Fort Worth Injury Lawyer Blog

As a Fort Worth personal injury lawyer, I am acutely aware of the high number of traffic accident fatalities throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. The large numbers of 18 wheelers which pass through the region and frequent drunk driving wrecks are perhaps the most significant contributors to DFW’s high death rate in auto collisions. However, a new study by the US Center for Disease Control and Prevention has shown that for the first time ever, car crash death are outnumbered by drug-related fatalities based on nationwide figures.

This is not entirely surprising. Over just the past few months, there are several drugs whose hazardous side-effects have become public knowledge. For example: the popular diabetes medication Actos has recently been linked to increased likelihood of bladder cancer; Propecia, designed to reduce hairloss has the rather undesired side-effects of impotence, infertility and erectile dysfunction; and the birth control pill Yaz has been found to cause blood clots, strokes and heart attacks.

Aside from these very dangerous drugs, while other preventable illnesses have decreased, so prescription drug addiction has been on the rise. Some of the more potent and dangerous medications often abused by patients which the CDC singled out include Fentanyl, OxyContin, Vicodin, Soma and Xanax.

If you suspect either yourself or someone you care about is struggling with prescription drug addiction, you should contact your family doctor immediately to discuss your options. If you or a loved one has suffered illness or injury due to a known dangerous drug, please contact the board certified medical malpractice and wrongful death attorneys at the Anderson Law Firm for a free no obligation consultation on your personal situation. We can be reached toll free at 800-354-6275.

A Texas soldier was killed by a truck driver in a fatal South Carolina auto accident on Friday night. Sergeant First Class Maurice Collier, 48, of Killeen, was attending a motorcycle rally in Aiken, near Eureka when the accident occurred. Witnesses reported that Collier, who was stationed at Fort Hood, was helping to direct traffic leaving after the motorcycle event, when he was hit and killed by a Ford 350. He was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced deceased.

The truck driver, identified as Glenn Otts, of Trenton, was then allegedly attacked by other bikers and reportedly stabbed and beat in retaliation for the deadly accident. He was subsequently treated for non-life threatening injuries.

As a Dallas-Fort Worth personal injury lawyer, I know that pedestrian accidents are highly likely to result in a death such as this, as the human body offers no protection against the blunt force of a heavy vehicle.

I would like to offer my sympathies to Sergeant Collier’s family and loved ones. I am deeply sorry for your loss.

I would also like to wish Mr. Otts a full and speedy recovery. Even though it does appear that his negligence as a motorist was responsible for causing Sergeant Collier’s death, there is no excuse for the violence perpetrated against him. Justice for wrongful deaths should be sought through the legal system, not through a mindless vigilante assault.

An as yet unidentified man was killed by a pickup driver in Fort Worth early on Sunday morning. A witness told police that the male victim was attempting to cross the road at the 3600 block of North Main Street at approximately 2:30 am yesterday. A pickup truck believed to be driven by another male hit the pedestrian in the roadway, knocking him to the ground. The witness reported that the pickup driver stopped his vehicle and backed up to get a closer look at his victim before speeding off into the night. The pedestrian was pronounced dead at the crash scene, although the Tarrant County medical examiner’s office has not yet been able to identify the hit-and-run victim.

Police believe the driver was driving a tan Chevrolet pickup truck. If you believe that you may have any information which could assist the Fort Worth Police Department in their investigation of this deadly hit-and-run accident, please contact the Crime Stopper Hotline at 817-469-8477.

It looks like more crossing guards are needed around Truett Elementary in East Dallas after two children have been hit by cars this month while they were trying to cross the street. On Sept. 16 a young student was hit on Peavy Road and just five days later another student was hit while crossing Gross Road. Thankfully, both students survived but the events have made pedestrian student safety a number one concern for many parents in the area – and for good reason.

