Meyerson Firm Blog

Tip Pooling

2012-02-27T10:13:00.000-06:00

The FLSA prohibits restaurants from requiring tip pooling amongst staff. Voluntary tip pooling is legal, but only waiters, bartenders, and restaurant employees making less than minimum wage and who have direct interaction with patrons may participate in tip collection. Managers, cooks, dishwashers, etc. are not permitted to receive tips on a mandatory basis.
Many restaurants and bars violate the FLSA by mandating tip pooling. Successful tip pooling lawsuits have recently been brought against Starbucks, Hard Rock Café, Luby’s, and Outback Steakhouse. If you work in a restaurant or bar and are required to share your tips with staff members who are not legally entitled to receive tips, contact The Meyerson Law Firm today for a free consultation. You may be entitled to financial compensation.

Dram Shop Cases

2011-10-11T09:06:00.002-05:00

The Meyerson Law Firm settles against local bar Enzo for over-serving a drunk who punched one of its patrons. We are proud to defend against establishments that create drunk drivers, putting locals in harm’s way. Please keep us in mind in the future if you have a potential dram shop case.

Sherrif's Sale September 14th, 2011

2011-09-10T14:01:00.001-05:00

Sheriff's sale of seized items! Wednesday September 14, 2011 at 11:00 AM!!

Location: Apple Movers 9807 Brown Lane Austin, Texas 78745

List of Items for Auction

1. Leopard print chase lounge chair
2. Three piece Beige sectional sofa
3. Three rugs
4. Two buffet tables
5. Mirror
6. Two piece dining table with eight chairs and three leaf attachments
7. Washer (Serial No. 75425605804306041647-65T65T0800AND)
8. Dryer (Serial No. 754260300976021417)
9. Washer (Serial No. 754256050043464164765T0800)
10. Dryer (Serial No. 754226030833962021411763W03630)
11. Two circular end tables
12. Two ottomans
13. One chest
14. Poker table with four chairs
15. Three bar stools
16. One couch
17. One love seat
18. One chair
19. One pinball arcade machine (4272649)
20. One Black couch
21. One coffee table with one end chair
22. One University of Texas table with two chairs
23. One wine cooler refrigerator (443001294)
24. Two bar stools
25. One leather bench
26. One gun case
27. One pool table rack with eight pool cues
28. One table with four chairs
29. One outdoor rocker bench
30. One Dell Black flat screen computer monitor (CNOT6133466335931305)
31. Three Kincaid wall paintings
32. One Red loveseat chair with White stripes
33. One 32" Toshiba flat screen TV (Serial No. AM30700331)
34. One exercise equipment life fitness X9 (Serial No. 3426384/9568016)
35. One exercise equipment life fitness R9 (Serial No. 0834253/95149017)
36. One dark Brown leather chair with one ottoman
37. Two end tables
38. Four outdoor lounge chairs and two end tables
39. One iron table with six iron chairs
40. One iron couch and one coffee table
41. One Emerson flat screen TX 17 inch (Serial No. J168842186)
42. One Black alligator storage chest
43. One arrangement with a throw
44. One slot machine (95134084)
45. One Galaza arcade machine (Serial No. 1981)
46. One Golden Tee arcade machine (Serial No. W9M279200T508E14122944)
47. One Go Kart (Shift cart) (Serial No. 020444/1456CH08)

Local Ponzi Scheme Operator's Items Seized

2011-08-26T10:24:00.010-05:00

Local Ponzi Scheme Operator's Items Seized

Sheriff's sale of seized items! September 14, 2011 at 11:00 AM!!
MANY High End Pieces for Sale to the Highest BidderApple Movers

9807 Brown Lane Austin, Texas 78745

TMLF won a battle in Bankruptcy Court

2011-06-28T11:28:00.002-05:00

The Meyerson Law Firm, P.C. won a battle in Austin's Bankruptcy Court Monday morning June 27th. After obtaining a judgment for a client in a ponzi-scheme securities fraud case, the Defendant fraudster declared bankruptcy (twice) to halt the firm's collection proceedings. Today the Bankruptcy Court ruled (for a second time) that the Defendant was not entitled to Bankruptcy protection from collection of the judgment.

Overtime Pay and The Fair Labor Standards Act

2011-03-16T09:30:00.001-05:00

The Meyerson Law Firm is currently investigating several cases involving workers who were not paid federally required overtime pay of one and a half times their hourly rate. Our firm is experienced in representing workers to recover their lost income in addition to penalties and attorney fees.

Typically, these cases involve employers classifying their employees as exempt from overtime rules when the law says otherwise. Even large corporations will attempt to flaunt the laws in order to avoid properly paying their employees.

