Archive for July, 2011
Mike Doyle Welcomed into Prestigious American Board of Trial Advocates
Mike Doyle, a partner at Doyle Raizner, was recently invited to join the prestigious American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA). Mike’s entry into ABOTA marks a significant milestone in his already impressive career. Membership in the American Board of Trial Advocates does not come easy, as the organization is extremely selective–extending invitations to only the most highly regarded trial attorneys.
ABOTA strives to improve the ethical and technical standards of legal practice and client advocacy. Amongst other purposes, it provides exceptional training and education to trial attorneys and works to improve the efficiency and integrity of the law and justice systems.
Doyle Raizner congratulates Mike on this extraordinary achievement.
Jeff Raizner Addresses National Association of Trial Lawyer Executives in New York
On July 11, 2011, Jeff Raizner addressed the National Association of Trial Lawyer Executives (NATLE) at their 2011 Annual Meeting in New York. Mr. Raizner, in a joint presentation wiht Matt Gross, discussed digital marketing and social media for law associations.
Trust Established for Berry Family, Victims of Car Crash
A trust has been established to accept donations on behalf of three children–Peter, Aaron, and Willa Berry–who were injured in a car accident in Fort Stockton, Texas, which killed their parents, Robin and Joshua Berry. The family was driving back to Houston from a vacation in Colorado over the July 4 weekend when another car veered into their lane, causing a head-on collision.
Both Peter (9) and Aaron (8) suffered serious spinal cord injuries and remain paralyzed below the waist. Willa (6) suffered a broken arm and ankle.
The Trust will help to provide for the Berry children–now living with their aunt and uncle, Matt and Simone Berry–who will have special needs for the rest of their lives.
More information can be found through Facebook, which also has a link to accept donations.
State Farm Ordered to Pay $14.5m to Contractor for Defamation
An Indiana jury has ordered State Farm to pay Joseph Radcliff, the owner of CPM Construction, $14.5 million for defamation, arising from Mr. Radcliff’s handling of hail claims in 2006. The jury determined that State Farm’s allegations against Mr. Radcliff damaged his personal and professional reputation.
State Farm had originally claimed that Radcliff intentionally damaged roofs to get higher insurance payouts. Radcliff had been arrested and charged with 14 counts of fraud, corruption and criminal mischief, but the chargess against Radcliff were dismissed by the Marion County Prosecutor. State Farm had nonetheless sued Radcliff for insurance fraud and violations of the Racketeer Influence and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO).
Doyle Raizner frequently works with public adjusters on property damage claims. Shareholder Jeff Raizner is an associate attorney member of the Texas Association of Public Insurance Adjusters (TAPIA).
Jamie Leigh Jones Trial Goes to Jury
After almost four weeks of trial, closing arguments in Jamie Leigh Jones’ case in United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas took place on July 7, 2011. Jamie Leigh Jones, a former KBR employee, brought allegations against KBR that she was assaulted and raped by co-workers while working in Iraq. Jones has also alleged that, upon reporting the incident, she was detained by KBR security and refused access to food, water, and communication until the intervention of U.S. Representative Ted Poe (R-TX).
Following each side’s closing arguments, U.S. District Judge Keith Ellison entrusted the case to the jury to begin deliberations.
Doyle Raizner LLP represents persons injured by the negligence and/or wrongdoing of military contractors. The firm is currently engaged in litigation against KBR on behalf of members of the US National Guard and the British Royal Air Force.
Mike Doyle Speaks on Insurance Bad Faith at Texas Bar CLE in Dallas
Mike Doyle presented at the Advanced Personal Injury Law Course, sponsored by the State Bar of Texas, in Dallas, Texas on July 7, 2011. Mr. Doyle focused on bad faith insurance disputes, with a particular focus on bad faith workers’ compensation claims.
The Advanced Personal Injury Law Course will also be held in San Antonio, Houston, South Padre Island, and Austin.
KBR Loses Bid to Have Iraqi Court Hear Electrocution Suit
A federal judge has ruled against a motion by KBR to transfer to Iraq a lawsuit filed against the company. Survivors of Ryan Maseth, a Green Beret who was killed in Iraq in 2008 when he was electrocuted in a shower facility, had sued the military contractor for negligence.
District Judge Nora Fischer for the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania, denied KBR’s motion to transfer the case to Iraq, but did not rule on whether the case should be transferred elsewhere in the United States.
KBR’s attempt to move the case is the only the latest example of a military contractor’s attempt to transfer a case against it to an Islamic country. Blackwater AWS lost its attempt to transfer the claims arising from the crash of a charter flight because Islamic law would not hold a company liable for the acts of its employees.
Doyle Raizner LLP represents persons injured by the negligence of military contractors. The firm is currently engaged in litigation against KBR on behalf of members of the U.S. National Guard and the British Royal Air Force.
Doyle Raizner Observes July 4th
On Independence Day, Doyle Raizner is reminded of the service and sacrifice of U.S. veterans, and all of the statesmen and patriots whose work has enabled us to enjoy the unique freedoms and opportunities afforded by living in the United States of America.
Doyle Raizner is proud to represent some of those servicemen who have continued the long line of protecting our way of life through their service in the National Guard and in the British Royal Air Force during the Iraq War.
