How to Choose a Workplace Injury Lawyer

Even if you’re not filing a legal claim against your employer, the workplace injury lawyer you choose plays a big role in how you cope with an on-the-job accident. They can ensure you keep your job and see to it that you’re compensated fully for your losses—both physically and emotionally.

 

But these advantages are only possible if you choose the right workplace injury lawyer—one who’s qualified, experienced and well-versed in local injury law, as well as workers’ compensation claims.

 

So how do you find the perfect workplace injury lawyer to help you along the way? Just follow these steps:

 

  • Narrow down a list. Go to martindale.com or TBLS.org, and search for lawyers who specialize in personal injury law. On Martindale, you can even check ratings for each one—ratings determined by the lawyer’s peers and colleagues in the industry. This can give you excellent insight into the quality of an attorney.

 

  • Start researching your candidates. Go to each attorney’s website, check out online reviews and testimonials, and learn about their experience, background and achievements. You can even look at their most recent results or peruse their blogs.

 

  • Schedule in-person meetings with your top choices. Meet face-to-face with your top candidates, and get a feel for how they work. What’s their communication style? Is their office neat, tidy and organized, or do they look messy, busy and overworked? These can all clue you in to what type of service you’re going to get.

 

  • Get a rundown of their approach. While meeting with each candidate, find out what their approach to your case would be. What do they think about your chances of winning? What will they do to strengthen the odds? You want a lawyer who balances honesty with confidence—someone who will tell it like it is, and relentlessly help you win.

 

Are you in need of a workplace injury lawyer? Pat Maloney is here to help. Just contact our offices, and we’ll be happy to discuss your case.

 

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Finding the Best Truck Accidents Attorney in San Antonio

Truck accident claims aren’t as simple as your average car wreck case. Not only are there multiple parties involved (the driver, the employer, the truck maintenance person, etc.), there are usually a number of highly paid, professional lawyers, too. You see, most truck drivers are employed by a larger organization, and those organizations will stop at nothing to make sure they don’t get the blame—or have to pay out—for an accident that occurs on their watch.

 

Because these claims are an uphill battle from the beginning, any old lawyer just won’t cut it. If victims want to have a chance at coming out unscathed, they need the best truck accidents attorney San Antonio has to offer.

 

If you were in a truck wreck, here’s how to find the best truck accidents attorney in San Antonio:

 

  • Start with experience. Do a little research and find several accident attorneys in your area. Then, check out their experience—particularly as it relates to truck accidents. Do they just do normal car wrecks, or have they handled commercial truck wrecks as well? If so, how long have they been doing it? You want a more experienced truck accident lawyer working for you.

 

  • Check their results. Most attorneys will have a list of their successful cases, either on their website or available upon request. Peruse this list, and look for any trucking companies or transportation organizations. These are likely truck accident claims that the attorney has tried successfully—and they’re a good sign that you’ve got a good lawyer on your hands!

 

  • Look for board certification. While there’s not a certification in truck accidents specifically, there is one in personal injury law, and it’s what distinguishes a good lawyer from a truly exceptional one. Always make sure the attorney you choose is board certified. It will give you the best possible results.

 

Want the best truck accidents attorney San Antonio has to offer? Look no further than the Law Offices of Pat Maloney. With more than 50 years in the business, we have the experience and know-how needed to win your case. Contact us for more information.

 

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Construction Site Accidents: Recovering Physically and Financially

It’s a sad fact, but the construction industry is one of the most dangerous employment sectors in our country. In 2014 alone, it accounted for more than 20% of all U.S. worker fatalities, meaning one in every five on-the-job deaths occurred because of construction site accidents. That’s pretty shocking.

