San Francisco Injury Lawyer Blog

San Francisco Toxic Torts Attorney on Recent California Supreme Court Decision

July 4, 2016 | Gregory J. Brod

Every day, industrial workers in San Francisco and throughout California are exposed to a number of toxic and hazardous materials. Oftentimes, the cumulative exposure over many years of work cause workers to develop serious illnesses, and in some cases lead to death. Personal injury lawsuits designed to compensate injured workers—sometimes called “toxic torts”—can take many years to work their way through the courts.

Foundry Worker Suffering From Lung Disease Allowed to Sue Metal Parts Manufacturers

Recently the California Supreme Court reinstated a toxic tort case that has been pending for nearly six years. The plaintiff worked for nearly 37 years as a mold maker and machine operator for a metal foundry. As a result of exposure to toxic chemicals at the foundry, the plaintiff said that he developed interstitial pulmonary fibrosis, a serious respiratory disease that results in scar tissue forming on the lungs.

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.

Northern California Child Injury Lawyer Examines Furniture Tip-Over Accidents Amid Major Recall

June 29, 2016 | Gregory J. Brod

Being a parent is hard work. There is no greater responsibility and no greater joy. As the parents on our team know firsthand, most parents try their very best to keep our children safe. Still, we are all too aware of the fact that tragedies happen. Falling furniture remains a source of far too many child injuries and child deaths. We can all help prevent tip-over accidents, but we should also be able to trust that the products we bring into our homes are reasonably safe. When a dangerous product leaves a child injured or claims a child’s life, our San Francisco child injury law firm can help the family get recover compensation and help to prevent future tragedies from occurring.

IKEA Recalls Furniture Blamed for Six Child Deaths Due to Tip-Over Concerns

As reported this week by SFGate.com and the Associated Press, Ikea is recalling 29 million pieces of furniture in the wake of six reported child deaths linked to toppling units. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (“CPSC”), all six deaths involved children aged three years or younger. One of the deaths occurred some 27 years ago, but the other five occurred between 2002 and 2016. Additionally, the CPSC reports it has received 36 reports on child injuries linked to the furniture.

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.

Motorcycle Crashes: Northern California Motorcycle Crash Lawyer Looks at the Age of Crash Victims

June 22, 2016 | Gregory J. Brod

Whether it is the feeling of the wind passing by, the improved gas mileage and ease of commuting, or the camaraderie among riders, motorcyclists are passionate about life on two wheels. From teen motorcycle riders to riders in their senior years, the Brod Law Firm supports the right of motorcycle riders of all ages to enjoy their passion and be safe while doing so. We also know that drivers must work to protect the safety of everyone on the road, no matter how many wheels on their vehicle of choice. Our Sonoma motorcycle injury lawyer is honored to advocate on behalf of motorcycle riders injured or killed by negligent drivers in Northern California.

Teens Injured in Northern California Motorcycle Crash

The families of two teens know all too well the damage a driver can do to a motorcycle in a crash. On Sunday, according to a report in the Press Democrat, two 15-year-old boys were injured in a motorcycle crash in Clearlake. Police believe that a man in a pickup truck followed behind a car as it crossed a double yellow line and attempted to pass the motorcycle carrying the teens. When the motorcycle attempted to turn left onto 33^rd Avenue, the truck slammed into the bike and both boys were thrown off the motorcycle. The motorcycle passenger incurred major injuries and was taken to a hospital via helicopter. The motorcycle’s driver suffered moderate injuries and was taken to St. Helena Hospital for treatment.

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.

Northern California Vehicle Defect Lawyer on the Danger of Recalled Rental Cars

June 17, 2016 | Gregory J. Brod

It seems like every few weeks we hear about a new vehicle recall. In some ways, our San Francisco vehicle defect lawyer sees this as a good thing because it suggests vigilance on behalf of those issuing and performing recalls. In other ways, it is distressing because it means unsafe vehicles are making it to the market and on to our nation’s roads. When a recall is issued, car owners typically receive a notice in the mail and may also hear about the recall in the media and recognize that it impacts their vehicle. A question has lingered, however — What happens to recalled rental cars?

NHTSA Announces New Law Addressing Recalls and Rental Cars

This month, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (“NHTSA”) issued an important policy announcement involving recalls and rental cars. Effective June 1, rental car agencies are required by law to remedy any and all open safety defects before renting a vehicle to a consumer. This law applies to any company or dealer with more than 35 vehicles in its fleet and makes it illegal for those organizations to rent out an unrepaired recalled vehicle. Additionally, the law gives the NHTSA the power to investigate and punish those who violate this new rule.

Observing World Elder Abuse Awareness Day & Fighting Back with Information and Support

June 15, 2016 | Gregory J. Brod

The calendar is filled with days we love celebrating including New Year’s Day, Independence Day, and Thanksgiving Day to name just a few. There are other days that are vitally important, but that we wish there wasn’t any need to mark. June 15, World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, is one such day. It is a day to remember the victims of an ever-increasing, worldwide epidemic of elder abuse. It is not a happy day, but it is one that is important to remember because our San Francisco elder abuse law firm knows that awareness is a key part of fighting this terrible wrong.

June 15 — World Elder Abuse Awareness Day

According to the Administration on Aging’s National Council on Elder Abuse (“NCEA”), World Elder Abuse Day (“WEAAD”) was launched ten years ago by the World Health Organization at the United Nations. WEADD is intended as an opportunity for communities across to globe to work together to advance a better understanding of the problems of abuse and neglect facing older individuals. According to the NCEA, some 5 million older Americans are victimized each year by some form of abuse, neglect, or exploitation. This number is likely a gross underestimate; experts believe that for every case that is reported, up to 23 go unreported.

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.