The Carolina Justice Report is a podcast from The Lovely Law Firm, located in Myrtle Beach, SC. The podcast features information, interviews and commentary on personal injury law, criminal law and community safety topics.
The Lovely Law Firm represents clients in Myrtle Beach and surrounding areas with criminal and personal injury cases.
https://www.justiceislovely.com/
Firms past performance and experience does not guarantee future results. No fee if no recovery. Injury cases are handled on a contingency fee calculated before expenses from gross recovery. Costs are paid by the client regardless of outcome.
The Lovely Law Firm is located at 1053 London St., Myrtle Beach, SC 29577 Justin M. Lovely
Ultra-processed foods are everywhere—and now they're fueling a national health crisis. In this episode of The Carolina Justice Report, Justin Lovely, Amy Lawrence, Sarah Austin and Sharde Crawford discuss the rising litigation against food industry giants whose chemically engineered products have led to type 2 diabetes diagnoses in children.
We break down the NOVA food classification system, reveal how tobacco companies shifted into the food industry using addiction science, and explain why this new wave of lawsuits matters—especially to parents trying to feed their kids on a budget.
If your child has been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and there’s no family history, this episode is a must-listen. Learn how you can join the fight to hold these corporations accountable.
👉 Follow us on social media and YouTube 📞 Call us if your family has been affected: we’re here to help.
How Ultra-Processed Foods Harm Children Children are particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of ultra-processed foods, as recent studies have proven. The high levels of added sugars, unhealthy fats, and artificial additives can lead to several serious health conditions in those under the age of 18, even when they have no previous family history of the conditions.
Connection Between Ultra-Processed Foods & Type-2 Diabetes Research indicates a strong correlation between the intake of ultra-processed foods and the development of type-2 diabetes These foods often have a high glycemic index, leading to rapid spikes in blood sugar levels. Over time, this can cause a child to develop insulin resistance, which is a precursor to type-2 diabetes. Notably, cases have recently emerged where children without a family history of diabetes develop the condition, suggesting that diet plays a pivotal role.
Connection Between Ultra-Processed Foods & Fatty Liver Disease NAFLD is characterized by the accumulation of fat in the liver that is unrelated to alcohol consumption. Diets high in fructose and saturated fats, as well as in ultra-processed foods, are significant contributors. The condition can progress to more severe liver diseases if not addressed or if the diet is not adjusted accordingly.
Ultra-Processed Food Type-2 Diabetes Lawsuit Updates In December 2024, a lawsuit was filed in the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas against major food companies, including Kraft Heinz, Mondelez, and Coca-Cola. The plaintiff, Bryce Martinez, alleges that he developed type-2 diabetes and NAFLD at the age of 16 and claims they developed due to consuming their ultra-processed products. The lawsuit accuses these companies of marketing addictive and harmful foods to children without notifying them of the potential health risks. The lawsuit draws parallels to tactics historically used by tobacco companies.
On January 31, 2025, a study from the Catholic University of Valencia highlighted additional concerns, showing that ultra-processed foods may impact dental and jaw development in young children. The research study found that children who frequently consumed these types of foods had narrower gaps between baby teeth, potentially leading to misalignment as adult teeth emerged. Beyond dental issues, the study also reinforces the link between ultra-processed foods and metabolic disorders, chronic inflammation, and fatty liver disease. As more lawsuits emerge, legal teams are using this research to demonstrate that food companies failed to warn consumers about the risks.
As of February 4, 2025, lawsuits against ultra-processed food manufacturers are gaining more momentum as new research continues to expose the dangers of these products. On February 4, 2025, a study from JAMA was released from the CHILD Cohort Study that followed over 2,200 children and found that nearly half of their daily calorie intake came from ultra-processed foods. Researchers linked higher consumption at age three to increased BMI and a 19% greater likelihood of obesity by age five, particularly in boys. This growing pool of scientific evidence strengthens the legal claims for a type-2 diabetes lawsuit from ultra-processed food against food manufacturers. These lawsuits are essentially arguing that these companies knowingly marketed unhealthy products that contribute to serious health conditions like type-2 diabetes. If your child has developed type-2 diabetes due to consuming ultra-processed foods, The Lovely Law Firm is ready to provide legal guidance and help you pursue justice if you wish to sue for type-2 diabetes from ultra-processed food.
In this episode of The Carolina Justice Report Podcast, Justin Lovely and Sarah Austin dive into the complexities of motorcycle accident cases. As active members of the Myrtle Beach biker community, they have seen firsthand how injured motorcyclists often believe they can’t pursue a claim because they think they are at fault. However, this isn't always the case, and it’s crucial not to give up without a thorough investigation.
Justin and Sarah explain how motorcycle accidents are often wrongly assessed by police, especially when motorcyclists are too injured to provide their side of the story at the scene. They explore the concept of modified comparative negligence in South Carolina, which allows motorcyclists to recover compensation even if they are partially at fault—as long as they are not more than 50% at fault.
This episode also covers single-bike accidents, passenger claims, and the importance of a comprehensive investigation, even when you think no one else is responsible. From roadway defects to other vehicles clipping you unknowingly, Justin and Sarah emphasize why every motorcycle accident case should be thoroughly reviewed.
If you or someone you know has been involved in a motorcycle accident, this episode provides valuable insight into how to navigate the legal process and ensure your rights are protected.
Key Takeaways:
In this episode of The Carolina Justice Report Podcast, Justin Lovely and Sarah Austin discuss the growing issues of road congestion and road rage in Myrtle Beach. With a rapidly growing population and an influx of tourists, traffic has become more congested than ever. This increase in road usage has led to more accidents and a significant rise in road rage incidents.
Justin and Sarah break down key statistics from recent reports on the busiest roads in Horry County, such as Highway 501 and Highway 31, which have seen a dramatic increase in daily traffic. They explore how road rage incidents can escalate quickly and offer practical advice on how to protect yourself while driving in high-traffic areas.
Whether you're a local resident or a tourist, this episode offers crucial safety tips for navigating Myrtle Beach's crowded roads and handling road rage situations. Learn about the legal implications of road rage accidents and how punitive damages can apply in these cases.
If you've been involved in a road rage incident or a traffic-related accident, Justin and Sarah explain how to ensure your legal rights are protected and what steps to take for a successful case.
Key Takeaways:
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In this eye-opening episode of The Carolina Justice Report Podcast, Justin Lovely and Sarah Austin dive deep into the often-overlooked issue of dog bites, particularly how they impact children and their families. With the start of the school year, children are more likely to encounter unfamiliar dogs, leading to an increase in dog bite incidents. Justin and Sarah share their extensive experience handling these cases, discussing the physical, emotional, and financial tolls that dog bites can take on young victims and their families.
They also explore the challenges of representing children in these cases, from the initial injury and scarring to the long-term psychological effects. Whether it's a toddler bitten in the face or a school-aged child struggling with bullying due to disfigurement, the attorneys at The Lovely Law Firm are committed to securing the compensation these families need for medical bills, future scar revisions, and ongoing mental health support.
Tune in to learn more about the legal intricacies of dog bite cases, the importance of thorough documentation, and the strategies used to navigate complex insurance issues. If you or a loved one has been affected by a dog bite, this episode is a must-listen for understanding your rights and the steps to take toward recovery.
Key Takeaways:
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Episode Title: Unmasking Power: The Dark Allegations Against P Diddy Episode Description: In this episode, we dive deep into the shocking allegations against music mogul P Diddy, also known as Puff Daddy, brought forward by Cassie. We explore the detailed complaint, the power dynamics at play, and the broader implications for society. Join us as we unravel the complexities of this high-profile case and discuss the systemic issues surrounding abuse, celebrity, and justice. #thecarolinajusticereport
Key Topics Discussed:
Introduction to the Case:
Detailed Allegations:
Description of the various forms of abuse Cassie allegedly endured, including physical, sexual, and emotional abuse.
Immediate Aftermath:
P Diddy's quick settlement following the filing of the complaint.
Cultural and Societal Context:
Comparisons to other high-profile abuse cases involving celebrities like Bill Cosby, R. Kelly, and Harvey Weinstein.
Legal and Systemic Issues:
The role of statutes of limitations in sexual assault cases.
Support Systems for Victims:
The importance of having empathetic and experienced legal representation.
Broader Implications and Reflections:
The role of the community and media in advocating for victims and holding abusers accountable.
Guest Speakers:
Resources Mentioned:
Call to Action: If you or someone you know is experiencing abuse, please reach out to the resources mentioned or contact a trusted legal professional. It's important to seek help and know that you are not alone.
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Unraveling the Micah Miller Case
Episode Description: In this gripping episode of The Carolina Justice Report, we dive deep into the tragic and complex case of Micah Miller. Micah was found dead under suspicious circumstances, and while her death has been ruled a suicide, numerous questions and allegations suggest there might be more to the story. Join us as we explore the details, controversies, and ongoing investigations surrounding this case. #justiceformica #micamiller #thecarolinajusticereport
If you want to watch this on Youtube click here: https://youtu.be/yyoqTxl8EPo?si=Tfh6dpMpipIhkRVn
Show Notes:
0:00 – Introduction to the Micah Miller Case
0:35 – Background of Micah Miller
1:23 – Micah’s Support System
2:05 – Allegations and Witness Accounts
3:28 – Detailed Overview of the Case
4:01 – Personal Connection to Micah
5:01 – JP Miller’s Behavior
6:17 – The Church Community’s Response
7:11 – Personal Accounts of Micah’s Life
8:04 – Unusual Circumstances Surrounding Micah’s Death
10:05 – Community and Online Reactions
11:01 – Investigations and Legal Complications
12:22 – Host’s Reflections on the Case
13:40 – Calls to Action
Closing Remarks
Contact Information:
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Dive into the unique world where the passion for motorcycles meets the precision of law with Noel Leonard and Chris Klotz, personal injury lawyers from Alabama and Pensacola who share a deep love for biking. In this episode, they discuss the intersection of their professional and personal lives, offering insights into the challenges and advantages of being both avid bikers and experienced lawyers. From helmet laws across different states to personal anecdotes about the importance of safety gear, Noel and Chris provide invaluable advice for fellow bikers, all while navigating the complexities of motorcycle law. Whether you're a motorcycle enthusiast, a legal professional, or someone interested in the nuances of personal injury law, this episode offers a fascinating glimpse into how biking and lawyering can not only coexist but enrich each other.
Introduction to Noel Leonard and Chris Klotz
The Importance of Wearing Helmets: A Legal and Personal Perspective
Discussing helmet laws in Alabama, Florida, and South Carolina.
Navigating Helmet Laws Across the South
An overview of the varying helmet laws and the rationale behind them.
Insurance Requirements for Bikers in Florida
Exploring the insurance prerequisites for opting out of wearing helmets in Florida.
Advocating for Safety and Rights as Biker Lawyers
How Noel and Chris leverage their passion for biking in their legal practice.
The Biker Community and Legal Advocacy
The role of lawyers in the biker community and how they can offer support.
Q&A: Safety Gear, Legal Advice, and Motorcycle Auctions
Noel and Chris answer listener questions about motorcycle safety and law.
Closing Thoughts and Legal Resources for Bikers
Wrapping up with key takeaways on safety and legal preparedness for bikers.
This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the crossroads of motorcycle enthusiasm and legal expertise. Subscribe to our podcast to stay updated on more episodes that blend passion with professionalism.