 

As worksite accident attorneys, we have seen many victims of construction accidents come through our doors, each one of them dealing with financial hardships, physical pain and emotional suffering. If this sounds like you or someone you love, we can help. Here’s how you can start to bounce back from the damage that was caused, and get your life on track both physically and financially:

 

  • Find a doctor you trust. If you’re going through workers’ comp, you may be required to use an insurance-approved doctor. Definitely see him or her as instructed, but don’t limit yourself. Seek a second opinion with a doctor you trust, and make sure the insurer’s doctor made an honest and accurate diagnosis. Many times, these doctors get kickbacks from the insurance company, so they don’t have your best interests at heart.
  • Keep track of everything. Keep detailed notes of all the bills and invoices you’ve paid as a result of your accident, and track your missed hours and lost income, too. You’ll want to make sure you’re compensated for these losses either through workers’ comp or via a legal claim.
  • Get a lawyer’s help. A lawyer will know the best possible route to recoup your losses, keep your job and assert your rights. Even if it’s just filing a workers’ comp claim, they’ll make sure you get the full compensation you’re due and in a timely manner.

 

At the Law Offices of Pat Maloney, we know construction site accidents. If you or someone you love was injured on a construction site, give us a call. We’ll be your guide as you cope, heal and recover.

 

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6 Ways to Avoid Commercial Truck Accidents

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6 Ways to Avoid Commercial Truck Accidents

When it comes to on-the-road accidents, few are as dangerous or as damaging as commercial truck accidents. Due to the sheer weight and size of the vehicles involved, these incidents often lead to serious property damage, severe injuries and even death for one or more parties involved. In fact, according to TruckAccidents.org, about 130,000 people are injured every year because of these accidents.

 

In addition to the extreme physical harm commercial truck accidents can inflict, they can also cause a significant amount of monetary damage. According to recent statistics, the average cost of just one of these accidents is nearly $60,000. Fortunately, like any wreck, commercial truck accidents are completely preventable. If you’re sharing the road with a semi-truck, 18-wheeler or other large-sized vehicle, be sure to follow these 6 helpful tips, and you can successfully avoid a dangerous and debilitating commercial truck accident:

    1. 1. Avoid any blind spots. Large trucks have huge blind spots. For the most part, the drivers can’t see anything past the middle of their truck, and they definitely, absolutely cannot see what’s behind them. They don’t even have a rearview mirror! If you want to avoid a potential collision, always be sure to avoid these blind spots when driving near a truck. If you need to pass a large truck, make sure to signal early, give them plenty of time to see you, and move as quickly as possible until you’ve passed safely. Don’t dawdle or spend more time than necessary—you don’t want to risk the driver forgetting you’re there and changing lanes right into you.

 

    1. 2. Don’t pass on the right. In many states, passing a commercial truck on the right is illegal. Why? Because most trucks have a right-side blind spot that makes seeing a normal-sized car nearly impossible. This is especially dangerous during turns, when a nearby car can easily get trapped between the truck and a median or another vehicle. If you have to pass a large truck, always do so on the left side.

 

    1. 3. Be careful when turning. Turning is very hard for truck drivers, and the longer the truck is, the more difficult the turn will be. If you see a truck turning in your general vicinity, be sure to give it plenty of space. Most of the time, they will need a wide berth in order to execute the turn safely and avoid rolling over.

 

    1. 4. Don’t cut them off. Never, ever cut off a large truck. This is one of the most common ways commercial truck accidents happen. Because large trucks are so heavy, they take a lot longer than traditional vehicles to stop, and even just to slow down. When they get cut off, they typically can’t stop in time, and they’ll plow right into the vehicle in front of them.

 

    1. 5. Keep your distance when it’s wet. If you thinking driving on wet roads is hard in your car, imagine how hard it is in a ten ton truck. Trucks have enough difficulty stopping and slowing down, and wet roads only make this harder. If you’re driving near a commercial truck and it’s raining, snowing or sleeting, be sure to keep plenty of distance between you and the truck. You don’t want them sliding into you and causing a wreck.

 

    1. 6.Call the number on the back. If you see a truck driver swerving, speeding or operating their vehicle in a dangerous way, always make a point to call the number on the back of the truck bed. That way, the driver’s employer can make sure they’re taken off the road. If there’s no number listed, call the police instead. Just be sure to have the license plate number on hand.

 

Want to avoid commercial truck accidents on your local roads? Then be sure to follow these 6 easy driving tips. Involved in a wreck yourself? Contact an attorney at the Law Offices of Pat Maloney today for help.

