All Entries Tagged With: "Personal Injury Law"

Rob Levine Returns to Host Another Summer of Waves Baseball Camps

The Heavy Hitter, Attorney Rob Levine of Rob Levine & Associates is partnering again with the Ocean State Waves as this summer’s camp sponsor. Rob Levine is also providing ten scholarships that can be applied for online. Scholarships are available for any player that can provide transportation to and from camp.

“I am really looking forward to sponsoring the Waves Rob Levine Summer Camp,” said Levine. “We continue to find ways to integrate ourselves into the community and help children in every way we can.”

This summer, young baseball lovers 8 to 14 years old will have the opportunity to hit, throw, and run like a Wave. Wave players come from competitive collegiate Division I programs around the country and will hold the camps at Old Mountain Field and Cimalore Field.

“With the Waves partnership, we are able to afford the opportunity to inner city kids to get out of their environment and work with a group of professional, highly motivated baseball players.”

The South Kingstown camps are run in conjunction with South Kingstown Parks & Recreation and the Westerly camp is run in conjunction with Westerly High School Baseball. The camp fee for all camps is $120 (for both residents and non-residents).

Stay tuned to the Rob Levine & Associates Facebook page as they will continue to share upcoming events: https://www.facebook.com/roblevinelaw/?fref=ts

Rob Levine and the Ocean State Waves on The Rhode Show: http://wpri.com/2016/04/06/keeping-kids-active-safe-and-healthy-during-warmer-months

For information on summer camps, visit the Ocean State Waves website at: http://oceanstatewaves.com/view/oceanstatewaves

To apply for a scholarship, visit: http://oceanstatewaves.com/view/oceanstatewaves/community-215/camp-scholarship/rob-levine-camp-scholarship.

About Rob Levine & Associates

Rob Levine & Associates specializes in Personal Injury throughout Rhode Island, Connecticut and Massachusetts, as well as Social Security Disability and Veterans Disability throughout the country. As “The Heavy Hitter” Rob Levine not only works hard on your case, but also believes in making a positive impact in the communities he serves. Through internal resources, education and volunteerism, Rob Levine & Associates strives to help prevent accidents, as well as raise awareness around the needs of our elderly and returning veterans. For more information visit www.roblevine.com, call 401.529.1222 or toll-free at 800.529.1222.

| Apr 06, 2016

2016 Winter Driving Safety Tips

RLA Winter Driving

New Year’s Day has passed and the 2015 festivities are over, but in New England the winter weather is just beginning. As we prepare for winter weather and conditions, it’s important to adjust driving behavior and preparation.

We’ve been lucky in 2015, experiencing milder-than-normal weather, yet it’s best to be prepared. Stay safe this 2016 winter season, paying attention to the following driving safety tips.

Carry the Necessary Equipment

Prepare for winter conditions ahead by packing needed equipment in your car. Your winter survival kit should include:

ice scraper
snow shovel
sand/salt
jumper cables
road flares
tow rope
smart phone and car charger

In the event of a breakdown or accident, have the following in your car to better care for passengers and drivers while waiting for assistance:

flashlight
blanket
extra clothes
hat and gloves
waterproof boots
first-aid kit
snacks and water

Watch Your Speed

Insurance agencies and police officers remind drivers to drive with reduced speed in the winter. Four-wheel drive, anti-lock brakes, and traction control help but technology is limited; awareness and vigilance are your best defense against wintry driving conditions.

Be especially cautious during certain times and in particular conditions. Some roads will be more dangerous at the onset of a storm, before they are cleared and treated. In heavy snowfall, snow accumulates substantially despite the plowing of roads. Be wary of peak travel periods in the morning and evening rush hours. Back roads can pose threats as well due to the number of people avoiding highway traffic. A change from snow to rain or vice verse can create black ice, flooding, downed limbs and power lines, and accumulated snow and slush on the roads.

Know How to Drive in Snow

Ideally, it’s best to stay off the road, but if you must drive in the snow, take added precautions and adjust your driving technique. Accelerate and decelerate slowly. Slowly accelerating helps gain traction faster. Begin braking well ahead of stop signs and red lights. Provide an eight to ten second following distance. You will need more time to stop and avoid vehicles in front of you.

If you can, try not to come to a complete stop. There’s a significant difference between starting from a stop and gaining speed from a slow roll. Don’t power up hills; gain momentum before you get to the hill and proceed down the hill as slow as possible.

