How to Help Someone Who is a Victim of Domestic Violence

According to National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCAD), 1 in 4 women and 1 in 7 men will be victims of serious physical violence by an intimate partner in their lifetime. If you suspect or know someone is being abused, you may be unsure about how to help. Letting the person know you care can help them feel less alone and afraid. A domestic violence lawyer offers advice on some other steps you can take to help.

Listen Without Judgment

Many victims feel ashamed or embarrassed about revealing that they are being abused. Listen without judgment and allow your loved one to talk about what is happening without offering advice. Let them know that you believe them, that they are not alone, and that they do not deserve to be abused. Also, make it clear you are willing to help if they want you to. Just knowing that another person is listening can empower a domestic violence victim to take action.

Help Them Find Resources

You can help an abused victim find support and resources by giving them phone numbers and websites for local support groups, shelters, counselors, social services, and domestic abuse lawyers. It is also helpful to obtain information about domestic violence and child custody laws, and about how to get a Protection from Abuse order (PFA). Calling the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 can help you find local resources for a loved one.

Help Them Create a Safety Plan

Domestic violence victims who leave their abusive partners are at a greater risk of being killed than those who stay. It is critical to help them put a safety plan in place should a crisis occur or they decide to leave. Discuss each element of the safety plan, and discuss ways to reduce the risks in specific situations. A domestic violence safety plan should include the following:

1.    A safe place to go if there is an emergency or if they leave their abuser
2.   A list of emergency contacts, which may include the numbers for the domestic violence hotline, trusted friends and family members, and local shelters and social services
3. A code word to alert friends and family that help is needed
4. An "escape bag", which should include cash, important documents such as birth certificates and social security cards, copies of house and car keys, clothes, and toiletries. If the victim has children, they may want to include a favorite toy as well.
5. Most domestic violence victims do not want to leave their pets behind. Making arrangements for a trusted person to care for their pets if needed can help assuage some of their fears.

When to Call the Police

If you hear or see someone being abused, call 911. Although an abused person may not want to get the police involved, it is the most effective way to keep the victim and their children from being harmed. Children should never have to stay in a violent situation. Even if it goes against the wishes of the victim or the abuser, do whatever it takes to ensure the children’s safety, including calling the police and child protective services.

Whether you are a victim of abuse, want to help someone you care about, or need a domestic violence defense lawyer because you have been wrongly accused, our dedicated and compassionate legal team is here for you.

This blog was originally posted on https://pa4law.com/how-to-help-someone-who-is-a-victim-of-domestic-violence/

Read More

Possible Defenses for Sexual Assault: A Sex Crimes Attorney Explains

If you have been accused of a sex crime, you may feel hopeless and unsure of where to turn. An experienced sexual assault lawyer can help you navigate the legal system and protect your rights. Your attorney can also investigate the facts of your case and work with you to develop the best possible defense strategies. Although each circumstance is unique, there are several defenses that may be used in sex crime cases.

Innocence

The most common defense in many criminal cases is the accused maintaining their innocence.  However, even if you are innocent, it doesn’t necessarily mean that you will be exonerated. Although as a defendant in a criminal case you are not required to prove anything, convincing a judge or jury of your innocence can be challenging in a sexual assault case. Some important elements that can strengthen your defense include:

●     A strong alibi that can be corroborated

●     Evidence that shows the allegations are false, such as text messages or witness testimony

●     Physical evidence

These are just a few elements that may strengthen your case. Your sex crimes attorney will talk with you about any and all specific evidence that may prove your innocence in your case.

Consent

Unfortunately, sexual assault allegations often happen after an encounter that the accused believed was consensual. In some cases, the alleged victim may have given consent for a sexual activity at the outset, but later claim that he/she revoked it. In this type of situation, your defense attorney can help you challenge these false accusations.

