Las Vegas Disrupted Catheters: Infant Death Proves Medical Malpractice Tort Reform Harms Innocent Victims

July 27th, 2010

Las Vegas, Nevada. It was reported today that an infant has died as a result of a “disrupted catheter.” The cause of the “disrupted catheter” is the subject of an ongoing police investigation. Two nurses have had their licenses suspended and a reported to be persons of interest in the investigation. It is reported that there have been 14 reported incidents of disrupted catheters in a Las Vegas neonatal intensive care unit. The disruptions are believed to be intentional. The hospital involved, Sunrise Hospital, is reported to have notified the police of the situation and to have been cooperating with the Las Vegas police department investigation. Sunrise Hospital reportedly went as far as to have installed surveillance cameras as part of the investigation.

Medical malpractice tort reform laws provide economic protection to hospitals and doctors in all cases. Even in cases such as this where a baby dies due to improper and perhaps criminal acts, the insurance companies are given protection and the victims are left with little or no recourse. In the case of the baby who died as the result of the disrupted catheter, the total amount of damages will be limited to $350,000 in non-economic damages. Since it is a wrongful death case involving a baby, there will be no loss of future income, there will be no future medical care, there will be no future loss of support from the baby. All the damages are limited to pain and suffering, grief and the emotional distress of the parents during the ordeal leading up to the baby’s death.

Would anyone trade the life of their baby for $350,000? Would the parents of a new born baby go through the agony of knowing their baby’s life was at risk for any amount of money? Does anyone believe that $350,000 is sufficient compensation for the loss of a baby who should have been happy and healthy?

Money cannot make up for the loss of a child. However, that is how our society has determined that injury victims are compensated. We no longer subject the negligent party to the same fate as the injured victim. Our society no longer extracts and eye for an eye. Yet doctors and hospitals are only required to pay minimal amounts when their acts or failures to act cause harm or death to patients. It is the victims who are left with the life long results and insufficient compensation for their losses. The injury victims and their families are left with the burdens of the unfortunate results while the doctors and hospitals go on with business as usual.

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Posted in Medical Malpractice | 1 Comment »

Las Vegas Accident Attorney and Injury Trial Lawyer Tips: Always Ask for a Lawyer’s Experience and Track Record

July 16th, 2010

Las Vegas accident attorney and injury trial lawyer Craig Murphy here with more practical tips for someone needing to hire a Las Vegas accident and injury lawyer. I recently came across a press release posted on the Internet by a Las Vegas attorney. The Las Vegas attorney’s press release made a number of statements that I found somewhat hard to believe. The Las Vegas attorney claimed to be ”the most respected accident attorney” in Las Vegas and Henderson, Nevada. That is a pretty big claim. It may be true. However, I have never heard of the attorney. During my many years as an insurance defense attorney in Las Vegas, I never had a case against the attorney. During my many years now representing accident and injury victims in Las Vegas, I have never had any dealings with the attorney and have never read that the attorney has taken any case to trial and obtained favorable jury verdicts. Based on that, I think that the attorney’s claim to be “the most respected accident attorney” in Las Vegas and Henderson, Nevada is somewhat questionable.

My point is that anyone can say whatever they want on their web site, in a press release, or in their firm literature advertising their law firm. How can a Las Vegas accident or injury victim tell what is true and correct as opposed to a bunch of hype? Ask for the attorney’s experience on cases like yours. Ask for the attorney’s track record of getting jury verdicts and substantial settlements on cases like yours. In addition to reviewing the Las Vegas attorney’s experience and track record, meet with a number of attorneys in Las Vegas. Don’t just tell them about your case. Interview the attorneys. Ask about their policies and procedures. Find out how the Las Vegas attorney will communicate with you. Find out who will primarily be handling your case. If you are considering hiring a TV lawyer, you must know that the TV lawyer will not be handling your case personally. The Las Vegas TV lawyers have too big of a case load to handle your case personally. Your case will be handled by a case worker or an associate attorney in the office. Find out who. Find out who you should talk to if you have questions. Find out who your contact person is. 

