Category: Blog

Because a majority of Social Security Disability (SSD) claims are denied at initial filing, applying for SSD benefits should be completed with a strong attention to detail. Unfortunately, there are common mistakes that people often make when filing for SSD benefits. To expedite an approval, you should be aware of which mistakes to avoid and ensure that you have all the required materials for a complete application.

Common Mistakes when Filing for Social Security Disability

Knowing common SSD application mistakes will keep you ahead of the game and allow your application to have a higher chance of approval. Here are eight common mistakes to avoid:

1. Conflicting and incomplete information
2. Missed deadlines and appointments
3. Collecting unemployment at the same time
4. Incomplete descriptions
5. Failing to get adequate medical care
6. Not filing an appeal in time
7. Failing to check your application status
8. Doing it alone

Seeking Social Security Disability Filing Assistance

The process of filing for SSD benefits can be a long, energy draining process, especially if you have to file multiple times. Even after taking time and attention to detail, you may still make a common mistake that, once again, delays your benefits.

Because you are not an expert, you should not navigate the claims process alone. By hiring an experienced SSD attorney to help you throughout the application process, you are much more likely to successfully receive compensation for your disability.

Experienced Social Security Disability Lawyers Near You

If you need to file for SSD benefits in the Missouri area, look no further than the professional Social Security Disability lawyers at Lanzotti & Rau. Our knowledgeable team can help you avoid common filing mistakes so you can quickly receive your temporary or permanent SSD benefits.

To learn more about our Social Security Disability legal services or how we handle our cases, call us today at 573-335-9300 and schedule a free consultation.

Workers’ compensation is a vital system designed to protect employees in the event of an on-the-job injury or illness. It serves as a safety net, ensuring that employees receive necessary medical treatment, rehabilitation, and income replacement while they recover from work-related accidents. In Missouri, however, there are time related conditions and deadlines that workers must meet when filing a workers’ compensation claim.

Time Limits on Workers’ Compensation Cases for Missouri Workers

Workers’ compensation cases involve crucial deadlines that are often shorter than people realize. To give you a general time frame, an on-the-job injury should be reported within 30 days, while a formal workers’ compensation claim must be filed within two years of the date of the incident.

Workers’ Compensation Claim Conditions

All workers’ compensation cases involve the injured individual, the insurance company, and an administrative law judge. To file a workers’ compensation claim, you must also meet the following conditions:

1. The individual filing the claim must have been an employee at the time of injury
2. The injury must have been sustained during the course of employment
3. The injury/medical condition must be diagnosed by a medical professional
4. The injured individual must have incurred an economic loss because of the injury

The Benefits of Hiring a Workers’ Compensation Attorney

The biggest reason injured employees lose out on entitled benefits is because they wait too long to report the initial incident and file a formal claim. Hiring an experienced attorney can help you communicate between each party, navigate the claims process, and file in time.

Experienced Workers’ Compensation Legal Services

If you have been injured on the job and need professional assistance filing a formal workers’ compensation claim in the Missouri area, rely on the experienced workman’s comp lawyers at Lanzotti & Rau. Our team of knowledgeable lawyers can help you pursue legal action to successfully receive compensation for your on-the-job injury.

To learn more about our workers’ compensation legal services or how we handle our cases, call us today at 573-335-9300 and schedule a free consultation.

Driving a car is as close to an everyday necessity as it can get in 2023. However, for the safety of everyone on the road, it is the responsibility of every car owner and operator to have car insurance. While car insurance is supposed to safeguard drivers from accidents on the road, there are numerous ways car insurance can be used as a means to scam you.

What Is Car Insurance Fraud?

Car insurance fraud can be defined as deceptive activities and false claims made by individuals to exploit insurance companies or policyholders for financial gain. Auto insurance fraud accounts for billions of dollars in losses each year and is a clear problem that scammers routinely take advantage of. Ultimately, consumers are paying the price for car insurance scams through rising insurance premiums that have nearly doubled from $400 to $700 per year for the average American family.

