There are many dangers to handmade rugs from spills and stains to flooding and fire. The first step one should take before or during an insurance claim is to gain an independent retail replacement or insurance valuation on the rug. Often insurers do not understand the artistic value of a handmade rug and treat it as a standard floor covering or a used item. Gaining a replacement valuation is an effective weapon when seeking value from your insurer.

A Persian or Oriental rug is not simply a floor covering but a work of art. A weaver has dedicated months of skilled work in order to create your unique rug or carpet, a skill that has been passed down for centuries from one generation to the next. Like the skill involved in weaving these rugs, handmade carpets are passed down from one generation to the next, becoming valuable and treasured family heirlooms that can often hold not only intrinsic but great sentimental value. Often our memories can be tied up, interwoven in the fibres of our rugs, so if the day does come when something happens to your rug it can be a distressing loss.

There are many dangers to handmade rugs from spills and stains to flooding and fire. The first step one should take before or during an insurance claim is to gain an independent retail replacement or insurance valuation on the rug. Often insurers do not understand the artistic value of a handmade rug and treat it as a standard floor covering or a used item. Gaining a replacement valuation is an effective weapon when seeking value from your insurer.

Handmade rugs are unique, and aside from the fact that your rug will have been chosen with great care and thought and replacing it with a similar or identical piece is fraught with difficulty, the sentimental value attached to your rug should be preserved if at all possible. The first stage from your insurer is to establish if the damage or stain can be removed - this is an ideal situation as it is a cheaper option for your insurer as well as preserving your rug. Certain stains will not be able to be removed once set but may be improved. A good Persian rug repair specialist should be able to repair almost any damage but it important to establish if the work required is viable given the rugs value - often repairing severe damage can cost more than the replacement value of the rug.

Once you have an idea of the replacement value of your rug, with a written valuation, you can approach your insurer with confidence that you are more likely to get a fair offer for your rug. A Persian or Oriental rug specialist will have an extensive choice when it comes to replacing your rug, but may also be able to source a rug in similar design or colour to the one you have lost. A reputable dealer will be able to help you with your valuation and claim, find you a replacement or repair or clean your rug and may even offer to buy your damaged rug from you once a replacement has been purchased.

Without seeking a written valuation you are at the mercy of an insurer who will be looking to minimise their costs.

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Many parameters have to be ascertained before you can say "good buy" to a particular stock... or smartly bid it a "good bye". Among these, Price-to-Sales ratio ranks as one of the important characteristics.

Many parameters have to be ascertained before you can say "good buy" to a particular stock... or smartly bid it a "good bye". The world's most successful investors and fund managers use some mix or the other, of these key attributes, to identify the stocks they would like to pick up.

Among these, Price-to-Sales ratio ranks as one of the important characteristics.

Also, termed as Market Cap-to-Sales ratio, the formula to calculate the same is as under:

Price-to-Sales ratio = Market price per share / Sales per share

or = Market Capitalization / Annual Sales

Effectively, it tells us how much the market is currently paying for each rupee of sale. Therefore, lower the ratio the better it is... a ratio of less than 1 indicates that the company could be undervalued.

This ratio was pioneered by noted stock market expert Mr. Kenneth L Fisher. He observed that the earnings or profits of a company were not only more volatile but also prone to manipulation as most investors focussed on the profits. Comparatively speaking, Sales were a lot more stable and relatively a reliable number.

and high profits, despite the sales showing a steady trend. And it is typically with these cyclical companies that Price-to-Sales ratio becomes a really useful number to evaluate. Or take the case of companies aggressively targeting growth in the market share, which may affect their profitability in the near term. But this may ultimately translate into higher earnings in the future.

Further, as you would have noted, this is one metric that is quite useful in valuation of loss-making companies. Hence it aids in identifying the likely turnaround stories.

