Joseph Maier, 48, sustained a fatal job injury while working in a warehouse in Santa Fe Springs. According to a report in The Whittier Daily News, the industrial accident occurred at the Superior Grocers Warehouse on Carmenita Road in Santa Fe Springs, the night of January 4, 2012. Officials say Maier was pinned between a truck and a loading dock. Based on the report, the truck backed into the victim. Officials are still looking into the cause of this fatal accident.

My heartfelt condolences go out to the family and friends of Joseph Maier following this horrific industrial accident. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.

Accident Statistics

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics 2010 Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries Summary, 4,547 fatal work injuries were reported in the United States. Approximately two out of every five fatal work injuries that year involved a transportation incident.

What Caused This On-the-job Accident?

Although this accident is classified as an industrial accident, it appears to have involved a truck backing into a worker. Based on this news report, Maier was pinned between the loading dock and the reversing truck. Did the truck sound a warning signal as it backed up? Was there adequate lighting in the area? Was the driver distracted or otherwise negligent? Was the worksite properly supervised? Was the motorist properly trained and licensed to operate the truck? I trust investigators are determining the answers to these and other questions in this tragic accident.

Liability Issues

The family of a victim killed in a workplace accident would be well advised to contact an experienced Los Angeles personal injury lawyer, who will protect their legal rights and best interests. Victims' families may seek workers compensation benefits through the employer. In addition, in cases that involve negligence by a third party (other than the employer), a third-party claim may also be filed. Examples of third parties include contractors, sub-contractors, or manufacturers of defective products.

Worker Killed in Los Angeles County Industrial Accident is a post from: Personal Injury Attorney News Portal

Three workers were injured on the job after they fell from a three-story building that was under construction. According to a news report in The San Diego Union-Tribune, the construction accident occurred the morning of October 17, 2011 at the Euclid Family Health Center on Euclid Avenue, near Logan Avenue, in Valencia Park.

Officials say one of the men was holding a ladder at the top of the structure, while the other two were climbing up. For unknown reasons, the ladder failed and the two workers who were climbing up fell. The man on top of the metal structure was thrown to the ground. Two of the men suffered major injuries, while one sustained what were described as moderate injuries. All three workers, believed to be in their 40s, were transported to an area hospital for treatment. An investigation is ongoing.

My heart goes out to all three victims who have suffered injuries in this construction site accident. I wish them the very best for a speedy and complete recovery. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.

Statistics Relating to Falls

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were 847 fatal falls in 2007. Falls to a lower level, which accounted for 85 percent of all falls, were down 23 percent in 2008. However, it still remains a high number and proves to be the most serious hazard for workers, especially in the construction industry.

What Caused this Accident?

Based on this news report, it appears that the workers fell because the ladder failed. Was this accident the result of a defective product, specifically a defective ladder? Were the workers taking all necessary safety precautions at the time? Were they properly trained for the job that they were doing? Did they receive safety training? Were they provided with fall protection? The Department of Labor requires that fall protection be provided to workers at 4 feet in general industry, 5 feet in maritime, and at 6 feet in the construction industry. Regardless of distance, fall protection must be provided when working over dangerous equipment or machinery.

Workers' Compensation Issues

In such cases, injured victims can seek workers compensation benefits from their employers. However, they may also be able to file a third-party claim in cases where a party other than the employer is at fault. Examples of such third parties include general contractors, sub-contractors, property owners, and manufacturers of defective products. An experienced San Diego personal injury lawyer will better advise injured workers and their families about their legal rights and options.

Workers Injured at San Diego Construction Site is a post from: Personal Injury Attorney News Portal

Oscar Zamudio, 34, suffered fatal job injuries in a Ventura County accident after he was crushed by machinery, the evening of September 26, 2011. According to a news report in The Ventura County Star, the work injury accident occurred in the oil fields located around West Fork Hall Canyon and Manuel Canyon Road near Ventura.

Officials say Zamudio was among people working on an oil rig when he was pinned to the rig by a fallen metal beam. A preliminary investigation indicated that a dismantling operation was ongoing at the site and a worker had removed the wrong pin causing a beam to fall. Zamudio was on a platform about 20 feet off the ground when he was pinned. He died at the scene.

