The Cochran Firm Legal Blog

In August 2010, two types of hip implants were recalled: the DePuy ASR XL Acetabular System, a hip socket replacement, and the DePuy ASR Hip Resurfacing System. These implants were manufactured by DePuy Orthopedics and were recalled due to what is believed, at this time, to be a design defect. The metal-on-metal hip implants, when improperly placed, can release metal particles into the body and inflame surrounding tissue and cause bone loss. Serious pain and corrective surgery often accompany defective implants.

Currently, over 93,000 implants have been recalled, and since 2008, the FDA has received over 400 complaints of implant failure. The product liability attorneys of The Cochran Firm’s Dallas, Texas office are now accepting these cases. If you or someone you love has suffered the serious pain associated with this defective device or if you have had to undergo additional surgeries to correct the problem, you may be entitled to compensation for your suffering.

Experts have reported that the DePuy Hip Implants were introduced without adequate testing and research of the devices, and, because of this, hundreds, maybe thousands of Americans have suffered needlessly. When companies place profits over patients, those companies and the people involved should be held accountable. That is where our hard-working, dedicated product liability attorneys come in. Our attorneys and legal team will fight diligently to get you the compensation to which you are entitled if you suffered due to this defective artificial hip. The pain associated with these devices, according to victims, is severe, and the surgeries to correct the problem can require weeks, months, or even years of recovery time.

Let us fight your legal battle while you focus on healing. If you live in the Dallas, Texas area and have suffered due to a defective DePuy hip implant, please contact The Cochran Firm's Dallas, Texas office today to schedule a no-cost, no-obligation consultation so we may hear the details of your case.

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A 28-year-old motorcyclist was beaten by three Dallas, Texas police officers in early September 2010 following a chase. The police officers are facing criminal charges for their roles in the police brutality incident. Some of the confrontation was caught by a dashboard camera in one of the police vehicles before an officer moved the camera to avoid filming the beating.

The 28-year-old-man suffered personal injuries from being beaten with the officers’ fists and batons. All three officers are faced with felony charges and two of the officers face misdemeanor charges. The charges include:

• Tampering with or fabricating physical evidence
• Assault and official oppression
  

There is no evidence that this police brutality incident was the cause of any racial prejudice. Dallas police are investigating the incident and internal affairs investigations are being conducted on two of the three officers. The third officer, who was still on probation as a new member of the department, was fired.

Naturally, the police officers involved in the Dallas police brutality incident do not represent the Dallas police force philosophy of treating citizens with fairness and compassion. And, while police brutality cases are rare, they still happen. If you have been the victim of police brutality, please contact the Cochran Firm today. You have rights and the Dallas police brutality lawyers at the Cochran Firm are committed to protecting those rights.

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Texas is proudly known for having the most and best of many things, but having the most dangerous highways in the country is not something to be proud of. Thousands of innocent occupants of passenger vehicles are injured or killed in accidents with trucks because the trucking industry places too much emphasis on profits and not enough emphasis on the safety of the driving public.

Truck accidents are an everyday occurrence on I-35, I-30 and I-20 as well as Highways 175 and 67; due to the weight, size and speed of these trucks, the injuries sustained in these accidents are often catastrophic. Truck drivers under the influence of alcohol or drugs, overweight or shifting loads, excessive speed and fatigued truck drivers all contribute to the high incidence of truck accidents on our roadways.

The truck accident attorneys at The Cochran Firm know how trucking companies function and we have the experience and professional resources to go toe to toe in a battle for your legal rights and fair and just financial compensation for the injuries you have suffered.

If you or someone you love has been injured or lost their life in an accident with a truck in the Dallas, Texas area, please contact the experienced truck accident attorneys at The Cochran Firm today and learn how we can ensure you get the legal representation you need and deserve.

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Defective Chinese drywall has been linked to health problems, the corrosion of wiring, heating and air conditioning units, plumbing, electronics and jewelry in homes across the United States since being imported into this country in 2005. The problems involving defective Chinese drywall have been confirmed by independent laboratory testing. Millions of sheets of defective Chinese drywall were imported into this country during a domestic shortage caused by a housing boom.

Recently, a jury has awarded a family $2.4 million in damages in the country's first jury trial over the defective Chinese drywall that has given thousands of families in similar nightmare circumstances hope for a solution to their problems as well. The jury award was seen as an indication how other juries may respond to similar evidence that will be presented in other trials involving defective Chinese drywall including those in Texas.

If you or someone in your family has experienced respiratory problems, headaches or nausea and vomiting because of foul odors in your home and the wiring, plumbing and heating and air conditioning units have corroded, you may have defective Chinese drywall in your home. The experienced defective Chinese drywall attorneys at The Cochran Firm want you to know they are ready to protect your legal rights and get you the financial compensation you are entitled to and deserve.