Two Types of Common Car Insurance Scams

Car insurance scams can be separated into two main types of fraud:

• Hard fraud

  Is when scammers use overtly illegal behavior for financial gain. An example of hard car insurance fraud is filing a false report of a stolen vehicle. To receive an insurance payout, the scammer will find a way to make the vehicle “disappear” by either destroying it or leaving it abandoned in an unknown area. Another common example is staging or planning a car accident. In this scenario, a driver will deliberately manufacture an accident by either backing into a car or slamming on their brakes in order to get rear-ended, whatever will make them seem like they were the victim of an unavoidable situation.

• Soft fraud

  Typically involves withholding, falsifying, or exaggerating information on a car insurance claim to save money or increase a payout. Scammers will omit information to get cheaper rates on their insurance. They will also exaggerate claims, fake an injury, or overvalue the price of the vehicle that was damaged in the accident to generate a higher payout.

Attempting any and all types of car insurance fraud could land you in prison or leave you with hefty fines and legal fees. Therefore, it is best to hire a car accident lawyer to help you avoid mistakenly committing car insurance fraud and ensure that your insurance claim is filed correctly.

Experienced Car Accident Lawyers Near You

If you have been in a car accident in the Southeastern Missouri area and suspect that it may have been the result of common car insurance scams, turn to the professionals at Lanzotti & Rau. The experienced car accident lawyers at Lanzotti & Rau can help you avoid common car insurance scams and pursue legal action to receive just compensation for your car accident injury.

To learn more about our car accident legal services or how we handle our cases, call us today at 573-335-9300 to schedule a free consultation.

With over 400,000 claims filed each year in the U.S., personal injuries are commonplace occurrences that often result in prolonged pain and suffering as well as costly medical bills. A personal injury results from the negligent actions of another or a situation that arises due to negligence. When it comes to filing a personal injury claim to receive compensation for your personal injury, you should understand the role that insurance companies play.

How Insurance Companies Handle Personal Injury Cases

The insurance providers for both you and the negligent party will both play a crucial role in how your personal injury case will turn out and pay out with regard to compensation. There is a thorough process conducted between both insurance companies, similar to an investigation. Once you file a personal injury claim, the investigation begins. This is usually followed by calls and a settlement offer between you and the other party.

It is important to know that when you are dealing with any legal circumstances, anything you say can and will be held against you. Therefore, it is crucial for individuals to hire an experienced lawyer to guide them throughout the personal injury claims process.

The Importance of Hiring a Personal Injury Lawyer

The insurance companies have an expert team of lawyers on their side helping them protect the bottom line of the company throughout the process, so you should do the same for yourself. A lawyer will represent your best interests and ensure that you have the documentation and guidance necessary to receive the right compensation.

Insurance companies will also try to delay the process by running out the clock and making you impatient, but an experienced lawyer will help expedite the process while guiding you through your claim from start to finish. Your personal injury attorney will:

• Help you file the initial claim
• Gather the necessary information for the case
• Properly respond to questions from the insurance claim adjuster
• Determine your fair and accurate amount of compensation
• Handle negotiations with the insurance company to ensure you receive an appropriate settlement

If you are going to file a personal injury claim and need professional legal services in the Missouri area, look no further than the professionals at Lanzotti & Rau to help you combat insurance providers and navigate the complicated intricacies of a personal injury claim.

Experienced Personal Injury Lawyers in Southeastern Missouri

The lawyers at Lanzotti & Rau can help you pursue legal action to receive compensation for your personal injury. To learn more about our personal injury legal services or how we handle our cases, call us today at 573-335-9300 to schedule a free consultation.

Half of the number of annual traffic accidents result in serious injuries that often develop into long-term disabilities. With serious injuries come serious medical expenses that you, or someone you know, may not be able to cover. If you were involved in a car accident, here are some ways to make sense of any car accident medical expenses you may be facing.

