phone Call

Personal Injury

Personal Injury Blog
Madison personal injury lawyer | Boller and Vaughan
What Is the Personal Injury Case Process?

From car and bicycle accidents to dog attacks and other incidents resulting in serious injuries, victims in Wisconsin can begin the personal injury case process for a wide range of reasons. If you have a […]

Read Article
girl in leg cast sits on couch | Boller and Vaughan
How Long Does a Personal Injury Case Take to Settle?

If you have a personal injury case, how soon can you expect your case to settle? For many accident victims, this is a key question. Not only does obtaining a settlement provide the financial resources […]

Read Article
accident attorney works at desk | Boller and Vaughan
How Do I Find the Best Accident Attorney Near Me?

When you need help recovering from a serious accident in Wisconsin, it is important to have an experienced accident attorney on your side. But, how do you choose the best attorney to represent you? If […]

Read Article
statute of limitations book | Boller & Vaughan
What Is the Statute of Limitations for Personal Injury in Wisconsin?

When you get injured in an accident that was someone else’s fault in Wisconsin, it is important to understand the statute of limitations for personal injury. Wisconsin law does not give you an indefinite amount […]

Read Article
person on crutches - Boller & Vaughan
How Long Does It Take for a Personal Injury Claim To Settle in Wisconsin?

When contemplating a potential personal injury claim, you likely have a lot of difficult questions. How serious are my injuries? How am I going to pay for my medical bills? What if I can’t go […]

Read Article
a person takes a picture of car damage with a cell phone | Boller and Vaughan
What Type of Evidence Is Needed for a Personal Injury Case?

If you are considering pursuing a personal injury case, you are likely wondering what types of evidence you will need to win.  The answer, as you might suspect, is that it depends. Largely, it depends […]

Read Article
Social Media Hurt Injury Claim
Does Social Media Hurt Your Injury Claim?

Social media can offer many benefits: keeping in touch with family and friends, learning new things, and discussing interesting topics. For most people, reading and posting on social media is a typical part of daily […]

Read Article
How to Find the Right Attorney for Your Injury Case

If you or a family member has gotten injured at work, during a car accident, or in a nursing home, getting fair compensation from your employer or insurance company may be a challenge. You may […]

Read Article
Loss of Mobility
How Your Life Changes After Mobility Loss

Mobility loss is more common than many people think. According to the CDC, 18.6 percent of adults have difficulty walking or climbing stairs. Many things can affect an individual’s mobility, but injuries from falls, motor […]

Read Article
Doctor looking at x-ray of spinal cord|Doctor looking at x-ray of spinal cord
Common Questions About Spinal Cord Injuries

As of 2019, the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center (NSCSC) estimates that the number of people with spinal cord injury (SCI) in the United States is around 291,000, but it may be as high […]

Read Article
Who Can File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit?

The sudden death of a loved one is a heartbreaking event.  However, if their death was caused by another person’s negligent or irresponsible actions, you may be able to file a wrongful death claim to […]

Read Article
Common Questions About Personal Injury Claims
Common Questions About Personal Injury Claims

Personal injury cases are extremely common but can be difficult to understand. The Madison injury attorneys at Boller & Vaughan handle hundreds of personal injury cases each year from victims all across Wisconsin. To help […]

Read Article
OPTIMISTIC Project Cuts 1 in 3 Preventable Hospitalizations

In 2013, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) launched the OPTIMISTIC project, or “Optimizing Patient Transfers, Impacting Medical Quality and Improving Symptoms Transforming Institutional Care.” The purpose of this federally-funded program is to […]

Read Article
Social Isolation Increases Risk of Medical Problems

A new study by the AARP Public Policy Institute, Stanford University, and Harvard University reveals that socially isolated adults are more likely to get sicker and die sooner, and have higher health care expenses. Overall, […]

Read Article
Waiting on Hospice Care Worsens Outcomes

The Journal of the American Geriatrics Society recently published the results of a study about the end of life and hospice care. The results of the study indicated that people toward the end of their […]

