Strom Law Firm, LLC

Personal Injury, Criminal Defense & Complex Litigation Law Firm in Columbia, SC
Strom Law Firm, LLC
6923 North Trenholm Road
Columbia, South Carolina 29206

Phone (803) 252-4800 or (888) 490-2847

Website https://stromlaw.com

Strom Law Firm, LLC Overview

At Strom Law Firm, L.L.C., we have devoted our professional lives to serving the people and families of our state. Our firms purpose is simple — to help people. We remain true to this purpose regardless of whether our client has suffered a serious personal injury as the result of anothers negligence, or they have been arrested and charged with a serious criminal offense.

Our only interests are the best interests of the client. Focusing only on their needs and objectives, we are committed to vigorously advocating for client rights and interests in each case. This emphasis — combined with our legal experience, our research resources, the strong network of professional relationships we have built, the respect and trust we have earned among our peers, and just as importantly, our enthusiasm — enables us to give the sound advice that enables you to make informed legal decisions regarding your case.

Founded in 1996 by former U.S. Attorney and current President-Elect of the South Carolina Trial Lawyers Association, Pete Strom, our practice has expanded from its original focus on representing individuals and businesses in South Carolina to a firm that now represents clients in complex civil and criminal cases throughout the Southeastern U.S. and nationwide.

Our civil and administrative practice includes cases involving personal injury, auto accidents, toxic torts, consumer protection cases, business disputes, Social Security disability, veterans disability ratings, and workers compensation. Our state and federal criminal defense practice includes misdemeanor offenses of all types procedural matters that include bond hearings, parole hearings, probation hearings, Rule 35 proceedings, and expungements and felonies that range from DUI charges to conspiracy, fraud, money laundering, and even murder.

At Strom Law Firm, L.L.C., we understand that resolving disputes through the justice system can be bewildering and intimidating. As a result, we are determined to provide our services in a friendly, client-oriented environment where questions are always welcome and where answers and the help you need are just a phone call away.

Year this Office was Established: 1996

Languages: English, Spanish

Strom Law Firm, LLC Areas of Law

Additional Areas of Law: Class Action Lawsuits; Professional License Defense; Toxic Torts; Catastrophic Injuries; Drunk Driving Accident; Distracted Driving Accident; ATV Accident; Car Insurance Dispute; Aviation Accident; Rollover Accident; Train Accident; Jet Ski Accident; Construction Accident; Defective Drugs; Defective Medical Device; Dog Bite; Anesthesia Errors; Diagnostic Errors; Medication Errors; Prescription Errors; Surgical Errors; Brain Injury; Animal Attacks; Playground Accident; Elevator Accident; Negligent Security; Swimming Pool Accident; Government Property Accident; Alcohol & Beverage License Law; Election Law; Visa; Alimony; Property Division; Legal Separation; Military Divorce Law; Business Valuation; Department of Social Services Disputes; Victims of Domestic Violence; Parental Rights; Same-Sex Divorce; Termination of Parental Rights; Paternity; Grandparents’ Rights; Parental Alienation; Postnuptial Agreement; Trusts; Veterans’ Disability Benefits; Living Wills; Will Contests; Durable Power of Attorney; Police Brutality; Excessive Force; False Arrest; False Imprisonment; Civil Rights Violations; Wrongful Shootings; Probation Violations; Post-Conviction Relief; Parole Board Representation; Aiding & Abetting; Animal Cruelty; Arson; Assault; Battery; Bank Robbery; Blackmail; Bond Reduction; BaiL Reduction; Carjacking; Child Endangerment; Computer Crimes; Embezzlement; Extortion; Federal Criminal Defense; Fraud; Hate Crimes; Hazing; House Arrest; Human Trafficking; Identity Theft; Immigration Crimes; Indecent Exposure; Kidnapping; Money Laundering; Perjury; Plea Bargains & Dismissals; Prostitution; Solicitaion; Resisting Arrest; Restraining Order; Stalking; Statewide Grand Jury; Tax Fraud; Weapons Charges; Violent Crime; Disorderly Conduct; School Fighting; Sexual Assault; Burglary; Robbery; Child Pornography; Hacking; Credit Card Fraud; Bank Fraud; Wire Fraud; RICO Violation; Securities Fraud; Countefeiting; Asset Forfeiture & Seizure; Bankrutpcy Fraud; Healthcare Fraud; Insurance Fraud; Consumer Fraud; Conspiracy; Foreign Corrupt Practices Act; Federal Tax Crimes; Telemarketing Fraud; Mortgage Fraud; Federal Appeals; Tax Evasion; Civil Forfeiture; Obstruction of Justice Charges; Cancellation of Removal; Political Asylum; Trade Secret Theft; Kickbacks; Homicide; Manslaughter; Qui Tam Actions; Wage & Hour Claims; Antitrust; Business Tort; Breach of Warranty Claims; Business Fraud; Unfair Competition; Bank & Lender Liability; Breach of Contract; Predatory Lending

