San Francisco Injury Lawyer Blog

Escalator Accidents: Frequency, Details, Fault & Compensation

July 14, 2015 | Gregory J. Brod

Picture an escalator. Some people stand still, others power-walk. Parents hold children’s hands. Some people barely break stride as they board, others hesitate and wait for just the right moment. Typically, the biggest concern is an out-of-service flight that turns would-be-riders into climbers. However, as we were reminded this week, escalator accidents are a very real danger and can have life-altering or even life-ending consequences. When people are injured or killed due to an escalator accident in Northern California, our San Francisco injury lawyer is prepared to fight for their legal rights and the compensation they deserve.

Escalator Abruptly Stops Causing Stumble and Minor Injuries

At the time of this writing, few details had emerged about a Sunday afternoon escalator accident at the Powell BART station. ABC7 reports that a man fell backwards into four women when an escalator stopped abruptly between the platform and the concourse. Four people received treatment for minor injuries.

Tubing Accidents and a Tragic Drowning at Lake Sonoma

July 10, 2015 | Gregory J. Brod

The remnants of a picnic lunch sit on a blanket. Mom shades her eyes as Junior calls out for her to watch. Dad fires up the boat pulling Junior along in an inner tube. He picks up speed and they all laugh as Junior struggles to hang on. Most likely the day will be remembered for laughs and fun; sunburn and perhaps a bruise or two are all the family fears. Sadly, tubing accidents can turn this seemingly idyllic summer scene tragic in mere moments. As we look at the threat, the hearts of our Sonoma County drowning injury lawyer and legal team go out to a grieving family that will never look at a day on the lake the same again.

Holiday Turns Tragic with Lake Sonoma Drowning

On Monday, the Santa Rosa Press Democrat reported that a dive team had recovered the body of a 14 year-old San Francisco boy who had been missing since July 4^th. According to reports, the boy and his younger cousin had been playing on inflatable toys during a Lake Sonoma gathering when they drifted further than they intended. After persuading 13 year-old aboard a personal watercraft to tow them to shore, the boys lost their grip on the rope and slipped into the water. Neither boy could swim; neither was wearing a life jacket. The survivor reports he initially panicked and held onto his cousin, but the pair separated. The younger boy made it to shore. His cousin never followed.

Examining the Numbers Following Fatal Motorcycle Crash in Milpitas

July 8, 2015 | Gregory J. Brod

Motorcycle riders are passionate about their love for two wheels. Some cite the power and beauty of the machines themselves, some cite riding as a lower cost alternative to driving, others like feeling in touch with the road and the world around them. For most, it is probably all the above. Motorcycle riders deserve to be safe, but motorcycle fatalities and serious rider injuries are far too common. Our Oakland motorcycle injury law firm is committed to advocating for riders and their loved ones when motorcycle crashes are caused by negligent, inattentive drivers.

Motorcycle Rider Killed in Hit-and-Run

Over the weekend, as KTVU reports, a motorcycle rider died in a hit-and-run collision on interstate Highway 880 in Milpitas. The rider has been identified as 29 year-old Maka Langi of East Palo Alto. At approximately 9:15 P.M. on Saturday, callers alerted California Highway Patrol officers to a motorcyclist down. A passing motorist pulled the wrecked cycle off the road. Milpitas fire crews were the first on scene but they were too late to help Langi.

Sports Injury Attorney Looks at Soccer Injuries

July 7, 2015 | Gregory J. Brod

Like many of you, we enjoyed cheering Team USA to victory in the women’s World Cup on Sunday. Soccer is the world’s most popular sport and the win will only add to the growing number of Americans playing and watching the game. Of course, along with an increase in popularity comes an increase in soccer injuries. Although most sports injuries are unfortunate accidents, sometimes, especially where children are involved, our San Francisco sports injury lawyer believes a civil lawsuit against those whose actions led to a preventable injury is appropriate. Sports injury lawsuits compensate the injured and protect the health of all players.

Pro Golfer Injures Ankle Playing Soccer

A reminder of the reality of soccer injuries came from an unexpected source on Monday – pro-golf. As the San Francisco Chronicle reported, Irish golfer Rory McIlroy ruptured an ankle ligament while playing soccer with friends. McIlroy is currently ranked as the top golfer in the world, but it is unclear if he will be able to defend his British Open title next week (he’s one of two favorites). McIlroy shared a photo of himself wearing an air cast and using crutches and told reporters that he was taking it day by day and had begun a rehabilitation program. The left ankle is important in golf since right-handed players build swing strength by shifting weight from left to right.

Empowerment and Prevention: Twin Goals in Civil Cases Following On-Campus Sexual Assault

July 3, 2015 | Gregory J. Brod

Memories of one’s college years should be marked by exciting learning opportunities, deep friendships, and the occasional all-night study session. Tragically, far too many young people are finding their memories of their college years darkened by on-campus sexual assault and/or rape. This growing threat must be stopped. Our San Francisco sexual assault attorney believes that civil lawsuits against universities can provide recourse of victims and can also spark changes that will keep students safe at school.

Women File Suit Against Berkeley Alleging Inadequate Response to Sexual Assault Claims

This week, as detailed in the Santa Rosa Press Democrat, three current and former students filed a civil suit against the University of California, Berkeley alleging the administration failed to respond appropriately to their sexual assault claims. The women allege the school did not conduct appropriate investigations, failed to keep them informed throughout the process, and did not sufficiently punish the perpetrators. The trio say they want to force UC Berkeley to create stronger policies and procedures for handling sexual assault claims and want harsher punishments for assailants. They also seek monetary damages.

