Texas Injury Lawyer

Kids and bike accidents - How to reduce injuries

brian@vbattorneys.com (BB) — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 09:01:36 -0600

The other day I taught my son to ride his bike. He is five years old. It also happened to be my birthday. What a wonderful birthday present to see your son learn how to ride his bike. After we were done, he said "thanks dad." Truly a joyous day for a father.

But as a personal injury and wrongful death attorney, I know that bikes and kids can be a dangerous combination. Other than cars, bikes result in more childhood injuries than any other product.

According to statistics from www.safekids.org, nearly 130 kids die from bike accidents every year and almost 270,000 are treated in emergency rooms. Many of these injuries are brain injuries.

Helmets can prevent or significantly reduct these injuries. Parents must require their kids to wear helmets. Kids without helmets are 14 times more likely to be killed than those who wear helmets.

My law firm often is called on to represent severely injured children. Some of the stories are heartbreaking. Although we are proud to represents children who are injured in accidents or killed by negligence, it is also sad to see preventable injuries to kids.

The number one thing you can do when your child is riding a bike is to make sure they always wear a helmet.

Has your child been injured or killed by negligence?

Our Texas injury and accident law firm handles serious injury and wrongful death claims on behalf of children and their parents.

We beat the insurance companies all the time in order to get reasonable and fair settlements for our clients.

If your child has been injured or killed by negligence or by a defective product, call toll free 877.724.7800.

About our law firm

Our Texas injury and accident law firm is based in Houston, Texas. We handle personal injury and wrongful death cases across the State of Texas and beyond. Both partners are Board Certified in Personal Injury Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.

To read more about the firm, or to request an appointment with one of the firm's attorneys, please visit our main website at

www.vbattorneys.com

Want to read more about Texas accident and injury law?

Please take a moment to read the following articles:

1. How to select a Texas lawyer for your injury or accident case

2. Common misconceptions in Texas truck accident cases

3. Five things that could wreck your Texas car or truck accident case

4. The insurance company wants me to give a statement - what should I do?

5. How to beat the insurance companies at their own game - ask these 5 questions

6. Do I need a lawyer for my car or truck accident case?

7. What to do immediately if you are involved in a Texas car or truck accident

Union Pacific Railroad loses jury verdict to injured railroad worker

brian@vbattorneys.com (BB) — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 09:49:27 -0600

Union Pacific Railroad recently lost a $5,390,000.00 jury verdict against an injured railroad employee.

The employee was using a hayfork to lift 10-pound oil filters into a crusher. He injured his low back while doing that work, requiring three back surgeries.

The injured railroad worker sued his employer, Union Pacific Railroad, under FELA, the Federal Employees Liability Act.

The jury awarded the worker $5,390,000.00.

Injured on the railroad?

The FELA and railroad injury attorneys at Vujasinovic & Beckcom handle serious injury and wrongful death claims. We beat the insurance companies all the time in order to get reasonable and fair settlements for our clients.

If you have a been abused or mistreated by an insurance company, call toll free 877.724.7800.

About our law firm

Our law firm is based in Houston, Texas. We handle personal injury and wrongful death cases across the State of Texas and beyond. Both partners are Board Certified in Personal Injury Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.

To read more about the firm, or to request an appointment with one of the firm's attorneys, please visit our main website at

www.vbattorneys.com

Want to read more about Texas accident and injury law?

Burn injuries on locomotive lead to settlement in railroad injury case

brian@vbattorneys.com (BB) — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 09:39:33 -0600

Recently, a railroad worker was trying to restart a locomotive when a coolant hose exploded, spewing hot fluid all over him and causing him to fall from the railroad platform to the ground.

He suffered burns over 7 percent of his body and needed arthroscopic surgery on his shoulder and right knee. He also suffered post-traumatic stress disorder.

The injured railroad worker sued his employer, CSX, under FELA, the Federal Employees Liability Act.

Following a jury trial, the jury awarded the injured worker $4,000,000.00 in damages.

Injured on the railroad?

If you have a been abused or mistreated by an insurance company, call toll free 877.724.7800.

