A 30-year-old construction worker suffered personal injury that required hospitalization after he was hit on the head by a falling object while working at John Wayne Airport the morning of November 30, 2009. According to a news report in The Orange County Register, the man was with other construction workers who were driving hundreds of steel-reinforced piles into the ground for the structure.

Construction Worker Injured

The worker, who had been wearing his hard hat, was apparently standing near a pile rig when the metal object dropped, striking him on the head. The injured worker was transported to an area hospital by ambulance. The extent or severity of his injuries is not clear, but officials say he was conscious when he was being transported to the hospital. Airport authorities as well as officials with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration are investigating this incident.

I sympathize with this injured worker and his family. He has obviously sustained head injuries, but the severity of his job injury accident is not known at this point. I hope his injuries were not major and wish him the very best for a speedy and complete recovery. This injured worker and his family will be in my prayers.

Construction Accident Fatality and Injury Statistics

According to the California Department of Occupational Safety and Health, in the year 2005, there were 48 fatalities involving workers who were struck by falling objects. The agency also reports that during the same year, 76 workers died as a result of contact with objects and equipment.

In this particular case, it is not clear how or why this worker was injured. I trust investigators are looking into the causes right now. This injured worker will likely receive California workers compensation benefits from his employer. However, if his injuries are severe, it would be in the worker's best interest to look into the possibility of filing a third-party claim. Such claims are usually filed against an individual or entity other than the employer, who may have caused or contributed to the worker's injuries. This may be a contractor, sub-contractor, a negligent worker or the manufacturer of a defective product. An experienced Orange County personal injury lawyer, who is well-versed in California workers compensation laws and has successfully filed third-party claims, will be able to help this family proceed, should they choose to pursue their legal rights.

We are not representing any of the parties mentioned in this article at the time the article was posted. Our information source is cited in the article. If you were involved in this incident or a similar incident and have questions as to your rights and options, call a reputable law firm. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein. Get a consultation. The best law firms will provide a free confidential consultation to "not a fault" persons named in this article and their family members.

Construction Worker Injured at John Wayne Airport is a post from: Personal Injury Attorney News Portal

A delivery man sustained critical personal injuries after he was pinned under the cargo truck he was unloading, CBS news reports. The man, who has not yet been identified, had parked his truck behind a bakery in Westwood the morning of November 21, 2009. He then opened the back compartment of the truck to unload some merchandise when the truck started to move forward. The man then ran to reach for the passenger door when he was pinned between the door and the pole. The delivery man sustained fatal injuries and died at the scene.

Fatal On-the-Job Injury

I offer my deepest condolences to the family and friends of this deceased worker for their devastating loss. My heart goes out to everyone who knew and loved this man. Please keep them in your prayers.

Based on this news report, it is not clear whether the worker had set the parking brake before getting off the truck to unload the merchandise. The article does not state otherwise. The question here is: Was this fatal job injury caused by the truck's defective parking brake.

Was the Accident the Result of a Defective Parking Brake?

Defective parking brakes can lead to catastrophic injuries or fatalities. The auto product liability lawyers at BISNAR | CHASE have seen many cases where a defective parking brake system can cause a vehicle to roll without warning and run over or critically injure unsuspecting victims. These auto product defects can also cause serious car accidents. In fact, BISNAR | CHASE is spearheading a $350-million auto product defect class action lawsuit against General Motors on behalf of a Texas law firm. The lawsuit alleges that GM installed defective emergency brakes in several models of GM trucks and sport utility vehicles.

In this particular case, the family of the man, who was apparently on-the-job at the time of the fatal accident, will be entitled to worker's compensation benefits through his employer. But they may also be able to file a "third party claim" against the auto maker if it is determined that a defective parking brake caused this accident. A Los Angeles personal injury lawyer, who has successfully handled auto product liability cases and third party claims, will be able to advise this family about how to pursue their legal rights.

We are not representing any of the parties mentioned in this article at the time the article was posted. Our information source is cited in the article. If you were involved in this incident or a similar incident and have questions as to your rights and options, call a reputable law firm. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein. Get a consultation. The best law firms will provide a free confidential consultation to "not a fault" persons named in this article and their family members.

