Cannon Will Continue Litigating Personal Injury Cases While Managing Internet Marketing Operations

Houston, TX -- (ReleaseWire) -- 02/28/2017 -- Paul H. Cannon of Simmons and Fletcher, P.C. has been named the Online Marketing Manager at Simmons and Fletcher, P.C. Paul H. Cannon has been a trial attorney with the law firm since 1995. In 2007, as the law firm began to shift into marketing online, Cannon became involved as a liaison between the third-party vendors responsible for online marketing and the firm.

"The future of attorney advertising lies in the internet," said Cannon. "Thanks to things innovations like Tivo and DVR as well as on demand television and movie services like Netflix, every year we see less return from television and print advertising yet the costs continue to rise." Staying ahead of the game is another concern to Cannon.

"The internet is a powerful marketing tool and it is ever evolving." "However," cautions Cannon, "you can't just leave it all up to a third-party vendor and hope for the best in the law field. If you don't have someone dedicated to it, you can not only get left behind, but you can get taken advantage of by the very companies you hire to 'do it for you." Cannon reported going through several third-party organic Search Engine Optimization and Pay Per Click companies before finding one he trusts the company with.

According to HubSpot, 3 out of every 4 people seeking legal counsel search online to find an attorney. Further, 78% of the most expensive advertising keywords on Google are paid for by lawyers and law firms. These numbers re-enforce the competitive nature of the legal marketing industry, and why Cannon is assuming this important role.

Cannon continues working as a personal injury attorney in the litigation department. However, his role is less involved than before as he moves more toward focusing on the firm's Internet marketing.

"I have managed to become the sort of lead dog bite attorney around here so I do not anticipate giving those up. I will also continue to assist the other trial lawyers on bigger cases such as 18 wheeler accidents, catastrophic injury cases and complex on-the-job injury claims," he said.

Paul H. Cannon is a Shareholder at Simmons and Fletcher, P.C. who has been with the firm for over 20 years. Simmons and Fletcher, P.C. is a personal injury law firm that represent victims of truck accidents, premises liability, product liability, car accidents, dog bites, bus accidents, burn injury, brain injury and other injury cases. The firm has helped countless accident victims since 1970's overcome the damages and losses caused by the negligence of others.

For more information about Paul H. Cannon and the law firm of Simmons and Fletcher, P.C., please visit the firm website at www.simmonsandfletcher.com. For media opportunities, contact Paul Cannon at:

Paul H. Cannon
Simmons and Fletcher, P.C.
9821 Katy Freeway #925
Houston, TX 77024
(713) 932-0777

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Houston, TX -- (ReleaseWire) -- 01/20/2016 -- Hoverboards were easily the most popular gift item from this past holiday season, but attorneys are now noting a dramatic rise in the number of personal injury lawsuits against manufacturers and retailers. Injuries related to the hoverboards include falls while operating the product and incidences when the hoverboards spontaneously caught fire.

Hoverboards are battery-operated devices that permit users to place their feet on a platform surface and ride up to speeds of 12 mph. The amount of pressure applied by the rider determines how fast the two wheels will spin. Although the design is similar to a segway, riders use the device hands-free.

The central problem surrounding hoverboards and the potential dangers that face riders are no safety standards were set in place prior to the design and mass production of hoverboards. Despite manufacturers insisting the gyroscope technology within each design allowed for a safe and smooth ride, initial safety reports have painted a dramatically different story. According to safety tests conducted by Consumer Reports, road obstructions can jolt a rider and cause a loss of balance.

Additionally, top speeds are reached by the rider leaning forward, therefore increasing the risk of facial and head injuries. The agency also recommended riders have a spotter since the hoverboard begins to move quickly the second pressure is applied. Safety equipment, such as helmets and pads, are also encouraged to decrease the severity of injuries.

Hoverboards have also experienced severe malfunctions that caused the product to burst into flames. Due to the rising concern among the public over the hoverboard safety, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has launched an investigation to determine the risk of riding hoverboards and uncover potential safety defects. The commission has confiscated malfunctioning units that caught fire while charging or while in use and are reviewing all possible design flaws.

In less than a six-month timeframe, there have been multiple lawsuits filed against manufacturers of hoverboards and the retailers that sell the products. State law determines if a retailer can be held liable for selling a faulty product. However, major retailers such as Target and Amazon have taken preventative measures and have removed hoverboards from their stores.

