Dec 25, 2011 | Brain Injury/Head Trauma, Car Accidents, Personal Injury, Uncategorized, Workers' Compensation
The recently released statistic is very disturbing. An 8.7% increase in commercial trucking crashes, according to a report released by the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NITSA). Sadly, it is now documented that large truck accidents are becoming more frequent. When they do happen, they almost always result in serious injury, brain injury, and/or wrongful death.
NHTSA said in its annual report that 3,675 people died in trucking related accidents in 2010, an increase of 295 over the 3,380 fatalities in 2009. The number injured in trucking accidents increased 12% from 17,000 to 19,000. (Those number are surely rounded off.) NHTSA did not clearly identify a cause, but increased truck traffic due to gradual economic recovery is likely a major factor.
Originally Posted On: December 20, 2011 by Ken Shigley, President of Georgia Bar
At Reeves, Aiken & Hightower, LLP, all of our attorneys are seasoned trial lawyers with over 70 years combined experience. Whether it is criminal or civil, our litigators are regularly in Court fighting for our clients. Two of our firm’s partners, Art Aiken and Robert Reeves, are lifetime members of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum. Mr. Reeves has also been named one of the Top 100 lawyers for South Carolina in 2012 by the National Trial Lawyers Organization. Our attorneys include a former SC prosecutor, a former public defender, a former NC District Attorney intern, a former Registered Nurse (RN), and former insurance defense attorneys. As a result of their varied backgrounds, they understand the criminal, insurance defense, and medical aspects of complex cases. We welcome an opportunity to sit down and personally review your case. Call us today for a private consultation. www.rjrlaw.com
Dec 18, 2011 | Car Accidents, Personal Injury, Uncategorized, Workers' Compensation
There are many law firms which offer workers’ compensation services. Most of those firms have very little experience in this complex area of the law but still charge full 1/3 contingency fees. At Reeves, Aiken & Hightower, LLP, our attorneys are seasoned trial lawyers with over 22 years experience each. Nevertheless, in these very difficult economic times, we offer a reduced attorney fee of 25% if a case is settled prior to requesting a hearing. Of course, the decision to settle or go to trial is always made by the client. The document below is our firm’s retainer agreement for your review. It is one page and, we hope, very straightforward. When considering a law firm, make sure you can understand their agreement and ask if they offer a similar reduced fee without going to court. Also, check out their credentials and how many years they have actually been practcing workers compensation law. Compare our attorneys to any other firm. Then, let’s sit down and personally discuss your particular case. After that, you will be in the best position to choose the most qualified lawyer to protect your interests.
STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA WORKERS’ COMPENSATION RETAINER AGREEMENT
COUNTY OF ______________________ Robert J. Reeves, P.C.
Reeves, Aiken & Hightower, L.L.P.
This is a contract agreement to engage professional legal services between
Robert J. Reeves, P.C. (Attorneys) and __________________________________________________
(Client) for any and all claims resulting from a work-related accident that occurred
on or about _________________, against __________________________________________(Employer).
Attorneys will develop all material evidence on Client’s behalf and prosecute all legally viable claims against all legally responsible parties. Client will be kept informed of significant developments in their case and will have sole discretion to accept or reject any final settlement offer. Attorneys will exercise their professional judgment as to what actions and/or claims to file and pursue. This Agreement covers legal representation through an initial mediation and/or hearing. Any appeals require a separate Retainer Agreement.
This Agreement is a contingency contract, meaning there are no attorney fees unless, and only if, the client receives money, either through settlement or hearing. If resolved PRIOR to filing a Request for Hearing, the attorney fee is 25% of any disputed amounts recovered, including temporary total and/or permanent disability benefits. If a Request for Hearing becomes necessary, the attorney fee increases to 33.33%. “Costs” are different from “attorney fees” and are deducted separately. Costs include such items as medical records, filing fees, expert witness charges, and deposition charges, if applicable. ALL ATTORNEY FEES ARE SUBJECT TO APPROVAL BY THE SOUTH CAROLINA WORKERS’ COMPENSATION COMMISSION (SCWCC).
No promises or guarantees have been made regarding any financial recovery. We only guarantee our best efforts and hard work on your behalf. If this Agreement ends before the case is concluded, Attorneys are entitled to costs and appropriate attorney fees as approved by the SCWCC for all work done to date.
We are honored that you have chosen our firm to represent you. We value your trust and will do everything we can to earn your loyalty now and in the future.
DATED this _________ day of ___________________________, 201_____.
Client Robert J. Reeves, P.C.
