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Serious Injuries. Strong Lawyer. 214-932-1288 | ARMSTRONGLAWYER.COM | SPRING 2026
THE DANGEROUS MYTH OF FRIVOLOUS LAWSUITS When Stella Liebeck ordered a coffee from the McDonald’s drive-thru one day in 1992, she had no idea it would go on to become one of the most often cited examples of a “frivolous lawsuit.” You probably know the case, or at least the story the headlines focused on. A 79-year-old woman spilling coffee on herself and trying to squeeze millions of dollars out of the company. of the legal system to hold powerful companies responsible when they ignore safety. Stella was vilified and ridiculed in the public eye for years. But corporations and insurance companies are still benefiting from a greater side effect of frivolous lawsuits. Burned by Negligence, Not Greed
case like the coffee case or an item on your local ballot, look at both sides before you make a decision. Try to find the pros and cons. Not everything is what it appears to be, especially with laws that often have things you didn’t know you were voting on tucked inside them. Don’t get all your info from TikTok and social media. A lot of it is unvetted clickbait designed to get you watching. I’m all for limiting frivolous lawsuits, but they are pretty rare. Tort reform in Texas remains a significant hurdle. When it took effect, it was more far-reaching than many voters had thought. When we make decisions without all the facts, it can ultimately harm those who are already vulnerable. It might be easy to look at Stella and believe that she was a scammer, a story that McDonald’s was all too happy to promote. But if you were to go to your favorite fast- food restaurant and become permanently damaged by coffee they knew was too hot
However, many people don’t realize that Stella wasn’t making a false claim to earn a buck, and it wasn’t a minor spill or one-off accident. Her injuries were severe; she suffered third- degree burns that required skin grafts, years of treatment, and was left with permanent scars. McDonald’s was well aware that their coffee was far hotter than was considered safe to serve. They had received more than 700 complaints about burns before Stella’s injury. They ignored them. The fast-food giant simply wanted to save a few pennies. Debunking Day is on March 11, and in my line of work, one of the most prevalent falsehoods we encounter is the myth of the frivolous lawsuit. It’s this idea that people are out here getting millions of dollars for a minor sore back, crafting false stories to profit. Many people hear the chatter online or on the radio and never dig into the facts. But when it happens to you, you may start thinking a little differently.
These stories are often used to promote tort reform, which limits the ability of real victims to
obtain justice or the compensation they actually deserve. In the world of medical malpractice, reforms implemented in Texas 20 years ago significantly limited possible damages, created procedural hurdles, and made it more difficult for victims to obtain the necessary resources to move forward. Many voters who supported this were gung- ho about one of its main “goals,” to combat frivolous lawsuits, believing what they heard without questioning the facts. There are fewer medical malpractice cases now, but this is largely because they’re often too expensive with payouts that are too low for many lawyers to take on. Careful what you wish for. If you drank the Kool-Aid and voted with blinders on, this is what can happen. The majority of personal injury cases are legitimate: They involve real people who have been hurt and are trying to regain some normalcy in their lives. Whether it’s a big
to serve you, you would probably stop laughing and start asking questions.
–Warren Armstrong
The McDonald’s coffee case was far from frivolous, and its real legacy is the power
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Teaching Teens How to Tackle Home Projects HANDS-ON INDEPENDENCE
Tackle practical household projects. Start with simple, rewarding tasks, such as fixing a dripping faucet, patching a small hole in drywall, or replacing a light fixture. Even assembling furniture or hanging curtain rods offers instant satisfaction and tangible results. These small victories teach patience, precision, and troubleshooting skills, all while improving the home and reinforcing the teen’s sense of accomplishment. Build independence and confidence. Every repair, no matter how small, teaches resilience and fosters problem-solving skills. Teens learn that mistakes aren’t failures but, instead, learning opportunities. With each completed project, their confidence grows, and so does their ability to handle everyday challenges. By teaching repair skills, you’re giving them a toolkit for independence, creativity, and self-reliance that will benefit them long after they leave home.
Can you picture a teen confidently tightening a loose door handle, fixing a leaky faucet, or assembling a bookshelf, all without asking for help? Teaching teens repair skills goes beyond tools and hardware; it’s about giving them independence, practical problem-solving abilities, and the kind of confidence that lasts a lifetime. These hands-on lessons transform ordinary weekends into opportunities for growth, bonding, and creative fun, while also equipping them with life skills they’ll use far beyond the walls of your home. Start with the basics.
choose the right screwdriver, measure accurately, and handle pliers safely. Once they’re comfortable, you can introduce beginner-friendly power tools, such as a cordless drill or jigsaw. Learning how to handle these tools correctly not only boosts confidence but also encourages careful attention to detail. Make safety a habit. Safety comes first. Teach teens to wear goggles, gloves, and masks when necessary, and stress the importance of keeping their workspace tidy. Explain proper tool storage, cleanup routines, and basic emergency preparedness, including knowing where to find the first-aid kit.
