Danny Russell Named a TOP 10 BEST Personal Injury Attorney for Louisiana by American Institute Of Legal Counsel

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The American Institute of Legal Counsel has named Danny Russell a Top 10 Best Personal Injury Attorney for Louisiana. American Institute is an impartial third-party attorney rating organization that compiles an exclusive list of the “10 Best” attorneys they find for each state. To make the “10 Best” list, each Attorney must have:

(1) Been formally nominated by the Institute, client, and/or fellow Attorney;

(2) Attained the highest degree of professional achievement in his or her field of law; and

(3) Done so with an impeccable Client Satisfaction rating.

“Our primary focus at the Russell Law Firm has always been to protect our clients’ legal interests by providing fierce but personal legal representation, tailored to the individual needs and circumstances of each client,” says Russell Law Firm owner, Danny Russell. “It feels good to be acknowledged for the hard work we put into each case.”

Russell Law Firm offers a variety of legal services for individuals throughout the State of Louisiana, in the areas of:

  1. DWI/DUI Defense;
  2. Personal Injury Litigation;
  3. Car Accidents;
  4. 18-Wheeler and Big Trucking Accidents;
  5. Wrongful Death & Survival Actions;
  6. Wills/Testament Drafting & Execution;
  7. Expungments;
  8. Family Law (divorce, child/spousal support, child custody, etc.);
  9. Business Formation; and
  10. Oil & Gas Law.

Danny Russell, admitted to practice in:

  • All Louisiana District Courts
  • All Louisiana Appellate Courts
  • Louisiana Supreme Court
  • U.S. Middle District Court of Louisiana
  • U.S. Western District Court of Louisiana
  • U.S. Eastern District Court of Louisiana
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
BY PRODUCING, MAKING, PUBLISHING, AND DISSEMINATING THIS POST, NEITHER DANNY RUSSELL, RUSSELL LAW FIRM, NOR ANY OF ITS LAWYERS OR STAFF ARE REPRESENTING OR IMPLYING IN ANY MANNER WHATSOEVER, THAT RUSSELL LAW FIRM PROMISES OR CAN OBTAIN ANY TYPE OF RESULTS FOR ANYONE; OR THAT RUSSELL LAW FIRM, DANNY RUSSELL, OR ANY OF ITS LAWYER’S SERVICES ARE BEING COMPARED WITH THE LEGAL SERVICES OF OTHER LAWYERS. THIS POST IS ONLY MEANT TO SHARE WHAT THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF LEGAL COUNSEL, AN INDEPENDENT, THIRD-PARTY RANKING COMPANY, HAS RECOGNIZED THE RUSSELL LAW FIRM FOR AS THE RUSSELL LAW FIRM IS HONORED TO ACKNOWLEDGED FOR ITS TRUSTWORTHINESS AND CLIENT SATISFACTION .

 

Danny Russell named TOP 3 BEST DWI LAWYERS in Baton Rouge

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Danny Russell & Russell Law Firm are proud to share that Russell Law Firm has been selected as one of the Top 3 “Best DWI Lawyers in Baton Rouge,” Louisiana, by Three Best Rated®, an independent, third-party business review site. ThreeBestRated.com reviews local businesses across the United States, and picks three businesses they deem the best in a specific business category.  Russell Law Firm was named a top 3 local business in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, in the specific category of “DWI Lawyers.” Three Best Rated® chose its top 3 after inspecting 50 different areas, which included everything from reviews, ratings, reputation, history, complaints, satisfaction, trust, cost to the general excellence, and beyond.

“Our primary focus at the Russell Law Firm has always been to protect our clients’ legal interests by providing fierce but personal legal representation, tailored to the individual needs and circumstances of each client,” says Russell Law Firm owner, Danny Russell.

Russell Law Firm offers a variety of legal services for individuals throughout the State of Louisiana, in the areas of:

  1. DWI/DUI Defense;
  2. Personal Injury Litigation;
  3. Car Accidents;
  4. 18-Wheeler and Big Trucking Accidents;
  5. Wrongful Death & Survival Actions;
  6. Wills/Testament Drafting & Execution;
  7. Expungments;
  8. Family Law (divorce, child/spousal support, child custody, etc.);
  9. Business Formation; and
  10. Oil & Gas Law.

