Frank N. Darras Profile & Biography

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For more than 30 years, Frank N. Darras has earned the reputation as America’s top disability attorney. Mr. Darras litigates short and long-term group disability claims and individually purchased disability policies. In addition, he litigates business overhead expense insurance, college and professional drop-in-slot and permanent career ending athlete coverage.

DarrasLaw exclusively focuses on disability and long-term care insurance issues representing people from all across the United States. DarrasLaw is the largest disability and long-term care insurance litigation firm in the nation.

Mr. Darras and his firms have recovered nearly a billion dollars in wrongfully denied insurance benefits. The expert staff and attorneys at DarrasLaw review more than 2,500 disability claims per month.

DarrasLaw’s hard work and long track record of success has been extensively recognized with awards, honors and recognition including:

Best Lawyers in America every year since 2006
Tier 1. Rating distinguished from Best Law Firms in America
Martindale-Hubbell “AV-Preeminent,” the highest attainable rating
The Association of Trial Lawyers: Top 100 Trial Lawyers in the nation
The Los Angeles Daily Journal: Top 35 Healthcare Attorneys in California and for his unparalleled success representing the disabled
SuperLawyer every year since SuperLawyers’ inception
LawDragon’s Top 500 Lawyers in America for 15 consecutive years
Insurance Bad Faith Top 10 Trial Lawyer
The National Trial Lawyers: Top 100 Lawyers in the nation
LawDragon Top 500 Employment Lawyer
LawDragon Top 500 Consumer Lawyer
Lead Counsel Rated
Lawyers of Distinction
RUE rating is: Best Lawyers of America
ASLA Top 100 Lawyers
America’s Top 100 High Stakes Litigators
Legal Leaders Top Rated Lawyer
10/10 “superb” rating from AVVO
A+ Better Business Bureau rating

Attorney Frank Darras built a firm with nationwide representation that is unique in its ability to battle billion dollar disability insurance companies. He balances this with stellar and unparalleled results for his clients. DarrasLaw has a renowned and honored disability insurance staff to provide a highly qualified, in-depth analysis of complex disability sickness and accident claims.

Fighting for Justice on Behalf of Disabled Clients Everywhere

DarrasLaw is literally in a disability league of their own. Mr. Darras, the attorneys and staff specialize in America’s most difficult cases against insurers with slanted odds and high costs. The most daunting area that very few attorneys nationally are willing to take on, is a little known federal law called ERISA. The Employee Retirement Income Security Act, better known as ERISA, was enacted in 1974, which regulates employee group health, life and disability benefit plans.

ERISA severely limits certain types of damages, which often discourages many plaintiff attorneys. However, DarrasLaw’s dedication to people battling insurance companies while also facing debilitating injury or chronic sickness created the nation’s most honored and decorated disability insurance law firm.

“Billion dollar insurance companies with armies of lawyers and seemingly unlimited resources only make me work harder” said Mr. Darras. “Disability insurance companies like Minnesota Mutual, Hartford, Aetna, Prudential and many others regularly take advantage of the disabled with a ‘beat them up, wear them down, and starve them out’ claim strategy. In many cases, these long-term care policies are denied and ignored. We make it our priority to provide our clients with justice they need and deserve.”

While the average long-term disability insurance lawyer may handle 30-50 cases in a year, DarrasLaw sees thousands of denials each month from all across the country. Real time case management allows DarrasLaw to see what insurers are doing across America on a daily basis and help the disabled quickly restore their benefits.

The Impact of COVID-19 on Group and Individual Long-Term Disability Insurance

Millions of hard working Americans have been recently impacted by COVID-19. Frontline doctors, nurses, ER technicians, dentists, office workers, warehouse employees and more have been reaching out to DarrasLaw. DarrasLaw has been fielding thousands of calls from people needing to file short and long-term disability insurance claims as a result of this pandemic. Some of these individuals have contracted COVID-19 while others are suffering PTSD, along with other serious and debilitating mental nervous disorders.

