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Kim v. Pi Kappa Phi, et al.

Do a simple google search for “Charleston, SC Lawyer” and you will find more than 600,000 results. While all of these attorneys are licensed by the South Carolina Bar association, you will want someone who is not only educated, but has specific experience handling your type of case.

Experienced attorneys know how to handle insurance companies. Huge corporations are looking to make the most money, and this is often at the expense of the injured party. To maximize their profit line, they are trying to pay the smallest amount of the actual damages as possible. An experienced attorney has seen his fair share of personal injury cases and knows what a fair settlement looks like. More importantly, an experience attorney knows when the client is leaving money on the table.

An experienced attorney will know how to handle all the legal proceedings. There will be an overwhelming amount of documents, medical jargon, and paperwork to file in a typical claims process. You can rest assured that your case will be in good hands with a good attorney. They can potentially expedite the claim which helps you get back to your normal life much quicker.

You will also encounter an unprecedented amount of patience and understanding from someone who has seen the suffering a personal injury can cause. You are going through an emotional time and need someone with a clear head and “know-how” to approach an insurance company. After seeing and helping clients with trauma and grief through years of work, a good lawyer will be able to take care of your case in a composed and sensible manner.

When you are suffering a life-changing injury and facing extraordinary expenses and bills, you want to put your case in the hands of someone you can trust. For your free consultation from an experienced attorney you can trust, give me a call or email info@peperlawfirm.com. 

A dog can be “man’s best friend” but sometimes, things get out of hand. Getting attacked by a dog can be a physically and emotionally scarring experience. If you or your dog get attacked by another dog, make sure you get the dog owner’s contact information and seek medical attention if necessary. The owner can be legally responsible for this incident and you may want to check to make sure the dog is up-to-date on all its shots. Other parties who may be responsible if the owner is not present are dog care facilities, dog handlers, and even landlords.

Dog owners have a legal obligation or “duty of care” to the community. Dogs should be on a leash and restrained from damaging people or property. Sometimes pets become such a large part of a family that it is hard to remember that they are technically a legal property and should be treated as such. If this duty of care is neglected, the owner is responsible and liable for the victim’s injuries and damages.

Damages may include medical bills, lost wages, vet bills (in the case that another dog is injured), and even mental anguish or emotional distress.

If an incident with a dog occurs, make sure you collect witness statements, take photographic evidence of any damages, and file away your receipts for costs and damages.

As always, I promise to fight for you and your family. I will work with your doctors to fully understand the extent of your injury and aggressively explain it to an insurance company or a jury to get you the recovery you deserve.  Call me today if you have questions or would like a free consultation about a dog attack.

With vacation season upon, many families will be traveling out of town to see new places and spend quality time with their family.  For many travel plans, this includes staying in a hotel. Accidents do happen though, and if you’re injured in a hotel, you need someone on your side to help you take action and get the justice you deserve.

Common injuries
If you get out of your state of residence, don’t worry. You are still entitled to receive compensation. Immediately notify both your lawyer and the hotel’s insurance company that you are injured after you’ve taken the following steps:

• Seek immediate medical attention and get proper treatment if need be.
• Get a face to face meeting with the hotel manager so he can document the incident, including your injuries as soon as possible.
• If you are transported to a local hospital, request a copy of the ER admittance report and discharge summary BEFORE you head back    home.
• Take pictures of your injuries and the scene where you were injured.
• Ask any and all witnesses for a statement in writing and have them sign and date it.  In the alternative, at least use your cell phone to    record their statement.
• Communicate with your lawyer and ask what your options are depending on your case.

To succeed in a personal injury claim against the hotel, the law requires that you meet a burden of proof. To meet the burden of proof you must have sufficient evidence that proves:

1. The hotel breached its duty by letting you get injured on their property.
2. The hotel had a duty of care to protect you from harm when they invited you there.
3. Your injury resulted in actual and consequential damages.

Unfortunately, fairly compensating you for your personal injury claim against a hotel accident can be a lengthy process, but don’t let that discourage you, let it empower you to hold them accountable for their negligence.

If you have been injured in a hotel, contact me for a free consultation and we can start working on your case immediately.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 22, 2017

Media Contact: Tyler Jones – 252-675-7606

tyler@speakstrategic.com

STATEMENT FROM MARK A. PEPER, ATTORNEY FOR GOOSE CREEK SHOOTING VICTIMS

Charleston, SC – Mark A. Peper, attorney for the victims in the Goose Creek shooting that occurred earlier tonight, released the following statement on behalf of the shooting victims:

“After complaining of noisy kids in the street, a neighbor opened fire late this afternoon. They believe the intended target was their 8 year old grandson and 1 year old granddaughter who was in the arms of her mother as they walked in front of their residence on Gator Drive. The female homeowner, 57, was hit once in the chest.  The male homeowner, 48, was shot in the upper back and arm as he shielded his family from additional gunfire. Both victims were transported to Trident Medical Center with non-life threatening injuries and are expected to make a full recovery. The family is pleased with the quick response from members of the Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office and emergency personnel, and appreciates the community’s continued prayers and support.”