Los Angeles Worker Fatally Injured in Accident is a post from: Personal Injury Attorney News Portal

Philipe Gonzalez sustained serious personal injuries at a California construction site when a portion of a dirt wall fell on him as he worked in a trench about 30 feet deep. According to a news report in the Chico Enterprise Record, Gonzalez suffered a fractured pelvis and leg. He and the rest of the construction company crew were apparently putting a concrete pipe in the trench November 6, 2009 when Gonzalez stepped outside the large pipe to check the grading. That was when the dirt wall of the trench collapsed on top of him, officials said. The California Division of Occupational Health and Safety (DOSH) is investigating this construction accident.

I sympathize with this seriously injured victim, Philipe Gonzalez, and hope that he did not suffer major injuries that will prevent him from returning to work. I wish him the very best for a speedy and complete recovery. Please keep him and his family in your prayers. A number of construction accidents have devastating effects on workers' lives. Some can result in lifelong disabilities. I hope that's not the case with Gonzalez.

Trench Collapse Accidents in California

Trench cave-ins in construction sites often cause death and serious job injuries. According to Cal/OSHA's statistics, over a five-year period between 2001 and 2005, 26 Californians have been killed in trench collapses and 207 Californians have been injured in these entirely preventable construction accidents. In almost every instance of trench collapse, it has been determined that the cause was a failure to shore up a trench properly, the state safety agency says.

There are very specific regulations in California pertaining to trenches. Companies are required to get a DOSH permit every time a worker enters an excavation 5 feet or deeper. DOSH also mandates employers to conduct daily inspections of the trench and have competent safety systems in place including assessing the soil at the site and paying attention to changing weather patterns. Other industry standards also specify the width and depth of excavations, which are particularly meant to prevent accidents like this one.

Third Party Claims

Gonzalez will be entitled to California workers compensation benefits. But he may also have a "third party claim" here, that is usually filed against a party other than an employer, whose negligence contributed to or caused the accident. These claims are usually worth a lot more to the victim than what is available under workers compensation benefits. Typically, workers comp is hardly enough to compensate workers for escalating medical bills and loss of earnings. A reputed California personal injury lawyer who has a successful track record with third party claims will be able to analyze this incident from all angles and make sure the worker's legal rights and best interests are protected.

We are not representing any of the parties mentioned in this article at the time the article was posted. Our information source is cited in the article. If you were involved in this incident or a similar incident and have questions as to your rights and options, call a reputable law firm. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein. Get a consultation. The best law firms will provide a free confidential consultation to "not a fault" persons named in this article and their family members.

California Construction Worker Injured In Trench Collapse Incident is a post from: Personal Injury Attorney News Portal

Franzisca Nzau sustained serious injuries in an October 19, 2009 Bakersfield car accident after she was struck by a California Highway Patrol officer who was attempting to make a left turn. According to an ABC News report, CHP Officer Leonard Dehart was driving south on M Street and was stopped at a light preparing to turn left on to the eastbound State Route178. Dehart said he slowly moved forward to allow a vehicle traveling north on M to pass. After that, he apparently accelerated to make his left turn and he was blinded by the glare of the morning sun. Dehart told officials that he did not see Nzau walking in a crosswalk directly ahead of him until it was too late. Nzau sustained a broken pelvis and collarbone. She was transported to an area hospital.

My heart goes out to Franzisca Nzau who was seriously injured in this pedestrian-car collision. I wish her the very best for a quick and complete recovery. I also hope she did not suffer any other major injuries. Please keep this injured victim in your prayers.

Bakersfield Pedestrian Accident Statistics

According to California Highway Patrol's 2007 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were four fatalities and 94 injuries involving pedestrian accidents in Bakersfield, California. In Kern County as a whole, 17 deaths and 207 injuries were reported as a result of pedestrian accidents in 2007. Also during the same period, 142 deaths and 3,615 injuries were reported as a result of car accidents in Kern County.

This is an extremely unfortunate accident. It just goes to show how even professionals and a CHP officer such as Leonard Dehart can make an error while driving. Like many motorists who cause motorcycle and pedestrian accidents, perhaps, Dehart's "internal radar" was looking for cars and trucks. He was apparently not consciously looking for pedestrians or bicycles. Just like any on-the-job driver, Officer Dehart and his employer, the California Highway Patrol, could be held financially liable for Nzau's injuries.

