January 30, 2012

Wise County Bridge Collapses Under School Bus Filled With Kids

Students riding on a Decatur ISD school bus had a narrow escape on Thursday afternoon when their bus drove over a rural bridge which collapsed beneath the vehicle. Wise County officials reported that they had received several phonecalls regarding the condition of the bridge throughout the day, but the crew responsible for shutting it down did not arrive until after the bridge collapsed. Fortunately, none of the children on the bus at the time of the accident were injured. Thanks to the quick thinking of the driver, Debbie Brady, the bus was quickly and safely evacuated, despite the bus slipping further into the growing hole in the road every minute.

decaur_school_bus_bridge_collapse_child_wise_county_personal_injury_lawyer_attorney.png

As a Decatur personal injury lawyer, I would like to applaud the actions of Ms. Brady for keeping a cool head under crisis and for rescuing the bus load of kids from would otherwise surely have been a far worse disaster. Photos taken by emergency responders show that the bridge eventually collapsed completely beneath the weight of the four-ton bus, into the stream below. According to children on the bus, the rear of the vehicle was as much as eight feet in the air following the collapse, which meant it was necessary for them all to evacuate from the front doors of the bus.

Less than two weeks ago, it emerged that there are a total of 1,551 bridges throughout Texas which are considered structurally unsound by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT). Dangerous road conditions need to be addressed by the local authority in charge of their maintenance. Regardless of whether they are heavily-traveled ramps over major interstates or small single-lane bridges over rural creeks, if they are expected to carry cars, trucks and buses they must be regularly inspected and maintained to ensure that they are in fact safe to do so. Had circumstances been just slightly different, Thursday’s incident could have been a dramatically worse tragedy.

December 13, 2011

NBA Introduces New Concussion Policy

A couple of weeks ago, I wrote about some college football players who had brought a lawsuit against the NCAA accusing them of not doing enough to prevent concussions among athletes. As a Fort Worth personal injury lawyer and a huge sports fan, I know just how dangerous concussions can be, so I was happy to hear yesterday that the NBA has introduced a new policy to ensure that players who have suffered a head injury must now consult with a neurologist before they are allowed to return to work.

Dirk%20Nowitzki%20Dallas%20Mavericks%20Fort%20Worth%20Concussion%20HEad%20Injury%20Child%20Lawyer%20Attorney%20DFW%20Texas.jpg

The NBA has been considering introducing a concussion program since March of this year, following several players suffering concussion-like symptoms and finally came into full effect at the beginning of this winter’s training camp. Dr. Jeffrey Kutcher - an associate professor of neurology at the University of Michigan – has been hired as director of the NBA’s initiative and developed the new protocol with the assistance of several team physicians and athletic trainers.

Players that have suffered head injuries will now be required to undergo a series of tests consisting of varying levels of exertion before he is cleared to start playing again. The NBA says that the full process will usually take several days at minimum – and possibly weeks in some instances. That might not be great news for fans who might bemoan the loss of their team’s star player for several games, but the new policy is critical to ensure the safety of players in what is an extremely physical competitive sport.

***

Mark A. Anderson is a board certified personal injury attorney who has been helping car wreck and other accident victims throughout the DFW since 1991. As a child injury lawyer, Mark understands the risks faced by athletes who suffer a concussion both in high school sports and all other levels.

September 6, 2011

Three Men Injured In Denton, Texas Balcony Collapse

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.

denton%20grove%20balcony.png

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.

July 12, 2011

Texas Personal Injury Victims Are Protected From Ambulance Chasers

After two years of uncertainty, due to a legal challenge and a subsequent appeal, Texas House Bill 148 has finally become law. The legislation, which was signed by Gov. Rick Perry in 2009, makes it illegal for lawyers or medical professionals (such as chiropractors) to solicit car wreck victims within the first 30 days following their accident. As a Dallas-Fort Worth personal injury attorney with 20 years’ experience, I wholeheartedly support this law. The so-called “ambulance chasers” that this law targets are fortunately few and far between, but they give my industry as a whole a bad name. I do not sue negligent drivers for the sake of winning a windfall payout for my clients; I help people that have been injured through no fault of their own make a successful claim against the at-fault party’s insurance company. The victim of a drunk driver should not have to ruin their credit or put themselves at risk of bankruptcy due to the medical expenses incurred simply because they were in the wrong place at the wrong time – the negligent motorist’s insurance company should.

ambulance.jpg

While I welcome this legislation into law, however, I feel there is still work to be done. Traffic collision victims and their family members need time to comprehend the often life-changing event which has unexpectedly taken place. The injured person needs time to both mentally and physically recuperate. So why are insurance adjustors allowed to visit them in their hospital room? It’s true and it happens every day. Why do they do this? They can exploit the patient’s vulnerable state and get them to sign a release accepting an offensively low settlement figure, which will not even come close to covering the debt they will incur as a result of being in an accident. This is all about the insurance company minimizing their losses. I think it is a most unethical practice. Texas law gives accident victims the right to a fair settlement which compensated them for all medical costs and any loss of income caused by being involved in a crash.

