Dallas Personal Injury Lawyer - Miscellaneous - Most Popular

Scheduled Execution of Bobby Wayne Woods Stopped

Jeff Rasansky — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 16:48:18 GMT

The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals has stopped the scheduled execution of Bobby Wayne Woods due to claims that the 42 year old man is mentally retarded. Woods was scheduled to be executed in Huntsville today for the 1997 death of his ex-girlfriend's 11 year old daughter.

Woods claimed that he wasn't responsible for the young girl's death and blamed it on his cousin who ended up killing suicide. Woods was to be the second prisoner in the State of Texas this week to have been executed. Two more men are scheduled to be executed next week.

The appeal that Woods' lawyers filed cited IQ tests and records that showed Woods received failing grades in most of his special education classes when he was going to school. Woods has been proven to have severe deficiencies in reading and writing skills, understanding the concept of punishment and understanding that actions have consequences.

However, Woods made a statement to police at one time, saying that he had taken drugs before he went to his former girlfriend's house and he admitted to the abduction. DNA found on the murder weapon was traced back to Woods.

The fact that Woods' execution has been delayed brings quite a bit of media attention to a very hotly debated topic in today's world. Texas currently leads the nation in executions of inmates, with 13 already this year.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jeff Rasansky

Top 10 Worst Insurance Companies in the United States

Jeff Rasansky — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 14:16:35 GMT

The American Association for Justice (AAJ) has recently published a lengthy report detailing America's ten worst insurance companies. The majority of these companies are household names, each of which advertises as the best company and most customer friendly. The report provides damaging evidence to the contrary, that each company employs different tactics trying to take advantage of their policyholders. These companies are ruthless and will stop at nothing in their pursuit of profits, usually employing the slogan of &ldquo;profits over policyholders.

Several of these insurance companies, including Allstate, State Farm and Torchmark, employed the consulting firm McKinsey & Company. This consulting firm was hired to help the company raise their bottom line. Once employed, McKinsey helped each company establish a 'three D approach' for handling customers: delay, deny and defend. Insurance companies were taught to deny the claim, delay the payment and do anything to defend against the lawsuit. This approach taught insurance companies the value in using their litigation team to defend against lawsuits brought upon because of not paying claims.

Profits over policyholders is a slogan used by many of these insurance companies as an approach in handling their business. Basically, insurance companies should do anything possible to gain profits, even at the expense of their policyholders. Many of these companies identified their company goal as earning the maximum amount of return for their shareholders as possible.

Another tactic that many of these insurance companies employ is abandoning of their policyholders. Companies have identified policyholders in hurricane prone areas, Louisiana and Florida, to be more risky policies than others. Companies have become very stingy in their claim payments to policies in these regions evidenced by Hurricane Katrina.

One unfortunate lasting image of Hurricane Katrina involves State Farm and their deceptive ways in avoiding paying claims. An example involves the Nguyen family who lost their home in Hurricane Katrina and whose claim was denied by State Farm. State Farm&rsquo;s own engineers surveyed their damages and concluded the damage was caused by wind. Eye witnesses shared their account that another house was literally picked up and thrown into the Nguyen&rsquo;s home.

State Farm hired other engineers to come to a different conclusion, that the damage was caused by flooding, allowing them to deny the claim. Bob Cochran, a CEO of an engineering firm employed by State Farm to assess Hurricane Katrina damage, was told to alter reports that State Farm did not agree with. This led to ethical issues from Cochran's employees regarding State Farm's position.

We cannot overstate the importance of understanding each policy provision with regards to an insurance company. Many insurance companies trick their policyholders by adding complicated portions to their policies which confuse policyholders. Consultation with an attorney before signing anything not completely understood is highly advisable.

After reading this report, I am shocked by the practice of leading companies in the insurance industry. I want a company that is reliable and will handle my claim with honesty and speed. None of these insurance companies listed will do that. This report should alert consumers to the danger of working with insurance companies. Policyholders should be very cautious and understand exactly what they are covered for and not covered for.
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Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jeff Rasansky

What Happens When Young People Are Injured in An Auto Accident?

