Yearly Archives: 2006
Don’t Speak Too Soon!
Here is the scene: You have just been hurt in a car accident at an intersection, the traffic light was changing, and you are not sure how fast you were going. Maybe you weren’t paying as much attention as you normally do. Is it your… Continue reading
Why We Take Personal Injury Cases on a Contingent Fee Basis
Why do attorneys take personal injury cases on a contingent fee basis? We hear this question from time to time and it is a subject worthy of discussion.Let’s say you dislocate your shoulder as a result of a slip and fall on a slippery patch… Continue reading
What to Do When the IRS Calls
If you or your business is contacted by a representative of the Internal Revenue Service concerning a tax problem, you are best advised not to engage in any direct conversation or correspondence. Instead, politely avoid any substantive discussion and call your accountant or tax attorney;… Continue reading
Some Overlooked Deductions
How would you like to have Uncle Sam help pay for your lawyer or accountant at your next real estate settlement? If your tax advisor is on the ball, he or she will identify several deductible charges many people miss when they prepare their tax… Continue reading
Pennsylvania’s Implied Consent Law
At social gatherings the presence of alcoholic beverages is common, and many people believe that they can have a couple of drinks and still be in reasonable condition to drive home. While consuming one or two drinks may not render you “legally” intoxicated, there is… Continue reading
Why Was O.J. Acquitted?
At the risk of having the Law Update take on a controversial topic, why was O.J. Simpson acquitted? More than a few people have asked this question, and there are many possible explanations. Let’s explore one.The pundits in the news media are suggesting that Mr.… Continue reading
Co-Ownership of Real Estate: Title Matters
In Pennsylvania, title to real estate can be held by co-owners in various ways – as tenants in common, as joint tenants with right of survivorship, as tenants by the entirety and as tenants in partnership. We are commonly asked what the differences are among… Continue reading
Dram Shop Litigation
In the past decade a major body of law has developed around accidents involving people who have been served alcoholic beverages in restaurants and bars, the so-called “dram shop” cases. Our courts have determined that if the owner of a bar serves an alcoholic beverage… Continue reading
Watch Those Limitation Periods!
Did you know that different types of lawsuits are subject to different statutes of limitation? For example, in Pennsylvania a case for libel or slander, sometimes called “defamation”, must be brought within one year following the defamatory conduct. This is a relatively short statute of… Continue reading
Spouse’s Guaranty May Be Unenforceable
Recent court cases have held that under the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, a commercial lender is not allowed to require the spouse of a business borrower to act as a guarantor or surety of a business loan. For example, if your company takes out a… Continue reading