HD Television Winner From Cotton Festival Announced

Linda Stewart of Dunn, pictured with Hardison & Associates Managing Partner Benjamin Cochran, won a 24 inch high definition television after her name was drawn from nearly 1,000 entries. Hardison & Associates held the giveaway while meeting and speaking with the residents of Dunn and the surrounding areas at the 2009 North Carolina Cotton Festival held in downtown Dunn on November 7th.

Happy Thanksgiving!

From everyone here at Hardison & Assocites, we hope you and your loved ones have a safe, joyous and most of all happy Thanksgiving Holiday. We'll see you back here on November 30th.

*Graphic courtesy of about.com

Delaware Online Social Security Special Report Is A Must See

Many times we have brought you stories of the troubles of those seeking Social Security disability outside of North Carolina. We've brought you stories from Michigan, Utah and Wisconsin, which all had the same theme, people are waiting too long for their benefits to be decided upon. Today, we bring you without a doubt the most detailed report we have seen on Social Security disability thus far. Delaware Online has created Shut Out of Social Security: A Special Report.

The report is filled with audio slideshows, stories, graphics and data bases. The stories within the special report is where it separates itself from anything we have seen. Kudos to Delaware Online and anyone who was associated with the building of this report.

If you have a minute, check out at least one story in the special report.

Friday Feed #32

The 25 Best Movie Performances of the Decade
Paste, a website dedicated to Music, Film and Culture counts down the Top 25 performances of the past decade.

10 Magnificently Modern Musical Instruments
There are no guitars in this line up. Great videos in this article.

On the Shoreline
Boston.com's Big Picture blog features 36 pictures of different views from different shores around the world.

The Top 8 Dinosaur Discoveries of 2009
Popular Mechanics takes a look at the best of 2009 when it comes to paleontologists.

WRAL Channel 5's Out and About
Check out what's shakin' around the Triangle this weekend.

Pictures From Dunn's 2009 Cotton Fest

On November 7th, the town of Dunn, North Carolina held the annual Cotton Festival in its downtown district. Hardison & Associates' attorney and staff were on hand to meet the great folks from Dunn and the surrounding areas. Today, we'll share some of the pictures we snapped while in attendance.

MDA Lock-Ups Coming to Wake Forest and Southern Pines

The end of the year is approaching fast. Many may see this as a time to coast into Thanksgiving and Christmas just to get amped up for 2010 after New Year's Day, but the folks at the MDA, as always, are working hard to close out 2009 on a positive note. If you're a regular reader to the blog, you have seen our post on the various MDA Lock-Ups in Eastern North Carolina. More specifically, the Raleigh Lock Up and the Durham Lock Up.

While these two locations may get the most attention, the Eastern North Carolina MDA office throws these events all across the eastern part of the state. Tomorrow, the MDA folks will be getting out and about in the Wake Forest area looking for jail birds. The 2010 season of Lock-Ups will end in Southern Pines on December 10th. If you live in these areas, you better be on your toes because they might be coming for you.

Hardison & Associates Young Lawyer Tips #10

Every Tuesday a selected attorney of Hardison & Associates will share tips that helped them through law school and their early career as a lawyer. These tips will range from advice on how to study for the LSAT, law school classes and the bar exam to how to handle a case load once you start practicing in your selected area. If you would like one of your questions answered about becoming a lawyer please e-mail us at wsc@lawyernc.com.

This week's tip comes from North Carolina Central University School of Law graduate Blair Biser.

If you are reading this blog, chances are you're reading other blogs around the Internet. If that is true, why not check out some blogs that will, depending on your situation, help you out in school or help you out finding out if you want to pursue a career in law. This week we're going to feature 10 blogs you should check out if you're thinking about or already enrolled in law school. They span from law news and research to blogs by students currently in law school. Enjoy!

1. SCOTUSBlog
2. The Frugal Law Student

3. Jurist Legal News & Research
4. Legal Blog Watch

5. The Shark

6. Law School Innovation

7. Thank You Ma'am

8. Legally Numb

9. Wish I Would Have Known

10. What I Learned in Law School

Have a great week,

Blair

Recall News: Maclaren USA Recalls to Repair Strollers Following Fingertip Amputations

The following is a press release from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission:

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: Maclaren Strollers

Units: About one million

Distributor: Maclaren USA, Inc., of South Norwalk, Conn.

Hazard: The stroller’s hinge mechanism poses a fingertip amputation and laceration hazard to the child when the consumer is unfolding/opening the stroller.

Incidents/Injuries: The firm has received 15 reports of children placing their finger in the stroller’s hinge mechanism, resulting in 12 reports of fingertip amputations in the United States.

