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March 26, 2015 Attorney Kevin Madison Comments Off on DANGEROUS DRIVING DISTRACTIONS AND WHAT YOU CAN DO TO PROTECT YOUR TEEN DRIVER

DANGEROUS DRIVING DISTRACTIONS AND WHAT YOU CAN DO TO PROTECT YOUR TEEN DRIVER

As most of you may already know, motor vehicle crashes kill more teenagers than any other trauma or disease. As we think back when we were teen drivers, many of us wonder how we survived. Distractions were present back then, as was substances that impaired one’s driving, as they are today. The only real new distractions today are CELL PHONES.

ARE YOU AWARE THAT AT&T AND VERIZON have applications that can impede any texting or cell phone use while your teenager’s car is moving. Verizon has an application that cost about $20 a month for fleet vehicle monitoring, which you can buy. You pay about $150 and plug in an electronic module that connects with your car’s computer system and this connects to your Verizon account and you can actually monitor your teen driver’s hours of driving, speeds, and location. You can even set parameters to notify you by text message if your teen driver’s vehicle exceeds a certain speed, is operated past your set curfew hours, or leaves geographic boundaries that you can set! Check these applications out…they could help save a life!!

Teen Drivers Distracted Big Time by Cellphones

A study, by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, analyzed about 1,700 videos taken from inside crash vehicles. The videos are used as part of a private program designed to coach drivers to improve performance. According to the group’s analysis, all forms of distraction were a factor in 58% of the studied crashes, including in 89% of the crashes where the vehicle left the road and in 76% of the accidents involving rear-end collisions. The top distraction, found in about 15% of the crashes, involved the driver interacting with at least one passenger in the vehicle. Next, at 12%, was the driver using a cellphone to talk, text or review the screen for messages and such.
MICHAEL MUSKAL, LA Times 03/26/2015
Read Article: LA Times

September 9, 2014 Attorney Kevin Madison Comments Off on Matchmaking Mobile App “Tinder” resolves sexual harassment lawsuit; marketing chief resigns

Matchmaking Mobile App “Tinder” resolves sexual harassment lawsuit; marketing chief resigns

The dating app start-up Tinder has resolved a sexual harassment lawsuit lodged by one of its early employees without admitting wrongdoing, and one of the executives targeted by the lawsuit has left the company.  Whitney Wolfe, who describes herself as Tinder co-founder, had alleged in a lawsuit filed in June that two male superiors at the West Hollywood start-up pressured her to resign and directed threatening and disparaging comments at her. Among others, the suit targeted Sean Rad, the chief executive, and Justin Mateen, the chief marketing officer. Wolfe sought damages, including lost wages and stock options.

Mateen resigned from Tinder in the wake of the lawsuit, a source unauthorized to speak publicly about the situation said Monday. Tinder declined to comment, and a call to a number listed for Mateen wasn’t answered. Mateen and Wolfe had been in a relationship for some time. Wolfe said in a court filing that it devolved into Mateen making “sexist, racist, and otherwise inappropriate comments, emails and text messages.”

The company, which is majority-owned by Barry Diller’s IAC Corp., never responded to the allegations in court. Instead, Tinder extended its deadline to reply throughout the summer as negotiations took place. Wolfe’s attorneys filed Friday to have the Los Angeles County Superior Court case dropped. “Whitney is proud to be a co-founder of Tinder and of the role that she played in the app’s success,” the firm Rudy, Exelrod, Zieff & Lowe said in a statement. “She is now pleased to be able to focus her energy, talents, and ideas on exciting new opportunities.”  Attorney David Lowe declined to comment on Wolfe’s case, but said that in general, “Jury trial is not the only way to get justice in court cases.” “This wasn’t the first case and this won’t be the last case with allegations of women being treated badly at technology companies,” he added.

Tinder’s free, ad-less app ranks among the nation’s 100 most-downloaded apps, according to data from AppAnnie. It lets two people who are nearby message each other if they secretly “heart” one another. Tinder produced 10 million such matches a day in June, though recent reports indicate it’s now up to 12 million.

August 30, 2013 Attorney Kevin Madison Comments Off on ANATOMY OF A TRAGEDY – GROSS MEDICAL MALPRACTICE NOT STOPPED BY TEXAS MEDICAL BOARD

ANATOMY OF A TRAGEDY – GROSS MEDICAL MALPRACTICE NOT STOPPED BY TEXAS MEDICAL BOARD

Let me preface this posting with the fact that I am an EMT former First Responder, wife is RN, and father a physician and professor of medicine. WE all support doctors but do not support incompetent physicians who injure and kill innocent patients. Unfortunately in Texas the TEXAS STATE BOARD OF MEDICAL EXAMINERS has a less than stellar track record of suspending grossly incompetent physicians. This must change!
Anatomy of a Tragedy
In late 2010, Dr. Christopher Duntsch came to Dallas to start a neurosurgery practice. By the time the Texas Medical Board revoked his license in June 2013, Duntsch had left two patients dead and four paralyzed in a series of botched surgeries. Physicians who complained about Duntsch to the Texas Medical Board and to the hospitals he worked at described his practice in superlative terms. They used phrases like “the worst surgeon I’ve ever seen.” One doctor I spoke with, brought in to repair one of Duntsch’s spinal fusion cases, remarked that it seemed Duntsch had learned everything perfectly just so he could do the opposite. Another doctor compared Duntsch to Hannibal Lecter three times in eight minutes.
Saul Elbein, Texas Observer 08/29/2013
Read Article: Texas Observer

