San Francisco Injury Lawyer Blog

Trial Opens In Suit Against Paint Manufacturers, Cities Seek Removal of Lead Paint From 5 Million Homes

July 17, 2013 | Gregory J. Brod

One of the hallmarks of our times is a commitment to and concern about the safety of both indoor and outdoor environments. We worry about car exhaust causing respiratory illness and the danger of BPA leaching into our drinking water. One threat that many think is largely in the past is lead contamination. However, our Oakland lead contamination lawyer knows that lead poisoning remains a public health issue and that people are still falling ill due to lead paint in older California homes.

An Overview of the Lead Paint Lawsuit

This week, the Oakland Tribune released a report examining a lawsuit brought by ten California cities (including San Francisco county and the city of Oakland) against paint manufacturers (including Sherwin-Williams and Atlantic Richfield). It is a fight that dates back 13 years, a billion-dollar battle about the role of the paint industry in covering the state’s residential landscape with lead paint.

Van Collides with Metro Train During Illegal Left Turn

July 15, 2013 | Gregory J. Brod

The light rail trains run by the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) efficiently transports riders throughout the city with lines mainly starting in the downtown area, extending to the Castro, Mission, and Sunset districts. They act as alternatives through these heavily populated and popular San Francisco districts to the regular MUNI buses. With the introduction of the CLIPPER card payment system, riders are able to get on the light rail trains using any door to pay for their ride, instead of bottlenecking the train by only entering through the front, where drivers are located.

These light rail trains, also referred to as metro trains, travel at an average 9.6 mph and have their own train tracks on regular roads as to help fight off traffic. These trains, while a great method of transportation, have also seen its fair share of accidents, from those caused by errant automobile drivers, to those involving bicyclists, and even an incident where a metro train rear-ended another train. Due to the size, force, and overall might of these trains, these accidents have led to a good number of serious injuries, and even death.

On Saturday, July 13, 2013, an accident involving a metro T-train and a van fortunately only resulted in minor injuries. It occurred just shortly before 1:00 p.m. in the Bayview District. The van and light rail train were travelling parallel to one another along Third Street when the van attempted an illegal left turn onto Evans Avenue right in front of the train. The vehicles collided and there are a reported total of 19 injured. Most were sent to San Francisco General Hospital. Of the 19, eleven are receiving treatment for minor injuries and eight people have suffered from moderate injuries. A witness stated that she saw the van veer to the right and knock down a light pole, effectively shorting the overhead line that electrifies the train. The pole fell and shattered a window on the train.

Statistics and Law in Northern California Ejection Accidents

July 15, 2013 | Gregory J. Brod

One of the first and most important parts of working with a new client in our injury law firm is listening to the client’s story. We recognize that this can be difficult and that telling the story often means reliving some of the most terrifying moments in the individual’s life. In other cases, telling the story means relating (and imagining) the final moments of a loved one’s life. Some of the scariest car accident stories we hear involve crashes where one or more of a vehicle’s occupants is ejected from the automobile. Ejection accidents are always serious and often fatal. Our San Francisco ejection accident law firm is committed to representing the victims of these crashes. This includes helping our client win money for the pain and suffering caused by these terrifying collisions whether the client is the injured victim or a loved one imagining the final moments of a deceased relative.

Vacaville Accident Leaves One Dead, One Seriously Injured

In the early morning hours of Saturday July 13, as reported by the San Francisco Chronicle, an accident claimed a life in Vacaville, a city is located on I-80 between Sacramento and San Francisco. According to Officer James Evans of the California Highway Patrol, the accident occurred shortly before 5 A.M. at the intersection of Foothill Drive and Pleasants Valley Road. Responding officers found an overturned 1994 Chevy Camaro with one person trapped inside and another partially ejected from the vehicles. Evans noted that one victim was pronounced dead at the scene while the other, he did not know which, was transported to UC Davis Medical Center with major injuries.

