Michael Monahan Solicitor http://www.michaelmonahansolicitor.ie/blog Mon, 30 Apr 2012 14:51:44 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1 Video Killed The Radio Star ……or was it the Golden Pages Ad? http://www.michaelmonahansolicitor.ie/blog/2012/04/video-killed-the-radio-star-or-was-it-the-golden-pages-ad/ http://www.michaelmonahansolicitor.ie/blog/2012/04/video-killed-the-radio-star-or-was-it-the-golden-pages-ad/#comments Mon, 30 Apr 2012 14:40:36 +0000 michael http://www.michaelmonahansolicitor.ie/blog/?p=149 While the salesman for the Golden Pages pursues me to sign up for a full page ad (rates seem to get lower each year) I marvel how much video has improved my selling/legal marketing.

Up to 2 years ago we had websites but they were static….some firms still have those especially with © 2007/2008 on them. Now Video is where it’s at. Using Youtube and Vimeo – (the insiders favourite) – you can say your piece on your site. If you have no site and no knowledge look at the “Word Press” website and follow the steps and….vóila… your site is yours to play with. Now when you go onto “add video” you get 2 advantages:

  1. It drives you up Google Rankings.

Basically if you are not “above the fold”, that is what you see when the page opens – you are nowhere. Nobody scrolls down to find you at No. 34!

  1. Potential clients get to see you.

People buy People: You may wait to give information on your subject – Lawyers can no longer be “The Gatekeeper” of information from clients and expect to profit from supply of basic information…. it’s online. What potential clients want is free content; Lawyers role now is to advise how that information applies to that persons particular circumstances.

Remember the Law of Reciprocation:

If you give something for  FREE people will want to do something for you in return.

Anyway back to Video:

Smartphones have high definition (HD) video in them. Use it, download it and post it on your site.

Just shoot it and put it up, too polished a performance looks “stagey” and false. Just talk and keep it to 30 seconds- 1 minute, we glaze over after that. – Try to smile…I’m still working on mine!

Even the phone manufacturers are surprised how fast we are taking to the mobile phone for use of information location.

Anyway lawyers like to put themselves about – video is just the newer way of doing this!

Enjoy !

Michael M.

 

By: Michael Monahan + ]]> http://www.michaelmonahansolicitor.ie/blog/2012/04/video-killed-the-radio-star-or-was-it-the-golden-pages-ad/feed/ 0 The Parchment Review April 2012 http://www.michaelmonahansolicitor.ie/blog/2012/04/the-parchment-review-april-2012/ http://www.michaelmonahansolicitor.ie/blog/2012/04/the-parchment-review-april-2012/#comments Tue, 10 Apr 2012 14:47:43 +0000 michael http://www.michaelmonahansolicitor.ie/blog/?p=158 My thanks to the Editor John Geary of “The Parchment” for this favorable review

12-03-30 parchment review-1

 

Warm Regards

Michael M.

P.S. You can buy the book here http://www.injuriesboardclaims.com

 

By: Michael Monahan + ]]> http://www.michaelmonahansolicitor.ie/blog/2012/04/the-parchment-review-april-2012/feed/ 0 Personal Injury and the Injuries Board http://www.michaelmonahansolicitor.ie/blog/2012/04/personal-injury-and-the-injuries-board/ http://www.michaelmonahansolicitor.ie/blog/2012/04/personal-injury-and-the-injuries-board/#comments Mon, 09 Apr 2012 14:49:44 +0000 michael http://www.michaelmonahansolicitor.ie/blog/?p=161 Hi There ,

It was great to get a chance to highlight the unfairness in some parts of the Injuries Board System.If the Insurance companies succeed they will ensure that nobody has any right to compensation even when they are an innocent party.

MM at TV3 Full interview

They have already won round 1 by making people pay for their own advice and not content with that they launched a media campaign in  early 2012 to get people to launch their own claims.Essentially for injured persons to put themselves in the hands of the Injuries Board(set up by Insurance Companies)

The majority (92-95%) still choose to spend their own money to get help with their claim.

