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Monday, January 16, 2012

The Globlization of the Brazilian Economy has Brought Brazil Increased Foreign Investment, Economic Prosperity, and Government Corruption by International Foreign Corrupt Practices Act Lawyer Jason S. Coomer

Brazilian Government Official Bribe Lawsuit, Brazilian Government Official Illegal Kickback Lawsuit, & Brazil Foreign Corrupt Practices Bounty Action Information by US SEC Brazil Bribe Bounty Lawyer & Brazil Foreign Corrupt Practices Whistleblower Lawyer Jason S. Coomer

In 2011, Brazil became the sixth largest economy in the world.    One of the reasons for the growth of the Brazilian economy is that over the last several years the Brazilian government has put in place several policies to encourage foreign investment into Brazilian economy.  These policies have encouraged international commerce and increased Brazil's presence in the global economy.  Through these policies, the Brazilian economy has expanded rapidly with large amounts of foreign direct investments coming into the country.  Foreign companies are now moving into Brazil at a record pace, and many Brazilian companies are expanding internationally.  For foreign investors and large multinational corporations, the battle to invest into the Brazilian economy and potentially reap huge rewards has become extremely competitive.  This fierce competition combined with the Brazilian history of government corruption will be a test for many new anti-bribery and anti-corruption laws that have been passed around the world and are being considered in Brazil.

Foreign Corrupt Practices Act Prohibits Bribes of Government Officials and Bounty Actions Allow Whistleblowers to Confidentially Report Violations Through Bounty Action Lawyers and Potentially Claim Large Rewards

The Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) prohibits bribery of foreign officials by U.S. companies and foreign companies listed on the U.S. securities exchange.  The Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) also requires such companies to maintain accurate books and records.  Foreign Corrupt Practices Act Whistleblowers that properly report violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practice Act by a U.S. or foreign companies listed on the U.S. securities exchanges can recover a large reward for exposing Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) violations. 

By combining the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act with the new SEC Whistleblower Incentive Program, whistleblowers with original and specialized knowledge and evidence of corporate bribery and illegal kickbacks are eligible to recover large economic awards.  By gathering this evidence and going through a lawyer, these whistleblowers can protect their identity through the process and potentially collect large rewards of 10% to 30% of the monetary sanctions including disgorged funds. 

Please keep in mind that the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act Bounty Action Whistleblower may be entitled to not only the amount of the illegal bribe or kickback, but the benefit of the illegal bribe or kickback.  As such, in cases where $50,000.00 bribe is made to obtain a $200 million building project such as a hospital or pipeline, the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act Bounty Action Whistleblower may be entitled to 10 to 30% of the $200,000,000.00 and the $50,000.00 translating into over a $20 million to $60 million award.


Brazilian Government Official Corruption, Brazilian Public Official Bribes, Brazilian Multinational Corporation Bribes, and Brazil Government Official Illegal Kickbacks Result in Political Action to Adopt Anti-Bribery Laws and Policies Similar to the US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, UK Anti-Bribery Act, and other Global Trade Anti-Corruption Policies

With the rapidly expanding Brazilian economy, foreign direct investments into Brazil, and Brazilian companies expanding into other countries have come allegations of government official bribes, government agent kickbacks, fraud, embezzlement, and other forms of corruption. Included in these Brazilian government corruption scandals are several government officials that are being forced to resign, while other government officials in President Dilma Rousseff’s cabinet are under investigation for government corruption.  In the aftermath of these corruption scandals, the Brazilian Congress is in the process of enacting new law that would dramatically strengthen the Brazilian foreign bribery laws.  The foreign anti-bribery law is part of a global trend where governments around the world are cracking down on large corrupt multinational corporations that are offering bribes and kickbacks to government officials in order to obtain large government contracts, avoid health & safety regulations, bypass environmental laws, and exploit populations in foreign countries. 

It is thought that these Brazilian anti-bribery and anti-corruption reforms will improve Brazil's ability to attract legitimate foreign investment as well as improve Brazilian multinational corporations' ability to expand throughout South America, Latin America, and the world.  As Brazilian-based multinationals continue to expand internationally, they will want to ensure that they are protected from corrupt practices by other large multinational corporations and are given a fair chance to legally expand their businesses into international markets. 

Brazil Government Official Oil Contract Bribe Bounty Action Lawyer, Multinational Energy Company Brazil Contract Bribe Whistleblower Reward Lawyer, Brazilian Multinational Energy Corporation Bribe Lawyer, Oil Company Brazil Government Official Illegal Kickback Lawyer, Brazil Oil Lease Foreign Corrupt Practices Bounty Action Lawyer,  Brazil Oil Offshore Drilling Contract Bribe Whistleblower Reward Lawyer, & Oil Company Brazil Illegal Bribe Bounty Action Lawyer

A key Brazilian industry is the petrochemical industry.  With large natural reserves of oil and gas combined with foreign direct investments of technology, Brazil will soon pass China and the United Arab Emirates to become world's fifth largest oil producing nation, only behind Russia, Saudi Arabia, the USA and Iran.  Much of Brazil's oil and gas production comes from offshore drilling in deep water reserves.  Included in these deep water oil and gas reserves is the Santos Basin, which is located in the south Atlantic Ocean.  The Santos Basin is approximately 300 kilometers south east of Sao Paulo and is one of the world's largest oil prospects.  The Santos Basin is situated in deepwater and includes the large Tupi and Jupiter oil fields.  The Santos Basin also includes the Carioca/Sugar Loaf field which could contain as many as 40 billion barrels. 

The production of the Tupi and Jupiter fields combined with the development of production in the Sugar Loaf field should enable the Brazilian Oil Industry to bring in vast amounts of foreign capital into Brazil and allow Brazil to keep advancing its drilling technologies and developing its petrochemical infrastructure.  The rigs, platforms and tankers that will service and harvest Brazil's reserves in the coming years will probably be constructed using local suppliers, manpower and facilities instead of outsourcing to third party companies that do not feed directly into the local/national economy, however, deep technology and capital from around the world will be needed to develop the infrastructure and train the work force.  

The Brazilian energy industry is dominated by the Brazilian multinational energy company, Petrobras.  Petrobras is the forth largest company in the world measured by market capitalization.  It is also Brazil's semi-public oil company that is public and private hybrid.  As Brazil's public oil company, Petrobras has a goal of directing over 50% of its future oil and gas contracts to local Brazilian companies.  This protectionist economic policy is designed to help develop the Brazilian petrochemical industry and to limit the influence of foreign multinational oil companies on the Brazilian economy.  However, avoiding corruption including Santos Basin lease bribes, Petrobras employee bribes, Brazilian government official bribes, Petrobras oil lease bribes, and other potential Petrobras corruption may prove difficult as the historical culture of Brazilian business and Brazilian government includes substantial corruption.

Petrobras has pledged a $224 billon investment in the Santos Basin through 2014 which should be able to bring in advanced technology and industry from large foreign multinational energy companies.  This large amount of investment capital combined with the vast rich Brazilian oil and gas reserves, will bring in fierce competition for these large Brazilian contracts, Brazilian offshore drilling leases, and Brazilian leases.  This fierce competition over these huge riches will definitely test the Brazilian government as to if corrupt practices will continue to be common in Brazil or will new anti-bribery laws, whistleblowers, informants, honest Petrobras employees, honest government officials, and honest Petrobras officers be able to manage these resources for the good of the Brazilian economy and Brazilian people?

Brazilian Oil Company Employee Confidential Whistleblower Lawyers, Brazilian Energy Company Illegal Kickback Bounty Action Lawyers, Petrobras Employee Protected Whistleblower Bounty Action Lawyers, Petrobras Energy Company Employee Confidential Whistleblower Lawyers,  and Multinational Oil Company Violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act Whistleblower Lawyers and Anonymous Multinational Oil Company Whistleblower Lawyers

Corrupt Foreign Multinational Oil Companies, Multinational Construction Companies, and Multinational Energy Companies that pay illegal kickbacks and bribes to Brazilian government officials and former Brazilian government officials in exchange for Brazilian drilling contracts, Brazilian pipeline contracts, Brazilian oil leases, Brazilian offshore drilling contracts, Brazilian infrastructure contracts, and other Brazilian large building projects can be brought to justice and made to pay large penalties under the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.  The whistleblowers that bring these corporations to justice may be able to collect large economic rewards under the  Securities Exchange Act (SEC Whistleblower Bounty Actions) and the Commodity Exchange Act (CFTC Whisteblower Bounty Actions).

