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The United States education system doesn’t only benefit Americans. At universities throughout
the United States, students from other nations broaden their education and learn valuable skills.
But not all foreign individuals can study in the United States. Before coming into the country, a
student must apply for a visa.
Student visas give foreign nationals the chance to reap the benefits of American higher education
institutions. This type of visa is a non-immigrant visa, as it only allows for a temporary stay in
the United States. Here at Nooney, Roberts, Hewett & Nowicki, we can help you understand the
complexities and intricacies of the visa and achieve a successful application.
Details and Types of Visas
This type of visa is only for students who plan on studying in the United States. In fact, students
must enroll at a qualified institution before they apply for the visa. If the government grants the
visa application, the student can only stay in the country for a short period. The period expires
when the student finishes the study program or assignment.
There are different kinds of student visas. Typically, the type you choose depends on your
studies and the type of educational institution you will attend. The following are three of the
most common examples of visas for students:
F-1 Visa
This visa is for academic researchers. Students or researchers who want to study or research at
the following locations can apply for this specific visa:
To have a successful visa, you must be accepted to the institution before your application. Your
institution can provide you with an I-20 form to submit with your visa application. If you are in
the United States, you need to leave to apply for this visa. You can only apply from an embassy
or consulate out of the United States. Another prerequisite is to prove you have financial support
for the duration of your stay in the U.S. This requirement is a way for the United States
government to know you won’t be seeking employment during your tenure in their country.
With this visa, you are given a certain amount of time to complete your studies. However, it
typically only allows you to stay in the country if you maintain your enrollment status. Although ou may be able to work part-time on your campus, you cannot work full-time or work any off-campus job.
Although persons holding student visas generally are not permitted to work off-campus,
exceptions are made if: (1) the student has been in good standing for a specific period; (2) the
prospective employer has not successfully recruited United States workers for the position in a
specific period; (3) the employer will pay the student the prevailing wage 6 ; and (4) the student will not work more hours per week than permitted for on-campus employment.
J-1 Visa
Also known as the Academic Studies as an Exchange Visitor visa, the J-1 visa has some
particular requirements. It is only for individuals who will do a work-study program for cultural
exchange. Usually, it is for medical or business training.
To receive this visa, you need to be fluent and proficient in English. You also need to have the
minimum required medical insurance. Much like the F-1 visa, you need proof that you have
financial support for the time of your stay. You also must show that you intend to return to your
home country after the program; you could show a return airplane ticket to go back home on the
date the visa expires, bank and mortgage accounts, direct family members, and more to prove
that you intend to return to your home country.
If you plan on applying for this visa, you need to get a DS-2019 form from the sponsoring
organization or a government agency.
M-1 Visa
For vocational or other non-academic studies, you can seek an M-1 visa. This allows you to
study at a vocational school or another non-academic institution. Applicants must first be
accepted by the vocational institution before applying for the visa. Additionally, that institution
needs to be approved by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). You
need to be fluent and proficient in English, have enough money to live comfortably, retain
permanent residence in your country of origin, and have the intention of leaving the United
States.
With this visa, you can only stay for as long as your training lasts, which includes optional
training and a 30-day grace period. But you cannot stay for longer than one year in the U.S. If
you have a medical issue or extenuating circumstances, you may be able to apply for an
extension. While in the United States on the visa, you cannot work on or off your campus.
When you apply, you need to include an I-20 form with a signature from a school official. This
needs to be done in the United States consulate or embassy of the country you originate from.
How to Apply for Student Visas
There are certain steps in the application process. First, you need to submit the proper
application. As mentioned above, you can only apply after you gain admission to your program
and receive the appropriate paperwork.
The second step is to pay the fee. In most cases, you need to pay United States Immigrations and
Customs Enforcement (ICE) at least three days before you submit your application. The fees
vary depending on your type of visa. At Nooney, Roberts, Hewett & Nowicki, we will inform
you on what fees you are required to pay. After you make the payment, print out a copy of your
receipt. This payment is for the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System, not the actual
student visa.
Should you choose us to help you, we will fill out your visa application. The form is detailed and
requires some supporting documentation, such as a digital photograph. After you sign, we will
submit it.
Once you submit your application, you must pay your visa application fees. You will then be
able to schedule an appointment for an interview. Before the interview, you need to make an
appointment for fingerprinting. You must do so several days before the interview.
At the interview, you need to respond to questions about your life and your education plans. For
example, you must answer questions about your English skills, your educational experience, and
your plans for furthering your education. You should take all the required documentation with
you to the interview.
