Texas Injury Law Blog : Dallas Accident Lawyer & Attorney : Fears Nachawati Law Firm : Personal Injury, Wrongful Death : Ft. Worth, San Antonio, Austin, Houston, Texas

For the second time in the month of October, a driver has died in a car accident on a Houston tollway. This morning, a two-car accident took the life of an SUV driver as he approached a Sam Houston Parkway tollbooth. The accident stalled traffic, stunned drivers, and shocked the family of the deceased.

Roadside distractions, including tollbooths, can contribute to accidents and, ultimately, cause property damage, personal injury, and death. How much did the presence of the Sam Houston Parkway tollbooth contribute to today’s accident? For victims and their families, that’s an extremely important question. The answer can impact your rights under the law and influence the likelihood that you can recover.

To protect your loved ones and achieve the justice you deserve, you should trust your automobile accident case to the experts at Fears | Nachawati. Whether your case requires accident reconstruction, hardnosed negotiation, or an effective litigation strategy, we have the experience and expertise to fight – and win – for you. For your free consultation, call us at 1.866.705.7584 or email mn@fnlawfirm.com. Let us fight for you.

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Last night, a Houston driver lost control of his GMC pickup while travelling at highway speeds, slamming into the highway’s retaining wall. The truck spun, coming to a rest in the middle of the highway. Stunned, the driver got out of his car and walked around the vehicle to inspect the damage. Moments later, the driver of a Toyota Avalon approached the truck at high speed. Although he tried to dodge the stalled, damaged truck, the Avalon driver clipped the truck, propelling it into the truck driver, killing him.

Fears | Nachawati protects accident victims and their families. If you’ve lost a loved one to a fatal automobile accident, you should know about your rights under the Texas wrongful death statute. As a bereaved relative, you have rights under the law. Talk to our accident experts today to find out what your next steps should be. For your free consultation, call us at 1.866.705.7584 or email mn@fnlawfirm.com. We can help!

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Tragedy struck a Houston family this week when Susana Y. Zepeda in an automobile accident in west Harris County. Zepeda was driving her new Nissan Versa when she veered out of her lane, losing control and driving into a ditch. When her car hit the ditch, the Versa rolled over and struck several trees and a wrought iron fence. During the course of the accident Zepeda was thrown from the vehicle – and to her death.

Fears | Nachawati personal injury lawyers have extensive experience helping accident victims and their families recover from the insurance companies and negligent drivers who owe them compensation for property damage and personal injury. If you or a family member has been in an automobile accident, you need our commitment and expertise. To find out how we can defend your rights and protect your legal interests, contact us. For your free consultation, call us at 1.866.705.7584 or email mn@fnlawfirm.com.

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 Multi-car accidents happen every week in cities and on highways across the country. In fact, a 13-car pile-up in Dallas on Monday was matched by an 11-car accident in Houston this morning. A motorcycle and numerous vehicles were damaged in the Houston pile-up; the injury count remains unspecified, but a heavy injury count is common in these kinds of multi-car wrecks.

Chain reaction accidents occur most frequently on highly travelled highways in large cities because during peak times – just like this morning’s rush hour accident on Houston’s Beltway 8. The challenges of rebuilding your life if you’re in a multicar accident can be significant. You need the Fears | Nachawati legal professionals to help you defend your rights and protect your legal and financial interests! For your free consultation, call us at 1.866.705.7584 or email mn@fnlawfirm.com. We can help.

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The driver of a Toyota Camry was flown by helicopter to Memorial Hermann Hospital in Houston, Texas, late last night after the driver of a Nissan Altima slammed into him head-on. According to accident investigators, the injured driver was pinned in his car as a result of the violent collision. Today, he is in serious condition as he fights for his life.

Vehicle accidents happen every day across Texas. From fender-benders to fatal collisions, most Texans are involved in an automobile accident during their lives. When you’re facing the repercussions of an accident, you need the expert attorneys at Fears | Nachawati. With years of experience and courtroom-tested expertise, we’re ready to protect your rights in meditation or litigation. To learn how we can help, contact us today. For your free consultation, call 1.866.705.7584 or email mn@fnlawfirm.com.

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Between 1992 and 2010, the FDA approved 85 surgical mesh devices to treat pelvic organ prolapse, and in just the last year more than 300,000 American women underwent surgical procedures to repair prolapsed organs, according to FDA reports. More than a quarter of these operations used transvaginal mesh. For a significant number of these women, the high-risk associated with these devices caused a variety of pelvic-related medical problems.

Fears Nachawati is leading the fight to protect victims of this dangerous medical device. For hundreds of women annually, transvaginal mesh causes considerable harm to their bodies and their futures. If you or a loved one have suffered complications from these medical devices, you need to let us know. For your free consultation, call us at 1.866.545.8364 or email mn@fnlawfirm.com. We’re ready to fight for you!

