The Southern California city of Glendale launched its second annual bicyclist and pedestrian count to help initiate improvements to traffic safety, reports the Glendale News-Press. The accident prevention initiative involved over 90 volunteers who stood at street corners counting pedestrians and bicyclists during morning and afternoon commute hours on a Wednesday and a Saturday. A coordinator with the Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition, who has dedicated time to working with city officials to put a Safe and Healthy Streets plan into action, stated that the goal of the program is to try and capture a typical day so that new safety measures can be properly implemented. He also stated it may be necessary “to raise the bar of expectations for motorists.”
The need for safety improvements and heightened motorist awareness for pedestrians is emphasized by two fatal accidents in Glendale, one that killed an 80-year-old male pedestrian on September 15 and another that killed a 49-year-old male pedestrian in January. In the California pedestrian accident that took place in January, the man was thrown 70 feet after being hit by an SUV and the driver fled the scene.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that 4,378 pedestrians were killed and 69,000 were injured in motor vehicle accidents in 2008. For the same year, 716 pedalcyclists were killed and 52,000 were injured. Because pedestrians and bicyclists are not protected to the same degree as motorists or passengers in a motor vehicle, they are more susceptible to sustaining fatal head injuries, spinal cord injuries, and other life-threatening injuries if involved in an accident.
A family that loses a loved one due to a negligent driver in a fatal pedestrian accident or bicycle crash copes with tremendous grief and faces a number of emotional and financial challenges. At Panish Shea & Boyle LLP, our Los Angeles wrongful death accident lawyers have the legal resources and experience to help you and your family hold negligent parties liable for your loss and associated damages. To find out more about how we can help, please call 877-800-1700 for a free consultation.
After beetles or their larvae were found during an inspection of a section of Abbott Laboratories Inc.’s plant in Michigan, the company has issued a voluntary recall of its popular Similac powdered infant formula. A Los Angeles Times article reports that the company has received two consumer complaints of beetles found in its powder formula product. A spokeswoman for Abbott stated that the decision to recall the potentially contaminated products was made before the two consumer complaints were reported, and those complaints are currently being investigated.
The FDA recall announcement states that the recall of powder infant formulas include certain Similac powder product lines in plastic containers and other Similac powder product lines in can sizes of 8 ounces, 12.4 ounces, and 12.9 ounces. The FDA has announced that any formula containing the insects does not pose any immediate health risk. However, there is a chance that infants who consume contaminated formula with the beetles or their larvae may experience symptoms of gastrointestinal discomfort and refusal to eat due to gastrointestinal tract irritation from the presence of small insect parts. If these conditions last for more than a few days, the FDA advises that parents consult a physician. Parents and caregivers can go to www.similac.com/recall10 or call Abbott’s consumer hotline, (800) 986-8850, 24 hours a day, seven days a week for more information about the recall.
According to the LA Times article, fewer than 5 million Similac units are being recalled in the United States, Puerto Rico, Guam and other Caribbean markets. Liquid varieties of Similac have not been found to be affected by the insect contamination, nor have they been recalled. In conducting extensive testing to determine how much of the powdered formula product may be affected, Abbott found that over 99.8% of the product was negative for beetle contamination.
Defective or contaminated products, especially those intended for infant or child use, can present risks of injury, illness, and even death. As leaders in consumer law, the Los Angeles product liability lawyers at Panish Shea & Boyle LLP have obtained numerous successful verdicts and settlements on the behalf of those seriously injured or family members of those wrongfully killed by product defects. To learn more about how we can help protect your rights, call 877-800-1700.
Further investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) into an August 8, 2009 collision between a single-engine plane and tourist helicopter has revealed several probable causes that led to the crash. Nine people aboard both aircraft died in the accident.
CNN reports that an air traffic controller’s personal phone call is likely to have contributed to causing the fatal midair collision near Hoboken, New Jersey. The NTSB found that the non-work related call distracted the air traffic controller from his responsibility of timely transferring communications for the accident airplane to the Newark Liberty International Airport tower and fixing the airplane pilot’s inaccurate read-back of the tower frequency.
