California Injury Lawyers Blog

The widow of Vernon Hunter is has filed a wrongful death lawsuit over the tragic plane crash that claimed his life. Hunter, 68, was in the seven-story building that Andrew Joseph Stack III flew into on February 18.

Nearly 200 Internal Revenue employees worked in the building, and Hunter was one of them. Police say that Stack set his house on fire before embarking on the tragic plane trip. On his Web site, he left a 3,000-word message attacking the federal government, including the IRS.

Autopsy results indicate that Hunter died from conflagration injuries. His death was ruled a homicide. The building that Stack's plane struck sustained serious damage.

The plaintiff, Valerie Hunter, originally had named Stack's widow, Sheryl Mann Stack, as a defendant in the airplane accident lawsuit. However, KVUE.com is reporting that Sheryl's name has been removed from the complaint. The lawsuit originally argued that Stack's widow should have warned that her husband might be a danger to others.

The wrongful death complaint contends that Hunter's family should be compensated for damages because Stack was negligent when he endangered the victim's life. The pilot was legally required to fly his aircraft at 1,000 feet above the highest obstacle, which he failed to do.

Orange County, California Aviation Accidents
While commercial flights undoubtedly result in more fatalities, the National Transportation Safety Board reports that passengers riding in private planes have a 50 times greater fatality risk. A significant number of these private plane crashes occur in the state of California.

There are specific state and federal laws that govern aviation accidents, and there may be multiple parties, parties from out of state, including individuals and entities that should be held liable. Pilot error, aircraft malfunction, FAA regulation violations, air traffic controller mistakes, and maintenance mistakes are just some of the common causes of aviation accidents.

Attorney: Stack widow being removed from lawsuit, KVUE, February 25, 2010

Widow of Austin Plane Crash Victim Sues Pilot's Widow, WIBW/CNN, February 28, 2010

Related Web Resources:
National Transportation Safety Board

PlaneCrashInfo.com

Continue reading "Airplane Accident: IRS Employee's Widow Files Wrongful Death Lawsuit after Pilot Crashes Plane Into Office Building" »

Jaycee Dugard, the woman who was kidnapped and held hostage for 18 years, has filed a claim notifying California's Department of Correction that she is intending to file a personal injury lawsuit. Her two daughters, who are minors, and her mother, Terry Probin, have also filed their injury claim forms.

Dugard was 11 when Nancy and Phillip Garrido kidnapped her outside her South Lake Tahoe residence in 1991. They held her hostage in a backyard compound and she eventually gave birth to two children by Phillip, who is accused of raping her. The girls are now 12 and 15.

Dugard and her daughters were discovered last August after campus security at UC-Berkeley saw Phillip and thought he was acting strangely. His parole officer brought him in for questioning and he admitted to kidnapping Jaycee.

In California, plaintiffs have six months from the date that an incident occurred to file a personal injury lawsuit. Dugard's California injury claim forms note that she is seeking over $25,000.

The California Corrections Department was supposed to closely monitor Phillip, who became a registered sex offender after he was convicted of raping a 25-year-old woman. He was under parole supervision from 1988 to 1999.

The Office of th Inspector General has determined that the state of California immediately erred in the way they handled Phillip's parole. They mistakenly classified him as a low-risk offender, and an agent who visited Phillip's residence took at face value the parolee's account that the girl who was there was a niece.

The Garridos are charged with kidnapping and raping Jaycee.

In certain California personal injury cases, there may be parties that can be held liable even if their actions or inaction only indirectly contributed to causing the injuries.

Dugard, Family File Claims Against Calif Officials, NY Times, February 26, 2010

Jaycee Dugard Found After 18 Years, Kidnap Suspect Allegedly Fathered Her Kids, ABCNews, August 27, 2009

Jaycee Dugard, Family File Claims Against California, Fox News, February 26, 2010

Related Web Resources:
Jaycee Dugard Abduction Timeline

California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation

Continue reading "Jaycee Dugard, Her Two Daughters, and Mother File California Injury Claim Against the State's Department of Corrections" »

This week, the US Food and Drug Administration told patients that despite reports affirming that taking Avandia can increase the chances that the user may have a heart attack, it is important that patients continue to use the drug until they've sought the advice of a personal physician. Thousands of people take Avandia to treat Type 2 diabetes.

