California Injury Lawyers Blog

A gas leak may have caused a boat to explode in Huntington Harbor this morning. Eight of the nine people aboard the 26-foot power boat had to be treated at hospitals. The boating accident victims ranged in age from their teens to age 50.

The vessel, which was going to Long Beach, was only 2-3 minutes away from the harbor's main public launching ramp when the boat operator noticed the leak and told the passengers they should return to port. That is when the Huntington Beach boating accident happened, which caused the explosion.

Eight of the passengers had to be pulled from the water following the blast. Injuries included scrapes, broken bones, bruises, and possibly burn injuries. According to Sheriff's Deputy William Nelson, boat explosions usually occur when a gas leak is sparked.

If you were injured in an Orange County, California, there may be a person or party that should be held liable. Negligence would likely have to be a factor for this to occur. For example, if someone did not behave the way a reasonable person would be expected to under the situation and instead, committed careless, reckless, or irresponsible actions.

There are federal and state agencies in charge of boat safety. That said, despite the efforts of the United States Coast Guard and the other agencies involved to prevent boating accidents, it is still up to boat operators, passengers, boat maintenance workers, boat manufacturers, and others to do what they can to minimize the chances that a Huntington Beach boating accident will happen.

2010 Boating Accident Facts (US Coast Guard):
• 4604 US boating accidents
• 672 boating deaths
• 3153 boating crash injuries
• Nearly 75% of boating accident victims that died drowned
• Common cause of boating accidents included improper lookout, operator inattention, inexperience, alcohol, and speeding
• Other leading causes include strong waves, dangerous waters, machinery failures, road rules, and weather conditions
• Alcohol was the number one cause of fatal boat crashes
• 21 of the victims that died last year were under the age of 13

Examples of common boat accidents:
• Capsizing
• Sinking
• Grounding
• Flooding
• Falls overboard
• Ejected passengers
• Explosions or fires
• Boat accidents involving a towable device, such as a water-skiis
• Boat collision with another vessel
• A boat crash involving an object
• Propeller injury
• Carbon monoxide exposure
• Electrocution accident
• Swimming accidents
• Related natural causes

Our Anaheim personal injury law firm would like to encourage you to contact Howard Law, PC right away so that you can request your free case evaluation.

You want to work with an experienced Orange County, California boating accident law firm that knows how to successfully pursue your recovery. The earlier you obtain legal representation, the sooner your Anaheim boat crash lawyer can start gathering the evidence and preparing your claim.

Boat explosion injures 8 in Huntington Harbour, OC Register, November 26, 2011

Burns & Broken Bones: 8 Injured in Boat Explosion, LAIST, November 26, 2011

Boating Accident Statistics, US Coast Guard

More Blog Posts:
Two More Orange County, California Boating Accident Claims Filed Against Huntington Beach Over Deadly Crash Under Gilbert Drive Bridge, California Injury Lawyers Blog, December 23, 2009

Another Family Files Seal Beach Wrongful Death Lawsuit in Salon Shooting, California Injury Lawyers Blog, November 23, 2011

California Excessive Use of Force?: Angry Protestors Cry Foul Over Police's Use of Pepper Spray in UC Davis Occupy Wall Street Demonstration, California Injury Lawyers Blog, November 22, 2011

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and nine manufacturers and distributors are voluntarily recalling about 2 million pourable gel fuel units. This latest recall comes following 65 incidents, including two deaths and 34 hospitalizations. The gel fuel has been linked to flash fires that have caused severe burn injuries to the chest, face, hands, legs, and arms. The gel fuel appears to be most dangerous while being poured into an already burning fire pot. It is at this point that it has been known to unexpectedly catch fire, spraying the flames on to people and nearby objects.

The CPSC says there are actually more victims than the number of incidents reported because some of those that have gotten hurt were the people trying to rescue victims that were directly injured by the gel fuel. If you live in San Bernardino County, Los Angeles County, Riverside County, or Orange County, California and you or someone you love suffered serious burns while using pourable gel fuel, do not hesitate to contact our Anaheim products liability law firm to request your free case evaluation.