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With Memorial Day coming up on Monday, many Charlestonians will be celebrating the holiday on one of our many beautiful waterways.  Boats can just as dangerous as car accidents, if not more so, thus this weekend presents a perfect opportunity to brush up on South Carolina Department of Natural Resources’ laws and regulations for boating, and review some boat safety tips for yourself.

1.   Make sure EVERYONE in the boat has a life jacket.

While it’s not required that all passengers wear the lifejackets all the time, you must always have one on board for every single passenger.

2.   Check the weather.

South Carolinians know better than anyone just how quickly the weather can change. Don’t get stuck in a storm.  My Radar is a great app from NOAA to help track clouds and incoming storms.

3.   Consider a boating safety course.

Beginner and advanced boaters can always benefit from a boater safety course.  It may take a couple of hours, but isn’t the safety of you and your passengers worth it?

4.   Check your fuel and battery.

Nothing is worse than running out of gas on the water and having to call someone to tow you to the nearest marina. A quick check of the fuel levels (and the rest of your equipment, like lights and fire extinguisher) before you depart can make a huge difference, especially if you are planning on a long day out on the water.

5.   Don’t drink and boat!

Boating Under the Influence is a crime just like DUI. The only difference is that it’s much harder to pass Field Sobriety Tests while on a moving boat! Be smart; don’t drink and boat, and always remember that alcohol can have a more profound and dangerous effect when boating.

It’s important to know how to access your medical records in case of an emergency or crisis.  The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) of 1996 set up a national standard for the maintenance of electronic medical records.  HIPPA was enacted to ensure that electronic medical records could not be altered by the hospital without detection at a later date to cover up incidents of medical malpractice.  Additionally, HIPPA stipulates that electronic medical records, including the audit trail, must be maintained by the health care provider for at least six year.

You have a right to your records, paper or electronic. These must be supplied to you upon request.

Most practices and facilities ask you to fill out a form to request your records. Call the provider’s office to request a copy of the form.  They should be able to deliver it to you by fax, email, or postal mail, or you may pick it up from the doctor’s office.

You will likely need:

• Your name, including your maiden name (if applicable)
• Social Security number
• Date of birth
•Address and phone number
• Email address
• Record(s) being requested
• Date(s) of service (months and years under the doctor’s care)
• Signature
•Delivery option (pick up, fax, email, etc.) – these may vary in cost.

Your medical records should always be made available to you. Section 164.524 of title 45, Code of Federal Regulations states, in part: (1) the individual shall have a right to obtain from such covered entity a copy of such information in an electronic format and, if the individual chooses, to direct the covered entity to transmit such copy directly to an entity or person designated by the individual, provided that any such choice is clear, conspicuous, and specific; and (2) notwithstanding paragraph (c)(4) of such section, any fee that the covered entity may impose for providing such individual with a copy of such information (or a summary or explanation of such information) if such copy (or summary or explanation) is in an electronic form shall not be greater than the entity’s labor costs in responding to the request for the copy (or summary or explanation).

When you hire a competent attorney, these records can be requested and obtained by the law firm.  There are times when hospitals and doctors will delay access to these records or even attempt to prohibit their release.  If the health care provider refuses to produce these documents after an attorney has been hired to represent your medical malpractice claim, the attorney can then have the Court compel the doctor or hospital to produce all of these records in their entirety.

If you have any questions about collecting your medical records, or would like a free consultation to see if you qualify for an expungement, call me at (843) 225-2520 or send an email to info@peperlawfirm.com.

In South Carolina, you can start driving at age 16 (age 15 with a driver’s’ permit). Be careful out there, though! Driving that puts you or other drivers in danger will result in penalties counted as “points” on your South Carolina Driver’s License. If you accrue 6 points on your driving record, you will receive a warning from the DMV. If you accrue 12 points, your driver’s license will be suspended, or even criminally prosecuted as a Habitual Traffic Offender, which carries up to 5 years in prison!

Taking a defensive driving course allows you to “get back” 4 points on your license, but you need to enroll and complete the class before you’re in jeopardy of being suspended. Once your license is suspended, however, you will need to follow the DMV’s guide to reinstate your license.

It can be confusing and even overwhelming to understand. For your convenience, here is a comprehensive list of the points associated with the respective traffic violations of our state.

SECTION 56-1-720

Everybody makes mistakes…it’s the comeback that counts.

If you’ve ever been charged with a crime, the arrest itself will show up on a background check even if you were found not guilty or the charge was dismissed, unless you apply to have the arrest expunged from your record.  Basically, expungement means you can erase a criminal charge from your record.  There are also some instances where the arrest can be expunged even if you were found guilty!  After you have been charged, or even convicted of a crime, you should ask an attorney for a free consultation to see if any blemishes on your rap sheet can be expunged.

