The U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood recently recommended a federal law to ban talking or texting on a cell phone while driving. LaHood stated this at a distracted-driving summit in San Antonio. He thinks it is important for the police to be able to write tickets when people are foolishly using their phones while driving.
Last year there were 3,000 US fatalities as a result of distracted driving, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Using a cell phone and driving delays reaction time the same as having a blood alcohol concentration of .08 the legal limit, the highway agency stated. 38 states have laws restricting or outlawing the use of electronic devices while driving.
LaHood is more concerned with cell phone use than other inattentive driving habits like eating or putting on makeup, since everyone has a cell phone and many think it’s ok to use while driving.
At the summit he was accompanied by children in wheel chairs, and others who were hurt in accidents that were the result of cell phone use while driving. LaHood said these accidents were 100% preventable.
Distracted driving accidents can end in injuries, or death, but it doesn’t have to end there. If you or a loved one has been the victim of a distracted driving accident, you should contact the Law Firm of W.T. Johnson today to get the compensation you are entitled to.
While shopping in the garden center of a Wal-Mart in Washington state, Mica Craig was bit by a rattlesnake. He has been hospitalized for four days since the incident.
He was choosing mulch and couldn’t see the price because he thought a stick was in the way. He tried to move it when he realized it wasn’t a stick, but a foot-long rattlesnake that quickly bit him. He attempted to shake the rattlesnake off his hand, but it wouldn’t let go.
Another customer saw him fall to the ground and cry out that he was bitten by a snake, and she quickly took him to the hospital.
His bite needed six vials of anti-venom and surgery to make sure he didn’t get compartment syndrome in his hand. He could lose feeling in two of his fingers from the bite.
Craig said his medical bills are running in the tens of thousands of dollars. He is waiting to see the extent of his injuries before talking to Wal-Mart with his attorney.
Wal-Mart apologized and is investigating how the snake entered the garden center—whether it was from a nearby field or came in with garden supplies.
Animal or dog bites caused by the negligence of another party can cause permanent damage or even death. You have the right to contact a personal injury attorney if you have been a victim of an animal bite. You should contact the experienced animal and dog bite attorneys at the Law Firm of W.T. Johnson today.
Two men and their dog were killed as they walked on the Seawall in Galveston. Matthew Shelton, 27, was charged with two counts of intoxication manslaughter, said Lt. Michael Gray of the Galveston Police Department.
Shelton was westbound on Seawall Boulevard at 13th Street when he lost control of his vehicle and hit the pedestrians who were taking their dog for an evening stroll. The car also almost hit several other people out for walks before sunset.
Shelton is in the hospital in stable condition and once he is released he will be taken to the Galveston County Jail, investigators said. His bond is set at $100,000.
Walking or jogging at the Seawall, which overlooks the beach front, is a popular pastime for most area residents. But after the accident many are concerned about their safety along the boulevard. In October 2011 there was another DWI accident at the Seawall that killed one and seriously injured another, authorities said.
DWI accidents happen far too frequently. But there are personal injury and wrongful death statues that let families and victims collect compensation for their physical and emotional pain. If you or a loved one has been the victim of a DWI crash or car accident, contact the Law Firm of W.T. Johnson today to get the justice you deserve.
A construction worker was killed while working at the new Parkland Memorial Hospital construction site. The 24-year-old from Plano died after being hit by a forklift and then suffered internal injuries. He was rushed to the present Parkland Memorial Hospital where he was pronounced dead.
The spokeswoman for Balfour Beatty Construction, which is the lead project partner, said at 1 p.m. he was hit by the forklift. Both the forklift driver and the man who was killed work for MEI Rigging and Crating.
This is the first death to happen on this site. Federal Occupational Safety officials are investigating the incident to determine the cause of it. Their investigation could last up to six months. The investigators will interview employees and witnesses, and inspect the equipment.
Work stopped after the accident and the next morning there was a 20-minute discussion with all the workers to remind them of the importance of safety and to mourn the loss of their co-worker. The project which started in 2010 will now continue as scheduled and is expected to be completed by 2014.
Construction accidents happen often, but they don’t need to. Contact the Law Firm of W.T. Johnson today if you or your loved one was the victim of a construction accident to get the compensation you deserve.
Quail Creek Nursing Home and Rehabilitation Center in Oklahoma City fired two employees accused of abusing a 96-year-old dementia patient. The two employees were arrested for the charge of neglect by caretaker.
The victim's family put a camera in the room because they thought someone was stealing from the patient. But instead, the film caught the nursing assistant slapping the patient's face with latex gloves. Then she shoved the gloves into the patient's mouth and forcibly held the patient while the other assistant watched. After that, the assistant lifted the patient into the bed and pushed the side of her face and her chest to make her lie down.
But the nursing home states these two acts are not representative of the home's 116 employees, which is why they contacted the police immediately after discovering the conduct.
The nursing home is owned by Westlake Nursing Home L.P. of Dallas,TX, according to the Health Department. The home has 92 residents in its care.
One out of three nursing homes in America has been cited for nursing home abuse, and 5% of nursing home aides across America have criminal records. Only 16% of elder abuse is ever reported.
Don’t let your loved ones suffer in silence. If you think they are victims of nursing home abuse, contact the Law Office of W.T. Johnson today to get the justice they deserve.
On March 6, 2012 there was an explosion at the Valero Refinery in Memphis, TN. It occurred after workers were instructed to block off a flare line that was on a two-story platform. Flares act as safety devices and let out and burn pressurized gases. The workers took out the bolts from the flare flange when a large flash fire began.
The fire hit two of the workers and blew them 50 feet away from where they were working. Another man was blown off the platform and hit the ground still on fire. They tried to put out the flames, but the lawsuit stated it wasn’t until 10 minutes later before any assistance was given from trained personnel.