If you feel that your wages haven't been properly accounted for, call The Meyerson Law Firm today to speak to one of our attorneys. (512) 330-9001 ; look us up on our website http://www.meyersonfirm.com/
And you may also email your questions to jeffm@meyersonfirm.com

Wrongful Foreclosures

2010-11-08T11:07:00.002-06:00

Meyerson Cagle is currently investigating the wrongful foreclosure practices of OneWest Bank, formerly known as IndyMac. The Washington Post recently published an article noting that OneWest Bank officials signed “6,000 documents a week or about 24,000 a month without reading all of them” in foreclosure proceedings. A OneWest executive testified that “she spent no more than 30 seconds to sign each document.” You can read the article here: http://voices.washingtonpost.com/political-economy/2010/09/onewest_bank_employee_not_more.html.

Meyerson Cagle has experience representing clients against predatory lenders and is currently investigating OneWest/IndyMac’s foreclosure practices. If you or someone you know has had their home foreclosed by OneWest/IndyMac, please contact our office to discuss any potential claims you may have. http://www.meyersoncagle.com/

Meyerson Cagle, P.C. files suit in Idaho Federal Court for real estate scheme

2010-08-30T00:52:00.001-05:00

On October 12, 2010, the attorneys of Meyerson Cagle will face off against several Defendants involved in an alleged real estate scheme that grossed over thirty million dollars in profits in only a few months. The properties are all situated in the Teton Springs subdivision in Idaho near Jackson Wyoming. The Defendants include Anthony Vest, a multi-millionaire who owned parts of the development company, the real estate company, and the construction company. Mr. Vest hired NuWay to seek out buyers from primarily the West Coast. NuWay, a real estate company unlicensed in Idaho was led by JT Bramlette, a then 28 year old unlicensed broker from Salt Lake City. The appraiser hired by the exclusive mortgage broker had his license revoked due to his multiple violations.

Meyerson Cagle, P.C. Seizes Ponzi scheme Defendant’s House after Defendant fails to pay judgment

2010-08-30T00:51:00.001-05:00

On November 12, 2009, attorneys from Meyerson Cagle, acting on an order from a District Court Judge and in conjunction with the Travis County Constable’s office, seized a million dollar private residence belonging to Marcus Saenz, an admitted Ponzi scheme operator. The custom built home included a large pool with a sunken bar as well as horse stables. Travis County District Court Judge Jeff Rose later allowed Mr. Saenz access to the house for school books and care for the horses. Meyerson Cagle represented one of many victims of Saenz’s Ponzi scheme.

Meyerson Cagle, P.C. files lawsuit against Baxter Healthcare concerning recalled Heparin being used on local Austin Man

2010-08-30T00:50:00.001-05:00

On August 30, 2008, Shine Philip suffered a heart attack and was admitted to the emergency room at St. David’s hospital. No one would have guessed that he would end up completely blind from the experience. Hundreds of thousands of Americans have heart attacks each year in the United States, but most never suffer complete bilateral blindness. “I wanted to know why I lost complete vision in both eyes” Philip says. What the attorneys at Meyerson Cagle found was astonishing: Philip was exposed to multiple doses of a defective batch of a commonly used blood thinner known as Heparin. The defective ingredient causes profound hypotension, a leading cause of Ischemic Optic Neuropathy—or complete blindness. Meyerson Cagle immediately filed a lawsuit on behalf of this 43 year old father of three that faces a future of fear and uncertainty.

Meyerson Cagle attorneys secure a $2.3 million jury verdict in wrongful death action

2010-08-30T00:48:00.002-05:00

In January 2008, a Bell County jury awarded the family of a woman killed in an automobile accident more than two million dollars. The verdict came at the conclusion of a two week trial, described as “one of the biggest trials to hit Bell County, Texas.” The Bell County District Attorney had a special interest in the case and shortly after the civil verdict, proceeded with criminal charges against the Defendant. Prior to trial, General Motors was dismissed pursuant to a confidential agreement.

Learn more about the case here.

Meyerson Cagle attorneys challenge Texas’ Liquor Laws

2010-08-30T00:46:00.004-05:00

On May 19, 2008, Jeff Meyerson and Chris Cagle testified before the Texas House Committee on Civil Practices regarding what is essentially a loophole in the Texas Dram Shop laws. The Texas Dram Shop Laws were enacted to provide an avenue for compensation against purveyors of alcohol to intoxicated persons who end up hurting others. Meyerson Cagle represented the family of 16 year old Jordan Evans, who was killed after an intoxicated classmate lost control of his pickup truck on a local Farm to Market road in Lampasas, Texas. Meyerson Cagle learned from a convenience store videotape that the intoxicated teenager bought 48 beers without the store clerk even checking his identification. Meyerson Cagle litigated the case on behalf of the family, and subsequently proposed legislation to change the Dram Shop Act to protect Texas families. The attorneys at Meyerson Cagle were invited to speak to the Texas House Committee concerning the proposed legislative changes.

See the Dram Shop Article here. Meyerson Cagle testifies in front of the House Committee.

