Las Vegas Injury & Accident Attorney Blog

In July 2011, 46-year old John Massie and 39-year old Benjamin Hawkins were both enjoying their Las Vegas vacations partying with friends at the now closed O’Sheas casino on the Las Vegas strip. While the gentlemen had never met, the events of that evening would impact them and their families potentially for the rest of their lives. If you have lost a family member in a Las Vegas wrongful death accident, contact Benson and Bingham today to start discussing your case.

Mr. Hawkins entered a bathroom at O’Sheas and he has testified that Mr. Massie made a comment pertaining to Mr. Hawkins race and the fact that he was wearing a yellow shirt. Events escalated, to the point where Mr. Hawkins punched Mr. Massie in the face. As Mr. Massie fell to the floor, he died from the blunt force of his head striking the floor. Mr. Hawkins contends that he struck Mr. Massie out of self-defense, but the Clark County DA’s office disagreed and charged Mr. Hawkins with involuntary manslaughter.

This week, Mr. Hawkins was tried in Clark County courts, and was judged guilty in the Southern Nevada wrongful death accident. Mr. Hawkins now faces a maximum sentence of 4 years in jail due to the accident. If your immediate relative has been killed in a Clark County wrongful death tragedy, contact Benson and Bingham for a free legal consultation today.

Benson and Bingham is one of Las Vegas’ leading personal injury law firms. Our attorneys have successfully been a part of Las Vegas vehicle accident cases, workplace injury cases and even Las Vegas casino injury cases. We even can represent people injured in casinos outside of Las Vegas and the rest of Nevada when the company’s corporate parent is based in Nevada. Please contact us today for your free legal consultation.

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Alcohol and illegal drugs are often be the key contributing factors in many Las Vegas wrongful death incidents. These substances, which lower inhibitions, can enable arguments to escalate quickly and prevent a person from actually think through the consequences of their impulses. For some under the influence, spats become fights, fights become battles, battles that can often end in a case of Southern Nevada wrongful death. If you have lost a loved one in a wrongful death case, contact Benson and Bingham today. We can help you recover financially from the incident.

Last weekend, a fight between a couple who had been drinking resulted in a potential Clark County wrongful death case with one person dead and one in jail, awaiting charges of murder using a deadly weapon. 33-year old Sounilak Ouchlaeun has been accused of running down her boyfriend with her 2010 Toyota Venza. The man, Conrado Mendoza, had been fighting with Ms. Ouchlaeun while the two had spent the day drinking. A witness to the evening, Valan Bengson told police that the couple began fighting over Ms. Ouchlaeun’s interactions with co-workers in the casino the couple worked at. At one point during the argument, Ms. Ouchlaeun became frightened and enraged after Mr. Mendoza punched and damaged a kitchen cabinet. Ms. Ouchlaeun attempted to leave, Mr. Mendoza tried to stop her by standing behind the SUV and was run over and dragged by the automobile for approximately six feet.

It is unknown whether or not Ms. Ouchlaeun has been charged with a Las Vegas DUI.

Benson and Bingham is a family owned Las Vegas personal injury firm. We represent clients in all types of personal injury law including automobile crashes, casino accidents and more. Our attorneys work closely and develop strong relationships with our clients, in order to best represent them through the successful outcome of their case.

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While many of the recent Las Vegas Metro Police involved shootings in the past two years have been judged as the officers not being at fault, today, Steve Wolfson, the Clark County DA, announced that he is pursuing charges in the death of 43-year old, Stanley Gibson, a veteran of the Gulf War. The officer that has been alleged of shooting Mr. Gibson was Jesus Arevalo. The shooting occurred on December 12^th last year. If you have had a relative pass away in a Las Vegas wrongful death accident, contact Benson and Bingham today to begin your case.

