Alicia Rae is a J.D. candidate at the University of Maine School of Law with a Master’s in Public Administration and Policy from American University. As her 10-week Summer Associate program at Berman & Simmons comes to an end, we sat down with her to talk about her experience at Berman & Simmons. Q: Why did you decide to apply for the Summer Associate Program? A: I’ve lived in Lewiston since 2014, so I knew about Berman & Simmons already when I went to law school in 2021. Having options in Androscoggin County, such as Berman & Simmons, was really important to me because I do wa ..read more

In classic legal fashion, the answer to whether a rear-end collision can result in a personal injury lawsuit is that it depends. It can be a complicated question with a detailed explanation. Fortunately, the experienced rear-end collision attorneys at Berman & Simmons are here to provide guidance and counseling on any rear-end collision and seek compensation for those that have suffered at the hands of another’s negligence. What is a Rear-End Collision? A rear-end traffic collision is a type of collision that occurs when one vehicle (the tail vehicle) is driving behind another vehicle (the ..read more

Accidents can happen unexpectedly, leaving individuals with the burden of medical expenses. In such situations, insurance coverage can provide significant relief while a lawsuit is being pursued. In many situations, different types of insurance  may help an injured person manage their medical bills following an accident. Understanding how an insurance company pays accident-related medical bills can empower individuals to navigate the process more effectively and alleviate financial stress until a final settlement can be reached.  In this blog post, we will explore the key aspects of ..read more

What We Do At Berman & Simmons, our specialty is Personal Injury Law and our goal is to seek justice and compensation for people who have suffered catastrophic and life-altering injuries or have died prematurely due to the negligence of others. Our trial attorneys specialize exclusively in Plaintiff lawsuits involving medical errors, motor vehicle accidents, wrongful death, dangerous or unsafe property, defective products, and sex abuse. What We Don’t Do Unfortunately, we get many inquiries about cases we don’t handle and areas of law in which we don’t practice. To save you time when ..read more

Berman & Simmons Trial Attorneys emerged from the pandemic into the courtroom winning over $36.5 million in verdicts for their clients between September 2022 and February 2023. This is purported to be the largest collection of trial wins over the shortest duration of time by a law firm in New England and displays the extraordinary talent and capabilities within our firm.  “A trial culture and track record of success at trial have been at the core of our identity for many years and even more so now that courts have opened back up,” says Managing Director Craig Bramley. “Our attorneys v ..read more

Berman & Simmons Trial Attorneys emerged from the pandemic into the courtroom winning over $36.5 million in verdicts for their clients between September 2022 and February 2023. This is purported to be the largest collective win over the shortest duration of time by a firm in New England. Attorney Chuck Hehmeyer Secures Record $25 Million Award for Catastrophically Injured Pennsylvania Motorcyclist Travis Sweigart – November 2022 Charles “Chuck” Hehmeyer of Berman & Simmons in Maine represented motorcyclist Travis Sweigart and saw that the biker was awarded a record $25 million after a ..read more

Attorneys representing four more survivors of childhood sexual abuse by three different priests-all at St. Ann Parish in Indian Island, Maine—today filed civil complaints against the Roman Catholic Bishop of Portland seeking to hold the diocese accountable for damages.  The sexual abuse in three of these cases happened between 1972 and 1979 when three of the plaintiffs were between seven and 12 years old. The fourth occurred in 1987 when the fourth plaintiff was 16 years old. The complaints show how the priests preyed upon and groomed the children, using the prestige of their positions in ..read more

Being involved in a car accident can be a confusing and stressful experience. In addition to the physical and emotional toll of the accident, there may be various legal and financial issues to consider. The accident report is one of the most important documents to understand following a car accident. This report can provide valuable information about the details of the accident, including who was involved, what happened, and who was at fault. Let us look at how to read and obtain an accident report. Understanding an Accident Report An accident report is a document created by law enforcement o ..read more

Personal injury cases can be challenging to navigate, particularly if you are unfamiliar with the legal system or the intricacies of insurance negotiations. When pursuing a personal injury case, the ultimate goal is to receive fair compensation for the damages you have suffered due to the accident. The value of your settlement will depend on various factors, including the severity of your injuries, the extent of your property damage, and the liability of the other party. However, there are steps that you can take to increase the settlement value of your personal injury case. Seek Medical Atte ..read more

The challenges, struggles, and upheaval that follow a serious brain injury can overwhelm even the most resilient individuals and families. A traumatic brain injury (TBI) can deprive a person of their independence, mobility, ability to work, or even the capacity to manage basic self-care. Brain injury acquired through trauma rarely occurs in the isolate. It is common for brain injury victims to endure multiple surgeries to address harm and injury to other parts of the body in addition to requiring care and treatment for the brain. , This can involved months or even years of rehabilitation, and ..read more