San Francisco Injury Lawyer Blog

Avoid Elder Abuse by Carefully Choosing a Nursing Home

January 16, 2017 | Gregory J. Brod

There may come a time when you need to admit a loved one into a nursing home. Despite your care and commitment to your spouse, parent, or other family member, you may not have the skill, experience, or time necessary to truly take care of them. When a nursing home becomes a necessity, you want to make sure that you choose the best facility possible. By doing your homework and taking the time to shop around, you may be able to avoid having your loved one become a victim of elder abuse. Unfortunately, elder neglect and abuse is common across the state. It can greatly reduce your family member’s quality of life, lead to additional serious medical conditions, and directly cause their death. To find a quality facility in California, follow these steps:

Check the Facility’s State License

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) Licensing and Certification program is responsible for ensuring that nursing home facilities in the state comply with all state laws. You can look up licensed facilities online. The CDPH provides information on the facilities ownership, certifications, performance, complaints, and any state action taken against it. If a facility does not appear on the site, it may not be licensed by the state and should be avoided.

What is the Implied Warranty of Habitability I Keep Hearing About?

January 14, 2017 | Gregory J. Brod

As a renter in the San Francisco Bay Area, you have probably heard the term “implied warranty of habitability” thrown around by friends, neighbors, and even lawyers on TV. However, without a thorough understanding of what this means, you are not truly able to protect your tenant rights and hold your landlord responsible. Instead of ignoring or half understanding legal jargon, take an in-depth look at this concept and what it means for you:

Defining a Warranty

Warranty is a legal term for a promise or guarantee. All contracts, including residential leases, are essentially made up of warranties. When you sign a written lease or agree to an oral lease, both you and the landlord make express and implied warranties. Your landlord guarantees that he or she will perform certain actions, such as provide you keys to the apartment and make repairs when needed. You promise that you will pay rent in the agreed upon amount at the agreed upon time in exchange.

Is the Nursing Home Properly Managing Your Parent’s Diabetes?

January 13, 2017 | Gregory J. Brod

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 21 million individuals in the U.S. have been diagnosed with diabetes and another 8.1 million go undiagnosed. A small percentage of these individuals have Type 1 diabetes, while the more significant portion of Americans have Type 2 diabetes brought on by obesity and other lifestyle factors. Considering the proportion of Americans with diabetes, it is no surprise that many elderly individuals in nursing homes need their diabetes properly maintained to avoid injury. Undiagnosed or improperly treated diabetes can lead to devastating consequences, including death. If you believe nursing home staff over- or under-treated your parent’s diabetes causing an injury, contact a San Francisco nursing home neglect attorney at Brod Law Firm today. Your parent’s situation may be protected by California’s elder abuse and personal injury laws.

Avoiding Hypoglycemia

For elderly individuals, particularly those with diabetes, it is crucial to avoid hypoglycemia, which is when a person has detrimentally low blood sugar. A normal blood sugar level ranges from 70 to 110 milligrams per deciliter. A diabetic patient’s goal depends on a number of factors and should be set and monitored by a physician. Hypoglycemia can occur when patients are administered too much insulin or another drug that lowers blood glucose levels.

Cuisinart Food Processor Defect Could Lead to Product Liability Lawsuits

January 11, 2017 | Gregory J. Brod

You likely use metal kitchen utensils all the time. You would hardly think twice of using a metal knife. In the same way, it is entirely normal that a blender or food processor has metal blades. You use metal implements to cook and bake because you expect the material to be strong, sharp, and resist wear and tear. However, as a Cuisinart product proved, you can encounter kitchen tools made with inferior metal parts that lead to dangerous situations and injuries. Conair recently recalled approximately 8 million Cuisinart food processors because of reports that pieces of the blades were breaking off into food. Conair received 69 reports of broken blades, 30 of which included information about tooth injuries and lacerations inside the mouth, the Consumer Product Safety Commission reported.

If you have been injured due to a defective productive like the Cuisinart food processor, you should speak with an attorney about bringing a product liability claim in court. California product liability law is complex, and it is best to have an experienced lawyer on your side if you need to recover compensation.

Understanding Product Liability Claims

Car Crashes into Bus Stand, 10 People Injured

January 8, 2017 | Gregory J. Brod

A vehicle crashed into a Muni bus stand, injuring 10 people, several of them critically. The accident occurred on Stockton Street in Chinatown. The crash is under investigation. According to reports, the crash happened when a driver lost control of her vehicle. First, the car hit a parked vehicle and a moving car before careening into the bus stop enclosure. The crash happened on December 22, 2016.

