How Bicycle accident lawyers can help

Representative cases

Our Law Firm is one of the oldest and most respected plaintiff’s personal injury firms in Texas. For over 20 years, our bicycle accident lawyers have dealt with cases involving serious injury and fatalities involving bicycles, and have secured judgments for their clients that have enabled them to live with security and dignity. Some of these individuals had suffered serious physical injuries including brain damage and spinal cord injury. Other clients have been families in which a loved one suffered a wrongful death in a bicycle crash.

Bicycle accident by the roadside
Our accident lawyers have successfully represented persons who have suffered bicycle injuries and families who have lost loved ones in bicycle crashes throughout Texas.

As bicycle accident lawyers, we seek to relieve clients of anxiety and uncertainty about their cases. We work closely with each client to make sure we understand their needs and concerns, and to see that those issues are addressed so that the client can be completely focused on his recovery and his family. Because we have handled so many bicycle injury cases, we are able to lay out a course of action that will take a client to the conclusion of their case with minimal anxiety and stress. The most helpful service our accident lawyers can render their clients is to prosecute their case aggressively, helping them achieve the fairest monetary result we can obtain. At the same time, we try to help our clients return to the life they enjoyed before the collision.

When our Law Firm takes on a bicycle injury case, a senior bicycle injury attorney assumes responsibility for the case and assembles a legal team of attorneys, investigators, paralegals, and other staff to investigate and research the case. We strive to understand all that occurred in the crash, to carefully assess the evidence, the site of the crash and surrounding area, and all relevant circumstances. We evaluate the quality and functioning of the bicycle and of safety equipment, especially helmets. We review medical records to determine the full extent of the injury. We will look first at your medical needs, to assure that you are getting the appropriate medical care and the rehabilitation you need.

Competitive bike rider
Our bicycle accident lawyers are committed to a thorough and accurate investigation for any client on whose behalf we undertake representation. Unlike most personal injury firms, we have a full-time investigative staff that we can deploy to thoroughly investigate every reasonable claim. In cases involving bicycle injury, gathering the facts and evidence as soon as possible can be critical to the success of a case. We offer prospective clients unparalleled resources to accomplish the necessary investigation.

We recommend these important actions after a bicycle crash to protect your rights:

Get the information you need whether or not police are present, you’ll need to get names and contact information for any witnesses, and secure driver’s license and insurance information with all drivers involved.
Notify your insurance carrier. As soon as you can, contact your insurance carrier and tell them about the collision. Be sure to cooperate fully with your insurance company.
Know the Statutes of Limitation These laws limit the time by when one must file a claim or a lawsuit. It is important to know which statutes apply to your particular circumstance. It is wise to contact a bicycle accident lawyer very soon after the crash in order to make sure that your rights are not forfeited, and that you can pursue your civil remedies.

Start the Investigation. It is crucially important for the investigation of the crash to begin while memories are fresh, and before critical evidence at the collision scene has been removed, washed away, or otherwise eliminated.
Our bicycle accident lawyers employ three full-time accident investigators who will travel throughout Texas to help find vital evidence for our lawyers and secure it for your case. While you are receiving medical care and recovering, you may not feel ready to have your case resolved, yet evidence collection needs to be underway. Our investigative staff can obtain factual statements, scene photographs, accurate measurements, and collision photographs, leaving you to focus on your recovery and return to the quality of life you enjoyed before your injuries.

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F.A.Q. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT DOG BITE AND DOG ATTACK INJURIES

HOW FREQUENT ARE DOG BITE AND DOG ATTACK INJURIES?
The US Center for Disease Control reports that every year more than 4.7 million Americans suffer a dog bite injury. Of these, nearly 800,000 require medical attention, and about one percent of dog attack victims require hospitalization for their care.

WHAT IS THE RISK OF DOG BITES FOR CHILDREN?
About half of all children in the US will be bitten by a dog before they are 18. Seventy percent of the victims of serious dog bites and dog attack injuries who require hospitalization are children, and about 70 percent of those who die from dog bites are children.

ARE CERTAIN GROUPS AT HIGHER RISK FOR DOG BITES AND DOG ATTACKS?
The elderly have a higher rate of dog attacks, as do service workers such as mail carriers, other delivery persons, meter readers, home health aides, and others who make house calls, and are therefore more exposed to dogs.

IS THE FREQUENCY OF DOG BITES INCREASING IN THE US?
Dog bites are increasing faster than dog ownership. Between 1986 and the present, dog ownership increased 2 percent, and dog bites requiring medical treatment increased 36 percent.

ARE SOME DOG BREEDS’ BITES MORE DANGEROUS?
More than half of all documented serious dog attacks in the US involve Rottweilers or pit bulls.

HOW CAN I REDUCE MY RISK OF A DOG ATTACK?
Do not approach dogs you don’t know well, nor those unaccompanied by an owner. Avoid packs of dogs. Do not provoke or tease any dog, whether you know it well or not.

WHAT AGE GROUPS ARE MOST ARE MOST AT RISK FOR DOG ATTACKS?
Children 14 and under are the most frequent victims of dog attacks. Seventy percent of fatal dog attacks and
more than half of bite wounds requiring medical attention involve children. Among children, the group suffering the highest incidence of dog attacks is 5 to 9-year-old boys. Dog bite injuries are the third leading cause of emergency admission of children to hospitals.

ARE THERE PSYCHOLOGICAL EFFECTS FROM DOG ATTACKS?
The emotional trauma resulting from being attacked by a dog is a central element in many dog bite cases. People often suffer from post-traumatic distress disorder, with symptoms of sleep disturbance, flashbacks of the attack, severe anxiety and irritability, impaired concentration, and persistent fear of dogs.

WHO IS RESPONSIBLE WHEN A DOG ATTACKS AND INJURES A PERSON?
Under Texas law, dog owners are liable when their dog bites someone, and the attack victim does not have to prove fault or negligence. This law does not apply to a person who is bitten while trespassing.

DO HOMEOWNERS AND RENTERS INSURANCE COVER DOG ATTACKS?
The Insurance Information Institute, an insurance industry group, states that homeowners’ and renters’ insurance policies typically cover dog bite liability. Most policies provide $100,000 to $300,000 in liability coverage. If the claim exceeds the limit, the dog owner is responsible for all damages above that amount, including legal expenses. However, some carriers are now excluding certain breeds from coverage.

ARE SUPPORT GROUPS HELPFUL FOR DOG ATTACK SURVIVORS?
A support group of other dog attack survivors can be invaluable. People who have experienced what the new survivor is experiencing can help a dog attack survivor deal with persistent psychological symptoms. Other survivors can help a new dog attack victim find a way to live with scarring and come to believe that that the future is worth working towards. Many dog bite and dog attack survivors also make use of psychotherapy to help them deal with the challenges of this period.

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How to Choose a Personal Injury Attorney

When choosing a personal injury attorney, there are several points to keep in mind. Your lawyer must always have your best interests at heart and work hard to get you the compensation you deserve. At our Law Firm, the personal injury lawyers work hard to provide you with a feeling of comfort and family surroundings, while offering you the security of representation with the skill and aggressive style to win both large and small awards. No case is too large; no case is too small.

We understand how important the health and well-being of your family are, and we will work very hard to see that you and your family are seen by medical specialists and that your condition and/or injuries are well-documented throughout the process. If you are unable to come to us, we will come to you at your doctor’s office, the hospital, or your home.

You Are the Reason We are in Business
You must be able to trust your attorneys completely. If you are worried about how much you will be charged for their representation, or how well they will handle the circumstances of your case, then they are not the right attorneys for you. We are proud of our level of commitment and the community support we receive. We work hard to get fair settlements from which we never take excessive and unfair commissions.

You need a personal injury attorney who genuinely cares about your welfare and will do anything possible to help you maintain order in your life during your difficult time. We represent each of our clients equally whether they are from a poor background or are used to the finer things in life. We treat each client like a member of our own family.

We want you to know that regardless of whether or not you are a legal United States citizen and employed, you are entitled to be heard in a court of law if you have been injured in an accident.

We also insist on maintaining a realistic client load at all times so that we can give each client the individual attention and care that they deserve. When you call us, you will always speak with or receive a return call back from one of the attorneys.

What You Should Look For in a Personal Injury Attorney
When choosing the right personal injury attorney. You should expect the following:

A good referral from the American Bar Association
Good references from your family and friends
Professional referrals
Experience in dealing with your situation and good results from those cases
Details of legal fees and how and when they are charged
A good relationship between you and your lawyer
Be patient, but expect regular case updates
Establish the option of finding another lawyer if you are dissatisfied
Choosing the right personal injury attorney should be the most important initial factor in your case. The wrong lawyer will not represent you well and will cheat you out of the money you deserve. Please contact our personal injury lawyers today to find out how we can meet your needs.

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Personal Injury Lawyer

When a person has been injured due to the carelessness of another, they have the right to file a case against that person and to be reimbursed for medical expenses, loss of wages, and other damages that result from that injury. We are a personal injury Law Firm that devotes the majority of our law practice to representing clients who have suffered a personal injury caused by someone else’s negligence. Many of their cases are motor vehicle accidents that have resulted in serious injury.

They have successfully represented clients in cases that range in settlement value from a few hundred dollars to a few million dollars, with equal dedication and commitment. No case is too small or too large for them to devote their time and resources.

Causes of Personal Injury
A personal injury, depending on the severity of the victim’s injuries, can result in ongoing rehabilitation, permanent disability and much unnecessary suffering. The most common types of personal injury cases result from:

Car accidents
Drunk driving accidents
Truck accidents
Motorcycle accidents
Pedestrian accidents
Construction accidents
Dog bite injuries
Evidence and Witnesses
In order for a personal injury lawyer to effectively represent your case, they must be able to obtain and present valid evidence of the cause and result of your injuries. This material is discovered by the exceptional, professional, and exhaustive resources that our Law Firm employs for the investigation of each of their cases.

They also locate and interview any witnesses who can testify to the events leading up to and including the client’s injuries. Expert witnesses are also called to testify as to the validity of the circumstances and evidence presented in each case.

Accurate Records
Our Law Firm will also employ the use of professionals to review and clarify the accuracy of any records relating to a personal injury case. These may involve victim records, medical records, eye witness accounts, and any other relevant material that will aid in building a successful case representing their client.

If you are the victim of a personal injury, it is very important that you record daily events, thoughts, feelings, and conversations relating to your injury so that you can supply this information to your personal injury lawyer. These items document how your injury has affected you physically and mentally. They will also aid your lawyer in representing you accurately, even if the case lasts for several months or longer.

We are well known in the community for providing exceptional and aggressive representation to all clients, no matter what their financial, employment, or citizenship status may be. If you have been injured in the United States as a result of someone else’s carelessness, you are entitled to legal representation and compensation. Please contact our dedicated and caring personal injury attorneys today to schedule a free case evaluation. We will arrange a meeting in a place convenient to you if you are unable to come to us.

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Motor Vehicle Accident Attorney

Motor vehicle accidents account for more personal injury claims than any other type of accident. Our Law Firm of auto accident lawyers dedicates the majority of their legal practice to representing victims who have been involved in some type of motor vehicle accident. We know and appreciate how important the health and happiness of your family are, and we will work hard to get you the compensation you deserve following a serious injury.

We want you to know that regardless of whether or not you are a legal United States citizen and employed, you are entitled to be heard in a court of law if you have been injured in an accident. We are passionate about working exhaustively to get you doctors’ appointments, to keep everything related to your injury documented, and to ensure you get a fair settlement for your injuries.

We are known in the community and have a network of professionals who work with us to make sure you get timely medical appointments and are well taken care of following the trauma of being injured in a vehicle accident. Let our family help your family during this time. No case is too large; no case is too small.

