Hunting is prevalent throughout Texas, including beautiful, scenic areas surrounding Austin. Safety is a vital part of successful hunting.

Unfortunately, negligent events take place while hunting causing many serious and even fatal injuries. Gunshot wounds or bow and arrow wounds are usually incurred. If your loved one suffered a wrongful death due to a hunting accident, contact Shaw Cowart Law Firm in Austin to consult with a Fatal Death Attorney. You may be eligible for financial awards due to your loss.

Factors that Determine Liability:

• Events leading up to the incident – try to make notes from any witnesses as soon as possible while recall of the events is still fresh.
• The nature of the accident – determining the experience of the hunters and the type of hunting will play a role in liability.
• Defective hunting equipment could lead to a wrongful death. Tree stands, guns, knives, bow-and-arrows, and other equipment need to be evaluated if any were involved in the incident.

An Austin Wrongful Death Lawyer can help make the determination as to whom or what is the cause of the death. If it is a product that caused the accident, more than one person or company may be liable.

Each case is unique, and the Austin attorneys at Shaw Cowart LLP have the compassion to listen to your case to help you financially recover from the tragic incident.

A detailed investigation will most likely be required. The location and all equipment involved should be preserved to allow for a proper analysis of the events that caused the fatal death. Timely examination of the facts can help your case. Contact our Wrongful Death Lawyers today.

Posted in Blog | No Comments »

Placing a loved one in a nursing home can be very emotionally draining and demanding. Once you and your loved one have completed your due diligence in researching the possibilities, you want to feel confident that your loved one will not face negligence or elder abuse in the home.

While public records and personal references offer some insight into the reputation of the nursing home, any facility in Texas and throughout the U.S. is susceptible to neglect.

Following are six guidelines for you and your loved one to help prevent elder abuse:

1. A comprehensive assessment just prior to admission will help give a baseline for your loved one’s health. Be aware of any changes in behavior, attitude, and needs during the initial transition. Keep lines of communication open.
2. Develop a relationship with the staff at the nursing home. This not only allows the staff to know your loved one better, but also lets the staff know that you will be attentive to any changes that may develop.
3. Vary your visitation. Go to see your loved-one different days of the week at different times of the day.
4. Monitor the care that is being given. Hold the facility accountable to following the initial care plan and check records regularly to ensure your loved one is properly cared for.
5. One of your most important rights is to be able to express concerns or suggestions for your loved one without fear of retaliation on your loved one. Always follow proper protocol in implementing changes and document any concerns.Contact The Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services to file a complaint if necessary.
6. Learn the signs of elder abuse:

• Overmedication – drowsiness, dry lips and mouth, drooling or blank stares
• Unexplained bruises or scratches
• Poor hygiene
• Significant weight loss
• Dehydration
• Malnutrition
• Bedsores or skin breakdown

If you suspect neglect or abuse in or around the Austin area, immediately contact a Nursing Home Negligence Lawyer at Shaw Cowart LLP. We want to help you, your loved one and future nursing home patients by holding the caretakers responsible.

Posted in Blog | No Comments »

If you have just been given notice that a lawsuit has been filed against your business, you need to enlist the help of an experienced Austin Commercial Litigation Attorney. At Shaw Cowart LLP, our Litigation Lawyers are passionate about upholding your rights and allowing you to focus on the daily needs of your business.

A litigation attorney will:

1. Conduct a legal evaluation of every aspect of the suit. Each case is unique and requires detailed reviews of all information in order to develop an effective defense.
2. Question any witnesses. Testimony from witnesses becomes a vital part of your case if it reaches the trial stage.
3. Acquire citations from experts. Expert opinions are always helpful in proving your defense.
4. Draft and file necessary documents for the suit.
5. Negotiate with the plaintiff’s attorney. A settlement may be reached prior to the court phase through negotiation or mediation.
6. Argue your case in court. Present supporting evidence if the burden of proof is on your side.

Ensuring you hire an attorney that has the experience and presence to handle all the essential tasks in your suit is your first step towards success in your case. A Texas lawyer understands the state and federal laws that will apply to your case. Every state has different laws, so it is imperative you hire an Austin Litigation Attorney if you are facing a suit in or around the Austin community.

A Commercial Litigation Lawyer has the expertise to face insurance companies, large contractors and corporations, and their representation, that may otherwise try to intimidate you into an unfair settlement. If you are dealing with a small company or a corporate giant, our Austin attorneys at Shaw Cowart LLP know how to help. Contact us today for a free consultation.

Posted in Blog | No Comments »

Austin, Texas Nursing Home Abuse

It is never an easy decision to place an aging loved one in a nursing home. The last thing you should have to think about is the safety of that relative. Unfortunately, in today’s world, nursing home abuse is an all-to-familiar headline that just isn’t going away. The Austin attorneys at Shaw Cowart have the compassion and concern to represent you and take action against this growing concern. We not only want to help you and your loved one; we also want to keep other vulnerable, elderly patients from suffering in the same way.

