6 Signs of Brain Damage to Look Out For

If you or someone you know has been involved in an auto accident, sporting accident, or another sudden impact, you should always be on the lookout for signs of potential traumatic brain injury, or TBI. Here are six signs to keep in mind.

1. Loss of Consciousness

Someone who has had a traumatic brain injury may fall in and out of consciousness after their collision. Concussions often cause this specific symptom of brain injury.

2. Persistent Headache

Headaches are unfortunately a common problem of everyday life. However, having persistent headaches after a traumatic accident or large fall can be a sign of something deeper going on. If persistent headaches continue or worsen over time, you should seek medical attention.

3. Confusion

Confusion or disorientation following an injury or fall can point to a larger brain injury. People experiencing confusion may have trouble stinging together sentences or doing everyday tasks. If someone’s confusion does not get better with time, it could be a sign of brain damage.

4. Memory Loss

If someone is experiencing memory loss that is associated with brain damage, it is likely to manifest as more than simply being a bit forgetful throughout a hectic day. It is more likely that their memory loss would be larger chunks of time or periods of “blackout” in their memories. Memory loss is a serious symptom of brain injury or damage.

5. Slurring or Slow Speech

If someone who has just been in an accident or sports injury experiences slurred or slowing speech, it can be a symptom of brain damage from that incident. These speech anomalies can come in different forms, so it is important to pay attention to your friend’s speech to correctly ascertain what is happening.

6. Mood Swings

Brain damage can change the way people interact with each other and the world, depending on the type and the severity of the injury. This is more than simply being emotional, this is drastic changes in a person’s behavior.

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Prepare to Travel This Holiday Season

Traveling during the holiday season can be dangerous. Many people are on the road, some are in a rush and the weather is not always on your side. Deciding on when and how to travel can be difficult depending on how far you need to go. So what is the safest way to travel during the holiday season? Whether you need to book a flight today or start prepping the family car for tomorrow, it’s always better to prepare, stay safe and arrive alive.

Prepare For Your Road Trip

Traffic goes hand in hand with the holiday season like turkey and gravy. About 91 percent of long-distance holiday travel is done so by a personal vehicle. If you decide to drive to your destination you will most likely encounter heavy amounts of traffic. Getting on and off exit ramps will be difficult and speeds may be slower than usual.

• Plan Ahead: Decide which roads to take and which not to take. Most major highways will have the majority of motorists on them while an alternative route will have a few. It may be longer mileage on the alternative route but at least you will avoid heavy congestion and save time.
• Consider Which Days to Travel: Avoid popular days for traveling. Usually, the day before or after a holiday is the busiest. Extend your trip a day or two to save yourself a headache and the potential risk.
• Be Prepared: Mother Nature is very unpredictable and we’ve all heard those stories of people getting stranded on a highway for hours at a time due to snow storms or worse. Pack your car with water, candles, matches, blankets, a small shovel, and food. Anything that will save your life in the event you get stranded or lost.

Prepare For Your Flight

Surprisingly, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, only 5 to 6 percent of holiday trips are by air. Although this statistic may entice people to travel by air instead of driving, this is still a very busy time for airports.

The New York Times reports that airports and airlines are bracing for what could be a record-setting year-end holiday season. With lower fuel prices keeping the price of tickets down, the coming holiday season could spur an increase in passengers and make airports more crowded than ever. So here are a few tips to help plan ahead and navigate through crowded check-ins and security lines.

• Pack Light: You won’t have to wait in long lines if you avoid checking in bags altogether. Try to take as little as you will need and be sure to have all of your medications and documents in your carry-on.
• Earplugs: The noise and sometimes chaotic environment of an airport can drive some people mad. Escape for a while and plugin so you can mentally escape for a while.
• Eat: Pack snacks, drinks, and other quick fixes so that you can think straight. Relying on the world’s tiniest bag of peanuts and pretzels isn’t going to hold over.
• Travel on the Day: If you fly on the actual holiday itself you’ll be avoiding the long lines and swarms of traveler’s altogether. You’d be surprised to see how much of a difference it is.

The season can be both a joyous and dangerous time for travelers. Make sure you prepare and do what it takes to be safe and ensure everyone enjoys their holidays. If you have been in an accident, please call Herrman & Herrman to speak with an experienced car wreck attorney. Call 361-792-2358 to schedule a free consultation today.

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What to do if someone steals your motorcycle

In 2022, there were over 53,000 reported motorcycle thefts in the United States. That increase is 30% higher than the previous year and the highest number of motorcycle thefts since 2010. That does even mention the number of bikes stolen and not reported. If you are ever in this unfortunate situation, we have the steps to take after someone steals your motorcycle. 