Nearly 28 of the 65 incidents reported involved gel fuel by Napa Home & Garden, which conducted its recall last June. However, the CPSC says that all pourable fuel gels made by any manufacturer pose a burn hazard to users. The nine companies that are recalling their gel fuel products are Bird Brain Inc., Smart Solar Inc., Bond Manufacturing, Real Flame, Sunjel Company, Pacific Décor Ltd, Fuel Barons Inc., Luminosities Inc., and Lamplight Farms Inc.

The fuel gel is proving so flammable that some people are saying that once it gets stuck on clothing or skin it refuses to be exstinguished. Victims and witnesses have even compared the fuel gel to napalm, a "lethal weapon," or "gasoline in a bottle."

Among those that were recently hurt in pourable gel fuel accidents are a teenager, 14, who ended up in a coma and was hooked up to a ventilator after he suffered severe burns. Another man, 24, had to undergo multiple surgeries for his injuries, and he will likely have to undergo more procedures. His best friend was also hurt in the same incident.

Nine Manufacturers, Distributors Announce Consumer Recall of Pourable Gel Fuel Due to Burn and Flash Fire Hazards, CPSC, September 1, 2011

Gel fuel linked to flash fires, severe burns recalled, Reuters, September 1, 2011

Pourable fuel gel for firepots, Dispatch.com, June 23, 2011

Horrific burn injuries spur gel fuel inquiry, Telegram, June 11, 2011

More Blog Posts:
NFL Sued by 75 Pro Football Players in Los Angeles Superior Court For Concealing Brain Injury Risks, California Injury Lawyers Blog, July 21, 2011

Another 37 Injuries Prompt CPSC To Reissue Maclaren Stroller Recall, California Injury Lawyers Blog, May 12, 2011

Huntington Beach Premises Liability Claim Seeks $500K from City Over Hemet Boy's Burn Injuries from Fall Accident into Fire Pit, California Injury Lawyers Blog, August 18, 2011

Continue reading "Orange County, California Products Liability: CPSC and Nine Manufacturers Recall 2M Pourable Gel Fuel Units Following Burn Injuries and Deaths " »

The family of Seth Richardson has filed a $500,000 Huntington Beach personal injuries to a minor claim against the city. Seth, 6, sustained serious burn injuries in April 2011 while at Huntington City Beach when he fell into a deteriorating fire pit that had a still smoldering fire in it. He sustained third-and second-degree burns on his chest and right arm, and he had to undergo weeks of treatment at an Orange, California hospital. The boy is reportedly continuing to receive medical care for his burn injuries.

Photos taken right after the Huntington Beach fall accident show that part of the concrete pit where Seth fell had deteriorated to the point that it was at sand level. While city officials say that its fire pits are checked regularly and that the ones in poor condition are replaced, Seth's dad says that the failure to properly maintain the fire pits caused Seth to get hurt. He also noted that there are no signs instructing fire pit users on how to properly extinguish their fires.

No one is tasked with monitoring the fire pits during the daytime, when they are usually use, and there are people on the beach. The city attributes this lack of supervision to staff limitations.

Premises Liability
A civil claim against a California city is usually a precursor to a legal complaint. Cities that own the beach know that there will likely be kids and others who can sustain serious injuries in fire pit accidents. It is the property owner's job to make sure that the fire pits are in proper working condition, safe for use, and do not pose a Huntington Beach premises liability hazard. This includes ensuring that the fire pit is visible, properly maintained, and placed in a location where someone can't accidentally walk/fall into one.

Two other families recently sued the city for Huntington Beach personal injury over accidents that occurred in other beach fire pits. The family of Adam Eslinger, 2, is seeking damages. Adam sustained burn injuries when he climbed into a fire pit in August 2009. In addition to burn injuries to his hands, the boy also suffered "severe emotionally trauma." Autumn Williams, 13, who rescued Adam, also sustained burn injuries. Their civil trial is scheduled for next month.

