California Injury Blog

Published on: January 15, 2013

Car Slams Into Rescue Vehicles At Crash Scene

By Brian Chase

Moreno Valley, California–An unusual car accident led to severe injuries when a car ran into rescue vehicles at the scene of a previous accident on 60 West in Moreno Valley, according to ABC News. The accident shut down the entire freeway and sent three people to the hospital.

What Happened In This Crash

The situation began with a solo-vehicle crash on the off-ramp at Perris Boulevard. Both ambulance and fire services responded to the accident along with police officers. All of the rescue personnel, along with the driver and possibly other witnesses were gathered at the accident scene at the time of the second crash.

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Published on: January 11, 2013

Three Injured in Knott’s Berry Farm Accident

By Brian Chase

Three visitors to Knott’s Berry Farm suffered minor injuries when the stagecoach in which they were passengers tipped over after a wheel detached from the vehicle, according to ABC News.

There were a total of 14 passengers in the stagecoach when the crash occurred, but only three were transported to a local hospital complaining of minor injuries. Knott’s Berry Farm officials stated that the ride will be closed until a full investigation can be made into the cause of the accident.

Amusement Park Accidents More Common in Recent Months

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Published on: January 9, 2013

Handyman Bitten by Police Dog in Anaheim

By Brian Chase

Robert Ray, a handyman, told NBC 4 News that an Anaheim police dog attacked him for a full minute, causing injuries that left him hospitalized for a week. The NBC report says Ray and the police department have different accounts of what led up to the encounter. While Ray says that he never saw the dog coming at him until the attack, police officers say the 50-year-old handyman received ample warning about the dog and that he ignored police officers’ orders to stop.

Officers were in the middle of a burglary investigation in an alley behind the North Anaheim Business Center when Ray apparently drove right into the scene. The incident has been recorded by a surveillance camera, but Anaheim police are not releasing the footage until after an internal investigation is completed. Ray was hospitalized with injuries and remained there for a week to get the treatment he needed. The investigation is ongoing.

Does Strict Liability Statute Apply?

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Published on: January 8, 2013

CPSC Recalls Arctic Cat Snowmobiles

By Brian Chase

The Consumer Product Safety Commission has issued a recall of 19,000 Arctic Cat snowmobiles due to a crash hazard. About 7,100 of the models in question were recalled in December of 2011 due to a headlamp fuse failure.

Arctic Cat, Inc., a company out of Thief River Falls, Minnesota, is cooperating with the recall after four reports of incidents stemming from a loosened tie-rod attachment. This issue can cause loss of steering control, leading to a crash.

So far, no injuries have been reported as a result of the failure, even in models in which users have experienced separation of the tie rod attachment. However, both Arctic Cat and the CPSC warn that the problem could have potentially dangerous results for users and those with these models are asked to cease use immediately and contact a local dealer for inspection and repair.

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Published on: December 27, 2012

Consumer Reports Designates Two Strollers as Dangerous Due to Strangulation Risk

By Brian Chase

Consumer Reports has put the “Do not Buy – Safety Risk” stamp on two stroller models – iCandy Cherry and the Mutsy Evo — because these pose a potential strangulation hazard to young children. According to Consumer reports, both these stroller models have a removable grab bar that attaches above the child’s legs. When a child is placed with the grab bar in its normal use position, the opening between the bar and the seat may be large enough to allow the child’s torso, but not the child’s head to pass through. As a result, the child’s head could get caught on the bar causing the child to potentially asphyxiate.

Consumer Reports states that this hazard, also known as “submarining” exists only when a child is not buckled up into the stroller. Between 1995 and 2008, at least 10 children were reported dead as a result of submarining in strollers. It is not clear if any of these fatalities involved the two stroller models in question. Consumer Reports suggests that anyone who owns these strollers remove the grab bars. The stroller is safe to use if the child is always harnessed. These stroller models have not yet been recalled and are still sold in the United States.

Injuries and Fatalities Caused by Nursery Products

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Published on: December 21, 2012

Construction Worker Injured by Falling Steel Beam

By Brian Chase

A man suffered serious injuries to his legs after a three-ton steel I-beam fell on him as he was working at a site in Benicia the morning of December 20, 2012. According to a Bay City News report, the construction accident occurred at the Unico Mechanical Corp., 1209 Polk Street. Co-workers helped free the man, officials said. He had been pinned under the beam for about a minute after it fell from its chain-and-hook grip while being lifted with a crane. The co-worker ended up using the crane to move the beam off the victim.

The man, believed to have been 19 or 20, was transported to a local hospital with injuries to both legs, but he is expected to survive. The incident is being reviewed by the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH). Unico Mechanical is a heavy industrial machine shop that provides services including repairs, restorations and parts manufacturing, according to the report.

My thoughts and prayers are with this injured construction worker. Given the size and weight of the steel beam, it is indeed fortunate that he was not fatally injured. I wish him the very best for a speedy and complete recovery.

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Published on: December 21, 2012

Abandoned Dogs Responsible for Attacks

By Brian Chase

Fort Ebey State Park on Whidbey Island in Coupeville, Washington, is closed to visitors as rangers attempt to find two dogs said to be very aggressive, according to Oregon Live. The two dogs allegedly bit one man and forced a woman to lock herself in a restroom on the park grounds to avoid being bitten.

Park rangers found a large pile of dog food at an undisclosed location and believe someone may have abandoned the dogs. The park manager stated that the dogs looked like pit bulls, were growling, and were very aggressive toward him when he saw them. His partner sprayed one of the dogs with pepper spray when it approached the car.

The manager and his partner were called out when a couple reported the aggressive dogs had attacked them. The man and woman were out for a hike when the dogs approached. The man swung his water bottle at one dog and the animal bit him in the leg. He then told his wife to lock herself in the restroom and to call for help. She sent a text message asking park personnel for assistance.

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Published on: December 6, 2012

Construction Accident Leaves Victim Seriously Injured

By Brian Chase

December 6, 2012–Chicago, Illinois–A 60-year-old construction worker was in serious condition after a construction accident occurred on Chicago’s South Side this week. Chicago Fire Department responders found the victim under a porch overhang that fell on him, crushing him under the weight of the structure.
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Published on: December 4, 2012

Hiring an Orange County Slip and Fall Lawyer To Handle Your Claim

By Brian Chase

No matter how careful you are, it is possible you will be involved in some type of slip and fall accident in your lifetime. According to the latest data, at least one million people are involved in slip and fall accidents every year, and many of these accidents can lead to terrible injuries including broken hips, broken limbs, and even traumatic head injuries. Orange County slip and fall lawyers often represent victims who have suffered life-changing trauma due to a “simple” slip and fall accident.
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Published on: November 30, 2012

Teen Who Drowned in Swim Class Spent 17 Minutes Underwater, Report Says

By Brian Chase

Malvrick Donkor, 14, a high school student, was fatally injured in a swimming pool accident during a lesson. According to a news report in The Gothamist, the teenager was allegedly underwater and unnoticed by instructors for 17 minutes while other students swam around him. Surveillance tapes showed Donkor climbing down a ladder into the deep end and then sinking. He was not noticed until another student spotted his body underwater and told the teacher, who pulled him out. The male swim teacher has since been placed on administrative leave and the pool has been closed. The incident is under investigation.

I offer my deepest condolences to the family members and friends of Malvrick Donkor for their tragic and heartbreaking loss. Donkor was reportedly an immigrant from Ghana. His loved ones will definitely be in my thoughts and prayers.
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