For more information on  Brazilian Bribe Confidential Whistleblower Bounty Actions, Brazilian Corrupt Government Official Anonymous Whistleblower Bounty Actions, Brazil Government Agent Whistleblower Reward Lawsuits, Multinational Energy Company Contract Bribe Whistleblower Bounty Actions and discussion of the Brazilian Economy and Brazilian Government Corruption, please go to the following webpage: Brazilian Government Official Bribe Lawsuit, Brazilian Government Official Illegal Kickback Lawsuit, Brazil Foreign Corrupt Practices Bounty Action Lawsuit, Brazil Bribe Confidential Whistleblower Reward Lawsuit, Multinational Oil Company Bribe Lawsuit, & Brazil Illegal Bribe Bounty Action Lawsuit Information


Thursday, January 12, 2012

Texas Fatal Gas Explosion Lawsuit, Texas Home Gas Explosion Lawsuit, Texas Residential Gas Explosion Lawsuit Information by Austin Texas Gas Explosion Lawyer Jason Coomer

Texas Fatal Gas Explosion Lawsuit, Texas Home Gas Explosion Lawsuit, Texas Residential Gas Explosion Lawsuit, Texas Gas Explosion Death Lawsuit and Deadly Gas House Fire Lawsuit Information by Austin Texas Deadly Gas Explosion Lawyer, Austin Texas Fatal Gas Explosion Lawyer and Austin Texas Home Gas Explosion Death Lawyer Jason S. Coomer

Residential gas explosions and fires can cause devastating loss of life, serious burns, catastrophic injuries, and significant property damage.  These devastating explosions can be caused by old unmarked and unmetered gas lines, failure to locate a gas leak, and gas company negligence.  

Because residential gas explosions often result in devastating damages including loss of life, serious burns, catastrophic injuries, loss of family income, and significant property damage, it is often difficult for families that suffer the loss of a loved one, their home, or possessions to recover compensation for their loss.  In fact, in the aftermath of a devastating residential home explosion, some insurance companies and gas companies will work hard to investigate and look for information that will allow them to avoid liability after a gas explosion.  Further, in some instances the gas company, insurance company, or their investigators will take control of or even destroy evidence that could cause them to incur liability for the explosion.  
 
As such, it is often beneficial to hire a Texas home gas explosion lawyer to assist in seeking compensation for significant damages caused by a home gas explosion and/or residential fire.   A good Texas residential gas explosion lawyer will investigate the cause of the gas explosion and work with fire cause and origin experts to determine the cause and origin of the gas explosion.  This investigation is extremely important as it is the person seeking compensation that has the burden to prove what caused the explosion including faulty installation of gas lines, gas meters, or gas appliances; negligent maintenance of lines or meters by the gas company or other responsible parties; or defective parts including defective gas meters, defective gas lines, defective gas control valves, or defective flexible gas connectors.

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For more information on Texas Fatal Gas Explosion Lawsuits, Texas Residential Gas Explosion Death Lawsuits, Deadly Gas Explosion Lawsuits, and other Gas Explosion Lawsuits, feel free to go to the following web page on Texas Fatal Gas Explosion Lawsuit, Austin Texas Residential Gas Explosion Death Lawsuit, Deadly Gas Explosion Lawsuit, and other Gas Explosion Lawsuit information.

Sunday, January 1, 2012

Expansion of Medicaid Fraud Whistleblower Reward Laws by Medicaid Fraud Whistleblower Lawyer

New whistleblower reward laws are expanding the ability of Medicaid fraud whistleblowers to collect large economic rewards to encourage health care providers to blow the whistle on health care fraud including illegal Medicaid retention of overpayments, Medicaid illegal kickback scams, Medicaid upcoding, Medicaid double billing, Medicaid false coding, Medicaid unbundling, and other fraudulent Medicaid billing practices.  Understanding the new state and federal Medicaid fraud Bounty Reward Action laws and whistleblower protection laws can be helpful for any health care professional that works in a health system that takes Medicaid, Medicare, or other forms of government health care benefits.   

New Medicaid Fraud Bounty Reward Laws and Federal False Claims Act Amendments including Medicaid Retention Overpayment Lawsuit, Medicare Retention of Overpayment Fraud Lawsuit, and Hospital Employee Whistleblower Lawsuit Information

The 2009 Fraud Enforcement and Recovery Act (FERA) and many new state Medicaid fraud whistleblower laws are expanding Medicaid fraud whistleblower recovery laws and other Bounty Reward Actions to increase potential rewards for relators, expand potential liability for Medicaid fraud criminals and violators, and to increase protections to Medicaid fraud whistleblowers.  These new laws are designed to help the Federal government and state governments identify, recoup, and crack down on Medicaid fraud, Medicare fraud, and other forms of health care fraud which is estimated to be over $100 Billion per year. 

With Medicare and Medicaid costs continuing to grow and many government budgets being tight, it is essential that health care providers with knowledge of Medicaid fraud, Medicare fraud, or other health care fraud to step up and expose the health care fraud and systematic Medicaid fraud that is the fasting growing and most lucrative crimes in the United States.    

In developing and strengthening Medicaid fraud whistleblower laws, governments are setting up increased whistleblower protections and economic incentives to encourage health care providers to blow the whistle on traditional qui tam health care fraud causes of action and are expanding the causes of action to include rewards to whistleblowers that expose retention of Medicaid overpayments.  Many of these False Claims Act statutes and Medicaid Fraud statutes have also been expanded to include government contractor false claims, government grantee false claims, and other recipients of government money that submit false claims to obtain this money.


State Medicaid False Claims Act Lawsuit, Medicaid Fraud Whistleblower Reward Lawsuit, State Medicaid False Billing Whistleblower Award Lawsuit, Medicaid Double Billing Fraud Lawsuit, Federal Medicaid Fraud False Billing Lawsuit, Unnecessary Medical Treatment Relator Lawsuit, and Medicaid Fraud Whistleblower Lawsuit Information

Medicaid is a federal/state cost-sharing program that provides health care to people who are unable to pay for such care.  The Medicaid Program is jointly funded by state and federal governments, but is managed by the states.  Medicaid is the largest source of funding for medical and health-related services for people with limited income in the United States and the Medicaid program has been increasing.  The fastest growing aspect of Medicaid is nursing home coverage and this is expected to continue as the Baby Boomer generation begins to reach nursing home age.  

Unlike Medicare, which is solely a federal program, Medicaid is a joint federal-state program. Each state operates its own Medicaid system.  Each state's Medicaid Program must conform to federal guidelines in order for the state to receive matching funds and grants.  For many states Medicaid has become a major budget issue as on average the state's matching costs of the Medicaid program is about 16.8% of state general funds. According to CMS, the Medicaid program provided health care services to more than 46.0 million people in 2001. In 2008, Medicaid provided health coverage and services to approximately 49 million low-income children, pregnant women, elderly persons, and disabled individuals. Federal Medicaid outlays were estimated to be $204 billion in 2008.  Medicaid payments currently assist nearly 60 percent of all nursing home residents and about 37 percent of all childbirths in the United States. The Federal Government pays on average 57 percent of Medicaid expenses.

Medicaid fraud is a violation of federal law and several new state Medicaid fraud laws.  Health care providers that are convicted of Medicaid fraud can be fined, incarcerated, and lose their status as Medicaid providers.  To prevent Medicaid fraud, several states including Texas, California, Florida, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Nevada, Tennessee, Wisconsin, New Jersey, Georgia, Michigan, Illinois, Louisiana, Delaware, Indiana, Minnesota, Montana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, North Carolina, and Virginia have enacted state Medicaid fraud whistleblower recovery laws.  These Medicaid fraud whistleblower laws are based on the Federal False Claims Act and many acts of large scale systematic Medicaid fraud will entail aspects of several different laws.     