About our law firm

To read more about the firm, or to request an appointment with one of the firm's attorneys, please visit our main website at

www.vbattorneys.com

Want to read more about Texas accident and injury law?

Insurance company tricks - New report issued exposing insurance tactics to deny claims

brian@vbattorneys.com (BB) — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 09:17:18 -0600

The American Association for Justice has a released a new report exposing the tricks insurance companies use to deny, delay, confuse, and refuse to pay legitimate claims.

The study is the second part of a major independent study into the insurance industries' dirty little secrets.

You can read the study by clicking on the link below:

"Trick of the Trade: How Insurance Companies Deny, Delay, Confuse, & Refuse"

Mistreated by an insurance company?

The injury and accident attorneys at Vujasinovic & Beckcom handle serious injury and wrongful death claims. We beat the insurance companies all the time in order to get reasonable and fair settlements for our clients.

If you have a been abused or mistreated by an insurance company, call toll free 877.724.7800.

About our law firm

To read more about the firm, or to request an appointment with one of the firm's attorneys, please visit our main website at

www.vbattorneys.com

Want to read more about Texas accident and injury law?

Child drowning at apartment complex results in lawsuit against apartment complex

brian@vbattorneys.com (BB) — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 13:02:52 -0600

The Houston Chronicle is reporting today that the parents of a child who drowned at an apartment complex have sued the complex.

According to the lawsuit, the apartment complex did not have adequate fencing and the pool itself was in disrepair.

Read the full story by clicking here:

www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/6106475.html

In an ideal world, parents would never lose sight of their kids. However, everyone makes mistakes, even split second mistakes, and that's why it's so important to have back-up safety measures in place. In fact, the City of Houston has laws and ordinances which require apartment complexes to be maintained in a safe manner.

Injured at an apartment complex?

The injury and accident attorneys at Vujasinovic & Beckcom handle serious injury and wrongful death claims arising out of accidents at apartment complexes and other commercial buidlings. Call toll free 877.724.7800.

About our law firm

To read more about the firm, or to request an appointment with one of the firm's attorneys, please visit our main website at

www.vbattorneys.com

Want to read more about Texas accident and injury law?

Fire at apartment complex kills five kids - Lack of smoke detectors blamed for the deaths - Complex pays substantial settlement to family

brian@vbattorneys.com (BB) — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 09:33:31 -0600

According to published reports, the owners and managers of an apartment complex have agreed to a settlement after a fire killed five kids.

Apparently, the apartment complex did not have properly working smoke detectors. The family, which was poor, were using candles to light their apartment.

There were no working smoke detectors either in the apartment unit itself or in the common area hallway. As a result, the family did not know a fire had started until it was too late.

The apartment complex's insurance company agreed to pay a substantial settlement as a result of the gross lack of attention to basic safety features like smoke detectors.

Injured at an apartment complex?

About our law firm

To read more about the firm, or to request an appointment with one of the firm's attorneys, please visit our main website at

www.vbattorneys.com

Want to read more about Texas accident and injury law?

Train derailment kills Channelview man

brian@vbattorneys.com (BB) — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 09:24:22 -0600

The Houston Chronicle reports today that a man was killed when a train derailed and hit him.

The worker was standing between trains that were on parallel tracks when one train derailed.

Investigators were trying to determine why the train left the tracks. No information was available and the accident is still under investigation.

Our prayers to the family and friends of the railroad worker, and our best hopes and wishes that the investigators get to the bottom of this and don't let any cover-up occur.

Railroad accident or wrongful death?

The railroad attorneys at Vujasinovic & Beckcom handle wrongful death and injury cases involving railroad injury claims. Call toll free 877.724.7800.

About our law firm

To read more about the firm, or to request an appointment with one of the firm's attorneys, please visit our main website at

www.vbattorneys.com

Want to read more about Texas accident and injury law?

Firestone settles case alleging tires were defective and caused paralysis

brian@vbattorneys.com (BB) — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 09:01:07 -0600

According to published reports, Firestone has settled a case with a college student who was paralyzed after his Firestone tires detreaded.

The college student had purchased a remodeled SUV from a seller who equipped it with four Firestone radial tires. The front left tire detreaded, and the vehicle rolled over and crashed.