Types of Motor Vehicle Accidents
The three major types of motor vehicle accidents include:

Auto accidents
Truck accidents
Motorcycle accidents
The cause, severity, and legal liability of a motor vehicle accident can all vary greatly depending on the specific circumstances surrounding each accident. While most accidents are the result of another person’s negligence, the severity of that negligence must be determined in a court of law in order to obtain a fair settlement for the injured party. It is in your best interests to retain legal representation as soon as you are able to do so.

Motor Vehicle Accident Expenses
Mounting medical bills combined with the loss of income, legal fees, and the cost of renting a temporary vehicle can grow into a massive burden that we make sure you do not face alone. Our cases are taken on a contingency basis, which means you don’t owe us a penny until we have won your case for you.

In the meantime, we will help you obtain a rental car if needed, pay your medical expenses and meet you at your convenience if you cannot come to our office. Our focus is on your health and healing and we will work tirelessly to obtain the justice and settlement you are entitled to.

Your Rights Following a Motor Vehicle Accident
It is very important that you file your accident report and any claims with the proper authorities and insurance carriers as soon as possible. Most states have a short deadline, after which you cannot file your claim.

If you or someone you love has been injured or killed in a motor vehicle accident, it is your legal right to seek justice and to be compensated for your injuries. We understand the difficulties you face as a result of your accident, and we will make sure that the responsible party or parties are held accountable. Please contact the auto accident attorneys at our Law Firm today to schedule a consultation.

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Bicycle Accident Lawyers

Many people own a bicycle. While some people bicycle for recreational purposes or for exercise, others depend on their bicycles as a form of transportation. Others cycle on a regular basis for competition. Additionally, many children enjoy bike riding. Most bicyclists understand the rules of the road and ride safely. Unfortunately, even when cyclists are safe and careful, drivers around them may not be. If a driver is negligent and hits a cyclist the resulting injuries can be devastating. If this happened to you or someone you know, contact our Bicycle Accident lawyers today. As with many accidents, it is important for the evidence, witness statements, photographs, and other investigative information to be obtained as soon as possible after the accident.

Have you or a loved one been injured in a bicycle accident? Our lawyers can help!

A bicycle accident can result in death or a number of different injuries, including but not limited to:

Bone Fractures
Paralysis
Spinal Cord Injury
Brain Injury
Concussion

Bicycling should be a fun, enjoyable activity with no worries. Sadly, because other people may make poor choices while driving, a deadly bicycle accident may result. The Texas Department of Transportation reports that in 2019 there were 2,554 bicycle accidents in Texas. Our lawyers are here to help if you feel your bicycle accident resulted from the actions of a negligent or reckless driver.

Many times, when a bicycle accident occurs, it is the fault of the driver in the vehicle. When drivers fail to properly yield, run red lights or stop signs, drive while intoxicated or drowsy, speed, or simply drive in a careless manner and don’t properly follow the rules of the road, it can lead to a devastating accident. If this type of driving caused you injury or led to the injury or death of a loved one you should obtain appropriate legal advice before entering into any discussions or giving any statements to the driver’s insurance adjusters. No matter what they say, the insurance adjuster for the driver has no duty to represent your interests and is probably trying to paint a picture that minimizes the carelessness of the insured driver. Our attorneys can assist you through this challenging and stressful process. Having a lawyer allows you to concentrate on other important matters such as obtaining the proper medical care or supporting others directly impacted by the serious injury or death.

Have you or a loved one been injured in a bicycle accident? Our lawyers can help! Contact our Texas Bicycle Accident Lawyers today for a free consultation.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How much does an attorney charge in a personal injury case?
A: Although this depends on the attorney, in most cases, personal injury cases are charged on a contingency fee basis, which means that the attorney does not receive any fee unless a recovery is obtained. It is important to know up front whether you will be responsible for any of the direct costs of investigating and pursuing your claim if the claim is not successful for some reason. Our Law Firm does not charge the client for any of the costs of the case unless the case is successful.

Q: Either myself or a loved one has been seriously hurt, or worse, and now I am being directed to a specific attorney to represent my legal interests. What should I do?
A: The decision to retain a particular attorney is an extremely important one. If you are the family member of a loved one that has been lost, there may be many legal issues to handle including setting up a probate estate so that a claim can be pursued.

Regardless of what you are told, the choice of an attorney is YOURS AND YOURS ALONE. You should not allow others to pressure you into choosing a particular law firm to represent you. If you do feel undue pressure it may be worth asking why the person feels so strongly about the law firm he is recommending. Is he or she recommending a particular firm because they have had a favorable and real first-hand experience with that firms’ representation or is it because he plays golf with a particular lawyer?

You should feel comfortable with the lawyer you choose to represent you. It is always reasonable to ask questions of prospective attorneys. Good attorneys will not be offended by this and in fact, should welcome the opportunity to discuss their previous experience and successes. Some questions worth asking are:
If I hire you, will you be the lawyer personally handling my case from start to finish or will you assign my case to someone else?
When was the last time you personally tried a case before a jury?
What are the strengths and weaknesses of my case? (You should question lawyers making promises of guaranteed outcomes).
Will you provide me with your personal cell phone number so that I can contact you outside of your office hours?
Will you have enough time to dedicate the necessary personal attention to my case? (You want to have a lawyer with a balanced caseload that allows him or her the necessary time to fully prepare for your case).
What is your experience with your firms’ advertising such as television, back of phonebooks, and/or billboards being used by opposing counsel to influence jurors at trial?

Q: How do I know if I have a potential lawsuit?
A: The best way to figure this out is by contacting a lawyer. Even if you think you may not have a case, it is very possible that you actually do.

Q: How is the value of my injury determined?
A: This depends on a variety of factors such as lost wages, pain and suffering, medical bills, emotional trauma, property damage, and more. Ultimately, if the parties cannot reach a fair settlement then a jury may decide what is required to fairly compensate you for your injuries.

Q: When should I file a lawsuit?
A: You should contact an attorney as soon as possible to determine this! There is a time limit on these types of cases, so you do not want to lose your legal right to recover damages.

Q: What is the procedure during a standard personal injury lawsuit?
A: In most cases, your participation is minimal. Pre-trial court appearances are usually not necessary. Often cases will settle without the need for a trial. Our lawyers explain what to expect to all of our clients and pride ourselves on our availability and keeping our clients fully informed.

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Injury Attorneys

Having a baby is usually one of the most exciting and joyous occasions that someone can experience. Unfortunately, medical professionals sometimes fail to do something they should have, or they do something wrong and things don’t go the way they should have. When this happens, a birth injury may occur. A birth injury can result in numerous problems for the baby, including life-altering disabilities, and even death. A lawyer can help if your baby was injured during the birthing process because of a negligent doctor or nurse.

Has your baby suffered from a birth injury or birth defect due to the negligence of a medical professional in Texas? A lawyer can help! Contact the Injury Attorneys at our Law Firm today for a free consultation.

A birth injury can result from:

Disease misdiagnosis
Inducing labor too late
Failing to perform a necessary c-section
Mishandling the infant, causing shoulder dystocia
Failing to properly recognize fetal distress
Although many birth injury cases involve the baby being physically injured during the birthing process, other cases involve babies being born with birth defects. How can a baby’s birth defect be the fault of a medical professional? In many ways. While some birth defects are out of a doctor’s hands, others could have been prevented or may have never occurred if it wasn’t for a doctor’s actions. For example, certain prescription drugs can result in birth defects. It is the doctor’s obligation to make sure that any drugs they are prescribing to their patient won’t complicate the pregnancy or put the baby at risk.

Two of the most common birth injuries are Erb’s Palsy and Cerebral Palsy. Cerebral palsy is often caused by brain damage and can result in learning problems, speech difficulties, and poor coordination. Erb’s palsy is a condition that affects any or all of the primary nerves in the arm and affects arm movement and results in partial or complete paralysis.

Has your baby suffered from a birth injury or birth defect due to the negligence of a medical professional? A lawyer can help! Contact the Injury Attorneys at our Law Firm today for a free consultation.

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Brain Injury Lawyers

We all know that a brain injury is a serious injury that may result in lifelong complications or death. There are many different types of brain injuries that can result from a wide variety of accidents. A brain injury can occur without an accident involving a high rate of speed or any direct contact with the head. In some cases, brain injuries result from an accident that was caused by the negligence of another. If you or a loved one suffered a brain injury because of someone else’s negligence, and you would like to have a no-cost, no-obligation discussion with lawyers who will listen to your concerns and treat you with respect, the brain injury lawyers at our Law Firm are available to talk with you.

Have you or a loved one suffered a brain injury as the result of the negligence of someone? Our lawyers can help! Contact the Brain Injury Lawyers at our Law Firm.

Examples of different brain injuries include:

Cerebral Palsy
Traumatic Brain Injury
Concussion
Anoxic Brain Injury
Acquired Brain Injury
Diffuse Axonal Injury
Brain Swelling Injury

Depending on the level of severity of the brain injury, a number of different consequences can result, such as:

Seizures
Dementia
Psychosis
Communication difficulties
Motor difficulties
Muscle paralysis
Memory lapses
Verbal difficulties
Mood swings
Anger Management difficulty
Depression
Personality change
In the most severe cases of brain injury, death can result.
Unfortunately, a brain injury can truly affect the victim’s entire family and can require a huge adjustment, not only for the injured person but their loved ones also. In addition to the obvious strain of the direct consequences of the injury, there is the added stress of financial uncertainty due to the inability to work and perhaps the need for future long-term care.

A brain injury that results from the negligence of another can occur through many different mechanisms. Some examples include car accidents, medical malpractice, birth injuries, fall injuries, sports injuries, playground accidents, and acts of violence.

Have you or a loved one suffered a brain injury as the result of the negligence of someone? Our lawyers can help! Contact the Brain Injury Lawyers at our Law Firm to schedule a free consultation.

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Burn Injury Attorneys

An explosion, fire, or another incident can make someone a victim of a burn injury. Burn injuries can result in relentless, unbearable pain and permanent reminders of the event. In very severe cases, burn injuries can result in death. Even when the person does not die immediately from a burn injury, serious complications such as infection can develop and cause their death. If you suffered a burn injury or lost a loved one as the result of someone else’s negligence, contact our burn injury attorneys for help with your claim. We can handle your burn injury claim and promptly investigate the circumstances surrounding the injury.

Have you or a loved one sustained a burn injury due to the negligence of another? The attorneys of our Law Firm can help!

Types of Burn Injuries Include:

Chemical Burns
Scalding Burns
Electrical Burns
Thermal Burns

A burn injury can occur in a number of different situations. Explosions, work-related accidents, building fires, and electrocution are some of the many incidents in which a burn injury may result. A negligent individual may cause an explosion or fire that can wind up causing harm to another person. What is even more alarming is the fact that children are fire victims 2-3 times more often than other age groups, according to statistics. If someone else was careless and it caused your child to suffer from a burn injury, contact our Law Firm. Any type of burn can be painful. The main three types of burns are first-degree, second-degree, and third-degree. First-degree burns only affect the skin’s outer layer. Second-degree burns, on the other hand, affect both the first layer and the layer under it. The most severe type of burns are third-degree burns. This affects all underlying tissues in the skin. Permanent disfigurement and scars are usually the results of third-degree burns, and skin grafting is often necessary.

Have you or a loved one sustained a burn injury due to the negligence of another? The attorneys of our Law Firm can help!

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Bus Accident Lawyers

Many people rely on buses for transportation. Whether it’s for school, work, or just running everyday errands, buses help get people from one place to another. While most bus drivers are properly trained and are skilled in their bus driving abilities, sometimes a driver is negligent and an accident occurs. Not only can passengers on the bus become victims of this type of accident, but passengers and drivers in other vehicles, as well as pedestrians, may also fall victim to a bus accident.

Have you or a loved one been injured in a bus accident? Our lawyers can help!

Common causes of bus accidents include but are not limited to:

Lack of bus driving experience/improper training
Impaired driving
Reckless driving
Speeding
Fatigue
Time pressure, leading to rushing
Bus accidents can have tragic consequences, particularly when children are involved. If your child was injured or killed in a school bus accident, a lawyer at our Law Firm can help.