Car Accident Liability Issues

Nzau seems to have been doing everything right here. She was within a marked crosswalk and California law requires motorists to yield right-of-way or slow down at crosswalks so pedestrians can cross safely. California Vehicle Code Section 21950 states: "The driver of a vehicle shall yield the right-of-way to a pedestrian crossing the roadway within any marked crosswalk or within any unmarked crosswalk at an intersection." The same section also states that the driver of a vehicle approaching a pedestrian within any marked or unmarked crosswalk "shall exercise all due care and shall reduce the speed of a vehicle or take any other action relating to the operating of the vehicle as necessary to safeguard the safety of the pedestrian."

Franzisca Nzau may be well-served by retaining the services of a skilled California personal injury lawyer quickly for this case. She would be well-advised not to discuss this case or its details with anyone until getting legal representation. This includes not signing any documents, in these situations. Accidents involving peace officers can sometimes be tricky especially if the agency is investigating their own officer. Nzau may also want to seek a personal injury lawyer outside of Kern County to avoid local politics and the "good old boy" syndrome and any real or perceived conflicts of interest.

We are not representing any of the parties mentioned in this article at the time the article was posted. Our information source is cited in the article. If you were involved in this incident or a similar incident and have questions as to your rights and options, call a reputable law firm. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein. Get a consultation. The best law firms will provide a free confidential consultation to "not a fault" persons named in this article and their family members.

Woman Injured in Bakersfield Car Accident Struck by CHP Officer is a post from: Personal Injury Attorney News Portal

Raymond Hill, 55, died after he suffered serious California personal injury when he went into cardiac arrest while operating heavy machinery at the Pharoah's Lost Kingdom, a water park in Redlands, California. Hill apparently died the afternoon of October 12, 2009. He had already been pulled from underneath the Bobcat equipment when firefighters arrived at the amusement park. Hill's co-workers told officials that they went to check on him when he stopped responding to their calls. However, officials also got conflicting reports that Hill was trapped under the equipment and that he was discovered slumped over the steering wheel. Hill was pronounced dead at an area hospital. The California Occupational Safety and Health Administration (Cal-OSHA) is investigating this fatal accident.

My heart goes out to the family, friends and co-workers of Raymond Hill for their tragic and heartbreaking loss. I offer my deepest sympathies to everyone who knew and loved Hill. Please keep them in your prayers.

Fatal Job Injury Kills Worker

Based on this news report, it's not clear why this fatal California job injuryoccurred. There are conflicting reports at this point and investigators are still in the process of interviewing eyewitnesses, co-workers and other who may have either seen this horrific accident or know something about it. There are more questions than answers at this point.

Did Hill suffer a heart attack or cardiac arrest while he was on-the-job working on the equipment? Did the accident occur as a result of his health condition? Or did he accidentally get trapped underneath the Bobcat equipment, which led to cardiac arrest? I trust that is the main issue Cal-OSHA investigators are looking into at this point. If Hill's death was caused by the heavy machinery falling on top of him and crushing him, then certain other questions arise. Was there a product defect or mechanical malfunction that caused the machine to fail? Did Hill have the skill and training to operate the machinery? Were all required safety procedures being followed at the time?

Third Party Claims

In any job-related accident, injured workers (or their families) would be entitled to receive workers compensation benefits. However, California workers compensation benefits are extremely inadequate and would hardly even meet the medical expenses in case of serious injuries or lost earnings when a family tragically loses its primary wage earner. In such cases, it may be in the family's best interest to file a "third-party claim," which is typically filed against someone other than the employer. A third party could be a contractor, sub-contractor or the manufacturer of a defective product. These claims could be worth many times more for the injured worker's family. An experienced California personal injury lawyer will be able to explain the legal rights and options available to accident victims and their families and make sure they receive fair compensation to cover their loss.

We are not representing any of the parties mentioned in this article at the time the article was posted. Our information source is cited in the article. If you were involved in this incident or a similar incident and have questions as to your rights and options, call a reputable law firm. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein. Get a consultation. The best law firms will provide a free confidential consultation to "not a fault" persons named in this article and their family members.

Worker Suffers Fatal Job Injury in Amusement Park is a post from: Personal Injury Attorney News Portal

A worker suffered a California personal injury in a construction accident the morning of October 5, 2009 after falling into a trench as he worked in Disneyland, The Orange County Register reports. The man, who was not identified, was a construction subcontractor who was working on a trench that was about 5-feet deep when he fell in. Anaheim firefighters and trench rescue teams responded. The man was conscious, but complained on back pain and was taken away on a back board. He was later transported to an area hospital. The extent of his back injuries is not known although a Disneyland spokeswoman said they "appeared to be minor."

