How to Choose the Best Lawyer

How To Choose The Best Lawyer If your legal problem is complex or involves lots of money, you might not want to attempt to handle the entire matter without a lawyer. After all, lawyers do more than dispense legal information. They offer strategic advice and apply sophisticated technical skills to legal problems. Ideally, you'll be able to find a lawyer who's willing to serve as your legal "coach" to help you educate yourself to the maximum extent possible and to take over as your formal legal counsel only if necessary.

How to Find the Right Lawyer
Locating a good lawyer who can efficiently help with your particular problem may not be easy. Don't expect to locate a good lawyer by simply looking in the phone book or reading an advertisement. There's not enough information in these sources to help you make a valid judgment. Personal Referrals A better approach is to talk to people in your community who have experienced the same problem you face -- for example, if you have a claim of sexual harassment, talk to a women's group. Ask them who their lawyers were and what they think of them. If you talk to half a dozen people who have had a similar legal problem, chances are you'll come away with several good leads. But don't make a decision about a lawyer solely on the basis of someone else's recommendation. Different people will have different responses to a lawyer's style and personality; don't make up your mind about hiring a lawyer until you've met the lawyer, discussed your case, and decided that you feel comfortable working with him or her. Also, it may be hard to find lawyer through a personal referral with the expertise you need (for instance, if your friend had a great divorce lawyer, but you need incorporation advice, the referral may not do you much good). Online Services Many sites, including Nolo.com, offer a way to connect with local lawyers based on your location and the type of legal case you have. You answer a few questions about your case and your contact information, then the right type of lawyers contact you directly. You can try it here. Nolo's Lawyer Directory Nolo offers a unique lawyer directory that provides a comprehensive profile for each attorney with information that will help you select the right attorney. The profiles tell you about the lawyer's experience, education, and fees, and perhaps most importantly, the lawyer's general philosophy of practicing law. Nolo has confirmed that every listed attorney has a valid license and is in good standing with their bar association. Every attorney has taken a pledge to communicate regularly with you, provide an estimate of the time and cost involved, and provide you with a clear, fair, written agreement that spells out how they will handle your legal matter and how you will be charged. For more information, see Nolo's Lawyer Directory. Business Referrals Businesses who provide services to key players in the legal area you are interested in may also be able to help you identify lawyers you should consider. For example, if you are interested in small business law, speak to your banker, accountant, insurance agent, and real estate broker. These people come into frequent contact with lawyers who represent business clients and are in a position to make informed judgments.

Lawyer Referral Services Lawyer referral services are another source of information. There is a wide variation in the quality of lawyer referral services, however, even though they are required to be approved by the state bar association. Some lawyer referral services carefully screen attorneys and list only those attorneys with particular qualifications and a certain amount of past experience, while other services will list any attorney in good standing with the state bar who maintains liability insurance. Before you choose a lawyer referral service, ask what its qualifications are for including an attorney and how carefully lawyers are screened. What you may not get from any lawyer referral service, however, is insight into the lawyer's philosophy -- for instance, whether the lawyer is willing to spend a few hours to be your legal coach or how aggressive the lawyer's personality is. Other Sources Here are a few other sources you can turn to for possible candidates in your search for a lawyer: • • The director of your state or local chamber of commerce may be a good source of business lawyers. The director of a nonprofit group interested in the subject matter that underlies your lawsuit is sure to know lawyers who work in that area. For example, if your dispute involves trying to stop a major new subdivision, it would make sense to consult an environmental group committed to fighting urban sprawl. A law librarian can help identify authors in your state who have written books or articles on a particular subject -- for example, construction law. A women's or men's support group will probably have a list of well-regarded family and divorce lawyers.

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Consider a Specialist
Most lawyers specialize in certain areas, and even a so-called "general practitioner" may not know that much about the particular area of your concern. For example, of the almost one million lawyers in America today, probably fewer than 50,000 possess sufficient training and experience in small business law to be of real help to an aspiring entrepreneur. It can pay to work with a lawyer who already knows the field, such as employment discrimination, zoning laws, software design issues, or restaurant licensing. That way you can take advantage of the fact that the lawyer is already far up the learning curve. Sometimes specialists charge a little more, but if their specialized information is truly valuable, it can be money well spent.

Interview the Prospective Lawyers
When you get the names of several good prospects, the next step is to talk to each personally. If you outline your needs in advance, many lawyers will be willing to meet to you for a halfhour or so at no charge so that you can size them up and make an informed decision. Personality Pay particular attention to the personal chemistry between you and your lawyer. No matter how experienced and well-recommended a lawyer is, if you feel uncomfortable with that person during your first meeting or two, you may never achieve an ideal lawyer-client relationship. Trust your instincts and seek a lawyer whose personality is compatible with your own. Look also for experience, personal rapport, and accessibility. Communication and Promptness

Ask all prospective lawyers how you will be able to contact them and how long it will take them to return your communications. And don't assume that because the lawyer seems friendly and easy to talk to that it's okay to overlook this step. Unfortunately, the complaint logs of all lawyer regulatory groups indicate that many lawyers are terrible communicators. If every time you have a problem there's a delay of several days before you can talk to your lawyer on the phone or get an appointment, you'll lose precious time, not to mention sleep. Almost nothing is more aggravating to a client than to leave a legal project in a lawyer's hands and then have weeks or even months go by without anything happening. You want a lawyer who will work hard on your behalf and follow through promptly on all assignments. Willingness to Work With You When you have a legal problem, you need legal information. Lawyers, of course, are prime sources of this information, but if you bought all the needed information at their rates -- $150 to $250 an hour -- you'd quickly empty your bank account. Fortunately, many lawyers will work with you to help you acquire a good working knowledge of the legal principles and procedures you need to deal with your problem at least partly on your own. If you are hoping to represent yourself and use a lawyer only for advice, make sure the lawyer is open to that type of set-up. Likewise, if you're going into business and will draft your own bylaws or business agreements, ask the lawyer if she's open to reviewing your drafts and making comments. Whether you are drafting a will or a trust, buying or selling real estate or getting a divorce, it is important to select the best attorney possible. Read on to find out what tips you can use to make sure that you are picking the right lawyer for you. Retain an Honest Lawyer Many attorneys offer an initial consultation free of charge. Take advantage of this. Use the meeting to determine whether the attorney is honest and forthcoming. Instinctively, some people have the ability to determine an individual's character within a few minutes of interacting with the person; however, there are a few personality traits that can also tip you off. For example, is the lawyer looking you in the eye when speaking with you, or is he or she looking at the ground? Remember, people who don't maintain eye contact usually have a problem with the truth. Also, ask what kind of cases he or she has litigated in the past. If the majority of the attorney's work has been defending the dregs of society, the attorney (while perhaps a great litigator) may be used to bending the rules to get things done. Also, ask the attorney about your case's chance of success or failure. If the lawyer sounds unusually optimistic and doesn't tell you any of the risks or downplays the costs associated with the case, he or she is probably not being honest. Remember, there are downsides and risks to almost every case! Prior to entering into any official relationship it is important to feel secure in the knowledge that your lawyer is an honest individual. After all, there's nothing worse then being in an extended court battle and not having an honest person on your side - particularly one who is willing and able to communicate your chances of prevailing. It would be equally disturbing to find out that the attorney representing you is hurting your case because of his or her questionable reputation. Thorough and Responsive

The initial meeting or conversation with the attorney can also help you to determine whether he or she is detail oriented and will be responsive to your needs. Again, your instincts should serve as your guide. Be sure to ask the attorney if it's OK to call them throughout the case to discuss any concerns you may have. If he or she balks at the idea, it may indicate that you'll have trouble relaying your thoughts and obtaining answers to your questions once the case is up and running. Other questions that should be asked include: • • Will I be given periodic updates on the status of the case in writing or by phone? Will the attorney be the main point of contact, or will communications be delegated to a paralegal?