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A car accident in southwest Houston claimed the lives of a driver and his passenger this weekend. The driver lost control of his speeding Chevrolet Camaro, then jumped a curb and slammed into a light pole and a brick wall. The force of the collision was overwhelming, throwing the driver from the vehicle and killing the passenger.

This tragic accident is horrible for the families of both victims, but it is particularly difficult for the passenger’s loved ones. The passenger didn’t have control over the car and didn’t have the ability to influence the outcome of the fatal accident. Under Texas law, the driver is not only responsible for his own safety, but her safety, too.

Fears | Nachawati helps accident victims and their families recover from the pain and shock associated with a traumatic collision. If a passenger you love was hurt or killed because of a driver’s negligence, he or she should speak with our experts immediately. We can help your family put their lives back together! For your free consultation, call us at 1.866.705.7584 or email mn@fnlawfirm.com. Let us help you!

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A 65 year-old man in West Houston died Tuesday morning when he cost control of his car and slammed into a utility pole. The driver, who was travelling at a sufficiently high rate of speed to knock down the pole, may have suffered from a medical condition. Investigators suspect that the condition could have played a part in the accident.

Tragically, the man’s family is now left to search for a way forward. The accident was sudden, and the cause remains in doubt. As a result, next-of-kin don’t know whether to blame the driver, the car, the medical condition, or some combination of these factors. Does this sound familiar? Has your family lost a loved one a car accident? Are you struggling to determine why the car wreck occurred and who might be responsible?

Contact the auto accident experts at Fears | Nachawati. With offices in several Texas cities, we’re prepared to meet you and your loved ones where you are. We can answer your questions and, if necessary, take the legal actions necessary to protect your rights and your family’s well-being. The time to take action is now! For your free consultation, call us at 1.866.705.7584 or email mn@fnlawfirm.com. We can help!

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Rear-end accidents aren’t usually fatal. Yesterday’s two-car accident between a Ford F-250 and an SUV ended tragically, however, because of common problem with SUVs: rolling. During afternoon rush hour traffic, the F-250 slammed into the back of the SUV. Although forceful, the initial collision wasn’t fatal. The accident, however, forced the SUV off the road and down the embankment, causing the vehicle to roll several times. As the SUV rolled, the driver was thrown from the car, killing him.

Fears | Nachawati knows how to protect you and your loved ones if you’ve been in a car accident. Different types of vehicles, such as SUVs, pose different kinds of problems. You need the team of experts who have experience dealing with a variety of accident types. You need us! For your free consultation, call us at 1.866.705.7584 or email mn@fnlawfirm.com. We’re ready to help you!

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If you’ve had a pelvic organ prolapse (POP), your doctor might have prescribed an Avaulta Plus, Avaulta Solo, or Avaulta Biosynthetic transvaginal mesh to treat you. Unfortunately, recent FDA research has revealed that these types of surgical mesh may do more harm than good. More than 1,000 patients have reported mesh complications and other problems, the results of which has included such debilitating side effects as infection, pain, vaginal scarring, and urinary and bladder problems.

In addition to these physical side effects, a number of women have also been impacted emotionally and psychologically. For all of these reasons, many of the women suffering from transvaginal mesh-related problems will never be the same as they were before their pelvic organ prolapse (POP). In short, this is a situation where the medicine may do more harm than the ailment.

Fears Nachawati has extensive experience dealing with the kind of pain and suffering – both physical and emotional – that you, your husband, and your family are going through. Let us help you. To discuss your legal options in a free and confidential consultation, call us at 1.866.545.8364 or email mn@fnlawfirm.com. We’re ready to fight for you.

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Actos (Pioglitazone) is commonly used to fight Type II diabetes. Doctors and the pharmaceutical industry have communicated some of the drug’s side effects, but do you know their full range? As discussed on this blog in prior posts, Actos has been found to cause bladder cancer, particularly for patients who take Actos for a prolonged period of time. However, Actos is also reportedly a cause of serious health problems such as congestive heart failure, vision problems, bone fracture, and liver disease as well as lesser side effects like swelling of the hands, sore throat, muscle pain, weight gain, breathing trouble, tooth problems, and lethargy.

Fears Nachawati expert attorneys know what it takes to defend your interests and protect your rights, whether at the negotiating table or in a court of law. Have you experienced Actos-related side effects? You should act immediately. Contact us for a free consultation. Just call 1.866.545.8364 or email mn@fnlawfirm.com.

