Personal Injury Law Blogs

Importance of Having Knowledge Related to Work Accident Related Clauses

People try their best to avoid accidents. However, due to their negligence and due to unnoticed but potential situational hazards, they often fall victim to accidents. Surveys done in the recent time shows that the rate of work accident is climbing upward. This could be due to the fact that employees in an office are not careful enough. It could also be that the office doesn’t have adequate security measures. The best way to avoid accidents in workplace is to stay alert. However, in case a person meets with an accident, the next thing that matters to him most is quick recovery and reimbursement, if applicable.

There have been many trials in the court for the settlement of work accident related claims. Employees often meet accidents inside the workplace and then hold the company responsible. It could be a genuine claim or it could be a false claim. Only the court of law can confirm or deny the authenticity of the claim. That’s why, assistance from a lawyer is needed in such cases. The lawyer’s help can be needed in both ways; the claimer may need service from an expert lawyer if he feels that his odds in the public court are too many. Similarly, if an employer feels that the claimant himself is responsible for the work accident, he can hire a lawyer so that he can defend himself and his company’s reputation from a false claim.

Before a lawyer is hired to handle work accident cases, there are few things that the recruiter needs to keep in mind. Work accidents are not that unusual these days. People employed in different types of duties in various companies, often meet accidents. But at the same time, awareness related to accidents in workplace is also increasing and that’s why, an employee must be alert enough not to let any accident happen in the first place. Following tips to avoid work accident is really handy for the employee because his plea in the courtroom will get solidified if he can prove that he was cautious enough but in spite of that, the accident happened and it’s actually the company, which is responsible for the accident.

It is very important for both employees and the employer to have an idea about the laws abiding work accident related incidents. There’s a definite procedure of claiming reimbursement. Anyone, who wants to claim work accident settlement, must be aware about the relevant legal guidelines. In case he doesn’t have much knowledge in legal areas, he can take advice of an efficient legal practitioner, or someone who has good working knowledge in legal matters. Such legal practitioners can guide one through the legal complications. It not only helps the claimant to receive compensation quickly or the defendant to secure his position and his company’s reputation from a false claim, but also delivers them some legal knowledge, which helps them in long terms.

Oftentimes, it is found that an employee is facing some sort of harassment in the office because he claimed settlement from his employer for work accident. The law strictly prohibits this. Employees, who’ve experienced such incidents can file new lawsuit against the employer. It’s only consultation with a lawyer that gives him such insights.

Therefore, work accident related legal clauses and guidelines are really essential for employers and employees to consider.


Author Bio – Henry Richardson is an avid writer. He prefers writing on work accident, claim assistance, legal help and similar areas.

Top 5 Cities With The Highest Auto Accident Rates

Over six million car accidents occur in the U.S. each year, and approximately three million people are injured. Although traffic accidents happen in every city in the country, there are some areas that have a higher than average accident rate. The following five cities, for example, all have so many car accidents annually that drivers need to be extra cautious whenever they are within their city limits.

Top Five Cities for Auto Accidents

1) Washington, D.C. – According to Allstate’s America’s Best Drivers Report, the country’s capital is the worst place in the nation for traffic accidents. In fact, drivers in D.C. average an accident once every 4.8 years. On the flip side, Fort Collins, Colorado has the lowest accident rate with drivers experiencing only one accident every 14 years. Washington, D.C.’s poor ranking is nothing new, either, as it has been at the bottom of the list of major cities for several years.

2) Baltimore, Maryland – Although Baltimore’s drivers have less to worry about than the drivers in D.C., they still have to contend with an average of one accident per person every 5.3 years. The state of Maryland lost 547 people in 2009 due to traffic accidents, and a large quantity of these deaths occurred in Baltimore.

3) Glendale, California – Glendale is a suburb of Los Angeles, and the dangerous traffic conditions of that area have landed it in third place for auto accidents for the past few years. If you are driver in Glendale, you can expect to be in an average of one accident every 5.5 years.

4) Newark, New Jersey – Newark has a bad reputation for traffic accidents, but at least it is number four on the list instead of number one. Still, Newark’s resident deal with a car accident an average of once every 5.9 years, making this a less than ideal area for motorist safety.

5) Miami, Florida – Miami does not currently deal with as many car accidents per driver as the other cities on this list, and there are actually a total of 11 cities that had a higher accident rate in 2009. However, Miami has been included on this list because it has been getting worse each year. For example, it was in the 19th spot in 2008, but it climbed all the way to the 12th spot by 2009. Due to this, it is definitely necessary to be careful while driving in Miami, especially with an accident rate that averages once every 7 years for each driver. Many people will need to seek out a Miami auto accident lawyer at some point during their stay there.

