Texas Consumer Law

October 21, 2015

Texas – Benefits for Veterans, Military Personnel, and Spouses

by Eleanor K. Meltzer for the Law Office of Robert B. Goss

As we have mentioned in previous blogs, the State of Texas is grateful to Veterans and their families. Texas is notable for its numerous programs designed to assist Veterans and their families through discounts on various licenses, financial assistance, educational benefits, and more.

The following summary is intended as a gateway to some of the Texas agencies responsible for the many Veteran programs offered by the State of Texas.

CEMETERY – The Veterans Land Board (VLB) maintains four Texas State Cemeteries for Veterans. The cemeteries are located in Abilene, Corpus Christi, Killeen, and Mission. Continue reading

October 20, 2015

How to avoid a costly common post-service mistake. Part II of an interview with Bob Goss

by Eleanor K. Meltzer for the Law Office of Robert B. Goss

Bob Goss, founder of the Law Office of Robert B. Goss, P.C.

Robert B. Goss is a Veteran, attorney, and the founder of the Law Office of Robert B. Goss, P.C. Bob, as he prefers to be called, started his law firm in response to the need he saw for a level playing field between Veterans and the government system intended to provide benefits to Veterans. Recently, I had an opportunity to discuss with Bob some of his thoughts on how Veterans can be better served. The following is Part II of a two-part conversation.

Eleanor Meltzer: Bob, I know Veterans can contact you directly. What recommendations do you have for Veterans who are struggling to obtain benefits?

Robert Goss: “Don’t wait to contact me.” I hope everyone reading this interview tells their active-duty friends the following: if you are just leaving the service, make the service give you a physical. Once you leave service (and are now a Veteran), claim ALL your disabilities. For instance, a paratrooper most likely is going to have orthopedic issues, tinnitus, hearing loss. Depending on the individual, there may be other service-connected traumas such as PTSD and burn-pit related injuries. FILE WITHIN THE 1^ST YEAR after leaving the service. Why? Because then your benefits go back to the day after separation. If a Veteran has been out longer than a year, they still need to file. The sooner the better. Continue reading

October 5, 2015

New Waivers of Certain Texas Fees for Texas Veterans, Military, and Spouses

by Eleanor K. Meltzer for the Law Office of Robert B. Goss

The 84^th legislative session for Texas ended on June 1, 2015. Texas legislators were active on behalf of Veterans and Veterans’ dependents. At least 20 bills which provide immediate or future assistance to Veterans became law. The following information focuses on four new laws which affect licenses and fees paid by Veterans and, in some instances, their spouses. Continue reading

October 3, 2015

Recent Changes to Texas Concealed Handgun License (CHL) and Open Carry Laws

by Eleanor K. Meltzer for the Law Office of Robert B. Goss

The Law Office of Robert B. Goss, P.C. hopes the following information assists you in complying with the law and staying safe.

The tragic mass shooting at Oregon’s Umpqua Community College on October 1, 2015 inspires this update on changes to Concealed Handgun License (CHL) requirements in Texas. A Veteran, Chris Mintz, heroically stood between the Oregon mass killer and slaughter. Chris Mintz was reportedly shot at least five times and suffered two broken legs and multiple other injuries while barring a classroom door. Mr. Mintz’s unwavering concern for the lives of others reminds us of how much we owe America’s Veterans.

In Texas, the recently concluded 84^th Regular Legislative Session made several significant updates and changes that impact both Concealed Handgun Licensing and Open Carry. The major changes are listed in order of their effective dates: Continue reading

September 24, 2015

Texas Businesses: Avoid Trouble With Your On-Line Advertisements

by Eleanor K. Meltzer for the Law Office of Robert B. Goss

What if you bought a refurbished concrete pump from someone who advertised it on a classified-advertisement website? What if the pump cost over $100,000? What if it turned out the pump was not refurbished and the seller wasn’t an authorized dealer as claimed?

In a recently filed Galveston County Circuit Court case – Case No. 15-CV-0465 – exactly this issue and these questions have been raised in a dispute involving sale and purchase of a Schwing BPA-500 concrete pump via an advertisement on Craigslist.[1] What would you do if you were the purchaser? The seller? How would you protect either your purchase or your sale? Continue reading

March 6, 2015

179 Years ago Today, the Alamo and all of the Defenders Fell

by Bob Goss

Today, the Alamo fell to the Mexican Army under the command of General Santa Ana.

After holding off a far numerically superior army for 13 days the final assault began shortly after midnight. Using darkness and a calm the Mexican army crept close to the Alamo, and at approximately 0530 began the final assault. By 0630 all the Texican forces, defenders of liberty were dead.

The Texas defenders and Army, however, won the war 6 weeks later as Gen. Sam Houston defeated Gen. Santa Ana and his army at San Jacinto, TX.

November 3, 2014

Veterans Day 2014 Concert

by Bob Goss

ALL:

The Morton Ranch High School Choir (Katy) will be presenting a:

Veteran’s Day Concert on

June 6, 2013

Remember June 6, 1944, D-Day

by Bob Goss

Today is the 69th anniversary of the invasion of France to liberate Europe from the Nazis.

This week I mentioned D-Day was Thursday. One of our young secretaries stated she did not know about D-Day.

D-Day for WW II was on June 6, 1944. D-Day is the day the Allies launched the largest military operation, at the time, to free France and all of Europe from the Nazi occupation. This week the U.S. Senate lost their last World War II (WW II) veteran, Sen. Lautenberg. He served in the Army Signal Corps from 1942-46. After separating from the Army Sen. Lautenberg used the GI Bill to earn an economics degree and eventually serve New Jersey as a U.S. Senator.

March 25, 2013

Military Retiree’s are Veterans Too – – Contact Congress and OPPOSE TRICARE fee increases

by Bob Goss

For those of you who have served, you know this Fact – – Military Retirees are Veterans. But it seems with Sequestration upon the United States, the Department of Defense at the urging of the White House has a solution – – have Military Retirees pay MORE IN TRICARE FEES.

Why raise TRICARE fees because of my favorite White House word “fairness.” The whole idea pushed for Obamacare was fairness for those without health care. But the WH states Military Retiree’s Health Care costs are not fair compared to the public.

But is it fair to give free health care to those who do nothing? And then conversely argue it is fair to force Veterans who are Military Retirees (remember Military Retirees include veterans who were medically retired due to Injuries) to pay ever increasing TRICARE fees. TRICARE raised all fees in 2012. No – – The proposal to keep raising TRICARE fees on the back of veterans is not fair.

March 6, 2013

Military Lending Act modified providing a Private Cause of Action to Service Members and their Dependents

by Bob Goss

On January 3, 2013, Title 10. Section 987(f) of the U.S. Code was amended to provide protection for service members and their dependents regarding credit, arbitration, and limiting interest rates. This amendment provides service members and their dependents a private cause of action against lenders who violate the Military Lending Act.

The Military Lending Act law was amended in H.R. 4310, the “National Defense Authorization Act.”

The Law Office of Robert B. Goss, P.C. https://www.attorneyforveterans.com/ is honored to assist our service members, veterans, and their dependents.

To read the amendment creating the Private Cause of Action read on:
Continue reading