Read Article
CMS Hospice Compare Full of Incorrect Information

We previously reported about the launch of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Hospice Compare website in August, 2017. Experts were concerned about the contents and reliability of the website, as it seemed […]

Read Article
Flu Can Lead to Additional Health Problems in Older Adults

The flu can be dangerous for any individual, but in older adults, its effects can be particularly severe. In fact, after a senior citizen has the flu, he or she will be more susceptible to […]

Read Article
Medication Overload in Older Americans

For decades, American doctors have warned older patients about the risks of polypharmacy, which occurs when these patients take too many drugs prescribed by too many different doctors, which can produce unwanted and unanticipated side […]

Read Article
Am I Responsible When a Guest Slips and Falls During Winter Weather?

Liability for injuries that occur when a guest slips and falls is fairly straightforward under Wisconsin law. If you own property, whether it be your home or a business, you are responsible for removing ice […]

Read Article
SNFs Improve Outcomes for Trauma Patients

McKnight’s Long-Term Care News recently reported on a new research study at the University of Washington measuring the outcomes of patients who were discharged to skilled nursing facilities (SNFs). According to researchers, when hospitals discharge […]

Read Article
The Long-Term Care Benefit that Many Veterans Fail to Use

Many individuals and their families are unaware of the full range of benefits that may be available for veterans. One good example of an underutilized benefits program is Veterans Aid & Attendance Pension Benefit (A&A […]

Read Article
2018 Medicare Premiums and You

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has announced the new Medicare premiums for 2018. Although there is no change in the premium for Medicare Part B in 2018, which is $134 per month, […]

Read Article
Can I Get Punitive Damages in My Personal Injury Case?

When you or a loved one is injured due to another’s negligence, you may be entitled to damages for your injuries from the negligent party. Typical damages include compensation for medical bills, lost income, hospital […]

Read Article
What Questions Should I Ask When Hiring a Wrongful Death Attorney?

When you meet with an attorney for any reason, you should ask questions that will help you determine if the attorney is right for you and able to meet your needs. Wrongful death claims can […]

Read Article
Steps to Avoiding Dog Bites

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) report that there are 4.5 million dog bites each year, and one out of every five bites becomes infected. Many Americans have family dogs, which makes totally avoiding dogs […]

Read Article
Do I Have to Undergo an Independent Medical Exam in My Personal Injury Case?

In some personal injury cases, insurance adjustors may request that any injury victims undergo independent medical exams, or IMEs. The insurance company is responsible for choosing a doctor and paying for the examination, which doesn’t […]

Read Article
Protecting Yourself From a Bike Accident

According to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, bike accidents are all too common in the state of Wisconsin, especially in the warmer summer months. In 2015, one bicyclist was injured or killed every 9.7 hours. […]

Read Article
What Kind of Wisconsin Personal Injury Lawyer is Best for Me?

In the aftermath of an accident that has caused serious injuries to you or a loved one, a personal injury lawsuit is probably the last thing on your mind. However, injuries require medical care, and […]

Read Article
Can I File a Personal Injury Suit on Behalf of My Child?

Under Wisconsin law, if a child suffers an injury due to another’s negligence, his or her parent or legal guardian can file a personal injury claim on his or her behalf. Since cases involving minor […]

Read Article
How to Prove Fault in a Slip and Fall Personal Injury Claim

While we sometimes view another person who slips and falls as humorous, the injuries resulting from that slip and fall are often anything but funny. A single slip and fall on a slippery floor can […]

Read Article
Why You Need to Plan Now for Long-Term Care

Failing to plan for long-term care can have disastrous results. If you unexpectedly need long-term care, you may have to exhaust all of your available resources and then rely on government assistance to pay for […]

Read Article
Preventing and Treating Animal Bites

There are about 4.7 million dog bites that occur every year in the United States, about half of which occur to children between the ages of five and nine. Dog bites can result in serious […]

Read Article
Using a phone in a car texting while driving concept for danger of text message and being distracted
Technology, Social Media and Your Personal Injury Claim

When it comes to personal injury cases—especially those related to car accidents—the role of technology can be a mixed bag. On one hand, technology can provide a better understanding of what really happened during an […]

Read Article
Do I Really Need a Lawyer for a Personal Injury Claim?

