About S.M. Oliva
Articles written by S.M. Oliva
Bad Faith Lawsuits When Health Insurance is Denied
Ohioans can appeal, and sue, their insurance when medical treatment is deniedWith the costs of healthcare continuing to skyrocket, Ohioans are more dependent than ever on their insurance companies to pay for necessary procedures and treatment. But as we all know, an insurance company is a for-profit business that often puts its own bottom line ahead of patient needs. And this often means Ohio insurers will delay or deny paying valid claims for medical care. An Insurance Policy is a Contract But at the end of the day, an insurance policy is a contract between you and the …
What to Do When You’re Arrested for a Crime You Didn’t Commit
The steps to take and places to turn when you're innocent in OregonPeople are arrested and criminal charges are filed in Oregon every day. Many of these accused individuals are innocent. Unfortunately, simply protesting your innocence to the police or a prosecutor is unlikely to put an end to the matter. Even worse, many people panic at the police station when they are arrested and take drastic actions that will only hurt their case going forward. Such panic is understandable. After all, if you have never been through the Oregon criminal justice system, you do …
What If You Disagree with the Department of Labor and Industries?
What to do if you disagree with the Department of Labor and IndustriesWorkers' compensation provides “no-fault” accident benefits to Washington residents who are injured on the job. Employers are legally required to pay for workers' comp coverage that includes both wage replacement and medical benefits. While most workers' compensation claims are paid without incident, there are cases where an employer may dispute the employee's right to receive benefits or the amount of benefits allowed under the law. “People think the state or employer is on their side, …
How Do I Make a Zoning Change or Exception?
A legal overview of re-zoning, variances and conditional use permits in Rhode IslandZoning refers to a set of regulations adopted by a Rhode Island municipality—i.e., a city or town—to govern land use and development within its borders. State law requires all municipalities to establish its own planning board or commission to oversee local zoning. These boards and commissions, in turn, establish different types of zoning districts, each with their own permissible land uses and structures. In the city of Providence, for instance, there are multiple types of residential, …
What Is a Supplemental Needs Trust?
And how they can help the injured, disabled, and persons with special needs in North CarolinaTrusts are a common estate planning tool that make it possible for individuals to provide for themselves or a loved one and still accomplish a specific goal or objective such as minimizing taxes or protecting a beneficiary. There are many kinds of estate planning trusts, each of which serve a particular function. One specific trust is a special needs trust (also called a supplemental needs trust), which is a specialized trust designed to provide for individuals with disabilities who also …
Penalties for Probation Violation in Tennessee
And what can you argue in your defense if you violate parole?Although probation is considered by some people to be a “get out jail free” card, in reality, it is a serious sanction and parole or probation violation. When a Tennessee court sentences a defendant for a probation violation, that person is required to strictly comply with a number of conditions of parole. Any failure to comply with the conditions of your probation may serve as grounds for parole revocation to send the defendant to serve jail time for the remainder of their sentence. …
Powers of Attorney Help You Cope with Dementia and Alzheimer’s
What they are and how they work in TexasAs we get older, we often start to forget things. In many cases, this is not cause for alarm. But when a parent, spouse or other family member starts to suffer from regular memory loss—or exhibits difficulty in speaking or performing basic household tasks—they may be showing early signs of dementia or a related neurological disorder, such as Alzheimer's. If that’s the case, it’s critical for that person to have certain legal protections in place to ensure their personal and financial …
The Tax Benefits of Charitable Estate Planning
How to set up a charitable trust in OregonMany Oregon residents incorporate charitable giving into their everyday lives. But charitable gifts can also a form an important part of estate planning. For instance, placing real estate or securities into a charitable trust can help minimize potential the potential tax on any capital gains that would otherwise apply to the sale of such highly appreciated assets. “We do recommend them to some clients as being an appropriate estate planning tool,” says Abby Wool Landon, an attorney at …
What Constitutes Police Misconduct?
When can you file suit against law enforcement in North CarolinaIn North Carolina and throughout the country there is increasing attention paid to allegations of police misconduct and police brutality. Everyone understands that police officers have a difficult job to do, and nobody—including the police department—can hold themselves above the law. And when there is credible evidence of police misconduct, the victims have the right to seek damages by filing a civil lawsuit against the individual officers or their employers. Misconduct versus Qualified …
How Much is My Car Accident Case Worth?
General damages, lost wages, medical bills and more in Washington personal injury casesAn auto accident is often quite costly and, in many cases, the total cost is not immediately apparent. Some costs can be readily ascertained, such as repair bills. But even something like medical costs may not be immediately quantifiable. For instance, if you suffer whiplash or another form of trauma—such as a traumatic brain injury—you may require months or even years of ongoing care and therapy. This is why accident victims often need to file a personal injury lawsuit against the …
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