Dealing with an Automobile Accident

If you are the unfortunate victim of an automobile accident, it is important to contact an attorney. After all, car insurance will not always cover all of your medical expenses. If you have a serious injury, it will be necessary to file a personal injury lawsuit in order to ensure that you will not end up financially destitute due to someone else’s actions. Make sure that you gather as much evidence as possible from the scene of the accident, and contact an attorney as soon as possible to begin the legal process.

Keep in mind that accidents can happen anywhere, so it is important to be careful no matter where you are driving. Even Fort Collins, Colorado lost 11 people due to traffic accidents in 2009. Therefore, you need to remain alert anytime you are behind the wheel.

Writer Anthony Joseph is a freelance author, and contributes this article toward educating people of the growing accident issue in this country. By reaching out to a Miami auto accident lawyer at Steinger, Iscoe & Greene, you will get a sense of the experience and dedication that they can bring to the table when representing you. Their attorneys will assist you in getting back on your feet, and handle the stress of dealing with the insurance companies.

DUI Accidents Involving Personal Injury

Accidents involving driving under the influence are often harmful in terms of legal consequences, but have you considered the potential for financial consequences? While it’s true that in virtually all states DUI convictions result in hundreds or even thousands of dollars in fines and fees, but what many people don’t realize is that some drivers convicted of DUIs may be facing a much steeper financial loss.

Who is at Risk?

In most cases, drivers who injure, kill or cause property damage while driving under the influence are the ones who are most at risk for serious financial losses. In such cases, the offending driver may be sued for damages in civil court for personal injuries and property damage, and this is where things get really serious.

The Cost

Drivers who are sued in civil court for personal injury damages related to driving under the influence may be forced to pay out costs that exceed one million dollars, depending upon the circumstances. Keep in mind that DUI accidents can cause serious bodily harm and even death, and because medical costs associated with DUI accidents can be incredibly high, convicted drivers may be facing serious financial consequences. In addition, many personal injury lawsuits also cover a victim’s pain and suffering, and because it’s very difficult to place a value on such things, juries often award outrageous sums of money for them.

Even If You Aren’t Convicted

It’s also important to point out that a drunk driver who causes a personal injury doesn’t have to be convicted in criminal court in order to be sued in civil court. For example, if you were pulled over, arrested and charged with drunk driving, but you got off in criminal court on a technicality, such as the Breathalyzer device being improperly calibrated, you could still be sued in civil court for damages if you caused personal injuries.

The Facts

It’s estimated that nearly 40 percent of all fatal vehicle accidents in the United States involve alcohol intoxication, meaning by drinking and driving, you are likely to be involved in a crash that kills someone. For accidents involving injuries, the statistics only rise. Additionally, the punishments for a DUI that doesn’t involve an accident, injury or death are substantially lower than those that do.

For instance, when convicted of a DUI that didn’t involve injury, you may be simply looking at fines, fees and the loss of your driving privileges. If your accident involved injury, death or property damage, you may be looking at increased costs and years of jail time in addition to a civil lawsuit.

Because of the potential for all of these consequences, drivers are strongly encouraged to avoid drinking and driving at all costs. Even though you may be tempted to drink and drive, please think of all the innocent people you could put in danger. While your desire to get home on your own may be strong, you also need to consider the potential consequences of doing so not only for yourself, but for the lives of everyone else on the road. Do yourself and everyone else a favor – don’t drink and drive.

A legal researcher who stays on top of the latest DUI laws, Kelly Kovacic writes articles for the legal community.  The consequences of DUI charges involving personal injury can be devastating. If you are facing these charges you should contact a lawyer for professional help. The Law Offices of Steve E. Kellis have the expertise and years of experience to help anyone facing these devastating charges.

 

Worst Aviation Accident Lawsuits in Recent History

When aviation accidents occur, they makes news headlines and usually the news is grim. Reports of deaths and severe injuries are heart breaking to hear. They are especially devastating to family members who are left to pick up the pieces of their lives after such a terrible loss.

Multi million dollar lawsuits are not unheard of following these tragedies. Recently, there have been huge lawsuits and settlements because of the excellent skills of law firms handling the cases. The largest money awards are usually experienced during jury trials. This is partly due to empathy jurors feel for those critically injured and for those left  after losing their loved ones.

