The Camp Lejeune Contamination: Can You Sue?

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By now, stories of the travesty at Camp Lejeune have spread throughout the nation. People across many different states are aware of the unforgivable contamination that took place at this military base, and countless lives have been changed forever. Many family members are still grieving the loss of their loved ones – losses that could have been prevented if things had been handled differently. Perhaps you are just learning about the Camp Lejeune contamination for the first time.

Maybe you are well aware of the contamination, and you are searching for additional answers. Perhaps you have suffered an injury after being exposed to toxic chemicals at this military base, and you are ready to file a lawsuit. Or maybe you have lost a family member, and you want to file a wrongful death lawsuit on their behalf.

Alert: We have created “The Complete Guide to Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Lawsuits” You can get a general overview in this article, or See the Complete Guide Here.

Whatever the case may be, an experienced personal injury attorney can help you strive for the best possible results. During an initial consultation, your attorney can assess your unique situation and determine the best route forward. From there, you can work toward a fair financial settlement that covers your full range of damages. These might include medical expenses, missed wages, psychological trauma, funeral expenses, loss of consortium, and many others. Due to the statute of limitations, it always makes sense to book your consultation as soon as possible. If you delay for too long, you may lose the opportunity to sue altogether.

What Happened at Camp Lejeune?

While there is plenty of news about Camp Lejeune lawsuits, it is surprisingly difficult to find out what actually happened at this military installation. Over more than 30 years, from 1953 to 1988, Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune exposed its soldiers to extremely toxic water. In fact, the water contained 280 times the standard safety limits for known carcinogens. Not only did the soldiers drink the water on a regular basis, but they also bathed in it and cooked with it constantly. Even though the Navy set out strict water supply standards prior to the exposure, these guidelines were completely ignored by high-ranking staff at Camp Lejeune.

These chemicals included:

Industrial solvents
Benzene (a known carcinogen)
PCE (perchloroethylene or tetrachloroethylene)
TCE (trichloroethylene)
TCE degradation products trans-1,2-DCE (t-1,2-dichloroethylene)
Vinyl chloride

So, where did all these chemicals come from? According to the CDC, the main source of the contamination was a company called ABC One-Hour Cleaners – an off-base dry cleaning operation that was dumping its waste near the Tarawa Terrace water treatment plant. The Hadnot Point water treatment plant was also contaminated by TCE degradation products. These degradation products were tracked to several sources, including leaking underground storage tanks, industrial area spills, and waste disposal sites.

Both of these water treatment plants were reportedly shut down in 1985 – but by that time, the damage had already been done. The CDC lists several potential adverse medical effects of the contamination, including:

Kidney cancer
Multiple myeloma
Leukemia
Adverse birth outcomes
Aplastic anemia and myelodysplastic syndromes
Bladder cancer
Liver cancer
Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
Parkinson’s disease
Fetal death
Eye defects
Low birth weight
Chronal atresia
Major malformations
Miscarriage
Neural tube defects
Oral cleft defects (including cleft lip)
Breast cancer
Cervical cancer
Ovarian cancer
Prostate cancer
Rectal cancer
Impaired immune system function
Neurological effects
Severe, generalized hypersensitivity skin disorder

In addition, the US Department of Veterans Affairs lists a number of “qualifying health conditions” for those seeking compensation, including:

Esophageal cancer
Breast cancer
Renal toxicity
Female infertility
Scleroderma
Lung cancer
Hepatic steatosis
Miscarriage
Neurobehavioral effects

Simply listing medical conditions and chemicals does not paint the full story. A much more personal account was described by one family member in an article published in MarineTimes. This article described how the author (a retired Master Sgt.) had lost his daughter due to the toxic water in Camp Lejeune. During his 12-year stay at the camp, he conceived a daughter. The mother also lived there and consumed the toxic water without realizing it during her pregnancy. The child only reached the age of nine before she died of leukemia. The author stresses that there is no family history of cancer in either the mother or the father, and the assumption is that the death must have been caused by Camp Lejeune’s toxic water.

The author goes on to say that his daughter’s passing was never acknowledged by the US government or military – and his family has never been compensated. Recently, a 2016 court opinion prevented affected families from taking legal action, with the government relying on sovereign immunity to shield themselves from lawsuits. This was despite the fact that the DHHS openly acknowledged the fact that the toxic water increased the risk of cancer and other health issues.

