Congratulations to Opportunity Enterprises, the recipient of $4,000 as the charity of choice selected by voters attending the firm’s “Donation Challenge” booth at the 2011 Popcorn Festival held Saturday, September 11th.

Members from Langer & Langer helped staff the booth and promote local non-profit organizations, asking Popcorn Festival attendees to vote for their favorite local organization. Among the other community organizations receiving votes were The Caring Place, Hilltop Neighborhood House, Porter County Special Olympics, Horton VNA Hospice Center, Boys and Girls Clubs of Porter County, Valpo YMCA and Family House.

Over 1,100 people voted at our booth. We are grateful to each person who took the time to vote and support these local community organizations. Many people expressed that they had a hard time choosing because each organization was worthy. We will make additional donations to the other participating community organizations, and we plan to hold the event again next year.

This year’s Popcorn Festival is September 10, 2011!

Langer and Langer has been a part of the downtown business community for the last 30 years, and so naturally we’re big fans of one of Valparaiso’s biggest events. We always enjoy seeing the crowds line the street and seeing families enjoy some good old fashioned fun.  It reminds us that we’re part of one big family.

Last year we came up with a new way to celebrate some of the best our community has to offer by creating the Charity Choice Award. The idea was simple — Popcorn Fest visitors could stop by the booth in front of our office and vote for their favorite local charities. We would donate to the charity that got the most votes.

Long story, short. It worked! We ended up giving away $3,000 to the 2010 Award Winner, the Porter County Special Olympics. Porter County Special Olympics is a great organization with a fantastic mission to make sure that all our children get a chance to enjoy the thrills and friendships that come by taking part in sports.

Spread the word! Make sure to tell your friends and family to come down with you and vote at Popcorn Fest — we’ll all celebrate together!

 

Many times children who are on a free or reduced lunch program at school don’t have access to the food they need over the weekends. The ITLA’s College of Fellows, where Steve served as president last year, thought the “backpack buddies” program with Gleaners seemed like a perfect way to fulfill their mission of getting involved with volunteer agencies and philanthropic organizations.

“So many of us are involved in outside work and feel so fortunate; we thought about what we could do to repay the citizens of Indiana,” Langer said.

Tara Worthley who coordinated the young lawyers’ efforts with Gleaners, reported “We packaged thousands of pounds of food in a couple of hours, but there was still so much more that needed to be done,” Worthley said. “Everyone worked hard and it was constant, but it was nice to get out there and do physical labor and know we are actually feeding people who need it.”

You can read more about the event in an article at TheIndianaLawyer.com or follow us on Facebook to learn more about how to get involved with other volunteer opportunities throughout the year.

Here are some important questions to consider:

• Was your hip replacement surgery performed after July 2003?
• Are you having symptoms such as pain, swelling, problems walking or pseudotumors?
• Have you had any imaging studies or blood tests?
• Have you had your device replaced?
• If the device was removed, do you still have the device and surgical implant card or record?
• Do you have any medical records?
• Have you been in contact with DePuy or a Broadspire claims adjuster?

If you received a DePuy ASR hip implant and answered yes to any of the questions above, it may be important to contact an attorney and protect your legal rights.  Feel free to contact our office for more information or with any questions you might have.

Porter County Special Olympics was chosen from a field of nine charities, including Opportunity Enterprises, the Valparaiso YMCA, Horton VNA Hospice Center, the Caring Place, Boys & Girls Clubs of Porter County, Valpo Goes Red for the American Heart Association, the Hilltop House, and Taltree Arboretum & Gardens. Langer & Langer made a donation to each of the additional community organizations for their interest in this event.

Woycik said that the donation from Langer & Langer will be used for programs for their more than 600 clients. “We will use these funds for athlete programs and to replace our basketball uniforms, in addition to scholarships for costs associated with events, as no one will ever be denied participation because of financial need,” said Woycik.

Founded in 1981, Langer and Langer has established itself as one of Indiana’s leading law firms. The firm consists of experienced, dedicated attorneys who collectively have more than 100 years of legal experience concentrating in injury law, medical malpractice, family law, landlord/tenant, real estate and criminal law.

Indiana law requires that all agreements for the purchase of real estate must be in writing and signed by the responsible parties.

At the time the Purchase Agreement is signed, the Seller is required to provide a Buyer a document called “Sellers Sales Disclosure Form”. Look it over carefully and remember it is not a warranty by the Seller of the conditions described in the disclosure form.

