Padberg Appelbaum Knepper
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date: 2026-04-22T10:30:52Z
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items: How Technology Proves Truck Driver Negligence
items: Cell Phone Records in Court: How Attorneys Prove Distracted Driving Cases
items: Daughter Sues St. Louis Over Father’s Death in May 16 Tornado
items: Vexatious Refusal: Key Elements of Proving Insurer Misconduct
items: Insurance Companies Behaving Badly
items: Legal Limelight: Nicole Burlison Knepper, Principal and Partner, Padberg Appelbaum Knepper
items: Missouri Nurse’s Guilty Plea Sparks $8M State Fund Appeals Court Battle
items: Padberg Appelbaum Knepper Adds Associate Attorney Jenna DeBarry to Team
items: Maplewood Agrees to Pay Couple $500,000 Over Police Crash
items: Choosing a Doctor for a Workers’ Comp Claim: Options & Legal Rights

How Technology Proves Truck Driver Negligence
type: item
creator: Padberg Appelbaum Knepper Team
date: 2026-04-21T13:20:45Z
subject: Auto Accidents
description: When a standard passenger car is involved in a crash, the investigation often relies on police reports, witness statements and visible damage. A commercial trucking collision is different. It is not simply a larger car crash. These cases often involve truck driver negligence, violations of federal trucking regulations, corporate liability and critical digital evidence that... Read More The post How Technology Proves Truck Driver Negligence appeared first on Padberg Appelbaum Knepper.
encoded: When a standard passenger car is involved in a crash, the investigation often relies on police reports, witness statements and visible damage. A commercial trucking collision is different. It is not simply a larger car crash. These cases often involve truck driver negligence, violations of federal trucking regulations, corporate liability and critical digital evidence that can disappear quickly. If you have been injured in a crash with a semi-truck, you need more than a general personal injury lawyer. You need an experienced trucking accident attorney in St. Louis who understands how to uncover what went wrong and who should be held responsible. Modern semi-trucks are essentially rolling computers. While the driver might have one story, the truck itself often tells another. At Padberg Appelbaum Knepper, we are a trucking collision law firm that knows how to access and interpret this critical data to uncover negligence that isn’t visible on the pavement. Seeing What the Driver Saw In many collision cases, liability comes down to a matter of perspective. A truck driver might claim a pedestrian came out of nowhere or that a vehicle was in a blind spot. In the past, this was often difficult to disprove. Today, technology allows a skilled trucking injury lawyer to see exactly what the driver saw — and often what they missed. We move quickly to demand footage from both outward-facing dashcams and inward-facing cab cameras. This footage is often the difference between a disputed claim and a clear case of negligence. Outward-Facing Video: This allows us to see the driver’s peripheral vision and the conditions of the road leading up to the crash. Inward-Facing Video: These cameras reveal what was happening inside the cab. Was the driver eating? Were they distracted by a device? Were they fighting fatigue? Using Truck Black Box and ELD Data in a St. Louis Accident Claim Beyond video footage, commercial trucks should be equipped with an Electronic Logging Device (ELD) and an E…