Strom Law Firm, LLC Areas of Law Description

Strom Law Firm offers legal representation and services in the following areas of practice:

State Criminal Defense

Whether you have been accused of a crime such as armed robbery, arson, assault and battery, bank fraud, breach of trust, burglary, child pornography, a computer crime, conspiracy, criminal domestic violence, criminal sexual conduct, criminal sexual conduct with a minor, criminal solicitation of a minor, disorderly conduct, disturbing a school, drug charges including drug possession, DUI/driving under the influence, DUS/driving under suspension, embezzlement, a false statement under Section 1001, forgery, violating the FTC, identify fraud, an internet crime, involuntary manslaughter, kidnapping, larceny, mail fraud, manslaughter, money laundering, murder, perjury, possession of a firearm, prostitution, a RICO violation (Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act violation) , securities fraud, an SEC violation, sexual exploitation of a minor, stalking, tax evasion, a white collar crime, wire fraud and/or any other type of crime in State or Federal Court, need assistance with a criminal appeal, need post conviction relief (pcr), would like to make a motion under section 2255, move to vacate a conviction or sentence, would like to file a writ of habeus corpus, or are looking to obtain a criminal records expungement or a pardon, our combination of awareness and experience will provide you with an aggressive, effective criminal defense in any court. Our familiarity with prosecutorial techniques and knowledge of criminal law ensures that you will receive a vigorous, well-planned criminal defense.

– Armed Robbery

Robbery and attempted robbery while armed with a deadly weapon.

(A) A person who commits robbery while armed with a pistol, dirk, slingshot, metal knuckles, razor, or other deadly weapons, or while alleging, either by action or words, he was armed while using a representation of a deadly weapon or any object which a person present during the commission of the robbery reasonably believed to be a deadly weapon, is guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, must be imprisoned for a mandatory minimum term of not less than ten years or more than thirty years, no part of which may be suspended or probation granted. A person convicted under this subsection is not eligible for parole until the person has served at least seven years of the sentence.

(B) A person who commits attempted robbery while armed with a pistol, dirk, slingshot, metal knuckles, razor, or other deadly weapons, or while alleging, either by action or words, he was armed while using a representation of a deadly weapon or any object which a person present during the commission of the robbery reasonably believed to be a deadly weapon, is guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, must be imprisoned not more than twenty years.

– Arson

(A) A person who willfully and maliciously causes an explosion, sets fire to, burns, or causes to be burned or aids, counsels, or procures a burning that results in damage to a building, structure, or any property specified in subsections (B) and (C) whether the property of himself or another, which results, either directly or indirectly, in death or serious bodily injury to a person is guilty of arson in the first degree and, upon conviction, must be imprisoned not less than ten nor more than thirty years.

(B) A person who willfully and maliciously causes an explosion, sets fire to, burns, or causes to be burned or aids, counsels, or procures the burning that results in damage to a dwelling house, church or place of worship, a public or private school facility, a manufacturing plant or warehouse, a building where business is conducted, an institutional facility, or any structure designed for human occupancy to include local and municipal buildings, whether the property of himself or another, is guilty of arson in the second degree and, upon conviction, must be imprisoned not less than five nor more than twenty-five years.

– Assault & Battery

An Assault is an unlawful attempt, coupled with a present ability, to commit a violent injury upon the person of another. A Battery is a successful accomplishment of such attempt.

– Breach of Trust

(A) A person committing a breach of trust with a fraudulent intention or a person who hires or counsels another person to commit a breach of trust with a fraudulent intention is guilty of larceny.