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A woman suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol is now in serious condition after her reckless driving put her in a hospital emergency room and injured the driver of a school bus. Only by sheer luck were children not injured: the Spring Branch ISD bus had dropped off a group of students after a football game just moments before the accident.

School buses are less stable than their size suggests. Top-heavy and long, when school buses are hit in the rear quarter panel, they are at serious risk of rolling. That’s precisely what happened last night in northwest Houston when the driver of a relatively small car struck the bus at a high rate of speed, causing it to flip.

Has your child been injured in a school bus accident? Every year as millions of children go back to school – and to extracurricular events like football games and debate tournaments, school bus accidents happen, causing injury and, in some tragic cases, death. Fears | Nachawati knows the pain victims feel. For your free consultation, call us at 1.866.705.7584 or send an email to mn@fnlawfirm.com. We can help you!

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A surgical mesh used to treat pelvic organ prolapse (POP) is at the center of a developing storm that includes thousands of injured women, doctors, health experts, and the Food and Drug Administration. According to a recently released FDA report, the FDA is considering reclassifying transvaginal mesh products as Class III devices.

What are the implications of this potential reclassification? For the pharmaceutical companies that design, produce, and sell transvaginal mesh devices, it means delay, at least. For victims of transvaginal mesh complications, it’s further confirmation that the large numbers of pelvic mesh problems isn’t simply bad luck, but an unsafe product.

So, what exactly is going wrong with the transvaginal mesh? For thousands of women, the transvaginal mesh has eroded into their vagina, causing pain, bleeding, organ perforation, and recurrence of POP.

Has a doctor prescribed you a transvaginal mesh (also known as a bladder sling or vaginal surgical mesh)? Has it caused discomfort, pain, or hospitalization? If so, you should contact the health device attorneys at Fears Nachawati. We protect victims from the physical and emotional effects of dangerous health products like transvaginal mesh. For your free consultation, call us at 1.866.545.8364 or email mn@fnlawfirm.com. 

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For months, the FDA has warned that Actos (Pioglitazone), a drug designed to combat diabetes, may do more harm than good. Now registered in the thiazolidinedione (TZD) class, health experts now acknowledge that Actos has serious side effects.

Doctors have options besides Actos. Many clinicians are electing to use incretin therapy instead of Actos (Pioglitazone) when metformin no longer works with type 2 diabetes patients. Of course, this raises an important question: is your doctor considering the significant adverse health effects of Actos before continuing your prescription?

Do you have blood or red color in your urine? Do you an urgent need to urinate? Does it hurt to urinate? Have you noticed increased pain or discomfort in your back or lower stomach? These kinds of discomfort are associated with bladder cancer. If you’ve been experiencing these outcomes, it may be past time to abandon Actos.

Need to speak to an attorney who has expertise in dangerous drugs? The experienced, highly qualified lawyers at Fears Nachawati are prepared to give you the attention you deserve. For your free consultation, call us at 1.866.545.8364 or email mn@fnlawfirm.com. We’re ready to help you.

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Lexapro (Escitalopram) imposes serious risk upon unborn children, particularly if the pregnant mother continues to ingest Lexapro (Escitalopram) during the last trimester. Additionally, Lexapro (Escitalopram) can also pass to children through breast milk. In an effort to ensure that patients are knowledgeable of these risks, the FDA assigned Lexapro (Escitalopram) to category C.

Exactly how serious are the risks of Lexapro (Escitalopram)? Some patients have reported human spontaneous abortion as a result of Lexapro (Escitalopram)!

Fears | Nachawati attorneys are committed to defending the rights of families whose lives have been forever changed as a result of Lexapro (Escitalopram). The fight for your family’s rights is one we take seriously. Your free consultation will answer your questions and concerns. To get started on your fight for justice, call us at 1.866.545.8364 or email to mn@fnlawfirm.com. Put our expertise to work for you!

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The Mayo Clinic has acknowledged that Celexa (Citalopram) imposes serious risks on pregnant women and their unborn children. As a result of the pregnant mother’s ingestion of Celexa (Citalopram), some newborn children have suffered a serious newborn lung problem known as persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN). Newborns have also experienced septal heart defects, brain and skull problems (anencephaly), abdominal organ defects, and serious head injury (craniosynostosis).

To be clear: the Mayo Clinic also recognizes that the risk of birth defects is relatively low and that foregoing antidepressants like Celexa (Citalopram) can raise other risks, too.

That’s fair, but there’s another issue at work in the Celexa debate: are pregnant women being fully informed of the risks associated with their Celexa (Citalopram) prescription? Were you? Ineffective notice has stripped many mothers of the ability to make meaningful choices for themselves – and the life they were carrying!

