California Injury Blog

Published on: May 27, 2010

Los Angeles Car Accident Injures Motorcycle Officer

By Brian Chase

A motorcycle officer was injured in a Los Angeles car accident after a driver attempting a left turn at an intersection struck him and then fled the scene. According to a news report in the Daily Breeze, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department deputy was on his way to investigate an earlier non-injury collision involving a Metro bus and a LAPD cruiser in South Los Angeles.

The accident involving motorcycle officer occurred the afternoon of May 25, 2010 on Florence Avenue near San Pedro Street. The deputy was riding his motorcycle west on Florence when a driver turning left collided with him. The driver apparently fled on foot leaving the car behind. The deputy was knocked off his motorcycle and taken to the hospital with injuries. He is, however, expected to survive. The suspect vehicle is described as a green 1999 Toyota SUV.

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My heart goes out to this injured officer who was apparently on duty at the time. I wish him the very best for a quick and complete recovery. He will be in my prayers.
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Published on: May 26, 2010

Possible DUI Collision in Victorville Injures Four

By Brian Chase

Four people identified as Maria Arzate, 39; Shannon Troy, 20; Jose Vaca, 48; and Rebecca Long, 26, were injured in a San Bernardino car accident in which alcohol may be a factor. According to a news report in The San Bernardino Sun, Vaca was driving north on Highway 395 near Bear Valley Road early morning on May 23, 2010, when he entered opposing traffic lanes and struck a 2008 Toyota Camry head-on.

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Published on: May 25, 2010

U.S. Census Worker Injured in Dog Attack

By Brian Chase

Wendy Soto, 38, a U.S. Census worker sustained serious injuries in a dog bite incident as she was going door-to-door in Coalinga, California. According to a CBS news report, Soto was conducting census interviews the evening of May 17, 2010. She rang the doorbell of a home when a pit bull came out and began biting her repeatedly. The dog attack only stopped when the owner came and pulled the dog away, police said. Soto sustained injuries to her right leg, stomach and hands. Doctors are now apparently waiting for the swelling to reduce before assessing the extent of Soto’s injuries. Officials are preparing to hold a hearing in order to determine whether the dog should be classified as “vicious.”
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Published on: May 24, 2010

Los Angeles Car Accident Kills Pedestrian

By Brian Chase

Thomas Stout, 66, was killed in a Los Angeles car accident the morning of May 22, 2010 when a car rammed into several parked cars and struck him. The driver of the vehicle, Josef Byron Britt III, has been arrested on suspicion of felony vehicular manslaughter in connection with this incident, according to a news report in the Los Angeles Daily News. Britt was driving a 2000 Chrysler Sebring east on Rinaldi Street when he struck three vehicles parked at the south curb. Stout was loading items into one of the cars and was hit. He was transported to an area hospital where he died. Britt sustained only minor injuries. If you saw this fatal accident, please contact LAPD at 818-644-8115.

I offer my deepest condolences to the family and friends of Thomas Stout for their tragic and heartbreaking loss. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.
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Published on: May 24, 2010

Million Dollar Elder Abuse Verdict from Bed Sore Infection

By Brian Chase

When it comes to the care and protection of the elderly, absolute vigilance is required. If attention laps, something as simple as a bed sore can become infected and even lead to death.

According to the Modesto Bee, Elizabeth Pao and family were awarded $1.1 million dollars for just such an event. Pao’s mother, Frances Tanner, had fallen in March 2005 and broken her hip. Bed sores developed from neglectful care and she was pronounced dead shortly after.

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Published on: May 24, 2010

Dangerous Auto Defect Reported on by FOX 11 News and Brian Chase

By Brian Chase

On Thursday May 20th, 2010, California personal injury and auto defect lawyer, Brian Chase, was featured on Los Angeles’ FOX 11 Ten O’Clock News to discuss defective seatbacks in automobiles. Chase has represented victims of a variety of auto defects, but in recent years, two of his cases have dealt with people whose lives have been drastically changed by injuries resulting from seatback failure.

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Published on: May 23, 2010

Orange County Girl Injured in Dog Attack

By Brian Chase

A vicious dog bite incident in Orange County has left a 6-year-old child seriously injured, the Los Angeles Times reports. Police said the mother of the child who was attacked ended up shooting the dangerous dog, described as a pit bull mix or a boxer, the morning of May 19, 2010. The dog attack occurred in the driveway of the girl’s Lake Forest home as her mother was coming out of the house with her infant child and 14-year-old son. The girl and her sister were playing outside when the dog pushed her to the ground and started biting her ferociously.

Despite a neighbor’s attempt to free the girl from the dog, it was her brother who jumped on the dog and punched it until it let go. The woman took all her children and ran inside with the dog chasing her. The woman then came out with a handgun and shot the dog, which was still in the porch. The dog has apparently been spotted in the neighborhood before displaying violent or hostile behavior. The girl sustained several bites to her face, leg and body. Police are looking for the owner of the dog, which survived the gunshot.
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Published on: May 22, 2010

Woman Injured in Orange County Car Accident

By Brian Chase

A woman was seriously injured in an Orange County car accident after a driver, who officials say was under the influence, struck her and then fled the scene. The Orange County Register reports that the injury collision happened the afternoon of May 14, 2010 at Avenida Pico and El Camino Real in San Clemente. The victim was taken to an area hospital for treatment of her injuries. She is expected to survive. Police are describing the hit-and-run vehicle as a Saab. No one has been taken into custody yet.

I sympathize with this injured pedestrian. I hope her injuries were not catastrophic and pray that she recovers quickly and completely.
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Published on: May 21, 2010

Costa Mesa Car Accident Injures Pedestrian

By Brian Chase

A 56-year-old man was injured in a Costa Mesa car accident after he was struck by a suspected drunk driver early morning on May 20, 2010. According to a news report in The Orange County Register, the man, the driver of a Ford 150, had stepped out of his truck to open the gate of a business, when an Infiniti G35 driven by 27-year-old Jeffrey Scott Marshall struck the pickup truck pushing it into the victim. The collision occurred on Placentia Avenue close to 17th Street. The victim was transported to an area hospital with a head injury. Marshall was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence. An investigation is ongoing.

My heart goes out to this injured victim. I hope he has not sustained any catastrophic injuries, and pray for his quick and complete recovery.
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Published on: May 21, 2010

Johnson & Johnson Takes Advantage of the Elderly by Paying Kickbacks

By Brian Chase

According to the suit filed by the federal government, Johnson & Johnson and two of its subsidiaries paid money, in various forms, to the nation’s largest pharmacy, Omnicare, which dispenses drugs to the elderly and nursing home patients.

The kickbacks were given “to induce the nursing home pharmacy company to purchase and recommend J&J drugs, including the anti-psychotic drug Risperdal.”
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