Once you have received the answers to these and other questions that you have, you should see the value in hiring a lawyer who will personally handle your case. You do not want to be shuffled around to a bunch of different case workers. Also, you want to be confident in knowing that the lawyer and law firm have a solid track record, experience, and success. You do not want someone learning on your case, do you? On the job training is not for a serious Las Vegas injury case. If you have been injured in a Las Vegas accident and you need to hire a Las Vegas attorney for your injuries, hire the skilled and experienced Las Vegas trial lawyers at Murphy & Murphy Law Offices. You will get close personal attention to your case. You will also be hiring a firm with a proven track record of success.

Posted in 18-Wheeler Crashes, Auto Accidents, Brain & Spinal Cord Injuries, Impaired-Distracted Drivers, Insurance Bad Faith, Medical Malpractice, Motorcycle Crashes, The Truth About Lawyer Advertising, Trips/Slips/Falls, Uncategorized, Wrongful Death | 1 Comment »

Personal Responsibility: It Is Time To Accept It!

July 9th, 2010

Craig Murphy, “Las Vegas accident lawyer and injury trial attorney” here. Today I ask, why won’t people accept personal responsibility these days? I see it all the time. Someone crashes into a car and causes significant injuries and damages. Does the negligent driver accept responsibility for causing the crash? Most times no! They turn it over to their insurance company and the insurance adjuster refuses to even pay the medical expenses the injured person has had to pay. The insurance adjuster argues that the bills are too high or that there was too much treatment. How does the insurance adjuster know? The insurance adjuster was not in the crash. The insurance adjuster was not the person who was injured. The insurance adjuster does not know. It is just the insurance company’s way of not accepting personal responsibility for the injuries and damages caused.

As a result of the insurance company refusing to accept personal responsibility for the injury and damages, a lawsuit has to be filed. The lawsuit is turned over to an insurance defense attorney. The insurance defense attorney, an attorney hired and paid for by the insurance company, denies liability. Throughout the litigation, the insurance defense attorney refuses to admit the driver’s fault for causing the collision. At trial the insurance defense attorney acts as though the negligent driver is the victim because he or she has been sued. However, the negligent driver is not the victim. He or she was not injured. They hit the injured person from behind and caused injuries and damages. The negligent driver on the other hand was not injured because he or she was fully protected by the seat and airbags. It is the person who is hit from behind that has no protection. Yet the negligent driver refuses to accept personal responsibility for the harms and losses caused by his or her negligence.

We now see a situation where someone refuses to accept personal responsibility being played out in the national press. Actress Lindsay Lohan was sentenced to 90 days in jail and 90 days in rehab for failing to comply with the orders of her parole imposed for DUI charges. Lindsay Lohan failed to comply with the terms and conditions of her parole. Instead of complying, Lindsay Lohan went to the French Riviera for a film festival. She claimed to lose her passport and could not attend a scheduled court hearing. Her alcohol monitoring bracelet went off on more than one occasion indicating further failures to comply with the terms and conditions of her parole. As a result, she was sentenced to 90 days in jail for her failure to comply.

Lindsay Lohan had every opportunity to comply with the terms and conditions of her parole. She chose not to comply. Yet does she accept personal responsibility for the DUI charges? Her behavior shows that she does not. Does she accept personal responsibility for her failure to comply with the terms and conditions of her parole? No. Today in the press her mother is quoted as saying that the sentence is too harsh. Her mother says that Lindsay Lohan did not receive fair justice. She says that Lindsay Lohan is scared to death of going to jail. That is a refusal to accept personal responsibility by Lindsay Lohan and her mother. There is a saying, “Do the crime, do the time.” Lindsay Lohan should have thought about the consequences of her actions or failure to act before she did it. She should have thought about the consequences of failing to comply with the terms and conditions of her parole. She should accept the penalty for her decision not to comply. Her mother should accept the fact that Lindsay Lohan’s choices are what caused the 90 day jail sentence. Lindsay Lohan and Lindsay Lohan alone is to blame.

