Personal Injury Litigation Blog

Referring to it as possibly the worst domestic aviation disaster in Pakistan’s history, the LA Times reports that a Pakistan plane crash has killed all 152 onboard the plane, including 2 Americans. The private Pakistani airplane owned by Air Blue was in route to Pakistan’s capital from Karachi when it crashed into a forested ridge on July 28. According to the article, air traffic controllers instructed the plane’s pilot to change his approach as the plane traveled through heavy fog and rain. As the pilot began to take a different approach, he made an unexpected ascent to 3,000 feet, crashing shortly thereafter.

An investigation of the aviation disaster is underway, which will involve an examination of the plane’s black box that was found among the wreckage. The Airbus 321 airliner is reported to be no older than 10 years and, although an investigation will be conducted, there were no known technical problems associated with the aircraft.

Precarious weather conditions require airplane pilots to be on high alert at all times in order to properly control and maneuver a plane safely. Passengers who are catastrophically injured in aviation disasters caused by negligence may be compensated for pain and suffering, loss of wages, medical bills, and more. Similarly, when family members lose loved ones in plane crashes due to pilot error, defective airplane components, improper aircraft maintenance, or other forms of negligence, they may be entitled to damages for their loss.

The aviation disaster attorneys at Panish Shea & Boyle LLP have unparallel experience in plane crash litigation. Our firm has obtained numerous eight-figure verdicts and settlements for plane accident victims and family members of wrongful death victims, including a $15 million jury verdict awarded to the children of two parents who were killed in a Singapore Airlines plane crash. For more information about how we can help you obtain full and just compensation, please call 877-800-1700 for a free consultation or visit http://www.aviation-disaster-lawyers.com/.

The family of a teenage survivor of a 2008 helicopter crash that killed four, insist that the accident was a result of negligence, in spite of a report released by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) indicating otherwise. The Anchorage Daily News reports that the boy was an illegitimate passenger aboard the Eurocopter AS-350 B2 that had been chartered by the Alaska Department of Administration Enterprise Technology Systems to transport employees to a telecommunications site for scheduled maintenance. Non-employees are not permitted in state-owned or state-chartered vehicles.

The accident allegedly occurred when the teenager inadvertently knocked a floor-mounted fuel flow lever with his backpack, pushing the lever into the emergency position. His family claims that the helicopter’s operating company, Era Helicopters, failed to install a basic safety mechanism that has been available by the manufacturer “on request” since 2007. The lever guard is not currently required, but such a requirement is currently under consideration. According to the NTSB’s report, at least three other past accidents can be attributed to the fuel flow lever on the vehicle.

Although rare, helicopter accidents often result in serious injuries and death to passengers. The increasing popularity of helicopter travel means that more accidents are likely to occur. Related injuries can be disastrous for victims and their families, producing staggering medical bills, lost income and severe emotional and psychological damage. From 1995-2002, California was the state with the most fatal helicopter injuries, representing 16% of all fatal injuries involving helicopters in the U.S.

The litigation of helicopter accidents is often complex, requiring attorneys with years of experience and the resources necessary to handle this type of lawsuit. Helicopter accident claims require in-depth investigations and skilled legal representation. If you have been injured in a helicopter accident, or if you have lost a loved one, contact the helicopter crash lawyers at Panish Shea & Boyle LLP by calling (877) 800-1700 for a free consultation regarding your case.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced the gathering of aviators from around the world for the week of July 26 in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. The aviation community will have the chance to examine general aviation safety while participating in a variety of FAA activities. One of the FAA’s main goals at the gathering is to lower the number of fatal accidents in general aviation.

In acknowledging that general aviation accidents are down by eight percent from last year, the FAA notes that 303 people have been killed in these types of accidents as of June 2010 and significant work is still necessary to improve the general aviation safety record. Controlled Flight Into Terrain (CFIT) wrongful death crashes have dropped by more than 50 percent over the last three years in comparison to those previous three years. Fatal plane accidents in weather have decreased by almost 40% in the past three years, and nighttime weather aviation accidents are down by approximately 25%.