There is nothing worse then having an attorney who won't respond to your inquiries, or hear your concerns. To that end, be sure to retain an attorney who is communicative. In Your Price Range Finding the right attorney for you means finding one whose services you can afford. With that in mind, all individuals should inquire about costs at the outset of the initial meeting. After all, it would be horrifying to find out (after the fact) that the attorney is charging you per letter, per hearing, or in some other manner that only encourages him or her to drag the case out and to rack up fees. Also, try to obtain an estimate of what the case will cost to litigate in writing. Then, again in writing, try to secure a contract that will spell out the maximum costs associated with trying your case. This will prevent any unwanted surprises. What is a "fair" price? That depends upon your individual case. Residential real estate closings, for example, typically range from $700 to $1,200, while complex matters can easily cost much more. Simple commercial transactions, such as buying a local business, often range from $2,000 to $4,000, but if the process takes longer than expected, this will also increase the price. The same is true in a divorce proceeding: if your soon-to-be "ex" doesn't contest, the matter could be solved for a few thousand dollars, but if a drawn out fight ensues, it could run in the tens of thousands of dollars. (For related reading, see The Benefits Of Using A Real Estate Attorney and Get Through Divorce With Your Finances Intact.) Most attorneys looking to avoid disagreements with their clients will insist that a contract be signed by both parties at the outset. If your attorney does not offer a contract, make sure that you obtain something in writing, preferably on letterhead stating likely and maximum charges. Seek Those With Experience While it is important to have an attorney that you can trust, it is equally important that he or she has extensive experience in the area of law for which you require their services. For example, you should you use an attorney with estate planning experience to draft your will, a divorce attorney to draft divorce papers and a trial lawyer to defend you in a criminal case. General practitioners are good for basic real estate transactions, or other non-complex matter, but their lack of detailed knowledge and experience in a given field can hurt your case. (For more insight on estate planning, read The Importance Of Estate And Contingency Planning.) Consider the Size of the Firm You'd Be Dealing With There are advantages to hiring a lawyer from a small firm. In most cases, you receive personalized, prompt attention. In addition, the lawyer representing you will probably have a

fairly large amount of time to dedicate to your case. This may not be the situation at large firms, where attorneys must often juggle numerous cases and may have many responsibilities to the firm and its partners that could draw their attention away from your needs. However, large firms also have advantages. After all, many judges and opposing attorneys respect and/or fear large reputable firms for the cases they've won, and their ability to influence judgments. Large firms also typically have greater resources in terms of money and manpower to research your case and to craft strategy. In short, weigh the pros and cons of having a small or a large firm to try your case before signing a contract. Where to Look for a Lawyer In addition to the phone book and/or a friend that might recommend a lawyer, there are several other sources for finding a qualified attorney to represent you. Some unions offer representation as does the AARP (sometimes at a discount to its members). In addition, members of the military are often entitled to certain representation, as are certain individuals covered by umbrella and home insurance policies. Finally, the American Bar Association can also help you find a suitable attorney that is licensed in your state. The Bottom Line Selecting the right attorney can make your case, while selecting the wrong one can doom it, so do your homework. Read more: http://www.investopedia.com/articles/pf/08/picking-lawyer.asp#ixzz1gu5jNLiy

How to Choose the Best Lawyer for You
Even if your case seems pretty straightforward, go to someone who has handled matrimonial cases before. You don't need an attorney who works solely in that area, whose fees might be very high. But you do want someone who knows which papers have to be filed in which courthouse and who can take your case to trial if need be. Now is not the time to do your third cousin a favor by hiring her son, who was recently admitted to the bar.
Red Alert

Make sure you choose an attorney you can afford. Some lawyers want a large retainer, but their hourly rate is relatively low, or they have a junior attorney who can do some of the work at a lower hourly rate.If you want to hire a lawyer for only certain aspects of your divorce, you might prefer someone who specializes in unbundled services. If you have millions of dollars at stake, a legal powerhouse could be best for you. Some very competent matrimonial lawyers will tell you from the outset that they do not go to court. They might be very good negotiators, but if your case doesn't settle, they will recommend another attorney, either in their firm or at another, to take over the case. For some people, that's fine. Others prefer to have an attorney who will go the distance. Be sure to ask. When you call the lawyer, ask whether there is a fee for the initial consultation. Don't be shy. Some lawyers will see you for free; others will charge their usual hourly rate (which might be as much as $400 an hour in major metropolitan areas). The reasoning: they've already done work on your behalf (albeit during the consultation) by collecting the background information they need to begin. Others only bill you if they take your case. Still others bill by the task: so much for a finished separation agreement, so much for help in writing a motion, and so on.

As you go about choosing an attorney, you might want to work other factors into the equation as well. How does the office look? You don't need skyline views, but if the office is dirty, or the magazines are months old, be wary. Will your legal papers be cared for the same way? On the other hand, some attorneys do share space with others, and upkeep of the office is not within their control. Be sensitive, as well, to the amount of time you're kept in the waiting room. Your attorney's office shouldn't be Grand Central Station, after all. A small wait isn't always a bad sign, but if you are kept waiting more than 15 minutes, you might want to think twice about using that attorney. He or she should want to impress you most before you sign on. If you have to wait a long time before the initial consultation, what will it be like after you're a client? Once you begin your meeting inside the lawyer's private office, are you constantly interrupted as the attorney takes calls? An emergency call is one thing, but a constant stream of interruptions is another sign that this lawyer might just be too busy—or too disinterested in your case.

Your First Meeting
When you're with an attorney for the first time, he or she will ask you for some background information about your situation. You should be told, briefly, how the laws work in your state and what that will mean for your own case. The lawyer can also tell you which court will handle your case. Is the court in your jurisdiction backlogged? Knowing this could determine your strategy in resolving your case—is it helpful to drag out the divorce or to end it quickly? A lawyer who knows the judges and their individual biases and personalities will be ahead of the game. Unfortunately, a carefully weighted decision by a judge can be less common in some jurisdictions. Some for instance, may see all mothers as overprotective or all fathers as bill payers. Sometimes a decision can be made simply on the basis of whether the judge had a fight with his or her own spouse that day! A savvy attorney who has been around will be able to maneuver around a judge's personality or bias with more agility than someone who is new to the field or to the area.

Fees and Billing
During this first consultation, the lawyer should also explain his or her fees. Does she take a retainer—a lump-sum payment—up front? That practice is common. As the lawyer works on your case, she subtracts an amount equal to her hourly rate from the sum you have prepaid. For example, if you paid Attorney Greenfield $1,000 and her hourly rate is $100, you would have bought 10 hours of work in advance. Most will quote a flat rate for the retainer. Other lawyers do not take a retainer and simply bill you every month as the case moves along. Some lawyers require that a cushion remain in the retainer until the case is concluded —for example, a few thousand dollars to cover the closing of a matter or to refund to you at the conclusion of the case. Whatever the arrangement, determine the details now. Remember, never sign on with a lawyer unless you have these financial details in writing. Be sure to read the fine print in your retainer agreement.
Read more on FamilyEducation: http://life.familyeducation.com/divorce/familylaw/45528.html#ixzz1gu61ta3U

How to Hire a Mesothelioma Attorney
Mesothelioma claims are different from other workplace injuries and are a special area of the law. Because asbestos-related diseases have such a long period between exposure and

diagnosis – sometimes as long as 50 years – related claims are best tackled by a qualified mesothelioma attorney. Such a legal specialist not only has an understanding of the disease but also has the experience of the case process and how to investigate and evaluate a potential mesothelioma lawsuit. For people who have mesothelioma, pleural mesothelioma, asbestosis or another asbestos-related cancer, knowing how to hire the right attorney can make all the difference.

