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

Edgardo Almaraz, 36, was killed in a Los Angeles County watercraft accident when his WaveRunner collided with a 20-foot ski boat. According to a City News Service report, the fatal boating accident occurred on Pyramid Lake in Castaic, the afternoon of July 16, 2011. Almaraz was riding the WaveRunner when he allegedly turned into the path of the boat. He was fatally injured in the crash. An investigation is underway to determine what led to the fatal collision.

My heart goes out to the family and friends of Edgardo Almaraz following this tragic boating accident. My thoughts and prayers are with them during this difficult time.

California Boat Accident Statistics

According to the 2008 California Boating Safety Statics reported by the California Department of Boating and Waterways, there were 686 boating accidents resulting in 382 injuries and 48 fatalities. During that same year, there were 139 boat accidents involving a personal watercraft and 317 accidents involving an open motorboat.

What Caused This Fatal Boat Accident?

The report states that the fatally injured victim may have abruptly turned into the path of the boat before the collision. What caused him to turn? Was this crash the result of a defective product? Did the WaveRunner malfunction? Were alcohol or drugs a factor in this crash? I trust officials are looking into these and other issues in order to determine precisely what occurred and why.

Liability Issues

In this particular case, it would be in the best interests of the victim's family to preserve the WaveRunner in its current condition, unaltered, so it can be carefully examined by an expert for product defects or malfunctions. If it is determined that a defective product caused this accident, the manufacturer of that faulty product can be held liable for Almaraz's wrongful death. Families of deceased victims can seek compensation for medical expenses, funeral costs, lost future income, loss of love and companionship, and other related damages. An experienced Los Angeles personal injury lawyer will be able to advise families of deceased victims about their legal rights and options in such cases. The best personal injury law firms will always offer a free consultation and comprehensive case evaluation to boating accident victims and their families.

Lost a family member in a Los Angeles County boating accident? Want to know your rights? Want to know what your case is worth? Want compensation? Want justice? Want to ensure the same thing doesn’t happen to another family?

Call your best friends in the legal industry after a fatal WaveRunner watercraft accident. Call 866-990-8787. The call is free. The advice may be priceless.

Call a BISNAR | CHASE Los Angeles wrongful death lawyer for a free professional evaluation of your rights by attorneys who have been representing families of deceased accident victims since 1978. You will experience award winning representation and outstanding personal service by a compassionate and understanding law firm in a comfortable environment.

California Boat Accident Lawyers

Do you feel that people should undergo some type of training to be able to operate a wave runner? Yes No Maybe Current Results

Man Killed in Pyramid Lake Boating Accident is a post from: Personal Injury Attorney News Portal

A child was killed and a female driver sustained moderate injuries in a Riverside car accident on the Interstate 10 the morning of September 19, 2010. According to a news report in The Desert Sun, the fatal accident occurred in Palm Springs when a pickup truck veered out of control in the eastbound lanes of the freeway and crashed into the center divider. The child was thrown from the vehicle and was fatally injured. Officials do not believe drugs or alcohol were factors, but say that the pickup truck may have lost control following a blown tire.

My deepest condolences go out to the family of the child killed in this fatal car accident. My thoughts and prayers are with everyone grieving the loss of the child.

Car Accident Statistics

According to California Highway Patrol’s 2008 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), eight people were killed and 340 people were injured in Palm Springs car accidents. In Riverside County, 220 fatalities and 8,561 injuries were reported as a result of car accidents during the same year.

Causes and Liability Issues

Based on this news report, it appears that the driver of the pickup lost control of the vehicle because of a possible defective tire. It also appears that the child was ejected from the vehicle, which caused the fatal injuries. There are several questions here. Was there a design flaw inherent to this particular model of pickup truck, which caused it to go out of control when the tire blew? Was the child in a defective car seat? If so, was the child ejected from the vehicle because of a defective safety seat? These are important questions to be answered in order to determine what caused the crash and the fatality, and who should be held responsible.