Fears | Nachawati is helping families fight back! Was your child hurt as a result of your Celexa (Citalopram) prescription? Did you receive the information you needed to make an informed decision? Our expert attorneys can help you understand your legal options. For a free consultation, call us at 1.866.545.8364 or email mn@fnlawfirm.com. 

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A New England Journal of Medicine article concluded that pregnant women who take fluoxetine in the third trimester are at increased risk for perinatal complications. What makes this conclusion noteworthy? It was published in 1996. Although the medical community has known about the risks associated with Prozac (Fluoxetine) to infant and mothers for more than a decade, Americans – including children – continue to be injured as a result of this dangerous drug.

Fears | Nachawati protects victims of pharmaceutical injuries. With rights come responsibilities. Drug manufacturers may have the right to produce drugs for the marketplace, but they also have a duty to ensure the safety of their product. When they don’t, it’s right that they’re held accountable. Our specialist attorneys are committed to holding drug companies accountable to their injured patients!

Has your child suffered as a result of your prescription to Prozac (Fluoxetine)? Find out how we can defend your family’s legal interests by contacting us. For a free consultation, call us at 1.866.545.8364 or send an email to mn@fnlawfirm.com. 

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The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued not one, but multiple warnings against the use of a transvaginal mesh, the common name for the surgical mesh used to repair a pelvic organ prolapse (POP). According to the FDA, serious complications associated with the use of transvaginal mesh are “not rare” and, even more importantly, “it is not clear that transvaginal POP repair with mesh is more effective than traditional non-mesh repair in patients with POP and it may expose patients to greater risk.” (emphasis added).

Fears | Nachawati has committed significant resources to fighting for the women and families who have suffered as a result of the use of transvaginal mesh. The FDA and other health agencies couldn’t be clearer on this: there’s very real risk! Nevertheless, some health providers continue to use them. Have you or a loved one been injured as a result of the application of a transvaginal mesh? Find out about your legal options today!

For your free consultation, call us at 1.866.545.8364 or email mn@fnlawfirm.com. Let us fight for you!

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In June, the French Agency for the Safety of Health Products pulled Actos (Pioglitazone) from the market. Just six days later, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) took the less aggressive – but no less meaningful – step in announcing that Actos use for longer than a year had been associated with an increased risk of bladder cancer. In a press release, the FDA also advised that “The benefits of [Actos] should be weighed against the unknown risks for cancer recurrence.”

Actos is bad news for many, many patients. Do you have diabetes? Has your doctor prescribed Actos to you? If so, it may be time to ask about the consequences of Actos ingestion! In a study in which nearly 200,000 diabetes patients participated, Actos patients who had taken the drug for twelve months or more had a forty percent increased risk for bladder cancer.

Fears | Nachawati is gearing up for a fight against the manufacturer of Actos (Pioglitazone). Have you been hurt as a result of prolonged pioglitazone ingestion? Find out if your eligible to join in our fight! For a free consultation, call us at 1.866.545.8364 or email mn@fnlawfirm.com. We’re ready to fight for you!

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Did you know the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends that pregnant women should avoid taking Paxil during pregnancy? It’s great advice, but for too many American women, the advice is too little, too late. Medical surveys have found that pregnant women taking Paxil – a drug also known as Aropax, Seroxat, Sereupin, and Paroxetine – have experienced a 1.5 to 1.7-fold increase in the rate of congenital birth defects in their children.

Has your child suffered as a result of your Paxil prescription? All birth defects are tragic, but Paxil birth defects are particularly horrendous, the preventable result of reckless drug makers. Fears | Nachawati is striking back on behalf of Paxil victims across the country. Is it time for you to join our fight for justice? For your free consultation, call us at 1.866.545.8364 or email mn@fnlawfirm.com. We’re ready to defend your family!

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Did you take Zoloft (Sertraline) during your pregnancy? You may have exposed your child to severe birth defects that include anal atresia, limb reduction defects, and septal defects. Studies of umbilical cords have found that mothers who took Zoloft during their pregnancy transferred in some cases significant amounts of sertraline to their child during the pregnancy. Mothers also transferred sertraline through breast milk, too!

Fears | Nachawati attorneys are defending children suffering from Zoloft-induced birth defects and their families in court. If your family is dealing with the repercussions of taking Zoloft during pregnancy, you ought to give us a call. We can defend your rights! For a free consultation, call us at 1.866.545.8364 or email mn@fnlawfirm.com. We’re ready to fight for you!

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A woman pedestrian was walking to work this morning in downtown Houston when a car made a left-hand turn – into her! Fortunately, paramedics were able to respond promptly, securing her head and body and transporting her to a nearby hospital. Still, initial reports suggest that the pedestrian may have suffered a number of injuries, including internal bleeding.