 

July 23, 2013 Attorney Kevin Madison Comments Off on Judge Rules that Lawsuit in Student Beating case at Morgan State University Can Go Forward

Judge Rules that Lawsuit in Student Beating case at Morgan State University Can Go Forward

A Baltimore Circuit Court judge ruled Monday that a lawsuit can go forward against Morgan State University that contends the school failed to protect Joshua Ceasar, who was brutally beaten last year by an electrical engineering student who previously showed signs of violence and mental instability. The student, Alexander Kinyua, 22, was later accused of murder and cannibalism in the death of a family friend.  Judge Videtta A. Brown found that there was potential for “foreseeability” on the part of the school that “something bad was going to happen,” said Steven D. Silverman, Caesar’s attorney.

July 15, 2013 Attorney Kevin Madison Comments Off on Medical Boards Seeing an Increase in Disciplining Physicians for Online Sexually Inappropriate Behavior

Medical Boards Seeing an Increase in Disciplining Physicians for Online Sexually Inappropriate Behavior

Medical Boards Discipline Physicians for Online Behavior

Medical licensing boards are beginning to see complaints about unprofessional online behavior by physicians, and many of these complaints resulted in serious disciplinary actions, including license revocation, according to a research letter published in the March 21 issue of JAMA. Dr. Ryan Greysen, MD, Division of Hospital Medicine at The University of California, San Francisco, and his colleagues report that 48 of the 68 executive directors of medical licensing boards responded to the study survey. Of those 48 Medical Ethics Boards who responded, 44 (98%) indicated receiving at least 1 complaint about an online professional breach. The most common complaints reported inappropriate communication with a patient, such as sexual misconduct, which was reported to 33 of the 48 boards who responded.

“We’ve just found a new way to violate our own standards,” Jason Jent, PhD, assistant professor of clinical pediatrics, Division of Clinical Psychology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Florida, said to Medscape Medical News. Dr. Jent, who has published about physician online behavior, has no association with the JAMA letter. “Some of the violations we’ve seen in face-to-face communication, or over the phone, or by mail have now extended to online behavior. This is something we have to pay attention to,” he added. The study authors say much the same: “Furthermore, these violations also may be important online manifestations of serious and common violations offline, including substance abuse, sexual misconduct, and abuse of prescription privileges.”  Dr. Jent said that these violations may actually be underreported. “People come across these, and it’s so new they’re not sure they should report it,” he said. “Or, on the flip side, are we seeing an increasing prevalence of online professional violations that may call for more specific training for online behaviors?”

June 27, 2013 Attorney Kevin Madison Comments Off on Texas Department of Public Safety Settles Sexual Assault Body Cavity Search Claim against Female Highway Patrol Trooper

Texas Department of Public Safety Settles Sexual Assault Body Cavity Search Claim against Female Highway Patrol Trooper

DALLAS (AP) — Two women subjected to body cavity searches along a highway have settled their civil rights lawsuit against the Texas Department of Public Safety.The Dallas Morning News reports the $185,000 settlement was finalized Tuesday. A DPS statement Wednesday says an agreement was reached by all parties and the litigation has been settled.Last July’s search of 38-year-old Angel Dobbs and her 24-year-old niece, Ashley Dobbs, by a female trooper was captured by patrol car video. Trooper Kelly Helleson allegedly used the same glove for both body searches. No drugs were found.Helleson, who was later fired, faces two counts of sexual assault and two counts of official oppression.

January 29, 2013 Attorney Kevin Madison Comments Off on Please be advised my new office address in Lakeway

Please be advised my new office address in Lakeway

Please be advised my new office address in Lakeway is now open:

Law Offices of Kevin R. Madison

The Executive Suites at Flintrock, Suite 257

2802 Flintrock Trace

Austin, TX 78738

My cell number, office number, fax number, and email remain the same.

We also have an satellite offices for client appointments in: Lakeway, downtown Austin, downtown Dallas

and surrounding metro area, Irving, Fort Worth, Frisco, Arlington, San Antonio, and Houston. All satellite

office meetings by appointment only.