Depending on the severity of the accident, a number of different injuries can result. From minor cuts to more severe injuries such as brain injury and bone fractures, a bus accident can have life-altering effects, including the emotional distress that can arise from experiencing such a traumatic event. In some cases, the injuries are fatal. If you have been hurt in a bus accident, you may have a legal right to compensation to cover any wage losses, medical bills, and pain and suffering.

Have you or a loved one been injured in a bus accident? Our lawyers can help!

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OUR FIRM PHILOSOPHY
As attorneys concentrating on serious injury cases we see firsthand the devastating effect that disabling injuries and the resulting financial hardships can have on an individual or family. Although we hear a lot in the media about greedy trial lawyers – this is often an image portrayed by insurance companies and other large corporate interests who would prefer to have sole control over the rights of those injured by their negligence. The work we do provides important corporate accountability for unsafe practices and helps provide some degree of financial security to families whose quality of life has been robbed by an avoidable serious injury. The power to decide whether someone should be compensated lies with our citizen jurors and should not be entrusted to the profit concerns of insurance companies or other corporate entities. People who are injured by the carelessness of others should not be abandoned. We are proud to be advocates for injured individuals in our American civil justice system.

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For over 20 years the burn injury lawyers of our Law Firm have dealt with cases involving injury and fatalities from burns. Some of the individuals our attorneys have served had suffered serious burn injuries which compromised their ability to work and care for their families. Other clients have been families in which a loved one suffered a wrongful death from burn injuries. Our burn injury attorneys have secured judgments for their clients that have enabled them to live with security and dignity.

Our attorneys have successfully represented families who have lost loved ones and individuals who have suffered serious burn injuries.

We seek to relieve our clients of anxiety and uncertainty about their cases. We work closely with each client to make sure we understand their needs and concerns, and to see that these are addressed so that the client can be completely focused on treatment and recovery. Because of our considerable experience, we are able to plan out a course of action for our clients that will take them to the conclusion of their case with minimal anxiety and stress. The most helpful service our burn injury lawyers can render to our clients is to prosecute their case aggressively, helping them achieve the fairest monetary result we can obtain. At the same time, we try to help our clients return to the life they enjoyed before they were burned.

When our Law Firm takes on a burn injury or wrongful death case, a partner assumes responsibility for the case and assembles a legal team of attorneys, investigators, paralegals, and other staff to investigate and research your case. Our attorneys will look first at your medical needs to determine whether you are getting the appropriate medical care and the rehabilitation you need. We review medical records to determine the full extent of the injury. We strive to understand all that occurred in the events leading to the burn injuries. We assess the evidence and all relevant information and circumstances. We evaluate the quality and functioning of products that were in use and any equipment or parts which may have been defective.

Our burn lawyers are committed to a thorough, fair, honest, and accurate investigation for any client on whose behalf we undertake representation. Unlike most personal injury firms, we have a full-time investigative staff we can deploy to thoroughly investigate every reasonable claim. In cases involving severe injury or death from burns, gathering the facts and evidence as soon as possible can be critical to the success of a case. We offer prospective clients unparalleled resources to accomplish the necessary investigation.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Burn Injuries

HOW FREQUENT ARE SERIOUS BURN INJURIES?
In the US, about 500,000 burns each year are serious enough to require medical attention. Of these about 40,000 will require hospitalization. More than 60 percent of people hospitalized for burn injuries are admitted to specialized burn units. Four thousand people die of burns each year, and another 10,000 die of complications from their burn injuries.

WHAT MAKES BURNS SO DANGEROUS?
Burns destroy skin, which is the principal barrier to infection for the body. Without the protection of skin, burn victims are exposed to infections and are very vulnerable. Successful treatment of severe burns requires aggressive measures to prevent infections.

WHY DOES TREATMENT FOR SERIOUS BURN INJURIES TAKE SO LONG?
Successful treatment of burns requires stabilizing the patient, continuously preventing infection, then supporting the growth of new tissue, while preventing contractures from scar tissue, and maintaining range of motion. The growth of new tissue cannot be hurried. Complications following injury, shock, or burns may occur long after the initial incident, often when the patient is in an intensive care unit (ICU).

HOW IMPORTANT ARE ATTITUDE AND MOTIVATION IN HEALING FROM SERIOUS BURN INJURIES?
In burn care, the patient’s attitude and motivation are two of the most powerful factors influencing recovery rehabilitation. Many burn experts weigh these two elements as even more important than the specific physical injury.

ARE THERE PSYCHOLOGICAL EFFECTS FROM SEVERE BURNS?
Severe burns usually occur in sudden and frightening situations, like an auto accident or an explosion. Severe burns are extremely painful, their treatment may take months, and even with the best treatment outcome, the victim may be left with significant disfigurement and disability. For all of these reasons, severe burns exact a serious psychological toll on their victims. People who have suffered serious burn injuries often benefit from psychological support.

ARE SUPPORT GROUPS HELPFUL FOR BURN SURVIVORS?
A support group of other burn survivors can be invaluable. People who have been there, and lived through what the new survivor is experiencing can help the new burn survivor believe that recovery is possible and that the future is worth working for. Many survivors also make use of psychotherapy to help them deal with the challenges of this period.

IF MY BURN INJURIES WERE CAUSED BY SOMEONE ELSE’S NEGLIGENCE, MAY I SEEK COMPENSATION?
If your burn injury occurred as the result of negligence or misconduct, an attorney experienced in dealing with burn injury cases may be able to achieve a settlement that will recover your medical and rehabilitation costs, both current and future.

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After a serious burn injury: should you consider legal action?

Planning for your future
Severe burns can leave a person with devastating, life-changing injuries. A person who has suffered severe burn injuries faces a long hospital stay, and even after discharge, the likelihood of multiple surgeries to restore function and appearance, and continued rehabilitation after surgeries. Treatment is lengthy, painful, and expensive.

Burn injuries may leave you significantly disabled, unable to work, unable to take care of your family, and unable to enjoy the life you enjoyed before you were burned. After burn injuries, your first concern must be getting the best medical and rehabilitative care, and the best possible resolution of your injuries. During this process, as you or your loved one face the changes ahead; you will likely begin to think about how you will deal with the financial consequences.

If you or a loved one has been seriously burned, or if a loved one has died from burns, you may be facing serious changes in your health, your lifestyle, your earning power, and your expectations for your and your children’s future.

An experienced burn injury attorney knows what burn injuries can mean to a person and their family and can help them think through their needs.

Should you consider legal action?
A person who has suffered severe burn injuries as a result of another’s negligence has the right to compensation for damage to their health, their earning power, and the loss of well-being. Compensation can include reimbursement for medical and hospital bills rehabilitation costs, lost wages and future earnings, pain, physical distress, and psychological suffering as a consequence of injuries and losses. If the changes in lifestyle, a need for modifications in the home, and diminished future earnings caused by burn injuries are extensive, a life planning consultant should be engaged to help calculate long-term medical and financial needs.

Many serious burn injuries are caused by the negligence or misconduct of another person, corporation, or government entity. Issues of product design and product safety also may have contributed to the burn injuries. Negligence is conduct that falls below the standard of care established by law for the protection of others against unreasonable risks of harm. Negligence and misconduct can occur in public settings, in which public employees fail to take sufficient care. Misconduct is improper or unlawful conduct motivated by premeditated or intentional purpose or by obstinate indifference to the consequences of one’s acts.

If your burn injury occurred as the result of negligence or misconduct, an attorney experienced in dealing with burn injury cases may be able to achieve a settlement that will recover your medical and rehabilitation costs, both current and future.

If you decide to pursue legal action, you should contact a burn injury attorney as soon as possible for a review of your situation. There are deadlines called statutes of limitation, set by laws that regulate the filing of lawsuits which vary state by state. If you or a loved one have suffered a serious burn injury and feel that faulty product design or negligence or misconduct was involved, you should not delay in contacting a burn injury attorney. If the statute of limitations expires, your right to pursue a claim may be forever barred.

The usual arrangement for hiring a lawyer in a burn injury case is a contingent fee agreement. The burn attorney agrees to be paid a fee only if the client’s case is ultimately successful, either by settlement out of court or by a judgment following a court proceeding. The burn injury attorney then receives a percentage of the final amount recovered. This fee arrangement is helpful for most people with severe burn injuries because it does not require the person bringing the case to pay any money upfront. Often the burn attorney may also be willing able to advance part or all of the costs of litigation until the conclusion of the case.

If you or a loved one has suffered serious burns, you should immediately contact a plaintiff’s law firm that handles burn injuries. When you contact our Law Firm, one of our experienced burn injury attorneys will discuss your case with you to help determine the best way to proceed. We would be pleased to be among those that you interview and would be honored to be the firm you select.

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Spinal Cord Injury Attorneys

A spinal column injury is life-changing for the person who has suffered it and for those close to the person. SCI brings with it new limitations on mobility and control of bodily functions, increased vulnerability to medical complications, and massive changes in lifestyle and expectations for the future. You and your loved ones face major adjustments in every aspect of your life, and in planning for your future.

Every 49 minutes an American sustains an injury to the spinal column, about 12,000 each year. At the time of their injuries, about half these people do not have health insurance. The University of Alabama National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center estimates that the costs in the first year are $209,000 for a person with paraplegia. For a person with tetraplegia, formerly called quadriplegia, first-year costs will reach $470,000.

Eighty percent of those injured are men; a majority are young adults between the ages of 16 and 30, and their injuries are largely caused by trauma such as motor vehicle crashes, acts of violence, and sports and recreation injuries. Falls also account for a large number of SCI’s; people over 65 are the group most at risk for falls.

If you or a loved one has recently sustained an injury to the spinal column, you will want to learn more about what you can expect. Living with a spinal injury offers useful information. Planning for the future can help you think through the new financial realities you face and your options for funding them.

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How A Spinal Cord Attorney Can Help

Our attorneys have successfully represented persons suffering paraplegia and quadriplegia against some of the largest corporations in the world. We have worked with individuals throughout Texas. Our spinal cord attorneys have worked over several decades with people facing this kind of injury.

Our attorneys understand that any person with paraplegia or quadriplegia will face substantial costs for the rest of their life. In such cases, the spinal cord injury attorneys consult with a qualified life care planner who can anticipate all the challenges and needs that the injured person will face, not only next year or the next five years but 20, 30, or 40 years out. Our spinal cord lawyers make sure all present and future expenses have been addressed, in order to arrive at a realistic evaluation of the economic costs of the injury that must be factored into the case’s resolution.

Our spinal cord injury attorneys are committed to a thorough and accurate investigation for any client on whose behalf we undertake representation. Unlike most personal injury firms, we have a full-time investigative staff whom we can deploy to thoroughly investigate every reasonable claim. In cases involving spinal column injury, gathering the facts and evidence as soon as possible can be critical to the success of a case. We offer prospective clients unparalleled resources to accomplish the necessary investigation.

When our Law Firm takes on a case, a senior spinal cord injury attorney assumes responsibility for your case and assembles a legal team of attorneys, investigators, paralegals, and other staff to investigate and research the case. We strive to understand all that occurred, to carefully assess the medical records, and to determine the full extent of the injury. We will look first at your medical needs, to determine whether you are getting the appropriate medical care and the rehabilitation you need.

Our attorneys work closely with medical consultants, life-planning specialists, and other experts to determine the extent of your present and future needs. When we take on a case, we commit to doing everything that it takes to develop and prosecute the case, with the aim of securing the most favorable resolution possible for our client.

One of the most important decisions you will make after a catastrophic injury is selecting a spinal cord attorney to represent you. You will want to talk to several lawyers, and as you interview plaintiff’s lawyers and law firms you should carefully examine their background and ask about their experience in cases similar to yours. You want a law firm whose tetraplegia and paraplegia attorneys have significant trial experience with your type of case, and sufficient assets to aggressively prosecute your case against well-funded and determined adversaries.