Car accidents involving pedestrians often cause considerable harm and regularly change lives, both the lives of the pedestrian and the driver. Whether you’ve been struck by a car or inadvertently hit a pedestrian, you’re likely facing considerable legal challenges. You need an expert in your corner!

The personal injury attorneys at Fears | Nachawati are prepared to protect your legal interests. For your free consultation, call us at 1.866.705.7584 or send an email to mn@fnlawfirm.com. We’re ready to help!

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In the kind of tragedy that happens all too frequently on Texas highways, an out-of-control driver crossed over the median this weekend and slammed into an oncoming car. What caused the reckless driver’s dangerous – and ultimately lethal – drift into head-on traffic isn’t clear. What is clear, however, is that all the safety protections of the victim’s car and all the medical advances associated with a major metropolitan area like Houston weren’t enough to save Rosemary Rogers Olsen, the victim who died at the Memorial Hermann Hospital.

Lethal automobile accidents happen almost everyday in Texas. In all too many instances, these accidents kill and injure without warning and as a result of dangerous decisions – like texting-while-driving and driving drunk – by negligent drivers. Frequently, punitive and exemplary damages are appropriate in accidents where deliberate recklessness contributes to the victim’s injury or death.

Fears | Nachawati attorneys know what it takes to secure the compensation your family deserves in the wake of a lethal automobile accident. You have rights worth protecting! Let us help you fight for them. For a free consultation, call us at 1.866.545.8364 or send an email to mn@fnlawfirm.com. We’re ready to fight for you!

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A construction worker in a Houston suburb died yesterday when the metal form of a crane tilted, then broke loose, trapping him underneath. During the accident, a metal strut struck the worker on the head, killing him. The worker, just 28-years-old, was the unintended victim of a construction tool that failed in its obligation to protect him, resulting in his tragic and unnecessary death.

Workplace accidents cause injuries, often referred to as “occupational injuries,” every day. Thousands of Americans suffer annually from the effects of poorly designed products, improper supervision, and a host of other negligent acts. Want to know more about occupational injuries? Fears | Nachawati can answer all of your questions and help you decide how to move forward. For a free consultation, call us at 1.866.705.7584 or send an email to info@fnlawfirm.com. We’re ready to help you!

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Over the weekend, a Houston driver died when his SUV slid onto a grassy median and then into a tree. Accident investigators attributed the accident to high speeds. Unfortunately, the driver perished at the scene of the collision.

The Texas personal injury lawyers of Fears | Nachawati understands that car accidents are more complicated than they often appear. A combination of factors, including speeding, cell phone use, child distractions, and alcohol, typically contribute to most Texas auto accidents. If you’ve been in a car accident, you need a Texas lawyer who understands how these factors influence responsibility and damages. For the information you need to make the decisions that you face, contact a dedicated Texas auto accident lawyer at 1.866.705.7584 or send an email to info@fnlawfirm.com. 

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A teen driver in Houston died Wednesday night as a result of dialing-and-driving. The teen driver, who was talking on a cell phone while driving, misjudged the distance between himself and the car ahead of him. When he finally realized that he was about to plow into the back of the car in his lane, he swerved, overcorrected, and ended up in oncoming traffic. An approaching car in the other lane slammed into the teen's car. The reckless teenage driver, who wasn't wearing a seatbelt at the time of the accident, died soon after the crash.

Distracted driving -- whether the distraction comes in the form of a phone call, text message, radio, or another passenger -- claims thousands of lives in Texas every year. Although the Houston teen tragically paid the price of his reckless behavior, often that's not the case. Too many times the person who is injured or killed is an innocent bystander who happens to be at the wrong place at the wrong time.

Fears | Nachawati has provided legal counsel to dozens of car accident victims who were hurt as a result of negligent, distracted driving. If you’ve been injured,  Our Houston car accidents lawyers understand the financial and legal challenges you face. Put our experience and expertise to work for you! For your free consultation, call 1.866.705.7584 or email info@fnlawfirm.com. 

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Last weekend, Steven McShan, a 24-year-old Houston firefighter, attempted to climb from a second floor to a third floor balcony where several children were playing. As McShan was pulling himself up, the railing he was holding onto gave way. McShan wasn’t able to regain his grip on the third floor or his footing on the second and, tragically, he fell 40 feet to his death.

Firefighters face dangers every day in the line of duty. Whether fighting fires or helping children, they frequently encounter risks – and injuries – that are unique. Those unusual risks include noxious smoke inhalation, scalding heat, and dangerous products, such as loose railings. If you have a loved one who works in the fire department, make sure that they talk to a medical and legal expert if they’re injured. To speak with the experts in the law governing firefighter-related injuries, contact the team of specialists at Fears | Nachawati. For a free consultation, call 1.866.705.7584 or email info@fnlawfirm.com. 