If this accident was caused by a vehicle defect, the auto maker could be held liable for the injuries and death. If the injuries were the result of a defective product, then the product manufacturer could be held responsible. An experienced Riverside personal injury lawyer, who has successfully handled products liability cases will be able to advise victims and their families about their legal rights and options.

What steps do you take to make sure that your child is safe while traveling?

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. Call 866-456-5235 for assistance.

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.

Fatal Riverside Car Accident Caused by Tire Blowout is a post from: Personal Injury Attorney News Portal

Brandon McBride, a 10-year-old boy, was killed in a car accident after his ATV was struck by a pickup truck on a rural road in Kings County. According to a CBS news report, the fatal crash occurred the afternoon of September 6, 2010, when Brandon was driving his ATV near 5 1/2 Avenue and Newark Avenue. Officials say the boy pulled out into the road, ahead of a pickup truck that was passing another car. Brandon was wearing a helmet, but didn't survive his injuries after being thrown off the ATV. The truck hit a power pole. Both, the driver of the pickup truck, 28-year-old Eloy Solis, and his 16-year-old passenger sustained minor injuries.

I offer my deepest condolences to the family and friends of Brandon McBride for their devastating loss. Please keep them in your prayers.

ATVs and Children

According to recent studies performed by the University of Utah's Department of Neurosurgery, there were about 1.1 million emergency room visits and 495 deaths because of ATV accident nationwide in 2001. The estimated costs of ATV-related injuries nationwide are $3.24 billion each year.

The study found that although all age groups are prone to ATV accidents, children are especially disproportionately affected. About 42 percent of head and spinal injuries documented in the study involved victims under age 20. Researchers say children are at an increased risk for ATV-related catastrophic injuries and deaths because of their underdeveloped motor coordination, lack of physical strength and lack of experience operating a vehicle. When children are left unsupervised with ATVs, the consequences can be fatal, as in this case.

Product Liability Issues

There are several ATV accidents that are caused by individuals who operate these vehicles improperly. However, a significant number of accidents also occur as a result of defective ATVs. If an accident is the result of a defective product, then, the manufacturer of the ATV could be held liable for the accident and injuries caused. In such cases, injured victims or their families would be well-advised to consult an experienced California personal injury lawyer, who has successfully handled products liability cases against large corporations. The best product defect law firms will always offer a free consultation and comprehensive case evaluation for injured victims and their families.

Would you allow your child to ride an ATV? We would like to hear about your thoughts on this important issue.

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. Call 866-456-5235 for assistance.

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.

ATV Accident in California Kills 10-year-old Boy is a post from: Personal Injury Attorney News Portal

With the recent number of auto defect recalls many consumers may be wondering why auto makers continue to manufacture defective auto products. With the advancements in technology and manufacturing defective vehicles have still been produced and sold to consumers like you.

The reason why auto defects still exist today is the same reason why they existed a decade ago. Auto defects still happen because corporations have put profits over safety. A number of manufacturers are still using the same platform they used 20 or 30 year ago. Your new car might not be as new as you think. Under the skin of your car could be a 30 year old platform.

Victims who have suffered catastrophic injury due to an auto defect may request a free book, "Still Unsafe At Any Speed." This auto defect book offers valuable information regarding common vehicle defects. After reading this book you will be better able to evaluate an auto products liability case.

If you or a loved one has been injured from an auto defect please contact BISNAR | CHASE Personal Injury Lawyers for a complimentary consultation. We have helped over 6,000 accident victims recover hundreds of millions of dollars.

Why Have Auto Makers Continued To Manufacture Defective Automobiles? is a post from: Personal Injury Attorney News Portal

A number of defective products injure victims every year. Accident victims suffer from a number of different personal injuries. Some suffer from minor injuries while other victims become catastrophically injured.