A 55 Million Dollar Settlement In Daytona Beach In 2007

In 2007, a jury in Daytona Beach awarded two young men, a student and his flight instructor, a record-setting <a href=”http://arthuralanwolk.com/arthur_wolk_on_air_law_aviation_safety.html”>55 million dollar settlement</a>. Both men were severely injured but survived the crash of the Cessna 150 they were in. Their lawsuit was against Teledyne Continental Motors, the makers of the plane’s engine, and against Precision Airmotive, the makers of the plane’s carburetors.

It was determined that carburetors were defective and that engines in these planes were malfunctioning. It turned out that both manufacturers knew of the recurring defect problems but chose to ignore them. Both plaintiffs suffered not only physical injuries but post traumatic stress injuries as well and were forced to give up their dreams of being airline pilots.

A Single Engine Aircraft Breaks Up In Flight Killing Two Dentists

An award of <a href=”http://www.airlaw.com/Verdicts-Settlements/Verdicts-2005—2009.asp”>$19 Million</a> was given to the families of two dentists in 2009, when it was determined that the plane they were flying in, a single engine model, broke up in flight due to something called flutter. When the phenomena known as flutter breakup occurs, the plane normally disintegrates immediately, due to the aerodynamic surfaces or the flight controls creating what is known as a harmonic.

The two men, prominent dentists, left two wives and a total of ten children behind. They were killed instantly when the accident occurred. This type of accident is similar to the plane exploding. It usually happens in a time of structural failure and happens extremely quickly and violently.

Almost $89 Million Awarded In Carburetor Failure And Takeoff Power Loss Accident

When a single engine plane crashed, killing three people and severely injuring a fourth, a jury in Philadelphia awarded a record-breaking <a href=”http://www.airlaw.com/Verdicts-Settlements/Verdicts-2010—2011.asp”>$89 million</a> in damages. This case kept being appealed and took almost ten years to come to a complete settlement. It was finally settled in 2010. It was found in this case that a defective carburetor failed, bolts loosened and fuel flooded in causing a loss of power on take off.

$11 Million Dollar Verdict In A Georgia Plane Crash

Jurors awarded over $11 million to two plaintiffs, a male doctor and a female airline pilot, who were injured in a crash at an airport near Atlanta, GA. Both victims suffered third-degree burns which occurred on over 35 percent of their bodies. The plane they were flying lost engine power and crashed into a water treatment plant shortly after taking off. It was found that there was negligence in the plane’s maintenance and during inspections of it.

Multi million dollar settlements help to compensate victims and their families when an airplane catastrophe happens. No amount of money will ever bring back those lost when these tragedies occur. A settlement, however, can be helpful to their families.

Byline

This piece was contributed by Travis Leary, a freelancer based in the Seattle area; Travis often writes on law, politics, and current events. Legal issues are extremely diverse and varied; for those who need assistance with difficult family law issues, see a Denton divorce attorney with significant experience in this area.

Drowsy Driving Nightmares

According to a recent study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one in every 24 U.S. adults admits that they have recently fallen asleep while they were driving. This is a terrifying statistic because it means that the odds are high that someone is asleep behind the wheel near you every time you are on the road.

Therefore, whether you are the drowsy driver or they are in the car next to you, your risk of being in a car accident that was caused by fatigue is extremely high. If you are injured due to the actions of a drowsy driver in New York, with the help of www.accident-lawyer-new-york.net, you can find the right accident attorney to help you.

Drowsy Driving Statistics

In addition to the numbers that were released by the CDC, the National Sleep Foundation’s Sleep in America poll discovered that 60 percent of adults drive while they are tired and 37 percent of adults have fallen asleep behind the wheel. To make matters even worse, 13 percent of the poll’s respondents stated that they fall asleep while driving at least once a month.

With this being the case, it actually seems unlikely that only 100,000 crashes are caused each year by driver fatigue, but that is the figure that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has released. The NHTSA also estimates that 71,000 people are injured and 1,550 people are killed each year by driver fatigue.

Tips for Staying Alert

Even the safest driver is occasionally going to find themselves in a position when they are driving while they are tired. Although the best solution is to not drive at all, this is not always practical. Therefore, it is a good idea to utilize one or more of the following tips to help you stay alert until you reach your destination.

1. Chew Gum – Studies have indicated that chewing gum temporarily causes your mind to become more alert when you are tired. Although this is definitely not a long-term solution, it can help make you feel more awake for short trips.

