The Skinner Law Firm and family have always been committed to giving back to the community. From sponsoring local events to supporting non-profit organizations, their dedication to making a positive impact on the community is evident. The Skinner legal team is proud to support the following events as the warmer weather begins to welcome… Read More
Skinner Law Personal Injury Blog
PLEASE NOTE: The content provided on this website is for informational purposes and should not be construed as legal advice.
EPA Proposes National Drinking Water Standards
In mid-March, the Environmental Protection Agency proposed new drinking water standards that would limit the amount of harmful PFAS in water. The National Primary Drinking Water Regulation would establish legally enforceable levels for six different PFAS chemicals which are known to appear in drinking water. The EPA would establish a Maximum Contaminant Level (4 parts… Read More
Legalese: Mediation vs. Arbitration
Mediation is an intervention in a dispute where a third-party helps the parties resolve their conflict in a way they can all agree on. It is usually entered into voluntarily as a way of avoiding further expenses and the uncertainties of a trial. Arbitration, on the other hand, is where a third party makes a… Read More
Stephen Judges Law Students in New Orleans
Stephen traveled to New Orleans in late March to judge the American Association for Justice’s Student Trial Advocacy Competition (STAC). STAC is an annual, nationwide mock trial competition for law students. This year’s batch of students was incredibly impressive, according to Stephen: “The law students were dynamic, well prepared, and amazingly composed.” The winners were… Read More
Stephen Speaks at Virginia Trial Lawyers’ Association Conference
In March, Stephen gave a talk at the Virginia Trial Lawyers’ Association Conference, which was held at the Greenbrier in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia. Stephen spoke about representing diverse clients, especially in personal injury cases, and how to deal with avoiding unfair bias with juries. Andrew and his wife Kathy also attended the conference,… Read More
Legalese of the Month
While legalese can seem intimidating and difficult to understand, it serves an important purpose in the legal system. It ensures that legal documents are precise and accurate, leaving no room for confusion or ambiguity. Despite its complexity, lawyers are increasingly recognizing the importance of using plain language to make legal information more accessible to the… Read More
WV Legislature House Passes PFAS Protection Laws
As of March 2023, the West Virginia House of Delegates has passed a new PFAS protection act, and the Senate is considering passing it too. The bill “requires the DEP to identify and address PFAS sources impacting public water systems; requires facilities that have recently used PFAS chemicals to report their use to DEP, requires… Read More
Stephen Speaks at National Legal Conference in Phoenix
In late February, Stephen traveled to Phoenix, AZ, to present a Continuing Legal Education course at the Winter Meeting of the American Association for Justice. This national organization, which is over 75 years old, supports trial lawyers across the country by defending Americans’ right to trial by jury. They “fight every day to protect our… Read More
3M to Stop Manufacturing PFAS
In late December, 3M announced that it would stop manufacturing PFAS by 2025. If you’ve been following our coverage of PFAS for a while, you’ll know that this is a huge step forward for all of us. “PFAS” are a category of chemicals that have many uses in products as disparate as firefighting foam and… Read More
National Guard and Reserves Not Getting Reduced Interest Rates
Did you know that National Guard and Reserve service members are eligible for reduced interest rates when they’re on active duty? Unfortunately, they’re not always getting what they’re entitled to. According to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, Reserve and National Guard members called to active duty are paying an extra $9 million in interest every… Read More
