Las Vegas Injury & Accident Attorney Blog

Imagine heading to bed on a Saturday night, looking forward to lazily spending your Sunday morning leisurely, watching college or NBA basketball, making or having breakfast with friends and family, just taking a slow and steady start to the final day of the weekend.  However, your hopes of a lazy Sunday are dashed as smoke detectors across your apartment complex at around 6am. You wake, groggy to see smoke in the halls, grab some clothes and head out to a safe spot outside the complex as fire and rescue vehicles arrive at the scene. As you leave, you see your neighbor trapped on his balcony, being rescued by firefighters on ladders. If you have been hurt or had property damaged in a Las Vegas apartment fire, Benson and Bingham can help you recover from the smoke and water damage and any injuries.

After investigating the fire, Las Vegas Metro Police arrested 33-year old Salvador Hernandez. Mr. Hernandez has been booked on a charges of attempted murder and arson in the fire he allegedly set at the Sonoma Shadows apartment complex in Las Vegas. In the Las Vegas arson incident, 23 people were forced from their homes and are currently staying in temporary housing. Estimates of the damage done by the fire are as high as $400,000. One individual was critically injured in the blaze and was rushed to Sunrise Hospital. No information has been released on the individual harmed in the fire. 76 firefighters from three area fire departments fought the blaze.

Benson and Bingham, consistently one of the highest ranked personal injury law firms in Las Vegas, has significant experience with Southern Nevada fire cases, Las Vegas pedestrian accidents, Southern Nevada automobile crashes and even casino accidents in Las Vegas and Reno. Our Nevada licensed personal injury attorneys are successful because they build strong relationships with their clients. Relationships that survive the stresses of a trial.

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Anyone can lose or have significant damage caused to their home to fire – even those who have significant experience protecting homes from and fighting fire. Early this morning, when he and his family were out on an errand, the home of LVFD spokesperson Tim Szymanski caught fire and approximately $50,000 in damage was caused. Even though Mr. Szymanski, his wife and son were outside of the home and safe, the family’s pets, two cats & two dogs escaped through a pet access doors and were unharmed. It is suspected that the fire was caused by worn wiring in a 2^nd floor bathroom exhaust fan. If your home has been damaged due to a Las Vegas fire, Benson and Bingham can help you recover money lost to medical bills, home repairs, lost work and pain and suffering.

Mr. Szymanski is currently employed by the LVFP as a Public information officer with the Las Vegas fire department. Every day in his position, Mr. Szymanski works with local publications providing information on fire incidents in Clark County and works with them to develop stories to promote Southern Nevada fire safety. His experience shows how even someone with significant knowledge and who practices fire safety religiously can become a victim of a Southern Nevada house fire.

Benson and Bingham, one of Las Vegas’ leading personal injury law firms, has significant experience working on all types of personal injury cases including Clark County fire damage, Las Vegas automobile accidents, Southern Nevada pedestrian deaths and even out of state Casino accidents when the company’s corporate parent is based in Nevada. Our attorneys have been successful because they develop strong lasting relationships with their clients. Many of these clients have become a significant marketing force for our firm as they regularly recommend our services to their friends injured through no fault of their own. We even offer our clients our exclusive happiness guarantee; if at the end of your case you are unhappy with your final bill, we will develop an invoice that meets your approval.

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Today’s modern Las Vegas casinos are large, complicated almost mini-cities where a person could live for days, weeks and possibly even years without leaving. The casinos have nearly all types of restaurants, shopping centers, entertainment venues, movie theaters and obviously hotel rooms, suites and gaming tables. These mini-metropolises require complicated ventilation systems, coordinated mega-deliveries of food stuffs and detailed schedules for employees of many ethnicities, levels of education and skills. With this level of complexity, it is inevitable that something can go wrong and cause the injury or death of a patron or employee. If you have been injured or killed in a Las Vegas casino accident, the personal injury attorneys at Benson and Bingham can help you to recover money spent on healthcare, lost to missing work or even for pain and suffering.

