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CALL FOR A FREE CONSULTATION
713-893-0971
❝Amazing firm with a great legal team! I know one of the case managers personally and Nisa will make sure you have a great experience!❞
❝Jonathan Harris and his team are the best! They are extremely professional, hardworking and got incredible results... Highly recommend!❞
In March 2008, our client was employed as a deckhand in a shipyard. He suffered a head injury resulting in severe brain damage.
Client Received Total: $13,148,914 for a special needs trust, annuity purchase, trust for his minor child, and cash to his family
Our client was injured in the offshore explosion.
Client Received Total: $3,038,266.01
Our client was injured in the offshore explosion.
Client Received Total: $2,930,584.34
Our client was injured in the offshore explosion.
Client Received Total: $2,586,656.93
Our client suffered serious injuries when an airport tram struck him as he was working on the track.
Client Received Total: $1,371,159.80
After rejecting the U.S. Attorney’s $20,000 top offer to settle, Schechter, Shaffer & Harris attorneys Jonathan S. Harris and Laura De La Cruz obtained a $2.9 million dollar judgment for Jose Acosta, an injured train locomotive engineer.
Our client was severely injured when a boat pulley broke and the cable hit him, knocking him into the water.
Client Received Total: $1,495,577.13
While on stern of tug attempting to hook up a barge, the “L” line became tight, broke, hit our client, cut his leg off and broke his other leg. The Captain had positioned the boat too far down the side of the barge.
Client Received Total: $1,484,862.20
The 4-year-old daughter of a crane operator who was tragically killed in a December 2014 dredging accident will be taken care of for the rest of her life as a result of attorney Matthew Shaffer’s negotiation of a $2.5 million settlement in a mere 60 days. The single father was working aboard a crane barge in Delaware when the barge capsized and 3 crewmembers were thrown into the Christina River.
While working as an A/B seaman aboard a vessel being positioned for dockside mooring, our client was ordered by the captain to take the mooring lines to power. Before the lines could be secured, the captain ordered the vessel’s tug to be let go. A line snapped, causing our client moderate to severe traumatic brain injury; post-traumatic cognitive deficits; vertigo; rotator cuff injury; tibia fracture; chronic knee, leg ankle, foot, shoulder and thumb pain; and chronic headaches.
Client Received Total: $1,277,215.64 plus $84,226 for future medical
This is believed to be one of the largest settlements paid by the United States of America to a Jones Act seaman.
Our client suffered from a brain injury and multiple fractures to his leg, ribs and skull while working on board a ship.
Client Received Total: $1,389,193.04
In January 2011, SMSH Attorney Arthur Schechter won a $1,922,324.36 verdict for a maritime worker suffered a broken leg, back injuries and lost two fingers when a crane lift failed because of faulty slings. Read more.
Total Judgment: $1,922,324.36 (Plaintiff settled with his employer for a confidential amount prior to trial) Case is currently on appeal.
Gerald Orvis came to Jonathan Sol Harris to get answers when his 8-year-old son was electrocuted to death while sitting on a fishing pier. Jonathan Sol Harris and his team at Schechter, Shaffer & Harris, LLP obtained a court order not to destroy any evidence and then hired a team of experts to conduct a detailed forensic evaluation of the electrical system.
Client Received: $970,145.60
On April 20, 2007, while working as blasters on an offshore rig, our two clients injured their backs when staging collapsed due to breakage of frayed line. They also sustained severe lacerations due to a defective water blasting gun supplied by Defendants.
Client Received Total: $933,097.85
Our client was killed when he fell off of a billboard that he was maintaining.
Client Received Total: $747,789.25 to his estate
Our client suffered from knee injuries after he jumped off an ATV that was rear ended by a dump truck.
Client Received Total: $1,293,754.18
Our client suffered injuries to his lungs due to chemical exposure while working as a wiper on a vessel.
Client Received Total: $593,772.00
Jonathan Harris, along with Adam J. Rosenfeld, won a $1,192,000 jury verdict against Chevron Phillips Chemical Company, L.P. on behalf of their injured client, Kenneth Thorns. Prior to the trial, Chevron Phillips Chemical Company, L.P. offered $250,000 to settle the case. Thorns rejected the settlement offer.