Always hire a professional to perform a thorough inspection of the Property you are buying including the roof, foundation, electrical, plumbing, heating and a/c systems, well and septic and radon intrusion.

Consider very carefully any contingencies that must first be satisfied for you to complete the purchase, including inspections, financing, move-in requirements and the sale of an existing residence.

If extensions are required to complete a contract condition, they must be in writing and signed by the same parties who signed the Purchase Agreement.

Always have a professional review an updated title insurance policy provided by the Seller before closing. This will assure the Buyer that the Seller has clear title to convey to the Buyer at closing.

Perform a walk-through inspection the day before closing.

Your realtor is there to assist you in your purchase, not to perform inspections or make decisions for you.

Number One
Not having a written lease containing the essential terms of the agreement.

Number Two
Not performing personal, credit and criminal background checks on every occupant 18 years or older.

Number Three
Permitting tenants to move in before signing a lease, reviewing their application, receiving a security deposit and signing a move-in inspection form.

Number Four
Locking out tenants or discontinuing utility service without first consulting an attorney.

Number Five
Removing and disposing of the tenants furnishings and belongings without first consulting an attorney.

1. What constitutes Medical Malpractice?

In Indiana, medical malpractice means a legal wrong, whether by act or by omission, committed by a healthcare provider (against a patient) based on health care or professional services. Generally, a medical malpractice case does not involve a slip and fall in the hospital parking lot or a patient falling on the floor while going to the bathroom while in the hospital.

2. Does Indiana have any special laws regarding Medical Malpractice?

Indiana has some of the most restrictive medical malpractice laws in the United States. The body of laws that govern medical malpractice in Indiana is called the Indiana Medical Malpractice Act. The Act limits the time period in which a patient has, even an infant, to file a case. In addition, every complaint against a qualified healthcare provider must be reviewed by a Medical Review Panel before a patient can have a jury determine his or her case, and there are both caps on the amount of money a patient can recover and on the amount of money an attorney can receive in representing a patient.

3. Tell me more about Indiana’s Medical Malpractice Act.

In Indiana, before a lawsuit may be brought against a qualified health care provider, the case must be reviewed by a Medical Review Panel. A Medical Review Panel consists of three (3) Indiana health care providers who review the patient’s claim and then render an opinion as to whether the doctor committed negligence. This opinion is admissible at trial.

In Indiana, the maximum a patient is entitled to recover $1,250,000.00 per occurrence of malpractice regardless of the amount of damages. For example, assume a child is injured at birth by an act of malpractice. Assume that the child will incur about $4,000,000.00 in medical expenses over his or her life and will never be able to work. The maximum amount of recovery a patient is entitled to under Indiana’s Malpractice Act is $1,250,000.00.

4. How long will it take for my case to be completed?

Generally, it takes about 1-3 years from the time the Proposed Complaint is filed until a Medical Review Panel renders its opinion. This time period may vary depending on the necessity of depositions and whether any disputes arise that require Court hearings during the medical review panel process. This does not include the time it takes once a state court is filed.

5. Once the Medical Review Panel renders its opinion what happens next?

After the medical review panel renders its opinion, the case will be reviewed again. We will talk to the medical review panel members, any physicians, any consultants working on the case and, of course, you and make a decision about what to do next. Unfortunately, in Indiana, at the present time many malpractice cases go to trial even cases where the health care provider has clearly done something wrong. Depending on Court congestion, it can take an additional 1-3 years before your case can be tried.

6. How do I pay my attorney?

Attorney fees are charged on a Contingency Fee basis. That means that if we are not successful in your case, you owe us nothing. Generally, once we have agreed to represent you, we will pay all litigation expenses, which can range in the thousands of dollars. If we are unsuccessful you do not have to repay any of the litigation expenses. However, if we are successful we will receive our attorney fees and litigation expenses. The issue of attorney fees and litigation expenses are contained in a written Contingency Fee Agreement which must be signed by any client before the firm undertakes to represent them in a medical malpractice case. The contingent fee agreement is the exclusive document that governs the payment of attorney fees and litigation expenses.

7. What if I have additional questions about my case?

Should you ever have questions about your case please feel free to contact us. We are always happy to answer your questions and do what we can to help you.

Disclaimer: None of the information provided in these materials is intended to serve as legal advice. If you have any questions, please contact our office.