Cell Phone Records in Court: How Attorneys Prove Distracted Driving Cases
type: item
creator: Padberg Appelbaum Knepper Team
date: 2025-11-14T19:09:15Z
subject: Auto Accidents
description: It’s a sight that has become all too common on Missouri roads: a car ahead suddenly swerves, drifts out of its lane or changes speeds erratically. The likely culprit? A distracted driver looking at their cell phone. For years, this behavior was a source of frustration and danger, but now, it is explicitly illegal in... Read More The post Cell Phone Records in Court: How Attorneys Prove Distracted Driving Cases appeared first on Padberg Appelbaum Knepper.
encoded: It’s a sight that has become all too common on Missouri roads: a car ahead suddenly swerves, drifts out of its lane or changes speeds erratically. The likely culprit? A distracted driver looking at their cell phone. For years, this behavior was a source of frustration and danger, but now, it is explicitly illegal in Missouri. The Siddens Bening Hands Free Law officially went into effect on January 1, 2025. This “phone down law” makes it illegal for drivers to hold or use their phones while driving. This includes texting, checking social media, streaming video or holding the phone for a call. This new law has major implications for personal injury cases. If you are injured in a car collision, how does a car accident lawyer prove the at fault driver was distracted? While the law helps, the key to your case is often in the data. For this reason, experienced car collision attorneys use cell phone records as critical evidence to prove liability and build the strongest possible case on your behalf. An Admission Isn’t Enough: The Need for Hard Evidence In the chaotic moments after a collision, a driver might admit to the police or to you that they were “on the phone” or “just dropped something.” This is a helpful start, but it is not the end of the story. Why isn’t an admission enough? People’s stories can change. Once an insurance company gets involved, that casual admission at the scene can quickly become, “I only glanced at my phone after the collision,” or “I wasn’t using it at all.” A statement made to a police officer is not the same as sworn testimony and can be contested. This is why your legal team also relies on objective, digital evidence that is not subject to interpretation or a faulty memory. These records provide the concrete proof needed for an auto injury attorney to paint a clear picture of the driver’s actions in the moments that matter. How Padberg Appelbaum Knepper Obtains Cell Phone Records A common question we receive is whether we can simply check t…

Daughter Sues St. Louis Over Father’s Death in May 16 Tornado
type: item
creator: Padberg Appelbaum Knepper Team
date: 2025-07-03T17:28:00Z
subject: Firm News
description: Fox2Now July 3, 2025 Newsroom Write-up: Deborah Patrick filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the City of St. Louis following the death of her father, Larry Patrick, during the May 16 tornado. The lawsuit claims the city failed to activate tornado sirens and address hazardous conditions, including a decaying tree that Larry Patrick had previously... Read More The post Daughter Sues St. Louis Over Father’s Death in May 16 Tornado appeared first on Padberg Appelbaum Knepper.
encoded: Fox2Now July 3, 2025 Newsroom Write-up: Deborah Patrick filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the City of St. Louis following the death of her father, Larry Patrick, during the May 16 tornado. The lawsuit claims the city failed to activate tornado sirens and address hazardous conditions, including a decaying tree that Larry Patrick had previously reported as unsafe. Padberg Appelbaum Knepper represents Deborah Patrick, seeking civil damages exceeding $25,000, along with any other relief deemed appropriate by the courts. Read the full story here. The post Daughter Sues St. Louis Over Father’s Death in May 16 Tornado appeared first on Padberg Appelbaum Knepper.

Vexatious Refusal: Key Elements of Proving Insurer Misconduct
type: item
creator: Padberg Appelbaum Knepper Team
date: 2025-05-30T18:01:34Z
subject: Articles and Resources
description: When insurance companies wrongfully delay or deny payment on an insurance claim, it causes more than harm and frustration. It also potentially breaches legal and contractual obligations to the policyholder. However, there are consumer protection laws that help make sure this behavior does not go unchecked. In a previous post, we presented the potential legal... Read More The post Vexatious Refusal: Key Elements of Proving Insurer Misconduct appeared first on Padberg Appelbaum Knepper.
encoded: When insurance companies wrongfully delay or deny payment on an insurance claim, it causes more than harm and frustration. It also potentially breaches legal and contractual obligations to the policyholder. However, there are consumer protection laws that help make sure this behavior does not go unchecked. In a previous post, we presented the potential legal remedies available to someone who has been mistreated by an insurance company. One of those remedies is a Vexatious Refusal claim. Read more below about the key elements of vexatious refusal claims, including real-life case examples and how a Missouri insurance lawyer pursues this type of claim. What is the Missouri Vexatious Refusal to Pay Statute? Missouri’s vexatious refusal to pay statute is a consumer protection law that holds insurance companies accountable when they refuse to pay a valid claim without reasonable or probable cause. It’s designed to prevent unfair and abusive insurance practices. The vexatious refusal to pay statute applies to first-party insurance claims, which are claims filed by a policyholder (insured) directly against their insurance company (insurer). Examples of claims: First-Party Claim: An insured files a claim with their auto insurance provider after their vehicle is stolen. Third-Party Claim: An insured is involved in a car accident caused by another driver, and files a claim against the other driver’s auto insurance provider. Insurance companies are legally required to thoroughly investigate a claim, and make decisions based on a comprehensive review and evidence. If an insurer fails to do so and wrongfully denies a valid first-party claim, the policyholder may be able to pursue a vexatious refusal lawsuit. 5 Legal Requirements to Prove Vexatious Refusal: The Existence of a Policy with an Insurer. If you purchased an insurance policy or you are covered under an insurance policy, you could have a claim for vexatious refusal. The Missouri vexatious refusal to pay statutes cover va…