My heart goes out to the friends and family of Oscar Zamudio, who has been described as a hardworking man and completely devoted to his family and his job. His wife says he was promoted two weeks before this fatal accident. Tragic! Please keep Zamudio's grieving family members in your thoughts and prayers.

Accident Statistics

According to a 2009 report by U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 734 workers were injured in accidents involving contact with objects and equipment. A total of 232 workers were killed by being caught in or compressed by equipment and 112 workers were fatally injured when caught in equipment in operation.

Based on this news account, Zamudio's death was the second fatality in five years for his employer, Kenai Drilling Limited. The company has had a history of safety violations. Since 2001, OSHA fined the company for violations in three accidents, including a fatal accident in 2006 that occurred when a rig tipped over a worker. The company faced an $18,000 fine in that case for violating a code requiring that every derrick be anchored, braced or otherwise secured to prevent it from tipping over.

What Caused This Fatal Accident?

In this particular case, it appears that this fatal accident occurred because of a co-worker's error. There are several questions here. Were proper safety precautions being followed? Was there adequate training and supervision provided? Was a defective product involved? Was any of the machinery or equipment poorly maintained? Did negligence play a part in the accident? I trust officials are looking into these and other issues in order to determine precisely what occurred here and why.

Claim for Compensation

In such cases, the family of the deceased worker will be entitled to receive workers compensation benefits from the employer. However, in addition to those benefits, the family may also be able to file a third party claim. Such claims, usually worth a lot more than workers compensation benefits, are usually filed against parties other than the employer such as a contractor, sub-contractor, equipment maintenance firm, or the manufacturer of a defective product. An experienced Ventura personal injury lawyer will be able to better advise families of workplace accident victims about their legal rights and options.

Worker Killed in Ventura County Industrial Accident is a post from: Personal Injury Attorney News Portal

A 38-year-old man sustained major job injuries after a tractor trailer rolled over him while he was unloading a piece of heavy equipment, the morning of September 14, 2011. According to a news report in the Ventura County Star, the incident occurred in the 100 block of Santa Maria Street in Santa Paula, at an industrial yard being shared by Ventura Crane Inc. and Hayward Baker Inc construction company. The victim was part of a team removing the machinery. Officials say the driver of the truck moving the vehicle did not know the worker was there. The vehicle rolled over the worker's legs and torso. Santa Paula police and the California Occupational Safety and Health Administration (Cal/OSHA) officials are investigating this workplace accident. The worker was transported to a local hospital. The extent of his injuries is not known at this time.

My heart goes out to this seriously injured worker and his family. I truly hope his injuries were not life-threatening. I wish him the very best for a speedy and complete recovery. Please keep this victim and his family in your thoughts and prayers.

Workplace Fatality Statistics

According to Cal/OSHA's 2009 workplace fatality statistics, there were 137 fatalities related to transportation-related incidents. Also, during the same year, 47 people died as a result of contact with objects and equipment.

Safety Standards

There are several required safety standards employers must adhere to while operating trucks or forklifts in the workplace. All employees must be trained before operating the vehicle. Such training should include practical training and an evaluation of the operator in the workplace to ensure that he or she can operate the vehicle safely. Those operating these vehicles should also be mindful of surface conditions, load stability, manipulation and pedestrian traffic in and around the area.

Causes and Compensation Issues

Based on this news report, it is unclear as to why the driver of the truck was unaware of the victim who was unloading the equipment. There are several questions here. Was the driver properly trained? Did he or she fail to pay attention to the pedestrian traffic around the area because of distraction or cell-phone use? Was there some type of miscommunication? Were the workers properly supervised?

In such cases, victims will be eligible to receive workers compensation benefits. However, in accidents where the injuries are serious or catastrophic, workers compensation benefits can be extremely inadequate. A Ventura personal injury lawyer will be able to advise injured workers if they have a third-party claim, which is usually worth a lot more than workers compensation benefits. These types of claims are filed in cases where negligence on the part of a third party other than the employer caused or contributed to the accident and injuries. Examples of third parties include contractors, sub-contractors, co-workers, equipment maintenance firms, and manufacturers of defective products. The best personal injury law firms will always offer a free consultation and comprehensive case evaluation to injured workers and their families.

