Godfrey, Leibsle, Blackbourn & Howarth, S.C.Elkhorn WI Attorneys | Personal Injury, Business, Real Estate Law2026-06-23T14:28:21Zhttps://www.godfreylaw.com/feed/atom/WordPress/wp-content/uploads/sites/1504900/2026/02/cropped-GodfreyLeibsleBlackbournHowarth_SITEICON_512x512_001_001_FEB26-32x32.jpgOn Behalf of Godfrey, Leibsle, Blackbourn & Howarth, S.C.<![CDATA[Who is liable for a construction work zone crash?]]>https://www.godfreylaw.com/?p=497582026-06-08T22:00:35Z2026-06-06T12:39:20Zincreased risk of a collision due to the conduct of other drivers or the professionals working on the road.
Who is liable for a collision at a construction work zone?
Other drivers are often at fault
Many collisions that occur near work zones are the result of drivers improperly merging, becoming distracted or driving aggressively to make up for lost time. In scenarios where another driver failed to check their surroundings before merging, conducted an illegal maneuver or did something clearly negligent, the driver who caused the crash may be liable for any injuries they cause others.
Road work crews could be responsible
In some cases, negligence on the part of the professionals working on the road can cause collisions. The failure to properly contain and remove debris might lead to drivers losing traction. Forgetting to set up signs warning of a merge or lane closure ahead could also trigger unsafe driving behaviors that directly cause crashes.
Negligence when operating heavy machinery could also cause preventable collisions. If there is evidence that the road crew created unsafe circumstances, then the business responsible for the project might be liable for the damages produced by a work zone crash. Typically, employers are responsible for injuries caused by the negligence of their workers while on the clock, meaning the company managing the project, not the individual construction professionals, may be liable.
Documenting the scene of a crash, including any factors that may have contributed to that wreck, such as debris in the road or improper signage, can help people hurt in construction zone collisions determine who was at fault and take appropriate steps in pursuit of compensation. An attorney can help those injured in road work collisions understand their right and hold all appropriate parties accountable for their injuries and property damage expenses.
]]>On Behalf of Godfrey, Leibsle, Blackbourn & Howarth, S.C.<![CDATA[First 5 steps to take as a victim of personal injury]]>https://www.godfreylaw.com/?p=493982026-01-08T12:24:38Z2026-01-08T12:24:38ZSuffering a personal injury can be overwhelming and disruptive. In a short moment, your health finances and daily routine may change completely.
While recovery should always be the top priority, the actions you take soon after an injury can affect medical care, insurance claims and potential compensation. Taking clear and timely steps creates a strong foundation for moving forward.
1. Seek immediate medical attention
Your health should always come first after an injury. Even if symptoms seem mild, it is important to receive medical evaluation as soon as possible because some injuries take time to appear, and delaying care can worsen outcomes.Medical records also document the extent of your injuries and establish a connection between the incident and your condition. Ensure you follow all treatment plans and attend recommended follow-up visits to support recovery.
2. Report the incident properly
Depending on how the injury occurred, reporting the incident may be required. This could involve contacting local authorities, filing an incident report or notifying property owners or employers. These records can later support insurance claims and clarify responsibility, especially when fault is disputed.
3. Preserve evidence related to the injury
Evidence can disappear quickly after an accident. Ensure you take clear photographs of the scene, visible injuries and any hazardous conditions involved. Keep damaged items, clothing or equipment in their original condition if possible.
4. Track expenses and personal impact
Injuries often bring unexpected costs and disruptions. Keep records of medical bills, prescriptions, transportation expenses and missed work. Keep a well-written note on how the injury affects daily activities, sleep and relationships.Having this information helps show the full impact of the injury beyond initial treatment and provides a clearer picture of losses over time.