Insurance Companies Behaving Badly
type: item
creator: Padberg Appelbaum Knepper Team
date: 2024-10-03T19:09:55Z
subject: Accidents and Injuries
subject: Articles and Resources
subject: Legal News
description: Bad Faith, Vexatious Refusal and the Role of an Insurance Claims Lawyer Bad faith insurance claims are one example of how insurance companies can be deceptive and unfair. Insurance is designed to protect people. Policyholders pay into the system expecting to have coverage for some of life’s most devastating challenges: such as car accidents, burglary, flooding,... Read More The post Insurance Companies Behaving Badly appeared first on Padberg Appelbaum Knepper.
encoded: Bad Faith, Vexatious Refusal and the Role of an Insurance Claims Lawyer Bad faith insurance claims are one example of how insurance companies can be deceptive and unfair. Insurance is designed to protect people. Policyholders pay into the system expecting to have coverage for some of life’s most devastating challenges: such as car accidents, burglary, flooding, house fires or serious health diagnoses. Unfortunately, in many cases, insurers delay claims processing or wrongfully deny claims to minimize losses and protect its bottom line. When an insurance company behaves badly, what are the legal remedies? Fear of retaliation or claim denial keeps many people from reaching out for help when they are stuck in a months or years-long insurance battle. A bad faith insurance claims lawyer, or a lawyer with experience in vexatious refusal to pay an insurance claim can help. Read more about the possible legal remedies that can hold insurers accountable. Two Common Scenarios a Missouri Insurance Claims Law Firm Can Help With When a policyholder seeks legal expertise for their insurance company’s wrongdoings, their case will typically correspond to a Bad Faith Insurance Claim or Vexatious Refusal to Pay. Both categories are related to improper handling of an insurance claim, but target different aspects of insurer misconduct. “What is a Bad Faith Insurance Claim?” A Bad Faith Claim against an insurer applies to liability claims against an insured. There are two types of bad faith: bad faith refusal to settle and bad faith refusal to defend. In either case, the insurer failed to uphold its contractual obligations to a policyholder in a liability claim — to defend and indemnify the insured. The concept of “bad faith” refers to the insurance company putting its own interests ahead of its insured. The most common scenario is when an insurer is given an opportunity to settle a claim within the policy limits and the insurer fails to settle the claim. When this happens, the insurer i…

Legal Limelight: Nicole Burlison Knepper, Principal and Partner, Padberg Appelbaum Knepper
type: item
creator: Padberg Appelbaum Knepper Team
date: 2024-09-13T17:28:00Z
subject: Firm News
description: Missouri Lawyers Media Sept. 13, 2024 Newsroom Write-up: Nicole Burlison Knepper, Principal and Partner at Padberg Appelbaum Knepper, has been elected as the new president of the Lawyers Association of St. Louis for the 2024-2025 term. A seasoned litigator with extensive experience in complex injury cases, Knepper aims to enhance engagement and foster a more... Read More The post Legal Limelight: Nicole Burlison Knepper, Principal and Partner, Padberg Appelbaum Knepper appeared first on Padberg Appelbaum Knepper.
encoded: Missouri Lawyers Media Sept. 13, 2024 Newsroom Write-up: Nicole Burlison Knepper, Principal and Partner at Padberg Appelbaum Knepper, has been elected as the new president of the Lawyers Association of St. Louis for the 2024-2025 term. A seasoned litigator with extensive experience in complex injury cases, Knepper aims to enhance engagement and foster a more collaborative legal community. Read her full interview with Missouri Lawyers Media here. The post Legal Limelight: Nicole Burlison Knepper, Principal and Partner, Padberg Appelbaum Knepper appeared first on Padberg Appelbaum Knepper.

