Legal Protections with Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage

Many consumers often question whether or not they should purchase uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage along with liability insurance coverage on their automobiles?

The answer is most definitely "YES".

Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage will pay you in the event that you are involved in an automobile accident and someone else is at fault. It is available to you when that other person is uninsured OR does not have enough liability insurance to compensate you for the full extent of your loss.

Most states, including Louisiana require that all drivers have liability insurance when operating an automobile.  However, there are a significant number of drivers who allow their insurance to lapse through failure to pay premiums in a timely fashion. Often times these vehicles are involved in accidents before the state catches up to these individuals.

The minimum liability coverage mandated by Louisiana law is only $15,000 per each person injured in an accident or $30,000 maximum should more than one be injured. If you have a significant injury as a result of an automobile accident, the medical bills and lost wages will quickly exceed the $15,000 per person limit.

If the individual who caused the accident had no insurance or was underinsured, then the uninsured/underinsured provisions of your policy would be applied over and above that which you recovered from the wrongdoer. This will help compensate you for your injuries up to the applicable limits in your policy. A claim against your uninsured motorist coverage does NOT count as an at fault claim against your insurance and will not increase your premiums.

There is additional premium to be paid for uninsured/underinsured coverage, but it is well worth it. Some insurance companies offer uninsured/underinsured coverage for economic damages only at a reduced premium. This reduced coverage will only pay you for medical bills and lost income and NOT for you pain and suffering.

If you are injured in an accident, contact the lawyers at Jim Hall & Associates for a free consultation, Call Hall at 504‑832‑3000 or Click ‑ callhall.com.

Injured by a Commercial Vehicle? You Need an Experienced Attorney

At Jim Hall & Associates, LLC., we have handled thousands of automobile accidents. Many of those automobile accidents involved collisions with various kinds of commercial vehicles, including 18-wheelers and other big rigs.

If you have been injured by a commercial vehicle or big rig you should retain the services of an attorney immediately to protect your rights. The representative of the insurance company will probably contact you immediately in an attempt to get you to agree to a quick settlement involving a minimum amount, even before your injuries have been diagnosed or resolved. Additionally, they may attempt to obtain some admission from you which they can use against you in court.

The lawyers at Jim Hall & Associates, LLC., will immediately contact the owners of the truck and act as your representative, preventing them from contacting you directly.

Remember, no matter how friendly the company representative seems to be, their one and only goal is to dispose of your claim as soon as possible and for a minimal amount. When you need a ''tough trucking lawyer" call Jim Hall & Associates, LLC  at 504-832-3000 immediately should you be involved in an accident with a commercial vehicle or some other truck or big rig.

BLOOD CLOT FILTER (IVC) LAWSUITS NOW BEING FILED

In August of 2010, the FDA warned that IVC filters could fracture and migrate to other parts of the body.  The FDA announced that it has received over 900 adverse event reports since 2005 involving IVC filters, including devices manufactured by C.R. Bard.  After the FDA’s safety communication was made public, victims began to file IVC lawsuits against manufacturers Cooke Medical, Inc., and C.R. Bard. 

Our office is presently investigating Inferior Vena Cava filters, more commonly known as IVC Filters or Blood Clot Filters.  These cage-like devices are designed to catch and dissolve clots.  They are surgically inserted in patients who have an increased risk for blood clots and cannot take blood thinners.  The IVC filter works by trapping blood clots before they can travel to vital organs such as lungs or heart and cause life threatening injuries. 

The use of the IVC Filters may cause the following problems:

• The device can fracture;
• The device can move throughout one’s body;
• The device can pierce blood vessels and organs;
• The device can tilt or become irretrievable, among other things.

If you or someone you know has received an IVC Filter, please call our office for a free consultation and case evaluation.  The attorneys at Jim S. Hall & Associates would be privileged to help you and your family get the compensation you deserve. www.callhall.com

                                                       (504) 832-3000

                                            “CALL HALL”

TALCUM POWDER (BABY POWDER) OVARIAN CANCER LAWSUITS

Research strongly suggest that when talcum powder is applied to a women’s genital area, it can travel into the vagina through the Fallopian tubes to the ovaries.  These extremely fine talcum powder particles can cause cancer cells to form, grow and spread. In 2016 there were two extremely large jury awards that came from jury trials in the State of Missouri against Johnson & Johnson.

Jim S. Hall & Associates is presently investigating cases related to talcum powder use and ovarian cancer.  Talc is a mineral and is ground up to make talcum powder, which is used to absorb moisture and is widely available in various products including baby powder, body powder and facial powder.

