California has it all; sunny beaches, snowy mountains, beautiful weather, and incredible food, but layoffs are putting a damper on the golden state that is rubbing everyone the wrong way. The Bisnar and Chase California wrongful termination attorneys are reaching out to all those who feel that their employers did not operate within state laws when they were let go. Those who feel that they may have a claim against their employer can contact Bisnar and Chase for a free case evaluation by calling 1 (800) 259-6373.

Mass Layoff Statistics

Californians have been struggling for years to keep their jobs. Statistics related to mass layoffs are a constant reminder that although things have gotten better, many Americans still cannot count on their employers to provide a long-term work environment. The following are statistics gathered from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

• Employers took 1,331 mass layoff actions in November involving 129,887 workers, seasonally adjusted, as measured by new filing for unemployment insurance benefits during the month.
• In November, the national unemployment rate was 8.6 percent, down from 9.0 percent the prior month and from 9.8 percent a year earlier.
• The manufacturing sector accounted for 25 percent of all mass layoff events and 30 percent of initial claims filed in November

If you feel you have been wrongfully terminated, you may have a claim for compensation and should speak with a California employment attorney.

California Employment Attorneys

Whether you were not paid fair wages for your services or were wrongfully terminated, speaking with a Bisnar and Chase California employment lawyer will give you free, helpful information to find out what your options are. Bisnar and Chase offers a free professional consultation and works on a contingency fee basis. This ensures that you will not have to pay them if your case is not won.

Call 1 (800) 259-6373 to get FREE LEGAL ADVICE

Wrongful Termination Attorneys in California Take Layoffs Seriously is a post from: Personal Injury Attorney News Portal

Many Tustin car accident victims believe they might have the ability to handle their case on their own. After all, it might appear that all that is required is to sign a few papers from the insurance company and you’ll get a check in the mail. The truth is there are many things involved with a car accident case, and hiring a car accident attorney in Tustin may be beneficial.

Hiring a car accident attorney can help relieve the stress and aggravation that often comes with trying to receive compensation for your car accident. The following are some advantages you may have when you choose to hire a car accident lawyer.

Negotiations with Medical Professionals

In cases where there are continuing medical expenses, a car accident attorney may be able to help negotiate with the various hospitals and medical professionals to hold off on billing you until you have received compensation or a settlement offer. This will allow you to get the medical treatments you need without having to worrying about the medical expenses associated with the treatment.

Receive More Compensation Than Settling With Insurance Companies

Insurance companies are often quick to offer you an amount they believe is in "your best interest." The insurance company may claim to be looking out for your best interest but they aren’t. They are looking out for their bottom line, and making sure they stay in business. The amount they offer you may not be what you need to cover the growing medical expenses, and it may not include compensation for pain and suffering, or lost time off of work.

A good car accident attorney can help victims receive the compensation they need to cover all medical expenses, pain and suffering, damage and lost time off of work. That is because a car accident law firm is working for you, and not for the insurance company’s bottom line. In fact, it is estimated that victims who sought the help of a car accident attorney received double the amount they were offered by the insurance company.

Seeking the advice of reputable Tustin car accident attorneys who specializes in car accidents in or around the Tustin area can help victims get the compensation they want and need. Most highly qualified car accident attorneys will offer a free consultation. If you are a victim of a recent car accident, let a knowledgeable California car accident attorney handle your case.

Advantages of Hiring a Car Accident Attorney Tustin is a post from: Personal Injury Attorney News Portal

The train accident attorneys at BISNAR | CHASE are extremely concerned about a "near miss" incident involving the driver of a Metrolink commuter train who ran a red signal as another passenger train approached on a track near downtown Los Angeles. According to a CBS news report, no one was injured in this incident, which happened last week. The train's engineer apparently declared an emergency after passing the red light and stopped before going through a switch and onto a section of track being used by another Metrolink train at that time.

Investigation into Engineer Running Red Light

Metrolink board members and the California Public Utilities Commission are investigating this near miss. They are looking at cameras in the cab, which recorded the moments prior to the incident. Investigators say they will review the tape to see if any safety rules were violated.