Danny Russell, admitted to practice in:

  • All Louisiana District Courts
  • All Louisiana Appellate Courts
  • Louisiana Supreme Court
  • U.S. Middle District Court of Louisiana
  • U.S. Western District Court of Louisiana
  • U.S. Eastern District Court of Louisiana
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
By producing, making, publishing, and disseminating this post, neither Danny Russell, Russell Law Firm, nor any of its lawyers or staff are representing or implying in any manner whatsoever, that Russell Law Firm promises or can obtain any type of results for anyone; or that Russell Law Firm, Danny Russell, or any of its lawyer’s services are being compared with the legal services of other lawyers. This post is only meant to share what Three Best Rated® , an independent, third-party business review site, has published on its website, as Russell Law Firm is honored to acknowledged for its trustworthiness and client satisfaction, found by Three Best Rated.® 

New Attorney Joins Russell Law Firm – Mr. Brett Bajon

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Brett Bajon, Esq. 

Our firm is pleased to announce that Mr. Brett Bajon recently joined the Russell Law Firm, bringing a variety of experience in Oil & Gas Law, Business Transactions & Formations Law; Family Law; and DWI Defense Law. Mr. Bajon is a meticulousness practitioner whose attention to detail sets him apart in those practice areas.

Mr. Bajon has worked as an independent landman in the oil and gas field; and has ran and updated surface and mineral titles for purposes of leasing and abstracting. He also has experience in abstract assembly, leasing negotiations with landowners, and all aspects of Pipeline Right-of- Ways, including: route formations, initial negotiations, and landowner relations.

Prior to joining the Russell Law Firm, Mr. Bajon practiced in the oil and gas industry as General Counsel for FC Tech.

18-Wheeler Accident: Lawsuit Deadline

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Someone who sustains bodily injuries and/or property damages (“damages”) resulting from an 18-wheeler accident in Louisiana, has one (1) year from the date the “injury or damage was sustained,” to file a lawsuit against the the driver of the 18-wheeler, the owner of the 18-wheeler, the insurance company insuring the 18-wheeler, and any other parties responsible for compensating you for the damages you’ve sustained. The date the “injuries or damages were sustained,” is usually the date that the accident occurred.

Given that you have only one (1) year, it is important to make early contact with a personal injury law firm experienced in handling 18-wheeler accidents in Louisiana if you’ve suffered damages from an 18-wheeler accident. Before filing a lawsuit, it is crucial to collect all necessary evidence from the scene of the accident, the 18-wheeler, and others, which can take months. If some of that evidence is lost or destroyed, it could severely impact the outcome of your case.

The Russell Law Firm represents clients injured in 18-wheeler accidents throughout the State of Louisiana, including the parishes of East Baton Rouge Parish, West Baton Rouge Parish, Plaquemines Parish, Livingston Parish, Ascension Parish, Jefferson Parish, Orleans Parish, St. Charles Parish, Terrebonne Parish, Assumption Parish, Lafayette Parish, Lafourche Parish, Lafayette Parish, St. Landry Parish, Evangeline Parish; and the cities of Baton Rouge, Livingston, Denham Springs, Walker, Gonzales, Donaldsonville, Port Allen, Brusly, Addis, Lafayette, Napoleonville, Kenner, Harvey, Marrero, Estelle, Gretna, Metairie, New Orleans, Terrytown, Westwego, Ville Platte, Eunice, Opelousas, Thibodaux, Houma, Belle Chasse, and Hahnville.

Our firm is experienced and highly skilled in 18-wheeler accident cases. If you have sustained damages from an 18-wheeler accident, contact the Russell Law Firm  today at 225-307-0088. We will take a hands on and aggressive approach towards getting you compensated for your losses.

Information furnished herein is only general and not a substitute for personalized legal advice
****The photograph above is not a depiction of any actual event or scene, but merely a dramatization. 
By:       Danny Russell, Baton Rouge area personal injury attorney, licensed in Louisiana.

Mistakes to Avoid in Child Custody Disputes

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When you’re in the middle of a bitter custody dispute, mistakes can happen very easily, and it’s hard to bounce back from them. Fathers have to be smart from the get go, and you have to understand what’s at stake and what’s at play when determining custody.

What To Do During Child Custody Cases?

