One of the Leading Causes of Trucking Accidents

Getting into an accident with a large truck can have devastating consequences for all parties involved, and unfortunately all too often the accident may be caused by driver fatigue.  In fact the U.S. Department of Transportation reports, “Nearly 4,000 people die in large truck crashes each year and driver fatigue is a leading factor.  Tragically, the truck drivers themselves sometimes die driving tired.”

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) issued a new rule in December of 2011 that was designed to stop fatigued driving.  It basically made two important updates to the “hours of service” rules for truck drivers.  First it required drivers to take a 30-minute break within the first 8 hours of drive time.  The other change involved the use of the 34-hour rest period, known as the “restart.”  Overall the new rule reduced the average maximum week a driver could work from 82 hours to 70 hours.

One of the biggest problems with fatigue is that it sneaks up on drivers, and new research indicates a strong correlation between long work hours and insufficient recovery time leading to reduction in sleep and chronic fatigue.  Fatigued drivers not only have slower reaction times but a diminished capacity to assess situations.  Sometimes truck drivers actually fall asleep while driving, and others use stimulants to stay awake, which can further impair their ability to drive and lead to accidents that cause severe injuries and even fatalities.

At Schiff & Associates we are experienced in proving driver fatigue as the cause of tractor-trailer and other truck accidents.  Our investigation is thorough and we know how to secure the evidence that can prove violations of safety regulations.  We have a long history of successfully winning truck driver liability claims and claims against trucking companies and we will work to get you the compensation you deserve.  Visit our website to learn more.

The experienced team of Schiff & Associates has offered the area trusted legal representation in cases of personal injury and wrongful death since 1982.  We have a history of getting clients the results they deserve and recognize that financial recovery from an accident is just as important as physical recovery.  Call today for information regarding legal services from Columbus, Ohio’s top personal injury lawyer.

Source: transportation.gov/fastlane/why-we-care-about-truck-driver-fatigue

Do You Need a Personal Injury Lawyer?

If you or a family member has been hurt in an accident due to someone else’s negligence, consulting with a personal injury attorney makes good sense as they can help you to decide what to do next.  At Findlaw.com, a website that provides legal information and services for lawyers, businesses, and individuals, they explain why it is important to hire an experienced personal injury attorney. 

One critical reason to consult with a personal injury attorney is that they have the expertise to assess claims and can tell you right from the start whether your case is worth pursuing legal action.  Also since most personal injury attorneys work on a contingency basis, you will not pay attorney fees unless you recover compensation.

Furthermore, experienced attorneys understand the complicated nature of such cases and often have a team of consultants they work with regarding the medical and technical aspects of your case.  Another reason to have an expert on your side is that they approach the case from a more objective viewpoint than someone who is suffering from the effects of the injury.  In other words, your attorney knows that a quick payout is not always in your best interest and it may be more advantageous to wait for a better settlement.

Additionally a personal injury lawyer recognizes when a negotiated settlement is the right action or if the case needs to go to trial.  They also are experienced in effectively dealing with attorneys from the other side as well as insurance companies.  In addition your attorney understands the fact-finding portion of the litigation, which is when parties are required to share information.  However most importantly, personal injury lawyers like Schiff & Associates will fight to get you the maximum amount of compensation you deserve.

The experienced team of Schiff & Associates has offered the area trusted legal representation in cases of personal injury and wrongful death since 1982.  We have a history of getting clients the results they deserve and recognize that financial recovery from an accident is just as important as physical recovery.  Contact us for more information on expert legal services from Columbus, Ohio’s top personal injury lawyer.

Source:injury.findlaw.com/accident-injury-law/reasons-to-hire-an-experienced-personal-injury-attorney.html

Dog Bites Can Result in Both Physical and Emotional Scars

Every year dogs bite millions of people and some of these attacks are very serious, even life-threatening, and require immediate medical attention to prevent infection or traumatic complications.  According to DogsBite.org, they state that “many of the most serious and deadly dog attack victims are inflicted on children who are visiting or living temporarily at the home of a relative, family friend or babysitter who owns a pit bull or Rottweiler.”  

