Vujasinovic & Beckcom Blog

Winning truck accident cases

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.

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Dangerous baby cribs recalled

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.

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Are tomatoes a “dangerous product”?

Houston area grocery stores have started to cautiously restock tomatoes even as the FDA admits that it isn’t sure what caused the salmonella outbreak that has so far sickened 810 people in the United States.  The FDA is concerned that presumably safe tomatoes are being contaminated in packing sheds or other points along the distribution system, and that other food items could be the source of contamination.

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6 killed in tragic medical helicopter crash

A tragedy over the Arizona skies this past weekend has highlighted the dangers of helicopter travel.  Six people were killed and one critically injured when two medical helicopters collided near a hospital in Flagstaff.

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Union Pacific Railroad settles injury case with railroad conductor

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 pointUnder 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.

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Exxon Valdez case - Punitive damages now allowed under maritime law

The United States Supreme Court issued its long-awaited decision in the Exxon Valdez oil spill case.Once again siding with big business over the rights of individuals and families, the Court sliced down the punitive damage award from $2.5 billion dollars to $500 million dollars.Setting aside the fact that $500 million represents less than one day of profit for Exxon Mobil, and the fact that the Court basically just made up a number out of thin air, and the fact that the punitive damage award, while large, is a drop in the bucket for Exxon, the Court once again shows a disturbing lack of confidence in the ability of American citizens to serve on juries, listen to evidence, and reach decisions.Essentially, 8 lawyers from Washington D.C., most of whom have never actually tried a lawsuit themselves, and none of whom has any real idea what the Valdez spill did to thousands of Alaskan families and citizens, have once again substituted their judgment for the jurors and judges who actually heard the evidence in the case and reached a decision.  The silver liningThe silver lining in the case is that the justices, perhaps unwittingly, seem to have recognized that punitive damages are recoverable in maritime law.  For decades, most lawyers who represent Jones Act seaman and injured maritime workers have been under the impression that punitive damages were most likely not available in these types of cases.What this has meant, as a practical matter, is that maritime defendants could treat the injured workers as poorly as they wanted, be as unsafe as they wanted, and avoid any sort of responsibility or threat of punitive damages.The Exxon Valdez case seems to take away that defense.  Which is very helpful for injured workers, and, suprisingly from this Court, not quite as helpful to big business and insurance companies.What do you think about the Exxon Valdez case?  Did the Court get it right?  Or should the Court defer to the jurors who actually heard the evidence and rendered a verdict? Want to know more about maritime injury cases? 

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Defective seat belt verdict in Mitsubishi SUV case

A verdict was reached in favor of a man who suffered fatal head injuries when he was partially ejected through the right rear window of the SUV in which he was a passenger.According to reports, the driver lost control of the SUV.  The SUV then rolled over.  During the rollover sequence, the seat belt failed to restrain the man, and his head was ejected from the vehicle.  He suffered fatal injuries as a result.His parent and his estate sued the manufacturer of the SUV, alleging that the front passenger seat belt was defective, specifically because it was designed in a way that permitted it to extend too far in an accident.The case was styled Laliberte v. Mitsubishi Motors Corp..  It was tried in Palm Beach Co. Cir., No. 50 2005 CA 6369 AI, February 26, 2008.

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Construction accident in Houston kills 1, injures 7

The Houston Chronicle is reporting that 1 person was killed and 7 injured when several cinder block walls collapsed at a dormitory under construction at Rice University.Too many workers are injured or killed in construction accidents in Texas.  The cost of these injuries and deaths, are born by the innocent workers, their widows, and their kids, not by the construction companies, because the Texas Legislature and Texas courts have decided to protect the construction companies instead of the workers and their families who make the construction jobs possible, and have made it very difficult to hold construction companies legally responsible for their negligence.To avoid responsibility to construction workers, the construction companies basically create a system or scheme to avoid paying construction workers workers' compensation benefits, health benefits, or benefits of any kind.  The construction companies also have no incentive to monitor safe conditions at the worksites or ensure that the workers do not get injured.  After all, if the construction company have zero legal responsibility for monitoring work safety and practices, most of the time, they just won't do it.The result?  Way too many construction workers injured or killed, terrible burdens are placed on their wives and kids, and the financial responsiblity is shifted from the construction companies who make profits off taxpayer funded jobs to the taxpayers and widows and kids.Do you think this system is fair?  If so, why?  If not, how would you fix it?  We appreciate any and all comments.Want to read more about Texas accident and injury law?