Of course, no single metric presents a true and complete picture. Profits, despite being open to mischief, are an important number. Hence, one cannot ignore the EPS, PE, PEG, ROE and such other earnings-based ratios totally and solely base one's investment decision on Price-to-Sales ratio.

For example, both Price-to-Sales ratio and PEG ratio should tell the same story. However, if one number indicates under-valuation and the other is not consistent with it, you need to look deeper into the numbers. There could be chances of doctoring somewhere.

Secondly, Price-to-Sales ratio works well for comparison of companies within the same industry or sector. Given vastly different business dynamics across different sectors, it may not deliver the right conclusions for inter-sector comparison.

Thirdly, debt is a significant factor, which is not captured by the Price-to-Sales ratio. Hence, it has to be interpreted along with the debt-equity ratio.

In short, though Price-to-Sales ratio has the potential to uncover possible multi-baggers, it needs to applied with caution.

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What is the process of investigating a medical negligence claim? What are the important steps? Read this article to find out!

How do you know if you, a family member, or friends have been the victim of medical negligence? What information is important? What are the issues? What are the types of damages that can be recovered? How long do you have to take legal action? These are all important questions and this article will attempt to provide you with useful answers.

What Information is Important? 

Our analysis of your potential case begins with a thorough investigation and examination into your medical history. Any previous hospitalizations regardless of the reason may be important. We need to review your medical records from your family or primary care doctor for several years prior to the date of the treatment which you believe was negligent. We will need to review all records surrounding the treatment which you believe to have been improper. Finally, we need to understand all medications which have been ordered for you during the last several years. No doctor or hospital can refuse to provide you with a copy of your records - it's the law! They may charge you a fee for copying the records but must provide the records within 15 days of your request. You do not have to inform the health care provider that you are requesting the records for review in a potential legal matter.

What Is Medical Negligence? 

In Virginia, and most other states, a doctor, nurse, dentist, or other medical professional is guilty of medical negligence if their care of a patient is below what a reasonably trained and experienced medical professional would have done for the patient under similar circumstances. This negligence may be the result of actions or inactions by the medical professional. For example, if a reasonable and competent Emergency Room doctor would order a chest x-ray and cardiac studies for a patient with complaints of chest pain and shortness of breath - then it would be negligent for that doctor to fail to order these tests to determine the patient's cardiac status. Also, if a reasonable and prudent nurse would not give 100 mg of Demerol (narcotic pain medication) to a post-operative patient who had already received post-operative pain medication in the recovery room, then it would be negligent for the nurse to give the patient the additional dosage of pain medication.

What is Causation?

 Proving that the doctor, dentist, or nurse was negligent is not enough to prove your case. You must also be able to establish the negligence of the health care professional directly caused injury or death. The easiest way to understand this principle is to discuss a situation where causation is not proven. Let's assume that you are cleaning the gutters from a ladder at your house and fall and injure your arm. A family member takes you to the doctor who orders x-rays, and after reviewing the films, tells you that you have just bruised your arm and sends you home. Upon returning home, and for the next 24 hours, the pain in your arm becomes unbearable. You head to the local hospital emergency room and additional x-rays are taken which clearly establish that you broke your arm as a result of the fall from the ladder. Yes, the first doctor was most likely negligent in failing to diagnose your broken arm but what damages were caused by the negligence? You would have had a cast placed on your arm 24 hours earlier but would still have endured a fair amount of pain. In other words, you cannot prove that the first doctor's negligence caused you to suffer additional injury requiring additional medical treatment.

What Damages May be Recovered? 

Assuming you can establish that your doctor or nurse was negligent and that such negligence caused you further harm there are several different types of damages which the law entitles you to recover. First, you may recovery for additional medical costs/charges if the negligence required you to remain in the hospital for a longer period of time or receive medical care from other doctors to fix the medical problem. Second, you may recover any wages or income lost as a result of your inability to work - even if you will be unable to work for the remainder of your life. Third, you may recover for the added "pain and suffering" which results from your doctor's negligence. Finally, you may recover damages for the loss or reduction in the enjoyment of everyday life if your injuries are permanent in nature and prevent you from doing the things you have always done (i.e. golf, hiking, etc.).

