Firm news
Accident Q&A series
-
What kind of evidence do I need for a medical malpractice claim over an infection?
In North Carolina, you need evidence showing a health care provider failed to follow the applicable standard of care and that this failure caused…
-
What are the risks of continuing negotiations versus going to court?: North Carolina personal injury guidance
In North Carolina personal injury cases, the main risk of continued negotiations is missing the statute of limitations, which generally ends your…
-
What are the next steps after signing a release in a personal injury case?: North Carolina Personal Injury
In North Carolina, after you sign a release, the insurer issues the settlement check, your attorney deposits it into a trust account, resolves any…
-
How long do I have to file a medical malpractice lawsuit for an infection in North Carolina?: Clear filing deadlines and key exceptions
In North Carolina, most medical malpractice lawsuits must be filed within three years of the health care provider’s last act or omission. If you…
-
How do I prove that the doctor’s failure to wash hands and wear gloves led to my infection?
In North Carolina, you prove this by showing: (1) the medical standard of care required hand hygiene and gloves, (2) the provider did not follow that…
-
How do I negotiate a fair settlement for ongoing back pain after an accident?: North Carolina
In North Carolina, a fair personal injury settlement for ongoing back pain starts with clear medical proof, careful accounting of current and future…
-
How can I find a lawyer to help if my doctor’s poor hygiene caused an infection?: North Carolina
In North Carolina, infections from poor hygiene during medical care can support a medical malpractice claim, but you generally need a qualified…
-
How can I finalize my personal injury settlement once both sides agree on an amount?
In North Carolina, you finalize a personal injury settlement by putting the agreed terms in writing, signing a release that closes the claim,…
-
Can I sue a physician for negligence if I developed a lasting infection?: North Carolina
Yes. In North Carolina, you may file a medical negligence lawsuit if a health care provider failed to meet the applicable standard of care and that…
-
Can I modify a personal injury settlement release after it’s been drafted?: A North Carolina guide
Yes—until you sign it. In North Carolina, a settlement release is a contract. Before anyone signs, you can negotiate edits to its terms. After it’s…
-
Will my personal injury award count as income that affects my Social Security benefits?: North Carolina
No. A personal injury settlement or court award is not “earnings” from work, so it does not reduce Social Security retirement benefits under the…
-
Will I still get any settlement money while lien negotiations are pending?: Clear guidance for North Carolina personal injury claims
Usually yes. In North Carolina, your attorney can release the undisputed portion of your settlement after paying fees and costs, while holding enough…
-
Who is responsible for paying my medical liens when a personal injury case is resolved?: North Carolina
In North Carolina, valid medical provider liens attach to your personal injury recovery. Your attorney must pay perfected liens from the settlement…
-
What steps should I take if the other driver’s insurer classifies the collision as no-fault and stalls the investigation?
North Carolina is a fault-based state, so an adjuster calling your crash “no-fault” does not decide liability. If the other insurer stalls, document…
-
What steps are needed to satisfy medical and insurance liens before I receive funds?: A North Carolina personal injury guide
In North Carolina, your lawyer must identify every lien, verify the amount and validity, and pay or resolve those liens from the settlement before…
-
What qualifies as punitive damages in a personal injury settlement and how are those taxed?
In North Carolina, punitive damages punish especially bad conduct and are available only if you first recover compensatory damages and prove fraud,…
-
What obligations do healthcare providers have when releasing billing information to authorized representatives?
In North Carolina, providers may release a patient’s billing information only to the patient or someone who can legally act for the patient (for…
-
What information do I need to provide to request a patient’s billing statements from a healthcare provider?
In North Carolina, you typically need a signed, HIPAA-compliant authorization from the patient (or proof you are legally authorized), plus enough…
-
What happens if the insurer doesn’t agree to reduce the lien in time?: North Carolina personal injury cases
In North Carolina, your lawyer should not distribute settlement money that is subject to a valid, unresolved lien. If negotiations stall, the…
-
What happens if a healthcare provider doesn’t submit their lien before my settlement?: North Carolina
In North Carolina, medical providers have a statutory lien on your personal injury settlement even if they never “file” anything. To enforce it, they…