Synthetic Drugs and the Danger of Drugged Driving

July 12, 2013 | Gregory J. Brod

We’ve all heard the message that drinking and driving don’t mix. Intense education campaigns have taught people that driving while drunk threatens the safety of the driver and everyone else who has the misfortune of travelling on the same road at the same time. However, while they know about the danger of drunk driving, people often fail to identify the broader threat of “driving under the influence,” a threat that also includes driving under the influence of drugs. Drugged driving can involve legal or illegal substances. It also includes the category of synthetic drugs, a growing concern to our Sacramento DUI injury law firm.

Understanding Synthetic Drugs

Synthetic drugs, as discussed by the White House’s Office of National Drug Control Policy, are often sold in stores with labels often read “not for human consumption,” a falsehood that masks their intended use and allows the substances to avoid FDA regulation. Examples of synthetic drugs include synthetic marijuana, plant materials that are laced with chemicals that mimic THC which is the active ingredient in marijuana (also known as “Spice” or “K2”), and “bath salts,” which contain manmade chemicals akin to amphetamines. A 2011 study revealed that 11.4% of high school seniors had used synthetic marijuana in the past year, making it the second most commonly used illicit substance for the age group. Public health officials note that the adverse health effects of synthetic drugs can include hallucinations, paranoia, violent behavior, agitation, elevated blood pressure, high pulse rate, and seizures.

When Fireworks Turn Tragic: Defective Products Law and Other Protections for Fireworks Victims

July 10, 2013 | Gregory J. Brod

In advance of the recent Independence Day holiday, we noted some of the particular dangers associated with the celebration and with summer gatherings in general, a post intended to help ensure happy holiday memories. Sadly, we’ve learned that fireworks malfunctions at two community events have left many with injuries and memories more akin to nightmares than joy. Our San Francisco injury law firm knows that no lawsuit can erase such an experience, but a successful claim can help victims of fireworks injuries recover compensation following such a terrifying ordeal.

Defective Fireworks Eyed as Two California Displays Turn Tragic, 39 Report Injuries

According to The San Francisco Chronicle, fireworks malfunctions occurred at two different shows put on by Bay Fireworks last week. At a Simi Valley event, located northwest of Los Angeles, 39 people were injured when shrapnel was sent flying across the field where thousands had gathered to view the display. Organizers planned to include almost 2,500 shells in the show. Initial reports suggest a firework prematurely exploded in its mortar, knocking over other devices and aiming them toward the crowd. Bruce Sussin, the pyrotechnic operator, said that everything had checked out okay in a pre-show inspection. He added that as soon as they saw a catastrophic failure had occurred, they immediately turned off the computer and shut down the show. Sussin did not know how many of the shells were fired at the crowd.

Crash Landing at SFO

July 8, 2013 | Gregory J. Brod

It was a harrowing scene on one of the runways at the San Francisco International Airport (SFO) early Saturday morning as a Boeing 777, part of airline company Asiana Airlines, skipped across the tarmac upon landing. First responders rushed to the scene, hoping to assist those who were still on the plane. Several emergency slides were deployed from the plane as passengers rushed to exit as the plane began to fill with smoke.

Photo: Carlos Avila Gonzalez, The Chronicle

Through data collected from the jet’s black boxes, we are beginning to have a clearer picture of what may have gone wrong. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has revealed brief timeline of the final seconds before the crash.

Flight 214 Crashes at SFO, San Francisco Injury Attorney Following Developing Story

July 8, 2013 | Gregory J. Brod

It is a fast developing story and one that is being followed here in San Francisco and around the globe. We recognize that emotions surrounding it are fresh and that many people are still looking for answers. We also know that we’ll hit “publish” on this blog entry and that the story will continue to unfold. Still, it is an important story and one that involves our work helping accident victims in Northern California as well as one that impacts our team as members of our local communities. Airplane accidents involving larger commercial planes are relatively rare, but they are particularly frightening. Our San Francisco plane crash law firm is available to help victims make sense of and move forward from the terrifying tragedy.

