Category Archives: Criminal Law

Neglect in Elderly Care Centers

Elderly Care photoWritten By: Louie Talacay

We owe our elderly loved ones everything in life. If it were not for them, who we are and where we are going would be impossible. These are the people that nurtured us, gave us food & shelter and above all, life itself. The mountain of gratitude and reverie can never be achieved to thank someone for the miracle that is life.

There comes a point in life when these elderly loved ones may need assistance to go about their daily lives. Unable to provide the care that is required, because of work and other pending responsibilities, we outsource this care to a facility that can provide for all their needs. Best part of all, they can be social with other patrons, keeping their mental game keen and sharp.

Amongst a mountain of accusations regarding neglect, these facilities no longer have that appeal of caretaking that they should have. Instead, we fear for our loved ones safety, unsure that they are getting the treatment and respect that they deserve. It is that moment of insecurity that makes us question, are our loved ones safe?

Because of these accusations, HIPPA is reconsidering wiretapping laws that allow cameras and audio recording devices to be placed in the nursing homes. These devices will be used to audit the behavior of caretakers and ensure that negligence will be handled properly.

Is this a violation of privacy law? The federal government has a clear view about the use of hidden cameras or recording devices in general. If they are there, they must be disclosed to the public. Of course, this pushes the envelope on an ethical debate that has been waged ever since technology revolutionized life as we know it.

Even though the use of cameras may seem extreme, they serve a purpose that creates a true end to problems. They will expose the workers who obviously need to be replaced and highlight the ones that provide true and general wellbeing for their patrons. Perhaps they will highlight the need for reform that is common with negligence such as the current trend towards VA reform.

The elderly should not have to be afraid of their caretakers. They deserve respect and compassion. We all go from cradle to grave and it is our own social security that should see to it that everyone is getting the treatment they deserve. If your elderly loved one has been hurt as a result of negligence, you may be entitled to compensation. The Blick Law Firm specializes in personal injury cases. We understand that although elderly care facilities may have the best intentions at heart, they must do more to ensure that they are screening their employees well. They must be held accountable for the workers they hire and must set a standard that is respectable and fair for the compensation that is provided. If your loved one was hurt as a result of negligence, don’t sit on your case; Call us today at 813.931.0840 or visit our website to schedule a consultation at….call

www.BlickLawFirm.com

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Car Accident Liability

simple_img_6Written by: Marissa Marshall

Have you been involved in an auto accident that caused serious harm to you and your family? During this difficult time there is some important information that you need to know about your rights, what you are entitled to, and the appropriate steps to take moving forward. For most personal injury claims in the state of Florida the case is about proving the other person’s negligence resulted in your injury. For auto accidents the rules are a little different we live in a no fault auto insurance state, which means, the usual personal injury process does not apply to auto accidents.

If you are in an auto accident the first thing you need to do is seek medical attention! Many people involved in auto accidents may feel fine immediately after, but then suffer from pain days later; it is imperative to seek medical attention immediately to strengthen any personal injury claim you may have to pursue.

The state of Florida has no-fault auto insurance. This means that instead of pursuing another person or their insurance to pay for any damages, your own insurance covers the cost. Florida drivers are required to have a minimum $10,000 in personal injury protection benefits and $10,000 in property damage liability benefits.

According to the Florida office of insurance regulation the goal of this is to provide drivers up to $10,000 in immediate medical coverage as opposed to waiting though the process of establishing fault in court. When you are injured and in need of medical attention the lapse in time of the accident and the process of your case going through the court system could prove to be detrimental to your health.

You cannot file a lawsuit for an auto accident in Florida unless it qualifies under the serious injury threshold. According to the 2014 Florida statutes, this means significant or permanent loss of bodily function, injury that will continue to need medical attention, significant and permanent scarring, death, and costs in excess of the policy limit.

The statute of limitations in Florida for personal injury cases resulting from traffic incidents is 4 years, this 4 year limitation is calculated from the day of the accident.
The best option is to contact a personal injury attorney and speak personally with them if you believe you have suffered serious injury and are eligible to file a personal injury lawsuit. If it can be proved that the other person is at fault for injuring you, you may be able to receive compensation for lost wages from work, property damage, emotional distress that includes anxiety and depression, and the cost of hiring someone to do house hold chores that you were not capable of doing as a result of the auto accident.