In my August issue of Law Talk, my personal injury law firm’s newsletter, we wrote an article on how to drive around school buses and children during school dismissal times. Due to a variety of reasons, like budget cuts, schools all around Dallas and Fort Worth have seriously cut back on crossing guard jobs. This is bad news for many parents that allow their kids to walk home from school, especially with the distracted driving epidemic happening in this country. Kids are very vulnerable to pedestrian accidents because they lack the ability to appreciate danger. They aren’t always looking for the car speeding around the corner. Remind your kids how to cross the street safely and make sure that if you have to drive around local schools, you are on your A game.

If you, or your child have been hurt in a pedestrian accident, call the Anderson Law Firm in Fort Worth. We represent pedestrians who have been hit by cars in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex.

As a Dallas-Fort Worth personal injury lawyer, I know that children are often a high risk for suffering serious injuries in an accident. Whether it’s a car wreck, a dog attack or an accident around the home, their small, young bodies are liable to suffer considerably worse injuries than adults. As a father myself, such child injury cases always strike an emotional chord with me which is why I was particularly sad to learn of an Arlington toddler who was seriously hurt after falling three floors at a local apartment complex yesterday.

The child, who has not been named, is understood to be a three-year-old infant who lived at the apartment in question. According to the police, the boy’s mother was also at home at the time of the accident. They are still trying to understand how the boy fell out of the third-story apartment’s window.

The boy was transported by helicopter ambulance to Cook Children’s Medical Center in Fort Worth to be treated for his injuries. His current condition has not been made public. I wish him a full recovery and offer my sympathies to his family. I cannot imagine the emotional stress they must be feeling right now.

As a DFW personal injury lawyer – and despite being a dog owner myself - I know that dogs can be dangerous. People often forget this since they are commonly thought of as friendly pets, but the fact remains that dogs are animals with natural instincts and their often unpredictable minds of their own. In 2010, for example, there were 34 people killed nationwide in fatal dog attacks.

Just last week, a Dallas boy was attacked by two pit bull terriers on his way home from school, and most likely would have been killed if his life hadn’t been saved by three city workers who just happened to be passing. Shannon Craig, 9, admitted that prior to the attack he had been taunting the dangerous dogs but as they were a known vicious breed and behind a fence he thought he would be safe. Unfortunately, the dogs were not properly contained and the two animals attacked him.

Fortunately, three Dallas sanitation workers were driving by and the end of their shift and took decisive action to save the boy, who they described as weak and limp. Larry Jones, Steve Thurman and Douglas Rochelle fought off the pit bulls using their pitchforks and managed to get the young child to safety.

Craig is now recovering at home, although he will forever be left with the physical and emotional scars of his attack. His body is covered with lacerations and punctures from the dog’s bites. His family is still awaiting the results of a rabies test.

The owner of the dogs has been identified although so far no charges have been brought despite his clear negligence which contributed to these two known vicious dogs being able to escape. Authorities report that the two dogs have since been caught and are currently in quarantine.

As a Dallas-Fort Worth personal injury lawyer, I always encourage my clients to resist the temptation to settle their claim for compensation until either they have completed their medical treatment or their ongoing medical expenses are clear and apparent. Only then can the true cost of your injuries be fairly assessed. Settling the claim with the negligent driver’s insurance company before then is premature as it could seriously hurt you financially if you do.

Scarring is a classic example of this. In many non-critical injury cases, victims do get better, but in some situations they are left with serious scarring which will never fade entirely. In the case of facial disfigurements, for example, the effect can be a lifelong reminder of an event you would most likely much prefer to forget. It’s like piling on many additional years of emotional suffering on top of the traumatic physical pain you have already endured. Unfortunately, it is impossible to determine how significant of a scar you will be left with until at least several months after the accident.

If you have been in an accident and have been left with facial scarring or are worried that you might be, contact an experienced personal injury lawyer. They will be able to accurately assess your situation and help you determine what compensation you might be entitled to. Often, they will be able to recommend you to a doctor who has experience in helping others who have suffered similar injuries in the past, and who could suggest appropriate procedures to help reduce the significance of the scarring.

