Sexual Misconduct Resulting in Personal Injury.

It is a topic that is very much in the news these days.  It seems that every day there is a new story of a high-profile individual accused of sexual misconduct.  What about residents of The Great Southwest?  Common citizens are being harassed by their bosses and care givers and may have felt until just recently that they have no recourse.

This terrible national trend may rear its ugly head in a variety of professions such as –

1. The Clergy
2. Doctors
3. Nurses
4. Physical Therapists
5. Psychologists

Many professionals in the United States have used their positions of authority to make unwanted advances on the very people that they are entrusted to help.  This stops here!  If you or a loved one has been a victim of sexual misconduct, contact the Law Office of Ken Wagner Law located in Albuquerque.  That number is (505) 242-6300.

Have a Safe and Happy Holiday Season.

We at the Ken Wagner Law Firm will be gathering together with the many families that comprise our office.  We hope that you and yours will be doing the same.  This is such a marvelous time of year when, often friends and family members get together to celebrate the Holidays either in the Great Southwest or beyond.

If you are traveling by vehicle, please be careful!  The roads around Albuquerque and throughout the area will be ever-changing as winter is here.  Let us make this Holiday the most beautiful and memorable ever.  Remember to take all of the necessary provisions if you head out to grandma’s house in say…Dallas.

We hope that you will not need the services of the family who has served hundreds of residents of the Great Southwest for over fifty years.  If you do, we will be there now, in 2018, and for years to come.  Once again, Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from our many families at the Ken Wagner Law Firm to yours.  

Holiday Road.

It’s that time of year when we pack up the family car and head to points beyond the Albuquerque area.  A visit to Grandma’s, a holiday vacation, whatever it may be, you will be driving on ever-changing roads no matter which direction you go.  Be careful out there…winter driving in the Great Southwest is challenging!

IF you are involved in a holiday car accident please seek medical attention.  This is true even if a number of days have passed since the mishap.  Use your cell phone and record all of the particulars of the accident scene.  It may change before the police show up.  Above all, make that first call to 911!

The next call you might make is to the office of Ken Wagner Law.  Ken and his staff have helped car accident victims recover millions of dollars of damages throughout the Great Southwest for decades.  We work out of Albuquerque, but can help you for hundreds of miles around.  If you need us, we will be there for you at (505) 242-6300.

New Mexico’s Busy Roadways.

In the Great Southwest people tend to move at a faster pace on the highways.  You know, it is not about the clogged freeways of California or the bumper to bumper traffic of the Northeast.  When vehicle collisions occur, they are often at higher speeds.  Of course, that means the damage tends to be greater.

Here is something to keep in mind.  When a car accident occurs in the Albuquerque area and beyond you must be represented by a personal injury attorney with decades of experience.  Why…because that is the firm who has the resources to hire private investigators and reconstruct the accident piece by piece.

Hiring the right lawyer for the job begins at home.  Ken Wagner Law has dealt with car accidents for decades.  Ken and his staff are your vehicle accident personal injury attorneys serving all of the Great Southwest.  You don’t just see a TV ad or something in print you do the research and make the right call to Ken Wagner Law at (505) 232-6300.

Truckin’ into the Summer of ’17.

The Grateful Dead just celebrated their 50th anniversary and America has been truckin’ for over a century.  Truck safety has certainly improved over the decades, but on the freeways of the Great Southwest there are still some trucking accidents that need aggressive representation for those on the wrong end.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) keeps track of such things.  In the most recent complete reporting year of 2014 nearly 4000 large trucks were involved in fatal accidents.  In a one-year period leading up to that, the number of large trucks involved in injury accidents rose by over 20%.  It seems to be getting worse!

So, what is going on here?  The truth is, we live in an area where big trucks drive fast and not always safely.  If you or a loved one was injured in an accident involving a truck of over 10,000 pounds you know who to call - The office of Ken Wagner Law in Albuquerque, New Mexico.  Ken and his staff is the Great Southwest’s truck accident law firm (505) 242-6300.

Increase in Motor Vehicle Fatalities.

We will one day live in a country where nearly every vehicle is operated by a non-human.  When that occurs motor vehicle fatalities will become a thing of the past.  Meanwhile, the situation demands attention.  In the most recent reporting year of 2015 fatalities from motor vehicle crashes were up over 7% with 2348 more people dying on the nation’s roads.

As a matter of fact, the rates for passenger car and light truck deaths were the highest in the US since 2009.  SUV fatalities were up more than 10%.  Van fatalities increased nearly as much.  Motorcycle fatalities were the highest since 2012.  Perhaps the most disturbing statistic was another increase in alcohol-related accidents.

