Let’s say, for instance, that someone was a victim in a bad car accident and claimed severe back injuries that supposedly were due to this accident. However, the Facebook or Twitter page of this person shows pictures of him/her riding roller coasters, skiing, and other activities that a person normally would not do with a back injury. Even if this person had set their Facebook page to “private”, meaning only his/her friends could see postings, a judge can order disclosure of the Facebook password to gain access to any postings.

In regards to Twitter, all information posted to this site is available to the public and can be seen by anyone. During the discovery phase of a trial, the other side could site any tweets to be included in evidence. Even what you may perceive to be a fun, innocent post on a social media site may be used to paint a picture of you in a negative way. This is what happened to Isaiah Lester.

Lester was involved in a tragic car accident with a truck that left his wife, Jessica Lester, dead while he suffered minor injuries. The couple were traveling on State Route 53 when they were hit by a truck driven by William Sprouse who was working for Allied Concrete Co. Isaiah Lester became a beneficiary in a wrongful death case of over $10 million dollars. Case closed, right? Not so fast…

Of course, the attorneys who represented Allied Concrete Co. were not going to go out without a fight. They are now seeking a reversal of that judgment because of pictures that may have been posted Lester’s Facebook page. Lester’s attorney allegedly lied to the court regarding the Facebook page and intentionally withheld evidence regarding the case.

There are numerous other cases that have involved using social media postings as evidence in court. What we can learn from them is to always use discretion when publishing anything on sites like Facebook and Twitter. Before you post anything, ask yourself it if is something that might be taken out of context and portray you in a negative way. You never know who could be keeping tabs on you; it could be an insurance adjuster, attorney, or even the police.

Another lesson to be learned from all of this is to simply tell the truth. If you really were not seriously injured in a car wreck or you may have contributed to an accident, then just be honest. Keep in mind that attorneys and insurance companies will do anything to disprove your case, and that includes attempting to be your “friend”.

Your initial consultation with a lawyer will involve many questions regarding the circumstances and events surrounding the car accident. So what information will you need to know before you meet with your lawyer? Here are a few things to think about and prepare:

• What was the exact location of the accident and what was the road like (wet, bumpy, potholes, etc.) on that day?
• Did you take any photographs of the accident? If so, bring them with you to the meeting. Also, if you have any, also bring photographs of your car before the accident.
• Were there any witnesses or other parties involved in the accident? Write down all their names and telephone numbers. If another party was involved, bring their insurance information.
• If you went to the hospital or saw a chiropractor after the accident, what diagnosis or treatments did you receive? What symptoms are you experiencing at the moment?
• How extensive are the damages to your vehicle? Have you already received an estimate for damages from an auto mechanic?

Any and all paperwork pertaining to your accident should be brought to the meeting with your lawyer. This will help the process of collecting information and filing a claim go much smoother and quicker. The more information you have, the better.

During the meeting, your lawyer should be able to tell if your case has potential and whether or not there is sufficient evidence to prove that the other driver acted negligently. Your lawyer should also give you an idea of how long your case will take to be completed.

Finding the right person to help you with your case is an important step to consider. You deserve to be represented by a professional personal injury lawyer who will protect your rights and ensure that you receive a fair settlement for the pain and suffering, loss of wages, and damages to your vehicle. A lawyer who specializes in these types of cases will help you investigate the accident, fill out all the insurance paperwork, and if necessary, assemble together expert witnesses if your case does go to court.

♦ Dandelion.  Add the leaves, which contain vitamins A, C and K, to soup.  The leaves are more tender and less bitter if you eat them before they flower.

♦ Plantain (the weed, not the banana).  Blanche the leaves and sauté with butter and garlic. You also can crush them and use on insect bites.

♦ Stinging nettles.  You must steam or boil these to get rid of the nettles, but they are said to make a nutritious tea.

♦ Purslane.  Eat the young stems and leaves in salads or sandwiches or use them in recipes that call for spinach (the taste is similar).   Purslane contains antioxidant vitamins and omega-3 fatty acids.

These devices offer the promise of renewed mobility and freedom from pain. Generally, the results have been amazing.

Unfortunately some recipients of hip replacements have not fared so well. Johnson and Johnson’s DePuy hip replacement product had to be recalled from the market due to defects which were causing many problems to those who have received them, even including the poisoning of the blood due to the metals used in the replacement.

Johnson and Johnson has written to all the recipients, basically offering to pay to have the devices replaced. No offer is made to compensate for the pain and suffering, both physical and emotional, which had been caused by their product.

We are representing several victims of this hip replacement device and we are joining in a national lawsuit against Johnson and Johnson to recover a fair and just amount to compensate for the horrors they have suffered.

If you know of anyone who has been victimized by this product, please have them call me. We will be glad to discuss – free of charge – the ins and outs of this kind of claim.

Tell them to call me at 804-643-4343.

• Retailers will push them. They make more money on the warranties than they do on the products themselves.

• Know the difference between an extended warranty and a service contract. An extended warranty protects you against manufacturing defects; a service contract provides varying degrees of maintenance.

• You probably don’t have to decide on the spot. Many retailers let you add extended coverage up to 30 days after your purchase. Go home and research the repair costs and track record of the specific item.
• Not all warranties are alike.  If you think you do need one, be sure to read the fine print.  Don’t be afraid to negotiate with the retailer.

• You may already have coverage. Your credit card company may extend the length of your manufacturer’s warranty.  Check before you shop.

Blue smoke. This means engine oil has leaked into the cylinder area and is burning. It’s okay to drive but you should take your car to a technician as soon as possible before oil starts to affect the spark plugs.

Black smoke. There may be too much fuel in the fuel-air mixture that’s burned in the car’s cylinders. It could be caused by the fuel pump or injectors. If it only happens when you start the car, don’t worry. But if it continues and the color of your oil on the dipstick is brown or milky, call a tow truck.

White smoke. It’s not smoke – it’s steam. A thick steam coming out of your tailpipe means water and/or antifreeze is entering the engine and being vaporized. Address this immediately before driving to avoid further engine damage. If you don’t see steam but you do have to add coolant regularly, you should be suspicious of a leak and talk to a technician.

Know potential threats.  Here are some common culprits:  undercooked poultry (campylobacter); contaminated lunch meats (listeria); undercooked beef (e.coli); food touched by someone with the virus (norovirus); and raw eggs or contaminated produce (salmonella).

Be food safe by following these basic steps:

• Clean.  Wash your hands, utensils and surfaces in hot soapy water before and after you prepare food.

• Separate.  Keep raw meat, poultry and seafood away from other foods.

• Cook.  Cook food to the proper temperature and use a thermometer.

• Chill. Refrigerate prepared food and leftovers within two hours.

Then take it a step further:

• Wash all fruits/vegetables, even if you’re going to peel them. If you cut   something before washing it, you can transfer bacteria to the inside.

• Be picnic/barbeque savvy. Cook meats thoroughly on the grill; always use a thermometer to check internal temperature. Don’t let food sit out for more than an hour in hot weather.

• Don’t keep sliced deli meat for longer than 3-5 days. (Bacteria you can’t see or smell can grow in the fridge.)  Lower your risk by buying packaged lunch meats that contain antimicrobials.

• Buy pasteurized eggs.  (Look for a P on the carton or the eggs.)

• Disinfect cutting boards with 1 Tablespoon bleach per gallon of water.  Using more bleach can be harmful.

• Follow the “stand time” instructions after microwaving food.  The extra minutes cool the food to a safe internal temperature.

Check for recalls.  It seems like food items, farom eggs to ground beef, are being recalled every week. Go to www.foodsafety.gov/keep/recalls