Friday, October 30, 2015

13 Fun Facts About Halloween

Halloween weekend is almost here! Children are excitedly picking out their costumes, eagerly awaiting the big night when they can finally go trick-or-treating. Halloween is always fun for both children and adults alike; in honor of the upcoming holiday, McDuffey Law Firm is here to help you get in a 'spooky' mood with these fun trivia facts about Halloween. You might be surprised by what you learn!

Fun Facts About Halloween

1.  The first Jack O'Lanterns were actually carved from turnips, not pumpkins.

2.  Owls are associated with Halloween because in Medieval Europe, people believed that hearing an owl's call meant you would soon perish.

3.  Trick-or-treating evolved from the ancient Celtic tradition of placing food and other treats on the doorstep to placate wandering spirits and ghouls.

4.  Jack O'Lanterns and candles were originally lit on All Hallow's Eve to ward off ghosts and spirits.

5.  The largest pumpkin ever recorded weighed 836 pounds.

6.  Witches' Night, Snap-Apple Night, Summer's End, Samhaim, Lamswool, and All Hallow's Eve have all been used as alternative names for Halloween.

7.  Ireland is generally heralded as the birthplace of Halloween.

8.  Famous magician Harry Houdini died on Halloween night in 1926.

9.  Americans spend about 2 billion dollars on Halloween candy every year.

10.  Wearing costumes on Halloween originated from the Celtic tradition of dressing up as ghouls and demons on All Hallow's Eve. The Celts believed that by disguising themselves, they would be safe from the real ghouls and demons that wandered the streets that night.

11.  Boston, Massachusetts holds the title for most Jack O'Lanterns lit at once - totaling 30,128 pumpkins!

12.  The fear of Halloween is called "samhainophobia."

13.  Halloween is the second highest grossing holiday in the States (right after Christmas).

Happy Halloween from McDuffey Law Firm!

The entire team at our Lake of the Ozarks personal injury law firm would like to wish a happy and safe Halloween weekend for you and your family! If you ever find yourself in need of legal assistance, we hope you'll think of McDuffey Law Firm. We have successfully represented clients facing a wide variety of personal injury challenges, including medical malpractice, wrongful death, and workers' comp. If you are in need of a personal injury attorney in central Missouri, contact us to schedule a free consultation!


McDuffey Law Firm, LLC
www.McDuffeyLaw.com
Ph. (573) 302-7211
Fax. (573) 302-7215

5754 Parkside Village Ct.,
P.O. Box 368
Osage Beach, Mo 65065
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Wednesday, October 21, 2015

3 Things You Didn't Know About The Statute Of Limitations

The Statute Of Limitations is a legal rule designating a specific time limit for plaintiffs to file their cases. If they wait until after the Statute of Limitations has expired, it doesn't matter how strong their cases are - they will be considered invalid in the eyes of the law. The Statute of Limitations varies by each state, so it's important to understand how the local laws the apply to your specific situation. McDuffey Law Firm is here to help you understand Missouri's Statute of Limitations and how it may impact your case.


Some Crimes Are Exempt From The Statute Of Limitations

The Statute of Limitations applies to most situations, but there are a few types of cases that are actually exempt - specifically, certain types of criminal cases. There is no Statute of Limitations for manslaughter, fraud, kidnapping, treason, or war crimes. Individuals who have committed these types of criminal acts can always be charged for their crimes.

The Clock Doesn't Start Running When The Accident Occurs

Contrary to popular belief, the time clock for the Statute of Limitations does not start running when the accident occurs. In fact, the clock will not start running until the point when the injury is (or should have been) discovered. This is known as the "Discovery Of Harm" rule. If the point of discovery is significantly delayed, the delay must have occurred under reasonable circumstances.

The Statute Of Limitations Is Different For Different Types Of Cases

The Statute of Limitations is not a one-size-fits-all ruling; your time limit will differ depending on the type of personal injury case at the Lake of the Ozarks you are navigating. The general Statute of Limitations for a Missouri personal injury claim is five years. However, the Statute of Limitations for medical malpractice cases and workers' compensation claims are both two years. Your personal injury attorney at the Lake of the Ozarks will be able to advise you on how the Statute will apply to your specific case.

