Columbia Legal Issues Blog

Bankruptcy can provide relief from health care expenses

On behalf of Law Offices of Marc A. Ominsky posted in bankruptcy on Wednesday, October 30, 2019.

The quality of health care in the United States is considered by many to be among the best in the world. This is no less true in Maryland, home of The Johns Hopkins Hospital, which is considered by many to be among the best hospitals in the nation. The high quality of health care can also come at a high cost. People who have suffered unexpected medical emergencies often end up with high amounts of debt. Bankruptcy can offer people assistance with resolving the problems that mounting health care bills can cause.

In one case, a woman was having breathing issues and found out from her physician that she needed open heart surgery to replace a faulty valve in her heart. Complications that resulted from the surgery required her to remain in the hospital for more than a month. The resulting medical bills amounted to over $600,000, and though the woman was employed, she did not have medical insurance available through her job.

Fatal motor vehicle accidents continue to plague roadways

On behalf of Law Offices of Marc A. Ominsky posted in motor vehicle accidents on Monday, October 14, 2019.

Maryland traffic can be treacherous as the number of cars on local roadways has increased in recent years. The increase in motor vehicle accidents has lead to an uptick in the number of accidents that result in fatalities. There was one such accident on a recent afternoon in La Plata.

At about 4:00 in the afternoon, police responded to an accident near Laurel Springs Park. The initial accident report indicated that an SUV had collided with an ice cream truck that was travelling in the opposite direction. A motorcycle travelling behind the ice cream truck was also caught up in the accident.

Bankruptcy can be an issue for small business in down economy

On behalf of Law Offices of Marc A. Ominsky posted in bankruptcy on Tuesday, October 1, 2019.

Small business is a significant engine that drive the economy in Maryland and around the country. The people who establish and run small businesses employ a large percentage of the American workforce. In good economic times, these companies typically remain strong. During an economic downturn, concerns of possible bankruptcy may evolve. A new law goes into effect in 2020 that may help alleviate that concern.

The Small Business Reorganization Act of 2019 includes many provisions that should make life somewhat easier for small business owners during down economic times. Under the new law, a business carrying less than $2,725,625 in debt will have 90 days to come up with a reorganization plan. The plan does not have to eliminate the debt in order for the business to continue operating. There is also an increase in the time allowed for paying administrative expenses associated with the bankruptcy filing.

Facing charges for DUI/DWI can be daunting

On behalf of Law Offices of Marc A. Ominsky posted in dui/dwi on Tuesday, September 17, 2019.

Drinking and driving is generally considered to be an unsafe driving practice in Maryland and elsewhere. Regardless of this fact, it is a frequent occurrence and facing charges for DUI/DWI can be a scary experience. That fear can be significantly enhanced if another person was seriously injured or killed as a result of the accident.

In an incident on a recent Tuesday night, a motorcyclist was struck by a driver who was attempting to make a left-hand turn. The driver hit the motorcycle as he was turning into a driveway. The motorcyclist was seriously injured.

Maintaining mental stamina is important during divorce

On behalf of Law Offices of Marc A. Ominsky on Friday, September 13, 2019.

Going through any major change in life can bring about mixed emotions. Even if you know the change is for the best, you may still worry about what it could mean for your future. In particular, you may have concerns about how you will handle your pending divorce.

Whether you are the person who initiated the proceedings or your spouse broke the news, you now face a complex process ahead. During this time, you may easily feel overwhelmed and want to focus on making the right decisions regarding your case. While participating in your case is certainly wise, you also need to help yourself handle the personal changes that will come along with ending your marriage.

Chapter 12 bankruptcy can provide relief for family farmers

On behalf of Law Offices of Marc A. Ominsky posted in bankruptcy on Tuesday, September 3, 2019.

Farmers are a vital part of the American economy as they provide food to people in the United States and around the world. Farmers in Maryland and elsewhere have faced economic challenges caused in part by weather related issues, and newly imposed tariffs are also having an impact. As a result, there has been an uptick in filings for bankruptcy under Chapter 12, which allows farmers to reorganize their debt and pay it back on a seasonally adjusted schedule.

The year 2019 was particularly hard for farmers where the weather was concerned. A very wet spring delayed the planting season, which, in turn, had a negative impact on crop yields. This, coupled with the effect the farmers felt from the tariffs, has led to a difficult year for American farmers.

Scooters can become involved in motor vehicle accidents

On behalf of Law Offices of Marc A. Ominsky posted in motor vehicle accidents on Thursday, August 22, 2019.

Summer is a time when people head to the beach for a little rest and relaxation. Scooters have become a popular form of transportation this summer as can be seen in the beach communities of Maryland. Like motorcycles, they may be hard to see and drivers need to remain vigilant in order to prevent motor vehicle accidents. A tragic accident in Ocean City resulted in the death of a young man.

The incident occurred when the 20-year-old was riding a scooter along Route 50. A car driven by a 21-year-old male was attempting to make a U-turn on the highway near Inlet Isle. The accident happened about 8:30 p.m.

Drunk driving the cause of many motor vehicle accidents

On behalf of Law Offices of Marc A. Ominsky posted in motor vehicle accidents on Wednesday, August 7, 2019.

Summertime is a time for socializing with friends and enjoying the warm weather. Often the experience includes alcohol. It is possible for a person to not be aware of how alcohol may impact his or her ability to safely drive a car. Impaired drivers cause many of the fatal motor vehicle accidents that occur in Maryland.

Early on a recent morning police were called to the scene of a crash where a vehicle had collided with a utility pole. When officers arrived, there was no sign of the driver but they found a passenger who was unconscious. The passenger was pronounced dead at the scene as a result of severe trauma produced by injuries suffered in the crash.

Bankruptcy can provide a new beginning

On behalf of Law Offices of Marc A. Ominsky posted in bankruptcy on Thursday, July 25, 2019.

Contrary to the view of some that bankruptcy is a sign of failure, it can actually provide a solution to a difficult problem. Bankruptcy can provide an opportunity for a new beginning in Maryland and a clean slate from which to rebuild a solid financial future. What leads a person to bankruptcy is frequently circumstances completely beyond one's control. Divorce and medical bills can cause one to incur unanticipated debt.

A couple who are facing divorce may be able to facilitate an equitable settlement through filing for bankruptcy. A couple who has significant consumer debt, that may be difficult for the couple to manage as newly single people, can possibly alleviate the debt through a bankruptcy filing. Freeing themselves from the heavy debt load enables the two to start building a new and more secure financial future. Likewise, bankruptcy could provide relief from extensive medical bills accrued through an unforeseen illness.

If a California officer asks you to exit your vehicle

On behalf of Law Offices of Marc A. Ominsky on Sunday, July 21, 2019.

Summer is in full swing, and you've been enjoying some down time, perhaps attending a concert or two, going to the beach, or getting together with friends for a backyard barbecue. These types of activities often include alcohol consumption, which isn't necessarily a problem but might be if you drink then get behind the wheel of a car to drive.

Driving under the influence of alcohol is a crime in California and all other states. The easiest way to avoid an arrest, of course, is to abstain from alcohol if you plan to drive. That doesn't guarantee anything, however, because there have been many incidents where perfectly sober people have been arrested on suspicion of drunk driving. If a police officer pulls you over and asks you to get out of your car, you can bet he or she thinks you've been drinking.