California Injury Blog

Published on: July 23, 2008

Bakersfield Nursing Home Cited In Patient’s Death

By Brian Chase

A nursing home facility in Bakersfield was fined $100,000, the stiffest penalty imposed by the state Public Health Department, in connection with the death of a patient from adverse medication interactions. According to an article in the Bakersfield Californian, the patient’s death occurred when the nursing home was run by Pleasant Care Corp., which has since paid the fine.

This is one of 15 AA citations issued by the California Health Department this year. California only issues AA citations when a patient’s death is directly caused by a nursing homes negligence.

According to a report filed with the state, the patient was admitted to the nursing home in September 2006 and prescribed the blood thinner Coumadin and an anti-inflammatory drug, Mobic. On Oct. 19, 2006, the patient was taken to a hospital for low blood pressure and bloody stool and died 12 hours later.

Preceding their bankruptcy, Pleasant Care settled a $1.3 million lawsuit brought by former state Attorney General Bill Lockyer in 2006 as a result of allegations of elder abuse and negligent care. Pleasant Care facilities received more than 160 violations of state regulations over the previous five-year period. That is more than 2.5 violations that they were cited for. On one knows how many there really were.
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Published on: July 22, 2008

Los Angeles Personal Injury Lawyers and Car Accident Attorneys

By Brian Chase

Los Angeles, known as “the city of Angels”, is the largest city in the state of California. The 3.8 million people who call the city home have the privilege of living in one of the world’s centers for culture, the arts, technology, media, and business. With so many citizens coming and going and interacting on a daily basis, accidents are a common, almost inevitable occurrence.

The Los Angeles personal injury lawyers at Bisnar Chase Personal Injury Attorneys have represented those injured by the negligence of others in Los Angeles for 30 years. Our experienced, professional personal injury and wrongful death attorneys have the means to aggressively litigate Los Angeles car accident cases. Our firm also has extensive experience in all areas of personal injury, including brain and spinal cord injuries, car and truck accidents, pedestrian accidents and product liability cases.

We do NOT charge a fee until there has been a monetary recovery in our client’s case and we advance all costs and expenses.

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Published on: July 22, 2008

Fresno Mail Carrier Injured In Dog Attack, Pit-bulls Had History Of Attacks

By Brian Chase

A 36-year-old female mail-carrier in Fresno was severely injured in a dog bite incident after she was attacked by a pack of four pit-bulls as she was delivering mail in the Mayfair area near McLane High School, according to an ABC news report. Luckily for the mail carrier neighbor Maria Nava intervened and warded off the attacking animals before the incident became deadly.

A related ABC news articlestates that these dogs had a history of violent attacks and neighbors said the animals should’ve been removed from their area well before this attack. These pit-bulls had already attacked other neighborhood pets as well as a partially blind 77-year-old woman and had not been rounded up as required by Tyler’s Law. This law, named after a 6-year-old Fresno County boy mauled to death by dogs already deemed “vicious,” was designed to stop dogs from attacking more than once.

A report states that this most recent attack has now forced Fresno county officials to re-examine the way they are controlling or keeping tabs on vicious dogs. They are learning that one of the loopholes in Tyler’s Law was that officials required solid proof of dog attacks such as dates, times and videotape evidence, which some of these dog bite victims could not provide.
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Published on: July 21, 2008

Anaheim Personal Injury and Car Accident Lawyers

By Brian Chase

Anaheim is a large, bustling city located in the heart of Southern California. It is the second most populous city in Orange County (behind Santa Ana) and second largest in terms of land area. Famous for its theme parks like Disneyland, its sports teams like the Anaheim Ducks, and its large convention center, the residents of Anaheim enjoy an exciting, active lifestyle. In such a large, energetic environment, it is no shock that accidents of all kinds occur on a daily basis.

The Anaheim personal injury attorneys at Bisnar Chase Personal Injury Attorneys have represented the seriously injured in Anaheim for over 30 years. We specialize in fighting for the rights of those injured by the negligence of others and limit our practice to serious personal injury and wrongful death. Whether you were hurt in an auto accident, suffered a brain injury, or even were the victim in an Anaheim dog bite incident, our top personal injury lawyers in Orange County are ready to represent the interests of you and your family.

We do NOT charge a fee until there has been a monetary recovery in our client’s case and we advance all costs and expenses.

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Published on: July 21, 2008

Diamond Bar Woman Dies In Orange County Rear End Auto Accident

By Brian Chase

Bagum Muktar, 64, was killed in a rollover accident in Diamond Bar early Saturday morning when the car she was a passenger in was rear-ended by a drunk driver on the 22 Freeway in Garden Grove, according to the Orange County Register reported. The driver, who struck the car and fled the scene, was later arrested by California Highway Patrol officials. He has been charged with felony vehicular manslaughter and gross negligence, felony driving under the influence and felony hit-and-run.

Muktar’s daughter was reportedly driving their 2004 Toyota Sequoia when the man driving a 2005 Chevrolet Malibu hit them from behind causing the Toyota to roll over several times. Muktar died but six others inside the Toyota suffered minor injuries.

My deepest condolences to the Muktar family and to Bagum’s friends. Unfortunately, DUI accidents are a common type of auto accident in Orange County. According to the Orange County Chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), alcohol is a factor in about 42 percent of fatal auto accidents in Orange County.
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Published on: July 20, 2008

Cement Truck Accident Injures Nine in Orange County

By Brian Chase

Nine people were injured after two vehicles collided with an out-of-control cement truck on Laguna Canyon Road at the 73 Toll Road interchange. According to an article in the Laguna Beach Coastline Pilot. Thankfully none of the injured suffered life-threatening injuries. The Laguna Beach truck accident occurred when the cement truck, which was three-quarters full of cement, careened down the southbound exit ramp as its brakes failed and collided with the two passenger vehicles.