Join us on a thrilling journey across the globe with Greg Turp and Polly Marinova from Road Guardians in this episode of our podcast. Las Vegas to Bulgaria and around the world! Dive into their captivating adventures as they share tales of hunting for vintage motorcycles, from the UK's countryside to the bustling swap meets. Discover the logistics behind transporting these treasures, the excitement of getting century-old bikes running, and the passion that drives their quest. Whether it’s for restoration or the sheer love of vintage, this episode is a treasure trove for motorcycle enthusiasts and adventurers alike.
#motorcycles #roadguardians #myrtlebeachbikerlawyer The Vintage Motorcycle Quest with Greg Turp and Polly Marinova
Introduction to Our Guests
The Art of Motorcycle Hunting
Insights into finding vintage motorcycles across the globe.
Challenges of Restoration
The logistics of transporting vintage bikes to Vegas.
Memorable Finds
Stories of notable discoveries, including British bikes from the early teens and twenties.
The Passion Behind the Collection
Exploring the motivation behind collecting and restoring vintage motorcycles.
Advice for Aspiring Collectors
Tips for those interested in starting their own vintage motorcycle collection.
Q&A with Greg and Polly
Answering listener questions about vintage motorcycle collecting and restoration.
Closing Thoughts
Reflecting on the importance of passion in the vintage motorcycle community.
Don't miss this episode filled with stories of adventure, the nuances of motorcycle restoration, and the unbreakable spirit of motorcycle enthusiasts. Subscribe now to not only fuel your passion for motorcycles but also to gain insights into the world of vintage motorcycle collection.
In this episode, we are joined by Chris Best from Biker Dad TV to discuss the importance of understanding and maximizing your coverage to protect yourself and your family. Our host, a seasoned Myrtle Beach motorcycle lawyer, shares invaluable insights and personal experiences, emphasizing the need for adequate uninsured motorist coverage. This episode is a must-listen for all riders, offering expert advice on navigating insurance policies, debunking the full coverage myth, and ensuring you're fully protected on the road.
#motorcyclesafety #bikerdad #myrtlebeachbikerlawyer 1. The Reality of Motorcycle Insurance
* Discussing the common misconceptions about motorcycle insurance.
* Why 'full coverage' might not be what you think it is.
Personal Experiences with Insurance
The Full Coverage Myth
Breaking down what 'full coverage' really means and why it may not be enough.
Uninsured Motorist Coverage
The critical importance of uninsured motorist coverage for bikers.
Practical Tips for Riders
Advice on how to review and adjust your insurance policy.
Closing Remarks
Summing up the key takeaways about motorcycle insurance.
In this episode of "The Carolina Justice Report," we welcome Eric Blank, a renowned Las Vegas motorcycle lawyer, for an in-depth conversation about the unique legal challenges faced by motorcyclists in Las Vegas. Hosted by The Lovely Law Firm Injury Lawyers, this episode covers everything from the importance of uninsured policy limits to handling slip and fall cases at casinos. Eric's extensive experience and insight into the Las Vegas legal landscape provide valuable lessons not only for local riders but for anyone interested in the complexities of motorcycle law and personal injury cases in a bustling tourist city.
#motorcyclesafety #justinlovely #ericblank
Introduction to Eric Blank
The Risks of Being Underinsured
Discussing the dangers of not having adequate uninsured motorist coverage.
Navigating Slip and Fall Cases in Las Vegas
Eric shares insights into handling slip and fall incidents in the context of Las Vegas casinos.
Dealing with Drunk Driving Incidents
Addressing the prevalence of DUI cases involving motorcyclists in Las Vegas.
Casino Liability and Public Perception
Exploring how casinos approach slip and fall claims and their concern with public image.
Listener Q&A with Eric Blank
Eric answers questions from listeners about motorcycle law and personal injury cases.
Closing Thoughts
Recap of key insights from the discussion.
This episode offers a unique perspective on the legal issues that motorcyclists face in a city known for its vibrant nightlife and bustling streets. Don't miss these invaluable insights from Las Vegas motorcycle lawyer Eric Blank.
In this insightful episode of "The Carolina Justice Report," hosted by The Lovely Law Firm Injury Lawyers, we welcome Attorney Jason Melton, partner at Whittel and Melton and the current President of NAMIL. Join us as we delve into the complexities of motorcycle riding in urban settings, particularly in central Florida. Jason brings his extensive legal expertise to the table, discussing common urban hazards for motorcyclists, the impact of tourism on local traffic, and the legal nuances of motorcycle accidents in vibrant Florida cities like Spring Hill, The Villages, Gainesville, Tampa, Orlando, and St. Petersburg. Whether you’re a seasoned rider or new to the motorcycle community, this episode is packed with valuable tips and legal know-how.
#motorcyclesafety #jasonmelton #motorcycles 1. Introduction to Jason Melton
* Welcoming Jason Melton, a distinguished attorney and President of NAMIL.
* Overview of Jason’s legal background and expertise in motorcycle law.
The Transition from Law School to Real-World Practice
Common Urban Hazards for Motorcyclists
Discussing the most frequent risks faced by bikers in central Florida’s urban areas.
Anticipating and Avoiding Road Dangers
Strategies for motorcyclists to anticipate and avoid common road hazards.
Pedestrian Accidents in Florida Cities
Examining the occurrence of pedestrian accidents in different communities.
Legal Tips for Motorcyclists
Jason provides key legal advice for motorcyclists involved in urban accidents.
Closing Remarks
Recap of the discussion and final thoughts from Jason Melton.
Don't miss this episode for a deep dive into the challenges and legalities of urban motorcycle riding in Florida. Stay tuned to "The Carolina Justice Report" for more expert insights and advice.
In this compelling episode of "The Carolina Justice Report," powered by The Lovely Law Firm Injury Lawyers, Myrtle Beach Biker Lawyer Justin Lovely has an insightful discussion with Orlando Motorcycle Lawyer Moe DeWitt. Focused on the unique challenges faced by motorcyclists in Central Florida and beyond, this episode delves into motorcycle safety, the intricacies of Florida motorcycle insurance, and crucial legal advice for riders. Whether you're cruising the streets of Orlando or the scenic routes of Myrtle Beach, this episode is packed with essential information for every motorcycle enthusiast.
#motorcyclesafety #tips #motorcyles
Show Notes for Episode: "Myrtle Beach and Orlando Unite for Motorcycle Safety"
Introduction to The Carolina Justice Report
Motorcycle Safety: A Central Florida Perspective
Discussion on the unique road conditions in Central Florida.
Unsettling Insurance Statistics in Florida
Examining the high percentage of uninsured and underinsured motorists in Florida.
The Significance of Adequate Insurance
Importance of underinsured motorist coverage for bikers.
Real-life Experiences and Legal Cases
Sharing experiences and case studies from both Myrtle Beach and Orlando.
Closing Remarks
Summarizing key points from the episode.
Tune in to "The Carolina Justice Report" for more in-depth discussions on motorcycle safety, legal tips, and insurance advice, all designed to keep you informed and protected on the road. This is Part 1 of a series of Motorcycles Lawyers interviews conducted at Red Rock Harley Davidson
Download Justin and AMy's new updated Motorcycle Safety book here: Motorcycle | The Rider's Guide to South Carolina's Motorcycle Laws | 2nd Edition
https://www.justiceislovely.com/motorcycle-accidents/
Did you know that Ride Sharing and Delivery companies like Uber, Lyft, DoorDash, GrubHub and others all have commercial insurance policies on their vehicles?
This means the likelihood of you being covered financially if hit by one of these vehicles on-the-clock is high. Learn more about how these companies operate by watching today's Carolina Justice Report!
#RideShare #thelovelylawfirm #caraccidentlawyer
In honor of Motorcycle Awareness Month and Bike Week, we've interviewed South Carolina photographer and award-winning adventurebiker Chris Smith. Learn about Chris, how he got into riding, and what he enjoys about adventure bikes on today's Carolina Justice Report!
Did you know that Ride Sharing and Delivery companies like Uber, Lyft, DoorDash, GrubHub and others all have commercial insurance policies on their vehicles? This means the likelihood of you being covered financially if hit by one of these vehicles on-the-clock is high. Learn more about how these companies operate by watching today's Carolina Justice Report! #RideShare #thelovelylawfirm #caraccidentlawyer
The number 1 priority during rider season is to DECREASE biker-related injuries that continue to increase each year. These important tips can help not only with safety, but also with having an overall good time while you're enjoying the Spring Rally in Myrtle Beach. This is a MUST WATCH Carolina Justice Report for locals and tourists alike! #thelovelylawfirm #myrtlebeach #bikeweek2023
Myrtle Beach welcomes millions of visitors every year from all over the country and the world. While tourists are a vital part of our economic growth, it's also a time to remind yourself of possible safety hazards that come with an influx of people. This goes for both locals and tourists alike! Watch today's Carolina Justice Report and learn about our Top 5 Dangers for Myrtle Beach during Tourist Season. #thelovelylawfirm #myrtlebeach #tourists
In the world of social media and technology, what you post on social can hurt your case! Watch today's Carolina Justice Report to learn about how Social Media can make or break your case as well as some cautionary tales. #thelovelylawfirm #socialmedia #dosanddonts
The country was shocked and disturbed to hear about the 4 South Carolinians from Lake City that were kidnapped on video in Mexico last month. Watch today's Carolina Justice Report as we sit down and discuss what we know about this kidnapping, murder, and aftermath, as well as what we anticipate moving forward. Featuring Attorney's: Amy Lawrence Sharde Crawford Sarah Austin And Host Rainee Romero #americanskidnappedinmexico #thelovelylawfirm #thecarolinajusticereport
Trial has officially begun for former Horry County teacher Leticia Stauch. Authorities allege that Letecia Stauch killed her 11-year-old stepson, Gannon Stauch, in his Colorado bedroom a few hours before reporting him missing on Jan. 27, 2020 while his father was on a National Guard deployment. Watch today's Carolina Justice Report discussion on this case and upcoming trial. *This episode was filmed right before trial started, so new details have not yet been updated. #LeteciaStauch #thelovelylawfirm #truecrime
March is Brain Injury Awareness Month!!
Did you know that every 9 seconds, someone in the United States sustains a brain injury? The lasting effects can be so severe that they can impact a person's mood, personality, career and ability to function independently.
Be sure to watch today's Carolina Justice Report all about brain injuries, some causes, and what you should do if you think you've received one.
#thelovelylawfirm #braininjuryawareness #TBI
The trial is over, but the story is far from it! Be sure to watch today's Carolina Justice Report on the aftermath of the Alex Murdaugh Trial (including his appeal). If you've been following the Murdaugh murders, you don't want to miss this! #alexmurdaugh #thelovelylawfirm #murdaughmurders
Today on The Carolina Justice Report we chat with Grianne Owen, Founder/President of Curing Kids Cancer. Inspired by her son’s battle, Grainne has turned Curing Kids Cancer into an an incredible nonprofit dedicated to funding cutting-edge treatments of childhood cancers — treatments that can save the lives of children like her son Killian. So far it has raised over $25 million for pediatric cancer research and treatment. We hope you'll take a moment to hear her story and the amazing things her team is doing for children. https://curingkidscancer.org/ #curingkidscancer #pediatriccancer #thelovelylawfirm
TODAY on The Carolina Justice Report we discuss a motorcyclist injury when he fell 40-50 feet off a cliff in Utah and was shockingly found by authorities after his SMARTWATCH sent a crash alert. Check it out! #thelovelylawfirm #smartwatch #crashalert
It's a chilling case... A parent's worst nightmare... Today on The Carolina Justice Report, we discuss the sad case of Lindsay Clancy: The RN and mom who has been charged with killing her three young children. In this episode, we review some of the horrifying details of the case, but also look into the possibility of postpartum depression/psychosis and overmedication, and how they may have been a factor in these murders. Watch and weigh in on what you think! We'd love to hear from you. #LindsayClancy #postpartum #thelovelylawfirm
Today on The Carolina Justice Report, we discuss not only the heinous crimes of Bryan Kohberger, but also what let to his arrest for the murder of four college students in Idaho. Today's episode also discusses the great strategy of the police on the case, the details of that night that has shocked the nation, and more!! Be sure to watch and give us your feedback!
