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Can I Sue Juul for Getting Me Addicted?

Vaping quickly became one of the nation’s largest health concerns in 2019 when nearly 1,500 people suffered serious health complications and dozens died from what is now being called vaping-related lung injury. People now have many questions, one of which is, “Can I sue Juul for getting me addicted?” As the vaping industry and safety officials get to the bottom of the causes of the 2019 outbreak, people are now understanding that this supposedly “safe” alternative to smoking isn’t so safe after all. Let’s talk about what we know and what you can expect if you want to file a lawsuit against Juul. Can I File a Lawsuit Against Juul for a Nicotine Addiction? Under our legal system, you can file a lawsuit against pretty much[...]

Risks of Working the Night Shift

Do you work the late shift? Alternative shift workers face several hazards. If your work hours occur when most people are asleep and you sleep when most people are awake, you might suffer from the effects Shift Work Disorder, which is characterized by disturbances in sleep patterns, including insomnia, non-restorative sleep, and excessive sleepiness. People who suffer from SWD (sometimes called Shift Work Sleep Disorder) might feel fatigued at work, especially if they are working extended work hours, which is common in shift work. Other symptoms include impaired cognitive abilities, anxiousness and irritability, unintentionally falling asleep on the job, reduced job performance, and increased incidence of on-the-job injuries. Who is at [...]

As Heat Sets In, Remember How Hot Your Car’s Interior Can Get

Every year, horrifying stories appear in the news about young children dying of heatstroke in hot cars. Sadly, despite widespread media coverage and educational efforts by organizations such as the National Safety Council, this epidemic — one of the leading causes of vehicular death for children under 15 (second only to crashes) — is not going away. In 2018, 51 children died of pediatric vehicular heatstroke, making it the deadliest year on record. Many parents believe this is something that just won’t happen to them. That “forgetting” a child is an issue of negligence. This is a dangerous mindset. As quoted in USA Today, psychologist Gene Brewer of Arizona State University said, “Often these stories involve a distracted pare[...]

Safe Driving Tips as We Enter the “100 Deadliest Days”

For teenagers, summer is synonymous with freedom, fun, and hanging out with friends. Days are longer, schedules are flexible, and curfews may be relaxed. As the parent of a teenager, you can enjoy this phase of your child’s life while being smart and aware. It’s your job to set rules and educate your kids about how to drive safely. In 2016, 1,050 people were killed in a crash involving a teenager between Memorial Day and Labor Day — a 14 percent increase over the rest of the year. And this wasn’t a fluke. There’s a reason this annual period is called the 100 Deadliest Days: as school lets out, more teens hit the road, and more collisions occur. If you or a loved one has been hurt in a motor vehicle accident, call the Austin [...]

Can Lawmakers Make Texas Roads Less Deadly?

While traffic fatalities in Texas decreased slightly from 2016 to 2017 — from 3,794 to 3,721, a decline of 1.92% — the state still holds the disgraceful distinction of leading the nation in motor vehicle deaths. In 2017: One reportable accident happened every 59 seconds. One person was injured every 2 minutes, 4 seconds. One person was killed every 2 hours, 21 minutes. Clearly, we have a long way to go in making the roads safer. If you’ve been hurt in a car wreck or you’ve lost a loved one in a collision, call the Texas car accident and wrongful death lawyers at the Evans & Herlihy Law Firm. Can the Government Help Eliminate Traffic Deaths? Lawmakers and state agencies are well aware of our dismal record when it comes [...]

Child Seat Safety Is Highly Questionable in Texas

The statistics are alarming. Motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of death for children ages 3 to 14 in the United States. In 2016, 35% of kids who died in crashes were not restrained at all. Even among parents who do use car seats and other restraints for their young children, misuse is rampant. An estimated 72% to 84% of kids are not properly buckled into correctly installed seats appropriate for their age and size. This is startlingly incongruous with another stat: 96% of parents say they believe their children’s seats are installed the right way. This ignorance puts young lives in danger — across Texas and the entire country. The good news: Texas lawmakers, led by representative Chris Turner of North Texas, are taking[...]

The Rights of the Father

Fathers have more rights today than they had years ago when mothers were almost always granted primary custody of the children, but many divorcing fathers still must struggle to obtain them.  This can happen even though in today’s world both parents often work, fathers may be the stay-at-home parent and may actively participate in their children’s lives, and the importance of children having a father’s presence has been recognized. Children who do not have a father in their lives suffer many negative effects, such as being more likely to use drugs or drop out of school. Texas law recognizes the father’s equal right to be considered as the primary conservator, and courts are more likely to award custody to fathers than they u[...]

Biker Safety Becomes Focus in May

Motorcycle safety is your responsibility. That’s true whether your ride of choice is a Harley, a Prius, an F-150, an 18-wheeler, or anything in between. Especially in Texas, which holds the distinction of having the 2nd-highest number of bikers in the country, it’s imperative that all drivers remain aware of their surroundings and keep an eye out for motorcycles, which are smaller than other vehicles and offer little protection for their riders. According to the Texas Department of Transportation, 501 people on motorcycles were killed in the state in 2017. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration states that motorcyclists are 28 times more likely to die in an accident than people in other types of vehicles. And that’s [...]

2019 Prom Safety in Austin

The season is fast approaching. For many high school students, prom is the highlight of the school year — the gorgeous gowns and sleek tuxedos, elegant dinner, the ritual of the corsage and boutonniere, and, of course, the dance itself. As a parent, you may send off your son or daughter and marvel at just how grown-up they’ve become. But it’s important to remember that behind the makeup and fancy clothes, your child is still ... well, a child. Teenagers may look like they’re on the verge of adulthood, but their decision-making skills haven’t fully matured and they lack critical experience behind the wheel. It’s your responsibility to talk to your kid about staying safe on the road and to make it easy for them to get out o[...]

Why Texas is Considering Waiving Driving Tests for Teens

Texas roads are hazardous places. That’s especially true for teenagers, who may lack the critical-thinking ability and experience necessary to avoid dangerous situations and make those on-the-fly judgments so essential for safe driving. But, as reported by Houston Public Media, Texas State Representative James White — Republican representing District 19 — wants to make it easier for young people in the state to get a driver’s license. He has filed a bill to revoke the current requirement, which states individuals under the age of 18 must pass a test administered by the Texas Department of Public Safety in order to receive a license. White’s bill would allow a parent to administer the test to their child — as was the case[...]