One of the subcontractors was killed and two others were severely burned after the explosion---one had burns over 70 percent of his body.
Two of the survivors filed a multimillion-dollar wrongful death and injury lawsuit in San Antonio, since the men worked for subcontractor JV Industrial of Pasadena, TX. The lawsuit alleges severe and gross negligence since the company did not ensure that there were no hazardous gases in the flare line, there was no timely firefighting assistance, and automatic firefighting equipment was not in place. The lawsuit also states that this fire was the third one in less than two years.
If you have been the victim of an oil workplace accident or an explosion, don’t let companies take advantage of you. We can help you get the justice you deserve after your crisis. Contact the Law Office of W.T. Johnson today.
Two nurse assistants at Bandera Road’s Princeton Place nursing home in San Antonio were fired after reporting abuse of elderly patients.
The nurses reported that some patients had unusual and excessive bruising in the shape of finger imprints, and also had torn skin on their faces.There are 134 patients at the nursing home, and the employees wondered if there is enough staff to take care of all of them since many are left unattended.
A few hours after telling the nursing home administration about the abuse and neglect, the two workers were suspended for insubordination and eventually fired.
Inspectors from the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services last year cited the facility for poor record keeping, failing to hire employees with no legal history of abusing, neglecting or mistreating residents, and unacceptable treatment of residents on feeding tubes.
Nursing homes are not what they used to be after state budget cuts that decreased nursing home staff by about one-fourth since 2001. Also, tort reform has made it more difficult to sue nursing homes for malpractice.
But the Law Office of W.T. Johnson won’t allow nursing homes to get away with this kind of treatment. It is important for you to contact our personal injury lawyers immediately if you suspect your loved one is experiencing nursing home abuse or neglect. We will get them the justice they deserve.
Houston has a dangerous dog list with five local dogs on it: three are pit bull terriers, one is a Chihuahua mix and another is a Mastiff mix. Other dogs that might have been on the list were put down by their owners after vicious attacks.
There are special regulations for dangerous dogs. Their houses must have signs that state a dangerous dog lives there, the owner must have a special license and the dog must wear a Dangerous Dog license tag.
In Houston, from 2006 to 2011 there were 12,000 animal bites and attacks, according to a Houston Chronicle analysis of data from city animal control records.
Dog attacks happen all over the Houston region and 70% are unprovoked. A 4-year-old boy in Victoria died from a canine mauling recently. In Friendswood, two dogs escaped and attacked a 10-year-old girl before a neighbor chased the dog away. Most of the victims are young since they don’t know how to behave with animals and they are small and easy to harm.
Cats also can cause harm. Domesticated short-hair and medium-hair felines are on the list of the top 10 animal breeds that attack. Since cats have bacteria in their mouths, untreated cat bites can be infectious.
In the last two years, nearly 2,500 pet owners were fined for not keeping their pets leashed or confined to their yard or home. If you or your loved one has been attacked by an animal due to the negligence of another, contact W.T. Johnson today.
A Texas man states that his dog, a blue healer named Cisco, was shot point blank and killed by an Austin police officer. The officer was responding to a 911 call about a domestic issue, but was given the wrong address.
Michael Paxton was playing Frisbee with his Australian cattle dog on Saturday afternoon, and went to get something from his truck in the driveway. As he approached his truck, the policeman walked up and drew his weapon. Paxton was frightened and then heard his 50-pound dog barking and coming from the backyard.
The dashcam shows Officer Thomas Griffin shouting, “Show me your hands!” to Paxton. Then Cisco barked. Officer Griffin said, “Get your dog!” and immediately a shot rings out, and Paxton urgently asked the officer why he shot his dog.
But Sgt. David Daniels of the Austin Police Department said the dog approached the officer aggressively, so Griffin shot Cisco to protect himself.
Paxton’s supporters state that since the officer asked Paxton to put his hands up, it was impossible for him to get his dog. Paxton also says his dog never tried to attack the officer, but that Cisco just ran up to Officer Griffin and challenged him.
Austin Police Chief Art Acevedo apologized to Paxton on an Austin local radio show, which Paxton said meant a lot to him. A Facebook page called “Justice for Cisco” has begun to spread awareness and get support for police officers being trained in how to handle animals in those kinds of situations.
W.T. Johnson is here to help you with any personal injury case in which you feel another party has hurt you through negligence. Contact us today to get justice you deserve for your situation.
A mother and her 10-year-old daughter were killed in San Antonio last month when their car was hit by a drunk-driving suspect who was twice convicted of driving while intoxicated.
The mother and daughter were waiting in their car while her fiancé was fixing the car’s flat tire on the eastbound shoulder of Interstate 10. The Jeep Cherokee ran into their vehicle and pushed the car 131 feet, according to police. The mother was dead at the scene, and the daughter passed away a few hours later in the hospital. The fiancé was not injured.
The driver of the other car was given a field sobriety test and arrested. He is in jail on two counts of intoxication manslaughter with a bail set at $150,000. He was previously arrested in 2006 and 2008 on DWI charges.
Family and friends of the victims were in shock. The mother worked part-time at The Basement Bar and Lounge. The Basement's owner emphasized that drivers like that are the reason why they don’t over serve, and call cabs for those who are intoxicated.
They had planned a birthday celebration for the mother at The Basement on the day she died, and still held it in her honor and to raise money for the family.
If your loved one has died from the result of the negligence of another person such as a drunk driver, you already have enough heart-ache to deal with. Let W.T. Johnson fight your wrongful death case for you, and get you the justice you deserve for your pain and loss. Contact us today.