There are many types of Medicaid fraud that may be the basis for Medicaid fraud whistleblower recovery lawsuits and other qui tam claims including:
  • billing Medicaid for X-rays, blood tests and other procedures that were never performed
  • falsifying a patient’s diagnosis to justify unnecessary tests;
  • giving a patient a generic drug and billing for the name-brand version of the medication;
  • giving a recipient a motorized scooter and billing for an electric wheelchair, which can cost three times more;
  • billing Medicaid for care not given;
  • billing Medicaid for patients who have died or who are no longer eligible for Medicaid;
  • billing Medicaid for care given to patients who have transferred to another facility;
  • transporting Medicaid patients by ambulance when it is not medically necessary;
  • requiring vendors to “kick back” part of the money they receive for rendering services to Medicaid patients (kickbacks may also include vacations, merchandise, etc.);
  • billing patients for services already paid for by Medicaid;
  • billing Medicaid for phantom patients;
  • double billing Medicaid for services;
  • upcoding services for increased Medicaid payments.
Upcoding occurs when a medical service provider intentionally and fraudulently upcodes services to obtain a higher reimbursement than one that is entitled to for the service that was actually provided.  In both the Medicare and Medicaid systems a set of billing codes is used by healthcare providers to bill for services. These codes are known as the Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS). A service provider that intentionally uses a higher paying code to fraudulently reflect that a more expensive procedure or device was involved in the patient’s treatment than actually was used or was necessary.  A pattern of intentional upcoding treatment can result in large profits for the healthcare provider, but also cost taxpayers millions of dollars.

Upcoding fraud is typically hard to catch without the help of persons with inside information because that Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) codes are billed electronically and can easily slip through the system.  Therefore unless the upcoding is caught through a random audit (approximately 2% of the claims per year are audited), it is up to insiders, informants, heroes, and health care professionals to catch fraudulent upcoding.

Sunday, December 11, 2011

Texas Happy Hour Drunk Driver Accident Lawsuit, Texas Bar Customer Drunk Driver Lawsuit, Texas Overserved Patron Lawsuit, Texas Drunk Employee Crash Lawsuit, and Texas Dram Shop Lawsuit Information

Texas Drunk Driver Accident Lawsuit, Texas Drunk Driver Crash Lawsuit, Texas Drunk Driver Wreck Lawsuit, Texas Intoxicated Driver Lawsuit, Texas Happy Hour Driver Lawsuit, and Texas Drunk Driver Fatal Crash Lawsuit Information by Texas Drunk Driver Accident Lawyer, Texas Drunk Employee Accident Lawyer, and Texas Bar Drunk Driver Crash Lawyer

Often the family of a person killed or seriously injured by a drunk driver does not realize that in addition to the criminal charges that can be filed against that drunk driver, that there are civil causes of action that they can often be used against the drunk driver and those parties that are responsible for allowing the drunk driver to drive drunk. These potential causes of action extend to bars, restaurants, and nightclubs that serve intoxicated customers as well as employers that provide vehicles and alcohol to employees.

Texas Happy Hour Driver Lawyer, Texas Bar Customer Drunk Driver Lawyer, Texas Overserved Patron Lawyer, Texas Drink Special TABC Violation Accident Lawyer, Texas Nightclub Drunk Driver Crash Lawyer, and Texas Dram Shop Lawyer

A dram shop is any drinking establishment where alcoholic beverages are sold including bars, restaurants, and nightclubs.  The term "dram shop" relates back to a time when a drinking establishment served patrons alcohol by the measurement of a dram which is one eighth of a fluid ounce.

The Texas Dram Shop Law was passed in 1987. This law allows individuals to bring civil lawsuits against a person or business who serves, sells, or provides alcohol to someone who is visibly intoxicated to the extent that he presents a clear and obvious danger to himself or others. In these Texas Drunk Driver Accident lawsuits the injured person or family of the person need to prove where the drunk driver was drinking, the drunk driver caused the accident, that the intoxicated person was served after they were obviously intoxicated, and the intoxication was the proximate cause of the damage incurred.

In September 2004, the Texas Supreme Court clarified the law surrounding the responsibility between patrons and drinking establishments when they held in the Duenez decision that a licensed alcohol seller is jointly responsible with its patron when it provides alcohol to an obviously intoxicated patron and that patron harms another.   

Texas Holiday Office Party Drunk Driver Collision Lawyer, Texas On The Job Drinking Drunk Driver Accident Lawyer, Texas Drunk Employee Accident Lawyer, Texas Company Truck Drunk Driver Accident Lawyer, Texas Drunk Employee Crash Lawyer, and Texas Drunk Truck Driver Crash Lawyer

Employees that get drunk at work, office parties, while driving company vehicles, and while at company events can cause their employer to become responsible for a drunk driving accident that is caused by the drunk employee.  As such, if a drunk employee causes a serious injury drunk driver accident, drunk driver multivehicle collision, or a fatal drunk driver crash, it is important to investigate where the employee was drinking, who supplied the alcohol, was the employer aware of the drinking, and was the employer aware of their employee having a history or a habit of drinking and driving during work.

Texas Drunk Truck Driver Accident Lawyer, Texas Intoxicated Truck Driver Crash Lawyer, Texas Company Vehicle Collision Lawyer, Texas Commercial Vehicle Accident Lawyer, and Texas DWI Truck Driver Crash Lawyer

The trucking industry, bus companies, and other companies with commercial vehicles also have many drivers that are on drugs or alcohol.  Though the more responsible companies with commercial vehicles will perform background checks on drivers, monitor drivers, and have safety policies that prevent intoxicated drivers from operating commercial vehicles, negligent companies will all too often allow drunk and intoxicated drivers to operate commercial vehicles and become hazards on Texas roads.  From alcohol to speed and other forms of uppers to over the counter stimulants that keep the driver awake, the combination of tried overworked drivers on drugs and/or alcohol driving large commercial vehicles can cause devastating automobile accidents.  These collisions are too often caused by several ton vehicles attempting to travel too fast, getting too close to passenger vehicles, or not slowing down for weather.  When traveling on highways it is important to give these big vehicles room and if one is driving recklessly or speeding, to give that truck driver, bus driver, or other commercial vehicle driver some room. 

Texas Drunk Driver Accident Lawyer, Texas Drunk Driver Crash Lawyer, Texas Drunk Driver Wreck Lawyer, Texas Intoxicated Driver Lawyer, Texas Happy Hour Driver Lawyer, Texas Bar Customer Drunk Driver Lawyer, and Texas Drunk Driver Fatal Crash Lawyer

Driving on our roads is a necessary risk we all have to take, but driving becomes increasingly dangerous with drunk drivers are carelessly and recklessly driving on our roads. In Texas, there are laws against drunk driving and driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, but too many drivers do not respect these laws and recklessly drive causing many automobile collisions.

Under Texas law, a driver is considered drunk or under the influence if they do not have the normal use of mental or physical faculties by reason of the introduction of alcohol, a controlled substance, a drug, a dangerous drug, a combination of two or more of those substances, or any other substance into the body or if they have a blood alcohol concentration of over .08.   And it is against Texas law for drunk drivers to operate motor vehicles, water craft, and air craft.  If the drunk driver causes an automobile accident or boating accident that causes serious injuries or death, they can be charged under Texas law with intoxication assault or intoxication manslaughter both serious felonies. 

For more information on Texas Drunk Driver Accident Lawsuits, Texas Drunk Driver Crash Lawsuits, Texas Drunk Driver Wreck Lawsuits, Texas Intoxicated Driver Lawsuits, Texas Happy Hour Driver Lawsuits, Texas Commercial Vehicle Drunk Driver Accident Lawsuits, and Texas Drunk Driver Fatal Crash Lawsuits, please go to the following web pages: Passenger Van Rollover Lawsuit Information (Church, School and Tourist Vans), Texas Bus Company Accident Lawsuit Information and Texas Drunk Driver Accident Lawsuit, Texas Drunk Employee Accident Lawsuit, and Texas Bar Drunk Driver Crash Lawsuit Information.



Sunday, September 25, 2011

Texas Bastrop Wildfire Lawsuit, Utility Power Line Bluebonnet Electric Coop Bastrop Fire Lawsuits, and Austin Bastrop Wildfire Lawsuits by Texas Bastrop Wildfire Lawyer, Utility Power Line Bluebonnet Electric Coop Bastrop Fire Lawsuit Lawyer, and Austin Bastrop Wildfire Lawyer, Jason S. Coomer

Central Texas Bastrop Fire Lawsuit, Utility Power Line Bastrop Wildfire Lawsuit, Bastrop Fire Damage Recovery Lawsuit, Bastrop House Fire Compensation Lawsuit, Bastrop Business Fire Lawsuit, Bluebonnet Electric Coop Bastrop Fire Lawsuit, and Texas Power Line Easement Wildfire Lawsuit Information by Texas Bastrop Wildfire Lawyer, Utility Power Line Bluebonnet Electric Coop Bastrop Fire Lawsuit Lawyer, and Austin Bastrop Wildfire Lawyer, Jason S. Coomer

The Texas Forest Service has released their report of the investigation of the cause and origin of the Bastrop Wildfire of 2011.  In the report, the authorities have determined that on September 4, 2011, power lines maintained by the Bluebonnet Electrical Coop ignited a dead pine tree that fell on the lines causing the Bastrop Fire that killed two people and destroyed over 1,500 homes, and numerous businesses.  The Bastrop Complex Fire is one of the nation's largest fires in recent history and destroyed over 34,000 acres as well as caused an estimated over $250,000,000.00 (Two Hundred and Fifty Million Dollars) in damage.  