In another Huntington Beach burn accident, a Temecula family is suing the city and the state of California for the second- and third-degree burn injuries that Chad Kanow, 11, sustained on his foot in September 2009. They claim that the fire pit was "obscured with sand." That jury trial is scheduled for November.

These four children are not the only ones to get hurt in fire pit accidents. According to the UCI Burn Center, it has treated dozens of patients for burn injuries involving fire pits since 2006. If you believe your injuries, which occurred on another person's property, or was a result of the owner's negligence, you should speak with an experienced Huntington Beach personal injury law firm right away.

Woman Tossed by Cop and Boy Who Fell Into Beach Fire Pit File Claims Against Huntington Beach, OC Weekly, August 18, 2011

Boy who fell into H.B. fire pit wants $500,000, OC Register, August 18, 2011

Related Web Resources:
City of Huntington Beach

Beach fire pits and bonfires - California

More Blog Posts:

More Blog Posts:
California Burn Injury Settlement Over Hot Nacho's at Disney's Magic Kingdom is Under Consideration, California Injury Lawyers Blog, July 28, 2011

6-Year-Old Sustains Orange County, California Burn Injuries After Fall Into Beach Fire Pit, California Injury Lawyers Blog, May 20, 2011

Huntington Beach Personal Injury Claim Seeks Over $500,000 for 11-Year-Old's Burn Injuries from Trip and Fall Accident into Fire Pit, California Injury Lawyers Blog, March 17, 2010

The family of a 4-year-old Isaiah Harris is asking the California district court to approve the $50,000 California burn injury settlement that they've reached with Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. Harris sustained burn injuries to his face and lips last year at Disney World when a paper cup of nacho cheese ended up on his face after he grabbed a table to avoid falling from an unsteady chair.

His parents filed a California injury to a minor lawsuit on his behalf accusing the amusement park company of not trying to regulate/monitor the nacho cheese's temperature even though it knew that young kids would be eating it and of failing to provide any warning. They said that as a result of Walt Disney's negligence, Harris suffered second and third-degree burns. He underwent treatment for his injuries for almost a year.

Burn Injuries
Burns can be very painful and--depending on the severity of the injuries--can result in scarring, swelling, blistering, shock, disfigurement, and death. Sustaining a burn injury can also be emotionally traumatic. While minor burns may only require over-the-counter medication, some burns are serious enough to require hospitalization, skin grafts, surgery, and rehab. Some severe burns can take months to recover from. In some cases, permanent disfigurement may be the outcome.

It is the responsibility of premise owners to make sure that there is nothing on their property that could cause serious burns to visitors, patrons, customers, or guests. This includes making sure that foods and liquids are served are not too hot that they can cause burns to the mouth or other parts of the body.

Amusement Park Lawsuits
If you were injured while at a theme park, you may have grounds for filing an Orange County, California amusement park accident lawsuit. The injury doesn't need to have occurred while on an amusement park ride. Like all property owners, amusement park owners are responsible for minimizing any hazards on the grounds that could cause serious injuries to a minor or an adult.

Family sues Disney when hot nachos burn son, Signon San Diego, February 11, 2011

Family of Boy Injured at Disney's Magic Kingdom Accepts Set, Injury Board, July 28, 2011

Related Web Resources:
Walt Disney World

The Burn Resource Center

More Blog Posts:
6-Year-Old Sustains Orange County, California Burn Injuries After Fall Into Beach Fire Pit, California Injury Lawyers Blog, May 20, 2011

Huntington Beach Personal Injury Claim Seeks Over $500,000 for 11-Year-Old's Burn Injuries from Trip and Fall Accident into Fire Pit, California Injury Lawyers, March 17, 2010

Children of Elderly Couple Killed When Bathrobe Caught Fire File California Wrongful Death Lawsuit Alleging Products Liability, California Injury Lawyers, November 5, 2009

Continue reading "California Burn Injury Settlement Over Hot Nacho's at Disney's Magic Kingdom is Under Consideration " »

More than one month after falling into a broken-down fire pit at the Huntington City Beach, 6-year-old Seth Richardson is still at the surgical intensive-care unit at UCI's Regional Burn Center in Orange, California for treatment of the second- and third-degree burn injuries that he sustained on April 17. His family believes that the Huntington Beach injury accident wouldn't have happened if the city and the state of California had properly maintained the pit, which had one side that was completely missing and crumbled down to sand level.

