Maryland Injury Lawyers Blog

Well, I just got back from another trip to St. Bernard Parish Louisiana. The people there are still struggling. Although some of the waters are now open for fishing, the charter boat operators do not have enough customers. I have heard first hand accounts of how there are not nearly as many shrimp as there once were for the Louisiana shrimpers and fishermen. As of Monday August 23, 2010 BP closed down their claims operations and those making claims are now required to file with the Gulf Coast Claims Facility. For more information about this new claims process and what damages are recoverable, please check out this video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5jCCHj0Uglk

Although Kenneth Feinberg has indicated that businesses that are not in close proximity to the Gulf do not have a valid claim, we continue to believe that businesses and inviduals that suffered losses as a result of the Gulf Oil Spill may indeed have a valid legal claim under the Oil Pollution Act, and therefore a claim should be submitted to the GCCF. The GCCF will be making emergency payments for up to 6 months. Then you must submit your final claim. Again, for more information about the process check out the video link above.

Friends-On Monday the claims process for the BP Oil Spill will be transferred to Ken Feinberg and the Gulf Coast Claims Facility (often referred to as "GCCF"). Information will apparently be available online at www.gulfcoastclaimsfacility.com. Just yesterday, he issued the claims Protocol for Emergency Claims which will, in some cases, make payments for up to 6 months in a lump sum. The deadline for making a claim for Emergency Relief (technically called "Emergency Advance Payments") Due to the Gulf Oil Spill is November 23, 2010. If your business or livelihood has been impacted by the Gulf Oil Spill call us at 888-213-8140.

Also, I want to note that there is an item of damages being recognized called loss of subsistence claims (technically called "Subsistence Use of Natural Resources." Feinberg says claims can be made by "Any individual who uses the natural resources that have been injured, destroyed, or lost as a result of the Spill to obtain food, shelter, clothing , medicine or other subsistence uses" This will make payments to individulas who relied on fish and seafood from the Gulf that they fished for themself to feed their families. Since the spill, if they were unable to feed their family from this self-caught fish, and had to spend money to buy food that they otherwise would not have had to spend to feed their family, then they can make a claim for "loss of susbsistence" and it seems that this claim will be honored by Ken Feinberg.

I am headed back to Louisiana to Tuesday to meet with several of our clients and to deal with some other issues relating to the Gulf Oil Spill.

Well, here is the protocol for Emergency Advance Payments:

Gulf Coast Claims Facility

Protocol for Emergency Advance Payments

August 23, 2010

I. PURPOSE

This Protocol sets forth the procedure for the submission and resolution by the Gulf Coast Claims Facility ("GCCF") of claims for Emergency Advance Payments by Individuals and Businesses for costs and damages incurred as a result of the oil discharges from the April 20, 2010 Deepwater Horizon incident ("the Spill").

A. Role

The United States Coast Guard ("USCG") has designated BP Exploration & Production, Inc. ("BP"), as a Responsible Party under the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 ("OPA") for oil discharges from the Deepwater Horizon facility. Under OPA, Responsible Parties must establish a claims process to receive certain claims by eligible claimants. USCG, without in any way relieving other Responsible Parties of liability, directed BP to maintain a single claims facility for all Responsible Parties to avoid confusion among potential claimants.

The GCCF is intended to replace BP's claims facility for individuals and businesses. The GCCF (and the protocols under which it operates) are structured to be compliant with OPA. A final claim may be presented to the GCCF at any time that the facility is receiving claims. Whether or not a claim has been presented shall be governed by OPA and applicable law. All open Individual and Business claims that have been filed with the BP Claims Process will be transferred to the GCCF. BP has also authorized the GCCF to process certain non-OPA claims involving personal injury. Submission of such claims shall be wholly voluntary and participation in the GCCF shall not affect any right that the claimant would have had absent such participation unless final resolution and settlement of the claim is achieved.

2. Approach

The following non-exclusive principles apply to the operation of the GCCF:

. The GCCF will evaluate all claims in a prompt and fair manner guided by applicable law.

. The establishment of the GCCF does not diminish any right of any individual or business that existed prior to the creation of the GCCF; claimants have all of the same rights with respect to their various claims that they had prior to the creation of the GCCF and shall not be forced to relinquish any rights for the opportunity to seek compensation through the GCCF.

. The GCCF claims process is structured to comply with OPA and apply the standards of OPA.

The GCCF is administered by Kenneth R. Feinberg ("the Claims Administrator"), a neutral fund administrator responsible for all decisions relating to the administration and processing of claims by the GCCF. This Protocol addresses only claims for Emergency Advance Payments; a subsequent Protocol will deal with all Final Claims. Under the Final Protocol, interim claims will be considered where appropriate.

II. ELIGIBILITY

Claimants who are experiencing hardship resulting from damages set forth below incurred due to the Spill may apply for an Emergency Advance Payment.