This morning, one of the complicated systems that runs the hotel broke down and injured at least 14 people. At the Treasure Island Hotel and Casino this morning around 9 a.m. one of the rooftop air conditioning units caught fire. As 90 firefighters on the scene worked to put out the flames, smoke from the fires worked its way through the air conditioning ventilation system flooding floors 24 through 36. Much of the hotel was evacuated. If you have been injured in a Nevada hotel injury, Benson and Bingham have the personal injury attorneys and contact in the Nevada court system to represent you.

While Benson and Bingham can represent you in your Las Vegas casino injury case, our attorneys can also represent you if you are injured in a casino outside of Nevada that is managed or owned by a Las Vegas company. In 2010 and 2011, our family owned firm secured over $24,000,000 in personal injury awards for our clients. While no law firm will promise the successful outcome of your case, Benson and Bingham offers all of our customers our exclusive happiness guarantee. When you get your final bill, should you be unhappy with the total, we will work with you to develop a fee structure that you find amenable.

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In the United States, there are over 500,000 trucking accidents that happen every year. Of these, around 5,000 trucking accidents result in fatalities. Moreover, 18-wheeler trucking accidents account for one of every eight traffic deaths. Because of the high profile, weight, and length of a semi-truck, 18-wheeler accidents in Nevada can cause serious injuries including:

• Burns, exposure to hazardous cargo
• Laceration, broken bones
• Spinal cord injury and severe back trauma
• Traumatic brain injury
• Death

With three major highways surrounding the Las Vegas valley, there are countless 18-wheelers that travel around our city. Of the many reasons that 18-wheelers can pose a threat to our highways some include failure to properly to accommodate blind spots, brake failure, exhaustion or fatigue on the part of the driver, and/or excessive speed and failure to follow rules of the road.

Devastating truck accidents in Nevada often give rise to legal claims for wrongful death or long-term medical compensation for catastrophic injuries. Because the majority of Nevada truck accidents involve vehicles that are traveling from outside of the state, it is pertinent to acquire legal assistance and guidance to help resolve jurisdictional issues that can complicate the case, and involve laws other than laws on Nevada multiple vehicle accidents. At times such accidents raise issues of inter-state travel and commerce that are dealt with at the federal level. It is also the case that trucking accident injuries are more severe than those suffered in most accidents due to the size and rigidity of semi-trucks.

At Benson and Bingham, we understand the emotional damage and trauma associated with such large-scale accidents. Our top priority is client care and satisfaction, and we want to help get you through such a traumatic experience. If you or a loved one have sustained injuries due to an 18-wheeler related accident, contact Benson and Bingham to receive a free consultation today:  702-382-9797

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Winter is gone and summer is coming to Las Vegas and the rest of Southern Nevada. As the weather gets warmer, families are planning outdoor get-togethers like hikes, picnics, pool parties and barbeques. Unfortunately, some families may be unaware of a dangerous consumer good that could seriously ruin their outdoor summer fun. Last week, the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission in conjunction with Health Canada and One World Technologies announced a wide ranging recall of gas grills imported by the Anderson, South Carolina that were manufactured in China. The grills have been found to leak propane gas, which could cause a fire or an explosion. If you have been injured or a relative was killed by a gas grill explosion in Las Vegas, and wish to recover money from lost work, pain and suffering and medical bills, contact Benson and Bingham for a free legal consultation today.

The grills, sold nationwide and in Canada were shipped to Home Depots and Direct Tools Outlet stores were shipped in a quantity of approximately 100,000 units. The grills were branded STOK Island and STOK Quatro. The specific model numbers for the recalled grills are AZF (printed on the front regulator) and the numbers 1143 and 1046 on the back. At this time, there have been 569 reports of gas leaks, but no injuries have been reported. Consumers wishing to return their grills should call One World Technologies at 800-867-9624. Information can also be found on their website at www.stokgrills.com. Many of these grills were sold at the 13 Home Depot retailers in the Las Vegas area. If you have been injured in a Clark County grill explosion, Benson and Bingham can help represent you so you aren’t financially injured.