Missouri Nurse’s Guilty Plea Sparks $8M State Fund Appeals Court Battle
type: item
creator: Padberg Appelbaum Knepper Team
date: 2023-12-14T18:28:03Z
subject: Firm News
description: Missouri Lawyers Media December 14, 2023 Newsroom Write-up: The Missouri Court of Appeals affirmed the circuit court’s ruling mandating the state to pay more than $8 million to Vernell Beach, a man injured by a state-employed nurse at a mental health facility. Despite the nurse, Rita Davis, pleading guilty to criminal charges and seeking to... Read More The post Missouri Nurse’s Guilty Plea Sparks $8M State Fund Appeals Court Battle appeared first on Padberg Appelbaum Knepper.
encoded: Missouri Lawyers Media December 14, 2023 Newsroom Write-up: The Missouri Court of Appeals affirmed the circuit court’s ruling mandating the state to pay more than $8 million to Vernell Beach, a man injured by a state-employed nurse at a mental health facility. Despite the nurse, Rita Davis, pleading guilty to criminal charges and seeking to withdraw from her defense, the court found her actions were covered under the state’s Legal Expense Fund. Padberg Appelbaum Knepper attorney Theresa Appelbaum represented Beach in the case, arguing that Davis’ criminal conduct did not absolve her from coverage under the fund. The court ruled in Beach’s favor, requiring the state to cover the damages. To read more about this case, click here. The post Missouri Nurse’s Guilty Plea Sparks $8M State Fund Appeals Court Battle appeared first on Padberg Appelbaum Knepper.

Padberg Appelbaum Knepper Adds Associate Attorney Jenna DeBarry to Team
type: item
creator: Padberg Appelbaum Knepper Team
date: 2023-10-02T20:37:55Z
subject: Firm News
description: St. Louis litigation firm continues to add experienced talent to benefit clients. St. Louis, MO, October 2, 2023 — The law firm of Padberg Appelbaum Knepper (PAK) is pleased to welcome Jenna DeBarry to the team. In her role as an Associate Attorney, Jenna brings more than a year of experience working as a clerk... Read More The post Padberg Appelbaum Knepper Adds Associate Attorney Jenna DeBarry to Team appeared first on Padberg Appelbaum Knepper.
encoded: St. Louis litigation firm continues to add experienced talent to benefit clients. St. Louis, MO, October 2, 2023 — The law firm of Padberg Appelbaum Knepper (PAK) is pleased to welcome Jenna DeBarry to the team. In her role as an Associate Attorney, Jenna brings more than a year of experience working as a clerk at PAK while completing her law degree. During this time, she demonstrated a keen understanding of the law and an ability to apply those insights for the benefit of PAK’s clients. “I want to use my skills in the best way possible to help others, so I decided early on I would be a lawyer,” said DeBarry. “I’m grateful for the opportunity to join the PAK team. Everyone is so kind, caring and eager to help.” At PAK, DeBarry represents clients who have been injured in a range of civil practice cases, including automobile accidents, Worker’s Compensation, wrongful death and premises liability. She is licensed in the state of Missouri. PAK partner attorneys note that DeBarry is one of only two law clerks the firm has hired immediately out of law school. “She is passionate about bringing justice for her clients,” said Theresa Appelbaum, Principal and Partner Attorney. “We knew very early on just how special Jenna was and what a tremendous lawyer she will be. We could not be more thrilled to have her join our legal team.” “Jenna works hard and is not afraid of a challenge,” said Nicole Burlison Knepper, Principal and Partner Attorney. “From the moment we met her, we knew she would be a part of this team.” DeBarry received an undergraduate degree in Criminology from Missouri State University (MSU) and earned her J.D. from Saint Louis University (SLU) School of Law. In addition to her work at PAK, DeBerry plans to get involved with the Women Lawyers’ Association (WLA), the Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis (BAMSL), the Missouri Association of Trial Attorneys (MATA) and the Lawyers Association of St. Louis. About Padberg Appelbaum Knepper Padberg Appelbaum Kneppe…