Our client suffered shoulder, neck and back pain after a crane hit the scaffold where he was working
Client Received Total: $696,270.30
In a bench trial held in a New Orleans federal court, Attorney Matthew D. Shaffer obtained a $1.13M award for his client, a 48 year old father and husband from Fluker, Louisiana. The victory came after months of litigation stemming from a piece of equipment falling on Rodney Watson. His employer, Weeks Marine, Inc., refused to offer any money to settle the claim before trial.
In September 2005, our client was injured on a chemical dock when he was ordered to paint a tank utilizing a faulty ladder without fall protection and/or scaffolding. He fell 30-40 feet and hurt his back and legs.
Client Received Total: $641,267.95
Our client suffered from serious head trauma after he was rear-ended by a truck with a trailer and then subsequently rear-ended the car in front of him.
Client Received Total: $820,907.80
It was a typical afternoon when Carlita and her 2-year-old daughter were shopping for cellphones at a local Metro PCS store. The 2-year-old reached for a cell phone that had a cord attached to the display. The display then toppled onto her. The 2-year-old was life-flighted to the hospital with near-death injuries including a crushed trachea that was blocking her airway. Carlita called Jonathan S. Harris of SMSH Legal for help.
Client Received: $724,654.554
Our client was a cook aboard a dive boat that exploded in the Gulf of Mexico in March of 2008. He suffered hearing loss in both ears and PTSD.
Client Received Total: $638,543.69
Our client suffered serious injuries when an out-of-control driver struck him as he was working as a street sweeper.
Client Received Total: $767,814.71
Our client partially severed eight fingers when his hands were pulled into the snatch box pulley.
Client Received Total: $576,708.86
Our client injured his right knee on October 10, 2006 in a crane accident while working as an electrician “QEE.” Defendant failed to provide a safe place to work, proper communication between the vessel and shore based workers, and proper spotters on the deck.
Client Received Total: $586,208.47 plus $50,000 Set Aside for Surgery
Our client tripped on a hatch and landed on his left side, injuring his hip and breaking his ankle. He had to undergo two surgeries on his ankle.
Client Received Total: $529,389.75
Our client injured his spine when an escape vessel lowering him to the water crashed.
Client Received Total: $565,354.42
Client Received Total: $477,814.49
Our client injured his back, knee, hip and leg after pressure from a flange threw him across the deck.
Client Received Total: $462,860.42
Client Received Total: $459,062.32
Client Received Total: $460,928.60
Our client suffered from back injuries and fractured ribs when an 18 wheeler hit him.
Client Received Total: $435,766.82
Our client fractured his leg and injured his back and shoulder when a line hit him in his leg, knocking him to the ground.
Client Received Total: $412,343
Our client was retrieving wire that started to spin on a propeller, injuring his back.
Client Received Total: $397,150
Our client injured his back and shoulder when he fell on a poorly lit dock.
Client Received Total: $367,516.05
Our client broke and tore tendons in his ankle in a work related accident.
Client Received Total: $396,924.72
Our client suffered from multiple serious injuries after a vehicle crossed into his lane and hit him head on and his rig went off of a bridge.
Client Received Total: $381,158.67
Our client suffered serious injuries when a commercial vehicle rear-ended him while he was stopped at a red light.
Client Received Total: $370,869.38
Our client suffered from injuries after an 18 wheeler lost his shipment and it hit our client’s vehicle.
Client Received Total: $386,956.34
Our client injured his back when he stepping into a hole on a deck while he was unloading the boat.
Client Received Total: $358,353.61
Our client was injured when a fiberglass walkway tile broke causing him to fall 10 feet.
Client Received Total: $390,000
Our client suffered from PTSD and hypothermia after being trapped underwater on a sinking ship.
Client Received Total: $341,568.53
Our client injured his shoulder and arm when he was carrying hoses to clean a ship.
Client Received Total: $338,676.57
Our client injured his shoulder and arm when he was carrying hoses to clean a ship.
Client Received Total: $338,676.57
Our client suffered neck and shoulder injuries after she was involved in a car accident while driving an ambulance.