See the full story revealed here in this interview.

MM at TV3 Full interview

Warm Regards

Michael Monahan

P.S. You can get your copy of my book here

€20.00

Plus Packaging and Postage €5.00 

Buy online or phone us at 0719129071 (working hours)

 

By: Michael Monahan + ]]> http://www.michaelmonahansolicitor.ie/blog/2012/04/personal-injury-and-the-injuries-board/feed/ 0 Shortlisted for Irish Law Awards 2012 http://www.michaelmonahansolicitor.ie/blog/2012/03/shortlisted-for-irish-law-awards-2012/ http://www.michaelmonahansolicitor.ie/blog/2012/03/shortlisted-for-irish-law-awards-2012/#comments Fri, 30 Mar 2012 14:45:23 +0000 michael http://www.michaelmonahansolicitor.ie/blog/?p=154 We are Shortlisted for the Irish Law Awards 2012 in two categories Best Connaught Law Firm( 3 on Shortlist) and Best Sole Practitioner Nationwide  2012 ( 6 Shortlisted )

This must be due to the use of Video and Blogging Online which we think sets us apart from other Lawyers in relation to their marketing in a difficult market.

We set out to get FREE information across to anyone who visits our site.We do not “photoshop”our videos we simply tell it as it is in front of the camera.

Maybe from now on I ll smile a bit more!

Fingers crossed for the announcement on the 4th May 2012 at the awards ceremony in Dublin and at worst we will get to meet Miriam O Callaghan without having to answer difficult questions !

Warm Regards

Michael M.

 

By: Michael Monahan + ]]> http://www.michaelmonahansolicitor.ie/blog/2012/03/shortlisted-for-irish-law-awards-2012/feed/ 0 Is it ever possible to get an increase on the Assessment Offer after it is sent out by Injuries Board? http://www.michaelmonahansolicitor.ie/blog/2011/10/is-it-ever-possible-to-get-an-increase-on-the-assessment-offer-after-it-is-sent-out-by-injuries-board/ http://www.michaelmonahansolicitor.ie/blog/2011/10/is-it-ever-possible-to-get-an-increase-on-the-assessment-offer-after-it-is-sent-out-by-injuries-board/#comments Wed, 19 Oct 2011 08:00:43 +0000 michael http://www.michaelmonahansolicitor.ie/blog/?p=145 This depends on each individual case and each Insurance company.

I have never seen the General Damages increased in order to prevent a rejection of an Assessment.

I have seen cases where items of Special Damage were paid after the Assessment was sent to both sides. For example Physiotherapy bills were paid directly by the Insurance company in addition to what was submitted in the claim as the vouchers were not available before the Assessment was made. A phone call to the Insurance company suggesting the Injured party might accept the Assessment if the Insurance paid these “extra” vouchers is usually worthwhile.

By: Michael Monahan + ]]> http://www.michaelmonahansolicitor.ie/blog/2011/10/is-it-ever-possible-to-get-an-increase-on-the-assessment-offer-after-it-is-sent-out-by-injuries-board/feed/ 0 Do I have to hand over all medicals I get to The Injuries Board? http://www.michaelmonahansolicitor.ie/blog/2011/10/do-i-have-to-hand-over-all-medicals-i-get-to-the-injuries-board/ http://www.michaelmonahansolicitor.ie/blog/2011/10/do-i-have-to-hand-over-all-medicals-i-get-to-the-injuries-board/#comments Sun, 16 Oct 2011 08:00:44 +0000 michael http://www.michaelmonahansolicitor.ie/blog/?p=143 No. Sometimes a medical report will not be as favorable or as accurate as the injured party would like. There is no obligation for them to forward their Report . Remember someone will assess the level of compensation payable based on the Medical Reports . They will never meet the injured party so the doctors opinion is all important in estimating the level of compensation. If you go on to court proceedings you are required to disclose all your Reports to the Insurance company.