Over the weekend, US Senators Charles Grassley and Max Baucus released a report accusing pharmaceutical company GlaxoSmithKline of knowing for years about the heart attack risk even before a 2007 study in the New England Journal of Medicine reported this dangerous side effect. The FDA even recommended in 2008 that Glaxo take Avandia off the market because the drug was causing about 500 heart attacks and 300 heart failure incidents a month.

Grassley and Baucus note in their report that despite Glaxo's duty to warn patients and the FDA about this unfortunate cardiovascular risk, the company instead tried to misrepresent or minimize the findings while intimidating independent doctors. However, Glaxo claims that the congressional report is incomplete.

Dangerous Drugs
If there is a possibility that your loved one's heart attack, injury, or illness was caused by taking medication, you may have grounds for filing an Orange County, California dangerous drug lawsuit against the pharmaceutical company that made the drug. Over-the-counter and prescription medications are supposed to improve patient health and/or alleviate pain. They aren't supposed to hurt you, make you sick, or kill you.

Our Orange County, California products liability lawyers are committed to making sure that victims of negligent manufacturers and pharmaceutical companies are compensated for the harm that they have suffered because of a dangerous drug or another defective products.

Diabetes patients should not stop taking Avandia, FDA says, USA Today, February 22, 2010

Research Ties Diabetes Drug to Heart Woes, NY Times, February 20, 2010

Glaxo Knew Avandia Caused Heart Risk, Report Says (Update1), BusinessWeek, February 20, 2010

Related Web Resources:
6 Things You Should Know About Avandia, US News & World Report, February 25, 2010

Avandia, GlaxoSmithKline

Continue reading "Dangerous Drug?: Senate Report Alleges That GlaxoSmithKline Knew Avandia Increased Heart Attack Risk" »

The mother of Tyrene Livingston is suing Toyota for Los Angeles wrongful death. Sandra Livingston filed her California auto products liability lawsuit on Monday.

Her Los Angeles County products liability complaint claims that in 2007, Tyrene, 21, brought her new Toyota Yaris back to the dealer because she was experiencing brake problems. The dealer reportedly told her that her car was working fine. Unfortunately, four days after the Toyota accelerated out of control and she died at the crash site.

Although the Toyota acceleration accident took place in Pennsylvania, Sandra filed her wrongful death complaint in California, because that is where Toyota's North American headquarters is located. Sandra claims in her lawsuit that the automaker should have provided either a means for the brake to override the system or a mechanical connection between the engine and the brake.

Our California Injury Lawyers Blog has been closely monitoring the acceleration problems that have been plaguing Toyota and the owners of its vehicles. So far, the car manufacturer has recalled over 8.5 million Toyota vehicles over issues with the gas pedals, brakes, and floor mats.

This week, Toyota's top US sales executive, James E. Lentz, stood before the House Commerce and Energy Committee and apologized over the problems that led to the need to recall so many autos. While repairs have been made to alleviate the sticking gas pedals and ill-fitting floor mats, Lentz acknowledged that the repairs won't completely solve the problems. He noted that electronics could be a possible cause of the sudden acceleration incidents that has led to Toyota drivers losing control of their vehicles. Lentz says the automaker intends to install electronic programming that will let the brake override the throttle on more autos than what was previously announced.

Toyota exec says recall won't 'totally' fix problem, Los Angeles Times, February 23, 2010

LI mom sues Toyota over death crash, New York Post, February 23, 2010

Related Web Resources:
NHTSA Launches Probe into Timeliness of Three Toyota Recalls, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, February 16, 2010

Toyota Motor Corp.

After the jury deadlocked, a judge declared a mistrial in the La Habra wrongful death lawsuit against officers John Jaime and Pete DiPasqua. The La Habra cops were sued by the family of Michael Cho. The two cops fatally shot the 25-year-old 11 times outside a liquor store on December 31, 2007. The plaintiffs had alleged excessive use of police force by the two men. The Cho family says they will retry the Orange County, California police brutality case.

