California Injury Blog

Published on: March 24, 2009

Los Angeles Hit-and-Run Accident

By Brian Chase

Los Angeles Fatal Pedestrian Hit-and-Run Accident

The victim of a hit-and-run pedestrian accident in Van Nuys has been identified as 34-year-old Bobby Ray Rowe, a homeless man in the area. According to a CBS News report, Rowe, who had only one leg, was found dead behind a Bank of America branch near Haynes Street in Van Nuys on March 18, 2009. The coroner’s office identified him two days later. Los Angeles police found him lying half on the street and half on the sidewalk and believe Rowe was the victim of a hit-and-run crash. Officials are asking for the public’s help in finding the driver who struck and killed Bobby Ray Rowe and fled the scene. Anyone with information is asked to call the Valley Traffic Division at 1-818-644-8010.

My heart goes out to everybody who knew and loved Bobby Ray Rowe. It is appalling that a driver would not only strike anyone, let alone a disabled man, but leave him lying on the street to die. I offer my deepest sympathies to Rowe’s family and friends. I hope police find this hit-and-run driver and prosecute him or her to the fullest extent of the law.
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Published on: March 23, 2009

Ventura County Pedestrian Accident

By Brian Chase

Ventura County Pedestrian Accident Injures Girl

A 7-year-old girl was injured in an Oxnard pedestrian accident the afternoon of March 21, 2009, the Ventura County Star reports. The girl was hit in the 4400 block of Terrace Avenue. She was transported to an area hospital for treatment of her injuries, but her condition has not yet been reported or updated. The driver of the vehicle that hit the girl stopped, Oxnard police officials say. The neighborhood where the girl was hit is west of Oxnard College in South Oxnard.

I’m relieved that this little girl survived this pedestrian versus auto accident. I hope she did not suffer catastrophic injuries. Please keep this child in your prayers. I hope and pray that she has a quick and complete recovery.

According to California Highway Patrol’s 2006 Statewide Integrated Traffic Reporting System, there was one pedestrian accident fatality and 64 injuries involving pedestrian accidents in Oxnard. In Ventura County as a whole, eight deaths and 186 injuries were reported in connection with pedestrian accidents.
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Published on: March 20, 2009

Los Angeles Dog Attack

By Brian Chase

Los Angeles County Dog Attack Injures Three

Three people including a 79-year-old woman were injured in a Los Angeles dog attack, KTLA News reports. The incident occurred on March 19, 2009 in the 11900 block of Hiawatha Street in Chatsworth when the elderly woman with a walker was attacked by two large boxer dogs. The dogs bit the woman and knocked her to the ground. Two men, who heard her screams for help, tried to get the dogs away from her. The dogs attacked the Good Samaritans as well.

One of them – a 58-year-old man – was bitten on the right wrist and suffered “serious injuries that are potentially debilitating,” according to Los Angeles County Fire Department officials. Another 51-year-old man got a three-inch cut on his arm as he struggled with the dogs. Firefighters eventually managed to confine the dogs to a nearby yard. The animals have been impounded and the dogs’ owner has been identified but not cited or arrested.

I’m extremely relieved that this vicious dog attack did not result in any fatalities. I shudder to imagine what might have happened to the elderly woman had it not been for these two men who came to her rescue. They are the real heroes here and I commend both for their courage in trying to stop this Los Angeles dog attack. I wish all three of the injured victims the very best for a quick and complete recovery.
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Published on: March 20, 2009

Orange County Industrial Accident

By Brian Chase

Orange County Industrial Accident Kills Two Workers

Two employees at a Rancho Santa Margarita manufacturing plant were killed and two others were seriously injured in an explosion the night of March 19, 2009, The Orange County Register reports. The explosion occurred just after 11:30 p.m. at Solus Industrial Innovators located in an industrial area at 30152 Aventura Ave. The powerful blast injured two employees who were standing outside the building, Orange County firefighters found two other employees dead inside the building. The injured workers were taken to an area hospital. Investigators say an industrial process water heater may have been the cause of the fatal explosion.

My heart goes out to the families, friends and co-workers of these two workers who were killed on-the-job. I offer my deepest condolences to them. I hope the two other workers did not suffer major injuries. I wish them the very best for a speedy and complete recovery.

According to the California Department of Occupational Safety and Health’s (CAL/OSHA) industrial accident statistics for 2005, 14 workers died that year of fires and explosions at their workplace or manufacturing facilities. Totally, 253 deaths relating to industrial accidents were reported in California in the year 2005.
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Published on: March 20, 2009

Pasadena On The Job Injury

By Brian Chase

Delivery Truck Gas Tank Explosion in Pasadena Injures Three

Three people suffered major on-the-job injuries in a Pasadena explosion the afternoon of March 16, 2009. According to an article in the Pasadena Star News, the explosion apparently ripped apart a delivery truck that was fueled by compressed natural gas. The accident occurred while employees of California Linen Services on 40 E. California Blvd. were refueling a delivery truck that operates on compressed natural gas. Officials believe a gas tank exploded, destroying the truck.

The gas tank reportedly flew up about 1,000 feet in the air and landed 200 feet away. One person suffered critical injuries and two others are said to be in serious condition. The California Department of Occupational Safety and Health (CAL/OSHA) is looking into what caused this accident.

