Firm Blog

How Can I Protect My Home From a Fuel Oil Spill?

Throughout the state of Texas, there are a number of oil fuel stations and discharge locations associated with the possession and delivery of fuel. Problems can occur, including pumping fuel into the wrong pipes or pumping fuel into old and defective fuel tanks. Oil spills result from these mistakes, and these spills can detrimentally affect the surrounding environment by harming nearby vegetation, wildlife and human health. Homes can also become unlivable due to persistent hazards near and at the property due to a fuel oil spill.

How Can I Protect My Home From a Serious Oil Spill?

Check for any disconnected fill pipes that lead into your home. If you find a disconnected fill pipe near or connected to your property, you should cancel service with your fuel oil company immediately. You can also remove the fill pipe or secure the cap in order to make accidental filling more difficult.
Inspect your storage tank’s stability. Have your tank’s base checked at least once a year. If you have a storage tank exposed to harsh weather conditions or other external factors, it can be left in a vulnerable state and cause future issues.
Ensure easy accessibility. Fueling trucks should be able to fill your storage tank without any trouble, so clear the way to your tank in case there needs to be quick access.
Check for any leaks. Occasional dripping can lead to contamination in your home’s water or filtration system. Watch out for changes in color of the vegetation around your storage tank or any physical symptoms from consuming gasoline in your water source. Check that your valves are completely shut in order to prevent this.
Make sure the fuel oil level gauge is functioning. Regularly check your oil gauge in order to prevent any future overfills. You can specific how much fuel is needed to your supply company, and you can request that your tank’s size and quantity of fuel is verified before fueling.
Stay educated. Be cautious when choosing your fuel oil company and ensure that you trust them. Ask them questions about their experience and training to avoid any future improper fueling techniques.

If you or a family member suffered injuries due to an oil spill near your home, you could possibly be compensated for your injuries through a lawsuit. Contact Stevenson & Murray today for your free case evaluation.

How Can I Sustain an Amputation Injury as a Maritime Employee?

Being a maritime worker can be a risky and dangerous job, not only because of the dangers involved with the job itself, but also the chance of unseaworthiness and negligence that can occur. One of the most serious injuries that can occur is an amputation. Losing a limb can be a devastating injury, and no one should have to experience that at their place of employment. If you work in the maritime industry, then you may be able to recover compensation for an amputation injury.

How Can I Lose a Limb as a Maritime Employee?

Amputation injuries may be caused by:

Negligence, especially while aboard a vessel. For example, machinery and equipment can malfunction because of someone’s lack of care, or if it is operating without careful attendance.
Machinery: Certain tools and machines aboard a ship should always be regularly maintained so it is always working correctly, and employers should always be checking for damaged or failing parts. You should also receive the proper safety training from your employer. If an employer fails to equip you with the correct knowledge to have avoided the accident, then you may be able to file a lawsuit. You could also prove negligence against the company who manufactured the faulty equipment that caused your loss of limb.

Treating and recovering from an amputation is not easy. Intensive surgery is required, as well as a prosthetic, occupational therapy, and mental health assistance. All of these costs will add up fast, but thankfully you have several ways to recover for these damages under maritime law. If you have suffered a loss of limb due to your maritime employment, then you should contact our maritime attorneys immediately. We could try to help you get all of the compensation you deserve from someone’s negligence.

How Do Texas Helmet Laws Protect Me in a Motorcycle Accident?

The state of Texas has many motorcyclists who travel to and from their place of employment or school. Many states like Texas, however, have debates on whether there should be strict helmet laws placed on people who ride motorcycles. Biker advocacy groups have argued that states and municipalities should let the riders decide what’s safe, whereas doctors and safety advocates argue that helmets should be required. Helmet law supporters often cite the number of preventable deaths that happen each year when riders decide not to wear their helmet on the road. Almost 250 people in Texas died in 2015 because they weren’t wearing a helmet, so it’s important to know why there are motorcycle helmet laws and why they were created.

Motorcycle Helmet Laws in Texas

As a motorcyclist in Texas, you are required to meet a few demands if you decide to not wear a helmet:

You must be 21 years or older
You must be covered by an appropriate health insurance plan
You must have completed a motorcycle operator training and safety class

Formerly, a motorcyclist in Texas was required to have a minimum of $10,000 in health insurance coverage if he or she would like to be exempt from the helmet requirement. However, this rule was appealed in September 2009.