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Jones Act injury case against Waterman Steamship

Our law firm has been hired by an injured deckhand to prosecute his Jones Act claims against Waterman Steamship.  According to its website, Waterman is a "deep sea ocean carrier" operating U.S. flag vessels in liner service and time charter between the USA and Middle East ports.  Our client was injured severely while working for the company.   In his lawsuit, he seeks damages for medical bills, lost past and future wages, pain and suffering disfigurement, and mental anguish. The case is pending in Madisonville, Texas, where our client lived when he was hurt.  He was hurt on the Stephen Pless, a vessel docked in Saipan. Want to know more about maritime injury cases? 

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New Longshore and Harbor Worker's case against Noble Drilling protects injured worker's rights

The United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit recently released an opinion that helps to provide legal protection to Longshore and Harbor Worker's who are injured on the job.The injured worker, Mark McLaurin, was working in Friede Goldman's shipyard as a scaffold carpenter on the CLYDE BOUDREAUX, a vessel owned by Noble Drilling.Mr. McLaurin was injured during this work.Mr. McLaurin sued Noble Drilling, claiming that Noble was negligent.  The trial court threw out the case, claiming that the Longshore and Harbor Worker's Compensation Act barred state law claims against Noble.The Fifth Circuit disagreed, holding the simply because the worker didn't have a 905(b) case against the vessel did not mean the worker was barred from bringing state law claims.You can read the full opinion here. Want to know more about maritime injury cases? 

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Old tires may cause crashes, warns the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has just issued a press release warning consumers that old tires may cause rollovers, crashes, and serious injury.This is noteworthy because the tire industry and its special interest groups have long claimed that there is no relationship between tire age and tire safety.In fact, the tire industry has actively fought against warning the public about the dangers of old tires.You can read the press release by clicking the link below:Motorist Urged to Check Tires Before Summer TripsWhat do you think?Should tires have expiration dates or other warnings concerning their age?We would like to hear from you!  Please let us know your thoughts.

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Injured worker sues D&S Marine Service following on-the-job injuries

We get called by injured offshore workers all the time.  Some of them have good cases, some of them don't.  We were recently retained by a young man working on the DANIEL C, a boat owned and operated by D&S Marine Services out of Louisiana.  Our client was badly injured while working for D&S.Our investigation reveals that our client was hurt because of the negligence of D&S Marine Services as well as the unseaworthiness of the DANIEL C.If you have any information about D&S Marine Services, the DANIEL C, or any of the other vessels in the fleet, or acts of negligence by the company, please call us toll free at 877.724.7800.Or you can contact us by submitting contact information onto this website.To learn more about maritime cases or the Jones Act, please visit our dedicated maritime law websites, www.themaritimelawyer.com or www.maritimeaccidentattorney.com.

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Are fire retardants in clothing toxic to our children?

If you have children, you’ve probably purchased sleepware, a carseat, or an infant carrier for them.  But did you know that all of these items – and more – contain what scientists and lawmakers now consider a dangerous substance?  What these products have in common is that they’ve all been treated with a flame retardant.

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How to quickly ruin your car or truck accident injury case

Picture this: you’ve been involved in a serious auto or truck accident.  You or someone you love has been injured, and you are trying to sort your way out of the mess so you can receive the treatment you need and the compensation you deserve.  However, without realizing it you may be single-handedly ruining your own accident injury case!