The same should hold true in an automobile accident. The at fault driver should admit fault and accept his or her responsibility. Since that rarely happens, it is up to the jury to impose responsibility. In these hard economic times, it is a burden on many people to serve on a jury. The insurance companies know it. Yet they force many cases that should be settled into court and pretend that it is the injured person who is abusing the system. Unfortunately, the court rules forbid any mention of the fact that there is any insurance company involved. The court rules give the insurance defense lawyers a veil to hide behind. The court rules allow the insurance defense lawyer to hide behind the at fault driver and make it appear that he or she is going to have to pay any verdict that is rendered. In fact, the at fault driver does not have to pay anything. His or her insurance is responsible and it is his or her insurance company that has refused to settle the claim. As jurors, you must know that the injured person is the victim of the injury and the victim of an insurance company bent on taking advantage of the system. It is only the jury in such a case that can impose responsibility. That is why at Murphy & Murphy Law Offices, we only accept a limited number of legitimate, worthy cases. We anticipate that it may be necessary to take your case to court and try it before a jury. We will do that so that you can be compensated for your injuries and damages and so the jury can impose personal responsibility even if the insurance companies continue to refuse to accept it.

Posted in Auto Accidents, Impaired-Distracted Drivers, Motorcycle Crashes, Uncategorized | 4 Comments »

Will You be The Next Victim of Tort Reform?

June 14th, 2010

Las Vegas accident attorney and injury trial lawyer Craig Murphy asks whether you will be the next victim of tort reform. That question presupposes that tort reform causes harm and that it has victims. But isn’t tort reform supposed to protect us all? No is the simple answer to that question. Tort reform quite simply is an initiative by big businesses to protect their profits at the expense of the little guys, you and me. How can that be you ask? Tort reform seeks as its goal to take your rights away and create protections for businesses who wrongfully and negligently harm people. The businesses want to become favored and protected classes. By doing that the businesses take away your constitutional rights. Not only do they take away your constitutional right to a jury trial and for the jury to determine the amount of your injuries and damages, tort reform can leave you with insufficient protection if you are able to get to trial.

Lets look at the current situation in the Gulf of Mexico. The BP oil spill disaster continues unabated. Millions of barrels of oil a day continue to spew into the Gulf. According to BP’s latest estimates, it could take another month before it is able to stop the oil from continuing to spew into the Gulf. In Louisiana alone businesses and entire industries are facing the complete devastation. The financial damages to the tourism industry and the fishing industry cannot even be calculated. Estimates are in the hundreds of millions of dollars, if not more. However, due to the lobbying efforts of the oil companies and other powerful interests, Federal law limits BP’s responsibilities for damages to $75 Million. Federal law caps BP’s financial responsibility to those whose lives and livelihoods have been taken from them. There is no obligation for full and complete compensation. There is no requirement for fair compensation. The compensation is capped. So everyone who has been damaged and all those who may be damaged as the oil spreads to other states and perhaps spreads to the east coast of America will all have to share in the $75 Million.

How is it fair that BP’s damages can be capped? It isn’t. Plain and simple. The people who are damaged the most are the ones who can least afford to be without compensation. BP on the other hand will be protected. Its profits protected. The injured people and small businesses are the ones who are left with no protection and no way to recover what has been lost.

Caps on damages like those protecting BP are in effect in Las Vegas. You may become the next victim of tort reform. Nevada law imposes strict damage limits in medical malpractice cases. No matter how badly a person is injured by the negligence of a doctor, the damages are capped at $350,000 for non-economic damages. What does that mean, if a person is paralyzed and confined to a wheelchair for life, the most a negligent doctor would have to pay for all the pain inflicted, all the mental anguish suffered, all of the enjoyment of life taken away, could not exceed $350,000. If a jury awarded more, the judge, by law, would have to reduce the damages to $350,000. Who wold be willing to be paralyzed for $350,000? No one. Beyond that, suppose a family ember died as the result of medical negligence. Say a young stay at home mom. Would anyone dispute that her life would be worth more than $350,000 to her family? I do not think so. However, that would be all the family would be entitled to receive.

