Guides
Legal Herald Guides
Plain-language guides to how claims work, written for readers in every state. Each guide opens its topic edition, with the latest news and press releases underneath.
Sexual Abuse
Sexual AbuseSexual Abuse Lawsuits: How Civil Claims and Deadlines WorkHow sexual abuse survivors bring civil lawsuits: who can be held liable, how deadlines and revival windows work, Doe filings and what damages can cover.Clergy AbuseClergy Abuse Lawsuits: Holding Religious Institutions LiableHow survivors of clergy sexual abuse sue churches and religious orders: liability theories, reporting laws, deadlines, revival windows and bankruptcies.Daycare AbuseDaycare Abuse Lawsuits: Who Is Liable and How Claims WorkWhat parents should know about daycare abuse and neglect claims: licensing records, background check rules, who can be sued and how filing deadlines work.Elementary School AbuseElementary School Abuse: Claims Against Schools and DistrictsHow families bring claims when a young child is abused at elementary school: grooming signs, mandated reporting, Title IX and government immunity rules.Middle School AbuseMiddle School Abuse: Grooming, Sextortion and School LiabilityHow abuse of middle school students happens, from online grooming to peer assault, and when schools, districts and staff can be held liable for it.High School AbuseHigh School Abuse Lawsuits: Teachers, Coaches and Title IXHow high school sexual abuse claims work: teacher and coach misconduct, peer assault, why consent is not a defense, Title IX and filing deadlines.College AbuseCollege Sexual Abuse Claims: Title IX, Lawsuits and DeadlinesHow college sexual abuse claims work: the Title IX campus process, civil lawsuits against universities, the Clery Act, athletics and campus doctors.Youth Sports AbuseYouth Sports Abuse Lawsuits: Coaches, Clubs and SafeSportHow youth sports abuse claims work: when clubs, leagues and governing bodies are liable, SafeSport, the 24-hour federal reporting rule, and filing deadlines.Summer Camp AbuseSummer Camp Abuse Lawsuits: Camp Liability and Your RightsHow summer camp sexual abuse claims work: camp liability for counselors and campers, state licensing, background checks, waivers and filing deadlines.Boarding School AbuseBoarding School Abuse Lawsuits: Prep and Therapeutic SchoolsHow boarding school sexual abuse claims work, from elite prep schools to therapeutic and troubled teen programs: liability, oversight gaps and deadlines.Medical AbuseMedical Sexual Abuse Claims: Doctors, Therapists and ClinicsHow sexual abuse claims against doctors, therapists, chiropractors and massage therapists work: battery vs malpractice, chaperones and licensing boards.Rehab Facility AbuseRehab Facility Abuse Lawsuits: Treatment Centers and Sober HomesHow abuse claims against drug and alcohol rehab centers and sober homes work: facility liability, patient vulnerability, licensing, privacy and deadlines.Behavioral Health AbuseBehavioral Health Facility Abuse: Patient Rights and LawsuitsHow abuse claims against psychiatric hospitals and residential treatment centers work: restraint rules, reporting duties, who is liable and deadlines.Juvenile Detention AbuseJuvenile Detention Abuse Lawsuits: Claims Against the StateHow survivors of abuse in juvenile detention and youth prisons sue: civil rights claims, PREA standards, immunity, notice deadlines and state caps.Foster Care AbuseFoster Care Abuse Lawsuits: Holding Agencies AccountableWhen a child is abused in foster care, the agency and its contractors may be liable. How these claims work, the duty to protect, immunity and deadlines.
