Ringler Radio - Structured Settlements And Legal Topics

After an individual suffers a severe injury and a settlement is reached, he or she is left with the option of either taking a lump sum of cash, or a structured settlement. Today on Ringler Radio, Larry Cohen joins co-host and colleague, Keith Christie, to get a lawyer's perspective from Attorney Trey Haik from the law firm of Haik, Minvielle & Grubbs, on the benefits of the structured settlement and how a structure can financially support clients and their families for years to come.

This past April, members of National Structured Settlement Trade Association (NSSTA) decided to "Take the Hill". They headed to Capitol Hill for meetings with members of Congress and senior Congressional staff to discuss important public policy and the economic security benefits of structured settlements. Ringler Radio host, Larry Cohen talks to Ringler colleagues, Peter Early and Erin Muller about their experience at "Take the Hill" and their mission to educate our elected officials on the benefits of structured settlements.

There is an energy production boom going on from coast to coast in the United States. Huge amounts of oil and natural gas are being extracted from shale rock. Much of this oil and gas lies under land owned by private citizens, who are experiencing a boom in their bank accounts after signing leases with energy production companies. Ringler Radio host, Larry Cohen, and his colleague, Brad Mathers, share the best option for landowners who are looking to turn their windfall into a secure financial plan with major tax benefits.

Hormone replacement therapy, also known as HRT, was prescribed to women to treat the symptoms of menopause for years. Then in 2002, a comprehensive women's health study was published. The study connected HRT to increasing incidences of breast cancer. Ringler Radio host Larry Cohen turns to Attorney Ted Meadows from the Beasley Allen Law Firm, for more details on hormone replacement therapy, ongoing litigation and the various plaintiffs involved in these cases.

The BP oil spill created an environmental and economic disaster affecting the entire Gulf Coast region. On March 2, 2012, BP agreed to settle the class action of certain oil spill related claims with the plaintiff steering committee, representing the interests of individuals and businesses throughout the region. Ringler Radio host Larry Cohen talks with colleague, Robert P. Caples and guest, Attorney Rhon E. Jones from the Beasley Allen law firm, about the various aspects of the settlement, including the important major changes in how claims will now be administered.

The Type II Diabetes drug, Actos has received a black box label, has had a label change warning of a 40% increase in the risk for bladder cancer, and has been banned in France and Germany. Yet, Actos still remains on the market in the United States. Ringler Radio, host Larry Cohen joins colleague Martin C. Blount and Attorney Michael J. Miller, from The Miller Firm LLC, to discuss the side effects of the diabetes medication Actos, including its connection to bladder cancer, reaction of the FDA, and recent litigation.

Closing a workers’ compensation claim involves a two-step process: evaluation and negotiation. On Ringler Radio, host Larry Cohen joins colleague, Teddy Snyder, Esq. and Attorney Sylvia Lopez from Bakersfield, California, to talk about closing workers’ compensation claims. They explore the risks and advantages to a claimant and employer in closing a workers’ compensation claim, the importance of rated age and how a structured settlement can give injured workers the best of both worlds.

For severely injured plaintiffs and their families, the combination of special needs trusts and structured settlements can help provide financial security to secure future needs. Ringler Radio host Larry Cohen and co-host, Carmella Limongelli discuss this beneficial combination of financial solutions with Attorney Jay J. Sangerman, an expert in special needs trusts. Listen and find out when a special needs trust should be considered and what features the trust should have to qualify as a self-settled special needs trust.

On this very special Ringler Radio, host Larry Cohen welcomes colleague, Tony Robinson and their guest, Todd Stabelfeldt, a spinal cord injury victim and an advocate for those who have suffered the same injury, to share his inspirational story. Larry, Tony and Todd discuss everything from spinal cord injuries and caregivers, to technology, to helping and educating others through The Todd Stabelfeldt Foundation.

On Ringler Radio, host Larry Cohen welcomes colleague Cindy Chanley, and returning guest, Tony Coelho, the past chair and member of the board of the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) and the interim President and CEO of the Epilepsy Foundation, to share his personal journey and his ongoing fight for people living with disabilities. Tony shares his thoughts on health care, how structured settlements have benefited a person with disabilities, in addition to the AAPD’s mission for 2012 and his work with the Epilepsy Foundation.

On Ringler Radio, host Larry Cohen welcomes colleague and co‑host, Brian J. Fillion and guests, Sandra O'Sullivan, President of Ametros Financial Corporation and Tom Ash, Chief Executive Officer of Ametros Financial, to discuss the professional administration of Medicare Set-Aside funds and Medicare Set-Aside trusts. Sandra and Tom talk about the benefits of Professional Administration, managing the fund as a professional administrator and how professional administration works in a structured settlement.