No one thinks of the potential consequences when a proposal to limit the constitutional rights of individuals is being presented by multi-million dollar ad campaigns. National organizations, business alliances, and insurance companies lobby and press politicians everyday to impose strict liability limits to protect them from having to pay damages to people who have been injured due to their negligence. It is nothing more than a scheme to protect and guarantee their profits. More than that it is a means to give them free reign and a license to practice their business in any manner its sees fit without regard to the consequences because they are protected by caps on the damages they have to pay when their practices are negligent and cause injury and damage. Look a BP. What incentive did it have to be safer? What plans did it have if something were to go wrong? BP can know that its liability for damages is capped at $75 Million. It can pay its corporate dividends. It can fund a $50 Million ad campaign to try and save its corporate image. Think about that for a minute. BP is willing to pay almost as much for its public image ad campaign as it will be required to pay for damages due to the protections afforded to it under federal law. How can that be right? How can that be fair? Unfortunately it is the little people all around the Gulf of Mexico and perhaps beyond that will really have to pay the price when BP escapes its full responsibility.

Posted in 18-Wheeler Crashes, Auto Accidents, Brain & Spinal Cord Injuries, Impaired-Distracted Drivers, Insurance Bad Faith, Medical Malpractice, Motorcycle Crashes, The Truth About Lawyer Advertising, Trips/Slips/Falls | No Comments »

Deadly Car Crashes can Happen to Anyone

June 11th, 2010

Craig Murphy, Las Vegas injury trial lawyer and accident attorney, here with some more advice. The news today points to the fact that no one is immune from the effects of a car accident. Nelson Mandela’s 13-year-old great granddaughter was killed today in a car crash. In another unrelated story, it was reported that a Hollywood TV star crashed her car into three other cars causing major damage and fled the scene. The lesson to be learned is that car accidents can happen to anyone, anywhere. No one is immune.

I do not know the reason or cause of the accidents. Auto accidents happen for many reasons. However, almost all accidents happen because of the fault of someone. Someone failed to follow the laws or rules of the road. Someone failed to use common sense and exercise a reasonable degree of care and caution. The causes of the accidents will come to light. It could be distracted driving. Driving while under the influence and being impaired. The accidents could have been caused due to speed or carelessness.

Since an accident can happen at any time and to any one, what is there that you can do to protect yourself and reduce your chances of being seriously injured or killed in a Las Vegas auto accident? Do not drink and drive. Do not drive under the influence of drugs or medication. Do not text and drive. Do not talk on the cell phone and drive. Follow the traffic laws. Do not speed. Do not take unnecessary risks when you drive. Always wear a seat belt when you are in a car. Do not ride in a car with an impaired driver. Maintain a reasonable distance between your car and other cars (do not tailgate). Be aware of your surroundings. When stopped at a stop light, look in all directions before you start to go. Many people in Las Vegas run red lights. Watch so you do not become an innocent victim. While you cannot eliminate the possibility of ever being in a car crash in Las Vegas, following this advice will substantially reduce the odds of you being involved in a Las Vegas auto accident and protect you from being seriously injured.

Posted in 18-Wheeler Crashes, Auto Accidents, Impaired-Distracted Drivers, Motorcycle Crashes | 2 Comments »

Corporate Irresponsibility Taken to New Heights. Are You Going to be The Next Victim?

June 10th, 2010

We are entering an era where corporate irresponsibility will be taken to new heights.  As Emeril says “to notches previously unknown.” How can this happen? The thought that has been superimposed upon the general public is that businesses are failing because of frivolous lawsuits. Frivolous lawsuits are ruining the country. Unfortunately, that translates into the belief that all lawsuits are frivolous. There is a distrust of anyone who brings a lawsuit for injuries and damages these days. The injured person is no longer viewed as an unfortunate victim of negligence. The injured victim is seen as a money grubbing person out to strike it rich. Instead, in today’s society, it is the negligent business that is viewed as the victim. The unfortunate business that has to endure a lawsuit by a personal injury trial lawyer.