The Mental and Emotional Toll of Bed Bugs

July 1, 2015 | Gregory J. Brod

Think about a paper cut caused by a thin edge, a shaving nick caused by the smallest imperfection in a blade, or a bite from a mosquito you barely see that may carry deadly diseases. These injuries prove that the neither the size of the wound nor the size of the culprit determines the impact. As a bed bug law firm in Oakland, San Francisco, and Santa Rosa, we have worked closely with the victims of bed bug infestations and know just how much these tiny creatures (despite not being linked to the spread of any diseases) can impact your life.

Study Points to Psychological Toll of Bed Bug Infestations

Last October, The Atlantic reported on the effects of a bed bug infestation. The story opens by sharing the writer’s experiences coping with the pests. She jokes about “bed bug PTSD” and then turns to actual research studies suggesting bed bugs leave people anxious, depressed, and paranoid.

The Threat of Injuries and Deaths in the Aftermath of a Minor Fender-Bender

June 30, 2015 | Gregory J. Brod

You’re in a car accident. It’s relatively minor, but this certainly you are still shaken, upset, and angry. You take a deep breath and try to be thankful that no one was injured. That, however, can change in an instant. In today’s blog post, our San Francisco car accident lawyer looks at serious car crashes that follow on the heels of more minor accidents and reminds readers to keep safety in mind during the confusing moments after a crash.

Milpitas Fender-Bender Leads to Fatal I-80 Collision

Late Sunday night, a man was killed when he was hit by a car while checking on the damage from a minor crash that occurred only minutes before. According to the Milpitas Post, a 36 year-old South San Francisco man was driving a Toyota Prius along northbound Interstate 880 when he rear-ended a Mercedes vehicle. Officers believe the man exited his car to check on the other driver whose vehicle was disabled in a travel lane. After confirming she was okay, he returned to his car and stood in its doorway. A blue Toyota Matrix sedan approached in the same lane as the disabled Mercedes. Swerving to avoid the disabled vehicle, the Matrix hit and killed the Prius driver. Police are still investigating but say they do not expect to make an arrest.

San Francisco-Oakland Bridge Accident Lawyer on Continued Concerns About the Safety of the Bay Bridge

June 26, 2015 | Gregory J. Brod

While the Golden Gate Bridge is the traditional symbol of our town, we think that other spans are no less beautiful. Reopened in 2013 following reconstruction, a project that faced years of delays and ultimately cost five times initial estimates, the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge is a gorgeous piece of engineering. However, given continuing Bay Bridge safety concerns, our San Francisco bridge accident law firm is left wondering whether the bridge will ultimately be recalled as beautiful but tragic.

Cracks Found in Rods Used in Bay Bridge Foundation

As reported on SFGate.com, this week Caltrans formally acknowledged that tiny cracks found on rods used to secure the foundation of the Bay Bridge’s new tower may threaten to more than 400 other fasteners, particularly in an earthquake. Caltrans chief engineer for the bridge project, Brian Mahoney, added: “As an engineer, if I have these microcracks I have to assume they exist in every rod.”

Building Defects and Design Defects: Key Forms of Construction Defect Injury Claims in California

June 24, 2015 | Gregory J. Brod

As we learn more details about last week’s tragic balcony collapse in downtown Berkeley, we are reminded how often we rely on the assumption that the buildings in which we live, work, and play are sound. When this proves not to be the case, injuries and fatalities often follow. In addition to premises liability claims against property owners (discussed in last week’s blog post, linked below), these tragedies can give rise to claims against those who built the faulty structure. Today’s blog post from our San Francisco construction defect injury law firm looks at this subset of civil injury litigation.

Waterproofing Problems Eyed in Deadly Balcony Collapse

According to the San Francisco Chronicle, the investigation in the balcony collapse appears to be focusing on the company responsible for waterproofing the structure. The paper says Berkeley Mayor Tom Bates has suggested that, while the investigation is still underway, there is a “high probability” that water caused the wood supporting the fourth-floor balcony to weaken. The article also cites experts who have examined photographs of the damage and identified signs of moisture-related rot. Further, these experts suggest the photos show damage to the waterproof membrane intended to protect the wood supports, damage the experts believe dates back to the balcony’s construction that may have allowed moisture to invade the structure and rot the beam.

A California Law Firm Helping the Victims of the Hit-and-Run Epidemic

June 23, 2015 | Gregory J. Brod

At its core, the justice system is about holding people accountable for their actions. In the personal injury/wrongful death arena, this means making at-fault drivers (and/or other wrongdoers) face their actions and the results thereof. Hit-and-run drivers are a prime example of individuals who have committed an egregious wrong. Our Oakland hit-and-run injury attorney works with professionals to find these offenders (notably, legal teams often locate people the police cannot find) and then uses the justice system to ensure they face their actions. We cannot make the perpetrators of hit-and-run accidents feel remorse, but we can make them face the consequences of their actions and compensate those they hurt.

Hit-and-Run Accident Kill San Leandro Pedestrian

Last week, a hit-and-run driver cut short the life of 26 year old Madeline Moore of San Leandro. As reported by the Oakland Tribune, Moore was crossing at the intersection of Hesperian Boulevard and Thornally Drive at around 9 A.M. on Monday when she was hit by a black Toyota T-100 pickup truck. She succumbed to her injuries that afternoon.