5. Moving forward with confidence
Personal injuries affect more than physical health and can have lasting emotional and financial consequences. Acting carefully and staying organized during the early stages helps protect your interests. When questions arise or the process becomes complex, seeking professional legal guidance can help clarify options and support informed decisions during recovery.]]>On Behalf of Godfrey, Leibsle, Blackbourn & Howarth, S.C.<![CDATA[3 risks associated with farm attractions for families]]>https://www.godfreylaw.com/?p=493962025-12-22T16:52:02Z2025-12-29T16:51:03Z1. Unruly livestock
Typically, farmers who have animals around for visitors to feed or pet choose the most gentle and complacent of their livestock for such roles. However, animals who feel sick or who have experienced abuse from humans could become violent with little warning. Aggressive animals can cause significant injuries, including fractures, brain injuries and serious lacerations that become infected.
2. Uneven and slippery surfaces
Children enjoying a corn maze might run ahead of their parents. They may not watch their surroundings carefully. They can trip over a rock or lose their balance due to uneven ground. Children frequently do not monitor their surroundings particularly carefully while having fun, which may lead to preventable injuries. Children tend to be at far more risk than adults on farms even if the facility has playground equipment and other areas designated specifically for children.
3. Environmental hazards
An adventure at the farm can be exciting until a storm suddenly arises. Wandering into an out-of-bounds area where farmers store agricultural chemicals could also have negative consequences for visitors. Exposure to the elements can lead to illness or possibly injury due to a slip-and-fall or similar scenario. Additionally, the chemicals used on a farm can be a source of illness. There are even pathogens found in animal waste that could make humans quite ill. All of those risk factors make a trip to a tourist destination farm far more dangerous than people might realize.
Those who sustain farm injuries as visitors or tourists may need support as they seek compensation for their losses. Filing an insurance claim against specialized coverage or pursuing a personal injury lawsuit could both be options for those with serious injuries following an injurious incident at a local farm.]]>On Behalf of Godfrey, Leibsle, Blackbourn & Howarth, S.C.<![CDATA[Why quick settlement offers are often a red flag]]>https://www.godfreylaw.com/?p=493972025-12-22T17:56:58Z2025-12-22T17:56:58ZThere are several costs associated with a car accident. Car repairs or replacements, towing expenses and medical bills can quickly add up. If you’re not working due to your injuries, you are wondering how you’re going to pay those bills, keep a roof over your head and put food on the table.
So, when an insurance adjuster quickly offers you a settlement, it can feel like a relief. However, that fast settlement offer may be a warning sign instead.
Insurance companies are not on your side
Insurance companies are a business, and their focus is on making a profit. One way to accomplish that is to pay as little as possible on claims. When they make a quick settlement offer, it may be:
To close the claim before you fully understand your rights
Avoid paying future medical costs
In the hope you haven’t had time to contact a lawyer
A fast settlement offer often benefits the insurance company more than it benefits you.You may not yet know the full extent of your injuries. Injuries such as whiplash, traumatic brain injury (secondary damage) and soft tissue damage can worsen over time or require ongoing treatment. By accepting a settlement early, you may need more medical care in the future, including surgery or rehabilitation. You will be responsible for those medical bills. But since the settlement didn’t include ongoing medical treatment, there are no funds left to pay those bills. Furthermore, once you accept a settlement and sign the release, you can’t reopen the claim, even if your condition worsens.Early settlement offers are often far below what a claim is actually worth. In addition to ongoing or future medical treatment, they typically don’t account for:
Lost wages or reduced earning capacity
Pain and suffering
Emotional distress
Long-term or permanent injuries
The insurance adjustor may pressure you to accept the offer quickly by telling you it’s the best they can do, and the offer may not be available later. These tactics are designed to rush your decision, rather than protect your interests.Before accepting a settlement offer after acar accident, it’s wise to talk with a legal representative who can do a true evaluation of your claim, along with handling all communication with the insurance company. They will protect you from signing away your rights and help you seek the full settlement you’re entitled to.]]>On Behalf of Godfrey, Leibsle, Blackbourn & Howarth, S.C.<![CDATA[Could a business be liable for a car crash?]]>https://www.godfreylaw.com/?p=493952025-12-22T00:55:13Z2025-12-22T00:55:13ZA driver on the clock
Employers may require that employees drive to make deliveries to customers, provide in-office service calls for clients or obtain supplies for the business. Employers are typically liable for the negligence of their workers while they are on the clock. If the driver who caused the crash was performing job functions, then their employer may be liable for the harm they cause.
