Gulfport Personal Injury And Family Law Blog

Who is liable for autonomous motor vehicle accidents?

On behalf of The King Law Firm, PLLC posted in motor vehicle accidents on Monday, August 12, 2019.

Driverless technology is new, and development to improve it is ongoing. Laws regulating liability regarding motor vehicle accidents involving driverless cars are also evolving. It is therefore not surprising that many questions are asked about damage recovery after crashes in Gulfport and across Mississippi in which autonomous vehicles are deemed at fault.

Even while these vehicles are still being tested, injuries and fatalities have been attributed to them. Authorities have passed regulations that make it possible for the computers of driverless cars to be blamed for collisions. It opens up the potential for lawsuits in which not just the owner of the vehicle, but the manufacturer, component designer, software designer and retailer could be named as defendants in a civil lawsuit instead of a typical auto accident case in which a driver is accused of negligence.

Fatal attacks involve which dog breeds the most?

On behalf of The King Law Firm, PLLC on Thursday, August 8, 2019.

Dogs are wonderful companions for their families. Unfortunately, that doesn't always mean that they will share that friendliness with other people. A dog could attack a person for numerous reasons, even when it hasn't shown any past aggression. Certain dog breeds are more likely to attack than other breeds and far too many of these attacks prove fatal.

In fairness, the reason some breeds are more likely to cause a fatality may be due to their size and strength, but it is still important knowledge to have whether you've been the victim of a dog bite here in Mississippi or if you are someone considering adding a new dog to your family. A study released late last year showed which breeds are involved in the most fatal dog bite attacks.

Personal injury claims can follow harm done by defective products

On behalf of The King Law Firm, PLLC posted in Personal Injury on Tuesday, July 30, 2019.

Many consumers in Mississippi have to deal with the consequences of dangerous, defective or malfunctioning products. However, they might not be aware that even perfectly functioning products can cause injuries for which the manufacturer might be responsible. General legal principles state that inadequate warnings or instructions on a product could render it defective if it causes personal injury.

The legal obligations of any manufacturer are two-fold. One is the requirement to provide a warning on the product if it has any hidden dangers. The second duty is to include instructions to inform consumers on how to avoid dangers and safely use the product. If adequate instructions and warning are omitted, the court might find that the product was not reasonably safe.

How will workers' compensation help you cope financially?

On behalf of The King Law Firm, PLLC posted in workers' compensation on Tuesday, July 16, 2019.

Workers in Mississippi who have to cope with the financial consequences of on-the-job workplace injuries will likely feel anxious. Their abilities to care for their families in such challenging circumstances might be jeopardized. Along with mounting medical bills, temporary disabilities can cause income loss, which can exacerbate the impact on the financial stability of victims. Fortunately, the state-regulated workers' compensation insurance program typically has the backs of injured workers.

Many workers have no experience in dealing with workers' compensation because they have never before suffered occupational injuries. Those who are not familiar with the program might have questions about the benefits to which they are eligible. Although the relevant laws might differ from one state to the next, the primary benefits are similar. They all pay for medical expenses, including doctors' bills, physical therapy, hospitalization and even travel expenses to and from doctor's appointments.

Life-changing personal injury can follow medical malpractice

On behalf of The King Law Firm, PLLC posted in Personal Injury on Tuesday, July 2, 2019.

Anyone in Mississippi who came out of the hospital in poorer health than when he or she was admitted might have questions about available legal options. Suffering personal injury and needing costly medical treatment as the result of medical negligence is unacceptable. However, what constitutes medical malpractice? It is defined as medical negligence, which is an act or omission (failure to act) by a medical professional that deviates from the accepted medical standard of care.

The health care profession recognizes a certain standard of medical care as reasonable, and patients have the right to receive that standard of care. In a medical malpractice lawsuit, it is important for the plaintiff to show that negligent acts or the failure to act were in violation of the standard of medical care. In addition, the court requires proof that the plaintiff's injuries would not have occurred had there not been negligent care or actions. A case of an unsatisfactory outcome without evidence of negligence will not be grounds for a lawsuit.

Family law: Steps to protect a small business in divorce

On behalf of The King Law Firm, PLLC posted in family law on Tuesday, June 18, 2019.

Ending a marriage will always be a challenging and often traumatizing process. Dealing with a divorce and other family law matters can be even more daunting when the fate of a small business is at stake. Mississippi is an equitable distribution state when it comes to property division, with the general rule that the spouses must divide their assets in a fair though not necessarily equal manner.

The first steps in protecting a small business are to gather all the relevant business records and documents. These include agreements, financial reports, accounting records and bank statements of the company. A current, fair valuation of the business will also be required.

You might be sharing a Mississippi roadway with a drunk driver

On behalf of The King Law Firm, PLLC posted in motor vehicle accidents on Monday, June 17, 2019.

Driving in Mississippi or any other state is a lot more dangerous than it used to be. Whether you're an occasional driver or daily commuter, you've likely noticed more cars on the road today that typically travel at much greater speeds than they used to due to increased legal speed limits on many highways. Safely arriving to your driving destination can be quite challenging. Certain issues increase your risk for personal injury when you travel by motor vehicle, whether you're the driver or passenger.

One of the greatest menaces to Mississippi travelers (pedestrians included) is the driver who is operating his or her vehicle under the influence of alcohol. It's no secret that drunk driving kills thousands of people every year. As a licensed Mississippi driver, you're legally obligated to make responsible choices regarding alcohol and operation of a motor vehicle; however, it's also a good idea to know where to seek support if a drunk driver hits you, resulting in injury.

Distracted driving is an expensive choice

On behalf of The King Law Firm, PLLC posted in motor vehicle accidents on Monday, June 10, 2019.

When a person is distracted for any reason, he or she is significantly more likely to be involved in a car accident. Most of the time, distraction is the result of looking at a phone, texting or even scrolling through Facebook, but there are many other things that can occupy a driver's attention. Looking at billboards, adjusting the GPS, talking to a passenger and even eating can all be distracting.

You know that distraction is one of the leading causes of accidents in Mississippi and across the country. Most people are aware of how dangerous it can be, yet it remains a growing safety concern. Insurance rates for distracted driving are higher than ever because of the frequency of accidents caused by this negligent behavior.

Grandparents take on important caregiving role in opioid crisis

On behalf of The King Law Firm, PLLC posted in child custody on Friday, May 31, 2019.

Most of the time, grandparents have a very special place in the lives and hearts of their grandchildren. They give love and gifts to the grandchildren, and support and free childcare to their grandchildren’s parents.

But increasingly, grandparents are playing a larger practical role in the lives of their grandchildren, and the reasons why are sometimes tragic. Recent research suggests that in states with higher rates of opioid use and addiction, there were correspondingly high rates of grandparents raising their grandchildren. Unfortunately, Mississippi is near the top of the list.

What to do if your teen is involved in a car crash

On behalf of The King Law Firm, PLLC on Thursday, May 30, 2019.

It’s one of the most common nightmare scenarios for parents of teenagers: you get a call, informing you that your teen has just been involved in a car collision. Your first thoughts will be for your child’s well-being. Soon thereafter, you may start to think about the various implications of insurance and liability.

If your child has recently been involved in a car crash, or if you want to be prepared for a future instance, it is crucial that you know the proper steps to take. Having the right knowledge may improve your chances of receiving recompense for your child’s injury, avoiding huge increases in your insurance payments, and successfully defending any claims leveled against you and your child.