California Injury Lawyer Blog

STANISLAUS COUNTY -- A male pedestrian, whose name was not released, is facing life-threatening injuries after he was severely struck by a hit-and-run driver in the city of Turlock, KCRA News reports. The accident happened at about 6:15 a.m. Monday on Lander Avenue just near B Street. News reports indicated the pedestrian was pushing a shopping cart across the street before he was seriously hit by an oncoming vehicle. Witnesses at the scene described the vehicle to be a dark colored 2002-2003 Ford Escape. Turlock police indicated the automobile might also have damage to the passenger side.

Cause of the Turlock Hit-And-Run Pedestrian Crash

Regardless of what happened and why, it is absolutely inexcusable for being involved in a collision and then fleeing the scene before police officials arrive. Under the Under the California Vehicle Code Section 20001(a): "The driver of a vehicle involved in an accident resulting in injury to a person, other than himself or herself, or in the death of a person shall immediately stop the vehicle at the scene of the accident." Anyone with information about this tragic incident is asked to contact Team Investigator Mike Simbalenko of the Turlock Police Department Major Accident Investigation Team at 664-7380.

Pedestrian Accident Injury Liability

While the investigation of this October 31st pedestrian accident is ongoing, the victim or family members of the victim would be well-advised to speak to an experienced California pedestrian injury attorney. If the victim decides to take action in a personal injury claim, a skilled lawyer can ensure the individual's legal rights are protected, help police in efforts to locate the driver, and decide the best course of action to recover the maximum compensation in this devastating hit-and-run pedestrian accident. Compensation in a personal injury claim can include and are not limited to, medical care expenses, lost earnings, disfigurement, and pain and suffering.

Continue reading "Pedestrian Severely Hurt in Turlock Hit-And-Run Accident" »

SAN FRANCISCO -- A pedestrian in a wheelchair was severely struck by a car in San Francisco, Mercury News reports. The accident was said to occur at about 7:08 a.m. Friday, at the intersection of 7th and Harrison streets. Officer Albie Esparza indicated the pedestrian was crossing Harrison Street with a green light, but did not make it across before the light turned red. Officer Esparza also mentioned vehicles in three of the four lanes traveling west on Harrison stopped to allow the pedestrian to cross, but the vehicle in the fourth lane did not.

Following this tragic incident, the pedestrian, whose name was not immediately available, was transported to San Francisco General Hospital with life-threatening injuries. The driver was reported to have remained at the scene and is cooperating with the police.

Cause of the San Francisco Pedestrian Accident

The accident on October 28th remains under investigation by the San Francisco Police Department. However, based on the information provided by the Mercury News, it is unclear why the driver struck the pedestrian. Therefore, police officials with look at numerous factors that may have been the cause of the collision. These factors can include, the speed of the vehicle at the time of the accident, distracted driving, and negligent or reckless actions of the driver.

Pedestrian Accident Personal Injury Liability

Collisions involving pedestrians and automobiles can have devastating and catastrophic results. In the aftermath of accident such as this one, a pedestrian can sustain serious injures or worse lose his or her life. Therefore, while the investigation of this accident is ongoing, the victim or family members of the victim would be well-advised to contact a San Francisco personal injury attorney. An experienced lawyer who has handled San Francisco pedestrian accidents, can help the victim protect his legal rights to hold the responsible party or parties financial liable for his injuries. The lawyer can also help the victim obtain the maximum compensation for medical car expenses, lost earnings, pain and suffering, and other damages relating to this horrific pedestrian accident.

Continue reading "Man in Wheelchair Struck by Car in San Francisco" »

The listeria outbreak responsible for deaths and illnesses across 26 states has now risen to 25 and 123 respectively, US News reported. According to the CDC, the states in which the effects of listeria caused the deaths of many individuals include Colorado, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, New York, Oklahoma, Texas, and Wyoming. Those who have died in this tragic incident were between the ages of 48- and 96-years-old. The number of deaths and illnesses that have grown within the past few months became the country's most deadliest outbreak in 25 years.

Cause of the Listeria Outbreak in Cantaloupes

The Rocky Ford cantaloupes that were recalled by Jensen Farms, of Granada, Colo. on September 14th still remain under investigation. However, based on updated information provided by numerous news reports, it appears the cause of the outbreak may be due the contaminated water on the floor and the condition of the equipment in a Jensen Farms facility in Colorado. According to the FDA, Jensen Farms had recently purchased used equipment that appeared to be dirty, old, corroded, and hard to clean. It was also noted, that pools of water on the floor, which may be harboring the bacteria, were formed near the packaging equipment. Although this information was gathered from a six-page assessment of the conditions of the farm, the FDA will continue to monitor the situation and determine the primary cause of the listeria outbreak.