On the day that Cho, 25, was shot, the officers arrived at the scene to investigate reports that someone was vandalizing motor vehicles. The caller identified Cho as the suspect.

According to witnesses, Cho had a tire iron in his hand as he went toward the cops and he disregarded their commands that he drop the object. However, the Chos say that their son was at enough of a distance from the cops that they could have Tasered him, used pepper spray, or set the police dog on him. Meantime, the defendants' lawyer argued that his clients were legally allowed to use lethal means if they believed their lives were at risk.

Per toxicology reports, there was marijuana in Cho's system.

Orange County, California Police Brutality
Police in Orange County, California must be careful when using force on a suspect. That use of force must be absolutely necessary. Otherwise, the officers should be using less violent means to apprehend, arrest, or detain a suspect.

Unfortunately, many people don't even realize when they've become the victim of police abuse and that their civil rights have been violated. Verbal abuse, emotional abuse, threats, blackmail, harassment, and sexual abuse are also considered excessive use of force when instigated by police officers that are "doing their job."

Even if criminal charges aren't filed against the officers, there are steps you can take to hold the police officers accountable for your Orange County, California personal injuries.

Mistrial declared in fatal police shooting case, OC Register, February 12, 2010

Related Web Resources:
Police Use of Excessive Force, US Department of Justice (PDF)

La Habra Police Department

A California jury has found Martin Burt Kuehl guilty of killing Martha Ovalle during a Newport Beach car accident in August 2008. The 32-year-old nanny was crossing Westcliff Drive when she was fatally struck by the Costa Mesa driver.

Prosecutors had accused Kuehl of engaging in distracted driving when he accidentally hit Ovalle with his car. The 42-year-old motorist had been sending and receiving texts within the 30 minutes leading up to the Orange County, California pedestrian accident.

However, the jury said that the texting while driving allegations did not contribute to their decision. They did, however, cite witness testimony stating that the Costa Mesa motorist did not step on the gas right away when a traffic light turned green. He also reportedly drifted lanes before striking Ovalle. Both served as indicators that Kuehl was engaged in distracted driving.

Distracted Driving Accidents
Talking on a cell phone, text messaging, surfing the Internet, eating with both hands, looking for songs on an iPod, putting on makeup, and reading are distracted driving activities that can kill motorists and pedestrians and may land the distracted driving in jail.

A Few Distracted Driving Facts:
• According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, drivers who fiddle with handheld devices increase their chances of hurting themselves by up to four times.

• The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says that the 20 and under age group, who are the most inexperienced motorists, are the ones least likely to drive while distracted.

• Per Carnegie Mellon, a distracted driver lowers the amount of brain activity that is connected to driving by 37%.

No one intends to hurt anyone by making a phone call or sending a text. But the truth is that distracted driving can kill people.

Costa Mesa driver found guilty of killing nanny in 2008 road accident, Daily Pilot, January 27, 2010

Distracted Driving: Orange County, California Judge Says Costa Mesa Driver Accused of Texting Must Stand Trial for Newport Beach Pedestrian Accident, California Injury Lawyers, September 30, 2009

Related Web Resources:
Distraction.gov

Distracted Driving, National Safety Council

Continue reading "Orange County, California Distracted Driving Accident: Costa Mesa Driver Found Guilty in 2008 Newport Beach Car Crash that Killed Nanny " »

A Pomona Superior Court has awarded the family of Jessica Ramirez a $12 million Los Angeles County medical malpractice verdict in their case against Greater El Monte Community Hospital. Ramirez, 22, has a traumatic brain injury that has left her in a persistent vegetative state. She now resides in a North Hollywood nursing home and requires round-the-clock care.

On September 4, 2007, Ramirez sustained an air-rifle pellet to the brain. However, following the air gun shooting, she was still conscious and could ask for help.

Her family contends that after seeking medical help at Greater El Monte Community Hospital, Ramirez was allowed to remain at the facility before she was flown to a Pasadena hospital for surgery to remove the pellet. According to the family's Los Angeles medical malpractice lawyer, Greater El Monte Community Hospital were delayed in both evaluating her condition and transferring her to Huntington hospital after x-ray results showed that the pellet had entered her brain. He claims that the medical delays caused Ramirez to sustain a traumatic brain injury and she may have had a better medical outcome if only surgery was performed sooner.