Navigating Health Insurance vs. Car Insurance

Your health insurance will typically be first to receive the bill for your car-accident medical expenses. During this time, they expect to be compensated for however much they pay, and this will need to come from the driver-at-fault’s car insurance.

It is important to consider that a car insurance company can take weeks to review and reimburse your car-accident medical expenses. And even then, car insurance is liable for paying only up to its policy limits, which can make you or the party at-fault responsible for paying the rest.

To ensure you are reimbursed as fairly as possible, be sure to collect receipts from the hospital, doctor’s office, and/or pharmacy for treatment or medication resulting from the accident and show them to the at-fault party’s auto insurance provider.

If you are without health insurance, you will be forced to pay out-of-pocket for any car-accident medical expenses. If you live in an at-fault state, the car insurance company of the responsible driver will still be expected to reimburse you for whatever expenses you paid.

Know Your State Laws

Car accidents are categorized as at-fault or no-fault depending on which state you reside. For those living in states with no-fault policies, personal injury protection pays for whatever medical expenses you may incur from the accident, despite who is at fault.

However, in at-fault states, like Missouri, driving residents are required to carry a minimum amount of liability coverage. Therefore, the car insurance provider for the at-fault party is responsible for reimbursing whatever medical expenses your health insurance incurs for the accident.

The Best Way to Handle Car Accident Medical Expenses

Instead of waiting days, weeks, months for car insurance to pay you back only to leave you or your health insurance shorthanded, rely on legal professionals to fight for the money you are owed and deserve. Insurance companies are always aiming to spend as little money as possible. An experienced car accident lawyer possesses the expertise to guide you toward the best steps to get the compensation you need for the suffering you endured.

Trusted Car Accident Lawyers That Represent You, Not Insurance Companies

For decades, the attorneys at Lanzotti & Rau have fought for and successfully led injured victims in the Southeastern Missouri area to receive the just amount of pay for their car-accident medical expenses. We do not require upfront costs or charge hidden fees, and we only get paid when you do.

If you want to learn more about our car accident legal services or how we handle our car accident cases, call us today at 573-335-9300 to schedule a free consultation.

The saying, “accidents happen,” definitely does not go unnoticed in the legal world. And when they happen to you as a result of another’s negligence, you can be eligible for financial compensation.

If you are a victim of personal injury after an automobile accident, medical malpractice, or slip and fall among other incidents, there are legal policies dictating the amount of time you have to file a lawsuit. These laws are called a statute of limitations, and, as a Missouri resident, you are entitled to know how long you have to file a personal injury case.

How Long Do You Have to Seek Justice?

According to Section 516.120 of the Revised Missouri Statutes, for most personal injury cases, you have five years to pursue legal action from the date of the incident. However, slight exceptions occur if you are the victim of medical malpractice or someone you know is the victim of wrongful death. For the former, the Missouri statute of limitations gives you up to two years to file a case and up to three years for the latter.

Also important to note is the statute of limitation for an injury caused by the use of a defective product. While you have the standard five years to bring this type of case to court, it starts from the date of the injury — not the date you learned the defective product was the cause of injury.

No matter how long the Missouri statute of limitations gives you to file a personal injury case, you should always seek the guidance of a personal injury attorney to review the facts of your case, gather the evidence you need, and win you the compensation and justice you deserve.

Why It’s Important to Hire a Personal Injury Attorney

When seeking compensation from them in personal injury cases, insurance companies will do anything to give you as little money as possible. By hiring a trusted personal injury attorney in the Cape Girardeau area to negotiate on your behalf, you’ll have a much better chance of successfully receiving the compensation you are owed before the statute of limitations times out.

Find a Personal Injury Attorney Missouri Trusts

If you or someone you know wants to bring a personal injury case, trust the licensed and equipped legal experts at Lanzotti & Rau. With decades of experience, Lanzotti & Rau’s team of personal injury attorney Missouri professionals have the expertise to bring your case to victory. And we only get paid when you do, charging no upfront or hidden fees.