A. Removal and Clean Up Costs

1. Who may make a claim?

Any Individual or Business that incurred costs, as a result of the Spill for the removal of oil or to prevent, minimize, or mitigate oil pollution.

2. Required Proof

. The costs are for removal of oil discharged due to the Spill or that are to prevent, minimize or mitigate oil pollution from the Spill;

. The costs are reasonable and necessary; and

The actions taken to remove, prevent, minimize, or mitigate oil pollution were approved by the Federal On-Scene Coordinator or are otherwise proven to be consistent with the National Contingency Plan.

3. What information should the claimant submit?

. Information or documentation (e.g., bills) showing the costs incurred after the Spill for removal of oil discharged as a result of the Spill or incurred to prevent, minimize, or mitigate oil pollution from the Spill.

. Information or documentation explaining how the actions taken were necessary to prevent, minimize, or mitigate the effects of the Spill.

. Information or documentation showing that the actions taken were approved by the Federal On-Scene Coordinator or were consistent with the National Contingency Plan.

. Information or documentation explaining why the costs were reasonable.

B. Real or Personal Property

1. Who may make a claim?

Any Individual or Business that owns or leases real or personal property physically damaged or destroyed as a result of the Spill.

In order to avoid duplication of claims, an owner or lessee of the property must provide notice to all others with an ownership or lease interest in the property of the intent to file a claim. If duplicate claims are received, the GCCF will determine the appropriate claimant.

2. What information should the claimant submit?

. Information or documentation showing an ownership or leasehold interest in the property.

. Information or documentation showing the property was physically damaged or destroyed.

. Information or documentation showing the damages claimed were incurred as the result of the physical damage to or destruction of the property.

. Information or documentation showing the cost of repair or replacement of the property, or economic losses resulting from destruction of the property.

. Information or documentation showing the value of the property both before and after damage.

C. Lost Profits and Lost Earning Capacity

1. Who may make a claim?

An Individual or Business that incurred a loss in profits or earning capacity due to the injury, destruction, or loss of real property, personal property or natural resources as a result of the Spill. The individual or business need not be the owner of the injured property or resources to recover for lost profits or income.

2. What information should the claimant submit?

. Identification of injury, destruction, or loss to a specific property or natural resource.

. Information concerning Claimant's lost earnings or profits that were caused by the injury, destruction, or loss of specific property or natural resource as a result of the Spill (such as lost income by a fisherman whose fishing grounds have been closed or a hotel or rental property that has had decreased profits because beaches, swimming, or fishing areas have been affected by the oil from the Spill).

. Reduction of earnings or profits, or increase in expenses resulting from such damage.

. Amount of profits and earnings or expenses in comparable time periods.

. Income received from alternative employment or business during the period when the loss was suffered, and expenses incurred in generating the alternative income.

. Savings to overhead and other normal expenses not incurred as a result of the Spill.

D. Subsistence Use of Natural Resources

1. Who may make a claim?

Any Individual who uses the natural resources that have been injured, destroyed or lost as a result of the Spill to obtain food, shelter, clothing, medicine, or other subsistence uses.

2. What information should be submitted?

. Identification of the specific natural resources that have been injured, destroyed or lost as a result of the Spill for which compensation for loss of subsistence use is being claimed. The Claimant need not own the affected natural resource.

. Description of the actual subsistence use made of each specific natural resource.

. Description of how and to what extent the subsistence use was affected by the injury to or loss of each specific natural resource as a result of the Spill.

. Description of expenditures made to replace or substitute for the subsistence use.

E. Physical Injury /Death

1. Who may make a claim?

A claim may be made by an injured individual or the representative of a deceased individual for a physical injury or death proximately caused by the Spill or the explosion and fire associated with the Deepwater Horizon incident, or by the clean-up of the Spill.

Submitting a physical injury or death claim to the GCCF is entirely voluntary. However, unlike claims under the Oil Pollution Act, claims for physical injury and death cannot be submitted to the National Pollution Funds Center.

2. What information should be submitted?

. Medical records or death certificate demonstrating physical injury or death.

. Medical records reflecting diagnosis by a medical practitioner.

. Information concerning the cause of physical injury.

. Information concerning the circumstances of the physical injury and the location where the physical injury occurred.

. Information concerning any total or partial disability of the Claimant.

. Records showing expenditures for medical care not otherwise compensated.

. Proof of lost income, if the Claimant seeks compensation for such lost income.

F. Causation

The GCCF will only pay for harm or damage that is proximately caused by the Spill. The GCCF's causation determinations of OPA claims will be guided by OPA and federal law interpreting OPA and the proximate cause doctrine. Determinations of non-OPA claims will be guided by applicable law. The GCCF will take into account, among other things, geographic proximity, nature of industry, and dependence upon injured natural resources.

