, llp attorneys at law personal injury lawyers lubbock san angelo el paso odessa
At Glasheen, Valles & Inderman, LLP, we have the expertise and resources to aggressively represent people who have been injured in an accident. Our firm s six attorneys concentrate on auto, truck and train accidents; oil field accidents; industrial accidents, such as gas explosions and grain elevator deaths; and defective products. All of our attorneys and staff are committed to excellence. Our attorneys not only have high academic credentials but have strong professional and community ties. With attorneys licensed to practice in Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Colorado, we have the capability and experience to represent you and help you maximize your recovery. Our law firm s philosophy is that a case should be prosecuted aggressively. We have a record of substantial net-to-client recoveries including $13.5 million for a train wreck death case, $5 million for a motorcycle accident brain injury and $1.9 million for a gas plant explosion death case. At our law firm we work for the client, and we never forget that our client is the boss. Glasheen, Valles, Inderman, & DeHoyos 1
board certified in Personal Injury Trial Law and Civil Trial Law Kevin graduated from Texas Tech Law School in 1988 after receiving an undergraduate degree in economics from Texas A&M University. Kevin and his wife Elaine have been married for 20 years and have 3 children. Kevin opened his own law office immediately out of law school and began handling personal injury cases. In his first civil jury trial, Kevin won a million dollar verdict against Ethicon in San Angelo, Texas. That verdict is still a record for Tom Green County. That early success gave Kevin the opportunity to work on many other significant cases, and he has been lead counsel in many multi-million dollar civil cases. Kevin has tried many cases involving injuries in meat packing plants, auto and truck wrecks, oilfield accidents, and train wrecks. He was lead counsel in the two largest railroad crossing accident cases in Texas, one resulting in a 65 million dollar verdict and one resulting in a 46 million dollar verdict. Kevin is Board Certified in Personal Injury Trial Law and Civil Trial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. He is licensed to practice in all state courts in Texas, New Mexico and Colorado. Kevin is also licensed to practice in the United States District Court for the Northern, Southern, Eastern and Western Districts of Texas, the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit and the Supreme Court of the United States of America. Kevin has been named a Super Lawyer by Texas Monthly since 2004. In 2005 he was selected "best plaintiff s personal injury lawyer" in a poll of Lubbock attorneys. Kevin currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Texas Tech Law School Foundation and the Board of Directors of the South Plains Council of the Boy Scouts of America. 2
prelitigation managing partner Noe has been practicing law in Lubbock since 1994 after graduating from Texas Tech University School of Law. He received undergraduate degrees with dual majors in both Spanish and History from Wayland Baptist University and taught school in Plainview, Texas, before attending law school. Noe has focused his practice on personal injury cases and handles the automobile accident practice for our Lubbock office. He also serves the community having been on the Board of Managers of the University Medical Center County Hospital in Lubbock for 9 years, and having been elected Chairman of the Board of Managers in 2007. Noe was born in a small town outside Juarez, Mexico, and immigrated to the United States with his family as migrant farm workers. He grew up in Plainview, Texas. His family believed in education and all four of the Valles children have now become naturalized citizens and all have graduated from university. Noe and his wife Irma have been married for more than 20 years and have 2 children Omar and Erica, who are both attending college. Noe is licensed to practice law in all state courts in Texas and New Mexico. He is also licensed to practice law in the United States District Court for the Northern District and Eastern District of Texas. 3
litigation managing partner Chad has worked with the firm for over eight years where he rapidly advanced to a partnership position. His aggressive approach to litigating cases has repeatedly led to large monetary recoveries for injured clients and their families. Chad has been successful in settlement and as lead trial counsel of numerous wrongful death and serious injury cases. A sample of Chad s case experience includes catastrophic workplace injuries involving oilfield work, cotton gins, warehouses, cattle feeding facilities, petroleum refineries, grain handling facilities, and various other industrial accidents. Chad s expertise in OSHA regulations and workplace safety standards gives our clients an advantage in their cases that has led to numerous successful recoveries for injured workers. Chad also handles litigation of serious automobile, motorcycle, and truck wreck accident cases. Chad is licensed to practice law in all state courts in Texas and New Mexico. He is also admitted to practice in the United States District Courts for the Northern and Western Districts of Texas, the United States District Court for the District of New Mexico, and the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. Chad and his wife A Lysia live on their farm outside of Lubbock. Glasheen, Valles, Inderman, & DeHoyos 4