The Camp Lejeune Justice Act (PACTA Act)

On August 10th, President Joe Biden signed the PACTA Act into law. This veterans’ healthcare and benefits bill also contained the Camp Lejeune Justice Act, which finally removed legal roadblocks for families and service members who had been harmed by the toxic water. Almost immediately, 5,000 claims were filed – and some believe that this could represent the largest mass litigation in US history. The Camp Lejeune Justice Act specifically provides an exception to sovereign immunity, allowing plaintiffs to file their claims through the Eastern District of North Carolina.

The main takeaway is that injured veterans are set to receive billions of dollars in compensation for various issues. $300 billion has been set aside for things like burn pit smoke in Afghanistan, Agent Orange in Vietnam, and of course, toxic water at Camp Lejeune.

At the same time, hundreds of thousands of injured soldiers are also suing 3M for deficient earplugs – but the Camp Lejuene mass tort could go even further. In fact, the DHHS’ Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry believes that as many as one million people were affected by the toxic water, and some attorneys attached to the litigation believe 500,000 people could eventually decide to file claims. If this is true, the Camp Lejeune mass tort will indeed outdo the 3M lawsuit.

But what are the details of the Camp Lejeune Justice Act? It lays out a number of circumstances that must be present before you can file a claim. First of all, you need to have lived in the area during a period stretching from 1953 to 1988. As you may know, the base itself is close to Jacksonville. However, those who lived in Jacksonville during this period are not eligible for compensation. The affected area ranges from Camp Lejeune Greater Sandy Run in the west to Holcomb Boulevard and the Camp Lejeune Military Reservation in the East.

The southernmost affected areas are Onslow Beach and Stone Bay Rifle Range, while the northernmost affected areas are Camp Geiger, Camp Johnson, and Tarawa Terrace. If you served in the camp, you probably spent time in many of the affected areas. A map is available here. While most of the people filing claims will be past or present US military service members, you may also sue if you were simply living near the affected area without being connected to the military.

Another condition is that you can only file your lawsuit within a two-year period. This means that it is important to get in touch with an experienced personal injury attorney as soon as possible if you have been affected by this travesty. This two-year period is often referred to as a “lookback window,” and once it expires, you will lose the right to file a claim.

If you want to file a claim through the VA for disability benefits, you must have served at Camp Lejeune for at least 30 cumulative days. Alternatively, you can file a claim if you served for 30 cumulative days at MCAS New River. In addition, you can only file a claim through the VA if you did not receive a dishonorable discharge. Veterans, reservists, and guardsmen are all covered under the VA. That being said, it is worth noting that filing a claim for VA disability benefits is not the same as filing a claim against the US government.

Another crucial detail is that you can still file for compensation even if you have already received health benefits from the Veterans Administration in connection with chemical exposure at Camp Lejeune. Even though your medical bills may have been paid, you can still receive compensation for non-economic damages, such as emotional distress, loss of quality of life, or pain and suffering.

Past Issues With Camp Lejeune Claims

Even though this mass tort has the potential to become the largest of its kind in US history, this does not mean that the process will be smooth. In fact, past experiences tell us that affected individuals may experience considerable issues as they attempt to get compensation for their injuries at Camp Lejeune. People have been filing claims with the VA since approximately 2012, and many of these individuals have experienced notable roadblocks along the way.

According to the Marine Corps Times, there is a real chance that injured individuals may “never see a dime.” A representative from Disabled American Veterans warned that individuals should do their fair share of research before filing a lawsuit to avoid unnecessary legal costs. Many advocates are cautious, promoting a “wait and see” approach as the VA goes through 150 pages of legislation and publishes new regulations. We’re still not quite sure whether veterans who win these lawsuits will lose their existing disability and health care benefits with the VA. Some have pointed out that when you add attorney fees into the mix, this could result in a net loss that outweighs any potential gain.

Of course, you can discuss these concerns alongside a qualified, experienced personal injury attorney before you take legal action. The best lawyers are honest and impartial, providing legal advice that genuinely serves your best interests. The good news is that the VA has publicly stated that it will not deny your pending disability claims or cut you off from existing services if you simply file a lawsuit related to the Lejeune Justice Act. What happens if you win? That’s another question altogether, and the VA recently announced that:

“Any award must be offset by the amounts of VA benefits provided in connection with health care or disability relating to exposure to the water at Camp Lejeune.”