There have been cases where injured parties knowing at all stages their claim would go to the High Court.They collect a number of medical reports but only forward the most basic one for the Injuries Board. No matter what the assessment of the Injuries Board is they have no intention of accepting it . While the assessment is awaited on the basis of that medical report the injured party has been obtaining more specialised reports. This allows High Court proceedings to be issued and driven forward at a more rapid pace. One of the main delays in dealing with claims is getting appointments with the appropriate specialists. The insurance company cannot get sufficient medical evidence on the injuries in time before the matter is listed for trial. Pressure like this forces insurance companies to settle cases rather than continue them into a full hearing relying on the Injured Parties own medical reports .

By: Michael Monahan + ]]> http://www.michaelmonahansolicitor.ie/blog/2011/10/do-i-have-to-hand-over-all-medicals-i-get-to-the-injuries-board/feed/ 0 What Legal fee can I expect to pay for someone to run my Injuries Board claim for me? http://www.michaelmonahansolicitor.ie/blog/2011/10/what-legal-fee-can-i-expect-to-pay-for-someone-to-run-my-injuries-board-claim-for-me/ http://www.michaelmonahansolicitor.ie/blog/2011/10/what-legal-fee-can-i-expect-to-pay-for-someone-to-run-my-injuries-board-claim-for-me/#comments Thu, 13 Oct 2011 08:00:31 +0000 michael http://www.michaelmonahansolicitor.ie/blog/?p=141 Lawyers sell time and expertise and some legal bills can be based solely on time spent on the case. As with all legal work an estimate of likely fees has to be given to the injured party as soon as practicable once the case starts. As the Injuries Board aims to issue a settlement offer within twelve months of lodging of the claim it is possible to quantify the time spent on the case. You also pay for the cost of expert advice which you receive whether the offer is at market rate or not. You should try to get good value in whatever your legal adviser charges you. The basis of legal costs is laid out in the High Court Rules on which time taken on the case is only one factor .

Firms vary depending on their cost structures but between €1250 and €2500 would seem to represent fair level of fees, to which VAT must be added. The Injuries Board makes provision for payment of contribution to costs where children’s cases, fatal injuries and tracing uninsured motorists are concerned.

By: Michael Monahan + ]]> http://www.michaelmonahansolicitor.ie/blog/2011/10/what-legal-fee-can-i-expect-to-pay-for-someone-to-run-my-injuries-board-claim-for-me/feed/ 0 If I have lodged my own claim through the Injuries Board website and got a medical and sent in the extra expenses and the Assessment Letter has issued, how do I know the worth of my claim? http://www.michaelmonahansolicitor.ie/blog/2011/10/if-i-have-lodged-my-own-claim-through-the-injuries-board-website-and-got-a-medical-and-sent-in-the-extra-expenses-and-the-assessment-letter-has-issued-how-do-i-know-the-worth-of-my-claim/ http://www.michaelmonahansolicitor.ie/blog/2011/10/if-i-have-lodged-my-own-claim-through-the-injuries-board-website-and-got-a-medical-and-sent-in-the-extra-expenses-and-the-assessment-letter-has-issued-how-do-i-know-the-worth-of-my-claim/#comments Mon, 10 Oct 2011 08:00:35 +0000 michael http://www.michaelmonahansolicitor.ie/blog/?p=139 You don’t – this is the fundamental flaw in the system of the Injuries Board. The injured party is referred to a Book of Quantum which dates from 2004. It only gives general guidelines in relation to injuries. For example neck injuries are valued in four different categories between €14,000 and €45,000 – how do you know which one is for you?

This is where an experienced legal adviser comes into their own. By dealing with claims on a daily basis they can value what the Court would put on your case if it goes to a hearing. They know the cases they have settled already successfully for clients to date and what value they had. On the one side, the insurance companies or the Injuries Board have vast databases to back up the value of the offer they make. On the other hand the injured party has no information apart from guidelines in the Book of Quantum which are too general to be of value. For example, eyes are not covered at all in the Book of Quantum so if you seek valuations on eye injuries the Injuries Board leaves you without any guidance/advice.

