Demas Law Group

Much has been made recently regarding the reaction of the insurance industry to the high number of claims being filed in response to dog bite attacks.  Some insurance companies are limiting the types of breeds that they will cover for their policyholders and others are all but discontinuing coverage for dog bites.  Clearly, this action taken was in response to numbers that did not look good on the balance sheets of insurance companies, and we now have some statistics that could help to explain what is happening in the background.

Every year, the Insurance Information Institute and State Farm Insurance come together to provide several different types of statistics regarding the number of claims filed for different purposes and the amounts paid for claims overall and on a per-claim basis.  The Insurance Information Institute has recently released the data relating to dog bite claims filed and amounts paid during the calendar year of 2012, and California was far and away the leader in both categories.

Every new parent needs to acquire a stroller, and anyone who has had children understands how important these pieces of equipment are for purposes of mobility.  Every trip to the store, to a friend’s house for a party or any walk that is taken in order to calm an upset child involves the use of a stroller.  In short, they are essential for any growing family.  Despite the fact that most of us do not attempt to cut costs on strollers considering the amount of time that children spend in them, to this point there have been very few uniform standards for them in terms of safety and construction. 

If you’re like millions of other Americans, you love dogs and you have at least one in your home that you keep as a pet and companion.  You consider your dog a part of the family, and you include it in as many family activities as you can.  You may also be like millions of other dog owners in that you have a specific affinity for certain breeds, particularly larger ones that are physically able to do more things such as go on long hikes, take long swims and basically keep up with your active lifestyle. 

Unfortunately, you could also soon be in the same boat with insurance policy holders across the United States in that you’ll be finding out that your insurance company is either going to raise the premiums on your homeowner’s liability coverage or refuse to cover you altogether as long as you have a dog that is a member of a breed that has been deemed dangerous based on that breed’s propensity for biting people and causing injuries. 

It is the phone call that no one wants—a loved one has been killed or seriously injured in a car crash. Finding out that the crash was caused by an impaired driver opens an entirely new spectrum of grief, anger and loss.

Mothers Against Drunk Drivers or MADD, founded by a woman whose child was killed in a drunk driving crash, has been offering emotional support, referrals, and information for victims of drunk driving crashes and those who survive. Many of the volunteers at MADD have experienced their own losses due to drunk drivers and have a special understanding of the unique grief and rage that accompany such a tragedy.

A Massachusetts bishop and leader of a Roman Catholic diocese has been arrested in connection with a hit-and-run accident in Rhode Island and charged with driving under the influence of alcohol, according to police sources.

The 61-year-old bishop, who is the head of the Worcester Diocese, was arrested in Narragansett when the driver of a vehicle he allegedly struck followed him as he left the scene of the accident. The driver called the police who found the bishop at his vacation home and arrested him.

The bishop has promised to accept the consequences of what he calls a “terrible error in judgment.” He claims he was drinking wine at dinner before getting behind the wheel of his car. The bishop declined a blood alcohol test and will also be charged with that refusal.

While the vast majority of dog bite claims arise out of privately-owned animals, some dog bite issues arise from the involvement of police assistance dogs or K-9s, as they are popularly called. These dogs are used by police departments across the country to find and apprehend criminals and to locate drugs or other contraband substances. However, the law requires that K-9s be under control at all times and not be allowed to menace or attack innocent bystanders. How could a well-trained police dog bite an innocent victim? The answer is that there are several ways this situation can arise.

First, a K-9 is under control of an officer or “handler” who gives the dog its commands. The handler and dog work together for many months not only to learn the commands but also to develop a trust relationship in which the dog is highly motivated to obey the handler. Most K-9s will only respond to the commands given by a particular handler, although some are trained to work with more than one officer. Therefore, the handler has a very serious responsibility to keep the dog under control. If the officer fails in this role, an attack on an innocent victim can happen.

We have all found ourselves many times with nothing ready to go for dinner, and for those of us who have families there really is no wiggle room to come up with a solution. This is generally where the frozen pizza market comes into play for consumers across the United States, as millions of these pizzas are sold every year. For the most part, these pizzas are safe and some are even relatively healthy compared to other products that can be tossed into an oven and be ready to serve within minutes. These products are also relatively affordable.

Unfortunately, news has been released recently that consumers need to be aware of, as some of these pizzas may not be completely safe. Nestle USA, an enormous corporation that manufacturers, distributes and markets a plethora of different food products, has announced a recall of several types of frozen pizzas. This recall is effective immediately, and people who may have purchased these products need to check them to see if any in their freezers may be affected by this announcement.

Hit-and-run accidents are becoming epidemic in our society.  Some attribute this surge to lax enforcement of criminal laws; others say that the number of unlicensed and uninsured drivers plays a role.  Most likely, the reasons are complicated and hinge on more than one factor.  One thing is clear, however; when hit-and-run accidents occur, victims are the ones who suffer.

Bicycle riders are one of the biggest groups traumatized by hit-and-run accidents.  Drivers are far more likely to speed away from the scene of an accident if the victim is not capable of chasing them.  This means that a bicycle rider or pedestrian is more likely to be the victim of a hit-and-run than someone in a car.

In any case in which an individual is injured, there is a process of negotiation with insurance companies, the at-fault driver and other parties who may be responsible for payment of medical bills, lost wages and other economic damages as well as non-economic damages, such as payment for mental anguish or pain and suffering.  This process usually occurs after the facts of the case have been made clear and calculations have been made as to the total costs. 