It is a great thing that Texas accident victims are now protected from unscrupulous lawyers and medical professionals, but they also need protection from the equally bad insurance adjustors.

Mark Anderson is Board Certified in Personal Injury Trial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and is the author of the books 15 Mistakes That Will Wreck Your Texas Accident Case and Roadmap To Winning Your Texas Motorcycle Accident Case.

June 20, 2011

Defective and Dangerous Products: Are They In Your House?

At the Anderson Law Firm in Fort Worth, we try to update the public about dangerous products and product recalls as much as we can by using our blogs, like this one. Our accident and injury attorneys know that these unsafe products are a hazard to our families and we want the public to be informed as much as possible. However, with so many product recalls and dangerous toys and the like out there, it’s impossible for us to keep up with all of them!

Did you know products like toys, cookware and lawn equipment can be considered defective even if there is no product recall? No matter how big or small, defective products can cause serious injuries to people, especially children. Texas law provides that people injured by unreasonably dangerous products are entitled to be compensated for their injuries—but what do you need to prove that the item was indeed defective and dangerous?

At the Anderson Law Firm, we recommend the following steps if you’ve been injured by an unsafe product:
• Save the product in its current condition
• Save all the manuals, instructions and paperwork that goes with the product
• Get the information of any witnesses that saw the accident happen
• Take pictures of the accident scene and your injuries
• If you are hurt, seek medical attention immediately
• Write down your injury symptoms days after the accident
• Do not give a recorded statement, sign a medical records authorization, or accept a settlement before talking to a products liability attorney

Following this advice will help you to get most value from your products liability accident claim. If you’ve been injured by a defective product, call the Fort Worth product liability attorneys at the Anderson Law Firm for a free case consultation. You may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. Contact us today at 817-294-1900.

June 13, 2011

Financial Debt You Might Incur After An Accident


stressed%20couple.jpg

If you've been unlucky enough to have been injured in a Dallas-Fort Worth traffic wreck, it's important that you understand that your chance encounter with a negligent driver could have long term implications which continue long after you complete your medical treatment and your wounds have healed. You may not know this, but unpaid medical bills are the number one reason for bankruptcy in America. Doctors and hospitals are very expensive. Even with really good health insurance, the money you personally owe can be quite substantial. As a Tarrant County personal injury lawyer, I have seen too many of my clients' lives ruined by the bad credit they were stuck with following their accidents, even after their claims have been successfully resolved and the bills paid.

Regardless of whether you were injured in a car wreck, a motorcycle collision or some other accident, chances are high that you're going to incur significant medical expenses over the course of your treatment. Added to that, you're probably going to be out of work for a while, so the loss of income makes the problem even worse. The good news is that in Texas you have the legal right to pursue a claim for compensation against the at-fault driver's insurance company. This will allow you to recover money to pay off your medical debt, replace those lost wages and compensate you for the very real pain and suffering you and your family have endured.

If you or a loved one have been injured in an accident which was not your fault, give me a call for a no fee, no obligation consultation on your personal situation. Call toll free at 800-354-6275 or locally at 817-294-1900.

June 7, 2011

Dealing With the Insurance Company in Broken Bone Cases


060711%20broken%20bones%201.jpg

In my 20 years as a Dallas-Fort Worth traffic injury lawyer I have helped people injured in all sorts of car wrecks, motorcycle collisions and other accidents. Some of the most catastrophic injuries I’ve seen are broken bone injuries. They can happen to anyone from a kid falling off a climbing frame or a senior citizen slipping in a nursing home. In fracture injury cases it is incredibly important that you have an experienced personal injury attorney holding your hand and dealing with the insurance company on your behalf. You don’t want to do anything which could jeopardize your chances of recovering the maximum possible compensation from the insurance company, because chances are you’ll need it.