According to authorities, the fire ignited as a result of dead and dry pine trees falling onto power lines maintained by Bluebonnet Electric Coop.  According to Bluebonnet Electric Coop documents, this is a similar scenario that caused the Bastrop Fires in February 2009.  Thus, there is a significant issue as to whether this fire could be avoided and should Bluebonnet Electric Coop have been aware of this danger of dead and dry pine trees on their power line easements and taken steps to prevent or at least reduce the potential of an electrical wildfire like the September 2011 Bastrop Fire? 

As a result of the 2011 Bastrop Fire, numerous Bastrop Fire Lawsuits are expected to be filed including numerous Bastrop Fire Bluebonnet Electric Coop Lawsuits, Bastrop Fire insurance coverage lawsuits, Bastrop Wildfire loss of business lawsuits, and Bastrop Wildfire property damage lawsuits.  In fact, some Bastrop Fire Bluebonnet Electric Coop Lawsuits have already been filed and many more are expected.

Bastrop Fire Fraudulent Builder Lawyer, Bastrop Fire Damage Compensation Recovery Lawyer, Central Texas Bastrop Wildfire Insurance Recover Lawyer, Bastrop Fire Damage Compensation Lawyer, Bastrop Lost House Fire Compensation Lawyer, Bastrop Wild Fire Lost Business Profits Recovery Lawyer, and Bastrop Fire Rebuilding Lawyer

Unfortunately, in the aftermath of a devastating fire, there are often many fraudulent contractors, insurance adjusters, builders, and other unscrupulous individuals that attempt to take advantage of disaster victims and fire victims.  These individuals will often try to undervalue fire damage or fraudulently take money needed for rebuilding homes or replacing property lost in the fire.  It is important when dealing with insurance adjusters and contractors after a fire, to read and understand any contracts or releases that are given to you.

In dealing with insurance adjusters, it is often best to make sure that you have a copy of your insurance policy.  Reading and understanding your insurance policy is extremely important in determining what compensation you may be entitled to after a fire loss.  It is also important to determine approximately what your fire damages or fire loss is including all lost personal property, the cost of demolition & rebuild, and the cost of alternative living expenses.   In doing this, it is helpful to keep track of all money spent on alternative living expenses, demolition, and rebuild.  Try to keep receipts for everything.

It is also often a good idea to let the adjuster originally state what the coverage and fire loss damage estimates are prior to stating what you have determined the coverage and fire loss damage is.   Like any negotiation, having the adjuster state the first number and then responding to that number is often an effective method of negotiating an insurance claim.

In dealing with builders and contractors, it is important to make sure that you are dealing with someone that will provide good quality work and will finish any work in a timely manner.  As such, it is important not to agree to give too much money to any builder or contractor upfront, make sure that they are a legitimate builder with references and insurance, and to read as well as keep a copy of any building contract.
 
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Several Bastrop Communities including Tahitian Village, Pine View West, Lake Bastrop State Park, Cottle Town, Harmon Road, Pine Hill Loop, Schwartz Road, Old Potato Road, Circle D, Lake Bastrop Acres, KC Estates, Watterson Road, Colovista, Wilhelm Way, Young School House Road, Hall Road, Eisly Road, Tiner Cutoff, and Herron Trail have suffered catastrophic damages from the Bastrop Wildfire.  These Bastrop Communities will require significant rebuilding and demolition to recover from the September 2011 Bastrop Complex Fire. It is important that people in these communities are given the proper support, information, compensation, and assistance, to help them rebuild their lives, their businesses, and their communities.

Bastrop Fire Lawsuit, Bluebonnet Electric Coop Bastrop Fire Lawsuit, Bastrop Wildfire Lawsuit, Utility Power Line Fire Lawsuit, Bastrop Business Fire Lawsuit, and Texas Bastrop Fire Lawsuit Information by Texas Bastrop Fire Lawyer, Utility Power Line Bluebonnet Electric Coop Bastrop Fire Lawsuit Lawyer, and Austin Bastrop Wildfire Lawyer

For more information on Texas Bastrop Wildfire Lawsuit, Utility Power Line Bluebonnet Electric Coop Bastrop Fire Lawsuits, and Austin Bastrop Wildfire Lawsuits, please feel free to following this link to an information page on Bastrop Fire Lawsuits and Utility Power Line Wildfire Lawsuits.

Friday, September 16, 2011

Central Texas Probate Lawsuits, Austin Estate Lawsuits, Central Texas Estate Lawsuits and Moving Estate Property Through Texas Probate Law by Austin Texas Inheritance Lawyer and Travis County Probate Lawyer Jason S. Coomer

Austin Texas Inheritance Lawsuits, Austin Intestate Lawsuits, Central Texas Inheritance Lawsuits, Central Texas Probate Lawsuits, Austin Uncontested Probate Lawsuits, Austin Estate Lawsuits, Central Texas Estate Lawsuits and Moving Estate Property Through Texas Probate Law
by Austin Texas Inheritance Lawyer and Travis County Probate Lawyer Jason S. Coomer
 
Inheritance or ownership succession is the practice of passing wealth upon the death of an individual to an heir or designated beneficiary.  Under Texas Probate law, parents, spouses, or other individuals that have testamentary capacity have the right to transfer through a valid will or trust, assets such as real estate, mineral interests, gold, life insurance, bank accounts, land, houses, businesses, stocks, jewelry, and other wealth to their children, spouses, and people that they love.  If there is no valid will or trust, these assets can also be transferred under Texas intestate law to the rightful heirs of the decedent. 

When dealing with a large estate, it is often important to hire a Texas probate lawyer to help probate an estate and move assets in the estate through the probate process.  The Texas probate lawyer can help probate the will, identify the proper beneficiaries or heirs, file an application to probate a will, file a suit to determine heirship, work with the administrator or executor to be sworn in and obtain letters of administration, collect estate assets, negotiate potential debts, collect non-probate assets, collect death benefits, provide proper legal notices, work with ad litems, and file necessary court documents.

Many Families have Spread Out Across The United States and Throughout the World, Therefore it is Often Helpful to Hire a Texas Probate Lawyer to Assist with the Texas Probate Process and to Handle Estate Issues
 
Many families have spread out throughout the United States and around the World.  For many families, gone is the time where several generations live with in a few miles of each other in the same town, city, or county.  This lack of proximity can make it difficult, when a family member in Texas passes away. For the family member that lives out of state and has never been through the Texas probate process, Texas probate law and Texas probate courts can be overwhelming.  At a time when they want to grieve the loss of their loved one, they are forced to deal with difficult probate issues including:

    1) Who should be in control of their loved ones' estate?
    2) What needs to be done to have an administrator or executor appointed?
    3) What is probate & non-probate property?
    4) What should be done to protect estate property?
    5)  How are estate assets collected?
    6)  What can be done with Estate property?  
    7) Can assets be sold or transferred?
 
It is often helpful to speak with and hire a Texas probate lawyer to help take care of many of the probate issues.  A Texas probate lawyer can help "out of town" relatives  through the probate process and taking care of the estate.  This is extremely helpful when relatives and loved ones want to focus on the grieving process instead of learning Texas Probate Law and navigating Texas Probate Courts.  Hiring a Texas contested probate lawyer can also be extremely important when someone has tried or may try to unlawfully take estate assets that do not belong to them.

 Helping Central Texas Families and Families with Real Estate in Central Texas Transfer Assets and Title to Assets By Central Texas Probate Lawyer and Austin Estate Lawyer Jason S. Coomer

Through Wills and intestate laws, Texas courts determine who are proper heirs and beneficiaries, and allow tremendous amounts of wealth to be transferred to heirs and beneficiaries each year.  A large amount of this inherited wealth includes real estate including family homes, lake houses, condominiums, and mineral interests.  As a Central Texas Real Estate Probate Lawyer, Jason Coomer helps families, heirs, beneficiaries, executors, and administrators move Texas real estate, Texas mineral interests, Texas lake houses, and other Texas real estate through probate.