At some point, the plaintiff must decide to accept an offered settlement amount or to pursue greater damages.  This may occur at several points in the case and always involves some degree of judgment.  Since most personal injury cases are settled prior to trial, it is clear that many plaintiffs elect to accept a settlement offer.  How do you know when it is time to settle a motorcycle accident case and when to hold out for more money?

Every day, undocumented immigrants are involved in car accidents and suffer injuries. However, many of these undocumented immigrants do not seek compensation due to the fact that they believe they are not entitled to any payments, given their legal status.  In fact, undocumented immigrants are entitled to medical damages just as anyone else would be who is injured in a car accident, as well as other economic damages such as property damage costs.  Furthermore, the immigrant may also be entitled to non-economic damages such as pain and suffering.

When someone is injured, immigration status cannot determine whether they are entitled to be treated for these injuries.  Because treatment costs money, the doctors and hospitals are entitled to be paid for their work, as well.  Therefore, it is very important that victims be able to collect payment from the person who caused their accident.

When you hear the words “post-traumatic stress disorder,” what comes to mind? Possibly you think of war veterans who “flash back” to stressful combat situations without warning. You might think of a car accident victim who has trouble driving after a serious crash. Have you ever considered the psychological impact to a person who has been bitten by a dog?

A dog bite is perfectly capable of triggering PTSD.

PTSD is defined as a condition that is caused by a stressful event that affects a victim’s psychological health. Common symptoms of PTSD are uncontrollable reliving of the event, nightmares, and the inability to cope with other stressful situations. Those with a dog bite claim may find that their damages include psychological traumas such as PTSD and an inability to interact with dogs after the event.

It is unlikely that anyone escapes a dog bite situation with no psychological repercussions. A violent dog attack can trigger deep-rooted fears that are not easily put to rest. The more serious and vicious the attack, the more likely it is that the victim will have PTSD or related issues.

Roseville Police have arrested a 45-year-old Lincoln woman on suspicion of gross vehicular manslaughter after a chain reaction collision in Roseville Tuesday afternoon. A Roseville man was killed in the crash, and his wife remains in a serious condition in a local hospital.

The updated report in The Roseville Patch says Jordan Tonya Peters, 45, a lawyer from Lincoln, was driving erratically in the eastbound lane of Pleasant Grove Boulevard Tuesday, at around 3:40 p.m. At a point between Pioneer Road and Roseville Parkway, Peters’ car smashed into a vehicle that was stopped at a red light. The impact was so severe, it caused a chain reaction which ultimately damaged five vehicles.

Dog bites are frightening and traumatic, but many people decide to “forget about” a dog bite, as long as they are not injured severely. According to public health services, only one in 64 dog bites is ever reported to authorities, even though California dog bite law provides remedies for victims of dog bites. This failure to report becomes a public health issue and problem for several reasons. We always encourage victims to report each and every dog bite to help keep others safe from dogs that are repeat biters. For Sacramento area residents, the number to call to report a bite is l 916-368-PETS (7387).

One of the biggest reasons that it is important to report every dog bite that breaks skin is that dogs that bite rarely stop at one incident. Theoretically, by the time a dog bites you, it may have bitten several other people before. If all of those people felt it would be “wrong” to report the dog and owner for biting behavior, future incidents would be most likely occur. Until someone officially reports a dog bite, it is unlikely that any action will be taken to curb that dog’s behavior.

By law, animal bites must be investigated. Bite investigation does not automatically mean the animal is impounded - it may only mean that vaccination and licenses are verified. This helps us protect public health and safety.

A new study from Duke University indicates that special brain cells known as astrocytes may play a significant role in healing the brain after a traumatic injury.  These cells were once considered an impediment to brain repair, but have now been shown to be necessary to stop bleeding and promote healing after a stroke or a concussion.

The astrocytes are produced from the stem cells that are present in the brain.  They migrate to an area of trauma and may be effective at speeding recovery.  The study focused on mice, although researchers are in hope that the same phenomenon can be true in human injuries, as well.

People all over the United States have fallen in love with food that can be cooked once and then reheated for several subsequent meals. We tend to be busy in the United States and if we can spend time cooking one meal that will feed us three or four times we are usually more than happy to take that step. That’s one of the many reasons that certain types of dishes such as lasagna pans have become extremely popular in recent years – we can make a lot of food without spending a lot of time doing so.

Many different companies have recognized this demand and they have come out with new product lines that are designed to accommodate consumers. What used to be metal pans have in many cases become ceramic, and one of the leading companies working within this market is known as Wilton Industries, Inc. If you do not necessarily recognize the name of this corporation, you no doubt recognize the name of Target, which is where this company’s lasagna pans were sold.

Parents who purchase toys for their infants and small children generally understand when a particular toy could present some type of risk. These toys may be sharp, they may come in pieces and they may be heavy. There are probably few toys on the market these days that would seem more utterly harmless and free of risk than plush dolls. These soft and small dolls can be twisted, pulled, chewed on and thrown around for days at a time without any type of worry from parents.

Unfortunately, the nearly uniform belief regarding the safety of plush dolls may have to come to an end, as one of the leading companies that makes these toys has recently announced a voluntary recall of thousands of units from the market because of a choking hazard. Specifically, the affected units have hands that can be detached from the rest of the doll and potentially swallowed by small children. This poses a direct choking hazard and therefore makes these dolls unfit for consumers.