The defendant in the Los Angeles medical malpractice lawsuit is hospital owner AHMC Healthcare, Inc. The award consists of $10.6 million for future medical care, $1 million for pain and suffering, and $373,000 for past medical bills. Ramirez's mom says the award will allow her to bring her daughter home.

The verdict is being appealed.

Los Angeles Medical Malpractice
It is so important that medical professionals conduct their exams, make the correct diagnosis, and perform the proper procedure in a timely manner. In many cases, sooner rather than later can make the difference between life and death and between non-aggressive treatment and painful, invasive, lengthy treatments. Doctors, surgeons, emergency room workers, paramedics, anesthesiologists, and other medical professionals cannot afford to make mistakes. Otherwise, they can be sued for Orange County, California medical malpractice.

Jury finds El Monte hospital negligent, family awarded $12 million, SGVTribune.com, February 11, 2010

Jury awards $12 million to woman with brain injury, WTOP, February 12, 2010

Related Web Resources:
Greater El Monte Community Hospital

Traumatic Brain Injury

An Orange County, California truck crash that took place at around 2:30am on Sunday has claimed the life of Cara A. Lee. The Santa Ana resident was riding in the front seat of Hao A. Nguyen's Toyota Corolla when the vehicle was struck by a Toyota Tundra truck that ran a red light in Costa Mesa.

Lee was pronounced dead at the Costa Mesa truck accident site, while Nguyen was taken to a Santa Ana hospital for treatment of minor injuries. He was arrested on suspicion of DUI.

Also arrested was Costa Mesa driver Gustavo A. Vega. The 22-year-old, who was driving the Toyota truck, was booked on suspicion of murder, felony DUI, vehicular manslaughter, possession of a controlled substance, and felony hit-and-run.

Although in most cases people never get drunk with the intention of hurting anyone, when an inebriated motorist getting behind the driver's seat of a car, he or she is putting the lives of others in great peril. Alcohol is a depressant that gets absorbed quickly into the bloodstream and stays there for awhile. It impairs a person's reaction time, slows down reflexes, impairs vision and visual perception, decreases concentration, impairs comprehension, reduces foot, hand, and eye coordination, and can cause drowsiness. While just having one of these impairments can lead to a catastrophic car crash, all of them affecting a person's driving at one time can be deadly.

Drunk drivers often have a hard time controlling their vehicle. They may not be able to stay in just one lane, forget to use headlights, follow too closely behind another auto, not realize that they are speeding or driving to slowly, and/or find it difficult to immediately stop their vehicle in an emergency.

Regardless of whether or not the legal system properly punishes a drunk driver, you can take matters into your own hands by finding out whether you have grounds for filing a Costa Mesa personal injury claim against the negligent motorist.

1 dead, 2 arrested after truck slams into car, The Orange County Register, February 14, 2010

Driving and Alcohol, Hsc.WVU.edu

Related Web resources:
Mothers Against Drunk Driving

Arrest for Driving Under the Influence (DUI): General Information, California Department of Motor Vehicles

Continue reading "One Person Dead in Costa Mesa Truck Accident Involving Two Allegedly Drunk Drivers " »

Michael Edwards' family is has filed a $10 million wrongful death claim against the city of Irvine for his Orange County, California motorcycle accident death. The 23-year-old was killed last July in an Irvine motorcycle crash involving a motor vehicle.

The deadly traffic crash happened when a Mercedes-Benz made an illegal left turn in front of the Edwards, who couldn't stop his bike in time. Edwards died at the traffic crash site.

According to the Orange County, California wrongful death claim, the city of Irvine is liable for the collision because the street where the deadly motorcycle accident happened lacked road warnings or signage. As a result, motorists may not have realized that turning left onto Wisteria from Walnut was illegal.

David Dietrich, the Mercedes's driver, pleaded guilty to the criminal charges of failure to obey traffic signs and vehicular manslaughter without gross negligence. His sentence includes 300 hours of community service and 3 months on probation.