To learn more about our personal injury legal services or how we handle our cases, call us today at 573-335-9300 and schedule a free consultation.

Slip and fall accidents are a common occurrence, and they can result in serious injuries. Slip and fall accidents occur when a person slips, trips, or falls on a dangerous or hazardous surface. These accidents can happen anywhere, but they are most common in public places, such as grocery stores, malls, and parking lots. Here is what you need to know about slip and fall accidents.

6 Common Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents

The most common causes of slip and fall accidents include:

1. Wet or slippery surfaces
2. Loose objects on the ground
3. Uneven surfaces
4. Debris or potholes
5. Obstructions in walkways
6. Ice and snow

Injuries Caused by Slip and Fall Accidents

The most common injuries caused by slip and fall accidents include:

• Bruises
• Scrapes
• Cuts
• Sprains
• Strains
• Fractures
• Head, back, and neck injuries
• Traumatic brain injuries 

What to Do Following a Slip and Fall Accident

If you are injured in a slip and fall accident, you should take the following steps:

1. Seek medical attention immediately.
2. Take pictures of the accident scene.
3. Get the names and contact information of any witnesses.
4. File a report with the property owner or manager.
5. Contact an attorney who specializes in slip and fall and premises liability cases to discuss your legal options.

What Is Premises Liability?

Premises liability is a legal doctrine that holds property owners responsible for injuries that occur on their property. This doctrine is based on the idea that property owners have a duty to keep their property safe for visitors. If a property owner fails to meet this duty and someone is injured as a result, the property owner may be held liable for the victim’s injuries.

There are a number of factors that can contribute to premises liability claims, including:

• Defective or dangerous conditions

  If a property owner knows about a dangerous condition on their property and fails to fix it, they may be liable for injuries that occur as a result.

• Negligent security

  If a property owner fails to provide adequate security on their property, they may be liable for injuries that occur as a result of crime or violence.

• Failure to warn

  If a property owner knows about a potential hazard on their property and fails to warn visitors about it, they may be liable for injuries that occur as a result.

If you have been injured in a slip and fall accident, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages. The amount of compensation that you are entitled to will depend on the specific facts of your case, so it is important to consult with a personal injury attorney who specializes in slip and fall cases.

Experienced Personal Injury Lawyers in Southeastern Missouri

The lawyers at Lanzotti & Rau specialize in personal injury law and can help you pursue legal action to receive compensation for slip and fall injury. To learn more about our personal injury law services or how we handle our cases, call us today to schedule a free consultation at 573-335-9300.

Car accidents are a leading cause of death in the United States, with over 2 million car accidents per year. With such high numbers, it is important for drivers to be aware of the proper steps to take after experiencing a car accident. Aside from ensuring your safety, gathering evidence is the most important thing you can do following a car accident.

Types of Car Accident Evidence

Gathering car accident evidence can help prove the negligence and liability of the other party, and help you eventually receive compensation. Types of evidence to gather include:

1. Evidence from the scene

   Take photographs of damage, deployed airbags, skid marks, or debris, and gather any tangible evidence that can be useful.

2. Witness testimony

   Any witness from the scene that either saw or heard the accident can help your case tremendously by providing meaningful information that proves who was responsible.

3. Driver’s information

   Collecting contact and insurance information from the other driver is imperative to hold them accountable for the situation.

4. Documents

   Medical bills, police reports, and insurance claims all serve as valuable documentation that can help support your case.

Gathering the above car accident evidence can make all the difference in your case, especially when it comes to liability. After gathering car accident evidence, it is important to file a claim right away, especially if you sustained injuries.

The Importance of Hiring a Car Accident Lawyer

Hiring a knowledgeable car accident lawyer will make the entire insurance claims process less of a hassle for you. A lawyer will represent your best interests and ensure that you have every piece of evidence and documentation needed to prove your case and successfully receive fair compensation for your injuries and damages.

