What is a Claim?
A claim is a legal action concerning physical or mental harm suffered by the plaintiff due to the defendant’s negligence. In the case of insurance claims, it is a request made by the insured to the insurance company for coverage and compensation for damage or injury. A claim is sometimes also referred to as a Cause of Action.
Cornell Law School’s Legal Information Institute defines a claim as, “a set of operative facts creating a right enforceable in court.” Making a claim is how the process of a plaintiff filing a lawsuit and eventually receiving damages from a defendant begins. A claim must be present in order for a lawsuit to go forward. If one is not present in a specific instance, then that lawsuit will be dismissed. Examples of types of claims include claims to insurance companies, personal injury claims in cases of negligence, claims on breaches of contract, property claims, and employment claims such as unpaid wages, wrongful termination, or discrimination. A defendant may make a counterclaim against the claim of a plaintiff.
Claims can sometimes be dismissed even if there is an intent to file a lawsuit. Rulings in cases such as Ashcroft v. IQBAL and Bell Atlantic v. Twombly have determined that claims need to contain important information. They must be plausible on their own and establish a likelihood of liability. This is how claims can lead to fair compensation, resolution of disputes, and protection of rights.
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What is the Coming and Going Rule in Workers’ Comp?
Workers’ Comp Coming and Going Rule: How it Affects Your Claim
Workers’ compensation is insurance that provides financial aid to employees to cover the medical expenses and lost wages due to work-related illnesses, diseases, and injuries. The Pennsylvania Workmen’s (Workers’) Compensation Act was enacted in 1915 and is mandatory for most employers across the state. The insurance is meant to benefit both the employee and the employer, protecting the employee in cases of illness and injury on the job, and the employer from being sued for such cases. Compensation is roughly 66% of the employee’s average weekly wage.
There is an exception, however, to workers’ comp. It’s called the Going and Coming Rule.
What is the Going and Coming Rule?
According to DMV.ORG, the Going and Coming Rule is when an employee gets into an accident and/or is injured commuting either to or from work. […]
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Pennsylvania Bicycle Safety Laws
Pennsylvania Bicycle Laws: Everything You Should Know
Over the years, one of the biggest threats to public safety is road accidents. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) secretary, one life lost is one too many, and the organization is working towards zero deaths.
Sadly, however, the number of traffic accident fatalities remains startling. Though there was a record low of 1,059 deaths in 2019, the number rose to 1,129. Among the most vulnerable to such crashes are cyclists.
Though there was a decrease in bicyclist injuries from 1,003 in 2019 to 799 in 2020, the number of fatalities rose from 16 to 22. For the lucky ones, they walk away from such incidents with minor injuries. But for some, it’s not the case.
Due to the evident disadvantage cyclists have, a bicycle crash with a vehicle can result in severe injuries. […]
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Does Workers’ Compensation Cover Seasonal Workers?
Does Workers’ Compensation Cover Seasonal Workers?
Businesses supplement their staff in peak seasons like summertime and winter holidays by hiring seasonal employees. As the workforce grows, coverage requirements evolve, including workers’ comp seasonal employees’ demands.
The Pennsylvania Minimum Wage Act doesn’t give a clear distinction between full-time, part-time, seasonal, and temporary employees. Some employers provide more benefits to full-time staff than other workers.
So, what happens if you are a short-term employee and you sustain a work-related injury or illness? This post explains how the Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Act protects seasonal workers.
Workers’ Compensation Coverage for Seasonal Employees
Pennsylvania worker’s compensation covers nearly all workers, including part-time, temporary, and seasonal employees. Employers like corporations, nonprofits, unincorporated businesses, and even entities with just one employee must provide workers’ compensation coverage.
However, you may not be eligible for workers’ […]
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Expert Witnesses in Medical Malpractice Cases
What Does an Expert Witness Do in a Medical Malpractice Case?
While each medical injury is different, all medical malpractice lawsuits require expert witnesses. Experienced medical malpractice lawyers, like our award-winning team at Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys, know when and how to use a good expert witness. If you are planning on filing a claim in a Pennsylvania court, then make sure you understand these points about experts.
Why Do I Need an Expert Witness in My Medical Malpractice Claim?
There are several reasons why medical malpractice plaintiffs need expert witnesses.
The Certificate of Merit
First, in Pennsylvania, all med mal plaintiffs must file a “Certificate of Merit.” The purpose of this document is to protect doctors and other medical practitioners from frivolous lawsuits. […]
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What to Do After a Car Accident
After a car crash, you need to know what to do
The nation’s leading accident lawyers explain what steps you should take after a collision
There are 6 million roadside collisions in the United States every year. However, despite the fact that we hear about car and truck accidents every day, we never think it will be us. As a result, many drivers and pedestrians find themselves unprepared when they suffer a crash. How accident victims react in the seconds, minutes, hours, days, and weeks after their crash creates lasting effects. Doing the right thing or the wrong thing can majorly impact whether and how much you can recover for your injuries. As such, our experienced car and truck crash lawyers explain exactly what to do after a roadside collision.
If you’d like to discuss the specifics of how to handle your accident case, […]
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