How Long Do I Have to Make a Claim? 

The general rule in Virginia is that you have two years from the date of the negligence to file a civil claim for damages. This time may be shorter or longer depending on the facts of your case. The rule is different for children who have suffered from acts of medical negligence and there are different restrictions if the defendant is a division or agency of the Commonwealth (i.e. UVa. Medical Center, etc.) All claims, regardless of their merit, are barred if filed after the expiration of these cutoffs or periods of limitation. The best practice is to consult with an attorney as soon as you have questions about the medial care provided to you, your family, or friends.

Dan Frith is an attorney with Frith Law Firm in Roanoke, Virginia. He concentrates his practice on medical malpractice, nursing home abuse, nursing home neglect, lead paint poisoning, and business torts.

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We are all covered with this wonderful layer on our bodies called skin. Some hate it and some love it, but without it we would not be alive. Think of skin as your body's defense shield against all kinds of unsavory characters wanting access into your body. We are looking for healthy and vibrant skin that is blemish free. Let's talk about some things that do not fit into answering the question, are your acne skin remedies natural and effective, in a positive manner.

Slowing The Healing Process...

At the top of the list has to be squeezing blemishes. Doing this without the help of a professional, can make your condition much worse as this will push infection wider and deeper into the skin. This can be a major contributor to damage known as pock marks. Leave this to professionals that can minimize damage. Next, would be applying topical steroids that can be bought with or without a prescription. These can worsen acne and contribute to redness and irritation.

Moving Right Along...

Using antibiotics for an extended period of time can actually worsen acne and wreak havoc with good bacteria such as probiotics. Probiotics aid in having blemish free skin. Large doses of Vitamin A can damage the liver and work against curing acne. Regular intake through natural sources is the ticket for this. Multiple bladed razors will irritate the skin in trade for the closest shave, and should be replaced with the single blade type.

Rounding The Final Turn...

Do it yourself relief for Rosacea using off the shelf type medications, can actually increase irritation and redness. This situation is best left to professionals. The last big hindrance to your skin's ability to heal is smoking. Smoking reduces the oxygen necessary for skin maintenance and growth. It also facilitates wrinkles earlier than normal. Some of the above mentioned items are used to treat the symptoms and not the disease. Permanent acne curing starts from the inside and not from the outside.

You no longer have to suffer with the horrible disease of acne. There is no excuse to have to tolerate a blemished face and body and the embarrassment that goes along with it. Challenge this with the powerful and effective knowledge of skin remedies natural [http://acnefixnow.com] and effective that bring in the holistic side of things. If you are absolutely done with acne, visit this site for a refreshing and truthful approach to curing acne: [http://acnefixnow.com]

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As consumers it is not about the doctors in the networks as much as it is about ways of lowering medical expenses. As people complain about the network of providers due to the recent changes in Healthcare Reform; the question you should be asking your provider is; are you part of xyz network? Healthcare reform has changed drastically for the better to help many people who once were never able to receive any type of coverage due to either unaffordable premium rates or because of a person's pre-existing conditions.

The changes with Healthcare Reform has made it possible for even with people who has multiple health conditions; even they are now able to get the medical services they need from healthcare professionals. Many people today place too much value on their providers; either they are part of the insurers network or they are not.

Most consumers do not understand the purpose for in network and the out-of-network benefit of providers. These two features are important in the sense they can and will save you a certain amount of money by using providers within the network. An example; for someone whose goes to their in-network provider their co-insurance will be lower than compared to someone who goes to an out-of-network doctor. If you choose to go to an out-of-network provider your co-insurance could be as high as 40% to 50% more depending on certain plans. Insurers cannot make health care professionals stay in their network.