As the FAA continues to work with the aviation community to expand non-regulatory, pro-active plane accident prevention strategies, the organization recognizes that several issues must still be resolved regarding accidents involving amateur-built aircraft. The FAA reports that these types of aviation collisions accounted for 24% of all general aviation fatal accidents, an increase from only 10% a few years ago. Although amateur-built aircrafts have grown in popularity by about 4% annually in recent years, the accident rate has outpaced its growth in popularity.

Aviation accidents have devastating consequences for those involved and often result in fatalities. Even when an individual survives a helicopter crash, commercial airline accident, or private plane collision, he or she may face months, if not years, of rehabilitation as well as emotional trauma and financial challenges. The California aviation accident lawyers at Panish Shea & Boyle LLP have years of experience successfully litigating aviation disasters that resulted in catastrophic injuries or the wrongful deaths of passengers or those on the ground. Call 877-800-1700 for a free consultation and to learn more about how the aggressive attorneys at Panish Shea & Boyle LLP can help you obtain full and just compensation for your injuries and other damages.

An accident on California Highway 99 in Fresno involving a Greyhound bus on its way to Sacramento from Los Angeles has left six people dead and 20 injured. The Central Valley bus crash occurred around 2 a.m. on Thursday, July 22. The Los Angeles Times reports that the bus accident began when an SUV carrying three women made a sharp left turn from the right-hand lane, collided with the median rail, rolled over and blocked the fast lane of the highway. All three women were killed.

The bus carrying 36 people hit the SUV and struck a Honda CR-V, resulting in all three vehicles going off the highway and falling down a 15-foot embankment. The Greyhound bus driver and two bus passengers were killed as a result of the collision. The driver of the CR-V was injured.

As more information unfolds regarding the deadly Fresno Greyhound bus crash, the California Highway Patrol will focus its investigation on re-creating the 24 hours in the lives of the drivers before the accident occurred.

Buses generally offer a safe and convenient means of travel. Although bus collisions are one of the most infrequent types of auto accidents, accounting for only one-half of one percent of all fatal accidents in 2006, when they do occur, the lack of seat belts and air bags in some buses can lead to catastrophic injury and even death.

The Greyhound Fresno bus accident attorneys at Panish Shea & Bolye LLP have the legal resources and knowledge to sort through the many complexities that often surround bus accident and wrongful death litigation and construct a strong and effective case for injury victims and family members of wrongful death victims. Our aggressive lawyers have obtained more than 200 verdicts and settlements in excess of $1 million for our clients during what can be the most challenging time in their lives. To learn more about how we can help, please call 877-800-1700 for a free consultation.

An early morning Greyhound bus accident in the Central Valley near Fresno on July 22, 2010 claimed six lives and injured at least ten people. The LA Times reports that the bus crash is still under investigation by the California Highway Patrol. CHP officials say the accident occurred at 2:14 a.m. near the intersection of northbound State Hwy 99 and McKinley Avenue near downtown Fresno. Accident investigators report that the Greyhound bus collision occurred when the bus driver took evasive action to avoid striking an overturned sport utility vehicle. The bus struck the SUV and collided with another vehicle before striking a concrete center divider and a tree.

Investigators say the Greyhound bus left Los Angeles bound for Sacramento, carrying 47 passengers. The California bus accident killed the bus driver and five passengers and injured at least ten. The California Greyhound bus accident closed the northbound lanes of Hwy 99 at Olive Avenue while emergency response personnel investigated and cleared the accident scene.

Compared to other forms of land-based transportation, buses are generally a safe way to get from one place to another. Bus accident statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration indicate that these types of accidents comprised one-half of one percent of all fatal accidents in 2006. However, when bus collisions do occur, the results can be devastating as these vehicles often lack many common safety features such as seat belts and air bags. Without any restraints to protect them from the impact, passengers can often be thrown from their seats and suffer serious injuries that lead to permanent disabilities and even death.