Unusual drunk driving situations
For the most part, state law absolves businesses of liability if adults drink too much alcohol at a bar or restaurant. Wisconsin’s dram shop law is more limited than those enacted in many other states. However, if there is proof that the business served an underage motorist who then caused a crash, the business could be liable for the harm that the minor customer caused. The law also potentially allows for claims against licensed establishments when they misrepresent the contents of a drink to consumers and serve them alcohol without their awareness.
Issues with the vehicle
Sometimes, vehicles have defective parts or design issues that increase the risk of a wreck. In such cases, manufacturers could be liable. Other times, repair professionals may have made mistakes when servicing or maintaining a vehicle. When it is clear that repair errors or the failure of specific parts in a vehicle caused a crash, service professionals, repair businesses or manufacturers could be partially liable for the wreck.
Carefully reviewing the cause of a car crash and various secondary circumstances with a skilled legal team can help people understand their rights. Holding the appropriate party accountable can lead to financial compensation after a motor vehicle collision causes property damage or serious injuries.]]>On Behalf of Godfrey, Leibsle, Blackbourn & Howarth, S.C.<![CDATA[Who can pursue a construction lien against a home?]]>https://www.godfreylaw.com/?p=493932025-12-08T16:33:20Z2025-12-08T16:33:20ZThe law protects many parties
Construction liens exist to protect contractors and others who help erect, repair and modify edifices. They also protect suppliers, ranging from utility companies providing electricity to those delivering raw materials for a project. Anyone who has done active work on a construction project or provided materials for it may be able to pursue a construction lien.
Those parties do not necessarily need to have a direct arrangement with the property owner. If they have an agreement with the construction firm or professional hired by the owner, they may still be in a position to pursue a lien. A dispute between a construction company and an independent contractor might lead to a lien request if the company refuses to fully pay for the services rendered.
Liens can cause headaches for homeowners and can potentially damage the reputations of businesses that fail to pay suppliers and contractors in a timely fashion. As such, understanding the rules that govern construction liens and real estate litigation can be beneficial both for construction professionals and for those hiring others to do work on their properties.]]>On Behalf of Godfrey, Leibsle, Blackbourn & Howarth, S.C.<![CDATA[Who is liable for a snowmobile accident?]]>https://www.godfreylaw.com/?p=493922025-11-24T01:14:12Z2025-11-24T01:14:12ZMultiple parties could be liable
The nature of the snowmobile accident determines who is actually responsible. Many times, operators are directly responsible, especially if they engage in unsafe conduct, such as riding after drinking.
Other times, the parents of underage operators may be liable for the harm caused by underage snowmobile riders. Occasionally, manufacturers or repair professionals could be liable if issues with the snowmobile are to blame for the accident.
Individual property owners could be responsible for hazards that cause accidents if they allow snowmobile operators access to their land. Municipal authorities could also be responsible in scenarios where trail maintenance is to blame.
Understanding who can be held responsible for a snowmobile crash can help people seek compensation for their medical bills and other expenses and damages. Those who have been affected by snowmobile crashes can benefit from getting sound legal guidance to pursue justice.]]>On Behalf of Godfrey, Leibsle, Blackbourn & Howarth, S.C.<![CDATA[3 ways that road rage can cause serious injuries]]>https://www.godfreylaw.com/?p=493912025-11-19T12:59:30Z2025-11-19T12:59:30Zhalf of all drivers have experienced intense, even overwhelming negative emotions in traffic. However, most people don't let those emotions dictate their conduct. When drivers lose control of their emotions in traffic, the behavior that follows can put everyone nearby at risk.
