Fire Injuries

Danger on the Road: Crashes and Fires Involving Trucks Carrying Hazardous Materials

July 1, 2016 | Gregory J. Brod

From crashes to mechanical issues, accidents involving large trucks are always frightening and the danger is magnified when the truck is carrying hazardous materials. Transporting fuel and other potentially dangerous materials is necessary, but it must be done with the highest concern for safety. Hazardous materials truck accidents can claim lives and cause devastating injuries. Our Oakland truck accident lawyer advocates for the victims of hazmat accidents helping ensure them recover compensation and holding those responsible accountable for the consequences of their actions and choices.

Diesel Tanker Truck Catches Fire in Vallejo

Thankfully, as the Vallejo Times-Herald reported, tragedy was averted in the case of a diesel truck fire in Vallejo this week. Early Monday morning, the Vallejo Fire Department responded to a fuel tanker truck fire on Highway 37 near the Fairgrounds Drive exit. Department officials told reporters that the double tires on the tanker caught fire, possibly as a result of a brake failure on a hill. While the fire melted the aluminum surrounding the tires, firefighters were able to extinguish the fired before it breached the diesel tank. Battalion Chief Urrutia said the fire would have been a much bigger, “ugly” incident had the flames reached the tank. No injuries were reported and the truck’s load was transferred to a second tanker.

San Francisco/Oakland Injury Lawyer on the Dangers of Car Fires

June 28, 2016 | Gregory J. Brod

It’s a common scene in action movies: A car is racing down the highway, perhaps engaged in a high-speed chase, when there’s a crash and the car explodes in a giant ball of fire. Car fires make for a dramatic moment on film, but they are absolutely terrifying in real life. Vehicle fires can have a wide range of causes and tragic consequences. Oakland car fire lawyer Greg Brod works to get the victims of car fires compensation from those responsible. His team can help uncover the cause of a car fire and use the law to recover money for the injured and/or the grieving.

Weekend Sees Two Oakland Police Vehicle Fires

As KPIX reported, car fires consumed two police vehicles over the most recent weekend. Per the article, the first such incident occurred late Saturday when an Oakland officer was chasing a carjacking suspect on I-580 near the High Street exit. In an attempt to avoid hitting another vehicle, the officer crashed into a pole. His vehicle burst into flames but, thankfully, he was able to escape and his colleagues were able to capture the carjacking suspect. A second police vehicle fire occurred on Sunday afternoon when two police cars crashed during a chase on 38^th Avenue.

Remembering the Past, Helping Victims, and Preventing Future Tragedies: California Industrial Accident Lawyer on the Danger of Accidents Involving the Oil and Gas Industries

June 24, 2016 | Gregory J. Brod

Some of the most important things in our lives are those we rarely think about, like trusting that the brakes will engage when you step on the appropriate pedal. They can also be some of the most dangerous when things go awry. Oil and gas lines are among these things. Oil and gas quite literally fuel our lives. We trust that the companies that supply these utilities are doing what they should to keep us safe and prevent, among other things, pipeline explosions. As Californians know all too well, this isn’t always the case and our San Francisco pipeline accident attorney is here to help when tragedy strikes.

Expert Contradicts PG&E’s Interpretation of Rules in Trial Stemming from 2010 San Bruno Explosion

The safety of gas pipelines is in the news this week as Pacific Gas and Electric Co. (“PG&E”) faces criminal charges and fines of up to $562 million alleged violations arising out of the investigation that followed the deadly pipeline explosion in San Bruno in September 2010. SFGate reports that a government engineer testified this week and contradicted PG&E’s assertion that certain pipeline-related rules are vague and self-defeating. While PG&E contends that a rule on pipeline pressure is vague and creates odd incentives, the prosecution witness testified that it was far from obscure, had been discussed at public workshops, and was explained on the agency website. During his opening statement, PG&E’s attorney said the company did its best to comply with vague regulations.

Where There’s Fire, There’s Smoke: California Fire Injury Lawyer on the Danger of Smoke Inhalation

June 21, 2016 | Gregory J. Brod

Most of us have, at some point, heard the loud blare of a residential smoke alarm. Hopefully, you will never hear that sound in the face of a serious emergency (Remember: If you ever disable a smoke alarm because of a false warning, reinstall it ASAP!!). Sadly, however, residential fires are a very real danger and it is often smoke inhalation rather than the flames that pose the greatest danger. When dangerous fires are the result of human negligence — including shoddy construction, the failure of a landlord to provide appropriate safety equipment, a faulty consumer product, or any other negligent act that causes or exacerbates a fire – our San Francisco fire injury lawyer is here to help.

Five-Alarm Fire Strikes Mission District

As CBS SF reported, a large fire broke out in San Francisco’s Mission District last weekend. The fire started sometime around 2:30 PM on Saturday and eventually raged to five-alarms as it spread to multiple buildings on the 3300 block of Mission Street. By the time firefighters contained the blaze three hours later, it had burned six buildings and left 58 people displaced from their homes. CBS reports that at least two people were treated at an area hospital for smoke inhalation and officials treated a 1-year-old child for breathing issues on the scene. Parts of the area remained closed to traffic on Monday as fire officials continued to investigate the cause of the blaze.

Boating Fires: Preventing and Responding to Fires Afloat

June 14, 2016 | Gregory J. Brod

In Northern California, we are fortunate to have access to a wide range of beautiful bodies of water and boating is a favorite activity of many visitors and locals alike. Boating can be great fun for people of all ages, but it is important to remember that safe boating should be the very first priority anytime you set out on the water. Last month, our Oakland boating injury lawyer examined the causes of boating fires. This month, after reading about another dangerous fire on the water, our team returns to the topic of boat fires to provide advice on prevention and how to respond if you ever face a fire while afloat.