The personal injury attorneys at Stevenson & Murray know that riding a motorcycle can be dangerous, but that shouldn’t stop you from enjoying your mode of transportation. However, if you have been injured in a motorcycle accident, then we can represent you in court and may be able to get the compensation you need for your injuries. Contact us today for a free consultation

Who Is Covered Under the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act?

The Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act is a federal workers’ compensation law that gives benefits to specific maritime workers and civilian employees on military bases across the nation. The LHWCA covers longshoremen, harbor employees, and any other employees that work on shipyards, shipping terminals and docks. For civilian workers on military bases, workers’ compensation benefits are provided under the Defense Base Act, which is a separate federal act in conjunction with the LHWCA.

Why Should I Use LHWCA as a Maritime Worker?

Most of the benefits given by the LHWCA are actually more favorable than any other benefits given by state workers’ compensation laws. The LHWCA will often pay more for an employee’s average weekly wage for their disability benefits. Injured workers under the LHWCA are also entitled to permanent partial disability benefits, whereas some states’ workers’ compensation programs do not provide that type of benefit. However, you might be wondering which type of maritime workers are covered under LHWCA benefits. This is determined by a status test and situs test.

What Are the Status Test and Situs Test?

The status test will help determine for your attorney and the LHWCA the nature of the work that was performed by the employee for the employer. This work must be maritime work and include maritime duties that took place on the water or some kind of maritime equipment or transportation device. For example, if you perform office or secretarial work for a maritime company, you will not have benefits under LHWCA because your job does not involve “active engagement” in maritime employment. The situs test will help determine the location where the employee worked for the employer. LHWCA benefits are only given to maritime employees who work on, near, or next to navigable water.

If you are a maritime employee and you are interested in knowing more about LHWCA benefits, you should contact our maritime attorneys at Stevenson & Murray. We will help you navigate through this law and we will help determine for you if you qualify for LHWCA coverage.

Mark T. Murray to Speak at Personal Injury Event in Houston

The TexasBarCLE presents its 34th Annual Course on Advanced Personal Law from July through September of 2018. The event will be live in Houston from September 5-7 at the Westin Oaks Hotel. This live course will discuss personal injury law and how to handle specific types of personal injury cases.

Mark T. Murray will represent our law firm and serve as Course Director in Houston. He will be speaking at several sessions, including Recreational Injuries and Waivers by Minors. In addition, he will serve as a moderator for the luncheon presentation on Professionalism and Incivility in the Courtroom.

If you are a personal injury attorney in Texas and would like to attend the event, register early to save up to $125. Visit our website at Stevenson & Murray for updates and more information on personal injury law.

For Accident Victims

Stevenson & Murray is industry renowned for remarkable successes and deep expertise handling complex and sophisticated accident and personal injury cases. From the moment we open a claim through trial and to the last appeal, we are passionately committed to making a life-changing difference for each and every client we represent.

The lawyers of Stevenson & Murray are seasoned litigators and advocates for personal injury victims. We consider all personal injury cases but specialize in cases involving wrongful death, maritime and admiralty law, trucking accidents, large commercial fires, talc claims, and commercial and industrial accidents.

Have you been hurt in an accident? Contact our offices in Houston today to discuss your rights and legal options in a free consultation with a leading personal injury and wrongful death trial attorney.

For Lawyers

It is an honor and a privilege to work side by side with some of the best in our industry. Stevenson & Murray welcomes the opportunity to work with other law firms. We have a long and proud tradition of partnering with co-counsel to strengthen a client’s case. Decades of experience in our practice specialties and an exceptional record of achievement both in and out of the courtroom position us well to support the case needs of associating firms.

Our reputation as a leading personal injury firm and our uncommon litigation skill provide key advantages to our partners and their clients. Whether you are looking to add depth or breadth of experience to a case, expand jurisdiction or geographical coverage, provide additional resources to investigate or try a case, or leverage our relationships with top experts in numerous industries where we excel, we help co-counsel secure top verdicts and settlements.

Stevenson & Murray is a leading choice for clients and lawyers alike. Our referral business is a source of great pride for our entire team, and we constantly strive to earn and maintain the highest level of respect from our colleagues.