(B) A person who violates the provisions of this section is guilty of a:

(1) Misdemeanor triable in magistrate’s court if the amount is one thousand dollars or less. Upon conviction, the person must be fined or imprisoned not more than is permitted by law without presentment or indictment by the grand jury;
(2) felony and, upon conviction, must be fined in the discretion of the court or imprisoned not more than five years if the amount is more than one thousand dollars but less than five thousand dollars;
(3) felony and, upon conviction, must be fined in the discretion of the court or imprisoned not more than ten years if the amount is five thousand dollars or more.

– Computer Crime

If you have been charged with a crime committed on a computer it is important to understand the following. It is also something that needs to be taken very seriously. Contact the Strom Law Firm today to protect your legal rights.

– Conspiracy

Conspiracy is one of the most often used crimes in the arsenal of the United States Attorney’s Office. This all encompassing crime has the ability to deal with almost every Federal Crime. We often see a conspiracy to deal with illegal narcotics, Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute Cocaine, Crack Cocaine, Marijuana, or Methamphetamine. We also see the financial or white collar side of Conspiracy. These cases include Conspiracy to commit Mail Fraud, Wire Fraud, Health Care Fraud, Tax Fraud and the like. Often federal prosecutors will use Conspiracy to charge multiple people for the same offense. Individuals charged with conspiracy to commit an offense in Federal Court should hire a criminal defense attorney to review their case and provide legal assistance to them to adequately defend them in a case involving Conspiracy. Often people in Conspiracy cases are held accountable for more than the actions they actually committed. The Strom Law Firm, LLC stands ready to assist you in the defense of a Federal Conspiracy charge, contact us today for confident experienced representation. Our team includes a former United States Attorney, a former Prosecutor for the Statewide Grand Jury, a former Public Defender, and a tax attorney to assist you in any type of Conspiracy case that the Federal government could bring against you.

– Disturbing Schools

It shall be unlawful:

(1) For any person willfully or unnecessarily (a) to interfere with or to disturb in any way or in any place the students or teachers of any school or college in this State, (b) to loiter about such school or college premises or (c) to act in an obnoxious manner thereon; or

(2) For any person to (a) enter upon any such school or college premises or (b) loiter around the premises, except on business, without the permission of the principal or president in charge.

Any person violating any of the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, on conviction thereof, shall pay a fine of not less than one hundred dollars nor more than one thousand dollars or be imprisoned in the county jail for not less than thirty days nor more than ninety days.

– Driving Under the Influence (DUI)

DUI (Driving Under the Influence), commonly known as drunk driving, is legally defined as driving a motor vehicle on a road or highway while under the influence of an intoxicating substance. It is a simple law, with a surprisingly large gray area of actual DUI culpability.

The primary determining factors of DUI are whether the defendant was driving, whether what he was driving was a motor vehicle, whether he/she was on the road, and most importantly whether he/she was intoxicated. While some are more easily determined than others, the most vital question appears to be whether the defendant was actually intoxicated. This issue is at the core of the argument and presents the biggest challenge in dealing with the DUI statute.

Recently, new DUI statutes have been enacted to avoid this complicated intoxication issue. These statutes augment the law by not requiring a demonstration that the defendant was under the influence. Instead, the proof rests on a mere reading of a machine to determine the culpability of a suspected DUI driver. These statutes, often referred to as per se, define DUI as driving a motor vehicle on a road or highway with a blood-alcohol level of approximately .08. The actual legal blood alcohol level varies from state to state.

– Embezzlement

It is unlawful for an officer or other person charged with the safekeeping, transfer, and disbursement of public funds to embezzle these funds. A person who violates the provisions of this section is guilty of a:

(1) felony and, upon conviction, must be fined in the discretion of the court to be proportioned to the amount of the embezzlement and imprisoned not more than ten years if the amount of the embezzled funds is five thousand dollars or more;

(2) felony and, upon conviction, must be fined in the discretion of the court to be proportioned to the amount of embezzlement and imprisoned not more than five years if the amount of the embezzled funds is less than five thousand dollars.

The person convicted of a felony is disqualified from holding any office of honor or emolument in this State; but the General Assembly, by a two-thirds vote, may remove this disability upon payment in full of the principal and interest of the sum embezzled.