Injury & Accountability
Personal InjuryPersonal Injury Claims: Negligence, Damages and Filing DeadlinesHow a personal injury claim works: proving negligence, what damages cover, how shared fault cuts an award, insurance, and why filing deadlines vary by state.Wrongful DeathWrongful Death Lawsuits: Who Can Sue, Damages and DeadlinesHow a wrongful death claim works: who can file, the difference from a survival action, what damages families recover, and filing deadlines by state.Crime VictimsCrime Victims' Rights: Compensation and Negligent Security ClaimsHurt in a shooting, stabbing or assault? How state crime victim compensation works and when you can sue a property owner for negligent security.Drunk DrivingDrunk Driving Accident Claims: Suing an Impaired DriverAfter a drunk driving crash: how the civil claim differs from the criminal case, who can be held liable, punitive damages, insurance and filing deadlines.Dram ShopDram Shop Law: When a Bar or Host Is Liable for a Drunk DriverHow dram shop liability and social host liability work, what you must prove, and a verified comparison of states that limit or reject claims against servers.Trucking AccidentsTruck Accident Lawsuits: Hours of Service, Evidence and LiabilityHow a truck accident lawsuit works: federal hours of service limits, who can be liable, insurance minimums, black box and ELD evidence, and filing deadlines.MesotheliomaMesothelioma Lawsuits and Asbestos Trust Funds: How Claims WorkHow a mesothelioma lawsuit works, how asbestos trust fund claims pay, what VA benefits cover, and why filing deadlines usually start at diagnosis.Offshore InjuryOffshore Injury Claims: Jones Act, LHWCA and Maritime LawHurt on a vessel, rig or dock? How Jones Act seaman claims, maintenance and cure, unseaworthiness, LHWCA benefits and DOHSA death claims differ.Drowning AccidentsDrowning Accident Lawsuits: Who Is Liable and How Claims WorkWhen a pool owner, apartment complex, hotel, camp or daycare can be liable for a drowning or near-drowning, and how federal drain rules affect claims.Nursing Home AbuseNursing Home Abuse and Neglect: Federal Rules and LawsuitsHow nursing home abuse and neglect claims work: residents' federal rights, bedsores and falls, reporting deadlines, arbitration clauses and who is liable.Construction AccidentsConstruction Accident Lawsuits: Third-Party Claims and OSHA RulesHurt on a construction site? How third-party lawsuits work alongside workers' comp, who can be liable, how OSHA rules are used as evidence, and deadlines.Birth InjuryBirth Injury Lawsuits: Medical Errors, Deadlines and ProgramsHow birth injury claims work: HIE, cerebral palsy, Erb's palsy and kernicterus, proving malpractice, deadlines for children, and state birth injury programs.Consumer ProtectionRobocall and Spam Text Lawsuits: Your Rights Under the TCPAWhen you can sue over robocalls and spam texts under the TCPA, what the Do Not Call rules require, how $500 statutory damages work, and FDCPA basics.
Selling a Business
Business SalesHow to Sell a Small Business: Valuation, Deal Terms and TaxesA plain guide to selling a small or midsize business: SDE and EBITDA multiples, brokers, confidentiality, deal structure, due diligence, timing and taxes.Trades Business SalesSelling an HVAC, Plumbing or Trades Business: What Buyers PayHow HVAC, plumbing, roofing, electrical, landscaping, cleaning and pest control companies are valued and sold, including licensing and deal terms.Auto Business SalesSelling an Auto Dealership or Repair Shop: Value and ApprovalsHow dealerships, used car lots and body and repair shops are valued and sold: blue sky, floor plan payoffs, manufacturer approval and licensing.Medical Practice SalesSelling a Medical or Dental Practice: Buyers, Value and RulesHow dental, medical, chiropractic, optometry, med spa and home health practices sell: DSO and private equity buyers, patient records, payers and licensing.Manufacturing Business SalesSelling a Manufacturing Business: Valuation, Buyers and DiligenceHow small and midsize manufacturers are valued and sold: EBITDA multiples, customer concentration, equipment, environmental diligence and export rules.Hospitality Business SalesSelling a Restaurant, Hotel or Rental Business: What to KnowHow restaurants, hotels, short-term rentals and golf courses are valued and sold: liquor license transfers, franchise approval and real estate splits.Accounting Practice SalesSelling a CPA or Bookkeeping Practice: Value, Terms and RulesHow CPA, tax and bookkeeping practices are valued and sold: revenue multiples, client retention clauses, earn-outs, confidentiality and ownership rules.Insurance Agency SalesSelling an Insurance Agency: Book Value, Carriers and RetentionHow independent insurance agencies and books of business are valued and sold: revenue and EBITDA multiples, carrier appointments, retention and deal terms.