Sep 12, 2012 | Personal Injury, Uncategorized, Workers' Compensation
In a recent 2-1 decision, the South Carolina Court of Appeals affirmed the workers’ compensataion commission’s position against former stripper, LeAndra Lewis’ claim for benefits because she was not considered an employee of Boom Boom Studio 54 in Columbia.
Lewis, who was 19-years-old when she was performing at the Columbia Club, was shot in the abdomen during a fight that occurred between two customers. The 2008 shooting left Lewis with serious injuries to her liver, intestines, pancreas, kidney and uterus.
During her stripping days, Lewis would normally work five nights a week, traveling between the Carolinas. However, the scarring resulting from her injuries has cut her stripping career short.
Various arguments that Lewis was not an employee support the Court’s decision, including that management never specified how she was supposed to dance for patrons and that the club had not supplied her with any equipment. In fact, “from the standpoint of both the Boom Boom Room and its customers, Lewis brought her own ‘equipment’ for her work,” wrote the court. The Court further noted that the club did not pay Lewis to perform and that it was actually Lewis who paid for the opportunity to dance and collect tips from customers.
Judge Paul Short, dissenting, argued that Lewis was an employee of the club because management had the power to fine or fire strippers who missed their turn in rotation, who left early, charged their own V.I.P. dance price, or broke any other rules.
Columbia Workers’ Compensation Attorneys
Please call the experienced worker’ compensation attorneys of Reeves, Aiken & Hightower LLP. to have you case heard now! Our seasoned litigators have over 75 years combined trial experience. Our team of personal injury attorneys include former insurance defense lawyers, a former Registered Nurse (RN), and former criminal prosecutor. We can investigate all aspects of a serious accident and hold all parties accountable for your loss. Call us today and speak directly with one of our lawyers at 704-499-9000 or 877-374-5999 toll-free. We have offices in Charlotte and throughout South Carolina. We would be honored to have an opportunity to help you and your family get through this most difficult time in your lives. Hire the best worker’s compensation attorneys with whom you have the most confidence in!
Sep 11, 2012 | Pedestrian Accidents, Personal Injury, Uncategorized
A Fort Mill man at the Dixie Gun & Knife Classic Show accidentally shot himself in the hand on Sunday.
According to the report from the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department, authorities responded to the Metrolina Expo at 9:52 a.m. on the 7100 block of Statesville Road in Charlotte where the victim had accidentally shot himself in the hand while admiring the handgun.
Luckily, 40-year-old Eric Kinsinger of Fort Mill only suffered minor injuries from the incident. It has been reported that Kinsinger was using a Smith and Wesson .40 caliber handgun. He was immediately transported to Carolinas Medical Center for treatment. It appears as though he will make a complete recovery.
Fort Mill Personal Injury Attorneys
If the unthinkable happens in your life, call the experienced personal injury attorneys of Reeves, Aiken & Hightower LLP. Our team of personal injury attorneys include former insurance defense lawyers, a former Registered Nurse (RN), and former criminal prosecutor. Call us today and speak directly with one of our lawyers at 704-499-9000 or 877-374-5999 toll free. We have offices in Charlotte and throughout South Carolina. We would be honored to have an opportunity to help you and your family get through this most difficult time in your lives. Hire the best personal injury attorneys in whom you have the most confidence in!
Sep 7, 2012 | Car Accidents, Personal Injury, Uncategorized, Wrongful Death
Early Wednesday morning, a NC Highway Patrol Officer was traveling on Interstate 95 in North Carolina near mile 61, when he failed to yield the right of way when he was merging onto the highway.It has since been determined that the officer was in fact at fault, and will be disciplined internally, and accordingly says officials.
Trooper M.A. Bethea, 32, failed to yield the right of way when he was merging onto the road near the Wade-Stedman Road entrance at 2:19 a.m., a patrol spokesman said. Bethea was chasing a speeder when he entered the road. However, he had not turned on his blue lights, and his cruiser was rear-ended by a vehicle driven by Daniel Vigo, 35, of Cameron, officials said.
