FindLaw Blog: Q&A Post

Tone/Voice:

• 2nd person – “you, your”
• Use active voice instead of passive voice

Keywords:

• These are listed in the “Request Information” tab in the portal. These can be used for topic ideas, but they do not need to be used in the blog itself.

Links:

• Should link to an external source

Format:

• Has to be at least 250 words
• List the attorney GEO in the first paragraph. GEO should be state name only
• Title can be no longer than 65 characters, should be a question
• Must include 1 link to an outside source
• If you use sub-headers, there must be at least 2 paragraphs before the first sub-header.
  • Sub-headers must be bolded rather than using H1 or H2 header formatting.
• Lists are ok, between 3-6 items
• No call to action
• List the source in the text – see examples
• provide a disclaimer at the end – i.e. “This information is provided for educational purposes, and should not be interpreted as legal advice.” – See examples
• No Contractions or Oxford Commas – ie “can’t should be can not”
• UPDATE: Do NOT write about/recommend products (such as software, apps, etc.) for the reader/clients to use for their cases. Blogs should be informational and professional.

Do’s:

• have a question as the post title
  • Examples:
    • What is a QDRO?
    • Can I claim property exempt from bankruptcy?
    • How do I file for a protective order?
    • How does the appeals process work? (civil or criminal)
    • Can I work and still receive disability benefits?
    • Can my ex-spouse claim disability benefits on my record?
    • How do I obtain a police report?
    • Does workers’ compensation cover illnesses?
    • What is an H1-B visa?
    • What is equitable distribution?
    • What elements are in a noncompete contract?
• answer the question in the post
• address reader concerns
• use authoritative source
• provide a disclaimer at the end
  • Disclaimers should be used if the information could be mistaken for legal advice
  • Disclaimers should be placed toward the end of the article

  –EX: While this information should not be taken as legal advice, it can help you understand the process and what to expect.

  –EX: This information is only intended to educate and should not be interpreted as legal advice.

  –EX: This is general information only and is not intended to provide legal advice.

Dont’s:

• Provide legal advice
• ask too broad of questions
• call to action

Basic Tips:

• Don’t feel like you have to answer everything
• keep questions discrete
• don’t be afraid to rely on client’s website for ideas
• no question is “too basic”

Finding questions:

• http://answers.findlaw.com
• http://answers.yahoo.com
• http://Quora.com
• Simple Google search
• Think of what you would want to know if you were in the readers’ shoes – What would be important?
• NOTE: Do not trust the above sources for answers – only use them to get ideas for question titles

Finding Sources:

• Government websites
• Client’s site – sometimes attorneys have pages on specific topics that can be helpful
• ABA (American Bar Association)
• Google web source link document
• Court websites
• News stories (if not event-based)

Introduction:

• The topic of the blog should be immediately introduced to the reader – don’t spend time on general statements.
• –EX: The Minnesota Supreme Court is currently considering a case involving defense of dwelling. Whether you live in a home or an apartment, you should understand what your rights are under this law.
• –EX: Social Security has set up a Ticket to Work program where you can still receive benefits while testing your ability to hold down a job.

Did your injury occur on a vessel?

Working in maritime construction in New York may allow you to be a part of building many different types of structures on or near the water. Injuries in the construction industry are common, and your employer may be carrying insurance that will cover the costs of some of your medical expenses and a portion of your lost wages. However, the nature of your specific job may affect which law is relevant to the claim you must file to receive benefits.

The Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act may apply to your situation if you are working on a vessel. This law does not necessarily cover the structure just because it is on or in the water, though. According to The National Law Review, the United States Supreme Court has had the final say in several cases where judges determined whether the characteristics of a vessel applied. These include the following:

•          Ability to move under its own force
•          Rudder or other means of steering
•          Raked hull or bow
•          Captain and crew
•          Ballast tanks
•          Navigational system

If your injury occurs while working on a platform designed to function on the water, two separate Supreme Court rulings may inform your case. Judges decided that an offshore oil platform did not meet the criteria for a vessel, even though its crew and equipment were on board as it traveled across the water. The transportation factor was key because the structure could not be put to its intended use until it was fixed. However, if you work on a platform used to gather seafood, it may be a vessel if it fulfills its purpose while in motion, as in the case of a vessel harvesting clams.

This information is provided to give you a general idea of what a vessel is, but it should not be interpreted as legal advice.

Should large trucks have in-cab cameras?

There are so many tractor trailers on the Texas roadways, you may take their presence for granted. When you see a traffic situation ahead and a large truck behind you, or you notice a trailer beside you swaying, you may begin to question how safe they really are. According to Trucking Info, if there is a camera in the cab of that commercial vehicle, you may have less cause to worry.

Some of the technology that has been developed so far protects you on the road by identifying trucker activities, analyzing them and alerting the company to issues that could predict crashes. While this could include distractions, it may also detect operator responses to road and traffic conditions, and indicate when he or she requires further training.

Even if the truck beside you has a camera inside, the driver is not necessarily being monitored. In some cases, systems are triggered by an event. So, if the truck has to brake suddenly to avoid hitting you, that will be recorded, saved and examined by the company, whether or not a collision occurred. However, other systems may be installed that allow the video to be viewed in real time via a streaming camera, with the recording sent to the cloud and accessible by computer, tablet or smartphone.

It may be natural for some truckers to feel resistant to the idea of having all their actions recorded while on the job, but research indicates that the risk of a truck crash is lower for you and other passenger vehicle occupants.