Cities are responsible for making sure that roads are properly designed and that all the necessary traffic signs, lights, and lanes are in place to ensure that there is safe flow of traffic in all directions. Dangerous roadways can cause deadly Orange County, California motor vehicle crashes. In the event that this happens in a California city, you may have grounds for filing a personal injury claim. If you and the city are unable to reach an agreement, you may choose to pursue a civil lawsuit.

It is always tragic to lose someone you love--especially if the cause is a traffic crash that could have been avoided. Motorcycle riders only have their helmets and protective clothing (if even that) to protect them during a crash. Although many people wrongly believe that motorcyclists tend to drive their bikes at high speeds without full regard for their own safety, this is usually not the case. Spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, burn injuries, broken bones, and internal injuries can be the unfortunate result.

You may not be able to bring your loved one back, but you can hold those responsible liable in civil court.

Claim: Dangerous Irvine roadway caused fatal collision, OC Register, February 4, 2010

Related Web Resources:
City of Irvine

Motorcycle Accidents, NHTSA (PDF)

More than six years after Trent Hughes sustained a spinal cord injury in an accident that left him a paraplegic, a Riverside County jury has awarded a $16.5 million California medical malpractice verdict to him and his wife Lisa in their personal injury case against neurosurgeon Christopher Pham.

Trent, who at the time was 41, began experiencing numbness in his toes and feet, as well as excruciating pain in his lower back while on an off-road vehicle excursion on November 2, 2003. He was flown to a Palm Springs, California where, at about 2pm, he was diagnosed with a spine fracture.

Hospital records indicate that Pham, who was on call, was supposed to arrive at the Emergency Room within 20 minutes after he was contacted to assess the extent of Trent's injuries. However, he didn't see the patient until the following afternoon. Also, Pham did not perform the surgery to decompress Trent's spinal cord until the day after that one.

The couple's Riverside County medical malpractice lawsuit contends that by the time Pham conducted the surgery, Trent's spinal cord injury had become irreversible and, as a result, he is now paralyzed.

Before the accident, the Hughes, who are former high school sweethearts, ran a successful air conditioning business. Following Trent's catastrophic injuries, they lost their business.

The jury's verdict against Pham comes after a re-trial. A verdict issued by a jury after the case was tried in January 2004 was overturned because of defense counsel misconduct during their closing. The couple has already settled their medical malpractice claim against Desert Regional Medical Center.

The $16.5 million Riverside County medical malpractice verdict includes damages for medical expenses, rehabilitative costs, loss of consortium, pain and suffering, and lost income.

Surgical Errors
Surgical mistakes, delayed surgeries, wrong site surgeries, and accidentally leaving a medical instrument or another object in the patient following surgery are surgical errors that can be grounds for California medical malpractice. These are not errors that can be fixed easily. In some cases, medical mistakes can prove catastrophic for the patient.

Riverside jury awards Arizona couple $16.5 million in medical malpractice suit, Los Angeles Times, February 3, 2010

Former valley doctor found negligent, Mydesert.com, February 2, 2010

The family of 66-year-old Noriko Uno is suing Toyota for California wrongful death. They are claiming auto products liability over the fatal car crash that occurred when her Camry accelerated out of control on August 28, 2009--the same day that four people died in San Diego when their Lexus accelerated out of control. That runaway car crash led to the recall of over 4 million vehicles because the gas pedal could get entangled in the floor mat.

According to witnesses, Uno's Camry accelerated to 100 mph. She wove in and out of traffic until her vehicle hit a curb, flew into the air, struck a pole, and hit a tree. Uno died from her Los Angeles County car accident injuries.

The family's Los Angeles County wrongful death lawsuit claims that Uno died because of a defect with her Camry's electronic "drive-by-wire" throttle system. The automaker has maintained that this system is not a cause of the numerous runaway Toyota car accidents that have been happening.

Uno's family is seeking unspecified damages and is calling on Toyota to expand its recall further. The car manufacturer has recalled 2.3 million vehicles over the sticking gas pedal problem, but Uno's Camry, a 2006 model, is not included in the recall.