That pervasive attitude is the result of a long-running and ongoing multi-billion dollar campaign by insurance companies and big business. The goal is to crush the rights of the little guy. To close the courthouse doors to the common everyday person. Another goal is to generate larger corporate profits. Not only by eliminating lawsuits for the corporation’s negligence, but to also allow the corporation conduct business in an unfettered manner. No more worries about corporate responsibility getting in the way. Take whatever course of action it chooses and the corporation can generate larger profits and not have to worry about the victims it leaves in its wake. Examples that are just starting to come to light are in the housing lending schemes and the Wall Street bailouts. We see examples in the newspapers every month on examples from China where unsafe and harmful products are placed on the market because of a complete failure of any regulation or standards. Merely a profit motive is operating as the only anchor. We have entire housing projects that are contaminated with unsafe and hazardous Chinese drywall. McDonald’s Corporation just had to recall all of the promotional drinking glasses it was giving away because they were made with a deadly chemical. At the present time we see a disaster of unknown proportions unfolding in the Gulf of Mexico as oil continues to spew into the Gulf. Time will only tell whether BP and the other responsible corporations will meet their responsibilities or whether they will seek to avoid their responsibilities through claim denials and years and years of litigation.

On a smaller scale, here is another example. A life insurance company receives a claim under a life insurance policy. The life insurance company informs the beneficiary of the life insurance policy that it is going to conduct an investigation. The beneficiary cooperates fully by providing all documents and records requested. The beneficiary gives a recorded statement. The beneficiary completes questionnaires and forms. The claim is accepted. The beneficiary receives a check for the payment of the life insurance policy.

Nine months later the beneficiary receives a letter saying that the life insurance company made a mistake. No specific mistake is stated or indicated. There is no allegation of fraud or that the beneficiary did not cooperate or gave false information. The letter just says the company made a mistake. Because the life insurance company allegedly mader some mistake, the life insurance company demanded that the beneficiary send the money from the life insurance policy back to the company.

What if the money is gone? What if the money has been spent? What if the money has been invested? How and why should the beneficiary have to pay it back? The life insurance company gave it to the beneficiary. It said, here it is, it is yours. Where is the corporate responsibility? If the life insurance company made a mistake shouldn’t it have to live with it? Shouldn’t the life insurance company have to accept the negligence of its employees’ actions. Instead of accepting the fact that it paid the money, wrongly or rightly, the insurance company refuses to accept responsibility. Isn’t the real answer the same thing we would teach our children? Accept the consequences of your actions. Grow up and learn to be a responsible citizen. It is time for us and our corporations to learn and live by the lessons we teach our children. Start taking responsibility for your actions. Fess up and pay up when you are wrong. Your mom, or in the case of corporations, your PR Firm and multi-million dollar ad campaign will not always be there to bail you out of the messes you create. Accept responsibility and make it right. Then learn a lesson from the mistake and don’t do it again.

Posted in Insurance Bad Faith, Uncategorized | 4 Comments »

More Support for My Stance Against Distracted Drivers

June 9th, 2010

For quite a while I have been clear in my warnings and pleas to stop distracted drivers. Yet every day I see people texting and talking on the phones while driving. Driving and paying attention is not their major focus or concern. They are ticking time bombs and accidents waiting to happen. In Las Vegas texting and driving is a recipe for disaster. Don’t do it. Stop and think. Stop and think of someone other than yourself. Do not ruin someone else’s life because you needed to send a text message while you were driving.

I recently reported that Oprah Winfrey joined in the battle against distracted drivers who are causing serious injuries across America. Today it is reported that physicians should tell their patients not to send text messages or use their cell phones while driving. In the New England Journal of Medicine doctors are asked to advise patients against texting and cell phones the same as they warn patients against smoking or supporting the use of seat belts.

In addition to the article instructing doctors to warn patients against driving and texting, the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation approved the Distracted Driving Prevention Act. The Distracted Driving Prevention Act provides incentives to states with distracted driving regulations. According to the Senator who co-sponsored the bill, “It’s a proven fact that distracted driving causes thousands of deaths and injuries every year.”

It is time for Nevada to ban texting while driving. It is time for Nevada to ban talking on a cell phone unless the driver has a hands free device. If you are in Las Vegas and you cause an accident and injure an innocent person because of your distracted driving, I will sue you for the injuries and damages you cause. With or without a distracted driver law in Nevada, i will seek punitive damages against you. That is extra money beyond my clients damages for injuries to punish you and make an example of you. That is money you will have to pay because your insurance does not cover you for punitive damage awards. Think about how much money your next text message is really worth while you are driving. Is the text message really so important that you are willing to risk your entire financial future for it. Is it worth a serious lifetime injury. Probably not. Just don’t do it.