We've been live streaming the Alex Murdaugh Murder Trial every day. If you've missed it... be sure to check out our videos on Facebook and YouTube.
On this season 3 premiere, we've gotten some of our attorneys together to chat about how the trial has been going so far.
Information from Count On 2 News in Charleston November 22, 2022:
CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) – Russell Laffitte, the former CEO of Palmetto State Bank and accused accomplice of Alex Murdaugh, was found guilty in a downtown Charleston courtroom on Tuesday.
Laffitte was found guilty on all six of the following counts:
The decision came after over 11 hours of deliberation, two alternate jurors being brought in, and nearly two weeks of witness testimony and review of evidence in this case. Laffitte faced a slew of federal charges – including bank fraud, wire fraud, and conspiracy – all connected to alleged financial schemes involving disbarred attorney Alex Murdaugh.
U.S. District Judge Richard Gergel, who presided over the case, charged the jury with making a decision on whether Laffitte should be found guilty on any of the charges just one day after both prosecutors and the defense made their closing arguments in the case.
Federal prosecutors have argued that Laffitte used his position at Palmetto State Bank to carry out the crimes. He was fired as CEO in early 2022.
Through his testimony, Laffitte admitted that he made mistakes, but reiterated that he believed he did nothing illegal as a banker over his nearly three-decade career at his family’s bank.
He also said that he failed to closely review checks brought to him by Murdaugh, but says he trusted Murdaugh as his attorney and directed the money as he was told to do so by Murdaugh.
After three hours into deliberations, the jury returned to the courtroom shortly before 1:30 p.m. with a note asking to see a transcript from Laffitte’s testimony. Judge Gergel, though, said that a full transcript was not ready for publishing but that a court reporter could read certain parts if necessary. The jury returned to deliberations moments later.
Around 3:00 p.m., the jury asked to listen again to a secret recording of a November 3 Palmetto State Bank board meeting made by Laffitte. The tape was played and the jury returned to deliberation.
Just before 6:30 p.m., the jury ordered pizza and continued working through dinner.
Around 7:45 p.m., the jurors brought four notes to the judge. Notes one and two were about a juror needing an antibiotic and feeling pressured to change his/her vote. Note three detailed a juror’s concerns about a “hostile juror room, a juror with prior jury experience who is fearful of being bullied, and a group of jurors who do not agree with the judge’s last charge.” Note four was about a juror who is experiencing anxiety.
Judge Gergel questioned whether it was necessary to bring in an alternate juror and start the process all over again. The jurors said that they did not want to come in on Wednesday and wanted to continue deliberating Tuesday night.
Around 8:30 p.m., two jurors were relieved and replaced with alternates. The jury then resumed deliberation.
Shortly before 9:30 p.m., court was called back into session and defense raised objection to the alternate juror who was brought in to relieve the juror with anxiety. Defense claimed that it should have been an hung jury.
Moments later, the jury confirmed that they had reached the verdict. Laffitte will be allowed to remain out on bond until his sentencing hearing.
The Lovely Law Firm prides itself on fighting for its clients and really doing the work of researching and investigating needed to win a case and be the voice for those in tragic situations. In this episode we take a look back on three instances this year where claims got denied by the insurance provider, and the odds were against us, but we fought and came out on top for our clients.
For years, pregnant women have been told that acetaminophen (active ingredient in Tylenol) is the safest pain reliever to take, however, long-term studies now show that taking it too often during pregnancy may cause serious harm to unborn children. Attorneys are reviewing acetaminophen autism lawsuits for parents throughout the country. A Tylenol autism class action lawsuit is seeking certification in federal court. If this class action is approved, we may see thousands of Tylenol autism lawsuits. Join The Lovely Law Firm as we discussed what we know right now.
Lawyers have filed at least nine lawsuits against L’Oreal USA Inc and other makers of hair straightener/relaxer products since last month's release of a U.S. government study linking frequent use of the products to uterine cancer.
The suits, which claim the products caused cancer or other health problems, seek damages to compensate the women for their pain and suffering and economic damages for medical bills and the cost of the products, among other things.
Contact The Lovely Law Firm if you think this may have affected you or someone you love.
Social media dangers have become all too real in the world of advancing technology and social interaction becoming less in person, and more behind a screen. In this Carolina Justice Report we discuss current litigation about social media addiction: the damages, dangers, and unethical behavior with ads. This is an important one to watch, especially for parents.
In this episode, we give you the November updates for the The Murdaugh Murders. Trial has officially begun in Charleston for disgraced SC banker Russell Laffitte. It's the first criminal trial tied to the Murdaugh Murders, so details are starting to emerge which shed more light to Alex Murdugh and what happened to his wife and son. It's a must watch.
The Carolina Justice Report podcast and YouTube show was created as a way to connect and inform clients and listeners about the ins and outs of personal injury cases, legal cases in the news, and more.
In this Veterans Day tribute, we speak with local veteran George Kite about some of the issues that veterans face such as PTSD, unemployment, homelessness, and more. As we all prepare to celebrate Veterans Day, it's important to remember all of the veterans who have fought for our country.
Thank you, George, for your service to our country and your willingness to share your story with us. I hope you and all of the veterans who are suffering receive the support they need to overcome these challenges. Thank you for your sacrifice!
George Kite is a local Veteran in the Myrtle Beach community. We are honored to interview him to discuss his experiences and issues facing veterans.
The Carolina Justice Report is a weekly video and podcast that examines issues in our community.
Actress Anne Heche's car accident is a tragic story that highlights the dangers of driving impaired. In today's Carolina Justice Report we'll discuss Anne Heche's deadly car accident, and explore the legal options that may be available to her estate. The Carolina Justice Report is an online legal podcast/videocast resource that provides information on car accidents and personal injury. If you or someone you know has been involved in a car accident, be sure to contact a lawyer near you.
What is a Mass Tort? It affects millions of people and yet many don't understand what it is or how it works. Listen to today's Carolina Justice Report with Attorneys Justin Lovely and John Paul Simkovich and find out what a mass tort is as well as current claims like CPAP, Zantac, NEC, Exactech cases and more.
NEW DETAILS are still emerging in this #truecrime murder case of the SC Murdaugh family and the multiple murders allegedly linked back to them. Watch today's discussion of recent case updates with Attorneys Amy Lawrence and Sarah Austin who have been following the case from the beginning.
What is Litigation? It sounds foreign and scary to our clients, but litigation is just a fancy way to say we're taking legal action. Litigation is what we practice every day at The Lovely Law Firm. Join this discussion with Attorneys Justin Lovely and John Paul Simkovich as they break down the meaning, frequently asked questions, and process of litigation.
In August 2021, Gabby Petito was killed by her fiancé, Brian Laundrie, while they were traveling together on a "van life" journey across the United States. The trip began on July 2, 2021, and was planned to last four months; however, Petito disappeared in late August. Attorneys Amy Lawrence and Sharde Crawford share their thoughts.
In late August The Lovely Law Firm attorneys got ALL CHARGES DROPPED against seven protesters who were arrested outside of the Myrtle Beach Police Department in 2020 during the demonstrations over George Floyd’s murder. Join Attorneys Amy Lawrence and Sharde Crawford today as they discuss why these protesters were arrested, how the charges got dismissed, and why it was so important to take these cases on pro bono for Amy lawrence and team.
CAMP LEJEUNE WATER CONTAMINATION
What Happened at Camp Lejeune? What is the latest information on the camp lejeune lawsuits? You've been seeing it everywhere! But what is it really all about? What exactly happened at Camp Lejeune?
Join Attorneys Justin Lovely and Amy Lawrence as they break down what happened to those who lived on base at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina between the years of 1953 and 1987.
Scott Foster was a competitive cheerleading coach who comitted suicide last month after allegations of sexual abuse were made public. His training center, Rockstar Cheer, was home to 14 all-star cheerleading teams. Located in Greer, the gym is referred to as Rockstar Cheer Greenville. The snowballing allegations around Rockstar Cheer and Dance Inc. hit a significant new milestone Sept. 15, when six former coaches were accused of sexual abuse in an amended federal lawsuit. Join Attorneys Justin Lovely and Amy Lawrence along with Host Rainee Romero as they discuss this shocking case.
Eliza "Liza" Fletcher... The 34 year old Catholic School teacher who was kidnapped and killed while out for a morning run, has become the topic of many important discussions this month.
Join Female Attorneys Amy Lawrence and Sharde Crawford along with Host Rainee Romero as they discuss this tragedy, what we know so far, how it's been handled, and the harsh reality females face.
Something that we're really proud of at The Lovely Law Firm is the fact that we have THREE female attorneys in the office.
Statistics show that few female attorneys "make it", and the numbers for African-American female attorneys are even lower. Join us in this episode's discussion on female attorneys in the workplace: the challenges faced, prejudices, insight, personal stories and why more women are needed in this line of work.
Proud to feature our attorneys Amy Lawrence, Sarah Austin, and Sharde Crawford along with host Rainee Romero.
Conspiracy theorist/InfoWars founder Alex Jones is in big trouble after stating that the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting was a hoax. Many parents pressed charges and he must now pay $49.3 million in punitive damages.
Join Attorneys Justin Lovely and Amy Lawrence along with Host Rainee Romero to hear the details.
Brittney Griner has been all over the news in this shocking case! The WNBA star and Olympic Gold Medalist remains in custody in Russia where she's been sentenced to nine years in prison for drug smuggling. Her team recently filed an appeal. Join Attorneys Amy Lawrence, Sharde Crawford and Host Rainee Romero as they discuss the details of this case. The Carolina Justice Report drops every Tuesday at 2pm.
Brittney Griner has been all over the news in this shocking case! The WNBA star and Olympic Gold Medalist remains in custody in Russia where she's been sentenced to nine years in prison for drug smuggling. Her team recently filed an appeal. Join Attorneys Amy Lawrence, Sharde Crawford and Host Rainee Romero as they discuss the details of this case. The Carolina Justice Report drops every Tuesday at 2pm.
The Carolina Justice Report is back for an August update on The Murdaugh Murder saga that has captivated the country. Join Attorneys Amy Lawrence and Sarah Austin along with Host Rainee Romero as they discuss Alex Murdaugh since being indicted last month.
What do YOU think is going to happen?
The Carolina Justice Report podcast and YouTube show is part of The Lovely Law Firm and was created as a way to connect and inform clients and listeners about the ins and outs of personal injury cases, legal cases in the news, and more.
It's back to school time and that means being extra careful on the roads and getting educated on vehicle safety for children and the process if your child is injured in an unfortunate accident. Join Attorneys Justin Lovely and Sarah Austin along with Host Rainee Romero as they discuss this hot topic for every parent on the road.
Practicing as a lawyer is very different than what you think it's going to be in law school. Join Attorneys Amy Lawrence & Sarah Austin along with Legal Assistant Andrew Farish and Host Rainee Romero as they deep dive into this informative subject attorneys everywhere can relate to.
The Carolina Justice Report is part of The Lovely Law Firm... a Charleston and Myrtle Beach based firm in South Carolina.
There are so many tragic stories of children or pets accidentally left in hot vehicles. With the weather being so hot, now is a good time to be reminded and stay informed of the dangers of hot cars... not only during the summer months, but year-round for our beloved pets and children.