Benson and Bingham was founded in 2003 to represent Southern Nevadans in personal injury cases across the state. We pride ourselves on our commitment to service and were responsible for reimbursements to our clients of over $24,000,000 in 2010 and 2011.

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Imagine your dream vacation to the Western United States. You’ve saved for years and you are excited to see San Francisco, Hollywood, the Las Vegas Strip, the Grand Canyon and the Hoover Dam. You’ve enjoyed yourself and the Las Angeles tour operator showing you the country has been a terrific host. Then tragedy strikes. Still in Nevada, your tour bus climbs the mountains approaching the Hoover Dam when the bus driver pulls over quickly and flees with a fire extinguisher. After moments, he rushes back onto the bus, screaming “GET OUT, THE BUS IS ON FIRE.” You and everyone else on your tour get off the bus safely and you begin wondering how you will replace your passport, if Las Vegas has a consulate from your country, relieved you uploaded pictures of your trip so far to facebook the night before. If on vacation  you were part of an accident or were injured in Las Vegas, contact Benson and Bingham for a free legal consultation today.

Local authorities have stated that at the high altitudes and dry climate around the dam, engines not properly maintained often experience difficulty. Many over heat and that overheating can quickly turn into engine fires. The bus company, Bravo Express, immediately rescued the stranded international tourists with a replacement bus. If you have had a Las Vegas vacation tragedy and wish to recover money for pain and suffering, lost work and medical bills, contact Benson and Bingham today.

In Las Vegas, NV, the attorneys at Benson and Bingham are renowned as some of the best personal injury attorneys in the region. Their Nevada licensed attorneys work with clients from all over the world, whether Nevada residents, Americans from out of state or even tourists from around the world. Our staff takes the time to build strong relationships with all of our clients, and these relationships ensure our success.

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In May 2010, a wildfire burned through 15 buildings and 10 homes in Moapa., NV. Originally estimated to have burned over a square mile (approximately 680 square acres) the fire only consumed more than 100 acres of land. Injuries from the fire were limited to one person, an inmate from the Nevada Prison on their work release program. The fire was started by a spark from a wood chipper, about 50 miles NE of Las Vegas, along State Highway 168. Owners of property in the are burned area include US Fish and Game, Bureau of Land Management, Southern Nevada Water Authority and some private owners. If you were injured or your home damaged or destroyed by a Southern Nevada wildfire, contact Benson and Bingham for a free legal consultation. We can help you recover money for pain and suffering, the repair or replacement of your home, lost work and even medical bills

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints recently sued the contractor, Soil-Tech, who was responsible for the wood chipper that started the fire. The LDS Church maintains the fire damaged recreational property they own in the 100 acre fire zone. The Southern Nevada Water Authority had hired Soil-Tech to clear brush and trim trees on their property. Mormon Church property destroyed by the fire included a maintenance garage, a large mansion (6,500 square foot), two manufactured homes, a storage shed, swimming pools, furniture, hundreds of trees and a playground. The Church also incurred financial damages by having to hire cleaning and restoration experts to clean the property. If your property was damaged or destroyed or you were injured by a Las Vegas area wildfire, contact Benson and Bingham to discuss your case today.

Benson and Bingham is one of Las Vegas’ most successful personal injury firms, securing over $24,000,000 for their clients in 2010 and 2011. These attorneys work closely with their clients to build a strong trusting relationship, enabling the attorneys’ success.

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, The US Consumer Product Safety Commission and American Tack and Hardware Company announced on March 1, 2012 the recall of hundreds of thousands of light emitting diode night lights due to fire and burn danger. The New Jersey company, based in Saddle River, said that a short circuit in the LED can overheat, causing fire danger and resulting burns. The company has admitted to 25 incidents of the LED lights charring, smoking, burning and melting. While no injuries have been reported, it is important for consumers who own the night lights to contact AmerTac for to return the lights for a full refund. If you have been injured or your home has burned due to a defective nightlight from AmerTac, contact Benson and Bingham. Our Nevada licensed attorneys can help you recover reimbursement for injuries, to repair your home, lost work and pain and suffering.