Worker Injured On the Job in Santa Paula is a post from: Personal Injury Attorney News Portal

Barry Steele died from the injuries he suffered the night of July 20, 2011 in a Riverside car accident, which officials say, was caused by a drunk driver who sped through a closed highway entrance ramp. According to a news report in The Press-Enterprise, Steele, a 51-year-old construction worker, died four days after suffering critical neck, leg and other injuries.

Fatal DUI Collision

Officials said 21-year-old Brandi Holmes used a closed turn lane to enter the entrance ramp from Van Buren Boulevard to westbound Highway 91. Despite efforts by other workers to alert her, Holmes kept going down the ramp striking several pieces of equipment and finally, Steele, who was a worker with Skanska U.S.A. Civil. Holmes was arrested at the scene after she reportedly tried to flee on foot. She has been charged with drunk driving and DUI causing injury. She could face additional charges following Steele's death.

I offer my deepest condolences to everyone who knew and loved Barry Steele – devoted worker, soccer coach and father of Cal State soccer stars Barry, Brandon, Brent and Brock Steele. What a tragedy for his family, friends and co-workers! Please keep those grieving Steele's demise in your thoughts and prayers.

Danger on the Job

Steele is the fourth road construction worker in Southern California to be injured in a construction accident involving a negligent driver in the last three months. This fatal DUI collision comes at a time when Caltrans officials were running an aggressive public awareness campaign pleading with motorists to drive carefully in construction zones. There is no question that Steele's death and the deaths of those other workers should be a wake-up call for all Californians.

Liability Issues

In this particular case, I trust the driver, Holmes, will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. She should also be held civilly liable for Steele's wrongful death. Steele's family will be entitled to receive compensation from his employer. However, they can also file a wrongful death claim against the at-fault motorist seeking compensation for damages including medical expenses, funeral costs, lost future income, and loss of love and companionship. Victims' families in such cases would be well-advised to contact an experienced Riverside personal injury lawyer, who will stay abreast of the official investigation and ensure that their legal rights and best interests are protected. For more information about the dangers of driving under the influence, please visit the Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) web site at www.madd.org.

Riverside Drunk Driving Car Accident Attorneys

Do you think that convicted drunk drivers should have to use ignition interlock devices (breathalizers installed in their vehicle) before they start their cars after their first offense? Yes No Current Results

Construction Worker Dies from Injuries in Riverside DUI Collision is a post from: Personal Injury Attorney News Portal

At least one person was hospitalized with injuries after a Los Angeles bus accident on the 5 Freeway the morning of December 31, 2010. According to a CBS News report, the injury car accident occurred on the 5 Freeway at the 110 interchange when a car rear-ended the Greyhound bus, which was carrying 45 passengers. One person was taken to a local hospital with unknown injuries. An investigation is ongoing.

My heart goes out to the injured victim of this bus versus car accident. I hope he or she did not sustain catastrophic injuries. Please keep this individual in your thoughts and prayers.

Los Angeles Car Accident Statistics

According to California Highway Patrol's 2008 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were 268 deaths and 25,588 injuries involving Los Angeles car accidents. In Los Angeles County as a whole, 667 people died and 52,229 were injured as a result of car accidents during the same year.

Rear-End Car Accidents

Based on this news report, it is not entirely clear why this rear-end accident occurred. Rear-end accidents are often caused by drivers following too closely behind another vehicle or by distracted drivers. California Vehicle Code Section 21703 states: "The driver of a motor vehicle shall not follow another vehicle more closely than is reasonable and prudent, having due regard for the speed of such vehicle and the traffic upon, and the condition of, the roadway." California Vehicle Code Section 21704 also states that the driver "shall keep the vehicle he is driving at a distance of not less than 300 feet to the rear of any other motor vehicle subject to such speed restriction which is preceding it."

Fault and Liability

In this case, I trust officials are looking into whether intoxication, distracted driving, speeding or any other form of negligence played a part. If the driver of the vehicle is determined to have been at fault, he or she could be held liable for the injuries caused. If the driver of the Greyhound drove unsafely or stopped suddenly causing the accident, the driver and his employer, the bus company, can also be held liable.

