Scura Law Blog | New Jersey Lawyers

I Wish Someone Told Me Sooner - Special Webinar on Medical Directives & Powers of Attorney

Scura, Wigfield, Heyer, Stevens & Cammarota, LLP, attorneys Peter Cammarota and Joe Hallock feature in this new special webinar. In this collaboration with New Jersey’s Seton Hall Alumni Association, we discuss living wills and their legal ramifications. At any moment, a person might need to make a decision to compose their own living will in preparation for a potential medical emergency. Attorneys need to be there to help these individuals and their families traverse the difficult terrain of this territory, preparing for the worst and being ready to cover all the potential problems that might arise as a result.

This video is a primer for those who need to know. You will learn the legal terms, hear examples of these topics in action, in order to prepare a living will in the state of New Jersey. Our attorneys will aim to answer any question you may have about the powers of an Attorney-in-Fact, the Advance Directive, and living wills. You will learn how the Power of Attorney functions in the state, as well as thoroughly understanding what documents you will need to have in order to process and deal with this troubling, legal challenge.

In short, we will examine the following:
1. What is an Advance Directive?
2. How does a Power of Attorney work?
3. What important documents do I need?
4. What happens if a family member is unable to make any medical or financial decisions as a result of incapacity?

The Rise in Health Insurance Costs and Medical Bills And How Bankruptcy Can Help

Unlike other financial issues such as credit card debt, medical debt is not caused by unwise monetary choices, but rather it is often caused by unforeseen circumstances. The issue is cyclical: You are in debt because of unforeseen medical circumstances and the financial stress that comes with these additional medical expenses causes you to get sicker and deeper into medical debt.

Medical Debt As a Factor In Personal Bankruptcy

As previously discussed in this blog, medical debt can cause huge burdens on individuals in New Jersey and elsewhere. When medical expenses add up and individuals or families are unable to timely pay their medical bills, they could encounter serious financial problems. Unlike other financial issues such as credit card debt, medical debt is not caused by unwise monetary choices but rather it often occurs because of unforeseen circumstances.

Elements of a New Jersey Wrongful Death Claim

The loss of a loved one is a difficult event to process. The magnitude of the emotions and impacts could increase if their family member lost their life due to the negligence of another. Whether it was a fatal car accident, work accident, property incident or a fatal injury from a defective product, loved ones in New Jersey should understand their options regarding legal remedies and offsetting the financial burdens associated with the fatal accident.

Looking for Help Dealing with Outstanding Medical Debt?

Are you saddled with medical debt and feeling that there is no way out? If you are, then bankruptcy is an option that you might want to consider.

Should Medical Debt Harm Your Credit Score?

People throughout New Jersey have probably seen reports that medical debt is the leading cause of bankruptcy in the United States. In fact, the Federal Reserve reported that last year two out of every five Americans have received a lower credit score because of unpaid medical bills, and nearly one out of every six credit reports lists a medical collection debt.

Organization Tackles Subject of Overwhelming Patient Medical Debt

Both the media specifically and the American public generally have recently become increasingly insistent that Congress act to address the issue of overwhelming medical debt. It is now a well-known fact that the majority of personal bankruptcies filed in the U.S. today result primarily from overly burdensome medical bills. Certain members of Congress have vowed to address this issue comprehensively. As a response to this commitment, the Healthcare Financial Management Association (HFMA) is trying to stay ahead of the curve.

Ask a Personal Injury Lawyer: Problems with Medicare Liens

A recurring issue our New Jersey injury lawyers have noticed involves valuing Medicare and Medicaid (collectively referred to as Medicare) liens. Failure to identify and satisfy these liens in your personal injury lawsuit could wipe out or greatly reduce the money that you recover.

Medical Debt Still a Big Reason to Consider Personal Bankruptcy

It's been nearly a year and a half since federal health insurance reform passed. But it doesn't take full effect until next year. And in the meantime, medical bills continue to be a major factor in the decision to file for bankruptcy.

In fact, the role of medical debt in bankruptcy is actually increasing. The percentage of people who identify healthcare debt as the main reason for seeking bankruptcy protection is now at 20 percent, according to a recent analysis by CredAbility, a nonprofit agency that does credit counseling. Only two years ago, that figure was only 12 to 13 percent.

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