It is indeed fortunate that this man was not catastrophically injured in this accident. I hope his back injuries were not severe and wish this injured worker the very best for a speedy and complete recovery. It is also fortunate that the trench did not collapse as the worker fell in. Trench collapses can be extremely dangerous because the victim could get asphyxiated when the dirt buries them. Please keep this injured worker in your prayers.

California Trench Accident Statistics

According to Cal/OSHA's statistics, over a five-year period between 2001 and 2005, 26 Californians have been killed in trench accidents and 207 Californians have been injured in these entirely preventable construction accidents.

The big question here is how this California job injury occurred. The state of California spells out very specific regulations when it comes to trenches. Every time a worker enters an excavation 5 feet or deeper, companies must get a permit from the California Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH). This California agency requires employers to conduct daily inspections of the trench and have proper safety systems in place including the nature of the soil at the work site. The state safety standards also require a competent foreperson to be physically present at the site to ensure adherence to the safety standards.

Liability in Workplace Accidents

In this particular case, it is not known how or why the worker fell in. Was he at fault or was it someone else's negligence that caused the injury accident? Were there any large vehicles parked too close to the excavation that may have caused the trench to become unstable? These are some of the questions that need to be asked here. The worker will likely be entitled to California workers compensation benefits. But he may also have a "third party claim," which in such cases is filed against a company or an individual (other than the victim's employer) that was negligent and caused or contributed to the injury. Workers and their families may be compensated for medical expenses, lost earnings and other related damages by a third party claim. Job injury victims would be well-advised to consult with a reputed Orange County personal injury lawyer who has routinely and successfully handled third party claims.

The BISNAR|CHASE personal injury law firm is not representing any of the parties mentioned in this article at the time the article was posted. Our information source is cited in the article. If you were involved in this incident or a similar incident and have questions as to your rights and options, call us or another reputable law firm. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein. Get a consultation. The best law firms will provide a free consultation. We provide a free, confidential consultation to not at fault persons named in this article. The free consultation offer extends to family members as well.

Construction Worker Injured in Disneyland is a post from: Personal Injury Attorney News Portal

A San Diego police officer was injured in a dog bite incident after he was attacked by a pit bull the night of September 13, 2009 while responding to disturbance call in El Cajon, California. According to a news report in the San Diego Union Tribune, Officer Travis Howard went to a home to respond to a call of loud music. The resident invited him inside the house and as he entered a large pit bull charged at him. The officer was bitten on the inner right thigh and right bicep, El Cajon police officials said. Howard was taken to an area hospital for treatment of injuries. The resident told officials that he was dog-sitting and did not have knowledge of the dog's temperament. No charges have been filed yet. But the dog has been impounded and is being held in quarantine.

I'm glad that this police officer was not seriously injured as a result of this dog attack. I wish him the very best for a quick and complete recovery from his dog bite injuries.

Dog Bite Statistics

Nationwide, dog bite incidents involving pit bulls and rottweilers are increasing. Statistics support that fact. According to Dogsbite.org, a Web site for dog attack victims nationwide, of the 88 fatal dog attacks in the United States in a three-year period between January 1, 2006 and December 31, 2008, 59 percent involved pit bulls followed by rottweilers (14 percent), American bulldog and Husky (5 percent each).

California has what is known, as a "strict liability statute" when it comes to dog bites. California’s Civil Code Section 3342 states: "The owner of any 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 of the owner of the dog, regardless of the former viciousness of the dog or the owner’s knowledge of such viciousness."

Dog Bite Liability Issues

The law says it is not necessary for the plaintiff in a California case to prove that the dog was known to be vicious or had a propensity to bite. One bite alone is sufficient to support liability. Under California law, the injured person must prove that the defendant owned the dog, that the dog bit the plaintiff, that the plaintiff was lawfully on the premises when the bite took place and that the dog bite caused the plaintiff personal injury.

California dog bite victims would be well-advised to contact a truly experienced California personal injury lawyer, who will help them pursue their rights and secure the compensation they rightfully deserve. Irresponsible dog owners must be held accountable for the injuries caused to innocent victims.