Resolution of the second trial against defendant Johnson & Johnson over the Depuy Hip Replacement personal injury issue sent shockwaves through the legal community, especially in light of the recent decision in favor of the plaintiff in the first hip replacement trial in California.  That trial resulted in a plaintiff’s verdict of $8.3 million.  The decision for the manufacturer in the second trial may have repercussion for some 10,000 plaintiffs waiting to recover damages for alleged hip replacement injuries caused by the DePuy device.

The Original Hip Implant Trial

The first hip implant trial, held in Los Angeles, California, seemed a harbinger for the entire defective hip implant issue.  The jury in that trial awarded the plaintiff $8.3 million in real and exemplary damages, sending a clear message that they considered Johnson & Johnson responsible for the man’s injuries.

According to a recent article, Nevada is considering following California’s example and passing a law that would make lane splitting by motorcycles legal. Supporters of the legislation claim that it will cut down on rear-end motorcycle accidents, while opponents believe the danger to both motorcyclists and drivers will be increased by allowing this practice.

Nevada Considers Lane Splitting

Assembly Bill 236 has now passed the Transportation Committee with only two members opposing it. The bill would make Nevada the second state after California to allow “lane filtering” or lane splitting, which is a common practice in other countries.

There are seemingly millions of different gift items on the market that people look for when a friend or a loved one gives birth to a child. Some people want to avoid giving gifts of clothing because many others are already doing so and because they want to give a gift that will last for more than a few weeks or months. That’s why mementos have always been big sellers for these important occasions, and specialty utensils occupy a prominent space within that mementos market. People will think of you every time they use them, and that’s a nice thought.

Unfortunately, a recent announcement has been made that could lead to a difficult realization by many people that they have given a gift that is dangerous. Hopefully, all of those people who purchased these products will become aware of this news, as thousands of specialty forks and spoons intended for use by babies have been recalled because they could present a choking and an ingestion hazard. The company and the government are currently working on providing notice to consumers.

When someone is injured on the job, he or she has may have some options as to how to pursue payment of medical bills and other costs associated with the accident.  In California, workers’ compensation law is written so that workers receive limited benefits when they suffer an injury or illness that is caused by something that happens at work.  Most workers’ compensation cases involve disability benefits if the worker is permanently injured, payment of medical bills, or limited death benefits if the worker dies.

Each year, thousands of people are injured at work.  Most of these people have little to no understanding of their rights under workers’ compensation law, and many of them are shocked to find that their workers’ compensation coverage does not pay for all of their expenses.  Workers’ compensation is insurance purchased by the employer so it naturally favors the employer’s interests rather than the employee’s.

Anyone who has had a child and who has attempted to put a sleeper or another type of outfit on that child has likely breathed a sigh of relief when they found that the outfit of choice for that day or for that night’s sleep involved a zipper as opposed to snaps or buttons. This is especially so when a child tends to be squirmy and difficult to pin down, as this process can quickly become loud and stressful. Unfortunately, parents should take a close look at any of the clothing they have for their children that involves zippers, as a massive recall has recently been initiated.

Carter's has been one of the leading providers of clothing for infants and small children in the United States, and the company recently announced a recall of 218,000 units of clothing because of the potential for the zipper to come loose, thereby presenting a choking hazard. There are eight different brands of clothing that are subject to this recall, and according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission the size involved are infant as well as 3, 6 and 9 months.

What Is An “Act of God?”

You may have heard certain events such as lighting, a hurricane, a tornado or an earthquake referred to as an “act of God” by insurers or others who could be responsible for damages.  What does this term mean legally? Can insurance companies deny compensation to victims of an “act of God?”  How does this concept affect personal injury claims?

Legal Definition of an Act of God

The term “act of God” is applied to any event that causes damage or harm but which is not precipitated by human action.  For example, the damage caused by a hurricane is not due to a human being driving drunk or failing to maintain safety standards.  However, there is a fine line between damage caused by an act of God and damage caused by neglect of a foreseeable problem that is exacerbated by the accident.

Tire tread separation has caused at least 375 deaths between 2002 and 2009, but no one seems to be talking much about the problem, especially in the auto industry.  The tire separation issue has primarily affected older Ford Explorers and Mercury Mountaineers.  However, neither Ford Motor Company nor the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has issued a recall on these vehicles.

The auto maker claims that there are no “unique tire issues” involving Ford or Mercury vehicles.  However, it is almost impossible to validate this claim, because any information Ford submits to the NHTSA can be requested by the company to be kept confidential.

NHTSA normally posts information on its website about potential defects and statistics for injuries or deaths resulting from formal or official investigations.  However, if the agency agrees to an “informal” investigation, this information may not be available immediately to the public, leaving consumers in the dark about potentially fatal defects in vehicles.

A miscarriage can be one of the most physically and emotionally traumatic events in a woman’s life.  When that miscarriage is caused by someone else’s negligence in operating a car, the pain and suffering can be even more devastating.  It is vital that women who are involved in car accidents seek prompt medical attention; however, in some cases, the best doctors in the world cannot prevent a miscarriage.

Technically a miscarriage is defined as loss of a baby prior to 27 weeks of pregnancy.  However, the term is broadly used for fetal death at any stage of pregnancy.  When a baby is delivered without a heartbeat, the term “stillbirth” is sometimes used.

One of the truly fun things for parents with regards to their children is the opportunity to dress them up in ways that they find cute and attractive. This is generally only possible until those children are old enough to form their own opinions and their own peer groups, so most parents take advantage of this relatively small window of opportunity to the fullest. One of the most popular styles of clothing that has been out there in recent years has been dungarees, as they present a unique look for any child.