For a no fee, no obligation consultation with a Fort Worth personal injury lawyer, call the Anderson Law Firm toll free at 800-354-6275 or locally at 817-294-1900.

If you’ve watched TV recently, there’s a good chance you’ve seen the Actos drug lawsuit commercials. Actos became the most popular choice of drug for treating Type 2 diabetes after Avandia, a prescription similar to Actos, was found to sharply increase the risk of heart attacks in its users. But in June, the FDA released a statement that said patients who have taken Actos (pioglitazone) for more than a year have a high risk to develop bladder cancer, which is why you are seeing all those Actos lawsuit commercials on TV. For the millions of people who take Actos, these commercials can be frightening and probably make users wonder if they should continue taking the drug.

Although Actos is known to increase risk of bladder cancer in some patients, for others the drug works fine. For the most common signs of Actos complications, read the list below.

Symptoms of Actos Bladder Cancer
• Sharp pain in lower abdomen or back
• Urgent need to urinate
• Pain while urinating
• Blood or red color in urine

In the Actos warning issued by the FDA, they encourage patients taking Actos to tell their doctor if they are experiencing any of the above symptoms.

Should you stop taking Actos? That’s only a question you and your doctor can conclude together. Bring your concerns to them and get their professional opinion. If Actos has already caused your bladder cancer and you are interested in receiving compensation for your injuries, give one of the Actos attorneys at the Anderson Law Firm a call at 817-294-1900. Our injury lawyers have more than 40 years of combined experience in dangerous and defective drug and medical device litigation.

It’s always nice to know that as a Dallas-Fort Worth personal injury lawyer, I’m not alone in understanding the very real danger of distracted driving. That’s why I was pleased to find myself behind a four-wheel drive this morning heading into work, where the owner had installed a custom spare-tire cover loudly proclaiming their belief that texting while driving should be made illegal throughout the United States. I wholeheartedly agree.

According to the US Department of Transportation, 20 percent of all traffic accidents are directly caused by one or more drivers being distracted. The Center for Disease Control estimates that 15 people are killed nationwide every day because of distracted drivers.

The big local news this week is that Arlington City Council officially approved a proposal to outlaw texting behind the wheel. This is a fantastic decision that will save countless lives, and prevent many more injuries.

So why are so many people against it?

That’s a psychology I cannot comprehend. Distracted driving is just as deadly as drunk driving, so it makes sense that neither should be allowed. Unfortunately, many people have become accustomed to using their cellphone while simultaneously operating their cars, trucks and motorcycles so it’s natural they should bristle when told they can’t do it anymore. But trust me; your life is far more important that any text, tweet or email you might feel compelled to read. It can wait until you’ve arrived at your destination.

Others complain that the ban is going to be difficult to enforce. That’s an unfortunate truth. Not every person who decides to drive while intoxicated gets pulled over by police. Not every cellphone user will either. But many will. It may not be a perfect solution, but for many people simple knowing that they are breaking the law by checking their phone while in control of a vehicle should hopefully be enough to prevent a significant number of injuries and deaths.

As a wrongful death attorney, I hope that other North Texas cities follow Arlington’s example.

They say that if you don’t like the weather in Texas, you should wait five minutes. It’ll change. Unfortunately, we’ve been waiting for cooler temperatures for months. Yesterday, in fact, NOAA declared yesterday that Texas had the hottest summer ever of ANY STATE since instrument recordings first began in 1895. I previously thought it would be neat to finally break some long-held record, but now I just want it to be over.

Well, it just might be: dark ominous clouds have descended over DFW, and the forecast for the rest of the week includes rain (really!) and even thunderstorms. Finally!