There are several things you can do to help build your case and convince the judge that you’re an effective parent. These include:

  • Be involved – Go to baseball games, take your child out, visit with your child’s teachers. It’s important that you are a large part of your child’s everyday life. Keep track of all the time you spend and all the care you give.
  • Make a schedule – You should establish a set schedule of visitation with your child if at all possible, even before the formal court order is in place. If it’s working, there’s a better chance the judge will not want to interrupt the schedule.
  • Encourage the other parent – Don’t try to negatively impact your child’s relationship with his or her mother. If at all possible, the child should have healthy relationships with both parents, and you shouldn’t try to interfere with the other parent and how they interact with your child.
  • Be consistent – Don’t be late when picking up and dropping off your child. Instill a routine in your child. Also, keep track of the other parent’s consistencies and inconsistencies. If the other parent is never on time, make sure you write that down.
  • Reach out to other parents – It’s always a plus if your neighbors, friends, colleagues and family members can see your parenting and the positive role you’re playing in your child’s life. Keeping relationships with other parents – scheduling playdates, outings and kid-friendly events – is a good way to ensure that others can attest to your involvement in your child’s life.

What Not to Do During Child Custody Cases

There are some pitfalls that every father should avoid when it comes to child custody disputes. Avoiding these things is crucial to your case:

  • Parental Alienation & Badmouthing – As tough as things get with your ex, you should never relay those negative feelings to your child. You should never badmouth your ex to your child, and you should never try to interfere with your child’s relationship with your ex.
  • The Unyielding Parent – You can’t make major decisions about the child’s life without consulting with your ex, no matter how painful that may be. You have to tell your ex about important information when it comes to your child, like school issues or medical problems. Flexibility is key in this fight.
  • Giving Away Temporary Custody – Be careful what you sign before the judge makes a final ruling. Don’t let someone trick you into a temporary agreement that is unfavorable for you and the child. It could end up becoming permanent, and you want to fight for equal access to the child from the start of the case.
  • Losing Your Temper – It doesn’t matter how intolerable or extreme your ex is, if you are convicted of domestic violence or child abuse, it could affect your custody agreement.

There are lengthy lists of things you should and shouldn’t be doing while you’re working on a custody agreement for your child. The most important thing you can do is to consult with an attorney who specializes in family law.

In Need of a Baton Rouge Family Law Attorney?

Danny Russell is a divorce and family law attorney in the Baton Rouge area who has experience in dealing with a wide range of family law matters, such as divorce, child custody, child support, visitation, spousal support, and community property partitions. He knows divorce and family law in Louisiana and how courts usually side on family law matters. He will carefully assess those things most important to you, explain how the law applies to your circumstances, and help you make decisions that affect your relationships and financial stability.

If you are in need of a Baton Rouge family law attorney, contact the Russell Law Firm.

****Information furnished herein is only general and not a substitute for personalized legal advice.

 

Don’t fall behind on child support payments. Here’s why:

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When it comes to child support payments, the best advice is to keep up-to-date on your payments and don’t fall into what is called “arrearages,” or in otherwords, behind on payments.

If you do fall behind, the Child Support Enforcement agency in Louisiana has several ways to try to get parents to pay up on past-due accounts.

What can happen if you fall behind?

  • Income assignment, which means that your wages will be docked and directed toward the state. If this happens, you won’t see the money before it goes to the state, and you employer will be notified about your arrearages (wage garnishment).
  • Your state and federal income tax returns, as well as lottery winnings, could be turned over to the state and applied to your overdue child support (garnished).
  • The state could suspend your driver’s license, hunting and fishing licenses, and professional and occupational licenses.
  • The state could cancel your motor vehicle registration.
  • Your case could be referred to U.S. Department of State and have your rights to a passport taken away.   
  • You could be forced to go to court and tell a judge why you are not up to date on payments. If the judge determines that you are at fault, he could hold you in contempt. That could mean fines or even jail time.  
  • You could have your custody rights reduced or taken away.

Aside from the above, you may have your name and other identifying information, along with the amount of child support you have fallen behind by, posted online by the Department of Children and Family Service for anyone to see. It could affect your ability to obtain or maintain a job if an employer sees that information or could be embarrassing at a minimum.

What do you do if you are having financial problems?

In some cases, if your financial situation has changed for the worse, there are things you can do to try to modify/reduce your child support payments:

  • You can ask the other parent to agree on a reduction in your child support payments.
  • If you and the other parent can come to a new agreement, then you submit the agreement in writing to the court that implemented your child support order. The court must agree to the updated amount that you and the other parent approved.
  • If you and the other parent are unable to reach an agreement, you can ask the court to intervene directly. If the judge gives the OK on your motion, the judge will issue a new ruling on how much child support you have to pay moving forward.

What steps do you need to take to lower child support payments?

There are a few things you should do when trying to lower your child support payments.