J.P. Boden has for many years been one of the leading and most respected clothing companies in existence. The company is known for quality and it is known for providing clothing that looks good and that lasts for a long time even while taking a beating from the small people who wear their products. Based on its recent actions, the company also appears to be willing to admit when one of their products is too dangerous for a place on the market before an unsuspecting consumer pays a heavy price.

Earlier this week, J.P. Boden, with help from the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission, announced a recall of nearly 2,000 sets of dungarees that had been available across the country. The reason the company initiated this recall is because the studs and clasps on each side of the front of these dungarees showed a potential for detaching, thereby creating a choking hazard. To date, no one has reported any injuries regarding this flaw.

Being involved in a car accident may be a minor irritation or a major life change, depending on the severity of your injuries.  Many people wonder if they should be checked by a doctor after a car accident, especially if they do not feel that they have been injured.  In short, the answer is “yes.”  You are always better off seeking medical attention and not needing it than not seeking it and finding out later you are injured.

Can I Really Be Injured and Not Know It?

Parents all understand that one of the truly standard products that they purchase for their children as they grow up is a tricycle. Having one and riding one is almost a cultural rite of passage, as millions of children have zoomed around their neighborhoods on three wheels while they were out at play. While there are obviously some risks involved with riding a tricycle, most parents watch their children closely while they are using them. Unfortunately, one particular model of tricycle has been deemed too dangerous to remain on the market, and it has been recalled.

If you bought a 2012 Huffy 20-Inch Slider Tricycle at Toys R Us at any point so far in 2013, you need to stop using it immediately. The reason for this recall is because the handlebar can loosen unexpectedly while the tricycle is in use, and this loosening can lead to a loss of control because it becomes all but impossible to steer. This loss of control brings about risks for children that include falling off of the tricycle and crashing.

The procedure you should follow after being hit by a drunk driver is no different than that of any other car accident.  You should be sure to:

• Contact the police.
• Seek medical attention.
• Keep copies of all police reports and medical bills.
• Talk to a personal injury attorney.

The difference between a drunk driving accident and a “normal” car accident usually lies in the collection of damages.  Many drunk drivers are operating a vehicle without insurance, especially if this is not their first drunk driving conviction.  In that case, you may have to collect damages from the driver individually, from your own insurance company, or both.  A personal injury attorney can explain your options and help you collect these damages.

Location:  Stockton Boulevard and Fruitridge Road, Sacramento

Two people were injured Saturday evening in what was just one of four DUI-related accidents in one day in the Sacramento area. A Sacramento Police Department spokesperson said an elderly man who was driving on the wrong side of the street caused the 5 p.m. accident that sent two people to the hospital.

The Fox 40 News report said the intoxicated man was driving a minivan northbound in the southbound lanes of Stockton Boulevard. After initially side-swiping one vehicle, the driver continued without stopping, until he smashed into the back of another car a block further down, at the intersection with Fruitridge Road.

You may be one of millions of people across the United States who likes to ride off-road bikes on trails, over jumps and basically anywhere you can get to with two wheels underneath you. There is nothing like the exhilaration of taking off from a ramp and flying through the air only to stick the landing and continue on your way as if you’ve just done something relatively ordinary. Much of this is possible these days because of the advancement of equipment and research, as bikes and helmets are lighter and sturdier than ever before.

Unfortunately, you or perhaps your child may have purchased a helmet that seemed like a solid product when you did so, and perhaps you’ve even been using it while you were out on rides. If so, you need to stop doing so immediately, as a prominent bike helmet provider has recalled one of its products due to the discovery of safety concerns. Obviously, no risk is worthwhile when it comes to protecting your head when you’re out on the trails.

If you're like most parents, you probably look forward to putting your child in the highchair in the kitchen and watching him or her devour dinner. It’s a good feeling to watch your child eat happily, as it provides you with a feeling of accomplishment – you have successfully worked another day to provide for your child. Highchairs are one of the standard purchases or hand-me-downs that parents obtain when a child is born, as it’s something that is used every day. Feeding a child in some other type of furniture is simply a mess, which is why highchairs exist in the first place.

One man was killed Wednesday evening in a violent collision between a pickup truck and a tow truck near Sacramento State University. Police are still trying to piece together the events leading up to the fatal smash, including whether or not alcohol was involved.

Location:  826 Boyce Avene, Palo Alto

Name:  John Moynihan

A man working for a moving company is in Stanford Hospital with serious but non-life threatening injuries after he was hit by an SUV Tuesday afternoon. After striking the mover, the vehicle ploughed into the front of the house, which was being emptied of possessions in preparation for a demolition and remodel.

The most recent report on Vox 6 News says John Moynihan, 73, of Palo Alto, was driving his mid-sized SUV on Boyce Avenue shortly before 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, when the vehicle left the street and drove into the yard of the house at No. 826. The mover, a San Francisco resident in his 30s, was standing in the yard when the vehicle hit him.

A teenage driver was killed and a 24-year-old man was seriously injured Saturday in an early-morning head-on crash on Arden Way, in the Arden-Arcade area of Sacramento. Police say they believe drunk driving is what triggered the crash.

The report on Sacto 9-1-1 says Augustin Valdovinos-Ocampo, 19, of Sacramento, was westbound on Arden Way in a 1994 Nissan pickup truck at about 4:30 a.m. last Saturday. At a point just to the east of Bell Avenue, Valdovinos-Ocampo crossed over the center line and into the eastbound lanes.