2. Make Frequent Stops – One of the main causes of driver fatigue is staying on the road for an extended period of time. Instead of attempting to drive from one place to another within nine hours, for example, you should add on at least 30 minutes so that you can stop every three hours for ten minutes. The simple act of getting out of the car and walking around for a few minutes will make you temporarily feel more awake.

3. Drink Water – Although a lot of people use caffeine to wake up, the crash that this can bring on later makes things worse on a long road trip. Instead, you should stay hydrated with water to keep yourself from becoming excessively tired.

4. Roll the Window Down – A blast of air in the face, especially if it is cold, always wakes people up for at least a few minutes, so it is a good idea to drive short distances with your window rolled down.

5. Pull over for a Short Nap – If you cannot keep your eyes open, it is better to pull into a rest area for a 30 minute nap than to take the risk of causing an accident.

Dealing with an Accident caused by Fatigue

If you are the victim of an accident that was caused by a tired driver, you should contact an attorney. Any injuries that you sustain from the accident would be the legal responsible of the other driver, and you can file a personal injury lawsuit if the car insurance does not cover all of your medical bills.

Legal researcher Shelby Warden contributes this article to alert the public about the growing problem of driver fatigue. Anyone involved in an accident in New York should go to www.accident-lawyer-new-york.net to find a skilled attorney before signing insurance documents that may limit their rights. If you feel the negligence of another driver was the cause of your injuries, you may be entitled to compensation.

Toy Recalls: Have you Checked your Child’s Gifts?

Every year there are at least 10,000 units impacted by toy recalls, and this can cause massive issues if you are not careful. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), only 34 toys were recalled in 2011, but this still caused well over 10,000 units to be considered unsafe. Although stores are supposed to stay up to date on the latest recalls, there is always the possibility that a human error will cause a recalled toy to remain on the shelf. It is also important to consider that discount retailers might not be as vigilant as standard retail establishments.

How can I keep My Child Safe?

Instead of simply relying on stores to inform you about any applicable toy recalls, you should take the time to review the toy recall list on the CPSC website on a regular basis. This becomes especially important around the holidays and your child’s birthday because a lot of people will make their purchases a month or more in advance, and this might cause them to give your child a gift that has been recalled in the interim. After researching cases from a Reading injury attorney in Pennsylvania, it became apparent that you should also remain aware of the toy recall list so that you do not inadvertently purchase an unsafe toy from a second-hand shop or a garage sale.

Dealing with a Recalled Toy

If your child receives a toy that has been recalled, you should follow the directions that are listed on the CPSC’s website. Keep in mind that not all recalls are handled in the same manner, so you should check the instructions that are listed on that toy’s specific recall page. If a lot of time has passed, however, you might find yourself dealing with an uncooperative store. In this instance, you should contact the manufacturer directly and inform them about the issue. If no one is willing to help you, you can contact the CPSC to let them know that you are being denied the opportunity to return a recalled toy.

What should I do if My Child is Injured by a Toy?

If your child receives an injury from a toy, it is always in your best interests to contact the manufacturer, the store where the toy was purchased and the CPSC. It is also a good idea to contact an attorney, especially if you encounter difficulty with the toy’s manufacturer or if your child’s injury is serious. There are attorneys available who specialize in product liability lawsuits, and they will be well prepared to handle your case.

Proving Liability

It will be necessary for you to prove that the manufacturer is liable for your child’s injury. Because of this, you should keep the toy in a safe place until you have your day in court. By providing the faulty toy for the court along with a statement from your doctor, you should be able to prove that the toy was responsible for your child’s injury. This will be a much easier process if the toy is recalled before your court case begins, but even if it is not, your lawyer should be able to help you convince the judge or jury that the toy is dangerous.

Even if you buy the toy after a toy recall has been issued, you still might be able to file a successful lawsuit. However, keep in mind that it is your responsibility as both a parent and a consumer to keep an eye on product recall lists.

Shelby Warden is a legal researcher that pays particular attention to laws that protect children. The Pennsylvania Reading injury attorney group of McMahon, McMahon & Lentz has successfully represented seriously injured clients in thousands of claims. If your child is injured because of a toy, they will help you recover the full compensation you deserve.

How Long Can You Get Worker’s Comp For?

