California Injury Blog

Published on: May 26, 2009

Southern California Swimming Pool Accident Warning Issued by Officials

By Brian Chase

We aren’t even in the thick of summer yet but a surge in Southern California swimming pool accidents involving drowning and near drowning in the region has Southern California officials very concerned. According to a news report in The Press-Enterprise, Riverside County is on track to have more children drown this year than in 2008. Four boys, all under the age of 5, have drowned so far, in backyard pools, according to the Riverside County Department of Public Health. During 2008, seven children drowned across the county while in 2007 there were nine drowning incidents.

Officials also say that near-drowning incidents are increasing. Just on a recent Sunday, Riverside County had three near-drowning incidents and San Bernardino County had two. Local authorities are extremely worried because they are seeing this spate of swimming pool accidents even before the official start of summer.

Drowning is the leading cause of death for children younger than 5 in California. More than 80 percent of drowning and near drowning occur in backyard swimming pools, often because of a very brief period of inattention or lack of supervision. This year, officials are seeing some “new twists.” In two cases, children escaped into the swimming pool through dog doors. In other cases, children fell into murky, unmaintained pools in occupied homes.
Continue reading →

Published on: May 26, 2009

Victorville County Car Accident Involved DUI, Street Racing

By Brian Chase

Sindy Lisbeth Hernandez-Villacorta, 21, was killed May 22, 2009 in a Victorville car accident after a suspected drunk driver in a BMW who was racing another motorist slammed into the truck she was driving, the San Bernardino Sun reports. The BMW’s driver and two passengers were apparently speeding east on Mojave Drive. As the BMW reached the intersection of East Trail, a 2002 Nissan Frontier drove into the intersection trying to head west on Mojave drive. That was when the fatal car accident occurred.

Officials have not identified the driver of the 1997 BMW because he has not been arrested. Hernandez-Villacorta reportedly died at the scene. Four other people were personally injured and taken to various area hospitals. Hernandez-Villacorta’s female passenger was airlifted to the hospital and she is said to be in critical condition. San Bernardino County Sheriff’s deputies believe that the driver of the BMW was racing another dark-colored sedan, which has not yet been identified. Police are investigating this as a drunk driving incident.

My heart goes out to the family and friends of Sindy Lisbeth Hernandez-Villacorta, who died tragically and unnecessarily in this San Bernardino County car accident because of another person’s negligence and callous disregard for public safety. I offer my deepest sympathies to everyone who knew and loved Hernandez-Villacorta. I also hope and pray that her passenger who has suffered critical injuries will come out of this successfully and make a complete recovery. Please keep the victims and their families in your prayers.
Continue reading →

Published on: May 26, 2009

Anaheim Car-Bicycle Accident Kills Man in Hit-and-Run Incident

By Brian Chase

An anonymous donor has apparently offered a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of a hit-and-run driver who struck and killed 55-year-old Patrick Shannon in a Anaheim car-bicycle accident the afternoon of April 24, 2009. Shannon was a 10-year employee of the Anaheim Marriott and had been riding north on South West Street when he was struck from behind by a Chevrolet El Camino. The driver left the scene of the car accident leaving Shannon unconscious and on the street with severe head injuries.

Shannon was taken to an area hospital where he died of his personal injuries two days after the Anaheim bicycle accident. Minutes after that fatal bicycle accident, Anaheim police found the El Camino with a shattered front windshield abandoned in bushes not far from the scene of the car-bike accident. Like many Orange County residents Shannon had just started commuting to work by bicycle because his doctor had told him to get more exercise. If you have any information about the hit-and-run driver or this accident, please call Anaheim police investigators at 714-765-1900.