The organization cites a few commonsense precautions to take around dogs and should be taught to the children in your life.  First, you should never pet a dog before it has had an opportunity to see you.  In addition you should not lean your face close to a dog’s, or bother a dog who is sleeping or eating.  Also never disturb a dog that is caring for puppies, or turn your back on a dog and run away.

Dog and animal attacks can cause physical as well as emotional scars and can result in medical costs, pain and suffering, lost wages and loss of enjoyment of life.  Victims may require extensive reconstructive surgery, and in the most extreme cases, attacks can be deadly.

As attorneys who specialize in dog bite injury cases, we are aware of the laws regarding liability and know how to determine the full costs of injuries and damages.  Our expertise includes a legal understanding of issues such as leash laws and stipulations regarding aggressive and nonaggressive breeds.  The attorneys at Schiff & Associates have a successful record of negotiating or bringing cases to court in order to secure fair and full compensation for our clients.

Please keep in mind that your initial consultation with us is free.  Furthermore, as we work on a contingency basis, you will not pay anything unless we successful recover a settlement.

The experienced attorneys at Schiff & Associates have offered the area trusted legal representation in cases of personal injury and wrongful death since 1982.  We have a history of getting clients the results they deserve and recognize that financial recovery from an accident is just as important as physical recovery.  Call today for information regarding legal services from Columbus, Ohio’s top personal injury lawyer.

Source: dogsbite.org/dog-bite-statistics-fatalities-2015.php

 

For Expert Legal Counsel - Trust Our Team

At Schiff & Associates, we are proud to espouse our motto of “Trust a Respected Name with a Winning Tradition,” as we fight to get our clients the settlements they deserve.  The entire firm takes our responsibilities toward each client very seriously, and we understand that our efforts can change lives.   

In addition to Scott Schiff, our team of personal injury attorneys is extremely experienced and many have been with the firm for a long time such as Keith J. Shepardson, Esq., who has been with us for over 15 years.  Keith is a graduate of the University of Akron School of Law, where he received his JD (1995), and was admitted to the Ohio Bar in 1995.  His area of expertise includes motor vehicle accidents, personal injury, wrongful death, insurance law, automobile negligence, premises liability, and dog and animal bites.

Another member of our team is Craig T. Smith, Esq. who brings to Schiff & Associates a commitment to helping those in difficult situations.  He has a law degree from the Capital University Law School, JD, and has been with the firm since 2001. His expertise includes obtaining settlements, particularly in wrongful death and serious injury cases.

Terry Hummel, Esq. is a trial attorney and has more than 30 years’ experience preparing and successfully trying cases in the State of Ohio.  He has litigated a wide scope of personal injury claims involving the following areas: transportation; work and premises; and medical and nursing.  Terry is a graduate of the Capital University Law School (1982), and has litigated thousands of personal injury and death claims in state and federal courts throughout the Midwest.

This is just a small sampling of our staff of attorneys.  Please visit our website to see the full bios of all of our attorneys.  Schiff & Associates’ entire team of attorneys, our investigator, and numerous paralegals and legal assistants all work together to get results for our clients in a respectful and ethical manner.

The experienced attorneys at Schiff & Associates have offered the area trusted legal representation in cases of personal injury and wrongful death since 1982.  We have a history of getting clients the results they deserve and recognize that financial recovery from an accident is just as important as physical recovery.  Call today for information regarding legal services from Columbus, Ohio’s top personal injury lawyer.

Tips to Avoid Hiring a Bad Attorney

The Balance, an about.com brand website, shares some tips on how to avoid hiring a bad attorney.  For the countless number of talented and highly competent attorneys practicing law today, there are some lawyers, who for a variety of reasons will not provide you with the best representation. 

Some of the qualities that separate ineffective attorneys from competent, professional ones are poor work habits.  The Balance’s advice is to be aware of things like phone calls and emails not being returned in a timely manner.  Another warning sign is missing deadlines, especially for important court filings.  Also avoid hiring an attorney who is hard to work with or one who too quickly promises a victory.

