Shelbyville Law Blog

OSHA announces fifth annual Stand-Down

On behalf of Robinson Salyers, PLLC posted in workers' compensation on Tuesday, April 17, 2018.

Falls are the leading cause of death among construction workers across Kentucky and the rest of the United States. This fact has led a multitude of national safety groups and government agencies to sponsor the National Safety Stand-Down each year. For 2018, the Stand-Down is scheduled for May 7 to 11.

The Stand-Down, sponsored by Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the Center for Construction Research and Training and several other related groups, is urging construction workers to stop work during the event to discuss the hazards of falls and potential ways to prevent them. These events are held at individual construction sites and can include talks, demonstrations or videos.

Older people may not be as financially secure as they think

On behalf of Robinson Salyers, PLLC posted in blog on Friday, April 13, 2018.

You may consider yourself financially comfortable at the current time. You may have enough to make ends meet, provide yourself and your family with a treat now and then, and have some money put away in savings. However, is feeling comfortable enough to keep possible debt issues at bay?

Unfortunately, in most cases, financial stability does not mean that a person has avoided the possibility of ever facing monetary struggles in the future. In fact, recent reports indicate that older individuals are becoming heavily laden with debt issues for various reasons.

Key steps to take after bankruptcy

On behalf of Robinson Salyers, PLLC posted in bankruptcy on Tuesday, April 10, 2018.

In 2016, 766,000 Americans filed for bankruptcy, and there are many reasons why a person could choose to do so. For instance, Kentucky residents could experience a job loss or a medical bill that they can't afford to repay. Those who choose to file for bankruptcy should learn the difference between a Chapter 7 filing and a Chapter 13 filing. In a Chapter 7 case, debts could be discharged without paying much or anything to creditors.

Those who file for Chapter 13 bankruptcy will likely need to pay their debts over a period of three or five years. Although bankruptcy can have a significant impact on a person's life, it is something that individuals can recover from. One way to do this is to open new credit accounts. It can also be worthwhile to work with a bank that has programs specifically designed to help people reestablish their credit.

The aftermath of a collision: Preparing for the unexpected

On behalf of Robinson Salyers, PLLC posted in blog on Thursday, April 5, 2018.

There may be few things in life that are as stressful and intimidating as being involved in a motor vehicle collision. Chances are, you probably consider it preferable to adhere to Kentucky state traffic laws and safe driving procedures in hopes of reducing the odds that a crash will occur.

Unfortunately, incidents of this nature aren't always avoidable, and if you are in an accident, you could be feeling somewhat shaken up and uncertain about what to do. While predicting a collision may be impossible, you may be able to form a plan for how to handle the situation should one occur.

How to improve a credit score after bankruptcy

On behalf of Robinson Salyers, PLLC posted in bankruptcy on Monday, April 2, 2018.

People in Kentucky who are struggling with debt might hesitate to file for bankruptcy because of fears about being unable to rebuild their credit. However, according to one study by Lending Tree, nearly two-thirds of people who filed for bankruptcy had achieved a credit score of 640 or more after two years.

The first step in improving credit after a bankruptcy is to apply for a secured credit card. This involves putting down a deposit, and initially, the person's line of credit will probably not be much more than the deposit. The person should put a low amount on the card each month, ideally less than 20 percent of the total available. This shows that the person does not intend to max out the credit. It could be a charge that recurs monthly, and it should also be paid off each month. This indicates that the person is responsibly paying bills.

How a bankruptcy proceeds

On behalf of Robinson Salyers, PLLC posted in bankruptcy on Tuesday, March 27, 2018.

People in Kentucky who are struggling with debt may file for Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy based on their income. With Chapter 7, a person's assets are liquidated to pay off creditors although some assets may be considered exempt. With Chapter 13, a person may pay off creditors with a payment plan that last for three or five years.

People may be concerned about how bankruptcy will affect their credit record, but if a person's credit is already poor because of unpaid debt, it may not have a significantly more negative effect. Furthermore, a Chapter 7 bankruptcy only stays on the credit report for 10 years while a Chapter 13 stays for seven years. There are certain debts, such as taxes and child support, that cannot be discharged in bankruptcy. Student loan debts usually cannot be discharged either. There is an exception for loans that cause extreme hardship, but this is rarely granted.

The most common causes of highway fatalities

On behalf of Robinson Salyers, PLLC posted in personal injury on Monday, March 19, 2018.

Fatalities occur too frequently on the highways of Kentucky and across the U.S. While traffic collisions can involve many factors, driver negligence is arguably the number one cause.

For example, drivers may become distracted by signs or dazed by the glare of the sun. Any number of activities, from adjusting the AC to changing the radio station, will take away a driver's attention from the road and increase the risk for a crash. Smartphones in particular have been implicated in the country's recent rise in traffic deaths. Unfortunately, many drivers feel compelled to text and surf the Internet if their device is within reach.

Improve safety with these distracted driving tips

On behalf of Robinson Salyers, PLLC posted in blog on Thursday, March 15, 2018.

You may be a safe and cautious driver. That doesn't mean all other drivers who share Kentucky roadways with you are the same. In fact, some are outright menaces to all who share their travel space. Distracted driving is one of the biggest causes of personal injury and fatal motor vehicle collisions. Have you ever been distracted at the wheel? If you answered, "Yes," you are definitely not the only one. Distraction occurs much easier than many people realize.

For instance, if your child wants to show you something from the back seat while you're driving and you turn around to look at it, you are distracted for however long it takes until you refocus your eyes and attention back on the road. Prevention is the best means for safety when it comes to distracted driving dangers. It's also a good idea to know where to seek support if your safe driving plan is interrupted by a distracted driver who causes a collision, resulting in your injury.

Credit card debt on the rise

On behalf of Robinson Salyers, PLLC posted in bankruptcy on Thursday, March 15, 2018.

Many people in Kentucky are currently living with some amount of credit card debt. This isn't unusual as many households throughout the U.S. use credit cards to manage their personal finances. However, when credit card debt becomes unmanageable, people may need to seek debt relief options.

In fact, a recent study shows that America's credit card debt levels are at what they were in 2007 before the Great Recession. While credit card default rates remain significantly lower than they were during the Recession era, defaults have been creeping up, possibly in response to credit card companies' loosening standards.

The many symptoms of soft tissue injuries

On behalf of Robinson Salyers, PLLC posted in personal injury on Tuesday, March 6, 2018.

Car accident victims in Kentucky may be suffering from soft tissue injuries without knowing it. Injuries to soft tissue, which includes the muscles, ligaments and tendons, cannot be detected by X-ray. Therefore, a correct diagnosis can sometimes be difficult. Since symptoms often appear days after the incident, many victims choose to delay treatment.

These injuries occur when the impact of a collision causes the soft tissue to stretch, which causes strain, spraining or tears. Symptoms include chronic pain and inflammation as well as bleeding and loss or diminishment of motor and sensory functions. In whiplash, one of the most well-known forms of soft tissue injury, a victim may experience shooting pains and a burning, tingling sensation in their neck.

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