At Roger Fincher, Attorney at Law, the safety of our clients is always a top priority. We work to help clients seek out justice, but if you can prevent an injury in any way, that is absolutely the best option.

That being said, work has its own set of challenges, and often we need to think about staying safe in a different way. From working in an office to working at a construction site, each job has its own set of risks. Fortunately, there are some precautions that can be taken. Our work injury lawyer is here to explain some of the steps you can take to protecting yourself on the job. Read on to see how you can stay safe, and in the event that an employer’s negligence has left you injured and/or out of work, know that Roger Fincher is the one to call.

KNOW THE RISKS

As is usually the case for just about anything, having a preventative mindset is always best. For most jobs, this can start by understanding the risks associated with the job. Working with electricity means there’s a higher risk for electrocution, truck drivers have higher risks for motor vehicle accidents, and even teachers have a higher risk of contracting illness (germs from young kids are no joke). When you understand the hazards of the job going in, you’ll have a better idea of how to best prevent these injuries or illnesses from happening. It’s unlikely you’ll be able to prevent every single possibility from happening, but some knowledge is always better than none.

GET PROPER TRAINING

Most employers recognize the necessity of keeping their employees safe on the job (though unfortunately, this is not always the case). Whenever you have the opportunity to go through a safety training or orientation, be sure to attend it, even if it’s not mandatory. At the very least, this is an essential part of expanding your safety knowledge and being able to protect yourself while on the job. But in some cases, if future accidents do happen and you truly were as prepared and safe as you could be, this can serve as evidence that the negligence and onus is not on you.

WEAR THE PROPER EQUIPMENT

Sometimes, wearing all the proper equipment can seem like a hassle. Whether it’s having an apron on at all times in a restaurant kitchen, or wearing the gloves or the hard hat at the construction site, wearing the correct gear can seem restrictive, or even make it more difficult to do your job efficiently. But the first step in safety means slowing down, and this ties in with making sure you’re outfitted with your personal protective equipment (PPE) at all times. In fact, some employers might have it in their contracts that they’re not liable if you’re injured while not wearing the required gear.

The proper, protective equipment and gear is there for a reason — if you’re not wearing it, you could be at higher risk for injury or illness.

TRUST YOUR GUT

If something feels off, even if you’ve done it twenty other times and had no problems, listen to your instincts. Trusting our gut can be hard to do, especially if we’re in a situation where our bosses or coworkers are telling us we need to get something done. And trusting your instincts doesn’t mean you have to say “no” to a project or a task (though if you feel very uncomfortable with it, remember that you every right to abstain) — you can continue, and just be extra diligent and precautious. But regardless of how you’re feeling, listen to your instincts if something doesn’t feel right.

UNDERSTAND YOUR RIGHTS

It’s extremely unfortunate, but sometimes, employers will try to take advantage of their workers. Employers might try to ask things of you that not only aren’t part of your job responsibilities, they might also put your health at risk. If something is asked of you that’s outside the norm, recognize this, and be willing and ready to advocate for yourself.

Of course, the only way to do this is if you truly understand your contract, your job role, and your overall rights as an employer. This gives you a much better idea of when something’s a normal task (even if it’s outside of your regular responsibilities), and when something’s not.

RELY ON ROGER FINCHER, ATTORNEY AT LAW

It’s a fact of life that accidents happen. You can be as safe as humanly possible while at work and still end up injured or ill. Sometimes this is just an average human experience, such as getting a paper cut or coming down with a cold, but other times, injuries or illness happen due to the negligence of the employer. If this is the case, our work injury lawyer is here to hear you out. Schedule a free consultation today with our Topeka attorney.

If you should ever get into a car accident in Kansas, do you know what to do? If unprepared, many people begin to panic and can inadvertently make huge mistakes. To help you prepare for this type of scenario, our firm offers some tips that can keep you in control and limit your liability.

CHECK FOR INJURIES

The first and most important thing you should do after a collision is to stop and render aid to all that are involved. Check yourself, your passengers, and anyone in the other involved vehicles. If anyone is hurt, call an ambulance immediately. If anyone appears to have suffered a serious injury, do not attempt to move them unless you have sufficient medical training.

Moving an injured person can potentially worsen their condition, as is the case with spinal cord injuries. It is always best to proceed with caution and leave treatment to medical professionals. Do not, under any circumstances, leave the scene of an accident before it is deemed appropriate to do so by law enforcement. If you flee without rendering aid, you can be charged with a hit and run and expose yourself to serious legal consequences.

CALL THE POLICE

Once you have called for medical help, calling the police is the next step. Law enforcement officials can help you stabilize the scene, move your vehicles to a safe location if possible, and create a police report of the incident. Obtaining a copy of this report is key, as it can contain the implications of fault and important details about the accident. Write down the names and badge numbers of any responding police officers, as they may be needed later.

