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Sheriff and County Settle Goleta Wrong Way Crash Suit for $4.8 Million
Santa Barbara County officials, as well as the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Department, have agreed to pay a family a $4.8 million settlement after a wrong way crash on Highway 101 in Goleta left two people dead and two seriously injured.
The Goleta auto accident happened in Nov. 2009 when a report went out of a vehicle driving down the wrong side of the road on Highway 101. A Santa Barbara sheriff’s deputy, responding to the call, entered the highway and merged slowly into the right lane in front of two cars. According to reports, he didn’t have his siren or emergency lights on.
Unaware of what was going on, the two cars behind the sheriff pulled into the lane beside him to pass — unwittingly putting them right into the path of the speeding, wrong-way vehicle. The sheriff then hit his lights and siren. The driver of the first vehicle, thinking he was being pulled over, turned into the right lane — just barely avoiding the wrong way vehicle.
The wrong way vehicle then plowed head-on into the second car, killing two people in the front and seriously injuring two others in the back seat.
The lawsuit brought by the family alleged that the California Highway Patrol should have handled the call and that the sheriff’s deputy had violated department policy. It also claimed that the sheriff’s actions contributed to the crash.
A wrongful death lawsuit is a complex and multi-faceted undertaking that involves emotional as well as legal issues. The wrongful death attorneys in California at the Law Offices of Renée J. Nordstrand understand these nuances and will do everything in their power to pursue the compensation your family will need while recovering from a devastating loss.
If your family has suffered the wrongful death of a loved one, call our Santa Barbara office at (805) 962-2022 for a free, no-obligation review of your case.
62-Year-Old Woman Attacked by Neighbor’s Dog in North Hollywood
On May 20, 2011, a 62-year-old woman was viciously attacked by a pit bull-mastiff mix in the normally quiet North Hollywood apartment complex where she had lived for 13 years.
Unfortunately, it was as if she and other tenants knew it was an attack waiting to happen. Two years before this vicious dog mauling, new tenants had moved into the complex with the dog in tow. Other tenants, as well as the victim, complained to management about the presence of the aggressive animal and wanted them to do something about it.
Apparently, the tenants’ displeasure at the prospect of an aggressive, 70-80 pound pit bull mix living in a small apartment fell on deaf ears and the landlord and property management company took no action to address their complaints. The dog owners, as well as their unwelcome dog, remained on the property.
Fast-forward two years, and as the woman was walking by the unit where the dog lived, it bolted out and attacked her. The dog owners made a hasty retreat and moved out of the building immediately after the attack.
The woman sued the landlord and the property management company for allowing the vicious dog to remain on the property and is seeking damages for emotional distress, Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and scarring and disfigurement to her left knee and calf.
The Law Offices of Renée J. Nordstrand is handling this case, and we would like to hear from you if you’ve been the victim of a dog attack. We fight aggressively to get our clients compensation for damages associated with dog bite injuries.
To schedule a free consultation with one of our Los Angeles dog bite lawyers, call us at (818) 981-3530.
Santa Barbara Man Hurt in Construction Accident Crashes Car on Way to Hospital
A 29-year-old man who was injured while working on a residential construction project, crashed his car on State Street while trying to drive to a hospital emergency department to receive treatment, according to the Santa Barbara Police Department (SBPD).
The construction worker, who lives in the San Roque area of Santa Barbara, was working on a project in a residential area when he was hit in the face with a board. According to Nooshawk.com, the man sustained a severe facial laceration and realized that he needed to go to an emergency room for treatment.
A spokesman for the SBPD said that the man was attempting to drive to Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital when for reasons that are still unclear — but are assumed to be due to pain and loss of blood because of his injury — he lost consciousness and his Toyota 4-Runner went off the road near Alamar Avenue. The vehicle went up an embankment and then rolled over on its side.
When emergency workers arrived, the victim was trapped in the driver’s seat. He was extricated and taken to the hospital, but there is no current word as to his condition.
Construction is a dangerous industry that can expose workers to serious hazards, such as falling from roofs, electrocution, getting struck by construction equipment, or getting injured by unguarded machinery. In 2011, 721 construction workers died while on the job, and many of those fatalities could have been prevented if simple safety measures had been implemented at the construction site.
The Santa Barbara construction accident injury lawyers at the Law Offices of Renée J. Nordstrand will act quickly to protect your legal rights if you’ve been injured at your workplace due to the negligence of an employer or another party. Having an experienced attorney on your side can make all the difference when you are seeking the compensation you deserve. With winning results in construction accident injury cases, such as successfully representing a man who lost an eye due to a saw that did not have a required guard, our legal team has the skills needed to get you outstanding results.
Call our Santa Barbara office at (805) 962-2022 for a free, no-obligation review of your case. We can help.
Meningitis Outbreak Reaches 205 Cases in 14 States, 15 Dead
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported that the fungal meningitis outbreak linked to contaminated steroid injections manufactured by a Massachusetts compounding pharmacy has now reached 205 cases in 14 states. As of Oct. 15, the death toll is 15.