Your attorney’s offices also say a lot about them.  Do they appear to be organized and efficiently run as well as adequately staffed? 

In addition your bill should clearly explain what tasks were performed, by whom and when.  If you are being billed for a phone call, you are entitled to know who made the call, who they talked to, and what was the nature and duration of the call.  Also be on the lookout for hidden expenses that were not included in your initial agreement.

At Schiff & Associates you can rest easy on all of the above concerns.  As leading personal injury attorneys, we have over 30 years of experience successfully helping clients in the Columbus, Ohio area.  Take a look at our website where you will find testimonials from past clients and extensive bios of our attorneys.  We also list a small sampling of some of our actual case results.  Finally at Schiff & Associates, your first consultation and case evaluation is free.  Since we work on a contingency basis, you will not pay any legal fees or attorney costs unless we recover compensation.

The experienced team of Schiff & Associates has offered the area trusted legal representation in cases of personal injury and wrongful death since 1982.  We have a history of getting clients the results they deserve and recognize that financial recovery from an accident is just as important as physical recovery.  Call today to learn how Columbus, Ohio’s leading slip and fall attorney can help.

Source: thebalance.com/how-to-avoid-a-bad-lawyer-2164684

Get the Help You Need in the Event of a Wrongful Death

When the very worst happens and you lose a loved one from someone else’s negligence, you need the services of an experienced wrongful death attorney.  At Schiff & Associates, we know that no amount of money makes up for the loss of a loved one, but a fair settlement can help to relief some of the financial burden.   

Our attorneys are extremely experienced and have successfully litigated many cases of wrongful death.  We recognize that losing a loved one can impact your current as well as future income and the ability to provide for your family.  We also know that a settlement can help with other related costs such as guidance, advice, or counsel, and if warranted, we may pursue punitive damages.

Your initial consultation and case evaluation with one of our expert wrongful death attorneys is free.  Furthermore, as we work on a contingency basis, you will not be charged for any attorney fees or cost unless we recover compensation. 

We have over thirty years’ experience, and are proud to have been recognized in 2013 by Time Magazine as one of the “top personal injury firms in the United States.”  Along with our experienced attorneys, our team includes an attorney-CPA, a special investigator, and knowledgeable paralegals and legal assistants.  We also maintain a professional relationship with a group of respected specialists and utilize their expertise to assist us with your case.  Our attorneys prepare your case as if it is going to trial so we are ready to negotiate a fair settlement, or take your case before a judge and jury if need be. 

Schiff & Associates has a successful record of helping clients get the compensation they deserve in the event of a wrongful death.  Visit our site to learn more about our respectful, professional, and compassionate legal services.

Since 1982, Schiff & Associates’ experienced attorneys have provided trusted legal representation in cases of personal injury and wrongful death. We have a history of getting clients the results they deserve and recognize that financial recovery from an accident is just as important as physical recovery.    Contact us for more information on expert legal services from Columbus, Ohio’s top personal injury lawyer.

Allow Us to Recover the Compensation You Deserve

If you or your family has been adversely impacted by someone else’s negligence, a personal injury lawyer can help you to recover the maximum amount of compensation you deserve. At Schiff & Associates, we know that actions have consequences and some of them result in painful injuries or wrongful death and require quality legal representation.  

As your lawyer, we will work hard on your behalf to pursue the maximum compensation through settlement negotiations or if required, in the courtroom.  Furthermore, we stay motivated when we receive feedback from clients such as Phyllis S. thanking us for helping her family during a very difficult time.  Phyllis wrote to say, “When my daughter died as a result of a truck accident, Scott Schiff & Assoc. protected my 3 grandchildren’s financial future. He treated our family like it was his own! While my 3 grandbabies will never have their Mom, at least they won’t have to worry about finances for the rest of their lives”.

In another testimonial, John C. states, “Scott treats me with a lot of personal attention and respect…He’s glad to represent the little guy. Scott is a great guy who fights hard for you”.

These two clients are an example of why we continue to work so hard and to treat each case as if it will make a difference in a person’s life – because we know it does!  For over 30 years, we have been the most trusted personal injury lawyer in Columbus Ohio and know how to aggressively pursue the settlement you are entitled to by law.

