Category Archives: Uncategorized

You are minding your own business and driving on the road when another car swerves into your path and crashes into you. You realize afterwards that the driver was texting and driving, and may be wondering what your rights are in such a case.

If someone has ever injured you because they were texting and driving, your case is just as valid and deserving of compensation as someone hit by a drunk driver. This article will explain your car accident rights in Philadelphia in greater detail.

What Is Distracted Driving?

Accidents caused by texting and driving are included as distracted driving accidents. Distracted driving essentially means that the driver in question did not have his full attention focused on driving. This lack of awareness is often related to when a driver is concentrating on an electronic device, including phones, GPS, MP3 players, and tablets.

Texting and driving are illegal in nearly all places and … Continue reading →

How long will it take to settle my case? How much will I receive? If you have suffered a personal injury in Philadelphia, these questions are undoubtedly at the forefront of your mind.

Unfortunately, since every case is different, they are not always easy to answer. However, some factors impact the likely outcome of personal injury settlements. Here are a few things to consider.

1. Severity of the Injury

The severity of your injury is one of the most significant factors that impact injury settlements. “Hard injuries,” like broken bones or damage to your spinal cord, typically pay out more than “soft” injuries, like bruising and sprains.

Permanent injuries, like scarring or disfigurement, traumatic brain injury, or permanent loss of a body part, are associated with the highest personal injury values. If your injury makes it harder to walk, sit, stand, or travel, this will also add weight to your case.

2. Treatment and … Continue reading →

The Center for Diseases Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a National temporary halt in eviction to prevent the further spread of COVID-19 effective September 4, 2020. The CDC action stops evictions related to nonpayment of rent until 2021. Further, hotels cannot evict guests for nonpayment if the guest is considered a permanent resident under state or local laws, and they have provided the hotel with a sworn declaration stating that they are unable to pay until next year due to financial hardship.

Residents of HUD-assisted and FHA-insured properties are not required to complete the declaration form, but they will not have the CDC eviction protections without it. For properties with multiple tenants, a separate declaration form will be required for every adult. Once completed, the declaration prevents you from being evicted or removed from your rental through December 31, 2020.

The CDC has also made it clear that residents are still required to … Continue reading →

The COVID-19 pandemic is continuing to have a tremendous impact on nearly all aspects of life. Currently, the federal extension of supplemental unemployment benefits is uncertain, which leaves many individuals and businesses in Pennsylvania in a precarious financial situation.

Many individuals may have been unable to pay rent during the last several months due to the loss of income caused by the pandemic. Conversely, they may have been able to cover rent with savings or with stimulus funds in the initial months. Still, as the pandemic wears on with no end in sight and savings accounts become drained, the ability to continue paying rent may be in question – leaving many families with questions about their options and rights.

The CARES Act, Evictions, and the COVID-19 Pandemic – Federal Considerations

Federally, the CARES Act’s eviction safeguards helped as many as one-third of the total renters in the nation, or 23 million Americans, stay in their homes. However, these safeguards … Continue reading →

It is estimated that over 44 million Americans lost their job due to COVID-19. Unfortunately, rent is still due. Or is it?

If you are a Philadelphia-based landlord or property manager, you may be wondering if you still need to charge rent.

While the eviction moratorium is extended until August 31, you may need to make some changes to your residential lease obligations to match the current economic situation. This moratorium applies to tenants renting both residential and commercial property.

Here is your update on the latest real estate law Philadelphia and knowing your lease obligations during the COVID-19 pandemic and economic crisis.

Is Rent Still Due?

While tenants are safe from eviction, are they still safe from paying rent? This answer depends on what you stated in your original lease.

The average lease has tenant obligations for payment. This lease tells tenants that they must pay rent “without abatement, set-off or deduction.”

What … Continue reading →

You might not have noticed when it happened, but it may well be something you want to find out what the relevant details are so you can make an informed decision. Real estate evictions and foreclosure in Philadelphia changed on July 9, 2020. It was on July 9, 2020, that Governor Wolf extended the protection from foreclosures and evictions to August 31, 2020.

In Philadelphia, the COVID-19 Pandemic put evictions and foreclosures on hold through July 10, 2020, but has since been extended through August 31, 2020 to help ease the burden that the coronavirus pandemic has bestowed upon Philadelphia. This hold was the result of an executive order signed by Governor Tom Wolf and the state Supreme Court moratorium on proceeding with these types of legal proceedings. When real estate laws go back to normal, and the moratorium ends, you may need one of the best real estate attorneys to help you deal … Continue reading →

If you are charged with a crime and feel your civil rights have been infringed upon in any way by the government or any organization, you might need a knowledgeable criminal defense attorney to represent you.

It is essential that no matter the circumstance your rights to be treated fairly and justly, and innocent until proven guilty are at the forefront of your case. Knowing all of the options available to you in terms of liberty, equal protection, and the rule of law are key to proper defense.

If you need a criminal defense lawyer in Philadelphia, it can be confusing not knowing pertinent questions to ask your lawyer about your civil rights and key factors in your case.

The legal system can be confusing and overwhelming, so you must be prepared. Read on to find out precisely the right questions to ask your lawyer.

What is the Definition of Civil Rights?

Our civil rights are an expansive set … Continue reading →

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has hit everyone hard. It has caused businesses to lose, workers to get laid off, and the entire United States economy to come to a halt.

Many families have lost their livelihoods due to government restrictions, loss of customers, or even their own illnesses or death.

Yet bills continue to roll in. As people worry about how to feed their kids, they also are faced with looming rent or mortgage payments. How can you keep a roof over your head in these perilous times?

The government has taken some measures to protect people from losing their homes. How can people go to work when they are told they cannot leave the house? State and federal laws have implemented some protections.

Also, many proceedings have been halted due to social distancing requirements.

Here is what you need to know if you are concerned about legal proceedings affecting your housing situation in the wake of … Continue reading →

Statistics show that around 16 million Americans have now lost their jobs due to the knock-on effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Naturally, this economic reality will lead to many people being unable to pay their rent or mortgage.

If you live in Philadelphia and find yourself in this position, you will be glad to learn that the Pennsylvania Supreme Court has ruled that no foreclosure or eviction will be enforced in the state before the end of April.

Read on as we look at the effects that this pandemic will have on evictions and foreclosures going forward.

Are You Safe from Eviction or Foreclosure?

Until April 30, owners and renters should be safe from eviction or foreclosure.

However, for those that have lost jobs or are operating with limited income, difficulties in keeping up with rental or mortgage payments may persist for a long time after that.

It is not yet clear if the … Continue reading →

The rate of homeownership in Philadelphia has been steadily decreasing in recent years. However, property law is relevant for more than just buying a home.

Whether you are looking for a penthouse apartment or a new business office, you are going to need the help of a good property law practitioner. However, not all property lawyers are the same. Different lawyers specialize in different kinds of transactions.

Read on as we explore the differences between commercial property law and residential property law.

Commercial & Residential Property Law: The Basic Differences

The primary difference between residential and commercial property is that the former is for living in, while the latter is for doing business.

However, it is not quite as straightforward as that. Many differences are caused by this in terms of the legal requirements of transactions.

Costs

Naturally, one of the foremost considerations in terms of any transaction is its financial implications.

Generally speaking, … Continue reading →