Fire Injuries

A Discussion of Electrical Fires from Your Santa Rosa Fire Injury Law Firm

August 7, 2015 | Gregory J. Brod

Every day the news seems to get more and more frightening as wildfires consume so much of our lovely state. Our thoughts are with those who’ve been impacted by the fires and our thanks go out to all the men and women working to keep Californians safe and limit property damage. While wildfires are, with good reason, the top fire-related headline at the moment, it is important to remember that other types of fires are always a concern. As people in Guerneville and the surrounding areas were reminded this week, electrical fires are a real threat. When an electrical fire causes injuries or death and the blaze can be traced to the negligence or wrongdoing of a person or entity, our Santa Rosa fire injury lawyer is prepared to fight for those affected using civil personal injury and/or wrongful death law.

Blaze that Consumed Shop in Guerneville Blamed on Electrical Transformer

The Press Democrat reports that a fire destroyed much of the Odd Fellows Recreation Club’s store located on the 13500 block of Riverside Drive. The store is part of Odd Fellows Park, a private, limited-admission facility east of Guerneville encompassing 317 acres with campsites and a Russian River beach. Fire broke out around 9:30 P.M. on Tuesday night and by 11 P.M. flames had gutted much of the structure. Firefighters from at least seven fire agencies worked to extinguish the blaze which may have been ignited by a blown electrical transformer. The paper does not mention any injuries, although it does not specifically state no injuries occurred.

Looking at Refinery Fires Following Blaze at Rodeo Oil Refinery

August 4, 2015 | Gregory J. Brod

In the future, we may be able to rely solely on renewable energy resources, but for now oil and gas are essential to the operations of our country and our state. These fuels are highly flammable and generally quite dangerous if not handled with the utmost of care. Although it is too early to identify a cause in Sunday’s refinery fire, many oil and gas accidents occur because an entity failed to respect these potentially hazardous substances. When a fuel processing or distribution accident leaves injuries and/or fatalities in its wake, our Oakland refinery fire law firm helps victims uncover the cause of the tragedy and pursue money damages from those responsible.

Fire at Phillips 66 San Francisco Refinery in Rodeo

On Sunday, as reported by The Contra Costa Times, a small fire struck the Phillips 66 refinery on the 1300 block of San Pablo Avenue in Rodeo, about 20 miles south of Oakland. The Phillips 66 San Francisco refinery was built in 1896. It has an 80,000 barrel daily crude feed capacity and a daily clean fuels production limit around 4.3 million gallons.

When People Cause Wildfires: California Fire Injury Attorney on a Growing Threat

July 31, 2015 | Gregory J. Brod

A decade ago, if you asked most Americans to name the weather/climate condition most associated with California, we have little doubt “earthquake” would have been the dominant response. Today, however, polling might be split. Many would answer “drought” and a third common reply might be “wildfire.” The National Park Service defines wildfires as “an unplanned fire caused by lightning or other natural causes, by accidental (or arson-caused) human ignitions, or by an escaped prescribed fire.” While they are known for destroying land and property, wildfire injuries and deaths are a real danger. When a California wildfire is started by a person, intentionally or due to negligence, our Sonoma fire injury attorney is prepared to advocate for the injured or surviving relatives of individuals who died because of a wildfire sparked by another individual.

Three Fires Burn in Sonoma, Two Tied to Suspected Human Causes

On Tuesday alone, Sonoma County and North Bay fire departments were battling three wildfires including one tied to a local beekeeper and one currently being linked to a vehicle fire. The Press Democrat reports that a grass fire south of Sebastopol was accidentally sparked by a beekeeper employing a smoker pot to calm his hives. Approximately two acres burned in the blaze and an old barn was destroyed. Although high temperatures and windy conditions complicated all three fires, a large team including nine engine companies and 45 firefighters gained control of the Sebastopol blaze and limited the spread.

Suing over Hot Coffee: What’s Really at Stake?

May 21, 2015 | Gregory J. Brod

Over the last few decades, the media has reported on a variety of lawsuits that it deems frivolous. These so-called frivolous lawsuits are often portrayed as being brought by plaintiffs who are just looking to make a quick buck. Few articles or news stories have gone into the details of these cases, but instead focus on the aspects that, at first, might make the lawsuit seem unfounded.

