Practice Areas

Fire Cause & Origin

On November 1, 2017 / Practice Areas, Tort Claims

At the law firm of Caddell & Chapman, we have more than two decades of experience taking on cases investigating the cause and origin of catastrophic fires. Our lawyers are dedicated to handling significant cases against major businesses with plenty of resources on their side. We have an impressive record of success in these challenging cases.

Getting to the Bottom of the Cause of Fires

When we take a case, we are prepared to take swift action. We work with experts to investigate what caused the fire, where it started, and who was responsible. We have had a number of notable cases representing fire victims, including the following:

California Wine Country Wildfires

On October 25, 2017, Caddell & Chapman filed a class action lawsuit in Napa County Superior Court on behalf of victims of the Atlas Peak fire. The wildfires that burned across the California Wine Country in October 2017 have become one of the worst disasters in California history. 43 people are dead; more than 150,000 acres have been burned; and more than 14,700 homes, 728 businesses, and 3,600 vehicles were damaged or destroyed. Over half a dozen fires burned in eight counties—including the Atlas and Nuns fires in Napa County, the Tubbs fire in Sonoma County, the Redwood fire in Mendocino County, the Cherokee fire in Butte County, and the Lobo Fire in Nevada County.

Caddell & Chapman is consulting with cause and origin fire experts to continue to investigate what caused this disaster and what remedies may be available to persons affected by the wildfires. If you were injured in the fires or have relevant information, please contact Amy Tabor at 713-751-0400 for a free consultation or send us an email using our contact form. If we take your case, you will not be responsible for any fees or expenses unless we make a recovery on your behalf.

Representation of Children Injured in Branch Davidian Complex Fire

Caddell & Chapman has demonstrated its willingness to work for the underdog through its representation of families in litigation against the government. Caddell & Chapman represented children who were injured in the catastrophic fire, when more than 70 agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms raided the Branch Davidian compound in Waco, Texas. Caddell & Chapman worked with experts and made extensive use of infrared technology to investigate what caused the fire. No matter how high profile the case or how large the defendant, Caddell & Chapman is committed to pursuing cases aggressively.

Products Liability Suit Against International Electronics Corporation

Caddell & Chapman successfully represented the family of a young girl in a products liability lawsuit against an international electronics corporation. The lawsuit alleged that an electronic appliance failed and caused a house fire. The fire had started in a children’s bedroom, and a young girl sleeping on a top bunk received terrible second and third degree burn injuries to roughly one-third of her body. The product manufacturer agreed that the fire began in the child’s room but claimed that the fire could not have started as the family claimed. Hiring a team of experts and investing hundreds of thousands of dollars into the case, Caddell & Chapman conducted a thorough investigation of the fire and the appliance at issue. The law firm’s work included two full-scale burn tests to prove its theory of how the fire started. Such testing required re-creation of the children’s room with precise measurements and the purchase of comparable furniture appliances, clothing, opening (door and window), and other materials. With nine cameras monitoring the room, the firm and its experts started the fire at the appliance under scrutiny and watched as the fire spread through the room as had been observed by witnesses. Soon after completion of these tests, the electronics manufacturer settled for more than it had paid on any prior personal injury claim. (Note: Under terms of the settlement, the firm cannot identify or allude to the name of the electronics company.)

The variety of possible causes of a fire or an explosion is surprisingly wide. Our law firm has seen cases involving burns caused by defective car ignition switches, baby wipe warmers, stereos, and other electrical home appliances. Cases can also involve fires and explosions due to defective gas tanks in cars and pickup trucks.

No matter what caused the fire, we will seek full compensation for our clients.

Aggressive, Creative Representation

From our office in Houston, Texas, our law firm is available to work on a nationwide basis in significant fire cause and origin cases.

Business Insurance Bad Faith Litigation

On September 19, 2017 / Commercial Litigation, Practice Areas

Businesses pay insurance premiums in good faith, under the expectation that, if they ever need to file a claim, the insurance company will provide the necessary money to cover all damages.

Unfortunately, insurance companies are frequently more concerned with keeping money in their own pockets, rather than paying claims. When an insurance company unreasonably delays in paying a claim or wrongfully denies a claim that it should not have denied, they are acting in bad faith.

At the law firm of louisville wrongful death lawyer, our lawyers represent businesses in litigation over denied claims, particularly large commercial claims. The firm has litigated several large bad faith and coverage lawsuits against major insurance companies, which resulted in substantial recoveries ranging from $7 million to over $20 million. Knowing we have over two decades of experience on our side, our clients are confident in our ability to successfully resolve these matters.

Why was the Commercial Claim Filed?