I offer my deepest sympathies to everybody who knew and loved Patrick Shannon. I can only imagine the grief they must be going through not only because they have lost a loved one but because the hit-and-run driver who struck him is still at large. It’s hard to understand how someone could seriously injure a person and then leave him or her for dead on the street. I hope this hit-and-run suspect is apprehended and brought to justice.
Continue reading →

Published on: May 22, 2009

Raptiva Brain Damage Lawyers: Raptiva Users Worry about Side Effects

By Brian Chase

Raptiva brain damage lawyers have continued to see new cases. Recalling the psoriasis drug Raptiva from the market due to possible risk of brain damage has left many psoriasis patients anxious and concerned about the horribleRaptiva side effects they may suffer as a result of taking Raptiva for years. According to an article in Lawyers and Settlements, some Raptiva users have been taking it for years and are just now finding out that they may be at risk for serious brain damage, even death. Genentech, the pharmaceutical company that made this drug, apparently knew about the possible side effects based on tests done overseas. But the results of those tests were never made public here in the United States.

Raptiva users could suffer PML or progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy that reportedly leads to a deterioration of the nervous system eventually causing irreversible brain damage. Raptiva users with weakened immune systems are most at risk. Longer and continuous use of Raptiva may further increase the risk of severe side effects. The article gives the example of a patient who only took it only for six months and experienced horrible side effects. He had a severe Raptiva allergic reaction. Most patients report experienced a severe burning sensation from head to toe. This patient says that he had to be given morphine by IV because of unbearable pain and that he “looked like I was dipped in the Burger King deep fryer.” Then, he lost use of his legs for close to a week. He ended up spending three months in the hospital.
Continue reading →

Published on: May 22, 2009

Orange County Pedestrian Accident Injures Grandmother

By Brian Chase

A grandma walking her grandchildren to school the morning of May 21, 2009 was seriously injured in a Santa Ana pedestrian accident after she was struck by an apparently speeding driver. According to an article in The Orange County Register, the woman was walking her two grandchildren, a 6-year-old boy and 8-year-old girl, in a crosswalk on Holt Avenue at Vanderlip Avenue. Cars were stopped in the left lane, but a driver of a red Nissan Sentra who was speeding, slammed on the brakes and skidded into the victims.

The grandmother who moved in front of the children to block them from the pedestrian-car accident was thrown on the hood of the Sentra and then fell on the ground. She was taken to an area hospital with several personal injuries including a broken limb. The girl suffered minor personal injuries. The boy was not injured.

I’m extremely relieved that the children were not seriously injured from the car-pedestrian accident. My heart goes out to this grandmother who put her life at risk to protect her grandchildren. I hope and pray this injured victim has a quick and complete recovery. I also hope the driver of the Sentra is held civilly and criminally responsible for his reckless driving.
Continue reading →

Published on: May 21, 2009

Anaheim Pedestrian Accident Kills Orange County Man

By Brian Chase

Brigida De Garcia, 65, was killed in an Anaheim pedestrian accident the morning of May 20, 2009, The Orange County Register reports. De Garcia was crossing Katella Avenue about 40 feet east of the corner of Jean Street to catch a bus to work when a silver Acura traveling west in the number one lane struck her. Police do not believe the driver was speeding and said De Garcia seemed to have crossed the street away from the appropriate corner. The Anaheim pedestrian accident happened at the intersection of Katella and Jean which is not marked with a crosswalk.

My heart goes out to the family and friends of Brigida De Garcia, many of whom actually went to the car crash site immediately after the Anaheim car-pedestrian accident because it was blocks away from her home. The article says family members were not allowed to view her body, which was lying on the concrete and covered in yellow plastic. What a heart-wrenching scene! I offer my deepest sympathies to everyone who knew and loved De Garcia and her family members who went through the trauma of witnessing the car-pedestrian accident site immediately afterward. Please keep them in your prayers.

According to California Highway Patrol’s 2007 traffic accident statistics, there were six fatalities and 63 injuries involving pedestrian accidents in Anaheim. In Orange County as a whole, 41 deaths and 726 injuries were reported as a result of pedestrian accidents in 2007.
Continue reading →

Published on: May 21, 2009

Long Beach Car Accident Kills Man in Wheelchair

By Brian Chase

A man in a motorized wheelchair died in a fatal Long Beach car accident after he was struck by a sport utility vehicle while crossing a street in Bellflower the night of May 19, 2009, the Press Telegram reports. The Long Beach car accident occurred when the victim, who has not yet been identified, was crossing Artesia Boulevard near Coke Avenue. The man was thrown from his wheelchair and declared dead at an area hospital. Officials also said that the man on the wheelchair seemed to have rolled out into the street between two parked cars, which may have been the reason why the female driver of the SUV did not see him. The initial report apparently rules the incident “a simple accident.”