Also remember that Schiff & Associates will represent you on a contingency basis.  Your initial consultation is free, and you are not charged any attorney costs or fees unless we successfully recover compensation for your claim.  Visit our website for contact information and to learn more about our services.

The experienced team of Schiff &Associates has offered the area trusted legal representation in cases of personal injury and wrongful death since 1982.  We have a history of getting clients the results they deserve and recognize that financial recovery from an accident is just as important as physical recovery.  Call today for information on our extensive legal services from Columbus, Ohio’s top personal injury lawyer.

 

Meet Schiff & Associates’ Founder

Ever since he became an attorney in 1982, Scott Schiff has made it a priority to champion society’s underdogs, which explains why he specializes in civil litigation with an emphasis on catastrophic injury and wrongful death.  With degrees from Ohio State University and Capital University Law School, Scott started the law firm of Schiff & Associates Co. LPA.

To sum up his commitment to the legal profession, Scott says, “Each and every case is extremely important to me.”  He adds that “no single case is going to change my life financially, but each and every individual case will change the life of my client, and that keeps me motivated.”  Scott reiterates that by taking our responsibilities to our clients extremely seriously, along with our quality work, respect, and high ethical standards have made us one of the leading Personal Injury law firms in Ohio.

Some of the highlights of Schiff & Associates’ long and illustrious career include being recognized by Time Magazine in 2013 as one of the nation’s top personal injury firms.  Scott himself was featured in 2014 in the Columbus Business First magazine in an article called “People to Know”.

Scott also has a long history of charitable giving both with his time and money and has served on the board of many non-profit and charitable organizations.  He says his contributions reflect the values he was taught as a child, and focuses on “helping those who work hard but can’t seem to get ahead because of disabilities or lack of opportunities.”  In addition he considers giving to those less fortunate as paramount to the survival of his synagogue, and to religious freedoms everywhere.  Scott notes that, “First Amendment freedoms are what set Americans apart from the rest of the world.”

Along with his commitment to the firm and his charity work, Scott also is an: Appointed Special Council to the Ohio Attorney General; American Bar Association Member; Columbus Bar Association (Appointed Ethics Committee) Sustaining Member; American Trial Lawyers Association Member; Franklin County Trial Lawyers Association Member; and Who’s Who of Attorneys in America Member.   Please see our website to learn more about Scott and the rest of our firm.

Since 1982, Schiff & Associates’ experienced attorneys have provided trusted legal representation in cases of personal injury and wrongful death. We have a history of getting clients the results they deserve and recognize that financial recovery from an accident is just as important as physical recovery. Call today for information regarding legal services from Columbus, Ohio’s top personal injury lawyer.

Injured in a Slip and Fall Due to Someone Else’s Negligence?

If you or a loved one suffered from an injury that was the result of a hazard you encountered while at a restaurant, shopping mall, parking lot, apartment building or a private home, you may need the services of an attorney who specializes in slip and fall accidents.  Under the Ohio statute of limitations for slip and fall claims, a person has two years in which to file a claim.  While most slip and fall cases in Ohio reach a settlement without ever going to trial, the attorneys at Schiff & Associates have the expertise to litigate your case in the courtroom if needed.  

As one of the leading personal injury attorneys in Columbus Ohio, our team knows how to investigate accidents, prove liability and to get our clients a fair settlement.  If you experienced a slip and fall accident that was the result of negligence on the part of a property owner such as unsafe walking conditions, inadequate lighting, loose railings, spills and other problems, you need to talk to us. 

  

If it is determined that your slip and fall accident could have been prevented, you may be entitled to recover all of your related costs including medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering as well as any other damages.  Furthermore, regardless of whether we negotiate a settlement or go to trial, we always fight for maximum compensation.  

    

It is important that you meet with one of our attorneys who specialize in these types of claims as many slip and fall accidents result in serious head trauma, back injuries, or multiple fractures.  Your initial consultation is free, and as we work on a contingency basis, you will only pay legal costs and attorney fees if you receive a settlement.  Don’t wait; visit our website for further information.  

