In 2017, 2-year-old Jozef Dudek suffocated after a 30-inch dresser from Ikea tipped over on top of him. His parents, Craig and Joleen Dudek, brought suit against Ikea and claimed Ikea was aware that the dressers "presented an unreasonable tip-over hazard and were dangerously unsafe," but continued to sell them. Ikea has agreed to pay $46 million to Jozef's parents.
At least one person has died on Texas roads every day since November 7, 2000. Fatalities are on the rise despite the Texas Department of Transportation's and the Texas Transportation Commission's efforts to "end the streak."
A Court of Appeals has affirmed a Travis County jury's award of over $5 million* in a premises liability claim against the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) after determining that TxDOT had adequate notice of the claim.
Elder abuse is the unsung epidemic of today. Tragically, the World Health Organization estimates 2 out of 3 health care providers in nursing home facilities say they committed acts of patient abuse in 2017. Just to emphasize that point, the majority of health care providers admit committing-not reporting-acts of abuse.
The truth is that family members don't always know what to look for or how to report what's happening to their parent or loved one. But the Elder Justice Act of 2009 offers protection. If you are suspicious of any kind of abusive activity, from neglect to assault, here are the steps to reporting abuse and stopping the cycle.
Hilton Worldwide Holdings, Inc., Choice Hotels International, Inc., and Wyndham Hotels and Resorts, Inc., were listed as defendants in lawsuits filed by three sex trafficking victims in December 2019. The lawsuits claim that these hotels did not do enough to counteract sex trafficking activities that allegedly occurred at their premises. The same lawsuits accuse the hotel chains of negligence, gross negligence, and violations of federal and state laws prohibiting trafficking.
On November 26, 2019, a couple from Galveston filed a complaint in the Harris County District Court against American Honda Motor Co., Inc. and one of its Dallas automotive dealerships. They allege that their Acura, idling in their driveway, started to spill smoke and burst into flames shortly after, also causing other damages.
The family of a 10-year-old boy who fell from a zip line at the Urban Air Trampoline and Adventure Park has filed suit against the park's operators. The accident occurred on a ride called the "Sky Rider" when the young boy fell out of his harness. The ride operators failed to properly secure the boy in his harness, causing the boy to fall 20 feet and suffer life-altering injuries. The park has since let the responsible ride operators go and retrained its employees on the use of zip lines.
Houston roads are some of the most dangerous in the country. It is important to follow traffic laws, but obviously not everyone on the road does so.
What can you do to safeguard yourself, your passengers, and your vehicle from dangerous drivers?
One idea is to practice driving defensively. Below are tips to help you prevent accidents.
According to a recent study by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, multiple systems that are designed to make driving safer and easier are actually creating a greater risk of crashing. Virginia Tech Transportation Institute researchers, who conducted the study in collaboration with AAA, assessed video of actual driving behaviors and found that adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist technology systems were among the list of car safety systems that may lead to distracted driving. Adaptive cruise control helps drivers maintain a safe following distance on the highway by automatically accelerating or slowly down without the driver's help. Lane-keeping assist technology helps drivers stay in their lane by gently tugging the wheel when the car starts to drift out of lane. Both safety systems require the driver to remain alert and keep their hands on the wheel. When used correctly, these systems are designed to make roadways safer. However, researchers found that some drivers do not properly use or understand partially automated systems.
The Third Circuit Court of Appeals ruled earlier this year that Amazon is a "seller" as that term is defined in the Second Restatement of Torts. As a result, Amazon will have to defend a product, sold through its website, that caused injury because the manufacturer cannot be located.
The Equal Access to Justice Champions Program was started by the Houston Bar Association in 2006, to help ensure placement of Houston Volunteer Lawyers cases with pro bono volunteers. Originally, firms were tiered according to size, and firms within each tier committed to accept a certain number of pro bono cases from HVL each year for five years.
The National Trial Lawyers: Top 100 is an invitation-only organization composed of the premier trial lawyers from each state or region who meet stringent qualifications as civil plaintiff and/or criminal defense trial lawyers. Selection is based on a thorough multi-phase objective and uniformly applied process which includes peer nominations combined with third-party research.
Established in 1993, the Million Dollar Advocates Forum (which includes the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum) is one of the most prestigious groups of trial lawyers in the United States. Membership is limited to attorneys who have won million and multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements. There are over 4000 members throughout the country. Fewer than 1% of U.S. lawyers are members.
Recognition by Best Lawyers is based entirely on peer review. Their methodology is designed to capture, as accurately as possible, the consensus opinion of leading lawyers about the professional abilities of their colleagues within the same geographical area and legal practice area.
In order to earn the Lead Counsel Rating, an attorney must not only demonstrate significant legal experience, but must also receive multiple peer recommendations advocating his or her ability. This is a key component in the screening process.
Each year, Super Lawyers recognizes the top lawyers in Texas via a patented multiphase selection process involving peer nomination, independent research and peer evaluation. The Texas lawyers who receive the highest point totals during this selection process are further recognized in Texas Super Lawyers Top Lists.
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The firm successfully represented nearly 100 victims who suffered personal injuries and damages to property from a large fire and explosion resulting in a settlement of more than $50 million. The firm served as lead lawyers on the steering committee in this litigation.
The firm successfully represented 270 plaintiffs', taking a lead role in the plaintiffs' steering committee, who suffered injuries in a large plant explosion resulting in a settlement of nearly $80 million.
The firm successfully represented 45 personal injury victims in a plant fire and explosion, serving on the plaintiffs' steering committee, concluding with a settlement of more than $50 million.
The firm prevailed in a personal injury trial for a worksite injury client with the jury returning a verdict and resulting in a judgment of over $22 million for the firm's client.
The firm successfully achieved a $12 million settlement for the family of a man who died in an 18 wheeler collision.
The firm prevailed on behalf of three burn victims with settlements totaling nearly $30 million.