When you or a loved one is seriously injured in a motor vehicle crash or another type of accident, you are likely to be experiencing a fair amount of stress, pain, and confusion. In this […]

Read Article
Do I Have a Right to a Jury Trial in a Personal Injury Case?

In Wisconsin, individuals with civil personal injury claims are entitled to a jury trial, rather than a trial only in front of a judge. Since a personal injury claims comes from tort law, or a […]

Read Article
What is the Statute of Limitations for a Wisconsin Personal Injury Case?

If you are injured in a personal injury case, you cannot wait ten years to file a claim against a person who negligently caused the accident. This would lead to many more personal injury cases […]

Read Article
Car Accidents and PTSD

Studies published in the journal American Family Physician indicate that since the Vietnam war, car accidents have become the leading cause of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). PTSD is an anxiety disorder that occurs when a […]

Read Article
What is the Difference Between Economic and Noneconomic Damages?

Both economic and noneconomic damages are at issue in personal injury cases. Whether injuries result from a motor vehicle accident, a slip and fall accident, or other some type of incident, an individual whose negligent […]

Read Article
What Are Medicaid Per Capita Caps and How Will They Affect Me?

Medicaid per capita caps are a feature of the American Health Care Act (AHCA), which is a bill passed by the U.S. House of Representatives in May. Although the AHCA is far from becoming law, […]

Read Article
Seniors More Likely to Drop Medicare Advantage as Health Declines

National Public Radio (NPR) recently aired a piece about a recent report by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) regarding the number of senior enrollees dropping out of Medicare Advantage health plans. These plans are privately-run […]

Read Article
Medicare Savings Program

Justice in Aging recently published an article that explored how proposed cuts to Medicaid can put Medicare savings programs at risk. For many low-income adults, Medicare coverage is only possible through Medicare savings programs, which […]

Read Article
What If I’m Hurt in an Accident and Have a Pre-Existing Injury?

Under Wisconsin law, insurance covers situations in which a motor vehicle accident aggravates a preexisting medical condition in an accident victim. This often is referred to the “take your victim as you find him”  or […]

Read Article
Paying for Home Health Care

In today’s America, about 15% of the population is age 65 or older, a figure that only will continue to increase over the next few decades as the baby boomer generation reaches retirement age. As […]

Read Article
Issues Facing LGBT Older Adults

Statistics indicate that there are about 2.7 million lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) adults in America who are age 50 or older. Over one million of these individuals are age 65 or older. About […]

Read Article
Turning 65 and Transitioning to Dual Medicare, Medicaid Coverage

If you or a loved one is approaching the age of 65, you need to begin familiarizing yourself with dual Medicaid/Medicare coverage and what sorts of costs it will cover. There is a seven-month initial […]

Read Article
How Does a Wrongful Death Lawsuit Proceed?
How Does a Wrongful Death Lawsuit Proceed?

If you have lost a family member or loved one as a result of a traffic accident, you and your family may have a wrongful death claim under Wisconsin law. In order to have a […]

Read Article
Protecting Children From Animal Bites

Although many dogs are perfectly friendly, they are still are animals that have the capacity to bite when they are scared, disturbed, or threatened in any way. The reality is that dog bites or bites […]

Read Article
Can I Sue Someone if I Slip and Fall?

A slip and fall accident can be a source of a personal injury claim, depending on the circumstances. While some slip and fall incidents that result in injuries are simply accidents that are not anyone’s […]

Read Article
Boating Accidents and Fatalities

Boating is a common recreational pastime for many individuals in the state of Wisconsin, who have access to Lake Michigan, Lake Superior, and the Mississippi. In addition to summer holiday weekends, when scores of boats […]

Read Article
Thousands of Medicare Beneficiaries at Risk for Opioid Abuse

According to the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) of the U.S. Department for Health and Human Services, there are grave concerns about the possibility of opioid abuse among about half a million Medicare beneficiaries […]