Client Received Total: $373,477.86
Our client had two toes amputated after a crane equalizer bar crushed his foot.
Client Received Total: $374,137.79
Our client suffered from neck injuries after he was involved in a head-on collision with a tow truck.
Client Received Total: $306,924.09
Our client had to have reconstructive surgery on his shoulder after the vessel supervisor attacked him.
Client Received Total: $331,200
Our client fractured his foot after jumping from one boat to another.
Client Received Total: $291,655.28
In October 2006, while working as a tankerman, the vessel our client was working on was tied up to a ship with the barge unloading. Our client was instructed by his captain during very rough weather to unface the boat. While performing this task, our client was thrown over the bullworks and onto the cavel on the barge.
Client Received Total: $365,428.10
Client Received Total: $344,910.27
Our client tore his rotator cuff when he tripped over a fuel line on a barge
Client Received Total: $312,587.13
Our client suffered from neck and back injuries when a contractor dropped a light fixture on her head.
Client Received Total: $317,500
Our client injured his head and hand after falling on crates used to get to a top bunk.
Client Received Total: $321,045.01
In October 2006, while working in the Gulf of Mexico on a pipeline, our client was dispatched to a platform during high seas. The crew boat transfer back onto the main vessel was too rough, the sky too dark, and the crew basket twisted so violently that our client was injured and a fellow crewmember was thrown overboard and killed.
Client Received Total: $293,306.97
Our client was injured in March 2008 while employed as a deckhand aboard a vessel. His employer failed to provide non-skid on parts of the deck, causing him to fall and injure his neck and back.
Client Received Total: $280,756.52
Our client suffered serious injury to his eye while working aboard a vessel.
Client Received Total: $329,601.90
Our client suffered back and shoulder injuries in a motor vehicle collision with a commercial vehicle while working. Our client had two surgeries due to this incident.
Client Received Total: $295,984.80
Client Received Total: $279,202.37
Our client suffered injuries while diving and a strong current pushed him across the sea floor.
Client Received Total: $227,320.32
Our client suffered from brain damage after suffering from a heart attack on a ship. He was not provided with fast, sufficient medical case.
Client Received Total: $273,324.83
Our client suffered from neck injuries, tinnitus and PTSD after the plant where he was working had an explosion.
Client Received Total: $257,500
Our client’s father was crushed and killed by a pipe while working on a pipeline.
Client Received Total: $228,146.54
Our client was injured July 2008 while working as a captain aboard a fishing vessel while it was docked at a shipyard pier. He sustained injuries when he stepped on a ladder which was not properly secured, causing him to fall and injure his back.
Client Received Total: $264,074.81
Our client was severely burned on the upper portion of his body.
Client Received Total: $245,145.02
Our client suffered neck and back injuries when he was involved in a motor vehicle accident.
Client Received Total: $241,583.70
Our client injured his back and shoulder while working on an engine generator that came loose.
Client Received Total: $246,653.66
Our client suffered extensive injuries after being ran over at work.
Client Received Total: $251,196.26
Our client shattered his leg on a drill collar while at work.
Client Received Total: $226,253.26
Our client injured his back while working on a cruise ship.
Client Received Total: $263,090.82
In April 2006, our client was working as an oiler on a vessel and was ordered to put a door back up. One end of the door was not hooked up correctly, and the door fell on our client, causing a ruptured disk, pinched nerve, and radicular pain, and reactivating a previous neck injury.
Client Received Total: $207,205.84
Our client was injured when boxes fell on top of him after he lifted the door to a commercial truck.
Client Received Total: $213,061.64
Our client was injured in October 2007, while employed as a cook aboard a jack-up rig. He was hurt while being transported to the rig. He was dropped on the deck of the rig by personnel basket, then tripped on materials strewn across the deck, injuring his back.
Client Received Total: $169,254.95
Our client injured his leg and knee when he a swing cable broke as he was trying to go from the drilling platform to a vessel.
Client Received Total: $204,538.74
Our client injured his back in April 2008 while employed as a deckhand aboard a barge. He was carrying a hose full of oil several feet to the containment area to drain, when the hose snapped back and he sustained an injury to his lower back.
