Tobler Law Blog

Thankful for Attorneys

The Tobler Team — Sat, 27 Nov 2010 15:00:43 +0000

I’m thankful that there are attorneys who are willing to investigate and take the time to listen to concerns regarding medical negligence. So many times I get phone calls from individuals who feel they have been affected by some form of medical negligence. Many times they are left without their loved one. To make matters worse, they are also left angry and confused about the medical treatment their family member received.

What is Medical Negligence?

Medical negligence is when a patient is not treated with the proper amount of care, resulting in an injury or death; medical negligence can be committed by the physician or any of the relating staff members.

Paralegal Maribel

Thankful for Honesty in the Workplace

The Tobler Team — Fri, 26 Nov 2010 15:00:56 +0000

As time goes by, I am growing increasingly thankful for honesty in the workplace. In a world where dishonesty and fraudulent behavior has become nothing short of epidemic, it is becoming ever more difficult to remain honest, especially in business. Therefore, I am grateful to know that there are countless men and women everywhere who choose each day to maintain personal integrity by consistently making honest decisions. This year, I am particularly thankful to be working among such individuals whose values are rooted in honesty with others. It’s a refreshing reminder of the good that remains in the world to see coworkers let the principle of honesty dictate their decisions and to be among those who see honesty as a proper way of living, not merely a great policy.

Legal Assistant Ryan

Thankful for Doctors

The Tobler Team — Wed, 24 Nov 2010 15:00:42 +0000

Thanksgiving is a time to think of what you are thankful for. When thinking of what I am thankful for with regards to personal injury I would have to say it would be the opportunity for our clients to have great doctors to help them get better. The first and most important step for our clients is to get back to being healthy and happy after being injured.

Legal Assistant Frankie

Thankful for Seat Belts

The Tobler Team — Tue, 23 Nov 2010 16:59:03 +0000

I am thankful for the availability of front and side air bags. After working in the personal injury field for so many years, it is comforting knowing that my family and loved ones are kept much safer in the event of an unfortunate accident.

Wishing you and your family a Happy, Healthy, and Safe Holiday Season!

Paralegal Susan

Thankful

The Tobler Team — Tue, 23 Nov 2010 16:35:32 +0000

At this Holiday season I am thankful for the opportunity that I have to help people. Oftentimes we get so busy with our own lives that we don’t take the time to recognize those around us who could really use our help. I am thankful to have a job where I am given the opportunity each day to help lighten someone else’s burdens, even if it is just by letting them talk about their situation. I am reminded of one of my favorite hymns that says, “Have I done any good in the world today; have I helped anyone in need?” I know I have, have you? Happy Thanksgiving!

Legal Assistant Kirby

We’ll Fight For You.

Paralegal Maribel — Mon, 13 Sep 2010 23:49:56 +0000

In January, 2010, we were retained by a nice lady that was bitten by a large dog. Our client was 71 years old at the time of this incident. The attack caused very serious injuries. Including a left knee lateral medial meniscal tear.

Although retired, prior to this incident our client enjoyed an array of extra curricular activities. Our client was well-known in her circle of friends as a mentor. We had letters from several character witnesses expressing their appreciation of our client.

We prepared a demand package, which outlined all of the damages, provided all the records, bills, witness letters and photos of the damages. We were confident we would reach a good outcome. Unfortunately, the insurance carrier refused to offer a reasonable offer.

It is sad and discouraging when we provide all that is needed to substantiate a reasonable settlement but the insurance company refuses to be reasonable. Fortunately, Tobler & Associates, P.C., carefully evaluates these matters and if need be, will file a complaint against the liable party and litigate the matter. We have the resources and experience to move forward and be aggressive. Usually, these matters are settled thereafter through mediation or arbitration.

Many times these types of incidents can take a toll on a person’s quality of life. And it is not until these matters are resolved that many clients finally get closure and are able to move forward. It’s a good feeling to know that you played a major part in helping injured people settle their personal injury claim.

By Maribel D. Buford

Legal Assistant Rainy has a renewed empathy for our clients with knee injuries. She recently had surgery to repair a torn meniscus.

The Tobler Team — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 15:56:56 +0000

August 20, 2010

Tobler Law has the opportunity to get compensation for people with a wide variety of injuries…among these are many people with knee injuries. I gained some empathy for these clients after undergoing knee surgery a couple of weeks ago. My knee problems were the result of a sports injury that occurred while I was in high school several years ago. What started out as a broken tibia, led to a torn ACL and, most recently, a torn meniscus. After four surgeries, my knee is as good as new. However, I ignored the pain in my knee for several years before it was finally resolved.

Healthy knees are very important! Bones, cartilage, muscles, ligaments, and tendons all work together to make your knees work properly and any missing piece can lead to big problems. A knee injury can manifest itself in a number of ways. Acute knee injuries can cause pain and swelling with difficulty bending the knee and weight-bearing. If the swelling occurs immediately, it may suggest a ligament tear or fracture. If the swelling arises over a period of many hours, meniscal or cartilage injuries may be the cause.

Longer-term symptoms that point to knee problems will include pain and swelling in addition to other complaints. Inflammation in the joint may be caused by even minor activity. Swelling may be intermittent, brought on by activity, and may gradually resolve as the inflammation decreases.

Giving way, a feeling of instability of the knee, or popping or grinding in the knee is associated with cartilage or meniscus tears. “Locking” is the term used when the knee joint refuses to completely straighten, and this is almost always due to torn cartilage. In this situation, the torn piece of cartilage folds upon itself and doesn’t allow the knee to extend.