Read Article
Nursing Home Employee Accused of Cyberbullying Alzheimer’s Patient

ABC News recently reported on the criminal charges that authorities have filed against one nursing home employee who is accused of verbally abusing a patient with Alzheimer’s Disease by using Snapchat. Authorities charged the woman […]

Read Article
Protecting Access to Care Act of 2017

The U.S. House of Representatives recently passed the Protecting Access to Care Act of 2017, which is designed to limit the liability of health care providers in malpractice cases. More specifically, the Act would place […]

Read Article
Congress Cuts Funding for Two Senior Programs

The National Council on Aging (NCOA) recently reported that the current bipartisan federal funding bill reveals significant cuts to two senior programs. The first program is the Senior Community Service Empowerment Program (SCSEP), which is […]

Read Article
Medicare Beneficiaries & Out-of-Pocket Medical Expenses

According to the AARP Public Policy Institute, half of all people receiving Medicare benefits spent at least $3,595 of their own money on health care in 2011. This figure results approximately 18% or more of […]

Read Article
How Serious is a Concussion?

A Penn State team told attendees at the Pediatric Academic Societies Meeting held recently in San Francisco, CA, that a test measuring fragments of genetic material in saliva was about 90% accurate in measuring concussion […]

Read Article
Aging Farmers Worry About the Costs of Nursing Home Care

A recent U.S. News & World Report article taken from National Public Radio indicates that aging farmers are increasingly worrying about what will happen to their family farms after their deaths. While these farmers want […]

Read Article
Attorneys General Request Policy Change to Fight Elderly Abuse

The National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG) is looking to change existing Medicaid policy in order to combat the problem of elder abuse. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates, one […]

Read Article
How Long Can the Insurance Company Take to Offer Me a Settlement?

Resolving a personal injury claim is often a long and difficult process. While you may be able to settle a minor claim within a matter of weeks, it is more common for a personal injury […]

Read Article
How Will Insurance Policy Limits Impact My Personal Injury Case?

Wisconsin law requires that vehicle owners maintain a minimum level of automobile insurance, including the following liability coverage: $25,000 for injury or death of one person $50,000 for injury or death of two or more […]

Read Article
Facial Injuries Common Among Nursing Home Residents

Reuters reported earlier this year about the prevalence of facial injuries among individuals residing in nursing homes. According to a team who published its research in a recent issue of JAMA Otolaryngology – Head and […]

Read Article
Preventing Elder Financial Abuse

After one woman in the state of Washington discovered that her grandmother had lost her life savings to an acquaintance who needed a series of “loans,” she decided to take action. All told, Mariana Cooper, […]

Read Article
What Are the Rules for Right of Way on Wisconsin Roadways?

The state of Wisconsin, like all states nationwide, has rules and laws that govern how motorists, pedestrians, and bicyclists properly and legally travel on the roadways. Among these rules are those that govern the right […]

Read Article
New FINRA Rule on Financial Exploitation of Elders

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) recently announced that the Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC) has approved a new rule that relates to the financial exploitation of elders. The Financial Exploitation of Specified Adults rule […]

Read Article
The Link Between Nursing Home Understaffing and Abuse

Nursing home understaffing has long been a problem that contributes to poor quality of care for nursing home residents. When nursing home staff members are responsible for too many patients, they can be neglectful of […]

Read Article
What is Strict Liability?

Under the legal theory of strict liability, a person is held liable, or financially responsible, for actions that result in injuries to others, even if he or she was not acting in a negligent manner. […]

Read Article
How to Be an Effective Advocate for Aging Parents

The AARP has published an article detailing the skills that a person needs in order to effectively advocate for their parents as they grow older. While an adult child may take on many different roles […]

Read Article
Is It Better to Settle My Personal Injury Case or Go to Trial?

The vast majority – 95 – 96% – of personal injury cases settle before ever going to trial. With that said, it is necessary for some cases to proceed to trial, but in reality, only […]

Read Article
How Do I Report a Vehicle Crash?

