Birmingham, Alabama Personal Injury and Accident Attorneys

Belt Law Firm, P.C.

Lakeshore Park Plaza, Suite 208
2204 Lakeshore Drive
Birmingham, Alabama 35209
USA

(205) 933-1500 or (888) 933-1514

(205) 933-5500

www.beltlawfirm.com

Contact Keith T. Belt, Jr.

Law Firm Overview Free Consultation

At Belt Law Firm, our attorneys and staff take great pride in helping injured people not only recover from their injuries, but also recover their lives. In doing so, our firm has obtained millions of dollars in settlements and trial verdicts for our clients. We have the staff, resources and experience to litigate the most serious cases. Let our reputation and experience work for you.

Our litigation skills extend to virtually every area important to business, including insurance fraud and bad faith, workplace issues and accidents, product liability, construction Litigation, environmental torts, personal injury and wrongful death, vehicle accident and numerous other practice areas.

At Belt Law Firm, our clients come first. With the competence and experience to address a wide variety of legal issues, we still retain the personal touch with each of our clients. As leaders, advocates, advisers, innovators, and dedicated professionals, we continue to hold service to our clients as our paramount concern.

Who you choose to handle your legal affairs does indeed make a difference. Failure to secure competent counsel could result in expensive litigation, financial penalties or loss of compensation for injuries. Belt Law Firm cordially invites you to meet our staff, discuss your needs and requirements, and determine how we can help you. Contact our law firm to work with an experienced and dedicated attorney who cares about your case.

Practice Areas

Additional Practice Areas: Paralysis; Paraplegia; Quadriplegia; Traumatic Brain Injury; Driver Distraction; Reckless Driving; Driver Fatigue; Speeding; Driver Negligence; Air Traffic Controller Negligence; Pilot Error; Third Party Liability; Scaffold Accidents; Electrocution; Automotive Defects; Defective Tires; Defective Tools; Defective Safety Equipment; Defective Design; Defective Manufacturing; Failure to Warn; Property Owner Liability; Unsafe Premises; Negligent Security, Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy, Negligent Road Construction, Defective Roadway Design, Uninsured Motorist; Underinsured Motorist; Alcohol Server Liability; Dram Shop Law; Thoracic Outlet Syndrome; Stark Law; Disfigurement; Misuse of Restraints; Elder Abuse; Breach of Contract.

Practice Areas Description

Belt Law Firm personal injury lawyers help people in a wide range of practice areas, including:

- Personal Injury

At Belt Law Firm, based in Birmingham, Alabama, our attorneys and staff take great pride in helping injured people not only recover from their injuries, but also recover their lives. Our team will manage your case from many perspectives – medical, personal, financial and vocational – so that you can recover your life and lifestyle as much as possible. If you have suffered a personal injury, if you are disabled and cannot work, or if a family member had died in an accident because of negligence, we want to hear your story.

- Burn Injuries

he key to recovering medical expenses and other damages in a burn injury case depends on proving negligence, which is often very difficult to do. That is why it is vital to have someone who is experienced in investigating and prosecuting burn injury cases on your side. Burn injuries can result from a variety of different activities and sources. Whether at home or on the job you can unknowingly be exposed to dangers, including:

* Building fires
* Hot liquids
* Fume ignition
* Water heater fires
* Chemical burns
* Defective products
* Flammable liquids
* Motor vehicle fires
* Smoke / heat
* Gas explosions
* Flammable clothing
* Work-related accidents

- Spinal Cord Injuries

The spinal cord consists of a bundle of nerves that run from the base of the brain down the back. The spinal cord forms a conduit, delivering messages between the brain and the rest of the body. Most of the spinal cord is surrounded by bones, known as vertebrae, which form the spine. If the spinal vertebrae are fractured or broken, the spinal cord itself can be compromised. The severity of the injury depends on the location of the fracture. The various types of spinal cord injuries (SCI) that may occur include:

* Disk herniation
* Spinal cord compression
* Paralysis
* Paraplegia
* Quadriplegia / tetraplegia

- Brain Injuries

A traumatic brain injury or post concussion syndrome (PCS) is the result of a blow to the head, which causes bruising when the brain hits the skull. As a result of this blow, bleeding and swelling occurs in the brain putting pressure on delicate tissues that leads to lasting brain damage or death. Brain injuries are one of the most traumatic and life-altering injuries a person can suffer. Even minor brain injuries cause changes in an individual’s personality that often affects the loved ones they live with and regularly interact with. Family members often have the best understanding of the daily effects of the traumatic brain injury and they can play a critical role in communicating to a jury the severity of the person’s injury. Indeed, the injured person may not be able to do this for him or herself.

- Catastrophic Injuries

A victim injured by a serious accident may recover for past, present and future economic and non-economic damages. These include pain and suffering, disability, disfigurement, wrongful death, emotional distress, disfigurement, lost wages, lost earning capacity, loss of enjoyment of life, medical expenses, interference with marital or parental relationships, and other types of damages.

