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Reseda Woman Dies after Suspected Drunk Driver Hits Parked Cars
The wrongful death automobile accident attorneys at the Law Office of Renee J. Nordstrand have learned that a suspected drunk driver lost control of his car in Reseda on New Year’s Eve and hit a row of parked cars, pinning a 56-year-old woman between two of the cars.
The accident occurred on Reseda Boulevard in the early evening. According to Los Angeles Police, a vehicle driven by a 22-year-old man was heading northbound near Saticoy Street when he veered across the roadway, smashing into two parked cars on the west side of the street.
The victim, who had been loading items into the trunk of her Mini Cooper, was pinned between her car and another vehicle and sustained severe leg injuries. She was rushed to a nearby hospital, but died of her injuries the next day.
The driver was arrested and jailed on suspicion of felony drunk driving. Bond was set at $100,000 and a Los Angeles Police spokeswoman stated that charges against the driver would be amended in wake of the woman’s death.
The wrongful death of a loved one due to the negligent actions of another leaves surviving family members devastated and needing answers. The attorneys at the Law Office of Renée J. Nordstrand can provide the answers you may have about your legal options following the tragic loss of a family member. Although no amount of money can bring back a loved one, if we accept your wrongful death case, we will aggressively pursue your legal rights to see that justice is served for your family and that your family receives the compensation that they are entitled to for their loss.
Contact our Southern California Offices in Santa Barbara (805) 962-2022 or in Encino (818) 981-3530 for a free, no-obligation review of your case today. We’re here to help during a difficult time.
CPSC Files Complaint to Force Distributor to Cease Selling Magnets
The product liability attorneys at the Law Offices of Renee J. Nordstrand have been following the ongoing story of dangerous high-powered rare-earth magnet sets that have been the focus of serious injuries to children and teens. If swallowed, these magnets can attract one another and cause the puncture, damage, and obstruction of the digestive system.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has received thousands of reports since 2009 involving children and teens swallowing the magnets. Some of these children had to undergo emergency surgery to extract the magnets and repair severe intestinal damage.
After conferring with the various manufacturers and distributors of these dangerous magnet toys, the commission initially got 11 of them to voluntarily agree to stop selling the magnet sets; however, a few holdouts remained, and the CPSC lodged administrative complaints to force them to stop selling these defective products.
The latest complaint was filed against Star Networks USA, LLC, the distributor of Magnicube Magnet Balls and Magnet Cubes. The manufacturer had previously agreed to voluntarily recall the magnets, but later reneged on that agreement, according to the CPSC. This is the third company the commission has lodged an extremely rare administrative complaint against. The two other toy magnet companies targeted by CPSC administrative complaints have agreed to recall the products and to cease selling them.
Manufacturers have a duty to make products that are safe for consumers. Unfortunately, sometimes the bottom-line takes precedence over safety. If you or a loved one has suffered an injury from a defective or defectively designed product, you may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, pain and suffering, and other damages. The attorneys at the Law Offices of Renée J. Nordstrand can explain your legal options and will work tirelessly to see that you get the compensation you deserve.
Contact our Southern California Offices in Santa Barbara (805) 962-2022 for a free review of your case. We’re here to help.
Pedestrian Struck, Killed in Van Nuys a Day After Mayor Announces More Crosswalks for L.A.
Los Angeles police report that a pedestrian was struck and killed near the intersection of Vanoween Street and Noble Avenue in Van Nuys at about 4:50 a.m. Reportedly, he had been walking in a crosswalk at the time of the deadly pedestrian accident.
The driver claims he never saw the pedestrian before striking him.
Sadly, the pedestrian was killed the day after Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa announced at a press conference that 53 new crosswalks would be added throughout the Los Angeles area, with the aim of reducing the number of pedestrians hit by vehicles.
The crosswalk campaign is being funded by Measure R, which was passed in 2008. According to the Daily News, the mayor announced an education campaign to accompany the rollout of the new crosswalks, stating that, “this focus on pedestrian safety is part of our efforts to create a 21st century transportation network that works for everyone.”