Remember, your lawsuit could take years to complete. Assuming you win your lawsuit, you may only start receiving payments by 2024. Of course, these are all topics you can discuss with your lawyer, who can help you weigh up the pros and cons of filing a lawsuit. One thing’s for sure: the potential payout from a successful lawsuit can certainly outweigh any financial assistance you are currently receiving from the VA or any other government agency.

Another major issue involves the mishandling of Lejeune water claims by the VA, which reportedly resulted in $14 million of lost compensation for victims. According to Military.com, the Department of Veterans Affairs mishandled a staggering 40% of all disability claims filed in relation to contaminated water issues at Camp Lejeune. This not only resulted in financial losses but also delayed benefits for those who were desperately waiting for assistance.

Apparently, the VA simply flat-out denied 17,200 claims without explaining why. The organization also failed to ask for additional information. Another 2,300 veterans failed to receive compensation because they were assigned incorrect dates, resulting in a total of $14 million in denied retroactive payments. 1,500 additional claims were denied due to unspecified “technical issues.”

These worrying developments highlight the need to work with a qualified, experienced personal injury attorney as you approach your claim. With help from one of these legal professionals, you can overcome any hurdles you may face and get ahold of your compensation without unnecessary delays.

What Kind of Evidence Do I Need When Filing My Camp Lejeune Claim?

If you are serious about filing a lawsuit for medical issues related to toxic water exposure at Camp Lejeune, you will need to gather evidence. First of all, you will need to prove that you were actually stationed at the base during the period of contamination. The most obvious choice is to provide your military records, which will clearly prove that you were indeed living on MCAS New River or Camp Lejeune during the period of contamination.

The second requirement is to prove that you actually suffered an injury that can be attributed to the toxic water at the camp. This step is perhaps a little more difficult, as it requires you to establish a causal link between your injury and your exposure to the toxic water. This becomes increasingly difficult if many years have passed. In other words, simply living on the base during a time of toxic contamination may not be enough. You will also need to provide medical records showing that you suffered an injury.

And it cannot be just any injury, either. It must be related to the specific chemicals found in the water supply. These may include the range of cancers and other illnesses listed earlier in this article.

If you are filing on behalf of a deceased loved one, locating these medical records could be a challenge. Things would be even more difficult if your loved one refused medical treatment, as it then becomes challenging to link their passing to their time at the camp.

If you are unsure of what kind of evidence you need, the VA requirements represent a solid reference point. If you have the necessary evidence to successfully file a claim with the VA for your exposure to the contaminated water, you will likely have enough evidence to file (and win) a lawsuit. Of course, your attorney can certainly help you locate, compile, and present the necessary evidence as you pursue legal action.

Enlist the Help of a Qualified Attorney Today

If you’ve been searching for a qualified, experienced personal injury attorney, look no further than National Security Law Firm. We know that exposure to toxic chemicals can cause tragic, life-altering, and terrible injuries.

We’re ready to help you fight for your rights. Make no mistake – you are fully entitled to fight for your rights and pursue a fair, adequate level of compensation for everything you’ve been forced to endure. While internet research may be a positive first step, it cannot replace real, targeted advice from a qualified lawyer. Book your consultation today, and we can get you started with an effective action plan right away.

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How to Respond When a Federal Agent Wants to Question You

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Delahunty Edelman LLP

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If you are contacted by federal law enforcement agents for an interview or to provide a voluntary statement, it is not unusual to react with anxiety. What could they possibly want to speak with you about? Are you in legal trouble? Are you required to cooperate with them? Should you have an attorney present?

These are all common questions when you receive a phone call or a knock on the door from an FBI agent or another federal law enforcement officer. In this article, we will briefly discuss what it means to be a target versus non-target of an investigation, your legal rights when dealing with federal law enforcement, and why seeking the advice of legal counsel is always a prudent action in these situations.

Target Versus Non-Target

When contacted by the FBI for questioning, you may be told that you are not the focus of their investigation. This means that their investigation is not about a crime they believe you committed; it’s about someone else. It is important to know that if you are the target of an investigation, federal agents are not required to volunteer that information; however, you are entitled to ask.

If you are a target of an investigation, you may, but will not necessarily, be informed of this. You might even receive what is known as a “target letter.” A target letter informs an individual that he or she is a potential defendant in a criminal investigation and what crime(s) he or she is being investigated for.

The letter will also inform the individual of his or her 5th Amendment rights and provide information about how to retain court-appointed legal counsel. However, it is fairly uncommon to receive a target letter, as notifying an individual that about a criminal investigation rarely presents any advantages to law enforcement and they are not legally required to notify you.