Another important consideration in choosing your counsel is to find a quadriplegia or paraplegia attorney that you feel comfortable with, have confidence in and can trust. There will come a time when you must decide whether to resolve your case through settlement or take it to trial. At that point, your confidence and trust in your spinal cord lawyer will be vitally important. We strongly recommend you interview at least 2 or 3 very highly competent plaintiff’s lawyers and law firms before making your final decision. We would be honored to be among those that you interview and would feel privileged to be the firm you select.

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Glossary
TERMS AND WORDS USED IN SPINAL CORD INJURY
TERM DEFINITION

AUTONOMIC DYSREFLEXIA Most frequently experienced by people whose SCI is at T6 or higher. Usually triggered by a painful or unpleasant stimulus, AD is a massive response by the sympathetic nervous system. Symptoms include elevated blood pressure, intense headaches, profuse sweating, facial redness, goosebumps, nasal congestion, and a feeling of apprehension and doom. It requires a prompt response and the removal of the stimulus.
CERVICAL SPINE The vertebrae and section of the spinal cord that starts directly below the skull, and includes the neck. “Cervix” is the Latin word for the neck. The vertebrae are designated C-1 through C-7.
DEEP VEIN THROMBOSIS DVT The formation of a blood clot, or thrombus in a vein buried deep in a muscle. DVT most frequently occurs in the leg veins and the deep veins of the pelvis. The risk is that a clot could dislodge and travel to the lungs, causing a pulmonary embolism.
DEGENERATIVE DISC DISEASE Deterioration in the intervertebral discs, the small fleshy pads between the vertebrae discs that function as shock absorbers. Deterioration can cause pain and loss of function.
DORSAL Referring to the back, or posterior side of the body
INTERCOSTAL Between the ribs (costae=ribs)
LUMBAR The vertebrae and section of the spinal cord below the thoracic spine, in the low back. Lumbus is the Latin word for loin. The vertebrae are designated L-1 through L-5
METHYLPREDNISOLONE A steroid administered within 8 hours of a spinal cord injury. Clinical trials have shown that treatment methylprednisolone increases recovery by about 20% when given within 8 hours after injury but does not help when started more than 8 hours after injury.
MOTOR Refers to muscle movement
PHYSIATRIST A medical doctor who is trained and specializes in physical rehabilitation
PULMONARY EMBOLISM Blockage of the pulmonary artery (or one of its branches), usually when a blood clot from a vein becomes dislodged from its site of formation, is transported to the lungs, and blocks the arterial blood supply of one of the lungs.
SACRAL SPINE The bottommost section of the spine, behind the pelvis, is sometimes called the tailbone.
SENSORY Refers to the ability to feel touch, pressure, pain, heat, etc.
TETRAPLEGIA Tetraplegia is replacing quadriplegia as the term for the condition in which a person experiences paralysis of both arms and legs. The paralysis may be partial or complete
THORACIC SPINE The vertebrae and section of the spinal cord below the cervical spine, in the region of the chest, ribs, and stomach. Thorax is the Latin word for chest. The vertebrae are designated T-1 through T-12.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Spinal Cord Injury

How frequent are spinal cord injuries in the U.S?
About 12,000 people suffer spinal cord injuries every year in the United States. Most people injured are between 16 and 30 years old, and about 4 times as many men suffer SCI as women. Estimates of the total number of people living with spinal cord injury vary from 250,000 to nearly 400,000.

What are the major causes of SCI?
The largest single cause of spinal cord injuries is motor vehicle crashes, which cause 42%, followed by falls at 27%. Acts of violence at 15%; sports at 7.4% and all others at 8.1%. The percentage of injury falls has increased steadily since 1973.

Who gets spinal cord injuries?
Spinal cord injuries happen mostly to teenagers and young adults, and mostly to men. About 80% of people living with SCI are men.

What is paraplegia?
An injury in the lower spine, usually from T-2, the second thoracic vertebra can result in paraplegia, the loss of use of the legs, imposing severe restrictions in a person’s life. If the paraplegia is permanent, a person must plan his/her entire life around the restrictions that come with the loss of use of their legs, including permanent use of wheelchairs.

What is tetraplegia (formerly called quadriplegia)?
An injury in the cervical spine C-1 through C-7, or the first thoracic vertebra, T-1, will result in tetraplegia, loss of use of both upper and lower extremities. An individual with quadriplegia may also need mechanical assistance to breathe, and 24- hour around the clock assistive care to survive.

How important is prompt treatment after a spinal cord injury?
A spinal cord injury caused by trauma is a medical emergency that requires immediate treatment. Outcome and the degree of function preserved are directly affected by how promptly treatment is started.

Corticosteroids, such as dexamethasone or methylprednisolone, are now administered after most traumatic spinal cord injuries. They can reduce swelling that could further damage the spinal cord, but they must be administered within 8 hours after the injury. If the spinal cord is compressed by a hematoma (a pooling of blood from internal bleeding) or a fragment of bone, these must be surgically removed as promptly as possible to prevent further damage to the spinal nerves. These treatments may reduce or prevent paralysis in some cases.

Does SCI mean a lifetime in a nursing home?
Definitely not. When SCI survivors leave their rehab treatment, more than 85% of them return to the living arrangement they had before their injury, usually their own home or apartment. Most SCI survivors need some degree of modification to kitchens and bathrooms and other adaptive equipment.

What are the prospects for returning to work after a spinal cord injury?
About 40% of people with paraplegia and 30% of those with tetraplegia (quadriplegia) are eventually able to work again. The likelihood of returning to work is affected by such factors as the level of the injury (how high on the spinal cord), completeness of the injury, ability to get around without assistance, the person’s work history prior to the spinal cord injury, education level, age, gender, and motivation.

What about sports?
People with SCI play basketball, sled hockey, and rugby. They fish, race in wheelchairs, and mountain bike with handcycles. Sports do for people with SCI what they do for everyone else: they offer exercise, sociability, the opportunity to compete, and push yourself to your potential. If sports were part of your life before your SCI, you’ll want to look for a way to play as soon as your doctor clears you to do it.

What is a physiatrist?
A physiatrist is a medical doctor who specializes in rehabilitation medicine and is an expert in how to help people with spinal cord injuries recover their maximum function.

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Spinal Injury Attorneys – Choosing an attorney

Many spinal injuries are the result of negligence or misconduct by individuals, common carriers, or government entities. When a person is injured as a result of misconduct or negligence by an individual, a corporation, or a government, that person may have grounds for a lawsuit. When the injury is to the spinal cord, the long-term consequences in medical expenses and changes in lifestyle are very substantial, and it may be appropriate to seek financial redress from a negligent party. If you or a loved one has experienced a spinal cord injury that you believe is the result of negligence or misconduct, you may wish to consult a plaintiff’s attorney experienced in dealing with this complex injury.

If you or a loved one has suffered a spinal cord injury, you may want to discuss your situation with a spinal cord attorney who is experienced in such cases. It is important to pursue the matter as soon as possible after an injury, while evidence is still available as is access to witnesses.

If you or a loved one believes a corporation or government entity contributed to your injury, you should contact a spinal attorney immediately for review of a potential claim. There are deadlines set by law that regulate the filing of lawsuits, called statutes of limitation, that vary state by state. If you believe that you or a loved one was harmed by a person’s, a corporation’s, or government’s negligence or misconduct, you should not delay in contacting an attorney. If the statute of limitations expires, your right to pursue a claim against the entity may be forever barred.

For over two decades our spinal injury attorneys have worked with people facing this kind of injury. Our experience in spinal cord injury cases describes our efforts in securing compensation for victims of spinal cord injury.

Our spinal attorneys understand that any person with paraplegia or quadriplegia will face substantial costs for the rest of their life. In such cases, spinal injury attorneys consult with a qualified life care planner who can anticipate all the challenges and needs that the injured person will face, not only next year or the next five years but 20, 30, or 40 years out. Our spinal cord injury attorneys make sure all present and future expenses have been addressed, in order to arrive at a realistic evaluation of the economic costs of the injury that must be factored into the case’s resolution.

Our spinal injury attorneys are committed to a thorough and accurate investigation for any client on whose behalf we undertake representation. Unlike most personal injury firms, we have a full-time investigative staff whom we can deploy to thoroughly investigate every reasonable claim. In cases involving spinal cord injury, gathering the facts and evidence as soon as possible can be critical to the success of a case. We offer prospective clients unparalleled resources to accomplish the necessary investigation.

OUR EXPERIENCE
For over two decades, our attorneys have dealt with cases involving serious injury, including spinal cord injuries, and have secured judgments for clients that have enabled them to live with security and dignity.

The spinal injury attorneys at our Law Firm have represented individuals who suffered paraplegia and quadriplegia from boating accidents, automobile accidents, and other accidents. We work extensively with clients and their families, helping them rebuild their lives and plan their futures. Our perspective is that for a person with paraplegia or quadriplegia, compensation must cover not only their immediate situation, but must also anticipate future medical complications, expenses, and quality of life issues.

A spinal cord injury massively affects not only the person’s life but the lives of the person’s entire family. Their home, including showers, kitchens, and access to rooms, may need to be redesigned to be accessible.

When we take on a spinal cord injury case, we work with professional life care planners, experts in assessing the needs of people with severe spinal injuries and planning their future needs. Our spinal injury attorneys have also represented a number of injured children, for whom adequate life care planning must be anticipated.

Our quadriplegia attorneys and paraplegia lawyers understand that representing a person who has suffered paraplegia or quadriplegia is an extremely complex undertaking. It requires a close working relationship with the person and their family members to anticipate all the issues that may arise in the course of complex litigation, as well as planning for the person’s life following the lawsuit.

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WHAT HAPPENS TO THE SPINAL CORD AFTER AN INJURY?

Whether the damage to the spinal cord is caused by a traumatic injury to the vertebral column, or by a disease, the end result is that the backbone pinches the spinal cord, causing it to become bruised or swollen. Sometimes the injury may tear the spinal cord and/or its nerve fibers. An infection or a disease can result in similar damage.

After an injury to the spinal cord, all the nerves above the level of injury keep right on working. The site of the injury is like a washout on a road that blocks traffic from going either way. The washout may be complete, or it may be partial so that some traffic can get through. The spinal cord nerves at the site of the injury and below can no longer send messages between the brain and parts of the body they connect with as they could before the injury.

A doctor examines an individual to evaluate the damage to the spinal cord. An X-ray may show where the damage to the vertebrae is located. The doctor does a pinprick test (just what it sounds like) to see what feeling the person has in various parts of the body. The doctor will ask the patient what parts of the body s/he can move, and test the strength of important muscle groups. These examinations help the doctor and treatment team know what nerves and muscles are still working.

TREATMENT OF SPINAL CORD INJURIES
An injury to the spinal cord caused by trauma is a medical emergency that requires immediate treatment. Outcome and the degree of function preserved are directly affected by how promptly treatment is started.

Corticosteroids, such as dexamethasone or methylprednisolone, are now administered after most traumatic injuries to the spinal cord. They can reduce swelling that may further damage the spinal cord, but they must be administered within 8 hours after the injury. If the spinal cord is compressed by a hematoma (a pooling of blood from internal bleeding) or a fragment of bone, these must be surgically removed as promptly as possible to prevent further damage to the spinal nerves. These treatments may reduce or prevent paralysis in some cases. Traction may be instituted to reduce spinal compression in lower back injuries. Anticoagulants are essential in preventing blood clots which can produce further complications.

After the acute injury is treated and the patient is stabilized, the patient should be evaluated by a neurologist and a physiatrist to assess the damage and develop a rehabilitation plan. The patient will be transferred to an intensive rehabilitation unit, which may be in the same hospital where the initial care was given or may be in a different facility.