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5 Ways a San Antonio Auto Accident Attorney Can Fight DUI Charges

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If you are pulled over and charged with driving under the influence (a DUI), you could face penalties that are often harsh, ranging from steep fines and community service to jail time and license suspension. But a DUI charge is not always just, and there are many factors that could allow you to fight the case or lessen the penalties you suffer because of it. By calling a San Antonio auto accident attorney such as Pat Maloney, you can get help with fighting your charges.
A San Antonio Auto Accident Attorney Can Help

After contacting an auto accident attorney, San Antonio drivers charged with a DUI can expect the first step to be verifying the legality of the traffic stop. In order for a police officer to stop a car in the state of Texas, they must first have grounds for reasonable suspicion of criminal activity. They must observe some indication that laws are being violated, and only then can they pull a vehicle over for investigation. If no laws were visibly being violated, your attorney may be able to get your case thrown out of court. If the traffic stop was legal, your attorney can also help by doing the following:

    1. 1. Gathering evidence on your behalf to either prove your innocence or show the other party’s fault.

 

  1. 2. Requesting an administrative hearing and representing you during it to ensure that your license doesn’t get suspended.
  • 3. Contesting evidence that the prosecutor brings to the case.

 

  • 4. Working to minimize your penalties if a guilty verdict cannot be avoided.

 

  • 5. Questioning your arresting officer’s sobriety testing abilities, training history, and motivation for making the stop.

If you believe you have been arrested on an unjust DUI charge, fight back and contact a skilled San Antonio auto accident attorney. Pat Maloney can help. Call us today or contact us here for a free case evaluation.

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Back Injured at Work? You May Need a Workplace Injury Lawyer

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Back Injured at Work? You May Need a Workplace Injury Lawyer

Back injuries are serious. They cause endless pain and suffering, they keep you away from work for extended periods of time, and they require regular medical treatment and rehabilitation – neither of which comes cheap. When all is said and done, a back injury could end up costing you thousands and thousands of your own hard-earned dollars. Is that really something you can afford? If you suffered your back injury on the job, a workplace injury lawyer can help ensure that doesn’t happen.
How a Workplace Injury Lawyer Can Help

A workplace injury lawyer will make sure you get the money you deserve. With their help, you’ll be compensated for your medical bills, your lost income, and possibly even your pain, suffering, and mental anguish.
When you hire a workplace injury lawyer, they’ll help you:

    • Determine what type of claim you need to file. If your employer has workers’ compensation coverage, you may need to file a claim with their insurer to receive payment. If they don’t have workers’ comp coverage, or there was negligence, a third party, or other extenuating circumstances surrounding your injury, you may be able to file a civil claim instead.

 

    • File your claim. Whether it’s working with your employer, their insurer, or the local court system, they’ll ensure the proper paperwork is filed to get your claim off the ground.

 

    • Gather evidence. If there was negligence or recklessness involved in your injury, your lawyer will make sure it’s known. They’ll interview eyewitnesses, they’ll take accident scene photos, and they’ll consult experts, so you can get the most compensation possible from your case.

 

    • Ensure you’re compensated adequately. Having a workplace injury lawyer on your side means you’ll never get undercut. If you’re offered a settlement from an insurance company or other party in your case, your lawyer will make sure it’s an adequate amount to cover your expenses – your medical bills, your future expected costs, your lost income, and more. If it’s not, they’ll turn it down and keep fighting until you get what you deserve.

 

    • Ensure you’re compensated fast. Employers and insurance companies love to dawdle when it comes to workers’ comp claims. The insurance company does it so they don’t have to pay out. Your employer does it so their insurance premiums don’t rise. Regardless of who does it though, undue delays in processing workers’ comp claims can cause big problems for you. It can mean the difference between paying for prescriptions, rehabilitation, or surgery, and it can put you and your family in financial strife. Your lawyer will help make sure this doesn’t happen. They’ll push to get your claim processed and wrapped up as quickly as possible, so you can get back on your feet.

