Car accidents are a daily occurrence on the roads and highways of Los Angeles. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, almost every driver will be involved in at least one accident in his or her lifetime. Although not every U.S. car crash results in occupant injury, millions do. In 2009, according to the California Highway Patrol, more than 50,800 people were injured in Los Angeles County car accidents. Car accident injuries can be minor (e.g. cuts, bruises) or serious (e.g. head injuries, internal organ injuries, and spinal cord injuries). Driver Negligence Victims seriously injured in a Los Angeles car accident may be able to obtain compensation from the driver responsible for the crash. However, before a victim can obtain any funds, the victim must prove that his or her injuries were caused by the negligent actions of the driver. Driver negligence can take many forms, including texting or talking on a cell phone, speeding, failure to obey traffic signals, and driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Key to a Successful Case Outcome If it is determined your injuries were caused by another driver’s wrongful behavior, a Los Angeles speeding car accident lawyer at the law firm of Estey Bomberger can help you establish fault. We have the financial resources needed to litigate a complex car crash case and work with some [...] Read more »
Obtaining Compensation for a Los Angeles Car Accident Injury
Filing a Los Angeles Defective Product Claim
Almost any product has the potential to be defective and many defective or dangerous products are found in the home. Some of the more common types of household products that have been associated with a tragic injury or death are: pharmaceuticals, ladders, small appliances, power tools, children’s toys, furniture, and cleaning solutions. Dangerous Drugs and Medical Devices The number of injuries and deaths linked to the use of a dangerous pharmaceutical or defective medical device has steadily grown. In 2009, the Food and Drug Administration reported a 309 percent increase in drug recalls from the previous year. There are three different classes of recalls: Class I, II, and III. Class I is the most serious type of recall because of a high “probability that use of or exposure to a product will cause serious adverse health consequences or death.” Over the course of just a few weeks, the FDA issued more than three Class I drug recalls. Helping You Put the Pieces of Your Life Back Together If your or a loved one suffered a serious injury or illness as a result of using a dangerous or defective product, including a defective drug or medical device, do not hesitate to contact a Los Angeles defective product lawyer at the law firm of Estey Bomberger. We have more than 70 years experience representing seriously injured individuals [...] Read more »
Medtronic Infuse Bone Graft Complication Lawyers: Unwanted Bone Growth
The Medtronic Infuse Bone Graft is a medical device used to treat degenerative disc disease and some dental bone disorders. The bone graft contains a genetically engineered protein called bone morphogenetic protein (BMP). BMP has been found to cause serious adverse health complications when used for “off-label” purposes. The use of a medical device for purposes other than described in the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved label is common practice among surgeons, however, it is illegal for medical device manufacturers to promote or market a product for off-label use. Medtronic Promoted “Off-Label” Use According to the Wall Street Journal, Medtronic paid a physician to falsify a study claiming off-label use of the bone graft had positive results. Allegedly, Medtronic also promoted the bone graft as a safe treatment for cervical spine procedures, despite the fact that the FDA had not approved use of the implant in the cervical area. Unwanted Bone Growth One of the side effects patients can suffer from after receiving a Medtronic Infuse Bone Graft is unwanted bone growth, also referred to as ectopic bone growth. One of the first clinical trials of the Infuse Bone Graft showed unwanted bone had formed in the spinal canal of 70 percent of the patients under observation. Due to this startling discovery, the study, which was originally intended to include hundreds of patients, was [...] Read more »
Parents Reach Settlement over Son’s Death Linked to Contaminated Wipes