The Nissan smashed head-on into a Chevy truck being driven by an unnamed 24-year-old male. When emergency responders arrived on the scene, the discovered that the driver of the Chevy had suffered serious, potentially life-threatening injuries. He was rushed to a local hospital.

Valdovinos-Ocampo did not survive the crash. He was pronounced dead at the scene. According to CHP Officer Liz Dutton, they believe Valdovinos-Ocampo was drunk at the time of the crash.

Drunk driving continues to plague the roads and highways of the Sacramento area, and indeed the country as a whole. Clearly, more should be done to stop intoxicated drivers from getting behind the wheel of a vehicle, where they represent a horrible danger to both themselves and other road users.

This accident has now severely impacted two more Sacramento-area families. Valdovinos-Ocampo has paid the ultimate price, but the young man who was driving the Chevy truck also has to deal with a number of very serious issues. Who will pay his medical bills? What about the lost income from time off work? Will he require ongoing treatment, and if so, who pays for that? Worst of all, what happens if, God forbid, he doesn’t recover; how will his family keep going, financially and emotionally?

If it is proven that Valdovinos-Ocampo was at fault for this tragic accident, his insurance company could be held liable for the other man’s medical bills, lost income and pain and suffering. The injured man or his family would be well advised to seek the help of a competent and experienced Sacramento personal injury attorney. A good attorney will advise the family how to go about making a claim and what to do in the event the at-fault driver was either uninsured or under-insured.

If you live in California and are seeking insurance coverage for your vehicle, there are a few facts about the state you should know so that you make the best possible decision about your coverage.

Required Coverage in California

Currently, California's vehicle laws require anyone who owns or operates a vehicle in California to have the following coverage:

• Liability coverage for bodily injury or death of one person: $15,000
• Liability coverage for bodily injury or death of more than one person in the same accident: $30,000
• Liability for property damage: $5,000

These three coverage options make up what is known as “basic” coverage for your car.

When parents give birth to a child, there are some things that are simply seen as necessities in terms of the equipment needed to get them around and through their daily routines. One of those items is the stroller, as it simply makes it much easier to take a child on walks and just about anywhere else that parents like to go. Given the amount of time that infants spend in strollers, most parents will spare no expense when it comes time to purchase one.

A teenage boy from Stockton was hit and injured by a car Monday night, and police believe the hit-and-run driver was deliberately targeting the young pedestrian. The accident happened just after 7:30 p.m., near Alma Street and South McDonell Avenue.

For millions of people across the United States, this weekend will involve an early-morning Easter egg hunt, a reward for the work done on that hunt of a basket full of candy and perhaps a small toy or two just to really spice up the day for our young ones. This has been a tradition for as long as any of us can remember, and every year many parents try to do something a bit unique so that the day can be extra memorable and special.

A young Kansas boy was killed and three family members were serious injured when a digital flight information sign weighing up to 400 pounds fell from the ceiling at Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport. The Bresette family were returning home from a family vacation in Florida.

A single-vehicle Napa crash on Monday night sent three people to the hospital with a variety of injuries. The California Highway Patrol believes alcohol played a major role in the incident.

If you live in Northern California, you obviously know that there are two NFL teams based in the area in the San Francisco 49ers and the Oakland Raiders. If you’ve ever driven anywhere near either of the teams’ stadiums on days when they were hosting games, you probably emerged from that heavy traffic nervous and agitated, as too many people tend to get behind the wheels of vehicles after consuming alcohol. Football games and heavy drinking have become synonymous for many fans, and that’s obviously a problem for everyone else who may be sharing the roads at the time.

If you have children, you have probably found yourself in a store or at a secondhand sale many times over the years looking at a product that you had not seen prior to that day. It would be perfect for your child or children, as they'd potentially get years of enjoyment out of it after you brought it home. You probably looked at the box or other information that came with it, tried to recognize the company that manufactured it and perhaps you even read the instructions and the safety disclaimers if they were available. You were trying to decide, right then and there, if buying this product was a sound and safe decision even though you knew it would be a fun decision.

If you are expecting a baby, a car accident can be a terrible occurrence.  Of course, no one ever wants to be injured in a car crash, but a pregnant woman has special concerns in this situation.  How you handle your accident injuries, according to “The Bump,” depends on how far along you are when the accident occurs and how serious the crash is.

A 69-year-old pedestrian was hit and killed in San Francisco last Wednesday while trying to cross six-lane San Jose Avenue at the intersection with Liebig Street.  Google Maps shows that intersection to have a legal but unmarked crosswalk.

If you’re like millions of other people, you have probably been looking for opportunities around the house to save on energy usage and costs. You understand that you’re unlikely to save very much actual money right away, but you also feel some duty to help do your part in some small way or perhaps in several small ways if it’s relatively convenient and it doesn’t cost too much.

If you have a baby or a toddler, chances are that you're very careful about the products you purchase for him or her to use. You probably also assume like most consumers that if a product has made it to the retail shelves that it’s relatively safe to use for its intended purpose. Therefore, the cribs that you buy are probably safe and the toys that you buy are probably not going to put your child in a position of danger. That’s not being naïve – that’s simply believing that the laws and regulations in place to protect our young people are generally working.

