California Injury Lawyer Blog

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.

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SANTA BARBARA COUNTY -- A man was rushed to a Santa Barbara Hospital Monday after a Jumbatron television fell on him at the Earl Warren Showgrounds, KSBY reported. David Howard Mann, 49, was helping install the big screen T.V. prior to a rodeo event when for unknown reasons the T.V. fell and landed on him. Bystanders at the scene were able to lift the T.V. off of Mann before medics arrived. According to KEYT, Mann was given CPR and transported to Cottage Hospital where he later died due to his injuries.

Cause of the Jumbotron Accident

The accident occurring on August 8th remains under investigation by authorities. However, based on the limited information provided by KSBY and KEYT, it is unclear why the Jumbotron television fell on Mann. Hopefully, authorities can come to a conclusion of what happened and why.

Fault and Wrongful Death Liability

Accidents such as this one have unique and complex issues. The general contractor, and all subcontactors and supervisors at the site where the T.V. was being installed, have a duty to make the working environment as safe as possible. If for any reason a party shows negligence in maintaining a safe work area, they will be held liable for injuries or fatalities that occur. Therefore, family members of the victim are well-advised to seek a California wrongful death attorney. A knowledgeable attorney who has the expertise in these particular accidents can hire a private investigator to take pictures, interview witnesses, and gather evidence to determine who is at fault. The attorney can also protect the families legal rights and possibly receive compensation for funeral/burial expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages relating to this horrific tragedy.

Continue reading "Man Dies from Injuries after Jumbotron Falls at the Earl Warren Showgrounds " »