We Can Help You with Your Visa
If you plan on applying for a student visa by yourself, more than likely you will encounter
difficulties. The process is not as simple as you imagine—it is complicated and strict. One wrong
answer or missing document could jeopardize your education.
Here at Nooney, Roberts, Hewett & Nowicki, we can help you navigate the process and difficult
government intricacies nobody would want to go through alone. Most importantly, we will
handle all the hard work. With our help and guidance, your student visa could soon become a
reality. Contact us today for a free consultation at (904) 398-1992.
If you sustain an injury because of another person’s fault, you may be able to file a negligence
claim and receive significant compensation. At Nooney, Roberts, Hewett & Nowicki we can
explain all the elements of negligence, what is needed to file an injury claim, and will fight to get
you the compensation you deserve.
When another party acts with negligence and it results in you getting injured, it is not fair that
you should be left paying the costs to care for your injuries. You will most likely have medical
bills and insurance co-pays and deductibles to cover, as well as costs for medication, possible
lost wages due to your inability to work at your job, and more. A negligence claim can help you
recover these lost amounts, as well as compensate you for future treatment, future lost wages,
pain and suffering, and more. However, you must act swiftly and hire an experienced and
competent personal injury lawyer for negligence in Florida to help build a case on your behalf.
If you need a negligence lawyer in Florida, contact Nooney, Roberts, Hewett & Nowicki today
for a free consultation and speak privately with our excellent lawyers to review the facts of your
case. Call us at (904) 398-1992.
Definition of “Negligence” According to Florida Law
The Supreme Court of Florida has defined “negligence” as the failure to use reasonable care,
which is the care that a reasonably careful person would use under like circumstances.
Negligence is doing something that a reasonably careful person would not do under like
circumstances or failing to do something that a reasonably careful person would do under like
circumstances.4 According to section 768.81(c), Florida Statutes, a “negligence action” means,
without limitation, a civil action for damages based upon a theory of negligence, strict liability,
products liability, and professional malpractice.
A negligence claim, by law, can seek economic damages for lost wages, future lost wages,
medical and funeral expenses, the value of damaged or destroyed property in an accident, and
more. An individual may seek compensation for any monetary loss that is the direct result of an
injury. A negligence action is a civil case, meaning that the state does not investigate the claim,
and the involved parties and their attorneys are responsible for all gathering and presentation of
evidence brought before a judge or jury. Law enforcement may be involved if a police report is
filed regarding the injury, such as with a car accident.
You can file a negligence claim against someone or an organization if they breach (fail) their
duty to keep you reasonably protected in situations where they are responsible for your safety.
Elements of Negligence
Nooney, Roberts, Hewett & Nowicki and its team of experts will represent you and help put
together a case on your behalf that proves the other party had a duty to exercise reasonable care
and failed to do so. It is necessary to prove fault to receive compensation.
There are four main elements of negligence that you must prove to have a strong case.
Duty
The first step in a negligence claim is establishing that the other party had a reasonable duty to
exercise reasonable care. An example of this would be another driver on the road having the duty
to drive safely and minimize the chance of an accident. Another example would be the owner of
an animal having the duty to keep you safe from an attack of his animal.
Establishing Breach of Duty
The second element of negligence is establishing that someone breached their duty to exercise
reasonable care. Proving they failed to uphold their duty may be simple, but it can be extremely
challenging at times. Examples of a breach of duty include someone driving past the speed limit
who causes a car accident, a grocery store that ignores and fails to fix loose floor tiles that results
in a slip and fall, or an animal owner releasing his/her pet off the leash resulting in a bite.
Establishing the Breach of Duty is the Cause of Injury
After a Florida negligence lawyer helps establish duty and the fact that the opposing party
breached their duty, you must prove that this breach of duty is the cause of the accident resulting
in your injury. For example, you must prove that a hardware store’s failure to place a caution
sign on a wet floor is what caused you to fall and that the fall resulted in your injury.
Establishing Damages
When filing a negligence claim you must show substantial evidence of the damages incurred
because of your injury. This will include providing documentation regarding medical care and
costs, time that you were unable to work, and projected medical treatment and costs for the
future.
If any of the foregoing elements are missing, you will not be able to have a successful negligence
case in Florida. Many cases may have strong proof or two or three elements but may still fail as a
result of the lack of a single element. For example, if someone is hit by a vehicle in a parking lot
but suffers no injuries or property damage, that individual would not have a successful
negligence claim.
