In personal injury law, damages are meant to restore what was lost. Medical bills, lost income, physical pain, and emotional suffering all factor into how courts attempt to make an injured person whole. Yet in many states, there is an artificial ceiling on how much compensation a victim can receive—regardless of how severe the harm…
In personal injury cases, the accident scene often tells the most important story. Skid marks, debris patterns, vehicle damage, sightlines, lighting, and timing can all determine who was at fault and how an injury occurred. But in many modern cases, that physical scene no longer exists by the time lawyers and experts begin their work….
In serious personal injury cases, the truth is rarely confined to police reports and medical records alone. When large sums of money, long-term care, or permanent disability are at stake, both plaintiffs and defendants scrutinize every detail. This is where private investigators often enter the picture. At Alan Ripka & Associates, we believe injury law…
For injury victims, the legal system is supposed to offer resolution, accountability, and a path forward after harm. Yet for many plaintiffs, justice is delayed not because of weak cases or legal complexity, but because courts themselves are overwhelmed. Court backlogs have become a defining challenge in personal injury litigation, quietly reshaping outcomes for those…
In personal injury law, compensation is meant to restore what was taken by negligence—health, income, stability, and dignity. Yet over the past several decades, legislative changes known as tort reform have reshaped how much injured people can recover, and in many cases, whether they can recover at all. At Alan Ripka & Associates, we believe…
In personal injury cases, most people focus on visible evidence: accident reports, photographs, witness statements, and medical narratives. Yet one of the most influential—and least understood—factors in injury claim valuation is far more technical: medical billing codes. Behind every doctor’s visit, diagnostic test, or physical therapy session is a system of numerical codes that quietly…
In personal injury cases, medical evidence often determines everything. Your diagnosis, treatment history, and prognosis shape how insurers value your claim and how juries understand your injuries. Yet one of the most misunderstood—and most strategically used—tools in injury litigation is the Independent Medical Exam, commonly called an IME. Despite the name, IMEs are rarely “independent”…
After an accident, getting medical care should be straightforward. You’re hurt, you see a doctor, and you focus on recovery. Yet many injury victims are surprised to hear a physician ask an unexpected question: “Are you involved in a lawsuit?” For some patients, the answer can abruptly end the appointment. At Alan Ripka & Associates,…
Structured settlements are often presented as a responsible solution in serious personal injury cases. Instead of a single lump-sum payment, an injured person receives periodic payments over time, sometimes for decades. In theory, this approach offers financial stability, tax advantages, and protection against impulsive spending. But in practice, structured settlements can go wrong—sometimes catastrophically. When…
For many injury victims, a verdict or major settlement brings relief, validation, and the promise of security after months or years of hardship. But sudden wealth—especially when it arrives after trauma—can create serious legal and financial risks if it is not handled carefully. At Alan Ripka & Associates, we often remind clients that winning a…