Individuals injured due to a hoverboard may have a case for a personal injury lawsuit if it is determined that a defect occurred during manufacturing or the design process. The manufacturing defect could be the result of flawed materials and poor workmanship. A design defect occurs when the design used for manufacturing is determined to be dangerous. Manufacturers are also held liable when they fail to warn consumers about safety hazards, resulting in product liability lawsuits (source: http://www.simmonsandfletcher.com/product-liability/).

Compensation sought in personal injury lawsuits may include damages for medical expenses, past and future pain and suffering, loss of wages and future earnings, wrongful death, and punitive damages.

About Simmons and Fletcher
Simmons and Fletcher, Christian trial attorneys serving clients in the Houston area, can be contacted at 713-322-7656 to schedule a consultation to discuss a potential personal injury claim.

To learn more about the law firm, interested parties can also visit their website at http://www.simmonsandfletcher.com.

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Houston, TX -- (ReleaseWire) -- 08/28/2015 -- The attorneys at Simmons & Fletcher, P.C. are excited to announce three unique scholarship opportunities for the 2015-2016 academic year. Each essay scholarship award is for a different major. The three scholarships are being awarded annually starting in October of 2015 to help reduce the financial burden of college students in law school, marketing, and Christian studies respectively. The three scholarships are discussed in brief below:

Excellence in Ethics Scholarship

Our excellence in ethics scholarship is one of our more prestigious scholarship awards. This award is reserved for a current or future law student who is enrolled in or has been accepted to a Texas-base law school. All applicants will be required to submit a 1,000-word plus essay discussing the importance of pro bono work. The essay should highlight why pro bono work is significant, and why all attorneys should practice pro bono work at some point in their career.

The deadline for applying is October 15, 2015. Winners will be announced November 15, 2015.

Read more about the scholarship and its requirements here:
http://www.simmonsandfletcher.com/excellence-ethics-scholarship

Law Marketing Scholarship

Our Law Marketing scholarship presents an exciting opportunity for future marketing students to show off their skills. Current high school seniors who have been accepted to a four-year college or marketing school should submit an essay and/or marketing plan that discusses a positive and effective strategy for marketing personal injury law firms.

More details about the specifics of the project can be found here:
http://www.simmonsandfletcher.com/law-marketing-scholarship

The deadline for applying for the Law Marketing Scholarship is October 15, 2015.

Christian Studies Scholarship

This scholarship is reserved for two high school senior students who have been accepted to a Christian university within the United States. Applicants should submit an essay of 1,000 words or more discussing the importance of Christian education in the U.S.

You can read more about the Christian Studies scholarship here:
http://www.simmonsandfletcher.com/christian-studies-scholarship

The deadline for applying for the Christian Studies scholarship is October 15, 2015.

All scholarships will award one first place prize of $1,000, as well as one second place prize of $500. All winners will be announced on our Facebook and Google+ pages.

For more information about the three different scholarship types and how to apply, don't hesitate to contact us. We look forward to hearing from you!

About Simmons and Fletcher, P.C.
Simmons and Fletcher, P.C. is a personal injury law firm based in Houston, Texas. We are proud advocates of victims and their families, fighting relentlessly every day for people just like you.

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Atlanta Police Department Found in Contempt of Court

Houston, TX -- (ReleaseWire) -- 05/21/2015 -- On May 13, 2015, a federal judge ordered sanctions against the Atlanta police in a case involving the public's right to videotape police actions. The Atlanta police department was found in contempt of court when it violated a 2012 order stemming from a 2009 arrest.

2009: Woman Arrested for Photographing Police

The recent sanction stems back all the way to a 2009 case when a woman, Felicia Anderson, was arrested when she exercised her right to peaceably photograph police activity. After her arrest, Ms. Anderson sued the City of Atlanta. In 2012, a settlement was reached between Anderson's and the city's lawyers: the city was to revise and implement Atlanta police department's policies and training procedures to ensure that citizens' rights to document police activity was upheld. Anderson was also awarded damages.

2014: Reporters Arrested for Documenting Police Activity

Despite the 2012 requirement that the Atlanta police department change their policies and training protocol, in 2014, a number of reporters had their cameras taken away and were arrested by police offices. The reporters, who were covering the Ferguson protests at the time of arrest, tried to explain to the police that they were journalists. However, the police continued to handcuff the individuals. The reporters filed a civil suit in response. Their attorneys will need to establish a burden of proof for punitive damages by providing convincing evidence to the court. More on punitive damages and establishing the burden of proof here: http://www.simmonsandfletcher.com/injury-law/burden-proof.