Demonstrating an Accuser’s Motivation for Making a False Claim

If your sexual abuse lawyer can present evidence that your accuser made false accusations and has motive to seek revenge against you for something unrelated, this can be a compelling defense. In some cases, an accuser may have made claims against others that were proven to be unsubstantiated. When combined with other evidence, this defense can be effective at establishing reasonable doubt.

Regardless of which type of sex crime charges you face, having a knowledgeable defense attorney by your side is critical. Our sexual assault lawyers are experienced professionals who provide exceptional legal counsel without judgment. We believe everyone deserves the best defense possible and work to achieve positive outcomes for all our clients. Contact us to learn more or schedule a consultation today.

This blog was originally posted on https://pa4law.com/possible-defenses-for-sexual-assault-a-sex-crimes-attorney-explains/

Read More

What Happens When You’re Injured as a Passenger in a Motor Vehicle Accident?

Being hurt in a motor vehicle accident can leave you overwhelmed and wondering how you will pay for your medical bills and other expenses. If you’re injured as a passenger, It can be challenging to figure out who may be responsible for damages. A car accident lawyer can evaluate your case, determine who may be at fault, and identify all possible sources of compensation. Who may be liable will depend on the specific situation.

Options for Filing a Car Accident Claim as an Injured Passenger

File a Claim with the Other Driver’s Insurance Company

If another motorist caused an accident, and you were injured, you can file a claim against his/her insurer. However, if multiple people were injured, and the at-fault driver has low insurance policy limits, the amount of compensation you receive may not be enough to cover all types of damages. When multiple vehicles are involved in an accident, things can get even more complicated. Hiring an accident attorney can help take the weight off of your shoulders and significantly increase your chances of recovering the full amount of compensation you need and deserve.

File a Claim With Your Driver’s Insurer

You may also be able to have your medical bills and some other accident-related expenses covered by the insurer of the person who was driving the car you were in, regardless of who was at fault. In Pennsylvania, drivers are required to have Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage included in their vehicle insurance policy. Again, depending on the driver’s insurance policy limits, PIP may or may not be enough to cover all of your medical bills and wage loss.

If the driver of the car you were riding in as a passenger is at fault, you may be able to recover both economic and non-economic damages such as pain and suffering from the liability coverage on the driver’s policy. People are often hesitant to file a claim with a friend’s or family member’s insurance company. However, you are not trying to get money from them personally, but rather are seeking compensation from their insurer. Once you file a claim, it will be between you and the insurer, and your loved one will likely not be involved. If you hire a personal injury lawyer, they will handle all communications and negotiations with insurers.

File a Claim with Your Own Auto Insurance Company

If you have your own car insurance policy with PIP, MedPay, or uninsured /underinsured motorist coverage, you can use it to pay your medical bills and damages even though you weren’t driving. You may also be able to use your health insurance to cover medical costs. However, some insurers may require you to exhaust auto insurance claims first.

Dealing with multiple insurers can be frustrating and time-consuming. Our Pennsylvania personal injury lawyers provide free case evaluations and give you a straightforward assessment of your claim.  If your claim proceeds, we handle all aspects of your case, act as your strong advocates, and fight to help you recover the full and fair amount of compensation you need to protect your health and financial security.

This blog was originally posted on https://pa4law.com/what-happens-when-youre-injured-as-a-passenger-in-a-motor-vehicle-accident/

Read More

What to Do if You’re a Father Who Wants to Gain Custody of His Children

Fathers have just as much a right to obtain custody of their children as mothers do. However, many fathers face challenges when trying to gain full or partial custody of their children. Finding the best child custody lawyer and taking steps to show you are capable of caring for your children can help strengthen your arguments for gaining custody. These tips provide guidance about what to do if you are seeking custody of your children.

Stay Current with Child Support Payments

Although child support does not affect your right to obtain custody of your children, a judge may interpret failing to keep up with payments as a lack of interest in caring for your child. If you have been ordered to pay support, make sure to do so on time. If you and your co-parent have an informal child support arrangement, keep records and proof of payment.

