People Political

Lawsuits such as personal injury, medical malpractice and wrongful death, are becoming a very lucrative business for Americans and their attorneys. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, the Bureau of Justice Statistics, “In 2001, plaintiffs in the 75 largest counties won just over half of the 12,000 general civil cases at trial, with 442, or 4% awarded $1 million or more.” 1

Here’s another statistic for you: “An estimated $4 billion in damages were awarded to plaintiff winners in civil trials.” 1

Now, there are people with definite reason to file these types of lawsuits. For instance, in 2004, a teen died in Tucson, Arizona after contracting the Norwalk virus from drinking water contaminated by feces. His parents filed a wrongful death suit that was settled out of court for $3 million. 2 That may sound like a lot of money, but will it really replace the life of a child?

Other cases, however, are not so clear-cut; the area of law that covers personal injury and wrongful death has become murky at best, due, in part, to the actions of attorneys. The phrase “ambulance chasers” comes to mind. Personal injury and wrongful death attorneys now have commercials running 24/7, all with a list of situations, all hinting at the promise of large amounts of money, all saying, “We don’t get money unless you do.”

Most people have seen at least one movie or read one book where someone gets hurt and then, at the hospital, is bombarded by attorneys telling them how much money they can get for the injured. Sadly, this isn’t a fictional situation. You may not be able to find an attorney for divorce, child custody, or various other cases where you need one, but if you get hurt and end up in the hospital, all you have to do is lift your head and look around.

Did you slip at work, fall and hit your head? Hire us; the company may have workmen’s comp, but we can get you more money.

Did your spouse take a medicine that caused their death? Even though they read the fine print, knew it was a possibility and agreed to take the medicine anyway, it’s the company’s fault that they died. Hire us; we’ll make them pay.

Did your doctor perform a procedure that you agreed to, after you said you understood the possible complications, and there were complications? Hire us; we’ll make sure that doctor won’t be able to do that to anyone else.

There’s a heavy dose of sarcasm, but there’s also a prevalent thought running through those questions. “Nothing that happens to you is your fault. There is no such thing as an accident. If you get hurt or hurt yourself, we’ll find a party that can be blamed and sue the pants off them.”

If you’re skeptical or feel that this is unfair, I submit to you this question: Why do McDonald’s coffee lids and cups have “Caution, contents are hot” written on them? Because someone was burned by hot coffee, hired a personal injury and wrongful death attorney, and sued the company for getting hurt.

Some people go to school for the real estate profession believing that, once they’ve done their requisite on-the-job training and get their diploma, that’s all there is to it. However, laws, rules and regulations change rapidly in today’s society, making it necessary to continue your education on a regular basis.

It doesn’t have to be a difficult endeavour, though. If you’re like a lot of realtors, mortgage brokers and the like, your first thought when looking at further schooling is, “Where do I find the time to go back to school?” Thanks to technology, it’s now possible to get that “re-training” online. A few hours a week can take you a long way toward keeping your license.

Who, in the real estate field, might need to continue their education? Who does this effect? The truth is that everyone in the realty profession who needs a license to perform their job will also need to renew that license.

When you renew your license and the number of training hours needed depend upon what state you practice in, as well as whether it is your first renewal or following renewals. Generally, thirty hours of continuing education are needed in your first renewal, and twenty-four hours for every renewal after that.

A minimum of three hours are needed in agency, ethics, contracts and law. The other hours can be made up in any general real estate continuing education course, as long as the course has been approved by your particular state.

There are specific requisites for various professions within the real estate field. For instance, as a mortgage broker or broker salesperson, part of your continuing education courses must include three hours of broker management; a business broker must take three hours of business brokerage; property managers must take three hours of property management, and so on.

Those that are renewing their license for the first time will need to take a post licensing course, consisting of their state’s pre-determined topic areas. This course includes such topics as advertising, listings, contracts, land, disclosures and escrow, to name a few. The purpose is to keep the information you learned fresh in your mind during your first year of being licensed.

Though all other renewals can be completed online, the first renewal requires that you be in physical attendance, with thirty clocked hours. Although you can take the course in multiple sessions, you will need to keep a personal record of the dates you attended.

Whether you are a mortgage broker, property manager, real estate agent or in any other area of the real estate profession, the facts are clear. Continuing education is a must to renew your license. Read through any relevant information and learn the facts; find out what courses you’ll need for your state and how many hours you need to take, as well as when you’ll need to renew.

Most importantly, good luck in your chosen profession!