The student sued Firestone, alleging products liability claims and failure to warn of the dangers of aging tires. Evidence showed that the tires had been made by Firestone in the first several weeks of 1990 and then stored in air-vented storage until being installed in the vehicle in 2005.

The case settled for a confidential amount.

The picture to the left shows an example of a safety feature (a belt wedge) that many tire manufacturers either do not use or don't use enough of in order to save money and increase profit (and increase the dangers to their customers).

Injured in an auto accident or by a defective tire?

The product liability attorneys at Vujasinovic & Beckcom frequently handle wrongful death, auto accidents, and product liablity cases. Call toll free 877.724.7800.

About our law firm

To read more about the firm, or to request an appointment with one of the firm's attorneys, please visit our main website at

www.vbattorneys.com

Want to read more about Texas accident and injury law?

Simplicity Brand recalls defective baby cribs

brian@vbattorneys.com (BB) — Sun, 28 Sep 2008 11:52:21 -0600

Simplicity, Inc. of Reading, Pennsylvania is recalling about 600,000 Simplicity Brand Drop SideCribs.

According to reports, due to sizing problems with the cribs hardward, the drop side on the cribe can come off the tracks. When the drop side comes off the tracks either completely or partially, it creates a hazardous gap, which can lead to entrapment and suffocation for infants.

Our law firm handles cases involving defective products that cause injury or wrongful death.

To receive a free, no-obligation, confidential evaluation of your defective product case, please contact the firm and schedule an appointment to speak to one of the firm's attorneys.

About our law firm

To read more about the firm, or to request an appointment with one of the firm's attorneys, please visit our main website at

www.vbattorneys.com

Want to read more about Texas accident and injury law?

How much can you expect to receive in a Houston or Texas truck accident case?

brian@vbattorneys.com (BB) — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 10:52:56 -0600

Question: I was involved in a Texas truck accident. How much can I expect to receive in a settlement?

Answer: Thank you for your question. We get this question a lot because our law firm works on car and truck accident cases every day.

The value of any settlement in a truck accident case is going to depend on a whole host of factors. Every single case is unique. Any insurance adjuster, company representative, or even attorney who tells you at the outset what your case is worth probably does not know what they are talking about.

Simply put, in a truck accident case, especially a case involving wrongful death or serious personal injury, you need an experienced attorney to fully evaluate your case and make sure you obtain a fair settlement.

Again, this cannot be emphasized enough--> anyone who claims that they can tell you what your case is worth before looking into all of the facts does not know what they are doing.

However, there are some general guidelines to consider when evaluating your case and what an appropriate settlement would be:

1. How bad are the injuries? The more serious the injury, the more money should generally be paid in settlement;

2. Was a wrongful death involved? Was someone killed? If so, the settlement (assuming liability is proven) should be substantial;

3. Did the truck driver violate any laws or company policy? If so, this may increase the value of the settlement of your case.

4. Were you partly at fault for the accident? If so, this will probably reduce the settlement value of your case.

5. Does the truck driver or trucking company have a history of violations or traffic accidents? If so, this is likely to increase the value of your case.

Our law firm handles Texas truck accident cases in Houston, the surrounding area, across the State of Texas, and even across the country.

To receive a free, no-obligation, confidential evaluation of your Texas truck accident case, please contact the firm and schedule an appointment to speak to one of the firm's attorneys.

About our law firm

We often Texas truck and car accident cases involving serious personal injury and even wrongful death.

To read more about the firm, or to request an appointment with one of the firm's attorneys, please visit our main website at www.vbattorneys.com.

Want to read more about Texas accident and injury law?

Two cases pending against Centerpoint Energy for electrocution injuries

brian@vbattorneys.com (BB) — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 10:06:23 -0600

Our firm has been hired by two different workers as a result of severe, disabling injuries they sustained while working near power lines operated and maintained by Centerpoint Energy.

Both workers were electrocuted. One worker lost his arms and legs. The other suffered second and third degree burns over most of his body.

Codes and ordinances require certain clearances for power and transmission lines as well as certain procedures while working on or near energized lines.