Most people are involved in a vehicle crash at some point in their lives, whether it is a major accident or a minor fender-bender. Regardless of your involvement with the accident at issue, you need […]

Read Article
Who Qualifies for Medicaid Coverage of Nursing Home Care?

While some individuals have the ability to privately pay for long-term care or have purchased separate long-term care insurance policies, Medicaid coverage can be essential to funding long-term care for many Americans. Medicaid is a […]

Read Article
What Factors Determine the Amount of a Wrongful Death Award?

A wrongful death action may arise when someone acts in a negligent, neglectful, or otherwise wrongful manner so as to cause the death of another person. In that situation, the personal representative of the deceased’s […]

Read Article
Study Shows Quality of Life Improves After Move to Assisted Living

An article published in HomeCare late last year profiles A Place for Mom, which is the largest referral service for senior living in the United States. This service provider recently released data showing that 73% […]

Read Article
Watch Out for Farm Vehicles and Machinery on Wisconsin Roads

Summer is upon us, which means that more and more tractors and farm implements will be crowding Wisconsin roadways. Farmers have an important job that requires the use of heavy machinery. Drivers need to respect […]

Read Article
Evaluating Nursing Homes & Assisted Living Facilities For A Loved One

Many people find themselves in the unenviable position of having to evaluate nursing homes and assisted living facilities on behalf of a loved one who no longer can reside at home. While you want the […]

Read Article
Ignition Interlocks and Wisconsin Law

Wisconsin law requires that individuals equip their vehicles with ignition interlock devices in certain situations. These devices prevent an individual from driving while intoxicated; before the vehicle will start, the driver must blow into the […]

Read Article
Screening Patients for Frailty

HealthDay recently published the results of a research study completed by a team from the Medical College of Wisconsin last fall. Although the study found that screening older adults for frailty resulted in better outcomes […]

Read Article
Are Rural Roads Safer Than City Streets?

It is no surprise to any driver that living in the city results in a bigger insurance bill than living in a more rural area. As a result of this fact, one might assume that […]

Read Article
Potential Changes in How You Pay for Long-Term Care Insurance

A recent Forbes article examined potential changes in the manner in which individuals pay for long-term care insurance. Currently, most long-term care insurance companies charge flat fees for coverage over a period of several years, […]

Read Article
Pedestrians Face Dangers of Distracted Driving

Walking has increasingly become a popular form of exercise, as well as a way to get from here to there while saving a little bit of gas money. Many school children still walk to and […]

Read Article
The Best Ways for Seniors to Prevent Falls

Aging Options, an organization devoted to helping seniors protect their assets and improve their quality of life, recently published an article taken from Healthday about the best ways for seniors to prevent falls. With more […]

Read Article
What Are Some Regulations that Large Trucks Must Follow?

Federal law contains extensive rules and regulations for semi-trucks and other large commercial vehicles. These rules are designed to safeguard other drivers on the road, pedestrians, bicyclists, and even truck drivers themselves. Truck drivers are […]

Read Article
Revised Nursing Home Regulations and Returning to Facilities

Late last year, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released revised nursing facility regulations, including those that address a patient’s return to a facility following a period of hospitalization. This issue deals with […]

Read Article
Defining Negligence Under Wisconsin Law

According to the Wisconsin Civil Jury Instructions, a person is negligent when he or she fails to exercise ordinary care, which is the care that a reasonable person would exercise in similar circumstances. When a […]

Read Article
Medicare Beneficiaries and High Out-of-Pocket Medical Expenses

A recent analysis of the Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey reveals a great deal of information about the current out-of-pocket expenses of Medicare beneficiaries, as well as possible scenarios that might arise in the event of […]

Read Article
Alzheimer’s Association: 2017 Facts and Figures

The Alzheimer’s Association recently released its 2017 fact and figures manual about Alzheimer’s disease. Unfortunately, Alzheimer’s, which no one can prevent, treat, or cure, is becoming more prevalent; about one in every ten people aged […]

Read Article
Madison car accident lawyers
Rising Numbers of Alzheimer’s Patients Could Bankrupt Medicare

As Baby Boomers age, they are reaching the peak years for developing Alzheimer’s disease, which is one of the costliest diseases to treat. More than five million people already live with the disease, and with […]

Read Article
What Are Immunity Laws in the State of Wisconsin?