Recently, for a second time, a lawsuit over hot coffee has gained media attention. In both cases, plaintiffs filed suit based on burn injuries resulting from spills of the coffee. But are these cases really about simple coffee spills? Is there more at issue?

The McDonald’s Case: The Original Hot Coffee Case

Oakland Apartment Fire Attorney on Civilian Deaths in Residential Fires

March 24, 2015 | Gregory J. Brod

Many of us have sat before a burning fire and marveled at its intricacy and beauty. While fire can be fascinating, it remains one of the most powerful and dangerous forces known to man. As described below, residential fires pose a greater threat to human lives than any other type of fires. When an apartment fire death results from a blaze caused by the negligent or wrongful acts (or failure to act) of a property owner/landlord, a wrongful death suit may be appropriate. Our Oakland apartment fire attorney works with grieving families to help them recover following these terrible tragedies.

West Oakland Fire Claims Two Lives

Early Saturday morning, a fire in a West Oakland apartment building claimed two lives. As reported in the San Francisco Chronicle, the Oakland Fire Department was called to the 600 block of 24th Street at around 3 A.M. and found smoke emanating from a two-story brick building. The property involved had been an armory before being split into two apartment buildings, one on 24th and one on 23rd. Flames spread from a unit in one building to apartments in the other.

San Francisco Injury Attorney Examines Legal Standards for Emergency Vehicle Crashes

March 18, 2015 | Gregory J. Brod

Last week, we discussed the danger of fire trucks colliding with other vehicles. This post picks up where that one left off, looking at the California law on emergency vehicle crashes. In this entry, which encompasses all emergency departments (i.e. not just fire), our Northern California emergency vehicle crash lawyer focuses on crashes where an emergency official driving a department vehicle is at fault and a civilian is injured or killed.

A General Rule of Liability

Several provisions in California’s statutory law address emergency vehicle crashes. The most general provision, Vehicle Code Sec 17001, provides that a public agency is liable for death, injury, or property damage caused by the negligence or wrongful act/omission of an agency employee who is operating a motor vehicle in his/her official capacity. While this general rule makes agencies liable for accidents caused by an employee’s negligent or wrongful driving, the provisions that follow chip away at this liability.

The Danger of Fire Truck Crashes and Other Emergency Vehicle Accidents

March 10, 2015 | Gregory J. Brod

Serving as legal counsel in personal injury cases means our team knows that first responders save lives. We are incredibly grateful for the commitment emergency personnel make to San Francisco and its people. We are humbled by their bravery. Emergency personnel are indeed superheroes, but they are also human. Fire truck accidents and other accidents involving, and sometimes caused by, emergency vehicles are a reality. Both during emergencies and in non-emergency situations, drivers of police cruisers, fire trucks, and other emergency vehicles must never forget they are still drivers and that driving carries responsibilities whether you are a superhero or a civilian. People injured by these vehicles deserve the protections afforded to all accident victims. Our San Francisco emergency vehicle crash lawyer knows these are complex cases that are far too common and we help victims recover due compensation.

San Francisco Fire Truck Collides With Bicycle Rider Sadly, the notion of emergency vehicle accidents became a terrifying reality for one bicyclist over the weekend. As reported by the San Francisco Chronicle, a fire truck was returning to the station and headed southbound on Mason Street in the Tenderloin at approximately 2:15 Saturday morning. The fire truck collided with an unnamed bicycle rider at the signaled intersection with Turk Street, mere yards away from Market Street. The truck did not have either its emergency lights or its flashers activated.

The accident left the rider, a man in his 30s, with serious head injuries. He remained hospitalized as of the Sunday afternoon report. No fire personnel were injured in the collision. The fire truck operator tested negative for drugs and alcohol. Officials do not yet know who was a fault, but a police investigation is ongoing. Police are expected to examine security footage from area businesses, most of which were closed at the time of the crash.