If you’re lucky, your broken bones can be fixed with the standard treatment of setting and casting, and waiting for your body to heal itself over time. But in the more serious cases extensive orthopedic surgery is required. Many accident injury victims need long term physical therapy. Some people never fully recover and face lifelong disability as a result of the accident.

You need to be extremely careful in how you deal with the insurance company when pursuing a claim for damages. Usually, the insurance adjustor will try to rush you into settling a claim before you’re had the opportunity to consult with an attorney who can explain your legal rights. Don’t fall for their tricks. Under Texas law you are entitled to seek monetary compensation to help pay for all past and future medical expenses related to your wreck, so you don’t want to settle too soon. I never allow my clients to sign anything until their injuries have stabilized and their doctor is able to say with certainty what their future quality of life will be.

If you or someone you love has been hurt in a Texas accident and suffered any sort of injury, I would like to offer you a free copy of my book 15 Mistakes That Will Wreck Your Texas Accident Case. It’s filled with the most important dos and don’ts to make sure you don’t get taken advantage of by the insurance company. If you live or work in the greater Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex then I offer free consultations to injured individuals and their families. Call me toll free at 800-354-MARK (6275) to set up an appointment.

May 20, 2011

Forklift Injuries – All Too Common In the Texas Workplace

Did you know that 90,000 people are injured in forklift accidents every year? According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, forklifts cause thousands of injuries every year and in some cases, can even cause death.

Forklift accidents can leave their victims devastated. The injuries can be incredibly severe and life altering. The most unfortunate part of the whole equation is that a lot of forklift accidents are completely avoidable.

Most forklift accidents are caused by:

• Bad forklift driving
• Defective forklift design
• Lack of forklift driver training
• Improper forklift maintenance
• Improper workplace design

It’s not surprising that there are a large number of forklift accidents in Fort Worth with as many construction and industrial workplaces as there are in the DFW area. Even though most forklift injury cases are covered by workers comp, you might still be able to file a personal injury claim if the driver of the forklift was employed by a different employer than yourself.

If you’ve been injured in a forklift accident, call the Anderson Law Firm in Fort Worth today. Our personal injury attorneys may be able to get you compensation for your medical treatments, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Call us at 817-294-1900 to set up your free forklift injury case review.

May 18, 2011

Why you shouldn’t be afraid to seek compensation

Hispanic%20patient%20-%20unhappy.jpg

As a Flower Mound personal injury lawyer, I’ve learned that many people who have suffered an injury due to someone else’s negligence are often hesitant about making a claim for compensation to pay for their medical treatment or loss of income. Typically they rationalize this by saying the car wreck they were in was an accident; accidents happen, they’ve completed their months of treatment now, it’d be better to put this whole unpleasantness behind them and forget about it… Sometimes people don’t want to bring a claim because the at-fault person is someone they know and are afraid of destroying a personal relationship by suing their friend or neighbor. This is the deal: you’re not suing your friend – you’re claiming against their insurance company. That’s why they’ve paid their insurance premiums all these years – that’s why you pay yours.

Full disclosure: I will never pursue a claim against an individual who does not have an insurance policy. I don’t know any Texas PI attorney who does. We are not in the business of ruining people’s lives, our job is simply to help those who have suffered physical injuries get their lives back on track. Hospital bills are the number one cause of bankruptcy in the United States. If it wasn’t your fault, you have the legal right to claim for damages.

In some situations, you don’t even need to claim against an individual if the at-fault person was at work and performing a duty related to their employment when they caused your injury. A common situation where this occurs is when a truck driver crashes his big rig, injuring other motorists in a traffic collision. Another example might be a nurse who gives the wrong medication to a patient. While the nurse is of course responsible, the hospital is vicariously liable for her actions too. Therefore the patient who was injured as a result of receiving the incorrect meds does not have to worry about the nurse not having the ability to pay the damages incurred, because they can seek compensation from the hospital directly.

If you or a loved one have been hurt and someone else was to blame, please contact the Anderson Law Firm for a free no obligation consultation on your personal situation. We will explain your legal rights and let you know whether there is a legitimate cause for you to seek compensation. Call us toll free at 800-354-6275, or locally at either 817-294-1900 or 214-327-8000. Alternatively, you can contact us online and we will call you back as soon as possible.

July 13, 2010

Football Player Hurt In Cowboy’s Indoor Field Suing For Injuries

A former Dallas Cowboys player claims he suffered a career-ending injury in the team's indoor practice facility when it collapsed last year. He is seeking damages from the builder and companies operated by team owner Jerry Jones.