Find A Qualified Mesothelioma Attorney
Selecting an attorney depends on a number of factors. Among them are the attorney’s experience and reputation and also the level of confidence and comfort you feel during your first meeting. Finding someone who makes you feel comfortable makes it easier to communicate clearly and openly about your case. In this area of the law, closer is not always better. Having a reputable, competent and experienced mesothelioma attorney is more beneficial than having a nearby attorney. Most attorneys understand your cancer prognosis. They will travel to you. It is usually not a good idea to select an attorney based on a promise to achieve a specific result. Although many asbestos-related lawsuits result in settlements and jury verdicts that are favorable to mesothelioma patients and their families, it is impossible for an attorney to guarantee an outcome for a claim. Be cautious of any lawyer who assures a win in court or promises that you will receive a specific amount from a settlement. On the other side, experienced mesothelioma lawyers often collect millions for their clients, sometimes without even going to trial.

Affording an Attorney
Most mesothelioma lawyers work on a contingency fee basis. This means you pay nothing until you receive compensation and nothing at all if your case is unsuccessful. Contingency fees are usually based on a percentage of any compensation you receive. Be sure to discuss this percentage during your first meeting with an attorney.

Tips for Working with an Attorney
A mesothelioma attorney will handle the majority of the work for your case, but there are things you can do to help with the process. Among them are:

Gather Medical Information
This information helps your attorney determine if you have a claim and prepare your case.

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Note the date of your diagnosis. Provide the names and numbers of your doctors and medical providers, including the doctor(s) who diagnosed you. Be prepared to provide medical records related to your diagnosis and treatment. Be prepared to help your attorney track your work history, including: • Name(s) of

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Describe Your Work History
This information helps your attorney prove that you were exposed to asbestos and identify who is responsible for your illness.

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employer(s); • • • • Location(s); Dates of employment; and Job Title(s).

Provide any work-related records you may have, such as W-2s. Keep records of all out-ofpocket medical expenses, including costs of doctor and hospital visits, medical tests, prescriptions, equipment, etc. Keep records of any out-ofpocket expenses related to your illness, such as the costs of travel, personal care, massage and other alternative therapies. Keep a file with any documents that are signed and negotiated, copies of correspondence with your attorney, and copies of any court documents you receive. Keep copies of documents you provide to your attorney. Take notes during meetings and calls with your attorney (a friend or family member can help). Do not be afraid to ask questions. Remember that your attorney is there to help. Always be honest, open and direct so that there is clear communication. Expect the same from your attorney.

Keep Track of Expenses
This information helps you ask for adequate compensation.

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Be Organized
A case can last several months. Your attorney handles almost every aspect of the case, but keeping your own records and notes can help you remember details and follow the case process.

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Ask Questions
It is very important for you to be fully informed and comfortable with the entire case process.

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Communicate
Good communication is important because details discussed during your meeting with an attorney can influence your case.

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How Can a Mesothelioma Attorney Help?
Mesothelioma attorneys focus their practices on this unique area of law. Their familiarity with asbestos exposure helps them answer the following questions for you:
• Do you have an asbestos claim? Several asbestos cases have been filed over the past several decades. Mesothelioma attorneys are familiar with important legal decisions and stay up to date on asbestos-related cases all over the country. They use this knowledge to offer an opinion about your case and also to present the strongest possible case should you decide to file a claim. When were you exposed to asbestos?Identifying when and where you were exposed to asbestos is very important to your lawsuit. Without this information, it may be difficult to make a claim. Mesothelioma attorneys can help gather evidence related to your asbestos exposure. They routinely work with medical experts to trace when and where asbestos exposure occurred. They already have research and medical evidence at their disposal which may be helpful to your case. They may also have helpful contacts with other organizations that fight for workers' rights concerning asbestos-related diseases. • Who is responsible for your asbestos exposure? It can be difficult to know which companies to sue in an asbestos lawsuit. During the decades that usually pass between asbestos exposure and diagnosis, the companies at fault may go out of business, move, change their names or even be sold to other companies. Mesothelioma attorneys have experience identifying and locating the companies responsible for their clients' suffering. What is your case worth? Part of presenting a strong case is adequately estimating how much compensation you should receive. Mesothelioma attorneys are familiar with the medical and other day-to-day costs of living with asbestos-related illnesses. They also have experience estimating the value of future expenses, as well as the value of damages that are harder to put a number on, such as emotional anguish.

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Aside from their legal expertise, mesothelioma attorneys also understand the difficulties that you and your family face following diagnosis with an asbestos-related illness. They appreciate your need to focus on treatment and time with loved ones. At the same time, they know that it is important to file your claim and gather evidence as soon as possible. If you decide to file a lawsuit, you remain in control of your case, but your mesothelioma attorney will gather evidence, file the claim, negotiate and go to court on your behalf. You can be involved in the litigation as little or as much as you want. Your mesothelioma attorney will be available to answer your questions and keep you informed throughout the legal process.

More Mesothelioma Legal Information
Do you need more information about the legal process or mesothelioma attorneys? Order a free informational packet from The Mesothelioma Center to get those questions and related questions answered. It is very important to know how to choose a lawyer who is best for you. Well, finding a lawyer who matches your needs is not a difficult job. It is done exactly the same way you do other things.

When you look for something and go to the market, you linger about so many shops to have an idea and then, you make a comparison. Finally, when you feel satisfied that a partcular shop is selling the best product, you buy that product according to your budget. Finding a good lawyer is, however, different from the situation described above. My personal advice is that you should start your search by asking people around you instead of searching on the internet. People around you might be knowing a lawyer better based on their personal experience and you can have a better picture. So, ask your friends and others who have been into some sort of legal activities earlier. When you know a few lawyers, it is the time to ask certain questions. Call those lawyers or fix an appointment with any of them and you can ask them if they have handled some similar cases recently. Do they have any expertise in some area? How can they help you better then anyone else? How many similar cases have they handled before? Based upon some meetings and appointments, you can make a decision as to which lawyer you should go for. If this option does not work for you, you can go for an internet search and make a comparison and find someone who suits your need. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/573287
Ways Of Claiming For Accidents

Accident Claims
If you've been hurt in an accident in the last 3 years and it wasn't your fault, the National Accident Helpline can probably help you claim, why not find out?

With 18 years' experience, National Accident Helpline is the UK's leading name in accident claims
Thinking of making an accident claim due to an injury that wasn't your fault? If so, you may be entitled to compensation, and the National Accident Helpline™ are here to guide you through the accident claims process. In the past 18 years, we’ve helped tens of thousands of people across the UK make compensation claims for their personal injuries - compensation they deserved.