McDuffey Law Firm May Be Able To Help With Your Personal Injury Case
If you think you may have the grounds for a personal injury case at the Lake of the Ozarks, contact our personal injury law firm in Osage Beach, MO. Our experienced and dedicated team would be honored to help guide you through the process, and we promise to fight for you to get the highest settlement possible. If you have questions about your case, contact McDuffey Law Firm to schedule your FREE consultation today.


McDuffey Law Firm, LLC
www.McDuffeyLaw.com
Ph. (573) 302-7211
Fax. (573) 302-7215

5754 Parkside Village Ct.,
P.O. Box 368
Osage Beach, Mo 65065
Find us On Google Maps

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Wednesday, October 14, 2015

Find Us On YouTube!

What if you could interact with your attorney twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week? What if you could get immediate answers to some of your biggest questions about personal injury law at the Lake of the Ozarks? What if you could get to know your attorney before you even schedule your initial consultation?

These may sound like lofty goals, but at McDuffey Law Firm, we meet them every single day. We owe our success to the strong YouTube presence we have established for our firm. For those of you that haven't visited McDuffey's YouTube channel yet, here is a quick preview at some of the great content that we have available to you.

Great Content At Your Fingertips

What Is The Value Of My Case?
Understanding the value of your personal injury case at the Lake of the Ozarks is crucial. Without this information, you can't know how best to navigate your case, or whether or not you should pursue it in the first place. This video helps to answer your questions about this challenging legal aspect.


Dealing With The Insurance Company
Car accidents, work-related injuries, medical malpractice... no matter what the cause of your injury, you can almost guarantee you will have to deal with one (or multiple) insurance companies in order to get the financial compensation you deserve. We are here to take this weight off of your shoulders!



How Much Does It Cost To Hire An Attorney?
It's no secret that financial unknowns are often a big concern for anyone facing a personal injury lawsuit in central Missouri. With steep medical bills and lost wages, many of our clients are extremely hesitant to take on more costs, and for good reason. This video helps to alleviate some of these concerns by explaining our contingency-based payment structure.


There's So Much More!
This is only a small sampling of the resources available to you on our YouTube channel. We also have videos about workers' compensation, how to settle out of court, eliminating the stress of a claim, and more. We understand that your time is valuable, so we have made it a point to deliver all of this information in short, concise videos - they only average a minute in length (or less). 

Don't miss out on any of this valuable information! Subscribe to our channel today.

McDuffey Law Firm, LLC
www.McDuffeyLaw.com
Ph. (573) 302-7211
Fax. (573) 302-7215

5754 Parkside Village Ct.,
P.O. Box 368
Osage Beach, Mo 65065
Find us On Google Maps

Like us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter
Connect with Tim on LinkedIn
Add us on Google+

Thursday, October 8, 2015

You've Just Been In A Car Accident. Now What?

It doesn't matter if it's your first wreck or your fifth - car accidents at the Lake of the Ozarks are always stressful. Regardless of who was responsible for the accident, you must now face hassles with your insurance company, expensive repairs for your car, potentially expensive medical bills for your injuries, and possibly even the death of your loved ones.

In the moments immediately following a crash, most people's minds go blank. They become stressed and overwhelmed, unsure of how to proceed. The team at McDuffey Law Firm is here to help you overcome your stress and maintain your calm with these simple reminders.


Step 1: Get Out Of The Way Of Oncoming Traffic.
The very first thing you must do is assess the situation to determine if you are still in danger. If your vehicle(s) are still in the middle of the road, you should move them off to the side if at all possible. At the very least, you should get yourself and all passengers out of the car and off of the road. Do not leave the scene of the accident. If you leave, you could be charged with a hit-and-run.

Step 2: Call The Police
Once you have secured safety for yourself and those around you, it's time to call the police. Even if the accident was minor, it is important to get a law enforcement officer involved. They will file a police report, and you will be able to use that police report when filing insurance claims.