The 53 crosswalks will be put mostly near transit lines or schools. These intersections were selected because of the high reports of vehicle-pedestrian collisions in those areas. The city’s newly hired pedestrian coordinator told the press conference, “The new crosswalks make a clear statement that our streets belong to everyone and that we should be safe when sharing the road.”
The San Fernando Valley pedestrian accident lawyers at Renee J. Nordstrand have helped hundreds of accident victims over the past 25 years, so we understand your needs and concerns. If you’ve been injured, or if you have lost a loved one in a pedestrian accident, we can help you and your family understand your legal rights and will aggressively work to hold those who are responsible liable for their actions.
If you have any questions, contact our Southern California Offices in Encino at (818) 981-3530 to see if you have a case.
DePuy Pinnacle Hip Implant Lawsuits Piling Up
DePuy Orthopaedics, a subsidiary of health care giant Johnson & Johnson, has been facing its fair share of problems over its defective ASR XL Acetabular System total hip replacement and it ASR Hip resurfacing system. Now, Drugwatch .com has revealed that as of November of this year, DePuy is facing nearly 2,700 lawsuits over its Pinnacle Hip Implants.
Unlike the ASR and ASR XL hip implant systems, the Pinnacle implant has yet to be recalled by Johnson & Johnson. DePuy currently is facing some 6,200 hip implant lawsuits for injuries from recalled ASR devices.
The burgeoning number of Pinnacle lawsuits, which have been filed in federal court, may be consolidated into a multidistrict litigation (MDL). An MDL consolidates cases that are similar in claims and scope to streamline the discovery phase. The first trial in the Pinnacle MDL is scheduled for May 2014.
Many of the lawsuits filed over the Pinnacle hip implants claim that the devices are defective and can cause serious adverse complications. Litigants claim that the metal-on-metal components rub against each other, which make the implants prone to early failure. This can lead to painful and potentially dangerous revision surgeries. There are also concerns about metallosis, a blood poisoning caused by microscopic bits of chromium and cobalt being released into the blood stream.
If you’ve been the victim of a Pinnacle hip implant failure that requires corrective surgery or have suffered adverse effects due to a defective DePuy hip implant device, a California hip implant failure lawyer at the Law Offices of Renée J. Nordstrand can help you hold the company liable for the losses and damages you’ve experienced. We are dedicated to obtaining maximum compensation for our clients
Contact our Southern California Offices in Encino (818) 981-3530 if you have a question about your legal rights. Your consultation is free.
CPSC Files Complaint Against Infant Recliner Manufacturer
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has filed a complaint against Baby Matters LLC, claiming that the Nap Nanny and Nap Nanny Chill infant recliners the company produces are dangerous and pose a substantial risk of injury and death to infants.
The product liability attorneys in California at the Law Offices of Renee J. Nordstrand have learned that the CPSC voted 3-0 to issue the complaint after talks with the company failed to result in an acceptable voluntary recall plan.
The complaint contends that the Nap Nanny Generation One and Two and Chill model infant recliners have defective designs and inadequate instructions and warnings. The complaint seeks to obtain an order that would require Baby Matters to recall those models and offer full refunds to consumers.
The Pennsylvania-based manufacturer and the CPSC issued a joint recall of Nap Nanny recliners in July of 2010 after the Commission received reports that one infant had died and 22 others had either fallen out or were found hanging over the sides of the product — even though most had been strapped in.
Despite a coupon incentive to upgrade to the next generation of recliner and “improved” warnings and instructions for the second generation of recliners the company offered after the 2010 recall, the CPSC continued to receive reports of death and injuries associated with the products. To date, four infant deaths involving Nap Nanny recliners and one involving the Chill model have been reported.
About 155,000 of the affected models were sold between 2009 and 2012.
Product safety, especially when it comes to items marketed for infants and children, should be a manufacturer’s top priority. The Law Offices of Renée J. Nordstrand help our clients by aggressively pursuing their legal rights. If a defective product has injured you or a loved one, call our Santa Barbara office at (805) 962-2022. We can also be contacted via our online Contact Form.
Winter is Coming: Do You Have a Carbon Monoxide Detector?
With winter nearly upon us, many people in Southern California and the Central Coast are firing up their heaters for the first time. This can be an especially dangerous time of year for potential carbon monoxide poisonings, according to a spokeswoman for CAL FIRE, because many heaters have not been checked and have collected dust over the summer.