The shooting of Gibson is an interesting story. Mr. Gibson, lost and distraught, was sitting in his white Cadillac in a Las Vegas area apartment complex. Mr. Gibson had recently moved and it is assumed that he thought he was actually in his new apartment complex. Mr. Gibson, a handicapped veteran who was lacking his medication for his post-traumatic stress disorder, failed to exit his vehicle when Las Vegas Metro Police ordered him to do so. Gibson was unarmed.

Officers on the scene, including Jesus Arevalo then proceeded to attempt shoot out the windows of Mr. Gibson’s car with a bean bag round. Unfortunately, a bean bag was not fired into Mr. Gibson’s car and it is alleged that Officer Arevalo shot 7 bullets from his police rifle. Mr. Gibson was struck and killed. If you have lost a relative to a Clark County wrongful death accident, contact Benson and Bingham today.

Benson and Bingham is one of Las Vegas’ leading personal injury firms. In business since 2003, our family owned Las Vegas personal injury law firm represents Nevadans injured in casino accidents, Las Vegas car accidents and even Southern Nevada wrongful death cases. Benson and Bingham has had significant success representing clients, garnering over $24,000,000 in personal injury awards in 2010 and 2011.

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The relatives of two men killed in Las Vegas police shooting accidents in 2010 have filed lawsuits alleging fatal negligence by local police forces.

In December 2010, 44-year old Anthony Jones was killed during a traffic stop. Mr. Jones ran from police and was shot by a Taser several times. The Jones family lawsuit is also directed at the manufacturer of the Taser gun, Taser International. The four police officers that were at the shooting are being sued. It has been alleged that Mr. Jones was shot with the tasers for over 100 seconds, five times the usual duration of a Taser shock. If you or a family member was killed in a Las Vegas wrongful death incident with Las Vegas Police, Benson and Bingham can help you to get reimbursement for lost work, pain and suffering and hospital costs.

In  November 2010, 32-year old Anthony Brenes was walking toward Las Vegas Police holding a stick. Officers concerned they were about to come under attack shot at Mr. Brenes with a Taser, Beanbag and eventually a bullet. He was killed and both his father and widow have filed suit against police for Clark County wrongful death.

After Mr. Jones shooting and Southern Nevada wrongful death, the police department’s policy for use of Taser guns was changed.

Officers were cleared of any wrongdoing by the coroner’s office in both cases.

The Las Vegas personal injury law firm Benson and Bingham has represented Southern Nevadans since 2003. Our family run company, founded by cousins Ben Bingham, Esq. and Joe Benson, Esq., secured over $24,000,000 in awards for our clients. Our success has been built on the strong relationships we develop with those we represent.  In fact, if after you have received your bill, you feel we haven’t earned our fees, we will work with you to determine an invoice total you approve.

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The parents of a Nevada boy who died during a scuba diving accident at the Boy Scout camp at Utah’s Bear Lake last July have filed a wrongful death suit. The parents, who filed the law suit in Utah, are from Las Vegas. The suit was filed against the Boy Scouts of America. The devastated parents have not spoken to the press about the accident, and we at Benson and Bingham feel terribly for their loss. If you have a family member that died due to a Las Vegas wrongful death accident, Benson and Bingham can represent you with insurance companies and in court. Our Nevada licensed personal injury attorneys have the experience to get you reimbursed for compensatory damages, lost work, medical bills, punitive damages and pain and suffering.

The 15-year old boy was taking a scuba lesson with two other Boy Scouts and an instructor. In a roped off area no deeper than fifteen feet, the boy was somehow separated from his diving buddy. Once it was determined the boy was in danger, the scout camp began a search for him, and eventually found him after 30 minutes. Scoutmasters and other staff began CPR on the Las Vegas teenager until Emergency Services Personnel arrived. After being rushed to a hospital in Logan, Utah, the boy was pronounced dead. Adventure sports such as scuba diving, ATV riding and bungee jumping can be very dangerous and can often result in a wrongful death accident in Southern Nevada.