Bethea and Vigo were released from an area hospital, where they were treated for minor injuries, officials said. Vigo’s 2003 Honda and Bethea’s cruiser were towed from the scene because they had heavy tire damage. Vigo has not been charged.
North Carolina Accident Attorneys
If you or a loved one have been involved in an accident that resulted in personal injury ir death, please contact the experienced accident attorneys of Reeves, Aiken & Hightower LLP. Our seasoned trial lawyers are able to help those individual injured in South Carolina and North Carolina. With over 75 years combined legal experience, former insurance defense backgrounds, and a former Registered Nurse (RN), our team is standing by to help get you and your family through this difficult time. For more information, please visit our website at www.rjrlaw.com. Compare our attorneys’ credentials. Then, call us for a private consultation about your particular situation and let us get you the help you and your family deserve!
Sep 5, 2012 | Car Accidents, Personal Injury, Trucking/Tractor-Trailer Accidents, Uncategorized
A 59-year-old Mooresville woman was airlifted to the Carolinas Medical Center Main Campus in Charlotte on Wednesday after a wreck near the Charlotte Motor Speedway.
At approximately 2:15 on Wednesday, Valerie Canup Williams was traveling at about 45 miles per hour west on Morehead Street when her Toyota crossed the center lane and collided with an Allied Waste Services refuse hauler, according to an incident report. The truck was traveling at about 15 miles per hour when it was struck by Williams’ car. The collision caused Williams’ vehicle to travel another 35 feet after impact.
Williams was trapped in her car, and medical workers had to remove her from the vehicle. The driver of the truck suffered no injuries from the crash. The collision caused $15,000 worth of damage to the truck and $9,000 to Williams’ Toyota. Williams, who remains at the Carolinas Medical Center, is said to be in ‘fair’ condition, according to hospital staff.
The South Carolina Boating Accident Attorneys of Reeves, Aiken, and Hightower, LLP.
If the unthinkable happens in your life, call the experienced wrongful death attorneys of Reeves, Aiken & Hightower LLP. Our seasoned litigators have over 75 years combined trial experience. Our team of personal injury attorneys include former insurance defense lawyers, a former Registered Nurse (RN), and former criminal prosecutor. We can investigate all aspects of a serious accident and hold all parties accountable for your loss. Call us today and speak directly with one of our lawyers at 704-499-9000 or 877-374-5999 toll free. We have offices in Charlotte and throughout South Carolina. We would be honored to have an opportunity to help you and your family get through this most difficult time in your lives.
Sep 2, 2012 | Car Accidents, Personal Injury, Uncategorized, Wrongful Death
A settlement between the Richland County Sheriff’s Department and the Estate of a man killed in a collision with a Deputy in June 2011 was approved by a judge on Wednesday.
Phillip Hawkins, 67, was killed when Deputy George Mickens, traveling at approximately 79 miles per hour, lost control of his cruiser when he ran a red light and collided with Hawkin’s car. Both the investigations of the South Carolina Highway Patrol and the Richland Sheriff’s Department concluded that a medical condition, likely a seizure caused Mickens to lose the ability to drive. The State Solicitor further concluded that the evidence was insufficient to find that the accident was the result of any wrongdoing.
Hawkins’ family, however, disagreed with those conclusions and filed a wrongful death suit, citing Mickens’ driving record. Mickens’ prior record reveals six crashes in the last ten years, four of which were caused by Mickens. Since 1993 Mickens has been stopped 12 times for offenses ranging from running a stop sign to speeding.
The Estate of Phillip Hawkins will receive $193,933.79 after legal fees. Mickens is no longer employed with the Richland County Sheriff’s Department. The settlement protects the Department from further suits.
Columbia Car Accident Attorneys
If you or a loved one have been injured or killed in any type of car accident in the Columbia area, you need an experienced accident attorney like those at Reeves, Aiken & Hightower to help you get the justice you deserve. Call us at 877-374-5999, or
use this form, to speak with an attorney who can help you evaluate your claim and get you the best possible recovery.