Description: This recall involves all Maclaren single and double umbrella strollers. The word “Maclaren” is printed on the stroller. The affected models included Volo, Triumph, Quest Sport, Quest Mod, Techno XT, TechnoXLR, Twin Triumph, Twin Techno and Easy Traveller.

Sold at: Babies“R”Us, Target and other juvenile product and mass merchandise retailers nationwide from 1999 through November 2009 for between $100 and $360.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using these recalled strollers and contact Maclaren USA to receive a free repair kit.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Maclaren USA toll-free at (877) 688-2326 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or visit the firm’s Web site at www.maclaren.us/recall

*Picture courtesy of http://www.recalls.gov/.

Friday Feed #31

The Friday Feed: Where the serious business is put on hold for a minute to make way for a little enlightenment and learning.

The 50 Best Inventions of 2009
From a rocket of the future to a $10 million lightbulb, here are TIME's picks for the best new gadgets and breakthrough ideas of the year

The View from the Seven Highest Mountain Passes on Earth
EnvironmentalGraffiti.com takes a look at the view from high above. Some great views.

Top 10 Most Dangerous Cities for Pedestrians
Yep, Raleigh is on the list.

7 Wonders Of The Modern Shipping World
Seven existing or planned ships that push the envelope.

9 Astonishingly Asymmetrical Buildings
Architecture has come a long way. Check it out.

Hardison & Associates Employee Spotlight: Karen Collins

Karen Collins literally took her job to the next level. After receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree in Biology from the State University of New York at Potsdam, she took paralegal classes and began her law career soon thereafter. After her work became very interesting, she attended Pace University School of Law in White Plains, NY while working as a paralegal. While attending Pace, she earned a spot on the Dean’s List and won an American Jurisprudence Communications Law Award. Upon her graduation from law school, she was admitted to the New York State Bar and began her career as an attorney in the state of New York.

Mrs. Collins moved to North Carolina in 2006 and joined Hardison & Associates’ Workers Compensation Division in 2008. She enjoys representing injured workers and making sure all their needs are met in a situation which can be confusing and difficult due to the injury and financial burden that follows.

Sen. Sherrod Brown Introduces Bill That Would "Fast-Track" Veterans Benefits

Tuesday, U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown introduced a bill that would streamline Veteran health-care benefits. The Benefit Rating Acceleration for Veteran Entitlements Act, short named "BRAVE", would accelerate the process for Veterans who qualify for benefits from both the US Department of Veteran Affairs and the Social Security Administration. The following is from an article in the Dayton Daily News about the legislation:

"...legislation that would require the Social Security Administration to accept for SSDI any vet who qualifies for disability compensation under Veterans Administration guidelines."

A quote from Senator Brown on the legislation:

"Honoring our nation’s veterans means fulfilling our promise to them. Veterans in Ohio and across the country must receive benefits in a manner befitting their service. I'm introducing the BRAVE Act to streamline the disability claims process and to ensure our veterans have access to the full benefits they have earned."

More information:

U.S. senator seeks faster disability aid for veterans -- Akron Beacon Journal
Bill would ‘fast-track’ veterans’ benefits -- Tiffin Adviser-Tribune
Legislation would fast-track benefits -- Warren Tribune Chronicle
Legislation would help cut red tape for veterans -- Fremont News Messenger

*Sen. Brown's picture courtesy of senate.gov

Hardison & Associates Young Lawyer Tips #9

Every Tuesday a selected attorney of Hardison & Associates will share tips that helped them through law school and their early career as a lawyer. These tips will range from advice on how to study for the LSAT, law school classes and the bar exam to how to handle a case load once you start practicing in your selected area. If you would like one of your questions answered about becoming a lawyer please e-mail us at wsc@lawyernc.com.

This week's tip comes from Norman Adrian Wiggins School of Law graduate Brandon Evans.

Yesterday, I was thinking about a topic to write about for today and came across the video below. After seeing it, I thought, "Why write about attending law school when I can just show them in my blog post?" The below video is a day in the life of a 1L at the University of Virginia School of Law. It may not be like every law student's day, but you'll get the idea.

10 Tips on Choosing a Nursing Home From A Former Long Term Care Facility Ombudsman

Choosing a Nursing Home for a loved is a very important decision in a person's life. There is never enough information available to consume while the decision is being reached. Today while looking around the Internet we found a great guide with 10 tips from Karen Westerberg Reyes which is featured on the AARP Magazine website.