Carbon monoxide poisoning is known as the “silent killer” because carbon monoxide is a colorless and odorless gas. CAL FIRE says that the most common symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning are dizziness, headache, and feeling faint or nauseated. It only takes a few minutes to be overexposed and the results can be deadly.
The spokeswoman for CAL FIRE stated, “It’s so important before you put your fireplace into service, your heaters into service, to get them checked out. [Carbon monoxide] is called a silent, invisible, deadly killer, because that’s exactly what happens.”
CAL FIRE stresses that it is important that every residence have a working carbon monoxide detector in order to avoid potential injuries and deaths.
If you or a loved one has been the victim of carbon monoxide poisoning due to a defective wall heater or a heater that has been improperly maintained by a landlord or property company, the carbon monoxide poisoning lawyers at The Law Offices of Renée J. Nordstrand have the resources to conduct an independent investigation into your case. When it comes to carbon monoxide poisonings, there is no “one case fits all” scenario, which is why it’s important that you seek professional legal representation from a law firm that is ready to fight for your legal rights in a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit.
If you believe you have a case, call our office in Encino at (818) 981-3530. We are here to help you and your family.
Santa Ynez DUI Crash Suspect Wants Reduction in Bail
A Santa Ynez man, who seriously injured a passenger in his vehicle after allegedly driving drunk and crashing into a tree off of Highway 246 between Solvang and Buellton, is asking that his $500,000 bail be reduced.
According to the California Highway Patrol (CHP), the 36-year-old man was driving his 2003 Ford E-350 van on Highway 246 east of Ballard road when he veered off the road and struck the tree. While he suffered only minor injuries, his passenger, a 39-year-old Los Olivos resident, suffered major injuries and was flown to Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital, where she was listed in critical condition.
This is the second serious accident that the driver has been involved in. In 1998 he lost control of his vehicle on Alisos Canyon Road, killing an 18-year-old woman in another car and seriously injuring a passenger in his vehicle. Injuries from that accident left him a paraplegic.
An attorney for the driver asked that his bail be reduced due to his serious medical condition. His public defender also stated that his client’s 1998 accident did not involve alcohol and that he only was charged with a misdemeanor in that case. The driver is currently facing felony charges of driving under the influence of alcohol, causing an injury.
CHP reported that both the driver and his passenger were wearing seatbelts at the time of the crash and that the investigation is still underway
If you’ve been injured by the irresponsible and negligent actions of an impaired driver, you should seek the services of a Santa Barbara County car accident injury attorney in at The Law Offices of Renée J. Nordstrand. We offer the experienced and aggressive legal representation you expect when seeking compensation for medical bills, pain and suffering, hospitalization, and other damages.
If you have questions about your automobile accident, call our Santa Barbara office at (805) 962-2022 or contact us online, for a free, no-obligation review of your case.
The Law Office of Renée J. Nordstrand Obtains $545,000 Settlement in Bicycle Injury Accident
Sometimes, all it takes is one careless or negligent move by a motorist to turn a person’s life and plans upside-down forever.
Such was the case of a client who was struck by a truck while he was riding his bike on Carrillo Street in 2008. The young man was planning on becoming a Navy Seal and he had moved to Santa Barbara to study at Santa Barbara Community College (SBCC) to get his Associates Degrees in Marine Diving Technology and Marine Biology. He was extremely active and had recently completed the application process to become a Los Angeles County Beach Life Guard — finishing 76th out of 500 applicants.
He had been working part-time as a commercial diver to make ends meet while attending SBCC.
On Dec. 31, 2008, his life was irretrievably altered. A tired surfer driving a Dodge Ram truck had gotten stuck behind a slow-moving, three-wheeled traffic-control vehicle on Carrillo Street. Impatient to get around the vehicle, the driver of the truck illegally moved into the bicycle lane to pass the vehicle and struck our client.
He suffered a litany of injuries including: visual disturbances, cognitive compromises, loss of taste and smell, depression, severe hip, thigh, and groin injuries, and deep vein thrombosis.