For more information on moving Central Texas Real Estate through probate including Austin family homes, Lake Travis lake houses, Lake LBJ lakes houses, Austin condominiums, and Texas mineral interests, feel free to go to the following web page Lake Travis Real Estate Probate Lawyer, Lake LBJ Real Estate Probate Lawyer, Travis County Real Estate Probate Lawyer, Travis County Contested Probate Lawyer, Texas Real Estate Probate Lawyer, and Central Texas Real Property and Lake House Inheritance Lawyer. 

The Probate Process and Inheritance is Expected to Become More Common with Hundreds of Billions of Dollars in Property Being Passed Down Each Year and in the Future Trillions of Dollars in Inheritance is Expected to be Passed Down
 
It is estimated that in the United States over $200 Billion each year is passed down through inheritance to heirs and beneficiaries.  It is expected with our aging population, that the amount of inheritance that will be passed through the probate system will continue to increase in the next 20 years as Trillions of Dollars in wealth will be passed on through inheritance. 
 
Unfortunately, many families that have no experience or limited experience with the Texas probate system will be faced with numerous Texas Probate Law decisions on estates with hundreds of thousands or millions of dollars worth of assets.  It is therefore extremely important for families that want to protect their wealth and are going through the probate process, to hire an experienced Texas Probate Lawyer that is able to work with out of state or inexperienced heirs and beneficiaries to handle estate probate issues.

Central Texas Contested Probate Lawsuits, Travis County Will Contest Lawsuits, Texas Forged Will Lawsuits, Texas Probate Fraud Lawsuits, Texas Estate Fraud Lawsuits, and Texas Inheritance Fraud Lawsuits by Austin Texas Contested Probate Lawyer and Travis County Estate Lawyer

In addition to uncontested probate lawsuits, Texas contested probate lawsuits including Texas Will Contest Lawsuits, Texas Trustee Fraud Lawsuits, Texas Guardian Fraud Lawsuits, Texas Will Fraud Lawsuits, and Texas Administrator Fraud Lawsuits are increasing.  Caretakers, strangers, and some family members have found that it can be profitable to take advantage of elderly people or to steal estate assets from a family after the death of a loved one.  These vultures can often take advantage of grieving and out of town relatives.  For more information on Elder Financial Fraud and Financial Elder Abuse, please go to the following web page: Texas Elder Financial Abuse Lawsuit & Elder Financial Fraud Lawsuit Information.
A Will Contest occurs when there is something wrong with a Will. There are several reasons that a Will may be contested including 1) the Will was written under the influence from another person, 2) the Decedent was not of sound mind when the Will was written, 3) the Will is a forged or fraudulent document, 4) the Will is not up to date and leaves out children or does not take into account a divorce or remarriage, 5) the Will was not witnessed or signed correctly, and 6) the Will was improperly done and does not comply with Texas law.
In some instances the Testator did not have actual "testamentary capacity" or "testamentary intent" to draft a proper Will. In such a situation the Will is not valid and interested parties including a beneficiary or heir that was disinherited or lost inheritance through the invalid Will can contest the Will as being invalid.  In other instances a Will was executed under undue influence and not the last wishes of the Testator.

Locating Probate Assets, Claiming Estate Assets, Claiming Unclaimed Property, Claiming Death Benefits, Transferring Estate Real Property Assets, Collecting Estate Property for Heirs, Collecting Life Insurance for Beneficiaries, Collecting Probate Assets for Heirs and Beneficiaries, Transferring Estate Mineral Interests, and Collecting Estate Royalties
 
In addition to obvious assets and family wealth that can be passed through the probate process, there is a significant amount of unclaimed wealth including bank accounts, houses, oil interests, safety deposit boxes, stocks, and other wealth that is forgotten about or is unclaimed.  Much of this wealth is collected by the states and held for rightful owners including heirs and beneficiaries.

In claiming lost wealth, it is usually best to check with the state where the decedent was living to determine if that person's assets have been collected by the state.  The following link can be used to check Texas Unclaimed Property.  However, this is not the only place that should be investigated as many financial institutions, oil companies, banks, trusts, large corporations, and insurance companies, keep assets for an extended period of time or send the property to other states.  For more information on collection of unclaimed property, please follow this link to Texas Estate and Probate Unclaimed Property Lawyer. 

In Texas, the state is currently safekeeping over $2 billion in assets entrusted to it from a variety of sources, including unclaimed utility deposits, dormant bank accounts, unclaimed wages, safety deposit boxes, insurance policies and uncashed checks.  In fiscal year 2010, the state returned more than $160 million in such assets.  Many of these assets will need to go through probate before they can be distributed to the heirs of estate or beneficiaries of an estate.
 
Travis County Probate Lawyer, Travis County Estate Lawyer, Travis County Will Probate Lawyer, Travis County Contested Probate Lawyer, Travis County Real Estate Probate Lawyer, and Travis County Inheritance Lawyer
 
If your family is in need of a central Texas probate lawyer to help transfer central Texas real estate or other assets through probate to the rightful heir or beneficiaries, please feel free to follow the links above and below for additional information.     

  
Texas Contingent Probate Lawyer, Contingent Death Benefit Lawyer, and Texas Contingent Estate Collection Lawyer Helps Heirs and Benefits Collect and Transfer Estate Assets Including Royalties, Real Estate, and Mineral Interests by Texas Contingent Probate Lawyer and Texas Contingent Estate Asset Collection Lawyer Jason S. Coomer
 
In some situations family assets cannot get transferred or collected by their rightful heirs or beneficiaries because the heirs and beneficiaries cannot afford the cost of probate and other transfer costs.  In these situations, a Texas Contingent Probate Lawyer or Texas Contingent Death Benefit Lawyer that works on a percentage of the estate property can help heirs and beneficiaries transfer estate property to rightful heirs and beneficiaries. 
 
In these situations, the Texas Contingent Probate Lawyer or Texas Contingent Death Benefit Lawyer will typically need to see that there are actual significant assets in the estate and who the rightful heirs and beneficiaries are of the estate.  In these cases, bank statements, life insurance policies, royalty statements, mutual fund statements, retirement fund statements, real property deeds, property tax information, and other evidence of the estate assets can be useful in determining the approximate value of the estate and if a contingent contract for probating the estate can be viable. 

 For more information on Texas Contingent Probate Lawsuits and Texas Contingent Death Benefit Lawsuits, please feel free to go to the following web page: Texas Contingent Probate Lawyer and Death Benefit Collection Lawyer.


Monday, August 29, 2011

Illegal Offshore Account Tax Fraud Lawyer, Accounting Fraud SEC Lawyer, and Transfer Payment Tax Fraud Whistleblower Reward Lawyer

Illegal Offshore Account Tax Fraud Lawsuit, Corporate Tax Fraud Whistleblower Reward Lawsuit, IRS Illegal Offshore Account Tax Fraud Whistleblower Reward Lawsuit, Transfer Price Scheme Tax Fraud Lawsuit, & IRS Whistleblower Reward Lawsuit Information by Illegal Offshore Account Tax Fraud Lawyer and Transfer Payment Tax Fraud Whistleblower Reward Lawyer Jason S. Coomer

Illegal Offshore Account Tax Fraud and Transfer Payment Tax Fraud are two forms of corporate tax fraud that are committed by large multinational corporations. The IRS is offering rewards and protections for IRS whistleblowers and IRS informants that work through Illegal Offshore Account Tax Fraud Whistleblower Lawyers, Multinational Corporate Tax Fraud Whistleblower Lawyers, and Transfer Payment Tax Fraud Whistleblower Lawyers to identify tax fraud schemes that cost the United States Billions of dollars.

Illegal Offshore Account Tax Fraud Lawyer, Corporate Tax Fraud Whistleblower Reward Lawyer, IRS Illegal Offshore Account Tax Fraud Whistleblower Reward Lawyer, Transfer Price Scheme Tax Fraud Lawyer, and IRS Whistleblower Reward Lawyer

Transfer pricing schemes involve the overpricing of imports and/or the underpricing of exports between related companies in different countries for the purpose of transferring profits or revenue out of the United States in order to evade taxes. The profits and revenue end up in a country that has a lower corporate tax rate than the US.  These fraudulent pricing schemes can be used both for stock manipulation and corporate tax fraud.  For more information on Corporate Tax Fraud Whistleblower Actions, please go to the following: Tax Fraud Whistleblower Reward Lawsuit, IRS Tax Fraud Whistleblower Award Lawsuit, and Corporate Tax Fraud Lawsuit Information web page.