III. FILING FOR AN EMERGENCY ADVANCE PAYMENT

A. Equal Access and Fair Adjudications in the Claims Process

All potential claimants will be treated with respect, dignity, and fairness, without regard to race, color, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, gender, or disability. The GCCF shall strive to ensure that all claimants can equally access the GCCF process, and that claims will be adjudicated fairly. Individuals with disabilities will be able to effectively communicate their claims and problems to the GCCF. Individuals with language barriers will have meaningful access to the process and to the GCCF. Individuals with low literacy will have documents and forms explained to them plainly and in a simple manner they understand.

B. Claim Form

1. The Claimant will indicate on the Claim Form if the Claimant is applying for an Emergency Advance Payment.[1] Claimants will complete a Claim Form for an Individual or Business.

2. Claimants shall submit the documentation requested on the Claim Form for an Emergency Advance Payment or other similar information as is sufficient to substantiate the claim and for the GCCF to review and process the Claim.

C. Process for Filing a Claim for an Emergency Advance Payment

A Claim Form may be obtained and submitted in any one of the following ways:

1. Via the Internet - Claimants may submit a claim online by visiting the GCCF website: www.gulfcoastclaimsfacility.com. Claimants will be instructed to follow simple steps for completing a claim. Once completed, the claim will be automatically submitted to the GCCF Database, a printable confirmation notification will be generated and displayed immediately confirming submission and providing the Claim Number and a confirmation email will be sent to those Claimants who have provided email addresses. The Claim Number will be the claim identifier throughout the process. The Claim Form and Instructions will be available in English, Spanish, Vietnamese and Khmer.

2. By Visiting a GCCF Claims Site Office - Claimants may visit one of the 36 Claims Site Offices established to assist Claimants with the claims submission process to (1) seek information about filing a claim or to (2) submit a claim in person. Claimants may either walk in to one of the Claims Site Offices or may make an appointment by calling the toll-free telephone line. The locations of the Claims Site Offices are posted on the GCCF website, www.gulfcoastclaimsfacility.com. If a visitor requires an interpreter and an interpreter is not available on site, the Claims Evaluator will make arrangements to provide these services either via conference call or a scheduled return trip to the Claims Site Office. A Claims Evaluator will assist the Claimant in completing the Claim Form. The Claims Evaluator will print a copy of the Claim Form, the claimant will sign the Claim Form and the claim will be automatically submitted to the GCCF Database. A confirmation of the claim submission and Claim Identification Number will be provided by the Claims Evaluator. The Claim Form must be signed by the Claimant.

3. Via U.S. Postal Service - Claimants may call the toll free, dedicated telephone line to request that a Claim Form be mailed via U.S. Postal Service. The Claims Operator will ask the caller to provide basic information which the Claims Operator will enter into the on-line system. The system will automatically generate a unique, pre-populated and bar-coded Claim Form which will include the identifying information provided by the caller. The Claim Form will contain a Claim Identification Number which will be the Claim identifier through the course of the process. The coded Claim Form will be mailed via U.S. Postal Service to the Claimant. The Claim Form must be signed by the Claimant. The Claimant may return the completed form via:

. U.S. Postal Service:

Gulf Coast Claims Facility

P. O. Box XXX

Dublin, OH 43017-4958

. Overnight, Certified or Registered Mail:

Gulf Coast Claims Facility

5151 Blazer Parkway, Suite A

Dublin, OH 43017-4958

. Fax:

1 866 682-1772

. Email:

info@gccf-claims.com.

. The toll-free telephone lines are as follows:

. Toll Free Number: 1-800 916-4893

. Multilingual Telephone Line: 1-800 916-4893

. TTY Telephone Line: 1-866 682-1758

All submitted Claim Forms, regardless of the method of submission, will be automatically forwarded to the Central Processing Database and integrated into a comprehensive GCCF Database.

D. Appointment with a Claims Evaluator

The Claimant may request an appointment with a Claims Evaluator at the nearest Claims Site Office to answer or clarify issues regarding a claim for an Emergency Advance Payment. The Claims Evaluator will review the claim for completeness and eligibility and may contact the Claimant to request additional supporting documentation if necessary or if the Claims Evaluator has any questions about the information submitted with the Claim Form. Examples of information and documentation that support a claim are attached as Exhibit A.

E. Evaluation of Application for Emergency Advance Payment

1. Evaluation of an Emergency Advance Payment application will apply a less rigorous standard for required corroboration than evaluation of a claim for Final Payment. Documentation sufficient to establish the claim will be described in the Claim Form.

2. Each Emergency Advance Payment application will be evaluated preliminarily within 24 hours of receipt of the completed form and supporting documentation to determine whether an Emergency Advance Payment is appropriate based on the information submitted by the Claimant. Complex business claims submitted for an Emergency Advance Payment will be evaluated preliminarily within 7 days of receipt of the completed form and supporting documentation to determine whether an Emergency Advance Payment is appropriate based on the information submitted by the Claimant.

3. Upon a determination that the Claimant is eligible for an Emergency Advance Payment, a payment will be authorized within 24 hours.