Our law firm is currently investigating whether Centerpoint Energy has any other cases involving electrocution injuries or death, violations of codes or ordinances, or other injury on wrongful death lawsuits.

If you have any information about Centerpoint Energy injury or wrongful death cases, please contact our law firm by the following means:

1. Use the Contact feature on this page

2. Visit our main website at www.vbattorneys.com and contact us through our main page

3. Call toll free to 877.724.7800.

About our law firm

We often handle electrocution cases involving severe injury or even wrongful death.

To read more about the firm, or to request an appointment with one of the firm's attorneys, please visit our main website at www.vbattorneys.com.

Want to read more about Texas accident and injury law?

What is my case worth for settlement?

brian@vbattorneys.com (Brian Beckcom) — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 09:20:14 -0600

Our firm gets hundreds of questions from clients every month. Of all the questions we get, the most common question seems to be "What is my case worth?". How much will my settlement be?

The question makes sense and is a perfectly reasonable thing to ask. After all, if you are injured by someone's negligence, it may have a negative impact on your finances. If the injury is serious, the impact may be devastating.

For example, we represent a lot of people who get hurt and cannot work anymore as a result of their injuries. Or, they cannot go back to the same job making the same money.

In such cases, there is a devastating financial loss that must be accounted for an paid back, assuming the other party is truly responsible.

In Texas wrongful death cases, the death of a loved one may mean that in additional to the mental and emotional loss, the financial contributions of that person are lost forever. Again, this can be a devastating loss.

A good personal injury attorney will know how to properly evaluate all your losses, and to present that case to the insurance company. Or, if the case goes to trial, the attorney will know how to present the evidence to the jury.

What kind of losses and money does Texas law allow me to recover in a personal injury or wrongful death case?

Different cases may have different types of damages you can recover, but generally, in a Texas personal injury or wrongful death case, the plaintiff can recover:

1. Medical bills;

2. Medical bills that are reasonably necessary for future case;

3. Lost wages;

4. Lost future wages that will happen in "reasonable probability;"

5. Mental anguish;

6. Mental anguish that will happen in the future, in reasonable probability;

7. Physical pain and suffering;

8. Physical pain and suffering that will occur in the future, in reasonable probability;

9. Disfigurement;

10. Damages for future disfigurement;

11. Impairment;

12. Impairment in the future.

In some wrongful death cases in Texas, the family member may be able to recover "loss of inheritance."

So how do I figure out what my case is worth?

Any attorney who tells you at the beginning of your case what it is worth should not be trusted. It is simply not possible to determine the value of a case until most or all of the facts come in and the proper experts review the case.

However, an experienced personal injury attorney may be able to give you a general range for settlement value early on, or let you know what other similar cases are settling for.

To do so, an attorney will need to meet with you and figure out all the different aspects of your case, who is at fault, what the total damages are, and compare that information with other similar cases to come to a good, reasoned evaluation of your case.

One last thing to consider. You should NEVER listen to the insurance company, or the negligent party, when trying to determine the value of your case. They will always "low ball" you. It would be like allowing a used car salesman to set the price for a car you want to buy! Just not a smart idea at all.

About our law firm

To read more about the firm, or to request an appointment with one of the firm's attorneys, please visit our main website at www.vbattorneys.com.

Want to read more about Texas accident and injury law?

Truck Accident on Eastex Freeway causes lane closures and injuries

brian@vbattorneys.com (BB) — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 12:15:37 -0600

The Houston Chronicle is reporting that the Eastex Freeway as the site of a truck accident and fuel spill involving a large fuel truck and at least two other vehicles. The article is unclear about whether anyone was injured.

Houston has one of the highest rates of truck accidents in the country. Because of its heavy truck traffic, careless truck drivers are inevitable, and accidents happen all too often.

If you have been involved in a truck accident in Houston, please take a moment to read the helpful articles below, or feel free to call or email us with any questions you may have about dealing with the doctors, the insurance company, and the trucking company.

Want to read more about Texas accident and injury law?