Stay Aware of Local Conditions

RIDOT alerts motorists of real time conditions. In addition to the television and radio (1630 AM), stay updated by checking Facebook and Twitter.

Keep Others Safe

In addition to safe driving, be mindful of the safety of others on the road. After a storm, clear snow and ice from your car windows, hood, and roof. A sudden release of snow from a box truck, tractor trailer, or large vehicle can create a safety hazard for other drivers. Clearing snow and ice from your car keeps other drivers safe, and in Rhode Island, it’s a law.

Remember Best Winter Driving Practices

Get in a routine of modifying your driving for optimal safety. This includes:

Driving with headlights that are clear of snow and ice
Avoiding cruise control in winter conditions as it limits your immediate control of the vehicle
Consulting your vehicle’s owner’s manual to learn the best method of braking in winter conditions
Maintaining a half tank of gas at all times, which ensures heat if you get stuck or stranded
Making sure your wiper blades are in good condition
Reducing speed and increasing the distance between cars when driving
Knowing bridges and overpasses are usually the first to become icy
Staying behind plows and not attempting to pass them, especially on the right side
Avoiding driving in snowy conditions, but if you must, alerting a friend, relative, or coworker of your route and estimated time of arrival

Seek Professional Assistance When In Need

We wish you a safe and happy 2016. Unfortunately, accidents happen, and if involved, you’ll need to seek the assistance of an experienced professional. A personal injury attorney can help you make a claim against a person or party that caused you harm. A lawyer helps educate you on the law, helps with case specifics, and identifies the types of compensation you deserve.

Be aware that personal injury cases have a statute of limitations, most between two and four years. It’s essential that you consult an attorney and immediately file a claim if you are injured in an accident.

| Jan 12, 2016

KEEP DRUNK DRIVING OFF COURSE THIS THANKSGIVING SEASON

The clocks have turned back and the leaves are turning color as we turn the calendar to the month of November. Though colder weather is ahead, our hearts grow warm thinking about the approaching holiday season, starting with Thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving is a time to loosen the belt and strengthen bonds with friends and family members. However, this year, 24 Rhode Islanders won’t be at the Thanksgiving table due to drunk driving fatalities, accounting for 36.9% of all motor vehicle related deaths in 2014. Don’t let your friends and family members become a statistic or threaten the health of other drivers on the road.

There are things you can do to keep your friends, family, and loved ones safe and healthy. Learn about blood-alcohol levels and individual limits. Designate a safe driver or seek alternatives to arrive home safely. Use our holiday safe ride on Thanksgiving eve to get home safely.

Stay Aware of Your Blood-Alcohol Level

A 2012 survey found that 2.4% of Rhode Island drivers admitted to getting behind the wheel after drinking too much. Rhode Island state law prohibits any driver from driving with a blood-alcohol level .08% or above. However, knowing a number doesn’t always help people understand how many drinks .08% really represents. Use the following chart to realize limits and when to stop drinking.

Be aware that the kind of drink matters regarding the percentage of contained alcohol. The average 12-ounce beer hosts 5% alcohol; one glass of wine has 15% alcohol; and, a 1.5 fluid ounce shot of 80-proof liquor contains 40% alcohol.

Assign a Designated Driver or Call a Cab

Before the festivities begin, assign a trusted friend or family member to be the designated driver, or take the initiative in ensuring the people in your immediate party are safe by electing yourself. Don’t spoil the holiday season and the New Year by putting yourself or others at risk on the road.

Be proactive and have a safe option in place before the fun begins. If you have trouble electing a responsible party, or if no one volunteers, there is an easy solution: The Rob Levine Holiday Safe Ride app. Enjoy a free and safe ride home.

Hire an Experienced and Professional Lawyer

In 2012, more than 10,000 people died in alcohol-impaired crashes, one person every 51 minutes. Such crashes cost more than $37 billion per year. In 2014, 2,713 Rhode Islanders were arrested for driving under the influence. It’s hard to estimate how many people are injured by DUI offenders since not all victims seek the proper medical and legal assistance.

Victims of drunk driving accidents can suffer horribly: the medical bills can start to pile up, lost wages from missing work, decreased earning capacity due to disabilities, cosmetic defamation, as well as physical and emotional pain and suffering.

Some accidents result in minor injuries while others have devastating outcomes. If you have suffered injuries from a drunk driver or any other person’s negligence from a car wreck, ensure you’re compensated for your pain, suffering, and loss by contacting an experienced and knowledgeable car accident lawyer.