(US law) Worker’s compensation is designed to protect both employees and employers.  When an employee is injured during the course of doing their duties, they can file a worker’s compensation claim to receive payment for lost wages, for medical expenses associated with treating the injury, and for partial or total disability if the worker is not able to return to work.  By accepting the benefits payment, the employee is signing away their right to sue their employer for pain and suffering and other damages in civil court.

While you will start to receive your benefits after the insurer investigates your claim, you may be wondering how long you can collect benefits for any part of your claim.  Read on and find out how long you can collect benefits and what you can do if you feel like the time you are given for compensation is not fair.

How Long Can You Receive Benefits For Lost Wages?

One of the main benefits of worker’s compensation is that you can receive compensation for lost time at work.  While you will not receive all of your wages, you will receive a percentage of your after tax dollars (typically 80 percent).  The total amount of time that you can receive compensation for your lost wages will vary from state to state.  You must still be incapacitated and receiving treatment to continue collecting lost wages benefits.

If you are totally incapacitated, you may receive benefits for as long as you are unable to work but the benefits can be reduced after a specified time.  Temporary Total Disability benefits are paid to you up to the point that you are able to return to work if the doctor feels like you will, at some point, be able to return to work.

What if You Are Permanently Disabled or You Will Never Be Able to do your Normal Duties?

If you have a Permanent Partial Disability, it may affect your ability to find a new job in a new field.  Typically, the insurer will try to settle your claim and give you a lump sum payment for loss of use or loss of a limb.  In this case, you will need to decide what is right for you so that you can continue to live your life and enter a new field.

How Long Can You Receive Compensation for Your Medical Bills?

While there is typically a time limit on how long you can receive compensation for lost wages, you can receive compensation for your medical bills for as long as you are receiving treatment.  Medical and rehabilitation benefits are paid for life as long as there is no lapse in treatment and all of the treatment is necessary.  If you stop treatment and the injury starts to bother you again, you can request that the insurer reopen the claim if you still have time within the statute of limitations in your state.  You also have the option to settle for future medical care if the insurer is offering a settlement.

Worker’s compensation time limits and statutes of limitations vary from state to state.  If you feel like you have not been given a fair amount of time to recover, you have the right to contact the worker’s compensation board in your state or hire a worker’s compensation lawyer to fight for you.  Make sure you get the benefits that you are entitled to, do your best to recover from your injuries, and rebuild your life even after your injuries.

Common Misconceptions after an Accident

Nobody expects or anticipates being in an accident, and it can be very disillusioning. Knowing what to do following a car collision or work-related injury is very important, as many people hold on to common misconceptions that can cost them a lot. This is especially true with the recurrence of whiplash following an accident.

Whiplash is one of the most regularly experienced injuries following a car accident. However, if you do not understand what exactly it is, it can be difficult to get proper treatment and know what to tell your insurance company. Many accident claims and court cases are skewed by the subject of whiplash – was she injured at the accident? Did he fabricate it later on to receive money? These are some of the questions commonly asked. First know that whiplash is common and even if it’s been dramatized at times, it is still an important medical issue. This injury takes place when the neck tissues become overstretched.

You may experience neck pain or stiffness, headaches, blurred vision, back or arm pain and sleeplessness if you’ve experienced whiplash. So what are some misconceptions about something that seems so straight forward? Some believe that whiplash can only affect the neck. While this is common, you can also incur injuries in your back and spine. Others believe whiplash is so minor, there’s no need to seek medical attention. If you feel even the slightest amount of pain or discomfort following a collision, it’s important to go to the hospital and be checked out. This will keep things less complicated legally if you feel pain a few days later, and will also ensure your safety. Still more people believe whiplash can only happen in a car.

You can actually also experience it from playing contact sports, being the victim of an assault of even falling down stairs. Accident care is of the essence after a car accident (or any other physical trauma), so don’t delay in receiving it. It is often covered by insurance and can help you both legally and personally. If you’re unsure or nervous about what to do following an accident, contact an attorney. Many offer free consultations and treat both you and the other party involved fairly. In fact, an attorney’s advice can be truly invaluable when it comes to accident injury. They are free of the misconceptions described above as well as other false assumptions you could have. A quality accident attorney will help you clear up these confusions and get you the help and reward you deserve. Don’t delay in contacting a professional – or even asking the police officer at the scene – for advice and assistance. The hospital team you interact with may also be able to provide you with great advice.

Erica Ronchetti is a freelance writer who notoriously bad driver who understands the importance of having a quality injury attorney on your side. In Clearwater, personal injury attorney Roman & Roman is the ideal contact when you’ve found yourself injured in a recent accident. Consult your injury cases today with a trusted personal injury attorney Tampa.