Accidents can happen at any time. Many accidents occur on the road, involving cars or motorcycles, and many also occur in public places, as a result of inadequate training or safety equipment. Accidents in retail premises such as slips and trips in supermarkets are also common, as are medical negligence cases. Accident claims can be made for most non-fault accidents and compensation is rewarded depending on the claimant's injuries (both physical and psychological) and financial losses caused as a result of the injury.

Why do people make accident claims?
Victims of more serious accidents regularly need time off work to recover from their personal injury, leading to financial problems such as struggling to keep up with mortgage repayments. In fact, many people return to work too early due to these problems, often making their injury worse. That is why it is important that injured parties who make accident claims are awarded the compensation they deserve - to give them the time needed to make a full recovery. Accident claims should be successful if it can be shown that someone has been at fault in some way - that they have failed in a duty or not taken reasonable care - and that this fault or failure caused (or partly caused) the accident. This may be quite obvious in some cases, but in others it can be quite complicated. An example of a responsible party neglecting their duty of care would be a supermarket employee mopping a spillage on the floor but not displaying wet floor signs, resulting in a customer slipping and injuring themselves in the process. In this example, the customer would be entitled to look into making accident claims as their injury could have been prevented by the supermarket.

Accident claims for work injuries
Accidents don't always happen in public places such as supermarkets. Sometimes accidents can happen in a person's workplace, whether its an office, factory, warehouse or construction site. These accident claims are usually the result of inadequate health and safety precautions. By law, employers are required to safeguard employees from accidents and if they have failed in their duty of care, an employee injured in an accident is entitled to claim compensation for their injuries. Accident claims for work related injuries can be daunting for some people, because they involve claiming against an employer. However, this should not deter the victim of an accident from seeking the justice they deserve, particularly if doing so is going to improve future safety conditions in their workplace. It is illegal for an employee to be dismissed for making accident claims, and any compensation paid will usually be done so by the employers' insurance company and not the individuals themselves.

Accident claims with National Accident Helpline™
At the National Accident Helpline™, we work with specialist personal injury lawyers across the UK so you can be confident that, should you choose to make an accident claim, you will be looked after by specialist professionals who will talk you through all aspects of making an accident claim. Information about some of the more common types of accident claims are contained within the following sections:
• Accidents at work

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Car accident claims Holiday accidents abroad Slips, trips and falling accidents

Accidents at Work
After a work accident, compensation can transform your road to recovery

Accidents at work are very common and can occur in any job, in any situation. You shouldn’t be afraid of filing a work accident claim against an employer if you have had an accident at work. After all, they have a duty to provide safe working conditions, and if they don’t fulfill this then they are breaking the law, as well as putting you at risk. Work accidents can happen regardless of where you work. You may think that factory accidents and construction site accidents are the only types of accidents which occur at work, but office environments have their own set of dangers to watch out for as well. Every employer has a set of responsibilities to their employees to ensure their environment is safe, and the risk of an accident at work is minimal. This not only protects their workers, but prevents work accident claims being filed against them. Responsibilities could come in many different forms, whether they be testing machinery regularly, providing adequate safety equipment, or informing employees of dangers in the workplace, and how to avoid them. Each environment will have its own set of work accident risks, which need to be handled by the employer.

Types of workplace claim
It’s also important to remember that a workplace can take many different forms, and can include a van or car if driving is included as part of the job. In this case, for example, the vehicle would need to be safe and roadworthy. If it is not, and the driver sustains an injury from an accident which occurs as a result, the driver could be entitled to make a claim for work accident compensation. If an employer doesn’t provide safety precautions for a work accident risk, they will increase the probability of their workers suffering a work injury and, subsequently, the probability of work accident compensation claims being made against them. Work accident claims are only made for injuries that the employee suffered at work, which wouldn’t have occurred had the employer taken action to prevent the work accident. The duties of an employer include complying with Health and Safety laws and regulations, which have been put in place to make the workplace a safer environment, and reduce the risk of work accidents. Proving the employer was responsible for the work accident will require a good knowledge of the laws and regulations around work accident claims, so independent legal advice is essential for anyone who has suffered an injury at work. Returning after a work accident is often a stressful period. It may be a good idea to try and keep in touch with colleagues whilst injured, to make the transition back to work after recovery as smooth as possible.

It’s also very important that after a work accident or injury you don’t rush back to work too quickly. If you go back to work too soon, you may find that you don’t make the full recovery you would if you were resting at home. Making a work accident claim allows you to remain financially stable whilst recovering from your injury - preventing the need to return to work too early. If you have had an accident at work, speak to one of our specialist solicitors and make a work accident compensation claim online today. Claiming is very easy, just fill in the four step claim form, or request a call back, and you could be speaking to a work accident claim solicitor in minutes. You can read what several work accident claimants have to say about their experiences on our Work Accident Testimonials page.

Car Accident Compensation
In this section we give advice and information to car accident victims

Car accidents can be very traumatic, even if your injury is not serious. If you make a car accident claim, the insurers of the person responsible for the car accident have to decide whether to accept the claim, and what compensation to offer you for your particular injury. The most common claims for car accident compensation are whiplash claims, but claims can be made for a variety of road accident injuries. These include broken limbs, bruises, or psychological injuries.

Why do car accidents happen?
Many car accidents have contributing road or environmental factors, but in the majority of car accident compensation cases are due to human error, whether it’s because of a lack of judgement or because of intoxication. In cases of intoxication, it shouldn’t be hard to prove liability for a car accident injury, especially if the police were alerted following the accident – making a claim for car accident compensation that little bit less stressful. In any case, our specialist injury claims solicitors will make sure that you receive the car accident compensation you are entitled to. You will feel far more comfortable knowing that the right decisions are being made about your car accident claim, and its value. After a car accident (or road traffic accident), the law requires you to stop at the scene and exchange insurance details, and to call the police, if necessary. Indeed, if the offending party doesn’t stop, the car accident could be classed as a hit and run, which is a criminal offence. Because a car accident could happen at any moment, it’s recommended that you prepare for the unforeseen:
• Have a disposable camera in the car for taking pictures of the car accident scene from all different angles. This helps injury solicitors see how accidents unfolded and makes car accident compensation claims easier

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Keep a pen and notepad in your car at all times. It’s very important to write down the details of the other person(s) involved in the car accident, as well as the time of the road accident, the weather conditions, names and numbers of any emergency servicemen at the scene, along with any other important information such as if the other party were using indicators correctly, or if they were on their mobile phone at the time of the accident. You could also record any injuries sustained by other parties as a result of the car accident.

Claiming compensation after a road traffic accident
Remember that all drivers should be insured against car accident claims. Insurers charge insurance premiums so that they can pay out car accident compensation claims, as well as making profits for their shareholders. You should not feel embarrassed or reluctant about making a car accident claim if you have suffered an injury from a car accident that was not your fault. Car accident compensation will not make you better, but it may help to cover your losses and ease your suffering. In particular, this is important to make a road accident claim if you’ve had to take time off work, causing you to miss out on earnings. Anyone who has sustained an injury in a car accident - be they driver, passenger, cyclist or pedestrian - should get independent advice about whether they would be eligible to make a car accident compensation claim, and how to do it properly. Call our team of car accident specialist helpers now for free help and guidance following an injury, or fill out our short online claim form. Alternatively, to read about the experiences of people who've made a successful claim following a car accident, visit our Road Accident Testimonials page.