For your case to be successful, you must prove each of the four elements of negligence above to
hold the at-fault party responsible. An experienced personal injury law firm, such as Nooney,
Roberts, Hewett & Nowicki, is the perfect law firm to get the job done right. Call us for a free
consultation at (909) 398-1992.
A Personal Injury Law Firm Can Help You!
A Florida negligence and personal law firm, such as Nooney, Roberts, Hewett & Nowicki, will
help build your case surrounding the elements of negligence. Oftentimes, parties settle
negligence claims without having to use the court and avoid the possibility of a trial. You need a
personal injury team of experts who will fight for you, collect all the evidence necessary, and
form a strong, and most importantly, successful case. Nooney, Roberts, Hewett & Nowicki is
that team of experts.
From the moment you first contact our office, you will have access to your attorney around-theclock. Chances are that the other party has already contacted a lawyer to help with their defense.
You deserve aggressive legal representation fighting for you.
Receive A FREE Consultation
At Nooney, Roberts, Hewett & Nowicki, we have team members on standby ready to evaluate
the facts of your case for FREE with zero obligation. If you are looking to file a negligence claim
in Florida, contact Nooney, Roberts, Hewett & Nowicki to get started on your case today.
Don’t let another day pass! Contact us today at (904) 398-1992 to speak with one of our team
members who are glad to help you!
Getting in a car accident can be a frightening experience that can become even scarier in the
event of a serious injury. Florida law requires people to meet certain criteria to file a third-party
claim for personal injuries sustained from a car accident.
Following a serious accident, people often question the amount of compensation they can receive
through a legal settlement, but there is no “average” settlement amount.
The amount of money awarded to Florida drivers in a car accident settlement can vary greatly
depending on several factors, such as the insurance policies involved, the severity of the injury,
and the nature of the accident.
Stipulating an exact amount for your settlement requires obtaining information that can best be
examined and interpreted by an experienced team of personal injury attorneys.
If you or a loved one has suffered a serious injury due to a car accident and is having trouble
getting compensation, you are far from being alone. Contact our top personal injury attorneys at
Nooney, Roberts, Hewett & Nowicki to get started on your car accident settlement today.
Calculating Car Accident Settlement Amounts
The process of calculating how much money you will be able to receive in a car accident
settlement depends on specific information about the accident. What one individual considers a
car accident can look different to different people, ranging anywhere from a small fender bender
to a severe crash resulting in property damage and personal injuries. For example, if a car
accident is minor without any injuries, the amount you receive is likely to be less than you would
receive for an accident that results in major casualties or damage to other vehicles and property.
When drivers are involved in a vehicle accident, their actions often depend on the seriousness of
the accident and the amount of damage caused. Under Florida law, those who are in a car
accident are required to contact law enforcement immediately if the accident was severe enough
to result in:
It is common for people who get in minor car accidents to not contact law enforcement; it can be
due to a variety of reasons, depending on the circumstances and those involved.
Regardless of whether you call the police following your accident, it is still important to document all accident-related damages and gather both personal details and insurance information of all drivers involved. Other information to keep nearby if you plan on filing a personal injury claim includes:
This information is very important when determining how much money you will be able to
receive in a personal injury settlement.
Factors that Affect Florida Car Accident Settlements
As per Florida law resources, the average amount for vehicle accident settlements ranges from
$10,000 to $60,000 (or more). As you may have thought, settlement amounts range widely
depending on many factors. The most important factors that can affect your settlement amount is
the severity of your injuries and the ability of the attorney that is representing you.
Hiring the correct car accident attorney is essential in knowing how much compensation you
may be eligible for and what action can be taken to help lessen your financial burden in your
recovery.
No-Fault Insurance Policy
One of the most important factors to understand when seeking a car accident claim in Florida is
the state’s no-fault accident law. This law requires that people who sustain injuries from an
accident first seek coverage through their own automobile insurance provider.
Regardless of how serious or minor the accident, calling your vehicle insurance provider is one
of the first steps you should take after getting in a car accident. To begin the process of receiving
cost-related coverage, it is important to make this call after seeking medical treatment, contacting
the police, and consulting an attorney.
Under Florida’s No-Fault law, found in section 627.7407, Florida Statutes, you can begin to
receive coverage from your insurance before a determination is made as to who was at fault for
causing the accident.1
Personal Injury Protection Policy (PIP)
Florida drivers are required to have personal injury protection (PIP) coverage of at least $10,000
through their auto insurance. PIP coverage can be very important for seeking a starting coverage
payout or reimbursement following a vehicle accident.
