Idaho Law Blog

Pedestrian and Bicyclist Personal Injury Cases.

Published on: May 18, 2016 | by Racine Olson

A pedestrian or bicyclist who is struck and injured by a car, truck, bus, train or other vehicle has the same right to seek financial compensation as any other injured person. Indeed, it is often more necessary given that accidents sustained by a pedestrian or cyclist are often more serious than two-vehicle accidents. Oftentimes, accidents involving pedestrians or bicyclists are more complex than accidents involving two motor vehicles. However, we have seen too many pedestrians get talked into believing they somehow are at fault and cannot pursue a personal injury lawsuit. Do not make this mistake. Our experienced attorneys can review the facts of your case during a consultation to determine if you have an actionable case.

These types of accidents often result in injuries that require extensive medical treatment and getting fully compensated from the at-fault party is critical. You have suffered enough. The financial burden of medical costs, missed paychecks and long-term rehabilitation should not land on you.

At the law office of Racine Olson, we will aggressively pursue the full amount you deserve. We are always prepared to go to trial if necessary while, at the same time, we can work toward a reasonable settlement.

Two Times Three Equals Six (Part 3)

Published on: May 18, 2016 | by Racine Olson

The last expert typically involved in a worker’s compensation case is the vocational expert. These are individuals that are trained in evaluating a earning capacity, wage loss and geographical work availability. I’m sure by now you get where I’m going. Two sides usually means there will be two reports, which never agree.

Don’t accept the opinion of the vocational expert hired by the insurance company. Fight back! Hire an experienced Idaho worker’s compensation lawyer. We will help get you to a vocational expert that will tell the truth about your disability and support your claim for disability. Call us we are her to help!

The Wills of Famous People Can Now Be Read by Anyone

Published on: May 17, 2016 | by Racine Olson

From grade school through college, most Americans learned the about the nation’s most famous historical figures, but a vast, new trove of documents, including wills and probate records, contains information not found in most history books. 　These 　records of America’s most famous citizens are now just a mouse click away thanks to Ancestry.com. 　A Utah based company, Ancestry.com, has digitized the wills and probate records of about 100 million Americans dating from the Colonial era to the beginning of the 21st century.

It’s a vast and invaluable resource for ordinary Americans who through the internet can now dig even further into their family roots. Looking at a will is like pulling a thread on family history. Wealth, possessions, family relationships can be followed down the generations for millions of U.S. citizens ranging from obscure relatives to famous historical figures.

According to Jennifer Utley, senior manager of research at Ancestry.com’s Utah headquarters “What you find in probate records and wills are the rich stories about what mattered enough to pass down and a wealth of information about family history. 　They paint a more beautiful picture of people’s lives.”

Catastrophic Injuries

Published on: May 16, 2016 | by Racine Olson

A catastrophic injury permanently prevents a person from performing any gainful work. A person suffering from a catastrophic injury is usually left with permanent disabilities for the rest of his/her life. Catastrophic injuries are of such a nature that they leave serious, long-term effects on the victim. They commonly result in serious stress on the victim as well as the victim’s family. In fact, they may result in the need for constant supervision and ongoing medical care for life.

01. What causes a catastrophic injury?

Catastrophic injuries can be caused by almost any negligent act. A catastrophic injury may result in severe disruption to the central nervous system, severe burn injuries, severely broken bones, or loss of sight. These results then affect other systems of the body. Catastrophic injuries include: serious head trauma; amputation; multiple bone fractures; eye injury; brain injury; severe burns; organ damage; spinal cord and neurological disorders which can result in paralysis.

Two Times Three Equals Six (Part 2)

Published on: May 16, 2016 | by Racine Olson

The functional capacity expert is the next expert. Usually this is a physical therapist that will put you through various tests to determine your work ability and restrictions. As with the case of the physicians, often there will be a functional capacity evaluation on your side and on the insurance company side. Meaning your doctor sent you to one and the insurance company sent you to one. There are honest physical therapists that have years of experience that I know give fair evaluations. The insurance company doesn’t want to take their word though; they would rather have an evaluation that says you are just fine and have the same work capability as you did before the accident. I have had clients go to functional capacity evaluations requested by the insurance company, and they come back hurt because the therapist over exerted them: just to get the results they were paid to get. Nothing makes my blood boil more than a so called medical professional that would jeopardize an individual’s health for money.

Don’t accept the opinion of the physical therapist hired by the insurance company. Fight back! Hire an experienced Idaho worker’s compensation lawyer. We will help get you to a physical therapists that will tell the truth about your restrictions and support your claim for disability. Call us we are her to help!

Benefits of Using Motorcycle Helmets

Published on: May 11, 2016 | by Racine Olson

The weather is warming up and by the end of this month will likely reach over 80 degrees. With warm weather comes the use of numerous types of motorcycles and other such open vehicles. Unfortunately, drivers do not watch for these types of vehicles the way they should. However, with a little extra care, they can be used safely.

01. Helmets are required by law.

The most important piece of safety equipment for a motorcycle or other open vehicle rider is a helmet. Twenty percent of motorcycle accidents result in head or neck injuries. Either type of injury can be severe; and both can be fatal. However, when a helmet is properly used, both head and neck injuries are reduced. Idaho Law recognizes this fact and requires that a person under the age of 18 who is using a motorcycle or ATV use an appropriate helmet.