If you feel you have a personal injury claim and would like to speak to an attorney please visit our website. The Blick Law Firm is a well-established firm that services the Greater Tampa Bay area. We provide counsel and coaching our clients for their case. We provide unique individualized services for each client because we understand that each case is different. Please call us for a free 15mins consultation at 888-973-2776!call

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Preparing for Court

Written By: Louie Talacay

It’s the big day! You’ve been anxiously waiting and finally the day arrives; you are going to be going to court. Oh no, I’ve never been to court you think aloud. No problem because The Blick Law Firm is here to help you out and tell you how you should prepare yourself for your big day in court.
First and foremost, dress to impress. Yes, this is court, and yes, people expect you to look decent, unless you are pleading insanity. First impressions are important and a bad one could mean you struggling through an uphill battle with a negative preconceived notion of you and your character, all because you decided to wear flip flops.
Second, be punctual! As always, this one is big and not being on time could mean you are misrepresented in court or not even represented at all! Don’t take a chance on missing your court date; there could be some big repercussions for doing so. As always, if it is an emergency, you must notify the court and you must have a good reason. Sorry folks, but my dog ate my homework and is throwing up will probably not be acceptable.
Lastly, address the judge and jury, if there is one, politely. These are the people that will be deciding your fate, it is important that you start off on a good note. You wouldn’t bash an employer right before they hire you, would you? The concept is similar.
Of course, what you hear do and say will depend on the nature of your case. In order to be fully prepared for court, you should have a lawyer assist you. A lawyer can be your coach. They can role-play with you and tell you what you should say and what you shouldn’t say. They can prepare you for that moment you step into court until the instant you walk out with favorable results.
The Blick Law Firm is a well-established firm that services the Greater Tampa Bay area. We provide counsel and coaching our clients for their case. We provide unique individualized services for each client because we understand that each case is different and requires personal attention. If you have a case and would like to speak to a lawyer, please CALL US AT 888-973-2776

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Assistance for Legal Aid

LEGAL AID SERVICES, .ATTORNEY FEES, LEGAL AID OFFICE, LEGAL FEES, AFFORDABLE LEGAL AIDWritten By: Louie Talacay

It is a common notion that lawyers are unaffordable; Despite the fact that many lawyers offer special financing for certain customers or commission based payment for winning their cases, many people still believe that hiring a lawyer is just too expensive. As a result, many people have decided to fight their cases, on their own, leaving them to navigate the minutiae of legal terms, motions and laws by themselves. In fact, according to an article featured on the Tampa Bay Times, 90% of low income Floridians have decided to fight their own cases; These cases involve divorce, familial law, foreclosure and other civil cases.

The idea of fighting your own case in court is daunting. A person who has no idea of how the justice system works will find complications and hardships at every corner of their case, even if it is full proof. Remember, a lawyer isn’t just your representation in court, but they also serve as your coach guiding you through the myriad of forms, motions, counters and claims.

To aid in the provision of legal services to people who cannot afford it, the chief supreme justice of Florida, Jorge Labarga has commissioned 27 members to look for a solution for affordable legal aid. Of particular interest is the demographic of people’s whose income is too high to receive pro bono and special financing but not enough to pay, upfront, the large legal fees that attorney’s charge for their services.LEGAL AID SERVICES, .ATTORNEY FEES, LEGAL AID OFFICE, LEGAL FEES, AFFORDABLE LEGAL AID.1

Don’t go rush out to your local attorney just yet! Jorge has set a time table of 2 years to create a program solution to aid people, within a certain income demographic, with getting the legal assistance they need to fight their case.