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We are pleased to announce the coming publication of The Complete Guide to Jones Act & Maritime Injury Claims

We are pleased to announce the coming publication of a new book written exclusively for people injured offshore.The working title of the book is "The Complete Guide to Jones Act and Maritime Injury Claims."  We anticipate the book will be published and ready for shipment in late June or early July 2008.This is a book that the offshore employers, cruise ship companies, and the insurance companies DO NOT want you to read.  Why? Because we expose their tricks and secrets and defenses and provide real, practical advice for winning your injury case.Stand-by for more details.Want to know more about offshore injury claims?  Below are some links to some suggested articles offering helpful tips and advice regarding offshore injury claims.Click here to read an article with helpful suggestions and tips on how to hire the best lawyer for your offshore injury case.Curious about the Jones Act?  Click here for a general overview of the Jones Act.Want to know more about the Longshore and Harbor Worker's Compensation Act?  Click here to read the article "What is a Longshoreman and What Are Their Legal Rights When Injured?Want to know the difference between the Jones Act and the Longshore and Harbor Worker's Compensation Act?  Click here to read about the difference between the two.What to know the truth about offshore injury cases?  Click here to read The Truth About Offshore Injury Claims.Want to know what you should do after an offshore injury to preserve your legal rights?  Click here to read  What Should You Do If You Are Injured OffshoreIf you are hurt and your employer is giving you a hard time, click here to read "I was injured on the job and my employer is giving me a hard time - What should I do"Employer trying to get you to give a recorded statement?  Click here to learn the truth about recorded statements and the best way to handle this request.Thinking about trying to settle your offshore injury case without talking to a lawyer first?  Click here to learn why you can settle some cases yourself but in other cases not having a lawyer may be a TERRIBLE MISTAKE.Want to know what happens when you file an offshore injury or Jones Act case?  Click here to learn about Filing a Jones Act lawsuit.Click here to learn about 6 Critical Things you must know if you are Injured At SeaYour employer may be keeping secrets from you if you are hurt offshore.  Click here to read about The Secrets Your Employer May Not Want You To Know If You Are Injured Offshore.

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Commercial diver settles injury case against dive company and lift boat company

We are pleased to announce that one of our clients, a commercial diver

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11th largest jury award this year in U-Haul negligence case

A Dallas court recently determined that U-Haul was negligent in the case of a 74-year old man who was severely injured when he was run over by a U-Haul truck with a defective parking brake.  U-Haul’s shoddy history of vehicle maintenance was brought up in court, and the jury saw fit to award the victim $84 million, including $63 million in punitive damages.

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Texas Supreme Court to review earlier ruling on injured contract workers’ ability to sue

In a move that underscores the influence of large corporations and powerful insurance companies, the Texas Supreme Court last year ruled that an Entergy contract worker could not sue Entergy because he were already covered by a workplace compensation policy.  Had this ruling been in place at the time of the horrific BP plant explosion in 2005, the workers injured and the families of those killed would not have been able to sue BP.

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U.S. Government increases safety investigation of defective Jeep Liberty vehicles

According to the New York Times, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has received 22 complains from people driving Chrysler Jeep Liberty vehicles.According to the reports, the upper ball joint has been separating on one of either front wheel.The problem is serious.  It can lead to a disabled vehicle or loss of control.  Chrysler itself has received 74 complains involving more than 300,000 2002 and 2003 models.  If you are experiencing problems with your vehicle, REPORT THEM TO THE National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the vehicle manufacturer.  It is critically important that owners of vehicles self-report vehicle problems so the manufacturers will be aware of any defect issues with their vehicles.You can read the full story by clicking  to the link below:Government upgrades defect investigatiion

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Injured employee sues Matteson Marine Service under the Jones Act

An injured worker has sued Matteson Marine Service, his employer, under the Jones Act.You can read more about the case, the allegations, and find other useful tips and resources by clicking on the link below:Injured Worker Sues Matteson Marine Service.

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How to hire the best lawyer for your injury or accident case

Check out the post at www.houstoninjuryaccidentlaw.com on how to hire the best lawyer for your injury or accident case.What do you think about this article?Please give us any comments you have or suggested questions that should be added to the list.