Step One

Report it missing to the police. 

There are many reasons to report it to the police, but the main reason is that they can help you find it and get your motorcycle back. Reporting the bike stolen to the police also benefits you in filing a claim through your insurance. Most insurance companies will not file a claim without a police report. Another reason why filing a police report is the first thing you should do is because some states limit the time you have to report it stolen. 

Step Two

Report it missing to your insurance company. 

Unfortunately, insurance companies also have a statute of limitations on how long you have to report it missing. To file the insurance claim, you will likely need the official police report or the report number so your insurance can see the full scope of the situation. Insurance companies also use the police to report to ensure you are not committing fraud and that someone stole the bike. The insurance company will also ask similar questions to what was asked for in the police report, like the title, registration, and photos of the motorcycle. An insurance company works to prevent claims to avoid paying out money, so getting the right insurance coverage is vital. Theft protection is a few extra dollars a month, but it is worth it since motorcycle thefts are becoming more common. 

Step Three

Look for your motorcycle.

After filing the police report and insurance claim, search your neighborhood. Ask if your neighbors saw anything, and search nearby streets in case the thief ended up dumping the bike on the side of the road somewhere. You must do this as soon as possible. The longer the bike is missing, the more likely it will be gone forever. 

If you find the bike on someone’s property, call the police to assist in getting the bike back. It is unsafe to invade someone’s property, and it could lead to more trouble for you. 

Step Four

Look online for the motorcycle.

Many times the stolen motorcycle is shared for sale online. Check websites like eBay, Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, and any other websites where people list motorcycles for sale. Search for keywords specific to your bike and look out for any selling of individual parts from your bike. If you think you have found your bike, take a friend with you to confirm it is your bike and if it is your bike, notify the police AFTER you have left to keep yourself safe. If they are selling parts and you think it is from your bike, ask for the VIN on the motorcycle the parts are from to confirm it will fit “your bike.” 

Step Five

Share the story on social media.

Sharing a photo of your motorcycle on your social media profiles while asking your friends to share the post makes it much harder for the criminal to hide the stolen bike. Another method is to share the photos with a motorcycle page and ask if they can share them. The more people looking for your bike, the more likely someone will find the motorcycle. 

WHAT TO DO IF YOU’RE IN A TEXAS MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT?

If you are in a motorcycle accident that results in a personal injury- no matter the severity—and you are not at fault, you may be eligible for compensation. If this may be your case, you should consult with a personal injury attorney with experience in motorcycle accidents so that you can better your chances of a payout in court.

WE CAN HELP YOU

If a motorcyclist is injured in an accident due to the negligence of another driver, the motorcyclist can recover compensation for losses that result through a personal injury lawsuit. Compensable losses include property loss, medical expenses, lost wages, loss of future earning capacity, and pain and suffering.

Furthermore, if a loved one was killed in a motorcycle accident, family members may be able to recover damages in a wrongful death lawsuit. If you are a loved one was injured in a motorcycle accident, do not hesitate to contact a Texas motorcycle accident attorney at Herrman & Herrman, P.L.L.C., who will review the facts of your case and represent you through this difficult period.

CONTACT US

For more information or to schedule an appointment with an experienced Texas lawyer regarding a motorcycle accident injury or death, please contact us first!

Our firm has offices in the following locations: Corpus Christi, Corpus Christi South Side, Brownsville, McAllen, San Antonio, Houston, and Ft. Worth , TX.

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Driving Safety Tips During Holiday Shopping

When holiday shopping it’s important to plan ahead. With the rise of Covid cases, many stores are anticipating less in-store shopping and more online shopping. In anticipation of this and to decrease the number of bodies in-store on one specific day, many stores have opted to spread out their Black Friday sales by having weekly and in some cases, daily sales. While this has lessened the chances of huge crowds gathering in-store on the Nationally known “Black Friday”, the potential of many shoppers gathering in-store is still a factor. If you plan to do your holiday shopping in-store, be sure to do so in a safe manner. We’ve gathered some helpful tips for you to assist with this.

Stay Safe on The Road During the Holidays: Plan Ahead

Make sure to plan for heavier traffic. Make sure you have a secondary route to and from your destination. You also want to check out the weather for that day. Take the weather into consideration when planning when you will be traveling to make your holiday purchases. With more drivers on the road, certain weather conditions such as rain may cause delays in your travel. Plan to leave your house early to avoid being in a rush or having to be out and about while it is dark out as much as possible.