The parents of a 2-year-old boy who claimed their son’s death was caused by a contaminated alcohol wipe, reached a settlement Wednesday April 18, 2012 with the manufacturer of the wipe. Sandy and Shanoop Kothari’s son, Harry, died in December 2010 after contracting Bacillus cereus allegedly from a contaminated alcohol wipe manufactured by Triad Group, a Wisconsin based medical device manufacturer. The Kotharis were not allowed to discuss the terms of the settlement or how much the lawsuit was settled for. According to the Journal Sentinel, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) had known about critical issues at Triad for more than a decade but failed to take any enforcement actions. It wasn’t until the FDA received 11 reports of death, including Harry’s death, possibly connected to Triad’s products that they took action. In January 2011, the FDA (along with Triad and its parent company, H&P Industries) issued a massive recall of alcohol wipes and swabs. The FDA shut down the company’s Hartland plant in April 2011 and since the closure of their plant, Triad has not produced any medical device products. Triad has repeatedly denied any responsibility for the deaths and illnesses linked to its products. After suffering a serious injury or illness related to the use of a medical device product like an alcohol wipe, do not wait to talk to an experienced [...] Read more »
Los Angeles Personal Injury Lawyers: Amusement Park Accidents
Some of the most popular amusement parks in the world are located in the Los Angeles area: Disneyland, Knott’s Berry Farm, Universal Studios, Magic Mountain and Raging Waters. These amusement and theme parks are a place where guests go to have fun, but sadly, instead of fun, some guests may experience tragedy. In an attempt to provide guests with the fastest, most outrageous attractions, some amusement parks forgo safety and ultimately, fail to protect guests from serious injury or death. Causes of Los Angeles Amusement Park Accidents Amusement park negligence can take many forms, such as failing to maintain rides, park grounds, and buildings. Amusement park accidents can also be caused by: Missing safety equipment, such as harnesses, seat belts, and lap bars Insufficient grounds security Ride operator error Defectively designed rides and attractions Malfunctioning safety equipment Missing handrails Dimly lit walkways Contaminated park food Lack of appropriate supervision. Determining Liability for a Los Angeles Amusement Park Accident When an amusement park fails to protect guests from serious injury or death, those injured in a theme park accident may seek justice in the civil court system by filing a personal injury claim. If you or a loved one suffered an injury in an amusement park accident, it is vital you speak to a skilled California amusement park accident lawyer at the law firm [...] Read more »
Couple Files Lawsuit after Daughter Suffers Injuries in a fall from Recalled Slide
CHICAGO – A Chicago couple, Mark and Linda Jacobs, filed a lawsuit on Friday March 30, 2012 against a playground equipment manufacturer after their daughter was injured in a fall from a slide they say was not properly designed or made. The slide, called the Evos Slalom Glider, was manufactured by Landscape Structures and was sold to parks and schools between January 2006 and December 2011. The slide did not have a platform or side railings, which allegedly not only caused the Jacob’s daughter to fall, but several other children across the nation. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, 16 children under the age of eight suffered bone fracture injuries, internal organ injuries, and bruises from falling off the slide. The Evos Slalom Glider slide has since been recalled and the slide located at Sauganash Park (where the Jacobs’ daughter fell) has been removed. The Jacobs’ daughter suffered a broken arm in the accident, and the couple is seeking approximately $7,500 in damages. In a statement released Monday, the couple urged parents to not let their children play on the recalled slide if it had not been removed. Defective products can be almost anywhere, including a park or school playground. When a defective product like a slide contributes to the injury or death of a child, the corporation responsible for designing, manufacturing, and distributing [...] Read more »
Recovering Monetary Funds for a Los Angeles Truck Accident Injury
A serious Los Angeles truck accident related brain injury, spinal cord injury, back injury, amputation (severed limb) injury, internal organ injury or bone fracture injury can permanently alter an individual’s way of life. Catastrophic injuries often cause permanent disabilities, serious secondary medical injuries, and premature death. What legal recourse does a Los Angeles truck accident victim have? Accountability and Compensation Seriously injured victims may seek justice in the civil court system by filing a personal injury claim. Filing a personal injury claim is often the only way victims can ensure the person or party responsible for a crash is held accountable. By filing a personal injury claim, victims may also seek monetary funds for expenses associated with a tragic truck accident and resulting injury. In a truck accident claim, the various types of damages a victim may be awarded financial compensation for, include surgery, diagnostic tests, hospital stays, physical therapy, emotional anguish, diminished quality of life, lost wages, lost benefits, loss of relations (if applicable), and physical pain. How a Los Angeles Truck Accident Lawyer Can Help You If you or a loved one suffered a serious injury in a truck accident involving almost any type of commercial truck, including a big-rig, semi, dump truck, 18-wheeler, flatbed truck, tanker truck, or box truck, it is imperative you talk to a skilled Los Angeles truck accident [...] Read more »