Federal agents may, however, volunteer that you are not the target of an investigation. You are also free to ask or, preferably, have your attorney ask the law enforcement officials who wish to interview you whether you are a target of an investigation. You may, for example, be considered either a subject or a witness of the investigation. A subject is commonly a someone whose actions fall within the ambit of the investigation, while a witness is commonly someone who has seen or heard relevant information.

Even if you are not a target, you must understand that that can change. Law enforcement may approach you for questions about an investigation concerning another individual, but your answers to those questions or other information you share with them may cause them to suspect you of illegal activity, which may prompt further investigation of you.

What to Expect During an FBI interview

You’ve probably heard someone being read their Miranda rights before (at least in a movie) and know that “anything you say can be used against you in a court of law.” However, even if you are not under arrest or being detained, anything you say to a law enforcement officer can still be used against you.

Particularly if you are engaged in a voluntary interview in which you are not a target, the agents are not required to read you your Miranda rights, but you may still unknowingly make self-incriminating statements that could come back to haunt you in the future and move you from a non-target to a target.

If you decide to voluntarily cooperate with federal law enforcement and answer questions, you should know that the FBI’s method of questioning is generally far different from what you may have seen in Hollywood interrogation scenes. FBI agents are trained to conduct an interview to solicit as much information as possible and they know that when you are comfortable, you are much more willing to talk.

You may find that a good portion of the interview feels like a friendly conversation during which you were waiting for the big questions to begin, when really the agents were collecting information from you all along. They may also jump from topic to topic or intentionally interject what seems like small talk about a completely random topic.

These tactics cause you to become comfortable with the interviewers, less guarded, and provide more information. It is because of these discreet interviewing methods that it is wise to have counsel with you during any conversation or interview with the FBI or other federal law enforcement officials.

An Attorney Advisor with Federal Experience

You have a legal right to have an attorney present when you are interviewed by law enforcement. Not only is it wise to consult with an attorney before agreeing to voluntarily answer questions from federal law enforcement and have an attorney present with you at the interview, but it is also important to choose an attorney with a depth of federal practice experience.

Federal law enforcement has limited jurisdiction and their investigations involve issues of federal law, which may include a wide range of potential crimes like drug trafficking, fraud, money laundering, securities fraud, and more.

A defense attorney who is experienced in handling these claims will be able to pick up on the direction of a line of questioning, identify your exposure to criminal liability, and wisely advise you when to decline to answer a particular question or decline to be interviewed at all. Remember that even if you are not a target of an investigation and it does not seem like you need a defense attorney, it is always wise to have one present so that your status as a non-target continues.

At Delahunty & Edelman, our team of former federal prosecutors is equipped to advise you in regard to an FBI interview request or inquiry from any other federal law enforcement agency. For more information, contact us for a confidential consultation.

Back to School Safety Tips From a Lawyer

By

Aaron Hicks

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Back-to-school – while the sweet, slow days of summer have passed, for most parents, the “back-to-school” season is a welcomed transition to structure and a house not quite as full of kids all day. This annual fresh beginning of opportunities also comes with lots of excitement and many distractions.

In this season, daily routines are not just changing for your family, but also for your entire community, as drivers must get used to stopping for school buses again and parents race to drop of their children before a tardy slip ensues. As a result, there are many increased risks on the road to drivers, school buses, pedestrians, bikers, and most especially, children.

With nearly 20 years of experience representing injury victims, the team of attorneys at Hicks Law Firm in Costa Mesa has seen a thing or two. As you purchase school supplies, get those last-minute haircuts, and stock up on school snacks and juice boxes, be sure to also carve out time to review our top back-to-school safety tips, so you and your family can have a safe and successful back-to-school season.

Tip #1: Don’t shy away from parenting teen drivers.

According to the CDC, car accidents are the second cause of teenage deaths, so it makes sense to start our list here. Every teen driver is different, so this tip is meant to remind and empower you to be attentive to the advice and supervision that your teen needs.

You probably know that your teen must be at least 16 years of age to obtain a driver’s license in California; however, that does not necessarily mean they have the wisdom to always make good driving decisions. One of your many jobs as a parent is to protect your children from their own poor judgment and see around the corners that they can’t see around.