Check Your Car To Avoid Accident or Breakdown

Before hitting the road, always be sure to make sure your vehicle is good to go. You never want to have to stop in the middle of your shopping trip to have to maintain your vehicle. Some things to be sure to check are engine oil, other fluids in your car, air pressure in your tires, tire wear, the battery, and of course, you always want to make sure that all of your lights are working. You don’t ever want to be left stranded with all of your newly purchased gifts loaded in your vehicle.

Avoid Distractions to Prevent Car Accidents 

If you are unsure of how to get to where you are going, set your GPS prior to leaving your house. Minimize phone use by making sure your phone is synced up to your vehicle’s Bluetooth prior to leaving your home as well. Make sure to get plenty of rest the night before your shopping trip as fatigue causes distraction and irritation. Always make sure to stop to eat as well because we all know being “hangry” is a real thing and can be very distracting. 

Pack Essentials For Your Shopping As Well As In the case of An Accident

With all the different changes in 2020, your essentials to pack for your shopping trip will have changed as well. Your list of items probably only consisted of things like: 

• clothing
• snacks
• hand sanitizer
• face masks
• shields (extra masks/shields for your children)
• anti-bacterial wipes
• sanitizing wipes

Parking Lots Can Be Dangerous 

Remember that malls and shopping center parking lots are prime targets for car theft, and robberies. Always park in a spot where there is plenty of light and if possible, park close to your destination. Avoid parking next to vans, trucks with camper shells, or cars with really tinted windows. Take note of where you parked and what store entrance it is closest to if parking at a mall or shopping center. Always double-check that all of your windows are closed and doors are locked. If you are making multiple stops at different stores, make sure to store your shopping bags in the trunk, or utilize your cargo cover.

About Herrman & Herrman P.L.L.C: Personal Injury Law Firm

With over 100 years of combined experience among the legal team of Herrman & Herrman, P.L.L.C., our Texas personal injury attorneys have successfully resolved over 20,000 cases. When representing injured Texas residents, we fight for justice against wrongdoing and aggressively pursue the best resolution to complex personal injury claims.

If you or a loved one was injured, please contact us for a free initial consultation and case evaluation. Herrman & Herrman, P.L.L.C., is a locally based law firm focused on holding negligent individuals and companies accountable for their wrongdoing. We are not a personal injury mill that advertises nationwide. We provide individualized advocacy in attending to all aspects of claims that involve. Our firm has offices in the following locations: Corpus Christi, Corpus Christi South Side, Brownsville, McAllen, San Antonio, Houston, and Ft. Worth, TX.

We remain by our clients’ side, handling all aspects of their claims and attending to all legal, medical and financial needs. That dedication is combined with experience, legal knowledge, and insight from a former insurance adjuster and several former insurance defense attorneys. Whether our clients are suffering from physical pain from an accident or the emotional grief of death, we treat clients with compassion. We put their mind at ease during difficult times by answering their questions concerning the length of their claim, medical bills, financial compensation and their overall need for a lawyer.

 

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Thanksgiving Holiday Travel- What You Should Know

Depending on where you are from, you may find yourself traveling for Thanksgiving this year. Unfortunately, the Thanksgiving holiday is one of the deadliest times to travel. So before you load up the car with all the kiddos and sides to take to the relative’s house, it is important to know some information regarding the hazards of driving during this holiday and why it’s so dangerous.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, or NHTSA, there were 764 crashes involving a fatality back in 2012. This is the most recent data that has been released. Compare that to 654 which was recorded during that year at Christmas.  The NHTSA sent out warnings to travelers and also stressed “Don’t rush on the roads to make it to a holiday event. “Plan your travel and route by checking the weather, road conditions, and traffic,” the agency cautioned. “Leave early, if necessary, and allow plenty of time to safely get to your destination.”

Other factors that contribute to the dangerous conditions are weather and drinking. If you think about it, Thanksgiving is during the winter and for the states particularly located in the northern region of the United States, snow is a factor. Drinking is also a large concern. Many families begin drinking early in the day and through the Thanksgiving feast. While they may not feel like it, by the time all the NFL games are over they have been drinking all day and are legally drunk. Combine that with the winder roads and it makes for a dangerous drive back to your home once you finish the Thanksgiving festivities. Here in South Texas, we don’t so much have to worry about the snow. However, you may be traveling to parts of the country where snow is an issue.

While we wish the best for all of our south Texas citizens we do realize that traffic accidents do occur. It is important to have an attorney represent you that you know and trust.

About Herrman & Herrman P.L.L.C.

