with anything in life, when looking for legal assistance to claim compensation for asbestos injury you want to get the best legal advice available. This is particularly true with legal cases involving an injury such as mesothelioma, where millions of dollars in compensation could be at stake. Selecting the right mesothelioma lawyer could make a big difference to the success of your lawsuit, . . .

Getting Legal Help for an Asbestos Related Injury

Asbestos is a material that was widely used in a range of everyday items up until the late 1970s and early 1980s. Millions of people were exposed to this material on a daily basis, but those exposed to the highest levels were people that worked with asbestos in one form or another. The risks concerning asbestos related injury are now more widely recognized; however, in the past people that work. . .

The Importance of Having a Lawyer

Many people are not familiar on how to deal with lawyers. Odds are, they are not sure what they are supposed to do or how much will be the cost. More than just problem solvers, a lawyer can help prevent problems from even coming into fruition. While most people seek the aid of these legal eagles only when problems arise, it would be wise to have a lawyer to provide you with all the legal you ne. . .

Are You Entitled to Claim Disability Benefits?

If you are disabled and that disability hinders you from working, you may be able to claim benefits from the Social Security Administration (SSA).An essential factor that needs to be given attention in claiming disability benefits is that you must prove you are severely disabled preventing you from doing any gainful activity for at least a year or your disability may cause your death. Determini. . .

Why Opt for an Experienced Mesothelioma Attorney?

There are many attorneys around today, some of who specialize in particular areas of law and others that deal with a wide range of legal issues. When it comes to a sensitive and often complicated area such as mesothelioma litigation, it is always advisable to go through a specialist mesothelioma attorney with experience and contacts within this field. Having an experienced mesothelioma attorney. . .

What To Do When An Insurance Company Breaches Its Contract

With so much paperwork given to you by insurance companies, most people tend to overlook exactly what their contracts are about. It is part of insurance law that any ambiguity or uncertainty in the choice of wording in a contract will be resolved in favor of the policy holder, and not the insurance company. This often works in favor of the policyholder when it comes to pointing fingers in court. . .

Why Drug Abuse is Rampant

In almost all over the countries across the world, drug trafficking issues are dealt with and are the most difficult case to resolve. Every year, the rate of drug abuse cases and trafficking has been mounting from its number. Be it young or old, it chooses no one. No matter how heavy punishments were implemented, still the government found it to be very impenetrable to stop such case. The gover. . .

How To Make A Successful Road Accident Claim

Everyone is trying to discover a perfect solution for pursuing an accident claim that has no catches. If you learn the tricks before they're made against you, what are the chances of success?How long can you glue your eyes to the road for a long journey? It can be boring... very boring. Tired, exhausted, shattered but still driving towards your destination. You always plan for a safe journey, b. . .

How To Protect Requested Confidential Social Security Inf...

Social Security information requested by members should be treated with utmost care and must be kept securely. As much as it is the obligation and function of the Social Security to ensure the confidentiality of its members’ accounts including all personal information pertaining to their members however requested and mailed information to members no longer covers the Social Security scope of pr. . .

What is Fraud

Fraud occurs when a person knowingly or intentionally conceals, misrepresents, and makes a false statement to either deny or obtain workers' compensation benefits or insurance coverage, or otherwise profit from the deceit. The key to conviction is proving in court that the misrepresentation or concealment occurred knowingly or intentionally. Premium fraud and benefit fraud are the most common t. . .

How To Make A Successful Car Accident Claim

If making a claim for compensation has diluted your thoughts over the years thanks to large corporate companies gone bankrupt. You can now broaden your horizons as that's history and personal injury compensation has entered a new era.A car accident is never the same, similar but never the same. So logically a car accident claim can never be the same. Accidents do on the other hand occur in the . . .

Social Security: Which Is Much Better Early Or Late Retir...

The social security retirement benefit is given during the normal retirement age of a qualified member. The normal retirement age is the age at which the retirement benefits equal the amount of the primary insurance. However, the normal retirement age of members varies by year of birth. Any retirement before the normal retirement age may reduce the retirement benefits to be received by members . . .

S Corporations – Filing The Election

Getting a corporation designated as an “S” can be a bit confusing. If you are committed to getting an “S” corporation, here is how you do it. “S” CorporationThe “S” in S corporation refers primarily to a tax designation. While electing to be an S corporation does have legal implications, such as no more than 75 shareholders, the designation really concerns pass through tax issues. Put in layman. . .

Minority Shareholders – Fighting The Man

Investing in a corporate entity is fairly standard practice in our society. Problems arise when you own a small percentage of shares, but disagree with the direction the majority shareholders are taking the entity. As a minority shareholder, do you have any way to fight “the man”, to wit, the majority shareholders?Minority ShareholdersA couple of your friends come up with a great business idea,. . .

How The Government Pension Offset May Affect Social Secur...

The government pension offset is in fact a reduction in the benefit which a social security member’s spouse is likely to experience especially if the spouse has a government pension from work that is not covered by the Social Security. The benefit to be received by the spouse with regards to the social security benefits of his or her spouse will be offset by two-thirds of the amount he or she w. . .

Tax Benefits of A “C” Corporation - Funding

If you are going to form a corporation, you might be surprised to learn a “C” corporation comes with a lot of tax benefits. While this article isn’t intended to replace the advice of a good tax professional, it may serve to open your eyes to the value of a “C” corporation.“C” CorporationThe “C” in C corporation has a few legal ramifications, but it is primary a designation for tax purposes. Put. . .

Abused Spouses: How Divorce May Affect Your Green Card Ch...