Many people are not driving only because they do not have the special options of a handicap minivan to help them. Not only can the benefits be affordable but customizable to your needs. Get back on the road again with handicap vans.

The Benefits of a Handicap Minivan are Affordable

It can be very difficult or impossible for someone who has been injured or disabled to drive his or her own vehicle. This makes a rough time to get groceries, medicine or work without asking someone to help you. No one wants to lose their freedom of going where they want when they want for any reason. There is another option. If you are in need of a short or long term solution to driving look into the benefits of a handicap minivan.

Financial Assistance for a Handicapped Van

Once you know if your special needs for driving are short or long term, it is time to search to rent or buy one of the many handicapped minivans to suit your needs. Often times you have the option to get help from other sources to help take care of some of the expense. If you qualify, there are options to get help with the expense for a wheelchair van from the vocational rehab in the state you live in. Additionally Medicaid or Medicare provides assistance in some instances, especially for parents with a need for one of these handicap vans. If you are a Veteran, there are some things such as the liability insurance and other covered costs. Workman’s Comp. comes in to help those that are in special need of a handicap van if your injury was work related. Before write off the fact that you may not be able to afford a handicap minivan check and see if you are eligible for any assistance.

Affordable Handicap Van Options

Now that you have figured out what you needs are and how much you can spend look at the affordable options of handicap minivans. A scooter lift makes it easy for those that need an electric scooter for their mobility. Make sure before adding one that it is fits your handicap minivan. This eliminates trying to load and unload a heavy scooter and gives you freedom to go where you want without worry that you will not be able to access your scooter.

If needed you can add hand controls to your wheelchair van. This handy accessory is great for those that have problems with mobility in their legs. You can accelerate and brake with hand controls allowing many to drive that were not able to before. Some people like the low effort brakes, left gas pedal, extensions for pedals, easy steering knobs or cuffs and more that are available. These are great for your handicap van if you do not need the full hand controls for your vehicle.

Add freedom and mobility back into your life with a handicap minivan. There is no reason to feel as though you cannot come and go where you like, when you like as you have your whole life. With the many covered financial options and expenses covered by insurance or other entity, even a tighter budget may qualify to get the latest in technology at an affordable price. Get yourself out on the road again with one of the many handicapped vans.

Cubs fan gear remains one of the most sought after in Major League Baseball whether they have a winning or losing season.
The Chicago Cubs have as rich a history as the city they represent, and have some of the most loyal fans in professional sports. Part of that loyalty comes from the fact that the Cubs have been around since 1876 when they were known as the White Stockings as one of the first organized teams in professional baseball. At the turn of the century, the team gained the nickname the “Cubs” as a result of having so many young players. The name stuck and when you pair the team colors of red, white, and blue, the aura of the all American team has evolved to the phenomenon it is today.

With so many loyal Cubs fans, showing team support is important for the fans and the sport itself. The options for sports gear are nearly endless with an abundance of Cubs caps, jerseys, jackets, and much more. So how do you choose what best fits your personality and budget? Cubs caps are still the best value and most requested item to show support for this classic team, and can be worn year round regardless of the weather. Men and women alike love the caps, and the ease of wear and cleaning makes them a stable in any Cubs fan’s wardrobe. Caps are not the only head gear available with the beloved Cubs logo since a variety of hats are now available and include adjustable caps, mesh, cotton, wool, and blended hats. With options like the franchise cap, traditional logo hat, and Royal Freshman caps, you will probably need more than one.

Cubs caps are not the only choice in fan gear. T-shirts, jerseys, jackets, shorts, pants, sweats, sweaters, tank tops, and just about any other form garment can be purchased with the Cubs logo. Every year, there are more styles and designs to choose from, and you can then decide if you want your Cubs logo embroidered, silk screened, or woven onto the fabric. Chicago Cubs jerseys remain the most popular item for fans, and are the most versatile to wear whether you live in sunny Florida, or chilly Wisconsin. You are off to a good start if you have a Chicago Cubs jersey and cap to start of your team wardrobe!

Official Cubs gear is available online and in retail stores throughout the country, and if you are curious as to the authenticity of the item you are purchasing, check for the official seal. Unfortunately, when you have a successful team like the Cubs, you have many people who want to create counterfeit items to get a piece of the action. By looking for the silver seal or official tag of the Chicago Cubs, you can rest assured that your fan gear is of the best quality and reflects the actual logo and colors of the team. This is especially important if you are a collector of Cubs caps, jerseys, or any other item that is highly sought after. Serious collectors will tell you how important it is to make sure you are getting the real deal, and you want the best, right? Go Cubs!