If you live in the Dallas, Texas area and you suspect your health and housing problems are related to defective Chinese drywall, please contact the experienced defective Chinese drywall attorneys at The Cochran Firm today so you do not lose out on your opportunity to get the financial compensation available to so many others living and suffering under similar circumstances to yours.

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Traumatic brain injuries are catastrophic injuries that disrupt normal brain functions and are usually caused by falls, motor vehicle accidents, sports or recreational injuries, criminal assaults, the use of a defective product or work-related injuries. Over one hundred thousand people suffer a traumatic brain injury in this country every year that changes their life and the lives of the people who love them forever.

The symptoms of a traumatic brain injury vary with the severity of the injury and can range from a slight headache, confusion and dizziness to seizures, coma, paralysis and death. The initial symptoms may not indicate the severity of the injury and that is why immediate medical attention is essential to prevent permanent injury or death when an injury to the head is involved.

The traumatic brain injury attorneys at The Cochran Firm have the medical and legal resources to investigate and discover who was responsible for your injuries and to hold those legally responsible financially accountable for your pain and suffering.

If you have suffered a traumatic brain injury or someone you love was brain injured in tragic circumstances in the Dallas, Texas area, please contact the traumatic brain injury attorneys at The Cochran Firm today to schedule a confidential consultation at no cost to you to discuss how to protect your legal rights and obtain the financial compensation you deserve.

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In recent years, serious injuries and even deaths have been attributed to defective consumer products. Everyday products we all use without a second thought to our safety or the safety of the ones we love have been responsible for devastating injuries and fatalities.

Defective automobiles, tires, infant car seats, faulty medical devices like pacemakers and defibrillators, vaccines, toys, appliances, power tools, dog food, dry wall from China, the list is endless and frightening.

If you or someone you care about has been injured or killed by the use of a defective consumer product, you must consult a product liability attorney as soon as possible as there are time limits involved in filing a claim against the manufacturer, designer or the distributor of the defective consumer product.

An experienced product liability attorney will assist you in obtaining the medical records, bills for your medical expenses and documenting your injuries with photographs to record the severity of the harm done to you, as this will determine the level of compensation you are entitled to.

Financial compensation for your injuries may include the cost of present and future medical care and treatment, rehabilitation expenses, loss of present and future income, the loss of enjoyment of life and in the case of a death, funeral and burial expenses, and survivor benefits.

Please contact the Dallas, Texas office of The Cochran Firm today to schedule a confidential consultation at no cost to you to discuss the possibility of filing a product liability lawsuit so you may obtain justice and receive the financial compensation you deserve.

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Trains have a vital role in the economic health of this country because they are capable of transporting goods over long distances at a reasonable cost.

According to the Texas Department of Transportation a train is involved in an accident with a passenger vehicle or pedestrian every two hours somewhere in the United States. Accidents involving trains are often serious because a train weighs on average, four thousand times more than a passenger vehicle, and can take more than a mile to come to a stop. More than half of all train accidents occur at unprotected railroad crossings. The Federal government reports that 80% of all railroad crossings have inadequate or non-existent warning devices.

Dealing with the aftermath of a train accident involves numerous state and federal laws and the knowledge and experience of the train accident attorneys at The Cochran Firm will involve immediate and compassionate attention to your case. The physical and emotional damage to an individual involved in an accident with a train are shocking, and often involve traumatic brain injuries, amputation of limbs, severe burns and massive soft tissue trauma.

If you live in the Dallas, Texas area and you or someone you love was injured or killed in an accident with a train, please contact the experienced train accident attorneys at The Cochran Firm today to hold those legally responsible accountable for your losses.

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If you have been injured by a defective drug The Cochran Firm can help you get the financial compensation you deserve. Our team of experienced defective drug attorneys can help you navigate the complex world of defective drug litigation.

Each year thousands of consumers suffer severe and even fatal side-effects related to defective drugs they believed were safe. These drugs were approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and they were prescribed by doctors they knew and trusted. However, many drugs are inadequately tested or have insufficient warnings posted leaving physicians and their patients ignorant of the true possible side-effects.

A drug company can be held legally accountable for injuries suffered because of the use of their product. The defective drug lawyers at The Cochran Firm have the experience and resources to handle the complex litigation regarding injuries and deaths involving defective drugs. Our lawyers will make certain our resources, knowledge and experience work hard for you and hold those legally liable accountable for their actions.

