Criminal Defense

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Divorce

   The end of a marriage is often one of the most stressful events one will ever experience.  In the midst of this turmoil, important decisions must be made:

   1.  What will happen with my children?

   2.  How will the marital assets and debts be divided?

   3.  What are the tax consequences of the divorce?

   It is important to have an attorney that understands the stressful nature of a divorce proceeding.  The decisions you make during your divorce will affect you and your children for a long, long time.  Therefore, it is critical that you have the information you need and the advice of an attorney that has extensive experience in the area of domestic law.

   John Brage has handled divorce cases throughout the State of Missouri.  He will take the time to explain all of your options and will assist you in choosing the right path.  He is also an experienced courtroom litigator.  If the need exists, he is capable of taking your case to trial and fighting to get what you are entitled to.  Some lawyers only want to settle cases.  Some lawyers only want to try every case they have.  The key to obtaining a good result in your divorce is to have a lawyer who can tell you when you should settle and when you should not.  John Brage will give you the answers and the advice you need to make the best decisions possible.

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Workers Compensation

   A job-related injury can devastate a family's financial situation.  Suddenly, a two-income family is down to one income and the budget is stretched beyond the breaking point.  It doesn't have to be this way.

   John Brage has represented hundreds of injured employees.  He has taken on some of the largest employers and insurance companies in the State of Missouri.  His priority is to move quickly to insure that his client is receiving all of the benefits he or she is entitled to under the law.  These benefits include payments called "temporary total disabilty" or TTD.  TTD is a payment made by the insurance company to the injured employee to make up for the fact that the employee can't work.  TTD payments help to close the hole left by the absence of the employee's paycheck. 

   A second benefit comes in the form of payments for medical treatment necessary to cure and relieve the impact of the injury.  This includes doctor visits, surgery, hospital costs, physical therapy, medications, and many other medical needs.  John Brage regularly requests medical records so he can remain up-to-date on his clients' treatment. 

   Finally, there will come a time when the injured employee is released from treatment.  At this point, the employee is entitled to either PTD or PPD.  PTD is "permanent total disabilty".  This is when the injury suffered by the employee is so devastating that he or she will never be able to return to any type of employment.  Obviously, maximizing the employee's monetary compensation is this situation is vital to his or her future well-being.  In addition to maximizing the monetary recovery, it is important to coordinate the settlement with programs like Social Security Disabilty.  Failure to do this can cost the employee dearly as it can potentially result in a denial of Social Security payments for a period of years.  PPD is "permanent partial disability".  This is a lump sum payment made by the insurance company to the injured employee to compensate the employee for any permanent consequences of the injury.  These may include weakness, lack of range of motion, chronic pain, and decreased sensitivity.  The insurance company will strive to pay the employee as little as possible for PPD.  Therefore, it is important to have an experienced worker's compoensation lawyer who knows what each claim is worth and who is willing to take the case to trial if necessary.