Recent Articles

Vessel worker suffered second-degree burns over 45% of his body, obtains 6 million dollar verdict

Brian Beckcom
December 16, 2008 15:33

According to news reports, a 37 year old deckhand working aboard a vessel owned by Schlumberger has obtained a 6 million dollar verdict, plus court costs, after he was burned over 45% of his body. A tank containing zinc bromide mixed with sand overheated, causing a plumbing failure.  This...

Helicopter crash in the Gulf of Mexico kills 3 oil rig workers

Brian Beckcom
December 16, 2008 15:26

Various news sources are reporting that a helicopter crash in the Gulf of Mexico has killed 3 oil rig workers on their way to an unmanned oil platform in the Gulf of Mexico.  The Gulf Coast has seen entirely too many helicopter crashes in 2008.  Something should be done to increase the...

Injured on the job in Houston, Texas? Find out your rights

Brian Beckcom
December 12, 2008 15:37

Houston and the surrounding community is the fourth-largest city in the United States.  It is also one of the most industrialized areas in the U.S. As an unfortunate result, there are a lot of on the job injuries in Houston.  Unlike every other state in the United States, Texas does not...

Kids and bike accidents - How to reduce injuries

Brian Beckcom
December 02, 2008 15:01

The other day I taught my son to ride his bike.  He is five years old.  It also happened to be my birthday.  What a wonderful birthday present to see your son learn how to ride his bike.  After we were done, he said "thanks dad."  Truly a joyous day for a...

Union Pacific Railroad loses jury verdict to injured railroad worker

Brian Beckcom
November 18, 2008 15:49

Union Pacific Railroad recently lost a $5,390,000.00 jury verdict against an injured railroad employee. The employee was using a hayfork to lift 10-pound oil filters into a crusher.  He injured his low back while doing that work, requiring three back surgeries.  The injured railroad...

Burn injuries on locomotive lead to settlement in railroad injury case

Brian Beckcom
November 18, 2008 15:39

Recently, a railroad worker was trying to restart a locomotive when a coolant hose exploded, spewing hot fluid all over him and causing him to fall from the railroad platform to the ground. He suffered burns over 7 percent of his body and needed arthroscopic surgery on his shoulder and right...

Insurance company tricks - New report issued exposing insurance tactics to deny claims

Brian Beckcom
November 13, 2008 15:17

The American Association for Justice has a released a new report exposing the tricks insurance companies use to deny, delay, confuse, and refuse to pay legitimate claims. The study is the second part of a major independent study into the insurance industries' dirty little secrets. You can read the...

Child drowning at apartment complex results in lawsuit against apartment complex

Brian Beckcom
November 11, 2008 19:02

The Houston Chronicle is reporting today that the parents of a child who drowned at an apartment complex have sued the complex. According to the lawsuit, the apartment complex did not have adequate fencing and the pool itself was in disrepair. Read the full story by clicking...

Fire at apartment complex kills five kids - Lack of smoke detectors blamed for the deaths - Complex pays substantial settlement to family

Brian Beckcom
November 11, 2008 15:33

According to published reports, the owners and managers of an apartment complex have agreed to a settlement after a fire killed five kids. Apparently, the apartment complex did not have properly working smoke detectors.  The family, which was poor, were using candles to light their...

Train derailment kills Channelview man

Brian Beckcom
November 11, 2008 15:24

The Houston Chronicle reports today that a man was killed when a train derailed and hit him. The worker was standing between trains that were on parallel tracks when one train derailed.  Investigators were trying to determine why the train left the tracks.  No information was available...