The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), passed into law in 1994 and amended in 2001, provides hope for immigrant abuse survivors. Under U.S. immigration law, immigrants may obtain a green card ("U.S. permanent residence”) by marrying a U.S. citizen (USC). The USC must, however under the normal course, petition U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services (CIS, formerly known as “INS”) for an immigran. . .

Patent Pending: What Does It Mean?

Many companies begin manufacturing and selling their new product (a.k.a. their invention) to the marketplace before the patent is even officially granted. They use the term “patent pending” to indicate that the product is proprietary and a patent is (just like the term states), pending. The only way you (or any company) can ever legally use the term “patent pending” is when a patent application. . .

When Marriage Is Not Enough: Facing Deportation Because o...

Under U.S. immigration law, immigrants may obtain a green card ("U.S. permanent residence”) by marrying a U.S. citizen. The U.S. citizen must, however under the normal course, petition U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services (CIS, formerly known as “INS”) for an immigrant visa and a green card application for his/her immigrant spouse based on the marriage. This process once completed leads to t. . .

Recognizing “Abuse” May Be Key Step for Many Immigrants S...

The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), passed into law in 1994 and amended in 2001, provides hope for immigrant domestic violence survivors. An abused immigrant who is married to a U.S. citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident or who divorced her abuser in the past two years may now petition on her own for an immigrant visa and green card application, without the abuser's knowledge or consent. In t. . .

Seven Sets of Documents You Need For Your Divorce

This article is designed to give someone who is considering or planning for the possibility of divorce an idea of what documents are needed. Even if you believe your case is ultimately agreed to and settled without a trial, you will be in a much better position if you already have the relevant documents in your possession. Better safe than sorry.You should locate the relevant documents, make . . .

How to Select a Patent Attorney

Could you use a little help protecting your invention? If so, an attorney skilled in patent law is your best bet.As you can imagine, conveying your invention to someone who knows nothing about it will be difficult. Therefore, it is best if you are in direct contact with your patent attorney. You can meet in person and show the patent attorney any prototypes or drawings you may have to help ill. . .

The New Bankruptcy Law -- How Will It Affect Debt Negotia...

In April 2005, Congress made sweeping changes in U.S. bankruptcy law that will go into effect on October 17, 2005. It's called the "Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2005," and it means big trouble for Americans struggling with debt problems.What effect will the new bankruptcy law have on the practice of Debt Settlement (also called Debt Negotiation)? Will creditors sti. . .

Vioxx Recall Lawsuits

The drug Vioxx is a COX-2 inhibitor designed by the company Merck Inc. It was ordered to be pulled from American and European markets on April 7th 2005 after it was discovered that there were potentially deadly side effects from its use.Doctors and researchers both believed that the drug Vioxx could cause cardiovascular problems and recently a Texas jury awarded a $253.4 million wrongful death. . .

4 Tips to Help You Find a Reputable Mesothelioma Lawyer

Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that affects the sac lining the chest (the pleura), the lining around the heart (the pericardium), or the lining of the abdominal cavity (the peritoneum). Studies have shown that people, who suffer from the disease mesothelioma, were exposed to an abundance of asbestos at one time or another in their life. Unfortunately, many people become exposed to asbest. . .

Forming a Corporation – Investors

You’ve come up with the best idea since sliced bread, figured out a business name and formed a corporation. There is, however, one small problem. You need money. Welcome to the world of investing. Business FundsUnless Bill Gates is your friend, money is going to be a problem for every new business. Even the might Google had to hunt for cash with one of the founders of Sun Microsystems finally k. . .

Choosing A Process Server

In civil court matters, a process server is someone who serves or delivers legal documents, ie. subpeonas, summonses, court orders, various legal notices and in some cases writs. Process servers normally fall into one of four (4) categories:1. Registered or licensed process servers: In most states, process servers are registered by their county. In some states, like California a process server,. . .

A Quality Accident Solicitor Is On Your Side

When you have an accident, where do you turn for help? Who plays the most important role in helping you recover from your accident? Most people would answer 'hospital' or 'doctor'. Few think about the important role played by an accident solicitor. Yet the accident claim solicitor can make the difference between a successful claim that results in the compensation you need, or one that falls bet. . .

Microsoft v. Google – Kai-Fu Lee’s Non-Compete Agreement

Unless you’ve been on vacation all summer, the brawl between Google and Microsoft should be old news. New developments, however, have occurred with publication of the non-compete agreement signed by Kai-Fu Lee. Google v. MicrosoftEarlier this year, Kai-Fu Lee quit Microsoft to go work for Google. In doing so, Lee allegedly violated a non-compete agreement he had signed with Microsoft. Predictab. . .

Privacy Rights – Big Brother’s Bumbling

The General Accounting Office has reported the federal government is ignoring individual privacy rights of citizens. Not only is it ignoring guidelines, the actions being taken may server to put your privacy at more risk of being violated. Government Run AmuckFive federal agencies are charged with using electronic data mining tools to track terrorist, catch criminals and prevent general fraudul. . .

What is a Structured Settlement

A Structured Settlement is an agreement between a personal injury victim ( a Plaintiff ) and an Insurance company ( the Defendant ) to compensate the Plaintiff by the defendant with long term periodic payments instead of a single cash lump sum. Payments can be tailored to each individual plaintiffs needs, to help meet expenses such as on-going medical and living expenses, education, children ne. . .

Everyone Should Have A Living Will

According to information provided by http://www.plan-my-estate.com an an estate planning and asset protection resource web site, a living will, known in most states as a Directive to Physicians or Healthcare Directive, sets out your wishes about what extended medical treatment should be withheld or provided if you become unable to communicate those wishes. The directive creates a contract with . . .