If you are desperate for legal assistance now, however, The Blick Law Firm is here to help the Greater Tampa Bay community. Our motto is “helping the hurting”. We understand that every case is different and that a hardship can cause incredible strain on people who are already struggling to meet ends. As a result, we treat each client differently and create a personalized, tailored service that will fit their needs. We offer special financing to certain clients that need the extra assistance as well as offering pro bono services for clients who we feel are truly in need of help. Schedule a consultation with one of our attorney’s to see what kinds of services we can provide you! To schedule a consultation CALL US AT 888-973-2776!call

If you want to learn more about the program that is being commissioned by the Jorge Labarga please reference the following article featured on the Tampa Bay times at…

http://www.tampabay.com/news/politics/stateroundup/new-group-charged-with-finding-legal-help-for-low-income-floridians/2213991

Posted in Blog, Criminal Law, DUI, Foreclosure Defense, Immigration, Personal Injury, Real Estate | Leave a comment

Life after Bankruptcy

DSCN0271Written By: Louie Talacay

You’ve hit rock bottom. You probably have very little to your name and the road to financial recovery is looking uphill. Life after bankruptcy is one full of challenges and turmoil, but it is your decision to sink or swim. The following details some things that one can expect after filing for bankruptcy.

Dependent on the type of bankruptcy you filed, your options may differ. A Chapter 13 means that the court will oversee your financial recovery. They will take a portion of your paycheck to pay off some of your debt. A Chapter 7 means that you will be absolved of most of your debts and that the court will not garnish your wages to pay off your debt.

Although a Chapter 7 allows you to walk away mostly free and clear, the repercussion can be seen on your credit. People who file Chapter 13 are much more likely to recover financially and build their credit back up in less time than those who file a Chapter 7. Of course, the bankruptcy will still be reflected on their record.

So what happens then? What should you do after you’ve filed bankruptcy? First, understand that you will no longer have access to any lines of credit. No credit cards, no loans, nothing; this means strictly dealing in cold hard cash. Save up for those rainy days because you won’t be able to use credit to pay forward unexpected fees and accidents.

This may mean having to live a simpler lifestyle, but hopefully you’ve come to terms with meagerness. Many people who find themselves in financial chaos arrived there because they lived a life that was too extravagant for what they were making.

Are you struggling to overcome your debt? Have you built it up to the point where it is not feasible to pay it off? Blick Law Firm specializes in Bankruptcy cases. We can assist you and counsel you with your bankruptcy. Furthermore, we offer alternatives to bankruptcy and refer clients who aren’t terribly off to credit rehab programs.

To find out more about our bankruptcy services and how we can assist you or anyone else, please visit our website.

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Child Safety| Personal Injury Blog

Blick-Law-Firm.1Written By: Louie Talacay

Tampa, FL- Today, a father was arrested charged with murder for the death of his 5-year-old daughter. We remorse for the child and her family and pray that she will find her way safely to God.

To read more about the incident please visit the link below…

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2015/01/08/5-year-old-dies-after-being-thrown-from-bridge-florida-police-say/

Children are one of our most precious gifts in life. Their value is priceless and their potential is limitless. Because of how our society has evolved, we sometimes have to put trust into the system that we are a part of and let our children navigate the world without our constant supervision.

Unfortunately, this can mean trusting your child’s safety in the wrong hands or even wrong situation. Often times, parents, whose children have been hurt, blame themselves even if it was no fault of their own. No daycare, sports facility, team, volunteering site, school and even churches can guarantee the safety of your child.

Although we cannot be there for our children 100% of the time, we can provide extra precautions to help them stay safe. Blick recommends the following steps to help keep your children safe and out of harms way.

1. Do your research- Do you know where your child is going. Do you know how credible the facility is that you are leaving them at?

2. Educate you children- Sometimes a simple talk about safety with your kids can do a world of good

3. Know who their friends are- Do you know everyone your child hangs around? Active parenting is hard but it’s also very rewarding

4. Give them a phone- In today’s world, cell phones are as necessary for children as they are adults; Perhaps it’s time to upgrade that plan.

Even if you do everything possible to keep your child safe, accidents are still likely. If your child gets hurt, there maybe repercussions to help you and your family get them back on their feet. Of course, children are minors so the laws are a bit different. To understand these differences we recommend you consult an attorney.

Blick Law Firm are personal injury specialists. They can counsel you in your time of need and educate you on the process of filing a personal injury suit for a minor. To schedule your consultation call us 888-973-2776! call

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