Tag Archive for: covid-19

How Will COVID-19 Impact Personal Injury Claims?

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The coronavirus outbreak has taken the world by storm, prompting unprecedented actions by governments around the globe to contain the spread of the virus. Here in Alabama and in most other states, a “stay at home” order was put into place, which included prohibitions of non-essential interactions. Every area of society has been impacted by COVID-19, and this includes the court system.

Access to Alabama courts has been restricted during this time, and only emergency proceedings have been allowed to continue. That said, many hearings and depositions are now being conducted remotely via teleconferencing or videoconferencing if this option is available and all parties are able to access it.

At M. Adam Jones and Associates, we want you to know that we are fully operational and able to continue providing the strong personalized representation our clients have come to expect. We are doing most of our tasks remotely these days as we follow social distancing guidelines, but we continue to meet with clients on a daily basis using tools such as Zoom and FaceTime. We have the technology and resources to handle your case smoothly and seamlessly as we always have.

How Will my Personal Injury Claim be Affected by COVID-19?

In addition to delays in the court system, the coronavirus pandemic has created some other concerns for those who have suffered an injury that was caused by someone else:

Medical Treatment

For those who have been injured in an accident or event, getting proper medical treatment in a timely manner is critical. This is not only true from the standpoint of your health and well-being, but also in order to fulfill your legal duty to mitigate your losses after getting hurt. In addition, you will need to have extensive documentation of your injuries (both physical and emotional) in order to recover full and fair compensation.

The challenge with COVID-19 (with regards to the healthcare system) is twofold; some elective treatments have been delayed in order to focus resources on coronavirus patients, and some injury victims are apprehensive about seeking medical care when there may be COVID-19 patients in the hospitals and clinics.

With the first issue, there is not a lot that patients can do if their doctor puts a treatment or procedure on hold because of a government mandate. But the good news is that the healthcare system now has plenty of capacity in Alabama and most other places, and the states are opening up full access to elective procedures. This should allow injury victims to get the care they need.

With the second issue, it is understandable that an injury victim would be worried about contracting COVID-19 if they go in for medical care. But it is important to realize that hospitals and clinics are taking every precaution to keep their patients safe.

If there are any coronavirus patients, they are separated from others. Also, everything is sanitized, healthcare workers and patients wear masks, and patients maintain at least a 6-foot distance from each other. The bottom line here is that the risks of contracting COVID-19 if you go into see your doctor are minimal, and it is far worse (for your health and legal claim) to miss appointments and put off essential treatments that you will need to make a full recovery or reach maximum medical improvement.

Pressure to Settle the Claim

Delays with court proceedings combined with tighter finances for many who have lost their jobs because of COVID-19 could make injury victims more motivated to settle. Unfortunately, the insurance companies are aware of this as well, and many of them are making the situation worse by intentionally dragging their feet in hopes that victims will settle for far less than they deserve. Now, more than ever, those who have been injured need an experienced attorney in their corner who has a proven track record securing maximum compensation for their clients.

Statute of Limitations

In Alabama, someone who suffers an injury through no fault of their own generally has only two years to file a lawsuit against those who are responsible. If this deadline is missed, it is highly likely that the case will be thrown out of court. Two years may seem like a long time, but it can go by quickly, especially when there are delays with the courts and the likelihood that there will be a backlog in cases when everything gets reopened.

It may be that courts will extend the deadline in some cases because of the unprecedented circumstances with COVID-19, but this is not something you want to take a chance with. In all cases, it is highly recommended that you obtain experienced representation as soon as possible, so you are in the best possible position to secure a favorable result.

M. Adam Jones and Associates is Here for You

If you or someone close to you has suffered injury because of another party’s negligence or reckless actions, M. Adam Jones and Associates is ready to go to work for you. Call our office today at 334-581-9238 or message us online for a free no obligation consultation, which can be held by phone or videoconference. We look forward to serving you!

Ways to Help your Community During the COVID-19 Crisis

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The coronavirus pandemic is an unprecedented event unlike anything most of us have experienced in our lifetimes. Hundreds of thousands of Americans have tested positive for COVID-19, and thousands have died so far from the virus.