California Foodborne Illness and Wrongful Death Liability

The elderly, pregnant women, newborns, and individuals with compromised immune systems are highly susceptible and vulnerable to the effects of these tainted cantaloupes. Symptoms of listeria can take a couple months to appear, however, when symptoms are shown, it may consist of fever, muscle aches, stiff neck, and diarrhea. Therefore, while the serious health issues and/or deaths may continue to grow in this cantaloupes listeria outbreak incident, victims or family members of the victims would be well-advised to contact a California foodborne illness attorney. Knowledgeable and experienced attorneys at the law firm of Estey Bomberger, can ensure the victims legal rights are protected, and help decide the best course of action to recover the maximum compensation for medical care expenses, funeral/burial costs, time away from work, pain and suffering, and other related damages.

Continue reading "Cantaloupe Listeria Outbreak Increases its Death Toll to 25" »

TULARE COUNTY -- A devastating bus accident in the city of Porterville left a woman killed and several injured. According to the Porterville Recorder, Tashia Laird, 27, of Porterville, was a passenger in a Dodge Neon that rear-ended a bus on Highway 190 and Jay Street around 2:25 a.m. Sunday. Police officials indicated the driver of the Dodge was traveling at a high speed before the crash, and believe alcohol may have been a factor.

Following the collision, Laird was reported to have died at the scene, while the driver of the Dodge, Francisco Luna, 26, of Strathmore, and another passenger, Omar Ibarra, 21, of Lindsay, sustained major injuries and were airlifted to Community Regional Medical Center in Fresno. Five passengers on the bus complained about pain and were transported to Sierra View District Hospital for further treatment.

Cause of the Crash in Porterville

The accident on October 16th remains under investigation by the Porterville Police Department. However, based on the information provided by the Fresno Bee and the Porterville Recorder, it appears the driver of the Dodge Neon may be at fault for traveling at a high rate of speed before the crash and the speculation that alcohol might have been a factor. Therefore, occupants inside the car and on the bus may have had no way to prevent or avoid this terrible collision.

Bus Accident Personal Injury and Wrongful Death Liability

While the investigation of this accident is ongoing, victims or the family of the victims would be well-advised to contact either a California personal injury lawyer or a California wrongful death attorney. An attorney who has handled collisions involving automobiles and busses, can advise the injured victims or the family of the deceased victim of their legal rights, and decided the best course of action to recover the maximum compensation they are entitled to for medical care expenses, funeral/burial costs, lost earnings, pain and suffering, and other related damages in this horrible bus accident.

Continue reading "One Killed, Several Injured in Porterville Bus Crash on Highway 190" »

KERN COUNTY -- A 22-year-old composting worker was taken off life-support and later died due to his injuries in Kern Medical Center's intensive care unit at about 11:04 a.m. Wednesday, The Bakersfield Californian reported. The worker, Heladio Ramirez, of Arvin, was attempting to help his brother, Armando Ramirez, 16, who collapsed after he was working inside an 8-foot-deep drainage tunnel at Community Recycling and Resource Company in Lamont. While both of them were inside the tunnel, they were exposed to a high concentration of hydrogen sulfide, a naturally produced compost that is deadly and attacks the central nervous system.

The official cause of what happened and why Heladio and his brother were exposed to high levels of hydrogen sulfide remains unclear. Therefore, the industrial accident was reopened by the Labor Commission and U.S. Department of Labor to further investigate this tragic incident, and will look at numerous factors that may have caused the deaths to these two brothers such as proper safety equipment, unsafe work environment, and other negligent or reckless actions of a third party.

Industrial Accident Wrongful Death Liability

California wrongful death attorneys at Estey Bomberger have represented numerous victims of severe industrial accidents throughout the state of California. The law of firm has handled many cases involving construction workers who were killed or seriously injured in industrial accidents involving, explosions, falls, fires, malfunctioning machinery, and exposure to toxic chemicals.

Therefore, while the investigation of the October 12th industrial accident is ongoing, the family of the victim would be well-advised to speak to a highly experienced Bakersfield construction accident lawyer to discuss their legal rights in a civil suit. The skilled attorney can help investigators determine who may be liable for the incident, and decide the best course of action for the family to recover the maximum compensation for funeral and burial costs, loss of love, care, affection, and companionship.

Continue reading "Second Worker Tragically Died in Lamont Industrial Accident " »

FRESNO COUNTY -- A pedestrian man in his late 30's was seriously hit by a vehicle at a Southeast Fresno intersection, ABC 30 News reports. The pedestrian, whose name was not available, was crossing at the intersection of Cedar and Butler around 7 p.m. when he was severely struck by a car. The driver of the vehicle failed to stop at the scene of the accident, and therefore, police officials are currently searching for a metallic blue Toyota SUV, which will have visible front-end damage.

