Entries by bkm1

Corporate greed, regulatory failures responsible for hundreds of deadly big rig accidents each year, BKM is fighting to make the roads safer by holding truckers accountable

/0 Comments/in , , , , , /by

Since MahoningMatters offered me the opportunity to grace their website with this column each week, I’ve addressed everything from COVID to corruption, distracted driving to democracy and dozens of topics in between. But if pressed to pick the most important subject I write about, is highlighting the role personal injury attorneys and the civil justice […]

DAVID BETRAS: August’s ballot decision asking to create a 60% supermajority goes against majority rule

/0 Comments/in , /by

In the 220 years that elapsed since Ohio became a state, the General Assembly has never scheduled a special election for the sole purpose of considering a legislatively initiated constitutional amendment. That streak is about to come to an end. As I write this week’s column, the state’s 88 county boards of election, are preparing […]

Betras, Kopp & Markota observes Motorcycle Safety Month by offering life-saving tips

/0 Comments/in , , /by

The weather is breaking and that means people across the Valley are breaking out their motorcycles. Each year at this time we re-post this video from the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF), AAA, law enforcement, and the National Highway Safety Foundation: https://vimeo.com/543457795 and important tips for car and truck drivers who aren’t used to seeing bikers […]

What were they thinking? Why did Alex Murdaugh’s lawyers allow the now convicted killer to testilie for hours on end?

/0 Comments/in , , , , /by

Judging by the number of people who have yelled, “Hey Betras, what the xxxx (readers are free to insert the word of their choice) is up with that Murdaugh trial?” I am not the only person who has been obsessed with the sordid saga of the once prominent South Carolina trail lawyer who was recently […]

Nothing frivolous about it: Trial lawyers who hold doctors and other providers accountable when they injure or kill patients play a major role in improving America’s health care system

/0 Comments/in , , , , /by

Over the years I’ve developed a relatively thick skin—something that is basically a job requirement for criminal defense and personal injury attorneys and chairs of political parties. I’ve lost track of how many times I’ve been called an “ambulance chaser,” “shyster,” “commie,” “hack,” yelled at for getting criminals off, and been told the “What do […]

Despite reassurances from officials and NS, West Virginia University student finds tens of thousands of dead animals in Leslie Run Creek, other residents continue to report illness, sick and dying animals

/0 Comments/in , , , , , /by

State and federal officials and Norfolk Southern continue to tell residents everything is fine in the region surrounding the derailment, fire, and toxic chemical spill that has devastated East Palestine, but there is a continuous flow of stories from residents and scientists that raise both doubts about the official storyline and serious concerns about how […]

Betras, Kopp & Markota will provide information, answer questions about Norfolk Southern derailment, fire, and toxic chemical release at public meeting on Thursday, February 16

/0 Comments/in /by

Attorney David Betras, managing partner of Betras, Kopp and Markota, will conduct a public meeting on Thursday, February 16, 2023 to provide information and answer questions about the the Norfolk Southern train derailment, fire, and subsequent release of toxic chemicals that endangered people living in East Palestine, Ohio, eastern Ohio, and western Pennsylvania. The meeting […]

A message from David Betras to anyone who is being questioned by the police: Shut Up!

/0 Comments/in , , , , , /by

On a number of occasions, I’ve addressed what people should do if they are stopped and questioned by the police. Here’s an excerpt from an August 2021 blog post on the topic: “First, if you are stopped by law enforcement and questioned you are under no obligation to do anything other than provide your name […]

New distracted bill is overdue, will save lives and make Ohio roads safer for all

/0 Comments/in , , , , /by

Betras, Kopp & Markota has long been a leader in the battle to end the carnage caused by distracted driving. That is why we are pleased to commend the members of the Ohio General Assembly for passing and Governor Mike DeWine for signing SB 288, which includes provisions that will significantly strengthen the penalties for […]