Bus accident cases are often very complex and require California bus crash attorneys with the experience and resources to help victims recover fair and just compensation from the liable parties. The Fresno Greyhound bus crash lawyers at Panish Shea & Boyle LLP have decades of combined experience building effective cases for clients injured in these and other types of motor vehicle accidents. If you or a close family member has suffered an injury in a bus accident and would like answers to your questions, call 877-800-1700 today and schedule a free consultation with the California bus accident attorneys at Panish Shea & Boyle LLP.

A recent article in the Fresno Bee discusses the upcoming Fresno State Alumni Association’s Top Dog Alumni Awards Gala as a part of its Centennial Homecoming. The event will be held on October 15 and trial attorney Brian Panish of Panish Shea & Boyle LLP will be honored as one of its 2010 Outstanding Alumni.

In being honored as a top alumnus, Mr. Panish will be recognized as a “Top Dog” by the Fresno State Alumni Association along with fourteen other alumni. Top Dogs represent the university’s colleges and schools, athletics, Student Affairs, the Henry Madden Library, and Graduate Studies.

In addition to being honored as an Outstanding Alumnus by Fresno State, Brian Panish has been honored numerous times for his achievements in personal injury and product liability litigation, including being named by the National Law Journal as one of the most Influential Attorneys in America in 2008 and as Trial Lawyer of the Year by various organizations over the years. The Los Angeles Daily Journal ranks him among their “100 Most Influential Attorneys” in the State of California, and he has been named by Law Dragon as One of the Top 500 Attorneys and Litigators in the United States. Brian Panish has obtained over 100 verdicts and settlements in excess of One Million Dollars, including 10 jury verdicts in excess of Ten Million Dollars, and one for Four Billion Nine-Hundred and Seven Million Dollars - the largest personal injury and product liability verdict in history.

For more information on the many accomplishments of Brian Panish and the firm of Panish Shea & Boyle LLP, please visit www.psblaw.com.

Two Southern California residents were injured in an aviation accident near Bakersfield, California late afternoon, on Friday, May 21, 2010. According to the article by the Mercury News, the pilot and passenger both sustained moderate injuries after their single engine plane crashed into a field just northeast of Bakersfield. Authorities report that the plane crashed shortly after takeoff due to engine troubles. The pilot and his passenger were headed for Colombia, California and were attempting to make an emergency landing at the Bakersfield Air Park.

Witnesses claim that they watched the plane land safely in the field after a brief take off and suspected that it had been having engine difficulties. One witness stated that the plane attempted to take off again after making the emergency landing, but the engine kept sputtering.

Federal investigators are currently trying to determine the cause of the California plane crash, and whether or not there were any external factors that added to the severity of the accident.

Fortunately, aviation accidents are less common than automobile accidents. However, when plane crashes do occur, the outcome can be far more devastating. The knowledgeable aviation accident attorneys at Panish Shea & Boyle LLP have the experience and resources necessary to successfully pursue compensation for an aviation disaster victim and his or her family.

Our attorneys have represented clients injured in accidents that were caused by mechanical failure due to defective or improperly maintained airline equipment as well as accidents that were caused by pilot or aviation staff errors. If you have been injured in a plane accident or crash landing, please visit www.aviation-disaster-lawyers.com or call 877-800-1700 for a free consultation of your plane accident case.

A wrong-way motorist collided with another car on Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) in Malibu on Friday, July 16. The LA Times reports that two people have been killed and one critically injured as a result. The highly traversed coastal route near Zuma View Place was closed to traffic for several hours after the accident because authorities were working on extricating a body from one of the mangled vehicles.

According to witness testimony, a Saturn that was traveling the wrong way on the westbound side of the highway almost immediately burst into flames after colliding with a Mustang traveling in the other direction. While the drivers of both automobiles were pronounced dead at the scene, the passenger in the Mustang was taken by helicopter to Ronald Regan UCLA Medical Center. At the time of the article’s release, the passenger was said to be in critical condition.

Since this Malibu auto accident occurred at 1 a.m., investigators may look into whether or not any of the motorists were under the influence of alcohol. The California Highway Patrol notes that 98 fatal alcohol-related accidents took place between 1:00 a.m. and 1:59 a.m. in 2008. For that same year, there were a total of 1,239 reported fatal collisions involving alcohol and 19,659 injury accidents in California.