Posted in 18-Wheeler Crashes, Auto Accidents, Brain & Spinal Cord Injuries, Impaired-Distracted Drivers, Motorcycle Crashes | 1 Comment »

Las Vegas Injury Lawyer tips: An Inexperienced Attorney Can Wreck Your Case.

June 8th, 2010

Here is another practical tip from Las Vegas injury lawyer and trial attorney Craig Murphy. An inexperienced attorney can wreck your case. Yes, that is true, and most people from Las Vegas would agree. But I do not merely mean an inexperienced attorney when I make this point. What I mean is that when choosing an attorney for a Las Vegas injury claim or a Las Vegas accident claim, you must hire a lawyer who has accident and injury experience. You just can not hire an attorney because he or she has been around for a number of years. The lawyer you hire in Las Vegas for your accident or injury claim must concentrate on accident and injury claims.

Why must you hire an attorney who is experienced in Las Vegas accident and injury claims? There a re a number of reasons. Let me give you some examples of people who went wrong in their decision to hire a Las Vegas attorney for their injury and accident claims. The first example comes from an experience I had. I had just taken a significant injury case to trial in Las Vegas. After presenting the case, the jury returned a very significant verdict in favor of my client. The trial had taken over a week to present to the jury. Shortly after the trial I received a telephone call from another Las Vegas attorney. The attorney did not normally handle accident and injury cases. The attorney was primarily a business attorney. The LasVegas business attorney thought that the case would be an easy case to settle. However, the attorney was wrong. The insurance company did not want to settle the case. I do not know the reason that the insurance company refused to settle. However, I suspect that it was due in part to the fact that the business attorney had not properly prepared the case. The Las Vegas business attorney did not want to pay all of the expenses that were necessary to properly prepare the case. As a result, the attorney just did not do it. The Las Vegas business attorney called me because the attorney wanted me to take the case over and take it to trial within two weeks. 

Upon questioning the Las Vegas business attorney, it was apparent that the case had not been properly prepared.  The attorney thought that the case would settle, so the attorney did not spend any money getting the case ready for trial.  The Las Vegas business attorney did not hire any expert witnesses. The Las Vegas business attorney had not properly identified the treating doctors as witnesses and a motion was pending to exclude all of the treating doctors from testifying at trial. There was nothing I could do and I was unable to take that case over for the LasVegas injury victim. In all cases there comes a time where nothing further can be done to salvage a case from improper or inadequate preparation. This case had passed that point long before the business attorney called me. The business attorney knew it and was looking for someone to come to the rescue. The case was beyond rescue and I never heard how the case was ultimately resolved.

Another similar example involves an experienced Las Vegas criminal attorney. The preparation of a criminal case is much different than the preparation of an accident or injury case. There is no or very little discovery in a criminal case. Discovery is a key element of a Las Vegas injury and accident case. The criminal lawyer had not conducted any discovery in the case. That, in and of itself, is not fatal to a case. However, it does not help. One of the biggest differences and problems that exist when a criminal lawyer tries to handle an accident or injury case is the differences in philosophy. In a criminal case the criminal lawyer does not bear the burden of proof. All the criminal lawyer has to do is convince one juror that reasonable doubt exists. The Las Vegas criminal lawyer only has to create doubt in one person. In an accident and injury case, the Plaintiff, you and your attorney, must convince at least 6 people of your case. You have the burden of proof. If you fail to meet your burden of proof, you do not win the case. This major fundamental difference can not be over come by a criminal lawyer. The criminal lawyer cannot over come the mind set. Many elements of the case can often be left out or overlooked as a result.

Similarly, attorneys who are insurance defense attorneys often try to pick up accident and injury cases. Unfortunately, the Las Vegas insurance defense lawyers trying to take an accident or injury case have divided loyalty. They often hire the same experts that they hire to defend cases or they are opposed to experts that they usually use. As a result, they are reluctant to aggressively challenge the expert witness during deposition or at trial. In addition, it is very difficult to automatically switch hats. That is go from challenging every accident and injury case that comes across your desk to all of a sudden accepting the statements and validity of the accident and injury case. There can often be lingering doubts and skepticism of your case. It is human nature. Yet your Las Vegas accident and injury attorney is your advocate. Any doubts and skepticism will be noticed by the jury. You cannot afford divided loyalty.