Ms. Westerberg Reyes used to operate as a ombudsman for Long-Term Care facilities in California for three years, therefore she has been asked many questions on this topic. She has also seen all kinds of nursing homes from excellent to bad. Needless to say, she is an expert on these matters. You can see her first 5 tips below. The next 5 can be viewed by clicking the link at the bottom:

1. File an appeal to buy yourself more time.
About half of all nursing-home admissions follow at least a brief hospital stay, where you may get as little as 24 hours' notice to find a facility. If the patient is on Medicare, tell hospital administrators you want to appeal the discharge. This will automatically give you two extra days to check out the nursing homes in your area. Be sure to use all the resources the acute care hospital has on hand—social workers, nurses, doctors, administrators, anyone who is willing to answer your questions and give you information.

2. Get the list.
Begin your search for a nursing home with the Eldercare Locator (800-677-1116). This agency will put you in touch with your local Area Agency on Aging, which will give you a list of nursing homes in your area. It also will provide contact information for the local long-term care ombudsman. Ombudsmen aren't allowed to recommend one facility over another, but if you ask them specific questions about staffing, continuing problems, and administration turnover, they will answer.

3. Look close to home.
Once you have a list of facilities, start with the ones nearest your home. It's not only more convenient for you, it's also almost always a guarantee that your charge will be well cared for. That's because nursing home staffs are keenly aware of the residents who get regular visitors and, because they don't want any complaints, they tend to bestow just a bit more care on those patients.

4. Pop in unannounced.
If your first visit is during regular business hours, don't make an appointment—you'll get a better idea of how the facility is run. Just walk in and ask for the administrator, who should be on site. If not, ask for the next person in charge to show you around. Be sure to ask about the ratio of caregivers to residents or seek a copy of the staffing schedule. Do you smell urine, feces, or other bad odors? Also, pay special attention to corners and windows: these are often the first places where shoddy cleaning shows up.

5. Go to the bathroom.
Any restroom in the public areas will do. Sure, evaluate the overall cleanliness—but what you really want to check out is the hot water, the lack of which is a common complaint in a lot of nursing homes, especially larger ones.

For the rest of the tips please click here...

Friday Feed #30: Cotton Festival Edition

Come see us at the Cotton Festival in Dunn, North Carolina tomorrow.

Hope to see everyone there! For all the information, please click here.

Stay Safe From Slips and Falls In the Workplace

Slips and falls are among the most common workplace injuries. The National Safety Council reports that they’re the leading cause of death in the workplace and are responsible for more than 20 percent of all disabling injuries.

Workers in every industry need to keep their eyes on the ground and follow these safety tips:

• Be extra cautious in areas prone to spills. Office kitchens and bathrooms, water cooler areas, entranceways and areas where leaky machinery may reside often are places where water and other liquids make floors slippery. Alert building maintenance if you spot a spill.

• Keep the floor clear of clutter. Boxes and wires around workspaces are a common hazard if they’re not kept clear.

• Use anti-fatigue mats. Many falls are the result of tired legs and backs. If you stand a lot on hard, uncushioned floors, invest in anti-fatigue mats with padding that can reduce leg and back strain.

Salt Lake City Tribune Spotlights Social Security Disability Case

In 2006, Gordon Branin was unloading the back of trailer when his pelvis was crushed in a an accident. Being in a wheelchair and feeling very intense pain, he applied for Social Security disability benefits in November of the same year. No luck; Branin was denied. Of course Branin wasn't alone at this point because 31% of people get denied at this point according to a 2008 report. Even being in a wheelchair the Social Security Administration was basically saying that he could work within the first year of his injury and disability.

After time and seeking counsel, Branin received benefits in April of 2008. While that was the ultimate goal, during the layover where he was not receiving benefits, Branin and his family relieved the financial stress by way of their credit card. The financial troubles seem to always come along with the trouble in getting Social Security disability. For every Branin story told, there are 40 untold. In this economic climate, financial trouble can leave someone worrying about more things than just simply regaining their health.

The full article written Kathy McKitrick by can be read here.

3 Questions About North Carolina Workers' Compensation Answered, Vol. 3

Must an injured worker notify their employer of a work-related injury?
Pursuant to N.C. Gen. Stat. §97-22 the injury must be reported to the employer within 30 days of the accident, unless it can be shown that the employer had knowledge of the injury. The Industrial Commission also may within its discretion allow the claim to be filed as long as the employer was not prejudiced by the delay.

I have been employed at a company for three months and my supervisor is harassing me to the point where I can’t sleep at night and my family is being affected. Can I file a claim?
No. Workers’ compensation only offers compensation for injuries that are the result of a work related. As of right now, the courts have not recognized employer harassment for the above circumstances as a compensable workers’ compensation injury.

What if I have to change my line of work because of a workers’ compensation injury?
If you are unable to return to your previous position due to your work related injuries then the North Carolina Workers’ Compensation Act allows for the injured employee to be placed in vocational rehabilitation to be provided by the workers’ compensation carrier. A vocational rehabilitation counselor will be assigned to help the injured employee find suitable employment.