Examples of Nursing Home Abuse

• Malnutrition
• Dehydration
• Abandonment
• Failure to medicate
• Over-medicated
• Administering incorrect medication
• Burns
• Bed or pressure sores
• Falls
• Fractures
• Assault and battery
• Rape or sexual abuse
• Pneumonia

Warning Signs

All elderly patients are susceptible to abuse or neglect. Some of the warning signs you want to be aware of include:

• Patient’s sudden change in behavior
• Physical bruising from being restrained
• Patient acting withdrawn or distant
• Broken eyewear
• Denial of visitation
• Continual rocking or repetitive motion
• Unusual tiredness

You and your loved ones should not have to suffer from the results of nursing home abuse and neglect. If you have to file a claim against a nursing home, contact our Nursing Home Abuse Attorneys today for a free consultation to get you and your family back on the road to recovery. Our Austin attorneys have the experience you want when facing such difficult circumstances.

Posted in Blog | No Comments »

Defective Drugs Austin Litigation

With pharmaceutical drug use on the increase, competition between pharmaceutical companies is fierce. Sales totals have risen to hundreds of billions of dollars annually making the pharmaceutical industry one of the top most profitable industries in the world. Unfortunately, for the consumer, this competition has created an atmosphere for the industry to take unnecessary risks in order to compete, and therefore has exposed patients to unsafe and even deadly drugs. When a doctor prescribes a drug, the patient would like to feel safe in taking that prescription, but unknown side effects can have disastrous results.

Currently, there are an alarming amount of news reports of recalled prescription drugs in spite of government regulations overseeing pharmaceutical companies. Thousands of patients across the country have experienced adverse side effects daily from prescription medication that has not been properly tested. Austin residents are not immune from these defective drugs and should seek medical help immediately upon the onset of any abnormal side effects resulting from prescribed medications. An Austin Defective Drug Attorney at Shaw Cowart wants to help ensure you receive the compensation you deserve from the industry.

Pharmaceutical companies that put profits ahead of public safety should be held accountable so that this unsafe practice can be halted. Consumers should be protected from drugs not safe for human consumption.

Austin drugs litigation lawyers want to make a difference. Contact Shaw Cowart for a free consultation if you or a loved one has suffered from the adverse effects of unsafe prescription medication. We have experience filing claims against the big pharmaceutical giants. We want to ensure the safety of our clients and of future patients.

Posted in Blog | No Comments »

Multiple Defendants in Construction Refinery Accidents

Construction of a refinery can be one of the most tedious and dangerous construction zones. Safety has to be the number one priority for any type of refinery sites. If proper protocol is not followed, resulting in an accident, you may be entitled to more than just workers’ compensation. It can be extremely difficult and tedious to identify all who are at fault. Our Texas Accident Lawyers at Shaw Cowart have the experience you want with filing these complex claims. The cause of the accident must be determined and the responsible parties must be held accountable.

There may be multiple defendants with your case, including:

• Construction Company Owners
• Contractors
• Property Owners
• Other Workers

We have experience working with the top Austin industry experts who specialize in construction and refinery safety standards to build the best possible case for you. Resources are readily available to handle even the most complex types of construction refinery accidents.

Types of Refinery Accidents

Refinery construction accidents may involve:

• Scaffolding
• Falls
• Defective Machinery
• Toxic Exposure
• Power Line Injuries
• Trenching Injuries and Backhoe Accidents
• Fire and Explosion
• Structure Collapse
• Insufficient Barricades
• Entrapment with equipment

There  are a multitude of accidents that unfortunately happen at refinery construction sites and we know how to get to the bottom of every type.

We know the steps to take to allow you to receive the greatest amount of compensation above and beyond workers’ compensation.  You may be entitled to monetary damages for lost wages, future care needs, pain and suffering, or wrongful death.

Contact our Austin, Texas accident lawyers today for a free consultation.

Posted in Blog | No Comments »

DCU Operations Create Hazards in Texas Oil Refineries

The relatively limited supply of higher quality crude oils has caused oil refineries to rely more on intensive refining techniques such as DCU operations (drum switching and coke cutting). DCU is one process used to upgrade the heavy ends of the current crude oil and is a form of thermal cracking that requires high temperature usage for an extended period of time. The batch portion of DCU operations can be very dangerous and has been associated with serious accidents.

Oil refinery accidents continue to occur in spite of the strict OSHA standards and safety protocols that are in place. When an injury occurs at a Texas oil refinery, it is important to seek an experienced lawyer who knows the industry to ensure you receive the compensation and care you need.