Join Host Rainee Romero and Attorneys Amy Lawrence and Sarah Austin as they discuss this important topic on this week's Carolina Justice Report. #pets #hotcars #children
Learn about wrongful death cases HERE.
Last month, family members of Emmett Till, the 14-year-old Black teen whose murder in Chicago spurred the civil rights movement in America, say they found an unserved arrest warrant for the White woman who accused him of making advances toward her. What does this mean for his case? Join Attorneys Amy Lawrence and Sarah Austin as they discuss this heart-breaking case. The Carolina Justice Report is a part of The Lovely Law Firm out of Myrtle Beach and Charleston, SC and represents injured victims in their personal injury cases.
On Thursday while filming, we got breaking news of the indictment of Alex Murdaugh in connection to the June 2021 murders of his wife Margaret and youngest son Paul. He was charged with two counts of murder and two counts of possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime. If you've been listening to our show you know that we, as well as so many in the nation, have been following this story closely from the beginning. We stopped our scheduled filming to record a discussion on the indictment as well as what we know right now. Join Attorneys Amy Lawrence and Sarah Austin, along with Host Rainee Romero as they discuss these new developments. Watch our previous Murdaugh Discussions below: 1 - Overview of Case
2 - Update on Case
3 - Where Is The Money?
4 - April Updates
5 - 1 Year Anniversary of Murdaugh Murders
The Carolina Justice Report is part of The Lovely Law Firm out of Myrtle Beach, SC that represents injured victims in their personal injury cases.
Ever wonder what constitutes a civil rights violation? Do you know your rights?
Join Attorneys Amy Lawrence and Sarah Austin along with Host Rainee Romero as they discuss civil rights cases, and good cops vs bad cops.
#civilrights #sexualassault #excessiveforce
The Lovely Law Firm represents injured victims in their personal injury cases.
The name "Jane Doe" is used in litigation when a woman’s true identity is concealed or unknown.
Attorney Amy Lawrence of The Lovely Law Firm in Myrtle Beach, SC has dedicated years of her career to Jane Doe cases.
Join Amy Lawrence, along with Attorney Sarah Austin and Host Rainee Romero as they discuss what's considered a Jane Doe case, and how those are worked differently in the justice system.
Learn more about how we help sexual assault cases.
Discussion on the recent verdict of the now-former Horry County deputy who drove a van through a flooded road, killing the two mental health patients inside that were being transported during Hurricane Florence. Brief Backstory: Stephen Flood was one of two people charged with the Horry County Police Department in connection with the deaths of Wendy Newton and Nicolette Green. The two were killed on Sept. 18, 2018, when the van became submerged in floodwater on Highway 76 in Marion County. He was charged with two counts of reckless homicide and two counts of involuntary manslaughter. Join local Horry County South Carolina attorneys Amy Lawrence and Sarah Austin along with Myrtle Beach native, Host Rainee Romero, for this week's episode. If you found value in this discussion, check out all of the other episodes for more reactions and insight on current news stories and SC laws. Learn about The Lovely Law Firm's Criminal Defense. #HCPD #thelovelylawfirm #StephenFlood
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina was rocked in 2009 by the disappearance of 17 year old Brittanee Drexel who was visiting from New York. On May 11th, her body was finally found after more than ten years.
Join local Attorneys Amy Lawrence and Sarah Austin as they discuss the facts of the case, convicted felon Raymond Moody, and what we know about the findings.
Learn about The Lovely Law Firm's work with Sexual Assault.
It's hard to believe it's been a whole year since Maggie and Paul Mudaugh were murdered.... and no charges have been filed yet... though if you've been keeping up, we seem to be getting VERY close to some charges being announced, and it's not looking good for Alex Murdaugh.
Watch this special June update on the 1 year anniversary and all of the new findings that have been announced recently.
Host Rainee Romero is back with Attorneys Amy Lawrence and Sarah Austin for another chat on this high-profile case.
Check out our past updates and discussions on The Murdaugh Murders if you've missed them!
1 - Overview of Case
2 - Update on Case
3 - Where Is The Money?
4 - April Updates
BOATERS, THIS IS FOR YOU!!! It's National Fishing & Boating Week, so join us as we discuss what you need to know should an unfortunate boating accident take place. Personal Injury Attorneys Justin Lovely and Sarah Austin join Host Rainee Romero in this episode all about how boating accidents differ from car accidents, the different set of rules/regulations depending on which body of water you're on, and what you need to know about drinking while out on the water. Be sure to watch so you can stay informed and help those around you.
With the terrible shortage of formula right now and many shopping around to find alternatives, please also make sure you're informed about necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in premature babies. Certain brands of infant formula, including Similac and Enfamil, use cow’s milk as their base. While premature and underweight infants might need supplemental formula, giving them these types of formula can cause them to develop necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). The condition causes intestinal tissue to die. It can also cause a hole in the intestine. Bacteria can leak through this hole, causing serious abdominal infections. Some infants will need surgery to remove the damaged intestine, and to some, it could be fatal. Join Attorneys/Law Partners Justin Lovely and Amy Lawrence today as we discuss what NEC is, what you should know, and how to contact us if you have questions. Learn more about NEC in Premature Babies.
It's the case that leaves you confused and in disbelief! On March 10th, Lauren Pazienza allegedly shoved an 87-year-old woman who later died, in what New York police say was a random attack on a New York City sidewalk. She has since been charged with manslaughter and is awaiting trial. Listen to our discussion of the details with Attorneys Sarah Austin, Roberto Anton, and Host Rainee Romero.
Many of us have heard about the sad day (April 2022) that Dwayne Haskins Jr., former NFL Quarterback for the Redskins, Steelers, and who played college football for Ohio State, was killed when a dump truck struck him while walking on a highway. Join The Lovely Law Firm team (Attorneys Justin Lovely, Sarah Austin, and Host Rainee Romero) as we dissect this case and what it means legally for his surviving family. Learn more about Pedestrian Accidents Here.
With so many Motorcycle Rallies, Bike Weeks, Poker Runs, & Group Rides coming up, this is a MUST LISTEN discussion of events, safety, insurance, and more for Motorcycle knowledge!! Join Attorneys Justin Lovely, Amy Lawrence, Sarah Austin, and Host Rainee Romero for this informative conversation. Also come and see The Lovely Law Firm at The Beaver Bar for Myrtle Beach Bike Week ! We've got a booth and handing out free t-shirts and kickstand pucks along with the chance to win $20K!! Learn more about Motorcycle Laws and Regulations and Accident Tips HERE.
Join us for The Carolina Justice Report as we discuss the mega popular Johnny Depp defamation case against Amber Heard going on right now in Virginia. This case has taken the world by storm and no one can seem to get enough. Learn what the case is all about and hear what attorneys Roberto Anton and Sarah Austin have to say from a law perspective. Also, their take on what the attorneys representing Depp and Heard will have to do to prove their cases.
The story of former Tennessee nurse RaDonda Vaught has been sweeping the nation as nurses everywhere watch in horror for how this may affect their own lives.
Vaught was recently convicted of criminally negligent homicide and gross neglect of an impaired adult after injecting 75-year-old patient Charlene Murphey with a wrong drug that allegedly led to her death.
Join Host Rainee Romero and Attorneys Amy Lawrence & Sarah Austin as they discuss what we know, what this means for the nursing community, and how medical malpractice insurance is involved.
Audio Chapters:
#RaDondaVaught #TheCarolinaJusticeReport #SupportForNurses
The Lovely Law Firm drops new epsiodes every Tuesday at 2pm.
Listen to recent updates on The Murdaugh Murders. NEW questions, charges, claims, and damages on Episode 4 of The Carolina Justice Report's second season. Join local Attorneys Amy Lawrence & Sarah Austin who have been up-to-date on the case from the beginning discuss the facts and the unknowns. What do YOU think? Be sure to catch up and watch the previous Murdaugh Murder Episodes from The Carolina Justice Report if you missed them below: 1) Introduction and Overview
2) March Recap & Update
3) Where Is The Money? Hosted by The Lovely Law Firm. Learn more about your hosts HERE.
Watch The Carolina Justice Report as we dive in to one of the biggest questions in the Murdaugh Murder Case(s)... WHERE is the money?
Attorneys Amy Lawrence & Sarah Austin as they discuss and theorize this hot topic.
Be sure to listen to the previous two Murdaugh Murder Episodes from The Carolina Justice Report if you missed them below:
1) Overview and Introduction
2) March Update
#thecarolinajusticereport #murdaugh #truecrime
About The Lovely Law Firm
In this Episode of The Carolina Justice Report, we look back into the mysteries revolving around The Murdaugh Murders which have captivated not only the Carolinas, but the nation. We take a look at
If you missed the first Murdaugh Murder Discussion which gives the background of the case.
#murdaugh #truecrime #thecarolinajusticereport
About The Lovely Law Firm
Welcome Back to Season 2 of The Carolina Justice Report Podcast!
We are excited for the opportunity to educate our listeners on various new legal topics this year! In this episode, the attorneys discuss the mission statement of The Lovely Law Firm Injury Lawyers. Why do we do what we do and what are the firm's core values?
We discuss and preview the following:
Finally, you will notice a new voice that may sound familiar!!
In this weeks discussion, Attorney Sarah Austin joins us remotely to discuss two case studies she worked on. All cases are different and no results are guaranteed. We discuss dog bites in detail and what turned the tide in our clients favor. Our second case study involves a client struck by a drunk driver. What did we do to get his settlement fast? #myrtlebeach #personalinurylawyer #lawyernearme The Lovely Law Firm represents injured victims in their personal injury cases. Learn more about Sarah here: Sarah Austin Learn More about dog bites in South Carolina here: Dog Bites in SC Learn More about your rights as a victim of drunk driving: The Lovely Law Firm Injury Lawyers Call us ► 843-839-4111
Liens are an important part of your settlement process after an injury case. Justin Lovely and Amy Lawrence discuss this topic of liens. Governmental liens such as Medicare, Medicaid, and Tricare are discussed. Private Health insurance liens under ERISA or non Erisa plans. BCBS liens. Letters of protection. IS there a lien at all? How does The Lovely Law Firm Maximize your recovery by negotiating these liens and bills down for you? All of these topics are discussed in this weeks episode. Learn More here: Liens After a Personal Injury Case
Survivors of Sexual Assaults are perhaps our strongest clients. Many people simply do not realize that he or she has a private cause of action against corporate entities after an assault.
Attorneys Amy S. Lawrence and Justin M. Lovely discuss various sexual assault case types they investigate. Uber and Lyft sexual assaults are astonishingly common. Trusted person assaults against institutions such as the Catholic Church, School Sports Teams, or Medical Physician Practices are discussed.
If this has happened to you or a loved one, we can help.
Learn More here : Victim Advocate Attorney Amy S. Lawrence
Subscribe for more legal discussions!
Traumatic Brain injuries are some of the most devastating injuries a client can suffer after a car wreck or slip and fall. What do you do after a wreck or a fall? Who do you hire? What do you need your lawyer to do for you?
Justin Lovely and Amy Lawrence answer these questions and more. We discuss what we do each year to stay up to speed on the latest TBI and mTBI treatments and litigation strategies. Finally, you will hear from some cleints on what they experienced and how The Lovely Law Firm Injury team helped them.
All cases are different and no case results are guaranteed. Your case has its specific facts that we will examine for you when we are retained. Call us at 843-839-4111 #myrtlebeach
Learn more about us here:
The Lovely Law Firm Injury Lawyers - TBI
Welcome to The Carolina Justice Report Podcast sponsored by The Lovely Law Firm Injury Lawyers. In this episode, attorney Justin Lovely interviews attorney John Paul Simkovich about premises cases. What are these cases? Who is responsible for an injury on the premises of a landowner?
