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Law Office of Chris Bell

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Houston, TX
Law Office of Chris Bell

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More than 30 years of practice, specializing in Commercial Litigation, Land Disputes, Personal Injury. 30+ years of trial experience.

We don't shy away from the courtroom. Houston:
The Esperson Building
808 Travis, Suite 400
Houston, Texas 77002

Brenham/Chappell Hill:
9727 FM 1371
Chappell Hill, Texas 77426

Telephone –
Houston: 713-489-1211
Chappell Hill: 979-353-0021

Fax – 713-583-5282

10/27/2026

⚖️ LEGAL MYTH VS. FACT

❌ MYTH: "If I get hurt at work, my employer automatically has to pay for everything."

Not necessarily.

Workplace injury claims in Texas can involve different legal rules depending on the circumstances.

For example:

🏗️ Does the employer carry workers' compensation insurance?

📄 What procedures and deadlines apply to reporting the injury?

⚖️ Could a third party potentially be responsible?

🏥 What medical treatment and benefits may be available?

Texas allows many private employers to choose whether to carry workers' compensation coverage, and that distinction can affect an injured worker's legal options.

Don't assume every workplace injury is handled the same way.

If you're injured at work, seek appropriate medical care, report the injury as required, preserve documentation, and understand which rules apply to your situation.

📞 Questions about your legal situation? Contact the Law Office of Chris Bell.

Houston: 713-489-1211
Brenham: 979-353-0021

10/25/2026

🌳 LEGAL MYTH VS. FACT

❌ MYTH: "If my neighbor's tree hangs over my property, I can cut whatever I want."

Not necessarily.

Trees don't always respect property lines.

Branches grow over fences.

Roots spread underground.

And sometimes neighbors disagree about who is responsible.

In Texas, property owners may have certain rights to trim encroaching branches or roots, but those rights aren't unlimited.

Before taking action, consider:

🌳 Where is the tree trunk located?

📏 Where is the legal property boundary?

✂️ Could the proposed trimming damage or kill the tree?

🏡 Are there applicable local ordinances or other restrictions?

⚖️ Could the work create a dispute or potential liability?

Just because part of a tree crosses onto your property doesn't mean every action you take is legally protected.

When property rights overlap, understanding the rules before taking action can help avoid an expensive disagreement.

Questions about a Texas property dispute?

📞 Houston: 713-489-1211
📞 Brenham: 979-353-0021

10/22/2026

💼 YOUR BUSINESS PARTNER HAS ACCESS TO THE COMPANY BANK ACCOUNT.

That's normal in many businesses.

But what happens when you start noticing transactions you don't recognize?

Payments you weren't expecting.

Withdrawals that don't seem related to the business.

Expenses nobody discussed.

What would you do?

Before making accusations or taking action, consider the following:

📄 Review the governing agreements.
What authority does each partner or member have over company finances?

🧾 Preserve financial records.
Keep statements, transaction histories, invoices, receipts, and other relevant documentation.

📊 Identify the transactions in question.
Separate what you know from what you suspect.

✍️ Document communications.
Keep accurate records of discussions and explanations.

⚖️ Seek appropriate legal guidance.
Business ownership, fiduciary duties, financial authority, and potential remedies can involve complex legal issues.

Not every unusual transaction means wrongdoing. But unanswered financial questions shouldn't simply be ignored.

If you're dealing with a business partnership or financial dispute, understanding your legal rights can help you determine your next steps.

📞 Houston: 713-489-1211
📞 Brenham: 979-353-0021

10/20/2026

🛒 "I THOUGHT IT WAS JUST A LITTLE FALL."

You slip inside a store.

At first, you're embarrassed more than anything.

You get up, brush yourself off, and head home.

But later, you're hurting.

Now you're wondering whether you should have documented what happened.

If you're injured in a slip-and-fall accident, here are some things to consider.

📸 Photograph the area.
If it's safe, document spills, damaged flooring, poor lighting, or other conditions that may have contributed.

📝 Report the incident.
Notify the appropriate manager or property representative and ask that the incident be documented.

👥 Get witness information.
Someone nearby may have seen what happened.

🏥 Seek appropriate medical attention.
Don't ignore symptoms or injuries.

📁 Keep your records.
Preserve medical documentation, photographs, receipts, and related communications.

And remember:

Just because someone falls inside a business doesn't automatically mean the business is legally responsible.

Premises liability claims depend on the circumstances, including the condition involved and the legal duties owed.

Questions about your legal situation?

📞 Houston: 713-489-1211
📞 Brenham: 979-353-0021

10/17/2026

❌ MYTH:
"It's my property. I can do whatever I want with it."

You bought it. You pay the taxes. Your name is on the deed.

But property ownership doesn't necessarily mean there are no limitations on how the land can be used.

