WALKER & CRAWFORD, PC

Chicago, IL –Air Angels, the Bolingbrook based emergency medical helicopter transport company, has been sued by the parents of the 1 year-old girl killed in a fatal helicopter crash October 15, 2008. The suburban Chicago air medical transport company released a statement on Thursday they are immediately ending their emergency ground and air ambulance operations reported the Associated Press (AP).

The parents of Kristin Blockinger, the 1 year old child who died in a fatal medical transport helicopter crash last fall, filed a lawsuit in court claiming the company violated known safety standards and guidelines which led to the fatal crash killing everyone on board. The lawyers for the family allege when the pilot of the helicopter, Del Waugh, clipped a radio tower wire, he was flying 100 feet below the company’s standard procedure. The medical chopper crashed into a nearby field and exploded into flames killing the pilot, the child, and the emergency medical transport crew including a South Chicago Heights firefighter paramedic Ronald Battiato. The family’s attorneys say the negligence of the company and its pilot led to the wrongful death of their injured daughter.

Medical transport accidents leading to fatalities are heartbreaking.  If you or someone you know has been a victim of such a crash, the attorneys at Walker & Crawford, P.C. would like to help.  An aviation attorney must have extensive knowledge of aviation standards, rules and regulations.  At Walker & Crawford, P.C., we have just that.  Our attorneys are standing by to get the justice you and your family deserve.

www.walkertexaslawyer.com

Houston – 713-552-1117

Toll Free – 800-732-2934

New York, NY –The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) www.epa.gov has issued a news release citing Cytec Industries for federal violations. The chemical resin company is facing fines for alleged violations of the federal Clean Air Act. Cytec, a global chemical company with a manufacturing plant in Wallingford, Connecticut, was inspected by the EPA and found to be in violation of multiple federal policies. The EPA filed an Administrative Civil Complaint subjecting the chemical company to fines totaling $437,204.

The company makes many formulas including chemical resins used to coat and seal consumer furniture products. The production of chemical resins is regulated and termed “Hazardous Air Pollutants” under the United States Government’s Clean Air Act. Cytec is accused of violating the federal laws, guidelines and standards by emitting formaldehyde, methanol and other toxic Amino/Phenolic Resins. The EPA states this is a clear violation of the National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP).

Exposure to these highly toxic chemicals, including formaldehyde, can cause serious respiratory injuries including eye, nose and throat irritation leading to long-term illnesses and chronic medical conditions. Methanol exposure leads to blurred vision, headaches, dizziness and nausea leading to chronic debilitating medical injuries. Both formaldehyde and methanol are highly toxic to patients currently suffering from bronchitis emphysema and asthma. Cytec company executives have alerted the EPA the plant has stopped the production of spray dried resins and will dismantle the production line.

Do you suspect your family has been a victim of chemical exposure?  Attorneys Walker & Crawford can help.  Having gotten justice and compensation for victims of the British Petroleum explosion, Jim Walker is experienced in issues such as the possible future ramifications and health consequences of chemical exposure.  Toxic law settlements need an experienced litigator.  Jim Walker is that attorney.  Call today for a free case evaluation.  We are standing by to help.

www.walkertexaslawyer.com

Houston – 713-552-1117

Toll Free – 1-800-732-2934

Have you been involved in a motorcycle crash or any type of accident involving a motorcycle?   Here are some of the most important things you need to do or have someone do for you directly after the accident.

1. Seek medical attention!  Directly after any accident, you check for injuries, both external and internal. Your number one concern must be the physical and psychological effect of the crash. Seek medical attention as quickly as possible.  The medical check-up will also serve as your evidence for personal injury claims.

2. Do not leave the scene of the accident. It is important to not leave the scene when involved in an automobile accident, remain at the scene of the accident and do not leave until the authorities arrive to document your accident.  This data can be of significant use in any case or claim you might file against those liable and at fault.

3. Avoid making comments about the accident.  While you gather more facts and information about the accident, refrain from commenting about things like what really happened, what you are feeling, what injuries you sustained, who was at fault, who is liable, or who should pay for damages.  You will need to speak with an experienced personal injury attorney. 

4. Keep your own records about the incident.  Even if filing a lawsuit is not your utmost priority at present, it is important to keep your own personal record of everything related to the incident.  Expenses you have incurred for treatment of injuries and resulting from the accident and other miscellaneous expenses that were the direct result of the accident are two good starting points.

6. Contact an experienced personal injury attorney.  Being involved in a motorcycle crash and sustaining injuries is life changing, not only for your but for your family as well.  The attorneys at Walker & Crawford, P.C. specialize in motorcycle crash accident litigation and will be your ally in cases such as these!  They will help you establish and understand the damages you and your family have sustained and make certain you are fairly compensated.

Call Walker & Crawford, P.C. today is you or a loved one has been injured in a motorcycle crash.  We are standing by to help you and your family through these tough times.  With over 29 years of experience handling personal injury cases with compassion and fairness, you can rest assured that you are in capable hands. 

www.walkertexaslawyer.com

Houston – 713-552-1117

Toll Free – 1-800-IAM-HURT

Exhausted sailors working 98 hour weeks are regularly falling asleep at the helm, turning their ships into “unguided missiles” which could cause a major disaster off the UK coast, an independent watchdog warns.

The Marine Accident Investigation Branch said it was only a matter of time before a “catastrophic accident” took place in UK waters.  It called on the Government to take immediate action to ensure that ships were properly manned.  In its latest report, the MAIB cited the example of the cargo vessel Antari which ran aground on the Antrim coast in Northern Ireland in June last year.

The officer of the watch, who was alone on duty, fell asleep for three hours and was only woken when the 88 metre vessel, carrying 2,360 tons of scrap, had beached itself.  Nearly three quarters of the hull was damaged and dented, while the grounding had punctured the bottom of the ship.  The MAIB discovered that the officer had been working six hours on, six hours off for the previous three and a half months.  He had fallen asleep in the wheelhouse almost as soon as he had taken over the watch shortly after midnight on a warm June 29 in calm seas.

Stephen Meyer, chief inspector of the MAIB, said the unrelenting shift patterns were “as close to slavery that we have in the UK”.  He said: “People are working 98 hour weeks, week after week and they do not have a single night’s sleep in that time.  “They never get more than five hours and the cumulative effect is enormous.”

 

Persons working at sea or offhsore are covered by different laws than those that protect their shore-side counterparts.  They are covered by federal and state maritime laws and if you or someone you know has been involved in a maritime accident such as the one mentioned above, you need an attorney well-versed in maritime laws.  Walker & Crawford are here to help. 

James Walker is rated one of the top personal injury lawyers in Houston by Inside Houston Magazine and has over 29 years of experience fighting for your rights.   We are here to help you with your maritime claims or any personal injury claims you or your family might have. 

 

www.walkertexaslawyer.com

Houston – 713-552-1117
Toll Free - 800-732-2934