Follow us for more discussion about SC law and learn more about slip and fall cases here Slip and Fall Cases in South Carolina
What to look out for if you are bitten by a dog. What to check on your insurance policy if you own a dog!
The Lovely Law Firm represents clients in Myrtle Beach, Charleston and surrounding areas with criminal and personal injury cases.
Firms past performance and experience does not guarantee future results. No fee if no recovery. Injury cases are handled on a contingency fee calculated before expenses from gross recovery. Costs are paid by the client regardless of outcome.
The Lovely Law Firm is located at 1053 London St., Myrtle Beach, SC 29577. Attorney Responsible Justin M. Lovely
What is a Dram Shop Cause of Action? There may be more insurance to get from the bar or restaurant if you are a drunk driving victim.
Who can be held liable? How are these different from a normal car wreck case?
We discuss these issues and How we Help!
The Lovely Law Firm represents clients in Myrtle Beach, Florence, Charleston and surrounding areas with criminal and personal injury cases.
https://www.justiceislovely.com/
Firms past performance and experience does not guarantee future results. No fee if no recovery. Injury cases are handled on a contingency fee calculated before expenses from gross recovery. Costs are paid by the client regardless of outcome.
The Lovely Law Firm is located at 1053 London St., Myrtle Beach, SC 29577. Attorney Responsible Justin M. Lovely
Injuries on the job happen more often than you would think in South Carolina. Even if the injured worker is at fault he or she may still have a claim under South Carolina's workers' compensation system. Attorney Justin Lovely and Attorney John Paul Simkovich discuss some frequently asked questions regarding
Comment on topics that you want discussed next! Learn more abot workers comp and how we help injured workers at The Lovely Law Firm - Injury Lawyers - WC Claims
What are the paralegals doing? What is my lawyer doing? How Long is this going to take? What do I need to do to help the lawyers maximize my claim? WHAT HAPPENS NEXT? We answer these questions for you. If you are injured it is a process driven journey to settlement or trial. Of course you have never been through this before, but we have a system that simply gets results for our clients. The Lovely Law Firm represents clients in Myrtle Beach and surrounding areas with criminal and personal injury cases.
https://www.justiceislovely.com/
Firms past performance and experience does not guarantee future results. No fee if no recovery. Injury cases are handled on a contingency fee calculated before expenses from gross recovery. Costs are paid by the client regardless of outcome.
The Lovely Law Firm is located at 1053 London St., Myrtle Beach, SC 29577. Attorney Responsible Justin M. Lovely
Paul and Maggie Murdaugh were murdered, Alex Murdaugh attempts suicide? This case and family are shocking South Carolina and the Lowcountry.
Amy and Sarah get you up to speed on the basics in this episode.
The Lovely Law Firm represents clients in Myrtle Beach, Charleston and surrounding areas with criminal and personal injury cases.
https://www.justiceislovely.com/
Firms past performance and experience does not guarantee future results. No fee if no recovery. Injury cases are handled on a contingency fee calculated before expenses from gross recovery. Costs are paid by the client regardless of outcome.
The Lovely Law Firm is located at 1053 London St., Myrtle Beach, SC 29577. Attorney Responsible Justin M. Lovely
The Lovely Law Firm represents clients in Myrtle Beach and surrounding areas with criminal and personal injury cases.
https://www.justiceislovely.com/
Firms past performance and experience does not guarantee future results. No fee if no recovery. Injury cases are handled on a contingency fee calculated before expenses from gross recovery. Costs are paid by the client regardless of outcome.
The Lovely Law Firm is located at 1053 London St., Myrtle Beach, SC 29577. Attorney Responsible Justin M. Lovely
The Lovely Law Firm represents clients in Myrtle Beach and surrounding areas with criminal and personal injury cases.
https://www.justiceislovely.com/
Firms past performance and experience does not guarantee future results. No fee if no recovery. Injury cases are handled on a contingency fee calculated before expenses from gross recovery. Costs are paid by the client regardless of outcome.
The Lovely Law Firm is located at 1053 London St., Myrtle Beach, SC 29577. Attorney Responsible Justin M. Lovely
The Lovely Law Firm represents clients in Myrtle Beach and surrounding areas with criminal and personal injury cases.
https://www.justiceislovely.com/
Firms past performance and experience does not guarantee future results. No fee if no recovery. Injury cases are handled on a contingency fee calculated before expenses from gross recovery. Costs are paid by the client regardless of outcome.
The Lovely Law Firm is located at 1053 London St., Myrtle Beach, SC 29577. Attorney Responsible Justin M. Lovely
The Lovely Law Firm represents clients in Myrtle Beach and surrounding areas with criminal and personal injury cases.
https://www.justiceislovely.com/
Firms past performance and experience does not guarantee future results. No fee if no recovery. Injury cases are handled on a contingency fee calculated before expenses from gross recovery. Costs are paid by the client regardless of outcome.
The Lovely Law Firm is located at 1053 London St., Myrtle Beach, SC 29577. Attorney Responsible Justin M. Lovely
The Lovely Law Firm represents clients in Myrtle Beach and surrounding areas with criminal and personal injury cases.
https://www.justiceislovely.com/
Firms past performance and experience does not guarantee future results. No fee if no recovery. Injury cases are handled on a contingency fee calculated before expenses from gross recovery. Costs are paid by the client regardless of outcome.
The Lovely Law Firm is located at 1053 London St., Myrtle Beach, SC 29577. Attorney Responsible Justin M. Lovely
The Lovely Law Firm represents clients in Myrtle Beach and surrounding areas with criminal and personal injury cases.
https://www.justiceislovely.com/
Firms past performance and experience does not guarantee future results. No fee if no recovery. Injury cases are handled on a contingency fee calculated before expenses from gross recovery. Costs are paid by the client regardless of outcome.
The Lovely Law Firm is located at 1053 London St., Myrtle Beach, SC 29577. Attorney Responsible Justin M. Lovely
The Lovely Law Firm represents clients in Myrtle Beach and surrounding areas with criminal and personal injury cases.
https://www.justiceislovely.com/
Firms past performance and experience does not guarantee future results. No fee if no recovery. Injury cases are handled on a contingency fee calculated before expenses from gross recovery. Costs are paid by the client regardless of outcome.
The Lovely Law Firm is located at 1053 London St., Myrtle Beach, SC 29577. Attorney Responsible Justin M. Lovely
The Lovely Law Firm represents clients in Myrtle Beach and surrounding areas with criminal and personal injury cases.
https://www.justiceislovely.com/
Firms past performance and experience does not guarantee future results. No fee if no recovery. Injury cases are handled on a contingency fee calculated before expenses from gross recovery. Costs are paid by the client regardless of outcome.
The Lovely Law Firm is located at 1053 London St., Myrtle Beach, SC 29577. Attorney Responsible Justin M. Lovely
The Lovely Law Firm represents clients in Myrtle Beach and surrounding areas with criminal and personal injury cases.
https://www.justiceislovely.com/
Firms past performance and experience does not guarantee future results. No fee if no recovery. Injury cases are handled on a contingency fee calculated before expenses from gross recovery. Costs are paid by the client regardless of outcome.
The Lovely Law Firm is located at 1053 London St., Myrtle Beach, SC 29577. Attorney Responsible Justin M. Lovely
The Lovely Law Firm represents clients in Myrtle Beach and surrounding areas with criminal and personal injury cases.
https://www.justiceislovely.com/
Firms past performance and experience does not guarantee future results. No fee if no recovery. Injury cases are handled on a contingency fee calculated before expenses from gross recovery. Costs are paid by the client regardless of outcome.
The Lovely Law Firm is located at 1053 London St., Myrtle Beach, SC 29577 Justin M. Lovely
The Lovely Law Firm represents clients in Myrtle Beach and surrounding areas with criminal and personal injury cases.
https://www.justiceislovely.com/
Firms past performance and experience does not guarantee future results. No fee if no recovery. Injury cases are handled on a contingency fee calculated before expenses from gross recovery. Costs are paid by the client regardless of outcome.
The Lovely Law Firm is located at 1053 London St., Myrtle Beach, SC 29577 Justin M. Lovely
(Transcript)
Cindy Speaker: Good afternoon. My name is Cindy Speaker, and I'm your host today for the Biker Justice podcast. My guest is attorney Justin Lovely, and Justin is the managing partner of the Lovely Law Firm, based in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Justin is a personal injury lawyer, and relative to our conversation today, he handles a lot of motorcycle accident cases. In fact, I just learned that [00:00:30] he is not only a founding member but the president-elect of NAMIL, which is the National Academy of Motorcycle Injury Lawyers. So Justin, thanks for being with us today.
Justin Lovely: Thanks, Cindy. Thanks for having me.
Cindy Speaker: Yeah, absolutely. So Justin, tell us how you help bikers.
Justin Lovely: Yeah, well, so like you said, we're a personal injury and criminal defense firm here in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. And we help the biker community a lot down here, 'cause we have a big population of riders in this area. We have two large bike weeks every [00:01:00] year where our whole town turns into the Mecca for a motorcycle rider. And it's everything from a Harley rider to some people on a dirt bike to the crotch rocket street bikes. They all come down to celebrate and really get together. But we handle everything from speeding tickets, DUI as far as the criminal practice. And then the injury practice, obviously we handle workers comp, and then obviously if we have any kind of catastrophic motorcycle accidents, that do unfortunately occur down here during [00:01:30] the tourism season.
Cindy Speaker: I bet. Yeah. Now, are you just in Myrtle Beach, or do you handle all of South Carolina?
Justin Lovely: Well, yeah. So we're a statewide practice. Yeah, our main office is here in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
Cindy Speaker: Yeah. So that's interesting. I didn't realize you had big events there in your area. So it's like a perfect place to be located. People are obviously going to need help following some of those activities that sometimes get a little out of hand.
Justin Lovely: [00:02:00] Yeah. So we have a large Harley rally in May, it's the spring rally. It's usually the first weekend of May. And that's, all the Harley dealerships sponsor it, and we get bikers from all across the United States. I mean, it rivals Daytona and Sturgis, then Myrtle Beach. It's a huge rally. And we have a fall rally coming up. It's July now, so we've got a few more months. In October will be the fall rally, and it's not as big as the spring rally, but we still get [00:02:30] a pretty large crowd.
Cindy Speaker: Okay. Wow, interesting. So let's back up a minute here. I'd like you to tell us about your success in representing bikers, both criminal and accident.
Justin Lovely: Yeah. So bikers get a bad rap. And especially if these rallies, or if they're just riding around town and go into like their local poker run or riding as a group, you know, they're going to get profiled by police, unfortunately. So they're [00:03:00] easy targets to get pulled over for a speeding ticket, to get pulled over for an allegation of DUI. And unfortunately, the cops are going to arrest them or give them that charge. And that's it. And a lot of these cases are bogus, and we obviously have to assert their rights and get them out of it. Now, as far as accident cases, that is a whole different animal than motorcyclists, I've found they truly don't understand.
Justin Lovely: [00:03:30] Amy and I actually wrote a book, and I give it to every rider I meet. It's the Motorcycle Rider's Guide to South Carolina's Motorcycle Laws. And we give that to everybody, we give it to groups, we give to everybody we see. And it kind of tells you from step one to settlement what you have to do, what to look out for, facts, figures, different kind of percentages that we've investigated through the National Highway Traffic Safety Association studies.
