Recent Blog Posts
FDA Warns Parents About Dangerous False Cures for Autism
Learning your child has autism is tough for any parent. There are too many things to consider all at once: What is best for my child? Will he learn to read and write? Will she be able to be independent? How will this affect his future? While physicians and experienced teachers can provide parents with guidance, some parents turn to sources that claim they can treat children with autism or even cure them. However, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is reminding parents that there is no cure for autism and products on the market that claim to be a cure could pose a significant danger to your child.
Fake Cures for Autism Are Serious Health Risks
Some companies make claims that their products can treat an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) by improving the effects of the condition, or can cure autism altogether. It is not possible to cure autism at all. An ASD can affect an individual’s social skills, speech, and nonverbal communication, and often results in repetitive behaviors. Children who are autistic can display a range of symptoms and will have unique strengths and challenges. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 1 in 68 children are diagnosed with an ASD. The symptoms of the condition should only be handled by licensed physicians who can recommend certain types of education and therapy or prescribe medications when absolutely necessary. False cures and treatments not prescribed by a doctor are often substances that could pose serious health risks to children.
Update on Deadly Bus Crash Involving New Braunfels Residents
On March 29, 13 members of the First Baptist Church of New Braunfels were killed when a truck collided with the bus they were riding in Uvalde County. Only one individual from the bus was hospitalized in critical condition and survived the crash. The 20-year-old driver of the truck was also injured and survived. While the exact cause of the collision is being investigated, there are reports that the young driver of the pickup truck was on prescription medication that could affect his faculties and was texting immediately prior to the crash. An affidavit from the driver uncovered he had taken Clonazepam, Ambien, and Lexapro prior to the accident and he admitted to being distracted by his cell phone. Considering the nature of the accident and its consequences, it is not surprising that a wrongful death suit has already been filed.
Wrongful Death Suit Following the New Braunfels’ Church Bus Crash
Texas Man Killed in Hit and Run Accident
Last month, a Texas man was killed after being struck by a vehicle on State Highway 155, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS). The DPS is looking for a dark-colored truck, potentially a Chevrolet, which was traveling west on SH 155. The victim was standing at the end of his driveway when the truck apparently veered onto the shoulder and hit him. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the vehicle did not stop at the accident and render aid as required by law. The DPS is looking for the driver who may be charged with hit and run.
The Criminal Consequences of a Hit and Run
Texas law requires that any individuals who are involved in an accident stop immediately, keeping their vehicle out of the way of traffic. For an accident involving damage to another vehicle, a driver must stop, provide their information, and if possible, render aid. If an individual does not stop and fulfill these requirements, then they can be charged with a misdemeanor. The level of the misdemeanor depends on the amount of damage to the vehicle. For a minimal amount of damage valued at less than $200 it will be a Class C misdemeanor, punishable by a fine. A greater amount of damage results in a Class B misdemeanor, punishable by up to 180 days in jail and up to a $2,000 fine.
As Summer Begins, Remember Motorcycle Safety
In early May, a motorcyclist was traveling on State Highway 130 at a high rate of speed when he collided with another vehicle in slower traffic. Traffic up ahead had slowed drastically due to a vehicle fire. The motorcyclist was unable to stop his motorcycle and struck the rear of another vehicle, which caused him to be thrown into a second vehicle. The crash occurred around 7 p.m. and the rider was pronounced dead approximately an hour later. This accident is a tragic reminder of the motorcycle crashes, injuries, and fatalities that occur each summer. As we head into another warm season, motorcycle riders and drivers need to remember how to keep each other safe and avoid collisions.
Motorcycle Safety Tips for Riders
There are a few steps motorcyclists can take to avoid a crash with other riders or vehicles, including:
- Avoid speeding. While the feel of the wind can entice riders to go faster, speeding is a leading cause of motorcycle accidents and fatalities. Riders should stick to the speed limit at all times and slow down during heavy traffic or poor weather.
Three Immediate Ways to Protect Your Rights after a Collision
Nothing is as scary as being involved in a car wreck, especially when you are the victim. The moment you are hit, shock mode ensues, causing you to either freeze up or jump into action. Even if you are fortunate enough to respond to the adrenaline rush with swift action, it is not at all uncommon to experience forgetfulness or the inability to focus on attention to detail. This can be problematic when the need to take notes is time sensitive. Your observations immediately after a collision have the potential to make a significant difference in the outcome of your case later on, once the accident has been reported and any court hearings take place.
What to Do the Moment You Are Struck
There are a number of actions you can take the moment you are struck to increase your chances of protecting your rights later on, but three of the most immediate ways you can protect your best interests include the following:
UT Student Killed in Moped Accident
A University of Texas at Austin student passed away on Monday, April 17 after being involved in an accident on her moped on Manor Road. Around 7:30 p.m., the student is believed to have swerved into traffic after experiencing a mechanical issue on her moped, at which point she collided head-on with a privately owned bus.