In an intensive rehabilitation unit, both the person with SCI and their family are seen as important members of the rehab team. The team also includes professionals in physical medicine, nursing, occupational and physical therapy, social work, psychology, and recreation who will develop a comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach to the person’s care. The goal of rehabilitation is to help the newly injured person learn how to care for a body that now functions very differently, cultivate health practices that will reduce the secondary complications of SCI, and enable the person to rebuild his/her life into one of satisfaction and dignity.

A rehab stay may last weeks or months, depending on the injury and the specific rehab goals. Most improvement and recovery of function will occur in the first six months following the injury. That’s the statistical picture. Nonetheless, many people with spinal cord injury report continuing gains in function months and even years after the initial period.

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Spinal cord injuries: types and causes

Your spinal cord is 15 to 17 inches long. It starts at the base of the brain and runs to your waist. It consists of long nerve fibers that carry information to and from the brain. The cord runs down through the vertebrae like a string running through a stack of spools. The 33 vertebrae, the bones of the spinal column, surround the cord and protect it.

Injuries to the spinal cord are termed either partial or total, referring to the degree of damage to the cord, and its ability to transmit nerve impulses. Total injuries, in which the cord is entirely severed or otherwise so damaged that no nerve transmissions can move past the site of the injury, are relatively rare. Most injuries to the spinal cord are partial, in which the cord is damaged, but some degree of nerve transmission remains, leaving the person with some sensation or capacity for movement below the site of the injury to the cord.

Most injuries to the spinal column and cord result from trauma, some form of assault to the spine that fractures, crushes, compresses, or dislocates one or more of your vertebrae. Damage occurs immediately and is then usually compounded in the next days or weeks because of inflammation, bleeding, swelling, and fluid accumulation that accompanies the injury and creates more pressure on the spinal cord.

More than 85% of new spinal cord injuries in the United States each year result from three kinds of trauma:

Motor vehicle crashes
Car, truck, motorcycle, and off-road vehicle injuries account for 42% of spinal cord injuries, about 6000 every year.

Interpersonal violence
About 15 percent of spinal cord injuries result from violent encounters, such as gunshot and knife wounds and brute force assaults.

Falls
Approximately 27 % of spinal cord injuries are caused by a fall. Among people over 65, falls are the major cause of spinal cord injuries.

Sports and recreation injuries
Contact sports, diving in shallow water, and other athletic activities account for 8% of spinal cord injuries. Sports with a high risk of SCI include football, gymnastics, surfing, rugby, downhill skiing, diving, ice hockey, and wrestling.

Non-traumatic injuries
Some spinal cord injuries are non-traumatic, in which the damage is slower-acting and cumulative, but the end result is the same. SCI can result from arthritis, cancer, other tumors, blood vessel problems or bleeding spinal inflammation, or infections. Degenerative disease of the intervertebral discs, the pads of tissue that separate and cushion the vertebrae can also cause pressure on the spinal cord severe enough to cause injury.

WHO IS AT RISK FOR SCI?
Although an unexpected trauma like a motor vehicle collision can happen to anyone, the numbers for SCI are skewed toward men. About 80% of spinal cord injury victims are men. The age group most at risk is young adults, ages 16-30. Participation in the high-risk sports named above increases risk.

The other group at risk is people over 65, for whom falls are the most frequent cause of spinal injury. People with predisposing conditions such as arthritis and osteoporosis can develop a spinal column injury from a relatively minor injury.

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Planning for the future, funding your needs

EXPENSES
A spinal cord injury is a very expensive condition. The University of Alabama’s National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center cites these figures:

Average costs for the first year of medical care for a person with paraplegia are $209,000, and for a person with tetraplegia, $470,833.
Annual costs in subsequent years can run more than $130,000 for a person with high tetraplegia, and more than $27,000 for a person with paraplegia
The average cost for a van equipped to transport a person with tetraplegia is $45,000.
Your home will require modifications that make it easy to get into and leave your house, and to use the kitchen, the bathroom, and other areas with your wheelchair. Costs of home modifications will vary, but the average cost to make a house fully wheelchair accessible is $175,000.
If your spinal cord injury compromises your ability to dress and toilet yourself, you may well need a personal care assistant. Costs will vary depending on where you live and how many days and hours per week you need an attendant.

EARNING POWER

A spinal cord injury usually brings major changes in your earning power. While you’re in rehab, your rehab team will help you think about work: whether you can expect to work, and if you can, whether you continue to work at the job you used to do, and what kinds of modifications you’ll need in your work environment. If your former work is no longer possible, an occupational therapist and/or a vocational counselor will work with you to figure out what kind of work you’re able to do.

FINANCIAL RESOURCES
If your injuries mean that either for the short term or the long term you’ll be unable to work, you’ll want to check on any disability insurance you may have, to see what kind of income it provides. You’ll also want to look into eligibility for Social Security disability benefits and supplemental security income (SSI) and for Medicare, which provides medical coverage for people with disabilities, and any other insurance coverage you may have.

SHOULD YOU CONSIDER LEGAL ACTION?
Many serious injuries are caused by the negligence or misconduct of another person, a corporation, or a governmental agency. Negligence is conduct that falls below the standard of care established by law for the protection of others against unreasonable risks of harm. Negligence and misconduct can occur in public settings, in which public employees such as law enforcement personnel fail to take sufficient care. It can also occur in any kind of business in which the business offers service and owes a duty of care to its clients or customers. Misconduct is improper, or unlawful conduct motivated by premeditated or intentional purpose or by obstinate indifference to the consequences of one’s acts.

If your spinal cord injury occurred as the result of negligence or misconduct, an attorney experienced in dealing with spinal cord injury cases may be able to achieve a settlement that will recover your medical and rehabilitation costs, both current and future. A settlement may also cover home modifications and future specialized care needs.

If you decide to pursue legal action, you should contact an attorney as soon as possible for a review of your situation. There are deadlines called statutes of limitation, set by law that regulate the filing of lawsuits which vary state by state. If you or a loved one have suffered a spinal cord injury and feel that negligence or misconduct was involved, you should not delay in contacting an attorney. If the statute of limitations expires, your right to pursue a claim may be forever barred.

The usual arrangement for hiring a lawyer for a spinal cord injury case is a contingent fee agreement. The attorney agrees to be paid a fee only if the client’s case is ultimately successful, either by settlement out of court or by a judgment following a court proceeding. The attorney then receives a percentage of the final amount recovered. This fee arrangement is helpful for most people with a spinal cord injury because it does not require the person bringing the case to pay any money upfront. Often the attorney may also be able to front part or all of the costs of litigation until the conclusion of the case.

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Bicycle Accident Attorneys

Bicycle tire over rocky terrain
Bike riding is increasingly popular in the US both as a sport and recreation. As roadway congestion and concerns about pollution increase, more and more people are also turning to their bicycles for errands, commuting, and general transportation. Bicycling is an excellent form of exercise, a smooth, non-impact activity that places minimal stress on joints. It’s especially good for weight loss and for cardiovascular health. Bicycling allows a much closer connection between the cyclist and his or her surroundings than does riding in a car or motorcycle.

Bicycling also carries some real risks. Bikes share the road with cars and trucks, usually without sufficient barriers between bicycle lanes and motor vehicle lanes. The National Centers for Disease Control reports that each year, more than 500,000 people in the US are treated in emergency departments for bicycle-related injuries. More than 700 people die as a result of bicycle accident-related injuries. Children 15 years and younger are at particularly high risk, accounting for 59% of all bike-related injuries seen in US emergency departments.

The number of preventable deaths from bicycle transportation incidents increased 6% in 2019 and has increased 37% in the last 10 years, from 793 in 2010 to 1,089 in 2019. At the same time, the number of preventable nonfatal injuries has declined 40%, from 515,861 in 2010 to 308,864 in 2019. However, the number of preventable nonfatal injuries did increase 7% in 2019 from 2018.

The costs of fatal bicycle accidents and serious bicycling injuries are substantial. The numbers are economic costs and do not begin to approach the impact on families who have lost a loved one in a bicycling accident, or the loss in quality of life for bicyclists severely injured in crashes.

If you or a loved one has recently suffered a serious injury through a bicycle accident, you will want to learn more about your rights. After a serious bicycle injury, you should consider legal action.

A plaintiff’s citizenship or immigration status is not an issue in a bicycle accident or fatality case involving failure of bicycle parts or tires, negligent installation or maintenance, and unsafe roadway design. Our bicycle attorneys have represented Mexican citizens, Mexican nationals living in the US, and undocumented immigrants who have been harmed by unsafe bicycles, tires, and roadways. Location of the bicycle accident is also not a factor. Whether the accident occurred in the US or in Mexico, if the harm was due to unsafe or defective design, manufacture, or defective component parts on the part of a US manufacturer, or negligent installation or maintenance, our attorneys can pursue redress in US courts.

Our Law Firm is a leader in bicycle accident and injury law.

Many serious bike injuries and fatalities are the result of negligence or misconduct by individuals, common carriers, or government entities. When a person is injured as a result of misconduct or negligence by an individual, a corporation, or a government, that person may have grounds for a lawsuit. In the case of a serious injury caused by a bicycle accident, the long-term consequences in medical expenses and changes in lifestyle can be very substantial, and it may be appropriate to seek financial compensation from a negligent party.

If you or a loved one has experienced a bike injury that you believe is the result of negligence or misconduct, you may wish to consult a plaintiff’s attorney experienced in dealing with this kind of complex injury. It is important to pursue the matter as soon as possible after an injury, while evidence is still available and access to witnesses is easiest.

If you or a loved one believes a corporation or government entity contributed to your bike injuries, you should contact an attorney immediately for review of a potential claim. There are short deadlines set by law that regulate the filing of lawsuits, called statutes of limitation, which vary state by state. If you believe that you or a loved one was harmed by a corporation’s or government’s negligence or misconduct, you should not delay in contacting an attorney. If the statute of limitations expires, your right to pursue a claim against the entity may be forever barred.

Our bicycle accident attorneys have worked for over two decades with people facing injuries from bicycle accidents, and the survivors of people who have died in bicycle collisions. We secure fair compensation for victims of bike accidents.

Our bicycle accident attorneys are committed to a thorough and accurate investigation for any client on whose behalf we undertake representation. Unlike most personal injury firms, we have a full-time investigative staff that we can deploy to thoroughly investigate every reasonable claim. In cases involving serious bicycle injury or a bicycle fatality, gathering the facts and evidence as soon as possible can be critical to the success of a case. We offer our clients unparalleled resources to accomplish the necessary investigation.

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Causes of bicycle accidents and bicycling injuries

Each year more than 500,000 people in the US are treated in emergency departments for bicycling injuries, according to the National Centers for Disease Control reports. In year one year alone the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has figures 773 people died as a result of bicycle injuries, and an additional 44,000 were injured in traffic crashes. Pedal cyclist deaths accounted for 2 percent of all traffic fatalities, and pedal cyclists made up 2 percent of all the people injured in traffic crashes during the year.

Children 15 years and younger are at particularly high risk, accounting for 60% of all bicycle injuries seen in US emergency departments.

The principal cause of bicycle fatalities and severe bicycle injuries is collisions with motor vehicles, most frequently occurring because of vehicle drivers’ errors or inattention. Other causes of bicycle crashes include unsafe conditions on the roadway, such as loose gravel or other debris in the road, severe unevenness in the roadbed, and pits and potholes. Rain-slicked surfaces also frequently contribute to crashes. Speed increases risk; the higher a bicycle’s speed at the time of a collision, the harder the driver’s impact when they hit the pavement or anything else. Doing stunts on your bicycles also increases the odds of accidents and injury.

Pedal cyclist fatalities occurred more frequently in urban areas (73%), and at non-intersection locations (68%). The most dangerous time of day to be riding was between the hours of 5 and 9 p.m. when 27% of fatalities occurred. Summer, the months of June, July, and August accounted for 33% of all bicycle fatalities.

