Yesterday, I learned that a friend of mine died early this year. His name was Marvin Lanter. Marvin was a trial lawyer, like me. You can still find his website, his law firm, and YouTube videos of Marvin Lanter online. The first thing everyone noticed was the accent. Marvin was raised in a Jewish New York neighborhood. I met Marvin...
Pain, especially pain that doesn't quit, changes a person. And rarely for the better. The consequences of persistent pain extend well beyond the agonizing sensations of pain itself. Unremitting pain robs a person of the ability to enjoy life, maintain important relationships, fulfill spousal and parental responsibilities, perform well at a job or work at all. Pain may be invisible but,...
In legal terms, “emotional distress” or “mental anguish” has four identifiable aspects for a jury to consider: 1. grief and sorrow 2. worry, anxiety, and fear 3. loss of enjoyment of life 4. loss of self-identify or an inability to obtain self-satisfaction Many people, many jurors in fact, will ask rhetorically: Are these really damages we should compensate for in a personal injury case? This same juror...