More often than not, instances of business insurance bad faith arise when a business files a claim for property damage. Perhaps the business was damaged due to a natural disaster, such as a hurricane or a fire. Perhaps the damage was more subtle, such as mold damage, yet still requires costly repairs.

While claims for property damage are the most common, businesses can also file insurance claims for business interruption. This can also be any of help https://naegeliusa.com/portland/.

Insurance companies may deny claims, hiding under fine print in the policy. In the end, they may simply be denying a claim they should approve.

Representing Businesses Nationwide

From our office in Houston, our attorneys represent businesses throughout the United States. We have taken on many of the major insurance companies and have a record of success in these cases.

Catastrophic Accidents

On April 14, 2015 / Practice Areas, Tort Claims

Have you or a member of your family suffered a serious injury in a catastrophic accident such as a car or truck accident, an industrial accident, or a fire or explosion? Do you believe that the accident was caused by someone’s negligence or a defective product?

At the law firm of Caddell & Chapman, we have more than two decades of experience taking on companies that act negligently, insurance companies, and manufacturers of defective products. Our lawyers are dedicated to handling significant cases against major businesses with plenty of resources on their side. We have an impressive record of success in these challenging cases.

Getting to the Bottom of Catastrophic Accidents

In our quest to obtain results in these cases, we are aggressive and creative. When we take a case, we are prepared to take swift action. For more than 35 years they have developed a reputation for consistently providing representation to injury victims and their families that results in huge settlements and verdicts.

Caddell & Chapman recovered $30 million for the families of 14 maquiladora workers who were killed and/or injured in a tragic bus accident near Brownsville, Texas. A school bus was being used to transport workers from Mexico to a clothing manufacturing plant when the bus swerved to avoid a collision. The brakes failed, the bus turned over in a drainage ditch, and the maquiladora workers drowned. The bus was in poor condition and had not been properly maintained by the company. All of the dead and injured came from one village in Mexico about 20 miles south of Brownsville. The victims’ employer was represented by two former Texas Supreme Court Justices and four different law firms. Caddell & Chapman successfully fought efforts to have the suit dismissed on forum non conveniens grounds, including three unsuccessful mandamus efforts at the Texas Supreme Court. Ultimately, the case settled for $30 million two weeks into trial. The company will now need to get car loans with bad credit no money down after that really big trial.

In Las Vegas, Nevada, Caddell & Chapman handled a trucking negligence case arising from a multi-fatality accident on an interstate highway in rural Nevada. The firm represented the families of four Mexican nationals who died when their disabled vehicle was struck by a Rebel Oil commercial truck. The decedents had been involved in a prior head-on collision, and their vehicle was disabled in the lanes of travel. Other drivers saw the initial accident and stopped to render aid. Before assistance could be provided, the Rebel Oil tractor-trailer, which was coming from the opposite direction, failed to see the car and crushed it at near highway speed. In the course of its investigation, Caddell & Chapman learned that the tractor-trailer driver had a history of mental illness, criminal conduct, driving citations, and prior trucking incidents. In the heavily contested case, Caddell & Chapman had to have sanctions imposed against defense counsel three times and, on the eve of trial, the parties settled for a substantial recovery of approximately $5.1 million for the decedents’ families (total attorneys’ fees: $2,040,000; litigation expenses: $240,000).

Taking on the Toughest Cases

In addition to their successes against insurance companies and major corporations, Caddell & Chapman has demonstrated its willingness to work for the underdog through its representation of families in litigation against the government. In 2008, Caddell & Chapman obtained the largest tort claim recovery against the State of Nevada in its history. The lawsuit arose from a multiple fatality accident near Las Vegas involving a Nevada Highway Patrol trooper. The trooper was driving his patrol car at 113mph without activation of emergency lights and siren. The patrol car struck a sedan occupied by five undocumented Mexican residents, which killed four and injured the fifth. In contrast to other lawyers who settled several of the wrongful death claims for the liability limits under Nevada law of $50.000 per claim, the firm developed a section 1983 claim against the state with unparalleled success. As noted by the Las Vegas Review Journal, the firm’s settlement is the largest ever made by the state to settle a lawsuit over a negligent action by an employee.

Fires and Explosions Caused by Defective Consumer Products

The variety of consumer products that can cause a fire or an explosion is surprisingly wide. Our law firm has seen cases involving burns caused by defective car ignition switches, baby wipe warmers, stereos, and other electrical home appliances. Cases can also involve fires and explosions due to defective gas tanks in cars and pickup trucks.

No matter what product caused the accident, we will seek full compensation from the manufacturer.

Aggressive, Creative Representation

From our office in Houston, Texas, our law firm is available to work on a nationwide basis in significant personal injury and wrongful death cases or if you live in NY contact Lipsig, Shapey, Manus & Moverman law firm.