Client Received Total: $202,975
Our client suffered from leg and back pain after he was involved in a rear-end collision.
Client Received Total: $198,384.04
Our client injured his back in three separate work-related accidents.
Client Received Total: $221,577.99
Client Received Total: $177,207.81
Our client suffered back and neck injuries when he was involved in a rear-end collision.
Client Received Total: $198,700.02
Our client injured his knee when he swung onto a platform covered in algae and fell.
Client Received Total: $201,100
Our client was injured after swallowing a toothpick in meat purchased at a specialty foods store.
Client Received Total: $191,340.04
Our client was injured when he was struck by a tension line offshore.
Client Received Total: $145,635.24
Our client injured his shoulder and arm when he was removing a bad starter at work.
Client Received Total: $181,294.24
While working as an able bodied seaman, our client was ordered to untangle/retrieve a mooring line in rough seas, causing him to be thrown down and washed into pipes by the mooring line. As a result of the incident, he injured his back, hip, shoulders and arms.
Client Received Total: $183,050.55
Our client was a tankerman aboard a river tug that was struck from behind by another vessel in the Gulf of Mexico in March 2008. His injuries were the result of the collision. He hurt his back but was not operated on.
Client Received Total: $167,306.52
Our client was pinned to the wall after a gangway collapsed and he fell 9 foot.
Client Received Total: $181,900
Our client suffered back and neck injury in motor vehicle collision. Our client was a passenger in a vehicle that was rear-ended by a commercial vehicle.
Client Received Total: $176,265.50
Our client suffered from neck and head injuries after he was rear-ended by an 18 wheeler.
Client Received Total: $171,215.45
Our client suffered injuries when her faulty tire treads caused an accident.
Client Received Total: $81,049.81
Our client suffered a stroke while offshore and was threatened with termination
Client Received Total: $173,086.12
Our client suffered back injuries after he was involved in an accident with a commercial vehicle.
Client Received Total: $163,796.24
Our client was injured when he was hit by a gate at a chemical plant.
Client Received Total: $164,167.14
Our client injured his back and leg when a cable pulled him forward while he was working on a barge.
Client Received Total: $121,932.98
Our client suffered from back and hip injuries after he was crushed when he removed a lift from a trailer.
Client Received Total: $150,164.26
Our client suffered injuries after an 18 wheeler caused her to wreck.
Client Received Total: $139,137.37
Our client injured his shoulder, leg and neck when he fell 8′ face first into the water while working.
Client Received Total: $158,929.54
Our client received $120,883.59 after being involved in a motor vehicle collision.
Client Received Total: $120,883.59
Our client broke his back and ribs when he fell into the shaft on a barge.
Client Received Total: $151,735.91
Our client was injured while working as a deckhand due to improper safety equipment and signs on a vessel and terminal.
Client Received Total: $166,625
Our client suffered back, chest and leg injuries in a motor vehicle collision where an 18 wheeler struck and then drug the vehicle.
Client Received Total: $146,413
Our client suffered brain injuries when he was involved in a motor vehicle collision with an 18 wheeler.
Client Received Total: $137,518.47
Our client was a passenger in a vehicle that was in a motor vehicle collision with an 18-wheeler. We negotiated a $95,000 settlement for the client from two defendants who each blamed each other for causing the wreck.
Client Received Total: $51,115.74
Our client suffered leg and knee injuries in motor vehicle accident.
Client Received Total: $60,907.34
AJ Rosenfeld’s client was stopped due to traffic on the East Sam Houston Parkway when a vehicle rear-ended him. The insurance company paid their policy limit of $30,000 to settle his case.
Client Received Total: $18,836.02
Client was on the side of the road due to stalled motorcycle when she was rear-ended by a negligent driver. The insurance company paid their policy limit of $30,000 after SMSH attorney AJ Rosenfeld proved client’s knee surgery was directly related to the wreck.
Client Received Total: $20,962.46
We won a $30,000 settlement for a client from their insurance company, which originally denied claim.