Personal injury lawyers advice in Toronto

Have you ever been injured in a car accident and faced the issues relating to personal claims settlement? Really, you find it very difficult without some basic legal advice. The role of legal services is vital in this context, providing the clients with necessary legal expertise to defend their rights in the situation. Depending on severity of issues and practices followed by authorities, you will be offered with an extensive range of services to make your personal injury claims.

Legal service providing companies prove to be of great help in such circumstances, when you find it difficult to hire a lawyer. Professional consulting and support is offered to finalize the issues associated with insurance. Thorough analysis of pains and suffering is made to claim the appropriate amount as compensation. Definitely, some basic assistance is needed to know expenses that are rationally justifiable in the case. Medical expenses, loss of wages, pain and suffering are some of the things that you can claim for. It’s not difficult to seek personal injury lawyers’ advice; contact injury lawyers and readily avail the required professional support to settle down your claims in the best possible way. Here is how you can plan wisely and get maximum benefits with minimum costs. Initial consultation and service support make you aware of the different rights and claims that you are eligible for. Necessarily you may not need to pay, if you go for free professional consulting services offered by websites. All you have to do is some initial research about the legal issues and documentation required to present your claim with justifiable expenses and proofs. In case you hire a personal injury lawyer, he/she will represent the case on your behalf and would be accounted for providing you with the best possible health solutions and compensation that you deserve for.

Undoubtedly, hiring a professional lawyer reduces your tensions and offers you with the required legal expertise to deal with litigation. Specialized service support is vital to calculate the exact property losses and find out compensation under the circumstances, the things took place.

About the Author:  I am a personal injury lawyer, offering excellent legal services to settle down the claims relating to motor vehicle accidents, life insurance and disability matters. In addition, I offer a professional practitioner assistance to help the clients deal with product liability and property losses.

The Evolution and Application of the Law on Fraud

In what is fast becoming a more internet-centric world, certain crimes have migrated to cyberspace. Fraud is certainly no exception. This article takes a look at fraudulent activities both on the internet and in the corporate world.

The Law

In law, the definition of fraud varies depending on the jurisdiction, though it can be described as an intentional deception that is carried out in order to receive a personal gain or to damage another person or thing. This gain is often of a monetary nature. It is usually defined as a white-collar crime, understood as being a crime that is financially motivated and non-violent. Though fraud and other white-collar crimes are not always considered to be as serious as violent crimes, at least not by the general public, the law takes a dim view of criminal activities that are financially motivated. Sentencing therefore tends to be heavy.

Online Crime

The most common frauds on the internet are relatively small in scale but large in scope, targeting individuals but affecting potentially millions of people. Most fraudsters aim to obtain personal information (passwords, online banking information, card details, etc.) from people with the intention of making fraudulent purchases or carrying out some other fraudulent crime.

So-called ‘phishing’ is one of the main methods of gaining this information. This entails putting together a message or e-mail purporting to be from the target’s bank or PayPal account, for instance, to prompt them to enter personal information that can then be stolen and misused.

In 2010, the Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA) in the UK estimated that online fraud is worth around  3.5 billion a year.

Corporate Fraud

Fraud does not only affect individuals. The recent scandal of the fiddling of Libor (London Interbank Offered Rate) was one such example, with perhaps the most famous recent case being that of purported financier and stockbroker, Bernie Madoff.

Madoff ran what appeared to be a successful investment house, which was in fact hiding a Ponzi Scheme that brought about the largest financial fraud in US history. The scheme was estimated to be worth $65 billion, though the courts finally settled on a figure of $18 billion. It just shows that fraud can flourish at all levels and can cause frankly astonishing damage.

Tax

Another area that attracts a lot of media attention is tax evasion, which is not to be confused with tax avoidance. The latter utilises legal techniques to minimise the tax burden for companies and individuals. However, fraudulent techniques can also be utilised to avoid certain VAT and tax liabilities, not to mention put into use to facilitate money laundering through sometimes unwitting businesses.

Top to Bottom

In short, serious fraud is a crime that has always existed, but which has mutated and adapted to the new online world. New methods have been devised in order to set up those deceptions that lead to the gains being made, which means that lawyers and other legal professionals dealing with this area need to keep up to speed with developments that can change from day to day.

AUTHOR BIO
Maria  lives in London and blogs on various financial topics, including tax evasion, serious fraud and white-collar crime.