- Motor Vehicle Accidents

If you have been injured in a motor vehicle or other type of accident, you may not know where to turn to obtain compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. You may be inclined to seek help from your insurance company. However, they may not have your best interests in mind. Their goal is to pay you as little as possible. Only an experienced lawyer who knows Alabama’s accident laws, the court system and individual rights can effectively prove your physical and/or mental injury under state laws. Our attorneys will help you decide your best course of action and will develop the best legal strategy for demonstrating your claim.

- Aviation Accidents

Aviation accidents include both major airline crashes and general aviation accidents. General aviation accidents include all non-commercial aircraft including small planes, business jets, charter flights, pleasure crafts, and helicopters. There may be many different factors surrounding an aviation accident. If you would like to work with an experienced and dedicated Alabama aviation accident attorney who is passionate about working on your case, please contact Belt Law Firm for a free aviation accident consultation. Your consultation with our firm about whether you have a valid legal claim is completely free.

- Construction Accidents

When negligent construction or industrial site management personnel put workers in the way of unnecessary risks and harm, and injury or death occurs, it is important to consult with an experienced construction site accident attorney as soon as possible. If you have suffered a personal injury due to a construction site accident or an industrial workplace accident, you may be eligible for compensation. The entire staff of Belt Law Firm is dedicated to the needs of our clients and to achieving the best possible result for each individual client.

- Products Liability

If you were injured by a dangerous product, or if a loved one was seriously injured or killed, it is possible the same product harmed other consumers. At Belt Law Firm, we have the legal resources necessary to pursue product liability lawsuits against the largest corporations in the world. Product liability cases include:

* Automotive defects: design defects that cause air bag injuries; car fires; defective seat belts; defective car doors and SUV rollovers
* Defective tires: poor materials or manufacturing processes that result in tire blowouts or tire recalls
* Unsafe baby equipment: these include car seats; swings; cribs and playpens
* Mechanical equipment: conveyor belts, elevators, saws, sanders, lathe machines, boilers, forklifts, bulldozers, valves, and other defective machines and equipment that does not function properly
* Defective tools: such as saws, sanders and lathes that do not function properly
* Defective safety equipment: unsafe filtration systems that cause asbestos, silicosis, welding rod claims, and other life-threatening health hazards.

- Premises Liability - Slip And Fall

According to Alabama premises liability laws, property owners may be held liable for any injury caused by unsafe conditions on their premises. At Belt Law Firm, we know that slip and fall accidents are the most common claims in premises liability lawsuits. Whether corporate or individual, all property owners need to take appropriate measures to prevent accidents and injuries on their premises. Premises liability law involves the legal responsibility of owners and occupiers of property for mishaps experienced by persons on the property and the resulting injuries. One of the most common causes of such injuries is a trip or slip and fall, such as on an icy sidewalk, a loose or uneven stair tread, or a piece of debris or spilled liquid on the floor.

- Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD)

Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD), also known as Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), can affect any part of the body, but is most often characterized by severe, unrelenting pain to a person’s feet, hands, shoulders and knees, and other extremities. RSD is a progressive and chronic disease that afflicts thousands of people in the U.S. While RSD is most common among women, it does not discriminate on the basis of age, race or gender. It can happen to anyone at anytime. Though it was discovered in the 1800s, its consequences remain a mystery to medical professionals. If you have been involved in an accident and your injuries have resulted in an RSD diagnosis, you will need the representation and guidance of a qualified and informed RSD attorney.

- Thoracic Outlet Syndrome (TOS)

Thoracic Outlet Syndrome (TOS) involves compression, injury, or irritation to the neurovascular structures at the root of the neck or upper thoracic region Trauma, such as a whiplash type injury has been associated with the onset of TOS. TOS can result from injury, disease, or a congenital abnormality. Psychological changes are often seen in patients with thoracic outlet syndrome. It is not clear whether these precede the onset of the syndrome or are the result of dealing with the pain and frustration of diagnosing and treating this condition. Accident victims suffering from thoracic-outlet syndrome may undergo conservative treatment initially. This would include medications and physical therapy. If conservative treatment does not relieve the symptoms, a person may require surgical interventions.

- Stark Law

The Stark Law governs physician self-referral for Medicare and Medicaid patients. The law is named for U.S. Congressman Pete Stark, who sponsored the initial bill. Specifically, the Stark Statute, 42 U.S.C. § 1395nn, prohibits a physician from referring Medicare patients for specific services ("designated health services" or DHS) to entities with which they or an immediate family member have a "financial relationship." If you have knowledge of a physician or billing entity that has violated the Stark Law, call the attorneys of Belt Law Firm.

- Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect

The attorneys of the Belt Law Firm are dedicated to representing those injured or killed because of abuse in the nursing home. Unfortunately, reckless and negligent behavior by nursing home staff is the primary causes of such abuse. It has been called “the hidden crime” because it is often difficult to recognize, it has been concealed by nursing home staff, or the victims may be too frightened or incapacitated to communicate the abuse. Nursing home abuse and deaths are rarely detected by government inspectors, assessed by medical examiners, or investigated and prosecuted by law enforcement.

