New London Connecticut Legal Blog

Respectful communication goes a long way in a divorce

On behalf of Suisman Shapiro Attorneys-at-Law posted in Divorce on Wednesday, September 19, 2018.

Handling the logistical nightmare that a divorce brings can be challenging. You have to think about where you are going to live if you are the one leaving the marital home. Changing your mailing address and working through the divorce matters can all be a lot to handle. We can't take care of everything for you, but we can work with you on the divorce case so that you can focus on other areas of your life.

When you file for divorce, you will still need to communicate with your ex, at least in the short term. Many couples opt to use mediation or collaborative methods to resolve the matters necessary for the end of the marriage to be finalized. This requires communication between you and your ex, even if that is through your respective attorneys.

Practical tips for anyone going through a divorce

On behalf of Suisman Shapiro Attorneys-at-Law posted in Divorce on Friday, September 14, 2018.

The process of divorce is one that can impact people differently. If you are in the midst of a divorce or realize that your marriage is ending, consider these tips to help you as work through the legal process.

One of the most important things that you can do is to plan for the future. Just because your marriage is ending, that doesn't mean that you won't ever live your best life again. Think about how you can make decisions that will improve your future. This can make life more manageable for you down the road.

Preparing for the new school year after a divorce

On behalf of Suisman Shapiro Attorneys-at-Law posted in Divorce on Wednesday, September 12, 2018.

The beginning of a new school year is a stressful time in many Connecticut households, and preparing for the academic year ahead can be especially difficult for divorced parents. However, experts say that the pressures this time of year places on co-parenting arrangements may sometimes actually strengthen parental bonds and help divorced spouses to become more comfortable with their new domestic situations.

Children who will be attending new schools are often apprehensive. Divorced parents could help their children to deal with these issues by telling them about their own school experiences and how most of their fears turned out to be unfounded. Experts say that discussing their goals and trepidations with their parents can help children to prepare for the challenges they will face, and they also encouraged divorced spouses to have these conversations together whenever possible.

Cumulative trauma injuries can greatly alter your life

On behalf of Suisman Shapiro Attorneys-at-Law posted in Workers' Compensation on Friday, September 7, 2018.

Going into work should be a safe activity for you. There isn't any reason why workers should have to worry about hazards harming them in the workplace. When there are dangers caused by the work duties, the employers should have proper safety protocol in place to help reduce the risk of workers being injured. Unfortunately, there are still far too many incidents that occur in the workplace that harm workers.

One of the risks that many employees face is the cumulative trauma injury. This is something that happens over time, so you won't notice definitive signs that something is amiss right away. Instead, you might think that you are just having some soreness and aches due to the normal working conditions. We know this doesn't make it any easier to deal with but you should be watchful so you can address these matters early.

A refresher on sharing the road with school buses

On behalf of Suisman Shapiro Attorneys-at-Law on Thursday, September 6, 2018.

With school back in session, it can take time to adjust to school buses being back on the roads. Drivers throughout Connecticut need to reacquaint themselves with the rules around school buses.

Here are a few reminders of what’s expected of motorists when driving around school buses:

Prepare for autumn driving hazards

On behalf of Suisman Shapiro Attorneys-at-Law posted in personal injury on Friday, August 31, 2018.

Driving around to see the beautiful fall foliage is a welcome activity for many people. If you are planning on heading out to do this, you must ensure that you are prepared for driving in this season.

You might not think of autumn as a season with specific hazards. Here are a few to remember as you head out the door:

The glaring sun can make it difficult to see, so choose polarized sunglasses as part of your driving gear
Leaves that have fallen are slippery, so don't brake quickly on them
Deer and other wildlife might cross the roads, so remain watchful for them
Your eyes need time to adjust to the light outside, so plan for a couple of minutes for this before you pull out of the driveway
Fall rains can make driving conditions treacherous, so remember to avoid slamming on your breaks and steer into a skid if you hydroplane

Fewer fatalities with rural traffic roundabouts

On behalf of Suisman Shapiro Attorneys-at-Law posted in Car Accidents on Monday, August 27, 2018.

Rural Connecticut roads might be safer if developers replace traffic-light intersections with roundabouts. While traffic lights reduce the number of accidents overall, the crashes that do occur are more likely to lead to severe injuries. There are not fewer accidents with roundabouts, but there are fewer fatalities and serious injuries.

The North Carolina Department of Transportation is building a number of roundabouts throughout the state as part of the Vision Zero program. The initiative, which started in Sweden and has spread through the world, is aimed at reducing road fatalities to zero. One of the roundabouts built in North Carolina cost about $1.2 million, but according to state engineers, it will save $2.5 million annually in costs related to accidents. An 89 percent reduction in injuries is also estimated. One reason roundabouts tend to be safer is that instead of estimating how long it will take to get through an intersection, drivers need only check traffic on the left.

Social Security Disability has some work options possible

On behalf of Suisman Shapiro Attorneys-at-Law posted in social security disability on Wednesday, August 22, 2018.

People who have worked for a living and become disabled before they are able to retire from work might file for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). This coverage is only for people who meet requirements for the work they've done, such as having enough work credits.

Some people think that this program is charity, but it isn't. You've paid into the program with each paycheck you earned. There are many different things you need to know if you are getting SSDI. One of these is that you can't have substantial gainful activity that results in an income, but there are some exceptions to this.

Plan for the legal end of your marriage if it is beyond repair

On behalf of Suisman Shapiro Attorneys-at-Law posted in Divorce on Thursday, August 16, 2018.

When you feel like your marriage is failing, you have an important decision to make. You need to think about whether your marriage is worth fighting for or if you are ready to let it go. If the answer is that you are ready to just call it quits, it might be time to initiate a divorce. We are here to help you explore the option of divorcing your spouse and to work with you throughout the process.

You might be surprised by the range of emotions you feel as your marriage ends. You may mourn all the things you missed sharing with your soon-to-be ex-spouse. Trying to cope with these feelings of loss can be difficult, but you should try to focus on the new experiences that you will be able to enjoy once you are single again.

Preventing the impact of drowsy driving

On behalf of Suisman Shapiro Attorneys-at-Law posted in Car Accidents on Wednesday, August 15, 2018.

Drowsy driving is a widespread trend that has inspired various safety initiatives, including the National Sleep Foundation's Drowsy Driving Prevention Week and HHS' Healthy People 2020 program. Drivers in Connecticut should respond by learning what the dangers are and doing what they can to avoid drowsy driving.

Half of all adults in the U.S. admit to driving drowsy, according to the American Sleep Foundation, and more than 20 percent even admit to falling asleep behind the wheel. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that there are 100,000 police-reported crashes every year due to drowsy driving while a study from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety puts the number at 328,000.