“Americans are experiencing an unprecedented time in our nation’s history. Many employees are being asked to work harder and in more dangerous conditions than they ever thought possible,” said Mr. Darras. “We are currently representing many people who have been infected, exposed to or otherwise impacted by COVID-19.”

Unemployment benefits are sometimes the wrong option for people due to their injuries or sickness, which creates an inability to return to work. Disability insurance claims are often the best and right option.”

College and Professional Sports Claims

In addition to Mr. Darras’ work in group long-term disability and individual privately purchased disability insurance, he works with athletes and sports teams on their disability insurance issues. Mr. Darras assists athletes, their families, agents, colleges and universities and professional sports teams with long-term disability insurance issues, including those who are currently involved in COVID-19 pandemic. Legal outlets continue to reach out to Mr. Darras on this topic, including the Daily Journal, Law360, the SEC Radio and others on the disability insurance issues facing professional and college athletes during this pandemic.

If you have a question regarding your individual or long-term disability insurance claim, please contact DarrasLaw today for a free claim analysis and free consultation.

DarrasLaw

https://www.longtermdisabilitylawyer.com/
(909) 390-3770
3257 East Guasti Road – Suite 300
Ontario, California 91761

Bike Accident Attorneys – They Can Help Your Recover

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Justin King, Esq.

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As a bike accident victim, you may be entitled to financial compensation. A skilled attorney can help.

The State of California is one of the best states for bicycle enthusiasts. The scenic views and the significant infrastructure many cities across the state have invested in have made biking in California a feasible mode of transportation. It is no surprise why California consistently ranks as one of the most bike-friendly states in the country.

Like many states, California is no stranger to bicycle accidents. Even as many local regions continue improving their roads for bicycle safety, the state continues to see an increase in bike-related traffic accidents. According to a report published by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the nation as a whole is experiencing an increasing rate of bicycle-related accidents.

Bicycle accidents can result in a wide range of injuries, but in some cases, the injuries can lead to an untimely demise. When an accident was caused because of another’s careleness, the State of California protects the right to seek financial compensation.

Obtain the Legal Support of a Skilled Personal Injury Attorney

If you or a loved one was injured in a bicycle accident, compensation may be available through a personal injury claim. Filing a claim can be a challenging process, particularly when facing an aggressive insurance company. Contact the support of a skilled attorney who will investigate the case and help you pursue the compensation you are owed.

At the Law Offices of Attorney Justin H. King, helping accident victims recover damages for their injuries is top priority. The firm specializes in personal injury cases, making them the premier choice when it comes to handling the most complex bicycle accident cases. Consider contacting the Law Offices of Attorney Justin H. King to schedule a free initial consultation today.

Common Types of Bicycle Accidents

California is a very diverse state, offering a wide range of roads for cyclists to enjoy, including mountain terrains and protected bike lanes. Consequently, there are many ways a bicycle accident can occur. The following is a short list of the most common type of bicycle accidents:

Accident Occurring While Exiting a Private Drive

Whether it is in a residential zone or other area, accidents can happen as a cyclist is exiting a side street, sidewalk, driveway, or private alley. Cyclists and motorists have equal responsibility in checking the area for oncoming traffic before exiting. When one party fails to look, the consequences can be disastrous for the cyclist.

Rear-Ended By Drivers

Sadly, it is not uncommon for cyclists to be struck from behind while on the road. This type of accident most happens during the night hours, as visibility is generally low. In an effort to prevent this type of accident, California’s Vehicle Code Section 21200 mandates cyclists to be in use of reflectors and lights when riding at night.

Sideswipe Incidents

These types of accidents occur when a vehicle collides with the side of the cyclist riding alongside him or her. Drivers and cyclists both argue that bicycle lanes are not nearly wide enough for both parties to travel alongside one another simultaneously. This can be particularly true when cyclists have to share the bike lane with parked vehicles.

Dooring Accidents

A “dooring accident” happens when a parked driver opens the door to his or her vehicle without first looking for an oncoming cyclist. These accidents have a greater likelihood of occurring in urban cities where the streets are much narrower.