Seth's father, Jason Richardson, says that they didn't even see the pit, which the boy fell backwards into while flying a kite. The burn injuries are from the small fire that was still lit in the pit. Jason also notes that there were no warning signs instructing beachgoers on how to properly extinguish a pit fire. According to the city, while the fire pits are cleaned out nightly, there is no staff available to supervise them during the day.

Seth is not the first person to get hurt in a fire pit. In 2009, a two-year-old sustained burn injuries after climbing into a fire pit that--per their Huntington Beach personal injury claim--was "almost totally submerged in the sand." 13-year-old Autumn Williams also sustained burn injuries when she tried to rescue him. That same year, another minor, 11-year-old Chad Kanow, sustained serious injuries during a Huntington Beach trip and fall accident into a fire pit that was "obscured with sand." The families of the three children are seeking Orange County, California burn injury damages.

Huntington Beach spokesperson Laurie Frymire says that broken pits do get replaced.

Beach fire pits can also be found in San Clemente, Newport Beach, Bolsa Chica, and Aliso Beach. The pits are a big draw for beachgoers that like to have barbecues. That said, it is important that fire pits are properly maintained and set up in the way so that no one can easily fall into them. Fires must be completely extinguished so that no one gets hurt.

Family: H.B. responsible for 6-year-old burned in fire pit, The OC Register, May 3, 2011

Pro golfer visits burned 6-year-old, The Press-Enterprise, April 28, 2011

Huntington Beach Personal Injury Claim Seeks Over $500,000 for 11-Year-Old's Burn Injuries from Trip and Fall Accident into Fire Pit, California Injury Lawyers Blog, March 17, 2010

Related Web Resources:
City of Huntington Beach, California

Safety Tips for Fire Pits, About.com

More Blog Posts:
Huntington Beach Wrongful Death: Family Blames City for Men's Fatal Drownings, California Injury Lawyers Blog, May 6, 2011

Man Stabbed to Death at Hilton Orange County/Costa Mesa Hotel on New Year's Day, California Injury Lawyers Blog, January 7, 2011

Continue reading "6-Year-Old Sustains Orange County, California Burn Injuries After Fall Into Beach Fire Pit" »

According to the National Transportation Safety Board, a power drop in a pipeline control system caused the gas pressure to rise right before a major transmission line ruptured to create a fiery blast in San Bruno on September 9, 2010. The geyser of fire killed 8 people, injured over 20 others, destroyed at least 53 homes, and damaged more than 120 residences. The explosion is considered one of the deadliest natural gas blasts to have ever occurred in California.

The drop in electrical power occurred while maintenance work was underway on a terminal almost 40 miles from the explosion site. This interrupted a signal to a pressure control valve on the line that ruptured. The NTSB's report goes on to discuss how the pressure rose to 386 pounds per-square-inch gauge. 375 psig is the pipeline-specified maximum operator pressure. That said, Pacific Gas and Electric Co. said that the pipeline it operates had an allowable pressure of 400 psig.

According to pipeline safety experts, a pipe should have a 100% safety margin, which should allow it to withstand two times the normal operating pressure before permanent damage to the metal or even a rupture should occur. The NTSB doesn't know what caused the high-pressure line failure or whether corrosion to the pipe was a factor.

California Burn Injuries
If you sustained burn injuries or your home was destroyed because of what you believe was negligence on the part of another party, you may have grounds for an Orange County, California personal injury case. Burn injuries from a natural gas explosion can be extremely severe and painful. A burn injury victim may require painful, extensive, and costly medical care. A person that sustains any type of serious burn injury may be scarred or disfigured for life. He/she may also experience psychological and emotional trauma as a result.

New details on San Bruno blast in preliminary NTSB report, Los Angeles Times, October 13, 2010

San Bruno fire levels neighborhood - gas explosion, SFGate, September 10, 2010

Related Web Resources:
NTSB

Pacific Gas and Electric Co.