Sherman Bus Crash & Lack of Enforcement

brian@vbattorneys.com (BB) — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 10:10:11 -0600

This pictures shows what happens when the local, state, and federal authorties think "de-regulation" of business is more important than protecting the lives and well-being of its citizens.

A few days ago, funerals were held for many of the 17 church members killed when their bus crashed in Sherman earlier this month.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families and communities affected by the tragedy.

As the time for healing continues, to honor those who lost their lives or were severely injured, we must look for answers. For example, reports indicate many problems with this bus company and bus driver.

Where were the authorities and regulators? Why didn't they catch these problems beforehand?

Likewise, why didn't the bus manufacturer equip this bus with seatbelts or safety glass, when both are economically and technically feasbile, indeed very easy to install?

Some people may say that the families and community should put this incident behind them. That is wrong and dishonors the memories of those who died.

It would simply compound the tragedy, and dishonor the memory of those who perished in this horrible crash, if the authorities and competent investigators and attorneys did not fully and expeditiously investigate the causes of the crash and whether such tragedies could be prevented or minimized in the future.

Expect to read more about the errors, omission, and outright negligence of various parties and companies involved in this crash. Our firm intends to assist in this investigation.

Want to read more about Texas accident and injury law?

Winning truck accident cases through technology

brian@vbattorneys.com (BB) — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 11:45:07 -0600

Some attorneys think truck accident cases are just like car accidents cases only with bigger vehicles and more significant injuries.

Not true.

Nowadays, a lot of trucks have very sophisticated electronic equipment and hi-tech devices. These devices are changing the face of trucking litigation.

Things like on-board computers, electronic loggin, GPS systems and wireless/satellite tracking can provide a lot of information about a truck accident and a truck driver's history and habits.

However, a truck accident attorney needs to know what to ask for, how to find it, how to interpret the data, and which experts to call to make this information useful.

If you have a truck accident case, make sure your attorney is familiar with the latest technology used in heavy trucks. This may be the difference between winning and losing your case.

How to wreck your Jones Act case

brian@vbattorneys.com (BB) — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 11:33:41 -0600

One of the interesting things about representing hundreds of offshore workers, Jones Act seamen, and maritime workers is that you get a unique perspective on how to most efficiently and effectively represent these workers.

You also learn the tricks and traps that insurance companies and the offshore companies will use to try to wreck the case.

I have seen injured offshore workers make a lot of really simply mistakes before they call me which can really hurt their case.

In fact, what happens in some cases is that the injured offshore worker will have already hired an attorney, and a mistake or complication will arise in the case, and then I will get a phone call from the injured worker's attorney.

By then, it may be too late to do anything. Or it may be a matter of damage control. Or it may be a problem that can be fixed.

But the number one mistake I see when representing and advising injured offshore workers, Jones Act seamen, and maritime workers is hiring the wrong attorney for their case.

Maritime law is complicated. Most attorneys (probably 99% or more) have never handled and will never handle a maritime injury, Jones Act, or offshore injury case.

What will happen is the injured worker will call some attorney who did their will or got them out of a traffic ticket or who was recommended by their uncle. That attorney may have never handled a Jones Act case. The attorney may not know the difference between maintenance and cure.

But the injured worker will hire that attorney anyway.

Taking advice from such an attorney can be a very bad idea, and in fact, can wreck your case (or reduce the amount of money you get).

The Internet makes it possible to do a lot of research on attorneys. You can find a lot of basic background information about attorneys. (But keep in mind, attorneys can say they handle Jones Act or maritime injury cases when they don't.)

Then, you should make list of who to call and get in contact with at least 3-4 different attorneys, and ask them probing questions to figure out whether they know what they are doing.

For more information about the process, if you are an injured offshore worker or family member, you can get a free copy of "The Insider's Guide to Winning Maritime Injury Claims."

Want to know more about maritime injury cases?

We strive to provide the best, most professional, and most effective representation to workers in the offshore industry. We are based in Houston, Texas. We represent offshore workers all over the world.