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An unidentified worker near the Houston Ship Channel is safe now after Channelview and Houston Fire Department fire fighters succeeded in saving him from a near-tragic crane mishap. The man was left literally dangling from a crane after an accident near Jacinto Port Boulevard and Peninsula Boulevard almost cost him his life!

Every year, the Bureau of Labor Statistics records more than 3,000,000 occupation-related accidents, more than 25 percent of which result in significant injury. More 200,000 result in falls and nearly 5,000 accidents are fatal.

Occupational injuries are serious! If you’re in a work-related injury, you need to speak to the personal injury experts at Fears | Nachawati. Whether you’ve had a fall, a sprain, a tear, or a break, we can get you back on your feet and your life back on track. Call 1.866.705.7584 or send an email to info@fnlawfirm.com. Let us help you!

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The Houston Astros are for sale, and if you, like Jim Crane, have several hundred million dollars, you can own the famed team. However, if your company has a history of employment discrimination, you might want to avoid the limelight. (Unfortunately for Mr. Crane, that’s a lesson he didn’t heed.)

In 2000, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) investigated Mr. Crane’s company, Eagle Global Logistics, for its failure to promote blacks, Hispanics, and women into managerial positions. In fact, the EEOC further found that Eagle demoted women from managerial positions, fostered a hostile work environment and perpetuated a pay disparity between minorities and whites based on race and sex.

Employment discrimination is unfair to workers and their families. Moreover, it’s against the law. If you think you’re the victim of employment discrimination, you should consider having a conversation with the experts at Fears | Nachawati. The consultation is free and you’ll learn everything you need to know about whether to prosecute your claim. We can help you! Just call 1.866.705.7584 or send an email to info@fnlawfirm.com. 

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The owner of Innovations Automotive, a Houston body shop, is learning first-hand about the law of premises liability. Charged late last week with having a firearm accessible to a child and scheduled to appear for a court date later this month, Milton Almanza faces criminal charges – and could face civil charges, too – stemming from the tragic and unfortunate death of a 10-year-old boy. The victim, Kenneth Govea, fatally shot himself with a .25 caliber semi-automatic pistol he found in Mr. Almanza’s shop.

The tragic case of the boy, the shop owner, and the gun are important for business owners throughout the state of Texas. Simply put, the law of premises liability makes owners legally responsible for the dangers associated with their shop. For Mr. Almanza, the tool that he hoped would give his shop greater security is actually the weapon that could cost him time in jail and thousands of dollars in civil damages.

Want to know more about premises liability and the unseen legal risks that you and your business might face? For a free consultation that could save you more than you might imagine, talk to the injury experts at Fears | Nachawati. We’re in the business of helping you! Call us at 1.866.705.7584 or send an email to info@fnlawfirm.com. 

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Donald Leeroy Ballard, a Little League umpire near Houston, Texas, lured a 16-year-old child into his residence with the promise of food and video games. Once inside the home, Ballard sexually assaulted the child. Given Mr. Ballard’s relatively high interaction with teenage boys throughout Liberty County, the Liberty County Sheriff’s Office was concerned that Ballard might have sexually assaulted other children as well.

Ballard will be subject to criminal charges, however, he also will likely face tort allegations, too. Victims deserve their day in court and they need legal advisors capable of defending their rights. If you or a loved one has been the victim of a crime such as battery, theft, or sexual assault, contact the legal advisors at Fears | Nachawati. Call at 1.866.705.7584 or send an email to info@fnlawfirm.com. We can help you!

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Sexual assault is always painful, tragic and unfortunate. However, it’s particularly difficult when the victim is a child and the perpetrator is a trusted adult in the community. This week, residents of Katy, Texas, are grappling with the reality that Robert Paul Gentry, 28, had sex with a 15-year-old who was in his care at a residential treatment facility. The facility is designed to care for teens with emotional disorders.

If your child is verbally, physically, emotionally or sexually victimized by an adult, you need to take action. The perpetrator who injures your child should not simply face criminal charges, but civil allegations, too. Find out how to protect your family and seek justice within the justice system by contacting the personal injury experts at Fears | Nachawati. Call 1.866.705.7584 or send an email to info@fnlawfirm.com. 

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In August 2009 a Houston man, John T. Barnes, Sr., was fatally shot by an officer in the Houston Police Department. The results of the autopsy, completed on November 3, 2009, weren’t released until earlier this month – after the Barnes family attorney, David W. Hodges, filed suit in U.S. District Court. As Hodges candidly explained, “The city had suppressed the autopsy until now. In this case, I think it was the filing of the lawsuit which finally was the impetus behind them releasing the autopsy.”