The day will come when it won’t be necessary to think about these things…sort of like smallpox.  That day is assuredly not here yet.  In the Great Southwest the firm you can trust to handle your vehicle accident injury case is Ken Wagner Law.  Ken and his staff will represent you aggressively from his Albuquerque office.  Please call them at (505) 242-6300.

Car Seat Safety.

When the Baby Boomer generation was growing up we did not know about car seats.  Then the Gen-X’rs started having kids and car seats for the little ones not only became smart, but mandatory.  It can be a safe new world as long as you play it safe with kids in cars.  Choosing the right car seat is as important as choosing the correct ride for your growing family.

The right car seat will significantly reduce the chance of serious injury in an accident.  The type of seat depends on such variables as age, size, weight, etc.  If a car seat is 6 or 7 years old it may have expired and one that has been involved in a crash may no longer meet the proper safety standards.  Did you know that?

Above all, not every car seat is created equal.  There may be a flaw in the manufacturing of this particular one.  If your child is ever injured while sitting in one that may be defective, please take immediate legal action.  Contact Albuquerque car accident attorney Ken Wagner.  Ken and his staff serve all of the Great Southwest.  Discover your options by calling (505) 242-6300.

Accident Liability with Uber and Lyft.

Just a few years ago we did not even know what those terms meant.  Now they are billion dollar business in the United States.  With auto accidents involving Uber and Lyft increasing as quickly as these businesses are growing you need to become aware of their liability.  Many of you reading this will hire one of these rideshares in 2017.  We hope that every trip is a safe one.

Maybe the most important thing to know at this point is that drivers of Uber and Lyft are not employees like taxi drivers.  Of course, both companies do background checks and don’t just let anyone drive for them.  Both Uber and Lyft offer one million dollars of liability insurance, but there are limitations as to whom it covers.

This new gray area is definitely something that you need to be aware of.  If you or a loved one is involved in an Uber or Lyft car accident do not take anything for granted!  You must treat this with your full attention moving forward.  Contact Great Southwest car accident attorney Ken Wagner at his Albuquerque office to discover the next step at (505) 242-6300.

The McDonald’s Hot Coffee Case.

Even though it has been two decades the McDonald’s Hot Coffee case lives on in history.  If you mention it even today it conjures up all sorts of different opinions.  If you are not familiar with it, it was the product liability case of Stella Liebeck vs. McDonalds, the fast food giant.  This occurred after she spilled hot coffee in her lap.

Interestingly, Esquire Magazine has just picked up the mantle and written a fascinating article on the nearly 25-year old case.  Please check out the September addition of Esquire.  In it you will find a well-crafted retrospective entitled, “What you don’t know about the McDonald’s Hot Coffee burn case”.  If you have the opportunity, give it a careful reading.

Some quarter century later the man who successfully represented Mrs. Liebeck is still practicing in Albuquerque, New Mexico where the incident occurred.  His name is Kenneth Wagner.  Attorney Wagner and his staff are important people to have on your side if you have a personal injury case in the Great Southwest.  Call the office at (505) 242-6300. 

Medical Malpractice and its Intricacies.

So many times people believe that they have a legitimate medical malpractice case - and they do.  What they may fail to recognize is that the “other side” has deep pockets and is heavily “lawyered up”.  Therefore, the journey to recover damages from a legitimate malpractice case tends to bog down because the plaintiff (YOU) does not have the right attorney to fight all the way to the finish line.

What are some examples of medical malpractice?  Here are some that may fit your situation –

1.  Prescription error.  Did you get the correct medication in the proper dose?

2.  Injury or even death at the hospital during a birth.

3.  Misdiagnosis.  It happens more than you can imagine.

4.  An infection in the hospital.  The medical centers of this country are not as clean as you think.

5.  Failure of a medical product.  You took it or used it in good faith with disastrous results.

If you or a loved one feel that you have a decent case call Ken Wagner.  He is the Great Southwest’s medical malpractice champion.  From his office located in Albuquerque he will put his 40 years and his great staff to work to win your case.  Call the Wagner Law Office today for a free consultation at (505) 242-6300.  Consult with the best, the winner of the McDonald’s Hot Coffee Case Ken Wagner.

Bad Restaurant Food.

This time of year we find ourselves dining out more often.  Who wants to cook in the summer when the kids are out of school?  Well if you are going to eat at the local diner, mom may be getting a break, but you may be subjected to a variety of health issues from the grub you are consuming from potential carelessness from the wait staff and even other diners.

It may be totally without malice.  It may even occur in the restaurant parking lot, but if something happens that injures or sickens a member of your family during what should have been a pleasant experience you need to be compensated.  Don’t take a bad restaurant visit lying down.  Someone in your family may be entitled to compensation.