There are three models of the AmerTac night light being recalled. The model or brand names on the packaging are Amerelle, Amertac and Everyday Basics. The model numbers on the lights’ packaging are 71190, 327895 and 076092. Finally, the model numbers marked directly on the defective AmerTac night lights are 71190 or 71190A. These LED night lights, manufactured and shipped from China, posing a fire hazard were sold in Nevada between March 2009 and October 2010. They retailed for $6. If your home was damaged or you or a family member was injured by a defective LED night light manufactured by American Tack and Hardware Company, contact Benson and Bingham for a free legal consultation today.

Joseph Benson II and Ben Bingham are the lead attorneys at one of Southern Nevada’s most successful personal injury law firms. As cousins, Mr. Benson and Mr. Bingham rely on their life long familial relationship to maintain the communication necessary for a successful law firm. The close relationship these attorneys have with each other also extend to the relationship they work to develop with their clients. These methods have brought significant reimbursements for the firm’s clients – over $24,000,000 in 2010 and 2011

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A recent inspection by the Mine Safety and Health Administration cited Nevada mining operation Yukon-Nevada Gold Corporation’s Jerritt Canyon Mill in Elko for multiple safety violations. The inspection was part of a nationwide inspection tour, itself a result of last summer’s explosion at Massey Energy’s Upper Big Branch Mine in West Virginia. The Jerritt Canyon Mill was cited for not properly disposing and storing combustible waste, barricading unsafe areas or adequately protecting workers from moving machine parts. If not fixed, these violations put workers at significant risk of personal injury including amputation injuries, wrongful death and brain damage.

In addition, the MHSA announced the Barrick Goldstrike’s Meikle Mine in Carlin was responsible for the death of two employees in an August 2010 accident. The two men, Daniel Noel and Joel “Ethan” Schorr, of Spring Creek, were killed when a clogged pipe struck them in a ventilation shaft. If you or a relative have suffered a workplace injury, contact us today at bensonbingham.com.

Benson & Bingham have extensive experience representing those injured at work. We pride ourselves on customer satisfaction and do everything we can to make sure you are reimbursed for lost work and hospital costs. Contact us today to discuss your case.

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A mid-week Las Vegas helicopter crash killed all four passenger and the pilot, and state and federal investigations of the incident continue. The tragedy was saddening not only for the lives lost and the families devastated by loss but also because of its eerie familiarity; Nevada air accidents of this type sadly are becoming somewhat commonplace. As investigations continue to determine the cause and possible fault behind this dark occurrence, one must ask if policy changes are needed to prevent further tragedies.

Initial reports indicate that the crash was an accident, with some kind of mechanical problem or extreme weather causing the helicopter to crash into the side of a mountain near Lake Mead, Nevada. Autopsies indicate that the victims all died from a combination of blunt-force trauma and burn injuries, and they likely had little or no chance of surviving the crash even with the most speedy emergency response. Inspectors from the National Transportation Safety Board will issue a preliminary report in the coming weeks, but a full report will likely take more than a year to complete to determine if the issue was pilot error, a defective component accident, or some other factor. This has been the case with other tragedies ranging from major Nevada motor vehicle accidents to gold mine accidents.

Those killed have been identified as two individuals from India, a couple from Kansas, and the Las Vegas pilot. The helicopter was en route from the Las Vegas airport to the Hoover Dam for a site-seeing trip operated by Sundance Helicopters. The company is building an infamous reputation for itself with a variety of documented safety issues over several years including a 2003 Nevada helicopter crash that killed seven. In addition to Las Vegas personal injury liability borne by the company from survivors of crashes, the company is now likely to face Nevada wrongful death lawsuits if reports find that it hired an unqualified pilot or failed to appropriately maintain its aircraft. If you or a loved one need legal guidance from an experienced Las Vegas personal injury attorney, contact us today for a free consultation.

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