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 December
2009
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Why Are You Getting This Newsletter?
This free e-mail newsletter is sent to current and
former clients of our law firm, to those who
have specifically asked to receive it, and to
those who have contacted our firm for legal
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As reported in the Dallas Morning News, Texas drivers pay some of the highest auto insurance premiums in the nation — just as we do for our homeowners insurance. In my opinion, this is because the regulatory agencies are totally controlled by the insurance companies, and have been for many years. Republican Rick Perry is the longest-serving governor in Texas history (and he’s running for another four-year term). He has been in office long enough so that every single appointed official in the state was appointed by him.Agency members have overlapping terms in part to prevent one governor dominating an agency. Of course that’s not the situation in Texas, and our governor is extraordinarily proud of the fact that Texas is a “business-friendly” state. The fact that Texas is extremely “consumer-unfriendly” seems not to bother many politicians in Austin.
Free Legal Advice?
Yes, at Kraft &
Associates we are glad to provide our clients
and friends with free information on a variety
of subjects. If you want details about how to
lower your automobile insurance rates,
Texas Workers' Compensation law or
Social Security Disability claims, please
contact us and we will send you any of these
brochures without charge or obligation. |
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Suite 1300
2777 Stemmons Freeway
Dallas, TX 75207
(214) 999-9999
(817) 999-9999
(800) 989-9999
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FOR THE RECORD |
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 Keeping
Kids Safe During the Holidays
The holiday season is upon us again and many people are making their gift lists and hitting stores to find the best deals on the hottest toys for the children in their lives. I enjoy writing safety tips for the holidays and other occasions, but this year I'm going to use (with permission) some tips from the American Academy of Pediatrics -- a group whose Web site contains much important information about children's health and safety. Here are some tips from them:
Toy Safety
Select toys to suit the age, abilities, skills and interest level of the intended child. Toys too advanced may pose safety hazards for younger children.
To prevent both burns and electrical shocks, don’t give young children (under age ten) a toy that must be plugged into an electrical outlet. Instead, buy toys that are battery-operated.
Children under age three can choke on small parts contained in toys or games. Government regulations specify that toys for children under age three cannot have parts less than 1 1/4 inches in diameter and 2 1/4 inches long.
Lights
Check all tree lights, even if you've just purchased them, before hanging them on your tree. Make sure all the bulbs work and that there are no frayed wires, broken sockets or loose connections.
Before using lights outdoors, check labels to be sure they have been certified for outdoor use. To hold lights in place, string them through hooks or insulated staples, not nails or tacks. Never pull or tug lights to remove them.
Plug all outdoor electric decorations into circuits with ground fault circuit interrupters to avoid potential shocks.
Turn off all lights when you go to bed or leave the house. The lights could short out and start a fire.
Decorations
Never use lighted candles on a tree or near other evergreens. Always use non-flammable holders, and place candles where they will not be knocked down.
In homes with small children, take special care to avoid decorations that are sharp or breakable. Keep trimmings with small removable parts out of the reach of children to prevent them from swallowing or inhaling small pieces. Avoid trimmings that resemble candy or food that may tempt a young child to eat them.
Remove all wrapping papers, bags, paper, ribbons and bows from tree and fireplace areas after gifts are opened. These items can pose suffocation and choking hazards to a small child or can cause a fire if near flame.
Visiting Family and Friends
Remember that the homes you visit may not be childproofed. Keep an eye out for danger spots.
Keep a list with all of the important phone numbers you or a baby-sitter are likely to need in case of an emergency. Include the police and fire department, your pediatrician and the national Poison Help Line, 1-800-222-1222. Laminating the list will prevent it from being torn or damaged by accidental spills.
Traveling, visiting family members, getting presents, shopping, etc., can all increase your child's stress levels. Trying to stick to your child's usual routines, including sleep schedules and timing of naps, can help you and your child enjoy the holidays and reduce stress.
Happy Holidays Everyone!
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YOUR INFORMATION |
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When you file a Chapter 13 bankruptcy case, you must propose a plan to repay your creditors. Usually, your unsecured creditors (such as credit cards, personal loans, medical bills, and other debts for which no collateral is pledged) will be discharged without any payment. However, if you want to keep your secured assets, such as your home, vehicles, or other assets you are buying on credit, such as furniture, you must arrange to pay for those assets.You have three options regarding your vehicles in a Chapter 13 bankruptcy:
- Surrender the vehicle. If you cannot afford to pay for a vehicle, you can surrender it in your Chapter 13 Plan, and will be under no obligation to make any further payments or have any liability for the balance that remains after the surrendered vehicle is sold by the creditor.