Maplewood Agrees to Pay Couple $500,000 Over Police Crash
type: item
creator: Padberg Appelbaum Knepper Team
date: 2023-09-28T17:28:06Z
subject: Firm News
description: STL Post-Dispatch Sept. 28, 2023 Newsroom Write-up: The City of Maplewood has agreed to pay $504,000 to Michael and Joan Gerard following a 2013 crash caused by a police officer responding to a Walmart theft. The settlement resolves their 2017 lawsuit, which alleged the city was negligent for the officer’s actions and lack of proper... Read More The post Maplewood Agrees to Pay Couple $500,000 Over Police Crash appeared first on Padberg Appelbaum Knepper.
encoded: STL Post-Dispatch Sept. 28, 2023 Newsroom Write-up: The City of Maplewood has agreed to pay $504,000 to Michael and Joan Gerard following a 2013 crash caused by a police officer responding to a Walmart theft. The settlement resolves their 2017 lawsuit, which alleged the city was negligent for the officer’s actions and lack of proper training. Padberg Appelbaum Knepper attorney Theresa Appelbaum represented the Gerards in the case. Read St. Louis Post-Dispatch’s coverage of this case here. The post Maplewood Agrees to Pay Couple $500,000 Over Police Crash appeared first on Padberg Appelbaum Knepper.

Choosing a Doctor for a Workers’ Comp Claim: Options & Legal Rights
type: item
creator: Padberg Appelbaum Knepper Team
date: 2023-05-03T20:53:54Z
subject: Workers' Comp
description: Your treating doctor plays a crucial role in your Workers’ Compensation case. They determine when you can return to work and what benefits you will receive — and ultimately, help you heal from an injury. Choosing a physician for a work injury is an extremely important decision. You may be wondering, “Who gets to choose... Read More The post Choosing a Doctor for a Workers’ Comp Claim: Options & Legal Rights appeared first on Padberg Appelbaum Knepper.
encoded: Your treating doctor plays a crucial role in your Workers’ Compensation case. They determine when you can return to work and what benefits you will receive — and ultimately, help you heal from an injury. Choosing a physician for a work injury is an extremely important decision. You may be wondering, “Who gets to choose my Workers’ Comp doctor?” It may come as a surprise that the decision can be up to your employer, depending on Workers’ Compensation laws in your state. There are certain legal remedies available to fight this decision if you do not agree with the doctor your employer selects, or if you wish to seek a second opinion. Below is an overview of the legal rights of an employee who is injured at work in Missouri and Illinois. Contact a Workers’ Comp attorney for more information. Step One: Reporting a Work Injury Remember to report any work injuries to your employer before you seek medical care. For a serious illness or injury requiring emergency medical attention, reporting the injury first may not be possible. Otherwise, your employer and/or their insurer is required to provide medical treatment. In order to be eligible for Workers’ Compensation benefits, you must report an injury within 30 days of the date of injury in Missouri, or within 45 days in Illinois. Keep track of important documentation, such as medical bills or communications with your employer and insurer, throughout your recovery. Read more about how to report a workplace injury. Who Determines My Workers’ Compensation Doctor? We will use this hypothetical work injury to explain how a doctor could be selected by an employer in Missouri or Illinois: John had a pallet dropped on him at work and broke his foot. First, he went to the emergency room and got an X-ray of the injury. The next day, he reported the injury to the Human Resources department at work to initiate the Workers’ Compensation process. In Missouri, John’s employer has the right to choose the health care provider(s) for his trea…