Alarming Medical Malpractice News

http://www.cbsnews.com/news/despite-multiple-malpractice-payouts-doctors-often-keep-practicing/

CBS News recently wrote an article pointing out the rather lax policing of doctors.  There are situations all across America where physicians are still practicing medicine despite having been part of multiple medical malpractice claims.  This is a scary realization that has been exposed.

This piece illuminates the importance about seeking the best possible medical care.  There are lots of resources that you can use on the internet to determine whether your healthcare provider has been subject to any potential malpractice claims.  In Georgia, look to the Georgia Composite Medical Board website at medicalboard.georgia.gov and in Alabama look to the Alabama Board of Medical Examiners & Medical Licensure Commission website at www.albme.org.  Last but not least, use your favorite search engine (i.e. Google,Yahoo, Bing) and simply put your doctor’s name in the search box.  These steps should give you some assurance that your doctor is one of the best around.

The personal injury attorneys at The Parian Law Firm, LLC are experienced with medical malpractice claims and can help you or someone you know who has been injured by the negligence of a healthcare provider.  The Parian Law Firm, LLC and the law firms throughout the country that The Parian Law Firm, LLC has strategic partnerships with have a track record of recovering millions of dollars due to medical malpractice claims.  Our personal injury attorneys are licensed in Georgia and Alabama, but take cases all over the United States.  Please contact us at (770) 727-5550 or fill out a contact form at www.westgalawyer.com for a no-obligation assessment of your potential medical malpractice claim.

Proven.  Personal.  Parian.

New Cancer Risks Associated with Baby Powder

I spent this past week in Chicago, Illinois meeting with and learning from some of the best personal injury litigators in America.  Many friendships were made, and multiple strategic alliances were formed with other lawyers all over America.  I am happy to report that The Parian Law Firm, LLC (www.westgalawyer.com) is committed to ensuring that its clients have the best attorney team possible to get the results they deserve.

While surfing the internet during my downtime in Chicago, I read an article that I believe hammers home why you, the individual, deserves justice. About 2 years ago, Johnson & Johnson announced that it was removing some allegedly toxic ingredients from its baby and infant products.  It even went so far as to put a positive advertising spin on the removal of those ingredients by stating that the ingredients were removed for their “customers’ peace of mind.”  Who are those ads targeting?  Yep.  The mothers of those children using Johnson & Johnson baby and infant products.

However, what Johnson & Johnson is not telling you is how they are not looking out for the welfare of the mothers of those children.  The National Cancer Institute (www.cancer.org) announced that there is evidence that exposure of the female genitalia to talcum powder increases a female’s risk of developing ovarian cancer.  Yet, Johnson & Johnson continues to produce baby powder products and other shower products routinely used by women containing talcum powder.  You will find NO WARNING LABEL WHATSOEVER on the product about the risks.

There are several lawsuits pending on behalf of women who used Johnson & Johnson baby powder products.  Hopefully, these lawsuits will get the attention of the corporate behemoth to remove the cancer-causing ingredient, or at a minimum, place a simple warning on the product.  We, at The Parian Law Firm, LLC, stand ready to fight for the justice you deserve if you believe that talcum powder is a potential cause of your or loved one’s ovarian cancer.  Call us today at (770) 727-5550 or visit our website atwww.westgalawyer.com/contact-us/ to fill out a contact sheet.

Proven.  Personal.  Parian.

Thanks for Representing Me, But........Ya Fired

Ever hear anyone say this about their attorney?  “I can’t get the guy/girl to call me back!”  “The only person that I am able to talk to is the paralegal!”  “My attorney is pressuring me into settling my claim.”  “My attorney’s associate always says he has to ask my attorney!” 

I admit to hearing the above complaints.  I can even say that I was directly involved in causing such an answer!  However, you should never feel you are not your attorneys’ top priority.  After all, you hired your attorney to speak on and represent your interests.  In the personal injury context, trust should be the top priority.  After all, you want your attorney to FIGHT for every penny you are rightfully entitled to.

So what do you do when you lose faith in your present counsel?  Luckily, you are not stuck.  Take a look at the contract you executed with the attorney.  It probably lays out the procedure for ending the relationship.  You will most likely be “on the hook” to compensate the attorney for the fair and reasonable value of the time he or she spent on the case.  Such cost must be evaluated prior to ending the relationship.  Depending on the amount of such, it may cause issues with retaining another attorney. 