Flight 214 Crashes on San Francisco International Airport Runway, 2 Dead and Dozens Seriously Injured

Asiana Flight 214 crashed onto a runway at San Francisco International Airport on Saturday, a tragedy covered by the San Francisco Chronicle and other news agencies from around the globe. The flight originated in Shanghai and made a stop in Seoul, South Korea before journeying across the Pacific to San Francisco. Witnesses report the Boeing 777 hit just short of the runway, possibly tail-first, and careened across the ground. The tail and landing gear were destroyed as the plane came to a rest on its belly and fire destroyed parts of the fuselage. Two 16 year-old girls from China died in the accident that also left 49 people seriously injured. In all, 182 of the 307 passengers and crew aboard the plane were seen at area hospitals.

Considering Road Rage as Emeryville Family Seeks Answers in Possible Road Rage Death

July 5, 2013 | Gregory J. Brod

It’s a term that originated in California, a dubious distinction, and a concern on the minds of local commuters given the headaches and traffic jams caused by the BART strike. When news reports out of Los Angeles in the 1980s began to talk about “road rage,” drivers added a new threat to their list of commuting concerns. Over time, the use of the term began to fade from the initial period when incidents seemed to reach almost epidemic levels. However, road rage and aggressive driving remain very real safety threats. Our San Francisco road rage lawyer is prepared to help those who are injured or lose a loved one due to an angry, aggressive driver in Northern California.

Man Shot After Minor Accident, Family Offers Reward for Information

Road rage is very much on the minds of one Emeryville family, who made a plea on Tuesday and offered a reward for information on their 22 year-old son’s death. The San Francisco Chronicle reports that, on June 12 around 11 P.M., Aya Nakano was driving south on Market Street near Stanford Avenue when his Jeep Cherokee was rear-ended by a silver sedan. He got out of his vehicle and police said that was some form of confrontation with the two men in the other vehicle followed. One of the men proceeded to pull a gun, fatally shooting Nakano hours before his 23rd birthday. The men then fled the scene, heading south on Market.

Celebrating Our Nation with a Safe and Happy Fourth of July

July 3, 2013 | Gregory J. Brod

On the Fourth of July, we celebrate our nation and our freedom. It is a day filled with activity from parades to parties, barbeques to beaches, festivals to fireworks. Memories are made as families and communities gather. Ensuring the memories are happy means remembering the importance of keeping the holiday safe. The following topics are just a few of the summer safety issues our San Francisco injury law firm hopes you’ll keep in mind so that you and your loved ones have a safe Independence Day.

• Firework Safety

According to the Consumer Products Safety Commission’s (“CPSC”) 2011 Fireworks Annual Report, U.S. emergency rooms saw an estimated 9,600 firework-related injuries in 2011. Notably, approximately 65% of these injuries occurred in the single month span between June 17 and July 17. Children under age 5 accounted for 400 injuries in that focal period (7% of total) and an additional 1,200 injuries involved children aged 5 to 14 years (19% of total). In the focal month, sparklers led to 1,100 injuries (17% of total). Across the full year, burns accounted for more than half of all firework injuries treated in U.S. emergency departments.

Pool Liability: Oakland Attorney Considers Civil Liability for Drowning and Other Injuries Following Death of Four Year Old Boy

July 1, 2013 | Gregory J. Brod

Summer memories are made of barbeques, ice cream treats, and days by the swimming pool. These days can be filled with fun and magic. However, it is important to remember that swimming pools can also be the site of terrible tragedy. Our Northern California swimming pool lawyer knows that these tragedies leave unspeakable scars on the families that experience them. While money damages cannot bring back the children lost in these events, bringing a civil claim may be appropriate in some cases and can provide resources that allow the families to move forward from a terrible loss.

Boy Drowns in South San Jose Swimming Pool

This weekend, The Oakland Tribune covered the death of a young child in a California community pool. At around 5:40 P.M. on Friday, emergency officials were called to the County Fair Mobile Estates, a South San Jose mobile home park located off Senter Road at 270 Umbarger Road. Prior to their arrival, Dianne Ranteia and her 23 year-old daughter had pulled 4 year-old Michael Trinh from the water after spotting him at the bottom of the pool. Officials found Trinh unresponsive and, despite transferring him to a local hospital, later pronounced the boy dead.