Car accidents caused by drunk drivers create devastating consequences not only for the intoxicated driver, but also for innocent motorists, passengers, and pedestrians.

The Los Angeles car accident lawyers at Panish Shea & Boyle LLP have obtained several large verdicts and settlements for car accident injury victims as well as family members of wrongful death victims. As a firm whose attorneys have been recognized among the 100 Most Influential Lawyers in California, as Trial Lawyer of the Year by various organizations, and consistently by Super Lawyers® and Best Lawyers® publications, you can rely on Panish Shea & Boyle LLP to effectively protect your rights and obtain full and just compensations on your behalf. Call 877-800-1700 for a free consultation and to learn more about how we can help.

Two people were found dead on the morning of January 21, 2010 in the wreckage of a plane that had gone missing earlier in the week. A Sheriff’s helicopter found the twin-engine Cessna 240 plane in the San Bernardino County foothills shortly after midnight with the bodies of the pilot and lone passenger inside.

The wreckage was about five miles away from Rialto Municipal Airport. The plane may have crashed on Monday after taking off from Henderson, Nevada en route to Compton. The weather was stormy during the time of the crash, but it is unclear if weather conditions played a significant role in the accident.

Plane accidents, like this one, can leave the families of victims devastated, both emotionally and financially. Families of victims deserve to know the cause of the crash and should receive just compensation for wrongful death if the manufacturer of the plane or parts was at fault. Manufacturers are responsible for ensuring that their planes and mechanical parts are effective and free of damage. Hiring an experienced trial attorney who can investigate private plane crashes may be helpful in recovering the compensation victims deserve.

The law offices of Panish Shea & Boyle LLP have extensive experience in the complex area of aviation law. Our California aviation disaster attorneys will determine if any pilot error occurred, or if defective design, manufacture or poor maintenance of an aircraft or component parts caused the accident to take place. To learn more about Panish Shea & Boyle’s numerous accomplishments in aviation and wrongful death litigation, please visit www.aviation-disaster-lawyers.com or call 877-800-1700 for a free consultation of your plane accident case.

From June 8-10, the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) conducted its 2010 Roadcheck, inspecting approximately 65,327 trucks and buses at 2,482 locations throughout North America. According to the CVSA, over 9,856 certified inspectors participated in the 72-hour Roadcheck examination of commercial vehicle brakes, tires, lights, and every other major truck or bus component. Drivers’ commercial driver’s licenses, medical examiner’s certificates, and records of duty status were also examined.

Although this commercial vehicle safety campaign has occurred every year since 1988, roadside inspections take place every day throughout the United States to help prevent serious injury or fatal auto accidents. In 2009, over 3.8 million inspections were conducted to help enforce truck and bus safety standards and regulations.

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) Administrator, Anne S. Ferro, stated, “Roadcheck has once again successfully reinforced the critical importance of safety, compliance, and crash prevention – lives depend on both safe and well maintained trucks and safe and well trained drivers.”

With Brake Safety Week scheduled for September 12-18, the CVSA hopes that more commercial drivers, governments, industry associations, owner-operators, and motor carriers will take part in actively maintaining and inspecting brakes for potential defects. In the 2010 Roadcheck, brake-related defects accounted for half of all out-of-service violations, which was consistent with the results from prior years.

While manufacturing defects and maintenance issues pose serious risks for occupants of any vehicle, defective or faulty vehicle components in large commercial trucks and buses are especially dangerous. Cases involving auto product liability or commercial vehicles are often highly complex and require significant experience to litigate. At Panish Shea & Boyle LLP, our aggressive and skilled California auto product liability lawyers and commercial vehicle accident attorneys have obtained numerous successful jury verdicts and settlements for injury victims and family members of wrongful death victims. As a nationally recognized Plaintiffs’ law firm, we have the necessary legal resources to develop a strong and effective case on your behalf. Contact our firm today for a free consultation by calling 877-800-1700.