But don’t celebrate just yet… As a Tarrant County personal injury lawyer I think it’s important that we’re all aware of the road hazards we might encounter with such sudden precipitation after such a prolonged dry spell. Right now, the roads throughout the metroplex are coated in dust, proof of polished and smooth they have become after several months of drought. Even minimal rain can mean a slippery surface. Be particularly careful at stop signs and other intersections as it’s very likely that they’ve collected oil pools which mixed with rain could be potentially fatal. Also, if you find yourself driving alongside a commercial truck, remember the additional dangers brought by bad weather. Both rain and dust can seriously impair visibility, plus the winds could push an 18 wheeler out of its lane if a particularly strong gust comes along. Please be careful.

If you have been injured in a car wreck or any other kind of accident, call the Anderson Law Firm for a free no obligation consultation on your personal injury case. Call toll free at 800-354-6275 or locally at 817-294-1900.

As a Grand Prairie motorcycle wreck and personal injury lawyer, I know that in an auto accident between a motorcycle and a car, van or truck, the motorcyclist is going to come away with the most serious injuries every single time. Even if the motorcycle rider is wearing a helmet, their unprotected bodies are no match for the blunt force of a large vehicle, which is why there are so many fatal motorcycle crashes throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex every year.

A multi-vehicle wreck which took place in Grand Prairie last Tuesday caused the death of a local motorcyclist. Michael Maruska, 52, of Midlothian, was riding his three-wheel bike along Lake Ridge Parkway when a van pulled entered the road in front of him. Mr. Maruska’s motorcycle crashed into the van, which subsequently also collided with a pickup truck. Mr. Maruska was immediately flown to Methodist Dallas Medical Center by helicopter ambulance. The driver of the van, Khoa Nguyen, 20, of Grand Prairie was treated for minor injuries. The driver of the pickup was not identified and their condition is unknown.

According to Grand Prairie police, their investigation into the cause of this deadly accident remains unresolved. Unfortunately, as an attorney, I have seen far too many similar fatalities caused by motorists who simply failed to watch out for motorcyclists or who decided to just pull out in front of them anyway. Since the collision took place at approximately 4.40 pm, there should have been sufficient daylight that visibility was not a problem. It will be interesting to learn of the investigating officers’ conclusion in this wrongful death case as if it is determined that Mr. Maruska was killed due to the fault of a negligent driver, his family are entitled to make a legal claim for compensation to cover his medical bills, funeral costs and other expenses related to the accident and the time he spent suffering.

I’d like to offer my thoughts and condolences to Mr. Maruska’s family and friends at this most difficult time. I am sorry for your loss.

Like many of you, I have been closely following the devastating wildfires across Texas which have destroyed thousands of people’s homes. It is the second time Kingdom Possum has been affected by such fires within five months. Yesterday also saw a fire in Rendon and Mansfield. By far the worst fire currently is the massive blaze in Bastrop, near Austin. The smoke from the Central Texas fire is so immense that it can even be seen from space.

As a Dallas-Fort Worth personal injury lawyer I feel compelled to do something to help those victims whose lives have been turned upside down by this incredible disaster. I’m sure that many of you wish to do what you can too. Here are some ways that you might make some contribution to the relief efforts:

A Texas Wildfires Disaster Relief Fund has been established to collect donations on behalf of the American Red Cross of Central Texas and the Capital Area Food Bank of Texas. The Red Cross is also accepting direct donations of food and clothing with information about how you can volunteer in person to help out. The Austin Community Foundation is accepting donations to help families throughout Bastrop, Leander, Steiner Ranch and the surrounding area.

Closer to home, a Collin County firefighter, Tony Greer, has set up a relief effort to help Palo Pinto County volunteer firefighter Ed Shelton who lost his house in the Labor Day weekend fire, yet continued to battle the blaze to save his neighbors’ homes. Donations for the Ed and Nancy Shelton Fire Relief Fund are being accepted at Wells Fargo Branches throughout North Texas, or via the fund’s Facebook page.