Jason Medina attorney community. Jason s father, Sam Medina served as Judge for the 237th District Court in Lubbock County and is now the City Attorney for Lubbock. His mother, Velma, is a successful real estate agent with Coldwell Banker. Jonathon C. Clark attorney Jason has been practicing law with the firm since 2003 when he graduated from Baylor University School of Law. He received his undergraduate degree in Business Administration from Baylor University in 2000. Jason handles personal injury and wrongful death litigation for the firm. He has successfully handled a variety of cases including, auto/truck wreck cases, gas plant explosions, oilfield and agricultural accidents, and various on the job injury cases. He also handles cases all over the state of Texas, as well as venues from Santa Fe, New Mexico to Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Jason is experienced in litigating all types of claims, from soft tissue injuries to catastrophic brain injuries and accidents resulting in quadriplegia. Jason is licensed to practice in Texas, New Mexico and Oklahoma. He is also admitted to practice in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. Jason has spoken at continuing legal education seminars on issues dealing with personal injury cases and he was nominated as an outstanding young lawyer in 2006-2007 by the Lubbock County Bar Association. Jason was born and raised in Lubbock and he and his wife Kelli have chosen to make Lubbock their home. Both continue to be very active in the Lubbock Jon received his law degree from Texas Tech University School of Law in 2009. He also received his undergraduate degree in Business Administration from Texas Tech University. Jon is licensed to practice law in Texas and New Mexico. While in law school, Jon was a member of the Texas Tech Law Review and a founding editor of the Estate Planning and Community Property Journal. Jon also won the award for best brief at the 2007 Mack Kidd Administrative Moot Court Competition. During his third year of law school he won his first case, arguing as amicus curiae before the United States Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces. After serving as a law clerk to the Honorable Sam Medina in the 237th District Court, Jon clerked with the firm during his third year of law school, and joined the firm full time after taking the bar exam. Jon represents clients in personal injury cases including automobile accidents, truck wrecks, slip and fall injuries, work place injuries, wrongful death, oil field injuries, and pipeline explosions. 5
Nick PeÑa attorney A native of Lubbock, Texas, Nick received his Bachelor of Arts degree in History from Texas A&M University in 2001. Following graduation, Nick attended the George Bush School of Government and Public Service and received his Certificate in Advanced International Affairs in 2002. He then returned to his hometown and received his Doctor of Jurisprudence from Texas Tech University in 2005. Nick is licensed by the Supreme Court of Texas and the Supreme Court of New Mexico. He is also a member of the Texas Trial lawyers Association and the El Paso County Bar Association. As a law student, Nick clerked for a personal injury law firm and gained a desire to fight for the rights of families and people affected by tragedy. Nick continues this desire by ensuring that injured clients are aggressively represented against insurance companies and compensated. Nick handles personal injury cases for the firm in the El Paso office. Practicing in a border community, Nick is aware of the unique challenges endured by injured clients and offers his services in Spanish and English. His personal injury experience includes representing clients injured in automobile accidents, truck wreck accidents, slip and fall accidents, and work accidents. 6
Glasheen, Valles, Inderman, & DeHoyos 7
Motor Vehicle Accidents We have handled hundreds of auto and truck accidents. These cases range from injuries such as soft tissue, sore neck and back cases to catastrophic injuries involving paralysis, brain injury or death. 