Following the accident, the pedestrian was transported to Community Regional Medical Center where he is listed in critical condition.

Cause of the Hit-And-Run Pedestrian Accident

There is no excuse for a driver to leave the scene of the accident without identifying himself to the other parties involved in a crash and/or the proper authorities. Under the California Vehicle Code Section 20001(a): "The driver of a vehicle involved in an accident resulting in injury to a person, other than himself or herself, or in the death of a person shall immediately stop the vehicle at the scene of the accident." Therefore, while it is unclear as to how this accident happened, authorities will continue to monitor and investigate the situation and try and locate the hit-and-run driver.

Fresno Pedestrian Accident Injury Liability

Following a serious pedestrian accident such as this October 14th incident on Cedar and Bulter, the victim or the family of the victim would be well-advised to seek a skilled Fresno pedestrian accident lawyer to discuss the best course of action in pursuing a personal injury claim. An attorney who has handled hit-and-run collisions, can advise the victim of his legal rights, help in efforts to locate the driver, and help the victim recover the maximum compensation for medical care expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages relating to this hit-and-run pedestrian accident.

Continue reading "Pedestrian Critically Injured in Southeast Fresno Hit-And-Run Accident" »

According to KTVU News, the listeria outbreak involving the contaminated cantaloupes is now responsible for 21 deaths. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported new deaths in Indiana, New York, and Wyoming. The CDC also indicated that 109 people in numerous states from California to the East Coast have sustained illnesses in the outbreak.

While listeria is typically found in processed meats and unpasteurized milk, cheese, and other produce, government officials said this was the first known listeria outbreak in cantaloupes. CDC officials investigating the outbreak stated that any cantaloupes not from Jensen Farms are also not safe to eat. The recalled melons may be labeled "Colorado Grown," "Distributed by Frontera Produce," "Jensenfarms.com" or "Sweet Rocky Fords." The states that currently reported illnesses include Alabama, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Maryland, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.

California Foodborne Illness and Wrongful Death Liability

While the serious heath issues and/or deaths to individuals may continue to rise due to cantaloupe listeria outbreak, victims or family members of the victims would be well-advised to contact an skilled California foodborne illness attorney. A knowledgeable and experienced attorney at the law firm of Estey Bomberger, can advise the victims of their legal rights and determine the best course of action to recover the maximum compensation for medical care expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages. In the event, where the illness results in the death of a victim, the family of that victim can pursue a wrongful death claim and may be able to receive compensation for damages that relates to funeral/burial costs, loss of love, care, affection, and companionship.

Continue reading "Death Toll Rises to 21 in Cantaloupe Listeria Outbreak" »

The current Listeria outbreak has been noted as the biggest food borne illness epidemic in over a decade. The infected cantaloupes have claimed at least 15 lives, and have been linked to over 84 illnesses. Now, Democrats are calling for a full investigation by Congress.

This outbreak marks the first time cantaloupe has been host to Listeria Monocytogenes. Listeria typically grows in dark moist settings, not in open fields. Neither Jensen Farms nor the dozens of Food and Drug Administration investigators, who have inspected the farm since the outbreak, understand how the massive contamination occurred. Democrat Representatives Henry A. Waxman and Diana DeGette are calling for a full on investigation to determine the cause of the epidemic in order to prevent similar outbreaks. A congressional investigation would require Jensen Farms to supply reports concerning the Listeria outbreak, including all the allegations of contaminations from customers, when they first learned about the outbreak, and all the inspection reports from the past year.

Listeria is a particularly tenacious strain of bacteria that will not be killed by freezing or refrigeration and can stay in incubation for a couple months after you have contracted the bacteria. For healthy people, a Listeria infection generally exhibits symptoms similar to the common flu: fever, muscle aches, nausea, and diarrhea. However for those with compromised immune systems, the elderly, young children, and pregnant women, a listeria infection can lead to pneumonia, sepsis, meningitis, and even wrongful death.

American consumers are entitled to safe products, free from deadly contagions. When companies endanger the lives of consumers with unsafe products, they must be held accountable for their negligence or misconduct. The investigation called for by the democrats seek to set safety standards to protect Americans from future outbreaks, but a lawsuit can also help set legal precedents against negligent farming, careless irrigation of contaminated water, hazardous transportation conditions.

If you have been affected by the recent Listeria outbreak, and have suffered from a serious infection, you may want to consider contacting a lawyer. A professional food poisoning lawyer can help explain your legal rights and steps you can take to protect your right to compensation for the expenses your Listeria infection has incurred. If a loved one has died from Listeriosis after consuming a Rocky Ford cantaloupe, surviving relatives can pursue a wrongful death suit. A professional foodborne illness lawyer can help you recover full compensation for the damages caused by a Listeria infection.