EXCHANGE PERTINENT INFORMATION

Now that the police have arrived, you must exchange information with the other involved drivers. It is highly likely that these people will be angry and highly emotional during this time. Do your best to stay calm so that things do not get out of hand.

Record the following information:

• Names
• Addresses
• Phone numbers
• Insurance information
• Driver’s license numbers
• License plates

While you are doing this, do not discuss the details of the crash. Anything you say can potentially be used against you, especially seemingly innocent comments such as “I’m sorry,” or “I didn’t see you.” These can be seen as an admission of fault, making you liable for the crash before an investigation has taken place. The only people you should speak with about the crash should be the police and your attorney.

CALL ROGER FINCHER ATTORNEY AT LAW

After a car accident, negotiating with insurance companies can be an uphill battle. If you have been hurt in a car accident in Kansas, retaining the services of a highly skilled attorney can be invaluable to maximizing your chances of securing fair compensation for your injuries. At Roger Fincher Attorney at Law, our lawyers have handled thousands of cases and can use their expertise to negotiate with insurance providers on your behalf. Protecting your rights is our top priority, and we are prepared to do everything we can to help you get through this difficult time as smoothly as possible.

To take the first step towards retaining results-driven advocacy, request a no-obligation consultation or call our office today at (785) 222-4066

It was a legal case that is still talked about today. It’s thought of as an example of greed and corruption, how you can simply sue your way into lots and lots of money. And, perhaps unsurprisingly, it’s a story that has become more and more fictitious over the years, where the facts have ended up losing a lot of clarity and traction. It’s a lesson that our personal injury lawyer hopes to clarify in today’s blog: It’s time to dive into the true story of the McDonald’s hot coffee lawsuit.

WHAT HAPPENED

It was 1992, and Stella Liebeck, a 79-year-old woman living in Albuquerque, was being driven around by her grandson. They stopped at a McDonald’s to get some coffee, which she took back to their parked car to enjoy. Then Stella did something that all of us have done at one point or another: she spilled the coffee.

As Vox reported, “Liebeck acknowledged that the spill was her fault.” However, that wasn’t the problem. The issue was that the coffee was so hot — almost near boiling point, at 190 degrees Fahrenheit — that she was severely injured as a result. This wasn’t a simple burn — Stella Liebeck had third-degree burns on her body, to the point of almost dying, and she needed extensive surgery and recovery time.

MCDONALD’S RESPONSE

Despite what the public seemed to eventually misinterpret, Liebeck was not looking to go to court. She was simply looking for coverage of her medical expenses, which were about $20,000. McDonald’s responded to this offer with a mere $800, which led her to pursue legal action in 1994.

This was only the beginning of McDonald’s problems. During the trial, it was revealed that in the decade prior, there had been 700 reports of people being burned from McDonald’s coffee. The famed restaurant franchise itself knew and admitted that their coffee was dangerously hot, but claimed that “customers wanted the coffee this hot.”

THE VERDICT

Liebeck’s personal injury lawyer presented a strong and practically unprecedented case, and the jury, after very little deliberation, was on Liebeck’s side. In fact, they thought that McDonald’s handled the situation so poorly, that they thought she should get a much heftier settlement — to the tune of $2.9 million, in order to send a message. Liebeck actually went for less than $600,000, and anyone who orders a coffee from McDonald’s has never again needed to fear for their lives.

THE MISCONCEPTIONS

A lot of people thought that Liebeck was trying to get money for something that McDonald’s wasn’t actually liable for. This led to a lot of moans and groans every time someone heard the words “I’m suing you!”, feeling that people were trying to get money when they don’t really deserve it. But Liebeck admitted from the start that the spill had been her fault; she only pursued a course of legal action when her medical bills were not being covered (medical bills that would not have existed, had she spilled coffee that was at an appropriate temperature).

THE TAKEAWAY

Corporations can absolutely be liable for your injuries, should you sustain them. Stella Liebeck knew she was not at fault, which was why she was looking for medical coverage, and she also thought it was unfair when McDonald’s refused to pay. If you are significantly injured from the negligence of others, be it a corporation, your employer, or a car accident (to name a few), a personal injury lawyer can take a look at your case, and possibly help you get the compensation you deserve.

Plus, with Roger Fincher, Attorney at Law, you won’t have to pay any fees until your case is won. You have nothing to lose from setting up a consultation with Roger Fincher, but everything to gain. Contact our law offices in Topeka to get started.

The team of Topeka personal injury lawyers at Roger Fincher Attorney at Law are proud to announce that our very own Attorney Roger Fincher has been recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2017!