A products liability case can take no longer or shorter than any other personal injury accident. A defective product claim can settle in as little as 30 to 90 days or as long as 2 to 3 years. There really is no way to gage how long it will take to complete a products liability claim. Every case is unique in and of itself.

Accident victims who have been injured due to a defective product are well advised to seek the council of an experienced California personal injury lawyer. The best attorneys will offer complimentary consultations and a no fee guarantee. This means that if they don't win your case you don't pay.

California car accident victims may also request a free book, "The Seven Fatal Mistakes That Can Wreck Your California Personal Injury Claim." This book is offered to accident victims at no cost. Inside this book you will find valuable information which every California accident victim should have.

The BISNAR | CHASE Personal Injury Lawyers have recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for thousands of accident victims. If you or a loved one has been in a serious accident it is important to contact an experienced catastrophic injury lawyers. We offer free no obligation consultations. Our clients receive a no fee guarantee. This means that if we don't win your case you don't have to pay. To receive your complimentary consultation, please contact the BISNAR | CHASE law office by calling 800-561-4887 or visit our website.

How Long Does It Take To Settle A Products Liability Case? is a post from: Personal Injury Attorney News Portal

As products liability attorneys, we know that the makers of defective products often drag their feet on product recalls even when they have known for several years that those products could cause serious personal injury or even death to their unsuspecting consumer. Here's a perfect example of what I'm talking about. Maclaren, a manufacturer of strollers, agreed to a voluntary recall earlier this month, of all models of its products sold as far back as 1999 admitting that the fingers of 12 children were cut off by the stroller's hinges when they were opened or closed. What we're just hearing about now is that Maclaren knew about its product defects at least for the last five years, but did absolutely nothing about it. According to an article in the New York Post, Maclaren is now facing a fine of $1 million or more because they failed to report this potential hazard to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Reporting Dangerous Products

Product manufacturers are required by federal law to report to the CPSC immediately on learning of a problem with a product that makes it a substantial hazard or poses a potential hazard. Maclaren knew that their strollers could amputate little fingers as early as July 12 2004 when a toddler in Connecticut lost his pinky. Carlos DeWinter, the 23-month-old underwent two surgeries to get his pinky reattached, but without luck. What did Maclaren do then? They blamed the child's mom for her "negligence."

In 2007, an engineer and former compliance officer for the CPSC testified that the stroller had a substantial design defect stating that the stroller designed and made in China violated federal guidelines intended to prevent exactly this type of horrible "scissoring effect." Maclaren did not report this incident although they had a legal obligation to do so. Instead, they quietly settled with the DeWinters for an undisclosed sum, allowing many other young children to get their fingers amputated. CPSC is currently investigating the case.

Products Liability Issues

This may sound appalling, but it's far too common. Companies shy away from recalls because it costs them millions and affects their image. Although a few manufacturers are diligent about recalling defective products, most drag their feet or deny the product defects to make themselves look good. Maclaren, apparently, was no exception. Had they recalled these defective strollers right away, so many other young children would not have suffered the trauma of getting their fingers cut off! If your child has been a victim of these or other product defects, please contact a reputed personal injury lawyer who has successfully handled products liability cases to find out more about your legal rights and options. In such cases, injured victims may be eligible to seek compensation for medical expenses, cost of surgery, pain and suffering, emotional distress and other related damages.

Maker of Strollers Knew About Dangerous Product Defects for Five Years 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

Sandra Door, 29, was killed in a boating accident on the Colorado River near the Interstate 40 Bridge in Needles, California, The Orange County Register reports. Door, a resident of Garden Grove, and her passenger were on a personal watercraft the afternoon of September 26, 2009, when she suddenly steered into the path of a Mastercraft vessel. San Bernardino County sheriff's officials said the operator of the Mastercraft could not avoid the collision. Door and her passenger were thrown into the water. Door was pronounced dead shortly afterward, but her passenger and the operator of the Mastercraft were not injured.