Five common causes of oil refinery accidents are:

• Geysers/ eruptions – although somewhat infrequent, if the coke within the drum is not drained properly and a shift in the coke bed occurs; residual water can contact the pockets of hot coke, causing a geyser of steam, hot water, coke particles and hydrocarbon.
• Hot tar ball ejection – steam short-circuiting and feed interruption may cause “hot tar balls,” over 800˚F tar-like material to form in the drum which, under certain circumstances, can eject from the head opening
• Non-drained water release – non-drained hot water may be released during bottom head removal and create a scalding hazard
• Shot coke avalanche – when coke forms into multiple individual, various-sized, round chunks they create what is known as “shot coke.” This changes the drum content into more of a liquid form that can easily flow from the drum when the bottom head is removed and create a shot coke avalanche
• Platform removal/ falling hazard – many DCUs have platforms that must be removed before removing the head of the bottom of the drum, and this can create a falling hazard.

If you have experienced an injury while working at a Texas oil refinery, contact our Austin lawyers for a free consultation.

Source: 24-7 Press Release; Cause of Texas Oil Refinery Explosion Under Investigation

Posted in Blog | No Comments »

Determining if you have mineral and oil rights on your land sometimes requires a great deal of research, and you will need to begin by obtaining a copy of the deed with a legal description of your property.  All mineral and oil rights, utility rights of way, easements for access or parcels that are singled out say for government or city improvements, etc.

All county records including your deed will be stored at the county clerk’s office, so determine in which county your property resides and contact that office to begin a search.

It’s important to keep in mind that mineral rights and oil rights are considered underground rights and can be sold, purchased, traded, or inherited just as any property above ground (i.e., home, ranch, etc.) can.  Many people have the misunderstanding that once they purchase a home, ranch, farm, etc. they own everything above and below ground connected to that property.  This could not be further from the truth.  Understanding your ownership rights is imperative when purchasing a home or any other type of commercial or residential real estate.  Asking your Austin, TX lawyer to look over the details of the property you desire to purchase can save you a great deal of money in addition to alerting you to any rights to minerals and oil that may not be included in your purchase.

Mineral and Oil Rights Representation in Austin, TX

This is an important question to ask before you finalize any real estate contract.  Contact Shaw Cowart in Austin, TX today to look over your real estate contract before signing it.

Posted in Blog | No Comments »

Shaw Cowart LLP provides experienced and diversified expertise to our clients as Texas patent litigation lawyers.  We believe it is imperative to represent our clients with the highest and most efficient levels of service to protect their financial interests.

Intellectual property theft has escalated during recent years leaving its victims in economic turmoil.  This type of theft is illegal and leads to harsh penalties for those who choose to violate the law.

Our Texas law firm will fight to protect your rights in these areas, but we are not limited to:

• Patent applications
• Patent searches
• Patent litigation
• Trademarks
• Copyrights
• Trade secrets

Our Texas Patent Litigation Lawyers represent a wide range of clients from individuals to large corporations.  In addition, our attorneys are highly skilled in civil litigation, and we have successfully settled and won multiple litigation suits on behalf of our clients. Patents are obtained for a reason. You have rights to income and revenues from your patent. Infringements can take away what is rightfully yours.

Protect your invention and your business by consulting with our patent defense attorneys who work diligently to assist you with some of the most complex issues involving patent infringements, and monitoring duplicates or knock-offs of your invention that would cause loss of revenue that is rightfully yours.

Our attorneys have the knowledge and experience to help you with your legal rights obtained from your patent. Please call us today for a free consultation.

Posted in Blog | No Comments »

The Shaw Cowart LLP attorneys are well known for their extensive experience in oil and gas litigation cases.  We are consistently recognized for our cost-effective and timely results in positive resolutions for our clients. If you are facing the unknown legalities of litigation, do not do it without legal counsel.

Our oil and gas litigation representation encompasses a wide variety of areas including:

• toxic tort claims
• citizens law suits
• air compliance
• hazardous waste
• remediation
• mineral rights
• land owner rights
• royalties

Our attorneys at Shaw Cowart LLP try these cases through to their verdicts. We are knowledgeable and comfortable representing you in every aspect of the case.

Clients have the benefit of being represented by attorneys experienced as the lead counsel in trials.  In addition, we have expertise in the examination of documents presented by scientific and medical experts in a variety of areas related to environmental issues.

The energy environment requires business owners and investors to be creative in exploring opportunities due to the challenges that are inherit with many of the government regulations including compliance and liability.

At Shaw Cowart LLP, we find solutions and treat our clients as partners, working closely with them to resolve their litigation issues.  We understand that our clients are not simply dealing with legal issues; these are business concerns that can destroy a company.

Please contact us today to consult with us regarding your litigation issues. We are eager to consult with you and guide you in your next step.

Posted in Blog | No Comments »