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Back and neck injuries at sea, on vessels, or on offshore oil rigs

We handle a lot of offshore injury cases.  The workers who work on vessels, be they barges, dredges, boats, cruise ships, oil rigs, crane barges, or any other type of offshore vessel typically are asked to do hard, heavy manual work.  All too often, in our experience, those workers suffer back, neck, shoulder, knee, or other serious orthopedic injuries as a result of inadequate equipment, staffing, training, safety precautions, or by being pushed to do their work too quickly or in unsafe conditions.These types of injuries can be career-threatening or even, in some cases, career-ending.  Workers who must have strong backs, legs, and arms often find themselves unable to do the work when they suffer one of these types of injuries.Often, what will happen after an injury is the company will send the worker to company-sponsored or company-affiliated doctors.  After a cursory or quick medical examination, the doctor will simply send the worker back to work on "light duty" or will even give a full release, without doing a complete or thorough medical examination and before the worker is ready to return to work.  When the worker tells the company that he is not ready to return, the company will give two stark choices--return to work or lose your job.Not much of a choice.Fortunately, the Jones Act and maritime law provides some legal protection to workers in this situation.  For example, under the Jones Act  and maritime law, you are allowed to go to a doctor of your own choosing.  If you are not physically ready to go back to worker, the companies should be paying part of your salary in the form of maintenance payments and should be faciiliating your medical treatment and paying the doctors promptly.If the company (or its insurance companies) don't cooperate and do everything reasonably in their power to assist you during your recovery, they may very well be running afoul of the law.You can make a legal claim if the companies and their insurance company do not help facilitate your medical care and act reasonably when you are injured.  In these situations, it is important that you talk with an experienced Jones Act or maritime injury lawyer, a lawyer you are comfortable with who has the experience and resources to help you get a full and fair recovery. This is particularly important when your injury is career-threatening or possibly career-ending.Don't fall into the "trap" that you must listen only to the company-referred doctor. 

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Jones Act Lawsuit Against Kirby Inland Marine and Capital Inland Marine

Our firm is currently prosecuting a Jones Act case against Capital

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Amusement parks aren’t all fun and games

This past weekend a 4 year old boy was found unconscious underneath a fire-truck style carnival ride in Baytown, Texas, prompting state officials to inspect the accident scene to determine the cause of the accident.  The traveling carnival where the accident occurred will remain closed during this time.

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Can hypothermia make the difference in traumatic brain injuries?

Using hypothermia to help heal brain injuries is a logical but unproven idea.  The latest patient to undergo this therapy is Tejano music star Emilio Navaira, who is being treated at Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center because of a tour-bus crash that left him comatose and brain injured.  Doctors quickly began hypothermia treatment in an attempt to reduce injury to his brain.

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Preventing slip and fall injuries by using non-skid or non-slip surfaces for walking or working areas

Any ship, rig, barge, or boat owner who doesn't use non-skid or non-slip coatings or surfaces whether workers walking (any walking or working surface) is not living up to his responsibility to protect workers on the vessel from injury.Maritime work can be some of the most rewarding types of employment you can find, both personally and financially.  Maritime work can involve working on a jack-up oil rig in the Gulf of Mexico, a transport vessel plying the open oceans,  working barges in the intercoastal waterways or Mississippi River, or anything else involving working on the rivers or open seas.But maritime work can be hazardous if the ship or barge owners do not take proper precautions to protect employee safety.One of the more common causes of injuries on boats, barges, offshore oil rigs, and other floating vessels involves slips and falls.  Since maritime work necessarily involves working over, near, in, or around water, the walking and working surfaces get wet.  And that means slippery conditions.  Plus, the stairways and ladders on boats and rigs are often in tight quarters and very steep, making them even more potentially dangerous.Slips and falls can result in extremely serious injuries.  Broken bones, back and neck injuries, knee, shoulder or elbow injuries, and even serious head injuries can result from slips and falls.How do you protect yourself?First, always try to be aware of where you are working and walking.  Keep floors and other walking and working surfaces free of debris, water, grease and other slippery substances.  Clean up spills as soon as they occur.More important, perhaps, the captain or vessel owner should ensure that all walking and working surfaces are coated with some sort of non-slip or non-skid materials.  Anyone who works offshore knows that it is impossible to keep the surfaces clean of debris or slippery substances 100% of the time.  That's why it's so important for the shipowners to coat the walking surfaces with non-slip materials.Any ship or vessel owner who doesn't maintain properly non-slip walking or working surfaces is not keeping the vessel properly maintained and could be liable under the Jones Act to any worker who is injured as a result.