The NTSB report also states that the air traffic controller’s negligent action may not have occurred if his manager had taken corrective action following a previous phone conversation that was made by the employee. Moreover, the agency has determined that the manager exercised poor judgment when he did not inform his staff that he could be reached while away from the tower. He also did not utilize available employees to give additional assistance at the tower while he was gone.
Recommendations have been made to the Federal Aviation Administration by the NTSB to make alterations to its “special flight rules area” with revisions to federal regulations specifying altitudes for aircrafts conducting operations within the Hudson river area near New Jersey and New York. In stating that the deadly Hudson River aviation accident could have been prevented, NTSB’s Chairman also said that well-built operating measures, professionalism, and commitment to the job are all vital in ensuring safety alongside traffic alerts maintained by air traffic controllers.
As the Hudson River aviation accident demonstrates, plane and helicopter crashes can occur for various reasons, including negligence. At Panish Shea & Boyle LLP, our aviation disaster attorneys are experienced in handling the complexities presented by aviation litigation and have the resources necessary to obtain successful results for our clients. If you have been injured or lost a loved one in a plane or helicopter crash, our lawyers are here to help. Call 877-800-1700 today for a free consultation and to learn more about your legal rights.
The California Highway Patrol reported recently that, in San Diego County, both arrests for driving under the influence of alcohol and alcohol-related fatalities were down for the 2010 Labor Day weekend. According to News10, during the weekend, 72 drivers in San Diego County were arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence or DUI, but no alcohol-related car accident deaths were reported. These numbers represent a decrease from Labor Day 2009, when 82 San Diego County drivers were arrested and one person died in an alcohol-related accident.
Sadly, a large number of California alcohol-related car accidents, injuries, and deaths take place on summer holiday weekends, including Labor Day. Police throughout California and the U.S. have responded to this increase by adding more checkpoints, patrols, and other measures to remove drunk drivers from the streets before anyone can be hurt. But police cannot be everywhere at all times, and accidents do occur.
To further emphasize the dangers associated with drunk driving, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) released new data showing that 8% of all motorists, which amounts to as many as 17 million individuals, have operated a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol at least once during the past year. The drunk driving survey also indicates that in the past year, approximately one in five Americans have gotten behind the wheel within two hours of consuming alcohol. Moreover, drunk driving was recognized as a “major threat” to safety by four out of five Americans.
Car crashes are the leading cause of death in the U.S. The risk of a motor vehicle collision is significantly increased when drivers are impaired, distracted by texting or talking on a cell phone or where drivers are confronted with dangerous road conditions.
The California auto accident lawyers at Panish Shea & Boyle have handled a wide range of injury and wrongful death cases relating to motor vehicle collisions, including those caused by drunk or distracted drivers. To learn more about how we can help you obtain full and just compensation from negligent parties responsible for causing your injuries or the loss of your loved one in an auto accident, please visit www.psblaw.com or call 877-800-1700.
Panish Shea & Boyle LLP has been honored as a “Tier 1″ Plaintiffs Personal Injury Litigation Firm by the U.S. News Media Group and Best Lawyers® in the 2010 Best Law firms rankings. This is the first time these organizations have provided an analysis of law firms in the United States, and nearly 9,000 firms in 81 areas of practice in 171 metropolitan regions received rankings.
Only five law firms in Los Angeles and twelve law firms in Los Angeles County were ranked as a “Tier 1″ firm in the Plaintiffs Personal Injury Litigation area. “Tier 1″ is the highest designation that can be given and is considered a “special distinction that signals a unique combination of excellence and breadth of expertise.”
U.S. News & World Report has been a leading publisher of rankings of various organizations over the past twenty years, using both objective and subjective information to determine ratings. Similarly, Best Lawyers is the country’s oldest legal peer-review publication. Its ratings are often used by referring lawyers and clients to assist in finding legal counsel by geographic area or specialty.