If you have been in a car accident and need professional legal services in the Missouri area, look no further than the professionals at Lanzotti & Rau.

Experienced Car Accident Lawyers Near You

The lawyers at Lanzotti & Rau can help you pursue legal action to receive compensation for your car accident injury. To learn more about our legal services or how we handle our car accident cases, call us today at 573-335-9300 and schedule a free consultation.

The death of a loved one is always tragic and distressing, however, circumstances are made much worse when their death is due to the negligence of another. When experiencing such mixed emotions, it can become difficult to figure out the next steps. Therefore, it is important to know what a wrongful death is and how you can take legal action for compensation if your loved one was killed due to negligence.

Examples of Wrongful Death

A wrongful death occurs when an individual dies from misconduct or negligence from another party. Their deaths are often sudden and unexpected. Some examples of wrongful deaths include, but are not limited to:

1. Automobile accidents
2. Manufacturing defects
3. Defective products
4. Falls
5. Death at the hands of a physician

How to Handle a Wrongful Death

Any negligent act which results in death can be legally pursued by filing a wrongful death claim. Furthermore, a wrongful death case can be pursued even if the deceased bore some responsibility in their death. Close family members can file a lawsuit against the negligent party on behalf of a wrongful death victim to recover economic, non-economic, and punitive damages.

In the state of Missouri, there is a window of time in which you may file a wrongful death claim. The general time period is one to three years after a wrongful death; however, there are variables that can extend this time frame.

If you are the family member of a victim of wrongful death, you deserve both compensation and justice. Turn to the professionals at Lanzotti & Rau to help you and your family pursue legal action for the death of your loved one.

Trusted Wrongful Death Lawyers in Missouri

The lawyers at Lanzotti & Rau can help you navigate the wrongful death claims process and pursue legal action to receive compensation for your loss. To learn more about our legal services or how we handle our wrongful death cases, call us today at 573-335-9300 and schedule a free consultation.

A personal injury is caused by any civil wrong that inflicts harm to a person’s body, mind, or property. Under personal injury law, these wrongs are called “torts.” Personal injury law is a branch of law that deals with the legal rights of individuals who have been injured or harmed by such torts due to the negligence of others.

Often, injured parties will file a claim to recover damages in the form of monetary compensation for their personal injuries. Personal injury cases can involve a wide range of accidents, including car accidents, slip and falls, medical malpractice, and product liability. If you have suffered a personal injury, here is what you need to know about personal injury law.

Recoverable Damages of a Personal Injury Case

There are two main types of damages that can be recovered in a personal injury case:

• Economic damages

  These damages include medical expenses, lost wages, and property damage.

• Non-economic damages

  These damages are more difficult to quantify, such as pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of consortium.

Filing a Personal Injury Law Claim

In order to win a personal injury claim, you must prove the following:

• The defendant owed the plaintiff a duty of care.
• The defendant breached that duty of care.
• The breach of duty caused the plaintiff’s injuries.
• The plaintiff suffered actual damages as a result of their injuries.

Statute of Limitations for Personal Injury Claims

The statute of limitations is the time limit in which a personal injury lawsuit must be filed. Statutes of limitations vary from state-to-state, so it is important to consult with a local Southeastern Missouri attorney to determine the deadline in your state.

The Benefits of Hiring a Personal Injury Lawyer

Knowledgeable and experienced personal injury lawyers can:

• Guide you through the complex legal system.
• Help you gather the evidence you need to prove your case.
• Negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf.
• Represent you in court, if necessary.

If you have been injured in an accident, it is important to speak with an attorney as soon as possible. An experienced personal injury lawyer can help you understand your legal rights and options and can fight for the compensation you deserve.

Experienced Personal Injury Lawyers Near You

The lawyers at Lanzotti & Rau specialize in personal injury law and can help you pursue legal action to receive compensation for your pain and suffering. To learn more about our personal injury law services or how we handle our cases, call us today to schedule a free consultation at 573-335-9300.