Bike Accident Injuries

Injuries resulting from bicycle accidents are more catastrophic than a majority of traffic accidents because riders are not as shielded and protected as drivers. Cyclists do not have a car’s metal shield and airbags that offer immense protection in the event of an accident. Bicycle accident victims can typically endure the following injuries:

Broken legs,
Neck injuries,
Traumatic head injuries,
Joint dislocations,
Nerve damage, and
Dental or jaw injuries

Obtain Proficient Legal Support Following a Bike Accident

Bicycle accidents can be an extremely overwhelming experience. It is easy for victims to undergo shock, trauma, and prolonged physical pain. For this reason, it is very important to seek the legal support of a knowledgeable personal injury attorney who will help in recovering the maximum amount of compensation possible.

The personal injury attorneys at the Law Offices of Justin H. King are well-versed in the most challenging bicycle accident cases in California. With over ten years in dedicated legal experience, the firm can help you navigate the complex legal process and advocate on your behalf. More importantly, the firm is prepared to aggressively defend your right to a full monetary compensation. Consider obtaining a no-obligation consultation with the law firm today.

What Do Personal Injury Lawyers Do Each Day?

By

Christopher Earley

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There are an estimated one million licensed attorneys in the United States. Many of these attorneys handle personal injury cases. While no two law offices are the same, there are some common threads that run throughout nearly each and every personal injury practice in the country. If you are considering a career as a personal injury lawyer, here are some things to keep in mind. The average attorney is generally a very busy individual. That especially applies to personal injury attorneys.

The most important requirement for a personal injury attorney is the ability to bring in cases. Without cases, there is no law practice. A successful attorney is able to market his or her services to the marketplace. There is such incredible competition amongst personal injury lawyers that generally speaking, the most successful ones are those that are able to effectively market and advertise his or her legal services. If you are considering a career as a personal injury lawyer and marketing is not your strong suit, it is recommended that you equip yourself with marketing information and knowledge so as to ensure that you are able to bring in cases into your practice. The attorneys that get the best cases are generally the best marketers. Marketing to both potential clients, as well as staying in touch with past clients, can ensure a steady case flow.

The attorney must be able to stomach and withstand up and down income periods. Personal injury attorney work on a contingency fee basis. That means the attorney only gets paid if he/she is able to successfully settle a client’s case. Therefore, the attorney’s income fluctuates. Some months there may be many settlements while other months, no cases may settle. This means the income is not steady, and never is for a personal injury lawyer. This line of work is only for those that are comfortable with not receiving a steady pay check each week.

Hire the Right People, and Row in the Same Direction

Additionally, the attorney needs to run a business. The practice of law is a business. Just like with any other business, if the business is not effectively and efficiently operated, the business will fail. The most successful personal injury lawyers are able to hire the right people. By hiring the right people and putting them in a position to succeed, the attorney’s chances of running a successful law practice skyrocket. The attorney must ensure that the law practice has systems in place so as to ensure that each individual is doing his or her job the right way. When everyone is rowing in the same direction at the same speed, the practice can definitely thrive. The successful attorney is the one who can effectively manage his or her staff. That is made so much easier by hiring and onboarding the right people and placing them in a role that will see them succeed and thrive.

Finally, the attorney must handle cases. The attorney must know how to effectively handle a client’s case from start to finish. They need to be adept at negotiation, and must understand how to effectively work with insurance adjusters. The most successful personal injury lawyers are those that are adept at navigating the judicial system. They must know how to litigate a case.Litigation can be a very adversarial process, so for anyone considering a career as a personal injury attorney, make sure that you are comfortable with the idea of litigating cases and going to court and arguing in front of juries.