My heart goes out to the family and friends of Sandra Door for their tragic and heartbreaking loss. It's extremely fortunate that her passenger did not suffer any injuries. I offer my deepest condolences to Door's family. Please keep them in your prayers.

Boating Accident Causes

A majority of boating accidents in California involve recreational vessels such as personal watercraft. There are a number of reasons why fatal boating accidents could occur. Alcohol is usually a major factor in many watercraft accidents. Many boaters do not realize that boating under the influence is against the law and dangerous as well. Some people who operate watercraft such as jet skis do not have the training or skill it takes to operate them. Numerous crashes are also the result of a product defect, which possibly may be the cause in the case of this tragic accident. Only a detailed investigation will reveal what actually happened on the Colorado River that day and why exactly Sandra Door lost control of the personal watercraft. It is also important to investigate whether the operator of the Mastercraft was negligent in any way.

California Boating Accident Statistics

According to the U.S. Coast Guard's 2007 boating statistics, the number of boating-related deaths fell from 710 in 2006 to 685 in 2007. But the number of boating accidents increased from 4,967 to 5,191. The number of boating related personal injury accidents rose from 3,474 to 3,673 and damages increased from $43 million to $53 million during that period. Also, according to this report, more than two-thirds of all fatal boating accident victims drowned.

Door's family would be well-advised to seek the counsel of an experienced California personal injury lawyer, who will analyze all aspects of this boating accident and determine whether there was negligence involved – be it on the part of the other boat operator or the manufacturer of a defective product. Where there is negligence or wrongdoing involved, families of deceased victims may be able to file a wrongful death claim seeking compensation to cover funeral expenses, loss of wages and other related damages.

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.

Orange County Woman Killed in Boating Accident is a post from: Personal Injury Attorney News Portal

Frigidaire is issuing a defective product recall for 200,000 smooth-top electric ranges sold under the Frigidaire Professional and Kenmore Elite brand names because they pose a fire hazard. According to a news report in Consumeraffairs.com, the surface heating elements, depending on the model, can either turn on spontaneously without being switched on or fail to turn off after being switched off. These defective stoves can also heat to different temperatures other than those selected. Frigidaire has apparently received 126 reports of incidents including four reports of burn injuries and two reports of property damage. The defective product recall involves Frigidaire, Frigidaire Gallery, Frigidaire Professional and Kenmore Elite smooth-top electric ranges with rotary knobs and digital displays.

Defective Products Can Cause Serious Injuries

These faulty cooking ranges were made in the United States and sold at Sears and other national retailers from June 2001 through August 2009 for between $1,000 and $2,500. Consumers who own these products are asked to stop using them right away and contact Frigidaire at (800) 449-9812. Owners can then schedule a free repair of their defective appliance.

I'm glad Frigidaire has issued this defective product recall. However, it concerns me that the recall has come a little late as the stoves have been sold over the last eight years. In such cases, one has to wonder whether the company issued a prompt recall or knew for a long time about these defects and continued to sell the defective products despite the knowledge that they could seriously injure consumers.

California Products Liability Attorneys

As California products liability attorneys, we know that in many cases, companies do not issue prompt recalls. Whether it's a vehicle defect or any other product defect, what we first see is denial and then delay on the part of the manufacturer and also in accepting that their product is defective. In some cases, such delays can be devastating or even deadly. Product makers shy away from recalls for a variety of reasons including the high costs usually associated with such recalls, the bad publicity that often accompanies them and the adverse effect it could have on the company's profits.

That's why, if you've been injured as a result of a defective product, you would be well-advised to consult a California personal injury lawyer--whether the product has been recalled or not. If you were injured because of a product defect, the manufacturer of that product can be held liable for your injuries, loss and/or damages. You could seek compensation to cover medical costs, loss of earnings and other related damages. The best products liability law firms always offer a free and comprehensive initial consultation to injured victims and their families.

Frigidaire Issues Product Recall for Defective Stoves is a post from: Personal Injury Attorney News Portal