Justin Lovely: [00:04:00] But as far as successes, yeah, I mean, we handle everything from start to finish with a motorcycle accident. And a lot of times with these motorcycle accidents, the rider is found at fault, unfortunately. So we have to start our investigation, run our whole team through the process, and really get the true facts of what happened in a motorcycle accident. 'Cause a lot of times when the rider goes down he doesn't even remember what happened. So we gotta quick act as an investigation team that goes out there with my investigators and my staff. We get the biker's story, [00:04:30] and then work it from start to finish. And we've been getting some good results for our clients.
Cindy Speaker: Excellent. You know, Justin, it's interesting what you started with when you said bikers kind of get a bad rap. And I think I've definitely seen that. But do you find that there's instances where they are unjustly accused of being the one at fault when in fact that's not the case at all?
Justin Lovely: Yeah, I mean, biker prejudice is a big issue.
Cindy Speaker: Okay. I see, I see. Interesting. Talk to us a [00:05:00] little bit about the stages of a motorcycle accident case. You said it's kind of a different animal, but what are the stages that you go through in working with a client on a motorcycle accident case?
Justin Lovely: Yeah, so the first thing that we do when we're retained on a motorcycle case is, we get our investigators on the scene. We're going to get the accident report when we first sign up a client, and that's pretty much all we have to go on. So at that point in time it's critical that we secure the scene if we can, secure any witness statements, [00:05:30] and gather affidavits if we can. Any roadside videos of the intersection or place where it happened. Then what we have to do is get the client's medical treatment set up and make sure that medical billing is being properly placed, whether that's on the health insurance, if they have it, or if we have to utilize my network of doctors and get them treated on what's called a letter of protection.
Justin Lovely: From there we let the client treat. And hopefully they get better, as best as they can be. And eventually, on down the road, there's going to [00:06:00] come a time when the doctor says "Hey, this is as good as you're going to get." At that point in time we gather medical records and bills, and we can start trying to negotiate the settlement.
Cindy Speaker: Okay. Explain what a letter of protection is.
Justin Lovely: Yeah. So unfortunately everybody does not have health insurance in this world. It's a sad fact. And you know, that's a different, that's for a different podcast. But yeah, a letter of protection, we have a network of chiropractors, orthopedic physicians, physical therapists, primary care [00:06:30] doctors, depending on what the client needs. So we've developed a network over the years of doctors who understand that this person needs treatment and they don't have health insurance, but they agree to accept that letter of protection, which essentially is a letter from my office that says "Health care provider, the Lovely Law Firm agrees to protect your interests out of the settlement funds that come your way so that my client can get the treatment they need and ultimately work their case up."
Cindy Speaker: Oh, excellent. Yeah. Well, now let's talk a minute about [00:07:00] insurance coverage. Because, so when a biker is injured, is it their health insurance that covers that?
Justin Lovely: Well, and here's a good little tidbit in South Carolina. We have what's called the collateral source rule here. So I always tell my biker clients, if they have health insurance I want that to be the primary payor. And the reason I want that, Cindy, is these health insurance providers have contracted prices with the healthcare providers. So they may be paying 20 [00:07:30] cents on the dollar for what the actual full bill is. But with that collateral source rule, when I go to settle the rider's claim, I'm able to present full damages. So if it's a $100 bill and their health insurance paid $20 on it, I'm able to say "Hey, my biker client has $100 of damages," it's not the 20. Now, your health insurance may put a lien on the potential recovery. But we also negotiate that down at the end as well. And that's part of what we do for the bikers.
Cindy Speaker: [00:08:00] Okay. That is very interesting. You know, Justin, when you're talking about this, honestly I think it's so imperative that someone that's in an accident like this get an attorney. Because the reality is, these are not commonly known things.
Justin Lovely: You're absolutely correct. And what people do not know can ruin them financially in one of these accidents. I mean, your ER bill alone when you fall [00:08:30] on a motorcycle is catastrophic. I mean, a lot of times I'll see these bills and it's more than people's homes. I mean, it's just crazy. So yeah, and you've got to remember, do you have not only your health insurance, but do you have coverage on your first party policy? You know, oftentimes you may be calling your insurance company and you're just trying to get the [00:09:00] cheapest insurance, or you think you have full coverage. That's the classic line. "Hey, I've got full coverage, Mr. Lovely." Well, then I research it and they are not adequately protected. And what they did is, they put their all eggs in one basket with the insurance salesman and they weren't adequately protected.
Cindy Speaker: Okay. So kind of give us a scenario of what you recommend as the optimal situation in terms of insurance.
Justin Lovely: Right. Now, what you need, especially as a motorcycle rider, [00:09:30] you have to get what's called underinsured motorist coverage. And what that is, that's referred to in South Carolina as UIM coverage. Now uninsured coverage is required in South Carolina for $25,000, but underinsured coverage is not required. So to save money, you might be sold a policy that is not going to protect you in the event that someone is not adequately insured. Now, you can't count on the guy who's going to hit you to be able to pay all your medical [00:10:00] bills. I preach that to all my biker clients. You have to get this UIM coverage. Now, your salesman or your company, your insurance company, has to make you what's called a meaningful offer of this coverage. But I always recommend, get as much as you can possibly afford. Another thing I always recommend is personal injury protection coverage, PIP coverage. That's no-fault coverage that will cover your accident, your injuries, even if you're at fault. And I always recommend, whatever your health insurance deductible is, get that in PIP, and then obviously [00:10:30] be adequately protected with your UIM coverage.
Cindy Speaker: Okay. Now, the PIP coverage that you speak of, is that relevant to ... And motorcycle insurance policy, I'm familiar with that for auto accidents, but is there PIP in the motorcycle policies as well?
Justin Lovely: Right, so again, that's an optional coverage, Cindy, and you can buy that for your motorcycle coverage.
Cindy Speaker: I see. Okay. Okay, interesting. Justin, tell us some of the issues that can actually hurt an accident claim.
Justin Lovely: Yeah, the big ones that I'll always see are [00:11:00] giving a statement to the liability adjuster. Oftentimes, again, we spoke earlier about the biker prejudice. They're going to try to put the blame on the biker, and it may not be the biker's fault. So I always tell my clients never give a statement. If we're ever going to give a statement, it's going to be for settlement purposes only. It's going to be in my office. I'm going to be sitting right next to you. Or it's going to be at a deposition if we had to try the case. Okay? 'Cause we're not going to let them put words in your mouth and use it later [00:11:30] on to deny or delay your claim.
Justin Lovely: Another thing that I see is not seeking treatment. Let's face it, as bikers we try to be tough. It might be a small accident, but you never know. I see on these small accidents, someone who'll say, they're complaining about neck and back pain, take ibuprofen. A couple of months down the road they've got a slipped disc. Okay, if you don't seek that treatment and get that documented, then all an adjuster and an insurance company is going to say is "Well, that wasn't caused by your wreck. That was a [00:12:00] degenerative issue, that was caused by something else." So it's very important that they seek treatment immediately and don't be tough. Tell the doctor everything, every little thing that's hurting you.
Justin Lovely: One more thing is witness gathering. And this is so important too. You may fall, there may be other people around, and we can't wait on that. I mean, that's why an attorney needs to be hired immediately, because we get our investigators to talk to these witnesses, get the affidavits in hand [00:12:30] that we can be able to use later. Because memories fade. Let's face it, you may have saw something catastrophic, and then if I talk to you a month later you can't really tell me everything, or you can't remember all the facts. So the quicker I can get my investigators to talk to them, the quicker I can talk to them, the better the story can be worked up for the client.
Justin Lovely: And then finally, Cindy, I know I'm long-winded.
Cindy Speaker: No, that's great.
Justin Lovely: But thinking they can do it themselves. I mean, again, we all try to be loners on our motorcycle. We want to [00:13:00] be the tough guy. But you can't handle this on your own. Talk to a lawyer, and if it's me I'd be great to help you. But you definitely need some representation when you've got a motorcycle accident.
Cindy Speaker: Well, and I think that's very clear based on this conversation, honestly. 'Cause as I said before, I mean, the average person is not gonna understand the nuances of all of this. Just in the beginning when you talked about health insurance and the value of using your health insurance initially, I mean, the average person is not going to know that. And the [00:13:30] ability for you to get an accident investigation team out there to solidify the fact that if in fact the motorcycle rider was not at fault, that you can prove that.
Justin Lovely: That's vital to any kind of accident.
Cindy Speaker: Yeah. Yeah. Excellent. Well, tell us about your involvement in the rider community, 'cause I know you're pretty involved.
Justin Lovely: Yeah. So all my lawyers and my whole staff, we talked earlier, we spoke about those bike weeks. We participate in those, and [00:14:00] we go out and we hang out with the bikers for a week. We usually go to the local Harley-Davidson dealership. We have a legal guide that I told you about, the South Carolina Rider's Guide to South Carolina Laws that Amy and I written a few years back. And we give that to everybody. I'm actually working on an update that I'm gonna give out again, that'll probably be done by the end of the year. I've got VIP cards that we give away through NAMIL that really explains the rider's rights, and hopefully [00:14:30] they keep that on them and hope they never fall. But if they do fall, that'll be right there at their hip and they're able to utilize that in the event of an accident. You know, NAMIL's doing this motorcycle giveaway. So we've been involved with the motorcycle community, really promoting that. They can get a brand new Harley FXDR model if they win that. I think NAMIL's giving that out in October of this year.
Cindy Speaker: Wow. How do they enter for that?
Justin Lovely: Oh yeah, so you just go [00:15:00] to, well, if you're in the local Myrtle Beach market, just go to bikerswin.com/MyrtleBeach, and they simply just sign up, and we're going to give it away to one lucky biker.
Cindy Speaker: Wow, that's cool. I want you to clarify one other thing. I know who Amy is, but explain who Amy is, 'cause we've mentioned her a few times. Let's clarify who she is.
Justin Lovely: Oh yeah, let's clarify, 'cause she's probably the best rider here in this office at least. Yeah, Amy ...
Cindy Speaker: That's great.
Justin Lovely: Amy is my wife and she's my law partner. She handles all the civil [00:15:30] rights and criminal defense caseload here in the docket, and we started this law firm in an 8X10 office, and we've grown it to five lawyers and 12 staff and over 400 cases. And we've been helping bikers all along. And actually, Cindy, that was our first personal injury case, was a motorcycle case.
Cindy Speaker: How about that.
Justin Lovely: Yeah, we both grew up riding. She grew up riding dirt bikes and so did I. We've got two little boys, so we kind of backed off a little bit of hardcore rider, 'cause ... But we're starting to get back into it, 'cause they're getting older.
Cindy Speaker: That's [00:16:00] great. You know, it's interesting, Justin. I rode as a young person, I rode for years, and finally my nephew decided he wanted to ride. And he came over, he was asking to ride my bike, and I thought "Okay, I gotta sell it. 'Cause I can't say no to him, but I do not want him ..." He was still young. He was just too young, I didn't want to take the risk.
Justin Lovely: Yeah. Every time I tell my mom about a ride or an event we did to this day, she still tells me get off the bike, get off the bike. But when you're a rider, once you're sucked in, you gotta [00:16:30] have that wind therapy.
Cindy Speaker: Oh, that's great. Wind therapy, I like that. Tell me a little bit about NAMIL. And interesting, hey, that's really cool that you're the president-elect. Tell us about that group and why you joined it.
