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Questions Answered by Tim Akpinar
1 Answer | Asked in Personal Injury, Products Liability, Civil Litigation and Environmental for North Carolina on
Q: I was just wondering how a mass tort really works .in a mass tort the individual will be compensated for there on injury

An if that so what would someone be expecting if he or she was directly exposed to afff or pfas for 18-20 months every day an after words they wer

Diagnosed with germ cell testicular cancer In stage three from there not Hodgkin’s lymphoma, severe lung disease took a colitis chemotherapy... View More

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Mar 15, 2024

A North Carolina attorney could advise best, but your question remains open for a week. It would be best to reach out to law firms to discuss the exact way they handle things. But as a general matter in cases involving large numbers of plaintiffs, they can be handled as part of large multi-district... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law, Small Claims and Collections for Rhode Island on
Q: received a voicemail saying I was being sued and to call a number.when I call it’s from a loan from 2020

It was from a company called zaca I had a loan for 900

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Mar 14, 2024

A Rhode Island attorney could advise best, but your question remains open for a week. If you're being sued, that generally involves receiving legal papers such as a summons and complaint. If you're the subject of a collection action, that could involve being notified by phone. You'd... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Personal Injury and Health Care Law for Indiana on
Q: Who can I call for a free consultation regarding an injury, no benefits, and a doctor's error?

I was accidentally released to return to work last November after an untreated injury that occurred in May of 2023. My doctor informed me that a third party that beacon medical group hire to push benefit paperwork through, accidentally gave me a return date. I was not made aware, neither of was my... View More

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Mar 14, 2024

An Indiana attorney could advise best, but your question remains open for two weeks. In terms of your question on who you could call for a free consult, it could be difficult to get a recommendation here - the format isn't set up like an attorney referral service. It's limited to short Q... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Legal Malpractice and Medical Malpractice for New York on
Q: A malpractice claim was filed for allegedly negligence and malpractice against a provider.

The provider is covered by the company's malpractice insurance who will provide the attorney and cover the claim. However, a malpractice incident report must first be completed with the option of using a private attorney. If an attorney was not hired and listed before submitting the report and... View More

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Mar 13, 2024

In general in any claim investigation, one is usually free to retain an attorney after the process has begun. It isn't possible to say if that would mean being given liberty to amend a statement/report, now having the benefit of an attorney. It's possible there could be conditions imposed... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Personal Injury for New York on
Q: Injury from a store fall, I was offered $500 but don't think its fair, what would a fair offer be?

I fell from sitting on an outside chair in a store when the leg broke hitting my shoulder (which I had previous surgery on) on the floor. The maker of the chair has offered me $500 but I don't think it's a fair offer. I've had pain in this arm since it's happened, my doctor... View More

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Mar 12, 2024

I'm sorry about your fall. Unfortunately, it would be difficult for attorneys here to answer your question about a figure for a counteroffer. They would likely want to review your medical records, the impact of the injury on your life, time disabled/not able to work, and prognosis for... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Land Use & Zoning, Gov & Administrative Law, Municipal Law and Real Estate Law for Texas on
Q: If electric power lines ask me to get estimate to move my resident in order to expand their right of way, who chooses?
Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Mar 11, 2024

A Texas attorney could answer best, but your question remains open for two weeks. Sometimes a court decides, depending on nature of the matter and the respective positions of the parties. Large electric utilities usually have land use attorneys in their environmental affairs divisions. You could... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Employment Law, Traffic Tickets, Business Law and Car Accidents on
Q: Where I work I'm asked to drive trucks not maintained to legal standards. Legally would I be liable, or the business?

Specifically I'm asking in the case of being pulled over, or in the case of an accident due to the truck's maintenance issues, The issues mostly include non functional brake and reverse lights (especially on trailers). I do like my job, and wouldn't have many personal reservations... View More

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Mar 9, 2024

A North Carolina attorney could advise best, but your question remains open for a week. I hope you do not experience an accident, but in the event of one, claimants would usually name owners and operators. In terms of equipment, investigators would generally scrutinize maintenance records if they... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Personal Injury for California on
Q: Does this document mean that my attorney has received payment for my personal injury lawsuit?

RE: Date of Loss: December 30, 2023

Dear xx,

This is notice that our office is in receipt of funds in connection with the above-referenced matter. Funds are

deposited into a trust account for safekeeping, resolution of disputes and prompt distribution of undisputed... View More

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Mar 13, 2024

You're correct. It means your attorney received a check from the insurance carrier. They're telling you about the process of depositing the check into their trust account. It looks like a boilerplate form, which basically tells clients that if there are disputed claims (they likely mean... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Medical Malpractice and Personal Injury for Ohio on
Q: How do I find another doctor that will back up my malpractice claim?

I have I have femoral nerve damage and severe femoral neuropathy, and severe quad atrophy. The doctor / surgeon and the EMG specialist both said that this is from the nerve block I received prior to surgery. I looked back in my chart and they didn't actually put that in my chart it was just... View More

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Mar 13, 2024

There are directories of experts out there for various areas of law, including medicine. They can be found online. If you are in the process of reaching out to law firms to discuss your matter, most med mal firms know experts within the medical community. They often consult with them to discuss the... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Medical Malpractice and Personal Injury for New York on
Q: I was emailed a summons for a malpractice with a document to complete for an insurance claim. How should I proceed?

I was involved in caring for a patient and now I was summoned with other providers. The malpractice insurance want me to complete the claim. Should I do this without a legal advisor?

