Tragedy Struck When an Interior Stairwell Collapsed Without Warning Commercial construction continues throughout the Houston area. Despite an economic slowdown, both new construction and renovations are underway. Construction sites can be dangerous for workers. A recent West Houston building collapse shows just how quickly a job site can become a tragedy. If you are injured…
Fatal Crane Accidents in Texas Are a Growing Problem Crane accidents aren’t just damaging, they’re often deadly. Falling from a crane can be an enormous drop, which may lead to catastrophic injuries or death. If a construction worker is dropped, thrown, or if they are struck by the crane from below, they could sustain brain…
Litigators of the Week: The Plaintiffs’ Team Behind the $1.6B Essure Settlement Bayer AG last week announced a proposed $1.6 billion deal to settle U.S. claims involving the birth control implant Essure, which plaintiffs claimed caused side effects including hair and tooth loss, bleeding, chronic pelvic pain, miscarriages and death for those implanted with the…
Obtaining Compensation for Losses Related to a Hurricane As Hurricane Laura continues to move inland, the threat of life-threatening storm surge remains. Laura made landfall along the Gulf Coast in the early morning hours, leaving a path of destruction across multiple states. As Texas Governor Greg Abbott told ABC News, the storm is unprecedented in the…
Firm Partner Erin Copeland Helps Lead Essure Lawsuit to Victory as a Lead Member of the JCCP Executive Committee On Thursday, Bayer announced it was settling the long-standing Essure® litigation for $1.6 billion. Attorney Erin Copeland has been a lead member of the court-appointed Plaintiffs’ Executive Committee for the Essure® JCCP pending in Oakland, California,…
Labor and Sex Trafficking Continues To Spread in Houston According to Can You See Me? human trafficking is the fastest-growing crime in the world. Human trafficking can affect men, women, and children from any demographic or socioeconomic background. There are 25 million people enslaved worldwide, as reported by Global Estimates of Modern Slavery. In Texas, the Attorney General estimates that…
The History of Maritime Explosions Maritime explosions are some of the most dangerous accidents that occur on waterways, in ports, or on shipping channels. Cargo ships and tankers often carry flammable material that can ignite instantly. Maritime explosions can kill hundreds of people in an instant, depending on the chemicals and the strength of the…
COVID-19 Sees Substantial Decline in Congestion but Opens Potential for More High-Speed Crashes According to a recent report by the ABC 13 Eyewitness News, the COVID-19 pandemic has significantly reduced the number of people on Houston’s roads. The news agency using Houston TranStar compared data from March 25, 2019, and March 25, 2020, at I-10/Katy Freeway and Voss….
Businesses Should Receive Coverage During the Pandemic The COVID-19 pandemic has caused unparalleled losses for many businesses, resulting in a significant number of business interruption claims. Unfortunately, a considerable number of insurance companies have denied business interruption claims citing that the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent shutdowns are not covered perils. Recently, President Trump weighed in…
Coronavirus Shutdown Puts Construction Workers in New Danger On March 31, 2020, Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo extended a “Stay-at-Home” order until April 30. The order requires all county residents to stay at their place of residence except for Essential Activities and for all businesses within Harris County to cease activities unless employees could work from home…