Holiday Accident Claims
Being injured on holiday can be very distressing, find out if we can help you claim

With so many of us working and travelling abroad and exploring the world, holiday accidents are unfortunately bound to happen. Making a holiday accident claim has always been difficult. Compensation claims for accidents which happened abroad are usually subject to the law of the country where the injury occurred, which affects your right to compensation and the value of your holiday accident claim. Injury lawyers' fees may not always be recoverable, even if your holiday compensation claim is successful. However, there are regulations and bodies set up to help victims claim their deserved compensation. The 1992 Package Travel, Package Holiday and Package Tour Regulation aids holiday accident claims. It helps enable victims of a foreign package holiday accident to claim compensation for their injury in the UK.

Alternatively, there is the 4th EU Motor Directive 2003, which aids car accident claims abroad because the directive dictates that all European cars are listed on one database – making it easier to identify foreign cars involved in an accident. There is even a body set up in case the foreign insurance company can’t be identified, called the Motor Insurers Bureau, who handle compensation claims. Holiday tour operators, hotel staff and every company you encounter on your travels have a duty of care to provide you with a safe service. Hotels have to provide a hygienic and clean environment, tour operators have to ensure you’re going to stay safe in your hotel and while travelling to and from the airport, and excursion companies have to assess the risk of the planned trips. in order to prevent an injury occurring.

Types of holiday compensation claim
Remember that holiday accidents don’t just include accidents in a hotel, but cover injuries on boats or cruises, in an airplane, travelling in cars or rental vehicles or even on the beach. The causes of a holiday accident could include:
• • • • • • • • Wet flooring or misplaced objects causing a slip or trip accident Injuries which occurred on foreign transport An injury that happened when on a day excursion Food poisoning from the hotel restaurant/ buffet Illness resulting from bad hotel hygiene Problems with your rental car that lead to a holiday accident Water sports accidents Skiing accidents

Even if you’ve had an accident on a holiday outside the EU, National Accident Helpline™ will strive to help with your compensation claim in the country of your accident. Of course, holiday accidents can happen in the UK, too. National Accident Helpline™ will help with all cases involving accidents that were the fault of someone else. In either case, it’s advisable to get as much information at the time as you can. This could include taking photos of what has caused the accident, writing down or sketching the scene, and taking a note of the names and numbers of witnesses - as well as any injuries which have been sustained. It’s better to take these notes straight away, as it’s hard to return to take photos and gather information at a later date. At the National Accident Helpline™, we go out of our way to help people who have been involved in accidents on holidays abroad or in the UK. The recent changes in UK and European law mean that it has become much easier to make holiday accident compensation claims. If you think you may be eligible for compensation, call our friendly advisors or fill in our online claim form.

Slip, Trip and Falling Accidents
Slipped, tripped or fallen? Our specialist solicitors can explain the claims process

Have you been injured following a slip or trip but do not know whether you are eligible to make a claim for compensation? The National Accident Helpline™ has a network of specialist personal injury solicitors who can advise you on whether you are able to make a slip compensation claim following a fall and how to go about doing it. If you have slipped in a shop and injured yourself on a slippery floor that was unmarked, or tripped on an uneven or broken pavement, you may be able to make a compensation claim for any injuries suffered.

Slip compensation advice
It is important to have the right advice when making a claim following a slip, trip or fall that you believe to be the fault of another party, and specialist expert advice will help guide you through the compensation claims process. The slipping/tripping claims process can be confusing at times, and it is the duty of the specialist injury solicitors to explain the process, from how long the claim process might take and what costs might be incurred to who will pay these costs. If you have had a slip or trip and injured yourself but do not know whether you are able to make a claim for slip compensation, call the National Accident Helpline™ today. We have a network of specialist personal injury solicitors who can advise you on whether you are able to make a claim following your fall, and how to go about doing so.

Causes of slips and trips
Slips and trips are some of the most common accidents in Britain. These unexpected accidents are usually caused by something simple like a cracked pavement or a wet floor. Injuries from slips and trips can include back pain, sprained ankles, head injuries, concussion, knee injuries and more.
 Have you slipped over on something left carelessly on the floor while out shopping?  Slipped or tripped in a supermarket?  Injured yourself on a slippery floor that was not signposted?  Or tripped on a pavement that was uneven or broken?

Prevention of slipping and tripping accidents
Those responsible for public areas have a duty of care to protect people from injury. Employers have to follow health and safety guidelines to prevent accidents, including tripping over wires or slipping on spills. The same applies to councils, restaurant owners, office managers, and shop owners.

Claiming compensation following a slip or a trip
You may be able to make a compensation claim for any injuries sustained through a trip or fall. It is important to have the right advice when making a claim following an accident that you believe to be the fault of another party. Specialist and expert advice will help guide you through the compensation claims process, which can be confusing at times. It is the duty of the specialist solicitors to explain the process to you, including how long it may take to get the compensation, costs which may be incurred and who will pay these costs.

Claiming with National Accident Helpline™
Fortunately, due to National Accident Helpline’s 17 years’ experience, you can be assured that claiming for compensation for a slip, trip or fall will be a painless and easy process. Your solicitor will keep you informed and claim the best possible compensation based on your circumstances. Claiming slip compensation couldn’t be easier - you can call, request a call back or fill in our simple online form. If you’d like more information, it’s easy to speak to our solicitors, or browse through our pages on the left hand side and top of your screen. Remember, with National Accident Helpline™, claiming is always no win no fee, and you’ll receive 100% of the slip compensation as all costs are recovered from the other side. The links to the left explain how the National Accident Helpline™ can assist you for free if you have suffered an injury from a falling accident that was not your fault. Alternatively, to read about the experiences of people we've helped claim following a slip, trip or fall, visit our Slips Trips and Falls Testimonials page.

How to File a Car Accident Claim
• • • • Print this article

Car accidents happen

Flag this photo A car accident can be an inconvenient and scary event. Hopefully there were no injuries and all you need to deal with is filing a car insurance claim. Filing a car accident claim and

receiving compensation can be a slow process but, eventually, you will be reimbursed for the repairs to your car.
Related Searches: Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions
1. ○ 1

Get the insurance information of all other drivers immediately. This is especially important if the accident was the fault of the other party, as it will keep you from paying a deductible. You'll also avoid higher insurance costs in the future if their company pays for your claim, rather than your own.
○ 2

Take pictures of any damage. The insurance representative will likely take pictures as well, but they may not be there immediately after the accident. It is always good to have a set of pictures that show the position of the vehicles, as well as the surrounding environment, immediately after the accident. These will help you tell your story of how the accident occurred.
○ 3

Call a claims representative as soon as possible. Even on the scene if both parties are willing to wait. The representative will fill out the claims form, take pictures, get both sides of the story, and possibly interview any witnesses still around.
○ 4

Wait for your compensation check to arrive. This may take several weeks to several months, so you may want to get repairs made to your vehicle before hand if you have the means. You will likely get a check for the lowest estimated repair cost given to the insurance company or the current blue book value, if your car was totaled.
5 secret accident claim

