Philadelphia lawyers: Click here for instant karma

Don't you just hate those gimmicky websites that tell you to click here and there in order to get free cat food or mammograms for women in China?

Who knows how accountable they are.

Well, the so sue me jackass blog feels the same way, but this hardcore duo has something positive to say about Anapol Schwartz, a Philadelphia Personal Injury law firm.

Anapol Schwartz is donating $20,000 to their clients' favorite charities. And you too, can vote for the charity of your choice. Read all about it here.

Personal Injury and Back Pain

Almost everyone suffers from low back pain now and then. Sedentary lifestyles, bad posture, and lack of exercise are some of the causes. Even though low back pain is a common affliction, it is very difficult to pinpoint the cause.

Usually there are two basic ways to relieve back pain:

Drug therapy: Doctors might prescribe non-steroidal anti inflammatory drugs (NSAID) or acetaminophens. Unfortunately, these drugs can have gastrointestinal side effects. Then the doctor prescribes more drugs for the gastrointestinal suffering. That can’t be right.

Physical therapy: Physical therapy aims at relieving pain and providing muscle relaxation. The three most common types of therapy are: superficial heat applied to the affected area for 20 to 30 minutes; ultrasound applied to the affected area for 10 to 15 minutes (some medical restrictions apply); and cold packs for 20 to 30 minutes.

Rest, prescribed exercise and chiropractic treatments may also help. Everyone’s treatment will be different as well as their recovery.

$5 Million Personal Injury Settlement, Anapol Schwartz

Talk about being in the wrong place at the wrong time.

A 42-year-old prison social worker was on her way home from work in a SEPTA Paratransit van in 2005 when a branch from a falling tree severed her leg causing it to be amputated above the knee.

The $5 million settlement was won by her lawyer Alan Schwartz , shareholder and founder of Anapol Schwartz law firm with offices in Philadelphia, central PA., and New Jersey.

Attorney Schwartz's argument was based on that PennDOT and an engineering company under contract to inspect trees on state roads, had been negligent in not identifying the rotted tree and having it removed.

The driver of the van was also injured. The victim who is legally blind is trying to get her job back while studying for a masters degree.

Anapol Schwartz Law Firm Donates $25,000

The Philadelphia personal injury law firm of Anapol, Schwartz, Weiss, Cohan, Feldman & Smalley donated a gift of $25,000 to the Burn Foundation. The gift is specifically designated to provide a mentorship program for burn victims.

Firm managing partner Joel Feldman saw the need and made it happen.

Philadelphia Lawyers and Free Consultations

Free consultations are always worthwhile to explore.

"There are a thousand tales in the Naked City." That may be a very dated reference since the classic television program The Naked City aired well over four decades ago. But, those words still resonate very strongly to this very day. When you live in a big city, you will come across a number of situations in your life. Some of those situations may not exactly be positive. For example, one could suffer a slip and fall accident or a car accident or any one of a number of unavoidable calamities. Now, if you live in the City of Brotherly Love and you suffer an injury that is not your fault then you may need to visit a Philadelphia lawyer to discuss your legal options.

Of course, some may worry about the costs involved with meeting with a Philadelphia lawyer. Some law firms may charge significant money for an initial meeting. But, not all firms do this. Some may charge a very nominal fee while others might even provide a free initial consultation. These low (or no) cost options open the door for an individual to at least receive a decent summation regarding the merits of a case.

These meetings can provide an individual with a clear understanding of their case. This means they will be informed of the legitimacy of the case and the chances for winning the case. This way, the individual can at least walk away with a general understanding of where they stand with their particular case. That can take much of the stress and uncertainty out of understanding the basics of litigation. Best of all, the costs associated with such a meeting will not be prohibitive to expanding. As such, investing a little time discussing your case in a free consultation would be a wise option.

The Lawyer's Track Record

Lawyers that win cases are worth retaining.

It should go without saying that there are many professional Philadelphia lawyers working in the City of Brotherly Love. This is because there is a great need for their services. This need is the reason the yellow pages are filled with advertisements for qualified attorneys. Of course, there is also the internet which contains many advertisements for attorneys all claiming to be the top of their field. While it is always better to have too much choice than to have too little there also comes a time when someone must make an actual decision. In other words, a client will have to select a particular attorney to hire. But what Philadelphia lawyer should they hire? That is a question that can only be answered based on an examination of the track record of the attorney and research into that background.

That is to say, wins and losses count. If you need procure the services of an attorney you want one that is going to win your case. Anything else would defeat the purpose of even hiring a Pennsylvania lawyer in the first place. But how can you tell if the attorney will definitely win your case?

Well, there is absolutely nothing that can guarantee the case will be won. They are just too many variables to consider. However, based on certain facts you can select an attorney who has a better chance of winning the case. Obviously, an attorney who has a strong win-loss record for litigation would be one way of selecting an attorney. If an attorney has won the vast majority of prior cases then this may indicate that you have found an attorney who knows what he or she is doing. It would go without saying that your attorney should bring this experience and skill to your case. Remember, a track record can count for a lot in your decision process, and that is why it should never be discarded.

Costs Covered in a Contingency Plan

Administrative costs are generally in addition to contingencies fees.

If your funds are limited and you wish to retain the services of a top Philadelphia lawyer, you should seek an attorney whose fees are based on a contingency plan. That means that the attorney will only charge a percentage of the settlement or judgment as payment. Therefore, those who might not otherwise be able to afford legal representation can procure such services without expending a great deal of money. It is important, however, for people to realize that there will be additional costs associated with legal representation beyond the lawyer's contingency fees.

Keep in mind, there are a number of costs associated with filing a lawsuit. For example, paralegal services will be critical for the preparation of the case. Paralegals, of course, will charge a fee for their services. Other fees associated with litigation include office administrations, expert witnesses, mailing, and even private detectives. Let the truth be told, all of various components of litigation come with costs and fees. These fees will be absorbed by the client and not the Pennsylvania lawyer.

Now, some will assume these are "hidden" fees but that is not the case. They are simply administrative costs outside the attorney's actual service. And, remember, there's always the possibility that the attorney will not win the case. Would it be fair for the attorney to absorb all the costs associated with the loss of the case? This would make it cost prohibitive for the attorney to even stay in business. So, it should come as no surprise that these underlying costs must be paid by the client who procures the service of the law firm. It is the client who procures the services and that means the client must bear the brunt of the logistical costs associated with the case. It is important that clients understand this when selecting a contingency plan option.