Colorado Springs Personal Injury Lawyer - Miscellaneous

Colorado Teen in Need of Kidney Transplant

Darin Schanker — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 17:24:52 GMT

In the summer of 2007, Boulder teen Kelsey Crider was diagnosed with Medullary Cystic Kidney Disease during a routine pre-college medical exam.

Since then she has, due to medical complications, suffered from two failed transplants; one from her father and the other from a dear family friend. Kelsey now undergoes a four hour long blood cleansing dialysis treatment three days a week while she attends college in Boulder.

Now the Crider family is expanding their search to find a suitable kidney for Kelsey. Because of her complex immune system, her need for a new kidney is greater than ever and with the waiting list extending to several years, time is not on her side. The family and her doctors hope to find several potential donors, who are in good health, have blood type O and have the time and inclination to see the process through. There is no risk or cost involved at this point.

For those who have it in their heart to be tested, there is a donor coordinator from University of Colorado Hospital in Denver by members of their Kidney Transplant Teaml who will keep all information confidential. While it is preferable to be tested here, for those who do not reside in Colorado, arrangements can be made to be tested at a facility in or near their hometown.

A year after donating one of his kidneys to his daughter, Steve Crider is in perfect health and is open to answering any of your questions at 303-530-2929 or kidney4kp@hotmail.com.

To learn more about Kelsey’s story and challenges go to http://kidney4kp.com.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Darin Schanker

Department of Justice Hiring Interns Based on Talent or Politics?

Darin Schanker — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 11:12:24 GMT

As a fairly good student attending a great law school, I would like to believe I could hold my own against any other law student in the country. But if, before an interview for a highly competitive and prestigious position, I began to chat with a another interviewee who happened to mention that he was at the top of his class at Harvard, was involved in impressive extracurricular groups, and was fluent in a highly valuable language, I would probably sigh, turn around, and walk straight out the door, thankful that at least I didn’t waste my time.

But if this interview happened to be for an internship or a spot in the Honors Program with the Department of Justice, all I would have to do is put the magic words “Republican” or “Federalist Society” on my application, and voila, I’ve moved to the top of the list. And if my Ivy League colleague made the mistake to write “fluent in Arabic” and “member of the Council on American Islamic Relations,” I would likely become be a shoe-in.

This is how some of the most important positions are being filled in our Justice Department, a June 24 report disclosed. Enormously qualified young law school students and recent graduates are not even given the chance to interview for positions in the Department’s esteemed Summer Law Intern Program (SLIP) and Attorney General’s Honor Program, due to political partisanship and polarization. At least one applicant screener was told to weed out the “wackos and wack jobs” who I’m sure regularly graduate with honors from elite law schools and seek to work comparatively low-paying jobs in the civil service.

And these “wackos?” Membership of the “liberal” American Constitution Society will apparently earn you that label. So will working for “wack jobs” like past and future presidential candidates Hillary Clinton, Chris Dodd, and Dennis Kucinich, or writing a newspaper editorial opposing the nomination of Samuel Alito to the Supreme Court. All are evidently enough to get the even most qualified applicant’s resume thrown into the garbage bin.

Look, I understand that presidents have the right and responsibility to shape the form and direction of the government, and I’m actually heartened to hear that someday I could possibly be competitive with the graduates of the elite schools, but this is ridiculous. Career attorneys at the Justice Department outlast presidents and political trends. We need the most qualified and dedicated people to staff these jobs, and the unfair and partisan manner that they are being staffed discourages the best and the brightest on from even applying. The scandals that have recently tarnished the DOJ , closely followed by New York attorney Scott Horton, illustrate the perils of politicizing governmental departments best independent. Let’s hope that the next president, Republican or Democrat, is able to restore the Department’s prior luster.

Thomas Connell
Summer Intern 2008
J.D. Candidate 2010
University of Colorado

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Darin Schanker

President Signs Exemption Allowing Navy to Bypass Environmental Law

Shannon Weidemann — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 09:05:04 GMT

A lawsuit was filed to stop the Navy from conducting high-power sonar exercises off the coast of California. Conservationists believe that the sonar can be harmful to fish and marine animals. An injuction has stopped the Navy from performing high-power exercises within 12 miles of the coast. President Bush signed an exemption last week to allow the Navy to bypass the environmental law.

A federal judge in Los Angeles issued a preliminary injunction this month requiring the Navy to create a 12-nautical-mile, no-sonar zone along the Southern California coast and to post trained lookouts to watch for marine mammals before and during exercises. Sonar would have to be shut down when mammals were spotted within 2,200 yards, under the order.
The court found that using mid-frequency active sonar violated the Coastal Zone Management Act and Bush exempted the Navy from a section of that act. Complying with the environmental law would "undermine the Navy's ability to conduct realistic training exercises that are necessary to ensure the combat effectiveness of carrier and expeditionary strike groups," Bush said.