Should that be the case, would you like to be represented by the man who won the famous McDonald’s Hot Coffee Case?  I sure would!  That man is New Mexico restaurant lawsuit attorney Kenneth Wagner.  If you have a serious case against a dining establishment in the Great Southwest let Ken and his staff put their half-century of experience to work for you.  Give them a call at (505) 242-6300.

 

Summertime Brings More Car Accidents.

First of all, Happy Birthday America!  We hope you have a wonderful and safe 4th of July weekend.  Are you about to head out on that greatly anticipated summer vacation?  Remember, people from throughout the Great Southwest have the same thing in mind.  Make sure that your car is roadworthy for that trip to the Rockies or wherever.

Now the practical side.  IF an accident of any type happens on the road this summer your first order of business is to get out of your vehicle if you are able and check to see that everyone is okay.  In this era of cell phones take copious pictures and call the police immediately.  Make sure that you get a copy of the police report.  Too many people fail to do this because they are not thinking clearly.

In New Mexico and the Great Southwest the next thing that you need to do when the “dust settles” is contact a law firm that specializes in personal injuries.  If you or a loved one has been involved in a summer vehicle mishap immediately contact New Mexico vehicle accident attorney Kenneth Wagner.  He will put his decades of experience and his energetic team to work for you to secure the maximum settlement that you deserve.  Call him today at (505) 242-6300.

Dangerous Motorcyclists on Summer Roads.

Quickly…what do you think is the leading cause of accidental death in this country to people between ages 6 and 35?  It is motorcycle accidents!  Over 3000 people a year are killed in motorcycle mishaps and countless thousands have their lives turned upside down because of them.  Statistically speaking, the driver of a “safer” mode of transportation is usually responsible for a motorcycle accident.

If a car and a motorcycle get into an accident who do you think is the likely victim?  Motorcycle riders are more than 15 times more likely to die if a death occurs in this collision.  It is no surprise that head injury is the major cause of death in a motorcycle crash.  When a motorcycle is involved insurance issues become much more complicated.

In New Mexico and the Great Southwest you need a law firm to successfully pursue a fair and full settlement.  If you or a loved one has been involved in a motorcycle mishap immediately contact New Mexico motorcycle accident attorney Kenneth Wagner.  He will put his decades of experience to work for you to secure the maximum amount you deserve.  Call him today at (505) 242-6300.

The Horrible Consequences of Burn Injuries.

Did you know that every year more than one million people are burned by accident in the United States?  And here are a couple of statistics that may surprise you.  Burn injuries rank in the top five of leading causes of accidental death according to the CDC.  Also, about half of all US burn victims are under the age of four years!

If you have never been a victim thank heaven, but there are so many ways that your life can change.

1.  The results of a serious car accident

2.  Accidents at industrial sites

3.  Mishaps with electricity

4.  Dangerously hot products and drinks

5.  And a particularly dangerous one for small children - scalding hot water

If you ever need representation in the Great Southwest wouldn’t it be comforting to retain the attorney who won arguably the most important burn case in American history?  That would be New Mexico burn defense attorney Ken Wagner.  He successfully argued in favor of the victim in the McDonald’s Hot Coffee Case!  Call the office of Kenneth Wagner immediately at (505) 242-6300.

Nursing Home Abuse in New Mexico.

Have you ever thought about the number of people who live their daily lives in a nursing home?  That number is well over a million and a half and with the aging Baby Boomers it will continue to grow.  Over the next 30 years that number is expected to quadruple!  Many factors contribute to nursing home abuse.  Underfunding, ill-trained staff, and easy access to medicines, etc. are contributing factors.

Always look carefully at your loved ones for cuts or bruises that may be physical manifestations of nursing home abuse.  It is not quite so easy to spot mood changes in the patient.  You must separate a bad day from chronic abuse.  If you see physical, emotional, or mental changes in this very important person in your life it is time to take action.

Albuquerque nursing home abuse attorney Kenneth Wagner will pursue your case with sensitivity, but aggressiveness.  Nursing homes are often owned by large corporations with deep pockets.  They must be held accountable for the behavior of their employees.  Whether the suspected abuse has occurred in New Mexico or anywhere throughout the great Southwest contact attorney Ken Wagner’s office at (505) 242-6300.

What to Do if You Are Harmed by a Defective Product.

Here is how you must proceed to identify all of the defendants in a potential case if you are harmed by a defective product.  If you wish to sue anyone who might be responsible for your injury, you must identify the people and/or companies that you deem to be at fault.  Identifying all of the parties that may be liable is often a difficult matter.

There is a phrase known as “the chain of distribution”.  This is the path that the product takes on its journey from manufacturer to distributor and finally to you the consumer.  If the defective product is part and parcel of a larger product you should include both the manufacturer of the part and of the entire product. 