Illegal Offshore Account Tax Fraud Lawsuit, Corporate Tax Fraud Whistleblower Reward Lawsuit, IRS Illegal Offshore Account Tax Fraud Whistleblower Reward Lawsuit, Transfer Price Scheme Tax Fraud Lawsuit, IRS Whistleblower Reward Lawsuit, & IRS Whistleblower Payment for Detection of Fraud Lawsuit Information

In 2006, the Tax Relief and Health Care Act that was signed into law included a whistleblower reward amendment that created mandatory reward language to the IRS to create a mandatory economic incentive to encourage tax fraud whistleblowers to step forward to help the government detect large scale fraudulent schemes.  By offering large potential rewards for reporting multimillion tax fraud schemes, the IRS has received hundreds of tax fraud tips from tax fraud informants regarding taxpayer fraud and massive violations of the tax code costing taxpayers Billions of dollars.  Many of the tips already received include fraud schemes of hundreds of millions and tens of millions of dollars.  It is estimated that this programs will result in hundreds of billions of dollars or even Trillions of dollars in tax fraud being detected. 

The economic incentives in the Tax Whistleblower Reward Programs are designed to encourage insider tax fraud informants and tax fraud whistleblowers with knowledge and evidence of large tax violations and tax fraud schemes to step forward and report the massive tax fraud.  The IRS is hoping that there will be several tax fraud whistleblowers and tax fraud informants that will help them detect and collect on an estimated $3 Trillion in illegal offshore accounts as well as several other tax-avoidance schemes that have been perpetrated by billionaires and millionaires as well as large corporations.

Stock Manipulation Scheme Lawsuit, Corporate Accounting Fraud Lawsuit, Fraudulent Accounting Lawsuit, False Accounting Statement Lawsuit, SEC Whistleblower Incentive Program Lawsuit, & SEC Bounty Action Lawsuit Information by Texas Corporate Accounting Fraud Lawyer, Stock Manipulation Lawyer, & False Accounting Statement Lawyer Jason Coomer

Stock manipulations schemes, false accounting statements, and other types of corporate accounting fraud cost pension funds and investors hundreds of Billions of dollars.  These fraudulent business practices are the target of new SEC Bounty Action laws and rules that encourage whistleblowers to anonymously step up and blow the whistle through a Bounty Action Lawyer on illegal stock manipulation schemes, false accounting, accounting fraud, Ponzi schemes, and other SEC violations.  By working with a stock manipulation bounty action lawyer to expose stock manipulation schemes, false misleading information on a company's financial statements, false information on Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filings, insider trading; embezzlement by stockbrokers; and other securities fraud, a SEC whistleblower can receive a large financial reward.  
 
Illegal Offshore Account Tax Fraud Lawsuit, Corporate Tax Fraud Whistleblower Reward Lawsuit, IRS Illegal Offshore Account Tax Fraud Whistleblower Reward Lawsuit, Transfer Price Scheme Tax Fraud Lawsuit, & IRS Whistleblower Reward Lawsuit Information by Illegal Offshore Account Tax Fraud Lawyer and Transfer Payment Tax Fraud Whistleblower Reward Lawyer Jason S. Coomer

The Federal Government including the SEC and IRS have recently amended and strengthened whistleblower reward laws to encourage accountant whistleblowers, financial analyst whistleblowers, and other high end professional whistleblowers with evidence of Accounting Fraud, Tax Fraud, Stock Manipulation Fraud, and other Investment Fraud to step up and blow the whistle on these fraud schemes.  By working through a Accounting Fraud Whistleblower Lawyer, Tax Fraud Whistleblower Lawyer, Stock Manipulation Fraud Whistleblower Lawyer, or other SEC Investment Fraud Whistleblower Lawyer, these whistleblowers can protect their identity and obtain large economic rewards.


Saturday, July 30, 2011

Texas to Mexico Charter Bus Accident Injury Lawsuit, International Charter Bus Lawsuit, and Texas Bus Collision Injury Lawsuit Information by Texas to Mexico Charter Crash Lawyer and International Charter Bus Crash Injury Lawyer

Mexico Charter Bus Crash Lawsuit, Texas to Mexico Charter Bus Collision Lawsuit, United States Charter Bus Crash Lawsuit, Deadly Charter Bus Crash Lawsuit, Texas to Mexico Charter Bus Accident Injury Lawsuit, International Charter Bus Lawsuit, and Texas Bus Collision Injury Lawsuit Information by Texas to Mexico Charter Crash Lawyer and International Charter Bus Crash Injury Lawyer Jason S. Coomer

International charter buses are becoming more common as many travelers are using charter buses to travel from the United States to Mexico and Canada.  With the increase in international charters, has come an increase in bus injury accidents.  When the accident is caused by a negligent bus company or driver, the injured passengers and families of people killed in bus accidents, commonly have to file international charter bus accident injury lawsuits and Texas to Mexico charter bus passenger injury lawsuits.  These international charter bus crash injury lawsuits are unique types of lawsuits that typically require an international charter bus injury lawyer that is familiar with bus accident investigation as well as the potential defendants and jurisdictional issues that arise from an international charter bus crash. 

Mexico Charter Bus Crash Lawyer, Texas to Mexico Charter Bus Collision Lawyer, United States Charter Bus Crash Lawyer, Deadly Charter Bus Crash Lawyer, Texas to Mexico Charter Bus Accident Injury Lawyer, International Charter Bus Lawyer, and Texas Bus Collision Injury Lawyer

Fatal and serious injury bus and automobile accident lawsuits need to be investigated and it is usually necessary to have an experienced charter bus accident injury lawyer investigate potential cases and if necessary file a lawsuit and litigate the charter bus accident injury lawsuit.  The Mexico charter bus accident lawyer will have to investigate the claim, gather information, and prove liability, causation, and damages.  Automobile Accident Law Suits including Texas Bus Collision Lawsuits commonly have strict notice periods that need to be adhered to and will require a thorough accident investigation as well as an experienced negotiator to deal with the insurance company or risk manager that is handling the case.  These can be extremely difficult for a grieving family.  

Likewise people that are seriously injured in charter bus accidents, typically need to be focusing on healing and their health.  The last thing they need to do is to be interrogated by an insurance adjuster regarding the bus accident. Unfortunately, it is extremely common to have insurance adjusters contact people injured in an bus accident to obtain evidence to dispute liability.  Many of these recorded statements are taken when the injured person is still hurt and on medication.  If you have been seriously injured in a bus accident, it is often a good idea to speak to a bus accident injury lawyer prior to agreeing to give a recorded statement.

Fatal Tourist Accident Lawsuit, Tourist Bus Collision Lawsuit, Tourist Bus Crash Lawsuit, Deadly Vacation Bus Crash Lawsuit, Deadly Vacation Tour Accident Lawsuit, Fatal International Vacation Bus Lawsuit, and Fatal Bus Collision Lawsuit Information by Texas Fatal Tourist Bus Crash Lawyer and Tour Bus Accident Lawyer Jason S. Coomer
Tourist bus accident lawsuits, passenger bus crash lawsuits, and other fatal vacation travel accident lawsuits can be difficult as the families of the people that are killed or severely injured are sometimes not aware of potential defendants and jurisdictional issues that arise from a fatal tourist bus accident, deadly tour crash, vacation bus collision, deadly bus rollover crash, charter crash, or other fatal tourist accident. For more information on Fatal Tourist Accident Lawsuit, Tourist Bus Collision Lawsuit, Tourist Bus Crash Lawsuit, Deadly Vacation Bus Crash Lawsuit, Deadly Vacation Tour Accident Lawsuit, Fatal International Vacation Bus Lawsuit, and Fatal Bus Collision Lawsuit Information, please go to the following webpage: Fatal Tourist Accident Lawsuit, Tourist Bus Collision Lawsuit, Tourist Bus Crash Lawsuit, Deadly Vacation Bus Crash Lawsuit, Deadly Vacation Tour Accident Lawsuit, Fatal International Vacation Bus Lawsuit, and Fatal Bus Collision Lawsuit Information