Jeff Rasansky — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 16:48:11 GMT

When young people are injured or killed in an auto accident, parents are typically ones who have to deal with the medical costs. Not to mention the emotional repercussions. The ones who actually make it through the accident who are injured will have a lifetime of medical bills and health issues to deal with. Parents who have to pay for this end up with a massive amount of debt as a result.

Take, for example, the story of a family whose son was hit by a drunk driver. The medical bills amounted to over $150,000 and their insurance only covered twenty percent of the costs. The boy suffered from skull fractures, broken bones, a punctured lung and other severely debilitating damage as a result.

Auto accidents can be extremely traumatic and when the victim is a young person, the accident can have a horrible effect on his future. The injuries also have a devastating impact on the person’s future income.

If you or someone you care about has been in an auto accident, you must realize that the other person’s insurance may not necessarily pay the bills. Contact one of our auto accident lawyers today to find out what options you have. Know that you don’t have to face this hardship alone.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jeff Rasansky

Yes, it pays to be a PPC Attorney

Jeff Rasansky — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 14:11:46 GMT

Last week we addressed the cost of being a PPC attorney. Just a little nudge to measure conversions when doing pay per click (PPC) campaigns like Adwords. Of course it is worth the investment but, you need to take a look at your keyword selections for tweaking and getting in to your niche. It takes a good cross-section of research.

Start by looking at what you want to accomplish in your interactive marketing. That includes making sure your search engine optimization and social media activities like Twitter search or Facebook are helping you to harness PPC and drive down the cost of those clicks. In the long run, the goal is to find the best clients possible and do it by knowing how they search on your practice areas online.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jeff Rasansky

Children are Drowning Because People Ignore New Laws Regarding Swimming Pools

Jeff Rasansky — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 17:14:52 GMT

According to child advocates, government agencies are dropping the ball on enforcing a new laww that requires drain covers on pool filtration systems. The covers stop children from being caught in the suction of the pool...leaving them disemboweled and sliced open.

Many pools are still not in compliance with the law, despite these horrible dangers. Some children who are caught in the drains can be saved, although they might end up paralyzed. Others will have scars and welts that will stay with them for the rest of their lives. Others might actually die.

That's what happened to Virginia Graeme Baker, the 7 year old granddaughter of former U.S. Secretary of State James Baker. She was trapped--stuck in the drain--when her mother was alertered to what was happening. Despite her mother's best efforts, she was unable to remove her from the drain. It took three adults to finally pry young Virginia off of the drain and get her out of the water. By that time, however, it was too late.

Baker has since embarked on a crusade to raise awareness and save other children from this tragedy.

According to CNN, the statistics for entrapment are grossly underestimated because nobody knew the dangers that might be lurking at the bottom of the pool.

Source: CNN.com

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jeff Rasansky

5 Attributes of a Good Attorney

Jeff Rasansky — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 17:21:28 GMT

There are many different qualities that people assume make a lawyer a good one. Most commonly, people think the top five qualities of a top lawyer are:

1. The number of cases they've won.
2. The high amount of money they make (and thusly charge).
3. The nature of their defence and prosecutorial techniques.
4. The number of high profile clients they have.
5. The ability to charm a jury and the media.

However, the true qualities of a top lawyer do not include any of the above five examples. Those qualities are the perception of a top lawyer, but it isn't what you would look for in a lawyer if you were to require one to try a case for you or a loved one.

Excellent lawyers have a very different set of skills that make them a top lawyer, and chances are they aren't rich, don't have high profile clients, don't have a reputation for being ruthless and likely have a high moral reputation instead.

Let's look at the top five qualities of a top lawyer that will help you choose one should you require their services.

1. Good Communication Skills
A top lawyer will have excellent communication skills - not just to wow a court room, charm a jury or appease the media, but also to converse with their clientele of any gender, religion, race, color or creed, discuss issues with other lawyers, perhaps even the opposing lawyer in a court case. Communication skills are expansive and are a pinnacle quality of a top lawyer.