With over 100 years of combined experience among the legal team of Herrman & Herrman, P.L.L.C., our Texas personal injury attorneys have successfully resolved over 20,000 cases. When representing injured Texas residents, we fight for justice against wrongdoing and aggressively pursue the best resolution to complex personal injury claims.

If you or a loved one was injured, please contact us for a free initial consultation and case evaluation. Herrman & Herrman, P.L.L.C., is a locally based law firm focused on holding negligent individuals and companies accountable for their wrongdoing. We are not a personal injury mill that advertises nationwide. We provide individualized advocacy in attending to all aspects of claims that involve. Our firm has offices in the following locations: Corpus Christi, Corpus Christi South Side, Brownsville, McAllen, San Antonio, Houston, and Ft. Worth, TX.

We remain by our clients’ side, handling all aspects of their claims and attending to all legal, medical and financial needs. That dedication is combined with experience, legal knowledge, and insight from a former insurance adjuster and several former insurance defense attorneys. Whether our clients are suffering from physical pain from an accident or the emotional grief of death, we treat clients with compassion. We put their mind at ease during difficult times by answering their questions concerning the length of their claim, medical bills, financial compensation and their overall need for a lawyer.

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Avoiding Cold Weather Motorcycle Issues

Freezing temperatures slowly decrease battery voltage over time, leading to a difficult time trying to start the motorcycle. Extended freezes also make the oil in a motorcycle’s engine thicken up, meaning the engine needs more battery power to start. These issues explain why starting your motorcycle may be more difficult in cold weather.

Fortunately, we got you covered! First, use a multimeter and ensure the battery has at least 12.2 volts. If the battery is too low, you must let it charge for a few hours so the bike may start.

Next, heat the engine. Place a portable heater near the engine so that the oil inside the engine can warm. When placing the portable heater, ensure it is not touching anything or too close to a flammable item. Oil in cold temperatures thickens and requires more energy from the battery to start. Heating the oil means the engine requires less battery power to start since the oil is more fluid.

If the motorcycle is still not starting, make sure the choke is on. You may have turned off the choke to prevent gas leaks and forgot to turn it back on before trying to start the motorcycle.

ABOUT HERRMAN AND HERRMAN PLLC

With over 100 years of combined experience among the legal team of Herrman & Herrman, P.L.L.C., our Texas personal injury attorneys have successfully resolved over 20,000 cases. When representing injured Texas residents, we fight for justice against wrongdoing and aggressively pursue the best resolution to complex personal injury claims.

If you or a loved one was injured, please contact us for a free initial consultation and case evaluation. Herrman & Herrman, P.L.L.C., is a locally based law firm focused on holding negligent individuals and companies accountable for their wrongdoing. We are not a personal injury mill that advertises nationwide. We provide individualized advocacy in attending to all aspects of claims that involve. Our firm has offices in the following locations: Corpus Christi, Corpus Christi South Side, Brownsville, McAllen, San Antonio, Houston, and Ft. Worth, TX.

We remain by our clients’ side, handling all aspects of their claims and attending to all legal, medical and financial needs. That dedication is combined with experience, legal knowledge, and insight from a former insurance adjuster and several former insurance defense attorneys. Whether our clients are suffering from physical pain from an accident or the emotional grief of death, we treat clients with compassion. We put their mind at ease during difficult times by answering their questions concerning the length of their claim, medical bills, financial compensation and their overall need for a lawyer.

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History of Mesothelioma & Asbestos Lawsuits

Asbestos Companies Knew the Risks

In 1870, the industrialized asbestos industry began. By the early 1900s, physicians had already begun to notice breathing problems in exposed workers. British authorities had published information about the hazards of asbestos exposure and the danger it posed on workers’ health in 1898. Information discussing the health risks were not published until 1918. Asbestosis was first diagnosed in the 1920s and by 1942 medical professionals had determined asbestos exposure was linked to cancer. This is when mesothelioma diagnosis surfaced in medical publications.

Despite the medical publications, many companies continued to manufacture and sell asbestos products. They continued to expose workers to the asbestos without providing proper protective gear to prevent inhalation of the toxic fibers.

In 1935 fifty of the largest companies in the U.S. came together for the “Symposium on Dust Problems at the Mellon Institute of Industrial Research.” By 1936 the industry created the Air Hygiene Foundation (later renamed in 1941 to the Industrial Hygiene Foundation). The name gives the impression that the chief goal was to promote safety, however it was for the protection against occupational injury claims. The Industrial Hygiene Foundation and other industry created trade groups created official standards with no evidence, studies, or research that the standards worked to prevent mesothelioma or asbestos related diseases.