With the milestone tenth anniversary of 9/11 tomorrow, now is truly the time to remember the solidarity we all felt ten years ago, and to demonstrate that same spirit in our actions today. If you have not been directly affected by this past week’s wildfires, you should count yourself lucky. Stay safe. If you can do something to help those who have been affected, please do.

A few weeks ago, I wrote about the end of free public school bus rides in Keller on my personal injury blog. At the time, parents who could not afford the bus service were worried about the lack of sidewalks and crosswalks for child pedestrians. But the problems in Keller keep growing, all because of the budget deficit that cut the free bus program.

Fewer buses in the Keller school district means gridlock traffic for anyone driving around campuses during drop-off and pick-up times. The pay for ride system means more cars are on the already over-crowded streets, causing an increased potential for car wrecks and pedestrian accidents in the area. To make matters worse, at some of the busiest crosswalks in the district, a lack of crossing guards has made it nearly impossible for students to walk safely. The principal at Parkwood Hill Intermediate, Kathy Knowles, sent a voicemail last week to all parents asking them to be mindful and not drive in a way that could endanger children while in lines around the school.

If you have to drive near the traffic around Keller schools, please be careful. Children lack the ability to appreciate danger and are often involved in pedestrian accidents. At the Anderson Law Firm, our personal injury attorneys sincerely hope that Keller ISD can figure out a solution to all their traffic and transportation problems before an innocent child gets hurt.

How many times have you been driving around your neighborhood and had to slow down because of a pedestrian taking their sweet time to cross the road? Often, I think it’s simply a matter of the person being both oblivious to other road users and so wrapped up in themselves that they don’t care about causing an inconvenience to others. Surely they realize, though, that by not exiting the street as quickly as possible they are putting themselves in danger. As a Dallas-Fort Worth personal injury lawyer I certainly hope so!

A recent study published by Transportation for America puts the Dallas, Fort Worth and Arlington region of Texas as the 10th most dangerous metropolitan area in the US for pedestrians. This doesn’t really surprise me, seeing as here in DFW we are dependent on our cars to get from A to B.

So how can pedestrians reduce their risk of being injured in an auto accident?

The simple answer would be to pay attention. Just as motorists are guilty of creating a hazard by texting while driving, so pedestrians are putting themselves in grave peril by texting while walking. If you’re crossing the road you need to a) be aware of any oncoming vehicles and b) reach the sidewalk on the other side as quickly as possible. By law, motorists must yield to pedestrians even when they are jaywalking, but given the distracted driving epidemic we currently face in DFW, you can never guarantee that the car or truck heading towards you has actually noticed you.

If you are a pedestrian, don’t act like you own the road. You don’t stand a chance against an SUV. Don’t dawdle. Get across. Think self-preservation.

PI attorney Mark Anderson has been helping injured pedestrians and their families since 1991. For a free consultation on your personal injury or wrongful death case call Fort Worth 817-294-1900.

Less than a week after a Plano student died after falling from an apartment balcony in Austin, three men were injured in a balcony collapse accident which happened in Denton on Saturday night. Tony Garcia, Grant Draper and Garrett Draper went out on a balcony at The Grove Apartments to smoke their cigarettes only for the balcony to collapse beneath them, resulting in the men falling three floors to the ground. The three men were flown to Harris Methodist Hospital in Fort Worth by air ambulance to be treated for their injuries. Garrett Draper is currently listed in serious condition, while Tony Garcia and Grant Draper are believed to be in fair condition.

As a Denton County personal injury lawyer, I have been intrigued by this case due to the way the management of The Grove Apartments seem to be avoiding giving any solid answers to the media following this tragedy. The general manager of the student-targeted complex, Christine Vogiatzis, told reporters that “the balcony involved in this incident was a non-weight bearing structure,” yet she declined to confirm whether residents were notified of that. One reason that her comments are being questioned is the fact the apartment these men fell from had double doors leading out to the balcony.