Federal Judge Finds Atlanta Police Department in Contempt of Court

The 2014 arrest of journalists filing protest coverage didn't go unnoticed. And this week, a federal judge found that the Atlanta police department was being held in contempt of court for its violation of the 2012 stipulations. As such, sanctions against the department have been imposed.

Sanctions Imposed Against Atlanta Police Department

The sanctions ordered against the Atlanta Police Department are extensive. The department will be responsible for:

- Implementing revisions made to the department's operating procedures in 2012;
- Conducting in-person training of every Atlanta police department officer per the 2012 requirement;
- Requiring that all Atlanta Police Department Officers sign the Consent Order within 45 days;
- Prove in-person roll-call training with 45 days;
- Pay a $10,000 fine per day if requirements are not met within the 45-day allotment;
- Film training and submit it to the court;
- Report any revisions to operations procedures within five days; and
- Reimburse the plaintiff's counsel for relevant fees.

Upholding Citizens' Rights in Atlanta

The ability of citizens to film police officers is a constitutional right. Like other citizens' rights, a violation of documenting police behavior is unacceptable. If you've been arrested and you believe that your constitutional rights have been violated, speak with an attorney immediately.

About SIMMONS & FLETCHER, P.C.
SIMMONS & FLETCHER, P.C. is a Christian law firm based in Houston, Texas. We specialize in personal injury, accident, and liability law. Our lawyers are board certified personal injury trial attorneys, with a commitment to serving personal injury victims with dedication and passion.

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The star rookie believe that his health is more important that his career

Houston, TX -- (ReleaseWire) -- 03/25/2015 -- On March 16, 2015, NFL star rookie, Chris Borland, announced that he would be retiring from the 49ers, and from football altogether. His reasons for doing so shocked many - Borland expressed concerns over the safety of his brain, saying that the risks of sustaining a concussion—or multiple concussions—are too high in the sport.

Announcement Coincides with NFL Criticism

While Borland's announcement certainly came as a surprise, the fear that playing in the NFL may have dangerous consequences in the form of tragic brain injuries isn't new. Rather, Borland's announcement coincided with an onslaught of criticism against the NFL for its policies regarding trauma to the head. And what's more, Borland isn't the first to retire for concerns over TBIs—he was the third young player in the past week alone to retire his jersey.

The Link Between Football and Brain Damage

All concussions types are serious, and many concussions are undiagnosed, as they don't always result in a loss of consciousness. According to ESPN, more than 70 former NFL players have been diagnosed with progressive neurological diseases post-death. Repetitive blows to the head are also associated with depression, memory loss, and cognitive decline. The NFL has also stated that three out of every 10 players will face neurological decline, dementia, or Alzheimer's as a direct result of head trauma incurred by playing football.

Preventative Measures Essential

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that ignoring the signs of a concussion can make the concussion even worse, and that returning to sports after a concussion should be introduced gradually and with the supervision of a health care professional. Borland seems to have heeded the warning, stating that he currently feels healthy and as alert as ever, but is making the decision based on wanting to "live a long healthy life" and not wanting to incur any neurological problems or die younger than he would otherwise. In other words, quitting the NFL now is an act that's based on preventative measures—a decision that the general manager for the 49ers said was unexpected, but respected, as reported by the Huffington Post. (As a note, Borland had incurred two concussions playing football in his younger year, before joining the NFL).

The Future of Players in the NFL

All the statistics regarding traumatic brain injuries and NFL players are harrowing, and more than one player—including Mike Webster and Dave Deurson—have been diagnosed with chronic traumatic encephalopathy after death. As such, the future of players in the NFL is unknown, and whether or not changes to NFL policies will be made is up in the air. In September of 2014, the NFL offered a $765 million settlement to thousands of players who had filed claims against the organization for the failure to disclose information about the dangers of football in regards to the brain. Now that that information has been disclosed, the decision to continue football is in the hands of the players.

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Houston, TX -- (ReleaseWire) -- 02/16/2015 -- In an unusual case against justice, the New Mexico Lottery is – according to the plaintiff's lawyer – wrongfully denying a man the right to his winnings. The New Mexico Lottery has stated that the winnings, which total $500,625, will not be paid to the ticket holder, John Wines, due to a ticket misprint. Taking matters into his own hands after attempting to contact the New Mexico Lottery, Wines has hired civil action attorney Sam Bregman to help him sue the lottery. A KRQE News Story tells the tale of the lottery lawsuit of 2015 – the following provides a brief summary:

New Mexico Lottery Says it Misprinted Winning Ticket

The debacle over winnings occurred in early 2015 when Wines purchased a $20 Ruby 7 scratcher. The scratcher's rules work as such: players match numbers on their own ticket with the winning ticket – in the case of Wines, a number 1 and 2 were required to be matched. And, according to Wines' ticket, he had the numbers the winning ticket was looking for. Thrilled with the idea that he was the $500,000 winner, Wines took his winning ticket to the lottery to cash it in. However, he was told that the ticket had been misprinted, that there were numbers missing from the ticket, and that the lottery would be unable to honor it.