The attorneys at Panish Shea & Boyle LLP have obtained significant verdicts and settlements in litigation involving auto accidents, truck accidents, aviation disasters, product defects, and many other types of cases. To learn more about the many accomplishments of our firm, please visit www.psandb.com or call 877-800-1700.
Panish Shea & Boyle LLP has been honored as a “Tier 1″ Plaintiffs Personal Injury Litigation Firm by the U.S. News Media Group and Best Lawyers® in the 2010 Best Law firms rankings. This is the first time these organizations have provided an analysis of law firms in the United States, and nearly 9,000 firms in 81 areas of practice in 171 metropolitan regions received rankings.
Only five law firms in Los Angeles and twelve law firms in Los Angeles County were ranked as a “Tier 1″ firm in the Plaintiffs Personal Injury Litigation area. “Tier 1″ is the highest designation that can be given and is considered a “special distinction that signals a unique combination of excellence and breadth of expertise.”
U.S. News & World Report has been a leading publisher of rankings of various organizations over the past twenty years, using both objective and subjective information to determine ratings. Similarly, Best Lawyers is the country’s oldest legal peer-review publication. Its ratings are often used by referring lawyers and clients to assist in finding legal counsel by geographic area or specialty.
The attorneys at Panish Shea & Boyle LLP have obtained significant verdicts and settlements in litigation involving auto accidents, truck accidents, aviation disasters, product defects, and many other types of cases. To learn more about the many accomplishments of our firm, please visit www.psandb.com or call 877-800-1700.
According to the Associated Press, Johnson & Johnson’s artificial joint company, DePuy Orthopaedics Inc., has recalled two hip replacement products: the ASR Hip Resurfacing System and the ASR XL Acetabular System. Data from the National Joint Registry of England and Wales reveals that corrective surgery has been necessary within five years of the initial surgery for approximately 12% of people who have received the hip resurfacing system and for about 13% of individuals who have received the acetabular system. These results amount to one in eight patients requiring revision hip replacement surgery.
Some patients who have received the DePuy artificial joint implants have experienced pain and difficulty walking. Each of the metal hip replacement products are meant to restore worn or weakened parts of the hip, more specifically the socket at the outer portion of the pelvis and the rounded bone on top of the thigh bone that fits into the socket. A complete hip replacement replaces both parts simultaneously. The ASR XL Acetabular System (total hip replacement) was advertised as having several advantages over both conventional hip replacements and hip resurfacing (ASR Hip Resurfacing System) since it became available in 2005. Both ASR products have been discontinued by DePuy.
The defective hip replacement implant lawyers at Panish Shea & Boyle LLP are currently investigating claims for those who have been injured due to the failure of their hip replacement systems. If you or a loved one have a DePuy ASR hip replacement or hip resurfacing system and have experienced adverse effects, please contact one of our skilled medical product liability lawyers. You have a limited amount of time to file legal action against DePuy for a failed ASR hip system. Call Panish Shea & Boyle LLP today at 877-800-1700 for a free consultation.
The explosion of a 24-inch high-pressure gas line in San Bruno has killed four, injured dozens and damaged several homes, the Los Angeles Times reports. The initial event included 50 foot high flames and a noise locals described as a “long roaring” sound. The blaze decimated the area around Glenview Drive and Earl Avenue and produced a blaze that firefighters spent hours battling, impacted by a lack of water since a water main failed in the explosion.
News venues are reporting that the Lieutenant Governor of California has declared a state of emergency in San Bruno. Evacuation centers are available locally, but road closures continue to affect the area. The Red Cross is stepping in to provide resources for those who have fled their homes. This is a tragic time for many families driven from the area by billowing clouds of smoke, extreme heat and flying debris.
With so many homes damaged, the road to recovery will be tough for this community. In time, more details about the San Bruno gas explosion accident will turn up as officials continue to look at the source of the problem while trying to provide damage control for residents. When this kind of utility malfunction compromises public health and safety, the issue becomes critical as the community tries to make sense of their losses. On the personal front, one family mourns the loss of their loved one. The injured will begin the healing process. The now-homeless families will have to deal with locating temporary shelter and then must decipher the details of their homeowner or renter insurance policies.
