A concern that clients with a pending personal injury claim or lawsuit frequently have is about what will become of their case if, tragically, they pass away before the case is concluded. The answer depends on the specific circumstances of the case in question. If the death was the result of injuries suffered in the accident, the heirs of the decedent can include the wrongful death of their loved one, and all the financial and other damages that flowed from that death, as a part of their claim against the at-fault party. If the death was the result of some medical condition or event unrelated to the case, the case must be reviewed very carefully to determine whether, without the plaintiff’s availability to testify at trial, all the elements to prove the case are available. The potential value of the case must also be considered and weighed against the complexity of the necessary estate proceedings. When a person dies, either with a will or without, a representative of the estate must be appointed by the Surrogate Court to continue the case the decedent had at the time of death. Depending upon who survived the WHAT HAPPENS TO MY CASE IF SOMETHING HAPPENS TO ME?
decedent and other factors, this can be relatively straightforward or extraordinarily complex.
This past month, we successfully settled a case for the estate of a client who had retained us after he was injured in a car accident. He was a middle-aged man with a wife and young children, and he tragically died as a result of circumstances that had nothing whatsoever to do with the subject accident. By the time he passed away, he had already completed an extensive course of medical treatment for the injuries from the car accident. It was our privilege to resolve the case favorably so our client’s widow and children could receive the compensation he was entitled to receive had he lived. If you have any questions or concerns about what might happen to a case if the claimant/plaintiff passes away before the case is concluded, please call us. We will review the specific circumstances of your situation and offer guidance.
Rhubarb Oat Bars
SUDOKU
Inspired by TasteOfHome.com
Ingredients
• •
1 1/2 cups fresh rhubarb, chopped 1 cup packed brown sugar, divided
• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour • 1/2 cup sweetened shredded coconut • 1/2 tsp salt • 1/3 cup butter, melted
• 1 tsp fresh lemon juice • 4 tbsp water, divided • 4 tsp cornstarch • 1 cup old-fashioned oats
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350 F and grease an 8-inch square baking dish. 2. In a medium saucepan, bring rhubarb, 1/2 cup brown sugar, lemon juice, and 3 tbsp water to a boil. 3. Reduce heat to medium and cook until rhubarb is tender (about 5 minutes). 4. In a small bowl, combine cornstarch and remaining water, stirring until smooth. 5. Gradually add to the rhubarb mixture, return to a boil, and cook until thickened. Remove from heat and set aside. 6. In a large bowl, combine oats, flour, coconut, salt, and remaining brown sugar. Stir in butter until mixture is crumbly. 7. Press half of the oat mixture into the prepared baking dish, spread rhubarb mixture on top, then sprinkle with remaining oat mixture. 8. Bake 25–30 minutes until golden brown. Cool completely before enjoying!
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