Since first being published in 1983, Best Lawyers® has since been regarded as one of the most highly respected and consulted guides to legal excellence by both members of the public and legal professionals alike. Unlike many other attorney rating organizations, lawyers are not permitted to pay any fee to be included in any Best Lawyers lists. Instead, these lists are compiled on an annual basis based on an exhaustive peer-review evaluation involving more than 80,000 attorneys, with only the highest echelon of legal professionals being able to earn and maintain a listing from year to year.

As a result of his unparalleled counsel and client satisfaction, attorney Fincher has established a reputation as a powerhouse advocate in the personal injury field both inside and outside the courtroom. With thousands of cases represented throughout his 20+ years of legal service, he has helped countless injured clients get back on their feet and pursue fair financial recovery for their suffering.

TOPEKA PERSONAL INJURY LAWYER – (785) 222-4066

If you have been injured as a result of another party’s negligence, our powerful advocates at Roger Fincher Attorney at Law can provide the premier-quality advocacy you need to seek fair compensation and ensure your rights are protected. Backed by many positive client testimonials, we are dedicated to doing everything we can to help you get through this difficult time.

Get in touch with us online or schedule a no-cost case review today to find out if you have a claim

Many people are interested or curious about working with a lawyer. They feel that they’ve been wronged, they are pretty sure that justice has yet to work in their favor, but they don’t reach out to an attorney. This is all too common, because people tend to be swayed by the many misconceptions that exist when it comes to pursuing your case with an attorney.

Today, our personal injury lawyer is going to address some of these common misconceptions, and help you sort through fact from fiction. Stay tuned, and contact Roger Fincher, Attorney at Law in Topeka to see the potential that your case may have. We look forward to hearing from you.

WORKING WITH A LAWYER IS TOO EXPENSIVE.

This is one of the most common misconceptions around. If you ask someone why they didn’t choose to pursue justice and hire a lawyer, it’s nearly always because they think they’re too costly. And to be fair, who would really want to work with a lawyer and pay tons of fees, only to lose your case or your trial? That feels like a lose-lose, and an expensive one at that.

With our personal injury lawyer, you only pay if you win. We’ll say that again: you only pay if you receive a settlement, and win your case. We don’t require any upfront costs or fees until then, meaning you get to focus more on your trial, and less about your bank account.

LAWYERS ARE JUST OUT TO GET YOUR MONEY.

The number of jokes that are associated with lawyers often paint us in this greedy, money-hungry light, when the truth couldn’t be further from it. Nearly every person who goes into law wants to make a difference, and want to help represent people in a just and fair manner. For Roger Fincher, we go back to our previous point, in that we don’t receive anything from you in terms of payment until you receive a settlement. We would not pour our hearts into your case and work so diligently for you to feel some semblance of justice if we were solely looking for money.

Additionally, Roger Fincher has been listed as one of the best lawyers in America, and is active in both the Kansas and American Associations for justice. A personal injury lawyer who’s only in the job for money would not dedicate themselves to law and the courts themselves, or devote hours outside of their workday to being involved in the legal community.

TRIALS DON’T LAST THAT LONG.

More and more, it would seem that people are understanding that this is, truly, a misconception — but those gripping cinematic portrayals that cover a trial in two-and-a-half hours would state otherwise. It takes months — and sometimes, years — to reach a settlement, or to reach a verdict if a case goes to trial.

The truth is, there’s no telling how long a trial or reaching a settlement can take. We can’t even begin to provide an idea of how long it can take, until you reach out to our personal injury lawyer. Simply by contacting our law firm, you’ll be able to have some sense of understanding, and know whether your case even has a chance.

THE INCIDENT IN QUESTION HAPPENED TOO LONG AGO TO PURSUE JUSTICE.

Here’s a common scenario: a person gets hit in a car accident, and several months later, what was once thought of as whiplash is still flaring up and preventing them from living their life to the fullest. But at this point, it’s been practically a year since everything happened, meaning at this point, all they can do is try to grin and bear it, and get through the pain the best that they can.

Here’s why this is a common misconception: in Kansas, you have two years from the time an injury is sustained, to the time you decide to take legal action. Even if your injury happened almost two years ago, you still have time to reach out to an attorney.

Granted, we recommend contacting our law firm sooner rather than later, as the evidence may be more pertinent or easier to gather. But if it’s been less than two years, you still have a chance to seek out the justice you’ve previously only dreamed of.

Beginning to think about pursuing justice and to finally get the compensation you deserve for your injuries, sustained at the hands of another person’s negligence, can be scary. People don’t like thinking about pouring all this time and effort into a case, only to have it end up negatively. But with Roger Fincher, Attorney at Law, we will do everything we can to get you the settlement you deserve. At the very least, you can get a feel for our abilities and dedication to your representation by scheduling a free consultation. We’d love to hear about your case, and give you the information you need to consider moving forward. Contact our personal injury lawyer today to get started.