You deserve prompt responses from city staff, police departments and fellow citizens. If you haven’t received the attention you deserve, the right decision may be to contact the legal professionals at Fears | Nachawati. Whatever legal conflict you face, we can help! Call at 1.866.705.7584 or send an email to info@fnlawfirm.com. Let us protect you!

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Yesterday a 50-year-old man fell into Lake Houston from his Jet Ski. While his fellow passenger, a 10-year-old child, was accounted for, the Jet Ski’s driver was not located by the Atascocita Volunteer Fire Department. The entire incident raises new, challenging questions about the safety of Jet Skis and the extent to which dangerous designs put customers at risk.

Want to know more about the risks associated with Jet Skis? Are you also concerned by the product’s faulty design? If so, contact the personal injury experts at Fears | Nachawati. Call us at 1.866.705.7584 or send an email to info@fnlawfirm.com. 

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Hip replacements are common among older Americans. When properly built and installed, they can dramatically improve an individual’s quality of life. Tragically, however, a group of patients in Houston have encountered failed hip devices. Earlier this month, these victims filed suit against Johnson & Johnson, Inc., the manufacturer of the ASR XL Acetabular Metal-on-Metal Hip Replacement System. They have valid reason for concern: in August 2010 Johnson & Johnson recalled the ASR XL system after a study revealed that the product had a high failure rate of 13 percent over five years.

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Last weekend a motorcyclist, Carlton Neal Bare, died suddenly and tragically when a drunk driver failed to yield, turning directly into Mr. Bare. The drunk driver, Carlos Loris Lengua, blew a breathalyzer over the legal limit when police officers arrived at the scene of the accident.

Drunk driving kills nearly 15,000 Americans every year. In fact, at more than 1,500 drivers every year Texas is the leading state in drunk driving fatalities. Thousands more are injured – sometimes altering the rest of their lives – because of drink driving.

Have you been in an alcohol-related vehicle accident? If so, you may need help. You may need the personal injury experts of Fears | Nachawati. For a free consultation, call us at 1.866.705.7584 or send an email to info@fnlawfirm.com. Let us help you!

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A 46-year-old man died on the last day of this year’s Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo when he fell from a roller coaster, the HiMiler. Despite the on-the-scene efforts of emergency medical personnel, the man died in a Houston-area hospital soon after the accident. At its highest point, the HiMiler is 53 feet high, although last weekend’s victim’s fatal was reportedly only about 28 feet.

Roller coasters are a hallmark of spring and summer fun in Texas. Unfortunately, too often men, women and children are injured by poorly designed and improperly maintained facilities. In the wake of the tragic accident, the safety measures in place at the time of the accident on the HiMiler have come under severe scrutiny.

If you’re injured on a roller coaster at a carnival, rodeo or amusement park, you should immediately contact the personal injury experts at Fears | Nachawati. With years of experience and expertise, we’re ready to defend your rights and secure the compensation you deserve. Call 1.866.705.7584 or send an email to info@fnlawfirm.com.

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Last week, Lashawnda Allen was charged with child endangerment. Incredibly, this Houston mother allowed her 20-month-old daughter to drink Four Loko, an alcoholic energy drink. When the child arrived at LBJ Hospital, hospital officials determined her blood alcohol level was 0.09, above the legal limit for intoxication.

Ms. Allen faces criminal charges, however, it’s important to remember that domestic abuse and child endangerment cases can also raise civil liability as well. If you are concerned that your daughter or granddaughter might be in an abusive relationship – whether they are endangered by a spouse or parent – it might be time to call the personal injury experts at Fears | Nachawati. We’re devoted to helping people just like you! For a free consultation, call us at 1.866.705.7584 or send an email to info@fnlawfirm.com. 

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 A natural gas plant operated by the Houston-based Enterprise Products Partners (EPD), a publicly traded company, erupted in an explosion last week, causing a fire that could be seen for more than a dozen miles away. While no injuries were reported or evacuations required, state highway 146 was shut down.

Natural gas plants and oil refineries are notoriously susceptible to explosions and fires. On many occasions, explosions and fires are the result of preventable risks. Too often, negligent companies fail to properly safeguard against their product’s combustibility. If you are injured during your work at a natural gas plant or oil refinery, call the injury experts at Fears | Nachawati. With years of experience, our expertise is courtroom tested! Give us a call at 1.866.705.7584 or send an email to info@fnlawfirm.com. 