In such cases, injured victims can file a claim for compensation against the at-fault party for medical expenses, loss of wages, cost of hospitalization, rehabilitation and other related damages. An experienced Los Angeles personal injury lawyer will be able to better advise car accident victims about their legal rights and options.

Seriously injured in a Los Angeles County car accident? Want to know if you have a case? Want to know what your case is worth? Want compensation for your injuries? Want justice? Want to make sure the same thing doesn’t happen to someone else?

Call your best friends in the legal industry after a Los Angeles bus accident. Call 888-481-8656. The call is free. The advice may be priceless.

Call a BISNAR | CHASE Los Angeles personal injury lawyer for a free professional evaluation of your case by attorneys who have represented over 6,000 clients since 1978. You will experience award winning representation and outstanding personal service by a friendly law firm in a comfortable environment.

Los Angeles Greyhound Bus Accident Causes Injuries is a post from: Personal Injury Attorney News Portal

A police officer was injured in a San Francisco car accident after officials say he was struck by a suspected drunk driver. According to an Associated Press news report, the injury car accident occurred the night of November 24, 2010 when the officer was running a pre-Thanksgiving DUI checkpoint at the intersection of Irwin Street and Fifth Avenue in San Rafael.

The officer was parked on his motorcycle when Guillermo Garcia Rodriguez, 48, was driving north toward the checkpoint. Rodriguez, in an attempt to avoid the checkpoint, rapidly and suddenly backed up his Ford Explorer into the driveway of the gas station where he struck the officer. The police officer was transported to a local hospital with sprains and bruising. Rodriguez was arrested on suspicion of felony DUI causing injury and driving without a valid license.

I sympathize with this injured police officer who was on-the-job at the time. I wish him the very best for a speedy and complete recovery.

DUI Statistics

According to California Highway Patrol's 2008 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were no fatalities, but 29 injuries were reported as a result of DUI collisions in San Rafael. In Marin County as a whole, three people died and 116 were injured as a result of alcohol-related car accidents during the same year.

Laws and Liability Issues
Driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs is a serious crime under California law. According to California Vehicle Code Section 23152 (a): "It is unlawful for any person who is under the influence of any alcoholic beverage or drug, or under the combined influence of any alcoholic beverage and drug, to drive a vehicle." The same section also states that it is illegal to drive with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08 percent or higher in California.
Based on this news report, the driver, Rodriguez, was not only driving under the influence, but was also operating without a valid driver's license. The officer in this case was on-the-job at the time, which will allow him to seek workers compensation benefits to cover medical costs and loss of wages. In addition, the uninsured motorist clause in his own auto insurance policy should also help cover costs that are not covered by workers compensation benefits.

An experienced San Francisco personal injury lawyer will be able to advise injured victims in such cases about their legal rights and options. For more information about the dangers of drinking and driving, please visit the Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) web site at www.madd.org.

Seriously injured in a San Francisco car accident? Want to know if you have a case? Want to know what your case is worth? Want compensation for your injuries? Want justice? Want to make sure the same thing doesn’t happen to someone else?

Call your best friends in the legal industry after a San Rafael car accident. Call 866-971-2345. The call is free. The advice may be priceless.

Call a BISNAR | CHASE San Francisco personal injury lawyer for a free professional evaluation of your case by attorneys who have represented over 6,000 clients since 1978. You will experience award winning representation and outstanding personal service by a friendly law firm in a comfortable environment.

In your opinion, are DUI checkpoints an effective way of apprehending drunk drivers and those driving without a valid license?

The law firm that sponsors this blog has agreed to provide a free, confidential consultation to any of our readers who were injured in this or a similar accident. The offer applies to the family of the accident victims as well.

At the time this article was posted, none of the parties mentioned in this article were represented by any of our sponsoring law firms. The source of our information is cited in the article. No independent investigation was conducted unless specifically mentioned in the article. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein; get a comprehensive consultation with a reputable law firm.

San Francisco Area DUI Collision Injures Police Officer is a post from: Personal Injury Attorney News Portal

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