- Pay the current value of the vehicle. If you purchased your vehicle more than 910 days prior to filing the bankruptcy case, you can propose to pay the current market value of the vehicle in your Chapter 13 plan, regardless of the amount actually owed on the vehicle. Depending upon where you file your bankruptcy case, you may also be able to reduce the interest rate considerably. For example, in the Northern District of Texas, you will only be required to pay interest of about 4.25% on the vehicle balance.
- Pay the balance at a lower interest rate. If you purchased your vehicle less than 910 days before the case was filed, you will have to pay the full balance owed on the vehicle. However, your interest rate may be reduced to a rate as low as 4.25%, depending upon where your case is filed.
It is very important for you to consult with a lawyer in the district where your case will be filed to obtain advice about how vehicles are handled in a Chapter 13 case in your district.
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| FEATURED
EMPLOYEE |
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Jo-Ann Martinez
Legal Assistant
E-mail:
jmartinez@kraftlaw.com
Ms. Martinez joined our firm in 1995
as a receptionist. She has filled several
positions with our firm over the years and
currently works as a legal assistant in our
Social Security department. She is fluent in
Spanish, and serves as one of our Social
Security disability department's
Spanish-English translators. Ms. Martinez
has more than 20 years' experience as a
receptionist, legal secretary, and legal
assistant.
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| FEATURED
CASE |
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Addison's
Disease and
Social
Security
Disability
A number of our Social Security Disability clients suffer from Addison’s disease. Individuals suffering from this disorder frequently experience the following symptoms: fatigue, dizziness, and muscle weakness, with difficulty standing up.The course of prescribed treatment can include hydrocortisone tablets or prednisone to replace missing cortisol, fludrocortisone to replace missing aldosterone. While not all individuals who have been diagnosed with Addison’s disease will be found disabled under Social Security rules, one source of information for people with Addison’s disease that we recommend is Addison’s Disease Research Today. Addison’s Disease Research Today is a monthly online journal summarizing recent findings on Addison’s disease.
If you, or someone you know, is suffering from severe Addison’s disease, consider contacting Addison’s Disease Research Today for additional information on the disorder. If you are considering a Social Security Disability claim, we advise you to speak with an attorney. We handle cases throughout the state of Texas, but we are always happy to give you a referral if we are unable to assist you.
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| HOW
CAN WE HELP YOU? |
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Our law firm has helped thousands of clients
over the years. Sometimes clients who use
our firm for one type of case may not
realize that there are other legal problems
we could help them solve.
We handle
most types of injury claims — including
automobile collisions, "slip and fall"
cases, injuries suffered as a result of
defective products, injuries resulting from
inadequate security, medical malpractice
claims, nursing home negligence claims,
prescription drug injuries, and many others.
We invite you to call us about any
serious injury to see how we can help you.
Kraft & Associates also represents people
who have been denied their Social Security
Disability benefits. We can help at the Initial
stage, the Reconsideration stage or the Hearing
stage.
Our law firm also represents people who have immigration
problems of any kind, whether family-based
immigration or employment-based immigration.
Our firm can help you understand your rights under
Federal and Texas consumer protection laws and
assist you with stopping creditor wrongdoing,
obtaining compensation for wrongful acts by
creditors, or with correcting your credit report. We
can also help you evaluate your options and decide
whether a Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy case
might be your best option. Most clients can protect
all of their property, income, and assets in a
bankruptcy case, and obtain the "fresh start"
promised by the United States Bankruptcy Code.
Please feel free to call us with any
legal questions you may have. If we cannot
represent you, we will attempt to refer you to
another attorney or to a government agency that can
help you. There is no
charge or obligation for that first phone
call.
Kraft & Associates is
a federally designated Debt Relief Agency under the
United States Bankruptcy Code. We assist people with
finding solutions to their debt problems including,
where appropriate, assisting them with the filing of
petitions for relief under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. |
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Copyright
© 1997- 2009 Kraft & Associates : Injury &
Disability Lawyers, P.C. All Rights Reserved Worldwide. Personal Injury,
Automobile Accident, Car Wreck, Wrongful Death, Social Security Disability,
Immigration, Bankruptcy, Consumer Law.
DISCLAIMER:
This newsletter is presented by Kraft & Associates for
informational purposes only, and not as legal advice.
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