Justin Lovely: Yeah, so I'm a member of some other groups, and I've met an attorney, his name is Ken Hardison. He was a lawyer, he's an older lawyer, he used to have a big practice out of Raleigh, North Carolina. And we've kind of been talking and getting together, [00:17:00] and we got this small group together. And we decided "Hey, let's see if we can get together a specific motorcycle group." So he got up, he said "Well, it's gotta be something good, 'cause everybody's got to participate. And we gotta try to get what's the best of the best for these bikers." And what I mean by that is, what's working in a market may not work in another. Or what kind of trial strategy is working right now? What kind of pre-litigation strategy is working? So we all started getting together talking, and he kind of formed a group.
Justin Lovely: It's a good group of lawyers, [00:17:30] we're from all across the country, 100% committed and representing motorcycle riders. And these are the cream of the crop personal injury lawyers in the whole United States. So these kind of guys, they need to show competency in motorcycle law. They gotta show substantial experience in handling these cases. Can't just be a young buck straight out of law school. It's gotta be somebody who knows what they're doing. We're all recognized by our peers as a leading attorney in the motorcycle injury field. And then we've got to demonstrate substantial involvement in the community with these [00:18:00] riders. And that basically will improve our practice, elevates the standards, and advances the cause, and protects motorcyclists' rights all across the US.
Cindy Speaker: Wow. Fantastic. Now, where can you find this online? Because I'm thinking, actually we want to send them to your website, but I'm interested in understanding more about NAMIL. Is it NAMNIL.com, or how do they find that?
Justin Lovely: Yeah, it's NAMIL-law.organization.
Cindy Speaker: Okay.
Justin Lovely: [00:18:30] And that's N-A-M-I-L, the National Academy of Motorcycle Injury Lawyers.
Cindy Speaker: Okay.
Justin Lovely: That can get you to that site.
Cindy Speaker: Okay. Now for South Carolina, Justin, tell us about where you're located, how to reach you in case someone has questions about a motorcycle accident.
Justin Lovely: Yeah, so we're located in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. We're in a new office here at 1053 London Street. We're in the financial district off 38th Avenue and Grissom Parkway. And you can call me anytime, [00:19:00] (843) 839-4111 or simply go to my website, JusticeIsLovely.com. And we're available 24/7 for the rider community. They can call me. Feel free to stop by, I'll go over their insurance policy for free. I always can see if the riders are adequately protected, that way hopefully they never have to call me again for legal services. But at least I can meet with them, I can even ride with them, and then we can develop that relationship.
Cindy Speaker: That's awesome. That's awesome. Just great information. I think [00:19:30] it's really helpful. I do want to ask one more thing.
Justin Lovely: Sure.
Cindy Speaker: There's no cost associated with calling you, is there?
Justin Lovely: No, I'll talk to you for free. I'll sit down. Whatever legal problem you may have, the Lovely Law Firm, we never charge a consultation fee.
Cindy Speaker: Yeah. Excellent. Excellent. Well, listen, we really appreciate you taking the time to talk to us today.
Justin Lovely: Yeah, Cindy. I appreciate it.
Cindy Speaker: Yeah, that's great. Well, listen, to those of you that are listening, if you have questions or comments, Justin just told you how to reach his firm, reach him online. I know [00:20:00] that you can call him any time. Reach out to him, and his team is very responsive, and I know they'll be happy to help. Well, thanks everybody. Be safe and enjoy the ride.
The Lovely Law Firm represents clients in Myrtle Beach and surrounding areas with criminal and personal injury cases.
https://www.justiceislovely.com/
Firms past performance and experience does not guarantee future results. No fee if no recovery. Injury cases are handled on a contingency fee calculated before expenses from gross recovery. Costs are paid by the client regardless of outcome.
The Lovely Law Firm is located at 1053 London St., Myrtle Beach, SC 29577 Justin M. Lovely
Bikers everywhere have heard about the tragic motorcycle accidents experienced by the NH Jarhead MC. Attorney Justin Lovely and NAMIL Director Patrick Anderson discuss the facts of the case in details and how South Carolina rider's can protect themselves if something like this happens at home.
Transcription below:
Patrick Anderson: Hey! This is Patrick Anderson. I'm your host and I've received several questions from our listeners about this horrific motorcycle wreck in New Hampshire. So, for the benefit of our listeners, I've asked Attorney Justin Lovely to do an interview. Now, Justin is the President of the National Academy of Motorcycle Injury Lawyers and he's also one of the founding members. Justin, on our break, you were sharing so many legal aspects of this terrible tragedy with me that I almost don't know where to begin but the main question I have for you and the main question probably on everybody's minds is how would you go back getting justice for these riders and their families if this accident had happened in South Carolina?
Attorney Justin Lovely: Yeah. Patrick, thanks for having me on but what a nightmare scenario that this was and as it continues to be for these families. You know, it'd be hard. You have to take it all in. But in South Carolina, I mean, the first thing you got to do is just you've got to do your own investigation. If something like this happens, we have to figure out who are the parties that we're going to go after. Are we going to go after the at-fault driver? Are we going to go after the owner of the truck? If there's an owner-operator scenario, maybe there's a different insurance policy with the lease scenario to go after but the injured parties have underinsured coverage. It's their personal injury protection coverage or med pay policies that we could recover for their families. A lot of different scenarios to take in and get started with a case like this, but the first thing you definitely got to do is get our own team of investigators because, at the time, it was pure chaos out there in New Hampshire.
Patrick: When you say investigators, what kind of investigators do you have?
Attorney Justin: Well, in my office I do have two investigators. One is a retired detective from Raleigh, North Carolina. He is my primary investigator. I use him for everything. Real good guy. He rides. He was injured in the line of duty so he couldn't be a detective anymore. So, he's kind of retired down here in South Carolina. That's why he got to work for me. My second guy is a badass investigator. He is a retired Special Forces but they still call him up to do some duties and he'll leave and disappear for a few months and that we kind of know he is doing something for the country but when I need him, he usually can show up and he gets the job enforced.
Patrick: Now, there's really two kinds of issues here. Obviously, several people were murdered. They died and so you'll be working with their families. Then the rest of the folks, I mean their injuries are just beyond horrific. There mounting to-- the last report I read was like over a half-million dollars for just one of these people. So, let's talk about that first. What would you do for the people who got hurt in the accident? You know, dealing with medical bills covered and all that kind of thing.
Attorney Justin: Yeah so the first thing we do, of course, I just said it not to beat a bush but you have to investigate the claim. We got to figure out who are we going to attack, what sources of recovery is there to get. Like you said, we got to distinguish there from potential wrongful death case if the person has mounting medical bill but they, fortunately, lived through the accident. What we do is we set up the claims, figure out who we're going after, hopefully, their medical bills-- They have health insurance, hopefully. We have stopped and called the Collateral Source Rule in South Carolina. What that means is if there's health insurance, fix up their bills, and pay the contract in price. I can still get to submit what I got to try to fill with the pays or negotiate for them their full value of their medical damages so they're getting the benefit of their health insurance's contract at price out of different providers whether that's ambulance or the E.R. or he has physical therapy or something in exigence whoever it may be. We let them treat-- We handle all the medical, get the medical bill then handle with their liaison with the insurance companies. Really just build their case up to move forward with it. Make sure they get the medical treatment that they need and go ahead and file the lawsuits if we have to. If we know it's a similar case like what happened to New Hampshire and South Carolina, of course, you want to go ahead and get it filed. This is a potentially devastating case to that carrier because they're going to have seven awful deaths, they're going to have the families, they're going to have the three that were hurt, they're going to have their mounting medical bills. You would really want to get the case in suit as quickly as possible. To go and get our quick [inaudible] and in fact to the client.
Patrick: Since we're talking about the wrongful death cases, that's different. A lot of the same things apply as for as finding out who's at fault in the insurance but what are the other particular things for families? I mean they're dealing with burying their loved ones and everything else. How do you work for them separately?
Attorney Justin: Yeah and again, it is separate. A lot of it is the same but we're not dealing with any kind of treatment scenarios. The South Carolina created a specific calls of action for wrongful death. It's South Carolina Code 15-51-10 and that statute allows a wrongful death claim to proceed whenever there is a wrongful act, neglect, or default of an at-fault party. They can go for any kind of case, for trucking case, a motorcycle case, a court case, anything. But a wrongful death statute allows for us to bring an action on behalf of the spouse, on behalf of the children. If there wasn't a spouse or children, we can bring it on behalf of the person's parents or of course if there are no parents, spouse, or children, any kind of heirs. We kind of research that. We kind of figured out who's going to take under the potential wrongful death case. Those kinds of damages that we're going after, you know we're going after the medical bills from the deceased's treatment, any kind of funeral calls, the loss of fundage or support or benefits, loss of household services, loss of companionship, those kinds of things. Now, going along with that, there is another aspect that's called a survival action. In a lot of times, we have both and under our act in our law in South Carolina, I'm sure this is just like that in New Hampshire. They have a similar statute but in South Carolina, we would also bring a survival action like I said and that is seeking damages if there was any kind of suffering prior to the death. So, if they were hit on the scene, basically we're saying they survived the initial accident but the injuries and damages were enough that they succumb to it eventually. So, think of the scenario, we would file those claims form, we'd meet with all the interested family members to learn the circumstances of the loss, explain what we can do, gather as much evidence as possible, police report, accident report, witness statements, medical records, bills. Again, at that point in time, we've already identified the responsible parties and the sources of income, calculate the damages, develop the best legal strategy that we can, negotiate on their behalf, and just try to get them an appropriate settlement with both the wrongful death case and the survival action.
Patrick: Now, speaking of who's at fault, that was another thing that came up as people are asking me questions about this. So, on one hand, you got the driver, a 23-year-old driver who has a crazy criminal background with theft and break-ins and he's got driving under the influence of a crack pipe. I mean, I don't even know why he would have a commercial driver's license in the first place, but then he got suspended in Connecticut and he goes down to New Hampshire to start driving with another trucking company. So, possibly, the trucking company also has some responsibility. I can't imagine that they did a proper background check and then decide to hire this guy.
Attorney Justin: That attorney in New Hampshire is going to have a field day with this. The federal regulations outlined the carrier's responsibility to obtain their background information of the driver before they hire him in. There is definitely negligent hiring component to this and even if this happened in South Carolina, we would still bring negligent hiring because these are based under the federal regulations for truck drivers. Absolute nightmare. The trucking company does not investigate their qualifications of this potential driver. They're deemed to have actual knowledge, not just-- They can't just say, "I didn't know this". If they don't act to actually investigate these people they're hiring, they're deemed to have actual knowledge. So, taking to account if a joker like this guy in New Hampshire was down here in South Carolina, they're supposed to lose their license for 60 days if you have a conviction within a 3-year period and this is talking on like a minor scale. He even has a speeding ticket. If you're going 50 miles over a speeding ticket, you have a reckless driving, and improper lane change can make him lose it for 60 days. Following the vehicle too closely, any other motor vehicle traffic or texting and driving or driving without a license. Now, similar to this New Hampshire guy, you're supposed to be disqualified for a minimum of a year under the federal guides. If you got a DUI, he had operating under an influence charge prior to this, a record something similar to that.
So, yeah, and the trucking company has to know that and they have a duty to investigate their driver's driving experience and their qualifications. Now, some jurisdictions will say, well, they have to do their driving record and know their driving record and investigate their driving record but maybe not their entire criminal background. Between me and you, that's absolute bullshit. They need to investigate the whole thing. A lot of times, when we have this kind of case, we start investigating and it definitely comes up that there was a failure or a breach in their system of investigating these people prior to hiring. That takes you to another point, Patrick, and this might get a little offtopic but I've heard this from the industry because we do these trucking cases and we do motorcycle cases. I've heard that this trucking company is, due to the economy, is just having such a hard time hiring people. That's the rise with Uber and they're trying to get this self-driving car or self-driving trucks. The cars of this trucking company are having a problem hiring qualified drivers. That may come into a place that this lawyer also up in New Hampshire might discover, hey, they couldn't hire anybody so they just said, to hell with our duty to investigate these people. We don't want to know. We just want a driver on the road and of course, it's going to bite them in the ass when it [inaudible] them.