Maybe your teen habitually sleeps in late and barely makes it out the door in time to get to school. If they are driving to school, remind your teen of the risks of speeding and that they must build in some extra time to get to school. Also, remind your teen that it is better to arrive late and alive than to risk their safety and the safety of those driving around them to avoid a tardy mark.

Perhaps, like nearly every other teenager in America, your teen is glued to their phone. Aside from speaking to your teen and implementing consequences for not following your rules on no texting and driving, you can also use phone apps that will prevent your teen from texting while driving.

If it’s not texting that is distracting your teen, it might be the old-fashioned distraction of too many passengers. Distracted driving caused over 3,000 fatal car crashes in 2020 according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). When teens do not have any other passengers in the vehicle while driving, the fatality rate of their accidents goes down by 21%. You know your teen. If passengers are a danger to their safe driving, then it’s time to be their parent rather than their friend and implement a no passenger rule.

Tip #2: Practice good bus-stop safety.

Always walk young children to the bus stop and stay with them until the bus arrives. Older children may be able to walk to the bus by themselves, but only if the road and walkway permit them to do so safely. If the path to the bus does not have a wide sidewalk and especially if it had tight turns that a driver or pedestrian cannot see around very well, it might not be a safe route for your child to walk alone.

Even along relatively safe paths, consider driving your child to the bus stop or driving them to school on days when the weather is bad, and drivers’ visibility is poor due to rain and/or fog.

If your child’s walk to the bus stop or school involved crossing the street, ensure that there is a crossing guard present before you allow them to go. If it is impossible to avoid crossing a street without a crossing guard, practice the route with your child before school starts, taking the time to explain where they should be extra careful of cars. Of course, remind your child only to cross a busy road when the pedestrian sign is illuminated, signaling that is it safe to do so, but also remind them to look out for cars that may not be slowing down as they should and to make eye contact with the drivers near the crosswalk whenever possible to ensure that they see the child.

Tip #3: Be a “back-to-school” aware driver yourself.

Whether you are driving your children to school or driving in your community alone, we can all use a reminder to slow down and be aware of our surroundings. There are many noticeable changes on the roads once school is in session. We all need to get used to looking out for school buses, stopping a generous distance away from a school bus when children are loading and unloading, NEVER passing a school bus, being extra vigilant to come to a complete stop at every stop sign, and always being aware of your surroundings while driving.

You never know when a child is going to run out in the middle of the road or begin crossing a crosswalk when you have a green light. It is your responsibility to look out for those children and be able to stop safely and avoid an accident.

Accidents & Injuries Happen at School

It is a heartbreaking reality that every year, California experiences numerous accidents involving students, pedestrians, and school buses during the back-to-school season. We wish you and your children a safe and successful return to school. If you or someone you love is injured in an accident due to the negligence of someone else, our personal injury lawyers are here to support you in recovering the damages you are entitled to.

What is the Divorce Process in Georgia?

By

Hobson & Hobson

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Going through a divorce can be an emotional, stressful time, full of decisions you must make that can have far-reaching ramifications. Having a trusted, knowledgeable Georgia divorce attorney can make the process much easier, helping you understand all the issues, handling all the paperwork, and ensuring all deadlines are properly met.

First, you will determine whether you are filing a contested or an uncontested divorce.

Is Your Divorce Contested or Uncontested?

A contested divorce is one in which you and your spouse do not agree on one or more of the issues in your divorce (asset division, child custody, child support, spousal support). Your attorneys will negotiate these issues, or, if a mutually agreeable decision cannot be reached, the judge will decide. In an uncontested divorce, you and your spouse are in agreement regarding all the above issues.

Filing for Divorce in Georgia

If you file the divorce papers, then the divorce papers will be served on your spouse, and he or she will have a specific amount of time to answer your allegations. Both parties will complete Discovery, meaning they will exchange financial documents and other documents related to the issues at hand. In the state of Georgia, you can file for a no-fault divorce, meaning you are not specifying “fault,” like adultery or desertion. A no-fault divorce simply states the marriage has irreconcilable differences.

The person filing for a divorce (petitioner) must have been a resident of Georgia for at least six months prior to filing. A nonresident petitioner can file for divorce if his or her spouse has been a resident of Georgia for at least six months. Also, it can be beneficial to be the spouse that files for divorce; that would give the petitioner strategic advantage and more control of the divorce timeline.

There is a downside to being the one who files for the divorce and that is that you will have to pay the filing fees associated with the divorce. Your spouse can also make “counterclaims” once he or she has been served with the divorce papers, and there may be unanticipated facts in the counterclaim that you must deal with.