The exemption act will allow the Navy to use mid-frequency sonar in exercises for the next year. They defend their actions saying that they use many measures to lessen the impact on the environment. Sonar can hinder the use of the natural sonar in dolphins and whales in their pursuit of food and navigation.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Shannon Weidemann

Residents Opposed to "Super Slab" Transportation Corridor

Staff Writer — Fri, 15 Dec 2006 10:18:54 GMT

Coloradans from Fort Collins to Pueblo are voicing strong objections to the "Super Slab" transportation corridor that has been proposed to be constructed through that area. Many residents along the proposed Prairie Falcon Parkway are opposed to its construction, citing many reasons including, a negative environmental, financial, and quality of life impact from the project. The Prairie Falcon Parkway would be a 210-mile long, 3-mile wide transportation corridor proposed to be roughly 25 miles east of I-25. In addition to the four-lane, high-speed toll road, supporters of the plan hope to move the railroads from the I-25 area into that corridor. "Colorado law prevents private companies from seizing private property for the sake of building a toll road, but they can enter into a public-private partnership with CDOT to accomplish the same goal." Evan Dreyer, Ritter's spokesman said, "(Governor-elect Ritter) understands how important private property rights are to the people of this state and that eminent domain is a tool that should be used very rarely with the greatest of care. Bill's transition advisory committees are just not getting underway. It wouldn't be fair to that process. It wouldn't be fair to the people of Colorado to talk about specific issues or specific candidates as those groups begin their work."

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Staff Writer

Veterans and Risk of Identify Theft

Staff Writer — Thu, 10 Aug 2006 22:58:52 GMT

The AP has reported that as many as 38,000 veterans may be at risk of identity theft because a Veterans Affairs Department subcontractor lost a desktop computer containing their sensitive personal data.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Staff Writer

Fraud Settlement Helps Coloradan Consumers

Staff Writer — Mon, 07 Aug 2006 13:50:36 GMT

An August 5, 2006 AP article details a $70 million securities fraud settlement that will help Coloradans who fell prey to a company that targeted military personnel. The Texas-based company, American-Amicable Life Insurance Co. reportedly duped 90,000 consumers, including 70,000 military personnel.

"Sales agents misled military personnel to believe they could earn $1 million in 20 years if they put their money into the investment fund," the complaint said. "At the same time, agents denigrated other investments, saying that mutual funds, bank savings accounts and government bonds did not make sense."

The story reports that 1,388 Colorado consumers who bought into the Horizon Life plan will receive cash or other settlement benefits. The company neither admitted to nor denied the SEC allegations of investment fraud.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Staff Writer

Congratulations Colorado Springs

Staff Writer — Sun, 30 Jul 2006 21:28:56 GMT

We love working and assisting the people of Colorado Springs and a report this week by "Money" revealed something that we at Burg Simpson have known for a long time. When looking at factors such as quality of life and climate, Colorado Springs is an incredible city. In fact, "Money" ranked Colorado Springs #1 in the category of "Top Ten Best Big Cities in America To Live!"

Way to go Colorado Springs, your citizens, culture and community are certainly worthy of such recognition.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Staff Writer

Colorado Springs Energy Rates Lowest in Colorado

Staff Writer — Thu, 06 Jul 2006 09:39:47 GMT

According to a report by Hispania News, the ACCRA cost-of-living index ranks Colorado Springs with the lowest energy rates in Colorado. A Colorado Springs resident's typical monthly energy bill was $121.56. According to Edward Easterlin, an official with Colorado Springs Utilities, the low energy cost in Colorado Springs, in part, is a result of an effective hedging program that helps to keep rates exceptionally stable. The national average of monthly energy bill was $166.22.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Staff Writer

$2.6 Million "Fixer-Upper"

Staff Writer — Mon, 20 Feb 2006 22:57:30 GMT

An industrial facility at 9965 Federal Drive was recently purchased by Corporate Office Properties Trust. The site, previously owned by Intel Corporation sits on an 11-acre parcel and during the early 1990s, housed Ford Microelectronics research and development center. COPT will spend nearly $3 million to renovate the 60,000 square-foot office and lab building.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Staff Writer

Bachus & Schanker, LLC

Staff Writer — Mon, 28 Mar 2005 15:04:43 GMT

Bachus & Schanker, LLC founding partners Kyle Bachus and Darin Schanker have dedicated their practice to helping injured people achieve justice. They created the law firm based on the philosophy that individuals deserve respect and dignity as they encounter legal situations.

Mr. Bachus and Mr. Schanker believe that too often lawyers are unwilling to take on wrongdoers represented by huge insurance companies and law firms. That's why they started the firm of Bachus & Schanker, LLC - to level the playing field and provide you with access to legal services and a level of representation previously available only to large corporations.

From the courtroom to the Capitol, Mr. Bachus and Mr. Schanker advocate for the fundamental rights important to you and your family. They participate and serve as officers and board members of local, state, and national organizations committed to speaking up for justice for individuals, families, and consumers.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Staff Writer