San Francisco Apartment Rental Fires & The Law

February 24, 2015 | Gregory J. Brod

There are few images as peaceful and serene as a cozy room adorned with oversized chairs and handmade blankets, all set before a blazing fire. Fire can be beautiful and functional; fire can also be destructive, frightening, and even deadly. Fire can leave families facing injuries and financial losses. Fire can also leave people with countless questions. In the case of a San Francisco apartment fire, Northern California tenant’s lawyer Greg Brod can help renters get answers while protecting their legal rights and recovering any due compensation.

Fire Displaces Church Street Residents On Saturday afternoon, a team of San Francisco firefighters responded to a blaze at 301 Church Street, near the intersection with 15th Street. The San Francisco Chronicle reports that the initial call came in at 4:11 P.M., alerting the Fire Department to a fire burning between two buildings. Fire officials had the flames under control at 5:23 P.M., but not before the blaze grew to a three-alarm size and caused substantial damage to both apartment buildings. Luckily no one was injured (fire officials did rescue and provide oxygen to a pet cat), but an unknown number of residents were displaced by the firm. The upper levels of the two burned buildings appear to be severely damaged and uninhabitable while a third building seems to have incurred smoke damage.

An Overview of S.F. Renters’ Rights Following a Fire An overview of tenant’s rights after a fire under California and San Francisco laws/regulations can be found in a Home Guide: Tenants’ Rights After a Fire by the San Francisco Chronicle and also in the “In Case of Fire” section of a resource page produced by the Housing Rights Committee. As with many housing issues, much of the rights afforded to tenants after a fire stem from the implied warranty of habitability. Pursuant to that warranty, landlords must repair a damaged property as soon as possible. In general, the landlord is not responsible for the tenant’s personal property (renter’s insurance will usually apply). However, the tenant may have a claim if he can show that the fire was caused by the landlord’s negligence.

Fire Injury and California Landlord/Tenant Law

February 6, 2015 | Gregory J. Brod

We learn about fire safety from a young age, but it is knowledge none of us ever expect to need. Imagine how frightening it would be to face a significant fire in your home. Imagine how much that fear would escalate if safety devices malfunctioned, leaving you trapped by a fire that grew while a smoke alarm stayed silent or unable to escape because a fire exit was blocked or otherwise inaccessible. This scenario is all too real and far too common. Our San Francisco tenant’s fire injury attorney helps when rental unit fires stem from a landlord’s failure to maintain a safe living environment.

Mission District Apartment Fire Kills One and Injures Six

Fire fears became a reality for residents of one Mission District building last week. According to the San Francisco Chronicle, a fire broke out at a three-story multi-use building at 22nd and Mission around 6:45 PM on January 29. The four-alarm blaze killed one resident and injured six people, including a firefighter. It left 54 people homeless and also caused damage to retail and office spaces. Investigators have yet to pinpoint a cause, although the building’s owner suggested a faulty microwave sparked the fire.

Holiday Decorating Safety

December 23, 2014 | Gregory J. Brod

It is a season of magic and happiness. It is a time for family. It is a time for memories, recalling holidays past and making memories to last a lifetime (or even longer as stories are told to the next generation). It is a special time, whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukah, Winter Solstice, or simply enjoy a cup of hot cocoa. Sadly, the same decorations that help make the season special can turn a happy scene into a tragic one. In this post, we look at the risk of holiday decorating injuries with the goal of helping readers stay safe this holiday season and ensuring your memories are of family and friends not paramedics and emergency room personnel (though we cannot thank these everyday heroes enough for their work, especially when they sacrifice time with their families to protect all of ours).

Holiday Decorating Injuries on the Rise

According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (“CPSC”), between November and December 2012 approximately 15,000 people ended up in the emergency room because of injuries linked to holiday decorations. The number has steadily increased since 2009 when the figure was 12,000. Put another way, there are currently somewhere around 250 injuries each day during the holiday season with falls, lacerations and back strains topping the list. Another holiday danger is fire with 200 fires per year between 2009 and 2011 originating with the Christmas tree, incidents that left 10 people dead, 20 injured, and caused $16 million in property damage. Candles were another common fire culprit, leading to 70 deaths, 680 injuries, and claiming $308 million in property from 2009 to 2011.