Divorce Timeline in Georgia

Their are a number of factors impacting how long it takes to complete a divorce in the state of Georgia. Often it boils down to how much either party wants to litigate specific aspects of the divorce. Generally speaking, one could expect an “average” contested divorce in Georgia (if there is such a thing) to take approximately 1-2 years from the moment of filing, to completion. Here are a handful of driving factors to how long the divorce process in Georgia might take:

Filing paperwork – Day 1: A spouse petitions the court for divorce.
Answering the complaint – Opposing spouse has 30 days to formally respond.
Standing orders – Once a spouse has filed for divorce, the court will automatically prohibit either spouse from familial or financial sabotage.
Discovery –Both spouses are required to disclose things like their assets & income.
Temporary orders –After Discovery, the process can take up to 12 months or longer to determine child custody, child support and spousal maintenance while the divorce is in process.
Pretrial negotiation –This phase can take several weeks or months depending on the number and size of assets and debts.
Custody proceedings –If children are involved you will be required to have a custody agreement and a co-parenting agreement in place. Custody proceedings can add on several weeks or months and considerable expense.
Late case evaluation –Around 4 months into the divorce process, the court holds a status conference to determine if the divorce is going to trial or will settle.
Trial –If there is no possibility of an equitable settlement, your divorce will be scheduled for trial. If you’ve reached this stage, you are already likely to have been in the divorce process for at least 6 months, and a divorce trial will add several weeks or months.
Divorce Decree.

Post divorce actions may extend after your divorce. While not necessarily apart of the initial divorce process, there are likely to be motions and legal actions that come up after the divorce decree is granted, especially in a highly contentious divorce. This includes things like child & spousal support modifications, visitation modifications and the enforcement of asset division.

Grounds for Divorce in the State of Georgia

If you choose not to file a no-fault divorce, Georgia has statutory grounds for divorce which include:

Intermarriage by those related to a prohibited degree
Mental incapacity
Impotency
Duress, force, or fraud
Adultery
Impregnation of the wife by a man other than the husband at the time of the marriage
Cruelty
Desertion
Conviction of a crime of moral turpitude with a sentence of two years or more
Chronic drunkenness or drug use
Mental illness that is not treatable or curable

Division of Assets

Georgia is an equitable distribution state rather than a community property state. In a community property state, assets are divided 50/50 regardless of who made the money or bought the assets. In an equitable distribution state, the assets are divided fairly, but not necessarily equally. Marital and separate property must first be determined.

If a judge must divide the marital assets, he or she will consider the separate assets of each spouse, the income and earning potential of each spouse, any conduct that resulted in dissipation of assets, the future needs of either spouse and all debts. The judge’s goal is to divide the assets in such a way that will make each person “whole” following the divorce.

Under Georgia law, alimony is authorized in limited situations, however, it is not the broad remedy it is in many other states. Alimony may be rehabilitative or permanent; permanent alimony is more likely to be awarded for a spouse in a long-term marriage. Rehabilitative alimony is a short-term measure that enables one spouse to get back on his or her feet following the divorce. It could be awarded to a spouse who needed to return to school or be trained to acquire necessary skills that would enable him or her to be competitive in the job market.

Other Georgia Divorce Issues

Child custody and child support are also determined during a divorce. Child custody is one of the more contentious issues, with courts determining what is in the best interests of the child when making these decisions. The courts operate under the assumption that children benefit from regular time spent with both parents. Legal custody could be given to one parent or shared.

Legal custody allows one or both parents to make decisions about such important issues as education, religion, and health. Physical custody can also be split or one parent can have primary custody while the other has regular visitation. If you are contemplating divorce, it is essential that you have a strong legal advocate in your corner who will ensure your rights and your future are properly protected.

Call Our Experienced Atlanta Family Law Attorneys

At Hobson & Hobson, P.C., our Georgia divorce attorneys know that divorce is never easy. There are numerous issues that can arise, further complicating the process. That’s why we work quickly to help our clients address those issues and navigate through them. We advocate strongly for our clients throughout the divorce process, so we can protect their futures.

Call us today at (770) 284-6153 to schedule a consultation now so you can review all your legal options.

Law Firm Competitor Analysis

By

Annette Choti

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If you are looking to improve your online presence, boost rankings, and increase visitor-client conversion rates, it is time to consider conducting a law firm competitor analysis. Conducting competitive research can help you learn not only more about how your competition works but how your firm can improve. You can identify opportunities to outshine them while staying on top of industry trends, site visitors’ expectations, and clients’ needs.