Road rage can lead to injuries due to a variety of different situations, including the three relatively common scenarios below.
1. Unsafe maneuvers
Road rage drivers often express their fury by driving in erratic and unsafe ways. They swerve at another driver, intentionally cut people off and create scenarios in which others might collide with their vehicles. Drivers who cross into other lanes, cut others off or tailgate can cause crashes through their unsafe conduct.
2. Distracting outburst
Road rage drivers may roll down their windows to scream at people or make angry gestures. Everyone nearby, not just the targeted motorist, may immediately notice those unusual actions. When road rage drivers distract others by displaying their anger or aggressively driving, others may cause crashes because they stop paying attention to traffic and focus on the road rage motorist.
3. Acts of violence
Unfortunately, road rage incidents sometimes culminate in assaults and even homicides. Infuriated drivers may follow people to their destinations or try to force them off the road to confront them in person. Those situations may escalate into violence and can leave people with serious injuries.
Drivers dealing with the aftermath of a road rage collision may need help understanding their options, and seeking personalized legal guidance is a great way to get started. Filing an insurance claim or even a personal injury lawsuit could help people recover the costs generated by a road rage incident.]]>On Behalf of Godfrey, Leibsle, Blackbourn & Howarth, S.C.<![CDATA[3 common challenges when redeveloping an existing building]]>https://www.godfreylaw.com/?p=493842025-10-27T10:53:57Z2025-10-29T10:52:48Z1. Zoning issues
The conversion of manufacturing and warehouse space to condos and apartments has long been trendy. In recent years, as the demand for standalone office space has declined, developers have started looking at vacant office buildings for redevelopment. Such projects generally require a change in zoning. Either rezoning a building or seeking a variance from local authorities may be necessary before a redevelopment project can occur.
2. Infrastructure limitations
Buildings developed for commercial or industrial use do not necessarily meet the relatively strict standards for residential facilities. Developers may have to install individual HVAC units, drastically renovate electrical and plumbing systems, erect new walls and otherwise invest heavily in making the facility conform to residential construction standards. Those renovations can significantly increase the overall cost of the redevelopment project. Underestimating those costs could diminish the return on each individual unit sold or rented.
3. Challenges filling units
It can take time to attract buyers and renters to a neighborhood that does not currently feature much housing. Proactive marketing to prospective home buyers, an offer of bespoke finishing touches and even discounted purchase rates for a predevelopment purchase can be incentives to attract buyers on a competitive market.
Those looking into the redevelopment of an existing building may need help understanding the requirements of the proposed project, and that’s okay. Planning carefully can help limit complications and optimize the financial return on a major real estate redevelopment project.]]>On Behalf of Godfrey, Leibsle, Blackbourn & Howarth, S.C.<![CDATA[Do new property owners have to honor an existing easement?]]>https://www.godfreylaw.com/?p=493852025-10-28T18:25:08Z2025-10-28T18:25:08ZYou have purchased a new piece of real estate and found out that it has an easement. Maybe it has a shared driveway with another adjacent property owner. The easement is in place so that they can cross your new property to enter theirs, something they may have been doing for years or even decades with the previous owner.
But you never agreed to that easement to begin with. Do you still have to honor it after purchasing the property? Or can you simply decide that the arrangement has come to an end because it is your property and you do not want anyone else to have access to it?
Different types of easements
The key likely lies in the type of easement that exists. In some cases, two property owners will have a personal agreement, which is just an easement that the two of them have set up. This agreement may only last as long as those two individuals own the property, so you would have the option to remove it or renegotiate it if you wanted to.But in other cases, the law says the easement runs with the land. This is known as an easement appurtenant. In cases like this, the law typically views the easement as a part of the land itself, meaning that property owners cannot unilaterally decide not to honor it. You may be obligated to honor it because you purchased it along with your new real estate.Ideally, you should know exactly how the easement works before you make the purchase, and it is important to know what legal steps to take if an easement leads to conflict or disagreement.]]>