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 Recovering at a Houston hospital, Rep. Gabrille Giffords has begun rehabilitation after what doctors describe as her “spectacular” recovery from a gunshot wound infamously sustained in a Tuscon, Arizona shooting. Nevertheless, as her doctors have explained, retraining the brain after a traumatic brain injury (TBI) can take years and often includes intensive speech, occupational and physical therapy. Said Dr. Robert Stevens, an associate professor of neurology at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, “You can’t be in a hurry. This is a long, drawn-out process, and it can be extremely frustrating.”

Giffords ordeal shines a light on the costs and difficulties associated with TIBs. If you or a loved one has undergone a traumatic brain injury – caused by a fall, a gunshot wound or other kind of accident – you need a medical and legal team that can help you navigate the long and difficult days ahead. Fortunately, you can ask for no better than the experienced and expert attorneys at Fears | Nachawati. For your free consultation, give us a call at 1.866.705.7584 or send an email to info@fnlawfirm.com. 

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 A worker in Houston, Texas, tragically and unnecessarily lost his leg recently when his employer’s trash compactor malfunctioned, crushing his leg above the knee. When negotiations failed, the victim’s attorney filed suit against the man’s employer and the manufacture of the compactor. Last week, the employer settled with its former employee, providing $1.5 million in recognition of the firm’s negligent work environment and in order to compensate the employee for his loss.

The fight against the employer wasn’t easy—and the battle against the manufacturer of the faulty compactor remains—but the lesson is clear: a talented, hard-working, knowledgeable attorney can secure the compensation that accident victims deserve. If you’ve been injured at work, contact the personal injury experts at Fears | Nachawati. With our experience and expertise, we can win for you. To speak with our experts, call us at 1.866.705.7584 or send an email to info@fnlawfirm.com. We’re ready to help you!

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Mediation in personal injury cases typically occurs after a lawsuit is filed, but before a trial before a jury or judge takes place.  Once an injury suit is filed, mediation is usually your last chance to resolve your case, absent a full-blown trial, and , many cases in fact settle at mediation.  During mediation, the mediator is a neutral arbiter between the parties and their goal is to try and resolve the injury claim in a manner that all parties can live with.  Your lawyer should explain to you how mediation works well in advance.  Typically, mediation lasts a half day or a full day, depending on the complexity of the case.  At the beginning of mediation, parties meet in one conference room where your lawyer makes a short presentation to the mediator and the party being sued concerning the facts of your injury case.  Sometimes, the attorney for the party being sued responds with a brief statement and the parties then break into separate rooms.  The mediator typically goes back and forth into separate conference rooms with monetary offers.  If the parties to the injury suit can come together on a settlement, the mediator drafts a short settlement agreement and the injury claim is finalized usually within 30 days following mediation.  If however, the parties are unable to come together on a fair settlement, the case will go to trial.  It is important to ensure your lawyer is willing to go the distance and take your case to trial if necessary.  Lawyers at my firm, Fears | Nachawati, attend mediation frequently, and more importantly, will absolutely take a case to trial if the negligent party (at fault party) is unwilling to pay a fair and reasonable settlement amount. If you have an injury claim and need legal help or advice, contact me at mn@fnlawfirm.com or by phone - 1.866.705.7584.

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Today, the Houston Chronicle reported that a pregnant woman and her child were involved in a car accident with the Constable.                                          

A pregnant woman and a young child were taken to the hospital by Life Flight helicopter after a Harris County deputy constable patrol car struck their vehicle on the Sam Houston Tollway, authorities said. The accident happened about 11 a.m. at the North Loop 's westbound tollway plaza near Antoine, officials said.

A Precinct 4 deputy constable was was in the EZ tag lane when his cruiser struck the rear of a sedan carrying at least five people, officials said.

One of the passengers, a pregnant mother, and a child, believed to be 2-to-4 years old, were flown to Memorial Hermann Hospital in unknown condition, officials said.

A woman in the sedan was taken to the hospital by ambulance, officials said.

The deputy constable, who has not been identified, suffered cuts and bruises in the wreck and was taken to Houston Northwest Medical Center , officials said.

"He's going through some x-rays and CAT scans," said Harris County Precinct 4 Capt. Mark Herman.

Officials said two other people in the car weren't injured. Patrol deputies drove them to Memorial Hermann Hospital where the pregnant woman and the toddler were taken.

The accident remains under investigation. Officials said it wasn't yet known if the car suddenly stopped on the toll road just before it was struck by the patrol car.

"We're still looking into it. It's going to take us awhile," Herman said. "Our main concern right now is getting the injured some help and then getting the accident properly investigated."

The accident will be reviewed by the Harris County District Attorney's Office, Herman said.

This is another incident where legal issues may be involved. Lives may be at stake for reasons that may or may not be clear. By filing a personal injury lawsuit, the injured party can be compensated for the pain that never should have ocurred in the first place.

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