Chances are that over the years, you have continued to use a product that has been recalled or that has been labeled dangerous by someone. The likely reason that you continued to use it is that you simply did not know that the product had been deemed dangerous either by the manufacturer or by someone else. Sadly, many people have been injured or even killed because of this lack of knowledge. There is no way for everyone who may be using a product to know that it’s defective as everyone does not watch or read the same news sources.

Police are still trying to unravel all the events leading to the multi-vehicle crash that backed up traffic for miles on eastbound Highway 50 Monday afternoon. At least three vehicles were involved, and three people ended up in local hospitals with a variety of injuries.

You have been saving for months or perhaps even longer to purchase that television that you've had your eye on since it was released onto the market. You have the space all picked out, you know how it’s going to be mounted and you even begin to think about how you’ll arrange your furniture in your den so that you can maximize your new viewing experience. Finally, that day arrives when you’re able to head down to the store and bring that new prize home to be installed.

Three people were killed and one critically injured in a Sunday evening crash in Daly City. The crash, which completely destroyed the car in which the victims were traveling, occurred on a street with a 25 mph speed limit.

Imagine that you purchase some canned goods to feed your children on a night when you don’t have time to cook an entirely fresh meal, and that after you feed that food to your children that they become severely ill. You take your children to the emergency room and you find out that they have consumed something that contained salmonella or some other type of bacteria and that they will need extensive medical care in order to minimize the harm that could be done to them.

Many people who do not have allergies tend to dismiss this health condition as something where a person may get the sniffles if they are exposed to the wrong substance. People who have allergies and who know people who have allergies understand that being exposed to the wrong thing can quickly lead to a very serious if not a dire situation. As such, food companies need to clearly label their products so that consumers understand exactly what the ingredients are in a particular product.

A 21-year-old Santa Rosa woman smashed her car into the entrance of a Denny’s restaurant Sunday morning, injuring herself and one of the restaurant’s customers. The accident happened just before 8:45 a.m., and police say the woman was drunk when the accident happened.

There are certain companies in the United States that should be viewed as true success stories. They come out with innovative products, they penetrate new markets and they earn a level of branding that leads people to attach positive connotations to whatever product accompanies their logo. One of those companies is Herbalife, which has been growing steadily even during these turbulent economic times. This is not an accident, as the company provides a wealth of different health-related products to consumers who are trying to better their overall lifestyles.

Anyone who is a parent likely remembers that magical day when their child learned how to ride a bicycle or to otherwise balance themselves on two wheels. In recent years, that ability to balance has expanded in terms of vehicles that can be put to use as different companies have been releasing scooters of different types for children to ride. These scooters are fun for the kids and their limited ability to accelerate much beyond 10-15 miles per hour makes them about as safe as such a product can be considering the inherent risks.

Two teenagers are in Mercy San Juan Medical Hospital with serious injuries after a shocking hit-and-run incident in Sacramento Thursday night. The driver of what police believe to be a dark-colored Ford truck sped away without stopping after striking the two friends.

The Vacaville motorcyclist who suffered catastrophic injuries last week when a big rig turned in front of him has tragically died. Frank Gonsalves, 36, died on Sunday in Kaiser Permanente South Sacramento Medical Center.

There are many different reasons that food will be recalled by its manufacturer. Some of these recalls are initiated because something went wrong when the product was being made, thereby creating the potential for allergic outbreaks or other problems. However, one of the biggest reasons that food is recalled is because of the presence of foreign objects, and it seems that cereal giant Kellogg has become a member of that dubious club with a recently announced recall of 36,000 boxes of its cereal because of the possibility of glass fragments being stuck inside of them.

People in the United States have likely been reading with horror about the budding scandal across Northern Europe regarding the discovery of horse meat in several different consumer products that were marketed as beef. The issue continues to grow in scope and affect different countries as well as different companies. Fortunately for American consumers, the situation has not affected any products in the United States. However, that does not mean that companies that do an enormous amount of business in the United States are immune from the situation and its potential effects. Recent news has revealed that an iconic chocolate maker has become involved in the European horse meat scandal.

Parents of small children are almost always as careful as possible with regards to the products that they allow their children to use. While this is an obviously normal approach to take, the fact of the matter is that many parents are simply too busy to keep up with every product that is subject to a recall or other scrutiny because of the dangers presented to their little ones. That’s why a group like KID, or Kids In Danger, pursues a valuable mission, as it helps to keep people abreast of these developments so that parents can avoid missing out in critically important news regarding the products they own.

CHP officers are continuing to investigate a horrific single-vehicle accident in Natomas that killed a teenage girl and injured three other teens. The accident happened Sunday night at around 11 p.m.

A woman was killed when the bicycle she was riding was hit by a cement truck near AT&T Park in San Francisco.  The collision took place at Third and King Streets as both the rider and the vehicle were heading west and collided.  The reasons for the collision are unclear at this point, but an investigation is ongoing.

Three people were hospitalized with a variety of injuries Tuesday afternoon after a head-on collision between two vehicles containing a total of seven passengers in Deer Park. Four other people escaped injury in the crash, which occurred on Sanitarium Road at Deer Park Road at around 4:40 p.m.

The pilot who died when his small plane crashed after a wing fell off was identified on Thursday as being 68-year-old Jeffrey Sharman, of Vacaville. Sharman’s plane came down on Wednesday, just outside Winters, a small community located 30 miles west of Sacramento.