Cultivate a Strong Relationship with Your Child

Regardless of your child’s age or how much parenting time you currently have, it is critical to build and maintain a solid relationship with your child. Communicating regularly, whether by phone, text, videoconference, or in person, shows your child you care about them and keeps you up-to-date on what’s going on in their life. Don’t forget to make time for fun activities and provide emotional support when they need it.  If you have family or close friends in the area, help your child cultivate their relationships with your loved ones as well.

Stay Involved and Attend Important Events

Showing a commitment to supporting the social, educational, and religious aspects of your child’s life can help you make a case for custody.  Parent-teacher meetings, doctor’s appointments, sporting events, school plays, playdates, and birthdays are just a few examples of important activities that can help strengthen your bond with your child and show you are involved in their life.

Keep Records

To demonstrate your involvement in your child’s life, it is a good idea to maintain records of the time you spend with them. Keep a calendar of your visitation schedule and parenting time, your parenting plan, and vacations. You should also document any events or meetings you attend that involve your child. Good child custody lawyers will advise you on exactly what to document and the best way to keep records of your involvement with your child.

Prepare a Space in Your Home for Your Child

All children need their own space where they can spend time relaxing and playing. The court will want to know about how your home is set-up and whether your child has a room of their own. Even if you live in a small apartment, creating a small space for your child to enjoy is essential.

Create a Plan for Your Child’s Needs

Staying on top of all aspects of your child’s care shows that you are dedicated to providing for them to the best of your ability. Write down your plans for their education, child care, after-school activities, and health care. Having a plan for continuing emotional and financial support shows a judge that you are willing to do whatever it takes to give your child a stable and happy life.

Be Respectful

Custody battles are often fraught with emotion and can be very contentious. However, it is vital to show respect to your co-parent and the court. Do not badmouth your co-parent in front of your children or in court proceedings. Judges definitely take your attitude into account when determining custody arrangements, so stay positive and polite.

If you and your co-parent cannot communicate in a civil manner, have your family law attorney handle communications during negotiations and proceedings. It is also important to remember that you and your co-parent share a lifelong commitment to your child, so it is best to make the effort to get along.

If you are a father who is interested in gaining custody of your children, our child custody lawyers offer a free consultation and are happy to answer any questions you may have.

This blog was originally posted on https://pa4law.com/what-to-do-if-youre-a-father-who-wants-to-gain-custody-of-his-children/

Read More

Is Leaving an Instrument Inside a Patient After Surgery Considered Medical Negligence?

Medical professionals use a wide array of instruments when performing surgery. According to the American Society of Anesthesiologists, around 4,500 to 6,000 sponges and other surgical instruments are left in patients’ bodies each year, which can lead to serious complications or death. If you or a loved one has had surgery and an item was left inside your body, a local medical malpractice lawyer can evaluate your case and advise you of your options.

What is Medical Negligence?

All healthcare providers, hospitals, and surgery centers have a duty of care to provide treatment according to a reasonable standard of care that similar medical professionals would provide. When they fail to meet that duty, it may be considered medical negligence.

In a medical malpractice claim, a plaintiff must prove that the health care provider did not meet that duty of care, that they suffered damages, and that the provider’s actions were the direct cause of their injuries. While cases involving retained surgical instruments may seem straightforward, good medical malpractice lawyers know that sometimes they can be challenging to win.

Commonly Retained Surgical Items

Surgical sponges are the most common items left inside the body. There are several reasons for this.  For example, a surgeon may go through 40 or 50 of them during one operation, and they can be hard to see when soaked in blood. Although hospitals have protocols in place to prevent this from happening, it most commonly occurs during emergency surgeries or when unexpected complications arise. Some other items and instruments that have been left inside patients’ bodies include:

• Scalpels

• Forceps

• Clamps

• Scissors

• Drain tips

• Needles

• Tubes

• Scopes

• Measuring devices

• Surgical gloves and masks

• Gauze

Why Surgical Instruments May be Left Behind

In addition to the chaos of emergencies or complications during surgery, other factors may increase the risk of retained surgical items. Sponges or instruments may be counted incorrectly due to fatigue or faulty management systems, and when multiple surgeries are needed or procedures involve more than one surgical team, the chances of instruments being left behind increase.

