Recent Blog Posts in January 2009

The largest part of California's and the Nation's population are retirees, but more specifically the old and the elderly.  Individuals who fall within this age range are disproportionate users of services in general.  The services that these old and elderly use have costs that are increasing at a rate much faster than inflation.

Of all of the services which the old and the elderly will be using are health care services.  These health care services include nursing homes, prescriptions for medications, doctors bills and visits have risen, and they are expected to rise at a rate greater than five-percent (5%).  This ever increasing costs is large part because of the large number of baby boomers who are heading into retirement and who need these services.  With the larger demand for these services, the market responds by increasing prices.

Unfortunately, with the higher demand for such things as nursing homes, it is more than likely that nursing homes may cut employees and required training to make further profits at the expense of our elderly.  There is already elder abuse which occurs at nursing homes, but with the increasing numbers of individuals who are entering these nursing homes, the likelihood of elder abuse also increases.  Such injuries can include:

• Intentional infliction of physical harm
• Improper care
• Unexplained injuries, broken bones, fractures, brain injuries, brain trauma, blunt force trauma, or bruises
• Medication not given timely as directed by doctor
• Incorrect medication or incorrect dosage
• Overmedication
• Malnutrition
• Poor hygiene
• Bed sores
• Dehydration
• Malnourishment
• Negligent actions or omissions which result in falling accidents
• Chemical or physical restraints beyond what is reasonable and medically necessary
• Undue influence over elderly person's finances
• Wrongful death 

If you know of a loved one has suffered elder abuse or nursing home negligence in Fresno, please contact one of our Fresno Nursing Home Negligence Attorneys immediately to discuss your rights.

The woman who was tragically involved in the hit and run accident on January 24, 2009 at the intersection of Adams and Fruit Avenues was identified at Marcella Ramirez.  Ms. Ramirez was only 21 years old and was from Fresno, California.

Details about her funeral ceremony have not yet been disclosed.

If you have any information or were a witness to this hit and run crime, please contact the local Fresno Police.

Additionally, if you were a loved one of Ms. Ramirez, please contact a Fresno Car Accident attorney immediately so her wrongful death doesn't go unpunished.

Fresno's Police Chief has announced that Fresno's seniors may arrange to have a police trained individual inspect their homes to determine how safe and secure they are in their home free of charge.  The trained volunteers will provide to each of the seniors participating in the program how they can be further secure against criminal thus reducing their chances of elder abuse or injuries.

To further protect Fresno's seniors and elderly, Fresno's police department is considering setting up surveilance videos in areas which there is a high concentration of seniors or elderly.

For those seniors living in Fresno, prior to the enactment of this program, please contact one of our Fresno Elder Abuse Attorneys for a free consultation.

A young woman violated Florida's traffic laws by illegally turning her 2003 Dodge truck in front of the rider, 48, of a 2006 Harley Davidson.  The motorcycle rider was riding north on State Road 85 in Crestview, Florida when the car driver, who caused the accident, attempted to turn onto Little Silver Road.  Due to the close proximity of the two vehicles at the time of the car's turn, the motorcycle rider was unable to either lay the vehicle down or swerve out of the way of the Dodge truck and instead struck the right side of the truck. 

Witnesses of the accident performed CPR on the motorcycle rider until an ambulence arrived to the scene of the motorycle and car accident.  The Harley rider was emergency evacuated to North Okaloosa Medical Center, where he ultimately was prounounced dead.

The Harley rider is survived by a wife, daughter and granddaughter.

The driver of the Dodge truck may be sued for prematurely killing this husband, father and grand-father.  It is imperative that the family contact a motorcycle accident attorney to immediately to guarantee that this tragedy does not cause this family to suffer any more than they already have.

If you were injured in a motorcycle accident in Fresno, please contact our experienced motorcycle accident attorneys visit our Fresno Lawyers Website.