When we purchase homeowner’s insurance, we do so because we want to be protected in the case of unexpected loss. Most of us consider this form of loss to be something that involves damage being done to the home in a storm or in an accident. However, a major portion of homeowner’s insurance goes towards another potential form of loss – legal liability for injuries that guests suffer while on the property. This liability coverage serves as protection if someone slips, falls and is injured while at your home as well as for families who have dogs. If someone is bitten by a dog, insurance will cover that situation.

Police are still trying to piece together the events leading up to a collision between an Oakland motorcyclist and a Vacaville motorist. The accident happened just before noon on Monday.

The Napa Valley Register reports that Bradford Smith, 47, from Oakland, was in the left southbound lane on Butler Bridge on a Kawasaki motorcycle. Amy Hansen, 20, was behind Smith in a Honda Acura.

Tracy police are asking for the public’s help in locating the driver involved in a hit-and-run incident that killed a 27-year-old Tracy cyclist. The bicyclist was hit on February 6, on Schulte Road, near Lauriana Road.

According to the report on News 10.net, the car that the Tracy Police Department is looking for is a dark-colored sedan; probably a 90’s model which has tinted windows, a very noisy exhaust and fog lights. Police also believe the car could have sustained front-end damage in the collision.

Companies that manufacture products intended to be used by infants and small children tend to understand that there are significant risks involved with being a part of this market. Enormous retailers also tend to understand this reality, which is why so many products that are intended for use by very young people are recalled due to safety concerns. While these recalls doubtlessly prevent injuries and fatalities, they do not prevent every possible instance where a child is badly hurt. This notion was reinforced recently when news broke of a $260 million lawsuit that was filed against Toys “R” Us.

Parents of young children and infants tend to overspend when it comes to products designed for those little people to use because they want to make sure that they are not cutting corners on quality or on safety. Unfortunately, relatively high-end products are just as likely to be recalled as those on the lower end of the pricing scale. That notion was reinforced once again today when a stroller company initiated a recall of several units of its baby strollers because of the discovery that these units presented a strangulation hazard for the children who rode inside of them.

Everyone in the United States reacted with equal amounts of horror and disgust when news of the massacre that took place in Newtown, Connecticut was released. When children are gunned down, it will obviously lead to visceral reactions from millions of people. While there will likely be no legal recourse available in criminal court since the shooter killed himself before the entire episode was over, the situation has revived an old debate regarding the potential liability of gun manufacturers. In short, that issue is likely to once again lead to controversy for many different reasons.

There are many reasons that a company will decide that it needs to initiate a recall of one or more of its products. Some situations involve products that, even if they are used properly, present an unreasonable level of danger and risk to consumers. There are other situations where a company will initiate a recall because the products at issue are inherently dangerous and can lead to disastrous consequences if certain people obtain access to them.

A woman has filed suit against a Texas hospital for injuries she suffered when she claims an employee knocked her down with an electric door. This slip-and-fall case alleges that the woman received the injuries through employee carelessness when she visited the hospital to receive treatment for an elbow injury.

When a company provides consumers with a very popular product that sells extremely well all over the world, that company tends to grow in several different directions. It will obviously grow vertically in that it will continue to offer this product in new markets across the globe. It will also tend to grow horizontally in that it will look to develop new products that may or may not be directly related to the product that earned its name recognition and its branding power. These success stories are common and almost always positive, but they also introduce some risk to their operations and to the public as a result.

A terrible car crash that led to the deaths of five people, including a Sacramento driver, on the Big Island in Hawaii near Pahala may have been caused by a medical condition, according to local authorities.

People all over the United States love to dedicate their free time to riding bicycles. The popularity of this form of exercise is prevalent enough that bicyclist are basically members of their own community. As such, when something goes wrong with a product that affects bicycles, that problem can bring about risk of injury to people everywhere. Therefore, when a recall of a bicycle or a bicycle part is issued, it’s imperative that people bring as much awareness to the problem as possible so that injuries can be avoided.

For several years now, people all over the United States have been trying to eat healthier by way of lowering the number of calories they consume, by eating more produce and by switching to organic foods that are free of chemicals and preservatives that have been linked to several different health problems over the years. While many people have become healthier because of these types of changes, there are certain risks that are associated with organic foods. Most of these risks are related to spoiling or other problems that can arise when food is not treated in any way and it’s shipped to different places.

When a company decides that it needs to initiate a recall of one of its products, it does so because the potential for harm in keeping that product on the market is extreme and real. Generally speaking, the largest product recalls do tend to reach a large portion of the consumers who could be using that defective product. Not to mention, the units that are affected by a recall are pulled from retail shelves as soon as possible so that unsuspecting consumers do not wind up using them and being harmed as a result.

Parents of infants and small children tend to spare no expense when it comes to products that are meant for use by their little ones. That’s because frugality has its limits in terms of the benefits obtained with regards to these products, as placing babies in danger of harm is simply not worth any risk. When people purchase high-end baby products, most assume that spending all of that extra money not only provides the family with a product that will be durable, but also one that will be dependable and safe. Unfortunately, a recent recall of a baby product could cast some doubt on that line of thinking.

Every child has at least one set of pajamas, as parents will make sure that their young ones have something comfortable to sleep in and pajamas tend to make very good gifts for family and friends. Most people do not give much thought to children’s pajamas other than with regards to what they cost, what they look like and when they need to be washed. Unfortunately, hundreds of thousands of people may need to take a close look at what they are allowing their children to sleep in, as a massive recall of one manufacturer’s product has been initiated.

