Posted on June 03, 2016 in Personal Injury

One of the most loving and humane actions individuals can take is welcoming a foster animal into their homes. Abandoned pets, or those who can no longer be cared for by their owners, are given a second chance in a caring environment. Millions of animals reside in shelters across the U.S. and over half do not make it out alive. Therefore, a foster situation is a wonderful step toward a forever home for an animal in need.

Yet when a loving family decides to foster an animal until a permanent home can be found, there is a risk. Families welcome foster animals frequently, and often, the background of the animals is not fully known. The risk is that a dog may unexpectedly lash out and injure someone. Usually that “someone” is a young family member or someone in the vicinity, such as a neighbor or a visitor to the home.

The Numbers

Forty-three million American households own a dog or dogs, totaling over 70 million. With that staggering number in mind, it is easy to see how many dogs fill homes in every neighborhood around us. Shelter and rescue dogs are taken in by families at the rate of over 80 percent as opposed to those purchased from a breeder at the rate of 19 percent.

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 Posted on June 02, 2016 in Immigration

Immigration to the U.S., especially on a temporary basis, has always been a difficult and complex endeavor. Perhaps the most easily confused set of rules revolves around the H1B visa, which is designated for foreign workers in ‘specialty’ occupations. Everything from the duration of stay, to the person applying for the visa and beyond has been brought into question; it is imperative that you understand what is true and required if you will be using the H1B visa to come to the United States.

Myth: You can apply for an H1B visa just like any other type of nonimmigrant visa, by completing an application and mailing it in.

False. H1B visas, because they are so in demand, are only available during a specific window, usually beginning on April 1 and ending whenever the cap has been reached. Unlike many nonimmigrant visas, H1Bs are capped by an act of Congress, mostly to restrict the potential adverse effects on U.S. citizen employment rates. Also, in most cases you yourself will not complete the relevant paperwork for an H1B, but rather the U.S. employer with whom you have formed a relationship. You will likely have to provide information, but the law actually requires that the employer be the one to submit the petition.

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 Posted on May 28, 2016 in Family Law

For more than a decade, the percentage of women who chose to stay home with their children declined. Then, in 2012, something shifted, and the U.S. saw a spike in the number of stay-at-home parents. But moms were not the only ones deciding to take on child care full-time; stay-at-home dads have also been on the rise. Factors, such as downturns in the labor force, the increased cost of child care, and rising immigration are all thought to be responsible. But, regardless of the reasons behind the trend, all are said to be at risk for financial strain and poverty in the event of a divorce.

Staying at Home in Marriage Can Have Consequences in Divorce

Regardless of whether the stay-at-home parent is a mother or a father, the risks are the same. Years, possibly even decades, outside of the workforce make re-entry more difficult. Technology advances, which seem to happen overnight, can leave the parent unprepared, under-skilled, and ultimately underpaid. So, once the cost of divorce, monthly expenses, and often a lack of savings are factored into the equation, stay-at-home parents are at an extreme risk for a financial strain.

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 Posted on May 26, 2016 in Personal Injury

Spring weather across the nation is luring out motorcyclists onto highways and roads. While some drivers may view motorcycles as a risk or menace on the road, most motorcyclists are law abiding enthusiasts who have chosen a motorcycle over a car for various reasons. Yet whatever the reason, drivers are still wise in being cautious of motorcyclists.

Cars and motorcycles are involved in accidents daily—accidents which can cause significant personal injuries to both motorcyclists and others, in addition to property damage. Moreover, motorcyclists who “lane split,” or travel between actual lanes, can be a risk to themselves and to other cars and drivers.

Data from the California Enhanced Motorcycle Collision Data Project reports that 997 collision-involved motorcyclists, out of 5,969, were lane-splitting at the time of their collision. And while lane splitting may be considered actually safer for a rider, there are those who flout the law and create danger for others.

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 Posted on May 26, 2016 in Immigration

The concept of immigration proceedings can be very confusing for some, with misinformation constantly propagated about what occurs and what a court can do during such hearings. If you or a loved one has been placed into removal proceedings, the situation can be stressful, but all is not necessarily lost. Being aware of what exactly occurs at such proceedings can help ease fears.

The Master Calendar Hearing

The first step in the process is the master calendar hearing, and while it is not required that you bring an attorney, it is recommended. Regardless of whether or not you have one, you absolutely must attend this hearing—if you do not, you will almost certainly be ordered removed in absentia. In other words, the judge will assume that since you did not appear, you have no defense to the charge of removability.

