Dog Attack Trial — What Does A Jury Get To Hear?

19 Oct

Last week, I had a trial that received a little press because the defendant, Cedric Benson, is a former University of Texas and NFL running back. As a result, I’ve had a number of people read the articles from the local newspaper and then ask me questions about the case. There have been a number…

Swoop and Settle – Insurance Companies Strike Again

17 Oct

I have frequently written about the awful insurance company tactic of swoop and settle. Far too often, insurance companies contact a car wreck or trucking wreck victim before the victim is represented by an attorney to try and settle the case immediately. This typically results in a victim giving up the claim before the victim…

Deposition Preparation: Your memory

13 Sep

When I’m getting clients prepared for their deposition, I typically have a meeting with them where I describe the deposition process, answer their questions about depositions, and then go over some deposition rules to help them get through the deposition. The first rule is always “Tell the truth”. And I explain that for the vast…

Personal Injury Law: A Nightmare Fight Over Hospital Bills

27 Aug

A recent NPR story uses a local teacher to tell of a hospital bill situation that we hear often. Drew Calvert, a teacher at Austin High School (where my son goes to school), had a heart attack while at home. Fortunately, a neighbor was able to get Mr. Calvert to St. David’s Hospital, where Mr.…

Austin and Texas Brain Injury Claims

23 Aug

We have had the pleasure of representing a number of clients who have sustained brain injuries. We have represented professionals (including at least one lawyer and one nurse) whose lives were completely thrown upside by their injury and inability to perform their jobs. And at the other end of the spectrum, we’ve represented retired persons…

Texas Dog Bite And Animal Attack Claims

15 Aug

We have had the pleasure of representing a number of victims of animal attacks, with most of those claims being dog bite claims. These claims are serious injury claims. Regardless of how minor the physical injuries may appear, almost all dog bite claims are accompanied by significant mental distress. Most people have an inate fear…

Back To School: Watch Out For Dogs & Dog Attacks

13 Aug

It’s back to school time in Central Texas, and that means more kids walking and riding their bikes to schools. Unfortunately, it also means an increased risk that these kids will be attacked by dogs as the kids head to school or the bus stop. Sadly, it has already started. Unfortunately, a teenager in San…

I’ve Been In A Wreck. Why Am I Getting Letters From Lawyers About A Lien?

10 Aug

I’ve heard from a number of clients recently who were in car wrecks and received scary letters from lawyers about various hospitals filing liens on the clients’ property. Sometimes the lawyers’ letters tell the clients that the clients’ bills have gone to collections or that the hospital will be included on a settlement check. Naturally,…

Austin and Texas Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Claims

09 Aug

One focus of my practice has become representing victims in uninsured and underinsured motorist claims. I literally speak to groups of lawyers throughout Texas trying to educate lawyers about the nuances of these claims. They are much more complicated than many people think. Most of my speeches are in bigger cities. I’ve spoken in Houston,…

Sea Base Bahamas 2018 Review

23 Jul

I’m using the space a little differently today. My son and I recently returned from a boy scout trip to Sea Base Bahamas. I helped plan the trip for the troop, and in the planning, I didn’t find a lot of reviews or resources for the Sea Base Bahamas trip. For Philmont, there are literally…