5 out of 5 on
Dog Attack in Laguna Niguel
http://www.ocregister.com/news/police-224728-woman-friend.html
An unidentified Orange County woman was attacked by a 7-year-old Shiba Inu dog on Wednesday afternoon, the Orange County Register reports. It is unclear as to whether the woman was in her own yard or a neighbor’s yard when the attack occurred on Via San Sebastian in Laguna Niguel.
Sheriff’s deputies shot and killed the dog after arriving at the scene, while the woman was hospitalized with extensive injuries that will require several surgeries.
As California is a “strict liability state”, the dog’s owner is liable for the injuries inflicted by the Shiba Inu, even if the owner was not negligent in the circumstances of the attack. California law states (CCP 342 (a)) :
The owner of a dog is liable for the damages suffered by any person who is bitten by the dog while in a public place, or lawfully in a private place, including the property owner of the dog, regardless of the former viciousness of the dog, or the owner’s knowledge of such visciousness…
If you’ve been the victim of a dog bite attack, please contact experienced dog bite attorneys to discuss your legal options. At your free initial consultation, our attorneys will answer your questions with care and concern, while ensuring that you receive the best possible representation throughout the duration of your case.
Bicyclist Struck and Killed by Car in Camarillo
http://www.vcstar.com/news/2009/dec/16/morning-report-cyclist-hit-by-car-in-camarillo/
A 39-year-old Camarillo bicyclist was hit by a sport utility vehicle while riding on Lewis Road in Camarillo Tuesday night, the Ventura County Star reports.
Mario Tamayo was taken to St. John’s Regional Medical Center in Oxnard, where he later passed away from his injuries. Authorities say Tamayo, who was wearing dark clothing, did not have lights on his bicycle and was not wearing a helmet while riding on a busy street after dark. Because of these factors, the driver, Michael Brigmac, did not see Tamayo until he collided with him. From the article, it is unclear as to whether there are bicycle lanes on the road where Tamayo was riding.
This incident highlights the importance of bicycle safety, especially in the winter months when the sun sets early at around 5:30 pm. If you routinely use a bicycle as a means of transportation, please take precaution and where a helmet wherever you are riding. Additionally, if you must ride at night, please purchase a bike light to protect yourself and alert drivers on the road.
If you have been injured while biking and believe a driver may be at fault, please contact skilled bicycle accident attorneys immediately for a free consultation to assess your situation and legal options.
Two-Year-Old Boy Injured by Bull
Two-year-old Daniel Munoz was injured by a local bull while playing in his backyard on Monday afternoon in Mead Valley, myfoxla.com reports. The child was playing with an older sibling when they noticed a bull through their yard’s chain link fence in a field next to their backyard. The children approached the fence, and, shortly thereafter, the bull charged the children, ramming the fence that separated them. The older child escaped, while Daniel was knocked down by the force of the bull against the fence.
Fortunately, although he was hospitalized, Daniel did not suffer life-threatening or serious injuries in this situation. I wish him well as he continues to recover from such a frightening situation.
According to myfoxla.com, the bull’s owner will be cited for allowing the bull out of his stockyard.
If you or someone you know has been injured by another person’s animal or pet, please contact an experienced personal injury attorney right away. You may be legally entitled to compensation if the animal-owner’s actions were negligent.
Nine Year Old Boy Struck and Killed on Bike
http://www.ocregister.com/news/truck-223066-nicholas-mortley.html
Nine year old Nicholas Vela Mortley was killed Thursday afternoon after being struck by a raised pick up truck while riding his bike home from school in Anaheim, the Orange County Register reports. The driver, who was stopped at a stop sign when Nicholas started to cross in front of him, never saw Nicholas or his red bicycle as he proceeded through the intersection of Orangewood Avenue and Loara Street after completing the stop.
Sergeant Rick Martinez of the Anaheim Police Department explained the incident, stating “The height of the truck may have obscured his [the driver’s] vision. The child may have assumed that since the truck was stopped it would have remained stopped.” Although the driver has not been cited by the Anaheim Police Department, some question whether the truck exceeded legal height limits. If so, the driver could potentially receive a citation or violation.
If you or a loved one has been the victim of a bicycle to car accident, please call experienced personal injury and wrongful death attorneys today to learn about your legal right to compensation.
San Joaquin Valley Residents Seek Answers On Toxic Landfill
Residents of Kettleman City, a small town in the San Joaquin Valley, have called for an appeal on a proposed landfill expansion project on the grounds that the hazardous site caused birth defects and three infant deaths in a 14 month period, the LA Times reports.
In the town of 1,500, 20 babies were born from September 2007 through November 2008. Of the 20, three were born with a cleft palate and died shortly after birth. Two more babies were born with a cleft palate that survived. Residents cite the nearby landfill which accepts carcinogenic PCB’s as the cause of the strangely high number of birth defects.
The Kings County Board of Supervisors disputes the allegations, and plans to proceed with an expansion of the landfill, which generates $20 million annually for payroll, purchases, fees and taxes for the county.