Appearing at the master calendar hearing allows you to contest the allegations of removability, assuming you are able. If you cannot, you may still be able to negotiate what is referred to as voluntary departure. Voluntary departure is just that—voluntarily leaving the United States, rather than being deported. If someone is granted voluntary departure, it means that there will be no bar against his or her return, as there would be otherwise—he or she simply must obtain the appropriate visa abroad.

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 Posted on May 21, 2016 in Family Law

There is a growing custody trend in divorce – one that places children at the very forefront in a new and unconventional way. Known as “birdnesting,” it is receiving attention from celebrities, television shows, and everyday divorcees alike. The big appeal is that children are not uprooted or split between two homes during and after a divorce, and many swear it has helped their children with adjustment during and after the divorce. But is this custody arrangement right for your family? The answer may rest in why you are getting a divorce in the first place.

How Birdnesting Works

In a “conventional” divorce, parents share what is known as parenting time and the child may have two separate homes – one with each parent. Birdnesting is exactly the opposite – parents are the ones who alternate living space, and in some circumstances, they may even be under the same roof for a decent amount of time. And, typically, it is the same house they owned prior to the divorce.

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 Posted on May 19, 2016 in Personal Injury

When most people think of head injuries, they think of concussions: blows to the head experienced during major falls, automobile accidents, or while playing sports that can have lasting effects. There is, however, a lesser known but quieter, insidious type of head injury in which few people are aware. Experienced even during minor accidents or simple slips and falls, these injuries are slow-growing but can quickly and easily become fatal if not detected. These injuries are known as subdural hematomas.

What is a Subdural Hematoma?

Like concussions, subdural hematomas are injuries to the head. However, unlike concussions, subdural hematomas do not need a major blow to occur. They can occur because of a simple fall, or even just starting to fall and then catching yourself. Subdural hematomas can also occur even during a minor automobile accident, where the head is suddenly jolted or bumped so slightly that the injured person does not even remember or fully register the hit. Those who are aged 60 or older are most susceptible because of how the brain changes with age.

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 Posted on May 19, 2016 in Immigration

It is an unfortunate reality that many people in the United States are the victims of violence at the hands of their loved ones. While it is more common for women to experience such treatment, it affects men as well. Sometimes, it can become an issue of survival. If your abuser is a United States citizen or permanent resident, there may be a way out for you. The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) permits battered spouses to apply for permanent residence to get away from their abusers (despite the title, both genders are encouraged to apply).

Can Any Immigrant Apply?

Upon its passage in 1994, VAWA only applied to women, though its benefits were later extended to those who identify as male or non-binary. It recognizes the necessity to allow non-citizens who meet the requirements and are the victims of domestic violence a chance to start a new life without their abuser’s presence. However, the immigrant must be either the spouse or child of their U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident abuser, or the parent of their U.S. citizen abuser, to qualify under VAWA. You may also file as an abused spouse if your child has been abused by your U.S. citizen or permanent resident spouse.

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 Posted on May 13, 2016 in Family Law

In the state of Washington, grandparents are banding together to obtain legal rights to their grandchildren. But what does this mean, exactly? And how – if at all – does the law protect the rights of grandparents in Illinois? If you are a grandparent and are being denied visitation to your grandchild, the following will help you understand if and how Illinois’ grandparents’ rights statute applies to you.

How the Law Defines Grandparents’ Rights

Grandparents’ rights are not like parenting rights, nor do they overrule them. Instead, the Illinois statute 750 ILCS 5-602.9 simply acknowledges that you have the right to ask the court for legal permission to see your grandchildren. Depending on the situation, this request may or may not be granted, and it may or may not be considered “valid” by the courts. In fact, there are only a handful of situations in which you may legally pursue grandparents’ rights.

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 Posted on May 12, 2016 in Personal Injury

Car accidents occur daily, and some of the most deadly accidents are head-on collisions. These types of collisions can be caused in a variety of ways. Speed is usually the top offender, in addition to accidents caused by drivers who are drunk, drivers who are under the influence of drugs, or drivers who are distracted. The resulting impact on the loved ones left behind can be devastating.

Additionally, if someone is lucky enough to even survive a head-on collision, the ongoing care and convalescence involved can be lengthy and costly. Almost 100 fatal injuries occurred in Illinois in 2012 due to head on collisions.

Head-on Collisions

Head-on collisions account for roughly 10 percent of driving fatalities and usually occur because of another driver’s unintentional maneuver on the road. Unintentional maneuvers can occur when a driver is being reckless, speeding, fatigued, distracted, or is driving too fast for the road pattern or weather conditions. Even drunk drivers or those under the influence of drugs can contribute to this deadly type of motor vehicle accident. This negligence and recklessness creates a huge risk and does not bode well for law abiding, safe drivers and their innocent passengers when sharing the road.

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