– Larceny

(A) Simple larceny of any article of goods, chooses in action, bank bills, bills receivable, chattels, or other article of the personality of which by law larceny may be committed, or of any fixture, part, or product of the soil severed from the soil by an unlawful act, or has a value of one thousand dollars or less, is petit larceny, a misdemeanor, triable in the magistrate’s court. Upon conviction, the person must be fined or imprisoned not more than is permitted by law without presentment or indictment by the grand jury.

(B) Larceny of goods, chattels, instruments, or other personalty valued in excess of one thousand dollars is grand larceny. Upon conviction, the person is guilty of a felony and must be fined in the discretion of the court or imprisoned not more than:

(1) five years if the value of the personalty is more than one thousand dollars but less than five thousand dollars;

– Voluntary Manslaughter

A person convicted of manslaughter or the unlawful killing of another without malice, express or implied, must be imprisoned not more than thirty years or less than two years.

– Involuntary Manslaughter

With regard to the crime of involuntary manslaughter, criminal negligence is defined as the reckless disregard of the safety of others. A person charged with the crime of involuntary manslaughter may be convicted only upon a showing of criminal negligence as defined in this section. A person convicted of involuntary manslaughter must be imprisoned not more than five years.

– Murder

Murder is the killing of any person with malice aforethought, either express or implied.

– Perjury

(A)(1) It is unlawful for a person to willfully give false, misleading, or incomplete testimony under oath in any court of record, judicial, administrative, or regulatory proceeding in this State. (2) It is unlawful for a person to willfully give false, misleading, or incomplete information on a document, record, report, or form required by the laws of this State.

(B)(1) A person who violates the provisions of subsection (A)(1) is guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, must be fined in the discretion of the court or imprisoned not more than five years, or both.

(2) A person who violates the provisions of subsection (A)(2) is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be imprisoned not more than six months or fined not less than one hundred dollars, or both.

(C) A person may be convicted under this section if he induces, procures, or persuades another person to commit perjury or if he commits perjury by his own act, consent, or agreement.

– Prostitution

It shall be unlawful to:

(1) Engage in prostitution;
(2) Aid or abet prostitution knowingly;
(3) Procure or solicit for the purpose of prostitution;
(4) Expose indecently the private person for the purpose of prostitution or other indecency;
(5) Reside in, enter or remain in any place, structure, building, vehicle, trailer or conveyance for the purpose of lewdness, assignation or prostitution;
(6) Keep or set up a house of ill fame, brothel or bawdyhouse;
(7) Receive any person for purposes of lewdness, assignation or prostitution into any vehicle, conveyance, trailer, place, structure or building;
(8) Permit any person to remain for the purpose of lewdness, assignation or prostitution in any vehicle, conveyance, trailer, place, structure or building;
(9) Direct, take or transport, offer or agree to take or transport or aid or assist in transporting any person to any vehicle, conveyance, trailer, place, structure or building or to any other person with knowledge or having reasonable cause to believe that the purpose of such directing, taking or transporting is prostitution, lewdness or assignation;
(10) Lease or rent or contract to lease or rent any vehicle, conveyance, trailer, place, structure or building or part thereof believing or having reasonable cause to believe that it is intended to be used for any of the purposes herein prohibited; or
(11) Aid, abet, or participate knowingly in the doing of any of the acts herein prohibited.

Federal Criminal Defense

A federal criminal defense attorney exists to provide legal assistance to people who are facing criminal charges (or potential charges) in federal court. Your attorney’s loyalty, however, is to you and to you alone.

The federal criminal defense lawyer that you hire for your case should be experienced in defending people charged with the commission of federal crimes. Your attorney should defend you to the fullest extent allowed by law. Your attorney should be able to provide you with answers to your legal questions and to tell you how the law applies to your case.

Personal Injury

A personal injury case arises when someone is hurt as a result of the intentional or negligent conduct of another. The injury may be physical, emotional, or both. Common intentional conduct that causes personal injury are criminal acts like assault and battery, manslaughter, murder, driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or outrageous conduct that causes emotional distress.

Common negligent conduct causing personal injuries include:

* Car and Truck Accidents
* Motorcycle Accidents
* Burn Injuries
* Products Liability
* Premises Liability
* Nursing Home Malpractice
* Work-Related Accidents (Workers’ Compensation)

At Strom Law Firm, we understand that your case, your story, is about more than just an accident or physical injury. It’s about how that accident and those injuries have affected you and your life, and about how they may keep on affecting you in the foreseeable future. It’s about before and after.

