J. Stephen Ladas is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts and New England School of Law, where he obtained his Juris Doctor degree. He is a co-founder with his sister, Elizabeth, of Ladas Law Firm, P.C., in Hanover, Massachusetts. He is a member of the Massachusetts and Federal Bars. With more than 22 years of litigation experience, Mr. Ladas has litigated numerous claims before the Trial Courts of Massachusetts as well as the various Administrative Agencies in Massachusetts. Prior to founding Ladas Law Firm, P.C., Mr. Ladas worked many years as defense counsel in the insurance industry he also was employed in numerous claims departments prior to attending law school.


Mr. Ladas is a member of the Plymouth District Bar Association; Plymouth County Bar Association; and Massachusetts Bar Association. Mr. Ladas looks forward to continuing to assist clients with their workers compensation claims, Social Security Disability Insurance, motor vehicle accident claims and motorcycle accident claims.


Elizabeth Ladas is a graduate of Bridgewater State College and New England School of Law, where she obtained her Juris Doctor degree. She is co-founder of Ladas Law Firm, P.C., in Hanover, Massachusetts. She has lived and worked on the South Shore her entire life.


Ms. Ladas practices in the area of Estate Planning, Probate and Estate Settlement. She prepares Wills, Trusts, Health Care Proxies and Durable Powers of Attorney for her clients. Ms. Ladas also practices in the area of real estate law. She assists clients in the purchase and sale of residential real estate. She is a member of the Massachusetts Bar and the Federal Bar.


Ms. Ladas is a member of the National Network of Estate Planning Attorneys; South Shore Womens Business Network; Plymouth County Bar Association; Plymouth District Bar Association; Real Estate Bar Association; and Plymouth and South Shore Board of Realtors.


Ms. Ladas would be happy to discuss your estate or real estate purchase/sale with you today.

Monday, October 20, 2014

Safety in the Workplace

Safety in the workplace is a primary consideration in being able to avoid personal injury accidents. Safety awareness begins with the individual but the workplace also has responsibility to insure the individual has a good safe place to work. People should arrive at work in a rested state, ready to go to work and be able to give full attention to their job, especially if it involves working with tools or machinery.
The safe way to do a job is the right way to do each job, shortcuts at the expense of safety are never a good idea. Knowledge of procedures and practices, especially in the factory environment, are the best way to insure safety. Training and authorization to use the right equipment are essential.
In the work environment, the company should be responsible for keeping all areas clean, safe and in proper order. Aisles and passageways should be kept clear, and so should exits and areas in front of exits. There should be no dark corners in rooms, and rooms should be properly lighted. If you see a hazardous situation, report it immediately to your supervisor.
Any broken implements, especially glass, should be cleaned up with a broom and dustpan or special equipment like a shop vac designated for that purpose. Trash containers should be regularly tended to and heavy gloves worn when dealing with placing trash in containers. Floors need to be spotless and free of oil slicks or debris.
If these conditions are not met, personal injury accidents can occur. Sometimes they occur anyway in the best of conditions but it is a good idea to minimize the risk by taking extra care while at work. If you suffer an accident at the workplace, and experience injuries that have caused pain and suffering as well as financial loss, you may be able to file for a personal injury compensation claim.

Preventing Repetitive Strain Injuries at Work

In her article entitled "Preventing the Number 1 Occupational Health Problem: Repetitive Strain Injuries", author Teresa Long outlines the importance of having and maintaining a proper work station. She claims that it is imperative to have an ergonomically correct work station. By this, Long means that all equipment that will be utilized throughout the day is comfortably positioned to ensure that you do not have to strain, stretch, or twist in a way that could cause pain or injury to the body. Additionally, Long claims that a top priority and task which often goes overlooked when a new employee is hired should be determining whether the work station the employee will be using is ergonomically correct for that employee. Any modifications that need to be made to the work space should be done as soon as possible, as to avoid any injuries.

Long cites OSHA in her claim that repetitive strain injuries are the nation's most common and costly occupational health problem. This type of injury costs roughly $20 billion a year in Workers' Compensation, and billions more in lost productivity and employee turnover, among other things.

To read more from Teresa Long, check out http://www.workerscompensation.com/compnewsnetwork/news/preventstraininjuries.html

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Slip & Fall

Although they are a staple of comedy and often we even laugh at ourselves when we stagger unexpectedly or fall down, a slip and fall accident can be a very serious matter, frequently resulting in serious injury or even death. Here are some sobering statistics, taken from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and the National Safety Council:
-Falls account for a full 25% of serious injuries that occur in the workplace.
-Falls are responsible for a 104 million lost workdays in the U.S. every year.
-Slip and fall accidents kill more workers than all other workplace accidents combined.
-Falls are the single biggest cause for trips to the Emergency Room.
-70% of falls occur on level ground.
-55% of people over the age of forty suffer a debilitating slip and fall accident.
-Falls are the second leading cause of accidental death and disability, following only car accidents. -Personal injury claims from falls cost the U.S. $36 billion dollars a year.
-One in three Americans over the age of 65 suffers a slip and fall accident every year and of that group, 30% are moderately to severely injured.
-Approximately 17,000 Americans die every year from a slip and fall accident.

