Brooklyn, NY – Courts use a standard called the best interests of the child to make decisions regarding custody. This is meant to help keep the child in a safe, stable environment with as few problems as possible. However, certain actions or negative aspects of a parent’s past may cause the court to doubt whether a parent can provide the necessary environment for the child to grow up. The judge has discretion to make decisions regarding the best interests of the child in each individual case based on the parents and their backgrounds. Because attorneys can help a person prepare for a custody hearing, it is important for each parent attending the hearing to get legal advice before any decisions are made.

Serious substance abuse issues

If any parent has a documented history of substance abuse, this can start to affect their ability to be financially stable, work a normal job, avoid criminal charges, and affect various other aspects of their life. Obviously, a person with drug or alcohol problems is going to have difficulty dedicating enough time to their children and keeping them safe. 

Domestic violence and child abuse

New York law allows victims to receive a protective order against any abuser. This means that they need to physically stay away from the victim and avoid various other forms of contact. If a judge sees that there is a protective order in place or other previous problems with violence, they will likely believe that the person cannot raise a child properly. 

Problems with mental and physical health

When a parent is in declining health or they are not mentally sound, it is unlikely that they will be able to take care of another person. As a practical matter, the judge assigned to the case may want someone who has a greater ability to care for the child to have primary custody, even if the person with health issues has not done anything wrong. 

A history of neglect

When a family judge finds that one parent has been largely absent from a child’s life and neglected their duties as a parent, it is unlikely that they will receive multiple chances to form a meaningful parental relationship. This is especially true if there have been criminal charges related to neglect or abandonment. 

Advice from family lawyers in New York

Elliot Green Law Offices is available to help people with child support payments, divorces, alimony issues, child custody disputes, and other aspects of family law. People who need assistance from a family attorney in the Brooklyn area can consult with the firm for legal advice.  

Firm contact info:

Elliot Green Law Offices

32 Court Street, Suite 404, Brooklyn, NY, 11201

718-260-8668

www.elliotgreenlaw.com

There is a growing sentiment around the world that extreme weather is becoming much worse. If you asked residents of states like Florida, Georgia, and Louisiana, they’d probably agree. These states have been hit with countless hurricanes over the last few decades, and these storms have led to serious property damage, injuries, and deaths. But what does the data say about this? Is severe weather actually getting worse in places like Florida, or is there more to this story than meets the eye?

If you have suffered property damage in Florida, you’re probably not really concerned about the scientific data. If your home needs to be repaired, you’ve only got one thing on your mind: getting your home fixed and moving on with your life. Unfortunately, many homeowners run into issues when filing claims with their insurance companies, leading to needless hurdles as they try to get the funding they so desperately need. If this sounds familiar, then you may need to get in touch with a qualified attorney. These legal experts specialize in denied insurance claims, and they can help you get the settlement you need and deserve. 

The Truth About Hurricanes

The truth about hurricanes in the United States may surprise you. According to the scientific data, these powerful storms are not actually getting worse. In fact, researchers have concluded that the frequency and magnitude of hurricanes in places like Florida have been fairly consistent over the past 50 years or so. 

But how can this be? Residents of states like Louisiana, Georgia, and Florida are clearly experiencing serious consequences for these storms, and it seems like more storms are hitting the United States than ever before. Surely this isn’t just in our imagination?

In order to really understand what’s going on, you have to consider how much our society has changed over the past 50 years. We now have advanced radar and satellite technology that allows us to track these storms. Better tracking technology means that you hear more about hurricanes in the news, and these storms are announced and predicted with greater accuracy. You also need to consider the fact that America’s population has grown considerably during this period. Today, there are simply more houses and more people that stand in the way of these hurricanes. More housing development means more potential for property damage. It’s that simple. 

In other words, it’s not the hurricanes that have been changing. It’s us. 

Enlist the Help of a Qualified Attorney

Property damage is one of the most devastating consequences of hurricanes in Florida, and it doesn’t really matter whether these storms are getting worse or not. The issues faced by property owners in the Sunshine State are still the same, and they need to be addressed. If you’re having trouble with your insurance claim after a hurricane, get in touch with a qualified, experienced attorney in Florida. These legal professionals can help you get the settlement you need, even if your claim has already been denied. 

In New Mexico, the oil industry has perhaps never been more robust. That being said, more work and more people on the job inevitably leads to more injuries. Working in the oilfields is a dangerous job, and though workers should assume the company employing them is working safely, it is not always the case. Numerous injuries can occur because of the negligence of an employer or manufacturer. If you or a loved one is working in the oil field, it is essential to understand some of the most common injuries resulting from this neglect.  

Most Common Injury Claims in the Oilfield

Here are four of the most common oilfield injury claims that happen in New Mexico: 

• Slip and Falls: Any fast-paced work environment is prone to countless slips, trips, and falls. But, in the oilfield, workers are surrounded by dangerous equipment and are often overworked, leading to fatigue and errors in decision-making. This kind of environment leads to many spills, which are not always taken care of properly. This sort of cycle is always a problem, and any slip, trip, or fall on an oil rig can entitle a worker to compensation for their injuries.
• Blowouts: When drilling, there is sometimes an uncontrolled release of natural gas or crude oil, known as a well-blowout. Blowouts are typically the failure of the well’s pressure control system, and when this happens, there is always the danger of a disastrous fire.
• Vehicle Accidents: A common cause of injury on the oilfield is vehicle accidents. Oilfield workers have been injured in collisions with other trucks, collisions with heavy equipment, and single-vehicle turnovers. Fatigue, poorly maintained vehicles, hazardous road conditions, and other workers’ substance abuse are all factors that may contribute to these accidents.
• Heavy Equipment Failures: Operating heavy equipment is part of the job in the oilfield, though sometimes the equipment fails, leading to severe injury or even death. Potential causes of heavy equipment failure are poor maintenance, overuse, neglecting safety inspections, and inadequate employee training.