There is no question that overloaded trucks have an increased propensity to be involved in accidents primarily because the heavier a truck gets, the harder it becomes for it to stop quickly. It is also more likely to lose control, as with the cement truck in this Laguna Beach big rig accident. Given the size and weight of this cement truck, it is fortunate that victims of the crash did not suffer fatal injuries.

Increased weight in large trucks causes greater stress on the truck’s parts and could lead to mechanical malfunctions such as brake failure. It could also put the vehicle out of balance especially if it is traveling downhill, on a ramp or in windy conditions. Trucking companies know the dangers of overloading, but they continue to do it so they can transport more. However, it is also illegal.
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Published on: July 19, 2008

Rosemead Teacher Dies In SUV Collision

By Brian Chase

James Zant 51, of La Habra, died in a Rosemead auto accident after his sport utility vehicle slammed into another vehicle on Rosemead Boulevard. According to an article in the San Gabriel Valley Tribune, Zant, a beloved teacher at Rosemead High School was northbound on Rosemead Boulevard when his Honda CR-V jumped the median and crashed head-on into a southbound Toyota Tundra.

Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Deputy Marvin Payne, who is investigating the crash, said the driver of the Toyota truck suffered minor injuries. The driver of a third vehicle, which was also hit, suffered minor injuries as well. Police are still trying to figure out what caused Mr. Zant to lose control of his vehicle and drive into oncoming traffic. Payne said it was strange that Zant did not brake, which leads him into thinking that he could have had some medical problem.

I offer my condolences to the Zant’s family, friends, colleagues and students.
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Published on: July 18, 2008

Students Injured In Sonoma County School Bus Accident

By Brian Chase

A school bus carrying nine students heading home from a summer school program at Sonoma State University overturned on Highway 101 near Asti, skidding on its side for 200 feet before coming to rest in the middle of the freeway, according to an article in the Santa Rosa Press Democrat. Some of the students and the driver suffered injuries during the California bus accident.

California Highway Patrol Sgt. Steve Ramos said that everyone in the bus was able to get out through the front windshield, which had popped out. . Some students suffered cuts and bruises while the driver complained of pain. One student was treated for a dislocated shoulder and another was treated for head injuries at a local hospital. Thankfully none of the students were seriously injured. This accident could have been catastrophic.

The bus, which was operated by First Student, a national school bus company, crashed when the driver drifted off the side of the freeway, officials said. Bus company officials said the driver was a veteran employee and was one of their best drivers. Doesn’t sound like it however.

From the news accounts it appears that the carrier company will be held fully responsible for this bus accident. Buses are considered “common carriers” and that includes school buses, city buses and charter buses. Common carriers have an “utmost duty of care” to their passengers, which is a much higher duty than that of your friend who is driving you to school.
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Published on: July 17, 2008

Man Dies In 210 Freeway Big Rig Accident

By Brian Chase

Hans Rudolph Beyeler, 56,was killed after his car was involved in an auto vs. big rig crash near Sunland on the Interstate 210, the Santa Clarita Signal reported. Beyeler was traveling eastbound on the 210 near La Tuna Canyon Road when his car veered into the right shoulder and slammed into the trailer of a disabled big rig, California Highway Patrol Officer Ed Jacobs said.

The big-rig had pulled over to the right shoulder and was parked. The truck driver had also set out safety reflectors and was waiting for help when Beyeler’s 2007 Mazda slammed into the trailer.

I offer my deepest condolences to Beyeler’s family and friends.

The investigation is still at a preliminary stage and gives no indication of what caused Beyeler to lose control of his Mazda and slam into the big rig. It would be interesting to find out if this big rig accident was caused by some malfunction in the Mazda or because the tractor trailer was parked illegally in a recovery zone.

If investigators determine that the truck was illegally parked, the driver and trucking company could be partially at fault. But if it turns out that the truck was legally parked, then Beyeler’s insurance will be liable to the trucking company and the truck driver for the damages they’ve suffered.
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Published on: July 16, 2008

Redwood City Pedestrian Accident Victim Files Lawsuit Over Dangerous Roadway

By Brian Chase

A Redwood City woman has filed a lawsuit against Redwood City after suffering severe injuries in a pedestrian accident, which she alleges occurred on a dangerous roadway that city officials have not done much about, the San Francisco Examiner reports. Deborah Jo Iverson was reportedly crossing Woodside Road at Orchard Avenue on April 23 2007 when she was hit by a car.

Although police concluded that the pedestrian accident was driver Raymond Herrera’s fault, Iverson has named Redwood City, the state of California and Caltrans in the lawsuit as well. Iverson filed the lawsuit after the city rejected her claim. The dangerous street in question is a state route maintained by Caltrans.

The city has apparently tried to make improvements on the street including lowering speed limits and installing red light cameras. Over the last four years the article cites at least six pedestrian fatalities on that part of Woodside Road and many others that resulted in critical injuries.

Apparently, the city has a problem with safety on this road, but is captive to the state’s jurisdiction of the highway. It certainly appears to be a dangerous roadway, highly unsafe for pedestrians, according to Iverson and the accident statistics. The agency, which is in charge of maintaining this street – whether it’s the city or CalTrans – should do its job. I would be using the city’s own records of attempts to make the road safer as evidence against CalTrans.
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