Injuries Due to the Crash

Many people suffered serious injuries as a result of the accident. Reportedly, injuries included broken bones, head and neck injuries, and back injuries. An elderly woman suffered fractures to her pelvis, ribs, and leg. Most victims are expected to make a full recovery, but several were initially listed in critical condition with life-threatening injuries.

Google Charter Bus Struck and Killed Woman in Saratoga

January 6, 2017 | Gregory J. Brod

A Google charter bus traveling in Saratoga struck and killed a woman last week. The woman was walking to a bus stop when the bus reportedly turned the corner and hit her. The accident occurred at the corner of Fruitvale Avenue and Athletics Way on the campus of West Valley College in Saratoga. The bus is owned by Storer Coachways and is used to transport employees to and from the parking lots at the community college.

Weather Conditions May Have Played a Role

An investigation into the cause of the accident is ongoing. However, initial reports indicate that there were strong winds and heavy rain at the time of the accident, which happened at 5:15 PM on January 3, 2017. The woman was taken to a nearby hospital where she was pronounced dead. The bus company issues a statement of condolence to the woman’s family. It is not known whether the woman was in the crosswalk at the time of the accident.

Dangerous Furniture Continues to Cause Injuries to Children

January 4, 2017 | Gregory J. Brod

A furniture warning and recall from IKEA has prompted many people to take steps to make their dressers safer. Dressers, and other large pieces of furniture pose a serious danger to young children. Children may climb on the furniture, causing it to fall onto them. IKEA furniture has injured or killed some children. Although any furniture is capable of falling, IKEA has taken steps to make their furniture less hazardous. As recently as this week, parents have reported toppling furniture that has fallen onto toddlers.

What Causes Furniture to Fall?

Dressers and similar pieces of furniture are naturally top heavy. While the drawers are closed there is generally no danger. However, when the drawers are open, it can cause the dresser to have more weight in the front, causing it to fall over. Young children have been found to open drawers in order to climb on the dressers. When a child opens a drawer and puts his weight on it, the dresser is unable to remain steady, and can topple forward, directly onto the child.

San Francisco Ranks in Top Ten Cities for Most Bedbugs

January 2, 2017 | Gregory J. Brod

Bedbugs are an unpleasant sign of dirt and disease and cause for concern among apartment dwellers and others. A recent report was released ranking the top 50 cities in the United States according to bedbug infestation. The San Francisco and the Oakland areas ranked number 10 for the most bedbugs in the country. The annual report was just released by Orkin, a leader in the pest control industry.

Bedbugs are Still a Major Concern

According to Orkin, bedbugs continue to be a serious concern. In fact, there are more bedbugs now than ever before. Bedbugs have become common, especially in apartment buildings, hotels, and similar spaces. Bedbugs were relatively unheard of just ten years ago, yet today they are a reason why some residences are inhabitable.

Is Your Landlord Harassing You?

January 1, 2017 | Gregory J. Brod

Has your landlord been harassing you or bothering you for no good reason? Harassment can make your life miserable, and may cause you a lot of unnecessary stress and anxiety. In San Francisco, as in other places, landlords are not allowed to bother their tenants. Laws prevent landlords from taking unreasonable actions against their tenants. A landlord can not simply try to force you to leave without proper reason.

Landlord Cannot Act in Bad Faith

The landlord cannot act in bad faith. There are a number of acts that may be considered bad faith. For example, threatening a tenant with harm, trying to get a tenant to leave through intimidation, or interfering in a tenant’s privacy are all considered actions of bad faith. The law requires that a landlord evict tenants only if they have a legitimate reason for doing so.

Protect Your Rights After a Car Accident

December 30, 2016 | Gregory J. Brod

A serious vehicle accident can be one of the most traumatic experiences of your life. First and foremost, you need to call the police and get medical care. If you were severely injured you need to get treatment. Provide the police with an account of what occurred. The officer will interview the other driver, along with any witnesses. The cause of the accident will need to be determined, and the negligent party held responsible. It is important to protect your rights after a car accident.

Steps to Follow After an Accident

Your safety is essential after an accident occurs. Immediately contact the police. If it is safe to do so, take a picture of the vehicles in their positions at the time of impact. Safely move your car to the shoulder or into a parking lot or side street, if your vehicle is drivable. Wait for the police. Get the other driver’s information, including his or her name, address, phone number, and insurance information. Do not apologize for the accident and do not admit guilt.