On the more public side of this tragedy, the victims may want to seek representation for navigation through the legal logistics of this event. Local and state officials will investigate the explosion. PG&E, the utility company, will no doubt conduct an investigation. A determination on liability will be forthcoming and, eventually, the numerous victims within this community will be awarded compensation for the loss of life, their homes, physical injuries and other damages.
The National Law Journal named our firm, Panish Shea & Boyle LLP, one of the top 12 plaintiff law firms in the country because of our dedication to our clients. Our San Bruno gas explosion attorneys have the legal resources and knowledge to assist those injured and family members of those killed in gas explosion accidents. We will protect your legal rights so that you can focus on moving through the grief process and the restoration of your lives. To learn more about how we can help you, call 877-800-1700 for a free consultation.
A crop dusting helicopter crashed along a busy California freeway leaving the pilot with minor injuries. No others were injured. The Californian reports that the accident on Highway 101 near Salinas may have been caused by foggy weather; however, a preliminary report has yet to be released and a final investigative report may take six to nine months to complete. The 62-year old pilot apparently lost control of the small helicopter, which landed upside-down on the highway and almost collided with a big rig. The pilot was wearing his seatbelt and was taken to Salinas Valley Memorial Hospital with reported rib pain. He was taking the Bell 47 G5 helicopter to a worksite, but the aircraft was not carrying any pesticides.
Both the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) are launching investigations into the California helicopter accident. A NTSB error safety investigator stated that the investigation will focus on the mechanics of the helicopter, the weather, and the pilot’s mental and physical state. It is possible for new safety recommendations to be made by the NTSB after examining the events that lead up to the helicopter collision.
State and federal rules and regulations for helicopter design, manufacture, operation, and maintenance are implemented to help prevent accidents. When these rules are not complied with and a helicopter crash occurs as a result, those injured and the family members of those killed may seek compensation from negligent parties.
Helicopter accident litigation is highly complex, requiring extensive resources and legal knowledge to develop an effective case. At Panish Shea & Boyle LLP, our California helicopter crash lawyers are leaders in aviation law and have obtained numerous favorable verdicts and settlements for our clients. To learn more about how we can help you with your aviation disaster case, please call 877-800-1700 for a free consultation.
To ensure that tour buses are safe to be on the road, the California Highway Patrol recently ran a mechanical inspection of tour buses traveling through Barstow. The Desert Dispatch reports that CHP mechanics performed checks on every tour bus that stopped near the Tanger Outlet Mall. Mechanics examined the engine, brakes, tires and sewage system of each tour bus and inspected each driver’s license, certification, and logbook.
During the tour bus mechanical check, inspectors discovered a broken brake rotor on one of the wheels of a tour bus. Another tour bus was determined to be un-roadworthy because of small cracks in one of its wheels. In a previous inspection, the CHP had to put a bus out of service because it lacked any front brake shoes, creating an increased potential for brake wear and failure.
When a mechanical flaw is detected during an inspection, the CHP takes the bus off the road, a mobile repair service is contacted to fix the bus, or a replacement bus is brought to the location to transport the tourists. Many of the citations issued at the CHP tour bus inspection are considered “fix-it” tickets since they allow bus operators to fix violations on a bus within a certain span of time before they face a fine.
While tour bus accidents in California do not happen as frequently as other motor vehicle accidents, when they do occur, the consequences can be devastating. Some tour buses do not offer passengers the same type of protection, such as air bags and seat belts, that other motor vehicles do.
As California bus accident lawyers, we are familiar with the many emotional, physical, and financial challenges that bus accident victims face after being involved in a serious accident. Panish Shea & Boyle LLP has the legal resources and experience to handle any motor vehicle accident, including bus collisions. Contact our firm today to learn more about your legal rights. Call 877-800-1700 for a free consultation.