If you or a loved one has been injured due to toxic chemical exposure, please contact qualified and experienced personal injury attorneys who will explain your legal rights and ensure that your case is handled satisfactorily, from start to conclusion.
2nd San Diego Pedestrian Killed by a Drunk Driver
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2009/nov/23/poway-pedestrian-second-fatally-hit-sidewalk/
For the second time in three days, a San Diego pedestrian has been killed by a drunken driver, the San Diego Tribune reports.
Kristen Ann Bedard, 36, was walking at approximately 7 a.m. in Poway when a car driven by 44 year-old Becky Anderson drove up onto the sidewalk, striking and killing the mother of 2.
Anderson was arrested under suspicion of vehicular manslaughter and driving under the influence causing great bodily injury. A similar situation in East County killed a young walking mother on Saturday night. In that situation the driver was arrested for identical charges, as well as an additional hit and run charge.
Please call compassionate and skilled personal injury attorneys if you have been victimized by a drunk driver. First consultations are free of charge and attorneys are ready to help you find the answers and justice that you deserve.
Pedestrian Killed by Drunken Driver
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2009/nov/22/bn22pedkilled-el-cajon/
A San Diego pedestrian was struck and killed by a suspected drunken driver in East County Saturday night, the San Diego Tribune reports. The unidentified 35 year old pedestrian was walking on Pepper Drive at about 9:20 p.m. when Deborah Felix, 51, who was driving a Dodge pick-up truck, struck her and continued driving.
Felix went on to hit several mailboxes, a car, and, eventually, a home before she was stopped and apprehended by police.
Every day drunk driving causes terrible tragedies that affect thousands of Americans. If you have been injured or lost a loved one due to a drunken driver’s actions, experienced Southern California attorneys can help. We will we aggressively pursue compensation and guide families in recovering from the loss so that they can move forward with their lives.
Faulty Railing May Have Caused Elderly Man’s Fall
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2009/11/man-falls-to-death-from-downtown-apartment.html
A faulty railing at an Alexandria Hotel apartment may have given way and caused an unidentified elderly man to fall to his death from the 10th story, the Los Angeles Times reports.
The fall occurred early this morning. The coroner’s office has disclosed that a piece of the fire escape was found on the sidewalk, indicating that the man may have been leaning over a fire escape railing when it gave way.
Although this article did not give very many details regarding the fall, it is possible that the building may have been poorly inspected or maintained as the railing was in sub par condition. In that case, the building owner could potentially be held liable were the man’s family to bring a wrongful death suit against the owner.
In tragic situations such as this, experienced personal injury and wrongful death attorneys can help explain your legal rights and the potential courses of action to take to enact justice and receive compensation. Personal injury attorneys offer a free consultation.
UPDATE: Huntington Beach Junior Lifeguard Tragedy Will Not End in Criminal Charges
http://www.ocregister.com/news/boat-220311-claim-alyssa.html
After reporting last week that the tragic death of junior lifeguard Alyssa Squirrel during a training activity in Huntington Beach would not result in criminal charges against the lifeguard who operated the boat that struck Alyssa, the Orange County Register now reports that the Squirrel family has filed a wrongful death claim against the city of Huntington Beach.
The claim seeks over $10,000 in damages for personal injuries and emotional distress. It alleges that lifeguard Lt. Greg Crow negligently operated the boat so as to cause Alyssa’s death.
Alyssa had jumped into the water from a boat driver by Lt. Crow during a training drill when the boat unintentionally struck her as she swam.
After the loss of a loved one, families deserve to be compensated for funeral expenses and the trauma and emotional distress of their loss. While no amount of money can ever replace a lost life, compassionate and experienced wrongful death attorneys will protect your legal rights and pursue fair compensation that will bring justice to your loved one.
Family of Drowning Victim Files $12 Million Claim against United Water Conservation District
http://www.vcstar.com/news/2009/nov/13/united-denies-12-million-claim-filed-in-piru/
The family of 9-year-old Denise Arredondo, who drowned at Like Piru in May, has filed a 12 million dollar wrongful death claim against the lake’s owner, the United Water Conservation District, the Ventura County Star reports.
The claim alleges that the district knew the lake was unsafe and that there were no posted “no swimming” signs in the area to warn people who were unaware of the lake’s drop-offs and unidentifiable underwater cliffs. Denise’s family went to the lake to swim at the suggestion of district employees. Denise drowned after swimming into a drop off area.
My thoughts are with Denise’s family in this time of sadness and grief.
Although the article does not give very much detail regarding the liability in this situation, it appears that it is at least possible that the United Water Conservation District could be liable for recommending the family swim in an area they knew to be unsafe.
Experienced personal injury attorneys will take actions that benefit and compensate family members who have been faced with the death of a loved one due to another party’s negligent actions. In times of grief and insecurity, you need compassionate, skilled attorneys who understand the system and will do everything possible to help you regain a sense of stability.