New Mexico Defective Product Attorney Kenneth Wagner will vigorously pursue justice for citizens against defective products.  After all, he was the lead attorney who successfully prosecuted the famous McDonald’s Hot Coffee Case.  At Ken Wager Law your defective product case is in the most capable hands.  Call his office today to make an appointment at (505) 242-6300.

A Lesson about Defective or Unsafe Products.

Every day most of us encounter a defective product.  We all have blind faith that the products we purchase are safe and will not cause us injury.  There is a term that you have certainly heard called “product liability”.  This law is designed to protect the public from irresponsible manufacturers, distributors, and retailers from selling us goods that cause injury or even death.

There are so many different types of products that may be hazardous to your health.  Look at this list…

1.)           Vehicles

2.)           Shuttle buses

3.)           Tires

4.)           Medicine

5.)           Medical products and devices

6.)           Children’s toys

7.)           Common household products

New Mexico Product Liability Attorney Kenneth Wagner has vigorously defended victimized citizens against these and many other defective products.  He was the lead attorney who successfully prosecuted the McDonald’s Hot Coffee Case.  At Ken Wager Law your product liability case is in the most capable hands.  Call his office today to make an appointment at (505) 242-6300.

What is Medical Malpractice?

To know if you have a good Med Mal case, as it is known in the industry, it is important to know what constitutes medical malpractice.  We often hear about it in the news and from others, but there are very specific guidelines that constitute a case. 

In the state of New Mexico medical malpractice may include…

1.)           Misdiagnosis or a complete failure to diagnose a medical problem

2.)           Mistakes that occur in hospitals and especially during medical procedures

3.)           Injury or death during birth

4.)           Infections that come from the hospital environment

5.)           Cancer that is improperly diagnosed or missed altogether

6.)           Errors that occur at the hospital or any pharmacy

7.)           Any mistake in prescriptions

8.)           The failure of a medical product

You or someone that you love may have been a victim of medical malpractice in New Mexico.  It is important to start with a lawyer who has had decades of experience dealing with med mal cases in the state.  You will also need a health care provider who is willing to stand up in court and verify your claim.  When you contact Ken Wagner Law in Albuquerque you have the team that you need to aggressively pursue your case.  Call them today at (505) 242-6300.

How the McDonald's Hot Coffee Case Began

STELLA WAS THE PASSENGER

Plaintiff Stella Liebeck was born on December 14, 1912, and was 79 years old on the morning of February 27, 1992, when her grandson drove her to a McDonald's driveup window in Albuquerque, New Mexico, to get a cup of coffee. 

THE VEHICLE WAS AT A DEAD STOP

They purchased the coffee and parked in the McDonald's parking lot.  Stella began taking the lid off of the coffee cup to add sugar and cream and spilled the coffee in her lap.  She was in excruciating pain.

THIRD DEGREE BURNS

Stella suffered second and third degree burns on her perineum, upper inner thighs, buttocks, genital areas and lower abdominal wall including the left groin.  The burns were so severe that they required painful debridement and skin grafting.  She suffered enormously.

This eventually led to New Mexico personal injury attorney Ken Wagner becoming involved.  Attorney Wagner wants you to become informed about the history of this historic case.  We will share more information in the near future.  If you feel that you may have a personal injury or medical malpractice case in the State of New Mexico or elsewhere, please call the law office of Kenneth Wagner in Albuquerque, New Mexico, at (505) 242-6300.

THE MCDONALD’S HOT COFFEE CASE

Since the jury in this landmark lawsuit came back with their verdict in favor of Plaintiff Stella Liebeck in 1994, there has been an almost complete reversal of the true facts of the case by mainstream media, late-night talk show hosts and word-on-the-street until Stella’s case became a household joke.  Stella Liebeck lived through her elderly years and passed on knowing that she had become a source of ridicule all over the world.

The garbage heap of misinformation has piled high unto Heaven….UNTIL NOW!  Finally the truth is being told in films, newscasts and by educators.  One of the films is the Sundance award-winning documentary “Hot Coffee, the Movie” available on Netflix.  Perhaps Stella Liebeck tiptoed to the edge of Paradise, stuck out her toe and toppled the garbage pile.

Attorney Ken Wagner knows the real story behind this case.  He was in the courtroom himself representing Stella Liebeck.   We will return soon with genuine facts about Stella’s heroic trial of this monumental historic case which should be famous for the courage it took to right a wrong dealt to an average citizen by a large corporation instead of infamous because of a wildfire of misrepresentation.  If you have a personal injury or medical malpractice case in the State of New Mexico or elsewhere, immediately call the law office of Kenneth Wagner in Albuquerque, New Mexico, at (505) 242-6300.