Wearing a helmet dramatically increases a bicyclist’s odds of surviving a collision, and reducing the risk of a traumatic brain injury. Nearly 70 percent of fatal bicycle crashes involve head injuries, according to the US Department of Transportation, yet only 25 percent of cyclists wear helmets. The DOT estimates that if all children age 4 to 15 wore helmets when they rode bicycles, 45,000 head injuries and 55,000 scalp and face injuries could be prevented every year.

In 1986 California became the first state to pass a bicycle helmet law, and a subsequent amendment now covers all riders under 18 Twenty-one states and the District of Columbia have helmet laws, most of which cover riders under 16. Thirteen states have no helmet laws at all. The state of Texas does not require any bicyclist to wear a helmet at the state level. However, within city limits, children under age 18 must wear a helmet while riding on public property including trails and in parks.

In contrast to cars and trucks, bicycles provide virtually no protection in a crash. An automobile or a truck provides structural protection in the form of a steel cage surrounding the occupants, and passenger restraint systems like seatbelts and airbags. Lacking protection from their vehicle, cyclists need helmets and other protective gear.

Even when cyclists wear helmets and protective clothing they may suffer injuries that result from faulty highway design or from defects in their safety equipment. Some bicycle injuries and fatalities are caused by malfunction of the bicycle, poor vehicle design, or a bad fit between cyclist and bike.

For everyone who rides a bicycle, safety should be an extremely important concern. Avoiding collisions with cars is the most effective means to reduce injuries and fatalities. Drivers involved in car-bicycle collisions often report that they did not see the cyclist. A bright headlight, a blinking red tail-light, reflective clothing, and a loud horn all increase a cyclist’s visibility.

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Bicycle safety and preventing bicycling accidents

Preventive tactics and safe practices
The most important safety measure bicyclists can take is to avoid collisions with cars and trucks. Bicycle safety consultants recommend these tactics to avoid collisions:

Make yourself and your bicycle highly visible. Your bicycle should always have a headlight, preferably an LED model, and a blinking red tail light. Wear a reflective vest and bright-colored clothing to increase your visibility.
Your helmet should be white or light-colored.
Have a loud horn, and don’t hesitate to use it.
Get a handlebar or a helmet mirror and check it frequently.
Ride with the flow of traffic, on the right-hand side.
Observe all traffic rules. Stop at stop signs and red lights. Remember that bicyclists must follow the same rules of the road as other vehicle operators, including obeying traffic signs, signals, and lane markings.
Avoid busy streets. The route you take when you drive may not be the safest route to take on your bike. Look for alternative routes with less traffic.
At intersections, stop ahead of or behind the vehicle nearest you, to be sure the driver can see you. If you stop right beside the vehicle, you may be in the driver’s blind spot.
Ride far enough away from the curb that you won’t get hit if a person in a parked car opens a left-side door into the roadway.
Assume that cars can turn right at any time. Do not assume that they will signal. Often they don’t.
Never move to the left without checking behind you. A car could be coming up on you.
Never pass a car on the right. The car could turn right unexpectedly, right into you.
Don’t ride in dangerous conditions
The night is the most dangerous time for bicyclists. Even with lights and reflective clothing, drivers often won’t see you. Don’t ride at night if you can avoid it.

Rain and high wind will make it harder to control your bicycle. The most dangerous time to ride is when the rain has just started. The rain lands in all the little pockets and uneven spots on the road surface, and the grease and oil floats on top, making the roadway especially slick. If it starts to rain while you’re riding, stop for coffee or duck under an overhang and wait it out.

A strong wind, 20 mph or more can push a bicycle around. Gusts are especially dangerous because they’re not predictable. Wait out a wind if you can. If you must ride, keep the bicycle to the side of the lane that the wind is coming from so that if a heavy gust shoves you, you have some room to maneuver.

The importance of helmets
The most important piece of safety gear for cyclists is a properly fitted helmet. Helmets are designed to cushion and protect riders’ heads from the impact of a crash. Like safety belts in cars, helmets cannot provide total protection against head injury or death, but they do reduce the incidence of both.

Nearly 70 percent of fatal bicycle crashes involve head injuries, according to the US Department of Transportation, yet only 25 percent of cyclists wear helmets. Wearing a helmet dramatically increases a bicyclist’s odds of surviving a crash, and a helmet reduces the risk of a traumatic brain injury. The DOT estimates that if all children age 4 to 15 wore helmets when they rode bicycles, 45,000 head injuries and 55,000 scalp and face injuries could be prevented every year.

Helmets decrease the severity of head injuries, the number of days spent in the hospital, and the overall cost of medical care after a bicycle crash. Helmets have the additional benefit of protecting the cyclist from dust, rocks, and other debris thrown up by other vehicles.

The first bicycle helmet law was passed in California in 1986 and became effective in 1987. This law was amended in 1994 to cover everyone under 18.

The Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute offers these recommendations for buying and fitting a helmet:

Make sure your helmet fits to get all the protection you are paying for. A good fit means it is level on your head, touching all around, comfortably snug but not tight.
The helmet should not move more than about an inch in any direction, and must not pull off no matter how hard you try.
The strap holds your helmet on your head and is as important as the helmet. Make sure the strap and the latch are strong.
Your helmet should be highly visible. Choose white or a light color. With a dark-colored helmet, you increase the risk that a driver will not see you, especially at night.
Always replace a helmet after a crash. The compressible foam inside the helmet absorbs the energy of the crash. Once it has done this, the foam does not recover. A helmet that has been through one crash will not protect you from a second one.
For the most up-to-date evaluations of helmets check the most recent Consumer Reports helmet review.
No matter how effective and safe your helmet is, it only protects you if you wear it.

Other important safety equipment
Protective clothing can prevent injuries and reduce the seriousness of injuries to arms and legs, hands, and feet. Protective clothing includes:

Eye protection: Riders should protect their eyes against insects, dirt, rocks, and other debris, and tearing and blurred vision from the wind. Good quality goggles or glasses with plastic or safety lenses can provide a measure of protection. Goggles and glasses should be unscratched, shatterproof, and ventilated to prevent fog buildup.
Jackets and pants: Clothing should be tough enough to provide some protection from abrasion if you’re tossed from your bike. Avoid pants with wide bottoms or excessive fullness; don’t risk your clothes getting tangled in the chain.
Gloves: Wear gloves that give you a solid grip on the handlebars, brakes, and shift levers. Leather gloves or fabric gloves with leather palms and grip strips on the fingers work the best.
Use your gear to increase your visibility
Jerseys, jackets, and other upper body clothing should be brightly colored to increase your visibility, especially at night. It’s a good idea to wear reflective orange or yellow vests you’re your clothes. Reflective strips on clothing, helmet, and bicycle also help to make the rider more visible to other drivers, especially at night.

Choosing a safe bike
Choose a bicycle that’s a comfortable fit and does the job that you need it to do. When you’re astride the bicycle you should be able to touch the ground with both feet. Seat height, seat angle, handlebar style, and handlebar height all contribute to ease of handling. Have an experienced bicycle salesperson adjust all these so you’re comfortable on your bike, and can handle it easily. Check the brakes and the shift levers, and make sure you can reach and operate them easily and comfortably.

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After a serious bicycle injury: should you consider legal action?

Planning for your future
Bicycle crashes can leave a person with devastating, life-changing injuries. Even with the use of helmets, traumatic brain injuries are a frequent outcome in bicycle crashes. Without the use of a helmet, the risk of brain injury rises significantly. A bicyclist thrown from his or her bike is a risk for a spinal cord injury resulting in tetraplegia and paraplegia.

Traumatic brain injury may result from a fracture or a penetration of the skull. Damage to the brain may occur at the instant the head impacts a hard surface, and it may also occur later, as swelling or bleeding within the brain puts pressure on brain structures.

Following a traumatic brain injury in a bicycle crash, significant improvement will continue for 16-22 months following the accident. At one and a half to two years post-trauma, a person has largely stabilized; whatever recovery the person has achieved at that time is very likely all that will be achieved. For the rest of one’s life, a person who has suffered a TBI and those responsible for their care will have to work with the limitations of that recovery. It is critical that the victim’s injuries and deficits be carefully evaluated, so that a plan for rehabilitation and care can be developed, including a realistic appraisal of lifetime expenses.

Being thrown from a bicycle at high speed can also result in a spinal cord injury. An injury in the lower spine can result in paraplegia, the loss of use of the legs, imposing severe restrictions in a person’s life. If the paraplegia is permanent, a person must plan their entire life around the restrictions that come with the loss of use of their legs, including permanent use of wheelchairs. Seasoned bicycle injury attorneys understand the realities of wheelchair use, and the need to redesign and rebuild a home so that a person can use their kitchen, their bathroom and can navigate other spaces.

Injuries higher up the spinal cord can result in tetraplegia, a loss of use of both arms and legs. An individual with tetraplegia may need mechanical assistance to breathe, and 24-hour around-the-clock assistive care to survive. An experienced bicycle injury attorney knows what this diagnosis can mean to a person and their family and can help them think through their needs.

If you or a loved one has been seriously injured, or if a loved one has died in a bicycle accident, you may be facing serious changes in your health, your lifestyle, your earning power, and your expectations for you and your children’s future.

In the case of a serious injury, your first concern must be getting the best medical and rehabilitative care, and the best possible resolution of your injuries. During this process, as you or your loved one face the changes ahead, you will likely begin to think about how you will deal with the financial consequences.

Should you consider legal action?
Pedalcyclists who are injured as a result of another’s negligence have the right to compensation for damage to their health, their earning power, and the loss of well-being. Compensation can include reimbursement for medical and hospital bills, rehabilitation costs, lost wages and earning power, pain, and other physical distress, and psychological suffering as a consequence of injuries and losses. In the case of serious injuries such as traumatic brain injury (TBI), or spinal cord injury (SCI), the changes in lifestyle, the need for extensive modifications in the home, and diminished earning power are so extensive that a life planning consultant should be engaged to help calculate long-term medical and financial needs.

Many serious injuries to cyclists are caused by driver inattention or other negligence, or the misconduct of another person, corporation, or government entity. Issues of product design, product safety, and highway design defects may have contributed to the bicycle crash. Negligence is conduct that falls below the standard of care established by law for the protection of others against unreasonable risks of harm.

Negligence and misconduct can occur in public settings, in which public employees such as law enforcement personnel fail to take sufficient care. Misconduct is improper, or unlawful conduct motivated by premeditated or intentional purpose or by obstinate indifference to the consequences of one’s acts.

If your bicycle injury occurred as the result of negligence or misconduct, an attorney experienced in dealing with bicycle injury cases may be able to achieve a settlement that will recover your medical and rehabilitation costs, both current and future. A settlement may also cover home modifications and future specialized care needs.

If you decide to pursue legal action, you should contact a bicycle injury attorney as soon as possible for a review of your situation. There are deadlines called statutes of limitation, set by law that regulate the filing of lawsuits which vary state by state. If you or a loved one have suffered a spinal cord injury and feel that negligence or misconduct was involved, you should not delay in contacting an attorney. If the statute of limitations expires, your right to pursue a claim may be forever barred.

The usual arrangement for a bicycle injury case is a contingent fee agreement. In such an arrangement, our bicycle injury attorney agrees to be paid only if the client’s case is ultimately successful, either by settlement out of court or by a judgment following a court proceeding. The bicycle injury attorney then receives a percentage of the final amount recovered. This fee arrangement is helpful for most people who have suffered a serious bicycle injury because it does not require the person bringing the case to pay any money upfront.

If you or a loved one has been involved in a bicycle accident, you should immediately contact a plaintiff’s law firm that handles bicycle accidents. When you contact our Law Firm, one of our experienced bicycle injury attorneys will discuss your case with you to help you determine the best way to proceed. We would be pleased to be among those that you interview and would be honored to be the firm you select.

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Frequently Asked Questions about bicycle safety and bicycle injuries

How frequent are bicycle injuries and fatalities in the U.S?
The National Centers for Disease Control reports that each year, more than 500,000 people in the US are treated in emergency departments for bicycle-related injuries. More than 700 people die as a result of bicycle-related injuries.