The family's California auto products liability lawyer says Toyota should recall its 2002 - 2006 Camry models. He says the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the automaker were aware of 389 complaints filed involving these models over accelerators that went out of control but that the NHTSA closed its probe because it couldn't obtain enough data to arrive at any final findings.

This week, Toyota recalled hundreds of thousands of other vehicles over other defects. The auto manufacturer recalled 437,000 Prius and Lexus hybrids so that the software that controls the brake system can be repaired. It also recalled 7,300 Camrys ( 2010 model) because of a problem with the brakes.

The federal government is also looking into complaints that there may be a problem with the steering on the 2009 and 2010 Corollas. About 80 complaints have been filed in the US.

Toyota Corolla steering problems prompt complaints to feds, February 9, 2010

Toyota To Recall 437,000 Hybrids As Prius Concerns Add To Woes, February 9, 2010

Calif. suit blames Toyota throttle for fatal crash, Reuters, February 4, 2010

Related Web Resources:
Recall Information, Toyota

NHTSA

Amber Scott is suing the city of Huntington Beach for Orange County, California personal injury. The 37-year-old woman claims that she broke her elbow during a fall accident on an uneven sidewalk last December.

Scott claims that the city is liable for her Huntington Beach trip and fall injuries because of its failure to check the sidewalk, located on Crest Street close to Main Street. She wants the city to pay for lost wages, related medical costs, and other damages. Scott is asking for at least $25,000.

If you were injured in a trip and fall accident, a slip and fall accident, a step and fall accident, or in an injury accident caused by poorly designed roads, defective sidewalks, poorly lit walkways or stairwells, or other hazardous conditions on a property that is owned by a city, you may have grounds for filing an Orange County, California injury claim that will allow you to seek damages for premises liability.

Just last week, the city of Huntington Beach settled a premises liability lawsuit over injuries to a minor for $30,000. 14-year-old Douglas Young was 12 when he fell in a public alley while riding on a wave board on May 10, 2008. He broke two of the bones in his right arm.

The teenager's Orange County, California injuries to a minor lawyer says there was construction taking place at the time, resulting in broken pavement and potholes in an area that was frequented by kids on skateboards and bicycles. Despite agreeing to settle, the city maintains that it is not liable for Young's Huntington Beach fall accident injuries.

Unfortunately, sidewalk related accidents are not uncommon and can cause painful, debilitating injuries. Broken bones, hip injuries, back injuries, and traumatic brain injuries have been known to happen.

Teen gets $30,000 from city after waveboard crash, OC Register, February 1, 2010

Woman suing for $25,000 after tripping on sidewalk, OC Register, February 5, 2010

Related Web Resources:
Premises Liability, Justia

City of Huntington Beach, California

A jury has awarded more than $31 million to two sisters who sustained traumatic brain injuries during a California car crash. The lives of Rosie Landeros, 19, and Marta Perez, 28, were changed forever when a drunk driver who drove past a stop sign struck the vehicle they were riding in on June 15, 2007. The ladies were heading to dinner and a movie at the time.

50-year-old Gustavo Davalos Torres, the driver of the pickup truck that struck them, had a BAC of .16 when the deadly California auto accident happened. He did not sustain serious injuries from the collision.

However, Landeros, then 16, suffered a serious California traumatic brain injury that left her in a coma for six weeks. She is still incapable of walking unassisted because of foot drop paralysis. Landeros now has no memory, cannot control her feelings or emotions, and has a crooked left arm. She will require a lifetime of specialized care.

Perez, who also sustained a traumatic brain injury, recovered enough that she has been able to return to her job as a rehabilitation assistant. She says that since the wreck, she has experienced mood swings and memory problems.

Although he told the California Highway Patrol that he drank 2 - 4 beers, an expert testified that to have a BAC of .16, Torres likely drank 8 - 12 beers. The driver pleaded no contest to felony drunk driving and served half of his three-year, four month prison term.

The plaintiffs' California traumatic brain injury lawyers had asked for up to $300 million on behalf of their clients. Of the $31 million verdict that was awarded, $100,000 will go to Perez. Her sister will receive the rest, minus legal fees.