2. Consistency, Persistency and Reliability
A top lawyer will be consistent and reliable. You should have access to your lawyer to speak with him or her on a regular basis without being waylaid by their secretaries at every turn. Reliability is important to ensure that your lawyer will do what they say they will do, and that their methods within your case are consistent. Your lawyer should be persistent in championing for you (their client) and what is in your best interest and the best interest in upholding the law.

3. Logical and Knowledgeable
Any lawyer should possess logical thinking skills - the ability to work through issues in theory and logically deduce the best course of action. They should be able to think ahead of the game and be knowledgeable about their client, the case, the opposition and of course, the law.

4. Value for Money
A top lawyer does not necessarily need to charge an exorbitant fee. A top lawyer should, instead, deliver value for your money. Fees should be in line with the services they offer and should be reachable, affordable and unquestionably clear.

5. Accepts their weakness and is able to ask for help
No one, not even a top lawyer, has all the answers all the time. Therefore, it is important that a lawyer be able to accept and acknowledge their weaknesses in order to perform at their highest abilities. A top lawyer will be able to ask for help when they need it, from whatever source is best to receive the answer. Putting pomp and circumstance aside, as well as ego and pride, a top lawyer is not afraid to admit they just don't have an answer but does promise to find one and then works hard to do so.

Today, it can be difficult to wade through the popular opinion of what makes a top lawyer in order to find one that truly has the skills, traits, personality and ethics that make a lawyer an excellent practitioner.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jeff Rasansky

The cost of being a PPC attorney.

Jeff Rasansky — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 17:36:20 GMT

Finance and travel have the top costs in the pay per click (PPC) campaigns run online by search engines like Google. But, being an attorney is right up there in cost per clicks. Just read this article by the New York Times or go directly to cwire.org and see a list of the highest paid search terms on the web. Samples of cost per click:

· $65.85 personal injury lawyer michigan
· $61.26 car accident attorney los angeles
· $59.39 arizona dui lawyer
· $55.57 mesothelioma attorneys
· $47.74 automobile accident lawyers
· $44.52 truck accident lawyers

What is the real cost? You could spend thousands each month but is it paying off? Do you have a conversion rate? Are you getting the clients you want from this type of advertising? It’s time to measure up and find out if the cost of being a PPC attorney is worth the investment.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jeff Rasansky

What Kind of Lawyer Do You Need?

Jeff Rasansky — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 17:04:25 GMT

f you’re looking for a lawyer and you’re not sure what type of lawyer you’ll need for the situation you’re facing, then read if you’d like to be better informed.

When finding a lawyer, a birth injury lawyer, a divorce lawyer, a car accident lawyer, or a medical malpractice lawyer are just a few of the options available. If you or a loved one has been hurt , it is important to choose a lawyer that understands your situation and knows all of the laws and regulations surrounding your case. Most cities and states, have a variety of resources available to help you find a successful lawyer.

A personal injury lawyer deals with injuries and death that was caused by someone else. Whether it is through neglect, ignorance, or a mistake, you are entitled to receive compensation for your injuries. A personal injury lawyer can also specialize in a particular area of tort law, also referred to as personal injury law.

Birth injury lawyers specialize in injury and death that occurs with the birth of a child. The outcome of a birth injury can differ greatly and so can the causes of the problem. Depending on the particulars of your situation, you may require a lawyer who further specializes in a particular area. These can include a cerebral palsy lawyer, a brain injury lawyer, a medical malpractice lawyer, or possibly a brain injury lawyer.

The products you use at home, your daily commute, and your job can also cause you or a loved one to suffer an injury, illness, or death. A car accident lawyer or a truck accident lawyer is the person you will need to talk to if you are injured in a traffic accident. A product liability lawyer will help you deal with companies that either knowingly sells dangerous products, or those who fail to test their products adequately.

Accidents that occur at work may need the expertise of a workers’ compensation lawyer or a mesothelioma lawyer depending on the type of injury you have. If your spouse is causing you grief, a divorce lawyer will be able to help you dissolve the marriage and give you your options to make the right choices for you.