I offer my deepest sympathies to the family and friends of the man who was killed so suddenly and tragically. My heart goes out to everyone who knew and loved him. Please keep them in your prayers.

According to California Highway Patrol’s 2007 Statewide Integrated Traffic Reporting System, there were 15 deaths and 274 injuries involving pedestrian accidents in Long Beach. In Los Angeles County as a whole, in 2007, 210 deaths and 5,095 injuries were reported involving pedestrian accidents.
Continue reading →

Published on: May 20, 2009

Garden Grove Car Accident Kills Orange County Man

By Brian Chase

Ramon Aguayo, 49, was killed in a Garden Grove car accident after he lost control of his Chevy Avalanche and crashed on the 405 Freeway, The Orange County Register reports. Aguayo was driving north on the 405 Freeway at the 22 Freeway interchange where the roadway curves. Aguayo for some reason missed the curve and drove his Avalanche straight down, ran off the roadway and struck a concrete drainage ditch, California Highway Patrol officials said.

The sport utility vehicle overturned, struck a tree and came to rest at a metal guardrail on the 405 Freeway near the 22 Freeway overcrossing. Aguayo was pronounced dead at the scene of the car crash. He was apparently driving at the speed limit — 65 mph. CHP officials are still looking into what caused this fatal car collision.

My heart goes out to the family and friends of Ramon Aguayo for their tragic and heartbreaking loss. I offer my deepest condolences to everyone who knew and loved Aguayo. Please keep them in your prayers.

According to the California Highway Patrol’s 2007 traffic accident statistics, there were seven fatalities and 837 injuries involving car accidents in Garden Grove. In Orange County, in 2007, 178 deaths and 14,185 injuries were reported as a result of car accidents.
Continue reading →

Published on: May 20, 2009

Riverside Pedestrian Accident Injures Elderly Man

By Brian Chase

An elderly man was injured in a Riverside pedestrian accident after he was struck by a vehicle while crossing a street in Desert Hot Springs, The Desert Sun reports. The car versus pedestrian accident occurred on May 18, 2009 as the man was crossing Hacienda Avenue near Tamar Drive, police officials said. The man was hit by a speeding vehicle driven by Michael Madrid, who had crossed over double yellow lines to pass another vehicle in front. Madrid has been cited for driving with a suspended driver’s license. The victim suffered a broken leg.

I’m extremely relieved this car-pedestrian accident, serious as it is, didn’t involve any loss of life or cause catastrophic injuries. The driver was apparently speeding and driving recklessly, not to mention, without a valid license. I wish the injured victim the very best for a quick and complete recovery.

According to California Highway Patrol’s Statewide Integrated Traffic Reporting System, there were 43 Riverside pedestrian accident fatalities and 393 injuries involving pedestrian accidents in 2007 in Riverside County.
Continue reading →

Published on: May 19, 2009

Orange County Motorcycle Accident Kills Man

By Brian Chase

Thomas Wilson, 54, died in a Dana Point motorcycle accident after losing control of his motorcycle the morning of May 17, 2009, The Orange County Register reports. Wilson was driving southbound on Crown Valley Parkway when he lost control of his motorcycle and crashed into the curb, Orange County Sheriff’s Department officials said. The motorcycle crash happened near Seven Seas Drive in Dana Point, just inland of Pacific Coast Highway.

A witness at the scene who saw the motorcycle crash said Wilson was just riding down the street when he crashed, for no apparent reason. Investigators say Wilson was traveling at the posted speed limit and that no drugs or alcohol were involved.

I offer my deepest condolences to the family of Thomas Wilson for their tragic and sudden loss. Please keep them in your prayers.

According to the California Highway Patrol’s 2007 Statewide Integrated Traffic Reporting System, there were no fatalities and seven injuries involving motorcycle accidents in Dana Point. In Orange County as a whole, 24 fatalities and 752 injuries were reported as a result of motorcycle accidents in 2007.
Continue reading →