An order of expungement destroys all records related to the arrest in both public and commercially filed systems, and all agencies must destroy records related to the arrest, booking report, mug shot, fingerprints, and disposition.  It’s as if it never happened.  Expunging your record will help you apply for admission into school or a job application, since once you receive an order of expungement, you can simply say “no” to the question of whether you have ever been arrested.

All charges that have been dismissed, noll prossed, or the defendant found not guilty can be expunged.  While some courts are required to automatically start the expungement, others are not, so you should always be pro-active.  Plus, South Carolina Law also allows a person to have his arrest expunged even if convicted of any of the below:

1. First offense fraudulent check and no other convictions within a year
2. Successful completion of a conditional discharge sentence, PTI program or AEP program
3. The conviction carried a penalty of not more than 30 days and no other convictions within 3 years
4. First offense Failure to Stop for Blue Light and no other convictions for 3 years
5. CDV conviction and no other convictions within 5 years
6. Successful completion of a Youthful Offender Act sentence and no other convictions for 5 years

Most motor vehicle violations and hunting/fishing charges are not crimes, so they don’t go on your criminal record, thus there is nothing to expunge.  Convictions for DUI, felonies, and violent crimes cannot be expunged, unless they meet one of the above criteria, but you should always check with your attorney after the case has ended to see if you should apply for an expungement order.  Keep in mind, each arrest and/or conviction has to meet certain requirements to be expunged, and each come with different filing fees and court costs, so consult with your attorney or use this guide to see if you qualify to have your arrest or conviction expunged from your criminal history.

If you would like to start the expungement process, below are the general steps you need to follow:

1. Get a copy of your criminal history report to see if any arrests or convictions can be expunged by going to www.sled.sc.gov and click on SLED Catch
2. Obtain a certified copy of your disposition sheets from the court that handled the arrest or conviction
3. Obtain and complete the application for expungement from the solicitor’s office for the county where the arrest occurred
4. Submit the completed application and any required filing fees and court costs to the solicitor’s office

Traditionally, the expungement process takes 6-8 weeks from the time you file the application, and you should follow-up to ensure the Order of Destruction was properly filed.  The best way is to order another copy of your criminal history report.  Go to www.sled.sc.gov and click SLED Catch.  Also, make sure it has been erased from the public index and the commercial databases.

If you have any questions about the expungement process, or would like a free consultation to see if you qualify for an expungement, call me at (843) 225-2520 or send an email to info@peperlawfirm.com.

Helpful links regarding expungements:
http://www.clearupmyrecord.com/s-carolina-expungement-law.php
https://www.charlestonlaw.net/expunge-criminal-record-in-south-carolina/
http://www.dmv.org/criminal-record/record-expungement.php
http://www.scfathersandfamilies.com/resources/criminal_records_expungement_and_pardon_guides/
http://www.criminaldefenselawyer.com/topics/expungement-sealing-criminal-records
http://www.lowcountrycog.org/full-expungement-guide.pdf

When injured in a car accident or been the victim of assault or another’s negligence, the idea of hiring a lawyer can be intimidating and uncomfortable.  Most people assume lawyers are expensive, so they try to fix their problems on their own in order to save money.  In actuality, though, retaining an attorney can often increase the value of the case.   Plus, in most cases, the attorney works on a contingency fee – which means they don’t get pain unless the client does.

It’s my sincere hope that most of you won’t have to seek an attorney any time soon, but it’s important to understand what to expect if and when that time comes.

All law firms are different in the way they approach signing a new client, so I’ll focus on our approach here at the Peper Law Firm.

The first thing we do is fully evaluate the case.  When a client reaches out to us, we get some basic information and immediately schedule a face-to-face meeting with one of our attorneys.  At the intake meeting, we’ll gather as much information as you have at the time, explain your options and scenarios, and tell you exactly what you can expect from our legal representation.  We will go over the Legal Services Agreement in detail, and answer each question in full.

Once you retain our services, we immediately go to work on your case.  Our team of investigators will quickly obtain any incident reports or medical records we will need, as well as personally interview any witnesses or emergency responders. Our lawyers and paralegals will begin communicating with any relevant insurance companies, medical providers, courts, law enforcement, or opposing counsel.

We will update you on your case on a regular basis, and you’re always free to call our office if you have any questions.  Our job is to do the worrying and the work, so you don’t have to.  In short, we focus on your case so you can focus on your health.  We want you to get back to your normal life as quickly as possible, so we efficiently and effectively resolve your case.

If you’ve been injured in a car accident or been the victim of an assault or another’s negligence, our job is to put you in a position to make a full comeback and come out stronger on the other side.  That’s what we do for our clients.

Call us at 843-225-2520 or email us at info@peperlawfirm.com for a free consultation.