When you have been injured on the job call us BEFORE the problems start

Worker’s compensation exists in all states to protect workers who become hurt on the job or contact an illness as a result of their job. It is a state mandated insurance program and each state has their own laws and programs for it. A worker is covered and eligible for benefits as soon as they begin employment. Occupational illness and diseases are covered if job related as are work related deaths.

You have the right to compensation for lost wages and medical expenses regardless of who was at fault be it employer, employee, coworker, customer or third party. If the injury results in death the payment of benefits is to the surviving spouse and dependents and may continue for up to 450 weeks after the decedent’s death. The employer or its insurance carrier is obligated to pay up to $2,000 in funeral expenses and an immediate lump sum of $250 to the surviving spouse.

If you have been injured you should seek medical treatment as soon as possible. There is no deductible to be paid by the worker for any of the benefits received under workers compensation.

You should notify and report your injury as soon as possible to your employer or supervisor. It does not matter how insignificant you believe your injury to be - always report it. You should also provide a list of witnesses if the injury was due to a specific workplace accident. It should include the date, time, how the injury occurred and where the injury happened. Remember to keep copies of all documents for your records.

In some cases your workplace injuries can be moderate to severe and your doctor and you believe your health will not return to the condition it was prior to your injury, you may be entitled to a “permanent partial disability” award.

You are entitled to obtain an attorney regardless of the circumstances of your worker’s compensation claim. If you believe you are not receiving full compensation let us help you. Or if you would like to dispute an adverse decision made by your employer, your employer’s insurance company, or your state's workers' compensation division regarding your workers’ compensation claim give us a call.

If you suffered a workplace injury or contacted an illness on the job, contact a worker’s compensation attorney at Hopkins, Barvié & Hopkins, who can help you make sure you receive the benefits you need and will represent your interests.

Call us for a free initial consultation at 228.864.2200 or email us online via our website at www.hopkins-law.com. With more than 68 years of combined legal experience, our attorneys offer clients throughout Mississippi the representation they need.

To best meet the needs of our diverse client base, we speak Spanish. Los Abogados Hablan Espanol.

Or, email us, like us on Facebook or follow us on LinkedIn. Just click below.

                                                         

 

 

 

Have You Been Injured In A Car Accident?

Car accidents can happen anytime and anywhere even to the safest drivers. You cannot control what careless or distracted motorists will do but you can take control of your life after a car accident.

 

In Mississippi a written accident report must be filed with the police with 10 days if someone is hurt or the property damage exceeds $250. It is a misdemeanor if you fail to file this report and could lead to a suspended driver’s license and it is illegal to provide false information in the report. We have listed below 9 steps to take if you are involved in a car accident as we realize that this can be overwhelming.

 

9 steps to take if you are involved in a car accident:

1. Be prepared before it happens. Have your insurance information in your wallet and glove compartment. It is also a good idea to have pen and paper in the glove compartment.
2. Stay calm.
3. Make sure everyone is OK. If needed seek medical attention as quickly as possible.
4. Call the police to report the accident.
5. Call your insurance company and report the claim.
6. Exchange vital information with the other driver such as contact information and insurance information.
7. Take photos with your cell phone or if you have a camera, including the surrounding areas, traffic signs, lane markings and damages to the vehicles.
8. Do not admit guilt. Express compassion but do not admit any fault. Do not answer questions or make statements to the other driver.
9. Treat parking accidents the same as road accidents.
   

Our law firm has the necessary resources and experience to effectively assist you with your car accident. We will discuss your situation in detail and go over the various options that are available to you. We will work with insurance companies and other parties involved to make sure that all your needs are handled quickly and appropriately.

 

If you or a loved one has suffered a vehicle injury you need to hire an experienced auto accident attorney who can help make sure you receive the benefits you need. Our team at Hopkins, Barvié & Hopkins, P.L.L.C handles all types of motor vehicle accidents including motorcycle accidents, boating accident, truck accidents and auto accidents. With more than 68 years of combined legal experience, our attorneys offer clients throughout Mississippi the representation they need.

 

Contact us online or call 228-864-2200 to schedule your free initial consultation with an experienced auto accident lawyer.

 

To best meet the needs of our diverse client base, we speak Spanish. Los Abogados Hablan Espanol.

Or, email us, like us on Facebook or follow us on LinkedIn. Just click below.

Head, Neck and Back Injuries

Some of the most common personal injury cases are head, neck and back injuries. These cases can be difficult to prove and many insurance companies treat them with suspicion. They require attention to detail, medical knowledge and experience, which our attorneys at Hopkins, Barvie and Hopkins can provide for you. As your attorney we will fight to show how your injury has impacted your daily life and how it will impact your future.