Traumatic Brain Injuries
A traumatic brain injury can ruin the victim's life. In order to survive and maintain some quality of life, many TBI patients require costly, specialized round-the-clock medical care. Often, the victim and his/her family cannot handle the medical costs without help. This is one of the many reasons why it is important to obtain Orange County, California injury damages from the liable parties.

Kern jury awards sisters $31 million, Bakersfield Now, February 2, 2010

Sisters hurt in drunken driving crash get record $31 million verdict, Bakersfield.com, February 2, 2010

Related Web Resources:
Brain Injury Association USA

The Brain Injury Recovery Network

The California Department of Health has fined 13 hospitals in the state for committing medical mistakes. Some of the medical errors caused serious patient injury and deaths. Among the Southern California hospitals that were fined:

Hoag Memorial Hospital: A patient at this Newport Beach hospital sustained fractures to her foot and leg in January 2009 when she was sucked in by an MRI machine while on a metal gurney. The fine for this error is $50,000. This is the third penalty against the hospital in two years.

Western Medical Center: This Santa Ana hospital was fined $50,000 for leaving a surgical sponge in a patient. She became ill and had to be operated on a second time.

St. Jude Medical Center: A patient at this Fullerton hospital died in the emergency room from a heart attack after nurses failed to realize that the heart monitor had become disconnected. The Orange County, California hospital was fined $50,000.

Los Angeles Community Hospital: A patient who should have been properly supervised and restrained died after he was left alone and he pulled out his tracheotomy tube. The Norwalk hospital was fined $50,000.

California Hospital Medical Center: This Los Angeles County hospital was fined $50,000 because a medical resident n the ER wrongly diagnosed a woman as having an ectopic pregnancy. She was not pregnant.

John F. Kennedy Memorial Hospital: The Riverside County hospital was ordered to pay four $25,000 fines for not properly monitoring patients and meds in 2008.

California Medical Malpractice
Medical mistakes are not errors that doctors, nurses, surgeons, anesthesiologists, emergency room physicians, or other medical professionals can afford to make. Wrong diagnosis, surgical mistakes, failure to properly supervise a patient or monitor his/her vitals are some of the reasons that people file Orange County, California medical malpractice lawsuit.

13 California hospitals fined for medical errors, Los Angeles Times, January 28, 2010

California Department of Health

Related Web Resources:
Medical Malpractice, Nolo

Types of Medical Mistakes, Wrong Diagnosis

Continue reading "California Fines 13 Hospitals for Medical Mistakes" »

24-year-old Brandi Lynn Sutton wants the city of Newport Beach to compensate her for $2 million for injuries she sustained when she was hit by a taxi in August 2009. The Costa Mesa resident says that the crosswalk she was in was poorly lit.

Sutton broke bones in her lower leg, suffered a concussion, and sustained elbow, knee, and back injuries when she was struck by a Ford Crown Victoria cab at around 2am on West Balboa Avenue at 26th Street. She claims that a number of factors contributed to her Newport Beach pedestrian accident, including the faded crosswalk paint and an unlit street light that created a dangerous condition on public property.

There are conflicting reports over what happened that night. One witness in a police report claims that Sutton was not in the crosswalk when the Orange County, California traffic crash happened and that she appeared to be "loitering in the roadway" and was in no hurry to get to the sidewalk. The same witness said that the street light did not go on, and only did so intermittently, until after the accident involving Sutton happened.

City officials turned down Sutton's Orange County, California injury claim asking for $2.2 million. She will have to file a Newport Beach injury lawsuit in order to recover damages.

If you were injured on public property in Newport Beach, you will first have to file a claim against the city. If your injury case is not resolved after you file, you may want to pursue a Newport Beach injury lawsuit against the city.

Premise owners are responsible for ensuring that the property they own/oversee has no hazardous conditions that can contribute to causing an Orange County, California premises liability accident. This includes making sure that roads are properly designed, adequately lit, and equipped with the proper traffic signs and signals.

Woman hit by taxi wants $2 million, The Orange County Register, February 1, 2010

Related Web Resources:
Newport Beach, California

Continue reading "Costa Mesa Woman Wants $2 Million for Newport Beach Pedestrian Accident Injuries" »