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Widow of deceased barge worker sues barge company under Jones Act

A barge worker's widow recently filed a lawsuit against a barge company

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Houston Driver Suffers Brain Injury when Airbag Fails to Deploy

A Houston man was left with permanent brain damage when he was involved in an accident with a car on the 610 West Loop, and his driver’s side airbag failed to deploy.  His brain damage was caused when his head slammed against his car’s steering wheel, which would not have happened had his airbag functioned as expected.

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Should Exxon be forced to pay $2.5 billion in punitive damages?

Right now the Supreme Court is arguing over whether or not Exxon should be forced to pay $2.5 billion in punitive damages, as approved by a federal appeals court.  That’s the largest punitive damages award in American history, and would be in addition to the $3.4 billion in criminal fines, cleanup costs and compensation payments they’ve already paid.

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Bayer's Trasylol linked to 1000 deaths per month

60 minutes had a chilling expose a few weeks ago on the Bayer drug Trasylol.The broadcast told the story of Joseph Radone.  Mr. Radone had heart

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BP Texas City Plant Still Nation's Most Dangerous Even After 2005 Explosion That Killed 15

The Houston Chronicle has an interesting article about British Petroleum and its safety record in today's edition.Even after killing 15 people and injuring hundreds in 2005 at its Texas

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Injured by a defective or dangerous product? Government and Manufacturers Keeping Public in the Dark About Bad Products

Public Citizen, a non-profit public interest organization, has released a troubling report on dangerous and defective products.The United States has  law requiring manufacturers to provide the

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Houston Truck Accident Claims Life of Wife and Mother of Two

A few days ago, Haydee Valdez Mendez, age 30, died when a large vessel

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The Insurance Company Says I Don't Need a Lawyer - Is This True?

Some insurance companies will send letters to people involved in car or truck accidents telling the injured person that they do not need an attorney.Since 1995, for example, Allstate has been sending a letter entitled "Do I need an Attorney?" which makes the following claims, among others:1.  Claims are settled faster when a lawyer is not involved; 2.  Lawyers charge a percentage of recovery and if you settle directly with Allstate you get to keep the entire amount; 3.  Injury victims can hire a lawyer later if they don't like the settlement offer;The letter includes many other statements that are misleading, half-true, or not true at all.  Other insurance companies also try to convince injured people not to hire their own lawyer.Here is the plain truth--Allstate, and the other insurance companies who send these types of letters, do not care anything at all about you or whether you receive a fair settlement.In fact, the insurance company's own statistics prove that its costs the insurance industry an average of $9000 more per claim when the injured person has a lawyer.  The reason the insurance companies try to convince people not to hire an experienced lawyer is because they know they can settle the case more cheaply if the injured person doesn't have a lawyer.The truth is that you should always at least consult with an attorney before settling a personal injury or wrongful death claim.  Our firm never charges anything for meeting with a client and answering any questions they may have about their case.   Other good personal injury firms in Houston offer the same benefit.For example, we will talk to you about:1.  The reasonable value of your case; 2.  Why delay may be a good thing (or a bad thing); 3.  How to get your medical bills and treatment taken care of; 4.  How to recoup any lost wages; 5.  How long the case will take.And many other topics.  Or any other questions you may have about your case.The insurance companies won't answer these questions.  Or at least they won't give you straight and truthful answers.If you have been involved in a serious car or truck accident in Houston, and the insurance company is trying to convince you not to hire a lawyer, you should know right away that they are trying to trick you into settling your case for pennies on the dollar.And once you know the insurance company is trying to do this, you know you can't trust a thing they tell you after that.For more information on insurance company tricks, visit our firm's injury and accident website, www. main website, www.houstoninjuryaccidentlaw.com

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Has the car you’re driving been recalled?

Have you been paying attention to all the recalls in the news lately?  Did you know that auto recalls were up 30% in 2007 compared with 2006?