Accident Claim Advice - Top 5 Tips For Holiday Accident Claims
By Jessica A Parker
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Being involved in an accident abroad can be very traumatic. Not only is there the usual potential for injury and stress connected with accidents, there is also the added disorientation of being in a foreign country, where there may be significant language and cultural barriers to overcome. It is advisable, therefore, to be well prepared for the possibility of being in an accident when on holiday, and to understand your rights when it comes to making an accident claim in another country. Here are the top 5 tips for making an accident claim in a foreign country. 1. The laws may be different Remember that accident claims abroad will be governed by the laws of the country you are in, and that there may not be the same provisions as you would expect in the UK. For example, the solicitor's fees may not be recoverable as they are with the no win no fee system here. However, there are a number of bodies in the UK which could help you. 2. There are UK organisations to support you Despite the fact you will be subject to different laws abroad, there are regulatory bodies designed to help holiday accident victims make accident claims in the UK. For example, the 1992 Package Travel, Package Holiday and Package Tour Regulation helps people who were injured abroad make UK based accident claims. 3. There are special organisations for car accident claims If you are injured in a car accident, there are also regulatory bodies which may help you. The 4th EU Motor Directive 2003, which helps drivers involved in car accidents on holiday make accident claims - the directive ensures that cars from all over Europe can be identified on the same database. And, if there is trouble identifying the foreign insurance company, the Motor Insurers Bureau provides a means to make an accident claim. 4. Certain people will have a duty of care towards you While you are on holiday, there are a number of people who may be responsible for your personal health and safety at any one time. These people will range from hotel staff to holiday tour operators and potentially representatives from any other company you come into contact with on your holiday. If they fail in their duty of care towards you and you are injured as a result, you may be entitled to make a claim. 5. There are many potential risks While you're on holiday, it's sometimes tempting to let go of inhibitions and do things which you wouldn't normally do but which could pose a risk to your health and safety, and there are therefore a large number of ways in which you might find yourself involved in an accident. Accident claims can arise from injuries on boats, planes, cars or at the seaside, for example. Some of the most common types of accident abroad are slips and trips on wet or uneven flooring, injuries on foreign transport or on a day trip, food poisoning, rental car accidents, watersports accidents and skiing accidents. National Accident Helpline are experts in accident claims. The company has helped members of the public make successful compensation claims for over 15 years. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jessica_A_Parker

Car Accident Injury Claim: 5 Secrets to Negotiating Auto Insurance Settlements
One very hard thing to do when filing a car accident injury claim is to negotiate more money. As a claimant, one thing you should be wary of is the fact that there are tough negotiators out there, auto claims adjusters, that are paid to do whatever it takes so that the compensation is fair and sound. Though, despite that fact, there are a few ways to negotiate more money in car accident injury claim. By following these 5 proven and tested negotiation tactics, you will be able to do as what others have done

1. Figure Out Your Minimum Car Accident Injury Claim And Settlement
Set a minimum. It is the most important thing you must do and it is your priority. It is the least allowable amount that you will approve as a claimant. Be sure to stick to this and be sure to be as tough as the negotiator itself. Though, when figuring out the minimum in car accident injury claim, what’s important is that you really know the minimum before making car accident injury claims. You can’t just say that a certain amount of money is the minimum. By having a fixed minimum, the adjuster and the negotiator can’t push you around or tell you that this is the minimum. As long as you know what you’re doing, then you’re in a good situation. 2. Never Accept the First Auto Accident Settlement Offer Aside from setting a fixed minimum and actually standing by it, you must never ever accept the first offer. The first offer is usually the lowest. Haggle first. Even if it above your minimum, it can still go for more. Filing a case and winning the most out of your injury claim is just like any other business. Insurance companies will make sure that they pay you the least possible amount and you will make sure that they pay you the most. It’s a battle. You must be able to haggle and understand the flow in order to get the most out of any car accident injury claim. 3. Demand an Explanation for the Low Settlement If the amount is too low and that the adjustor or the negotiator won’t even budge and will tell you that it’s the last offer. Don’t be afraid to ask for an explanation. Demand for it, if possible. Remember, insurance companies are just as determined as you. So, since you’ve prepared earlier why you have a minimum, make sure that they tell you why their minimum is well, not enough for you. If the reason seems unbelievable, it’s a bluff. Don’t buy into it and push through with your minimum while negotiating car accident injury claim. 4. Gradually Decrease Your Settlement While negotiating, it is important to know when to lower your demand and when to increase. There are points that you must lower your demands by about 10-20% in order to give the impression that you are willing to negotiate the car accident injury claim. Don’t lower your demands too much for adjusters will do their best to lower your car accident injury claim settlement.

5. Avoid Over Reducing Your Car Accident Injury Claim Settlement Demand
This is in conjunction with the fourth tip. Make sure that you not allow yourself to fall victim to the negotiation skills of the adjuster. Don’t allow for your settlement to be lowered to a point wherein it’s just a tad too low for your comfort.

Remember, you must be sure of what you want and what you need for your car accident injury claim compensation. In such negotiations, adjusters will know if you’re just guessing and when you really know and are firm with your compensation. You must push for a settle amount that’s viable and fair for both parties. Don’t allow for the amount to be push down to an insignificant amount in car accident injury claim.

How To Deal with Insurance Adjusters and Settle Your Claim
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eHow Contributor

This article was created by a professional writer and edited by experienced copy editors, both qualified members of the Demand Media Studios community. All articles go through an editorial process that includes subject matter guidelines, plagiarism review, fact-checking, and other steps in an effort to provide reliable information.
By eHow Contributor

updated July 28, 2011
• • • • Print this article

deal with Insurance adjusters and settle your own claim

Flag this photo The top five tips for dealing with insurance adjusters can be applied to accident fault, total loss, and/or bodily injury claim settlements. Basically, it is essential for you to understand how adjusters work and to be wary of the tricks they will pull to get you to accept a lowball offer.
Related Searches: • • Insurance Claim Law Auto Insurance Company

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions
Things You'll Need
• • • • 1. ○ 1 Time Patience Be in a good mood A telephone with a mute button

Suggest Edits

Be aware of the musical chairs game: A very common technique used against the unsuspecting insured. Adjusters love to "change," "reassign" or "exchange" claims among them. Many times the adjuster's supervisor steps in and reassigns the claim with no explanation to you. This makes you renegotiate already settled points if they are not in writing. Also, dealing with different adjusters helps the insurance company isolate different issues. For example, one adjuster will settle the total loss, and another will settle fault, and a third one will settle the injury. This way, insurance adjusters can "throw" the ball among them, and they do not have to give you a straight answer. They can tell you "Well sir, I think the answer is

A, but you need to talk to the X adjuster about that, and he is out of the office for a week." You cannot really prevent this situation as they will reassign claims without notice to you, but the best thing you can do is to put everything they settle or tell you in writing. If they tell you that they will pay for your rental car, send them a letter telling them you understand they will pay for your rental car. This way, when the claim is reassigned, you can point to your correspondence and show that the insurance company agreed to something (pay your rental car) and they have to live up to their promise.
○ 2

Do not let them change the shape of the money. "I am very sorry that you had a headache and lower back pain for more than two weeks. That is certainly a shame. We only can give you, at the very most $2,500 which can pay for a trip to Mexico for two. Why don't you treat yourself and take your wife on a nice Caribbean cruise?" This is very powerful. Adjusters do this every day and many people start thinking in terms of trips and electronics. If the adjuster is settling a younger person, the offer would be $250 for an IPod, a Nintendo Wii, or A Play Station 3. This "helps" the injured party "spend the money in their heads," and makes them want to settle. Remember, you are settling for pain, fault, or the total loss of your car. You want money, not iPods, cruises, laptops, or video games. Think in terms of real dollars!
○ 3

Look at the time of day. Adjusters want to call you when it is inconvenient for you. Yes, they want time to be able to explain their position, but they don't want to give you much time to rebut. So they will call you at 7:30 a.m., for example, when you are about to go to work. They want to put pressure on you so you settle right there and then. It "helps" you want to get rid of them. You can turn this one around. Call the adjuster just before their lunch hour or before they leave for a three day weekend. They want to get out of the office and go home; you can get a better offer if the adjuster wants to go see his/her family. Tell them right before the weekend to picture themselves relaxing with one less claim to worry about when they come back to the office.
○ 4

Be aware of the time of the year. Most people are looking for money before or after a holiday, so insurance companies push adjusters to be more aggressive around holiday seasons. Think about it. You need money for the kids' toys? So why not give in and settle for $1,000? Adjusters are savvy and this is a great time for them. Resist the temptation to spend their offer in your head on Christmas toys -- keep your eye on the bigger picture.
○ 5

Be quiet! Silence is the name of the game. Adjusters are commonly trained to give an offer and hit the mute button! The rule is not to emit a sound after an offer is put on the table. This often works. Why?