If you experience symptoms of knee injuries or knee pain, don’t hesitate to see a doctor…and be sure to limit your activities until you can get treatment or a diagnosis! Delaying treatment can lead to even more problems in the future. If your knee injury occurred at the fault of another party, contact the Tobler Law team and we can help you get the compensation you deserve.

Legal Assistant Rainy

MEDPAY: INSURANCE EVERONE SHOULD GET

Paralegal Voica — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 23:47:56 +0000

At Tobler Law, we encourage everyone to get Medical Payments insurance coverage. It is also called Medpay or PIP coverage, and it covers the medical bills of you and the passengers in your vehicle after a crash, regardless of who’s at fault.

MedPay is designed for “immediate and short-term care” and is generally used first of any available insurance. Even if you already have health insurance, MedPay is great to cover the gap created by deductibles and copays. Plus, MedPay covers everyone in the vehicle at the time of the accident, so your friends will have medical coverage even if they don’t have health insurance.

Your health care provider might want you to use MedPay first, if you were injured in an auto accident. If you use MedPay to cover medical expenses, tell the doctor or hospital your car insurance will pay for the treatment.

Your health insurer might deny coverage, until you have exhausted any MedPay benefits. MedPay generally covers reasonable and necessary expenses for medical, surgical, dental and chiropractic treatment. It also covers hospitalization, ambulance services, X-rays, nursing services, prosthetic devices and funeral services.

Insurance companies offer MedPay but most of them do not recommend it, because it is not a profit maker for them. Make sure you ask your insurance company to explain this type of coverage, how much you can get and also ask if they may subrogate.

Paralegal Voica

Bike Accidents – How to Be Safe and Avoid Injury

Attorney Maren — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 18:00:24 +0000

In our law office, especially at this time of year, we see many bicycle accidents. Children are biking to and from school again, and as the weather starts to get cooler, more individuals are biking recreationally.

I’d like to offer some suggestions on how to be safer and avoid injuries from a bike accident.

1) Wear a Helmet

The children might think it is lame, or you might think it messes up your hair, but this is an essential safety device to protect your head from injury.

2) Go the Same Direction as Traffic

Car drivers have a duty to look both ways and yield the right of way to pedestrians and bicycles before they enter onto a roadway. However, drivers don’t always do this. Often as drivers are waiting to make a right turn, they look only to the left, see a break in traffic, and go. Bicyclists coming from the right get hit and injured! So, if you are able to, ride in the same direction as traffic. If you can’t, be extra cautious of drivers exiting parking lots or side streets onto the main roadway.

3) Watch Out for Blind Corners on Bike Paths

In the suburbs of Phoenix, we have lots of master planned communities with fabulous bike and pedestrian paths. Sometimes, however, these paths cross a roadway. As you approach a roadway, stop and check for oncoming cars that may not be able to see you because of a house or wall that creates a blind corner.

4) Watch Out for Hazards in the Roadway

If you can, check out a bike route ahead of time for hidden hazards. If not, keep your eyes carefully on the road as you are riding. These hazards come in many forms. There might be missing pieces of sidewalk or roadway due to construction. There might be manholes, that aren’t flush with the surface. There might be a simple tree branch blocking the path. Even small changes in elevation can cause a bike with skinny tires to flip and leave its rider injured.

5) Use a Bike Light at Night

Bikers are smaller than cars. If you bike at night, be sure to use a light. Try wearing bright colors at night and during the day to be more visible.

6) Ride in a Group

Two bikers are more visible than one, and three bikers are more visible than two, etc.

If you are injured in a bike accident, contact the team at Tobler Law. We will be able to evaluate who or what is potentially at fault from a legal perspective. And we’ll help you get the compensation you need to fully recover – physically, financially and emotionally.

-Attorney Maren Hanson

THE DANGER OF DOG BITES

The Tobler Team — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 00:09:59 +0000

Dogs are wonderful. They provided faithful, loving companionship to the individuals and families that care for them. But even the best dogs can be dangerous because every dog has the potential to bite. In Maricopa County, Arizona last year, there were over 5,700 reported dog bites. For dogs, bites are a form of communication. A dog might bite out fear, out of pain, to defend her pups, to say “no” to too much pestering or for a variety of other reasons unknown to us.

Children are especially vulnerable to dog bites because they often do not know how to approach dogs other than face to face. And children’s precious faces are often height level with a dog’s dangerous teeth.

Top dog bite concerns are as follows:

1) Infection

Even minor bites can develop terrible infections. We’ve had clients end up in the ICU and out of work for months due to infection. You never know what is in a dog’s saliva, so wash the bite thoroughly and consult with a doctor about getting on antibiotics

2) Wounds that won’t heal

Dogs’ teeth can cause deep puncture wounds. These deep wounds sometimes have trouble healing. Many bite victims need to go to wound clinics to help the bite heal properly.

3) Nerve Damage

A common bite location is the hand, because people reach in with their hands to try to protect themselves or others from an angry dog. Damage to the nerves in the hand may seriously impact one’s use of it.

4) Disfigurement

Little children who are often bit on the face can suffer terrible scarring. Plastic surgeons may be able to perform scar revision surgery, but they often can’t remove the scar entirely.

5) Emotional trauma

Circumstances surrounding a dog bite can be very frightening and traumatic, especially for a young child. There are great counselors available to help dog bite victims work through their residual fears.

If you or a loved one has been the victim of a dog bite, call our law firm for more information. We can refer you to specialists to help with all of the above concerns. And we can help you obtain appropriate compensation from the insurance companies, so that you’ll be able to pay for your past and future medical care.

Attorney, Maren