F. Period for Application for Emergency Advance Payment

1. Emergency Advance Payment applications may be submitted on a monthly basis. Emergency Advance Payment applications for Lost Profits and Lost Earning Capacity, Loss of Subsistence Use of Natural Resources, or loss of income due to physical injury or death may be submitted either on a monthly basis or for six months of losses, at the option of the Claimant. Claimants seeking an Emergency Advance Payment on a six month basis must establish that they will incur loss for the six month period. To the extent possible, six month payments will be based on the seasonally adjusted lost income or lost profits, as applicable.

2. Emergency Advance Payment applications may be submitted during the period August 23 - November 23, 2010. After that date, applications for Emergency Advance Payments will no longer be accepted. Applications for Final Claims, and in appropriate circumstances applications for interim claims, will continue to be accepted pursuant to the Protocol for Final Claims.

G. Request or Receipt of Emergency Advance Payment Does Not Waive Any Rights

Claimants requesting an Emergency Advance Payment or receiving an Emergency Advance Payment will not be asked or required to sign a release or waive any rights to assert additional claims, to file an individual legal action, or to participate in other legal actions associated with the Spill.

H. Credit Against Final Payment

Any Emergency Advance Payment made to a Claimant will be deducted from any Final Payment of a Final Claim.

IV. REPORTING

The GCCF shall provide reports of non-personally identifiable information to state, local, and federal government officials and to BP to permit an evaluation of the claims process. The GCCF shall submit to interested parties, including BP, periodic reports regarding claims made and claims determinations.

V.PRIVACY

Information submitted by a Claimant to the GCCF will be used and disclosed for purposes of: (i) processing the Claimant's claim for compensation and any award resulting from that claim; (ii) legitimate business purposes associated with administering the GCCF, including the prevention of fraud and the determination of collateral source payments; and/or (iii) as otherwise required by law, regulation or judicial process.

VI.QUALITY CONTROL AND PROCEDURES TO PREVENT AND DETECT FRAUD

A. Review of claims

For the purpose of detecting and preventing the payment of fraudulent claims and for the purpose of accurate and appropriate payments to Claimants, the GCCF shall implement procedures to:

1. Verify and authenticate claims.

2. Analyze claim submissions to detect inconsistencies, irregularities, and duplication.

3. Ensure the quality control of claims review procedures.

B. Quality Control

1. The GCCF shall institute periodic quality control audits designed to evaluate the accuracy of submissions and the accuracy of payments.

2. The GCCF shall engage an independent outside accounting firm to perform an independent test of claims to ensure that the claims have been accurately processed.

C. False or Fraudulent Claims

Each Claimant will sign a form at the time of application, stating that he or she certifies that the information provided in the Claim Form is true and accurate to the best of his or her knowledge, and that he or she understands that false statements or claims made in connection with that application may result in fines, imprisonment, and/or any other remedy available by law, and that suspicious claims will be forwarded to federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies for possible investigation and prosecution. The GCCF shall refer all evidence of false or fraudulent claims to appropriate law enforcement authorities.

[1] A claim for an Emergency Advance Payment is an interim claim under OPA. To the extent that the claimant incurs additional compensable damages that are not reflected in the Emergency Advance Payment, receipt of an Emergency Advance Payment shall not preclude a claimant from seeking additional damages not reflected in the Emergency Advance Payment.

Goldberg, Finnegan & Mester represents baby with cerebral palsy and brain damage: settles case for $5.175 million

Goldberg, Finnegan & Mester, LLC partners Christian Mester and Jean Jones, R.N., J.D. resolved a case for $5,175,000 on behalf of a baby who suffered permanent brain damage and cerebral palsy when the health care providers mismanaged his mother's labor and delivery. The money (which is controlled by a trustee pursuant to applicable state law) going to the child allows the family to obtain much needed additional care and services for the child that will enable him to achieve optimal medical care. In this case, the mother's labor and delivery care was handled by certified nurse midwives at a hospital. Mr. Mester and Ms. Jones alleged that when the mother presented to the hospital for induction of labor, there was a lack of appropriate and timely interventions, including that the defendant health care providers inappropriately ignored warning signs on the fetal monitor tracings that the mother's uterus had become hyperstimulated (the contractions were coming too close together and lasting too long), and the baby was not compensating, as exhibited by persistent variable and late decelerations (reductions in the heart rate of the fetus below baseline), as well as episodes of prolonged decelerations, tachycardia and bradycardia. The lack of appropriate and timely interventions caused undue stress to the baby and eventually exhausted the fetal reserves. The health care providers could have avoided permanent neurological damage to the baby had they adhered to the standard of care and delivered the baby in a timely fashion - what this means is that had the health care providers not ignored these signs, the baby would have been born normal, with no injuries. Mr. Mester and Ms. Jones further alleged that the health care providers' failures to take proper measures led to the baby's hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy, which is brain damage due to lack of oxygen. The health care providers denied any improper treatment and further denied the allegations that any improper care caused or contributed to the baby's subsequent injuries.