As a firm, we concentrate on complex personal injury cases resulting in wrongful death or catastrophic injuries such as traumatic brain injury (TBI), brain damage, spinal cord injuries, burn injuries, and severely broken bones. And although many of the people we represent in these cases are from right here in South Carolina, our lawyers routinely take clients from throughout the Southeastern U.S. and, in certain types of product liability or pharmaceutical cases, from across the country as well.

As your attorneys, you can depend not just on our legal experience, our resources, or our proven ability to secure positive results in complex litigation — you can depend on our commitment to telling your story and to securing fair compensation for all the ways you have been and will be affected.

– Defective Products

Every year, thousands of consumers sustain serious injuries from defective products. Many of these injuries could be avoided if the manufacturers or distributors of these products took additional steps to ensure consumer safety. Defective products that commonly cause injuries include medical devices, pharmaceutical products, and other defective products such as toys, cars and automotive parts

To protect yourself and your family, it’s important to know what products have been recalled because they are defective or unsafe. Federal agencies such as the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) and the CPSC (U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission) frequently issue recalls for medical devices, drugs, and products that may be harmful to consumers.

Consumers that have been harmed by defective products such as drugs, medical devices, or other products, may be eligible to receive legal remedies. Such legal remedies, or damages, may include compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, loss of physical capacity, pain, suffering, and mental anguish. Punitive damages are also available in many jurisdictions to punish defendants in those cases involving particularly egregious conduct which demonstrates a reckless or wanton disregard for the safety of the public.

If you work at a company that manufactures or markets products, such as pharmaceuticals, medical devices, or any other company that is regulated by the government, and you believe the products are defective, you could have a valid qui tam claim.

– Crime Victims

Every day innocent people are injured or killed because of criminal activity. An experienced attorney understands that along with the criminal charges facing the offender, the victims of the crime may often have a civil claim against them, or against others who may have contributed to events. The Strom Law Firm, LLC in Columbia, South Carolina, advises and represents crime victims and their families. We can help you recover just compensation for your injuries or loss.

If you or someone in your family becomes the victim of a crime, contact a knowledgeable personal injury lawyer at our firm to learn how we can help you. A crime victim attorney at our firm handles cases involving victims of:

* Drunk driving
* DUI
* Drug offenses
* Assault and battery
* Murder or manslaughter
* Arson
* Rape, date rape or other sexual assaults
* Child pornography
* Stalking
* Kidnapping
* Police brutality
* White collar crime

Our attorneys can help ensure that you have fully explored all legal remedies against any criminal offender causing your injuries. Taking legal action against their negligent actions is an important first step in overcoming the trauma many crime victims experiences. We offer you the legal support and confidence you need to face the future. Our backgrounds in criminal law and personal injury provide valuable insight into the outcome of your case.

Class Action Lawsuits / Consumer Protection

Consumer Protection Class Actions are cases on behalf of consumers against lenders, corporations, and insurance companies for violating a business practice, breaching a warranty, or committing fraud against large numbers of consumers. Consumer protection class actions are contrasted with securities class actions, which are filed on behalf of investors rather than consumers. Some common consumer protection class actions that Strom Law Firm, LLC, has been involved in the past include a class action against the managed care industry on behalf of physicians for systematically undercutting physician claims for payment for seeing patients. Our South Carolina class action attorneys also litigated race-based life insurance cases against life insurance companies for charging African Americans higher rates for industrial life insurance. Strom Law Firm, LLC, also consumer cases included suing finance companies for adding credit life insurance on to consumer loans. Additionally, our Columbia, South Carolina class action lawyers litigated breach of warranty cases involving defective washing machines, electrical receptacles, and pharmaceutical products.

Large-scale consumer protection cases and class action lawsuits are typically complex and likely to involve mountains of documentation, dozens of investigators, experts, and consultants, volumes of state and federal legislation, and challenging or novel legal issues. They are not ordinary cases in any respect.

At Strom Law Firm, L.L.C., we enjoy a distinct national and statewide reputation for excellence in the area of consumer protection litigation and class action lawsuits. Class actions and consumer protection cases can stem from an almost unlimited variety of misconduct or defective products.