What causes bicycle crashes?
Vehicle drivers’ errors or inattention are the most frequent cause of bicycle crashes. Loose gravel on the road or rain-slicked surfaces frequently contributes to crashes. Speed increases risk; cyclists are more likely to sustain serious injury when they are riding fast. Doing stunts on your bicycles also increases the odds of accidents and injury.

How can bicyclists protect themselves?
The simplest and most effective protection is to wear a helmet. Helmets reduce the number of deaths and traumatic brain injuries, and they reduce overall medical costs.

How important are preventive tactics?
Wearing a helmet will not prevent you from being hit by a vehicle. The essential practice of safe bicycling is to be as predictable and as conspicuous as possible so that motorists always know you are there and can predict what you are going to do.

Should bicyclists ride with the traffic, or against the traffic?
The Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center of the University of North Carolina Highway Safety Research Center advises that bicyclists should ride with traffic. By riding against traffic — especially on the sidewalk — you make yourself almost invisible to motorists turning at intersections and driveways who may not be expecting or looking for road users coming from your direction. Indeed, as many as one in four bicycle/motor vehicle collisions involve a rider who is either riding against traffic and/or riding on the sidewalk.

How can I be sure that my bike is safe?
The American Academy of Family Physicians recommends that you check your bicycle frequently to make sure that all parts are working right. Before you ride, check the brakes to see that they’re working. Look for loose or broken parts on your bike, and remove them. Use your lights and be sure you have reflectors; especially in the dark, they make you much more visible to drivers.

Can I carry a child on my bicycle?
A child riding with you always needs to wear a helmet, and you should use a special seat that fits behind the main seat. The bike should have spoke guards to prevent the child’s feet from getting caught in the spokes.

What is the most dangerous time for bicyclists?
The night is the most dangerous time because visibility is reduced. Thirty-six percent of bicycle fatal injuries occur between 6 pm and midnight.

How can I protect myself when I’m biking at night?
Every bicyclist should have a headlamp, preferably the newer LED models, which have a brighter light and draw less power from batteries. Every bicyclist should also have a blinking red rear light. In addition, cyclists traveling at dusk or in the dark should wear a reflective vest with the SMV (slow-moving vehicle) triangle on it. Bicyclists’ clothing should be bright-colored, with reflective strips, to increase visibility to drivers.

If a dangerous roadway condition or a hazardous intersection contributed to my bicycle accident, can your Law Firm take on my case?
We have extensive experience of over 20 years in highway design cases. If our bicycle injury attorneys take on your case, they will thoroughly evaluate a possible highway design claim.

As a bicycle rider in Texas, what are the regulations I should follow?
All bicyclists must operate under Texas Motor Vehicle Laws while on public roadways, including stopping at stop signs, yielding to pedestrians in crosswalks, displaying proper illumination, and riding with the traffic flow on designated “One-way” streets in designated bicycle lanes.

After a bicycle crash, what resources will I have to pay my medical expenses?
Many people will have insurance that will help pay medical bills, either through their health insurance or through the healthcare or the uninsured motorist provision in their automobile insurance policy. These are called first-party benefits, and they are the usual first resource for payment for medical expenses related to a bicycle injury. Our bicycle accident lawyers ask our clients to bring in copies of all their policies so that we can determine their rights of recovery under all policies that may apply.

If my insurance company pays some of my medical bills after a bicycle accident when I recover will they be entitled to reimbursement?
Most insurance policies have a contractual provision stipulating that the insurance company has a right to seek recovery for reimbursement. At the conclusion of your case, our bicycle accident lawyers will negotiate the best possible terms with your insurance company for reimbursement from the proceeds of your case.

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Dangerous Property

Accidents Caused by Dangerous Property Conditions
If you have suffered a slip and fall accident or were otherwise injured on unsafe property, contact a knowledgeable attorney at our Law Firm for a free consultation. We’re committed to helping our clients recover the greatest amount of compensation possible for their injury claims. At the same time, we work closely with our clients to help resolve any medical or practical problems that might interfere with a complete recovery.

Call toll-free for advice about premises liability litigation.

Premises liability is the legal term that covers the responsibility of a property owner to protect others from unreasonable risk of injury. Premises liability law can be highly technical, and the outcome of a property accident claim will often depend on some complicated questions of fact: should the owner have been aware of a dangerous condition? Were the posted warnings sufficient to let people know of the actual risks? Should negligence on the part of the victim excuse the owner’s negligence? What if the victim was a small child?

Our familiarity with the demands of premises liability litigation under Texas law can help you identify the strengths, weaknesses, and probable value of your personal injury claim. We can advise and represent you on such property accident claims as:

Slip and fall injuries suffered on wet or oily floors or in unlit hallways or stairwells
Injuries caused by structurally defective or badly maintained building components
Accidents resulting from inadequate warnings or barriers in maintenance or construction areas
Negligent security in parking lots, bars, restaurants, or public entertainment venues
Dog bites or other accidents caused by failure to restrain a pet or other animal
Swimming pool accidents
Accidents involving tourists at resort properties
We advise people whose injuries range from broken bones or extensive soft tissue trauma to the permanent or disabling injuries that can result from falls or blows from falling objects — brain injury, spinal cord damage, or loss of organ function.

To learn more about the scope of our premises liability practice, contact a personal injury lawyer at our Law Firm for a free consultation.

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Out-of-State Accidents

Dependable Client Service for Drivers from Out of State
Drivers who get hurt while far from home face significant obstacles to the successful resolution of their claims for compensation. It’s hard to protect your interests from a distance. At our Law Firm, the attorneys know how to meet the needs of car crash victims from out of state.

For a free consultation about how we can help you while you’re focusing on your physical recovery somewhere else, contact our Law Firm.
Call toll-free for advice about accident claims.

Perhaps the biggest disadvantage that out-of-state accident victims face concerns the practical ability to preserve the evidence you’ll need to present an effective claim. Neither you nor your home-state lawyer will have the same opportunities as local counsel to interview witnesses, inspect vehicles, photograph the accident scene, or work with local police and investigators. Our ability to move quickly to develop the strengths of your case can help protect the value of your claims.

Our law firm’s experience with the proof of serious injury claims can also benefit an out-of-state driver who suffered an accident. We can monitor the accuracy and completeness of your local emergency treatment records and supplement them after you return home for further treatment. We’ll be able to make sure that all of your injuries and other losses are correctly identified and included in your demand for damages — not just the most obvious ones.

Because we’re thoroughly familiar with Texas insurance law and car accident claim procedures, we can protect you from the mistakes that might prevent you from realizing the full value of the insurance available to meet your claims under both the other driver’s policy and your own.

For additional information about the scope of our personal injury practice on behalf of out-of-state drivers injured in Texas highway accidents, contact a lawyer at our Law Firm.

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Wrongful Death

Serving the Needs of Surviving Families After Fatal Accidents
While even a simple injury accident can result in a wide range of problems for the victim and the whole family, it’s hard for people who haven’t suffered a sudden death through negligence to understand what a grieving family faces. At our Law Firm, our attorneys can protect your legal interests, investigate and present your damages claims, and help you through the challenges that the loss of a loved one will mean for everyone in your family.

If your family needs to pursue its rights to compensation while working through an extremely difficult transition, the advice and support of experienced lawyers can ease your burden. For a free consultation about your legal options, contact our Law Firm. Call toll-free for advice about wrongful death litigation.

Whether your wrongful death claim arises from a fatal car accident or from dangerous property conditions, our attorneys can help you with the legal, practical, financial, and personal consequences of your loss. We adapt our services to your needs as they come up and change over time.

An especially important advantage of our approach to client service is our ability to serve as a resource and sounding board while working to minimize the burdens of a wrongful death lawsuit.

Our understanding of the legal dimensions of wrongful death litigation can help ensure that the full range of your damages claims will be presented for compensation. For example, your family will have two sets of claims: your own losses directly resulting from the death of a parent, spouse, or child; and certain losses suffered by the victim, such as pain and suffering, that you essentially inherit as the next of kin.

The counsel of a dependable and compassionate attorney can help you protect your rights and make sound decisions about your alternatives. For additional information about what to expect in wrongful death litigation, contact our Law Firm.

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Drunk Driving Victims

Practical Advice About Drunk Driving Accident Claims
Collecting the damages caused by a drunk driver can be more complicated than it seems like it should be, especially when a DUI arrest or conviction strengthens your negligence claims against the other driver. It can get even more complicated if the drunk driver left the scene of the accident or carried little or no liability coverage.

For dependable advice and practical solutions in drunk driving accidents, contact a knowledgeable personal injury attorney at our Law Firm. We advise people about the best ways to resolve alcohol-related accident claims.
Call toll-free for a free consultation about your legal options.

Although every situation is different, drunk driving accidents, in general, have a number of distinctive features:

* Serious or fatal injuries due to the drunk driver’s reduced ability to avoid impact
* Possible award of punitive damages to supplement your actual damages — but insurance won’t cover punitive damages
* Reduced likelihood that the drunk driver has enough insurance to meet the full range of your car accident losses
* Higher frequency of claims against unlicensed or uninsured drivers
* Greater possibility that you’ll need to look to your own insurer under your uninsured or underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage

Proving liability against the intoxicated driver isn’t usually the main problem in a drunk driving accident. Instead, the real challenge often involves collecting the damages that you have coming, either against the drunk driver, his or her insurer, or your own insurance company.

Recent changes in insurance law make it possible to collect damages up to the limits of the other driver’s coverage, then proceed under your own underinsured motorist benefits for the losses that aren’t covered, up to your UM/UIM coverage limits. To take advantage of these so-called stacking benefits, however, they need to be included in your policy, or you need to take certain steps to protect your rights.

At our Law Firm, our lawyers work hard on behalf of accident victims to recover as much compensation as possible from all available sources. For a free consultation about the ways you can benefit from our experience with drunk driving accidents, contact our office.

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Burn Attorneys – Burn injury on the foot

This site is especially for people who have suffered serious burn injuries and for their loved ones.

Serious burns are one of the most painful and difficult medical conditions to treat. They require a prompt response, and even after the immediate emergency is addressed, the continued risk of infection and damage to tissue and organs means that hospital care and treatment may continue for months. Even with the best medical care, burn injuries can leave a person disabled and disfigured. Everyone who suffers severe burn injuries faces major and disruptive changes in their lives.

Here you can learn more about how burns heal, and the latest research in burn treatment and rehabilitation. You can also learn about the causes of burns, and the ongoing efforts in burn safety and prevention to reduce the frequency of burn injuries and fatalities.

A burn is tissue damage caused by heat, electricity, chemicals, nuclear radiation, or sunlight. Most common are burns caused by scalds, building fires, and flammable liquids and gases. No matter what the cause of the burn, the effects on the tissue are the same. Burns are described as first, second, or third-degree, depending on the depth to which the burn has penetrated, and the kind of tissue damage sustained. Very severe burns involving damage to organs and bone are classified as fourth, fifth, and sixth-degree burns.

First, second, and third-degree burns
First-degree burns affect only the epidermis or outer layer of the skin. A first-degree burn usually heals without scarring. Second-degree burns damage both the epidermis and the dermis, the under layer of skin. The risk of infection increases with a second-degree burn because the skin is the body’s protective layer. When skin is damaged or destroyed, the body is more vulnerable to infection.

Third-degree burns involve damage or complete destruction of all layers of skin and damage to underlying tissues and organs. People who have suffered third-degree burns frequently need skin grafting, the replacement of destroyed skin with new skin taken from another part of the body.

The swelling and blistering that occur with burns are caused by the loss of fluid from damaged blood vessels. When the burned area is extensive, fluid loss can be great enough to cause shock. When this happens the burn victim requires immediate transfusion of blood or of a physiological salt solution to restore adequate fluid levels to maintain blood pressure. After serious burn injuries, healing aims at preventing infection and minimizing scarring as damaged tissues heal.