It is indeed a relief that this did not result in a catastrophic train accident reminiscent of the September 2008 Chatsworth Metrolink accident, which killed 25 people and seriously injured at least 134. Forty of those victims sustained serious or catastrophic injuries. In that case, the train's engineer, who also died in the crash, was texting moments before the crash. It is now illegal for Metrolink driver and conductors to text or use any communication devices while on the job. Metrolink also installed cameras in train cabs to keep track of their employees. Even before the Chatsworth Metrolink train accident, there was another head-on collision in Orange County on April 23, 2002 in Placentia, which killed two people and injured 260.

Safety Measures Still to Come

Metrolink has been talking about a lot of safety measures, but it is yet to install Positive Train Control (PTC), which is an automatic braking system. PTC uses Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) technology to spot two trains on a collision course and automatically apply brakes on both trains to effectively prevent a catastrophic crash and the serious personal injuries and heartbreaking fatalities that occur as a result.

Such a braking system would also slow trains that go past a yellow signal and stop them before they go past a red signal. If Metrolink officials, who knew about the availability of this technology even before the fatal Orange County train accident, had installed the high-tech PTC system in their trains, these horrific accidents may have been prevented.

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.

Metrolink Train Engineer Runs Red Light, Almost Collides With another Train is a post from: Personal Injury Attorney News Portal

Tire tread from a big rig that was left on freeway lanes resulted in an Orange County car accident involving five vehicles. According to a news report in The Orange County Register, the accident occurred the morning of November 17, 2009 on the northbound 57 Freeway past Imperial Highway in Brea, California. The five cars collided soon after a large truck tire tread fell in lanes. One of the victims was identified as 18-year-old Francisco Linares. He was driving his Mercedes Benz when he reportedly got caught in the middle of the chain reaction crash. He sustained injuries that were believed to be minor. No one suffered life-threatening injuries. The other vehicles involved were a Nissan Altima, an Acura, Ford Explorer and a Ford F-250 truck.

It is indeed fortunate that no one was seriously injured in what could have been a very serious car accident. I hope everyone who sustained injuries here makes a quick and complete recovery. This incident could have been a lot worse. I'm glad that it was not.

Car Accidents in Orange County

There were 260 injuries reported in Brea as a result of car accidents in 2007, according to CHP's Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS). In Orange County as a whole, 178 fatalities and 14,185 injuries were reported as a result of car accidents in 2007.

Based on this news report, it appears that the accident was caused by debris on the freeway, specifically the tire tread from a big rig. Freeway debris is increasingly becoming a leading cause of serious car accidents in California. The California State Department of Transportation estimates that 140,000 cubic yards of debris is dumped on California's roadways each year. In fact, roadway debris in California has claimed 155 lives between 2006 and 2008, according to Caltrans statistics. Tire tread is one of the common kinds of debris we see dropped on the freeway. Usually, they do not cause major accidents unless someone swerves to avoid it and ends up losing control and crashing. In this case, the tire tread was a lot larger because it apparently fell off a commercial truck.

Liability in Roadway Debris Cases

If this accident had resulted in serious injuries or death, the trucking company would have been held liable for the accident and resulting injuries. Under California law, motorists can be fined for dropping anything other than live bird feathers or water from their vehicles onto a roadway. The Orange County personal injury attorneys at BISNAR | CHASE have successfully handled several major injury cases caused by freeway debris.

Victims of an auto accident that was the result of highway debris have the legal right to be compensated for their injuries from the person who dropped the debris on the roadway. But if the responsible party is never identified or found, the victim may be compensated through the uninsured motorist provision of his or her car insurance policy. A skilled car accident lawyer will help the injured parties file for compensation through these types of insurance claims.

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.

Tire Tread on Freeway Leads To Orange County Car Accident is a post from: Personal Injury Attorney News Portal

There were reports of two swimming pool accidents in Los Angeles' San Fernando Valley on November 11, 2009, according to a CBS news report. The accidents resulted in the near-drowning of two young children. The first incident occurred around noon in a North Hills home where a 14-month-old boy fell into a swimming pool. The boy was taken out of the water and transported to a hospital where he is said to be recovering. Around 12:30 the same day a 5-year-old boy was out of sight for no more than two minutes before his mother found him floating in the backyard pool. He was transported to a local hospital in serious condition.