About Rob Levine & Associates

Rob Levine & Associates specializes in Personal Injury throughout Rhode Island, Connecticut and Massachusetts, as well as Social Security Disability and Veterans Disability throughout the country. As “The Heavy Hitter” Rob Levine not only works hard on your case, but also believes in making a positive impact in the communities he serves. Through internal resources, education and volunteerism, Rob Levine & Associates strives to help prevent accidents, as well as raise awareness around the needs of our elderly and returning veterans. For more information visit www.roblevine.com , call 401.529.1222 or toll free at 800.529.1222.

| Nov 02, 2015

Am I Disabled? Social Security’s Definition of Disability…

young man in a wheelchair writing a letter

Part 2 in a 4 Part Series on Social Security Disability

Unlike other programs, Social Security pays only for total disability. No benefits are payable for partial or short-term disability. Social Security only considers you disabled if: you cannot perform the work you did before; you cannot adjust to other work because of your medical condition(s); and your disability has lasted or is expected to last for at least one year or result in death.

The Social Security regulations require that you have a medically determinable impairment in order to be approved for Social Security benefits. If pain is preventing you from working, then you must have an underlying physical impairment which could reasonably be expected to produce the severe pain you allege. Objective testing (such as x-rays, CT scans and MRI’s) can help to identify the severity of pain-producing abnormalities. The type of pain medications prescribed by your doctor and their dosages are also indicative of the severity of your pain.

Psychiatric impairments can be disabling. Social Security recognizes that mental disorders can produce severe symptoms which markedly interfere with the ability to work. But treatment is essential. If you assert that you cannot work due to mental illness, then you are expected to pursue treatment that could help you get back to work. This typically includes psychiatric medications and therapy.

Regular treatment with a physician is needed to substantiate all disabling impairments. This is because Social Security will send your file to a state agency doctor for an assessment of your ability to work. Typically these doctors determine that you are capable of working. You need your own doctor to refute these medical opinions.

As you age, it becomes easier to establish disability. According to the Social Security regulations, people under the age of 50 are “younger” individuals, between age 50 and 55 you are “closely approaching advanced age,” 55 to 60 is “advanced age,” and 60 to retirement is “closely approaching retirement age.” Younger individuals are expected to work in any capacity, even minimum-wage, unskilled work. At age 50, however, the rules start to change. Your prior work and the skills you acquired in the performance of your jobs become critical factors in determining whether you satisfy the requirements for disability.

Social Security defines disability as the total inability to engage in work activity by reason of any medically determinable impairment (physical or mental) which can be expected to result in death, or which has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous 12 months or more.

SSA uses a 5 step sequential evaluation to determine disability:

Does the impairment (or combo of impairments) keep you from being able to perform full-time work? If cmt is working, then he/she will be found not disabled at this step, regardless of the seriousness of the diagnosis.

Is the impairment severe? And is it expected to remain severe for at least 12 months, or result in death? This is the step knocks out cmts with short-term diagnoses (i.e., a surgery where the recovery is not expected to take a year).

Does the impairment meet or equal one of Social Security’s Listings? (In order to make sure claims are adjudicated similarly around the country, SSA has developed criteria, called Listings, for various diagnoses.) If a claimant made. The Listing requirements are VERY high, and a claimant can still win their case even if they don’t meet Listing-level severity.

Does the impairment prevent you from performing any job that you performed in the last 15 years? Here, the burden is on us to show that our client is not able to do any of the jobs he/she did in the last 15 yrs.

Does the impairment prevent you from being able to perform any other work? At this step, the burden shifts to SSA to identify other work that is available in significant numbers that the cmt can perform in spite of limitations determined by the ALJ. Disability Determination Services and Administrative Law Judges use vocational experts familiar with job requirements to assess whether jobs exist which can be be performed.

About Rob Levine & Associates

Rob Levine & Associates specializes in Personal Injury throughout Rhode Island, Connecticut and Massachusetts, as well as Social Security Disability and Veterans Disability throughout the country. As “The Heavy Hitter” Rob Levine not only works hard on your case, but also believes in making a positive impact in the communities he serves. Through internal resources, education and volunteerism, Rob Levine & Associates strives to help prevent accidents, as well as raise awareness around the needs of our elderly and returning veterans. For more information visit www.roblevine.com , call 401.529.1222 or toll free at 800.529.1222.

| Oct 12, 2015

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