Benson and Bingham, one of Nevada’s leading personal injury law firms, was founded in 2003 by cousins Benjamin Bingham and Joseph Benson. We have significant experience working on Clark County wrongful death, Las Vegas brain and spinal cord injuries and even accidents in casinos headquartered in Nevada. In 2010 and 2011, we were able to secure over $24,000,000 for our clients.

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A 3-year old girl drowned in the Virgin River, near Mesquite, NV on Tuesday. The child’s body was found in an irrigation canal owned by the Bunkerville Irrigation Company. The family of the girl was having a picnic near the river when the child’s grandmother saw the girl and two of her older cousins in danger of being swept away. The grandmother ran to the water and was able to pull out a 5-year old and a 4-year old but the young girl who died was out of her reach. The little girl’s body was likely sucked into a whirlpool created by the drainage ditch. Her death is similar to the death of 44-year old Joanna Hensley two years ago. Ms. Hensley’s survivors are now suing the Bunkerville Irrigation Company under Nevada wrongful death statutes. If you have suffered the death of a relative in an accident, and wish to discuss whether this was a Las Vegas wrongful death case, contact Benson and Bingham for a free legal consultation.

In the lawsuit, Joanna Hensley’s daughter and her attorneys allege that due to the irrigation canal dug by the Bunkerville Irrigation Company, the section of the Virgin River in Mesquite, NV is unsafe for swimming and other water sports. They also state there are no signs in the area surrounding the irrigation ditch to warn swimmers of the danger. If you have lost a family member in a Clark County wrongful death accident, contact Benson and Bingham today.

Benson and Bingham has extensive experience, representing clients since 2003 in personal injury and wrongful death cases. For nearly a decade, we have worked closely with our clients to ensure they receive everything they deserve from individuals, corporations and insurance companies financially responsible for Southern Nevada wrongful death accidents. Our success speaks for itself, in 2010 and 2011 we secured over $24,000,000 in damage awards for our clients.

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“The Facts Hurt,” a recent report by Washington, DC health-advocacy non-profit Trust for America’s Health ranked Nevada as one of the least safe states in the country. The Silver State garnered 4 points in “The Facts Hurt” study. Eight states had lower scores. New York and California lead the country with scores of 9. Nevada scored points for requiring helmets for those riding motorcycles, enabling people in relationships that are breaking up to get restraining orders, concussion regulations for school sports and monitoring of drug prescriptions in the state. Benson and Bingham are here to help Southern Nevadans who are hurt in Las Vegas dangerous libertarian environment. If your relative was killed in a Las Vegas wrongful death case, contact Benson and Bingham for a free legal consultation today.

Out of the possible ten points in The Facts Hurt study, Nevada only scored four. Nevada lost a point for not having a required seat belt law. In Nevada, if you have been convicted of drunk driving, when you get your license back, you aren’t required to get an ignition interlock device. The Silver State doesn’t require children under eight years old to ride in cars in booster seats. Children in the Silver State are also not required to wear bicycle helmets. The Trust for America’s Health also held points from Nevada due to the state’s lax teen violence laws. Finally, due to the limited amount of data provided by the state’s hospitals and the Department of Health and Human Services to researchers and other officials. If you have had a relative killed in a Clark County wrongful death incident, contact Benson and Bingham today.

The personal injury attorneys at Benson and Bingham have extensive experience trying Las Vegas wrongful death cases. We have the experience and contacts to compel insurance companies to honor their commitments. Contact Benson and Bingham today.

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Las Vegas’ deadly 2012 continues as two more people were killed this week in Las Vegas wrongful death automobile accidents.

Thursday afternoon a woman, aged 64, was driving her Dodge Intrepid along Gass Ave. when she was hit by a Ford Econoline crossing 4^th street. The driver of the Dodge Intrepid was pronounced dead at University Medical Center but a 75-year-old passenger in the dodge only suffered moderate injuries and was not hospitalized. Jordan Jones, 20, who was driving the Ford van suffered minor injuries in the crash. If you or a loved one has been injured or killed in a Las Vegas wrongful death or personal injury traffic accident, contact Benson and Bingham for a free legal consultation today.