Brooklyn Mother Awarded $17.9 Million Settlement for Amputation Injuries
NEW YORK – A woman, who lost her hands and feet as a result of insufficient medical care, won a $17.9 settlement for damages she suffered as a result of her injuries. According to news reports, the city of Brooklyn, Brooklyn Hospital Center and two Brooklyn Hospital Center doctors will pay Tabitha Mullings the $17.9 settlement. In September 2008, Mullings, a 35-year-old mother of three, had her hands and feet amputated after developing a sepsis infection, which led to development of gangrene. Two days before developing the sepsis infection, Mullings had been diagnosed with a kidney stone at Brooklyn Hospital and was sent home with painkillers. The next day, despite being in agonizing pain, Mullings was denied ambulance transportation twice by 911 dispatchers. It was then that her fiancé rushed her to the Brooklyn Hospital emergency room, but she had already developed the sepsis infection and soon fell into a coma. Days later, she awoke to four missing extremities and blindness in one eye. If your or a loved one suffered a serious injury as a result of someone else’s negligence, speak to a Los Angeles personal injury attorney at Estey Bomberger today. We only handle cases involving serious personal injury or wrongful death, and have the resources needed to go up against large corporations. We have recovered large settlements and verdicts for our clients, [...] Read more »
Irvine Teacher’s Aide Arrested for Allegedly Having Sexual Contact with 14-year-old Boy
ORANGE COUNTY – A part-time teacher’s aide with the Tustin Unified School District was arrested Sunday afternoon for allegedly having sexual contact with a 14-year-old boy, reports the Daily Breeze. Nicole McMillen, 41, was booked into the Orange County Jail on February 19, 2012, but was released Monday after posting bail. Sherriff’s detectives are seeking felony charges against McMillen for allegedly having multiple sexual encounters or other types of inappropriate contact with a 14-year-old boy at her Irvine home over the past six weeks. Although McMillen’s employment is not related to the case or a factor in the case, authorities have notified the school district of the arrest and both the school district and police have taken steps to ensure McMillen has no contact with students. Irvine detectives believe there may be other victims and anyone who may have any information about more possible victims is being asked to call police at (949) 724-7124. If you suspect your child was a victim of sexual abuse, do not hesitate to call a Los Angeles sexual abuse lawyer at Estey Bomberger. We have helped many victims of sexual abuse seek justice. Most recently, we obtained a $30 million dollar verdict on behalf of a client who endured years of sexual abuse at the hands of a foster parent who had not been properly screened by the foster [...] Read more »
Los Angeles Teacher’s Aide Arrested on Suspicion of Sexual Contact with a Student
LOS ANGELES COUNTY – A Los Angeles teacher’s aide was arrested Tuesday on suspicion of sexual contact with a 15-year-old student, reports the San Diego Union Tribune. Alain Salas, 40, a John C. Fremont High School teacher’s aide, was booked into county jail on suspicion of contact with a minor with intent to commit a sexual offense. Reportedly, Salas sent Internet messages that referenced sexual content to the victim. Although no charges have been filed yet, it is believed Los Angeles prosecutors will press charges this week. Salas’ arrest is the fourth in recent weeks for the Los Angeles School District – the nation’s second largest school district. Mark Berndt, a former Miramonte Elementary schoolteacher was arrested in January 2012 on 23 counts of committing lewd acts against children. Berndt was allegedly feeding students (boys and girls between the ages of six to ten) his semen during classroom hours over a five year time period. Martin Springer, also a former teacher at Miramonte, was arrested in February on suspicion of fondling two girls in 2009. Paul Adame, a janitor at Germain Elementary School, was also arrested in February for allegedly committing a lewd act with a child on campus. An FBI spokeswoman said that there was no known connection between the cases. The Los Angeles sexual abuse attorneys at Estey Bomberger believe those responsible for [...] Read more »