Texas Bus Accident Injury Lawsuit, Texas Bus Crash Injury Lawsuit, Texas Bus Wreck Lawsuit, Texas Bus Crash Death Lawsuit, Texas Bus Company Accident Lawsuit, and Texas Bus Lawsuit Information
by Texas Bus Accident Injury Lawyer and Texas Bus Wreck Injury Lawyer Jason S. Coomer

For more information on Texas Bus Accident Injury Lawsuits, Texas Bus Crash Injury Lawsuits, Texas Bus Wreck Lawsuits, Texas Bus Crash Death Lawsuits, Texas Bus Company Accident Lawsuits, and Texas Bus Lawsuits, please go to the following web page on Texas Bus Accident Injury Lawsuit, Texas Bus Crash Injury Lawsuit, Texas Bus Wreck Lawsuit, Texas Bus Crash Death Lawsuit, Texas Bus Company Accident Lawsuit, and Texas Bus Lawsuit Information or Texas Shuttle and Bus Accident Law Suits, Texas Fatal Bus and Shuttle Accident Law Suits, Texas Serious Injury Shuttle and Bus Law Suits, and Texas Bus Driver Negligence Accident Law Suits

United States to Mexico Charter-bus Accident Injury Lawsuit Information, Mexico Charter-bus Trip Wreck Injury Lawsuit Information, Texas to Mexico Charter Bus Crash Injury Lawsuit Information, United States to Mexico Charter-bus Accident Injury Lawyer, Mexico Charter-bus Trip Wreck Injury Lawyer, and Texas to Mexico Charter Bus Crash Injury Lawyer

Charter-bus trips from the United States to Mexico are becoming more common as many people enjoy traveling to Mexico for vacation, to visit relatives, or to buy Mexican products.  These United States Mexico Charter-bus trips and Texas Mexico Charter-bus trips can turn to a disaster if the buses are not properly maintained, the bus driver is fatigued and overworked, the bus driver is reckless, the bus driver is intoxicated or on drugs, or the buses are too old to make long trips.

For information on Texas to Mexico Charter-bus Accident Injury Lawsuits, United States to Mexico Charter-bus Wreck Injury Lawsuits, and other Mexico Charter-bus Crash Injury Lawsuits, please go to the following webpage: Texas to Mexico Charter-bus Accident Lawsuits, United States to Mexico Charter-bus Wreck Lawsuits, and other Mexico Charter-bus Crash Lawsuit Information.

Sunday, July 10, 2011

Texas Medicare Fraud Lawsuit, Texas Medicare Payment Fraud Whistleblower Lawsuit, Texas Medicaid Fraud Lawsuit, and Medicare Billing Fraud Whistleblower Lawsuit Information by Texas Medicare Fraud Lawyer and Texas Medicaid Fraud Lawyer Jason S. Coomer

Texas Medicare Fraud Lawsuit, Texas Medicare Payment Fraud Whistleblower Lawsuit, Texas Medicaid Fraud Lawsuit, and Medicare Billing Fraud Whistleblower Lawsuit Information
by Texas Medicare Fraud Lawyer and Texas Medicaid Fraud Lawyer Jason S. Coomer

As the United States, Texas, and many other state governments are facing budget shortfalls, they are looking to recoup money from health care providers, nursing homes, hospitals, dentists, and other businesses that are committing Medicare fraud and Medicaid fraud.  As such, if you are aware of and/or have evidence of Texas Medicare Fraud, Texas Medicaid Fraud, or other Medicaid/Medicare fraud, it is important that you are the first to step forward to blow the whistle on the Texas Medicare Fraud, Texas Medicaid Fraud, and/or other Medicare fraud/Medicaid fraud.  Blowing the whistle on this fraud can prevent potential criminal liability for those that kept the secret; help Texas and the United States recoup stolen money; and result in a large financial reward for the whistleblower. 
 
Texas Medicare Fraud Lawyer, Medicare Payment Fraud Whistleblower Lawyer, Texas Medicare Payment Fraud Lawyer, Texas Medicare Fraud Whistleblower Lawyer, Texas Medicaid Fraud Lawyer, and Medicare Payment Fraud Whistleblower Lawyer

Texas and the Department of Justice are expanding Medicare Fraud Crackdowns, Texas Medicare Fraud Crackdowns, and Texas Medicaid Fraud Crackdowns to expose and prosecute criminals that have been committing Texas Medicare Fraud, Texas Medicaid Fraud, and other Medicare Fraud & Medicaid Fraud.  As such, it is very important for those that are aware of Texas Medicare Fraud, Texas Medicaid Fraud, and other Medicare Fraud Schemes to come forward before the Medicare Fraud Schemes are exposed and Health Care Executives start blaming each other and turning on each other to reduce their own potential criminal liability.

MEDICARE FRAUD STRIKE FORCE OPERATIONS EXPAND TO DALLAS AND CHARGE SEVEN IN NORTH TEXAS AREA WITH SCHEMES TO DEFRAUD MEDICARE OF $2.8 MILLION
North Texas Arrests Part of National Strike Force Takedown; 111 Defendant Charged with Submitting $225 Million in Fraudulent Claims 

DALLAS — Seven North Texas-Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas-area residents, including the owners and operators of two health care companies, were arrested today on charges outlined in two indictments returned by a grand jury in Dallas last week and unsealed today, that they participated in a series of separate schemes in the North Texas area to defraud the Medicare program of more than $2.8 million, announced U.S. Attorney James T. Jacks of the Northern District of Texas, at a press conference in Dallas today. Mike Fields, Special Agent in Charge of the Dallas Regional Office of the Inspector General (OIG) for the Department of Health & Human Services (HHS), Robert E. Casey Jr., Special Agent in Charge, Dallas FBI Field Office, and the Texas Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit joined in making the announcement. 

These indictments are part of a nationwide takedown by the Departments of Justice (DOJ) and HHS Medicare Fraud Strike Force, a multi-agency team of federal, state and local investigators designed to combat Medicare fraud through the use of Medicare data analysis techniques and an increased focus on community policing. These Medicare Fraud Strike Force operations have led to charges against 111 defendants for their alleged participation in Medicare fraud schemes involving more than $225 million in false billing. DOJ and HHS today announced that the Medicare Fraud Strike Force, previously operating in seven locations across the country (Miami, Los Angeles, Detroit, Houston, Brooklyn, Tampa and Baton Rouge), has expanded operations to Dallas and Chicago.

“With this takedown, we have identified and shut down large-scale fraud schemes operating throughout the country. We have safeguarded precious taxpayer dollars. And we have helped to protect our nation’s most essential health care programs, Medicare and Medicaid,” said Attorney General Eric Holder. “As today’s arrests prove, we are waging an aggressive fight against health care fraud.”

U.S. Attorney Jacks said, “Health care fraud has infiltrated almost every layer of the health care industry and the addition of a Health Care Fraud Prevention & Enforcement Action Team (HEAT) Strike Force in Dallas greatly expands law enforcement’s combined efforts in this area to root out this fraud that costs taxpayers, patients and private insurers millions of dollars, and prosecute those responsible. Today’s arrests in our area are merely the beginninf of the Strike Force’s efforts.” 

Since their inception in March 2007, Strike Force operations in nine districts, have indicted 1000 defendants who collectively have falsely billed the Medicare program for more than $2.3 billion. In addition, the HHS Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, working in conjunction with HHS-OIG, are taking steps to increase accountability and decrease the presence of fraudulent providers. 

“Financial kickbacks and fraudulent medical billing – as alleged here today – subvert the nation’s Medicare program by steering tax dollars into provider pockets, rather than sound patient care,” said Special Agent in Charge Mike Fields. “Today’s actions are part of a coordinated, nationwide sweep in the OIG’s continuing battle against the very real threat that health care fraud poses to the viability of the Medicare program.” 

Special Agent in Charge Casey stated, “Medicare fraud is a significant problem in north Texas, taking taxpayers’ dollars and putting them in the pockets of criminals. The FBI and its partners, through the HEAT Strike Force, have concentrated extensive resources toward combating health care fraud. We have made the commitment to investigate and criminally prosecute such fraud to the fullest extent of the law.” 

Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott said, “Thanks to an outstanding effort by state and federal law enforcement officers, 15 suspects have been arrested in this takedown in Dallas and Houston for defrauding the taxpayer-funded Medicaid program. The Texas Attorney General's Office is committed to working with federal law enforcement authorities to reduce Medicaid fraud. Today's arrests demonstrate the importance - and effectiveness - of collaborative law enforcement.” 

