Bartow Legal Blog

Points to remember when you're a parent going through divorce

On behalf of Saunders Law Group on Thursday, December 5, 2019.

One of the most difficult decisions that parents have to make is what's going to happen with the child custody situation. Traditionally, one parent has moved out of the home and the children split their time between the two homes based on the parenting time schedule that is part of the child custody order.

There is another option that has become increasingly more popular recently. Dubbed bird's nest parenting, this method is based on the child remaining in the same house. Instead of the child switching homes, the parents move into the child's home when it is their parenting time. They then move back to their own home when it is time for the other parent to be with the kids.

Helping medical malpractice victims fight after a misdiagnosis

On behalf of Saunders Law Group posted in medical malpractice on Thursday, December 5, 2019.

The holiday season is the time of year when we wish cheer and good health to others. Unfortunately, health issues could suddenly creep up on us, whether it is detected through a routine medical exam or a visit with a specialist prompted by concerning ailments. While a diagnosis of an illness often means getting a prescribed treatment plan from a medical professional, if a medical professional made a misdiagnosis, significant harm could be caused to a patient.

Patients trust medical professionals because of the extensive education and training doctors and nurses receive. Patients expect that this will allow for accurate diagnoses and treatment plans. But if the wrong tests are ordered, symptoms are overlooked, or test results are misread, then a misdiagnosis, delayed diagnosis, or a failure to diagnose can occur. Not receiving any treatment for an illness could mean a worsened condition, and receiving the wrong treatment plan due to a misdiagnosis could cause new medical issues.

You have a right to informed consent

On behalf of Saunders Law Group on Thursday, November 21, 2019.

When you went to the emergency room for your sore throat and some minor difficulty breathing, you didn't think much of it. You thought they'd give you antibiotics and send you home. You hoped they might be able to give you pain medication, too.

While there, you suddenly felt very dizzy, and you passed out. You were dehydrated from not drinking enough and woke up with an IV in your arm. It wasn't until you sat up and saw blood that you started to panic.

Help for parents with child support enforcement

On behalf of Saunders Law Group posted in Family Law on Thursday, November 21, 2019.

Parents who are seeking to collect valuable child support should be familiar with legal resources to help them enforce a valid child support order. Parents are required to provide financial support for the care of their children which is why the family law legal process provides options to help parents with their child support concerns and child support enforcement.

Options to enforce child support include withholding federal and state tax refunds; wage garnishment; seizure of personal property; license suspension of an occupational or business license; driver's license suspension or revocation; and denial of a passport. In some circumstances, jail time may also be a possible child support enforcement mechanism for parents who fail to pay child support. Because the consequences for the failure to pay child support are serious, it is essential for parents to be familiar with what they are.

Legal remedies protect loved ones

On behalf of Saunders Law Group posted in Wrongful Death on Friday, November 8, 2019.

One of the most difficult experiences anyone can face is the loss of loved one. When that loss is also unexpected and wrongful, because of the negligent actions of another party, it can be especially difficult to deal with which is why legal protections are in place to help surviving family members with their damages following the wrongful loss of a loved one.

A variety of different types of compensation for the financial and emotional damages and losses suffered by surviving family members may be available through a wrongful death claim for damages which is an important legal resource for them to consider. A wrongful death claim for damages is brought by the estate of the lost loved for the benefit of surviving family members who may be left facing emotional and financial challenges they were unprepared to face. Spouses, children, beneficiaries and dependents of the lost loved one may be able to bring a claim for damages.

Emergency room malpractice is fairly common

On behalf of Saunders Law Group on Monday, November 4, 2019.

Taking a trip to the emergency room isn't something that most people do without something being seriously wrong. When you do show up, the medical team needs to do what they can to figure out what's going on, especially if there is a chance that your life is in danger.

Malpractice in the emergency room isn't that uncommon. In fact, the emergency room is the most common place from which malpractice lawsuits stem. Around 63% of malpractice incidents happen in the emergency room during the period starting at 6 p.m. and ending at 1 a.m. on holidays and weekends. This coincides with the busiest hours in the department.

What types of damages can car accident victims recover?

On behalf of Saunders Law Group posted in motor vehicle accidents on Friday, October 25, 2019.

One of the first questions car accident victims may ask is what they are going to do about all of the damages they are facing. Car accident victims should rest assured that there are legal resources and remedies available to protect them following a car accident to help them recover compensation for their

car accident damages.

What victims of a delayed diagnosis can do about it

On behalf of Saunders Law Group posted in medical malpractice on Friday, October 11, 2019.

When a doctor or other medical care professional has failed to provide the patient with a timely diagnosis, serious consequences and harm can result. Victims of a delayed diagnosis, failure to diagnose or erroneous diagnosis and treatment may all be able to seek remedies for the harm they have suffered through a medical malpractice claim for damages.

In many circumstances and medical conditions, such as cancer, heart attack, stroke and others, it is essential that the medical condition be diagnosed as timely as possible. When the victim has suffered harm, such as a worsened condition, because of the delayed diagnosis, failure to diagnose or erroneous diagnosis, medical malpractice protections may be available to them and their families. The consequences of a delayed diagnosis or delayed treatment can be fatal.

Create a common sense, workable parenting plan

On behalf of Saunders Law Group on Friday, October 4, 2019.

As you move through the divorce process, you're pulled in many different directions. You have questions about what will happen to your family home, while also dealing with concerns about child custody and child support. And that's just the start.

In all of this, it's easy to lose sight of the importance of creating a common sense, workable parenting plan. Neglecting to take the right steps now will result in additional challenges, tension and stress in the future.

How property is divided in Florida when couples divorce

On behalf of Saunders Law Group posted in Family Law on Friday, September 27, 2019.

The property division process during divorce implicates many things couples care about and may be concerned about during their divorce which makes it helpful for them to understand how property division is handled during divorce. Florida follows equitable property division rules which means that property will be divided during divorce as equitably as possible.

Marital property is subject to the property division process during divorce which can include houses, cars, furniture, retirement accounts, debts and other types of property. Marital property includes property and assets acquired during the marriage. It should be distinguished from separate property that is generally not subject to the property division process. Separate property includes property and assets one of the spouses had prior to the marriage, gifts, inheritances and personal injury awards.