If you do decide to terminate your lawyer, do so in writing.  The letter should set forth and document any conduct or reasons supporting your decision.  It should also give instruction as to where he or she needs to send your file.

Bear in mind that if you do fire your attorney, you MUST be extremely picky with which firm you retain next.  You want to hire the attorney with the highest level of competence dealing with the issues involved in your case.  Keep in mind that some states do not require the attorney to turn over his "work product" or mental impressions or theories of the case. Do not threaten your lawyer with legal action or a reporting to the bar association. This will only strengthen his resolve to intervene into your case and recover the entirety of his fee.

Treat the unpleasant task for firing your lawyer professionally.  Hopefully, the lawyer will respond likewise.  After all, good lawyers value their reputations.  The best lawyers want only what is in their client’s best interests.  If their client hiring another lawyer better serves that client, then such lawyer should be happy to relinquish the case for the good of the client.

Proven. Personal. Parian.

$3.35 Million Verdict in State Court of Fulton County

The Parian Law Firm, LLC would like to extend congratulations to attorney Joel Williams of Joel Williams Law, LLC and his clients on a $3.35 million dollar jury verdict returned in the State Court of Fulton County.  Joel is one Cade Parian’s law school classmates and a fellow Georgia trial lawyer that The Parian Law Firm, LLC works with on a regular basis.

The basis for the case was a car wreck that occurred in February, 2011, when the Defendant driver crossed the center line and ran the Plaintiff off the road causing him to lose control of his vehicle.  The Plaintiff suffered severe shoulder injuries and a mild herniation in his lumbar spine.  He also incurred almost $420K in medical expenses.  The Defendant (and his insurance company) denied liability and damages.

Following a 3 day jury trial, the jury returned a verdict in favor of the Plaintiff for $3.35 million, plus $75K to the Plaintiff’s wife for loss of companionship.  This is a wonderful result for a wonderful client and all-around good lawyer.  Justice was done today my friends.

Proven. Personal. Parian.

www.westgalawyer.com

Here's to Mrs. Hay! The Testimony of a B Student.

I am going off the legal radar with this post.  I think many legal blogs focus on talking about successes of the law firm and educating potential clients about possible legal solutions.  As I said when I began this blog, this blog will not ONLY be about the legal side of things.  With the start of school, I think that most students are less than happy.  However, I hope you share this post with a student that you care about.  Hopefully, it will teach them to look for the small things.

The Fall of 1994.  The first day of school for Carrollton High School.  I was dressed in my newest Abercrombie & Fitch duds.  Notably, I was rocking a braided leather belt that was a prerequisite to coolness during those times.  I just left first period U.S. History and was on my way to American Literature. 

The teacher was Mrs. Hay.  She was a “veteran” having taught both of my parents in high school.  I sat down in my usual classroom location, which was all the way in the back left corner.  Halfway through that first day of American Literature it was apparent that Mrs. Hay and I would not have a rosy relationship.  For the entire first semester of that year, I spent many second periods out in the hallway doing my work or in the assistant principal’s office explaining the craziness-level of that woman.  Of course, I always ended up on the right side of things due to my superior B.S. skills.

A model student…..I was not.  However, looking back on teachers such as Mrs. Hay, I cannot help but be appreciative to them.  You see, Mrs. Hay hated to be questioned.  Naturally, every time she did something that I thought was ineffective, I would question why in the world we had to perform such a task.  I wanted a reason.  She did not want to give such a reason.  Rather, she would just explode and send me out of the classroom.

I had other teachers during high school that had a profound effect on my life.  To Coach Chad Lyons, I still want to trip you in the hallway if I ever see you again, but thank you for teaching me that I did not always have the right answer.  To Coach Bill Garrett, thanks for letting me teach you Algebra II.  To Mrs. Faye Williams, thank you for requiring me to get a parental signature on every sheet of paper that was graded.  This taught me to take responsibility for my own actions.  To Mrs. Jackie Gingrich, thank you for proving to me that trading geometry exams with a fellow classmate (ahem, who is also now an attorney) does not always mean a better grade.  Lastly, thank you to Mrs. Frances Norton for lighting a fire under my butt in 12^th grade.  I still recall you telling me how much potential that I had. 