The purpose for using in network providers is to help control the cost of insurance and this helps control what insurers pay healthcare professionals. Though you may have built a relationship your current provider; if he or she is not willing to accept lower negotiated rates, then they will not be part of the network, and as a consumer you would have to find another doctor in the network if you want to save money on the services rendered by a physician. If insurers are going to lower insurance premiums, healthcare professionals have to come on board and accept lower rates to help reduce the cost of healthcare. This is what it is going to take to help lower cost and to help consumers realize we all have to live within a certain budget to control and reduce medical cost.

Is your current healthcare practitioner worthy of your loyalty to him or her? It's not about being loyal to your physician as much as it is about your physician being loyal to you. Keep in mind as a consumer you are the one having services rendered to you, though your provider has an expertise in a particular area of medicine; does that mean he or she are the only ones practicing medicine in that specialty? Most likely not; although every physician has the right to choose which plan he or she will accept to their practice, one of the best ways to get your practitioner into a network is to ask them to join and negotiate a reasonable rate with your insurer. We all need to understand that insurance is in place to protect us from financial losses. As consumers, in order to keep medical expenses down, we have to work within the network of providers insurers offer us; this will help lower the overall cost of healthcare services.

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It is time to get back to the school, and this means lots of new clothes and all the college supplies you need for your time in college. These supplies, which include more than just your regular stationery, play a big role in everyday academic life. The kind and number of supplies, along with their quality, can play a big role in everyday academic life. The right number and type of good supplies can encourage you do work harder in college, while a lack of good supplies can stop you from doing the best you can. Here are some essential college supplies you have to carry with you when you start school.

1. A backpack

Your backpack is going to be a pretty big part of your life. At the very least, look for one that can carry a laptop so that you do not have to carry another laptop bag separately in case you buy one. Even without one, the laptop compartment can be a handy little place to carry certain items.

2. Lots of pens

A pen is a bare necessity in everyday college life and you are definitely not going to be able to hold on to just one pen during your entire time at school. You need lots of pens, predominantly in blue and black ink since most of your work will be done in those ink colors. Keep a pen with you at all times since you will need one in all classes and probably even outside them.

3. Colored pens

Colored pens may not be a fundamental necessity, but they do make life a lot easier. They help you take better notes and remember key areas and pieces of information. These colored pens also help separate different parts of your notes and make it easier for you to study and recall information from those endless lectures.

4. Notebooks

So you have pens and colored pens, but what are you going to use them on? Notebooks are pretty much the center of your academic life; they catalog all the information you learn over the course of lectures and study sessions, as well as your own observations and take on certain subjects. You do not have to buy a super-expensive book. Instead, just get a bunch of low-cost but good-quality books. Quality is important here, since your notebooks are probably going to go through several hands over the course.

5. Highlighters and mechanical pens

Highlighters play the same role as colored pens, helping you accentual certain words and parts of your notes. Mechanical pens, however, are most essential only if at least one of your classes involve math and sciences. They are also essential if your notes are compulsory and assessed. In both cases, mechanical pencils are preferred because they are durable, clean and precise.

6. Calculator

A calculator is needed in a lot of situations in college, even if you are not doing anything directly linked to math. A good scientific calculator is especially required if you have classes that need the extra functionality it offers.

7. Laptop

While not exactly an essential, a laptop does make academic life a lot easier. Internet accessibility, a capable processor and extra warranty in case your laptop is mishandled or damaged in school (which happens a lot) are major plus points. The more modern features like a touchscreen monitor are not exactly essential, but some features like the ability to switch between a laptop and tablet, can be pretty handy if you can spare the money to buy one.

Mamta Khanna carries around 14 years work experience in SEO writing, creative writing and editing. She has worked with distinguished software and elearning companies in India and is currently associated with TextNook, which is one of the online platforms in India to provide Professional student community with right tools to reach academic excellence.

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7-8 million car crashes occur each year with over 3 million whiplash injuries. Of those 3 million, half develop chronic, long-term pain syndromes. There are three important things to know about treatment that can prevent the vast majority of these chronic problems.

