Posts by Nick Verderame
Why Are Truck Accident Claims Different from Car Accident Claims?
Motor vehicle accident claims can seem like they are pretty straight forward. In general, they all work the same way. You get injured, you get better, you hire an attorney who either settles your claim or sues the responsible party, and you get on with your life. What you don’t often see is all of…
Read MoreInsurance Demands for Social Media Data and Phone Accounts
Insurance policies almost always contain a “cooperation clause,” which mandates that policyholders cooperate with the insurance investigation when there is a claim for loss. Insureds who fail to cooperate may lose their right to their claim. In liability cases, the insurance carriers for the defendants will likely ask for phone records, social media data, and…
Read MorePeople with Minor COVID-19 Symptoms May Be At-Risk for Serious Brain Disorders
A recent study in the United Kingdom revealed that a brain condition called Acute Disseminated Encephalomyelitis (ADEM), triggered by COVID-19, is serious and may be potentially deadly. ADEM is similar, though more severe, than multiple sclerosis. While some patients with ADEM can make a good recovery, some become permanently disabled. As scientists continue to work…
Read MorePPP Loans and Future Whistleblower Claims
Businesses throughout Arizona and the rest of the country have been struggling to stay afloat ever since the COVID-19 pandemic reached the United States. Arizona is slowly reopening the state, including non-essential businesses. Thousands of businesses applied for and received Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans from the federal government to help prevent laying off employees.…
Read MoreUnderstanding Class Actions and Multi-District Litigation
When many people are injured in the same way or suffer a common type of loss, those lawsuits can be consolidated into a multi-district litigation (MDL) or a class action claim. The goal of this consolidation is to move cases through the courts more quickly and efficiently, so that plaintiffs can have justice. What are…
Read MoreJuul E-Cigarette Litigation Continues
Juul, like other e-cigarette manufacturers, is under scrutiny by FDA with regard to its unsafe products. Multiple lawsuits have been filed, claiming that vaping can cause serious lung injuries, seizures, strokes, and other medical problems. The lawsuits also claim that Juul’s nicotine levels can lead to addiction. Time is reporting that one of those lawsuits…
Read MoreTypes of Healthcare Fraud That Can Lead to a Qui Tam Claim
Employees, contractors, and anyone who is aware of healthcare fraud may be eligible to receive a percentage of any recovery the government obtains if their disclosure is useful to the government. The False Claims Act authorizes awards, generally between 10 and 30 percent, for disclosing fraud by doctors, medical practices, laboratories, pharmacies, hospitals, and any…
Read MoreImportant Information about COVID-19 for Arizona Residents
Everyone is deeply concerned about the novel coronavirus which has created a worldwide pandemic. The disease is shutting down most of the world. Our clients should know that our firm is keeping current with the latest health information and governmental requirements. We are working to advise our clients about the efforts of Plattner Verderame, P.C.…
Read MoreWhat, Exactly, Is a Whistleblower?
A whistleblower is a legal term. It refers to someone who discloses fraud, illegal conduct, or severe wrongs in accordance with a whistleblower statute. Many whistleblower claims are brought through the False Claims Act, in qui tam actions. This law, which was enacted during the administration of Abraham Lincoln, rewards people who disclose fraud involving…
Read MoreAutomated School Bus Safety Cameras
Automated school bus stop-arm cameras are being used in some locations across Arizona and in many other places across the nation. The goal of the cameras is to help monitor drivers who fail to obey the legal requirement to stop when a child enters or exits their school bus. The cameras are operable when the…
Read MoreCan a Car Accident Cause Chiari Malformation?
Motor vehicle accidents and car crashes can cause various types of injuries. Some of these are easy to identify, like a broken leg or fractured hand. However, other injuries or physical trauma might not be so readily apparent. Head and brain injuries fall into this category. One subset of brain injuries and conditions is known…
Read MoreWhat Are the Costs of Catastrophic Injuries?
Whenever someone suffers a traumatic brain injury, paralysis due to spinal cord damage, or any catastrophic injury due to the fault of another, there are two parts to the case. The first is establishing liability by showing someone ran through a red light, distributed defective drugs or other products, or was responsible for some other…
Read MoreIs Now the Right Time to Settle Your Truck Crash Claim?