Before you file court papers, you’ll need to gather the following evidence:

  • recent pay stubs and any other documentation showing a change in income.
  • documentation that your financial obligations have changed, for example, you had another child.
  • Documentation of physical disability or other conditions from your doctor.

You can also try to argue before the court that you have been paying above and beyond what the child support order outlines. For example, if you paid your child’s medical insurance premiums or school tuition, that might count as paying substantially more than what the court requires you to pay.

In Need of a Baton Rouge Family Law Attorney?

Danny Russell is a divorce and family law attorney in the Baton Rouge area who has experience in dealing with a wide range of family law matters, such as divorce, child custody, child support, visitation, spousal support, and community property partitions. He knows divorce and family law in Louisiana and how courts usually side on family law matters. He will carefully assess those things most important to you, explain how the law applies to your circumstances, and help you make decisions that affect your relationships and financial stability.

If you are in need of a Baton Rouge family law attorney, contact the Russell Law Firm.

****Information furnished herein is only general and not a substitute for personalized legal advice.

 

Auto Accidents: Deadline to File a Lawsuit

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Someone who sustains bodily injuries and/or property damages (“damage”) resulting from a motor vehicle accident has one (1) year under Louisiana law, from the date the damage was sustained, to file a lawsuit against the party or parties responsible for causing the damage. The date the damage was sustained is usually the date that the automobile accident occurred.

Too often I speak to individuals having a hard time getting the other driver’s insurance company to pay for medical bills incurred for treatment of their injuries or property damages. The insurance company is either not willing to pay the full costs or the insurance adjuster will not return their calls. By the time I am contacted, the individual is either nearing the one year deadline to file a lawsuit or the deadline has already passed.

That is why it is important to make early contact with a personal injury law firm like the Russell Law Firm, if you suffer damages from an automobile wreck. Not only can such a law firm address any questions that you may have, but they may also assist you in dealing with the insurance companies and making sure that you don’t lose your rights forever by failing to file a lawsuit within the one year deadline.

By:       Danny Russell, Baton Rouge area personal injury attorney, licensed in Louisiana.

Danny Russell is a Baton Rouge car accident and personal injury lawyer who has experience dealing with the insurance companies and working towards getting you the proper medical treatment so that you can get back on your feet and maximize your recovery. If you have been involved in a car accident in Baton Rouge or anywhere else in Louisiana, contact a car accident attorney at the Russell Law Firm in Baton Rouge. We will immediately begin scheduling treatment for you and dealing with the insurance companies for your vehicle repairs and personal injury claims.

****INFORMATION FURNISHED HEREIN IS ONLY GENERAL AND NOT A SUBSTITUTE FOR PERSONALIZED LEGAL ADVICE.

****The photograph above is not a depiction of any actual event or scene, but merely a dramatization. 

 

What To Do Following a Flood

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1.     Report Your Loss to Your Insurance Company:

If a flood caused damage to your property, you need to immediately call your homeowner’s insurance company to report your losses. You will need to have the following information available:

  1. Your policy number and
  2. A phone number and/or email where you can be reached at all times.

It is important that you make immediate contact with your insurance company as most, if not all, flood insurance policies require that you make prompt written notice of your loss. Once you get an agent on the phone, he/she will tell you how to file your notice of loss. If you are not provided with that information, you must send a written notice of loss to your insurance company referencing your policy number.  

Within a few days, you should be contacted by an insurance adjuster. If not, contact your insurance agent or an insurance representative. While you have that person on the phone, ask for his/her name and contact information, then request an entire copy of your insurance policy, along with your declaration of coverage.

2.     Account for All Damaged Property/Losses

The person adjusting your claim will need evidence of your losses, so you need to do the following:

  1. Make a list of all damaged or lost items with their values, serial numbers (if any), brand names, model, where they were purchased, and their costs.
  2. Make a list of all items that were not damaged.
  3. Take photographs of each damaged item on your list.
  4. Take photographs of the standing floodwater levels.  
  5. Gather receipts or other documentation establishing the values and dates of purchase for each damaged item.

Don’t throw away any of the damaged items before an adjuster has evaluated it, unless officials require you to do so. If you are required to do so, take any samples of the damages items that you can, such as carpet, wood from the structure, sheetrock, and others.  

3.     Complete & File a “Proof of Loss”

Your adjuster should be able to provide you with the appropriate proof of loss document to be completed. The proof of loss must be filed within 60 days of the flood, which is required before any claim can be paid out. Once that is filed, you should receive a settlement offer for the payment of your losses. If you accept the offer, the insurance company will send you a check in the amount of the offer you accepted. If you reject the offer and cannot form an agreement with the insurance company, you may need to hire an attorney as there are certain time limitations for filing property damage claims with the courts.