Business Insurance Bad Faith Litigation

On April 13, 2015 / Commercial Litigation, Practice Areas

Businesses pay insurance premiums in good faith, under the expectation that, if they ever need to file a claim, the insurance company will provide the necessary money to cover all damages.

At the law firm of Caddell & Chapman, our lawyers represent businesses in litigation over denied claims, particularly large commercial claims. The firm has litigated several large bad faith and coverage lawsuits against major insurance companies, which resulted in substantial recoveries ranging from $7 million to over $20 million. Knowing we have over two decades of experience on our side, our clients are confident in our ability to successfully resolve these matters.

Why was the Commercial Claim Filed?

While claims for property damage are the most common, businesses can also file insurance claims for business interruption. This can also be an area of dispute.

Insurance companies may deny claims, hiding under fine print in the policy. In the end, they may simply be denying a claim they should approve.

Representing Businesses Nationwide

From our office in Houston, our attorneys represent businesses throughout the United States. We have taken on many of the major insurance companies and have a record of success in these cases. These are recorded by Court reporters from Naegeli. Court Reporters attend courtroom proceedings and other proceedings to make verbatim official recordings and to record formal and/or informal meetings.

Partnership and Shareholder Disputes

On February 22, 2015 / Commercial Litigation, Practice Areas

Lawyer For Business Partnership and Shareholder Disputes

Internal disputes are uniquely complicated and sensitive. When a law firm steps in to assist a business in resolving partnership and shareholder disputes, it is important that the attorneys understand the complexities of handling internal disputes.

At the law firm of Caddell & Chapman, our reputation has been built on understanding complexities. We know that, particularly in cases of partnership and shareholder disputes, it can be crucial not only to resolve the situation, but to do so while striving to maintain important business relationships.

Our goal is to help our clients achieve the most positive outcome, in a manner that is also efficient and economical. We have a proven record of doing just that.

Types of Partnership and Shareholder Disputes

Disputes between business partners can arise over a wide range of matters. Most frequently, they are over financial concerns. However, they can also extend to arguments over how the business is governed or succession plans for the business.

Shareholder disputes can arise over similar concerns, often taking place between majority shareholders and minority shareholders. Minority shareholders may feel that their voice isn’t being heard or that the majority shareholders are not providing them with their fair share of profits.

All of these partnership and shareholder disputes are damaging in many ways, particularly in taking focus away from day-to-day operations.

Representing Businesses Nationwide

From our office in Houston, we have spent more than two decades representing businesses in Texas and nationwide.

When a business turns to us for assistance with a partnership or shareholder dispute, we will make it clear that we are ready to take an aggressive, creative approach to meeting its objectives.

Defense Contractor Frauds

On February 22, 2015 / Practice Areas, Whistleblower Claims

Lawyer for Defense Contractor Frauds

When a person or party commits fraud against the United States military, it is important for anyone with information relevant to the case to come forward.

The law office of Caddell & Chapman represents whistleblowers in cases involving military fraud. If you have evidence of fraud against the United States military, you should not hesitate to speak to a whistleblower defense attorney. Your rights are protected by federal whistleblower laws. Contact a Texas attorney for defense contractor fraud to learn how we can help.

Reporting Military Fraud

If you have knowledge of an individual, defense contractor or business that is defrauding the military, talk to a lawyer who can protect your rights and guide you through the legal process. Our firm provides representation to whistleblowers who wish to report any example of military fraud:

Billing fraud
Billing for services not rendered
Cross-charging
Product substitution
Overstating the true cost of an item or service
War profiteering
Other acts of defense contractor fraud/fraud against the military

As a whistleblower, you may be entitled to compensation equal to a certain percentage of the money recovered by the government. We can guide you through the legal process and help you seek compensation for providing information relevant to the case.

Contact a Military Defense Fraud Attorney

To learn more about the process of reporting military fraud through a qui tam lawsuit, please contact our law firm online today.

Medicare / Medicaid Fraud

On February 22, 2015 / Practice Areas, Whistleblower Claims

Lawyer for Health Care Fraud Whistleblowers

If you know of an individual or business that has committed an act of health care fraud against the government, you should speak to a whistleblower protection attorney as soon as possible. Individuals who report fraud — known as “whistleblowers” — are protected by law from retaliation by their employers.

At the law office of Caddell & Chapman, we can help you pursue a qui tam lawsuit under the False Claims Act. We can also protect your personal and employment rights throughout the legal process. Contact an attorney for additional information.