In many areas of the country, major parts of our economy that have been deemed “nonessential” have been closed down, and a lot of people are unemployed or working from home, while others are being asked to work lots of overtime if they are on the front lines. And of course, we have all been asked to stay in our homes and keep our distance from others as much as possible when we do have to go out.

The COVID-19 outbreak is one of those rare experiences that is shared by all Americans. We can truly say that we are all in this together, and as such, we should all do what we can to help others who may be struggling during this difficult time. These range from the elderly who are shut in and afraid to leave their homes (for fear of catching the virus) to those who are having a hard time with isolation to those who are working overtime on the front lines even at increased risk of being exposed to the virus.

As always during major times of crisis in our country, the American spirit shines through, and people are pulling together to help get everyone through this. Here are some of the ways people are helping others who are in need within their local communities:

Grocery and Meal Delivery to the Elderly

As mentioned previously, many of the most vulnerable in our communities are anxious about having to leave their homes to get food and other essential supplies. This has prompted others in the local neighborhoods to step up and fill this need. One such example is Larry, an Uber driver from just across the border in Bay City, Florida. Between trips, Larry delivers groceries to shut-ins in his community. All he asks in return is to pay him for the groceries if they can, or just “pay it forward” to someone else and stay safe. Acts of kindness like these are helping ensure that the elderly have what they need to safely get through this pandemic.

Meals and Supplies for Frontline Workers

Healthcare workers, truck drivers, and those who work in grocery stores are among the frontline workers that are risking exposure every day to help our country deal with this crisis. Some citizens have decided to help by having meals delivered to those who are putting themselves on the line so the rest of us can stay safe. There is also a movement to get masks into the hands of frontline workers; some companies have directed their focus toward producing masks, while others who are at home are sewing masks out of materials that can be obtained from arts and craft stores. For truck drivers, some restaurants that are still open are providing free curbside delivery – all the driver has to do is call the order in and wait for it in the truck.

Sending Creative Messages to the Elderly

Children who are at home may have a lot of extra time on their hands, causing some of them to go stir crazy. And because of the virus out there, this is also an inopportune time for them to visit with their grandparents. One constructive way many of them are using this time is to create homemade cards with encouraging messages to send to their grandparents and to other elderly individuals who are in nursing homes and assisted living centers where in-person visits are extremely restricted.

Volunteering for a Local Nonprofit

Local nonprofits that provide critical services to the community are extremely short-staffed because of COVID-19. Because of health and safety considerations, many of their regular volunteers have had to step back and stay-at-home because of age and higher risk medical conditions. At the same time, demand for services like food shelves is likely to increase as the economic impact of the coronavirus is felt across the country. Some who have suddenly become unemployed and find themselves at home have decided to volunteer their time to help fill the needs of these local nonprofits.

Financial Support to Nonprofits

Not everyone can volunteer personally. There are a number of reasons you may need to stay at home, such as health concerns or kids to look after. Many of those who are in this situation are choosing to financially support the nonprofits that are in great need because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Supporting Local Businesses when They Can

The COVID-19 outbreak will have an enormous economic effect on our society. We will not really know the full impact of it until after all of this is over. What we do know is that many businesses have either closed or severely limited their offerings. For example, restaurants can only provide drive-through, curbside or home delivery. Those in the local community are stepping up to support businesses that are still open in a limited capacity to help (if even in a small way) to ease the devastating economic impact the coronavirus pandemic has had.

M. Adam Jones and Associates is Here if You Need Us

Alabamians and Americans across the country are coming together to support each other during this unprecedented viral outbreak. We will get through this, and we will all come out stronger and more united on the other side. In the meantime, we want you to know that our firm is here if you need legal help of any kind. We are taking all precautions and following all of the social distancing guidelines as our attorneys and staff have transitioned to working primarily from their homes; but we continue to meet with clients on a daily basis both over the phone and via video tools such as Zoom and Facetime.

To schedule a consultation with one of our experienced attorneys, call our office today at 334-581-9238 or send us an online message. We look forward to serving you!

M. Adam Jones,

Managing Partner

M. Adam Jones & Associates, LLC

206 N. Lena St.

Dothan, AL 36303

Tel: 334-699-5599

Fax: 334-699-5588