There are a variety of types of head, neck or back injuries and some can be very serious and lead to permanent disability, mental impairment and in some cases death. You may not only be dealing with a severe injury, you may also be struggling with the financial and emotional aspects of recovering from the accident. If you or your family are coping with a head, neck or back injury you are entitled to rightful compensation.

Many head injuries result in a coma which is nightmare for both the individual and the family members who are uncertain what comes next. Neck injuries are difficult not just physically but also financially as may require frequent medical visits. Serious back injuries are among the most costly and disabling problems caused by motor vehicle accidents. Many of these accidents occur because of negligence, carelessness or indifference.

At Hopkins, Barvie and Hopkins, we know how terrifying a head, neck or back injury can be and how frustrating they can be too. If it is a serious injury you and your loved ones lives can be changed forever and other injuries can cause stress, suffering and turmoil too.

If you or a loved one has been a victim of a head, neck or back injury you should contact an experienced personal injury attorney at Hopkins, Barvié & Hopkins, P.L.L.C and we will evaluate your case at no cost or obligation.

Contact us online or call 228-864-2200 to schedule your free initial consultation with an experienced lawyer.

At Hopkins, Barvié & Hopkins, P.L.L.C., we defend your interests and protect your legal rights. With more than 66 years of combined legal experience, our attorneys offer our clients throughout Mississippi the representation they need.

To best meet the needs of our diverse client base, we speak Spanish. Los Abogados Hablan Espanol.

Or, email us, like us on Facebook or follow us on LinkedIn. Just click below.

Mississippi Social Security Disability Claims

At Hopkins, Barvié & Hopkins, P.L.L.C., we represent people who suffer from mental or physical disability, or any combination of the two. We will assist you with all the necessary forms and petitions to receive the benefits you need.

If you have worked long enough and have a medical condition that prevents or is expected to prevent you from working for at least 12 months or result in death Social Security pays disability benefits to you and certain members of your family. The work requirement is waived for applicants who can prove that they became disabled at or before the age of 22. If you have been disabled and are age 22 or younger you may be eligible for what is considered a “child’s” benefit.

In the state of Mississippi there are more than 7 percent of nearly two million residents that receive monthly disability benefits from the Social Security Administration. Every year more people apply for Social Security Disability benefits and many of these applicants receive a denial of their initial disability application.

In order to obtain the benefits you may be rightfully entitled to, you must undergo a disability appeal process. Request for Reconsideration is the first stage of the appeal process. If you are denied your reconsideration request then you must obtain a disability hearing before an Administrative Law Judge to receive disability benefits. In order to obtain the benefits you may be rightfully entitled to, you must undergo a disability appeal process. We can assist you with this process.

Hopkins, Barvié & Hopkins, P.L.L.C., focuses on representing individuals and their family members with their Mississippi Social Security Disability claims. We work with you in the preparation of your disability claim and help you gather the medical evidence necessary to support your claim for disability benefits. If your application for disability benefits is still denied, we help you navigate the complicated disability appeal process. We also ensure that the judge has and understands all the details he or she needs in order to make a fair and informed decision.

Contact us online or call 228-864-2200 to schedule your free initial consultation with an experienced lawyer.

To best meet the needs of our diverse client base, we speak Spanish. Los Abogados Hablan Espanol.

Or, email us, like us on Facebook or follow us on LinkedIn. Just click below.

                                 

Distracted Driving is a Growing Problem

Distracted driving is any activity that could divert the vehicle driver’s attention away from driving which can cause accidents and unfortunately, sometimes loss of life. A distraction while driving can be visual, manual or cognitive. A few examples are texting, reading, talking on the phone, eating, an uncaged or unharnessed pet and putting on makeup while you are driving. All distractions endanger the driver and compromise the safety of the passenger(s) and bystander(s) and those in other vehicles.

In the state of Mississippi there are currently three primary laws regarding distractions while driving. A primary law means that an officer can ticket the driver for the offense without any other traffic violation taking place. The three laws are as follows:

1. Ban on all cell phones use (handheld and hands-free) for bus drivers
2. Ban on texting for bus drivers.
3. Ban on texting for novice drivers. Mississippi defines novice drivers as drivers with a learner’s permit or provisional license.

Distracted driving is a growing problem and is responsible for many injuries and deaths that could otherwise be prevented. According to the website www.distraction.gov in 2012, alone 3,328 were killed in distracted driving crashes. An estimated 421,000 people were injured in motor vehicle crashes involving a distracted driver; this was a nine percent increase from the estimated 387,000 people injured in 2011.

We urge you to educate yourself on the dangers of distracted driving. To practice safe driving habits and to speak out if the driver in your vehicle is distracted. The life you save could be yours.