18 Wheeler Wreck Brain Injury $1.7 Million Net to Client Near Amarillo, Texas, an 18-wheeler ran a stop sign in front of a pickup truck where our client was a passenger. The pickup truck went underneath the tractor trailer causing serious brain injury to our client. We showed the truck driver s logs were falsified and he had been driving in excess of the maximum hours allowed under DOT regulations. We helped our client, who had been a Broadway actor, get treatment for his brain injury at a world renowned hospital in Denver. one of the nation s leading experts in helmet safety issues and show that, due to the velocity that our client hit the ground and the location of his head injury, a helmet would not have prevented the brain injury he suffered. We helped our client obtain the best possible medical and rehabilitation care. This aggressive medical treatment helped ensure that our client could make the best possible recovery. That care would not have been available without arrangements that we made on his behalf. Oilfield Accidents We have successfully represented numerous oilfield injuries and death claims and maintain an active docket of claims. Our experience helps us identify the root cause of the accident and develop evidence to establish the responsible party. Motorcycle Wreck Brain Injury $5 Million Net to Client Our client was driving a motorcycle when a truck ran a stop sign in front of him. Our client suffered a significant brain injury and one of the difficult questions in the case was whether a helmet would have made a difference in this case. We were able to hire Oilfield Equipment Broken Jaw $750,000 Net to Client Our client was a wire line operator in the oilfield. While running test equipment on a well, the threads on a well head joint failed, causing the well head equipment to blast off the well head and strike him in the face. Our client suffered serious jaw and facial 8
injuries. We demonstrated that the oilfield equipment had an improper combination of tapered threads and straight cut threads which were a mismatch. The equipment had been supplied in a mismatched condition from an oilfield equipment supplier who was ultimately liable for the accident. Oilfield Spill Chemical Burn $2.5 Million Net to Client Our client was working at a gas compression station near Andrews, Texas when a chemical company came to deliver acid to a 500-gallon tank. Our client went out to sign a purchase receipt for the delivery when the driver, who was standing on a 5 gallon bucket and holding the hose above his head, asked our client to flip a switch on the truck to turn on the pump. When our client flipped the switch, the delivery driver fell off the bucket and sprayed our client with acid causing burns to his arms and back. We discovered in litigation that delivery drivers for this chemical company had been complaining for two years that the acid tank did not have proper connections for their hose to make a safe delivery. Instead they had to hold the hose over the head and top fill the tank. The chemical company sales people finally admitted that they knew the delivery system was unsafe, but did not want to lose the customer so they continued to make deliveries, even though the tank did not have proper hose connections. Industrial Accidents We have handled hundreds of industrial workplace injury claims. These cases range from gas explosions to grain elevator deaths and cotton gin amputations to meat packing plant accidents. Many times companies try to create the appearance of worker s compensation insurance when, in fact, they are non-subscribers. We identify thirdparty claims and aggressively pursue gross negligence death claims even when there is worker s compensation insurance. For detailed case summaries, visit www.glasheenlaw.com 9
Gas Plant Explosion Death $1.9 Million Net to Client Our client s husband was the supervisor for an oilfield services company that was testing pipe at a gas plant. The testing company used nitrogen gas to pressure up pipes to ensure that it was structurally sound before it was installed in a gas compression plant. While testing pipes our client s husband over-pressured the pipe and it exploded, causing his death. Even though our decedent was in charge of pressuring up the pipe, we showed that he had been working for over 20 hours straight without a break, in violation of hours of service rules. Also we showed that the pressures that were to be used were communicated poorly and critical information was not being communicated methodically. The pressures to be used in the test were communicated verbally and written with chalk on the pipe. It was easy to see that the accident was going to happen under these circumstances. Grain Elevator Death $455,000 Net to Client Our client s husband was an employee at a grain elevator and was trying to shovel grain towards an auger. The whirlpool of grain caught him and pulled him into the auger to his death. Even though the defendant had worker s compensation, Texas law allows a family of a person killed at work to bring a claim against the employer only for gross negligence and punitive damages. This was a settlement of such a punitive damages claim. Cotton Gin Amputated Fingers $216,000 Net to Client This is one of many cotton gin cases that we have handled. The lint cleaners on many cotton gins lack guards which are required by OSHA standards. Additionally, during cotton ginning seasons the ginners are reluctant to turn off the equipment when the delinting equipment gets jammed up with cotton. Our client was asked to try to clean cotton off the delinter while it was running and the machinery caught his hand, amputating several fingers. Like many others in our region, this cotton gin did not carry worker s compensation insurance. Therefore, we were able to make a claim directly against them and collect from their insurance company. Industrial Finger Amputation $1.4 Million Net to Client Our client was an employee at an Excel Meat Packing Plant in Friona, Texas. He worked in the trolley room where they washed the trolleys that carried the carcasses through the plant. To dry the equipment after it was washed, they had a blow 10
