Charlotte Injury Lawyers Blog

How One Woman’s Restraining Order, Criminal Complaints Led to a $15,000 Wrongful Prosecution Judgement Against Her

November 24, 2016 | AS Personal Injury Lawyers

Charlotte Personal Injury Attorney Matt Arnold answers the question: “Can I post about my injury on Social Media?”

Malicious prosecution just may be the hot-button lawsuit of the week. In our criminal blog this week (link here?), we discuss a South Carolina man a jury recently awarded $150,000 in his lawsuit against the county sheriff’s office for malicious prosecution. In addition, one recent and completely unrelated case in North Carolina proves just how varying the underlying circumstances leading to this type of lawsuit can be.

Victims to Divide $265 Million Payout For 2015 Amtrak Accident

November 22, 2016 | AS Personal Injury Lawyers

Charlotte Personal Injury Attorney Matt Arnold answers the question: “What exactly is a wrongful death claim?”

A judge in Pennsylvania recently issued an important decision that hundreds of injured commuters have been eagerly awaiting. Since May 2015, when a Northeast Regional Amtrak train derailed between New York and D.C., more than 200 victims and their families have been waiting to see what they would receive to compensate them for the injuries they suffered. Though the judge decided this past week that the total payout would be capped at $265 million, individuals will remain in the dark about their share until separate hearings can be held.

Recovery Curbed Yet Again by Contributory Negligence: One Reporter’s Story

November 17, 2016 | AS Personal Injury Lawyers

Charlotte Personal Injury Attorney Matt Arnold answers the question: How does the law of contributory negligence play a role in my case?

A Raleigh News & Observer reporter recently wrote a column about his personal experience with North Carolina’s “rigged system” of contributory negligence. The overall humorous tone of the article was undercut by his obvious frustration with the reality of North Carolina’s still being one of four (4) states that still uses the rule of pure contributory negligence.

Punkin Chunkin festival leads to serious injury

November 15, 2016 | AS Personal Injury Lawyers

Charlotte Personal Injury Attorney Matt Arnold answers the question: “What can you sue for in a personal injury case?”

Any festival with a name like “Punkin Chunkin” sounds like it would have to be a good time. Unfortunately, news reports indicate the Delaware festival, where individuals sign up to propel pumpkins as far as possible, took a tragic turn this weekend.

Do race and gender matter in personal injury cases? A recent investigation says “yes”

November 11, 2016 | AS Personal Injury Lawyers

Charlotte Personal Injury Attorney Matt Arnold answers the question: “Can I post about my injury on Social Media?”

Though there are more and more conversations these days about the troubling impact race and gender can have on cases in the criminal justice system, the civil justice system is almost never mentioned. It might come as a shock to most people that race and gender would ever factor into something like personal injury cases, but, according to a recent Washington Post article, that’s exactly what happens. A victim’s race and gender can have a huge impact on the size of a personal injury settlement as attorneys and other experts rely on demographic averages to determine future earnings. To learn more about how race and gender can skew personal injury awards, keep reading.

Family Reaches $15 Million Settlement with City After Daughter Dies from Peanut Exposure

November 8, 2016 | AS Personal Injury Lawyers

Charlotte Personal Injury Attorney Matt Arnold answers the question: “Are the laws or rules applying to a wrongful death claim different from a personal injury not involving death?”

The family of the 13-year-old girl who died three (3) years ago after eating an unlabeled Rice Krispies Treat laced with peanut butter has reached a $15 million settlement with the City of Sacramento.

New Jersey Supreme Court Gives Big Win To Plaintiffs

November 1, 2016 | AS Personal Injury Lawyers

Charlotte Personal Injury Attorney Matt Arnold answers the question: “What can you sue for in a personal injury case?”

After a plaintiff wins a personal injury case, many believe that the matter is resolved. The common misconception is that a plaintiff is handed a check by the responsible party and is able to go on his or her way. Unfortunately, that’s often not the case, especially in instances where a jury awards a large amount of money. In these cases, the defendants almost always challenge the verdict, an attempt to have the total reduced.

Candy and Costumes and Lawsuits, Oh My! Halloween-Related Legal Issues

October 28, 2016 | AS Personal Injury Lawyers

Charlotte Personal Injury Attorney Matt Arnold answers the question: “May I choose my own doctor in a personal injury case?”

Since the season of Halloween is upon us, we figured now might be as good a time as any for a discussion of the potential pitfalls the revelries this weekend can pose. Because what’s scarier than the prospect of a household full of children pumped full of sugar? Facing any of these potential legal issues.

Jury Awards $1.5 Million against Raleigh Newspaper, Reporter in Libel Case

October 26, 2016 | AS Personal Injury Lawyers

Charlotte Personal Injury Attorney Matt Arnold answers the question: “What can you sue for in a personal injury case?”

Freedom of speech and freedom of the press are two hot-button topics this election season.

Jury Awards $18 Damages to Innocent Man Tasered, Punched and Illegally Arrested by Police

October 25, 2016 | AS Personal Injury Lawyers

Charlotte Injury Lawyer Matt Arnold answers the question: “What is the value of my case?”

The jury on DeShawn Franklin’s civil rights case went to the trouble of finding in his favor. That made sense. Franklin had been an 18-year-old high school senior asleep in his bed when police officers stormed his family’s home in the middle of the night in 2012 and woke him up. The bewildered and freshly-conscious teen resisted, only to be punched multiple times; three of the officers’ blows landed on his face. Officers Tasered Franklin, fired their stun gun on him and dragged him out of his bedroom before realizing he was not the person they thought he was. Even after realizing this, the officers handcuffed him and put him in the police cruiser for resisting arrest.