NSSTA stands for National Structured Settlements Trade Association - the largest gathering of top professionals in the country taking the a lead in the structured settlement industry. On Ringler Radio, host Larry Cohen welcomes Eric Vaughn, Executive Director of National Structured Settlements Trade Association, to discuss what’s ahead for NSSTA 2012. Eric addresses everything from NSSTA’s Annual Meeting to its Take the Hill initiative with Congress, and the steps individuals of retirement age should take to ensure a better financial future. Click the link to see a video snippet of the podcast.

On Ringler Radio, host Larry Cohen welcomes Ross Duncan, the newly appointed Chairman of the Board of Ringler Associates. Ross and Larry discuss the current status of the settlement industry and the direction Ringler Associates is headed in 2012. In addition, Ross explains how to adapt to changes in the industry, how his colleagues can benefit from Ringler's new website and his personal goals for the year.

On Ringler Radio, host Larry Cohen is talking about Medicare Set Asides with colleague and co-host, Lynn DeMauro Clark and guest, Attorney John "Jay" F. Kearns III from the firm Kearns & Kearns. They take a look at mass torts and the facts surrounding the US v. James J. Stricker case. In addition, Jay explores the Medicare Medicaid SCHIP Extension Act of 2007 (MMSEA) and how it has created an uproar among insurers and personal injury lawyers and talks about Stricker’s overall significance to plaintiff attorneys.

Structured settlement brokers have the pleasure of working side by side trial attorneys to help structure the best settlements for the injured and the less fortunate and many of these lawyers credit their success to special training that they received at the Gerry Spence Trial Lawyers College. On Ringler Radio, host Larry Cohen welcomes colleague and co‑host, Bill Wright from the Atlanta office of Ringler Associates and guest Attorney Joseph A. Fried, of Fried Rogers Goldberg, to talk about his experience and how he applies what he has learned to his law practice.

Many of the cases structured settlement brokers handle are very complex. Clients in these situations need great legal counsel to represent them in the courtroom and beyond. On this edition of Ringler Radio, host Larry Cohen welcomes colleague, Tony Robinson and guest, Attorney Sheryl Willert, the managing director of Williams Kastner and Chair of the USLAW Network Board of Directors. Sheryl explains the USLAW Network’s mission and how clients can access some of the best trial lawyers in the country and around the world, while also receiving cost-effective representation.

Back in August of 2010, Johnson & Johnson and DePuy announced the worldwide recall of parts used for hip replacements. Studies pointed to an unusually high rate of revision surgeries connected to the devices. On this edition of Ringler Radio, host Larry Cohen and Attorney Navan Ward, Jr., a Shareholder at the Beasley Allen law firm, take a look at the DePuy Hip Replacement Recall and the litigation surrounding DePuy.

When a child is injured, families suffer not only from the devastation of injury, they also suffer financially. After a lawsuit settlement, they are then faced with the difficult decision of whether to accept a lump sum or a structured settlement in their case. On this edition of Ringler Radio, host Larry Cohen and co-host, Rachel D. Grant, Settlement Annuity Specialist in the Detroit office are joined by guest, Attorney James C. Lewis from the firm, Shapiro, Lewis & Appleton, P.C., in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Jim shares his insights about why a structured settlement is the best choice when a child is injured and how this decision can benefit not only the child, but the entire family in the long run.

There have been many lawsuits against some swimming pool companies, where individuals, more commonly children, have be trapped underwater due to faulty drains resulting in injury or even death. This is called suction entrapment and can be prevented by installing a device to shut off the pump when an object gets in the way. On this edition of Ringler Radio, host Larry Cohen along with co-host, Joan Pagnano and guest, Attorney Michael Andrews from the Beasley Allen law firm, take a look at swimming pool and spa safety, the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act and what swimming pool companies are doing to prevent these tragedies.

The National Trial Lawyers is an organization composed of the top 100 trial lawyers from each state. On this edition of Ringler Radio, host Larry Cohen along with co-host, Mike Casey, Chairman of the Board of Directors and Head of Midwest Operations for Ringler, welcome Attorney Howard Nations, President of The National Trial Lawyers, to talk about the organization, its members and its mission. Howard discusses NTL’s focus on training, networking, and education, major issues facing trial lawyers today and what it takes to be a good trial lawyer.