 

  • Get the most money possible. A workplace injury lawyer can help you get the money you deserve – and then some. With their experience in the field, they’ll be able to recognize any potential opportunities your case may have for additional compensation. If your employer or the at-fault party was negligent in causing you’re injury, they’ll seek punitive damages. If you endured a lot of pain and suffering, they’ll make sure you’re compensated for it. If your family has suffered because of your injury, they can seek damages for that, too. Whatever opportunity there may be for additional money, your lawyer will find it and make sure you’re compensated handsomely.

In general, a workplace injury lawyer will simply make sure your case is as successful as it possibly can be, so you can pay your bills, recover, and get back to living your life.

Hire a Workplace Injury Lawyer Now

Were you hurt on the job? You need a workplace injury lawyer. Call the Law Offices of Pat Maloney or contact us here to get started today.

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How to Cope With an Oil Rig Injury

An oil rig injury can be life-altering. Not only is it painful, but it can hurt your livelihood, your ability to care for your family, and your physical abilities—all in an instant.

 

Sadly, injuries are common in the oil and gas industry, and we have consulted with countless victims of rig accidents. While that doesn’t bode well for oil and gas workers, it does make us experts in the care of rig accident victims. We know what works, what’s important and how to make sure they get the financial and physical support they need during this difficult time.

 

If you or someone you love recently suffered an injury, here are the steps we recommend you take:

 

  1. 1. Seek medical attention. There’s nothing more important than this. Yes, you may have to use an insurance-approved doctor later on, but that doesn’t mean you should delay care. If you’re hurt and in pain, seek medical attention ASAP. Just make sure to keep any receipts and invoices so you can be reimbursed through workers’ comp.
  2. 2. Report the injury to your employer. You’ll also need to report the incident to your employer so they can file a claim with their workers’ comp insurer. The quicker you do this the better, as it can often take weeks or even months for workers’ comp claims to be fully processed.
  3. 3. Report your injury to OSHA. If your injury was caused because your employer or bosses failed to properly care for or maintain your worksite, you have a duty to report it to OSHA. OSHA will come out, investigate your claim and make sure the worksite is being operated as safely as possible. This could prevent other workers from suffering the same fate as you.
  4. 4. Know your rights. While you go through the post-accident process, make sure you know your rights. Your employer can’t terminate you just because you’re injured, and they can’t discriminate against or threaten you either. If they do, you have a valid legal claim against them.
  5. 5. Contact an attorney. Even if you don’t plan on filing a lawsuit, it’s important to get in touch with an attorney following an oil rig accident. They can ensure you get the workers’ comp support you need and that your employment rights are respected as you deal with your injury.

 

Did you suffer an oil rig injury? Let our workplace accident attorneys help you through. We’ll guide you every step of the way to make sure you get the justice and financial support you deserve. For more information, please contact us.

 

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4 Benefits of Hiring a Great San Antonio Car Accident Lawyer

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Sure, you can handle a car accident on your own, but why would you want to? You have to spend hours on the phone with insurance companies and use “preferred” mechanics, auto shops and doctors, and in the end, you don’t get the service or the funds you actually deserve. You may even end up carrying part of the blame if you’re not careful!

 

To truly come out on top after a wreck, you should hire an experienced, top-notch San Antonio car accident lawyer. With their help, you:

 

1. Don’t have to deal with insurance companies and other parties. When you have an attorney, you don’t have to deal with the nitty-gritty details of your accident. Your lawyer will work with the insurance agents, drivers and other parties on your behalf, and will take that hassle off your shoulders from the very beginning.

2. Avoid getting lowballed. An attorney will determine an exact, accurate amount that you’re due. They’ll look at the medical bills you’ve incurred, your vehicle damage and any other expenses that might have resulted from the accident, and they’ll prevent insurers from lowballing you or offering you less than you’re due.

3. Receive more money. Attorneys also know how to get compensation for intangibles such as pain, suffering and even punitive damages. These can give you even more money for your troubles.