___________________________________________ ________________________________________
Dec 18, 2011 | Brain Injury/Head Trauma, Car Accidents, DUI & DWI, News, Personal Injury, Uncategorized, Workers' Compensation
The National Trial Lawyers is a national organization composed of the top 100 trial lawyers from each state. Membership is obtained through special invitation and is extended only to those attorneys who exemplify superior qualifications of leadership, reputation, influence, stature, and profile as civil plaintiff (accidents, workers’ compensation, brain injury, wrongful death) or criminal defense (DUI, DWI, felonies) trial lawyers. It is the mission of The National Trial Lawyers to promote excellence in the legal profession through practical educational programs, networking opportunities, and legal publications that deal with current issues facing the trial lawyer. Mr. Robert J. Reeves of the firm Reeves, Aiken & Hightower, LLP, has been invited to join this group from South Carolina for 2012.
Dec 9, 2011 | Brain Injury/Head Trauma, Car Accidents, News, Personal Injury, Uncategorized
Only a very small number of lawyers are ever privileged to have a case reach the state’s highest Court. Art Aiken, a partner at Reeves, Aiken & Hightower, LLP, recently argued a case of first impression dealing with injuries sustained while playing a casual “pickup” game of softball. While there are many defenses to such claims, Art is fighting on behalf of his personal injury client because this particular game went far beyond anything a reasonable person would have expected and was seriously injured as a result. We are very proud of our partner and his willingness to take on the tough cases.
Mr. Aiken has over 22 years experience in taking and arguing appeals in both state and federal courts. Columbia attorney Art Aiken argues case before the South Carolina Supreme Court as well as the South Carolina Court of Appeals. If you are an attorney with a case on appeal or which needs to be appealed, contact Mr. Aiken at 803-799-5205 to discuss.
View documents and Mr. Aiken’s opening arguments at the SC Judicial Department’s Case of the Month – October 2011
Oct 13, 2011 | Brain Injury/Head Trauma, Car Accidents, News, Nursing Home Abuse, Personal Injury, Uncategorized, Workers' Compensation
The Million Dollar Advocates Forum is pleased to announce that attorney Robert J. Reeves of Fort Mill, SC has been certified as a member.
The Million Dollar Advocates Forum is recognized as one of the most prestigious groups of trial lawyers in the United States. Membership is limited to attorneys who have won million and multi-million dollar verdicts, awards and settlements. The organization was founded in 1993 and there are approximately 3,000 members located throughout the country. Less than 1% of U.S. lawyers are members. Forum membership acknowledges excellence in advocacy, and provides members with a national network of experienced colleagues for professional referral and information exchange in major cases. Members must have acted as principal counsel in at least one case in which their client has received a verdict, award or settlement in the amount of one million dollars or more.
What makes this South Carolina lawyer and his law firm stand out is the fact that the firm has two members of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum. Both personal injury attorney Reeves and his associate Arthur Aiken are members.
When asked about his membership, Mr. Reeves said, “I am honored to be a part of this group of distinguished attorneys. In addition to the award itself, membership allows me to exchange information with a network made up of the top attorneys in the nation, which means I can benefit from the experience of successful colleagues. The knowledge I glean from them is passed down to my clients on a daily basis.”
About Robert Reeves
Robert Reeves is a criminal & personal injury lawyer from Fort Mill, SC, who fights hard for the interests of those who have been injured in South Carolina. He is the founding partner for Reeves, Aiken & Hightower, LLP and a life member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum. The firm maintains offices in Columbia, Fort Mill, and Clover, as well as an office in Charlotte, North Carolina. Visit www.rjrlaw.com to learn more or to schedule a personalized case evaluation.
Aug 19, 2011 | DUI & DWI, Uncategorized
A DWI Conviction could cost you $10,000. After the attorney’s fee, fines, court costs, alcohol classes, and insurance premiums, you could be looking at a cost of $10,000! Simply, the difference between a conviction and a not guilty verdict, could save you money but most importantly save your reputation.
The penalties for a DWI conviction differ drastically and will depend on many factors determined by the Judge. There are five levels for a DWI punishment, 1 being the worst and 5 being the best. If you are convicted, the level of punishment will impact whether active jail time is required and also how much the fine will be. A DWI fine could range from a $100 up to $4000. In addition, there will be fees associated with alcohol classes, a community service fee, and court costs. Most shocking are insurance premiums.
If convicted, your insurance will increase for the next three years. Your rates will increase approximately 340% for at least a three period. If your average rate is $300, you would be looking at more than a $1000 increase! In addition, if you have a high BAC reading, you may be required to install what’s called an ignition interlock in your vehicle.
If you blow above a .15 BAC and are convicted, you will be required to install an ignition interlock system in your car. This system is very costly and is only installed by one company in North Carolina. This system will probably cost you a few thousand dollars over the course of 12 months.
With the rising costs related to DWI, it is imperative to hire an attorney who focuses in this area of the law.
