Bumbling Burglars Prove Crime Doesn’t Pay Committing a crime will never be a get-rich-quick scheme or a successful career path, but we’ve had plenty of would-be criminals who had to learn that lesson the hard way! One example is James Sorby, a Scottish man who decided he wanted to cash in on the rising price of copper. As he thought about how to get his hands on the metal prized for its ability to conduct electricity, he decided it would be a good idea to go right to the source, so he targeted a local power plant in Leeds, West Yorkshire, England. As he started to carry out his mission, he forgot he was in a truly electric environment. He ignored the signs warning of the dangerous high-voltage lines in the plant. But as he collected coils of copper and prepared to make off with them, he was instantly jolted with an estimated 22,000 volts of electricity, and around 400 homes were left without power. He miraculously managed to survive, though with severe burns and a damaged skull, and was given 12 months of community service. Another man, Nicholas Mark, entered a Pennsylvania pizzeria looking for work, but he found something else instead. A tip jar containing over $200 caught his eye, so after filling out the application, Mark left. A few hours later, he returned, snatched the tip jar, and ran out of the restaurant. However, his getaway was short-lived, as his completed application had provided his real name and address. Plus, he left behind a backpack that verified his identity, so he was eventually caught by police.
As a law firm specializing in personal injury and disability cases, we frequently come across clients who have a lot of misunderstandings about how these claims work. Whether they’ve learned something from a friend, the media, or the internet, many people come into a case with expectations or beliefs that are just plain wrong. So, we thought it would be helpful to clear up some common personal injury and disability myths and misconceptions we’ve heard. That way, everyone can better understand what it takes to pursue justice in these situations. Disability Myths Myth No. 1: My lawyer can speed up the government process. Lawyers don’t have any special tricks to speed up the process of getting Social Security Disability benefits. In the last two years, there has been a slowdown at the SSA offices, causing the waiting time for disability cases to double. It can even take up to a year to get the first ruling on your claim. And most people have to appeal that ruling. Myth No. 2: The inability to work your previous job equals disability. Disability is not just about being unable to do your previous job. People with disabilities can often find other jobs they can do within their abilities. To receive disability, you must prove you are unable to work any job. Myth No. 3: More severe disability equals more benefits. Social Security benefits are not based on the severity of disability, unlike VA benefits. So, no, you don’t receive more money for having a more severe or limiting disability. Injury Law Myths Myth No. 1: Insurance companies will take care of you. Insurance companies are businesses that aim to make a profit. They’re only looking out for their bottom line, not your best interests. Myth No. 2: Pain will go away after an accident. If you have been in an accident, it’s essential to know that injuries from accidents can be different from usual aches and pains. They can last longer and even become worse over time. After a car wreck, always seek medical help immediately. This is good for your health, and it helps to protect your legal rights. Myth No. 3: Giving a recorded statement to the insurance company is mandatory. You are not required to give a recorded statement to insurance adjusters. It’s completely optional, and the only reason the insurance company wants it recorded is to use it against you later in court. Legal Reality Check Common Myths About Disability and Injury Claims — Debunked
Finally, Alberto Saavedra Lopez demonstrated why you can’t go back home to the scene
of your crime. While living in Cottonwood, Arizona, he stole $5,000 from the bank where he worked. For two years, he got away with it by moving to Phoenix. In time, however, he moved back to
Cottonwood and applied for a new job — at the local
police station. But, as he applied to become a dispatcher, officials did a background
check, discovering he was an at-large suspect in the theft. So, when he showed up for his job interview, they greeted him with handcuffs.
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