Two Times Three Equals Six (Part 1)

Published on: May 11, 2016 | by Racine Olson

Often in worker’s compensation cases there are three common experts that are used. The physician, functional capacity expert and a vocational expert. These three experts give valuable and important opinions on your case, which is why you will most likely see each one of these experts for both sides.

The first expert that I would like to talk about is the physician. These are skilled professionals who have spent years study and treating the body. They are experts in their field and their opinion can pack a lot of weight behind it when it comes to settlement time. Usually the expert on your side is your treating physician. They have been the one seeing you every week, they did the surgery and the follow up. It seems logical that they would be the leading expert on your side. Sometimes that isn’t the case. In some cases you’re treating physician doesn’t get involved in legal matters and won’t offer his or her opinion. In that case you will most likely be sent to a trusted physician who gives an honest opinion of your cause of injury and impairment. It should be cut and dried right? Wrong! The insurance company has their own expert physician. Their hired gun! Often these doctors won’t give you a fair assessment and will attribute your injury to some other pre-existing condition. They will give you an unfair low impairment, take their fat check. In my years of practice I have seen some physicians give honest fair assessment even if they are getting paid by the insurance company. I have seen it go the other way as well.

Don’t accept the opinion of the doctor hired by the insurance company. Fight back! Hire an experienced Idaho worker’s compensation lawyer. We will get you to a doctor that will tell the truth about your condition and support your claim for disability. Call us we are her to help!

Top 3 Symptoms of a Herniated Disc

Published on: May 5, 2016 | by Racine Olson

A herniated disc (also referred to as a slipped disc) can occur in people of any age, although most people who receive herniated discs are in their 30’s and 40s’s. A herniated disc can be caused from daily wear and tear, however, it is also a common injury caused in automobile accidents.

The top 3 symptoms of a herniated disc are (1) arm and leg pain, (2) numbness and tingling; and (3) weakness.

The average person’s spine is made up of 33 bones called vertebrae. The spine is divided into the upper spine (cervical), middle spine (thoracic) and lower spine (lumbar). Generally, the upper spine consists of seven vertebrae. The middle spine consist of twelve vertebrae and the lower spine consists of five vertebrae. The remaining vertebrae are in sacrum (located below the lumbar) and coccyx (located below the sacrum). Each vertebrae in the upper, middle and lower spine is cushioned by a disc. Each disc consists of a soft inner portion and a tough outer portion. A herniated disc occurs when the soft inner portion protrudes out of the outer portion. Most herniated discs occur in the lower spine, but they can also occur in the upper spine and even in the middle spine. Herniated discs can be detected using various medical tests, including MRI’s, X-Rays, CT Scans and Myelograms.

The 10 minute expert!

Published on: May 4, 2016 | by Racine Olson

By Fred Lewis and Mckaid Sheppard

Everyone likes to be knowledgeable about a subject. Ignorance is not bliss, sometimes self-education can make you over confident. I have had a few potential clients ask me questions, glean information about workers compensation law, and then never come back. They have become the expert in their eyes. There is a problem with this. You cannot learn the complex process of Idaho worker’s compensation law in 10 minutes.

I have initial calls or meetings all the time with people inquiring about their situation and asking for advice. This is not out of the norm; most attorneys, along with I, offer free case reviews. The future client often asks about the process of Idaho worker’s compensation claims. They try to get as many details as they can, and then, we never hear from them again. In their minds they have just become the expert after that 10 minute call of meeting. After a brief meeting of me telling them the process and explaining to them the workings of a workers’ compensation claim: they go out on their own to take on the insurance companies by themselves.

Listen to your experienced Idaho worker’s compensation lawyer

Published on: April 27, 2016 | by Racine Olson

By Fred J. Lewis and Jacey Erickson
Following the council of your experienced Idaho worker’s compensation lawyer is absolutely crucial in having a positive outcome in your worker’s compensation claim. It may be the case that your attorney will advise you to take an offered settlement. This is very wise council that you should be heed. You attorney will do their utmost to ensure that you do not walk away empty handed. In JOEL BACKES v. STATE INSURANCE FUND issued by the Industrial Commission of the State of Idaho on February 5, 2016, the claimant held off on accepting the settlement, despite the advice given by his lawyer. This resulted in Mr. Backes only receiving a small fraction of the money that he could have received had he accepted the settlement like his lawyer advised him to do so. This was completely avoidable. Listen to your experienced Idaho worker’s compensation lawyer. If you want a second opinion on your settlement get permission from your lawyer to consult with another experienced Idaho worker’s compensation lawyer and make sure they agree with your lawyer’s opinion on the offered settlement. If you don’t things can go very badly when you don’t heed recommendations made by the experienced Idaho worker’s compensation lawyer.

By hiring a qualified Idaho worker’s compensation lawyer, you can have the peace of mind knowing that the advice you will receive will be in your best interest. Your lawyer will have had years of experience working cases similar to yours and you can be rest assured that you will be able to come out on top.