Wines Takes Action to Collect Lottery Winnings

Despite the fact the lottery initially turned Wines away, Wines didn't stop there; instead, he took a picture of his winning ticket and sent it in to the New Mexico Lottery offices. The lottery told Wines, once again, that the ticket had been misprinted and that the lottery would be unable to honor it. The lottery also pointed out that on the back of each lottery ticket, it reads, "Liability for void, altered, or misprinted tickets, or disputes, if any, is limited to the refund of the retail sales price." In other words, the lottery has claimed that all it owes to Mr. Wines is a $20 refund for the amount of money that he spent on the ticket in the first place.

Wines' Attorney Says More Compensation is Deserved

While the lottery's ticket disclaimers state that a refund for the ticket is all that the lottery is liable for in the event of a misprint, Mr. Bregman has pointed out that lottery players aren't allowed to read the back of the ticket until after a purchase has been made, potentially rendering the disclaimer void. What's more, says Bregman, the rules of the game are cut and dry – John Wines is a winner. The lawsuit is currently pending.

Take Legal Action Following a Rights Violation

When a government entity, business, or individual violates the rights of someone else, wrongfully denies them a service they're entitled to, or breaches a contract, the victim of the violation has the right to pursue civil action. If your rights have been breached in Houston, Texas and you need legal representation to recover compensation, contact an attorney today.

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If Presbyterian Hospital is Non-Subscriber they Can Sue for Untold Amount

Houston, TX -- (ReleaseWire) -- 10/20/2014 -- The two nurses who treated Thomas Duncan before he died at the Presbyterian Hospital in Dallas, Texas may be eligible to sue their employer for negligent damages. If Presbyterian Hospital does not subscribe to workers' compensation insurance, the amount the workers can recover has no cap.

If Presbyterian Hospital does subscribe to workers' compensation insurance, the two (and their families) can still recover financial damages for pain and suffering but only a very small amount. The healthcare workers are suspected to have contracted ebola because of what one nurse has described as "lack of training and proper safety equipment", although the CDC originally blamed a "breach in protocol" for the spread of the disease to caregivers. More on employer negligence from improper training here: http://www.simmonsandfletcher.com/work-injury/houston-inadequate-training-injury-lawyer.

However, staunch opposition continues to rise against the statements originally given my the US CDC Director Thomas Frieden. Frieden has since retracted his statement, amid allegations by National Nurses United and other organizations that placing blame on the victim is simply scapegoating a problem that needs a real solution.

Texas is unique in its laws regarding workers' compensation benefits; private companies can choose whether to protect themselves against lawsuits by providing workers' compensation benefits to their employees. If they choose to subscribe to workers' compensation for employees, the amount an employee can recover for negligence damages in a lawsuit is meager. However, if the company is a non-subscriber the financial recovery amount is limitless.

So far, two nurses who treated Thomas Duncan have fallen ill with the ebola virus: Nina Pham and Amber Vinson. A third nurse who treated Thomas Duncan has put herself in self-imposed isolation while onboard a Caribbean cruise.

None of the infected healthcare workers have reported filing any lawsuits yet.

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Competition is Tough in the Legal Field, Prompting Daring Advertising Tactics

Houston, TX -- (ReleaseWire) -- 09/26/2014 -- Iconic rapper Master P is starring in a small personal injury law firm's commercials. The Kentucky law firm named Winton & Hiestand Law Group somehow managed to convince this already wealthy rapper to appear in their TV advertisements and radio ads.

The personal injury firm is even using the chorus from Master P's most popular song as their catch phrase in billboard and print ads: "make 'em say ughh."

It is unclear whether Jeremy Winton and Chauncey Hiestand knew the rapper personally before they agreed to work together on the law firm's marketing campaign.

Competition is tough for clients, and attorneys are constantly seeking innovative and original marketing tactics to woo new customers. This is especially true in the personal injury law niche, where many attorneys work on a contingency-based fee structure.

In contingency-based fee structures, don't pay any money out of pocket. Instead, they agree to pay a percentage of their settlement should they win the lawsuit. Settlement amounts can vary from a few hundred dollars to tens of millions, which is why competition for these clients is so stiff.