If you or a loved one has been a victim of a distracted driver you should contact an experienced personal injury attorney at Hopkins, Barvié & Hopkins, P.L.L.C and we will evaluate your case at no cost or obligation.

Contact us online or call 228-864-2200 to schedule your free initial consultation with an experienced lawyer.

At Hopkins, Barvié & Hopkins, P.L.L.C., we defend your interests and protect your legal rights. With more than 66 years of combined legal experience, our attorneys offer our clients throughout Mississippi the representation they need.

To best meet the needs of our diverse client base, we speak Spanish. Los Abogados Hablan Espanol.

Or, email us, like us on Facebook or follow us on LinkedIn. Just click below.

Construction and Industrial Accidents

There are many constructions sites along the Gulf Coast, which we are thankful for as they bring employment and economic growth for our community. In this month’s blog we want to discuss workers injuries, illnesses and fatalities on construction sites. 

First we wanted to share several statistics from 2012 with you:

• BLS (Bureau of Labor Services) reported 4,628 workers were killed on the job.
• OSHA reported that was an average of 89 a week or more than 12 deaths every day.
• OSHA stated that of these deaths in 2012, 19.3% were in construction.

The leading cause of workers deaths in construction were from falls, being struck by an object, electrocution and caught in/between. If these types of accidents were eliminated we would have saved 437 workers lives (OSHA). 

We find these figures alarming as we all have a right to a safe workplace that neither jeopardizes our health or safety. The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 is a law that requires employers to provide working conditions that are free of known dangers to their employees.  

Many construction accidents are the result of unsafe working conditions which are often due to negligence, forgoing standard safety procedures, violating OSHA regulations, not providing appropriate safety training or equipment, using substandard materials and cutting corners. These misconducts or negligence acts can results in workplace accidents. The risk of serious injury or death is higher when the neglect or misconduct of employers and others is involved. These incidents can result in mental stress, long term pain, disability, suffering, an inability to work, loss of wages, as well as the accrual of medical costs. 

If you have been injured in a construction accident it is essential that you get prompt medical attention. If you were injured on the job then you should be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits.  

If you or a loved one has been injured in a construction accident it is important that you understand your rights to any benefits and compensation owed to you under the law. Contact our lawyers at Hopkins, Barvié & Hopkins, P.L.L.C.  who have extensive experience in matters of construction workplace liability and focus on representing individuals and their family members to get compensation. Contact us and we will evaluate your case at no cost or obligation. With more than 66 years of combined legal experience, our attorneys offer clients throughout Mississippi the representation they need. 

Contact us online or call 228-864-2200 to schedule your free legal consultation with an experienced lawyer.

To best meet the needs of our diverse client base, we speak Spanish. Los Abogados Hablan Espanol.

Or, email us, like us on Facebook or follow us on LinkedIn. Just click below.

Distracted Driving

Did you know that text messaging while driving makes a crash up to 23 times more likely? That is what the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration has reported. It is the number one driving distraction reported by teen drivers.

Yet each year thousands of people die due to texting while driving. Many drivers assume they can handle texting while driving and remain safe. As they say numbers do not lie and the following are some we would like to share with you:

1.     1,6000,000 accidents per year - National Safety Council

2.     330,000 injuries per year - Harvard Center for Risk Analysis Study

3.     11 teen deaths EVERY DAY - Insurance Institute for Highway Safety Fatality Facts

4.     The same as driving after 4 beers - National Highway Transportation Safety Administration

5.     The same as driving blind for 5 (five) seconds at a time - VA. Technical Transportation Institute

6.     Slows your brake reaction speed by 18% - HumanFactors & Ergonomics Society

There is no such thing as safe driving and texting. Texting requires visual, manual and cognitive attention from the driver and is the most alarming distraction.

Keep in mind that Distracted Driving is any activity that could divert the vehicle driver’s attention away from driving. Distractions endanger the driver, passenger(s) and bystander(s) safety.

We urge you to educate yourself on the dangers of distracted driving. To practice safe driving habits, to drive phone-free and to speak out if the driver in your vehicle is distracted. The life you save could be yours.

Hopkins, Barvié & Hopkins, P.L.L.C., focuses on representing individuals and their family members in personal injury and wrongful death cases, such as those often involved in auto accidents. Contact us and we will evaluate your case at no cost or obligation. With more than 66 years of combined legal experience, our attorneys offer clients throughout Mississippi the representation they need.

Contact us online or call 228-864-2200 to schedule your free initial consultation with an experienced lawyer.

To best meet the needs of our diverse client base, we speak Spanish. Los Abogados Hablan Espanol.

Or, email us, like us on Facebook or follow us on LinkedIn. Just click below.