The J.D. Wilson Law Firm, PLLC

02/06/2012

In Texas' Drilling Boom, a Human Toll

The oil and gas drilling boom continues to benefit the Texas economy, but it's coming at a human price. Dave Fehling of StateImpact Texas reports on the disturbing number of workers in the industry who are getting injured, or worse, on the job. Dave Fehling , Texas Tribune 02/06/2012

02/01/2012

NFL Suits Over Concussions Combined in Philly

Four lawsuits filed against the NFL by current and former players over concussions will be consolidated, a judicial panel ruled this week. The suits, which will be tried in Philadelphia, claim the NFL "deliberately hid critical information about the dangers of concussions and hits to the head." The New York Times reports there are more than a dozen more suits filed against the NFL with similar claims that may be combined with the current suit. Ken Belson, The New York Times 01/31/2012

01/27/2012

Insect Allegation Leads to Elder-Care Lawsuit

Two brothers were visiting their sick father at a west Houston hospital last year when they noticed ants and gnats crawling through a trachea tube and into his larynx, according to a civil lawsuit filed in Harris County District Court. The pair was visiting Willie Lee Simmons, 69, who was being treated at Select Specialty Hospital-Houston West for severe respiratory problems before he died last year, said Derek Deyon, an attorney representing the man's estate. The family alleges that workers at the hospital were negligent when they allowed insects to crawl into the tube, among other instances of negligence, he said. The lawsuit was filed Jan. 12. Zain Shauk, Houston Chronicle 01/26/2012

01/26/2012

Jury Awards Garth Brooks $1 Million in Contract Suit

An Oklahoma jury has awarded $1 million to country singer Garth Brooks in a lawsuit he filed against a local hospital over an alleged broken agreement. Brooks claimed in his suit that he donated $500,000 to the Integris Canadian Valley Regional Hospital to have a building named after his late mother, but that the hospital reneged on the deal. Before filing suit, Brooks had requested the hospital give the money back or donate it to another charity, but hospital officials refused. Debra Cassens Weiss, American Bar Association Journal 01/25/2012

01/24/2012

Houston Settles Red Light Camera Contract Lawsuit

The city of Houston has agreed to settle a lawsuit filed against the use of red-light cameras. Last August, the city turned the cameras off and stopped issuing tickets, but still had to deal with the contract with camera manufacturer American Traffic Solutions (ATS). In the proposed settlement, the city will pay ATS more than $12 million for breach of contract. Demond Fernandez , KTRK-TV 01/21/2012

01/18/2012

BMW Recalling 89K Mini Brand Cars

Nearly 89,000 Mini brand cars, including the Mini Cooper line of vehicles, are being recalled in the U.S. because of faulty water pumps that can malfunction and potentially cause engine compartment fires. The recall comes about three months after the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration opened a defects investigation, citing 12 reports of fires in the vehicles manufactured by BMW. Five of the fires reportedly destroyed the cars, according to a NHTSA document. BMW said it is unaware of any injuries or accidents caused by pump malfunctions. Matt Stevens, LA Times 01/17/2012

01/13/2012

Jury Fines Flea Market $3.6M Over Knock-off Vuittons

Federal jury Thursday slapped a local flea market with a $3.6 million award to the designer brand Louis Vuitton for allowing vendors to sell knockoffs of its products. Jurors took less than two hours to decide that the Eisenhauer Market's owner, Bruce Gore, 62, and its manager, Pat Walker, 70, contributed to trademark infringement. Guillermo Contreras, Houston Chronicle 01/13/2012

06/20/2011

1 child dies every 5 days in a portable pool during warm-weather months.

A Pediatrics study calls for protection devices for the pools, which range from small wading pools to large inflatable and other soft-sided pools.

It says 209 children under 12 died and 35 nearly drowned from 2001 to 2009. 94% percent of the children were younger than 5, figures comparable with findings for in-ground pools.

The lead researcher of a new U.S. study on drownings says a child dies every five days in a portable pool during the warm-weather months.

06/17/2011

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Big Lots has recalled around 30,000 metal futon bunk beds following the death of a three-year old boy, the government said on Thursday.The Burlington, Iowa boy died of compression