Thanks, Kevin

Tel:  (512) 708-1650

Cell: (512) 784-5237

Fax: (512) 708-1654

email: kevin@kevinmadison.com

www.kevinmadison.com

Practice limited to the representation of

Crime Victims, Personal Injury Victims,

Victims of Sexual Harassment, &

Victims of Sexual Exploitation & Abuse

www.texassexualharassmentattorney.com

Highest Rating for Ethics & Competence Awarded

“AV-Preeminent” rating by Martindale-Hubbell Legal Directory

December 14, 2012 Attorney Kevin Madison Comments Off on California – U.S. judge receives public admonishment for saying victims’ bodies can prevent rape

California – U.S. judge receives public admonishment for saying victims’ bodies can prevent rape

California – U.S. judge says victims’ bodies can prevent rape

A Southern California judge is being publicly admonished for saying a rape victim “didn’t put up a fight” during her assault and that if someone doesn’t want sexual intercourse, the body “will not permit that to happen. The California Commission on Judicial Performance voted 10-0 to impose a public admonishment Thursday, saying Superior Court Judge Derek Johnson’s comments were inappropriate and a breach of judicial ethics.  See entire news article by clicking on USA hyperlink below:

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2012/12/13/judge-women-rape-victims/1768673/

October 26, 2012 Attorney Kevin Madison Comments Off on TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF INSURANCE – NEED EMAILS, FAXES, AND LETTERS TO SUPPORT PROPOSED RULE BANNING INSURANCE ARBITRATION CLAUSES

TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF INSURANCE – NEED EMAILS, FAXES, AND LETTERS TO SUPPORT PROPOSED RULE BANNING INSURANCE ARBITRATION CLAUSES

Mr. Nick Hoelscher
Office of Policy Development Counsel
Telephone: (512) 322-4316
Fax: (512) 475-1843
Email: nick.hoelscher@tdi.state.tx.us

 

Here is a sample email that I drafted, so you don’t even have to write your own:

)))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))

 

Mr. Nick Hoelscher
Office of Policy Development Counsel
Telephone: (512) 322-4316
Fax: (512) 475-1843
Email: nick.hoelscher@tdi.state.tx.us

                 Re: Rule to prohibit pre-dispute mandatory binding arbitration provisions in personal lines insurance products

Dear Mr. Hoelscher,

I am a resident of Texas and as an insured who carries, auto, life, and medical insurance policies I want to go on record that I SUPPORT THE Rule to prohibit pre-dispute mandatory binding arbitration provisions in personal lines insurance products.

 

Yours truly,

 

 

 

 

October 26, 2012 Attorney Kevin Madison Comments Off on Contact Texas Department of Insurance if you support a PROHIBITION ON INSURANCE COMPANIES USING BINDING ARBITRATION CLAUSES

Contact Texas Department of Insurance if you support a PROHIBITION ON INSURANCE COMPANIES USING BINDING ARBITRATION CLAUSES

Texas Department of Insurance is considering a prohibition that would forbid Texas insurance companies from using MANDATORY ARBITRATION CLAUSES THAT WOULD NOT ALLOW YOU TO BRING A LAWSUIT AGAINST YOUR OWN INSURANCE CARRIER IF THEY VIOLATE TEXAS LAW OR INSURANCE CODE. PLEASE CONTACT THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF INSURANCE AND TELL THEM YOU THAT YOU SUPPORT A PROHIBITION AGAINST MANDATORY ARBITRATION BY INSURANCE COMPANIES IN TEXAS 

It would not be a good thing for Texas Insurance Companies to force consumers to BINDING ARBITRATION. If this prohibition against arbitration is not passed and insurance companies are allowed to use BINDING ARBITRATION CLAUSES IN ALL INSURANCE POLICIES – if you get in a dispute with your HEALTH, AUTO, LIFE, and HOMEOWNERS INSURANCE you will be forced to go to binding arbitration and you WILL LOSE THE RIGHT TO HAVE A JUDGE OR JURY DETERMINE WHETHER YOUR RIGHTS WERE VIOLATED BY YOUR INSURANCE COMPANY AND IF THEY WERE TO DETERMINE YOUR LOSSES AND DAMAGES.

TDI Press Release:

Request for Informal Comments

Relating to the Development of a Rule

to Prohibit Pre-dispute Mandatory Binding Arbitration.

Informal Comments Requested by Friday, November 16, 2012.

The Texas Department of Insurance is considering a rule to prohibit pre-dispute mandatory binding arbitration provisions in insurance products. The basis of the proposed prohibition is that pre-dispute mandatory binding arbitration precludes covered persons from exercising substantive rights provided by the Insurance Code, including Chapters 541 and 542. The rule would apply to policy-or-contract coverages for individuals for personal noncommercial use. The prohibition would apply to group or individual forms providing coverage in life, accident and health, annuity, credit, and property and casualty products, including home and auto. The department invites your comments concerning substantive rights provided by statute and the protection of those rights. The information received will assist the department’s development of the rule. This is an informal posting and not a publication for rulemaking. To expedite the process, please submit comments electronically via email to the address below by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, November 16, 2012.

Thank you for your interest and assistance in this process. Please contact the individual listed below if you have any questions:

Nick Hoelscher

Office of Policy Development Counsel

Telephone: (512) 322-4316

Fax: (512) 475-1843

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