Results Matter

In conclusion, what really matters most for any personal injury lawyer is getting results for his or her clients. If you are able to achieve successful results for your clients, they will come back to you and refer your business. The attorney who is able to successfully market his or her practice as well as successfully operate the practice on an administrative level and who is able to successfully handle clients’ cases from start to finish will have a very robust law practice. The profession of law can be a very rewarding one, as well as a very stressful one. If you feel that the profession of law, specifically, the profession of personal injury law is right for you, I absolutely encourage you to pursue this line of work.

Christopher Earley is a personal injury attorney in Boston who since 2004 has been advocating and fighting for the rights of the injured and their families. His office is dedicated to advancing the rights of the injured against large insurance companies.

Combating False Allegations of Child Abuse During Custody Disputes

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Boudreaux | Hunter & Associates, LLC

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Child custody litigation is tough. The parents’ emotions run high. They are bitter toward each other. One parent might accuse the other of emotionally or physically abusing the child. False allegations of child abuse are not uncommon. Combating false allegations is as difficult as proving them because the attorneys must present many, detailed pieces of evidence to resolve the issue. The experienced child custody attorneys at Boudreaux | Hunter & Associates, LLC, are well acquainted with such litigation.

Boudreaux | Hunter & Associates, LLC, limits its practice to family law, especially child custody. The firm’s attorneys are headed by two partners, Shannon Boudreaux and Kevin Hunter. Both are graduates of South Texas College of Law.

Physicians Can Assist Combat False Child Abuse Allegations

When one parent claims that the other has abused their child, an important source of evidence is the child’s physician. Under Texas law, physicians, like other professionals, have a legal duty to report child abuse if they suspect it has occurred. Whether a physician reported abuse amounts to an expert opinion on whether abuse occurred: No report means no abuse. Deposing the physician, and reviewing medical records, can assist in combating false allegations of child abuse.

Daycare or School Teachers

Another powerful source of evidence is a child’s daycare or school. Like physicians, daycare workers and schoolteachers have a child’s best interest at heart. Unlike physicians, daycare workers and schoolteachers spend a lot of time with a child. They are sensitive to the child’s moods, appearance, visible marks such as bruises or scratches and perhaps the child’s feelings toward either or both of the parents. If the child seems happy and is doing well, then daycare workers and schoolteachers add to the evidence combating false allegations of child abuse.

Combating False Allegations with Psychologists

Yet another source of evidence is a report by a psychologist. A trial court has the power to order that a parent undergo an examination by a court-appointed psychologist. The court may choose a professional that the court trusts. Psychologists are skilled in interviewing and testing parents to determine whether they are being truthful in accusing the other parent of child abuse.

Circumstantial Evidence

It is important to examine circumstantial evidence when combating false allegations of child abuse. Abuse invariably takes place in private. In other words, no one is present except for the child and the abuser. But when no abuse has occurred, it might be possible to elicit evidence that abuse could not have occurred. For example, perhaps the alleged abuser could not have committed the abuse because that person was at work or with another person who could so testify. Likewise, if the parent alleging child abuse fails to make a report to the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (TDFPS), or take the child to a doctor immediately after the alleged abuse took place, circumstantial evidence exists that there was no abuse.

Amicus Attorney Appointment

The Texas Family Code includes another provision to help a court get to the truth of whether child abuse has occurred. The law allows the court to appoint an amicus attorney. An amicus attorney is a skilled family law attorney whom the court appoints to investigate the allegations of child abuse. After a thorough investigation, the amicus attorney then makes a recommendation to the court based upon the best interest of the child. Ms. Boudreaux has served the court system by serving as an amicus attorney.

Punishment for False Child Abuse Report in Texas

History demonstrates that neither the law nor the fear of God will prevent some people from lying in court. But the Texas legislature has granted courts a specific power that can help them in combating false allegations of child abuse. The statute provides that if a person makes a report of child abuse without a factual foundation, the court can consider it a false report, allow the false report into evidence at the custody trial, and fine the false reporter $500. A false report of child abuse can also lead to criminal prosecution.