Step 3: Seek Medical Attention.
If you are need of medical attention, it is important that you seek the care you need as soon as possible. Medical doctors, chiropractors, massage therapists, and the emergency room are common places to seek help after car accidents, depending on the severity of your injuries. Your health should be your #1 priority; be proactive about getting a diagnosis and proper treatment.

Step 4: Open A Claim With Your Insurance Company.
It is important to get your insurance company involved as soon as you can. They need to know that you have been in an accident, and they need to know the truth about the accident and your injuries. Withholding or misrepresenting the truth about your accident can have serious consequences. However, if the other driver's insurance company calls you to ask for a statement (which they will), it is important to recognize that you are not legally required to give them a statement. You have the right to speak to an attorney first, should you choose to do so.

Step 5: Contact A Personal Injury Attorney.
If you have questions about the process or how to handle your communication with the insurance companies or the authorities, it is important to contact a Missouri personal injury attorney. At McDuffey Law Firm, we offer a free, no-risk consultation to all of our clients. If you have been injured in an accident, contact McDuffey Law Firm immediately to schedule your consultation.


McDuffey Law Firm, LLC
www.McDuffeyLaw.com
Ph. (573) 302-7211
Fax. (573) 302-7215

5754 Parkside Village Ct.,
P.O. Box 368
Osage Beach, Mo 65065
Find us On Google Maps

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Friday, October 2, 2015

Wait - Your Personal Injury Attorney Can Do THAT, Too?

When you hear the words "personal injury attorney," what do you think of? 

Most people think of getting the money they need to pay for their injuries. While your attorney certainly can help with this aspect of your personal injury case, his services do not have to be this limited. At our Lake of the Ozarks personal injury law firm, we make it a point to serve our clients in every way we can. This week, we thought we would share with you some of the other ways we can help to make your legal experience easier.


We Will Communicate With Your Insurance Company.

Insurance companies are often quick to take your money, but very slow to return it to you when you have to file a claim. Their processes and procedures are frequently complex, involved, and difficult to understand. The team at McDuffey Law Firm will take over the communication with your insurance company and handle all the necessary negotiations with them so that you don't have to.

We Will Provide You With A Free Consultation.

Choosing which personal injury attorney in central Missouri you want to represent you is a big decision. We believe that our clients should be able to make this choice without having to deal with any unnecessary financial pressures. Consequently, we offer all of our prospective clients with a free initial consultation to let them learn how we can help with their cases.

We Can Help You Determine How Much Your Case Is Worth.

Before you can build a solid personal injury case, you have to know how much your case is worth. This information is vital in order to determine how much to ask for - and possibly whether or not it is even worth filing a personal injury claim in the first place. With the experience of many years and hundreds of personal injury cases behind us, our team will be able to help you realistically value your case so you can know how to move forward.

We Can Help You Get Financial Compensation For More Than Just Medical Bills.

Being able to afford all of the medical bills is certainly a huge concern most injured people have to face, but it isn't the only one. Depending on the severity of the injuries, some people also must cope with lost wages from an inability to work (and potential difficulty supporting their families as a result). We can help you get financial compensation for all of these associated challenges, too - not only your for your medical bills.

McDuffey Law Firm Is Here To Help
Because they have suffered an injury in some way, we firmly believe that our clients should be able to dedicate all of their energy towards recovering. In addition to earning the best possible settlement that we can for our clients, we promise to do everything in our power to lighten the load our clients face during these difficult times. If you have questions or would like more information about how our personal injury law firm in central Missouri can help you with your personal injury case, visit our website at www.McDuffeyLaw.com or call us at 573-302-7211.


McDuffey Law Firm, LLC
www.McDuffeyLaw.com
Ph. (573) 302-7211
Fax. (573) 302-7215

5754 Parkside Village Ct.,
P.O. Box 368
Osage Beach, Mo 65065
Find us On Google Maps

Like us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter
Connect with Tim on LinkedIn
Add us on Google+