I’m relieved that no one was fatally injured in this horrific workplace accident. My heart goes out to the three workers who have been seriously injured. I wish them the very best for a quick and complete recovery.
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Published on: March 19, 2009

Riverside Dog Bite

By Brian Chase

Fatal Dog Attack in Riverside County

Hill A. Williams Jr., 38, of Rancho Mirage was killed in an apparent Riverside dog attack after his own mastiffs mauled him to death, according to an article in The Desert Sun. Williams, apparently lived alone with his dogs and was found dead in his backyard on March 16, 2009. The dogs that weighed 115 pounds and 90 pounds each were turned over to animal control officials by Williams’ girlfriend and were euthanized. Officials still do not know what triggered this vicious dog attack.

Neighbors told officials that Williams may have been trying to breed the two mastiffs. The Riverside County Department of Animal Services confirmed that neither dog was spayed or neutered and said the behavior of any animal is highly unpredictable when it is focused on mating.

My heart goes out to the family and friends of Hill A. Williams Jr., who was tragically killed in this vicious dog attack. I offer my deepest sympathies to them.

I’m relieved that no one else was hurt or killed by these animals. In such a situation, the attack could easily have been on someone else – a young child who was visiting, a neighbor, someone who came to work for him. This is how dog attacks occur. And it is well established that a pair of dogs or more are more likely to attack than a single animal.
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Published on: March 19, 2009

California Boating Accident Bill

By Brian Chase

New California Bill May Help Reduce Boating Accidents

The California Senate is reviewing a new bill, which if passed, will give authorities the power to suspend boaters’ licenses when they are caught operating a boat while intoxicated. According to a news report in the Daily Pilot, the bill introduced by Senator John Benoit, is looking to reauthorize the California Department of Motor Vehicles to suspend boating licenses if boaters are convicted of BUI or boating under the influence. The DMV had been treating BUIs like DUIs or driving under the influence since the 1990s, but an appellate court ruling last year deemed they do not have the authority to do that.

We at Bisnar Chase Personal Injury Attorneys support this new bill 100 percent. Numerous people suffer catastrophic injuries or death each year in California especially in the spring and summer months because of boating accidents caused by negligent boaters operating under the influence of alcohol and drugs.

Boating accidents are apparently on the rise and most of them involve recreational vessels such as personal watercraft. According to the U.S. Coast Guard’s 2007 boating statistics, the number of boating-related deaths fell from 710 in 2006 to 685 in 2007. But the number of boating accidents increased from 4,967 to 5,191. Boating related injuries rose from 3,474 to 3,673 and damages increased from $43 million to $53 million during that period Continue reading →

Published on: March 18, 2009

Orange County Pedestrian Accident

By Brian Chase

Orange County Auto versus Pedestrian Accident

James Casey, 70, suffered major injuries in a Costa Mesa pedestrian accident after he was hit by a car. According to a news report in the Daily Pilot, the accident occurred the night of March 14, 2009 when Sheldon Dobkins, 73, struck Casey, who witnesses say, was walking off the center divider at the intersection of Newport Boulevard and 17th Street. Casey was rushed to an area hospital with serious injuries, but he is expected to survive. Dobkins was uninjured. He wasn’t cited or arrested in connection with this pedestrian accident.

I’m relieved that James Casey is going to survive and that he is expected to recover from his injuries. This Costa Mesa pedestrian accident could have been a lot worse. I wish Casey the very best for a quick and complete recovery.

According to the California Highway Patrol’s 2006 traffic accident statistics, there were no fatalities associated with pedestrian accidents in Costa Mesa. There were, however, 47 pedestrian accident related injuries in Costa Mesa during that time. In Orange County as a whole, 45 deaths and 802 injuries were reported in connection with pedestrian accidents in 2006.
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Published on: March 18, 2009

Los Angeles County Dog Attack

By Brian Chase

Long Beach Girl Injured in Los Angeles Dog Attack

A 2-year-old Long Beach girl has been hospitalized with dog bite injuries after she was attacked by the family’s cocker spaniel. According to this news article in the Los Angeles Daily News, the dog attack occurred at the home in the 1800 block of Gardenia Avenue on March 16, 2009. Long Beach fire officials and animal control officers, who responded to the emergency call, say the girl suffered deep cuts to her face.

The dog was taken into custody. It will be quarantined for 10 days when the dog will be evaluated for signs of disease. Depending on the results, officials will decide what to do with the dog. Officials say the girl’s mother is “upset” and has not made a request to get the dog back.

My heart goes out to the family of this young girl who must be going through a tough time with their daughter’s injuries caused by their own dog. I will pray for her quick and complete recovery.
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Published on: March 18, 2009

Amusement Park Ride Accident

By Brian Chase

Improper Maintenance Blamed for Amusement Park Ride Accident

A Yo-Yo Chair Ride that crashed during the Calaveras County Fair in May injuring 21 children was not properly maintained by its owner, the California Department of Industrial Relations has ruled. According to an Associated Press news article, the state department’s report found a damaged washer had failed to hold a pair of nuts in place on the Yo-Yo Chair Ride. That apparently caused the ride’s swing arms to collapse causing 21 amusement park ride injuries on the Yo-Yo Chair Ride.

The report also said that the ride’s owner, Brass Ring Amusements Midway of Fun, operated the ride without the required inspections, certifications and documentation that was needed to make sure the ride was safe. The ride owner is based in Oroville, California.

The amusement park accident at Calaveras County Fair was one of two California ride accidents that led Chance Rides Manufacturing Inc. to recall 85 defective Yo-Yo rides in October. The other accident occurred in Angels Camp, California injuring 23 people. In addition, a third incident in March 2006, involved a Yo-Yo ride in Six Flags in Arlington, Texas, that malfunctioned. Nine people suffered bruises as well as back and neck injuries in that ride accident. The Wichita, Kansas based amusement park ride manufacturer recalled the rides to repair defects.
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