NEWS
- Happy New Year! We wish for all of our readers, clients and friends health and prosperity in 2015. We hope all our readers had a safe and happy Holiday Season. 2014 was a great year for the Firm. Almost all of our clients come to us via referral so we are grateful to the many people who refer their friends and family members to us. We look forward to helping the injured men and women of Alabama in 2015.
- Freezing temperatures are arriving in Birmingham this week. Boutwell Auditorium in Birmingham to open as warming station this week as frigid weather arrives: Boutwell Auditorium to open as warming station this week as frigid weather arrives
- David served as a speaker last month at the Birmingham Bar Association’s Workers’ Compensation Section’s annual seminar. David was on a panel presenting the case law update to judges and attorneys. David is serving as the Secretary of the Birmingham Bar Association’s Workers’ Compensation Section for 2015. David is also entering his second year on the Birmingham Bar Association’s Executive Committee.
- We congratulate Emily Wells on her graduation from UAB last month. Emily has been with us for about six months as a legal assistant. She is doing a great job. She is continuing to learn new tasks and helps keep the office running smoothly and efficiently. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a minor in Sociology while on an academic scholarship. Well done Emily!
- An update from Joel Nomberg concerning the Baldwin County Veteran’s Court: By February 1, 2015 we will have been active for one year. During this year the court and 12 veteran mentors have reviewed approximately 150 needy cases and 33 veterans are presently being processed through this court system. The veterans court is veteran friendly with a no failure philosophy. Each mentee moves through the tiered system at the veteran’s pace. Our 12 mentors are court directed by Judge Michelle Thomason, District Court Judge, who was recently reelected. These mentors have served in the Marines, Navy, Air Force and Army, all with distinguished military service. Our group is a mixture of men, woman, enlisted, NCOs and officers.
- The group has grasped all related problems and resolved the same. A spirit of trust exists in abundance throughout our system; we are certainly a model program of service to our veterans. The judge often mentions the veterans have been sanction-free and there are rewards for such excellent conduct. Because of the judges’ knowledge of the issues she has put together a complete cast of specialists and professionals in both legal and military matters.
- By the first of the year we anticipate more mentor applications including a chaplain; in addition we will go to a Tuesday afternoon weekly court. More court time is needed. The mentors meet as needed to discuss the resolution of problems, solutions to any of the issues arising and any veteran or legal issue that arise.
- The mentors volunteer their time willingly and the reward is the “feel good” sensation of a job well done and seeing our fellow veterans– with hand over heart.
RECENT CASES OF INTEREST
- David settled a workers’ compensation claim for $265,000. Our client was injured when a metal panel weighing about 1,400 pounds fell on him. Our client suffered significant permanent injuries resulting in head, neck and ankle surgeries. Our client has made significant improvements but the injuries will prevent him from working again. The accident occurred in Iowa and our client lives in Georgia, but the employer is based in Alabama. The settlement was approved by the court in December. This was a most significant settlement for a deserving client. The employer will be responsible for paying for our client’s medical treatment resulting from the accident for his lifetime.
- David settled a case at mediation for a client who injured his shoulder at work. The client had a pre-existing shoulder injury, but the accident aggravated his condition, preventing him from working again. The settlement was approved in December by the Jefferson County Circuit Court.
- David’s client was working for a metal fabricating company when more than 1500 lbs of metal fell on top of him while he was working at the plant. Client seriously injured the right side of his body which required months of rigorous medical care and physical therapy. David was able to secure a very nice settlement for this most deserving client. This settlement was approved by the Talladega County Circuit Court.
- Bernard attended a Social Security disability appeals hearing in Tuscaloosa last month. We were given a favorable decision at the conclusion of the hearing. Our client is a very nice lady who was a 25-year employee at a production line position before she was forced out of the job due to injuries. Through the repetitive nature of the job tasks she tore the labrum in her left shoulder and herniated multi-levels in her lower back which required a fusion surgery. We are very pleased for this most deserving client.
- Last month Bernard settled a workers’ comp case for a nurse who was injured on the job. The client was assisting a patient in Pike County when she injured her low back that extended down her left leg. The patient was an extremely heavyset woman who was also paralyzed from the waist down. After months of intense physical therapy and other conservative care the client reached maximum medical improvement and received a permanent physical impairment rating. Bernard was able to secure a very nice settlement for this deserving client.
- Bernard also settled a case for an electrician who was injured in Bessemer at his employer’s plant, an electric supply company. He injured two discs in his low back and sciatic nerve when he was lifting a heavy pipe off a trailer. He felt a pop in his low back and pain down his right leg. A few days later the client again injured the same part of his body when picking up a large spool of wire. After surgery and rehab, the client was able to return to work. Future medical care and a nice settlement was secured for the client last month.
- Late last month Bernard was able to secure a $200,000 settlement for a client who was injured in Greenville, Mississippi. He was working for a cell tower installation company. The client was walking back to his truck in the pouring rain when his work boots got stuck in deep mud causing him to fall and hit the back of his head on his flatbed truck. From this accident the client injured multiple discs in his neck. After multiple surgeries that required permanent hardware installed to fuse the bones, the client underwent months of rehabilitation and physical therapy. We are very pleased at the settlement terms for this unfortunate client.
NEW ARTICLES FROM NOMBLOG
- WHAT HAPPENS UNDER ALABAMA’S WORK COMP ACT WHEN I AM INJURED ON THE JOB IN ANOTHER STATE? The Alabama Workers’ Compensation Act (the “Act”) specifies what conditions must be met for various on the job injuries to be compensated. The Act also determines how injuries sustained by Alabama employees will be compensated when the Alabama employee’s work is performed outside the state.
WHAT OUR CLIENTS ARE SAYING ABOUT US
“David was excellent in telling me what was going on. He was honest when actually I didn’t want to hear it but he impressed me with his overall integrity. I was completely comfortable that he always had my best interest at heart. I always felt completely comfortable knowing that he could and would take care of my case in the most efficient manner. I would recommend his services to anyone.”
Donna P., Springville, AL
“Bernard is extremely efficient and kept me informed through the whole claim process. My results was fast and I am pleased with my outcome. I would highly recommend Mr. Nomberg and would use him again if I ever need legal help in the future.”
Lorraine D., Trussville