Through your insurer’s personal injury protection policy, you could be eligible to receive the
following coverage:
Through your insurer’s personal injury protection policy, you could be eligible to receive the
following coverage:
This can help seek initial financial coverage after a car accident. However, there are also several
limitations to PIP coverage.
Benefit Limits: PIP benefits do not exceed $2,500 unless you are determined to have an
emergency medical condition (EMC).
Timeframe for Medical Coverage: To seek coverage for medical costs related to your accident,
you must seek medical treatment within 14 days of the accident. Medical treatment sought after
this timeframe may not be eligible for coverage through your PIP insurance policy.
Not All Damages Covered: Although PIP may cover some damages, it does not cover damages
related to pain and suffering. This, and other costs not covered by your vehicle insurance, may be
recoverable through filing a third-party claim against the driver at fault through us.
Cap on Damages Awarded
You might often hear about the term damage caps. Damage caps are legal limits on how much
money you can receive for damages filed in personal injury cases. The most common damage
caps to be aware of in personal injury car accident cases are punitive damage caps. Punitive
damages are damages that can be awarded to punish or deter the dangerous behavior of the
person at fault under specific conditions.
According to section 768.73(1)(a), Florida Statutes, the cap on punitive damages in personal
injury cases is generally no more than a three times multiplier of the amount of compensatory
damages (e.g., medical bills, repair costs), or a maximum of $500,000—whichever is greater.
Note: There are some exceptions to this rule that are found in sections 768.735 and 768.36,
Florida Statutes.
Filing a Car Accident Claim in Florid
If you’re having trouble obtaining the amount of compensation needed to cover costs and
damages following a car accident, you may be able to file a third-party personal injury claim against the driver at fault.
To initiate this process, it is imperative to find strong legal representation to help you determine
a fair settlement based on the details and circumstances of your case.
Here at Nooney, Roberts, Hewett & Nowicki, we understand how laborious and challenging it
can be to navigate this process alone. Our experienced team of attorneys can confidently provide
legal advice, negotiate with the at-fault driver’s insurance company, and take your case to trial
(court) if necessary to pursue a fair settlement for your damages obtained from the car accident.
Recovering from a personal injury following a car accident can already be arduous enough. Let
our results-driven legal expertise at Nooney, Roberts, Hewett & Nowicki help you seek a
personal injury claim to award you the compensation you deserve.
Don’t wait to learn what your settlement is worth. Call Nooney, Roberts, Hewett & Nowicki at
(904) 398-1992 for a free consultation today.
Thousands of car accidents happen every year in the United States. Some accidents will lead to
serious injury or disability, and others, unfortunately, can be fatal.
Although many government agencies in Florida work toward road and driver safety, motor
vehicle accidents unfortunately still happen. Texting while driving, distracted driving, failure to
obey traffic laws, and poor weather conditions are just a few of many factors that can contribute
to car accidents.
If you were recently in a car accident in Florida and suffered an injury, you should consider
filing a personal injury claim. Compensation awarded in car accident claims can help pay for
medical expenses, long-term medical care, and other types of damages not covered by your
Florida personal injury protection (PIP) insurance plan.
Each car accident is unique in its nature because there are many factors at play. This means that
each automobile accident claim will also be unique. All contributing factors and specific details
must be considered regarding your claim. Factors that may affect a car accident claim include:
Things that May Affect your Automobile Accident Claim
These factors can make a vast difference to your claim, which is why our team always works personally with our clients to provide a full investigation. Navigating the intricacies of insuranceis no easy feat, especially for those who are struggling with an injury. For this reason, selecting an excellent personal injury law firm in Florida is crucial to your case.
Types of Car Accident Claims
Unfortunately, most car accidents happen due to driver negligence. Because of this, your Florida
car accident attorney must provide a thorough investigation following the accident.
Negligence
You can vastly increase your chance of winning your personal injury claim if your Florida auto
accident attorney can prove negligence on the part of the defendant (the other driver/motorist).
Some examples of negligence include drunk driving, distracted driving, failure to yield, etc.
Defective Car Parts
If your car, or the defendant’s car, had a defective part before the accident occurred, you may
have a claim against the vehicle manufacturer. To prove a defective car claim, the driver must
not be at fault and your car accident lawyer must be able to prove the defective part was a direct
cause of the accident due to a manufacturing issue.
While this two-part claim seems complicated, it is possible to win a claim for such an accident. If
an accident occurred due to faulty car parts, the manufacturer of the car can be considered at
fault regardless of which driver caused the accident.