When asked what he thinks about the law firm's publicity stunt, personal injury attorney Paul Cannon of Simmons and Fletcher said:

"TV recording technologies such as DVR and TIVO have made advertising less effective than it was 5-10 years ago yet more and more attorneys are flooding the market with advertisements looking to land the big case. These factors have driven many attorneys who advertise to try to do everything they can to make their ad stand out from all the rest."

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Musician Expected to Make a Full Recovery After Breaking Ribs

Houston, TX -- (ReleaseWire) -- 08/11/2014 -- Nathan Followill of the popular rock band Kings of Leon suffered broken ribs on Saturday August 9, 2014 after leaving a Boston show venue. According to a spokesperson for the band, a pedestrian jumped directly in front of the bus, prompting an unexpected and abrupt stop.

The drummer reportedly broke several ribs during the bus incident, but is reportedly doing fine and expected to make a full recovery.

Bus accidents are one of the deadliest types of crashes in the United States. One of the most common causes of bus accidents is bus driver negligence, but in this case it looks like the pedestrian's actions were uncommonly negligent. Read more about bus accident statistics and laws here: http://www.simmonsandfletcher.com/auto-injuries/houston-bus-accident-lawyer

Kings of Leon are currently on tour and have had to cancel their Sunday evening show in Saratoga Springs. No reports have been given about their expected appearance on the Tonight show with Jimmy Fallon on Tuesday, August 12.

About Kings of Leon
Kings of Leon is a close-knit family band comprised of three brothers and a cousin from Nashville, Tennessee. The band is scheduled to continue their Mechanical Bull Tour as soon as Nathan's injuries are healed enough to continue

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General Motors Co. has more than 80 ignition-switch lawsuits filed against them, most seeking recoup on vehicular damage, such as repair costs and declines in resale value of about 2.6 million cars recalled since 2013.

Houston, TX -- (ReleaseWire) -- 06/18/2014 -- The multinational corporation is facing lawsuits claiming the defective ignition switches caused serious injuries and deaths. GM revealed in a statement on Monday that the switches could rotate out of "run" if the key has excess weight and the car "experiences some jarring event," such as hitting a pothole or crossing a railroad track. That can shut off the engines and disable power steering, causing drivers to lose control. Also, the air bags are deactivated. The recall affects seven cars with model years ranging from 2000 to 2014. GM admitted that the death toll could be greater than the 54 crashes and 13 deaths it attributed to ignition switch-related air bag failures. According to trial lawyers suing GM, the death number is closer to 60. The auto-manufacturer company stated publicly that it would "do the right thing by victims."

To understand more on GM ignition recall safety information, go directly to the GM website: http://www.gmignitionupdate.com/. If you believe you are driving a defective car, follow the instructions on the website.

Earlier this week GM issued another recall along with the already 2.6 million older small cars with a similar igntion switch problem. This latest recall is being blamed on the key design. The cars being recalled include:

Buick Lacrosse, 2005-2009
Chevrolet Impala, 2006-2014
Cadillac Deville, 2000-2005
Cadillac DTS, 2004-2011
Buick Lucerne, 2006-2011
Buick Regal LS & GS, 2004-2005
Chevy Monte Carlo, 2006-2008

A company-funded report by former U.S. Attorney Anton Valukas demonstrated a "pattern of incompetence and neglect" in GM's 11-year failure to recall cars with a defective ignition switch. According to the report, GM's "search for root cause became a basis for doing nothing to resolve the problem for years." Of the more than 50 deaths attributed to ignition switch problems, many could have been avoided if GM had taken initiative and recalled the cars sooner.

The company is seeking to have the cases dismissed, and has asked Judge Robert E Gerber of the United States Bankruptcy Court in the Southern District of New York to rule that the cases violate a provision of the company's July 10, 2009, restructuring agreement that protects it from legal claims stemming from incidents before that date, as most of the recalled cars were manufactured before 2009.

If you were injured in an auto accident caused by a GM defective ignition switch, you may qualify for compensation. Contact Simmons & Fletcher, a personal injury law firm, to discuss your options today, or call (713) 932-0777. Visit the Simmons and Fletcher website link to learn more about injuries from faulty vehicles: http://www.simmonsandfletcher.com/product-liability/houston-defective-vehicle-lawyer.

About Simmons & Fletcher
Simmons & Fletcher is a Houston personal injury law firm. Keith M. Fletcher is Board Certified in Personal Injury Trial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and Robert S. Simmons has been committed to helping victims of personal injury since 1971. Call (713) 231-9292 for a free case evaluation today!

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