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Monday 30 September 2013

TVMs and the Complications They Cause

Many women who suffer from stress urinary incontinence (SUI) have themselves implanted with an instrument called a transvaginal mesh device (TVM). These devices provide SUI sufferers with an alternative way of strengthening the muscles in the pelvic area to address their condition. The supposed benefits and ease of use of TVMs made them very popular when they were first introduced in the market.

Although problems with the device have been reported, many women still use them to this very day. As of February 2013, 300 Canadian women are preparing to file a class-action lawsuit against the product's manufacturers. The most common complications reported by these women include pain, infection, vaginal scarring, bladder obstruction, chronic and unusual vaginal discharge, discomfort or pain during sexual intercourse, urinary problems, and mesh erosion through the vaginal tissue.

If you recently had a TVM implanted, it is important that you learn about the signs and symptoms of the most common problems related to the device so you can seek and receive the medical help you need promptly. If complications arise, you may require surgery to have the mesh removed. You may also seek compensation to cover the financial losses that occur because of your injury, such as having to pay medical bills and missing work.




Appealing a Social Security Disability Claim

When you get into an accident that leaves you disabled and unable to work, it's possible for you to seek legal aid and claim compensation from the government through a Social Security Disability claim. Unfortunately, there are some cases where the government disapproves your claim (perhaps because the disability doesn't adhere to what your state law allows). Thankfully, you can always appeal the denial.

To do so, you need first to get a copy of all the necessary documentation like your notice of decision, papers you filed for the original claim, and all your medical records relating to the injury, both old and new, and submit these to the appeals section of your local Social Security office. If you have a lawyer, ask him for any more documentary evidence that you will need to submit.

There are four steps in the appeal process of a Social Security Disability claim. RECONSIDERATION is when your claim for approval is reviewed; if you are denied again, a HEARING will put you before a judge for review; APPEALS COUNCIL REVIEW could happen if the judge denies your appeal, and fourth is the DISTRICT COURT CASE, which is the last level of appeal available.

Be patient when filing your claim to appeal. Don't let your disability get the best of you, and take note that civil processes like this is best taken with a calm and composed mind.


Thursday 26 September 2013

Lawyers Help Veterans Claim Disability Benefits

Many complain that they they have the worst job in the world. In reality though, very few people face life and death situations in their line of work. Soldiers, however, risk life and limb in the daily course of performing their duties.

What with all the dangers they face, many of them get injured while defending the country.  According to an article from the Huffington Post, a record number of 9-11 veterans are claiming disability benefits from the U.S. Department Veterans Affairs—around 720,000. However, only about a third of these claims have been granted.

VA Secretary Eric Shinseki has pledged multiple times to fix the inefficient claims system by 2015. For example, claims in 2013 now only take an average of 272 days to be approved, an improvement of 40 percent from 2011. Still, the department is trudging through its backlog of over 900,000 claims, including those from veterans of Vietnam and Gulf Wars.

This has lead veterans to seek the services of disability lawyers, especially when claims have been denied despite the long wait. Disability lawyers can help veterans navigate the complexities of the approval process and negotiate for a better benefits package.


Not everyone is called upon to defend the country, but many brave men and women heed the call. The efficient and fair granting of their disability claims is just one way the country can thank them for their courageous service.

How To Find The Right Personal Injury Lawyer in Toronto

If you suffer an injury in the hands of another person through no fault of your own, you have the right to be compensated. Unfortunately, this doesn't happen all the time because not all people take responsibility for their negative actions. Insurance companies, for example, can take advantage of the situation. They can be as well-versed as their attorneys when it comes to the law, and they have the capacity to put the injured victim in an unfavorable position. In a situation like this, a reliable and experienced personal injury lawyer is needed.

The personal injury lawyer handles the cases of those who have been physically or psychologically injured. Whether it's taking the matter to trial or simply dealing with the insurance company, a personal injury lawyer can give you the proper legal assistance and advice you need.

If you want to find the right personal injury lawyer in Toronto, you can start with referrals. Talk to friends who have had lawyers assist them in their personal injury claims. Once you've compiled a list of attorneys, do your research. Somebody's recommended lawyer may not have the expertise necessary for your case, so you have to meet the lawyer in person and check their background. It is important that you can discuss your case openly with the attorney.


Thursday 19 September 2013

What to Do When You Get Into a Road Accident

Car accidents can catch anyone by surprise, causing trauma, injury, and loss or destruction of property. Yet as any accident survivor can tell you, knowing what to do can make a huge difference. Those who are prepared usually do the right thing when they figure in an accident.

If you do get involved in a road accident, the first thing you should do is to check whether any of the people involved are injured. Therefore, your initial response should be to get yourself and others to safety. Once everyone is safely away from oncoming traffic, you can then start calling for help.

While help is underway, seek basic information from the other party, including name and license. Avoid giving any profuse apologies, even if you were wholly or partly at fault, as these may be used against you. Instead, provide accurate information to the other party so you won't be accused of fraud. If you're uncertain about what to do, call an accident lawyer immediately for guidance.


As soon as the police arrives, provide all the information that may be asked of you, including any evidence you may have. Pictures of the accident scene can serve as useful evidence that may help solve the issue right away. Once you've got a lawyer on your case, you can start thinking about money matters, such as insurance and damage claims.