Pharmaceutical Liability

Did you know that every year approximately 200,000 Americans die from prescription drug reactions? While the U.S. government pours billions of dollars into illegal drug interdiction every year, more Americans die from legal, prescription drugs than illegal ones. Everyone is asking, “Where is the FDA, busy approving another new drug?” and “How many more will die from that one?”

Strom Law Firm, L.L.C. has been at the forefront of the fight to protect the public against dangerous prescription drugs. We represent individuals who have been killed or injured by defective pharmaceuticals.

Toxic Torts

What exactly is a toxic tort? A toxic tort involves the exposure of individuals, often in large numbers, to harmful chemical or biological substances. When this exposure results in serious injuries or health problems and can be shown to have been caused by negligence or carelessness, the law says that those who are injured are entitled to be compensated for the damages.

Strom Law Firm, L.L.C., in Columbia, South Carolina, maintains a nationwide practice involving complex toxic tort litigation. Our firm has both the financial means and the access to top environmental, chemical, and hazardous waste experts to pursue these cases vigorously, and our lawyers have established a clear track record of successful results in previous cases.

Exposure to toxic substances is particularly harmful to industrial workers who may have been exposed to high levels of toxins over a long period of time. Exposure to toxic substances is also particularly harmful to children because they are generally more sensitive to toxic agents and have a greater likelihood of exposure as a result of play habits and behavior patterns.

Past studies by government agencies in the United States have demonstrated that excess exposure to metals, lead, and arsenic can be harmful. In particular, children born to mothers exposed to solvent-contaminated drinking water face an elevated risk of reproductive problems.

Other substances common to hazardous waste exposure cases include:

* Contaminated air or water from either an ongoing industry or hazardous waste disposal sites in the area (can cause cancers and birth defects)
* Lead-based paint which causes brain damage and learning disabilities
* Benzene (leukemia)
* Asbestos (asbestosis and mesothelioma)
* Silica dust (silicosis)
* Heavy metals and toxins such as mercury and arsenic
* Pesticides such as DDT and dioxin which can cause birth defects
* Electromagnetic fields from large electrical towers and utility wires
* Defective drugs
* N-hexane ( used as a solvent)
* Carbon disulfide and acrylamide (used in the paper industry)
* Tri-ortho-cresyl phosphate (serves as a high-temperature lubricant)

Medical Malpractice

Every year thousands of people are injured as a result of medical malpractice. The Harvard Medical Practice Study estimated that, each year, more than 180,000 people die, at least in part, because of medical mistakes. Public Citizen, a non-profit organization that advocates the rights of consumers, estimates that, each year, 1.3 million injuries are caused by negligence, and that more than two-thirds of these injuries are preventable.

Medical malpractice cases typically are the result of a physician being careless, overworked, or lack of appropriate training. Mistakes in the practice of medicine, whether it be by a physician, nurse, or hospital staff can cause serious injuries or death. South Carolina Medical Malpractice attorneys as Strom Law Firm, LLC, examines each case with highly qualified medical experts to determine whether there was a medical error that caused the injury or death. This evaluation is critical because medical malpractice cases cannot be proven without the testimony of a highly qualified expert.

Nursing Home Abuse

In recent years, federal and state governments have had to write legislation and enact laws to protect elderly citizens from health hazards and negligent patient care. The reason for this rise in state and federal protection for the elderly is one sad and simple truth: all too often nursing homes, long-term caregivers, and assisted living facilities in South Carolina have placed profits before patients.

In institutional settings, several factors have been shown to contribute to the abuse or neglect of residents, including: poorly qualified and inadequately trained staff; staff with a history of violence; inadequate numbers of staff; the isolation of residents; and, the known reluctance of residents to report abuse out of embarrassment or fear.

For all of these reasons, it is both an honor and a challenge to represent the elderly in personal injury litigation. Specifically, these cases present the challenge of overcoming a tendency on the part of others, including insurance adjusters and even physicians, to discount an elderly person’s injuries and the diminished quality of life that results from them. With an attorney’s thorough investigation and effective presentation of the losses sustained by an elderly client, however, insurance adjusters and jurors can be convinced to fully compensate injured senior citizens. Our attorneys take an aggressive approach to confronting the kind of egregious misconduct found in nursing home abuse and neglect cases. We represent elderly clients and families who have been victims of:

* Bedsores, pressure sores, decubitus ulcers, and infections
* Dehydration and malnutrition
* Financial abuse and exploitation
* Falls, dislocations and fractures
* Inadequate staffing, training, and negligent supervision claims
* Medication and prescription errors
* Inappropriate use of physical or chemical restraints
* Physical, emotional, and psychological abuse
* Physical or emotional neglect

It is important for you to know that cases of nursing home abuse can be difficult to prove if the nursing home or care provider catches wind of a potential lawsuit before your lawyers can get their investigation underway or complete it. Once you have retained Strom Law Firm, our investigators and attorneys will move quickly and discretely to uncover and preserve critical evidence. Once this important step has been accomplished, we will then vigorously pursue the maximum amount of compensation available under applicable laws.

