Author Archives: Jay Butchko
Breaking Down a Negligent Security Claim
Despite a recent drop, Houston still has one of the highest violent crime rates in the country. If apprehended and proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, these offenders face harsh punishments in criminal court. But a high percentage of violent crimes go unsolved, and an even higher percentage of offenders receive much less than… Read More »
The Ins and Outs of Restaurant Slip-and-Fall Injuries
These incidents are the leading cause of injury at public buildings, restaurants, and hotels. 70 percent of these incidents occur on flat, level surfaces. This high figure suggests that a hazard or obstacle, like a wet spot or loose rug, causes most restaurant falls. In Texas, restaurant owners have a very high duty of… Read More »
Is Ketamine a PTSD Wonder Drug?
A single dose of Ketamine significantly eases PTSD symptoms in less than twenty-four hours, according to a recent report. Ketamine is a frequently-abused and extremely strong anesthetic that is increasingly being explored as a treatment for a range of mental health conditions. Patients receiving ketamine saw their PTSD symptoms reduced by about 25 percent… Read More »
Teenager Killed During High-Speed Police Chase
An HPD officer apparently ignored the department’s no-chase policy and pursued a nonviolent offender at speeds of over 100mph, until the chase ended tragically. The chase began when officers witnessed two vehicles street racing on I-45 near Gulf Bank Road. The suspect, who was driving a Kia, apparently saw the officer and accelerated down… Read More »
Obtaining Compensation After a Wrongful Death
Financial issues worsen the emotional losses that a wrongful death creates. As survivors struggle to deal with a wrongful death and move on emotionally, financial concerns, mostly unpaid bills, hold them back. Texas’ wrongful death statute. Along with general negligence law principles, governs fatal injuries, like falls and motor vehicle collisions. A Sugar Land… Read More »
Obstacles to Settlements in Bicycle Crash Claims
Since 1997, the average medical bill in a bicycle collision matter has increased 137 percent. These wrecks also cause other economic damages, mostly lost wages and lost future earning power. Additionally, bicycle accidents cause a tremendous amount of emotional distress. Unfortunately, even though these costs are staggering, a settlement is not guaranteed. Several defenses… Read More »
Three Major Sources of Evidence in Car Crash Claims
To obtain compensation in a car crash or other injury case, the victim must prove negligence, or a lack of care, by a preponderance of the evidence, or more likely than not. That’s one of the lowest standards of proof in Texas law. So, a minimal amount of evidence could prove negligence. However, as… Read More »
What to Expect in a Motorcycle Accident Claim
Almost all motorcycle crash victims can expect a settlement. Over 95 percent of injury claims eventually settle out of court. However, “eventually” could be a very long time, usually several months. Initially, most insurance companies make low-ball settlement offers that, in many cases, don’t even cover medical expenses. They only make better settlement offers,… Read More »
High-Speed Wreck Kills Six People
Four ex-University of Houston standout football players were among the fatalities in an early-morning crash in downtown Houston. The wreck involved a Chrysler 300, which went through a red light at a high rate of speed, and an Acura SUV. Four people were pronounced dead at the scene, and four others were taken to… Read More »
Liability Issues in Truck Crash Claims
The number of fatal truck crashes has increased a startling 47 percent since 2011. An uncertain regulatory environment has contributed to many of these wrecks. The regulatory changes, mostly HOS (hours of service) relaxation, began before the pandemic. The HOS rollbacks began very slowly, and then accelerated during and after 2020. Bureaucrats decided that… Read More »