Tuesday 17 September 2013

Why Car Accidents in Canada Can Sometimes be Messy

Canada may be a relatively safer place to drive than, say, the United States, but accidents on the road can and still do happen in this part of North America. In 2010, about 125,000 traffic-related accidents were reported throughout the country, which is still a slight improvement compared to the approximately 153,000 cases reported almost ten years ago. As such, legal battles for damage settlements are still fairly common and are, indeed, the reason why car accident lawyers exist.

One of the most pressing issues car accident lawyers handle involves determining the right amount of compensation a victim is entitled to. The matter can be complicated by the “fault policy” used by the victims' and drivers' respective insurance companies, since a no-fault policy means that a person can only rely on his or her insurance policy for compensation and nowhere else. An at-fault policy, on the other hand, means that the person's premium must be renewed once it's proven that he or she was at fault in the accident.


Some aspects of Canadian law can also make matters more complicated, especially those that involve lending and borrowing vehicles. According to Financial Services Commission of Ontario, lending a vehicle also entails lending the insurance policy associated with it. In essence, if a woman who borrows her boyfriend's car gets into an accident, she'll be using the terms and conditions of her boyfriend's insurance policy and not hers.

Sunday 15 September 2013

On Legally Resolving Accidents in Canada

Accidents come from out of the blue, and nobody ever expects them. They can happen anywhere, at any time, and can take place swiftly. Accidents could also take on different forms, such as car collisions or even simply slipping on the floor. Not everyone is lucky to escape unscathed from such incidents.

While the random nature of accidents means that there may sometimes be no clear perpetrators, these misfortunes could also be the product of another person's ignorance or negligence. For instance, a driver's drunken stupor may be what caused his car to collide with another oncoming vehicle. Victims can then press charges against the negligent party, in accordance with Canadian law.


Most provinces in Canada observe the law of torts, and thus individuals can be charged for causing damages due to negligence. A plaintiff must prove that the defendant is indeed liable for damages by producing as much proof as needed. Proof that an accident occurred can be procured from eyewitness accounts, the scene of the accident, and even from the very injuries sustained by the plaintiff. Accidents might be random, unforeseen occurrences, but anyone who can be held reasonably liable for causing an accident will accordingly face litigation.

Thursday 12 September 2013

Finding Personal Injury Lawyers

Accidents can happen at anytime in many unexpected ways, but the most traumatic ones often involve vehicular mishaps. The resulting physical, emotional, and financial may be too much for any victim to handle. If you find yourself in such a situation, particularly if the accident was due to the negligence of another party, it would be best to seek legal representation.

Among other reasons, you need someone who can face insurance representatives or claims adjusters on more equal footing. Otherwise, you just might get shortchanged. An experienced personal injury lawyer would certainly be in a better position to handle the insurance negotiations.

However, how do you find the right personal injury lawyer to protect your interests? There are many ways to do it, but the best way to narrow down your search is to find a lawyer whose practice revolves around issues that concern your particular case. Otherwise, you might not get the compensation you deserve for the injuries you've sustained.

Taking all things into consideration, however, the most important thing is to find a lawyer with whom you can establish the necessary rapport. Good communication is crucial, so find a competent and service-oriented lawyer who will see things through to the very end.


Monday 9 September 2013

Dealing with a Car Accident

The vibrant city of Toronto has an estimated 1.4 million highly skilled and multilingual workforce. Busy streets like Bayview Ave. and Leslie St. consequently get congested during the morning rush hour. To stay “productive”, some employees are tempted to check and answer their work e-mails on their smartphones while driving. Unfortunately, distracted drivers are highly likely to figure in accidents.

If you suffer injuries in an accident that was clearly the fault of a distracted driver, you have the right to receive “damages” for your medical expenses, lost wages, and future physical therapy expenses (if any). Under Canadian law, this is referred to as a “tort claim.”You can put forward a claim for accident benefits, which will be paid by the motor vehicle insurer of the person who caused the accident.


Keep in mind, though, that some insurance companies will try their best to convince you to agree to damages that are far less than what you are entitled to. Some insurers will even try to dispute the fact that the defendant caused the accident and instead pin the blame on you. To avoid these traps, it's best to seek the help of a personal injury lawyer who will negotiate with the insurance company and ensure that you receive a fair compensation amount.

Friday 6 September 2013

The Fight for Disability Rights in Canada

As with most other people with disabilities around the world, disabled persons in Canada had to go through a lot of difficulties over the past centuries. They were offered little opportunity for gainful employment and quality education, and to be productive members of society. They also had to contend with a lack of mobility, and discrimination from a misunderstanding public.

In the 1970s, the Canadian government finally enacted some laws protecting the disabled and recognizing their rights. The Canadian Human Rights Act, which was passed in 1977, declared that all Canadians, regardless of sex, race, nationality, and disability, had equal rights under the law. While this served to recognize the rights of the disabled, it did not contain specific laws and guidelines addressing the unique concerns of persons with disabilities.


Several key developments took place after this, highlighting the need for better disability laws. These included the creation of the Coalition of Provincial Organizations of the Handicapped, which served as the voice for the country's disabled; and the declaration of 1981 as the Year of the Disabled. In recognition of that year, the Canadian government commissioned a Special Committee on the Disabled and Handicapped to conduct a study on the needs of persons with disabilities. The Committee produced the Obstacles Report, which highlighted the challenges facing the disabled, and presented 130 recommended policies to address these challenges.