As you can see, a slip and fall accident is not really a laughing matter. They often result in a very high financial cost as well as extreme pain and suffering. The elderly are especially at risk, and most nursing home injuries are the result of falls. We all need to be vigilant to try and prevent slip and fall accidents.
Falls occur for many different reasons, many of which could be prevented with common sense and care. Your foot can lose traction on an unexpectedly slippery surface, because the ground or flooring rises, even slightly, or drops away. Rough patches can cause you to slip. Poor lighting conditions, making changes in the flooring or other ground surface difficult to see can cause the slip and fall accident. It's equally as important for the person walking to watch where he or she is going as it is for the owner of the flooring or sidewalk to maintain good visibility and clean up spills or promptly repair unexpected rough or bumpy areas.
If you do find yourself falling, there is a preferred way to do it so you will minimize the risk of injury. The current recommendations are to turn your head, tuck in your chin and throw up an arm. It's better to land on your arm than your head. Twist your body to the side as you fall, as it's better to land on your side than on your back. Do not try to break your fall with your hands; it's better to have as many square inches of your body as possible absorb the impact of the fall. If in spite of thoughtful precautions, if you should ever suffer personal injury from a slip and fall accident, it's important that you quickly contact a slip and fall lawyer, who has the specialized knowledge necessary to handle your case. As in all other personal injury cases, car accidents or other accident claims, never speak with an insurance adjuster until you have met with a good personal injury attorney.

-Douglas Brannon

Motorcycle Injury Attorney - Help to Protect Your Legal Rights in an Accident

Accidents involving two-wheeled vehicles can be very lethal, particularly if the driver of the bigger vehicle is operating his or her vehicle in a risky or reckless manner. It is very important to hire a motorcycle injury attorney after your accident to ensure that you receive proper recompense for your injuries.
Motorcycle accidents are common everywhere because a motorcycle has no restraining device or impact-absorbing panels which are found in normal passenger cars. To know details about these cases, it is best if you consult a lawyer who is experienced in these types of cases.
Injuries are the first thing which you should take care of if you are ever involved in a motorcycle accident. Even if your injuries are not visible it is cautious to have a complete medical checkup because sometimes it can be internal and could worsen over time. Special importance should be given to the delicate region like neck, back and spinal cord.
Some of the most common injuries of a motorcycle accident include head injuries, severe femur injuries, serious internal injuries, neck and spine injuries, broken hands, arms and other bones. The injuries which you get inflicted upon due to the reckless and careless driving of another driver could require days to heal or they could be with you for a lifetime. At these times, if you consult a motorcycle injury attorney, they can give you an idea about the damages you can recover from the other party. They will also gladly agree to discuss your case at your residence if you are severely injured and cannot travel. They are there to help you to protect your rights and your way of life.
When hiring a motorcycle injury attorney, it is very important that you hire someone who is experienced in these types of cases. They should also be very familiar with the working of the insurance companies. The attorney whom you hire to represent your case should have unrelenting desire to protect your legal rights and to get you the compensation you deserve.
To prevent such accidents, you as a rider have to make the effort to stick to some safety measures. The riders should wear clothes which are easily noticeable and they should have reflectors on their bikes. They should drive their bikes with speed on busy highways and they should not drink while they are driving. If you follow these advises, you will prevent any kind of mishap in the future.

Just Before You Sign Anything Turn To A Personal Injury Lawyer

Here is a simple situation that most personal injury lawyers cope with regularly. You were at work and are needed to use a safety harness when operating a heavy piece of machinery. The safety harnesses are wearing thin and should probably have been replaced in the past, but the upper managers seem not to have noticed or not to have cared. While operating the machine, you fall outside the cabin, but rather than restrain you from falling, the harness snaps, sending you tumbling to the asphalt below.


When you stand up, your head is aching, your back is screaming, and there's a human resources representative attempting to help you to sign some form. What do you do under such pressure and confusion?


If you suffer from an on-the-job accident, the foremost and first thing to do is contact a qualified personal injury lawyers. Never sign anything, meet with anyone at length about the incident or accept money or other bribes. You require legal council to properly represent you and that has your best interest in mind. While you may believe that the workman's compensation your company offers is enough, personal injury lawyers will explain that you could possibly be qualified to much, much more given instances. They will assist you to file all possible claims.


In the above scenario, not only would the employer lead to workman's compensation and medical bills, but they might be responsible for the accident itself which would be a completely separate claim. Personal injury lawyers will assist you to identify who is at fault for the accident and then negotiate a reasonable settlement. You will probably be able to receive a large one time payment, which can assist in paying for aftercare and other unforeseen expenses while you are dealing with your injury.