These types of cases, sometimes referred to as delay in delivery cases or brain damaged baby cases, are some of the most complicated and expensive medical malpractice cases to handle and prosecute. They involve numerous medical specialties (obstetrics, midwifery, neonatology, nursing, pediatric neurology, pediatric neuro-radiology, pediatric infectious disease, and life care planning, to name a few), and the medicine at issue is likewise complex. Plaintiffs' firms routinely spend over $100,000 and usually double that amount to prosecute the case and take it through trial. Mr. Mester and Ms. Jones, who is a registered nurse attorney, have much experience in cases like these, having prosecuted such cases on a national basis (in states where they are not licensed, they would get specially moved in by attorneys in those states). Being able to assist a family whose life has been a struggle since birth with a monetary settlement such as this is extremely rewarding and it is something the Goldberg, Finnegan & Mester, LLC medical negligence lawyers take very seriously.

If you or a loved one has been injured at the hands of a health care provider, call Goldberg, Finnegan & Mester, LLC at 1-888-213-8140. When looking for any lawyer, make sure they are able to afford to prosecute the case fully and properly and that they have experience in the field of law in which you are calling. At Goldberg, Finnegan & Mester, LLC, we look forward to answering your questions and earning your trust.

We are happy to report that yesterday the Joint Panel For Multi-District Litigation ordered that the oil spill cases will be consolidated before Judge Barbier in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana pursuant to 28 USC Section 1407. The Court said "Upon careful consideration, however, we have settled upon the Eastern District of Louisiana as the most appropriate district for this litigation. Without discounting hte spill's effects on other states, if there is a geographic and psychological "center of gravity" in thisdocket, then the Eastern District of Louisiana is closest to it. Considering all applicable factors, we have asked Judge Carl J. Barbier to serve as transferee judge."

Apparently there will be another Conditional Transfer Order coming in the next few days that will address various other issues. The August 10, 2010 Order basically held that: (i) Cases go to New Orleans, (ii) Personal Injury cases and economic loss cases will be consolidated,(iii) the Oil Pollution Act cases (AKA OPA Claims) will be included in the MDL, and (iv) The Limitation Proceeding brought by Transocean in Texas will be included in the transfer order and will be moved to New Orleans for evaluation of whether it should be included in the centralized proceedings, and It should be noted that the BP Stock trading cases will go to Houston. The law firm of Finckbeinger & Robin is working in conjunction with Goldberg, Finnegan & Mester, LLC to represent victims of the Gulf Oil Spill Disaster. For more information see:

http://www.myfoxdc.com/dpp/news/silver-spring-lawyer-helping-gulf-fishermen-in-class-action-lawsuit-against-bp-070510

http://www.gazette.net/stories/06302010/silvnew184202_32568.php

http://www.bizjournals.com/washington/blog/2010/06/local_lawyer_helps_bp_victims.html

There was a $2.35 million dollar medical malpractice verdict against Shady Grove Hospital in Rockville, Maryland on Monday August 9, 2010. A 24 year old hispanic Silver Spring, Maryland lady was taken to Shady Grove by ambulance after having stomach pain. She had been to the hospital 2 days earlier with kidney stones. Doctors at Shady Grove were found by the jury to have violated the standard of care by misdiangnosing a kidney blockage and this lead to a terrible infection that spread throughout her body. As a result of the doctors failure to make a proper diagnosis, a septic infection went untreated for at least 12 hours and gangrene set in. Eventually, part of her leg and foot had to be amputated, and several of her fingertips fell off (this occurrence is called autoamputation). The Plaintiff's attorney Julia Arfaa siad that the jury "absolutely did the right thing. They listened to the evidence and they understood this case."

The Plaintiff had immigrated to the United States from El Salvador when she was 8, and worked as a maid when this incident occurred in 2006. About $190,000 of the verdict will go to pay the plaintiff's past medical expenses. We believe that many hispanics and other ethnic minorities who do not have health insurance often get medical care that is below the standard of care and that medical doctors often do not give them the time and attention that they are entitled to in the emergency room. If you or someone you love has been injured as a result of a medical mistake or a misdiagnosis, call us at 888-213-8140. We have attorneys who are also registered nurses to evaluate your case and there is no charge for an initial consultation.

A Baltimore City Jury awarded $34 Million Dollars to 20 restaurant workers who were exposed to carbon monoxide in 2008. As a result of the exposure, they suffered brain damage, personality changes and other damages. The carbon monoxide leak was discovered in February 2008 when the Baltimore City Fire Department received a call that restaurant workers were becoming sick. The Maryland jury trial lasted 13 weeks because the damages claims of all 20 plaintiffs had to be presented to the jury. The case was tried by Billy Murphy, Don Discepolo and other members of The Murphy Firm. If you or someone you love is exposed to Carbon Monoxide you should seek immediate medical attention.