My heart goes out to the families of both these young boys. I hope and pray that both children recover quickly and completely from their injuries. Please keep these children and their families in your prayers.

Swimming Pool Accident Statistics

Southern California, especially, is notorious for drowning and near-drowning incidents obviously because of the abundance of pools and good weather. Los Angeles County has more than 200 near-drowning incidents a year. And Los Angeles, Orange and San Diego counties together account for half of all near-drowning incidents in California.

In both these cases, it is extremely fortunate that the children did not sustain fatal injuries. It really doesn't take that long for a child who is submerged in water to sustain a traumatic brain injury or die because the oxygen supply is cut off to the child's brain. The cost of treating these brain injuries is extremely high and could run into millions of dollars.

Liability Issues in Drowning or Near-Drowning Accidents

Although in these cases, the children fell into their own backyard pools, the Los Angeles personal injury attorneys at BISNAR | CHASE handle at least a few cases every summer where a child is seriously injured or killed as a result of a swimming pool accident in someone else's home or at a day camp.

Incidents such as these prove that swimming pool accidents in Southern California are not seasonal. Drowning incidents here really don't take a holiday. Parents and caregivers should be watchful at all times. If a child drowns under your watch or in your home, you could be held liable for the injuries. If you have a swimming pool in your backyard, please make sure it is fenced and locked. And make sure that the locks are in working condition. Always supervise children and never let them out of your sight.

Two Los Angeles Swimming Pool Accidents Cause Injuries is a post from: Personal Injury Attorney News Portal

A speeding driver is said to have caused a Ventura car accident, which left Bonitta Wade with serious injuries and almost hurt her infant son. According to a news report in the Ventura County Star, Ali Sehhat, 33, was driving west on Royal Avenue in Simi Valley the morning of October 20, 2009 when he lost control of his car, veered into an opposing lane of traffic, up a sidewalk ramp and a decorative rock. Sehhat's vehicle then became airborne and hit a home in the 3300 block of Royal Avenue. The car entered the home and came to rest a few feet away from an infant lying on the floor. The child escaped without injuries, but the mother was hit by flying debris and suffered a broken leg.

Wade was apparently hit by a piece of drywall and needed surgery. The 9-week-old baby survived with a bump on his head. Bonitta Wade had to crawl on the floor because of her injuries to get to her baby and keep him safe, her husband John Wade said. Sehhat suffered minor injuries. He is expected to be cited with an infraction for unsafe operation of a motor vehicle resulting in injury.

Car Accident could Have Been Tragic

My heart goes out to the Wade family for their traumatic experience. What a scare! This baby's life was no doubt in grave danger and I'm thankful that the little one is safe and uninjured. I wish Bonitta Wade the very best for a quick and complete recovery from her injuries. Please keep this family in your prayers.

According to California Highway Patrol's 2007 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), nine deaths and 462 injuries were reported as a result of Simi Valley car accidents. In Ventura County as a whole, 71 deaths and 3,993 injuries were reported as a result of car accidents in 2007.

Car Accident Liability Issues

If this news report is accurate, it appears that Sehhat is at fault for this accident, which could have been a lot worse - even deadly. He seems to have driven in a reckless manner. Officials say he was doing 60 in a 45 mph zone. He has been charged with an infraction, but in my opinion, he should be held liable for the injuries and damages caused in this incident.

The Wade family would be well-advised to retain the services of an experienced Ventura personal injury lawyer, who will analyze all aspects of this case and hold the negligent parties accountable for their actions. In such cases, victims can seek compensation for medical expenses, property damage and other related costs.

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.

Ventura Car Accident Injures Woman is a post from: Personal Injury Attorney News Portal

There are not many instances when the auto products liability attorneys at BISNAR | CHASE agree with The Ford Motor Company. We have represented numerous clients over the years alleging that Ford manufactured substandard cars, trucks and SUVs that seriously injured our clients. This time however, we commend a recent Ford initiative that makes them the first auto maker to endorse a federal ban on sending text messages while driving.

