McDuffey Law Firm LLC: November 2015

Wednesday, November 25, 2015

Origins Of Thanksgiving Holiday

Thanksgiving is here! All across the country, people are traveling to their friends and family members to celebrate another fun-filled holiday filled with incredible food and even better memories. How much do you know about the origins of our Thanksgiving celebrations? This week, the team at McDuffey Law Firm is here to offer a unique look at the early beginnings of this great holiday.

The First Thanksgiving

The Pilgrims first arrived in the New World in the autumn of 1920, full of hope for a new existence filled with religious freedom. Unfortunately, they were unprepared for the harsh New England winter; almost half of them did not survive. However, the local Wampanoag Indians helped the survivors to plant and reap a bountiful harvest the following year.

The first official Thanksgiving festival was held on December 13, 1621 as a way for the Pilgrims (along with the Indians) to celebrate and give thanks for their harvest. Squashes, chicken, rabbit, lobster, leeks, dried fruits, cabbage, carrots, radishes, eggs, hickory nuts, chestnuts, honey, goat cheese, and maple syrup are all believed to have been served at this momentous feast.

The Evolution Of Thanksgiving

Subsequent Thanksgiving celebrations were held by the Pilgrims and American citizens at several various occasions, such as the end of a long drought and the conclusion of the American Revolution. Individual states and colonies continued to hold their own Thanksgiving celebrations until 1871, when New York became the first state to adopt Thanksgiving as an official holiday.

In 1827, writer and editor Sara Josepha Hale (who authored "Mary Had a Little Lamb," among countless other things) began campaigning to have Thanksgiving established as a national holiday. She worked on this mission tirelessly until 1863, when President Abraham Lincoln finally declared Thanksgiving as a national holiday to be celebrated on the final Thursday of November.

In 1939, President Franklin D. Roosevelt moved Thanksgiving up by a full week in an attempt to prolong the holiday shopping season and spur the economy during the Great Depression. This switch was met by a great deal of opposition, however; Roosevelt eventually compromised by signing a bill designating Thanksgiving as the fourth Thursday of November.

Happy Thanksgiving From McDuffey Law Firm!

394 years after the Pilgrims celebrated the First Thanksgiving, this great American tradition is still going strong. On behalf of all of us at our personal injury law firm at the Lake of the Ozarks, we hope you have a great holiday with your family! Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at McDuffey Law Firm, LLC.

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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Friday, November 20, 2015

How Much Is Your Case Worth?

Let's cut to the chase: if you are considering hiring a personal injury attorney at the Lake of the Ozarks to help you with your case, you probably have a lot at stake financially. In addition to the physical and emotional turmoil they cause, personal injuries often bring with them steep medical bills, lost wages, and any number of other financial pressures. When we meet with prospective clients for their free personal injury consultation in Osage Beach, they all want to know one thing: what is their case worth?

Understanding The Value Of Your Case

The value of your Missouri personal injury claim will depend on several different factors. As a result, it is impossible to give a hard and fast value of any claim without first carefully evaluating several different factors. The team at McDuffey Law Firm, LLC has successfully negotiated thousands of claims, and we rely on the vast reserve of knowledge we have accumulated over the years to ensure that our clients' obtain the maximum recovery possible.

Here is a quick look at some of the different factors we consider when valuing our clients' claims:

Conduct Of The Defendant

When you file a lawsuit in an attempt to recover damages for an injury, you are acting as the plaintiff. The defendant is the person you are filing your claim against, such as the driver of the other vehicle, your employer, your physician, etc. When valuing your case, one of the things we will look at is the behavior of the defendant and how egregious his actions are. The worse the defendant's actions are, the more compensation you may be able to receive.

Our Clients' Injuries

Every injury is different, and every injury has different consequences. Depending on their severity, some injuries require much more extensive and expensive recovery processes than others. When valuing a case, we look closely at our client's specific situation and how expansive their damages truly are - how much time they are missing from work, whether or not they have had to pay for more childcare than usual, how expensive their medical bills are, etc.

Our Clients' Stories

We hold the third and final piece of the puzzle very close to our hearts. The last thing we look at when determining the value of our clients' cases is their unique, personal stories. Every client has a different life experience, and that matters. While we can't go back in time and undo what happened, we promise you that when you hire the McDuffey Law Firm, we will learn your story. You are going to get our best efforts until the case is resolved

McDuffey Law Firm - Your Trusted Personal Injury Allies

Our clients' financial security is always our #1 priority. If you are considering filing a personal injury claim at the Lake of the Ozarks, we encourage you to schedule your free consultation with our experienced personal injury lawyer in Osage Beach. As a contingency-based firm, you won't owe us a single penny for our services unless we win your case. We truly look forward to working with you!

Don't settle for less than you deserve. Contact McDuffey Law Firm today!

Thursday, November 12, 2015

7 Things Everyone Should Know About Workers' Compensation

In today's day and age, workplace safety is considered a top priority. Every worker has the right to a safe workplace environment, and employers who fail to hold their workplace OSHA's (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) strict standards may be subject to significant penalties and fines.

Despite these concentrated efforts to create safe workplace environments, however, work-related accidents still happen on an incredibly frequent basis. In these situations, most injured employees should have access to workers' compensation, a type of insurance that covers the medical bills, lost wages, and other financial challenges that result from an accident at work. Unfortunately, many injured workers find that access to workers' compensation is not granted automatically. In these situations, having a dedicated personal injury attorney on your side can be enormously beneficial.