Combating false allegations of child abuse is a daunting task. It requires skillfully assembling various types of evidence to demonstrate that no child abuse occurred. Contact an experienced Texas child custody lawyer at Boudreaux | Hunter & Associates, LLC, who are ready to help you defend yourself. Please call (713) 333-4430 or visit their website to set up a consultation.

4 Ways Social Media Has Changed PR

By

Jennie trotter

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Social media is no longer a young man’s game. It’s been adopted by an enormous slice of the population, and is now ingrained in how we connect, support and educate. It has also revolutionised how businesses operate, with the PR industry having to adapt to these new challenges and social medias undeniable influence in the public sphere. Let’s put traditional PR under the microscope, and look at the 4 ways social media has changed it forever.

Social media decides fact and fate

The idea of ‘getting ahead of the story’ or even managing it in any way is standard fare in PR, but it’s not exactly how things go on social media. The public will ultimately follow the stories that are of interest to them, with a public forum ensuing that will decide the fact and fate of the brand, individual or subject of the story. This is, of course, not fair as the story can be penned by just about anyone and all sides of the story are rarely represented adequately.

Take the Folau case against Rugby Australia where his unacceptable slurs prompted the public (using social media as their vehicle) to put pressure on Qantas to have Folau dropped. Employment lawyer, Alan McDonald has stated that these actions might have made Qantas liable, which isn’t the side we saw play out on social media.

Statements aren’t planned, they are demanded

There was a time when a brand would prepare their statement with a PR team well in advance, and deliver this message in a format that is best for that brand. Now, it is the public and their unearthing of a story who demands a statement of that brand, which is typically delivered on social media. As we have seen with the underpayment scandal that saw Woolworths, Super Retail Group, Bunnings and many more failing to pay the correct award rate, social media got this story to a wide audience that caused a chain reaction for these business titans to respond with an appropriate message.

In fact, the businesses that were withholding certain details (such as how much was withheld and by when it would be paid back) received increased pressure from the public and have been held accountable to reporting their progress on this issue. Social media has also allowed ex-employees to see these stories and come forward to make themselves known and collect their payments.

It’s ‘always on’

Another defining way in which social media has changed PR is that it is an unrelenting channel, that is scouring and cultivating a forum on any number of issues or stories at the one time. A PR agency is made up of human resources, and this cannot meet the ‘always on’ nature of the social media news cycle. McDonald Murholme is an employment law firm that often adds commentary surrounding the topical stories that unfold in our newsfeed, and it’s astounding to see how insular social media really is in respect to the law, privacy and other values we respect in any other area of our life.

This poses many pros and cons, as social media is insatiable but brands and news outlets should not try to fill these gaps with messages and content that is not appropriate or devaluing their brand for the sake of a higher ‘like’ count. Quality is not always the prevailing parameter on most social media platforms.

It’s lowered the barrier to entry

Another way that social media has changed PR is its low barrier to entry. Anyone with a social media account can ultimately cultivate an audience, and position themselves as a person of authority and amplify their beliefs further than a PR agency in some cases. This puts PR operatives in a challenging position as brands might see greater value and reach from an influencer instead of paying a PR agency to pitch to a media outlet that doesn’t necessarily capture a wider audience.

In fact, this is becoming such a prevalent fact that a huge part of PR daily job is about influencer outreach and shifting their focus on this channel over grassroots press tactics. With influencers now pitching directly to brands, it will be interesting to see the future of PR unfold.

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Social media is not going anywhere, and as our screen time increases PR operatives will have to think creatively about how they can yield this channel for their own benefit, while still toeing the line so they don’t break any media laws.

What Can I Do if I Am Not Happy with My Car Accident Lawyer’s Representation?

By

John Schultheis

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Aerial view of the road in mountain valley at sunset in spring in Dolomites, Italy. Top view of asphalt roadway, car, hills with green meadows, blue sky, trees, buildings. Highway and fields. Nature

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When you are not happy with your car accident lawyer’s representation, you should fire them as soon as possible. There are a few tips below that will explain what you can do to make sure that you have the best possible chance of making the most of your case. You do not want to be left without any recourse, and you do not want to be stuck working with a bad lawyer who is going to ruin your case.