The experienced team of Schiff & Associates has offered the area trusted legal representation in cases of personal injury and wrongful death since 1982.  We have a history of getting clients the results they deserve and recognize that financial recovery from an accident is just as important as physical recovery.  Call today to learn how Columbus, Ohio’s leading slip and fall attorney can help.

Be Prepared In the Case of a Vehicle Accident

While we hope you will never need the information, it is important for every driver to know what to do if they are involved in a motor vehicle accident.  From a legal standpoint, Schiff & Associates know that what you do after an accident, especially if you are injured, can impact the amount you recover from your injuries and damages.  

Our experienced team of vehicle accident attorneys along with the Consumer Protection Association of America shares useful tips for what to do if your accident results in injuries.  Obviously in the case of serious injuries, you will call 911.  For non-critical injuries, our attorneys recommend that you see a doctor as soon as possible even if you do not think you need to as symptoms can sometimes take a few days to appear.  

    

Also if you are able, you need to move your car off to the side of the road as quickly as possible, and set out flares or cones if you have them or turn on your car’s hazard lights.  Schiff & Associates’ attorneys also advise motorists to not admit to fault to other drivers, and before you speak to an insurance adjuster or sign anything from an insurance company, consult with an auto accident attorney.   

Also remember to exchange and write down all pertinent information regarding the other drivers.  Be sure to include make, model, year, and color of each car, and if you can, take pictures of the damage and the accident scene.  Furthermore, even if the police do not show up at the accident site, you can still file a police report by going down to a station or doing it online.  Lastly we strongly recommend that you contact an experienced motor vehicle accident attorney such as Schiff & Attorneys for the legal assistance you need. 

See our website for all of the information regarding what to do after an accident and learn more about the benefits of having an experienced attorney on your side.  We have successfully helped hundreds of clients to get a fair settlement after they were injured in a motor vehicle accident.  Remember your initial evaluation and consultation is free, and we work on a contingency basis so you will not pay any legal costs or attorney fees unless we recover compensation.  

Since 1982, Schiff & Associates’ experienced attorneys have provided trusted legal representation in cases of personal injury and wrongful death. We have a history of getting clients the results they deserve and recognize that financial recovery from an accident is just as important as physical recovery.  Contact us for more information on expert legal services from Columbus, Ohio’s top personal injury lawyer.

Get Experienced Help with Your Workers’ Compensation Claim

Schiff & Associates has a winning record when it comes to helping our clients get the results they are entitled to when struggling through the extremely complex workers’ compensation system.  Filing an Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) claim can be confusing and frustrating especially when you are trying to do it without an experienced workers’ compensation attorney at your side.

Whether you are suffering from a temporary total disability, filing a death or catastrophic claim, a mandamus action, or other workers’ comp issue, we have a history of successfully handling each aspect of your claim.  When you allow us to help, our attorneys will file all of the necessary motions and appeals and will represent you at administrative hearings and court appeals.  We can even represent you in the case of a failed post-accident drug test or a Violation a Specific Safety Regulations (VSSR).  

In addition Schiff & Associates has extensive experience in interacting with MCO’s, TPA’s and the BWC and use that experience in fighting for the compensation you deserve.  Once you decide to secure our legal services, you can rest assured that regardless of the severity of your injury, we can help. 

Remember your first consultation and evaluation with us is free, and you will pay nothing unless you receive a settlement.  Please take a look at our website to find out more about our team of exceptional attorneys as well as the full extent of Schiff & Associates’ legal services.  Scott Schiff, our firm’s founder, so adeptly says, “Each and every case is extremely important to me.” He goes on to add that, “No single case is going to change my life financially, but each and every individual case will change the life of my client, and that keeps me motivated.”


For over 30 years, our experienced attorneys have provided Columbus, Ohio with trusted legal representation in cases of personal injury and wrongful death.  We understand that financial recovery from an accident is just as important as physical recovery and we have a long history of getting clients the results they deserve.   For help navigating through the complicated workers’ comp system, call the area’s leading personal injury lawyer.