The tragic accident is a reminder of the unique dangers of motorcycles and mopeds. If you lost a loved one in a moped or scooter accident, contact an experienced Austin personal injury attorney for help.
What Is a Moped?
Mopeds are motorized scooters. They have small engines and can usually only go as fast as 30 mph. While they can look a great deal like scooters, mopeds must have a license plate. If a moped can move faster than 30 mpg, requires shifting gears, or has a piston displacement of more than 50 ccs, then it is actually considered a motorcycle. Texas provides a certified mopeds list for individuals to be sure of how their vehicle is classified.
Two Men Killed in Texas Train Accidents the Same Weekend
On April 2, one man was killed as he and three other men jumped from a moving Union Pacific train in Texas. The men boarded the freight train in Austin and hopped off near Interstate 35, just north of the Texas State Technical College campus. The witnesses report that the man threw his belongings from the train prior to attempting to jump, but he slipped and fell between the train cars. The reported the incident at a nearby gas station. The day before, another man lost his life in a train incident in Austin. Before 10 p.m. on West 5th street, a man was struck by a Union Pacific train when he was on the tracks. Unfortunately, news reports of pedestrian-train accidents are not uncommon and they may lead to wrongful death claims.
Texas Pedestrian-Train Accidents
In 2016, the Federal Railroad Administration reported 445 pedestrian-train-related accidents in Texas. While some of these incidents were minor and involved few injuries, others, like the recent accidents above, led to fatalities. In 2016, there were 64 train accident fatalities. This may seem like only a few fatalities compared to the numbers associated with car accidents. However, 64 fatalities for a year in relation to train incidents is high.
Car Accidents Do Not Discriminate
Car accidents do not discriminate against victims. Anyone can be hurt while on the road at any time. You could be injured in a crash when you least expect it like one Texas state representative from The Woodlands. He sustained minor injuries in a head-on crash with a cement truck when he was headed to the Capitol building on March 28. The accident occurred at the intersection of South First and West Mary in Austin, causing considerable damage to his vehicle. The lawmaker managed to suffer only scrapes and bruises and was released from the hospital the next day. As of the day of the accident, no citations had been issued.
Crash Statistics for Austin
According to the Department of Texas’ latest crash figures for 2015, Austin experienced 14,168 crashes resulting in 105 fatalities. There were also 490 incapacitating injuries and 4,045 non-incapacitating injuries, like those suffered by the state representative. Considering the population and traffic in Austin, the high numbers of crashes, injuries, and fatalities are not surprising. However, it is not the city with the most collisions, injuries, or traffic-related deaths. Dallas witnessed 31,094 crashes resulting in 173 fatalities. San Antonio had 42,472 crashes that caused 152 fatalities. Houston had 66,319 crashes with 203 fatalities.
FDA and CDC Investigate Dangerous Listeria Outbreak Linked to Cheese
In March, Vulto Creamery expanded its recall to include all of its cheese products currently in the market, including the following cheeses: Andes, Blue Blais, Hamden, Heinennellie, Ouleout, Miranda, Willowemoc, and Walton Umber. These cheeses were sold nationwide. The reason for this recall is that the company’s cheese contains the bacteria Listeria monocytogenes, which can cause illness and death.
The Dangers of Listeria
Listeriosis, which is an infection caused by Listeria monocytogenes, can lead to serious illness, particularly in children, the elderly, and individuals with weakened immune systems. Symptoms of Listeriosis include fever, muscle aches, chills, diarrhea, and other gastrointestinal issues. One of the major issues with Listeriosis is that it can lead to dehydration. It is also highly dangerous in pregnant women. While the expectant mothers may not become ill, this bacteria can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, premature labor, and serious illness or death in newborns.
Recovering Compensation after a Texas Construction Accident
An individual was killed on a construction site in Carrollton, Texas, in March. The man, a worker at the site within the Castle Hills development at Old Denton Road and Windhaven Parkway, was run over by a heavy construction vehicle. Unfortunately, this type of incident is not uncommon on construction sites. Back-over accidents and other construction vehicle accidents occur at alarming rates, killing dozens of workers and pedestrians every year.
Fatal Work Accidents in Texas
In 2015, Texas witnessed 527 fatal occupational injuries. The construction industry had 124 deaths. This was a significant increase from 107 deaths in 2014. In 2015, construction of buildings had 13 fatalities, heavy and civil engineering construction had 26, and specialty trade contractors had 85. While heavy and civil engineering deaths remained the same from the prior year, the construction of buildings and specialty trade contractors’ deaths rose. Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction had 36 deaths, a significant decrease from 75 in 2014, while transportation had 100, an increase from 94 in 2014.
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