The victim, Jamar Hunt, says in a court filing that he suffered serious, disabling and permanent injuries in May 2009 after the structure fell.

Hunt was a rookie free agent from the University of Texas at El Paso trying to make the team as a tight end and deep snapper at the time.

Michael Guajardo, Hunt's attorney, said the player suffered a herniated disk in his neck when a steel support fell on him.

Cowboys spokesman Rich Dalrymple said the team isn't commenting on Hunt's claim.

Hunt is making the same allegations against the companies that special teams coach, Joe DeCamillas, and team scout Rich Behm, made earlier this year.

DeCamillas suffered broken vertebrae and Behm was left paralyzed from the waist down. Both filed identical lawsuits in separate Dallas courts that alleged negligence by the company that built the facility, Summit Structures LLC, and cite three entities controlled by Jones for improperly supervising repairs.

Last month, Behm and DeCamillas reached settlements with Summit and its Canadian parent, Cover-All Building Systems Inc. after a Canadian court lifted a stay blocking legal proceedings against the failed company and allowed the two Cowboys employees to collect proceeds from its insurance.

If the tent-like structure was poorly designed and made (as it appears), then Hunt has every right to sue for damages caused by poor construction. I wish Mr. Hunt and Mr. Guajardo luck on this serious injury case.

Information and commentary is provided by Dallas/Fort Worth Personal Injury Lawyer Mark Anderson. The Anderson Law Firm can be reached in Fort Worth at 817-294-1900 or in Dallas at 214-327-8000.

December 4, 2009

Firefighters Rescue Two Men Injured On Roof at Cowboys Stadium

Firefighters rescued two maintenance workers Thursday morning from the roof of Cowboys Stadium after they slipped on ice and slid 250 feet down onto a gutter. One was taken by helicopter to Parkland Memorial Hospital in Dallas for chest and head trauma and a broken leg and the other by ambulance to John Peter Smith Hospital in Fort Worth for a back injury.

The men, who have not been identified, work for the subcontractor Birdair. They were not wearing their safety gear when they went out onto the roof, according to firefighters. According to the Dallas office of Occupational Safety and Health Administration, an official has already gone to the stadium to start an investigation into this accident.

12 to 15 firefighters were involved in the rescue, which required them to use stretchers and ropes to secure the injured men. Thankfully, fire fighters have been preparing for such a rescue and becoming knowledgeable about every aspect of the building since construction first began

Since work began on the stadium in April 2006, 175 work-related injuries were reported. One person was killed in June 2008, an electrician who touched a high-voltage line.

Information provided by Personal Injury Attorney Mark A. Anderson, who can be reached in Dallas at 214-327-8000, in Fort Worth at 817-294-1900, and anywhere in Texas toll free at 877-294-1115. He can also be contacted by clicking here.

August 31, 2009

Structural Problems Caused Bridgeport Teen’s Death

Last week I blogged about a terrible accident in Bridgeport, Texas. The city released a preliminary engineering report last Friday after an investigation into the awning fall that killed Leslie Denison and injured her classmate Rebekah Logan. The report concluded that inefficient structural supports connecting the awning to the building, combined with weather factors, caused the awning to unexpectedly collapse.

The Bridgeport High School students were crushed by the falling awning last Tuesday when they were running as part of their cross country training.

According to the report, the city was unable to find records indicating the age of the building or how long the awning has been attached to Club Barbell and the neighboring businesses. The awning was attached to the top of the building on a grouted stone block wall, which can wear down over time, according to the report. The report also noted that there was no evidence of proper structural supports such as braces or bolts attaching the awning to the building. Weather may have played a part in the tragedy as well; the awning had a wood rather than metal frame, and wood can shrink, swell, or even warp from humidity over time.

There are two more awnings, located on either side of Club Barbell, addressed in the report. While one was determined to be fine, the other has structural problems and is considered dangerous.

This report is not that surprising. Something had to have caused this awning to fall. In this case, it just sounds like poor workmanship by the installer and poor maintenance by the building owner. It would be interesting to know how long the awning had been there.

Information provided by Texas Board Certified Attorney Mark A. Anderson who can be reached at 817-294-1900 or contacted by clicking here.