The second accident on Thursday happened around 6:50 p.m. when a Nissan Sentra hit a utility pole  just after the vehicle had started swerving. The accident occurred on S. Cabana Dr. near Desert Inn Rd. The driver, 40, was pronounced dead at Sunrise Hospital. Las Vegas Metropolitan Police are investigating the accident and believe the driver may have had a serious health issue. If you have a loved one who was killed in a Las Vegas wrongful death automobile accident, and would like to recover costs from pain and suffering, medical bills and lost work, contact Benson and Bingham today.

Benson and Bingham is one of Las Vegas’ best personal injury law firms, and has been in business since 2003 providing Southern Nevadans physically and financially injured with the best possible representation they deserve. Founded by cousins Joseph L Benson II Esq. and Ben J. Bingham Esq., our family run firm secured over $24,000,000 in 2010 and 2011 for our clients. While no attorney can promise the successful outcome of your case, we do offer our clients our happiness guarantee. If you feel we have not earned our fees, we will work with you to arrive at a total invoice you agree with.

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A weekend in Las Vegas is seen by many as a dream vacation, one people save up for years to experience. A Sin City vacation, however, can often times have a downside. When alcohol, late nights and the adrenaline of the gaming tables take effect, a Las Vegas vacation can turn downright deadly. In July 2011, 38-year old Benjamin Hawkins was enjoying playing blackjack with a friend and his wife when he took a break to head to the restroom. The Florida man alleges that when he was in that restroom he was accosted by John Massie who hurled racial epithets at the then teacher from Gainesville.  Then tragedy occurred and John Massie from Utah laid dead on the floor of O’Sheas Casino. If a relative of yours was killed and you suspect it could be a LAs Vegas wrongful death case, contact Benson and Bingham today.

The casino’s surveillance video tapes show exactly what happened. Massie walked out of the bathroom first, his hands in his front pockets, and paused. Hawkins then left the bathroom and walked over to his wife and friend at the blackjack table. Massie then approached Hawkins from behind in three steps. Somehow alerted to Massie’s approach, Hawkins turned and punched Massie. Massie hit the ground from the punch and never got up. Jack Buchanan, Benjamin Hawkins attorney, says that no assault or battery took place since his client was defending himself from Massie. If a family member was killed in a wrongful death case, and you wish to recover pain and suffering, lost work and medical bills, contact Benson and Bingham for a free legal consultation today.

Benson and Bingham was founded by cousins in 2003 to provide Las Vegas residents with the best possible Clark County personal injury and Las Vegas wrongful death representation in the state of Nevada. Our success speaks for itself – we secured over $24,000,000 for our clients in 2010 and 2011.

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Late last week, California attorneys filed a significant product injury lawsuit against Nissan motor corporation. The suit states that seats on the Nissan Murano and Nissan Xterra are faulty and were responsible for permanent injury and death of a number of individuals in the Golden State. Here in Nevada, there are thousands of these and other vehicles which could experience catastrophic failure during anything from a routine to a high-speed accident. Should you have been in a Nevada automobile accident, contact us today.

In the specific incidents, the injured individuals were safely secured with seatbelts. However, the seats themselves failed in such a manner as to make the negate the seatbelts and the individuals involved were thrown from their vehicles. These accidents can and do happen in Nevada. If you have been injured in a Nevada accident and need help recovering medical costs in the South Valleys, lost wages here in Las Vegas or simply wish to discuss your case with a top-tier Nevada injury attorney, contact us today.

Our attorneys and Benson and Bingham have the experience and contacts within the Nevada legal system to fight for all the money you are owed from a South Valleys injury accident. Please go to bensonbingham.com and contact us today.

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