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BP fumbles again… and again… and again

The Texas Supreme Court has ruled that John Browne, the former CEO of BP, can deliver his deposition by phone instead of face-to-face with the plaintiff’s lawyers.  The March 2005 blast that killed 15 workers and injured many more has so far cost BP $16 million in lawsuits and a $50 million fine for pleading guilty to a federal environmental claim.

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Two Employees of Resolve Marine Bring Jones Act Case Against Company

Two employees of Resolve Marine Group and its subsidiaries have filed suit against the company, claiming that the captain of one of the companies' boats ran the boat into a jetty, causing the men serious and permanent injuries.The two men are claiming lost wages, pain and suffering, mental anguish, loss of enjoyment of life, and other damages and injuries.The Jones Act provides some of the strongest legal protections for personal injury and damage.  For example, in this case, it appears as if an "allision" has occurred.  (An "allision" is a maritime term for striking a fixed object).Under the Jones Act and general maritime law, when an allision occurs, and someone is hurt, the courts presume that the company was negligent.  This is different from land-based claims, in which the injured person almost always has to prove the company was at fault.Protect Your Legal RightsInjured offshore?  Interested in protecting your legal rights?  If so, feel free to call us for a free, no-obligation consulation about the Jones Act, general maritime law, and your case.  Or, visit our websites to learn more about your legal rights and what we can do for you:www.vbattorneys.com www.maritimeaccidentattorney.com www.themaritimelawyer.com

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Truck Accident in Houston Shuts Down Freeway

ABC 13 is reporting that a jack-knifed 18-wheeler shut down traffic on all lanes of northbound traffic on I-45 at 3:00 a.m. this morning.Houston is one of the most dangerous places in the world for truck accidents.  With all the major freeways and truck traffic moving through the Houston and the greater Houston area, the area is ripe for accidents.You can read about the truck accident story here.

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Boiler Explosion on SS Norway blamed on faulty maintenance

A boiler explosion aboard the SS Norway which killed 8 crew members and injured 17 in 2003 has been determined to be due to the improper maintenance and inspection of the ship’s team chamber. The SS Norway was Norwegian Cruise Line’s only steam-powered ship, and was once the world’s largest passenger ship. According to a report issued by the National Transportation Safety Board, NCL shipboard engineers were aware of the cracking of the boiler but did not take appropriate action.If you have been injured at sea, feel free to call us to learn about your legal rights.

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Is the CIGNA insurance company responsible for the death of a young girl?

Lawyer Brent Adams has an interesting and thought provoking article on CIGNA's treatment of the young daughter of someone it allegedly was paid to insure.

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Consumer Federation of America reports that insurance carriers are inflating premiums for property and casualty coverage

An article in today’s Dallas Morning News highlights a report by the Consumer Federation of America (CFA) which found that the insurance industry systematically inflates premiums for property and casualty insurance coverage. The report, released yesterday, found that while the insurance industry enjoyed record profits in 2007, it overcharges consumers and underpays policyholders claims.Here is an excerpt from the Dallas Morning News:Unfortunately, a major reason why insurers have reported record-high profits and low losses in recent years is that they have been methodically overcharging customers, cutting back on coverage, underpaying claims and getting taxpayers to pick up some of the tab for risks the insurers should cover.

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Truck Accident in Pharr, Texas, Kills Four People

A truck accident early this morning killed four people in Pharr, Texas near the border crossing with Texas and Mexico.

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Off Duty Houston Police Officer Dies in Crash with Truck

There was a very sad story in the Houston Chronicle today about an off-duty police officer who died in a crash with a truck today.

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Houston Truck Accident - Good Samaritan Injured In Houston

A driver who stopped to help another car on the North Sam Houston Parkway was injured when his car was rear-ended by an 18-wheeler recently.

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Lawsuit filed in Victoria, Texas Bus Accident

A young woman who lost her arm when a tourist bus crashed has filed suit in Houston, Texas against the potentially responsible parties.You can read the entire story by clicking here.Bus Accident?If you have been injured by the negligence of a bus driver or bus company and want to discuss your legal options, feel free to call our law firm toll free at 877.724.7800.  You can speak to a board-certified personal injury lawyer for free to find out about your legal rights.

