On May 15, 2025, Berman & Simmons led Sex Abuse Survivors Practice Group 2025: Trauma-Informed Training. The day-long training session centered on how lawyers can take a trauma-informed approach to legal advocacy. This is an important part of our practice of law, especially when working with survivors of sexual abuse and other forms of trauma....
Catastrophic Uber and Lyft Crashes in Maine By Attorney Elizabeth Kayatta Rideshare companies have rapidly expanded across Maine, putting an increasing number of app-based drivers behind the wheel when catastrophic collisions occur. It’s more important than ever to take an aggressive stance when going up against rideshare conglomerates like Uber and Lyft when serious...
Securing Full Settlement Value Personal injury cases can be challenging to navigate, particularly if you are unfamiliar with the legal system or the intricacies of insurance negotiations. When pursuing a personal injury case, the ultimate goal is to receive fair compensation for the damages you have suffered due to the accident. The value of your...
At Berman & Simmons, we get hundreds of inquiries a year. Unfortunately, there are many cases we don’t take on due to a variety of circumstances. Here is some information about the cases we handle, how to prepare for your first call to our firm and the information we need from you during the intake...
Nearly every day, the lawyers and staff at Berman & Simmons are contacted by Mainers who think they may have been harmed by misdiagnosis or other medical mistakes. Most donât know whether they have a case or not; they simply want to understand what happened, how it occurred, and how it can be prevented for others....
Mainers have access to excellent hospitals and doctors. But just like in the rest of America, Maineâs healthcare system is far from perfect. Doctors may not spend enough time with patients, there may be communication breakdowns, and there is increasing pressure to cut costs. When providers fail to meet the legally required standards of care, patients can be seriously injured or killed....
In the wake of serious injury caused by another personâs negligence, it is natural to feel overwhelmed and confused. Many people experience the same kinds of emotions and questions when trying to decide how to proceed....
Personal Injury clients come to Berman & Simmons in a number of different ways. Many clients are referred to us by other law firms or individual lawyers throughout Maine, New England, or around the country based on our reputation as the best plaintiffs' personal injury firm in Main and the gold standard in personal injury law....
The first thing for us is to determine, of course, is whether or not you have a valid claim. A bad result alone is not enough to establish negligence. This can take days, weeks, or even a period of months for more complex cases....
If youâre thinking about filing a personal injury claim, youâre probably wondering how much money you might be able to recover. If your claim is valid, there are many factors you and your lawyer will be considering to arrive at a reasonable estimate, but itâs important for you to first understand the types of damages for which you might be eligible....
The Journal of Patient Safety recently reported that as many as 440,000 Americans die each year from medical errors, and thousands more are seriously injured. That study ranked medical errors as the third leading cause of death in the U.S., behind only heart disease and cancer. The fact is, medical errors are all too common in hospitals and healthcare facilities. In this article, we discuss why medical errors happen, the different types of medical errors, and ways to help reducec the number of errors and related deaths. We also include some helpful resources for additional information. If you have been injured because of a medical error, contact Berman & Simmons for a free consultation. Our experienced medical malpractice lawyers can help determine if your healthcare provider failed you in any way....
Personal injury cases can be challenging to navigate, particularly if you are unfamiliar with the legal system or the intricacies of insurance negotiations. When pursuing a personal injury case, the ultimate goal is to receive fair compensation for the damages you have suffered due to the accident. The value of your settlement will depend on...
Accidents can happen unexpectedly, leaving individuals with the burden of medical expenses. In such situations, insurance coverage can provide significant relief while a lawsuit is being pursued. In many situations, different types of insurance may help an injured person manage their medical bills following an accident. Understanding how an insurance company pays accident-related medical bills...
Being involved in a car accident can be a confusing and stressful experience. In addition to the physical and emotional toll of the accident, there may be various legal and financial issues to consider. The accident report is one of the most important documents to understand following a car accident. This report can provide valuable...
The challenges, struggles, and upheaval that follow a serious brain injury can overwhelm even the most resilient individuals and families. A traumatic brain injury (TBI) can deprive a person of their independence, mobility, ability to work, or even the capacity to manage basic self-care. Brain injury acquired through trauma rarely occurs in insolation. It is...
Failing to yield the right of way significantly contributes to many car accidents. A driver who fails to yield can cause a collision, resulting in property damage, injuries, and even fatalities. When a driver fails to yield, they can be held responsible for any damages that result from the crash. When Failing to Yield Can...
Every day, people in Maine are injured through no fault of their own and need to contact a lawyer. They may be overwhelmed by the physical, financial, and emotional impacts of the injury, and the task of speaking with a lawyer can seem daunting and stressful. ...
From the first day of preschool through high school or college graduation, parents and children trust teachers, administrators, and mentors to educate, inspire, and encourage. Teachers are some of the most committed, hard-working, and underappreciated individuals you’ll ever find, dedicating their careers to helping students grow and become their best selves. Sometimes, however, an educator...
Few relationships are as deeply personal and sensitive as that between a doctor and patient. We trust physicians and medical institutions not only for their knowledge, expertise, and skill but also for their professionalism, discretion, and ethics. We share our most private information with them and allow them to touch us and engage in physical...
Youth sports provide kids with opportunities to learn about teamwork and perseverance, improve their skills, exercise, and have fun. It may also be the ticket to scholarships, higher education and a professional athletic career for a select few. Unfortunately, youth sports also provide ample opportunities for sexual predators to misuse their positions of authority and...