Workers’ Compensation

As part of our personal injury and wrongful death practice, the lawyers at Strom Law Firm represent injured employees and workers who have been hurt while on the job. Every year thousands of people are injured at work in South Carolina. When employees are hurt or injured while performing their duties at work, there is a specialized area of legislation in South Carolina called the South Carolina Workers’ Compensation Law that controls from whom and how much an injured employee can recover. The South Carolina Workers’ Compensation Commission has exclusive jurisdiction over issues arising under this law.

Work-related injuries or illnesses that often trigger workers’ compensation claims and coverage include:

* Asbestos exposure and other job-related diseases
* Back injuries, head injuries, knee injuries, neck injuries and shoulder injuries
* Burns and injuries suffered in fires and explosions
* Carpal tunnel syndrome and repetitive trauma injuries
* Reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD)
* Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS)
* Chemical burns and toxic chemical exposure
* Disfigurement and scarring
* Work-related emotional and psychiatric issues
* Eye injuries and hearing problems
* Work-induced heart attacks and work-induced strokes

Compensation and other benefits available to an injured worker under the South Carolina Workers’ Compensation Law include payment of medical bills, temporary total disability benefits, temporary partial disability benefits, permanent partial disability benefits, total disability benefits, and death benefits if the employee died as a result of a work-related injury.

Third-Party Liability

Many, including South Carolina, states permit an injured worker to sue a third party or outsider who causes an on-the-job injury. Additionally, states have workers’ compensation statutes. Thus, a worker may have both a tort claim against the outsider (such as the manufacturer of a machine used on the job) and a compensation claim against his or her employer, subject only to certain adjustments to prevent “double recovery.”

Social Security Disability

The Social Security system provides two benefit programs for disabled persons: Social Security Disability (Title II) and SSI (Supplemental Security Income). Social Security Disability (Title II) is for workers covered by Social Security who have contributed to a Social Security account while working for a specified period of time, usually 5 out of the last 10 years of work. Disabled widows and widowers of Social Security wage earners may also qualify. Social Security disability beneficiaries receive two primary benefits: a monthly check and medical benefits. The amount of the monthly check is determined by a formula that takes into account the amount paid into Social Security and the length of time of employment.

SSI (Supplemental Security Income) provides disability benefits for low-income persons not covered by Social Security. It can also be added to Social Security benefits which are lower than a certain minimum level. SSI (Supplemental Security Income) does not require previous employment and monthly benefits are based upon “need”, considering the individual’s other income and assets. Special rules apply for legal residents who are not citizens.

As a service to our personal injury and workers’ compensation clients, Strom Law Firm helps clients in Columbia and in the surrounding areas of South Carolina to navigate the administrative system and obtain disability benefits. Our attorneys have successfully represented many people who were initially denied benefits. We do this by exercising their right to file for a reconsideration hearing, by arguing the case in front of an administrative law judge, and by exercising their right to appeal whenever appropriate.

Veterans’ Disability Benefits

To be entitled to service-connected benefits, a veteran must prove that his disability was the result of military service or medical treatment by the VA hospital and was not the result of his own willful misconduct. To learn more about the VA disability process, contact Strom Law Firm’s South Carolina Veteran’s Disability lawyers.

At Strom Law Firm, we help injured veterans throughout South Carolina to appeal or change disability ratings that are too low. In many ways, veterans’ disability claims involve issues and challenges that are very similar to those we experience in helping non-veterans apply for and obtain Social Security disability benefits.

Unlike many actual disabilities, disability ratings determined by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs are not permanent. If you think that an initial rating given to you by the VA is too low, there are steps you can take to appeal the decision and have it changed. Likewise, there is also a process in place to address the needs of disabled veterans whose disabilities have grown worse over time.