Identifying Your Competitors

While you may know who your local competitors are, you may not be aware of your online competitors. You will want to perform a Google search to identify those law firms. You need to search for your law firm name and make a note of which other firms pop up on the search engine results page. As you are gathering information about those law firms, record the following:

Law firm name
Serviced practice areas
Target audience
Marketing channels
Initial strengths and weaknesses

What Are the Parts of a Law Firm Competitor Analysis?

Once you have a solid list, you can start making comparisons to your law firm. To stand out in a niche market, you will need to focus on how your online competitors obtain their clients. To do that, you need to break down their marketing strategies. Your analysis should include the following components: website design, linking methods, content, rankings, and social media activity.

Website Design

For a website to succeed, it needs to hold the attention of its intended audience. While SEO best practices continue to evolve, some desirable website design elements remain static. Those elements include:

Layout – Websites should be designed with user intent in mind. For example, most people read from top to bottom. As such, you will want to include the most important information at or near the top of a given web page.
Navigational ease – Visitors should be able to get to their intended location within your website in three clicks or fewer. If a website’s sitemap is complex, the website may not be easy to navigate.

Load time – Something as seemingly insignificant as load time can make or break a website’s performance. Quality websites load quickly and do not freeze or lag. The longer a user has to wait, the more likely they will leave the site.

Linking Strategies and Website Content

In terms of linking strategies, you will want to look at what your competitors are doing internally and externally. Remember that links are a primary factor Google uses to determine the authority of websites. That means that the more websites that link to your individual web pages, the better your reputation. Consider using Moz’s Link Explorer to compare link metrics among different websites.

When analyzing your competition’s content, remember that the most successful law firm websites have practice area pages and a regularly updated blog. However, there are additional types of content like ebooks, white papers, and infographics that law firms can use to increase website engagement. If your competitors vary their content more than you are, it may be time to ramp up content production.

In addition to the types of content your competitors are producing, you will also want to look at the structure of their content. Make a note of their keywords and how they funnel their content. If they are ranking higher than you, you may draw inspiration from their content management.

Search Engine Rankings

Once you have an idea of how your competitors manage their website and content, it’s time to look at search engine rankings. If you don’t know where to start, consider the following for a webpage that is ranking well:

What is the primary keyword?
How many times is the primary keyword used?
Where is the primary keyword’s placement?
How many words are on the page?
Is the content engaging and helpful?
Are visitors encouraged to act?

Use the answers to those questions to determine potential changes you could make with your keyword strategies.

Social Media Activity

Outside of a law firm website, social media activity can be a driving factor for converting potential leads into paying clients. Take your competitor list and start looking for their social media pages. Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram are among the most common platforms for lawyers. Once you find those profiles, consider the following questions:

What types of posts are they publishing?
How often are they linking to their website?
Are they running ad campaigns?
Are they using call-to-action phrasing in their posts?
How are they promoting their social media pages on their website?

How to Evaluate Your Law Firm Against Competitors

Once you have conducted a thorough law firm competitor analysis, it is time to evaluate your law firm website against those competitor sites. Then start, consider any overlap among the target audiences. What are your primary selling points, and how are they different from your competitors? You will also want to determine if you address any pain points that your competitors are not. If you are, great, keep it up. If not, consider other valuable information you can provide website visitors.

If you are struggling to analyze your competitors or you want to start fresh with a new digital marketing strategy, consider outsourcing your marketing needs. If you are running a successful law firm, you might not have the time or bandwidth to balance your online presence and marketing needs. If that is the case, you can work with digital marketing professionals to improve your online presence.

Improve Your Online Presence

When you conduct a competitor analysis, you can determine how your services are different from your competition, which can help you with future marketing strategies. Maybe your law firm specializes in a unique area of law compared to your competition. You can start targeting ads, content, and other campaigns for potential clients with that knowledge.

With a thorough law firm competitor analysis, you will be on your way to improving your online presence and webpage rankings. Building out the analysis can seem intimidating at first. Still, once you gather all of the necessary information, you will have what you need to determine how you stack up against your competitors.

Content Marketing For Law Firm Websites

By

Annette Choti

0

Table of Contents - Jump Ahead:

When potential clients are looking for answers to their legal questions, they will search online to learn about lawyers and law firms. They will do this well before they decide whether they need an attorney or legal advice. In order to showcase your skills as an attorney and answer their questions, you need to have a robust and concise content marketing strategy. Understanding content marketing is crucial to your law firm’s success.

