Monday, September 28, 2009

Clergy Sexual Abuse in Arizona

So many individuals depend on their religious leaders for guidance and comfort. The trust between you and a member of the clergy is considered sacred, and once they betray that trust with unwanted sexual advances it is difficult to recover. There have been many cases in Tempe, Mesa, Scottsdale and Phoenix where a member of the clergy has taken advantage of a member of their church. You do not want to be stuck with the emotional damage an incident like this can do to you. An Arizona personal injury attorney can help you receive compensation from the member of clergy who committed this unthinkable crime.

Most victims are not aware of the warning signs that a pastor may commit sexual abuse on them. According to www.thehopeofsurvivors.com, there are many ways you can be more aware that a member of the clergy is a sexual abuser. Some examples of the types of warning signs include:

Warning Signs

Pastor may be overly friendly with women in his congregation. He might touch them inappropriately.
Pastor may be controlling and manipulative.
Pastor may be making inappropriate sexual comments during bible study, or private counseling meetings, even during the sermon.
Be aware of the pastor's behavior towards women in the church and how women are behaving towards him. If he is flirtatious, or exhibiting questioning gestures, then you may get a sense of how he might not be exhibiting the godly behavior that is expected of him.
If the pastor is exhibiting behavior such as smoking or drinking, or exhibiting any other questionable behaviors, then you want to consider keeping your distance.

While these warning signs are important to keep in consideration, they by no means can predict with complete certainty when a clergy member is going to sexually assault you. An Arizona personal injury attorney can always handle these types of cases with sensitivity and with knowledge on the subject.
A pastor should never be in a physical or intimate relationship with one of his followers. The physical and emotional consequences that you or a loved one could face can take a lot of time and sometimes be lifelong problems. Some examples include:

Physical and Emotional Damages

Fear
Low-self esteem
Anxiety
Shame/guilt
Eating disorders (bulimia, anorexia)
Bruising/Scarring
Detachment/Anti-Social
PTSD (Post-traumatic stress disorder)
Damaged spiritual relationship


Source

Thursday, August 20, 2009

The Unexpected Dangers of Slip and Fall Accidents

PHOENIX, AZ, June 28, 2009 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Most Slip and Fall accidents occur when you least expect it, and can sometimes cause some of the most life changing injuries. These types of accidents tend to occur within someone else's property, leaving the property owner or business proprietor responsible. When dealing with these types of accidents it is important to file the claim immediately and to speak with an experienced Arizona personal injury attorney about your options, in order to establish credibility within a court of a law, so no implication of a frivolous lawsuit can be named.

Where Slip and Fall's can occur

Nearly anywhere on public and private property in Arizona can possess a danger for an individual to get seriously injured if left neglected or if it is not maintained properly. Some of hazards that can contribute to the frequency of these accidents occurring include:

• Potholes
• Wet floor
• Unbalanced flooring
• Adverse weather condition such as rain, snow, or ice.
• Rippled carpet
• Unattended spill or fallen items
• Poorly lit walkways or stairs
• Uneven sidewalks

Types of Injuries

Slip and Fall injuries can cause numerous amounts of injuries depending on the severity of the fall. These types of events can require ongoing medical treatment for the individuals involved and can result in thousands of dollars in medical bills.

Broken bones
• Bruises
Scrapes
• Brain Damage
• Spinal Cord Injury
• Death

What to do if a Slip and Fall injury has occurred

If your slip and fall injury has occurred in a public building or public parking lot, an accident report should be filed in the time of the accident noting what transpired and who witnessed the fall as well as what caused it. It is also important to note any relevant information such as lighting, weather conditions or any other hidden hazards on the property. In the event that a report is not filed at the business location or did not occur in a public street or sidewalk and occurred in a privately owned location, it is important to write down what transpired in a timely fashion for credibility. Note the following:

• A description of the fall, what caused it, and if there was no indication of a present danger.
• The date, time and location of the fall.
• A list of witnesses and their statements confirming what had happened at the time of the accident.
• If possible take photos of the occurrence and of the location at the time it occurred.
• If you are physically hurt, have medical treatment immediately in order to substantiate your claim for a slip and fall lawsuit.


Source


Monday, July 20, 2009

Personal Injury by Police Brutality

The Police department has an obligation to each citizen to obey the law without misconduct. In Phoenix these laws are just as important and if you have been wrongfully injured by a member of the police department, you may be entitled to receive compensation for your injuries. Unfortunately, cases where police brutality, excessive force and false arrest occur are very common in Phoenix. If you are a victim of these traumatizing circumstances it is important that you talk to an Arizona Personal Injury attorney as soon as possible about your injuries.

A police office may use excessive force if needed to control a situation, but in routine traffic stops or if the individual arrest poses no hesitation in cooperating with an officer, then no force is required. Some examples of where police brutality often occurs include:

Where police brutalities can occur

• Following the end of a pursuit.
• In routine traffic stops, arrests, or detentions.
• In jails or prisons in Phoenix.
• By housing police, hospital security officers, or school safety officers.
• When individuals are brought in for questioning and excessive physical force is used.

If you have broken the law and are a victim of police brutality, you may feel that you will not have a good case. In truth, it really depends on the circumstances of your arrest. If your federal or state constitutional rights have been violated, then you are able to file a lawsuit against the officer(s) who violated these rights. The state, county or even the city of Phoenix will usually pay any settlement. If you want to file a claim specifically against the entire police department and if there has been a constitutional violation then you are able to sue the state, county or city directly.

In some cases you may be the victim of racial profiling, and are therefore also eligible for compensation, since such behavior is against the law. Police brutality may be difficult to prove, but with the right Arizona personal injury attorney, your case will result in appropriate compensation and it will hopefully lead to bringing these corrupt officers to justice.

Source