Lawyers are there to help when a problem becomes too big to handle on your own. Web sites like injuryboard.com and the local bar association are just a few of the great resources that are out there. The injury, the cause, and the perpetrator are all important factors that need to be considered when finding a lawyer.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jeff Rasansky

Police Investigating Possible sexual assault at Killeen Texas Daycare

RLF Staff — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 12:51:02 GMT

Police in Killeen , Texas are looking into a possible daycare sexual abuse case involving a 4-month-old baby.

When the 4-month-old was picked up from the Little Blessings Daycare last Wednesday, her mother was told that she had a diaper rash. After an examination, her doctor suspected sexual abuse based on bruising that typically indicates such.

Killeen police and Child Protective Services are investigating th epossible daycare sexual abuse case. No arrests have been made and the investigation is ongoing. The child's family has contacted a daycare abuse attorney in Texas to help with the situation.

In many cases daycare abuse is hard to see and in many cases goes unnoticed and unpunished. If you beleve your child has experienced abuse or neglect while under the care of a daycare, nanny or other professional, contact a Texas daycare abuse attorney immediately

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by RLF Staff

Louisiana's $500,000 Tort Reform Cap Ruled Unconstitutional

Robert Wolf — Fri, 13 Oct 2006 10:55:51 GMT

Keep in mind that Louisiana's neighbor to the West, a little state known as Texas, has a cap on non-economic damages (i.e., all of the pain and suffering that one has to endure for a lifetime as a result of a serious injury or loss of a loved one) of $250,000 or $500,000 (depending on the number and type of Defendants involved in the lawsuit). Although the Texas legislature decided that $250,000 was enough to compensate victims, Louisiana's Appellate Courts seem to think otherwise for their state.

Louisiana's $500,000 cap on medical malpractice damages, passed 31 years ago, was ruled unconstitutional because it no longer provides "an adequate remedy" to patients, the 3rd Circuit Court of Appeal in Lake Charles ruled Wednesday in a 3-2 decision.

According to an article in the Baton Rouge Advocate, the $500,000 cap from 1975 is worth around $146,435 to $160,000 in today's dollars, according to evidence presented in the original case and an affidavit filed in 2003, the ruling says. The cap would have to be raised to $1.6 million or $1.7 million, based on figures presented during the original trial.

"In either case, we find the current $500,000 cap fails to provide an adequate remedy to today's severely injured plaintiffs, and thus, is unconstitutional. ...," the ruling says.

"Obviously, we're really disappointed by the ruling," said Sue Chopin, a spokeswoman for Lammico, the state's largest medical malpractice company. "Ultimately, what it's going to do is limit access to health care for Louisiana citizens."

The ruling sends the wrong message to health-care providers and insurance companies at a time when the state is trying to rebuild and bring people back to Louisiana, Chopin said. Doing away with the medical malpractice limit is not an incentive for doctors to come to Louisiana.

However, Oliver J. Schrumpf, the attorney representing the Arrington family in its lawsuit against Galen-Med Inc., said there is no evidence that bigger awards mean the state will lose doctors and that malpractice rates will skyrocket.

An affidavit by the director of the state Board Of Medical Examiners, which was introduced in this case, says the number of doctors in Louisiana has risen every year for four decades, Schrumpf said.

"Insurance companies use this argument to sell more insurance and to raise rates," he said.

Malpractice rates are going to go up regardless of who wins the lawsuit, which will now be argued before the state Supreme Court, Schrumpf said.

Joanne Doroshow, co-founder of consumer watchdog Americans for Insurance Reform, said "a ton of evidence" shows that there is no correlation between malpractice caps and malpractice insurance rates.

"The rate activity in the states with caps is the same as in states without caps," Doroshow said.

Malpractice insurance rates have more to do with the economy than anything else, according to the Consumer Federation of America. Insurers' gains or losses on the investments they make with premium dollars from customers are one of the biggest factors in insurance rates.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Robert Wolf