Complications of Retained Surgical Instruments

Retained surgical items can result in a wide range of complications, including internal bleeding and permanent injury or disability. Surgical sponges left inside can break down, collect bacteria, and cause ulceration that may eventually become life-threatening.

Blades, scalpels, and other instruments with sharp edges can cause organ and blood vessel punctures as well. Pain in the abdominal, pelvic or chest area, fever, swelling, digestive issues, nausea, and weight loss are common symptoms of retained surgical instruments or sponges.

Recovering Damages in Medical Malpractice Claims

In most cases, when a retained surgical instrument is detected, additional surgery is required to remove it. This can lead to exorbitant medical costs, pain, and significant recovery time. The best medical malpractice attorneys in Pennsylvania can evaluate your claim and may be able to help you recover damages such as:

• Medical bills

• Lost wages

• Loss of future earning potential if an injury leaves you disabled

• Anticipated future needs, such as nursing care

• Pain and suffering

• Other damages specific to your claim

If you have lost a loved one due to retained surgical instruments, you may be entitled to file a wrongful death claim against responsible parties.

Our experienced medical malpractice lawyers in Chester County, PA understand how to accurately value your claim and fight to hold negligent medical professionals and hospitals accountable so you can heal and move-on with your life.

This blog was originally posted on https://pa4law.com/is-leaving-an-instrument-inside-a-patient-after-surgery-considered-medical-negligence/

Read More

3 Common Defenses for Drug Crimes

Whether you are facing felony or misdemeanor charges, being accused of a drug crime can be life-altering. If you’ve been charged with a crime, it’s critical to find an experienced criminal defense attorney as soon as possible to ensure your rights are protected. A lawyer can help you understand common defenses for drug crimes that may apply to your case.

1. Unlawful Search and Seizure

Under the Fourth Amendment of the United States Constitution, Americans are protected against unlawful search and seizure. This means that law enforcement must have a warrant or probable cause before conducting a search. If law enforcement conducted an illegal search, your drug crime lawyer may be able to have evidence seized during the search deemed inadmissible in court. Because this evidence is often the cornerstone of the prosecution’s case, charges may even be dismissed.

2. The Drugs Were Not Yours

To prove you’re guilty of a drug crime, the prosecution must show that you had actual possession or constructive possession of the drugs. If you were arrested and drugs were found in your pocket, it is tough to use the defense that they are not yours or that you didn’t know they were there.

However, even if you were not carrying, holding or touching drugs, you may be charged with constructive possession in situations such as:

• Traffic stops and car searches with multiple people in the vehicle

• Searches of homes or buildings with multiple occupants

To prove constructive possession, prosecutors must show that you knew the drugs were there and had the intent and power to control them. For example, if you are driving a friend’s car and you’re pulled over on suspicion of DUI and marijuana is also found in the car, your DUI lawyer may argue that a constructive possession charge should be dropped because you weren’t aware that the marijuana was in the car. Regardless of the circumstances, if you’re accused of any type of drug possession, do not speak to law enforcement without an attorney present.

3. Unlawful Entrapment

When authorities pressure or induce someone to commit a crime they had no intention of committing, entrapment can be used as an effective defense tactic. To prove entrapment, the defendant must show that they did not have the predisposition to commit the crime or that any reasonable person would not have committed a crime but for the actions of law enforcement.

Other Defense Tactics in Drug Crime Cases

While these are a few common defense tactics for drug crimes, your defense attorney may explore other factors when building a defense, including, chain of evidence custody issues, procedural errors, legal technicalities, and police misconduct.