Medical researchers have made significant progress in their ability to treat serious burn injuries. Twenty-five years ago, a person with third-degree burns covering half the body was not expected to live. Today many patients survive burns that covered 90 percent of the body, albeit with permanent disabilities. The increased survival rate is the result of advances in resuscitation, better wound cleaning and follow-up care, nutritional support, and infection control. Grafting with the patient’s own skin or artificial materials also speeds the healing process.

If you or a loved one has recently suffered serious burn injuries, or if you have lost a loved one due to burn injuries, you will want to learn more about your rights. After a serious burn jury: should you consider legal action? Contact our Law Firm for useful information that can help you think through the new financial realities you face, and your options for funding them.

Many serious burn injuries are the result of defective products or negligence. A manufacturer who builds and sells a defective product, or a landlord or other property owner who is negligent in the maintenance of a property and where that negligence results in a fire can be held financially responsible for injuries. Here are the products that most often lead to fires:

Portable electric heaters
Kerosene heaters
Wood and coal-burning stoves and fireplaces
Cooking equipment
Upholstered furniture, and bedding, and mattresses
Articles of clothing

If you believe that your burn injuries or your loved one’s burn injuries resulted from a defective product or a property owner’s negligence, you should contact a burn injury attorney immediately for review of a potential claim. There are deadlines set by laws that regulate the filing of lawsuits, called statutes of limitation, which vary state by state. If the statute of limitations expires, your right to pursue a claim against the entity may be forever barred.

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Causes of burn injuries and fatalities

The most frequent causes of severe burn injuries are scalds, flammable liquids and gases, and building fires. Most of these are preventable by careful attention to heat sources and proper maintenance of machinery and heating devices.

Burn injuries at work
About a quarter of all serious burn injuries requiring hospital admission occur at work, and workplace burn injuries account for 5% of workplace deaths. OSHA, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, estimates that 200 American workers die each year, and more than 5000 more are injured in workplace explosions fires. Workplace-related burns can result not only from fires but from contact with hot objects and machinery. Electrical, radiation, and chemical burns are dangers in many workplaces, including construction sites and road-building, steel and specialty metals mills, scrap metal shops, roofing operations, laboratories, refineries, chemical plants, kitchens, and other workplaces. Burns most often affect respiratory functions (lungs, throat), eyes, and skin.

Chemical burns are sometimes more severe than open flame burns
Thermal workplace burns are usually scalding from hot liquids such as boiling water or hot grease. Open flames, hot objects, and explosions are frequent causes. The burns are usually skin burns.

Chemical burns usually result in a more severe type of burn. Strong alkaloids, acids, or other caustic and corrosive materials can eat away skin and underlying tissue; this is a chemical burn. These very severe burns can be caused by rust removers, highly basic drain cleaners, and other industrial cleaners used in laboratories, factories, and other industrial sites.

Molten metal at an -industrial plant
Electric current traveling through the body meets resistance in the body’s tissues, resulting in heat burn injuries. Workplace safety laws require high voltage areas and dangerous machinery to be clearly marked.

Many workplace burn injuries are preventable. OSHA sets the following general fire prevention standards for workplaces:

To prevent deaths and injuries by fire in the workplace, all fire exits must be provided and clearly marked, and employees must be trained in their location.
If employees are expected to fight small fires, appropriate fire extinguishers must be readily accessible and employees who will use fire extinguishers must be trained about the hazards of fighting fire, how to operate the fire extinguishers, and how to alert other employees to the fire emergency.
If employees are to evacuate, the employer must have an emergency plan printed and train employees in evacuation procedures.
The basic OSHA requirements for fire exits are:

A workplace must have a minimum of two 2 escape routes for fire emergencies; these should not be close to each other.
When employees are in the building, fire doors must not be locked or access to them blocked from the inside. Routes to the fire exits must be free of obstructions and properly marked with exit signs.
Fire extinguishers
If an employer wants employees to fight small fires, the proper types of fire extinguishers must be available. Extinguishers must be approved for the types of fire hazards in the plant, and maintained and inspected regularly. Employees who will use fire extinguishers must be trained about the hazards of fighting fire, how to operate the fire extinguishers, and how to alert other employees to the fire emergency. If employees are to evacuate instead of fighting small fires, an employer must have a written emergency plan.

A sound emergency action plan:

Designate evacuation routes and procedures to account for all evacuated employees after evacuation;
Assigns responsibilities for procedures to shut down critical operations at the time of evacuation and perform rescue and medical duties;
Establishes methods to alert employees to the fire emergency; this may be voice communication, bells, whistles, or horns; and
Identify persons who can provide more information.
Trains all employees to know the evacuation signal and what to do in an emergency.
A sound fire prevention plan will minimize the number of times an evacuation is needed. Provisions of a fire prevention plan include:

Housekeeping procedures for storage and clean-up of flammable materials and flammable waste;
Procedures for controlling likely sites of ignition such as smoking, welding, and burning;
Procedures for maintenance and cleaning of heat-producing equipment, such as burners, ovens, stoves, and fryers; and
Training of employees in the potential fire hazards and the control procedures in the fire prevention plan.
Automatic fire suppression systems such as automatic sprinkler systems which improve workplace fire safety.
Fire safety equipment
An automatic system will detect fire, sound an alarm, and deliver water or other appropriate fire suppression materials to the fire. Automatic systems must be properly maintained. If a system is taken out of service during work hours a fire watch must be substituted. An automatic system that uses hazardous chemicals will have special safety requirements. When an automatic system is used, it must be incorporated into the fire prevention and emergency action plans.

If you or a loved one has been burned in a workplace fire, and you believe the workplace was not compliant with OSHA standards, you may be able to seek compensation for your injuries. You should contact an experienced burn injury attorney as soon as possible to learn about your rights.

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Burn safety: preventing burn injuries and fatalities from burns
Burn prevention tips

GENERAL MEASURES
Smoke detector
Install smoke detectors in each bedroom corridor, at the top of each stairway, and along your normal exit route. Replace the batteries at the same time twice yearly.
Set your water heater no higher than 120- 25º F. At 130º F. a severe scald burn can occur in just 30 seconds.
Do not overload power sockets, or use damaged power cords.

IN THE KITCHEN
Hot burner
Keep pot handles turned in and the appliance cords away from the edge of the counter.
Keep hot liquids and other hot items away from the edge of the table or counter.
Establish a safe area where a young child can be placed away from risk. Establish a “No Go Zone” in front of the stove, and teach your child to stay away from that area.
Be careful using microwave ovens. Steam escaping from the container can cause scald burns. Foods can be warm in one spot and scalding in another.
Never leave hot oil unattended. Oil can ignite if allowed to overheat.

IN THE BATHROOM
Scalding hot water
When filling a tub, run cold water into the tub first, and then add hot water. Keep your child away from the faucets.
Never leave young children alone in the bathroom for any reason.

OUTSIDE
Gasoline can
Do not use gasoline for any purpose other than to fuel an engine. Use the safest product available for the intended job.
Always fuel power mowers outside where there is adequate ventilation.

Indoor heater safety
Space heaters are a convenient and effective source of heat, but their potential for burns is high. They can burn by direct contact, but also by igniting clothing or anything else that’s flammable. Using the wrong fuel in a space heater can cause an explosion, and using a space heater for cooking, or heating water is an invitation to burns. For all kinds of indoor heating devices, be sure to keep a fire extinguisher handy.

Here are some basic safety practices for space heaters and wood and coal-burning stoves.

Keep heaters free of dust and lint
Do not use or store any flammable liquids near the unit
Provide protection against direct contact with a cage or fire screen
Provide proper ventilation
Have an annual maintenance check
Keep electric heaters away from bathtubs or wet areas

PORTABLE KEROSENE HEATERS
Space heater
Use a protective cage around the heater, especially if small children will be near it. Don’t touch the heater when it’s in use.
Never move heater while it’s in use
Never use the heater to heat water or food
Use only the fuel recommended for your kerosene. Other fuels such as paint thinner, gasoline, or fuel oil can overheat and explode
At the end of the heating season dispose of any remaining kerosene, and buy a fresh supply at the start of the next heating season.
K-1 clear kerosene is the only grade you should use. Other grades create more smoke and vapors which can be toxic to animals and humans.
Always be sure that you have adequate ventilation. Leave a door ajar or a window slightly open. Be especially careful if your house is well insulated. Heaters produce carbon monoxide and other dangerous gases which may be hazardous, especially to high-risk groups such as pregnant women, young children, the elderly, and individuals with cardiovascular diseases or asthma.
When refueling your heater, turn it off and allow it to cool to room temperature. Fuel splashing on a hot surface can ignite.
Refill the heater tank outside. Fuel spilled indoors stains furnishings and is flammable.
Don’t overfill. Stop filling when the gage reads “full” so that kerosene doesn’t overflow.
Never leave a heater unattended. If you’re leaving or going to sleep, turn it off.
Don’t use a heater when you’re going to sleep, or when a child or a sitter is in charge.
Follow safe storage practices for kerosene. Keep in a safety-approved container clearly marked “kerosene.”
Keep fuel away from children.

COAL AND WOOD STOVE SAFETY
Woodburning stove
Use a qualified installer, and be sure the installer provides recommended clearances for stove and ductwork
Place on a ceramic hearth or another non-flammable base.
Have your stove, ductwork, and chimney cleaned every year.
Provide adequate ventilation. Leave a window or door slightly open. Be especially careful if your house is well insulated. Heaters produce carbon monoxide and other dangerous gases which may be hazardous, especially to high-risk groups such as pregnant women, young children, the elderly, and individuals with cardiovascular diseases or asthma.
Use the correct fuel: only coal in coal-burning stoves, and only seasoned wood in wood-burning stoves.
Don’t overload the stove with fuel
Store fuel at a safe distance from the stove
Do not use lighter fluid or other flammable liquids to help start the fire
Place ashes in a suitable metal container and take outdoors immediately
Always use a fire screen or keep doors closed
Keep children away from the stove.

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Treatment and rehabilitation of burn injuries

Classifying burns

Psychological aspects of burn care

Severe forearm burn and treatment
More than 60% of the 40,000 hospitalizations each year for serious burn injuries now occur at the 125 hospitals with specialized burn centers. This percentage of specialized hospitalizations has increased steadily in the last 30 years as emergency care and transportation have improved.

Until the last decade, the goal in the treatment of severe burns was simply enabling the patient to survive. As the range of therapies has increased, and survival rates have improved, burn specialists have widened their goals. In a recent article, a burn specialist wrote that the goal of burn treatment is to reintegrate the burn patient into the community. This expanded goal means that the burn care treatment team faces a far broader set of tasks than simply wound closure.

This effort involves three major areas: rehabilitation, reconstruction, and reintegration. Even at the beginning of acute care, a focus on long-term rehabilitation must be part of the treatment plan.

Stabilizing the patient
Fingers burned and bandaged
The first tasks after a serious burn injury involve stabilizing the patient: providing fluids, usually intravenously, to reduce shock and prevent dangerous drops in blood pressure, and monitoring the patient’s breathing, assisting if necessary. The skin is the body’s principal barrier against infection, and after a serious burn injury, the victim is at significant risk for infection. Immediate treatment aims at preventing infection with IV antibiotics and antibiotics in cream or ointment form applied directly to the burned areas.

Even while a patient is still critically ill and in the ICU, rehabilitation goals are part of the treatment. The aim is to limit the loss of range of motion, ROM, to reduce edema, the presence of excess fluid in tissues that contributes to joint stiffening, and to use positioning and splinting to prevent contractures. This process generally involves twice-a-day therapy sessions timed when anesthetics are strongest so that aggressive joint ROM therapy can occur.

During this time survival may be uncertain. The burn injury survivor will experience anxiety, fear, pain, delirium, sleep deprivation, and confusion, which must be managed by the ICU team and psychiatric consultants.

As the patient stabilizes, the burn treatment team begins a careful assessment of the extent of the burn damage and plans the course of treatment.

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