To learn more about our law firm and what we can do for you, please visit the following websites:

www.vbattorneys.com

www.maritimeaccidentattorney.com

www.houstoninjuryaccidentlaw.com

If you want to know more about offshore injury claims, please take a moment to read the following articles:

1. How to hire the best lawyer for your Jones Act or offshore injury case

2. What is the Jones Act?

3. What is a Longshoreman and What Are Their Legal Rights When Injured?

4. The difference between the Jones Act and the Longshore & Harbor Worker's Compensation Act

5. The Truth About Offshore Injury Claims.

6. What Should You Do If You Are Injured Offshore

7. What you should know if you were hurt offshore and your employer is giving you a hard time

8. Should I give my employer or the insurance company a "recorded statement?"

9. Do I need to hire a lawyer for my Jones Act or offshore injury claim?

10. What happens when you file a Jones Act lawsuit.

11. 6 Critical Things you must know if you are injured at sea

12. The Secrets Your Employer May Not Want You To Know If You Are Injured Offshore.

Dangerous baby cribs recalled

brian@vbattorneys.com (BB) — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 15:17:41 -0600

The United States Consumer Product Safety Commission is announcing that Jardine Enterprises, of Taipei, Taiwan, is voluntarily recalling about 320,000 Jardine Cribs.

According to the CPSC, the crib slats and spindles can break, creating a gap, which can pose an entrapment and strangulation hazard to infants.

Anyone with one of these cribs should send it back immediately.

Kudos to the CPSC for pressuring the company to recall these dangerous products.

To read about other product recalls this week, go to http://www.cpsc.gov.

Union Pacific Railroad loses injury case against injured railroad conductor

brian@vbattorneys.com (BB) — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 09:13:33 -0600

According to published reports, Union Pacific Railroad has settled an interesting injury case with a 50-year old railroad conductor.

The employee was hurt when he slipped and fell on a patch of ice on a motel walkway. He tore his medial and lateral meniscus in his right knee. He suffered from loss of knee cartilage, resulting in bone-on-bone contact, severe arthritis, and will eventually need a total knee replacement.

According to the railroad conductor, Union Pacific had contracted with the motel to house employees. Thus, the motel was an extension of his workplace.

Under the Federal Employee Liability Act (FELA), railroads are liable for failing to provide safe workplaces.

According to the conductor, the hotel was poorly lit, lights were burnt out, and motel management failed to fix the problem even after several people complained.

The case was tried to a jury. The jury rendered a verdict of $942,000.

The case is styled Sigler v. Union Pac. R.R. Co., Neb., Douglas Co. Dist., No. 1035-039.

Important point

Under the FELA (and the Jones Act since the Jones Act is based on FELA) railroads (and vessel owner/operators) are liable even if the employee is not on their premises if the work is within the course and scope of their employment.

Oilfield explosion in Vanderbilt Texas injures several workers

brian@vbattorneys.com (BB) — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 13:50:42 -0600

According to the Houston Chronicle, a helicopter responded to pick up victims.

You can read the story by clicking here.

The explosion is the third such plant explosion in the Houston and surrounding area over the past few months.

One wonders whether all of the recent explosions are just random coincidence, or instead, if they are the result of a culture of lax safety encouraged by the Texas legal system, in which contractors are given very broad legal protections when injured workers are hurt or killed.

(Picture of Texas City BP Plant Explosion)

Given the large amount of plant explosion and plant injury cases in Texas over the past few years (including the explosion at the BP Plant in Texas City which killed 14 people), one is tempted to think that all the deaths and injuries are more than just an unhappy conincidence.

One question Texans should begin asking themselves is whether we want to encourage plant operators to operate safely, or, if we want to protect plant operators whose negligence results in death or serious injuries to Texas workers?

It seems rather clear that the current state of the law is not sufficiently encouraging plant operators to operate safely.

Want to read more about Texas accident and injury law?

Please take a moment to read the following articles:

1. How to select a Texas lawyer for your injury or accident case

2. Common misconceptions in Texas truck accident cases

3. Five things that could wreck your Texas car or truck accident case

4. The insurance company wants me to give a statement - what should I do?

5. How to beat the insurance companies at their own game - ask these 5 questions

6. Do I need a lawyer for my car or truck accident case?

7. What to do immediately if you are involved in a Texas car or truck accident