dryer and a piece of pipe attached to the blower to direct the air. Our client was told by his boss to wipe out the pipe, which had oil, used to lubricate the blower, accumulating inside. Our client had several of his fingers amputated. The defendant did not carry worker s compensation insurance and was self-insured which allowed us to make a claim against them for negligence. When an employer does not carry worker s compensation, they are not allowed to use contributory negligence as a defense and so they were not able to blame our client for his part in causing his injuries. Construction Accidents Our law firm has handled multiple construction accidents involving serious injury and death. In construction accidents, we are often able to show that the general contractor violated safety standards. We are familiar with OSHA standards and work with OSHA safety experts who evaluate the causes of work injuries and help establish negligence. Construction Accident Death $1 Million Net to Client Our client was working on a trench for a sewer line for a new commercial building when heavy rain delayed construction. When the trench had dried up enough to work, our client went into the trench and it collapsed, causing his death. Unfortunately this trench did not have the required safety bracing required by OSHA to prevent collapses. Burn Injuries Our law firm has handled multiple burn injury cases and recovered millions of dollars for clients. We have handled burn injuries including flash gas explosions, electrical burns, chemical burns involving both acid and caustic chemicals, hot water burns and hot oil burns. Our law firm can help you get through the difficult and painful process of a burn injury by letting you know what to expect with your claim, and making sure that you have access to the best medical treatment available. For detailed case summaries, visit www.glasheenlaw.com 11
Oilfield Accident Burn $2.5 Million Net to Client Our client was working as a welder on an oilfield gas pipeline collection system near Ozona, Texas. The welding company had received a hot work permit from the operator of the pipeline system which assured them that the gas wells had been cut off so they could do their maintenance on the gas lines. While our client was welding a pipe, an automatic valve from a gas well opened releasing natural gas directly onto our client. The gas ignited and our client suffered burns to his face and hands. The defendant accepted responsibility for the case and it was settled early in litigation. Brain Injuries We have handled several brain injury cases including frontal lobe injury cases, subdural hematomas and temporal and defuse injury cases. We have extensive experience working with neurologists to help make sure you get the best and most appropriate medical treatment. Our experience will help you maximize the recovery for your brain injury. Car Wreck Brain Injury $2.8 Million Net to Client Our client was injured in a rear-end collision when the Defendant attempted to pass him at an excessive rate of speed. Although our client was wearing his seatbelt at the time of the accident the force of the collision ejected him from the rear window of his vehicle. We were able to prove that at the time of the collision, the Defendant was driving while intoxicated with a blood alcohol content of.281 percent, more than three times the legal limit in Texas. The Defendant also tested positive for marijuana. We helped our client obtain assistance from one of the nation s leading brain injury rehabilitation facilities. We documented his therapy and progress on video which made for a compelling presentation to the drunk driver s insurance company. As a result of the settlement, our client s future medical needs are being met. Defective Products We have handled defective product cases involving automobile seat belts, automobile handicapped driver controls, tractors and industrial equipment, golf clubs and various other products. We have experience working with engineers, metallurgists and industry experts to find out why an accident occurred. Many times we can find a potential liable defendant going back and analyzing the supply chain of the product. Defective Product Death $468,000 Net to Client Our client was a gentleman in his late 70 s who had purchased a new Cadillac for his wife for mother s day. Our client had the car equipped with handicap controls so that he could operate the vehicle. The first week of driving the car, our client s wife got her foot caught on the rod which prevented access to the brake as she approached a stop sign. She lost control of the car and struck an embankment which resulted in her death. We sued alleging the device had been poorly designed and improperly installed to interfere with the 12