The Grove Apartments only opened to residents this August, and they have already come under fire from multiple residents for the generally poor construction of the units. Since the balcony collapse accident on the weekend, more residents have voiced their concern about the perceived disregard for safety shown by The Grove’s management team. Many residents have taken to Facebook to air their concerns and complaints about the complex. The Grove has responded by removing their Facebook page.

I would urge the injury victims and their families to consult with a Texas personal injury and wrongful death attorney as soon as possible to discuss your legal rights to compensation to cover medical expenses and other costs as a result of this accident.

This summer has been hot even by Texas standards. It seems like almost every day for the past couple of months, there’s been some new record set by the temperature. The extreme heat brings numerous hazards for us here in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, but they are not all as obvious as you might think.

As a personal injury and wrongful death attorney, I know that one of the biggest dangers actually is actually to kids. While no-one every thinks it could happen to them, the truth is that many children suffer sickness or even die as a result of being left in hot cars every year. Just within the past couple of weeks an Irving toddler died after he was locking in his mother’s SUV in their own driveway.

I know it sounds like such a simple thing, you would never think you’d let it happen to your child, but the truth is that it happens to good parents all the time. I know that when I became a father, it was something that I became paranoid about.

Baylor Medical Center has actually founded a program called Backseat Buddies for new parents, to help them avoid the danger of potentially leaving their infants trapped in their vehicle. Each of the parents is given a small teddy bear which they keep on their keychain. Whenever they take their baby out of their car seat, they put the bear in their place. Then whenever they strap their newborn in, they clip the bear back onto their keychain as a visual reminder that their child is in the backseat. I think it’s a fantastic idea; not only is it incredibly simple but it reduces the worry that one day you might make that fatal mistake.

The FDA’s investigation into the complications caused by transvaginal mesh have concluded that women who have received the treatment may suffer far greater complications that those who receive alternative treatments for their pelvic organ prolapse. Common symptoms associated with vaginal mesh implants include chronic discomfort, pain during sex, infection, bleeding and vaginal scarring among others. The non-profit organization Public Citizen has strongly urged the FDA to recall all transvaginal mesh devices.

Have you been effected by this defective medical device?

Pelvic organ prolapse typically occurs in women soon after childbirth or a hysterectomy. It can also occur following the onset of menopause. Experts estimated that thousands of women throughout Dallas-Fort Worth and across America have received the transvaginal mesh implant. Due to lack of sufficient testing, the very real danger that the device poses to women’s health was not known until recently.

If you believe your doctor treated your pelvic organ prolapse with vaginal mesh surgery, it’s important that you do have legal rights. Contact the personal injury attorneys at the Anderson Law Firm for a no fee, no obligation consultation. Our lawyers are experienced in medical malpractice cases and defective products cases.

Call us toll free from anywhere in Texas at 800-354-6275, or call locally at 817-294-1900.

A comic book fan has built himself an eye-catching car that is sure to be the envy of the Justice League. That’s right, what we have here is a real-life, road-legal Batmobile. Casey Putsch decided to build himself his very own version of the Caped Crusader’s vehicle a little over a year ago. He initially considered modeling his new ride after the one used in Christopher Nolan’s Batman movies, but ultimately decided to copy the one in Tim Burton’s earlier films as he thought it looked more fantastical.

What makes this car even more amazing is that it’s powered by a Boeing turbine engine which Putsch salvaged from a decommissioned military helicopter. The core of the vehicle is a modified Corvette, but the frame and chassis were all custom-made.

Although the Batmobile is registered and technically road-legal, Putsch says that he won’t be driving it on public roads due to the noise it makes. He’s also worried about distracting other drivers who don’t expect to see Bruce Wayne driving past. Given how deadly distracted drivers can be, I think that’s something we can all thank him for. (As a personal injury lawyer, I can’t quite imagine the Batmobile being in an auto accident). Unfortunately, you won’t be able to see the Batmobile in Dallas-Fort Worth any time soon as Putsch lives and works in Ohio.