Most car crashes are minor and for the most part, the victim feels that he is lucky and needs no care from a professional. Many fear the paperwork and hassles with insurance companies that follow seeking professional help from a chiropractor, physical therapist, or medical doctor. So much so, that most would rather pay cash out of their own pocket than allow the insurance to pay.

A competent whiplash and car accident specialist will evaluate 3 critical components following a whiplash accident. These three areas are the spinal vertebrae, the ligaments and tendons, and the muscles. While all three of these areas work in concert, their treatment can be quite different.

1. The muscles are often evaluated first as they are the easiest to access. Near the surface of the skin, the muscles are often painful due to a tearing of the muscles in the accident. The muscles will swell and the skin can appear red and swollen. Painful to the touch, we try to not touch these muscles and certainly not use them. This often leads to restricting the way we move, the way turn our heads, the way we work, and certainly the way we play and enjoy ourselves. While this may at first seem reasonable, and it may be for a short period, it certainly does not lead to the best outcome in terms of healing. Specific and deliberate movement, exercise, and therapeutic activities are required to restore the muscles to their pre-injury status. A delay or refusal to do these therapeutic activities increases dramatically the chance of chronic, long-term pain syndromes.

2. The vertebrae are evaluated next as they are superficially easy to evaluate with basic range of motion testing. The doctor will usually have you turn your head up, down, and side to side, to attempt to evaluate the extend of injury. While it is true that damage to spinal joints does decrease range of motion, this evaluation method alone is not sensitive enough to pick up often severe forms of joint and bone damage from a whiplash injury. In addition to basic range of motion testing, skilled palpation of the zygapophaseal joints in the neck can often reveal severe misalignment and loss of normal spinal curves. Left uncorrected, loss of neck spinal curve can lead to early degenerative arthritis and chronic pain. The tricky part about this kind of injury is that the majority of the pain won't present itself until 5-8 years from the injury date or sometimes even more. It is of paramount importance to have the cervical spine vertebrae evaluated with radiographs and expert palpation skills to assess the exact amount of spinal damage. Chiropractic adjustments and therapeutic exercise and activities are the only ways known to modern medicine to correct abnormal spinal curves.

3. Lastly, and often never evaluated at all, are the ligaments and tendons. These structures have very little blood supply compared to the muscles and are the reason why some people feel perfectly fine after an accident for several days only to have soreness and pain develop 3-7 days following an accident. As there are very few blood vessels to the ligaments, they swell very slowly and can take days to finally reach their zenith of inflammation. This also means that they heal and rid themselves of swelling quite slowly. As a result, ligament and tendon damage can take 8-20 weeks to completely heal or even more in quite severe accidents. Evaluation of ligament integrity is very important as a lack of integrity, or ligament laxity or tear, can result of slipping or sliding of the vertebrae with catastrophic results and with damage to the spinal cord itself and the nerve roots as they exit the cord.

While a cursory examination is often what is given at emergency rooms and urgent care centers, and to some extent, your family doctor, a more thorough examination is absolutely necessary following a whiplash car accident. While there are relatively few doctors who have completely extensive training in the area of whiplash traumatology, there are usually 1 or 2 in each community who have taken the time to do so. In terms of long-term whiplash outcomes, it is incredibly important that any person involved in such an accident seek out a specialist and follow through to completion an appropriate treatment protocol.

Dr. Michael Page of Page Chiropractic & Wellness Center ([http://www.pagecw.com]) has completed advanced training in whiplash traumatology from the Spine Research Institute of San Diego. This prestigious institute of training and experimentation is the only institute in the United States which has conducted live human test crashes to evaluate spinal biomechanics live during a car accident. Dr. Page has completed this training and implements the protocols necessary for optimum whiplash treatment outcomes. For more information regarding spinal biomechanics and whiplash evaluation and treatment, please see [http://www.pagecw.com].

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