Archive for December, 2010
Happy Holidays from Doyle Raizner!
The attorneys and staff of Doyle Raizner LLP extend our wishes for a joyous holiday season and a happy New Year to all!
Judgment entered by Court enters Final Judgment for $1.78 million against Gallagher Bassett and AIG insurer
The 61st Judicial District Court of Harris County, Texas, Judge Al Bennett presiding, on December 17, 2010, entered Final Judgment on the jury’s verdict for injured Continental international flight attendant Sue Ann Stinson for $1,785,729.60, plus additional attorneys’ fees and interest if appealed by Defendants Gallagher Bassett Services, Inc. and AIG insurer The Insurance Company of the State of Pennsylvania. The Final Judgment was entered as a measurement of the consequences of the wrongful delay of on-the-job insurance benefits to Ms. Stinson by the insurer and Gallagher Bassett, its third party administrator (TPA). The jury also included $1,000,000 in additional damages in their verdict for Gallagher Bassett’s “knowingly” violation of the Texas Insurance Code in their delay and denials.
Not surprisingly, attorneys for Gallagher Bassett and the insurer promised to file still more motions to attempt to persuade the Court to disregard the unanimous verdict rendered November 22, 2010, by twelve Harris County citizens. While likely not the end of the long path of obstacles to justice thrown in Ms. Stinson’s path by the Defendants, it represents an important milestone.
Doyle Raizner Files Workers’ Comp Bad Faith Suit Against Zurich
Doyle Raizner filed suit on December 15, 2010, against Zurich Insurance and its adjuster on behalf of an employee who suffered an occupational injury while working as a forklift operator. Even though she reported her injury to her employer, her workers’ compensation claim was denied by Zurich and its adjuster, leaving her without medical care and income benefits for over eight months. Zurich initiated medical care and income benefits only after the injured employee won her case in front of the Texas Department of Insurance, Division of Workers’ Compensation.
Doyle Raizner is proud to stand with the injured employee and help her in her continuing fight against Zurich Insurance and its adjuster.
Doyle Raizner Files Workers’ Comp Bad Faith Suit Against Wal-Mart
On December 15, 2010, Doyle Raizner filed a lawsuit against Wal-Mart (a self-insured insurance carrier) and its adjuster on behalf of a long-time Wal-Mart employee who was injured on the job in 2009. Despite agreeing that the employee was hurt at work and without any basis, medical or otherwise, Wal-Mart and its adjuster denied medical care for the employee. Wal-Mart then stopped providing the employee with the income benefits required under Texas state law while a worker is recovering from their injury.
Doyle Raizner is committed to this injured employee in her fight against Wal-Mart and its adjuster in this case.
Doyle Raizner Files Workers’ Comp Bad Faith Suit Against AIG
Doyle Raizner filed suit on December 10, 2010, against AIG insurer New Hampshire Insurance Company (AIG) and its adjuster. AIG refused to provide an injured employee with the medical care and income benefits required under Texas law, after the employee was injured on the job in 2009. AIG and its adjuster denied the employee’s injury occurred in spite of clear evidence provided to them at the time of the injury and the opinion of the Designated Doctor in her case. Instead, AIG only initiated benefits after being ordered to do so by the Texas Department of Insurance, Division of Workers’ Compensation–leaving the injured employee with long-lasting medical and financial harm.
Doyle Raizner is proud to hold AIG and its adjuster accountable for their actions in this case.
9th Circuit Tells KBR to Get Ready for Trial
In a terse one-line opinion, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals today dismissed KBR’s appeal of Oregon federal judge Paul Papak’s ruling rejecting KBR’s position that the private military contractor is immune from suit.
The decision represents a monumental step forward for the several dozen Oregon National Guardsmen who filed suit against KBR for exposing them to sodium dichromate at the Qarmat Ali Water Treatment Plant in Iraq in 2003. The soldiers were providing security to KBR personnel paid by the government to restore the plant. With KBR’s mid-stream Ninth Circuit Appeal now out of the way, the suit is on track for trial.
Mike Doyle to Speak on Cross-Exam Strategy at CLE Event–Dec. 14, 2010
Mike Doyle will host a seminar on cross-examination strategy, entitled “Soft Cross,” at the 6th Annual Barnes & Hughes Law Firm Seminar. The seminar, entitled “Emotional Intelligence in the Courtroom,” will be held on December 14, 2010, at the Magnolia Hotel in Houston. Mr. Doyle’s session is scheduled to last from 2:00-2:30pm.
Doyle Raizner Sponsors HBA Fun Run!
Doyle Raizner LLP is very proud to announce its sponsorship of the Houston Bar Association Fun Run! The Fun Run will be an 8km race on Saturday, March 26 at Sam Houston Park in Downtown Houston. There will also be a Children’s Run, a Wheelchair Division, and a Family Walk.
Money raised by the Fun Run will benefit THE CENTER, a private, non-profit, United Way agency, dedicated to helping persons with intellectual disabilities.
You can get more information or sign up for the race here.
Jeff Raizner Hosts Free FindLaw Webinars TODAY (12/7/10) at 11am and 3pm (CST)!
Jeff Raizner will co-host a free FindLaw Webinar today, December 7, 2010, on Legal Marketing, entitled “Beyond the Basics: Stand Out From the Crowd.” Mr. Raizner will focus, in particular, on how a strong online presence can help attract clients and grow your law firm, even in this tough economic climate.
The Webinar will be co-hosted by Kim Singer, a FindLaw Senior Client Development Consultant.
If you would like to sign up, you can register for a session at 11:00am CST or another session at 3:00pm CST.
Doyle Raizner Files Workers Comp Bad Faith Suit Against Zurich
On November 23, 2010, Doyle Raizner filed suit against Zurich American Insurance Company and its adjuster on behalf of a boiler maker, who was injured while working in 2009. Despite medical test results and the opinions of several doctors, including the Designated Doctor in the employee’s case, Zurich continued to deny him medical care and income benefits. Zurich and its adjusters only began to pay after being ordered to do so by the Texas Department of Insurance, Division of Workers’ Compensation. Unfortunately, the consequences of the delay in treatment have already affected and will continue to affect the employee.
Doyle Raizner is proud to fight for the injured worker against Zurich and its adjuster.