You want to make one offer, not two, especially one after the other or in the same conversation. If an offer s $10,000, then the adjuster to hear a response. They do not, for example, want to say $10,000, but if you settle today, it's $11,000. This would be considered bidding against oneself. Insurance adjusters will never (unless the adjuster is not trained correctly) give you two different offers in the same conversation. They will give you an offer and wait to see what you say. Use this against the insurance company. Counter offer and hit the mute button!
Read more: How To Deal with Insurance Adjusters and Settle Your Claim | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_4609201_insurance-adjusters-settle-ownclaim.html#ixzz1guJbqy57

3 Lifesaving Secrets for Negotiating Car Accident Claims
Posted: Sep 29, 2010 |Comments: 0 |

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Many people destroy their car accident claim because they don't understand how to speak with the insurance adjuster. First of all, most accident victims don't realize that their insurance claim is merely a business negotiation to the big insurance company, not the essential help to pay medical bills that a victim needs. But, once car accident victims understand that they are dealing with a business negotiation they will have a lot more room to get a better settlement. Luckily, you found this article! Because I am a car accident lawyer, I've spent my fair share of time fighting huge insurance corporations. I have seen certain mistakes over and over again that leave hard working victims without enough to pay their medical bills. A lot of people don't understand that the insurance company treats your medical bills like any other business transaction: it's negotiable. In order for you to get the best payoff from your car accident insurance claim, you should know the fundamentals of insurance adjuster negotiation.
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1. Always let them make an offer first. Don't ever accept the first quote you get from the insurance adjuster. Go into the negotiation with the same mindset you would have if you went to a used car dealer: The MSRP is most often more than the car is actually worth, but you at least have a place to begin talking. Plus, before you can know what your claim is really worth, you must find out how extensive your injuries are and if you are going to need long term medical treatment or expensive surgeries. After you get a starting point from the insurance adjuster you can understand how much ground you have for more. 2. Stay smart and calm. You aren't going to get the most from your car accident injury claim if you aren't on the top of your game. You must prevent the insurance adjuster from getting the upper hand because you were hurt in a car accident. 3. Think about what you can give up. Just like any negotiation, you can get yourself a better position on some issues if you give up some of your claims to others. Prioritize what you want to get out of the transaction and give up what you don't need as badly. These tips will help you negotiate with the insurance adjuster, but there are a whole lot of other tricks that the insurance company will use to deny you help to pay your medical bills. This is why it is so important to find out as much as you can about the way the insurance company works so you can learn their secrets and fight the insurance company.
Reasons Why Your Business Needs IT SecurITY

5 Reasons Your Business Needs SSL
Posted by Will Lettieri on Nov 21, 2011 in Security 1. Protect Your Customers The primary reason why SSL is used is to keep sensitive information sent across the Internet encrypted so that only the intended recipient can understand it. Any computer in between you and the server can see your credit card numbers, usernames and passwords, and other sensitive information if it is not encrypted with an SSL certificate. 2. Gain Your Customers’ Trust Web browsers give visual cues, such as a lock icon or a green bar, to make sure visitors know when their connection is secured. This means that they will trust your website more when they see these cues and will be more likely to buy from you. SSL providers will also give you a trust seal that instills more trust in your customers.

3. Cost To Benefit Ratio SSL certificates are not free, but well worth the relatively inexpensive cost that it takes to have one. Go Daddy sells two SSL packages – a Standard SSL for roughly $70/year and a Premium SSL for roughly $100/year. What does this get you? Insurance. Visit the Go Daddy SSL Packages Page for more information.

4. A Must-Have For e-Commerce If you are buying, selling, or in any way sending private data through the Internet, a Secure Socket Layer (SSL) is a must. Whether you are collecting credit card information, addresses, or even names, an encrypted connection could save you thousands of dollars in the cost of resolving a hacked account. 5. WordPress Supports SSL Need a SSL certificate for your WordPress site? The CMS makes it easy with a plugin called WPSSL (WordPress with SSL). This plugin forces SSL on your WordPress site through an addition of some simple meta tags on your site.

Five Reasons Why Your Business Needs a Mobile Website
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Article Rating: 1125 / 5 Votes: 11 Category: Design Your Website , Building Your Website When you think about a website for your business, you really need to think about two sites: a traditional website and a mobile optimized site. Not only is it important to have both -- you may already be reaping the benefits of a traditional site -- but many businesses are just beginning to understand how to take advantages of the current mobile revolution. It is no secret how mobile devices, specifically smartphones, web-enabled mp3 players and tablets, have changed our lives. Here are five reasons why a mobile site can greatly benefit your business by taking advantage of these devices - there has never been a better time to hop on the mobile bandwagon: 1. Mobile is Everywhere Getting your business noticed is the goal of every business owner -- mobile is the current hotspot for getting noticed. The growth of mobile devices has been impressive and forecasters believe that it will only increase it's upwards trajectory. According to CTIA-The Wireless Association®, as of June 2010, 264.5 million data-capable devices, including 61.2 million smartphones or wireless-enabled PDAs and 12.95 million wireless-enabled laptops, notebooks or wireless broadband modems, are in the hands of consumers. Capitalizing on this growing market is important for future success. 2. Mobile is Search Mobile search is one of the fastest growing online resources. Google®, Bing® and Yahoo!® are heavily investing in mobile - they know that millions of people use mobile search to look for what they want. The best way for your business to be found, is to be listed in top search engines AND have a fully optimized site that is user friendly. Besides adapting to the smaller screen of a mobile phone, mobile sites are also easier to navigate using touch or a keypad and provide direct access to the information that a customer is more likely to need while on the go. 3. Mobile is Entertainment Besides searching for entertaining venues like vacation spots, restaurants and sporting events, social networking is contributing to the sudden expansion of mobile. Sites including like Facebook® and Twitter® make mobile devices fun, as well as functional. Add gaming sites (like ZyngaTM), app sites (like iTunes®) and review sites (like Yelp®) and spending time on your smartphone becomes a lot more attractive. Businesses that can capitalize on those sites and have a mobile optimized site, have two steps up on the competition.