If you live in the Dallas, Texas area and you or someone you care about was injured by the use of a defective drug, please contact The Cochran Firm today to learn what you can do to protect your legal rights and the rights of those you love and make informed and confident decisions with our guidance and expertise supporting you.

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Surgical medical malpractice refers to the failure of a surgeon or a member of the surgical team to provide adequate care and treatment which results in injury or death.

No one is immune to falling prey to surgical mistakes as was revealed by the death of a prominent political figure that recently died due to complications after a surgical error was committed during a routine gallbladder surgery. Surgical errors can occur when the wrong surgery is performed, surgery is performed on the wrong part of the body, medical instruments are left inside the patient or an injury is inflicted during the surgical procedure and goes undetected or unreported.

When a surgical error causes serious injury and wrongful death, those responsible must be held legally liable. The Cochran Firm has experienced, highly skilled medical malpractice attorneys with expertise in the field of surgical errors that can ensure you receive the proper legal representation necessary to hold those responsible accountable for their actions.

If you live in the Dallas, Texas area and you have been the victim of a surgical error or lost a loved one due to the actions of a negligent surgeon, please contact The Cochran Firm today to learn how our experienced medical malpractice attorneys can assist you and achieve the justice and financial compensation to which you are entitled.

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Wrongful death is a legal term that is used to describe a death that has occurred due to the negligence or intentional actions of an individual and, in addition, the wrongful death entitles the deceased's survivors and beneficiaries financial compensation for their loss.

No one is ever prepared for the sudden death of a loved one and nothing can come close to replacing that loss. When the loss is compounded by the knowledge that the death was caused by negligence, or wrongful or intentional actions of another, family members have the legal right to seek just financial compensation and should not hesitate to do so.

The circumstances of the tragic death may vary and can be the result of a car or truck accident, a workplace injury, medical malpractice or the use of a defective or dangerous product. Pursuing a wrongful death claim through the justice system is a complicated process, but the assurance that negligent behavior or intentional acts will be punished is well worth the effort.

The Cochran Firm can guide you through this emotional, stressful time with their knowledge and expertise in the field of wrongful death law. Financial compensation may include payment for medical, funeral and burial expenses, loss of financial support for the survivors, the loss of future earning potential of the deceased, and payment for the pain and suffering caused by the loss of a loved one.

If you live in the Dallas, Texas area, please contact The Cochran Firm if you are suffering the loss of a loved one due to someone else’s actions to learn what you can do to protect your legal rights and obtain the financial compensation to which you are entitled.

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Texting while driving can lead to a fatal distraction. Millions of Americans are hooked on texting and using their cell phones at the expense of others on the roadways. "Intextication" like drunk driving, causes slower driver reaction times, weaving in and out of lanes and the general risky driving behaviors often associated with intoxicated drivers.

According to a recent Virginia Tech Transportation Institute study the risk of an automobile accident is 23 times greater while a driver is texting. Texting causes a driver to divert their eyes from the road for at least five-second intervals, the length of a football field when traveling at highway speeds.

Text-messaging is increasing dramatically with more than 135 billion text messages sent in the period of one month in 2009, a 19-fold increase over four years earlier according to a wireless industry group that supports bans on texting while driving.

Public outrage and common sense are having an effect on lawmakers in many states, causing bans on texting and phoning while driving to be implemented so the laws in reference to texting while driving are changing daily. An experienced automobile accident attorney familiar with Texas texting laws like those at The Cochran Firm are a valuable asset to you if you were involved in an accident with a texting driver.

If you live in the Dallas, Texas area and you were in an automobile accident with a texting driver, please contact The Cochran Firm today to protect your legal rights and get the financial compensation you deserve.

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Nursing home abuse and neglect is often called "the hidden crime" because it is sometimes difficult to recognize, it is concealed or covered-up by nursing home staff and the victims of the abuse and neglect are often incapable or too intimidated to reveal the abuse to their family or friends.

Over 85% of instances of nursing home abuse and neglect go unrecognized or unreported. Deaths in nursing homes are rarely investigated or prosecuted by law enforcement. The abuse and neglect of the elderly in nursing homes can take many forms such as physical, emotional and verbal abuse, the misuse of restraints, both physical and chemical, neglect in the form of failing to provide basic needs of food, water and personal hygiene care, medical neglect and financial exploitation.

While the signs of physical abuse in a nursing home are relatively easy to recognize such as open sores, bruises, malnutrition and dehydration, instances of emotional and verbal abuse and medical neglect are more difficult to recognize.

Residents of nursing homes are guaranteed certain rights under the law and nursing homes have a legal obligation to provide a decent standard of care to the residents entrusted to their care.