Fire Your Lawyer

You have the right to fire your lawyer at any time, and you can hire another lawyer when you want to. You need to bring someone onto the case who can help you because that is the only way that you can be sure that you will get the representation that you need. You can fire your lawyer the day after signing with them when you realize they are not doing what you need them to do. You can even fire them in the middle of a trial when you realize that they are doing a very bad job of representing you. You have all the freedom in the world.

Ask For A Complete Investigation

You need to ask for a complete investigation that is going to show how the crash occurred and how you should be compensated. A good lawyer will have the tools & experience necessary to facilitate a complete investigation. A firm like Ladah Law Firm is a great example of this. A lawyer that does not do any background work on the case has basically no chance of helping you. You should make sure that you hand over all the evidence you have, and you should also make sure that you have asked the lawyer if they need any additional information from you. If they are not asking for any information, there is no way that you are going to be able to prove that you did not cause the crash.

Say Nothing

You should never talk to another lawyer who is involved in the case. You do not want to try to go around a lawyer that you do not like. This is why you need to fire them right away because that is the only way in the world that you are going to be able to get the help that you need. If you go to the other lawyer to try to work out a deal, you will get the worst deal you could possibly imagine. You owe more to yourself and your family even if you do not like the lawyer you have now.

Do Not Nag The Police

When you are filing a claim for injuries incurred during the accident, you should not go back to the police telling them that they need to look into the accident again. This does nothing for you, and it can cause problems because the police might wonder why you are so insistent that this is the case. You should also make sure that you get the police report and contact information for the officer that wrote it. This can be helpful because a new lawyer can show you how easy it is going to be to prove that some parts of the accident case are not being handled properly.

Do Not Commit

You might have a lawyer that you do not like, and the only way to make sure that you do not go too far during this case is to make sure that you are not committing to anything until you are ready. This is a big part of the process because you might be presented with a settlement or some other option that might seem like a good idea at the time. However, your lawyer is likely trying to get paid as fast as possible. You can fire the lawyer then so that you do not need to go through with anything. If you start to go through with things that make you uncomfortable, it is going to be hard for another lawyer to come through and solve the problem for you in the future.

You Should Not Hire A Lawyer Right Away

You need to do your research before you hire a lawyer. When you hire someone too fast, you will have a very hard time getting the kind of care and service that you need. It makes a lot more sense for you to make sure that you have the lawyer you want after talking to everyone and going to more than one free consultation. This makes it easier for you to make the right decisions going forward.

Hire The Right Lawyer Today

You can hire the right lawyer today even if you already have one. You have the right to fire your lawyer at any time, and you can move on to someone who will provide you with much better representation to make sure that you do not have any trouble with the case.

Fighting for Justice on Behalf of Disabled Clients Everywhere

The Impact of COVID-19 on Group and Individual Long-Term Disability Insurance

College and Professional Sports Claims

DarrasLaw

As a bike accident victim, you may be entitled to financial compensation. A skilled attorney can help.

Obtain the Legal Support of a Skilled Personal Injury Attorney

Common Types of Bicycle Accidents

Accident Occurring While Exiting a Private Drive

Rear-Ended By Drivers

Sideswipe Incidents

Dooring Accidents

Bike Accident Injuries

Obtain Proficient Legal Support Following a Bike Accident

Hire the Right People, and Row in the Same Direction

Results Matter

Physicians Can Assist Combat False Child Abuse Allegations

Daycare or School Teachers

Combating False Allegations with Psychologists

Circumstantial Evidence

Amicus Attorney Appointment

Punishment for False Child Abuse Report in Texas

Social media decides fact and fate

Statements aren’t planned, they are demanded

It’s ‘always on’

It’s lowered the barrier to entry

Fire Your Lawyer

Ask For A Complete Investigation

Say Nothing

Do Not Nag The Police

Do Not Commit

You Should Not Hire A Lawyer Right Away

Hire The Right Lawyer Today

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