Continue reading "Fiery Blast that Killed Eight in San Bruno, California Was Caused by High-Pressure Line Failure, Says NTSB " »

Ingrid Paulicivic, a San Clemente resident, is suing Dr. Red Allinsod for Laguna Beach medical malpractice. She is seeking unspecified damages for not just Orange County, California medical negligence but also for battery. Paulicivic is claiming Laguna Beach personal injury for burn injuries that she sustained while the gynecologist used an electrocautery device to brand her name on her uterus.

Allinsod took out Paulicivic's uterus during a hysterectomy. He says that although it wasn't required, he carved her name on the organ because he didn't want to mix it up with others. Allinsod has said that he "felt comfortable" branding Paulicivic's name on the uterus because he and the patient were good friends. However, the plaintiff's California injury attorney claims that his client did not know the doctor before consulting with him about the surgery.

In her Orange County, California medical malpractice complaint, Paulicivic contends that the decision to brand her name on the uterus was dangerous and unnecessary and performed without her consent. She claims that while Allinsod was branding the organ, which he had placed on her lap, he burned her in her thigh area. Allinsod has admitted that prior to Paulicivic, he had never branded another patient's organ or body part.

Paulicivic's husband Joe is also a plaintiff. He is seeking damages for loss of consortium, disruption of marital harmony, permanent injuries, and damages.

Doctors are not supposed to perform unnecessary medical procedures, which can result in injuries and health complications that could otherwise have been prevented. They are also supposed to obtain a patient's informed consent before conducting any medical procedure or course of treatment. Unauthorized medical treatments can be painful, costly, lead to infections, and even death. They also can be very traumatic for the patient and his/her loved ones.

Just recently, in another case of alleged negligence, a mother sued a hospital for circumcising her newborn without her consent. Circumcision is forbidden in Vera Delgado's family and she specifically told medical staff members that she didn't want the procedure performed on her son.

Doctor sued for 'branding' patient's uterus, CNN, September 14, 2010

Florida Hospital Circumcision Brings Lawsuit, News.Gather.com, September 13, 2010

Read the Complaint, The Smoking Gun

Related Web Resources:
What is a strong medical malpractice case, Lectlaw.com

Medical Malpractice, Wrong Diagnosis

The family of Anita Ramirez says she sustained serious burn injuries after living less than two weeks at LifeHouse Parkview. The assisted living facility says it is investigating the allegations.

The 65-year-old woman, who suffers from multiple sclerosis, was admitted to the nursing home so she could receive nursing care for a bedsore. The assisted living facility workers were supposed to turn her every two hours. Ramirez was also placed on an IV antibiotic.

However, Ramirez's family soon began to worry about her care. They contacted police, who helped them remove the patient from the nursing home and she was taken to a hospital emergency room.

Doctors at the ER said they thought Ramirez was experiencing a reaction to the antibiotics she has been taking over the last year. The patient was taken to burn center where she was diagnosed with serious burns all over her body. Some parts of her body have no skin left.

If poor nursing care contributed to a patient's injuries, an assisted living facility can be held liable fo California nursing home neglect. It is the responsibility of facility workers to make sure that a patient isn't suffering from adverse reactions, skin conditions, infections, or other health complications. They also are required to report unexplained bruising or other injuries.

Sick residents oven have a weaker immune system than healthier people. They are more likely to suffer from health complications and infections can turn fatal if not treated immediately.

Nursing home facilities know that providing patients with the proper skin care is incredibly important. Residents should be checked for bedsores, which should be treated immediately upon detection, bathed/cleaned regularly. Unusual rashes, spots, burns, or bruises should be addressed and treated. Family members should be notified immediately of changes in a resident's health.