In a Las Vegas accident or injury case, you must select the proper attorney for your case. You have virtually unlimited choices. Choose wisely because the decision to hire a lawyer for your Las Vegas accident or injury case will be one of the most important decisions that you make about your case. The attorney you choose can affect the outcome of the case. The attorney you choose can affect the value of your case.

When choosing a Las Vegas attorney for your Las Vegas accident or injury case, choose a lawyer who only represents Plaintiffs in injury cases. Do not hire a Las Vegas attorney who also works for insurance companies. Do not hire a criminal, business, transactional, bankruptcy, or wills lawyer for your LasVegas injury case. Do not hire lawyer who says he or she does a little bit of everything. You cannot afford a “Jack of all trades and master of none.” Only hire an experienced Las Vegas accident and injury lawyer. A lawyer who only does accident and injury cases. Nothing else. In addition, make sure that the Las Vegas accident and injury lawyer that you hire has the proper amount of experience. You must hire a layer who has gone to trial a received significant jury verdicts for accident and injury victims. You do not want a settlement lawyer or a settlement mill. If you hire a settlement mill or settlement lawyer, you will not be on equal footing with the insurance company. The insurance companies know better than anyone else who will file a lawsuit and go to trial and who will not. If your lawyer will not go to trial with your case, it is like going to a gun fight armed only with a knife. You have little chances of winning.

Your lawyer is your weapon. Make sure that you have the right weapon for the battle ahead. For your Las Vegas accident and injury case, only hire a skilled and experienced Las Vegas accident and injury trial lawyer with a proven track record of success.

Posted in 18-Wheeler Crashes, Auto Accidents, Brain & Spinal Cord Injuries, Impaired-Distracted Drivers, Motorcycle Crashes, Wrongful Death | 10 Comments »

Brain Injuries: Serious Life-Threatening Injuries can Happen Without Warning

May 28th, 2010

Brain injuries are more common than most people realize. Brain injuries range from minor to major. A minor brain injury may resolve after a short period of time. More significant brain injuries are life-long and life-altering. In America, it is estimated that 1.5 million brain injuries happen each year. Approximately 5 million people in the United States are living with the effects of a brain injury and require some degree of assistance as a result of the brain injury. Brain injuries account for more than 50,000 deaths in the United States per year.

I recently read a book by Zig Zigler and his daughter about the brain injury Zig suffered as a result of a fall down the stairs at his house.  The book documents his struggles and the struggles of his family members trying to adapt to the resultant effects of his brain injury. Zig documents how he continues to live life on his terms event though his life has been dramatically altered by a brain injury.

In the news today it was reported that child actor Gary Coleman died as a result of a brain injury. Apparently Mr. Coleman had a fall and hit his head. Following the fall he was reported to be in good condition and coherent. However, as the brain injury progressed, he fell into a coma and had to be placed upon life support. Reportedly the life support was removed and Mr. Coleman passed away.

The truth is that a minor fall or car crash can cause serious brain injuries. A car crash with minimal property damage can cause fatal or life-long injuries. The brain is very delicate. A minor fall or car crash can cause the brain to impact the inside of the skull, which has many sharp edges and protrusions. The impact can cause a brain bleed or subdural hematoma, a bleeding bruise inside the skull. In addition, the whiplash effect of a car crash or fall can cause internal tearing of the internal structures of the brain. Such tears, known as axonal sheering, can cause significant loss of brain function.

Many people who suffer brain injuries in a fall or car crash do not realize or admit their brain injury. It is the family members, co-workers and friends that notice the dramatic changes in the brain injured person’s personality, behavior and abilities. There may not be any evidence of the brain injury on a brain scan or MRI. However, the people closest to the brain injured person know that something has happened. Something is not the same. It can take a lot of detailed work to diagnose and treat such a brain injury. The effects of the brain injury affect every member of the injured person’s family, employment and relationships.

If you know someone you suspect has suffered a brain injury that has gone undiagnosed and untreated, please call someone experienced in dealing with brain injuries. Whether a lawyer orhealth care professional dedicated to brain injury diagnosis and treatment, they should be able to get you and your family member to the appropriate care facilities and health care providers. If you do not know where to turn, call my office. We will provide you with all of the assistance and information that we have.