Texting Ban Will Save Lives

According to a news report in the New York Times, Ford issued a statement in support of a legislation proposed by Senator Charles E. Schumer, D-New York, that would cut by 25 percent the federal highway financing given to states that did not comply with the texting ban. California's texting ban went into effect this year. Text-messaging bans have already been enacted in 14 states and the District of Columbia. Ford officials said they also support a similar proposal in the House by Carolyn McCarthy, a Democrat from New York.

The Virginia Tech Transportation Institute recently concluded that drivers who text while driving are 23 times more likely to get in a car accident or narrowly avoid a car accident. The study also stated that any activity that causes drivers to take their eyes off the road such as texting substantially increases the likelihood of a car crash. Ford officials said in a released statement: "Ford believes hands-free, voice-activated technology substantially reduces that risk by allowing drivers to keep their hands on the wheel and eyes on the road."

Ford apparently has its proprietary in-car communications and entertainment system called Ford Sync that is being included on many models, allowing most mobile phones to be used hands-free. The system also has a voice-activated feature that reads out text messages aloud to the driver.

Texting While Driving Has Caused Devastation

I think Ford deserves a lot of credit here for being the first auto maker to step up and support this texting ban legislation. As a personal injury lawyer, I wholeheartedly support this ban because I have seen first hand the devastating consequences of distracted driving. There is no place for texting while driving on our highways. The Chatsworth Metrolink crash, which killed 25 people and injured at least 130 in September 2008, occurred when the engineer texted and drove the train right through a red light. The commuter train ended up colliding with a freight train.

Recent studies have also shown that hands-free devices too, aren't safe because they still take the driver's attention off the road. Ideally, we should ban any mode of communication -- be it talking on the cell phone or texting -- while driving, unless it's an emergency. Our lives and the lives of others on the road are too precious to risk. Please drive safely.

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.

Ford Supports Federal Texting Ban is a post from: Personal Injury Attorney News Portal

As Los Angeles car accident lawyers, we have represented numerous clients who have been seriously injured or have lost loved ones in car accidents caused by drunk drivers. A recent column by Whittier Police Sgt. Dan Lowe in the Whittier Daily News takes a closer look at DUI statistics between 1997 and 2007. According to Sgt. Lowe's analysis, the DUI arrest rate per 10,000 was 863 in the year 2007. That number, he says, is only a sampling of the actual number of impaired drivers on the roadway.

California DUI Car Accident Statistics

In California, in 2007, there were 2,238 alcohol and drug related traffic accident deaths. That means about 56 percent of all the car accident deaths that year involved some level of impairment. This figure represents 2,238 individuals who chose to get behind the wheel after consuming alcohol and/or drugs, which in itself shows that DUI is a very legitimate problem in California.

If you asked 'What about enforcement?', here is your answer. About 45,000 drivers had their driving privilege suspended or revoked for driving under the influence in 2007.But the number of individuals who simply drive on a suspended or revoked license is equally high. According to Sgt. Lowe, the consequences of driving under the influence are simply not severe enough to change an individual's behavior after his or her arrest.

Driving under the influence is a serious offense in California. 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."

Los Angeles Personal Injury Lawyer

If you have been seriously injured in an alcohol-related accident, please consult with an experienced Los Angeles personal injury lawyer, who will fight for your rights and make sure the negligent party is held liable. If the suspected drunk driver was on-the-job or running an errand at the time, his or her employer or the person they were running the errand for, may also be held liable.

Drunk driving, as evidenced by these statistics, is a huge problem in our society. Ultimately, it's about responsibility. Drunk driving is illegal; it is unethical and plain wrong. A driver's poor judgment can have devastating consequences on the victims and their families. Please drive safely!