CO poisoning occurs when carbon monoxide gas emits from burning oil, kerosene, wood or charcoal. When carbon monoxide is breathed in, it replaces hte oxygen in your blood which then causes the cells in your body to die and organs can stop working properly. You cannot see or smell carbon monoxide. Sources of carbon monoxide include cars, fireplaces, woodstoves, water heaters, ovens, and dryers. Symptoms of Carbon Monoxide poisoning include headaches, nausea and vomitting. After getting medical attention, it is a good idea to contact a lawyer so that a proper and prompt fact investigation can be done to determine what the cause of the carbon monoxide exposure was. If it is from an appliance, it is important to preserve the at fault appliance and trace its maintenance history. If you or someone you know if exposed to carbon monoxide feel free to contact the lawyers at Goldberg, Finnegan & Mester at 888-213-8140 for a free consultation. Kevin Goldberg, kgoldberg@gfmlawllc.com 888-213-8140

I would estimate that 30% of the car crash injury cases we see involve a defendant driver who was talking on the cell phone or sending a text message while driving. Of these crashes, many of the phone calls are work related calls/text messages which can be the ticket to additional insurance coverage and additional defendants.

The defendant does not always admit to talking on the cell phone at the time of the car accident, and it is often hard to prove. However, in serious injury cases and in wrongful death cases, it can be vitally important. Say there is a car crash-a rear end accident-on Interstate 495 in Montgomery County, Maryland. Hypothetically the defendant driver is driving a 2001 Oldsmobile with minimum limits of insurance coverage ($20,000/$40,000.00 in MD). The Defendant driver makes an unsafe lane change while talking to a client on his cell phone, causing a terrible crash where John Smith is injured. Smith breaks his neck and is, unfortunately paralyzed. The innocent victim driver Mr. Smith is going to be limited in his recovery to the amount of his uninsured motorist benefits. Unfortunatley, the amount of coverage available will not come close to covering his lifetime of medical expenses.

However, if a lawyer can prove that the defendant driver was on his cell phone for work at the time of the crash, then the defendant driver's employer can be sued under a vicarious liability theory. Typically companies, even smaller ones, have larger insurance policies than individual drivers. It is not unusual for a small business to have a million dollar commercial insurance policy to cover instances such as accidents when its employees are talking on the cell phone for work purposes.

In this day and age, lawyers need to be aware of the fact that additional insurance coverage can be triggered by establishing that a motor vehicle driver is talking on the phone or texting for work purposes at the time of the crash.

Those living in the Gulf States are not the only ones feeling the impact of the Gulf Oil Spill caused by British Petroleum. Maryland, Virginia and Washington, D.C. businesses including wholesalers, seafood purchasers, retailers, restaurants and grocery stores are impacted by what BP has done. There is a great article in today's Washington Post written by Ian Shapira that illustrates why the spill that occurred hundreds of miles from here is having an impact on those in the seafood industry. The title of the article is "Seafood With a Side of Dread" and it traces a purchase by Whole Foods of seafood in Florida and shows how the oil spill impacts pricing and the seafood market. Many grocery stores in Maryland stock up with South Atlantic seafood such as tuna and swordfish. As a result of the oil spill, and as a result of the fear of oil getting into the Gulf Stream and coming up the east coast, prices are already on the rise. The Washington Post reported today that the price of Shrimp is already up $2-$4 per pound. The price of crabs and oyster are also on the rise according to industry insiders we have spoken to.

A big fear is that if Florida and other east coast fisheries are shut down (if oil gets into the Gulf Stream), then buyers will have to buy imported fish or will have to buy more expensive fish (Tuna and Swordfish) from fisheries further up the east coast. If this happens even more people in the Maryland/East Coast Seafood industry will be impacted. Companies that rely on large grocery store chains making purchases will be hurt if they buy from other countries outside of the United States rather than from East Coast and Florida fisheries. The seafood market is quite complicated and complex.

If you are a seafood wholesaler or a salesman in Maryland, Washington, D.C. or Virginia and if you have economic loss as a result of the bp oil spill we believe that you have a valid claim for negligence and under the Oil Pollution Act. Our Maryland law firm will represent you and assist you in presenting your claim to the $20 Million Dollar BP Claims Fund which is run by Kenneth Feinberg. Having represented victims of the September 11, 2001 bombing in their claim against the 9/11 fund administered by Mr. Feinberg, we have the experience to properly put your BP Claim together and make certain that you are properly compensated for your losses. We handle such cases on a contingent fee basis meaning that there is no attorney fee if there is no recovery.