By: Michael Monahan + ]]> http://www.michaelmonahansolicitor.ie/blog/2011/10/if-i-have-lodged-my-own-claim-through-the-injuries-board-website-and-got-a-medical-and-sent-in-the-extra-expenses-and-the-assessment-letter-has-issued-how-do-i-know-the-worth-of-my-claim/feed/ 0 Do I have to go to the Insurance Company or the Injuries Board Doctor? http://www.michaelmonahansolicitor.ie/blog/2011/10/do-i-have-to-go-to-the-insurance-company-or-the-injuries-board-doctor/ http://www.michaelmonahansolicitor.ie/blog/2011/10/do-i-have-to-go-to-the-insurance-company-or-the-injuries-board-doctor/#comments Fri, 07 Oct 2011 08:00:53 +0000 michael http://www.michaelmonahansolicitor.ie/blog/?p=137 At present in early 2011 there seems to be no legal requirement that the injured party goes to any doctor appointed by an Insurance Company for examination. It follows that an injured party in applying for compensation supplies an initial report with the application form. This is forwarded to the insurance company for the Defendant and they have 90 days to see if they would agree to an assessment of this case. An assessment is an agreement that their insured is in the wrong and they will agree to compensate the injured party for their loss. Some insurance companies will arrange for their own medical and put that into the Injuries Board system to give their views on the injury. If the injured party does not go to the medical then the only assessment by the Injuries Board can be made on the injured party’s medicals.

The Injuries Board do not seem to have power themselves to arrange examination of the injured party. They can only assess the case within the time limit laid out based on the medicals which they have. They may in some cases only have those medicals provided by the Injured Party.

By: Michael Monahan + ]]> http://www.michaelmonahansolicitor.ie/blog/2011/10/do-i-have-to-go-to-the-insurance-company-or-the-injuries-board-doctor/feed/ 0 I need to know more about the automatic Lodgement Tender idea before I make a decision to accept or reject an Personal Injury Board offer. http://www.michaelmonahansolicitor.ie/blog/2011/10/i-need-to-know-more-about-the-automatic-lodgement-tender-idea-before-i-make-a-decision-to-accept-or-reject-an-personal-injury-board-offer/ http://www.michaelmonahansolicitor.ie/blog/2011/10/i-need-to-know-more-about-the-automatic-lodgement-tender-idea-before-i-make-a-decision-to-accept-or-reject-an-personal-injury-board-offer/#comments Tue, 04 Oct 2011 08:00:13 +0000 michael http://www.michaelmonahansolicitor.ie/blog/?p=135 Before the Injuries Board was established any defendant/insurance company could make a lodgement or tender in Court. The words mean the same thing that is a sum of money which the Insurance company say is sufficient to pay for the injury and outlays. In later years it became a simple letter written to the injured party or their adviser. This indicated the Defendant would pay a certain amount to meet the claim. This also meant they would pay the injured party’s costs up to date of that letter.

The injured party then had to decide if they could convince a Judge in a hearing they were worth more. The risk is whether to accept the amount that was being offered or to go for a full hearing. The Judge in deciding the level of compensation never knows whether a tender/lodgement exists or not.

With the introduction of the Injuries Board the situation changed. The offer made by the Defendant Insurance company becomes an automatic tender. In plain words, if you choose to go ahead to Court you must be awarded more than the Injuries Board offers or you will have to pay your own costs and the Insurance company Solicitor costs. This is a serious matter and requires you to be properly advised on your best course of action.

The first amendment to the 2004 PIAB Act took away any discretion a judge might have whether costs are awarded against someone who is not awarded more than a Lodgement /Tender. If you lose you pay and that will use up your compensation money . It is designed to “encourage” injured parties to accept lodgements…..to keep down the cost of claims.

By: Michael Monahan + ]]> http://www.michaelmonahansolicitor.ie/blog/2011/10/i-need-to-know-more-about-the-automatic-lodgement-tender-idea-before-i-make-a-decision-to-accept-or-reject-an-personal-injury-board-offer/feed/ 0