Posted in Brain & Spinal Cord Injuries | 3 Comments »

Murphy & Murphy Law Offices: Looking out for you

May 27th, 2010

If you are familiar with Bill O’Reilly, you know that he says that he is looking out for you. But who is looking out for you locally? “Murphy & Murphy Law Offices” is looking out for you locally, that’s who. So how is “Murphy & Murphy Law Offices” looking out for you? Go to our website.  The “Murphy & Murphy Law Offices” website at “nvpilaw.com” has a number of information pages that tell you specific things that you can do on a daily basis to protect you and your family and substantially reduce the chances of you or your family being injured in an accident. In addition to the information pages on the “Murphy & Murphy Law Offices” website at “nvpilaw.com” I regularly have posts on this blog that provide additional ideas and information on what you can do to keep you and your family safe and reduce the chances of being injured or damaged.

If a family member, friend, or you have been injured in an accident, Craig Murphy, Esq. and the lawyers and staff at “Murphy & Murphy Law Offices” look out for you in many ways. Unlike many law firms, Craig Murphy, Esq. and the lawyers and staff at “Murphy & Murphy Law Offices” know you on a face-to-face, first name basis. You are not just a number or just another case to us. We are interested in you and we are looking out for your bests interests. If the insurance company will not agree to a fair and equitable resolution of your claim, we will file a law suit and protect your rights and interests through the American judicial system. Your claim will not be dropped because we do not have the knowledge and skill to litigate your case. On the contrary, Craig Murphy and the lawyers at “Murphy & Murphy Law Offices” are skilled and experienced trial lawyers. We have the skill, knowledge and experience required to successfully take your case to trial if that is necessary. In many instances, the insurance companies will not offer a fair settlement until they know that your case has been prepared for trial and that your attorneys are ready, willing and able to take your case to trial before a jury of your peers. If you do not hire skilled and experienced trial lawyers to handle your case, the insurance company will not offer a fair settlement. In those instances, your lawyer will suggest that you take a pennies on the dollar settlement or the lawyer will withdraw from your case at the last minute. You will then be faced with a very difficult situation where you are involved in litigation and you do not have a lawyer to represent you.

Today Craig Murphy of “Murphy & Murphy Law Offices” saw a new report that said regular use of tanning beds increases the chances of melanoma, the most deadly form of skin cancer, by three of four times. Craig Murphy and “Murphy & Murphy Law Offices” are looking out for you. If you use tanning beds, look up the reseach for your self. Then ask yourself, “is it worth the increased risk of deadly skin cancer to use a tanning bed?” The obvious answer is no. Stop using the tanning beds now. Do not go back. How can a tan be worth one moment taken from your life? How can a tan be worth months of pain and suffering with deadly cancer? How can a tan be worth the stress and mental anguish knowing that you have deadly skin cancer and that you have a very short time to live? If you have kids, how can a tan replace the importance of the kids having you in their lives? How could you face putting your kids through cancer treatment and the torment of losing a parent to skin cancer?

If you are not a parent but instead are an adolescent or young adult, stop using tanning beds. You have your whole life in front of you. You have everything in the world to look forward to. Do not risk cutting your life short for a tan. In all aspects of life, you will never eliminate the risk of injuries or harm. Sickness and disease are part of life. What we can do however is eliminate known risks of harm and danger. We can eliminate known risks of sickness and disease. Will that guarantee that we will never be harmed, get sick or suffer from a disease? No. But you can substantially reduce and eliminate the known risks. Thereby, you can increase the chances that you will lead a full, happy and healthy life.

That is how Craig Murphy and “Murphy & Murphy Law Offices” are looking out for you. We provide you with information to help you in your daily lives. Little decisions can add up to big safety. Since “Murphy & Murphy Law Offices” is a Las Vegas personal injury law firm, we hope that you and your family never need our services. However, should you, a family member or friend ever be in need of legal services of any kind, call Craig Murphy at “Murphy & Murphy Law Offices.” He will answer any questions you have and try to help you with your legal needs.

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