4. Don’t foot the blame. When you handle a car accident claim on your own, the insurers will likely try to pin some of the blame on you. Whether it’s saying you were speeding or you had a missing taillight, this could substantially affect your settlement. A San Antonio car accident lawyer can ensure this doesn’t happen.

 

Next time you or a loved one is involved in a car wreck, don’t go it alone. Contact a San Antonio car accident lawyer at the Law Offices of Pat Maloney, and we’ll make sure you get the justice and money you deserve.

 

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Why Oil Field Accidents Are Common

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Oilfield accidents are more common that most think

Oil field accidents are both common and very dangerous. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the oil and gas industry accounted for nearly 16 percent of all on-the-job fatalities in 2012. The number of non-fatal injuries in the industry is also high, with the BLS reporting more than 4,000 workplace injuries in 2007 alone. Oil and gas jobs are dangerous, and oil field accidents are common for several reasons, but they are primarily caused by the machinery and chemicals that workers must constantly be around. Oil and gas extraction requires serious heavy machinery and equipment, and if workers aren’t careful, the machinery can fall over and cause broken bones, head trauma, amputated limbs, or death. There are also tons of toxic chemicals and substances on an oilfield site, many of which are flammable and can lead to explosions, fires, and serious chemical burns. Their toxic fumes can also lead to respiratory problems in workers.

 

In addition to the things oil field workers must deal with due to the nature of their work, oil field accidents also happen because not all workers are adequately trained. Proper training is extremely important in the oil and gas industry, because when workers don’t know the proper techniques and methods or they’re not taught about safety precautions, it can lead to a dangerous workplace for everyone around. Oil field sites are also often in a state of disrepair, with broken stairs and scaffolding, spills on the ground, and dangerous debris all littering the area. This can create hazards for all workers onsite and lead to avoidable trips, slips and falls that can result in serious injury or death.

 

Regardless of the cause of the incident, if you or a loved one was involved in an oilfield accident, the Law Offices of Pat Maloney can help. With more than three decades of experience, our attorneys are experts in oil field accidents and can ensure that you get the compensation you deserve.

 

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5 Don’ts of Car Wreck Settlement

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If you want a favorable car wreck settlement – one that compensates you adequately for your injuries, car damage, and other incurred costs – you need to be extra careful when navigating your claim. Specifically, you need to take steps to avoid these five major (but all too common) mistakes:


  1. 1. Don’t admit fault. Never, ever, ever say “sorry,” “oops,” “my bad,” or anything else that could be interpreted as you taking the blame. If you’re implicated at all in causing the accident, it could significantly lower the car wreck settlement you can be awarded or, in some cases, it could negate it altogether. In which case, you’d end up footing the bill for a wreck you didn’t really cause!


  2. 2. Don’t give a recorded statement. After you’ve been in an accident, you will likely be contacted by representatives of the other driver’s insurance company. They’ll want to discuss the wreck with you, get your side of the story and, often, get a recorded statement from you. Ultimately, they are looking for you to slip up. They want to catch you in a lie, making an error, or doing something else that could prove you an unreliable witness. If they’re successful, your settlement will be affected negatively.


  3. 3. Don’t go it alone. A lawyer is crucial to getting a favorable car wreck settlement. They can gather evidence, file appropriate paperwork, and advise you on any statements to the insurance company. In fact, they can even handle all insurance communication altogether! In the end, this leads to a more successful claim and settlement.


  4. 4. Don’t accept the first offer you get. Insurance companies don’t want to pay out. In most cases, your first settlement offer is going to be a low-ball one. It won’t be enough to cover your damages or hospital bills. Always run settlement offers by your lawyer before accepting them. They’ll be able to ensure they’re an adequate amount for your wreck.


  5. 5. Don’t use their recommended service providers. Many insurance companies will try to force you to use their car repair shops, doctors, and other service providers. Little do you know, they have relationships with these providers, and they’ll give you inaccurate or low-ball estimates in order to save the insurance company money. Always use your own providers – ones you know and trust.



Want a favorable car wreck settlement? Avoid these 5 don’ts and call an attorney at the Law Offices of Pat Maloney today!

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