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Houston Man Loses Arm in Machine at Concrete Company

The Houston Chronicle is reporting today that a 52 year old man lost part of his arm in a conveyor machine at Alamo Concrete Company.

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SEAMAN'S ALERT - Important Warning for Injured Offshore Workers & Seamen

SEAMEN'S ALERT - Houston, Texas - December 22, 2007If you are injured offshore, you SHOULD NOT sign any paperwork given to you by your employer UNTIL YOU HAVE HAD THE PAPERS REVIEWED BY YOUR OWN, INDEPENDENT ATTORNEY!.  Unless, of course, you want to eliminate or severely limit your legal rights.Recently, many employers (including K-Sea Transportation Co., Weeks Marine, and Great Lakes Dredging) have coerced their injured workers into signing papers after they are hurt which severely limit the injured workers' rights in court.  In some cases, signing these papers may result in the injured worker loosing thousands, tens of thousands, or even hundreds of thousands of dollars.So unless you want to lose your legal rights, or severely limit, do not sign any papers given to you by your employer after you are hurt unless you have those papers reviewed by an independent lawyer you select.  (In other words, don't rely on legal advise from a company-selected lawyer).If you want to read a case where an injured worker basically signed away many of his legal rights, look at Barbieri v. K-Sea Transportation Corp., 2006 WL 3751215 (E.D.N.Y. Dec. 19, 2006).Mr. Beckcom is a Board-Certified Personal Injury Lawyer who represents individuals and families.  Mr. Beckcom represents injured offshore workers and railroad workers in Texas and across the nation and the world.  If you would like to speak with Mr. Beckcom about your potential legal case, you can call his law firm and schedule a telephone conference.  The toll free number is 877.724.7800.You can visit one of the firm's website to learn more about what we do:www.vbattorneys.com www.themaritimelawyer.com www.maritimeaccidentattorney.com***************About the firmVujasinovic & Beckcom, P.L.L.C. is a firm of board certified personal injury trial lawyers who handle serious injury and death cases, as well as business and insurance cases, on a contingency fee basis.  ***************

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What is Allstate hiding from the public and its policyholders?

The Kansas City Star is reporting today that Allstate Insurance Co. is refusing to produce documents that the Missouri Supreme Court has ordered it to produce and produce publicly.

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Halliburton Uses Binding Mandatory Arbitration Clause in Cover Up of Alleged Rape

Houston, TexasJamie Leigh Jones, a 22 year-old Houston woman, says she was gang-raped by Halliburton and KBR coworkers in Baghdad.According to Ms. Jones, Halliburton and the U.S. government are covering up the incident.After she was raped, the company told her "Don't plan on workign back in Iraq.  There won't be a position here, there won't be a position in Houston," Jones says she was told.To add insult to injury, Halliburton is trying to deny Ms. Jones her day in court by claiming that she should be bound to go to private arbitration under a company-written private dispute process.You can read the entire story by clicking here.

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Injured Worker Sues Horizon Offshore After Serious Back Injury

On October 22, 2007, Carlos Guzman filed a Jones Act lawsuit  against CBH Services Inc. and Horizon Offshore Contractors Inc. in Jefferson County District Court.Mr. Guzman claims that he hurt his back while moving a heavy ladder.  Mr. Guzman worked as a welder aboard "The Atlantic," a Horizon owned vessel. Mr. Guzman's lawsuit claims more than $50,000 in damages.  Mr. Guzman sought out medical treatment shortly after the incident and continues to receive medical treatment from doctors and medical service providers.  According to Mr. Guzman, the defendants failed to provide a safe place to work, failed to provide safe tools and equipment, and failed to provide adequate supervision, among other things.

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Houston Has Second 18-Wheeler Accident in Two Days

The Houston Chronicle is reporting that for the second day in a row, an 18-wheeler overturned and caused major traffic problems.  Fortunately, no one was seriously injured.Read about the story here.