Enlist the Help of a Qualified Attorney Today

While these are some of the most common causes of oilfield accidents, they are not all, and if you or someone you know has been hurt while working in the oilfield, it is best to call an experienced attorney to discuss the potentiality of a claim. The Law Office of Brian K Branch has boundless experience in oilfield accidents and is not afraid to face off against big oil companies. We are committed to helping victims of tragic accidents by fighting for the compensation they deserve. Reach out today to book a consultation at our office in Albuquerque.

The Law Office of Brian K Branch

715 Marquette Ave. NW

Albuquerque, New Mexico 87102

Tel: 505.764.9710

Toll Free: 888.972.1212

Fax: 505.764.9722

To keep you and your loved ones safe from truck accidents, we are dedicating this article to truck accident statistics, both for national and New Mexico-specific accidents. Our goal is to give the people of New Mexico a greater understanding of the number of truck accidents happening each year and to bring awareness to their most frequent underlying causes.

National Truck Accident Statistics

Below, you will find a few statistics from 2017 involving truck accidents in the U.S. These numbers represent some of the most current data available, reported by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. These statistics were published in 2019.

Truck Accidents Involving Injury and Deaths:

• There were 450,000 truck accidents.
• There were 4,237 fatal truck accidents.
• There were 344,00 injury truck accidents.

Most Frequent Driver-Related Causes in Fatal Crashes:

1. Speeding of any kind.
2. Distracted driving.
3. Failure to yield right of way. 
4. Impairment. 

New Mexico Statistics

Below are the same 2017 statistics, but New Mexico-specific.  

New Mexico Truck Accidents Involving Injury and Deaths:

• There were 3,716 accidents involving trucks.
• There were 38 fatal truck crashes.
• There were 705 injury truck accidents.

Most Frequent Causes of these Truck Accidents:

1. Truck drivers unable to stop in assured clear distance.
2. Truck drivers failing to yield and disregarding traffic lights.
3. Truckers improperly using the lane.
4. Truck drivers speeding.
5. Truckers driving carelessly and negligently.

What Happens if you are Involved in a Truck Accident?

Truck accidents often have catastrophic outcomes by causing severe injury and death. And though you should feel safe when you’re traveling, it is not an impossibility for you to be injured in a severe crash. What happens if you or a loved one does get in a truck accident? Who is responsible for damages?

If you are looking for compensation following a semi-truck accident, you should not do it alone. The legal proceedings can be a tiring and nuanced process, which is why it is always best to ask the help of a legal professional as soon as possible. Companies have many ways of avoiding guilt, but usually, a semi-truck accident is the cause of negligence, and the responsible party should be held accountable. 

 

Enlist the Help of a Qualified Attorney Today

If you know someone in Albuquerque or elsewhere in New Mexico who has suffered injuries or loss because of a truck accident, come to The Law Office of Brian K Branch. We are committed to helping victims of negligent crashes and will work hard to give you a chance at returning to your life before the accident. Reach out today to book a consultation at our office in Albuquerque.

The Law Office of Brian K Branch

715 Marquette Ave. NW

Albuquerque, New Mexico 87102

Tel: 505.764.9710

Toll Free: 888.972.1212

Fax: 505.764.9722

Work injuries can be as minor as a paper cut or as serious as a high level fall. A serious work injury won’t only limit your ability to work, but it can permanently disable and derail your plans for the future. While every employee hopes their employer will have their best interest at heart, and prioritize their safety and well-being, that isn’t always the case. Work injuries can occur at nearly every workplace, but they are especially common in construction spaces. Regardless of the industry you operate under, if you have been recently injured, we highly recommend getting in touch with a seasoned and empathetic personal injury attorney in Jackson, Mississippi today. 

 

The Devastating Impact of Workplace Injuries 

According to Injury Facts, “the top three leading causes of work-related injuries – overexertion and bodily reaction, slips, trips and falls, and contact with objects and equipment – account for more than 84% of all nonfatal injuries involving days away from work.” Besides those, other occupational injuries include, transportation incidents, violence and other injuries by persons or animals, and exposure to harmful substances or environments. Workplace injuries can have a tragic effect on the victim’s life for years to come. The physical toll compounded with the emotional trauma and financial difficulties can make it so that victims carry the burden of a moment in time throughout the rest of their lives. 

 

Per Laborers’ Health & Safety Fund of North America, “although employers face a significant portion of injury costs, the largest piece is paid by employees and their families. Costly medical bills and treatment for chronic conditions can destroy savings and drag middle-class families into poverty.” Another issue that’s not often addressed in personal injury cases and specifically work injury matters, is the adverse physical effects the injuries have on the family members of the injured workers. A joint study by the National Institute for Occupational Safety, found that “family members of injured workers had 34 percent more fractures, sprains, joint dislocations and other musculoskeletal disorders in the three months following the occupational injury.” These injuries tend to occur when family members help the injured relative move around the house, or help out with chores the injured relative used to complete. 

 

How Can a Personal Injury Attorney Help with Your Workplace Injury Claim 

Personal injury attorneys are licensed and trained to help victims of personal injury navigate the most complicated of injury cases. They can help you prepare a unwavering case and a strong demand letter so that you can obtain the compensation you deserve and move on with your life. If you or someone you know has recently been injured on the job, we suggest reaching out to a personal injury attorney in Jackson, Mississippi at Ballard Law at (769) 572-5111.