Meyerson Cagle Take On the Caldwell County Sheriff’s “Good ‘Ole Boy Status Quo”

2010-08-30T00:42:00.000-05:00

A lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court by Deputy Katharina Harper claims her firing was in retaliation for her reporting lewd sexual acts between jailers. Although Sheriff Law wrote that her termination was due to unreported ADHD, Harper’s Austin lawyers, Jeff Meyerson and Mark McLean, said that it was well known and never affected her job performance. Two days after reporting an incident between the jailers, she was written up. The lawsuit alleges violations of several laws including the Texas Whistleblower Act, violations of Title VII, and violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act. See news article.

Lab Band Surgeries can cause injuries and even death

2010-08-30T00:40:00.000-05:00

In recent years, Lap-Band surgeries have become more common in the treatment of morbid obesity. The Lap-Band surgery involves installing an inflatable band around the patient’s stomach, creating less space for the absorption and digestion of food. After the band is installed, a patient will feel “full” even after consuming reduced portions. The Lap-Band surgery is often touted as a day surgery procedure, and is sometimes marketed as a risk free option to health weight loss. These surgeries can create extreme heath risks to patients. Some of these risks include puncture wounds to the patient’s bowels during the procedure. If a bowel is punctured during the procedure, the patient is at risk to develop sepsis, necrosis of the bowel tissue, and peritonitis, or poisoning of the blood. These complications can be fatal.

If you or a loved one has suffered injury as a result of a Lap-Band surgery, you need attorneys familiar with the standard of care required during these procedures. Call the attorneys at Meyerson Cagle, P.C. today for a free Lap-Band consultation.

Thomas Medical Products Inc. recalls its Safesheath Hemostatic Introducer System with Infusion Sideport

2010-08-30T00:35:00.005-05:00

Thomas Medical Products manufactures the Safesheath Hemostatic Introducer System, which has been recalled from the market for causing serious injuries to unsuspecting patients. The sheaths are tube-like devices placed into blood vessels to allow insertion of defibrillator wires and catheters into blood vessels. The sheath tip may break off and separate while the sheath is inside a blood vessel. If this occurs, the sheath tip could move through the blood vessel into organs such as the lungs and heart. From there, the broken tip could cause a blockage anywhere, including the brain or heart, leading to permanent injury, such as a stroke or heart attack, or even death.

Have you or someone you love been injured by the Thomas Medical Products Hemostatic sheath? If so, call Meyerson Cagle, P.C. for a free consultation.

The Alcon CONSTELLATION Vision System Recalled for Causing Blindness and other eye injuries

2010-08-30T00:31:00.003-05:00

Austin law firm Meyerson Cagle, P.C. has begun investigating an eye surgery device manufactured by Alcon Medical Devices, LLC. The Alcon CONSTELLATION Vision System is an ophthalmic microsurgical system used by eye surgeons to perform various types of eye surgery. Alcon initiated a recall in the Spring of 2010 after it identified both software and hardware problems which have been associated with unexpected system loss of power (shutdowns), unintended system error messages, unresponsive touch screens, and system setting and infusion performance problems. These events may cause eye injuries, including blindness. This is a Class 1 recall. Class 1 recalls are the most serious type of recall and involve situations in which there is a reasonable probability that use of these products will cause serious adverse health consequences or death.

Have you or someone you love been injured by the Alcon CONSTELLATION Vision System? If so, call Meyerson Cagle, P.C. for a free consultation.

Contaminated Heparin Recalled by Baxter Healthcare

2010-08-30T00:25:00.005-05:00

A civil lawsuit has been filed by the law firm, Meyerson Cagle, P.C. against Baxter Healthcare on behalf of an Austin man who alleges he was subjected to contaminated Heparin. Baxter Healthcare is one of the largest manufacturers of Heparin in the world. Heparin is an “anticoagulant” medication, commonly referred to as “blood thinner.” In January 2008, Baxter issued a recall of certain lots of contaminated Heparin. The recall was issued after a spike in adverse event reports surfaced involving reactions to heparin.
The recalled lots contained an ingredient referred to as “crude heparin” which has not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration. The tainted Heparin was distributed to hospitals and patients around the world. Many patients have unknowingly been exposed to contaminated Heparin. Adverse events associated with the contaminated Heparin include severe allergic reactions and dangerous hypotension. At least 81 patients have died after being exposed to Heparin, and hundreds more have been sickened.

Have you or someone you love been exposed to tainted Heparin? If so, call Meyerson Cagle, P.C. for a free consultation.

Rooms to Go - "Slamming" Warranties

2010-01-15T14:28:00.000-06:00

Meyerson Cagle is investigating the sales tactics of Rooms to Go after an employee provided details of a process known in the trade as "slamming." Customers who have declined on the furniture fabric protection plan may have the plan charged to their final bill without their knowledge. The sales persons of Rooms to Go are typically assigned quotas on the furniture they sell with these plans and will aggressively pitch the product and treatment.

If you have purchased furniture from Rooms to Go and suspect you may have been slammed, please contact our office.