These are all true stories.  If proof is required, that assistant principal that I spoke of in the third paragraph…….he is my step-father.  He will be more than happy to substantiate these stories and MANY more throughout my esteemed tenure.  Keep your heads high students.  It is a great adventure for which you will not see the benefits for many years to come.

PS To those teachers that I did not mention……I probably couldn’t tell the story PG rated (ahem Senor Burson).

Safety Isn't ONLY for Dummies.......It's For Us

I grew up the oldest of three boys.  That generally meant that I was the one that inflicted pain upon my younger siblings.  Of course, the older they got, they discovered ways to inflict pain on their older brother.  It usually involved kicking where the sun doesn’t shine or asking the same question over and over.  All of us with younger siblings thought at one time or another that little people were put on this Earth to do one thing………..DRIVE US COMPLETELY MAD!

Fast forward many years.  My brothers and I have now started having children of our own.  My first-born, Beckham, is now an 8 year old mirror image of me (God Bless Him).  His uncles and I do what comes naturally with little boys.  We pick on him incessantly.  He is just now discovering escape tactics, many of which were taught by his YouTube obsession with WWE videos.

However, almost 3 years ago to this date, something profoundly bizarre happened in the Parian family.  A little girl was born.  GASP!!  A little over a year after my daughter, Quinn, was born another female Parian graced up with her presence via my little brother and his wife.  We call that little girl creature, Hollis.  All of a sudden estrogen and heartfelt feelings are rampant in our house.

I sat there watching all of these kids last night at our annual “Back to School Dinner.”  You heard over and over, “Quinn, don’t do that.  Hollis get out of there.  Beckham, I am going to slap a knot on your head if…..”  It occurred to me that a parent’s greatest goal for their children is to keep them safe from harm.  Unfortunately, I have seen and been involved in traumas throughout my life where a child’s safety was impeded upon.  Some of those times the child was okay while other times the consequences were tragic. 

As a personal injury lawyer, my main goal is to keep people safe.  While it is usually too late by the time a client calls, I view my role as that of an enabler letting the whole world know that what occurred was wrong and we will hopefully prevent it from happening again.  The massive GM recall you hear about?  Yep, that was started by one family’s goal to keep people safe from the dangers that took their daughter’s life.  Contact The Parian Law Firm, LLC should you suffer injury as a result of someone else’s lack of safety.  I promise to get the word out, and do everything in my power to prevent it from happening again.  

The Best..........On Your Own Terms

“Hey Dad, do you know where we are going?” says my 8 year old know-it-all son.  “Of course, Beckham.  I looked it up on Google Maps, and I have it burnt into my memory,” I reply.  I look to my co-pilot in the seat beside me (ahem, my wife) who is rolling her eyes.  I murmur to her…….”I have absolutely no clue where in the h*** we are.”  The tenor of that trip changed at that moment.  A car load of wife and pissed-off kids is nowhere for a man to be.

I was actually proud of myself that day.  I admitted I was lost.  There is no doubt that I need a lot of babysitters in my life.  A LOT OF PEOPLE WILL AGREE WITH THE PRIOR SENTENCE.  My secretary directs me where to go, when to be there, how to dress, and when I get out of hand.  My wife tells me when my fly is open, when I left my socks in the wrong spot, and when I am doing anything wrong.  Then there are the people that help me keep my busy life balanced.  I have more than 5 people all over the United States that make sure my law firm ship is sailing where it should.  I could not serve my clients without all of the people in this paragraph.

I turn down potential clients and cases every day.  Need a complex will drafted?  I am not your guy.  Interested in offering a stock sale to the public?  I am definitely not your guy.  I talk.  That is what I do.  My practice is based around litigation and practicing the art of trial advocacy.  I welcome any battle especially those against insurance companies and large corporate interests!!!!  I also welcome criminal defendants and small business owners that need a voice in the legal system. 

So where is the life lesson?  I have learned that being good at one thing and focusing on being the best at that one thing is the key to sustainability in life.  In legal practice, I want to be great at trial advocacy.  At home, I want to be a great father and husband.  On the golf course, I want to be Tiger Woods.  In life, I want to do the best that I can do at all things.  Who judges such?  Not the people around you.  It is you that is the sole judge of whether you are doing the best.  Listen to those babysitters in your life, but execute the plan on your own terms.

Proven.  Personal.  Parian.

www.westgalawyer.com