If you are a loved one is facing drug crime charges, you need an experienced defense attorney. Our team includes some of the top DUI attorneys and drug crime lawyers in Pennsylvania. We fight to protect your rights and provide aggressive legal representation you can trust.

This blog was originally posted on https://pa4law.com/3-common-defenses-for-drug-crimes/

Read More

What Happens When a Domestic Violence Case Goes to Trial?

Facing charges related to domestic violence in Pennsylvania can have a serious impact on every aspect of your life. Your reputation, livelihood, and freedom may be on the line, so it’s critical to hire an experienced domestic violence defense lawyer who can help you understand the criminal court process and protect your rights.

Understanding Domestic Violence Charges in PA

Under Pennsylvania law, there is no separate, specific domestic abuse charge. Instead, when offenses such as assault, unlawful restraint, terroristic threats, and other crimes are perpetrated against a spouse, intimate partner, other family members, or someone with whom you share a child, these crimes may be considered misdemeanor or felony crimes of domestic violence.

It’s also important to understand that a protection from abuse order (PFA) is a civil action and is not a criminal charge. However, if you violate a PFA, you can be charged with indirect criminal contempt of court, which carries penalties of up to six months of jail time and fines of $300 to $1,000.

The Pretrial Process

Shortly after your arrest, you will appear before the magisterial district judge for a preliminary arraignment in which you will be advised of the criminal complaint against you. A judge may grant or deny bond at this time. It’s critical to have an experienced domestic violence lawyer present your side and negotiate bond on your behalf.

The Preliminary Hearing

A preliminary hearing is usually held within ten days of the arrest. The prosecution must present sufficient evidence to establish that a crime was likely committed. In a preliminary hearing, you’ll be able to find out what evidence the prosecution has against you and present any mitigating circumstance or justification that could help with your defense. Your defense attorney may challenge any evidence against you at your preliminary hearing and the court will decide if there’s enough evidence for the case to proceed.

Formal Arraignment

At the formal arraignment, formal charges will be made against you, and you'll be required to enter a plea of guilty, not guilty, or no contest. If you plead not guilty, during pre-trial proceedings your attorney will obtain discovery and you may also attend a pre-trial conference to discuss any possible plea bargains with prosecutors.

Possible Defenses for Domestic Violence Charges

When crafting a defense, your domestic abuse lawyer will look at the circumstances and evidence and may employ defenses such as:

• The allegations of domestic abuse are untrue

• The harm caused was accidental or unintentional

• You were acting in self-defense or defense of another party

• Insanity or diminished capacity 

• Other defenses specific to your case

Trial

If you choose to stick with a not guilty plea, your case will go to trial. You may select a trial by jury or a trial by judge. Your attorney can help you decide which option might be better for your case. Although pretrial matters usually move quickly, it could be months before your trial date is set. However, this gives you and your attorney time to thoroughly prepare for your case. Whether or not you choose to testify is a critical decision to discuss with your attorney, but ultimately it is up to you.

At a criminal trial, the prosecution must prove the charges against you beyond a reasonable doubt. Steps of the trial process include:

• Jury selection

• Opening statements by each side

• Presentation of the case by the prosecution and then the defense, which may include evidence, testimony by the alleged victim, and witness testimony. 

• Closing arguments by the prosecution and defense

• Judge or jury deliberations

• Verdict

After a judge or jury deliberates, they will return with a decision. In a criminal trial, a defendant can only be found guilty if all 12 jurors unanimously agree on the verdict. Oftentimes, a defendant facing multiple charges may be found guilty of some charges, but not others.

If you're found not guilty, you’ll be free to go and move on with your life. If you are found guilty of one or more charges, the next step is sentencing. However, you have the right to appeal, which is a separate process you may want to consider.

Do you need help with a domestic violence case? Our experienced West Chester defense lawyers can evaluate your case, advise you of your options, and act as your staunch advocates.

This blog was originally posted on https://pa4law.com/what-happens-when-a-domestic-violence-case-goes-to-trial/

Read More