On January 16, 2009, a seventy-nine year-old-man was struck by a car.  Apparently, while attempting to cross the street around 2800 David Avenue in Fresno, California, the man was struck by a car and involved in an auto accident near the Country Club Gate Shopping Center.

There is little to no information as to how quickly the driver was traveling or the lighting conditions that may have contributed to the car accident.  The driver of the vehicle remained at the scene, so this was not a hit-and-run accident.  The driver also fully cooperated with the police as the driver remained at the scene of this Fresno car accident. 

The 79 year old man was quickly attended to by a fire and ambulance crew shortly after the car accident.  The 79 year old pedestrian who was struck by the car was conscious and breathing and only suffered head injuries with possible brain injury and brain damage.

This gentleman should contact an auto accident attorney immediately to seek recovery for his damages and medical expenses which resulted, or will result, directly from the negligence of the driver in the car accident.

Similarly, if you were a pedestrian who was struck by a car in Fresno, please contact our experienced auto accident lawyers by visiting our Fresno Lawyers Website.

On January 16, 2009, a large metal piece detached from a monster truck doing doughnuts during the Monster Jam Monster Truck Show in the Tacoma Dome in Tacoma, Washington.  The monster truck is named "Natural High."

Shortly after this tragic accident that killed the six-year old boy and injured another spectator, Tacoma Police and Investigators begin examining pieces of the Monster Truck drive-train to determine how such an accident could occur.  The second injured spectator was rushed to the local hospital and maintains a stable condition.

The deceased boy's father told the local News Tribune of Tacoma, that his son and other relatives were in the stands no further than 25 feet above the arena floor.  The father further estimated that the piece of metal which detached and hurled towards his son was a metal ring weighing approximately seven to twelve pounds.

The tragic nature of this incident, especially with the more than 20 years of hosting the Monster Truck shows at the Tacoma Dome, indicate that no one can predict if and when they may be injured.  Especially when a wrongful death clearly occurs with such negligence on the part of the mechanics and the host of the Monster Truck event.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a car, truck, boat, ATV, or bicycle accident in Fresno, where a personal injury has occured - which may include medical expenses or bills, please contact our Fresno accident attorneys as soon as possible so we may fully represent you and your interests.

After a nine week trial in which Sharp Mary Birch Hospital and two of its doctors were accused of medical malpractice, wrongful death as well as intentional fraud in concealing real facts, a jury verdict was awarded for $16 Million dollars.

The jury deliberated for less than a day following the 9 week trial.  Along with awarding money damages, the jury further found that both the hospital and the doctors failed to care for their patient, 35, now deceased, and her unborn baby.

The facts leading up to this tragic incident were that the patient arrived at Sharp Mary Birch Hospital for a scheduled inducement of her pregnancy after a problem was determined with her amniotic fluid, the nourishing and protectve liquid surrounding an unborn child.  Specifically, during delivery, the baby boy became lodged in the birth canal with the umbilical cord wrapped around his neck, cutting off oxygen flow.  The baby boy tragically died because the doctors failed to provide proper medical care during the inducement procedure.  Things for both the hospital and the doctors were further exacerbated when the doctors attempted to protect themselves by making false statements to the parents as to the cause of death as well as falsifying medical records.  Defendants have stated their intention to appeal the awards which they believe is excessive.

If you or a loved one has been injured in Fresno by a doctor's negligence or sub-standard care which resulted in birth injuries, failure to diagnose, medical errors, medication errors, surgical injuries, plastic surgery malpractice, dental malpractice, pharmacy errors, emergency room negligence, and / or traumatic brain injuries or brain trauma, please contact and speak with one of our knowledgable Fresno medical malpractice attorneys.

4,800 gallons of gasoline caught on fire after a gas tanker truck was involved in an accident on Highway 41 in Fresno County, California

In the early morning of January 12, 2009, a gas tanker truck traveling southbound on Highway 41 in Fresno, California was involved in an accident resulting in 4,800 gallons of gasoline to catch on fire.  It is believed that a wheel may have not been attached negligently and came off the gas tanker resulting in the truck accident.  There were no reports of severe burns to the driver or to any other motor vehicles or property.