- Negligent Road Construction

The attorneys of Belt Law Firm have handled numerous negligent road construction cases. Working with some of the best known experts and engineers in the field, we obtain the best possible results for our client(s). If you have been seriously injured or lost a loved one as the result of negligent road construction, you need the advice of an experienced Alabama personal injury lawyer.

- Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist

If you are in an accident caused by an uninsured or underinsured driver, the Alabama personal injury attorneys of Belt Law Firm may be able to help you recover for the full extent of your damage and injuries. Our firm handles uninsured motorist (UM) and underinsured motorist (UIM) claims throughout the state of Alabama. Belt Law Firm understands that many times, there are additional sources of insurance that can be discovered by an experienced attorney. We will investigate all insurance claims and interpret policies to ensure our clients get the best results.

Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage protects a person if someone who does not have adequate insurance injures him or her in an automobile accident. If you are in an accident with someone who is uninsured or underinsured, you should consult with the experienced personal injury attorneys at the Belt Law Firm.

- Workers Compensation

Under the Alabama Workers’ Compensation Act, an employee who has been injured on the job does not have to prove that any one was specifically at fault in the accident, or prove negligence against his employer. Although the law was designed to take the issue of work-related injuries out of the court system and to provide injured workers swift and sure relief for their injuries, unfortunately that is no longer the case. The cost of insurance that employers are required to carry keeps going up, and that gives employers an economic interest in denying your claim. The attorneys of Belt Law Firm will help you win your claim. We will do everything we can to help you and your family cut through the red tape and get the money you need from workers’ compensation right away.

- Wrongful Death

A "wrongful death" cause of action in Alabama is one in which a person dies due to the negligence and/or willful misconduct of another. Alabama's wrongful death statue is unique in that it only permits recovery for punitive damages and denies any recovery for compensatory damages. Thus, Alabama's wrongful death statute is setup to punish the wrongdoer, not to compensate the family for economic losses.

- Insurance Fraud / Bad Faith

Insurance fraud and bad faith cases are brought under specific statutes and common law causes of action such as misrepresentation, suppression and deceit. In the U.S., most courts have held that a special relationship exists between an insurance company and its insured, requiring the insurance company to act in good faith toward its insured. In particular, this means that the insurance company is under an obligation to pay when it becomes reasonably clear that a claim is covered.

- Class Action

The Belt Law Firm currently represents thousands of individuals in class action cases, fighting for their right to be treated fairly and legally. A lawsuit brought by groups of people suffering similar harm or losses – by corporate misconduct, consumer or business fraud, defective products or discrimination – is called a class action. This harm or loss can have numerous causes, including:

* Consumer fraud
* Corporate misconduct
* Employment discrimination
* Environmental law / toxic torts
* Insurance fraud
* Finance fraud
* Federal False Claims Act (Qui Tam)
* Securities fraud

- False Claims Act (Qui Tam)

Qui tam is a key provision of the Federal Civil False Claims Act that allows a private citizen to file a lawsuit on behalf of the U.S. Government seeking to expose and stop fraud or false claims by companies that do business with, or are reimbursed by the United States. In return for filing and pursuing a successful qui tam lawsuit, the law provides for a reward of 15-30 percent of the monies recovered. Like similar whistleblower laws, the False Claims Act/Qui Tam law provision prohibits an employer from harassing or retaliating against an employee for attempting to uncover or report fraud on the federal government. "Qui Tam" is short for the Latin phrase qui tam pro domino rege quam pro siepse, meaning "he who is as much for the king as for himself."

- Environmental Litigation and Toxic Torts

Belt Law Firm represents clients who have been harmed by exposure to environmental contamination or toxic chemicals. Personal or property exposure is recent in some cases; in others, contamination occurs over many years. Our firm has broad experience in helping people obtain compensation for personal injuries and property damage caused by toxic substances.

- Commercial and Business Litigation

For our business clients, the Belt Law Firm’s commercial litigation experience is a valuable asset. We have represented small business and individuals in all sorts of business matters, from fraud to breaches of contract. Some of the types of cases we have handled include:

* Antitrust issues
* Theft of trade secrets
* Business interference
* Construction issues
* Contract disputes and breach of contract allegations
* Employment law
* Insurance coverage and bad faith
* Intellectual property
* Liability and negligence

- Alcohol Server Liability

Alabama and many other states have laws that regulate the distribution and sale of alcohol. These laws, known as Dram Shop Laws, hold alcohol servers/bars responsible for harm that intoxicated or underage patrons cause to other people or, in some cases themselves, after they drink and drive and cause accidents. The Alabama dram shop lawyers of Belt Law Firm have the experience and understanding to handle these sensitive issues and can assist families in getting the just compensation they deserve for the loss of their family member.