The attorneys of Strom Law Firm can provide you with representation and services needed to deal with either of these situations. This may include a careful analysis of reports from your initial disability evaluation, gathering documentation from new medical providers and healthcare experts, and using other resources as needed to prove that a change in your rating is warranted.

Qui Tam / Whistleblower

“Qui Tam” are the first words of a Latin clause referring to the plaintiff as “one who sues as much for the state as for himself or herself.” It is a provision of the Federal Civil False Claims Act that allows a private citizen to file a suit, in the name of the U.S. Government, charging fraud by government contractors and other entities that receive or use government funds. These private citizens, known as “relators” or “whistleblowers,” relate information to the government and share in any money recovered.

Qui tam lawsuits have been, and continue to be, a very effective and successful tool in combating government procurement and program fraud. Bolstered by amendments passed by Congress in 1986, the law has armed private citizens who have independent and direct knowledge of fraud, with a weapon to prosecute government contractors and others who are defrauding the Government. Private citizens, however, are not the only ones that may bring qui tam lawsuits; a wide variety
of relators may bring suit.

Predatory Lending

We enjoy a distinct national and statewide reputation for excellence in the area of consumer protection litigation. Such litigation includes class actions and individual cases throughout the country. Most of the cases in this section involve the wrongful conduct of insurance and finance companies. Cases we are currently working on include:

* Pay Day Lending
* Title Lending
* Sub-Prime Lending
* Credit Life Insurance

Our attorneys fight to protect the rights of consumers victimized by wrongdoing. Attention to detail, complete investigation, thorough preparation and willingness to try cases are the cornerstones of our Predatory Lending practice. Strom Law Firm, L.L.C. has lawyers licensed in South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia, Florida, the District of Columbia, and New York to assist you with your Business Litigation needs.

Tax Investigations

The Internal Revenue Service is broken into two sides. Civil enforcement handles audits and collections for the Internal Revenue Service. On the other side, the criminal investigation is the heavy artillery. It is used in only a tiny percentage of cases, but its impact is destructive. It can bring personal, social and financial ruin, loss of professional licenses, huge monetary fines, and jail time. And despite the jokes about Federal Prison being a country club, spending a couple of years in federal prison is no matter to take lightly. The attorneys at the Strom Law Firm, LLC have the experience necessary to guide you through an audit, and initial investigation and to assist you if charges have been filed.

Business Litigation

Strom Law Firm’s business litigation practice is focused on representing individuals, officers, directors, public companies, and private corporations involved in complex civil disputes. We concentrate our resources and efforts on business and commercial litigation involving:

* Breach of contract claims
* Business fraud
* Interference with business activities or unfair competition
* Antitrust lawsuits/ price-fixing allegations
* Bank and lender liability
* Intellectual property and trade secrets litigation
* Insurance fraud
* Securities fraud
* False Claims Act / “qui tam” whistleblower cases
* Breach of warranty claims

Attention to detail, complete investigation, thorough preparation, and a willingness to try cases are the cornerstones of our business litigation practice. At every stage of business litigation, from evaluation of claims, staffing and initial strategy development, to document and information management, trial preparation and settlement or verdict, we are focused on obtaining favorable results for the client. Strong support staff, state-of-the-art document scanning and ample experience make our attorneys well positioned to serve clients and obtain results.

Probate and Estate Planning

Strom Law Firm provides smart and sophisticated services relating to wills and estate planning. Whether your estate is a large one or more modest, our estate planning lawyers can explain each of the planning tools and legal documents that are appropriate for your particular needs. Once you understand the various advantages and disadvantages of each, final decisions will be yours to make.

Specific tools and services we can provide include:

* Revocable trusts
* Irrevocable trusts
* Living wills / medical directives
* Durable power of attorney documents
* Estate tax planning
* Probate and estate administration
* Will contest litigation

Without careful estate planning upfront, particularly in the area of tax, state and federal government agencies can deplete the assets of an estate in fairly short order. Our probate attorneys are experienced in helping individuals plan their estates and implement asset protection strategies designed to avoid many of the pitfalls that can lead to heavy estate tax burdens for their loved ones.

Lawyers

Mr. Joseph Preston Strom, Jr. Lawyer Accident, Asbestos Mesothelioma, Bicycle Accident, Birth Injury, Boating Accident