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Injured Tankerman Files Lawsuit Against Kirby Inland Marine for Injuries He Suffered at Work

Houston, Texas

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Passenger Injured on Norweigian Cruise Line cruise ship

A Norwegian Cruise Line passenger fell five stories on a cruise ship

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More profit and less nursing at many nursing homes

This article from the New Yorks Times tells how many nursing homes place profit over patient safety, and insulate themselves from liability by abusing various types of corporate structures.In some states, including Texas, the legisltature has passed laws, and Governor Perry has signed those laws, which places a value of $250,000 on the life of Texas grandparents and the elderly, making it cost-effective for nursing homes to provide less than the minimal level of care to their residents.Click here to read the story.

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New report explains how credit card companies trap consumers with arbitration clauses

A new report by Public Citizen clearly explains how large credit card copmanies and others trap consumers into giving up their legal rights and forcing them to arbitration.Read about it by clicking here.

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New Jones Act Case Permits Punitive Damages When Company Fails to Pay Maintenance and Cure

The Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals has rules that punitive damages may be appropriate when a Jones Act employer wrongfully and intentionally refuses to pay maintenance and cure to an injured worker.The case is Atlantic Sounding and Weeks Marine v. Townsend et al.You can read about the case by clicking here.Or read about it at our two maritime websites, www.maritimeaccidentattorney.com or www.themaritimelawyer.com.

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Chinese-made baby bibs contain dangerous levels of lead

The New York Times is reporting today that certain Chinese-made baby bibs contain dangerous levels of lead, posing a health risk to young children.

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Houston, Texas - Family of 3 Killed in Post-Crash Fire

The Houston Chronicle is reporting today that 3 people were killed in a post-auto crash fire.

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OSHA Publishes Marine Safety Guidlines

OSHA has published new guidelines for marine and terminal safety.

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Major Truck Wreck Closes I-10 Near Winnie, Texas

Truck Carrying Liquid Hydrogen Overturns, Shuts Down I-10

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Chandler Truck Wreck Kills Two - Tire Blowout Suspected Cause

Truck Tire Blowout Kills Two, Injures Two Others

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Long-Term Insurance May Not Provide Blanket of Care

A recent article about Long-Term Insurance finds that some insurance companies may be taking advantage of the most vulnerable people in our society.

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Botulism Fears Cause Second Recall From Castleberry Foods

Products recalled due to botulism fear

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Jones Act and Injury at Sea Information

What is the Jones Act?

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Check the tires on your car carefully - NHTSA orders recall of dangerous tires manufactured in China

The National Highway Traffic & Safety Administration has ordered Foreign Tire Sales to recall hundreds of thousands of tires because they were improperly manufactured.

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Offshore Worker Injures - Two Common and Serious Mistakes

Two Common & Serious Mistakes Injured Offshore Workers Make

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Asbestos, the Jones Act, and Maritime Law

Experienced Asbestos Maritime & Jones Act Attorneys

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ATV Accident - Parents Awarded $20,000,000.00 for son's death in ATV accident

"$20 Million Awarded in ATV Accident"

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What is the Death on the High Seas Act?

The Death on the High Seas Act, or "DOSHA," applies when someone is killed on the "high seas," which generally means 3 miles or more offshore.

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Should I file my Jones Act case in state or federal court?

A Jones Act claim will always be governed by federal substantive law. Most, if not all, general maritime claims will also be governed by federal substantive law.

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Is a spar a Jones Act vessel?

With offshore oil and gas industry booming, and technology increasing along with the industry, many companies are turning to "spar" platforms to help extract oil from offshore sites.

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Avandia Increases Heart Attack Risk by 43%

Avandia, a prescription medication prescribed by doctors to treat type 2 diabetes, increases the users risk of a heart attack by a whopping 43%, according to findings set to be released by the New England Journal of Medicine today.

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Houston Building Fire - Why Safety Codes Are So Important

This article from KHOU indicates that the building that caught fire on March 28, 2007 in Houston, Texas was old, outdated, and had bad fire protection systems.

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Houston Building Fire Kills Three Workers

The following story from the Houston Chronicle about a building fire that killed three people and injured at least 6 other people.

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Houston Jury Renders 1.2 Million Dollar Verdict in Jones Act case

Houston Federal Court Jury Renders 1.2 Million Dollar Verdict In Jones Act case

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