Altogether the contaminated painkilling steroid injections were shipped to 76 clinics nationwide. Four clinics in California — two in Northern California and two in Southern California — received shipments of the suspect steroids. The California Department of Public Health says that as many as 600 patients in California may have received potentially contaminated steroid injections, but so far, there haven’t been any reports of fungal meningitis cases linked to the outbreak in the state.
The two Southern California clinics that received shipments of contaminated steroid lots were the Encino Outpatient Surgery Center in Encino ((818) 986-1037) and Universal Pain Management in Palmdale ((661) 267-6876 x166). According to radio station KPCC, Universal Pain Management claims it has contacted all of its patients concerning the injections, but it is unclear if the Encino Outpatient Surgery Center has done the same.
The New England Compounding Center (NECC), which was responsible for manufacturing the allegedly tainted steroids, has been accused of violating licensing rules and selling drugs to clinics without the required prescriptions. Compounding pharmacies like the NECC, which mix drug ingredients for specific clients, are not overseen by the U.S Food and Drug Administration (FDA), but are regulated state by state. Politicians and health officials are now calling into question the seemingly confusing and unfocused regulation practices concerning the compounding drug industry.
It is a drug manufacturer’s duty to assure that it’s products are safe and do not harm the public. If you’ve suffered an injury due to a contaminated drug, contacting an Encino steroid injection meningitis attorney at the Law Offices of Renée J. Nordstrand is a wise move. We have the experience and resources you’ll need to get the compensation you deserve. Call us at our Encino office at (818) 981-3530 to learn more about your legal options today.
Yokohama Tire Corporation Recalls Over 10,000 Tires due to Sidewall Defect
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has announced the recall of 10,669 Yokohama AVID Touring S tires, size 215/65R16 as the result of a manufacturing defect that can lead to tire failure and result in an auto accident.
Yokohama AVID Touring S tires of the aforementioned size, which were manufactured from February 2009 to April 2009 and may have been produced with geometric irregularities in the casing turn up area above the bead in the lower sidewall. The irregular geometry of the casing can cause the lower sidewall to crack, resulting in a rapid loss of tire inflation and eventually leading to tire failure. If the tire fails while the vehicle is in motion, the driver may lose control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of an injury accident.
Yokohama will notify owners of the recall and dealers will replace the tires at no cost to the consumer. This recall is expected to start on or around October 20, 2012. For more information, owners can call Yokohama at (800) 423-4544 or the NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline at (888) 327-4236.
A vehicle’s tires are the most important piece of equipment on a car as they are the only parts that actually touch the road. If they are defectively manufactured or poorly designed, they can fail and jeopardize the health and safety of the vehicle’s occupants as well as other motorists and road users. If you or a loved one has been injured in a Southern California car accident caused by defective tires or any other auto part, the defective product attorneys in Santa Barbara can help you hold the manufacturer liable for their negligence. To learn more about your legal rights and options, call us for a free consultation at (805) 962-2022.
4 California Medical Facilities Received Potentially Contaminated Steroids Linked to Multistate Meningitis Outbreak
Massachusetts-based New England Compounding Center (NECC) has recalled three lots of potentially contaminated preservative-free methylprednisolone acetate (80 mg/ml), which was used in administering spinal steroid injections to treat pain in facilities across the country. The contaminated steroid has caused a multistate fungal meningitis outbreak which has claimed 12 lives in 10 states and infected 127 more as of October 10, 2012. NECC has also recalled every other product and has voluntarily surrendered its license and ceased all operations.
Both the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are coordinating a multistate investigation into the meningitis outbreak. It has been determined that unopened vials of the NECC steroid contained a fungus. When the fungus-contaminated steroid was injected into the spine, the fungus infected the meninges, or protective membrane surrounding the brain and spinal cord.
While symptoms may not manifest for one to four weeks, it is imperative that any Californian who received an epidural spinal injection since May 21, 2012 at any of the below facilities seek medical attention immediately:
- Cypress Surgery Center, Visalia, CA – (559) 740-4094
- Encino Outpatient SurgiCenter, Encino, CA – (818) 986-1037
- Ukiah Valley Medical Center, Ukiah, CA – (707) 463-7345
- Universal Pain Management, Palmdale, CA – (661) 267-6876, x166
Pharmaceutical companies are responsible for the health and safety of the patients who use their products. If you have suffered or have lost a loved one due to an unsafe drug or other defective product, the experienced Encino product liability attorneys at the Law Offices of Renee J. Nordstrand can help you pursue fair compensation from the at-fault companies. Call us today for a free consultation at (818) 981-3530.
Who is Legally Responsible for a CA Animal Bite Injury?
Many people are bitten by animals every day. These injuries, when serious, can result in pain, nerve damage, infection, scarring, and physical and emotional suffering.