It was reported that the gasoline fire was so intense that the smoke from this fire could be seen from miles away.  The Fresno Fire Department reported that for these types of fires it is best to let them burn themselves out while containing the burn area.

Additionally, the driver of the tanker truck involved in the accident did not have any injuries as a result of the crash or the fire.  After the environmental agencies completed their cleanup, Highway 41 was once again reopened.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident in Fresno, please visit our Fresno Lawyers Website.

Wisconsin truck company forced to pay $2,000,000.00 for the wrongful death of Cathie Dolter which occured at a Pontoon Beach, Illinois truck stop.

A Wisconsin trucking company recently settled a wrongful death lawsuit for the death of Cathie Dolter, 61, who on January 21, 2008 was driver over by an eighteen wheeler.  Despite her suffering severe injuries for more than two hours, she eventually died at St. Louis University Hospital in Illinois.

Following the truck accident, it was discovered that the truck driver's windows were caked with dirt and debris.  The Pontoon Beach police department also failed to identify or report prescription medications which were located on the floor of the cab or truck.

Forensic evidence presented that the truck driving company may have destroyed key evidence by replacing one or more of the tires.  Eyewitnesses to the truck driving accident were also a vital part of this case.

As only one witness was listed on the Ilinois police report, the 911 tapes were subpoened which identified two other witnesses which further identified two other witnesses which ultimately assisted in finding both the truck company and truck driver responsible for the death which occured during the semi-tractor-trailer truck accident.

In Ilinois punitive damage awards may not be awarded in wrongful death suits, so the truck company was able to limit its exposure.  This is very unfortunate because if Mrs. Dolter had survived, a jury would most likely have punished the truck driving company by awarding more than the statutory limit of $2 million dollars for the truck driving accident.

The utilization of an attorney is vital to the resolution of a truck driving accident.  In this particular case the medical bills totaled $30,000.00 with lost wages calculated to be approximately $200,000.00.  The truck driving company offered a low settlement of $1,000,000.00 but was ultimately required to pay $2,000,000.00 with the assistance of an attorney.

If you or a family member has been injured by a truck driver who was at fault in causing your injuries, you should contact one of our truck accident injury attorneys so you may recover any lost wages or costs associated with any medical bills that may have resulted.  Additionally, please visit our website if there is a wrongful death.

On January 11, 2009 a teenage boy from Visalia, California was driving his 1992 Acura eastbound on Nares Avenue when he drove onto the dirt shoulder.  Upon losing control of the vehicle, the passenger door squarely struck a large tree.

The teenage driver of the crash reported he had neck and back pain, and was ultimately taken to Community Reginal Medical Center in Fresno, California.  Unfortunately, his passenger, Sanjuana Solis, a sixteen year old girl from Burrel, California died at the scene of the accident.  The parents or family of the young girl may consider filing a wrongful death action against the driver.

As this car accident occured at about 11:00 a.m., someone probably witnesses this car accident.  If you have any information, please contact the Fresno Police Department or the California Highway Patrol.

If you or a family member has been injured by a driver who was at fault in causing your injuries in Fresno, you should contact one of our Fresno auto accident injury lawyers for a free consultation.  Our attorneys may assist you in the recovery of any lost wages or costs associated with any medical bills that may have resulted from this accident.

Teenager who failed to wear a seat belt suffered a head injury and ultimately died at North Memorial Medical Center in Robbinsdale, Minnesota

A teenage driver was injured in a car accident in Kanabec County, Minneapolis, Minnesota on January 9, 2009 and ultimately died at North Memorial Medical Center on January 10, 2009.  The driver's car was broadsided by another vehicle around 10:30 p.m. at the intersection of Highway 107 and Highway 70.  When the two vehicles collided, the driver suffered head injuries arising directly from this car accident.  The Minnesota police determined that the now deceased driver wasn't wearing any safety equipment, and specifically he wasn't wearing a seat belt.