Before tackling larger projects, teens need
a foundation in essential tools. Show them how to use a hammer properly,
Don’t Let a Collision Crash Your Vacation SAFE DRIVING FOR SPRING BREAK
Spring break road trips are all about adventure, sharing time with loved ones, and adding miles to your vehicle. But they also put millions of drivers on the road at the same time, often in unfamiliar places. Before you hit the road, a few smart safety choices can help ensure your vacation goes smoothly and you avoid any injuries to you, your travel companions, or your car. Fight Fatigue Driving when you are sleep-deprived is not dissimilar to driving while under the influence. It significantly impairs your reaction time and your ability to think quickly. Make sure you take turns in the driver’s seat, having different people take shifts so no one person gets overly fatigued. Not only will this keep you safe, but it also
has legal implications in collisions where driver fatigue was a factor. Here in Texas, if you are in a crash and your fatigue is considered partially to blame, you may be partially at fault and receive a reduced amount of compensation. Block Distractions When you’re on your way to a vacation, you will face more distractions than usual, whether that’s your passengers chatting in the back seat or changing a song. Since you are likely unfamiliar with your route, ensure you have your GPS set up before you start driving and have backup directions printed out. The state’s distracted driving laws primarily focus on the use of cellphones, with potential fines for anyone who violates the rules. However, anything that takes your
focus off the road could be considered negligence in the event of an accident. Plan Ahead Take the time to get your vehicle tuned up before your trip, such as having an oil change and a thorough inspection. Make sure your tires can handle the trek and that you have a spare. A basic emergency kit, including first-aid items and roadside tools, can be extremely helpful in the event of an accident. The more planning you do ahead of time, the better prepared you will be, no matter what happens. If you have been in an accident on your spring break road trip in Texas, contact Armstrong Law to schedule a complimentary consultation.
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214-932-1288
Timelines Every Injured Employee Must Know Miss a Deadline, Miss Your Rights
If you are hurt on the job, the clock starts ticking fast. What you do in the first 30 days and beyond can make a huge difference in your claim, with important deadlines you don’t want to miss. Texas is unique in the fact that your employer may have traditional workers’ compensation, or they may be a nonsubscriber, opting out of the system entirely. Knowing when to take action and moving swiftly can protect your well-being, paycheck, and future. When to Report If you are injured in the workplace, it is best practice to report the incident as soon as possible. Many traditional workers’ compensation or employer benefit plans have strict deadlines for submitting a written report of an injury, typically within a 24- to 72-hour window. While state law doesn’t set a specific deadline for nonsubscriber cases to report an injury, you will need to provide that written document, and the sooner you do, the sooner the process can begin. Statute of Limitations When you’re ready to file your claim, there is a nonnegotiable statute of limitations that dictates
deadlines. If you miss them, you may completely miss out on the opportunity to make any kind of recovery. Standard
workers’ comp cases have a 30-day window to inform your employer and a year to file your formal claim with the Texas Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC). The state generally provides a two-year time frame for personal injury lawsuits against a third party or a nonsubscriber employer. Other Timely Factors
The time it takes from the moment you are injured until your claim is closed can vary from a few months to a year or even longer, depending on the complexity of the case. More serious injuries take longer to assess the full scope of the damages. If your employer or their insurance company disputes responsibility for your injuries, it will extend the time. Most employer benefit plans have a 30-day deadline for internal appeals processes. If you actually wind up in court, that’s another set of timelines. At Armstrong Law, we’ve handled many workplace injury claims and can help your case stay on track. The clock starts ticking quickly after your accident, so contact us today to schedule a complimentary consultation.
TAKE A BREAK
Armstrong Law specializes in workplace accident cases for employees of businesses in Texas that do not have workers’ comp insurance. We understand the nuances of these cases and have the resources to take on large “nonsubscriber” employers. To refer an injury case involving a nonsubscriber employer to our practice, call us at 214-932-1288 . WE VALUE YOUR REFERRALS
DREAM EQUALITY FESTIVAL GROUNDHOG
HEARTS KING LINCOLN MUFFIN
PANCAKE RABBIT ROSES
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4040 N. CENTRAL EXPY, STE. 400 | DALLAS, TX 75204 214-932-1288 | ARMSTRONGLAWYER.COM
INSIDE 1
Why Anti-Lawsuit Laws Can Harm the Injured
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Empower Your Teen One Tool at a Time
Tips Every Traveler Needs
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Timing Can Make or Break Your Claim
We Value Your Referrals
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Baseball Pride on the World Stage
STARS ALIGN FOR THIS YEAR’S CLASSIC Your 2026 WBC Preview
Every few years, baseball reminds us it belongs to the world, not just one country.
stay alive. It’s win and move on, or lose and head home until 2029. Everything leads to Miami, where the semifinals and final will be played.
Those looking for an underdog should keep an eye on the Netherlands. They have a history of playing above expectations, and their roster can cause trouble for any opponent. The talent level is impressive overall, with a confirmed player list that looks like an All-Star roster. Aaron Judge will captain Team USA for the first time, and Paul Skenes will bring his ace-level pitching skills to the mound for the U.S. Francisco Lindor returns to lead Puerto Rico, Juan Soto is back for the Dominican Republic, and Shohei Ohtani will suit up for Japan. Corbin Carroll, Bo Bichette, Salvador Perez, Bobby Witt Jr., and many others have also signed on for the Classic. The WBC is a celebration of national pride and pure baseball. For a couple of weeks, the entire baseball world has the same focus, and this year’s tournament promises to be a great one.
The World Baseball Classic (WBC) is back this March, and the 2026 tournament is shaping up to be the most stacked one yet. Twenty national teams
Japan comes into this year’s WBC as the defending champion, and the United States will
are showing up this year to try to outplay and outlast each other across four tournament locations.
be looking for payback after losing the 2023 final. The Dominican Republic
The four international host cities are Tokyo, San Juan,
also has something to prove after its first-round exit
Houston, and Miami. Each will have a five-team pool, and every
in 2023, and the rest of the field is looking very strong. Venezuela, Korea, Puerto Rico, Cuba, and Mexico are all capable of making a deep run, and each has enough star power to change a game in a single inning.
team will play each other once. When the dust settles, the top two teams from each group move on. The knockout round follows, featuring eight teams battling to
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