The most common types of animals that bite are dogs. California has enacted “dog bite” laws that hold the owner responsible if their pet injures someone. Depending on where the attack occurred, a tenant, homeowner or management company may also be responsible for compensating injured victims of animal bites. However, proving fault is often a big part of a complicated legal process.
According to California Civil Code Section 3342, a dog owner is liable for damages suffered by an individual who is bitten by the dog:
- in a public place;
- lawfully in a private place, including the property of the dog owner; or
- apart from any previous events of the dog acting aggressively or the owner’s knowledge of such aggression.
It’s important for individuals injured in a dog bite attack to be fully aware of their legal rights and options for holding negligent parities legally responsible.
The Santa Barbara dog bite attorneys at the Law Office of Renee Nordstrand have successfully represented many clients injured due to animal attacks and other personal injuries. Our practice is focused in Santa Barbara and the San Fernando Valley. Call us today at (805) 962-2022 for a free consultation.
Santa Barbara Highway 154 Motorcycle Accident Injures Man and Pregnant Woman
Vehicular crashes off of the 154 highway have been a common occurrence in Santa Barbara County over the years. These incidents generally happen due to the terrain: narrow roads that run along the cliff sides.
Yet again, another crash has occurred; this time, a motorcycle crash. A man and a pregnant woman were rushed to Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital after their motorcycle went off the side of the road in the windy gap area of Highway 154. The two were riding with a series of motorcyclists at about 30-35 miles per hour, when their vehicle veered off the road. The highway was temporarily closed so the CHP, County Fire Department, and U.S. Forest Service could respond to the accident.
Both victims escaped the crash with moderate to major injuries, but if this had occurred on other parts of the road, the results might have been fatal.
If you have suffered from injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident due to someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to compensation. At The Law Offices of Renee J. Nordstrand, our Santa Barbara motorcycle accident lawyers represent victims of motorcycle accidents and can analyze your case to see if we can help you gain just compensation for your injuries and damages.
Buellton Truck Crash Kills One, Injures Three
A fiery big rig accident on the northbound 101 highway at Santa Rosa road resulted in three injuries and the death of the big rig driver on Thursday afternoon, according to KEYT.com. Santa Barbara County Fire, water tenders, a battalion chief, helicopter, AMR and Hazmat team responded to the crash.
The fatal accident occurred when, for as of yet unknown reasons, a big rig veered out of control and hit a BMW in the lane to its left before crashing into the concrete guardrail and falling into the creek about 50 feet below. The truck burst into flames after smashing into the creek bed. The occupants of the BMW, a 38-year-old mother and her two children, a 10-year-old daughter and 10-week-old infant, were trapped in the vehicle, which was precariously dangling off the side of a bridge after the truck had swerved into it.
The truck driver was killed in the crash, which also caused the spillage of about 50 gallons of diesel fuel into the creek. All three occupants of the BMW, who sustained broken bones and other moderate injuries, were immediately transported to Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital. Both directions of the 101 were closed due to the crash.
Though the cause of this accident has not yet been determined, there are many potential reasons why a big rig may lose control. Truck driver fatigue is a common problem in the trucking industry and it is possible that the driver fell asleep at the wheel after too many hours on the road. There are many other possibilities, however, that are not related to truck driver negligence. Some of these include: hazardous road conditions, brake failure, and/or mechanical or equipment defects.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a California truck accident caused by the negligence of a truck driver, trucking company or truck manufacturer, you may be entitled to compensation for the losses you have suffered. To learn more about your legal rights and options, contact an experienced Santa Barbara truck accident attorney with the Law Offices of Renee J. Nordstrand today for a consultation at (805) 962-2022.
The Lasting Effects of the DePuy Hip Implant Recall
DePuy recalled a hip replacement system known as the ASR XL Acetabluar System in 2010. Many patients who received this implant have had problems with the implant, which requires replacement or revision surgery. They have suffered pain, lost wages, medical expenses and inconvenience.
The DePuy ASR XL Acetabluar System was marketed in the United States in 2005 and placed in thousands of patients. Since 2008, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) received hundreds of claims of problems about this implant. In March 2010 Johnson & Johnson, the parent company of DePuy, admitted that the ASR XL Acetabluar System had a much higher than expected failure rate and in August 2010, recalled the product. As a result of the defect, many patients must have the ASR XL Acetabluar System removed from their body and replaced. Patients may be left with significant long-term health problems as a result of the defective product.
As consumers, we trust and expect that the products we purchase and use are safe and free of any design flaw or manufacturing defect that could cause injury, illness, or death. This is especially the case with medical devices and implant systems. Unfortunately, due to various forms of negligence and oversight, defective and poorly designed products often make their way onto the market, causing consumers to suffer harm.
At the Law Offices of Renee J. Nordstrand, our Santa Barbara defective product attorneys have the legal skills and resources to hold negligent manufacturers legally responsible for consumer injury or wrongful death. If you or someone you care about has experienced DePuy hip implant failure, our lawyers can help you obtain compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages. For a free consultation, call (805) 962-2022.