This issue has been researched since the early 1970's. One study suggests that out of 13 ovarian cancer cases, 10 were found to have deeply embedded talc particles.  Manufacturers of talcum powder, including Johnson & Johnson have failed to warn consumers about this danger for a very long time.

Some signs and symptoms and complications of ovarian cancer:

• Abdominal bloating
• Fatigue
• Pressure and pain
• Indigestion
• Abdominal fullness after eating
• Heart burn
• Difficulty eating
• Constipation
• Increase in urination
• Menstrual irregularities
• Increase in urge to urinate
• Menstrual cramps
• Back pain
• Painful intercourse

If you or a loved one has used talcum powder and has been diagnosed with ovarian cancer or cancer of the Fallopian tubes, you may have a valuable legal claim.  We would be privileged to help you and your family get the compensation you deserve.

For a free consultation and case evaluation please do not hesitate to call our office.

(504) 832-3000

Experienced Staff Retention Matters When Hiring a Personal Injury Attorney

Jim Hall & Associates, LLC is very proud of its professional staff.  All of the attorneys and paralegals employed by Jim Hall & Associates, LLC have been working here for ten years or more.  This fact serves as a huge advantage to our clients who place their trust in our staff to handle their individual case in a professional manner.

If you have dealt with other law offices you may have experienced situations where every time you call to speak to someone you speak to a different person each time that may or may not know something about your case.  At Jim Hall & Associates, LLC your case is assigned to a particular paralegal and attorney and will remain with those individuals from beginning to end.  This allows you, the client, to gain confidence that your legal rights or being protected by someone who knows you and knows your case.

Additionally, it is likely that if you should have another case with Jim Hall & Associates, LLC at a later date that same attorney/paralegal will be handling your claim.  Continuity in service to our client is very important to us and we strive to achieve that in each and every case.

FOR A FREE CONSULTATION “CALL HALL” 504-832-3000 OR 1-800-299-5059.

WHAT TO DO IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT!

You think insurance companies act in your best interest; BUT THEY DO NOT! 

Insurance companies will require that you complete claim forms, reports, unlimited authorizations for medical and wage information and (not limited to the accident), other paperwork and may even request recorded statements. All of this may be used against you at a later date. Insurance companies often act quickly to deny your claim or encourage you to settle for a lower amount before you have time to talk with a lawyer. Your insurance claim should be handled properly and professionally in your best interest. 

In the blink of an eye your life may change forever! 

Welcome to Jim Hall & Associates

• Working for injured persons and their families for over 20 years;
• Free Consultation. No fee unless you collect; 
• Home, hospital, evening and weekend appointments available; 
• Licensed to practice in Louisiana and Texas 

We offer free consultation so you have nothing to lose by contacting us first.

For a free consultation “CALL HALL” at 504-832-3000.

Recently Flooded? Here's the Information You Need to Know!

Jim Hall & Associates has vast experience in handling flood claims.  The office has literally handled thousands of flood claims growing out of  not only Hurricane Katrina but subsequent hurricanes and other flood events.

Coverage for flood damage is not generally provided by your usual homeowner’s policy, but requires a separate policy issued pursuant to the National Flood Insurance Program.  This program is a federal program and therefore has strict requirements in order to make a successful claim for the damages sustained to your property by a covered event. 

Most importantly, under the National Flood Insurance Program,  applicable to all policies of insurance issued by all insurers under the program,  a completed “Proof of Loss Claim Form” must be filed within sixty (60) days of the date of loss.  This “Proof of Loss Claim Form”  must be signed and sworn to by you as a policy holder and documentation might be submitted to the insurer in support of the amount you are claiming as your flood damages.  This Proof of Loss is more than just a claim.  In fact, your insurer should provide you with a “Proof of Loss Claim Form”  for you to complete after you have notified them of the fact that you are making a claim.

 Failure to timely file a Proof of Loss can result in denial of your entire claim.  If you have questions about making  a claim under your flood insurance policy or filing a Proof of Loss with the National Flood Insurance Program, call the lawyers at Jim Hall & Associates and they will be happy to help you.

Once again, you are reminded that you must file this “Proof of Loss Claim Form” within sixty (60) days of the date of loss,  the date upon which the flooding occurred.  Failure to do so will most likely result in denial of your entire claim. 

For a free consultation “CALL HALL” - 504-832-3000. Licensed in Louisiana and Texas.