Depending on the property, you may need to consider:

📄 Deed restrictions
🚧 Easements
🏗️ Permitting requirements
🏘️ Zoning or land-use regulations
🌳 Other restrictions or legal rights affecting the property

These issues can become especially important when you're planning to build, add structures, subdivide, create access, or change how property is being used.

Owning property and having an unrestricted right to use it however you want aren't necessarily the same thing.

Questions about your Texas property rights?

📞 Houston: 713-489-1211
📞 Brenham: 979-353-0021

10/15/2026

Your business completes a $20,000 project.

The work is finished.

You send the invoice.

Then the customer responds:

"We're not paying. The work wasn't what we expected."

Wait...WHAT?

Now you're dealing with more than an unpaid invoice.

You're dealing with a potential business dispute.

Before reacting, consider these steps:

📄 Review the contract.
What work was promised? What were the payment terms? Were there acceptance requirements?

📸 Gather proof of performance.
Keep photos, delivery confirmations, completed work records, and other evidence.

📩 Review communications.
Were concerns raised during the project? Were changes requested or approved?

🧾 Document the financial impact.
Keep invoices, expenses, and other records relevant to the disputed payment.

⚖️ Understand your legal options.
Depending on the circumstances, negotiation, a formal demand, or litigation may be appropriate.

The goal isn't always to rush into court. It's to understand the dispute and make an informed decision about protecting your business.

Questions about a commercial dispute?

📞 Houston: 713-489-1211
📞 Brenham: 979-353-0021

10/13/2026

🐕 "HE'S NEVER BITTEN ANYONE BEFORE!"

That's what the dog owner says after their dog bites someone.

But does that automatically mean the owner isn't responsible?

Not necessarily.

In Texas, determining responsibility for a dog bite can involve several factors.

🐾 Did the owner know the dog had dangerous tendencies?

🐾 Had the dog previously acted aggressively?

🐾 Was the owner negligent in controlling the animal?

🐾 Where and how did the incident occur?

Texas dog bite cases aren't always as simple as determining who owns the dog.

If you've been injured by a dog, consider these steps:

✔️ Seek appropriate medical attention promptly.

✔️ Document the injuries and location.

✔️ Obtain the owner's contact information, if safely possible.

✔️ Preserve witness information.

✔️ Report the incident to the appropriate local animal-control authority.

Every dog bite case is different, and the circumstances matter.

📞 Questions about your legal situation? Contact the Law Office of Chris Bell.

Houston: 713-489-1211
Brenham: 979-353-0021

10/11/2026

Imagine you've used the same driveway to access your property for 20 years.

Then your neighbor sells their property.

The new owner puts up a gate and tells you that you can no longer use it.

Now what?

Long-term use of someone else's property doesn't automatically establish a permanent legal right to continue using it.

Depending on the circumstances, access rights may involve:

📄 Recorded easements

🏡 Property deeds and legal descriptions

🚗 Historical use of the roadway

⚖️ Whether an easement may exist under Texas law

Simply saying, "I've always used it," may not be enough.

Before buying property—or assuming you have permanent access—make sure you understand your legal rights.

Dealing with an access or easement dispute?

📞 Houston: 713-489-1211
📞 Brenham: 979-353-0021

10/08/2026

You discussed the project.

You agreed on the price.

You shook hands.

Work started.

And now the other party claims the agreement was something completely different.

Sound familiar?

🤝 Here's where handshake agreements can become complicated.

In Texas, some verbal agreements may be legally enforceable, but proving exactly what was agreed upon can become difficult when memories and expectations don't match.

Before you find yourself in this situation:

✔️ Put important agreements in writing.

✔️ Clearly define the scope of work, responsibilities, and payment terms.

✔️ Document changes to the original agreement.

✔️ Keep emails, messages, invoices, and other communications.

✔️ Make sure both parties understand and acknowledge the terms.

A handshake may start a business relationship, but clear documentation can help protect it.

Already dealing with a disagreement over a business agreement?

📞 Questions about your legal situation? Contact the Law Office of Chris Bell.

Houston: 713-489-1211
Brenham: 979-353-0021

10/06/2026

❌ MYTH:
"I feel fine after the accident, so there's no reason to get checked out."

Not necessarily.

After an accident, some injuries or symptoms may not be immediately apparent.

If you're experiencing pain, discomfort, dizziness, limited movement, or other symptoms—or simply have concerns about an injury—seeking appropriate medical attention should be a priority.

Medical care also creates documentation showing when symptoms were reported and what treatment was provided.

Don't ignore symptoms because you walked away from the accident thinking, "I'm okay."

Your health comes first.

📞 Questions about your legal situation? Contact the Law Office of Chris Bell.

Houston: 713-489-1211
Brenham: 979-353-0021

Address

Houston, TX

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 5pm
Tuesday	9am - 5pm
Wednesday	9am - 5pm
Thursday	9am - 5pm
Friday	9am - 5pm

Telephone

+17134891211

Website

https://www.bellhagens.com/

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