The other two people involved in the car accident in Minneapolis, Minnesota suffered head injuries as well as minor injuries, and they both survived.  It was further reported that the driver which broadsided the deceased driver was also not wearing a seat belt.

In all accidents, there are always various issues to consider in determining who is liable for injuries or fatalities.  Although the driver who was broadsided was not wearing a seat belt, this is merely one factor in this determination.  An investigator needs to further determine if a party entered the intersection when they weren't supposed to which directly resulted in the car accident and brain injury. 

Because of these and various factors, if you are injured in an auto accident in Fresno, it is essential that you visit our website and retain an attorney, especially if a brain injury or fatality occurred.

On January 11, 2009 a teenage boy from Visalia, California was driving his 1992 Acura eastbound on Nares Avenue when he drove onto the dirt shoulder.  Upon losing control of the vehicle, the passenger door squarely struck a large tree.

The teenage driver of the crash reported he had neck and back pain, and was ultimately taken to Community Reginal Medical Center in Fresno, California.  Unfortunately, his passenger, Sanjuana Solis, a sixteen year old girl from Burrel, California died at the scene of the accident.  The parents or family of the young girl may consider filing a wrongful death action against the driver.

As this car accident occured at about 11:00 a.m., someone probably witnesses this car accident.  If you have any information, please contact the Fresno Police Department or the California Highway Patrol.

If you or a family member has been injured by a driver who was at fault in causing your injuries in Fresno, you should contact one of our Fresno auto accident injury lawyers for a free consultation.  Our attorneys may assist you in the recovery of any lost wages or costs associated with any medical bills that may have resulted from this accident.

Shortly after midnight on January 8, 2009, a guest notified the Days Inn staff on Jensen and Second Ave that a man appeared dead in the motel's jacuzzi.

When the man was removed from the jacuzzi, he was unconscious and not breathing.  Fresno emergency personnel attempted to revive the unconscious man.  The man was then transported to the hospital.  As the man never regained consciousness, he later died at the Fresno hospital.

Witnesses did not observe anyone else in the pool area with the now deceased man.  Security video tapes and witnesses will be reviewed in an attempt to determine the duration the man was in the jacuzzi both conscious and unconscious.

If a loved one has been injured by the negligence of a hotel or motel in the maintance of their pool area which may have resulted in a drowning accident in Fresno, please visit our Fresno Lawyers Website and speak with one of our knowledgable Lawyers.

Around 3:35 a.m. on Tuesday, January 6, 2009, the driver of a gold colored four-door Acura sedan traveling westbound on Shields Avenue (west of First Street) in Fresno, California lost control of his car.  After the driver lost control of his Acura, a car accident resulted when the car struck and proceeded to roll for an eighth-mile stopping just East of Callisch Street.

Immediately after the crash, neighbors near this Central Fresno car accident attempted to rescue the now deceased, but the heat from the flames prevented them from rescuing the car's occupants.  Upon the arrival of the emergency personnel, including the Fresno Police Department's Traffic Unit, the car had already burst into flames.  The vehicle fire severely burned both the driver and a passenger.  Ultimately, the Fresno Fire Department extracted the deceased driver and his passenger after using Jaws of Life to cut open the burned car.

As a result of the severe burns to both occupants, their identities are not yet able to be determined.  Additionally, a wallet, and corresponding driver's license was found on one of the deceased, but the Fresno Coroner's Office has yet to determine and announce the victim's identities which could take weeks.

The family members of the deceased should hire a Fresno auto accident attorney as soon as possible to facilitate the resolution of any claims which may result with their insurance company or with the manufacturer of the car for any negligent work performed or any previously known or unknown product defects.  The longer one delays in contacting a Fresno car accident attorney, the more difficult it may become to locate witnesses and piece together the events of the car accident.