August 25, 2009

Bridgeport Teen Killed When Awning Collapses

A seventeen year old senior at Bridgeport High School was tragically killed today when a storefront awning fell on her as she was running through downtown Bridgeport with a classmate. The girl, Leslie Denison, was pronounced dead at the scene. Her friend and felllow BHS cross country runner, Becca Logan, also 17, was transported to John Peter Smith Hospital in Fort Worth where she was listed in stable condition.

This tragedy happened in front of Club Barbell on Halsell Street about 4 p.m. The girls were merely running down the sidewalk when the awning and connected bricks and mortar came crashing down. This is an absolutely incredible case of bad timing. I have heard of tree limbs falling and injuring runners, but this is unimaginable. How does a store awning just come crashing down?

This wrongful death certainly will be investigated, but for now one must wonder and speculate how it happened. Was the awning recently attached? Were there recent modifications to the awning or any part of the front of the building? Were there any signs of stress? Who installed the awning? Hopefully these questions and many more will be answered. Sometimes it takes extensive civil litigation to find out all of the real answers.

Information and commentary provided by Texas Injury Lawyer Mark A. Anderson. Phone 817-294-1900 and www.maafirm.com.

photobridegeport.jpg
SCENE OF TRAGEDY


June 15, 2009

How Long Do You Have To Pursue An Accident Claim in Texas?

If you have been injured in an automobile wreck, truck collision, motorcycle crash, or any other type of accident which causes personal injuries in Texas, you must be aware of the relevant law called the Statute of Limitations. This law requires you to file a lawsuit at a local Texas Courthouse within two years of the date of the accident. If you have not resolved your injury case before then, it is absolutely imperative that this very strict two-year deadline is complied with. Failing to file a lawsuit within the two-year time frame eliminates your right to pursue a claim forever.

And it's imporatant not to wait until the eve of your two years to think about purusing an injury claim. If you've been injured as the result of another person's negligence, you should consider hiring a Board Certified Injury Attorney as soon as possible after your accident. Sooner is better because crucial evidence must be collected before it disappears. Plus, it's very common for injured parties to make mistakes on their claims if they don't have the guidance of an experienced personal injury lawyer.

The common mistakes injury victims make are discussed in detail in the newly released book by Injury Attorney Mark A. Anderson. It's appropriately titled, 15 Mistakes That Will Wreck Your Texas Accident Case. This informative book is available for FREE to Texas residents who may order it by calling 817-294-1900 or by visiting: www.DontWreckYourCase.com.

June 14, 2009

Cowboys Knew of Design Flaws, Creates New Potential for Injury Lawsuits

New reports are being released which indicate the Dallas Cowboys organization was aware of potential building flaws prior to the recent collapse of its practice facility in Irving, Texas.
The collapse happened May 2 after a strong thunderstorm knocked parts of the roof off while the team practiced, injuring 12 people and permanently paralyzing one team employee from the waist down.

cowboys%20collapse.jpg

The Cowboys hired Canada-based Summit Structures back in 2003 to design and build their practice structure, even with the knowledge that a Philadelphia building constructed by the same company had collapsed after a snowstorm. Fortunately, that collapse happened on a weekend and no one was injured. However, the Cowboys weren’t so lucky and now they might have to pay for their error.

Experts have concluded that design and construction flaws including the overall engineering of the structure was what caused the Cowboy facility to fail. Cowboy organization spokespeople declined to say whether they were warned about the Philadelphia incident or how much research they did on Summit before contracting their services.

It is clear now though, that reports, text messages and comments from multiple sources have been leaked which show there was some sort of knowledge on the part of the organization that they didn’t feel the facility was built as well as it could have been.

For the unfortunate few who were hurt in the collapse, they have multiple options should they decide to pursue a claim. There is the designer/builder Summit Structures and any related contractors who might have been negligent. But what about a personal injury claim against the Cowboys? If the Cowboys provided its employees with workers compensation coverage, then no claim can be brought against them by their own employees—the workers comp benefits are their sole source from the Cowboys. But if the Cowboys did not provide comp (it’s not mandatory) or if the injured person was not employed by the Cowboys, then any successful claim would have to prove negligence on behalf of the Cowboys to be successful.

If you have been injured as the result of another person or company’s negligence and you feel you have a valid claim, please contact the Anderson Law Firm to learn your rights at 817-294-1900.

June 2, 2009

Why You Should Hire A Board Certified Injury Lawyer for Your Texas Accident Claim

If you have been injured in an auto accident, or any other type of accident for that matter, you have a ton of options when it comes down to hiring a lawyer for your Texas accident claim. Hiring an attorney is a very important decision and it's sometimes very difficult to try and weed through all of the attorneys out there who hold themselves out as being “injury attorneys.” So how do you know you're making the right decision? The best thing to do is to limit your search to only attorneys who are Board Certified in Personal Injury Trial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. This is a designation held by only 2% of the roughly 80,000 lawyers who practice law in Texas.