U.S. v. Sylvia Jean Willett, et al. 

In this indictment, Sylvia Jean Willett, 60, the owner and operator of JS&H Orthopedic, Inc., a DME supplier on Vickery Blvd., in Fort Worth, Texas, and her husband, Hugh Willett, 67, are each charged with one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud and five substantive counts of health care fraud. The indictment alleges that from September 2008 through December 2010, the Willetts conspired to defraud Medicare by submitting at least $1.8 million in claims to Medicare for DME that JS&H purportedly provided, when in fact, JS&H did not provide the DME for which Medicare was billed. After the Medicare payments were deposited into JS&H bank accounts, the Willetts would transfer the proceeds of the fraud to themselves and co-conspirators. 

The conspiracy to commit health care fraud count and the five substantive counts of conspiracy to commit health care fraud each carry a maximum statutory sentence of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, upon conviction. 

U.S. v. Ernest Amadi, et al. 

This indictment charges Ernest Amadi, 53, the CEO and Administrator of Alliance Healthcare Services, L.P., located on Estate Lane in Dallas, and four co-defendants, George Opurum, 60, Agatha Opurum, 53, Edith Amadi, 49, and Ollie Futrell, 55, each with one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud and one count of conspiracy to defraud the U.S. and to receive and pay health care kickbacks. Defendant Futrell, who was a patient recruiter for Alliance, is also charged with three counts of payment and receipt of health care kickbacks. 

According to the indictment, Ernest Amadi and his wife, Edith Amadi, both of Wylie, Texas, as well as George Opurum and his wife, Agatha Opurum, both of Richardson, Texas, paid kickbacks to Ollie Futrell, of Garland, Texas, for referring Medicare patients to Alliance. Edith Amadi and Agatha Opurum were nurses at Alliance. George Opurum was the CFO and Alternate Administrator of Alliance. From November 2008 through November 2010, Alliance billed Medicare approximately $1,031,758 on behalf of Medicare beneficiaries to whom it purportedly provided home health care services. 

Each of the conspiracy to defraud the U.S. and to receive and pay health care kickbacks counts and each of the substantive counts of payment and receipt of health care kickbacks carries a maximum statutory sentence of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine, upon conviction. 

An indictment is an accusation by a federal grand jury, and a defendant is entitled to the presumption of innocence unless proven guilty.  These cases are being prosecuted by the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Texas. 

Texas Medicare Fraud Lawsuit, Texas Medicare Payment Fraud Whistleblower Lawsuit, Texas Medicaid Fraud Lawsuit, and Medicare Billing Fraud Whistleblower Lawsuit Information
by Texas Medicare Fraud Lawyer and Texas Medicaid Fraud Lawyer Jason S. Coomer

If you have evidence of Texas Medicare fraud, Texas Medicaid fraud, or other Medicaid/Medicare fraud, it is important that you are the first to step forward to blow the whistle on the Texas Medicare Fraud and/or Texas Medicaid Fraud.  There are numerous ways to blow the whistle on Texas Medicare fraud, Texas Medicaid fraud, or other Medicaid/Medicare fraud, but it is probably best to consult with a Texas Medicare fraud lawyer, Texas Medicaid fraud lawyer, or other Medicaid/Medicare fraud lawyer to make sure that the fraud is properly reported for a potential Qui Tam award.

By properly blowing the whistle on Texas Medicare fraud, Texas Medicaid fraud, or other Medicaid/Medicare fraud, the person that is working with a Texas Medicare fraud lawyer can blow the whistle on the fraud and can help prevent potential criminal liability for themselves; help Texas and the United States recoup fraudulently taken money, and obtain a large financial reward.  For more information on this topic feel free to click on the following link: Texas Medicare fraud lawsuit, Texas Medicaid fraud lawsuit, or other Medicaid/Medicare fraud lawsuit information.

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

Texas Drowning Accident Lawsuit, Texas Water Accident Lawsuit, Texas Defective Pool Drain Lawsuit, Texas Defective Pool Fence Lawsuit, and Texas Drowning Accident Lawsuit Information by Texas Fatal Drowning Accident Lawyer and Texas Drowning Accident Lawyer Jason S. Coomer

Texas Drowning Accident Lawsuit, Texas Water Accident Lawsuit, Texas Defective Pool Drain Lawsuit, Texas Defective Pool Fence Lawsuit, and Texas Drowning Accident Lawsuit Information by Texas Fatal Drowning Accident Lawyer and Texas Drowning Accident Lawyer Jason S. Coomer

In Texas, because of the extreme heat that we experience for several months of the year, it is understandable that many Texans own pools and head to swimming pools, lakes, and rivers for water sports to cool off.  However, safety should always be a priority when dealing with swimming pools and water sports.  This is because drowning accidents, boating accidents, and pool accidents are all too common of a killer, especially for small children.  Whether a near drowning or actual drowning is caused by an incorrectly installed pool, poorly maintained pool, failure of life guards, improperly fenced pool, negligent boater, drunk boater, or other safety violations, it is important that any drowning or near drowning accident is investigated so that an additional drowning does not occur in the future.  

Defective Swimming Pool Accident Lawsuit and Unsecured Pool Accident Lawsuit Information
by Texas Defective Swimming Pool Drain Lawyer and Texas Unfenced Pool Accident Lawyer

Defective Swimming Pool Drains, Unfenced Swimming Pools, and inadequately monitored water rides can be extremely dangerous causing serious injuries including drowning and hypoxia.  Unfortunately, drowning is the second leading cause of death among children under 14 years of age and is a real danger for young children that live near unsecured pools.  Consumer Safety Groups and Organizations including the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) have become aware of many dangers with defectively designed and roped pools and have issued several safety warnings about the importance of pool safety. 

There have also been several stories in the news where defective swimming pool drains have caused serious injuries to small children as well as trapped small children under water.  These defective pool drain and spa drain accidents have caused several children to have been serious injured or killed due to having body parts entrapped by the drain of a swimming pool, wading pool, or spa. Under normal conditions, pipes leading from a pool's drain, or into the pool's pumps, draw water from the pool creating suction. If something blocks the normal function of a pool drain, the amount of suction can increase as the pump draws water past the obstruction. This increased suction can entrap a small child or person, causing the person to be held underwater, which often leads to brain damage because of lack of oxygen or hypoxia. In extreme situations, defective drains in wading pools have caused a child sitting on the drain outlet to be disemboweled by extreme suction.

Texas Water Craft Lawsuit, Texas Fatal Boat Accident Lawsuit, and Texas Boat Accident Lawsuit Information by Texas Boat Accident Lawyer and Texas Water Craft Lawyer

Unfortunately, the Texas summer brings out many drunk and negligent boaters that threaten the safety of other boaters as well as swimmers.  As a Texas boating accident lawyer Jason Coomer is familiar with insurance companies and handling careless and drunk driver claims.  He understands insurance companies and can assist seriously injured people and families of persons killed in boating accidents navigate liability insurance, medical pay, and other insurance coverage. As an Austin Texas Drunk Driver Accident Lawyer, Jason Coomer helps victims of drunk drivers and boaters seek compensation, not only for property damage, but for medical costs, lost wages, future losses, impairment, disfigurement, pain and suffering, mental anguish, wrongful death, punitive damages, and other damages. If you have been seriously injured by a drunk boater or a careless boat operator or have lost a loved one in a boating accident caused by a drunk driver or a careless boater, it is important that you contact an attorney so you fully understand your rights before proceeding with a claim. 

For more information on Texas Drunk Boating Accident Lawsuits and Texas Negligent Boating Accident Lawsuits, go to our webpage on Texas Water Craft, Wave Runners, and Boat Accident Lawsuits.

 Texas Drowning Accident Lawsuit, Texas Water Accident Lawsuit, Texas Defective Pool Drain Lawsuit, Texas Defective Pool Fence Lawsuit, and Texas Drowning Accident Lawsuit Information by Texas Fatal Drowning Accident Lawyer and Texas Drowning Accident Lawyer Jason S. Coomer

For more information on Texas Drowning Accident Lawsuits, Texas Pool Accident Lawsuits, and Texas Negligent Boating Accident Lawsuits, go to our webpage on Texas Drowning Accident Lawsuit, Texas Water Accident Lawsuit, Texas Defective Pool Drain Lawsuit, Texas Defective Pool Fence Lawsuit, and Texas Drowning Accident Lawsuit Information .