What Is Content Marketing?

There are several different goals that you can pursue when you start considering how to develop your content marketing strategy. Overall, you want your online content to be valuable and engaging for your target audience. In order for your content strategy to be effective, it needs to establish expertise, brand awareness, and leadership.

Your content will reflect your firm’s practice areas, brand, target audience, and more. Where you choose to publish your content depends on where your target audience is going to look for their answers to their legal questions. However, you will likely utilize blogs, social media posts, videos, and other online platforms.

Every piece of content you share establishes your law firm as a leader in your practice areas. The right content builds trust with your potential clients and shows them that you are competent, knowledgeable, and trustworthy.

Understand Your Website’s Purpose

Remember that you ultimately want your potential clients to make it to your website no matter what platforms you use. As such, your website needs to be an excellent resource and contain certain elements that create a good foundation. Those most critical elements are education, promotion of services, trust, and a search engine optimization strategy (SEO).

Make sure your target audience is able to navigate your website and find the information they need. You may consider outsourcing your content marketing strategy to a third party. Digital marketing companies can assess, design, or redesign your website. They also have the resources to conduct an SEO audit to ensure your website is the way to get recognized by Google.

Remember that you ultimately want your content marketing strategy to pull in prospective clients. The actual conversion from potential client to Asheville client happens when they learn about your services. Without a great website, you will have a much harder time obtaining new clients.

Creating the Right Content for Your Clients

The content you create and share on your website needs to be high-quality and valuable to your prospective clients. In order to make the right content, you need to determine who your ideal client is, choose content focus areas, select the best platforms to post your content, and share your content through external sources.

Defining a Client Profile

In order to create the right content for your prospective clients, you first need to consider what sort of information is valuable to those individuals. Before you can do that, you need to know who your prospective clients are. Start by developing an ideal client persona. This will help you understand the types of people looking for your help. Include the following factors in your profiles:

Age

Location

Financial situation

Pain points

Values

Social media platforms

The more precisely you create the client profiles, your content will be more effective.

Choosing Focus Areas

Once you have your ideal client profile laid out, you can focus on determining which services those individuals will need from you. The answers will lie in your practice areas and areas of expertise. One of the most effective ways to highlight your focus areas is storytelling. You can provide examples of your work while complying with ethics rules to help prospective clients envision what you offer, how you work with clients, and how you are an expert in your focus areas.

Picking Platforms

After determining your target audience and choosing content focus areas, it is time to pick the social media platforms you want to share your content on. You also need to consider which websites your prospective clients visit for information and educational resources. When you create your content for those platforms, you will have a better chance of reaching those that need your services.

In terms of how you craft content for specific platforms, consider each platforms’ best practices. You will want to consider the preferred character count, image size, and the number of posts per day or week. In addition to the content itself, you will want to use SEO best practices and specifically and intentionally format your content for Google so that it can be easily found.

Sharing Your Work

In addition to posting content on your website and social media platforms, you need to learn about the advantages of guest posting and sharing your work. When you post your content on a well-read blog in your target audience’s areas of interest, you will be recognized as an expert in your field, and your prospective clients will learn more about how your services can help them.

Guest blogging is also crucial to your backlinking strategy. When other websites link back to your firm, your website’s authority improves, which can enhance your website’s search rankings. It can be easier than you think to secure writing opportunities on other blogs. Curators of high-quality blogs are always looking for expert content. So long as your content is well-written and establishes that you know what you are talking about, other blogs will welcome your writing.

Improve Your Content Marketing Strategies

Content marketing is one of the best ways to generate leads for your law firm. Even if your practice relies heavily upon networking, word of mouth, and referral sources, you need content marketing. It has a much broader reach than any other marketing or advertising.

More importantly, when your content marketing uses effective SEO, it provides organic search traffic to your website, which will help your website rank higher in Google search results. Overall, it can generate leads that become new clients, build trust in your target audience, and increase your visibility in your industry.

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How to Evaluate Your Law Firm Against Competitors

Improve Your Online Presence

What Is Content Marketing?

Understand Your Website’s Purpose

Creating the Right Content for Your Clients

Defining a Client Profile

Choosing Focus Areas

Picking Platforms

Sharing Your Work

Improve Your Content Marketing Strategies

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