In most personal injury cases, a person who is injured by the negligence of another person can hold him or her responsible for damages. This means that the injury victim can receive compensation for any […]

Read Article
What Can I Expect When I First Meet with a Personal Injury Lawyer?

Meeting with a personal injury attorney for the first time can be intimidating and a little nerve-wracking, especially if you haven’t really talked to an attorney or been involved with a legal matter before now. […]

Read Article
What Should I Do if I Lose My Personal Injury Case?

Many personal injury claims settle before a lawsuit is ever filed in court. Even after it comes time to file a personal injury lawsuit, you still may be able to settle your case for a […]

Read Article
Can I Have Simultaneous Workers’ Compensation and Personal Injury Claims?

Individuals who have suffered a significant workplace injury often ask whether they can pursue a personal injury claim against their employer, as well as a workers’ compensation claim. Because the workers’ compensation program provides an […]

Read Article
Dynamics of Abuse Later in Life

According to the National Clearinghouse on Abuse Later in Life (NCALL), abuse later in life involves a situation in which a person in a position of trust, such as a relative or caregiver, abuses, neglects, […]

Read Article
Reasons for Increasing Traffic Deaths Remain Unclear

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recently announced that the number of traffic deaths continued to rise in 2016, but the reasons behind this increase remain unclear. While 2015 was a record-breaking year for […]

Read Article
Wisconsin personal injury lawyers
Banks Create Strategies to Handle Aging Clients

The author of a recent article in the Economist stressed the importance of banks adopting strategies to help out their clients as they age. After a certain age, a person’s financial decision-making skills are more […]

Read Article
Wisconsin personal injury lawyers
Top Myths About Personal Injury Claims

Everyone has seen the television commercials, billboards, and phone book ads that personal injury attorneys use to get new clients. Each of these attorneys seems emphasize how he or she can get you the most […]

Read Article
Wisconsin nursing home abuse lawyers
Congress Considers Making it Harder for Seniors to Qualify for Medicaid

According to a recent Forbes article, Congress is considering a proposal that might make it harder for some seniors to qualify long-term care benefits through the Medicaid program. Under this proposal, some seniors would receive […]

Read Article
Wisconsin nursing home abuse lawyers
Artificial Intelligence May Contribute to Elder Financial Abuse

Even in our technologically advanced society, the most common types of elder financial abuse and fraud involve direct mail and telephone scams. However, the existence of artificial intelligence, the Internet, and other forms of technology […]

Read Article
Wisconsin personal injury lawyers
Home Healthcare Better for Knee and Hip Replacement Recovery

Research shows that when an individual returns home after having a hip or knee replacement, he or she recovers better, or as well as, an individual who first goes to a rehabilitation center. This is […]

Read Article
Madison car accident lawyers
How Do I Handle Car Insurance Following an Accident?

A minimum level of motor vehicle liability insurance coverage is a requirement under Wisconsin law, but the reality is that not every driver maintains the necessary insurance coverage while operating a motor vehicle. As a […]

Read Article
Wisconsin nursing home abuse lawyers
More Seniors Taking Meds That Affect the Brain

According to University of Michigan researchers, there has been a significant increase in the number of senior citizens who are taking three or more medications that affect their brains. Back in 2004, about 0.6% of […]

Read Article
Madison car accident lawyers
Failing to Maintain Vehicle Can Result in Accidents

While many individuals think of driver distractions, adverse weather conditions, and speeding as the main causes of motor vehicle accidents, failing to maintain vehicles also can contribute or even be the primary cause of accidents. […]

Read Article
Wisconsin nursing home abuse lawyers
Study Finds ACOs Cut Medical Costs Without Increasing Drug Costs

According to a study by researchers at the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health, accountable care organizations (ACOs) helped reduce Medicare medical costs without increasing prescription drug spending.  This analysis was the first […]

Read Article