Reporting Health Care Fraud

A whistleblower may come forward with information about an individual or business that has committed any act of health care fraud such as:

Medicare fraud
Medicaid fraud
Upcoding
Inflating costs
Duplicate billing
Billing for health care services not rendered
Other examples of health care fraud

Our law firm represents employees and former employees of clinics, hospitals and other health care institutions who may have information about the specific act of fraud. For example, we recovered $55 million paid to the United States Government and a confidential amount for attorneys’ fees in health care fraud litigation against Da Vita, one of the nation’s largest dialysis treatment providers. This was one of the largest recoveries in history in a non-intervened qui tam case. We have in-depth knowledge of the False Claims Act and can guide you through the legal process while protecting your confidentiality. Contact us to discuss your potential claim.

Through the False Claims Act, we can help you pursue a qui tam lawsuit in a safe and confidential manner. You may be entitled to compensation for providing important information that may aid in the investigation of the case.

Contact an Attorney for Pharmaceutical Fraud

To speak to a whistleblower lawyer serving clients nationwide, please contact us online to schedule a consultation.

And more . . .

On February 22, 2015 / Featured Practice Area, Practice Areas

Telephone Consumer Protection Act

On February 22, 2015 / Class Actions, Consumer Privacy, Featured Practice Area, Practice Areas

Few things are more irritating that being interrupted by unwanted sales calls. Even worse is having telemarketers take up your valuable cell phone minutes or fax paper. In 1991, Congress passed the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) to help protect people like you from these abuses.

Prohibited Conduct

Under the TCPA, telemarketers are prohibited from:

making calls to cell phones using automated telephone dialing equipment or an artificial or prerecorded voice without consent
sending unsolicited advertising faxes
sending unsolicited advertising text messages
calling residences before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m., local time
failing to honor the national Do Not Call registry

What You Can Do

Congress also gave the TCPA some teeth: violators may be liable for up to $1,500 in statutory damages for each violation. If a company adopted a systematic policy of violating the TCPA, a class action claim might be possible for damages and/or a court order stopping the illegal practice. Caddell & Chapman is currently representing plaintiffs bringing claims on behalf of classes of consumers seeking such remedies against telemarketers.

You May Not Be the Only One

At the law firm of Caddell & Chapman, our attorneys have more than a decade of experience handling significant privacy class actions, including claims under federal privacy statutes such as the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) and TCPA on a nationwide basis.

When you contact us to review your complaint against a telemarketer, we will thoroughly review whether other people have been impacted as well.

If that is the case, we will pursue a class action lawsuit to seek compensation for everyone who has suffered damages due to the same act of wrongdoing, and to order the defendant to change its practices.

Construction Litigation

On February 21, 2015 / Commercial Litigation, Practice Areas

Experienced Lawyer For Construction Litigation

The building that a business occupies is often critical to the success of the business. If that building has a design defect, an architectural problem or any type of structural error, it can be very costly for the business. Caddell & Chapman represented Park Memorial Condominium Association in litigation against Lexington Insurance company for breach of contract in failing to indemnify Park Memorial for covered damages at the condominiums in accordance with the conditions of the policy. Park Memorial submitted an insurance claim to Lexington related to partial collapse at the Park Memorial Condominiums. As a matter of fact, the physical and structural damage was so severe that the City of Houston ordered the residents to vacate the property because the buildings created a hazard to human life or property. Lexington denied the claim and refused to make payment. Park Memorial’s damages were estimated at $26.5 million. After intense pre-trial preparations, the case was settled for a confidential amount three days before trial.

At the law firm of Caddell & Chapman, our attorneys represent all types of businesses in construction litigation.

We can represent condominium owners with faulty condos that they cannot rent at the planned rate. We can represent mall owners who are forced to spend large amounts of money to fix errors that should not have been present in the first place. We can represent restaurant owners who wanted to open a new store, but must rebuild after a partial collapse.

Every Construction Litigation Case is Different

There are very few trends when it comes to construction problems. Every case truly is different, which means that investigation is crucial.

At our law firm, we understand the importance of being thorough in reviewing the case. We will take great care to determine what went wrong and who is responsible for it. Our lawyers will go over the history of the project before taking action.

From errors that go back to the initial design to problems caused by faulty materials, we can handle all types of construction litigation.

For example, Caddell & Chapman handled a major construction defect case involving a new $100 million 31-story condominium tower at South Padre Island in Texas. Representing the owner, Caddell & Chapman successfully handled multi-party claims/issues which will result in implosion of the tower and return of the cleaned-up site free of liens and claims to the owner.

Representing Businesses Nationwide

From our office in Houston, we represent businesses nationwide. Our experience is extensive in construction dispute litigation. In fact, we have been doing this for more than two decades, achieving success in the most complex cases.