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Mar 9, 2024

Learn what you can about the scope of coverage of the insurance carrier, the nature of the claim, and the extent of your employer's coverage. Is the insurance carrier covering you and other staff of the facility where you were employed? Or is the insurance carrier providing coverage for only a... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Personal Injury, Products Liability and Wrongful Death for Texas on
Q: How much to ask for as it relates to pain and suffering?

Spouse was diagnosed with stage four cancer at 47. He worked in contaminated train yard for 17 years. The contamination was unknown at time of diagnoses.

He said, come to his injuries and leave behind one spouse of 20 years, who he intended to send back to college because she was a stay at... View More

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Mar 14, 2024

I'm very sorry for the loss of your husband. I agree with my colleague on the pain and suffering element. It would depend on the nature, duration, and severity. You may already be represented by counsel, but if not, please keep in mind that if the railway entity you mention has public elements... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Personal Injury for Maine on
Q: At what point in the settlement process does one make medical records available to the OP?

The OP’s insurance company has verbally hinted that they *may* be willing to *consider* settling outside of court for a quarter of the actual damages their client is responsible for, but they want my husband and I to surrender our medical records first. Our lawyer has told us it’s our job to... View More

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Mar 7, 2024

A Maine attorney could advise best, but your question remains open for a week. Your attorney is correct. Their request is not a "fishing tactic," as you suspect. That's the way the bodily injury claims process works. They need your records to evaluate your injuries. The records are... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Health Care Law for New York on
Q: Hiding medical records? Or are they still in your portal?

Hello

How long do hospitals hold on to your records for? Are all the records and paperwork in your patient portal? All of them? Even mistakes they may of made?

Thank you

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Mar 7, 2024

It could depend on the facility, types of records, age of patient, HIPAA or state guidelines - but many entities go by six years in New York. Here's a link address for Section 405.10 of the N.Y. Codes, Rules, and Regulations for medical records -... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Civil Rights, Constitutional Law and Landlord - Tenant for New Jersey on
Q: What kind of lawyer can I reach out to for Housing, NJ Section 8 Voucher problems?

I am having a problem with NJ Department of Community Affairs when it comes to my Section 8 HCV application, I was selected to be on the waitlist and I filled out the application completely and information in my waitlist portal changed from me beings on the list to not being of the list. Now, a DCA... View More

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Mar 11, 2024

Landlord-Tenant/Housing Law attorneys would be a place to start. In addition to your own searches, there is a "Find a Lawyer" tab above. Local and state bar associations might have info in terms of attorney recommendations. Those resources fall outside this Q & A forum - any... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Personal Injury and Car Accidents on
Q: What's the UMI claim I should fill out after a car accident?

What's the Underinsured claim I should use towards my insurance company because the lady who hit into me didn't have enough insurance?

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Mar 5, 2024

That's a coverage provision that should be outlined in your insurance policy - underinsured motorist coverage for inadequate insurance (what you describe), or uninsured (defendant having no insurance). You could try to line up a free initial consult with an attorney to review the... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law, Insurance Defense and Small Claims for Arizona on
Q: In the State of Arizona, can you be sued for more than the amount of an original claim? ($4,500)

Would lawyers be required? If so, who pays the lawyer fees?

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Mar 5, 2024

An Arizona attorney should advise, as this could be covered under state-specific civil procedure rules. However, your question remains open for two weeks. The short answer is "yes" in most jurisdictions nationwide. Sometimes interest is capped by statute, but claimants can sue for it.... View More

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3 Answers | Asked in Personal Injury for South Carolina on
Q: Can you redo a lawsuit if you find your injuries are worse then you knew
Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Mar 5, 2024

The short answer is generally no, if you signed a release that covered all claims future and present, known and unknown. But as my colleagues correctly point out, there can be exceptions. If you were represented, check with your attorney. Even if the door is closed on the liability/pain &... View More

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4 Answers | Asked in Personal Injury for California on
Q: What factors influence the timeline for resolving a mesothelioma lawsuit, and how long does the process usually take?
Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Mar 5, 2024

Some of the factors include the nature of the exposure, timeline, latency, ability to establish causality (correlation of exposure/products/actions/diagnosis), the vigor of the law firm, and the venue. These are a few factors; there are many additional ones that could impact the process. It would... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Constitutional Law on
Q: Can my license be revoked for doing this? Will they take legal action? Can permanently deleted photos be recovered?

I am 15 years old taking lifeguard course. I was testing camera, and someone thought i was purposefully recording the the others. I might have taken some photos by accident but deleted them immediately. I had no intention on saving them for any reason, just playing with functions for a few minutes.

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Mar 3, 2024

It doesn't sound like anything that was intentionally done wrong. There's no stopping anyone from complaining, but from your description, it sounds like you were innocently testing a camera. However, as a future lifeguard, your employer will have conditions as to the use of any type of... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Medical Malpractice, Health Care Law and Personal Injury on
Q: Can a medical department be sued?

nephew was misdiagnosed for 2 years with PLCH then changed to stage 4 lung cancer

forms were filled out wrong delaying a crucial critical payout for near 6 weeks and delaying treatment for same

was told he was only going to live for 3 months over the phone by a nurse - he was by... View More

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Mar 11, 2024

I'm sorry for your nephew's and your family's ordeal. A place to start could be to reach out to med mal law firms to discuss in further detail. Free consults are the norm with most firms, and some even offer virtual consults. If attorneys felt that there was a strong basis to bring... View More

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