In addition to the seafood wholesalers we also believe that restaurants in Maryland, Washington, D.C. and Virginia that suffer a decrease in sales revenue and/or profits as a result of the BP Oil Spill are entitled to compensation. If you want more information, you can email me at kgoldberg@gfmlawllc.com or you can click below to learn a little more about Goldberg, Finnegan & Mester's work on behalf of oil spill victims:

http://www.myfoxdc.com/dpp/news/silver-spring-lawyer-helping-gulf-fishermen-in-class-action-lawsuit-against-bp-070510

http://www.gazette.net/stories/06302010/takonew184202_32568.php

http://www.bizjournals.com/washington/blog/2010/06/locallawyerhelpsbpvictims.html

Our website is at www.gfmlawllc.com.

My cousin Judith Storey works for the Patient Advocacy Foundation, a non-profit in Hampton, Virginia. I find what she does fascinating and thought it might be a useful resource for our clients and friends in Virginia. The group administers the Virginia Cares Uninsured Program and they assist patients struggling to pay their medical bills who have chronic and severe illnesses. The goal of the group is to ensure access to care. In the past 12 months the group has helped well over a thousand new patients relieving them of about $3.4 million in health care costs and prescription medication costs through write offs, reductions and grants. The group will make phone calls and persistently advocate on behalf of its clients to try to be sure that the patients are not overcharged, and when appropriate, they seek charity write offs on behalf of their patients. It typically takes about 45 days and over a dozen phone calls to accomplish this in each particular case. Many of those who the group helps have health insurance, but due to serious illness are overwhelmed by co-pays and deductibles. Many of those assisted have been affected by layoffs and closures like what occurred at the International Paper Mill outside Franklin, VA.

If you or someone you know who lives in Virginia can use the assistance of this group and/or for more information, visit their website at http://www.pafcares.org/ My cousin Judith Storey has recently been named the Headquarters Assistant Director and I am very proud of the work that she does.

Goldberg, Finnegan & Mester is a law firm that represents those injured and disabled. If you have suffered an injury due to medical malpractice, a car accident, or workman's compensation, call us at 888-213-8140 or visit our website at www.gfmjustice.com. We also represent individulas in their claim for disability benefits such as long term disability denials, short term disability, and social security disability claims.

There was a terrible car accident in Howard County, Maryland this week where a moped and a pickup truck crashed. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family of Mohammed Hammad Chaudhry who was killed in this terrible accident. This occurred on Sunday July 4 just before 1 PM near Columbia, Maryland. The driver of the pickup truck was Marganta Gonzalez Cruz. From news reports, it appears that Ms. Cruz failed to yield the right of way as she was making a left turn from the westbound lane. It is important that his family consider hiring a private investigator and/or an attorney to further investigate this crash to determine exactly how and why it occurred. Was Marganta Gonzalez Cruz on her cell phone at the time of the crash? Had she been drinking? Are there any skid marks on the road way? Quite often, especially on a holiday weekend when police resources are strapped, the police investigation into a horrible car crash resulting in death is too cursory and does not get to the root cause of the crash.

It is not always enough to rely on the police/government accident reconstruction. Also, a request should be promptly made to the howard county authorities to preserve and and all 911 calls made about this incident. Was Ms. Marganta Cruz working at the time of the crash? This is important because if she was, then her employer may be legally responsible for the incident and this would trigger additional insurance policies. Mr. Chaudhry's family members can bring wrongful death claims and his estate can bring a Survival Claim under Maryland law. For more information about what to do about a catastrophic car crash, and to learn about the various avenues of legal recovery, visit www.gfmlawllc.com.

Unfortunately, 11 people including five minor children have experienced carbon monoxide poisoning accourding to Prince George's County EMS. This was the result of a faulty water heater that, in all likelihood, was negligently maintained by the landlord. Those exposed to carbon monoxide may very well have a valid negligence lawsuit against the landlord. For more information, call us at 888-213-8140. The Prince Georges County Maryland authorities were called to an apartment building around 3:30 pm on Thursday after a CO detector went off. Carbon Monoxide levels were about 30 times what is considered safe and permissible. Some of those exposed to the carbon monoxide were treated on the scene and others were taken to the hospital. I am surprised that they treated people at the scene. When an individual is exposed to carbon monoxide, the treatment for carbon monoxide poisoning is high doese oxygen. In the more severe cases, hyperbaric pressure chambers of oxygen may be used. Individuals exposed to Carbon Monoxide should seek medical treatment right away at a hospital or emergency department. Even WebMD says "You must seek medical care in a hospital emergency department." Carbon Monoxide poisoning can cause severe brain damage and even death. Because the signs and symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning are not specific, it is important to get a blood test if you have been exposed to carbon monoxide. Carbon Monoxide Poisoning is usually caused by gas water heaters, kerosene space heaters, charcoal grills, propane heaters and stoves, generators, cigarettte smoke.

If you or someone you love have been exposed to carbon monoxide, and if you or your loved ones are among those exposed to carbon monoxide in Greenbelt Maryland, you should seek appropriate medical testing to be sure that there is no brain damage or other injury. The lawyers at Goldberg, Finnegan & Mester can help investigate the cause of the exposure and seek legal redress and compensation for your injuries resulting from carbon monoxide poisoning. We can be reached at 888-213-8140 and our website is www.gfmlawllc.com. For more information about carbon monoxide poisoning, see the EPA Website and/or the Center for Disease Control Website.