Family alleges woman got serious burns at nursing home, Bakersfieldnow, May 17, 2010

Related Web Resources:
Skin Care for the Elderly in a Nursing Home, DermaNetwork

Nursing Home Care & the Risks of Infection: Issues to Consider, Associated Content, August 17, 2010

Continue reading "California Nursing Home Resident Sustains Serious Burn Injuries " »

A Temecula boy is seeking over $500,000 in Orange County, California personal injury compensation from the city of Huntington Beach. Chad Kanon claims that he tripped and fell on a sand covered-fire pit at the Huntington State Beach last September.

As a result of the accident, Kanon, who sustained third- and second-degree burn injuries on his foot, suffered disfigurement and permanent scarring. He is accusing the city of failing to clean, maintain, and landscape the beach and the fire pits.

City officials say they will turn down the Huntington Beach trip and fall claim. They contend that the accident happened on a state beach, which the city is not required to maintain.

Kanon is not the first person to allege that a beach fire pit caused his injuries. The parents of a 2-year-old boy filed their Huntington Beach injury claim last February after their son climbed into a fire pit and suffered serious burns. Autumn Williams, the 13-year-old girl who rescued the toddler from the pit, also sustained burns. Her parents, Lesslie and Lisa, are seeking Orange County, California injuries to children damages on her behalf.

Premise owners must make sure that there are no hazards on a property that can cause injury. Otherwise, they can be sued for Orange County, California premises liability.

Burn Injuries
Fire, heat, hot liquids, sunlight, chemicals, fire, steam, electricity, flammable liquids/gas, or radiation can cause burn injuries.

Kinds of Burn Injuries:

First-Degree Burns
Second-Degree Burns
Third-Degree Burns

Third-degree burns are the most serious kind of burn injury and involve damage to the skin and tissue. Blistering, scarring, swelling, shock, disfigurement, and death can occur from burn injuries, which can be extremely painful. Serious burn injuries may require skin grafts and other painful treatments.

If your injury occurred because you believe another party was negligent, you may have grounds for an Orange County, California burn injury lawsuit.

Boy burned in H.B. fire pit wants $500,000, Orange County Register, March 17, 2010

Related Web Resources:
Burn Injuries, Burn-Recovery.org

City of Huntington Beach, California

The daughters of 81-year-old Evelyn Rogoff and her 83-year-old husband Murray are suing bathrobe maker Blair Corp. for California wrongful death. The Rogoffs sustained fatal burn injuries when Evelyn's bathrobe sleeve caught fire on their stove's electric burner last February.

The fabric quickly caught fire, engulfing Evelyn and Murray who rushed to help his wife. The two of them died months later from their burn injuries. If they hadn't died so tragically, the couple would have been married 50 years.

The Rogoffs' daughters are seeking at least $1.9 million in damages from Blair Corp., which recently has come under fire for its highly flammable bathrobes, which is a product defect.

Evelyn and Murray are not the only ones who have suffered burn injuries because of the Blair bathrobes. At least nine burn-related fatalities have been linked to the Blair robes.

In April, 162,000 Blair Full-length women's chenille robes were recalled. The Consumer Product Safety Commission recalled 138,000 more women's apparel products last month.

In Connecticut, Sharon Davis is suing Blair for $30 million for her mother's wrongful death. Atwilda Brown's robe caught fire in 2005 while she was making tea. She was able to call 911 but did not survive her injuries. Police and fire workers who arrived at the accident scene said they hadn't seen material burn so fast before.

While the robes had previously passed flammability tests, testing since then have proven the robes to be a fire hazard.

At least five of the victims were women whose robes caught fire while they were cooking. The majority of the victims were elderly persons. Three of them were in their 80's.

Defective Clothing
While all clothing can catch fire, garments must meet certain standards under the Flammable Fabrics Act. Failure to comply with these standards can create a highly flammable product that can prove fatal for the wearer and those around. It can also be grounds for an Orange County, California products liability or wrongful death lawsuit.

Bathrobe company sued in deaths of elderly Oceanside couple, Sign on San Diego, October 28, 2009

Woman Blames Robe For Mother's Death, WFSB, October 27, 2009

Blair LLC Expands Recall of Highly Flammable Robes, Consumer Affairs, October 30, 2009

Related Web Resources:
Flammable Fabrics Act

Consumer Product Safety Commission