Woman Suffers Serious Burns in Bethel Island Boat Fire

According to the East Bay Times, a weekend boat fire in Bethel Island left a woman facing severe burns. Officials with the East Contra Costa Fire Protection District told reporters that a flash fire broke out aboard a boat near the 4500 block of South Willow Avenue at about 4:44 PM on Saturday. A woman and child were on board when the flash fire occurred. Fire officials have not yet identified the cause of the blaze, which was out by the time fire crews arrived on scene. The woman suffered severe burns and was taken by helicopter to the burn center at the University of California Davis. The report does not provide details on the minor’s condition, but does say the child was taken to Antioch’s Sutter Delta Hospital.

San Francisco Injury Lawyer Examines the Danger of Residential Fires

June 3, 2016 | Gregory J. Brod

The ability to make and use fire is one of the things that has set the human race apart from other species. We use fire to stay warm, provide light, and cook food. However, fire is strong and when it is out of control it can cause serious injuries or death. When residential fires happen because of human negligence, such as when an apartment is not equipped with working smoke detectors or when a wiring issue causes a home to ignite, our San Francisco fire injury lawyer helps hold those at fault financially accountable.

Home Fire in San Francisco Leaves Man in Critical Condition

Earlier this week, CBS SF reported on a residential fire that left a man in critical condition in San Francisco’s Visitacion Valley. The fire department was called to the first block of Cora Street at 2:10 PM on Tuesday afternoon. Upon arrival, firefighters saw flames and smoke inside a single-family home and there was smoke emanating out of the residence. It was only after they forced their way into the home and began a search that firefighters found a male victim inside. Emergency officials transported the man to the hospital in critical condition.

Fire on the Water: San Francisco Boating Accident Lawyer Examines the Threat of Boat Fires

May 20, 2016 | Gregory J. Brod

There’s a cruel irony to the thought of battling a fire when surrounded by nothing but water. Nonetheless, boating fires are a very real threat to life, health, and property. When boat fires result from unsafe products or from the negligence of an individual or entity, our San Francisco boating injury law firm is here to help.

Two Men and One Dog Rescued After Boat Fire in Half Moon Bay

The danger of a boat fire became all too real for two skilled Bay Area boaters this week. According to KPIX, a well-known fisherman was headed back to Half Moon Bay when he started to smell smoke. Another passenger and the fisherman’s dog were also on board. A Venture County Fire Department official told reporters that when the passenger went to investigate, a large amount of smoke came pouring out of the vessel’s engine compartment. The captain issued a mayday call and, after donning protective gear (yes, the dog had a life jacket too), the trio jumped into the water. Thankfully, another boater was in the area and picked them up shortly thereafter.

San Francisco Hoverboard Injury Lawyer on the Continuing Risk of Hoverboard Fires and Hoverboard Falls

April 19, 2016 | Gregory J. Brod

It had been hailed as a star of the 2015 holiday season, until things started going terribly awry. For several months now, our San Francisco product injury law firm has been following the problem of hoverboard fires in the Bay Area and throughout the nation. In addition to the fires, falls and other hoverboard injuries are filling emergency rooms nationwide and causing great risk to riders of all ages.

Hoverboard Fire in Daly City Just One in a Continuing Trend

Late last week, according to CBS SF, police reported that a hoverboard caught fire in a Daly City home on April 4. Police say the hoverboard was charging in the kitchen of a home on Merced Boulevard when it allegedly combusted. Luckily, a resident of the home was able to put the fire out using a fire extinguisher, although fire officials still responded to ensure safety. While no one was injured, it is not immediately clear if the fire caused property damage.

Propane Fires: Statistics and Prevention Tips from Your Santa Rosa Fire Injury Law Firm

March 2, 2016 | Gregory J. Brod

Fire is truly one of the most powerful forces on Earth. When controlled, fire can provide heat, light the darkness, and cook our food. When out of control, fire can do extensive damage to property, cause life-altering injuries, and claim lives in a matter of moments. As a Sonoma fire injury law firm, we believe in helping fire victims and also in providing information that can help prevent fires in the first place. Today, we look at the danger of propane fires and propane fire injuries as investigators consider whether propane caused a Petaluma trailer fire that caused both minor injuries and substantial financial loss.

Investigators Eye Propane as Potential Source of Petaluma Fire

According to The Press Democrat, fire struck a travel trailer on Skillman Lane in Petaluma, just west of Petaluma Boulevard North, on Monday night. Officials from the Rancho Adobe Fire Department told reporters that a man was watching television inside the trailer when he realized the structure was on fire. He attempted to extinguish the fire himself and suffered minor facial burns. The blaze caused approximately $8,000 in property damage.

Residential Fires: Causes and Forms of Injury

February 19, 2016 | Gregory J. Brod

Attorney Gregory Brod is a personal injury lawyer who serves as a fire injury lawyer in San Francisco and throughout the Bay Area. Along with his legal team, he works with people injured by fires caused by someone else’s negligence or wrongdoing from fires started by faulty products, fires intentionally set by arsonists, and fires caused/exacerbated by a landlord’s failure to maintain a safe living environment. As we discuss in today’s post, there are a wide range of injuries caused by fires and our team is ready and able to help people facing all forms of residential fire injuries in Northern California.

Sixteen Homeless, One Injured After San Francisco Fire

Last weekend, as reported by ABC7, a three-alarm fire in San Francisco left 16 people without a home and injured one child. Firefighters were called to the North Panhandle building around 8:30 PM on Saturday. An assistant fire chief told reporters that Muni and power lines complicated the fire fight but they were able to contain the blaze in about an hour. A child was cut by glass during the blaze.