Most people falsely think that since they often feel fine immediately following the accident, that they don't require medical assistance of the assistance of personal injury lawyers. Frequently, however, something may go unseen such as a fracture or other medical problem. These can then later return to haunt you years later, decreasing standard of living and costing you a fortune in medical bills.


Personal injury lawyers can help you claim not only your benefits and any other immediate claims you are entitled to, but can produce a case for permanent impairment when you've got serious and long-term injuries.Personal injury lawyers assist you to establish a strong case when court is required, negotiate settlements, file claims, and get you the money and care that you rightfully deserve following an accident at work. While it may seem expensive to hire one at first, you'll greatly reap the rewards in terms of greater settlements and long-term compensation. Never take an offer, settlement, or sign documents without the aid of a qualified and highly trained personal injury lawyer.

Understanding the Role of Injury Attorneys

In this life, you cannot tell whether something unfortunate will happen to you. You can be cautious all you want with regard to your actions, but you cannot say the same for everybody else. There is a high chance that you will get yourself involved in an accident at some point in your life. Considering the role of personal injury attorneys is a practical step that you might want to make. Understanding the steps involved in your injury case can be a complex thing. Even if you regard yourself as a highly knowledgeable person, you cannot play the part of an attorney, especially if you have any plans of going to court. This is for the same reason why attorneys are there. They are the people that you can rely on to. They will be able to represent you well in your case to resolve your problem.


Knowing personal injury types will enable you to properly file the case. Generally, personal injury can be categorized as negligence or intentional acts. An intentional act is when the injuries were sustained because it is meant to be. In other words, it is already planned. The intention of the offender is to bring harm to the victim. Most cases of intentional injuries include the following: assault, abuse, and defamation of character. Those mentioned are the most common and usual types of intentional liability.
On the other end, negligence is present when there is hinge on whether the suspected liable person exercised care for the safety of other people. Popular examples include automobile accidents, medical malpractice, and slip and fall accidents at workplaces or in public places.


Out of the two, personal injuries resulting from intentional acts are more difficult to prove because the attorney will have to present pieces of evidences that are strong enough to maintain the integrity of the accusation that you made. The lawyers must present details that will show that there is really an intention to harm the victim.



-George Fuller

Suffered a Car Accident that was not your Fault?

As car accidents vary from one another, so do the car accident claims and ultimately compensations. Car accident compensation claims are beginning to be more and more difficult to conduct efficiently, due to the high number of accidents which occur each year. The slightest mistake could prevent the injured party to build a valid case.
One of the reasons for the challenging situation with the accident claims involves the growing rate of accidents and the different companies and people who try to make a profit from other people's injuries. The best thing to do after the accident occurs is to identify the responsible parties and immediately secure a legal representative. If a representative cannot be found, it is best to say as few as possible and provide only the essential information needed to assure the authorities of the safety of the people involved.
Accident commission companies are approaching injured parties and offer a wide range of services, such as vehicle restoration, damage examination, a temporary car replacement, legal assistance, as well as insured and uninsured items recovery. The way these businesses make profit is by approaching the injured parties after the accident on-site or at the hospital. The services seem highly beneficial when people consider their losses, but ultimately, drivers actually pay more for a range of facilities which would be made available to them anyway through an effective personal injury claim.
As authorities get involved and provide each party involved with a document stating that the accident took place, the details are additionally included on the national archive for further investigation. To secure a safe position, a professional injury lawyer is recommended. He will first of all explain all the stages of the system which will enable the client to proceed with the car accident claim. Before choosing any legal service, one must make sure that it is suitable for him and the type of injury incurred.
Most esteemed legal representatives offer good quality services, but it is always good to make sure before starting any procedures: if 100% of the compensation is entitled to the injured party, if there is a deposit fee, if the costs for the legal proceedings will be covered by the responsible party and if there are any costs for initiating a claim.
In some cases it is relevant to know that if there are any passengers affected by the accident, whether they were on the injured side or the responsible side, they are entitled to make a car accident claim. The final compensation settlements are influenced by a number of factors. An estimate of 30% reduced compensation payments are due to ignoring the safety features such as the seat belt.
Also, drinking and driving can result in up to 60% reduced compensation, especially if the driver was accompanied by other passengers. In this case both passengers and driver injury compensation claims are reduced, as the passenger were presumably aware of the fact the driver had been drinking and was thus unable to drive. Some cases are settled with a fractional liability acknowledgement, after which the compensation payment is divided between the two parties. The amount each person receives varies depending on who was predominantly responsible. To reach the final conclusion, a thorough investigation is conducted.
Road legal vehicles use premium insurances each year to cover for any potential accidents or injuries occurred to the vehicles and their passengers. An injured party can proceed with any accident compensation claim if they benefit from the services of the insurance companies. To initiate a successful claim, securing a specialized legal representative is essential. Whether the circumstances are typical or unusual, highly qualified individuals will be able to assist any injured parties if the case proves to be valid.

- G Tucker