4. Mobile is Shopping Mobile devices have changed the way that consumers shop. Shopping is now at your fingertips 24/7. Besides getting real-time price comparisons from multiple online retailers that influence purchase decisions, devices are used to get secret deals though coupon sites, for example Groupon®, or drive foot traffic through special, time-sensitive deals. Your business should be leveraging this new shopping channel. 5. Mobile is Local Not getting enough local attention for your business? Mobile marketing can help you by engaging local search -maps and directories that make it easy to find your front door. Tools like Google® Maps and local directories provide general information that include your location, contact and address. Enhance these tools with a mobile website that can turn traffic into customers by including easy-to-access information such as ‘About Us', ‘Find Us', ‘Hours of Operation', ‘Coupons'and ‘Reservations.' If your goal is to turn a local lead into a local sale - a mobile site may be just what you need.

IT Outsourcing: The Reasons, Risks and Rewards
By Corporate Computer Services, Inc. As the owner of a small company, you have probably entertained the thought of outsourcing some aspect of your business. The benefits of outsourcing seem obvious, touted by experts across numerous industries as the answer to cutting costs for business functions ranging from information technology to accounting, marketing and human resources; it seems possible that you could run an entire company without ever hiring a single employee. But is there more to outsourcing than the bottom line? What are the other reasons companies choose this route? What about ramifications for aspects of your business that are not so easily quantified? In this article, we'll discuss the 3 R's of outsourcing: Reasons, Risks and Rewards, specifically as they relate to information technology (IT). And, as a bonus, we'll provide some tips to help you manage successful relationships with your IT service providers (whether they are full-time staff, or outsourced).

The Reasons
According to the Outsourcing Institute's Outsourcing Index 2000, there are many reasons why companies outsource. Here are some of the top reasons:
1. Reduce and control operating costs. When you outsource, you eliminate the costs associated with hiring an employee, such as management oversight, training, health insurance, employment taxes, retirement plans etc. 2. Improve company focus. It is neither practical, nor possible to be a jack of all trades. Outsourcing lets you focus on your core competencies while another company focuses on theirs. 3. Gain access to exceptional capabilities. Your return on investment is so much greater when you outsource information technology to a firm that specializes in the areas you need. Instead of just the knowledge of one person, you benefit from the collective experience of a team of IT professionals. Outsourced IT companies usually require their IT staff to have proper industry training and certifications as well. 4. Free internal resources for other purposes. You may have someone in your office that is pretty good with computers or accounting, but most

likely these were not the jobs he or she was hired to do. If they are spending time taking care of these things, who is doing what they were hired to do? Outsourcing allows you to retain employees for their highest and best use, rather than wasting their time on things that may take them longer than someone who is trained in these specific areas. 5. Resources are not available internally. On the flip side, maybe you don't have anyone in your company who can manage your IT needs, and hiring a new employee is not in the budget. Outsourcing can be a feasible alternative, both for the interim and for the long-term. 6. Maximize restructuring benefits. When you are restructuring your company to improve costs, quality, service, or speed, your non-core business functions may get pushed aside. They still need to be handled, however, and outsourcing is an optimal way to do this. Don't sabotage your restructuring efforts by failing to keep up with non-core needs. 7. Function difficult to manage or out of control. This is definitely a scenario when outsourcing to experts can make a big difference. But don't make the mistake of thinking you can forget about the problem now that it's being "handled." You still need to be involved even after control is regained. 8. Make capital funds available. By outsourcing non-core business functions, you can spend your capital funds on items that are directly related to your product or your customers. 9. Reduce Risk. Keeping up with technology required to run your business is expensive and time consuming. Because professional outsourced IT providers work with multiple clients and need to keep up on industry best practices, they typically know what is right and what is not. This kind of knowledge and experience dramatically reduces your risk of implementing a costly wrong decision.

The Risks
Anytime you give someone else responsibility for an aspect of your business, whether a fulltime new hire or an outside vendor, there is risk involved. Did I hire the right person/company to do the job? Will they do what they are supposed to do? How will they "fit" with existing employees or departments? These are the questions that nag owners of small businesses when handing over the reigns to a new employee or vendor. According to Yvonne Lederer Anotucci in her article "The Pros and Cons of IT Outsourcing," business owners who consider outsourcing IT functions need to be aware of the following risks:
1. Some IT functions are not easily outsourced. IT affects an entire organization; from the simple tasks employees do everyday to the complex automated aspects. Be sure the outside vendor are qualified to take care of your greatest needs. 2. Control may be lost. Critics argue that an outside vendor will never be as effective as a full-time employee who is under the same management as other employees. Other concerns include confidentiality of data and disaster recovery. However, a supervisor that is knowledgeable in managing an IT staff member will usually be required. 3. Employee morale may be affected. This is particularly true if you will be laying off employees to replace their job functions with an outsourced firm. Other employees may wonder if their job is at risk, too.

4. You may get "locked in." If the vendor does not document their work on your network and system, or if you've had to purchase their proprietary software, you may feel like you can't go anywhere else or take back your network. Many outsourced companies require you to sign a year to year contract which limits flexibility.

Most of these risks can be avoided altogether if you know what to look for in a vendor and ask the right questions. Wondering how your current or prospective IT service provider stacks up? Take Corporate Computer Service's Support Provider Ranking Quiz at: www.corpcomputerservices.com/computer-support-quiz.php. These questions will get you thinking about what to ask and what to look for, whether you want to hire a full-time IT professional on staff, or outsource to a support provider.

The Rewards
Still not sure whether to outsource or not? According to Anotucci, who provided the list of risks outlined above, there are many rewards you can expect when you outsource your company's IT functions as well:
1. Access to the latest and greatest in technology. You may have noticed how rapidly software and hardware becomes obsolete in this industry. How is one staff person going to keep up-to-date with everything? Outsourcing gives you the benefit of having more than just one IT professional. And since it's the core competency of the company, they can give you sound advice to put your IT dollars to work for you. 2. Cost savings. Outsourcing your IT services provides financial benefits such as leaner overhead, bulk purchasing and leasing options for hardware and software, and software licenses, as well as potential compliance with government regulations. 3. High quality of staff. Since it's their core competency, outsourced IT vendors look to hire staff with specific qualifications and certifications. You may not know what to look for if you're hiring someone to be on staff fulltime, so you may hire the wrong person for the job. 4. Flexibility. Vendors have multiple resources available to them, while internal staff may have limited resources and capabilities. 5. Job security and burnout reduction for regular employees. Using an outsourced IT company removes the burden from your staff who has taken on more than he or she was hired for because "someone needs to do it." You will establish a better relationship with your employees when you let them do what they do best and what they were hired to do.

Conclusion:
Now that you have seen the risks and rewards associated with outsourcing the IT function of your business, there is a lot to think about. Whether you choose to outsource or hire internally, one thing is certain, you must know how to manage successful working relationships with your IT service providers. Let's face it, they're not always the easiest people in the world to understand and deal with, right? Here are some tips:
• • • Clearly form and communicate the goals and objectives of your project or business relationship. Have a strategic vision and plan for your project or relationship. Select the right vendor or new hire through research and references.

• • •

Insist on a contract or plan that includes all the expectations of the relationship, especially the financial aspect. Keep open communication with all affected individuals/groups. Rally support and involvement from decision makers involved.

View the benefits of outsourcing your IT to Corporate Computer Services, Inc.

About Corporate Computer Services, Inc.
Corporate Computer Services, Inc. is a professional outsourced computer service company serving small businesses in Orange County, California. Our specialties are network planning (network consulting), network projects, and ongoing network/computer maintenance. We pride ourselves on not only delivering the results you expect, but also being knowledgeable, systematic, accountable, trustworthy and easy to work with. To speak with a Support Advisor about the the computer support provided by Corporate Computer Services please call us at (949) 336-7227 x 3111.