Alcohol-Related Car Accidents on the Rise is a post from: Personal Injury Attorney News Portal

A woman sustained injuries in a San Francisco pedestrian accident after she was struck by one of the city's historic streetcars the afternoon of August 11, 2009. According to a news report in the San Francisco Chronicle, the injury accident occurred at Market and Ninth streets, the second time in several weeks that an accident on the F-line has disrupted service. A spokesman for the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (Muni), which operates the streetcars, said an initial investigation showed the woman stepped off the boarding platform into the path of a slow-moving 1948 Philadelphia streetcar. She sustained injuries and was taken to the hospital, but her injuries were not life-threatening.

Recent San Francisco Accidents

There have been a series of accidents involving Muni vehicles over the last month or so. On August 3, 2009, an F-line streetcar hit an SUV and pushed it into the back of another streetcar injuring six people. On July 18, 2009, about 50 people were injured when a light rail train crashed into another train at the West Portal station. Both of those accidents were reportedly caused by operator error.

I'm relieved that this victim did not suffer catastrophic injuries as a result of this San Francisco car accident. I wish her the very best for a quick and complete recovery.

In my opinion, it is time for Muni officials to reevaluate their procedures and maybe, provide a "refresher" training course for all their operators. Officials say preliminary reports show that the pedestrian stepped in the path of the streetcar. However, I would wait for the investigation to be completed before concluding what happened here. As California car accident attorneys, we have observed that sometimes, initial investigations can be faulty because of misleading eyewitness statements or for a host of other reasons. The Muni would also be well-advised to revisit their safety standards and see if any improvements need to be made in light of the recent incidents. If these accidents were caused as a result of driver inattention, error or negligence the transit authority can be held liable for injuries or fatalities caused.

San Francisco Personal Injury Lawyer

The victim of any such serious car accident would be well-advised to consult an experienced San Francisco personal injury lawyer, who will stay on top of the official investigation, analyze all aspects of the crash and determine whether there was any negligence or wrongdoing involved. The best car accident law firms always offer a free, comprehensive and confidential consultation to personal injury victims and their families.

San Francisco Streetcar Accident Injures Pedestrian is a post from: Personal Injury Attorney News Portal

Jesse Munoz, an 8-year-old boy, died in a swimming pool accident in a Morro Bay's Best Western El Rancho Hotel the evening of June 27, 2009, according to a KCOY news report. Jesse was apparently swimming in the pool and was found not breathing. He was rushed to an area hospital where he was pronounced dead. Police believe that the death was accidental.

My heart goes out to the family of young Jesse Munoz. I offer my deepest sympathies to them during this difficult time. Please keep them in your prayers.

In the state of California, swimming pool accidents and drowning is the leading cause of death among children age 14 and under, according to statistics provided by the Orange County Fire Authority. In Southern California, especially, the number of swimming pool accidents is high throughout the year because of year-round good weather. The number of drowning incidents and near-drowning incidents, however, peaks during the summer.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) a child can drown in the time it takes to answer a phone. Another important fact presented by the Drowning Prevention Foundation is that 19 percent of drowning deaths involving children occur in public pools with certified lifeguards present. Older children are definitely not immune to these swimming pool accidents. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, children under five and adolescents/young adults between ages of 15 and 24 have the highest drowning rates. Also for every child who drowns, four are hospitalized for near-drowning. An estimated 5,000 children ages 14 and under are hospitalized because of near-drowning each year in the United States, of which 15 percent die in the hospital and about 20 percent suffer severe permanent brain damage.

It is important to find out how and why this Morro Bay hotel swimming pool accident occurred. Was the child, Jesse Munoz, supervised at the time? Was there a certified lifeguard present? Was Jesse entrusted to the care of someone? Was he part of a camp or daycare program? Who was he there with? If he was entrusted to someone's care at the time of the incident, then that person or entity could be held liable for the accident and resulting fatal injuries. Experienced California personal injury lawyers will be able to determine whether there was negligence involved in this incident and who should be held accountable.

This tragic fatal drowning is yet another reminder for us to constantly supervise our children when they are in the water. Even a moment's inattention could result in irreparable tragedy. Please stay safe and keep your children safe this summer.

San Luis Obispo County Fatal Swimming Pool Accident is a post from: Personal Injury Attorney News Portal