Sadly, as a result of his injuries, his pursuit of an active lifestyle was permanently compromised and he could no longer work as a commercial diver and his lifelong dream of becoming a Navy Seal was effectively over.
In October of 2010, the Law Office of Renée J. Nordstrand was able to win an award of $554,856 for our client to cover his medical bills, pain and suffering, and other damages.
The bicycle accident attorneys at the Law Offices of Renée J. Nordstrand promise that we will aggressively seek compensation for your injuries and damages. Are you wondering whether you have a personal injury case? Our lawyers can help you determine the best course of action. If you’ve been injured by a negligent, fatigued, or careless driver, call our Santa Barbara office at (805) 962-2022. Your case review is free.
Santa Barbara Family Can’t Sue Employer in Wrongful Death Suit
A Santa Barbara Superior Court judge has ruled that the family of a teenager who was struck and killed on Milpas Street cannot bring a wrongful death allegation against the employer of the 19-year-old who was driving the flatbed truck that struck him.
The 15-year-old San Marcos High School student was crossing in the crosswalk at Ortega and Milpas on Oct. 7, 2011 when the truck, which was heading southbound on Milpas, struck him. The driver allegedly had been collecting shopping carts in the local area and was speeding when the accident occurred. The teen was taken to Cottage Hospital, but later died of his injuries.
The parents sued the driver of the truck for wrongful death and negligence in the California pedestrian accident. The family was seeking compensation for funeral expenses, medical costs, loss of use of property, and loss of earning capacity. The lawsuit also stated that they had “been deprived of love, companionship, affection, society, comfort, protection, services and support of their son.”
The suit also contended that the driver, who had been driving his father’s truck, had also been operating the vehicle as part of his job, and had named the father, the California Shopping Cart Retrieval Corporation, Inc. and Scolari’s Food & Drug Company as defendants.
The incident spurred an outcry from local residents who claimed the Milpas traffic corridor lacked proper safety controls. Months later, during a crosswalk sting at the same intersection where the teen was hit, Santa Barbara police cited 28 drivers for not stopping for a decoy pedestrian in the crosswalk.
There is no word as to why the judge denied the plaintiff’s wrongful death allegation against the driver’s employer, but the ruling now leaves the driver as the lone defendant in the civil suit.
Bringing a wrongful death suit is a complex endeavor that requires the skills and experience of an experienced law firm. The wrongful death lawyers in Santa Barbara at the Law Offices of Renée J. Nordstrand can help your family recover compensation for both economic and emotional losses. If you believe you have a case, call our Santa Barbara office at (805) 962-2022 for a free, no-obligation review of your case.
The Law Office of Renée J. Nordstrand Obtains $65,000 Settlement in Santa Barbara Dog Bite Case
In 2007, a 60-year-old client was viciously attacked by a neighbor’s 50-pound pit bull as she went into their back yard to ask them about borrowing a lawnmower and a weed whacker.
The neighbor’s hadn’t always had the dog, but had taken it in after their daughter and her family briefly moved back in with them. After their daughter’s family moved into an apartment that did not allow dogs, the animal stayed with them. By all accounts they fed, walked, and played with the dog while it was at their house.
On the day of the Santa Barbara dog attack, the neighbor had told our client that she could come over to the house and borrow the lawnmower. The woman went to the front door and the 12-year-old granddaughter answered. She told our client that her grandparents were in the back yard and that it was okay to go back and talk to them.
When the client went around the side and into the backyard, she was viciously attacked by the dog and suffered bites to her face, hands, knee and foot. The attack resulted in 37 stitches to her face and required the need for dental work. She healed well and had no scarring.
The neighbor said that the dog was not theirs and therefore refused to accept liability for the attack. Exhaustive investigation allowed us to establish that the neighbor was indeed liable for the dog attack, and we were able to garner a settlement of $65,000 for our client for her injuries, medical bills, pain and suffering, and mental anguish.
As you can see, the dog bite victim lawyers in Santa Barbara at the Law Offices of Renee J. Nordstrand have an established track record of helping clients who have been injured in dog attacks. Rely on us to give you the solid and experienced legal representation you deserve. If you believe you have a case, call our Santa Barbara office at (805) 962-2022. Your case review, as always, is free.