The BISNAR|CHASE personal injury law firm is not representing any of the parties mentioned in this article at the time the article was posted. Our source for the facts is cited in the article. If you were involved in this incident or a similar incident and have questions as to your rights and options, please contact us or another reputable law firm. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein. Get a consultation. Most of the best law firms will provide accident victims a free consultation.

We cannot fully inform any party or family member about their rights, options or the economic viability of any claim for compensation without a full investigation and consultation. We will not be conducting an investigation into this matter unless we are retained by a party. We will provide a free, confidential consultation to any, not at fault, person named in this article. The free consultation offer extends to family members as well.

Dog Bites Police Officer Responding to a Call is a post from: Personal Injury Attorney News Portal

As an Orange County personal injury lawyer, I have noted amusement park accidents that have occurred in California and around the country. Tragedy struck in Florida the morning of July 5, 2009 when two monorail trains collided killing 21-year-old Austin Wuennenberg, an employee at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida. According to The Orange County Register, the monorail trains that collided at the Walt Disney World were on a track in the Magic Kingdom section of the Florida resort. Authorities are still trying to figure out what caused the crash. But Disney officials said the monorail in Anaheim's Disneyland is operating safely.

My heart goes out to the family and friends of young Austin Wuennenberg for their tragic and heartbreaking loss. I offer my deepest sympathies to everyone who knew and loved Wuennenberg. Please keep them in your prayers during this difficult time.

According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), emergency room injuries from a amusement park accident rose more than 85 percent over the last five years. According to a study conducted by the CPSC, several factors were usually involved in these amusement park accident injuries--consumer behavior, operator behavior or error, lack of training, mechanical malfunction and design defects or limitations. Whatever questions may remain about who is to blame for the accident, there is no question that those injured while riding amusement park attractions suffer pain and loss because of their injuries. In this case, one person--a Disney employee--died.

Wuennenberg's family would probably be entitled to workers compensation benefits. But his family would be well advised to contact a personal injury lawyer who will look into whether there is a third party claim here. Such workplace accident claims are made against a party other than an employer, for example, a contractor, sub contractor or the manufacturer of the defective product. If visitors to the park are injured or killed in an amusement park accident, the park operator could be held liable for those injuries especially if the ride accident was caused by lack of proper maintenance or proper operation.

Amusement Park Accident at Disney World Kills One is a post from: Personal Injury Attorney News Portal

Juan Manuel Navarrete, a 43-year-old recycling service employee, was killed in a Los Angeles County workplace injury the evening of June 25, 2009 when a metal cable he was replacing on a dump truck snapped and struck him on the head. According to a news report in the San Gabriel Valley Tribune, Navarrete was pronounced dead at the scene when officials arrived at a waste and recycling service company at 282 Live Oak Ave. Police responded after an employee of a company nearby found Navarrete lying on the ground with a cut on his head.

Navarrete, apparently an auto mechanic for the company, was working on the truck and replacing the heavy-duty metal cable at the time of the fatal workplace accident. As Navarrete was finishing the job, the metal cable stretched and broke hitting him in the head, officials said. He died of severe head injuries.

My heart goes out to Juan Manuel Navarrete's family for their tragic and heartbreaking loss. I offer my deepest condolences to them.

There are of course several unanswered questions as far as this Los Angeles County on-the-job accident is concerned. What exactly caused the accident to occur? What was wrong with the replacement cable and the truck? Was the victim trained to fix it? Navarrete was obviously on the job at the time of the accident so his family members will be entitled to workers compensation benefits through his employer. However, many employees and their families find out the hard way that California’s workers compensation benefits are shockingly low and hardly provide enough to cover medical expenses and loss of wages as a result of the injury or death.

Navarrete's family may want to pursue a "third-party claim," which may be worth a lot more to them than the workers compensation benefits. The claim could be filed, for example, against the manufacturer of the cable and/or the dump truck, particularly if the malfunction was a result of a product defect. If I were representing this worker's family, I would want the truck to be preserved in its current damaged condition so it can be examined for product defects, mechanical malfunctions and other evidence. Navarrete's family would be well-advised to retain the services of skilled Los Angeles County workplace accident attorneys who will help them pursue their rights and make sure they receive fair compensation for their loss.

Los Angeles County Workplace Injury Kills Worker is a post from: Personal Injury Attorney News Portal