If you suspect someone you care about in Dallas, Texas or the surrounding area is suffering abuse and neglect in a nursing home, please contact the experienced nursing home abuse and neglect attorneys at The Cochran Firm today.

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Kidney disease is a killer, the ninth leading cause of death in the United States. The cost to the Medicare program alone for the treatment of End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) is over fourteen billion dollars annually. Hundreds of thousands of Americans undergo kidney dialysis treatment every year.

The treatment for kidney failure has inherent risks and unfortunately, people are injured and die every day in this country because of medical errors committed during their kidney dialysis treatment.

Medical malpractice in the form of kidney dialysis errors may include, but not be limited to, errors in medication, patient falls at the kidney dialysis treatment center, vascular access injuries, excess blood loss, dialysis machine leaks, the failure to clear dialysis machines of cleaning solutions adequately, and failure to monitor blood pressure levels.

If you or a loved one is undergoing kidney dialysis treatment and did not receive appropriate care and treatment and sustained a serious injury or died due to improper care and treatment, you should consult an experienced medical malpractice attorney at The Cochran Firm familiar with kidney dialysis errors.

By contacting the Dallas, Texas office of The Cochran Firm today you can schedule a no cost to you confidential consultation with an expert in the field of kidney dialysis errors and learn how to protect your legal rights and get the financial compensation you are entitled to.

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Thousands of homes in this country were constructed during the past few years using defective, toxic dry wall imported from China. The use of this defective drywall has led to serious illnesses and damage to those homes. The majority of the defective drywall was used between the years of 2004 and 2006, but there are reports of this drywall still being available for sale, waiting to be used by an unsuspecting public.

The defective Chinese drywall emits corrosive gases that have a foul odor, and can damage electrical systems, and the copper and other metals used throughout the home including the heating and cooling systems. The foul odor the drywall emits is reminiscent of rotten eggs and exposure to the drywall is said to be responsible for respiratory problems, nose bleeds, headaches and eye irritation.

Over one hundred thousand homes in the United States are suspected of having defective Chinese drywall installed. Over five hundred million pounds of defective Chinese drywall made it to this country in a three year period.

If you suspect Chinese drywall is the reason for your health problems or you have experienced the damage and destruction of your electrical and heating and cooling systems in your new home for an unknown reason until now, please contact the Dallas, Texas office of The Cochran Firm today to learn more about this looming catastrophe.

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Slip and fall accidents are the most common type of premises liability cases that rest on the question of the property owner's responsibility to maintain their property so it does not present a danger to others.

Injuries sustained in a fire or other types of injuries resulting from dangerous, hazardous or defective conditions on someone's property also fall into this category known as premises liability. Accidents classified under premises liability law can occur on residential, commercial or public property as all owners have a level of responsibility to make certain their property is safe.

A premises liability claim must prove either that the property owner created the hazard that caused the accident or knew or should have known the hazard existed and did nothing to correct it.

The injured party in a premises liability accident may have injuries ranging from bruising and abrasions to broken bones or a traumatic brain injury that can cause life-long disability or even death. Proper legal representation in these cases is essential to you receiving compensation for current and future medical expenses, rehabilitation expenses, income losses and pain and suffering.

Residents of Dallas, Texas and the surrounding area who have been injured as a result of premises liability should contact an experienced premises liability attorney at the Dallas, Texas office of The Cochran Firm to schedule a confidential consultation at no cost, to protect their legal rights and obtain the compensation they deserve.

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The leading causes of traumatic brain injuries are car accidents, falls, sports-related injuries and criminal assaults. Children and senior citizens are the highest risk groups for falls, and young men are the highest risk group for car and motorcycle accident and sports-related traumatic brain injuries. Traumatic brain injuries are responsible for many Americans suffering permanent disability and death each year.

A traumatic brain injury is caused by a sudden violent blow to the head. The section of the brain affected usually determines the severity of the injury suffered. Traumatic brain injuries can be considered mild, which is commonly known as a concussion or severe, which can cause death.

A mild traumatic brain injury can cause a brief period of unconsciousness, a headache, slight temporary confusion and dizziness. A severe traumatic brain injury causes a persistent headache, nausea and vomiting, seizures, profound confusion, weakness in the extremities and the inability to awaken. A severe traumatic brain injury, if the victim survives, usually requires a long period of hospitalization extended rehabilitation and occupational therapy. A victim of a traumatic brain injury will require physical, psychological and financial help for months and years after they have been injured.

If you are a resident of Dallas, Texas or the surrounding area and you or someone you love has suffered a traumatic brain injury, please contact an experienced traumatic brain injury lawyer at The Cochran Firm's Dallas, Texas office today to learn about your legal rights by scheduling a confidential consultation at no cost to you.

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