What If I Don’t Have Flood Insurance?

If you don’t have flood insurance, you should immediately file an application for assistance with FEMA by visiting https://www.disasterassistance.gov/ or calling 1-800-621-3362.

Selecting a Contractor to Rebuild or Perform Repairs

Before hiring and paying a contractor to rebuild or perform repairs, I strongly suggest that you research whether the contractor is properly qualified, licensed, and insured. You can perform a search by visiting the following website, which provides some of that information: http://www.lslbc.louisiana.gov/contractor-search/. Additionally, ask the contractor to provide you with proof of insurance and addresses to properties that he/she performed work on in the past. If the owner of the properties allows, you may want to take a look at that property before hiring the contract to examine the quality of his/her work.

By:       Danny Russell, Baton Rouge area insurance litigation attorney, licensed in Louisiana.

Danny Russell is a Baton Rouge lawyer who has experience dealing with the insurance companies and evaluating his clients’ damages. If you have suffered property damage as a result from the recent floods in Louisiana, call the Russell Law Firm. We will contact your insurance company and demand that they make payment for your damages.

****INFORMATION FURNISHED HEREIN IS ONLY GENERAL AND NOT A SUBSTITUTE FOR PERSONALIZED LEGAL ADVICE.

****The photograph above is not a depiction of any actual event or scene, but merely a dramatization. 

Flood Insurance Policies – Know Yours

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I believe that I speak for most in the Baton Rouge and Acadiana areas when I say that these recent storms and the resulting flooding has completely taken me by surprise. The photos on Facebook of flooding are devastating.

If your property has been damaged due to these floods, I highly suggest that you call your insurance company and ask for a copy of your homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policy so that you can determine whether you have the appropriate flood coverage. You are only covered up to the policy limits that you selected for your policy, and, unfortunately, if any losses exceed those limits, you may have to pay out-of-pocket for the repairs to your home and replacement of your belongings. Therefore, it is very important to immediately review the terms of your policy so that you can begin to plan how to repair whatever damages you have sustained.

Many flood insurance policies provide the following coverage limits/maximum amounts that you can claim for payment of whatever flood-related damages you have sustained:

Coverage Type                                                          Coverage Limit

One to four-family structure                                       $250,000

One to four-family home contents                              $100,000

Other residential structures                                         $500,000

Other residential contents                                           $100,000

Business structure                                                       $500,000

Business contents                                                        $500,000

Renter contents                                                           $100,000

Flood insurance protects two types of insurable property: building and contents. The first covers your building, while the latter covers your possessions; neither covers the land they occupy. Building and contents coverage usually includes the following, but you need to see what your particular policy provides:

Building coverage usually includes:

  • The insured building and its foundation
  • The electrical and plumbing system
  • Central air conditioning equipment, furnaces, and water heaters
  • Refrigerators, cooking stoves, and built-in appliances such as dishwashers
  • Permanently installed carpeting over unfinished flooring

Contents coverage usually includes

  • Clothing, furniture, and electronic equipment
  •  Curtains
  • Portable and window air conditioners
  • Portable microwaves and dishwashers
  • Carpeting that is not already included in property coverage
  • Clothing washers and dryers

If you purchased your flood insurance policy through the National Flood Insurance Program, you may have a maximum coverage of $250,000 for property damage to the home and $100,000 for contents/personal belongings in the home. However, those coverages must have been purchased separately, and any excess coverage has to have been purchased by private insurance providers.

Lastly, it is important to note that most policies do not go into effect until 30 days after you purchase them. If you are unsure about whether or not your policy is active, call your local agent.

If you have any additional questions related to this topic and your circumstances, please feel free to contact the Russell Law Firm.

By:       Danny Russell, Baton Rouge area insurance litigation attorney, licensed in Louisiana.

Danny Russell is a Baton Rouge lawyer who has experience dealing with the insurance companies and evaluating his clients’ damages. If you have suffered property damage as a result from the recent floods in Louisiana, call the Russell Law Firm. We will contact your insurance company and demand that they make payment for your damages.

****INFORMATION FURNISHED HEREIN IS ONLY GENERAL AND NOT A SUBSTITUTE FOR PERSONALIZED LEGAL ADVICE.

****The photograph above is not a depiction of any actual event or scene, but merely a dramatization.