Road Conditions, Design, Or Faulty Construction
Although the State of Florida allocates large sums toward road maintenance each year, car
accidents still occur due to faulty road design, conditions, and construction. When this happens,
and no other factors were at play, the driver is not considered responsible. Faulty traffic signals,
lack of proper signs, or problems with the design or maintenance of the roads are all factors that
can contribute to compensation for a related automobile accident.
Injuries from Car Accidents
Each car accident is caused by different factors and can result in many injuries. Unfortunately,
treatment for certain injuries is not always covered by your insurance policy.
Injuries you may sustain in a motor vehicle accident include:
In some cases, injuries resulting from a car accident entitle the injured party to compensation.
However, pursuing a claim with the negligent party’s insurance company may be difficult as
they will be looking out for their interests when it comes to paying out. For this reason, it is
important to work honestly with your Florida auto accident lawyer, providing all the necessary
information to make the most effective claim.
Compensation Following a Car Accident
If your personal injury lawyer and the insurance company cannot reach an agreement for your
claim, it may be necessary to take the case to trial (court). Keep in mind that before the case is
settled, expenses and charges related to your incident can often mount.
An excellent Florida car accident attorney, such as those at Nooney, Roberts, Hewett & Nowicki
can help you recover as much of these costs as possible. The compensation you may be entitled
to from your personal injury claim include:
What to Do After a Car Accident in Florida
If you’ve just been in a car accident, you may be pretty nervous and possibly injured. It is
important to make sure you are safe and unharmed. There are a few steps to take right away
which can make filing a personal injury claim easier for you.
First, move your vehicle out of the roadway, if possible. Then, help any passengers in your
vehicle or passengers who may be injured in the vehicles involved. Call 911 to make sure
emergency personnel are dispatched to the accident scene.
Carefully approach anyone else involved in the accident to exchange contact and insurance
information. Make sure to get their vehicle’s license plate number, name, and phone number.
If your phone is at hand and you are physically able, take photos of the scene of the crash and
your vehicle and any other vehicles involved. Do not turn in a statement to your insurance just
yet— be sure to wait until you have contacted our office which handles car accident cases first.
It is highly important that you ignore any attempts to settle damages with a personal payoff or to
leave the police out of the accident. This can be of utmost importance to your case.
Legal Steps to Take After a Car Accident
Insurance companies may be unwilling to meet your claim or may present many reasons to avoid
compensating you after an automobile accident. While insurance companies are always securing
their interests, you may have the right to a claim based on any number of factors related to your
incident.
It is important to seek legal advice immediately to not lose time on your claim. At Nooney,
Roberts, Hewett & Nowicki, lawyers who specialize in automobile accidents will obtain any
information necessary to pursue your claim and deal with the complexities of insurance
companies for you.
Filing a Personal Auto Injury Claim
As with many court-related tasks, filing a claim can be confusing. First, you will need to know if
you are filing a claim against another party, a car manufacturer, parts manufacturer, or the county
or state due to road conditions.
This process can be intimidating, especially if you are still struggling with your injury. The team
at Nooney, Roberts, Hewett & Nowicki can ease this task by helping with filing your personal
injury claim. Once the claim is filed, our car accident attorneys can begin investigating the
accident and communicating with the insurance company and/or other parties involved in the
case.
How a Florida Car Accident Attorney Can Help
Once your claim has been filed and the car accident investigated, our team of experts can assist
you in many ways. You may be wondering if seeking legal aid for your claim is even necessary.
However, getting help with your personal injury claim increases the chances that you will
recover damages and receive compensation.
Negotiating the Best Offer
If you pursue your claim alone, an insurance company may sell short your compensation offer,
assuming you will take the offer to be done fighting
When you work with us, we pursue your claim to ensure all damages are addressed in your claim
offer. Our attorneys will not be intimidated by insurance companies and will challenge them
until the best offer is made.
Defending Your Personal Injury Claim in Court
If a settlement cannot be reached for your claim, it may be necessary to take the claim to trial
(court). We are capable and prepared to defend your claim and help you recover the greatest
amount in compensation according to your suffered damages.
Best Florida Auto Accident Lawyers Near You
When searching for legal help for a car accident claim, you may first research a list of car
accident attorneys near you who can offer a free case evaluation.
With over 35 years of experience, Nooney, Roberts, Hewett & Nowicki has been given an
outstanding rating of 10/10 and rated as a 5-star law firm.
Contact Us!
If you are seeking legal help following a Florida car accident, contact the law firm of Nooney,
Roberts, Hewett & Nowicki for a confidential, free consultation.