As time went on, asbestos manufacturing company executives covered up asbestos-related illnesses among their workers. Doctor’s notes and reports outlining the dangers of asbestos were hidden from employees and the public. These executives would offer small amounts of compensation to workers suffering with health problems on the job. These payments pressured workers to keep quiet about the cause of their illnesses.

In 1977, the truth was uncovered when attorneys representing asbestos victims revealed the Sumner Simpson papers, which exposed the decades of concealment by the industry executives. Once the information was revealed, there was an increase in mesothelioma and asbestos lawsuits allowing justice for the innocent victims who suffered as a result of greed and negligence.

History Timeline of Asbestos Litigation

For decades, the number of asbestos victims piled up as the epidemic unfolded slowly.

1964 – Doctors Determine Asbestos Causes Cancer

Research conducted by Dr. Irving J. Selikoff, Dr. Jacob Churg, and Dr. E Cuyler Hammond proved that asbestos exposure causes lung damage and disease. For decades asbestos workers showed evidence, but the industry had denied the validity of the claims.

1965 – Tort Laws Allow Asbestos Litigation

The American Law Institute published “The Restatement of the Law of Torts” in 1965. This stated that anyone “who sells any product in a defective condition unreasonably dangerous to the user or consumer or to his property is liable for the harm caused by that product to the consumer or end user.” The courts agreed asbestos manufacturers knew the dangers of asbestos exposure but failed to warn asbestos workers and consumers. This opened the door for asbestos related lawsuits.

1966 – The First Asbestos Lawsuit Was Filed

Claude Tomplait was an insulation worker who was diagnosed with asbestosis in July 1966. Attorney Ward Stephenson filed the first asbestos products lawsuit on Tomplait’s behalf in December 1966.
The defendants were 11 manufacturers of asbestos insulation products. The case went to trial on May 12, 1969 and the verdict came back in favor of the defendants.

1969 – Borel v. Fibreboard Paper Products

In October 1969, Attorney Ward Stephenson represented a co-worker of Tomplait, Clarence Borel. Borel had developed mesothelioma working in the shipyards and oil refineries on the Texas-Louisiana border.
Stephenson filed the lawsuit seeking $1 million in damages against asbestos manufacturers across the U.S.
Borel died of mesothelioma in June 1970, and wasn’t alive to hear the final decision from the Fifth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals. In 1973. A verdict in the amount of $79,463 was awarded to Borel’s estate.

1980 – Asbestos Tort Litigation Makes Progress

After hearing the success of Borel’s victory, asbestos workers turned to tort litigation to obtain compensation for their injuries. Other countries created centralized benefits systems for injured workers, U.S. mesothelioma patients were forced to rely on lawsuits.

Although there is no national registry for asbestos personal injury claims, independent reports show asbestos litigation has grown significantly during the past several decades. The RAND Institute for Civil Justice began analyzing asbestos litigation in the early 80s.

Research from RAND showed about 730,000 people in the U.S. filed compensation claims for asbestos-related injuries from 1970-2002, costing businesses and insurance companies upwards of $70 billion. In 1982 there were 300 companies being sued. By 2022, that number jumped to 8,400 companies. In 2013, there were over 10,000 companies being sued for asbestos related claims.

2020 – Asbestos Litigation Moves Online

During the COVID-19 pandemic, asbestos attorneys moved to virtual and phone conferencing services to prevent infection risks for clients.

Lawyers, including mesothelioma lawyers, provide remote virtual consultations to help clients file claims during coronavirus without missing deadlines due to restricted travel, health issues, and to help contain the virus. Attorneys can handle all aspects of the legal process through video calls and electronic signatures.

Asbestos lawyers work to move mesothelioma claims through the court system as quickly as possible. Patients have been able to file some claims while the courts were closed, and local court officials have given priority to certain cases of the terminally ill.

WE CAN HELP YOU
If you or a loved one is suffering from a disease or illness related to asbestos exposure, the victim may recover compensation through a personal injury lawsuit. Compensable losses include property loss, medical expenses, lost wages, loss of future earning capacity, and pain and suffering.

Please do not wait to contact a Texas mesothelioma and asbestos exposure attorney at Herrman & Herrman, P.L.L.C., who will review the facts of your case and represent you through this difficult period.

CONTACT US
For more information or to schedule an appointment with an experienced Texas lawyer regarding mesothelioma or an asbestos related injury please contact us now!

Our firm has offices in the following locations: Corpus Christi, Corpus Christi South Side, Brownsville, McAllen, San Antonio, Houston, and Ft. Worth , TX.

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