In 2005, Hurricane Katrina left St. Bernard Parish of Eastern Louisiana under water for nearly three weeks. In less than a month, the fishing community was swallowed up by Hurricane Rita's flooding. Five years later, the community's main source of income has been crippled by the BP Gulf oil spill.

Continue reading this article.

On Monday July 5, 2010 WTTG Fox 5 news did a short story on Goldberg, Finnegan & Mester's work on behalf of BP Oil Spill Victims. The Silver Spring, Maryland law firm is representing numerous individuals and small businesses impacted by the oil spill. If your business has suffered a loss because of the oil spill, call us at 888-213-8140. We are of the opinion that even restaurants and seafood distributors in Maryland, Washington, D.C. and Virginia may have a valid claim for compensation as a result of BP's negligence. Our lawyers have experience handling claims before Kenneth Feinberg and the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund, and we intend to utilize that experience in presenting claims to the BP Claim Fund administered by Special Master Feinberg.

Many businesses in Maryland, including restaurants, seafood distributors, and seafood wholesalers are beginning to feel the economic impact of the Gulf Oil Spill. Seafood prices are already on the rise, and many small businesses are hesitant to pass these price increases on to their customers. What this means is that many businesses in Maryland are suffering lost profits as a result of the BP Gulf Oil Spill in Louisiana. Another aspect of the BP oil spill's impact on Maryland food industry is that customers are hesitant to order shrimp, oysters and other seafood that is known to originate from the Gulf of Mexico. This decreased supply, coupled with the price increases, is leading to lost revenue and lost profits for those involved in the Maryland Seafood industry. Goldberg, Finnegan & Mester, LLC is representing businesses and restaurants in these cases--bp oil compensation claims, and we will assist your business in documenting its losses and making a proper claim with the BP Oil Compensation Fund. Take the example of a restaurant in Bethesda, Maryland that serves seafood and other delicacies. First of all, many people are not eating seafood because they are afraid it is tainted from the oil in the Gulf of Mexico. Therefore, customers of that Maryland restaurant may not dine there, and instead will eat at a burger joint down the street that does not serve seafood. This is one aspect of the lost revenue/profits that Maryland restaurants have as a direct result of the BP Oil Spill. Then there is the issue of the cost of seafood. The cost of seafood is already on the rise. The price of crab and shrimp has apparently increased significantly in the past month or so (despite the fact that crabs in the Chesapeake Bay are plentiful this season). As the price of seafood goes up because of the Gulf Oil Spill, many Maryland restaurants are going to have to decide whether to pass the price increases on to their customers, or to absorb the cost. Either way, the result is going to be a smaller profit margin and a lost business opportunity. Maryland Sushi restaurants are also impacted by the Gulf Oil Spill. We currently represent over 100 clients from Louisiana and Maryland who have been impacted by the BP Gulf Oil Spill. These clients include charter boat operators, commercial fishermen, oystermen, shrimpers and small businesses. Many larger stores that sell seafood (e.g. supermarkets) have opted to cease selling Gulf Shrimp out of fear. This impacts a lot of people including those seafood salesmen who sell the shrimp. It is also getting harder and harder to get new seafood from the Gulf of Mexico, and many are having to opt for latin American seafood which is less desireable from the standpoint of most Maryland consumers.

My advice to Maryland businesses impacted by the BP Gulf Oils Spill: Keep meticulous records of any lost revenue and lost profits. Documentation is going to be very important. Keep track of customer comments and questions about the quality of the seafood, and their concerns about whether it is tainted. We believe that time is of the essence. While $20 Billion Dollars sounds like a lot of money, the scope of this disaster is unprecedented, and we think it is important to make a claim as soon as possible to be sure that compensation is received before resources are depleted. Call us for a free consultation about what we can do for your business. We will represent your business against BP and other responsible parties on a contingency fee basis (meaning no attorney fee unless there is a recovery). As you may be aware, BP is in the process of setting up a $20 Billion Dollar Fund that claims can be made against. This is going to be administered by Kenneth Feinberg, an attorney who previously handled the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund. Our law firm represented numerous victims in their claims against the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund, and we feel that we know what the decision makers are going to be looking for when deciding on the amounts of awards from this fund. It is our understanding that if your Maryland business makes a claim against this fund, once the award amount is determined, your business will have to make a choice and either accept the award and sign a release, or reject the award and pursue the claim in Court.

We are interested in hearing about how your Maryland business has been impacted by the Gulf Oil Spill. Please email me at kgoldberg@gfmlawllc.com or call at 301-589-2999 x102. For more information, visit our website at http://www.gfmlawllc.com/Maryland-Lawyer/Oil-Spill-Attorney/