driver s foot. Though the Defendants took the position that it was physically impossible to install the rod any other way, we bought an identical Cadillac and had the controls installed by another dealership. At mediation we demonstrated a correct installation was feasible. The Defendants knew we had an example Cadillac with a properly installed rod and gave up on their argument and instead settled the case. Railroad Crossing Accidents Railroad litigation is a very specialized and complex area of law. Our firm has a national reputation for grade crossing accident litigation. We have extensive experience and access to a network of expert witnesses to help evaluate your claim and proceed appropriately. Train Wreck Death $13.5 Million Net to Client Our minor clients were left orphaned after their parents and one sibling were killed in a railroad crossing when the train failed to sound a whistle warning. Through expert witnesses, photographic and video evidence we were able to demonstrate that the crossing was unsafe and should have had lights and gates. Kevin Glasheen was lead counsel at trial and the case was settled on appeal after a favorable jury verdict. Train Wreck Death $4.6 Million Net to Client Our clients child was killed when a train struck a car at a railroad crossing near Shallowater, Texas. The railroad had failed to control the vegetation around the crossing and the high weeds obstructed the view of the approaching train. The jury awarded 46 million dollars, but the case was settled based on a high-low settlement agreement made before the verdict. That agreement provided the clients would receive one million dollars regardless of what the jury awarded or would receive whatever the jury awarded, up to 8 million but then would limit the client s recovery if the jury verdict exceeded that sum. The settlement was paid within 30 days of trial with no appeals. For detailed case summaries, visit www.glasheenlaw.com 13
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In-House Resources Video Animation In order to maximize results for our clients, we produce our own animation so that a jury can see for themselves how an accident happened. We have an in-house, state of the art, digital video production studio. Our full time digital media producer, Don Jenkins, has over 15 years of experience in video production. Graphics We all know the importance of visual communication. We effectively illustrate our claims using the latest graphic arts technology. Whether we are presenting a claim at mediation or trial, we believe that a picture is worth a thousand words. Medical Records We have a team dedicated solely to medical records management. They know how critical it is that records are identified and filed promptly with the Court. Our team summarizes medical histories, helps identify medical issues and coordinates graphics production to illustrate medical procedures and damages. Investigations We believe that it is important to get to the scene as soon as possible, before witnesses memories fade. We aggressively obtain court orders to enter premises, and protect and preserve evidence. We can have our team of consulting engineers on the scene within hours of being hired on a case. Flight Services In many areas of litigation, responding diligently to court deadlines and to opportunities presented puts us one step forward. Our attorneys and support crew often rely on the firm s airplane service to meet schedules. Because of this additional asset, attorneys and staff members are able to fly anywhere at any time to better serve our clients. 15
lubbock - 1302 texas ave. el paso - 6621 montana ave. odessa - 422 north grant san angelo - 303 west harris 16
v e r d i c t s a n d s e t t l e m e n t s Train Wreck Death Case $13.5 million MoTorcycle Wreck Brain Injury $5 million Train Wreck Death Case $4.6 million car accident Brain Injury $2.8 million oilfield Spill Chemical Burn $2.5 million oilfield accident Burn $2.5 million Train Wreck Child Brain Injury $2 million GaS plant explosion Death Case $1.9 million 18 Wheeler Wreck Brain Injury $1.7 million industrial accident Finger Amputation $1.4 million Medical MalpracTice Death Case $1.39 million construction accident Death Case $1 million auto accident Death Case $970,000 cotton Gin Amputated Fingers $932,000 MoTorcycle accident Multiple Fractures $776,500 industrial accident Death Case $753,500 oilfield equipment Broken Jaw $687,000 forklift accident Partial Leg Amputation $648,000 oilfield accident Burn Injury $561,500 car accident/drunk driver Head Injury $545,000 feed Mill accident Hand Crushed $525,000 Slip & fall accident Shoulder Injury $483,000 car accident Broken Leg $468,000 Grain elevator accident Death Case $455,000 auto accident Broken Bones $454,000 Truck Wreck Death Case $434,600 defective product Death Case $430,000 product liability Broken Leg $430,000 feedlot accident Brain Injury $427,000 chemical plant Death Case $421,000 cotton Gin injury Amputated Fingers $417,000 auto accident Broken Ankle $400,000 auto accident Leg Injury $314,500 cotton Gin Amputated Fingers $288,000 auto accident Fractures $242,700 Work injury Broken Bones $242,000 oilfield accident Burn Injury $232,000 cotton Gin Amputated Fingers $216,000 farming Accident Facial Injuries $152,000 Truck Wreck Knee Injury $104,000 *All amounts listed are Net to Client. Results obtained depend on the facts of the case.
, llp Toll Free: (866) 492-2509 www.glasheenlaw.com lubbock san angelo el paso odessa