Here are seven things everyone should know about workman's compensation.

#1. Workers' Compensation Coverage Is Not Automatic.

The vast majority of employers are required to purchase workers' compensation for their employees, but there are a few exceptions. Additionally, there are certain activities outside of your normal job description that may not qualify for workers' compensation coverage. Before you begin any new job, you should talk with your employer to make sure you fully understand what coverage you may (or may not) be able to receive in the event of an accident.

#2. Every Injury Should Be Reported.

If their injuries are minor or do not require immediate medical attention, employees sometimes choose not to report their accidents. However, we strongly encourage you to file an accident report for every injury - even if you do not intend to seek medical attention right away. If you end up needing medical help in the future, having detailed records of all of the preceding incidents may help your case.

#3. The Doctors And Hospital Staff Need To Know That You Were Injured At Work.

Often, the way the doctors fill out their paperwork can have a significant impact on the insurance coverage that will (or will not) be granted. In order for you to be eligible for workers' compensation, your doctor will have to check the box(es) that indicates you are being treated for a work-related injury. Be careful not to let this important detail slip through the cracks!

#4. Workers' Compensation May Be Granted Even If The Accident Was Your Fault.

Missouri is a no-fault workers' compensation state. This means that employers have a legal responsibility to create a safe environment for their employees - period. Even if you could technically be held liable for the accident, you may still be able to receive compensation for your injuries.

#5. Workers' Compensation May Not Be Granted If You Were Under The Influence.

The fact that you should never drink while on the clock should be common knowledge, but it still deserves mention. If you file a workers' compensation claim, some employers may require you to take a drug test. If the test reveals that you were under the influence of alcohol or other drugs at the time of your accident, you may be denied financial compensation.

#6. Your Case Must Be Filed Within The Statute Of Limitations.

The Statute of Limitations is a legal rule designating a specific time limit for plaintiffs to file their cases. The amount of time given varies by state and the type of personal injury case you are working with; in Missouri, the Statute of Limitations for workers' compensation claims is two years. If you wait longer than two years to file your claim, it may be considered invalid.

#7. A Preliminary Denial Does Not Mean You Won't Be Able To Get Compensation.

We believe that every injured worker deserves easy access to the financial compensation they need, but unfortunately, it doesn't always work out that way. Both employers and insurance companies will be out hundreds or thousands of dollars if your workers' compensation case gets approved, and as a result, they may deny your claim the first time. If your initial claim gets denied, we recommend that you seek representation from an experienced Missouri workers' compensation attorney. Your lawyer can help you navigate the appeals process so that you may be able to get the financial compensation that you deserve.

In Need Of A Workman's Comp Attorney? Contact McDuffey Law Firm!

If you are struggling with a workers' compensation claim, please don't hesitate to reach out for the representation you need. The team at McDuffey Law Firm focuses solely on personal injury cases in central Missouri, and we would be honored to help you fight for your rights.

Because we understand that financial considerations are a major concern for our clients facing challenging workers' comp situations, we operate entirely on a contingency fee basis - we won't charge you anything unless we win your case.

Don't settle for less than you deserve. Contact McDuffey Law Firm today!

Wednesday, November 4, 2015

What Sets Us Apart?

As a personal injury law firm at the Lake of the Ozarks, we play a special role in our clients' lives. We have the unique responsibility of helping relieve the incredible financial stress that often comes with personal injuries at the Lake of the Ozarks, and we don't take this responsibility lightly. We work tirelessly to ensure that our clients receive the financial compensation they need and deserve. Here are a few of the unique advantages we bring to the table when we represent our clients.

Undivided Attention

At McDuffey Law Firm, LLC, we do one thing - and we do it right. By exclusively representing injured people and their families, we are able to stay ahead of the industry curve. We founded our firm on the principle that our clients deserve access to the same level of legal representation as the major insurance companies they must face. Over the years we have fought all major insurance companies and we have a proven record of successful results. We never have (and never will) represent insurance companies.

Proven Results

Tim McDuffey, Attorney At Law

We fight for our clients, and we fight hard. Our hard work has garnered several successful settlements for our clients, including record-breaking verdicts for both a medical malpractice case and a case against Allstate Insurance for bad faith. We have also earned several multi-million-dollar settlements and hundreds of six-figure settlements. No case is too big or small; if you have suffered an injury at the Lake of the Ozarks, we would be honored to represent your case.

Success With All Types Of Personal Injury Cases

We focus exclusively on personal injury cases, but personal injury law encompasses a wide variety of different accidents and injuries. We have successfully represented our clients through all types of personal injury cases, including...

Auto Accidents
Workers' Compensation
Wrongful Death
Tractor Trailer Accidents
Motorcycle Accidents
Boating Accidents
Brain Injuries
Dangerous Premises
Defective Products
Hip Replacements
Medical Devices

No matter what type of injury or accident you may be experiencing, we hope you'll contact our personal injury attorney in Osage Beach MO for the representation you need.

McDuffey Law ~ The Best Personal Injury Firm In Central Missouri

We are proud to be recognized as one of the top personal injury firms in Midwest. While of course we never wish accidents or injuries on anyone, we promise to do everything we can to make the process easier for those in need of representation. Contact us today to schedule your free consultation.