Client Received Total: $20,019.31
Our client was a passenger in her husband’s vehicle when they were struck by a vehicle which caused them to collide with another truck. The client was seen at an ER center then went to see an Ortho who treated her with PT.
Client Received Total: $14,937.47
AJ Rosenfeld’s client was traveling southbound on Sam Houston Parkway in stop and go traffic when he was rear-ended by a negligent ambulance driver who failed to control speed.
Client Received Total: $7,777.97
Our client was rear-ended near Baytown, Texas. The at-fault driver’s insurer, Allstate, offered our client $5,000. The case went to trial.
Client Received Total: $2,841.19
After rejecting the U.S. Attorney’s $20,000 top offer to settle, Schechter, Shaffer & Harris, L.L.P., Accident & Injury Lawyers attorneys Jonathan S. Harris and Laura De La Cruz obtained a $2.9 million dollar judgment for Jose Acosta, an injured train locomotive engineer.
The defendant was the United States of America. A U.S. Army convoy truck stopped on the railroad tracks in Almagordo, New Mexico. The Union Pacific train Acosta was driving hit the rear of the army truck. Acosta’s injuries required a back surgery and other medical care. Acosta claimed he was unable to return to work as a train engineer.
Acosta hired Jonathan S. Harris of Schechter, Shaffer & Harris, L.L.P., Accident & Injury Lawyers to pursue a claim against the federal government for his damages. The case was filed under the Federal Tort Claims Act in the United States District Court for the District of New Mexico. Attorney Jonathan S. Harris immediately conducted an investigation into the collision and secured statements from key eye-witnesses. Harris and his team also recruited experts to render opinions on all aspects of the case, including Acosta’s economic losses and future medical needs.
Throughout the case, the defense team vigorously contested the army convoy driver caused the accident and also contested Acosta was hurt. The defense argued there were only scratches to the train and truck from the impact. The defense also relied on a biomechanical engineer who examined the weight of the vehicles, their speed, and other factors before concluding that forces from the impact could not cause injury to Acosta. To rebut the biomechanical analysis, Acosta’s attorneys hired a forensic epidemiologist who showed Acosta’s injuries could be explained by a three-step differential analysis that accounts for temporal relationships, alternative causes, and the variability of injury threshold levels.
Acosta’s counsel, Jonathan Harris, conducted a series of focus groups to determine how best to present the case at trial. Harris and his co-counsel Laura De La Cruz also brought in a jury consultant to prepare Acosta for his day in court.
The case came to trial on April 18, 2017 in Las Cruces, New Mexico. Over the course of three days, Jonathan S. Harris and Laura De La Cruz presented evidence from fourteen witnesses and over 1,500 pages of exhibits.
In a great legal victory, Judge Stephan M. Vidmar ruled in favor of Acosta and entered judgement against the United States of America for $2,917,240.38 plus post-judgment interest and costs.
Jonathan Harris says the most satisfying part of the award, aside from Acosta getting what he deserves, was proving the judge would make a substantial award. The U.S.A.’s attorney had been telling Harris during the two years it took to get to trial that the judge would never believe Mr. Acosta was injured in the accident.
Attorney Jonathan S. Harris has been practicing 20 years and is board certified in Personal Injury Trial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. Laura De La Cruz has been an associate at Schechter, Shaffer & Harris, L.L.P., Accident & Injury Lawyers since 2015.
For over 50 years, the attorneys of Schechter, Shaffer & Harris, L.L.P., Accident & Injury Lawyers have represented the families of injured workers across the United States. If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in an accident, contact Schechter, Shaffer & Harris, L.L.P., Accident & Injury Lawyers at 1-800-282-2122 for a free case evaluation.
Our client suffered injuries in a motor vehicle accident when a vehicle rear-ended him.
Client Received Total: $143,863.35
Our client suffered neck injuries when apartment complex failed to maintain stairwell in safe manner. The handrail was not bolted down which caused our client’s injuries. The client underwent multiple surgeries.
Client Received Total: $158,364.78
Our client suffered neck and back injuries when involved in a motor vehicle collision with an 18 wheeler.
Client Received Total: $165,527.23
Client Received Total: $260,860
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