If you have been injured in a truck crash, and you are still receiving medical treatment and have not been able to return to work, you might be feeling anxious about settling your claim. The trucking company’s insurance company might be approaching you with what seems like a valid offer to settle, but you might…
Read MoreWhat Parents Need to Know about Teen Drivers and Car Insurance
Parents want their kids to be happy and productive. Today’s parents appreciate that when they were young, they wanted to get their licenses to drive as soon as they could. In Arizona, having a car means greater freedom for the teen and parents. But with a car comes responsibility, and with responsibility comes purchasing insurance.…
Read MoreAt Least Four Different Types of Fireworks Have Been Recalled So Far
July 4th is almost here, and you know what that means: it’s time for the fireworks. Given how dry Arizona is, fireworks pose a different kind of risk for us. Today, we want to tell you which fireworks have been recalled for safety issues, and offer some tips to make sure your Independence Day celebration…
Read MoreWho Is Watching the Watchers?
The United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is a government organization that is tasked with protecting consumers by promoting the safety of products that hit the market. In order to protect the public from unsafe and defective products, the agency addresses unreasonable risks of injury, studying illnesses and injuries caused by products and creating…
Read MoreGov. Ducey Signs Bill Giving Childhood Sexual Assault Victims More Time to File a Lawsuit
On May 27, Governor Doug Ducey signed a bill into law to help protect victims of childhood sexual abuse. The new law “gives abuse victims until their 30th birthday to sue, a decade longer than before. It also opens a one-time window for victims who’ve missed the cutoff, who now have until the end of…
Read MoreHouse Votes to Return Constitutional Rights to Americans
Yesterday, May 22nd, saw a massive victory for Americans. The U.S. House of Representatives voted on an amendment that will limit how big banks and financial institutions can use mandatory arbitration. The amendment was introduced by Rep. Al Green (D-TX), and reinstates the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s (CFPB) 2017 rule governing forced arbitration. The amendment…
Read MoreThe FDA Is Hiding Crucial Information about Defective Medical Devices
Most claims of malfunctioning medical devices are required to be submitted to the FDA and kept in a public database. Often doctors search these databases when they experience or learn of a similar malfunction, to try to learn how they can better serve their patients. But not always. Kaiser Health News recently reported on a…
Read MoreDefective E-Cigarette Batteries Keep Exploding and Causing Injuries
An e-cigarette battery overheated and ignited a fire on an American Airlines flight shortly after landing on January 4, 2019. In a USA Today.com story, Ross Feinstein, a spokesperson for American Airlines, said that flight attendants are trained on how to fight high-energy battery fires, and that they “quickly extinguished the fire and the plane…
Read MoreAuto Insurance Coverage in Arizona
Choosing the right insurance can be a challenge. The policy language is dry and filled with “legalese,” and the costs can be high. Frank Verderame and Nick Verderame put together these short videos to address some of the more common questions we get about auto insurance, so you can make informed decisions about what is…
Read MoreJuul E-Cigarettes Pose a Unique Danger for Kids
Electronic cigarettes have been marketed as a product that can help adults who are trying to quit smoking traditional cigarettes. However, with their dessert-flavored liquids and their ease of use, Juul has become wildly popular with children and teens. For this reason, they pose a unique danger to underage vapers. What is Juul? Juul is…
Read MoreArizona’s New Paid Sick Time Laws
A summary of the laws and frequently asked questions about paid sick time In 2017, Arizona passed a new law regarding paid time off for sick employees working for businesses and non-profit organizations. Workers now have some comfort, even if there isn’t a written contract, knowing that they can take some paid time off for…
Read MoreNursing Home Responsibility for Bullying of Residents
USA Today reported in May 2018 that bullying is all too common at nursing homes. Seniors, their children, and friends and family have the right to expect that seniors will be respected and protected during their residency. Patients should be aware that they have a Bill of Rights that protects them from various forms of…
Read MoreSocial Media Rules after an Injury
A general rule of thumb if you’ve been injured is to stay off social media, for the purposes of you’ve got other sides, generally an insurance company, who is going to be looking for information they can hold against you to prove that you’re not hurt as badly as you actually are. Our rule,…
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