Millions of consumer products are sold across the United States every year, and the vast majority of them work as they should and they do not cause harm to those who use them. Unfortunately, there are still many situations where people will trust that a product will work as it should and then pay a heavy price when it turns out that a product was in fact defective. Unfortunately, people who face this extremely difficult situation are often unaware of where to turn for help, and that’s because these are complicated situations for many different reasons.

There are many different types of defective products that wind up on the market that can cause an enormous amount of harm to anyone who uses them. Perhaps the most dangerous types of defective consumer products, though are those that are related to food. People who consume problematic food can quickly become extremely ill and they may not realize what it is that they have contracted. They may also not realize that they are ill until whatever health problem they have encountered has advanced to an extremely dangerous stage. Unfortunately, news regarding a massive food recall has only gotten worse in recent days.

For decades, Fisher-Price has been one of the industry leaders with regards to all sorts of products that are geared towards infants, toddlers and young children. The company has continued to dominate this marketplace, but recently it may have taken a bit of a public relations hit with an announcement that concerned up to 800,000 different units of a baby recliner. The company stated that parents should inspect these recliners for mold, and if they find it they should stop using the product immediately. Hopefully there will be enough publicity behind this news that no more infants are harmed because of this problem.

The Chinese unit of Jaguar Land Rover has announced that it will recall 337 cars due to issues with the brakes and steering boxes.

Generally speaking, when a product is recalled, the decision is made by the manufacturer of that product with some level of cooperation from the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission, or the CPSC. That’s usually how things play out because the manufacturer of that product or products realizes that the potential legal liability for keeping defective products on the market will outweigh any potential benefits of continuing to sell them to consumers. However, that is not always what occurs, and a developing controversy regarding a product designed for infants is providing some insight to the public with regards to how a manufacturer may choose to deal with one of its products.

Two vehicles racing on the streets of Vallejo hit a pedestrian before leaving the scene of the accident, according to Vallejo police officers. A 54-year-old pedestrian was crossing Broadway near Hogan Avenue when two speeding vehicle approached. Witnesses stated that the vehicles appeared to be racing. At least one of them struck the man before both drivers fled.

The death of a 49-year-old skier has left friends and witnesses with questions about how the ski resort handled an emergency situation and whether the victim would have survived had there been a more prompt response to the tragedy.

The family of a man killed in a bicycle accident was recently awarded $2.3 million by a Connecticut jury in a lawsuit against a hotel and its employee. The victim was killed when he was struck by a hotel van while riding a bicycle in West Haven.

When people think of situations that give rise to the filing of California personal injury lawsuits, they generally picture situations where one party acts in a negligent or reckless action such that another person is injured and responds by filing a legal claim in pursuit of damages. While these situations arise often, there are also many times where someone is badly injured or worse and both parties involved in the incident were somewhat at fault. California law needs to account for these situations so that justice can be obtained, which is why many of these lawsuits involve the legal doctrine that is known as comparative negligence.

Companies around the world have been coming out with more and more products for young children that are designed to provide them with opportunities for play and distraction while they sit in strollers or car seats. While many of these toys have been blessings for parents who need their children to remain occupied and quiet during these times, there have been examples where innovation has gone too far and created danger for the little ones who have used them. This week saw an announcement of the recall of several of these stroller and car seat toys due to a choking hazard.

In recent years, people all over the world watched nervously as the issue that related to defective Toyota vehicles hit the news. Congressional hearings were held in the United States and the auto manufacturer faced scrutiny of a level of intensity that had never before been seen. Clearly, this Toyota recall issue touched millions of people at different levels and it led to a massive outpouring of litigation. This included a class action lawsuit that was filed against Toyota for the loss in economic value of these vehicles by owners who ultimately had trouble reselling them.

Now that the holidays are in full swing and people have been giving gifts to friends and loved ones by the dozens, millions of people have watched their children excitedly open new toys and play with them until they are pulled away for something else. This is a joyous time for people for obvious reasons, as no one is happier than when they are watching a child entranced by something he or she loves. However, parents should take steps to make sure that their children are safe with the toys they are currently using.

When vehicles are found to have defects in them, automobile manufacturers will generally attempt to weigh all of the risks involved before making a decision regarding how they should proceed. When a defect involves the potential for the hood on vehicles to suddenly fly up and block the view from the windshield, an automobile manufacturer has little choice but to get them off the road and repaired as soon as possible. Unfortunately for General Motors and for nearly 150,000 truck owners, that’s what will need to be done. The automobile giant announced the massive recall today.

Traffic came to a standstill on Interstate 5 as a tractor trailer rig jackknifed on the northbound side of the freeway near the J Street Overpass.

As we move into the holiday season, most of us find ourselves extremely excited and anticipatory as we run around and search for those last-minute gifts that we know will be perfect for a special someone. We also tend to take some time to relax and celebrate with friends and family as we reflect on another year gone and another year yet to come. Unfortunately, too many of us also make the terrible mistake of getting behind the wheel of a vehicle after consuming alcohol, and this mistake obviously leads to a high number of California DUI accidents.

A police pursuit of a vehicle on a northbound I-5 on-ramp ended in tragedy when the car flipped, killing one person and injuring three others.  The chase began when a Stockton police sergeant realized that a vehicle he spotted was involved in a carjacking incident a few hours earlier.  The suspects fled in a different car, a 2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse.  The police gave chase.

A 72-year-old man was killed in a recent hit-and-run accident in Stockton at the intersection of Harding Way and Waterloo Road. The pedestrian victim was hit by a car that was allegedly stolen shortly before the accident.