North Richland Hills Chase Bank employee hurt in robbery

A Chase Bank employee was injured today when he attempted to stop a robbery at the bank's North Richland Hills branch.

The robber posed as a Chase Bank employee. He had what appeared to be a Chase Bank identification badge in his possession. He started his crime by asking to speak to the branch manager. At some point the robber gained access to an undisclosed amount of money, which he grabbed and ran away with. A real employee was injured when he attempted to thwart the robber's escape. Fortunately the employees were minor.

The robber is still at large. Witnesses describe him as a white male in his 30s, medium height, medium build, dressed in Chase Bank attire.

Statistics on Texas on the job fatalities

A recently report has analyzed on-the-job fatalities in Texas. Nationally, there are about 5,000 work-related fatalities per year, about 500 of which involve workers in Texas.

The data show that transportation incidents are the leading cause of about 45% of Texas work fatalities. Assault and violent acts account for nearly 20% of deaths on the job. Fires, explosions (such as the recent explosion in the gulf that caused the Gulf Oil Spill), exposure to harmful substances, electrocution, and exposure to caustic or noxious substances are also major causes of work related deaths in Texas.

More motor vehicle workers are involved in fatal accidents than any other worker, and most of those fatalities were due to transportation incidents. Construction workers are also frequently killed on the job. Approximately 94% of work fatalities are men, while only 6% are women.

Dallas sanitation worker found dead at landfill

The body of a Dallas sanitation worker was found yesterday at the McCommas Bluff Landfill in Dallas. Police identified the man as Roderick Terrell, a brush truck driver.

Mr. Terrell was on the job at the landfill when he was last seen. Coworkers discovered his empty, still running truck about two hours after he checked in at the landfill to unload his truck. A search for Mr. Terrell then began. His body was found the next day.

Authorities believe that this is the first on-duty fatality at the landfill. The medical examiner is determining a cause of death for Mr. Terrell. Authorities do not suspect foul play.

A memorial service for Mr. Terrell will be held in the coming days.

Census worker death toll: Six

Six census workers have died this year on the job so far. Three of the workers were in Texas, including two workers in Lubbock who were killed in a traffic accident involving a tanker truck.

The Census Bureau has not released many details regarding the deaths of its workers. The bureau has increased its training for its employees, to help them stay alert of possible dangers on the job. Census workers will work in teams in areas that are considered particularly high risk.

In the 2000 census, 13 workers were killed in traffic accidents and one worker was attacked by a dog.

Three workers injured in explosion and fire at Medical City Dallas Hospital

A recent explosion followed by a fire injured three workers at Medical City Dallas Hospital. Investigators believe the incident occurred when a contractor attempted to transfer power, causing an electrical short. The explosion occurred in an outbuilding near the hospital's loading docks. Early estimates are that damages to the property total $300,000. Two of the injured workers were airlifted to Parkland Memorial Hospital, while the third worker was treated at Medical City.

Gulf Coast BP Oil Spill

Fears | Nachawati is available to assist victims of the Gulf Oil Spill who may need legal help. Our firm represents individuals and companies that are victims of the apparent negligence of the owners and operators of the rig. Our clients include crew members, commercial fishermen, shrimpers, charter boat operators, business owners and property owners.

Efforts to cap the spill and begin recovery are ongoing and it cannot be said when they will succeed. It is clear, even at this early juncture, that the losses suffered by Gulf Coast workers, property owners and businesses will total millions.

If you were injured in the explosion or believe you have a case for loss of business, property damage, etc., we would be happy to speak with you. If you were injured as part of the clean up or recover operations, you may also be entitled to compensation from the owner and operator of the drill. Call us at 1.866.705.7584 today to discuss your rights and the compensation you may be entitled to recover.

Employers liable for distracted driving?

A recent study by the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute showed that a truck driver is more than 23 times more likely to be involved in an accident if the driver is texting while driving. Perhaps in light of this study, and other recent studies showing the dangers of distracted driving, the U.S. Department of Transportation has officially banned texting by commercial drivers. The ban applies to all interstate drivers who carry cargo and/or passengers for hire, and also to interstate bus drivers who transport individuals for any purpose.

At the same time, more and more employers are giving their employees smart phones and expecting them to stay connected to the office at all times, even while in transit.

The blurring of work and personal time raises questions of liability when an individual is involved in an accident. If a driver crashes while texting or checking email for work purposes, should the crash be treated as an on-the-job accident? Is the employer potentially liable to third parties injured by their employees' distracted driving? Texas law and Texas courts are just beginning to grapple with these new, complicated areas. If you have been injured while texting or emailing for work, or if you were injured by someone who may have been texting or emailing on behalf of their employer, contact the personal injury attorneys of Fears | Nachawati today to receive free legal assistance. To speak with one of our Texas work accident lawyers, email us or phone us toll free at 1.866.705.7584.