What does it mean to be Board Certified? It means that the attorney has passed a rigorous test on injury topics, has tried a certain number of cases to a jury, has been recommended by local attorneys and judges and has been practicing a certain number of years. There are plenty of qualified attorneys in Texas who are Board Certified, so there's no reason that an injury victim should settle for a lawyer who is not Board Certified.

The importance of hiring a Board Certified Injury Attorney is discussed in Mark A. Anderson’s new book, 15 Mistakes That Will Wreck your Texas Accident Case. This book is full of information which is helpful to accident victims. The Anderson Law Firm is offering a copy of the book FREE to Texas residents. To order your free copy, please call the firm at 817-294-1900. The book can also be ordered online at www.DontWreckYourCase.com.

March 20, 2009

Construction Accidents Should Not Be a Fact of Life

Construction work can be dangerous. Construction work presents many potential causes for injury. Workers are injured in construction accidents every day here in the Dallas Fort Worth area. Construction accidents shouldn’t be a fact of life, but they are. If you have been injured in a construction accident, you might have a personal injury claim on your hands in certain circumstances.

If a construction accident occurs because of negligence, it might warrant a personal injury claim.
Accidents happen. But when accidents happen because someone didn’t do his or her job properly, it can become a personal injury claim. When the negligence of one of your co-workers causes your injury, both that co-worker and your employer may be at fault for your injury. Consider an example where a co-worker fails to assemble a piece of scaffolding correctly. If you’re up on that scaffolding, it falls and you become injured, you might have a personal injury claim against the co-worker who assembled the scaffolding, your employer and even the scaffolding manufacturer.

Construction accident claims can get complicated, so consult a lawyer.
Construction accidents can have their roots in a variety of causes. If you’re using a piece of equipment that fails and injures you, you could have a product liability case contributing to your construction accident. If you’ve got a piece of equipment that someone else failed to operate properly, then that person and his employer could be at fault for your accident.

A personal injury lawyer with experience in construction accidents can help you figure out what caused your accident, and whether it’s a product liability case, a personal liability case or something else entirely. In some cases, a personal injury crosses the boundaries of several types of cases, so an experienced lawyer can help you sort it out and pursue the correct parties to get you a remedy for your injury.

For a free consultation on your rights if you have been injured in a construction accident, please contact the Anderson Law Firm at 817-294-1900 or Contact Us Online.

August 29, 2008

Crane Accident in Dallas, Texas Injures Two Construction Workers

Yesterday in Dallas, Texas, two workers were injured in a construction accident when a crane lowering a 9-ton pipe toppled over. The weight of the crane caused the cab of the machine to lift off the ground, leaning over the side of a building at a 45-degree angle. The pipe fell and landed on two work vehicles, while the actual crane landed on the roof. The injured included a man in one of the work vehicles who suffered a head injury when the pipe crashed into the vehicle roof. The other was a man on the roof of the building who suffered injuries to his legs and ankles.

crane%20tipped.jpg

(Photo courtesy of Star-Telegram.com)

There seems to be a rash of construction accidents involving cranes in Texas lately. Back in June, a man died in Dallas when something fell from a crane and struck him, and the very next day, three workers were hurt when a crane cable snapped at the new Cowboy stadium in Arlington. Then in July, a similar thing happened in Houston when a heavy crane toppled, but that time, the accident was so bad, that four people were killed and another seven workers were badly injured. These accidents just go to show how hazardous and unstable construction sites can be—especially when there is large machinery involved like tall cranes.

Not all of these on-the-job accidents end up in the civil legal system. First of all, the existence of worker’s compensation insurance coverage plays a role. If the injured party was covered by worker’s comp, and the accident was due to the negligence of a co-worker, then the laws of the State of Texas prohibit the injured party from making a claim against his employer. If there is no worker’s comp coverage, or if the responsible party is not a co-employee, then the injured party or their family is able to make a claim against the negligent person or company for damages.

The analysis of whether a claim can be made and who it should be against is sometimes tricky. If you are faced with the problems assocaited with an on-the-job injury, take advantage of the free case review offered by Board Certified Personal Injury Attorney Mark A. Anderson of Fort Worth, Texas.