Patrick: Well, yeah, absolutely. Now, here's another angle to this. Maybe you can comment on it but evidently, the flatbed trucking trailer that a guy was driving like 2, 3 weeks before, it also flipped in, right? Nobody was hurt so the police didn't issue any citations and such, but if there were some failure to maintain that trucking trailer or if there were something else having to do with the manufacture, would that contribute to the accident and cause another party that you could sue on behalf of the victims?
Attorney Justin: Yeah. Again sometimes, we have these cases where a lot of us will see is--. You'll see a car roll off. That's what makes it flip but they have a duty to look out for the mechanical failures and sometimes we can bring a call of action for negligent inspection, negligent maintenance, negligent repair, and yet a motor carrier can be held responsible for any injury caused by failure to properly inspect, maintain, or repair the equipment. That's controlling. So, like you said, maybe the brakes don't work or something should have been or did not be found on a free trip inspection. Definitely, that would subject them to a claim for negligent inspection.
Patrick: It seems like that might be something to definitely look into. You remember a while back with Tracy Morgan and Walmart truck driver, we had a lot of questions about that case came up as well. One of the things that were so interesting to me was Walmart came out right away and said, we're going to take care of all the people injured. There's like 3, 4 vehicles involved, several people but then when it finally came down to the point of their attorneys actually looking at things, the attorney said, no, we don't have any liability. There is contributory negligence on behalf of Tracy Morgan and other folks because they weren't wearing a seatbelt. Eventually, they were saying the whole accident was their fault because they didn't wear a seatbelt. How would you handle things like that? When they come back and try to pinpoint it on you, there has been cars or partial cars, how do you deal with that?
Attorney Justin: We see that a lot with motorcycle accidents especially. They always try to pin it on the biker or the rider. It's ridiculous but it's something we have to overcome. Here's what I tell my clients. Remember they're going to bring that up but luckily in South Carolina, we're not as harsh as some states. In North Carolina, they have a pure contributory negligence set of laws where if you're 1% at fault, you can lose your whole recovery. Luckily, in South Carolina, they would have to prove that the interparty or the victim is more than 50% so as long as we're not more than 50% at fault, we would still have a claim. Then what happens is, after just trying-- Similar to Tracy Morgan, what we'll try to do is they-- we'll, hey, arbitrarily, we're going to say that the biker was 20% at fault. And we have to fight that fact all the time. Basically, we're just going to hold our stick to the fire, say under what grounds or you coming up with arbitrary number and a lot of times it's the adjuster. We call it adjuster law in the office here because he's not going by any kind of scientific standards or what's on the medical records or what's in the accident report, or what our experts' report. He's just making up his own mind. We go so far in miles because I turn them into the South Carolina Department of Insurance, that'll put up with it. If they start their arbitrary stuff with my clients, immediately, we get to ask him to correct it politely, deal with a specific timeline and if not then we either file the lawsuit along with the Department of Insurance complaint against the adjuster or we'll go ahead and file the Department of Insurance complaint with that sorts of file to give us some leverage in the lawsuit.
Patrick: So, you know a lot of these games that they play and it's really just a matter of what negotiating and getting leverage on them and pointing out what you're going to do if you go to court? Is that how that works?
Attorney Justin: Yeah, and Patrick, it shouldn't be like that. It should be-- because a lot of these are cut and dry but they are trying to save money for their shareholders, policyholders, whoever it may be. The only way they make money is denying the late claims. It's ridiculous, especially for the hurt person. But yeah, it's a game they play and we just got to do hold the stick to the fire and do what's right by my client.
Patrick: This is like a crazy part of this case and I'm sure it doesn't come up that often, shouldn't come up that often, but then the RMV had gotten notification both through electronic means and then also received a pre-note that this driver's license should have been resented or canceled or whatever. Because of their lax way of handling things over the last year, they've got thousands now of cases that should have been terminated but they're not. So, the government [inaudible] came out and said that he is calling on a full investigation, the head of the RMV resigned. Is there some liability on the part of the state or the RMV in this?
Attorney Justin: Based on the statute, what I've been reading up there, and of course I don't really know the New Hampshire law but I would say yes. That is, like what you said, it's crazy. That's the most bizarre thing I've heard in a long time. If that happened here in South Carolina, I would love that case. I would bring that case all day long. I haven't heard of a similar set of facts but one thing a little [inaudible] up here in South Carolina is our Tort Claims Caps. Unfortunately, in South Carolina, no matter what a public entity does, we are limited to a $300,000 recovery. Now, there is some talk in the legislature to increase that coming up but right now, even if we would have proved the exact same set of facts to the New Hampshire case, our only recovery for these injured and deceased marines will be the 300,000 caps. But that's some creative lawyering of the New Hampshire. He's calling them accountable and it's bringing light to this bigger issue. A scary issue that we have, like what you said, hundreds of these other commercial drivers on the road out there. It's crazy so it's like a ticking time bomb it can happen again.
Patrick: Yeah, and since it looks like there're so many things here that are just absolutely wrong, should not have happened that contributed to this, what's the potential for punitive damages?
Attorney Justin: For punitive damage, you have to prove in South Carolina, at least, willful, wanton, gross negligent, reckless conduct. These cases are written all over it. Those damages are above and beyond your regular damages. They're meant to punish behavior. Everything about this is bad. Again, with the DMV/RMV issues, you'll be limited to the Tort Claims Caps but as far as the carrier, as far as the at-fault driver himself, as far as any other entity or insurance company that's insuring those entities and underinsured coverage, they would be responsible for potential punitive damages for sure.
Patrick: Now, we're talking about insurance and you mentioned that a couple of times but if you didn't have underinsured motors coverage and this happened, you'd become screwed, right?
Attorney Justin: I preach that to my clients. I preach that to whoever wants to listen to me. I go to motorcycle clubs. I go to bike weeks. I go to Harley Davidson. I go to our local riding [inaudible], everything. I tell everybody, get your UIM, Underinsured Motorist Coverage as high as you can afford. It's not that much more expensive when you really think about it. You don't have to do it for yourself. Do it for your spouse, do it for your kids because like what we're talking, if at the at-fault driver only have a minimum policy and in South Carolina, that's a $25,000 policy. Your emergency room bill is going to be more than 25,000. Easy. So there goes that first part. You can't count on him to have million-dollar insurance. It's more than likely you're going to have that minimum policy. So the only thing you can do is to up your underinsured coverage and work you underinsurance with the first party policy and they will step into the shoes of the at-fault driver up to your policy limits that you purchased. In South Carolina, locally, sometimes we can stack policies. What I mean by that is if you have more vehicles at home, sometimes I can pull back and you may think you only have a hundred thousand in coverage but you have three vehicles at home, well guess what, now you have 400,000 in coverage that we can get you and your family, your kids when you fall, when you're hit. That's always an avenue. I always preach that. You can never count on the at-fault driver. You got to increase your UIM coverage. Another thing that's underlooked is your PIP or your MedPay Policy and that coverage kicks in whether you're at fault or not. It's Personal Injury Protection or MedPay. In South Carolina, I always recommend if you have health insurance, get that the bigger help whatever your health insurance deductible is because you're more likely to be in a motor accident and get hurt in which your PIP cover your health insurance and your health insurance will cover your meds. You're not out to pocket anything and we're able to fight for you and get you a recovery.
Patrick: I know. While you're talking, I was totally surprised. I thought I want to talk to my insurance agent then I'd say I want a full coverage policy. As I'm talking to you, I realized I'm not really insured properly at all.
Attorney Justin: An insurance company [inaudible] the insurance and a lot of times he'll make me call and you'll say exactly what you just said. I need a full coverage policy. I need the cheapest policy. Those are the two words I hear the most common in my practice. Well, cheapest they're just going to give me the liability. That's it. That covers absolutely nothing. Full coverage, now, they'll probably give you comprehensive coverage that will cover if you drop your bike or something stupid like that, but that's not underinsured motorist coverage. In South Carolina, they have to make you a meaningful offer of UIM and you have to specifically by a signature decline that coverage. There's times where clients come into me, they'll say, "I don't have UIM". We're able to do an investigation, request those actual documents from their first-party insurer. They can't provide it. Then I'll be able to do what we call reformation of the policy. Do we fall them to give them some UIM coverage. We see that a lot of malpractice unfortunately but the best course of action is to make sure you have your UIM. I do that, Patrick, for my clients. I do it for anybody. Just call me, come by my office if I'm here. Any of my attorneys can meet with you anytime we're here in the office and if you just put out your declarations page, we'll sit down with you. I'll say, look here's where you're short, here's what you need to-- fill in this gap. Get some more of this, get some more of that. We'll just give you an honest review of it for free.
Patrick: That's tremendous. I know I'm changing my policy tomorrow. That's for sure. So, for our listeners who would like to take advantage of that or have you come out to their club and speak with them, what's the best way for them to get in touch with you?
Attorney Justin: We're here in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina with an office 1053 London St., my website, www.justiceislovely.com. They can call me anytime 843-839-4111. I often speak at club meetings. They call me in before their monthly meeting. I got no problem coming and really teach them this because sometimes it takes somebody outside of the club to really rang it home. Of course, I want to educate them before they, you know, they always want to be riders so they can call me anytime, Patrick.
Patrick: That's great. Also, besides our whole conversation here has focused on this personal injury cases and wrongful death but Justin also handles criminal cases so if you're listening and you got a DUI, you've been hassled by the police, you can also reach out to Justin. Any thoughts or comments on the criminal cases that you deal with?
Attorney Justin: Yeah, we're an injury and criminal defense firm here in Myrtle Beach. Unfortunately, riders get profiles and a lot of the cases are ridiculous we can beat them so definitely give us a call. My wife, Amy, handles most of the criminal documents and I help her out too. We get a lot of traffic tickets, DUI, and stuff like that. We can help the riders out. Also, lately, we're seeing a lot of the 3M cases, we're helping riders out because a lot of them are unaware that they [inaudible] and they were deployed during the Iraq-Afghanistan campaigns. I definitely take the most cases as well.
Patrick: This has been Justin Lovely with The Lovely Law Firm and Justin is the President of the National Academy of Motorcycle Injury Lawyers. I appreciate your time today, Justin. Listen, when you call his office, he also has rider VIP card with additional benefits and be sure to ask him for his legal guidance for motorcycle riders in South Carolina.
Attorney Justin: I appreciate you having me, Patrick, and again my heart goes out to the Jarheads MC up in New Hampshire and all across the U.S. Let's hope for our country. This is sad this happened this way but hopefully, we can find a sliver of hope out of this and at least clean up the DMVs up in the northeast and go from there. I appreciate you having me and, yeah, anybody can call me anytime, I'll help them out.
Patrick: Alright. We're going to go to a break now but Justin, stay on the line for a minute. I have a couple of questions for you.
Attorney Justin: Yeah, no problem.
[end]
The Lovely Law Firm represents clients in Myrtle Beach and surrounding areas with criminal and personal injury cases.
https://www.justiceislovely.com/
Firms past performance and experience does not guarantee future results. No fee if no recovery. Injury cases are handled on a contingency fee calculated before expenses from gross recovery. Costs are paid by the client regardless of outcome.
The Lovely Law Firm is located at 1053 London St., Myrtle Beach, SC 29577 Justin M. Lovely