Archive for the ‘ Wrongful Death ’ Category

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21
Feb

Drunk Driver Responsible For Redding Crash That Kills One

February 20, 2012

Police in Redding, California, say that a drunk driver is responsible for causing a tragic accident that injured himself and another passenger and left another man dead. According to reports from KRCR 7 News, the accident occurred at 10:20 PM on Juniper Knoll Road, just east of Macdoel.

Reports from the California Highway Patrol troopers who responded to the crash scene say that the driver of a 1995 Hyundai sedan was under the influence of alcohol when he lost control and rolled the vehicle several times.

A passenger in the backseat was not wearing a seatbelt and was ejected from the vehicle. He died at the scene of the crash. The driver and another passenger in the front seat were both wearing seatbelts and only suffered minor injuries.

The driver has been charged with driving under the influence and causing injury to another person.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) says that alcohol continues to be a lead contributing factor in fatal highway accidents nationwide, especially among young people. They say roughly one third of drivers between 15 and 20 years old who were involved in fatal accidents had been drinking.

The Northern California DUI Injury Lawyers with Berg Injury Lawyers ask that motorists do their part to keep everyone on the highway safe by not drinking and driving. Also, make sure that yourself, and all other passengers in the car, are buckled up before you begin driving.

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6
Feb

Construction Worker Killed By Trench Collapse

February 6, 2012

A bay-area contracting company is in trouble after an on-the-job fatality this past Saturday uncovered numerous building code violations. According to reports from The Oakland Tribune, a 39-year-old carpenter died after a trench he was working in at the work site collapsed and buried him alive.

Three days prior to the accident, construction inspectors issued a cease work order to the contractors on the site of a new home being built in Milpitas, California, because of failure to apply for a permit to dig a trench more than five feet deep. Besides the lack of a permit, the walls to the trench were not properly shored up.

The contracting company ignored the order and put workers back on the job anyway. Within hours the walls of the trench gave way, and the body of the worker was recovered several hours later.

In the days following the accident, the Contractors State License Board has discovered that the company also falsified paperwork in 2008 regarding workers’ compensation insurance, claiming they had no employees. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration said that the contracting company may face both civil and criminal charges for failing to heed the cease work orders.

The California wrongful death attorneys with Berg Injury Lawyers may be able to help if a loved was killed on a job site accident at no fault of their own. Contact an experienced attorney today to get the help you need.

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30
Jan

Road Rage Responsible For Fatal I-80 Crash

January 30, 2012

We have all experienced road rage at some point in time. What drivers don’t often realize is just how dangerous these careless actions can be.

Take for instance the fatal crash that occurred on I-80 near Richmond, California, last Wednesday morning. Reports on the accident from NBC-Bay Area News claim the driver who was killed “brake checked” the person behind him just before rolling his vehicle.

The accident happened in the westbound lanes of the highway at around 5:30 in the morning, near the exit for Carlson Boulevard. It was still dark when investigators say they believe the driver of a minivan made an unsafe lane change in an effort to get around a GMC pickup truck. The van passed the truck and then immediately cut in front of it. The van’s driver then firmly tapped his breaks, causing himself to lose control of the vehicle. The van screeched off the highway and collided with a barrier wall before rolling several times across the pavement. The minivan’s driver was killed instantly.

California highway patrol officers said that road rage accidents are completely avoidable when motorists drive responsibly.

The Bay Area Car Accident Lawyers with Berg Injury Lawyers suggest slower traffic keeping to the right and allowing other vehicles at least three car lengths of following space. They believe that following theses tips will greatly decrease your chances of getting into a dangerous road rage situation.

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16
Jan

Several Tips To Keep Motorists Safe During High Speed Pursuits

January 16, 2012

High-speed vehicle pursuits down the highway gets our adrenaline pumping in the movies. But what if you found yourself to be the helpless bystander of a real car chase during your daily commute? This happens almost on a daily basis across California, and observations have shown that most motorists don’t know what to do.

An article in The Sacramento Bee described a chase that occurred several weeks ago along California’s Highway 99. News footage shows that as the chase progresses, the cars around the chase acted as if nothing was happening. They stayed at the same speed and made no efforts to get out of the way.

California Highway Patrol (CHP) says that one reason this occurs is that drivers don’t scan their mirrors often enough. They suggest that motorists check all of their mirrors every 15-20 seconds.

If you find yourself in the middle of a high-speed pursuit, CHP Trooper Mike Bradley stated that you should not slow down, but turn on your right blinker and work your way over to the shoulder of the highway. If you see a crime scene ahead, pull over and stop well behind officer vehicles.

The California auto accident attorneys with Berg Injury Lawyers fight for victims who have been injured in accidents and support community safety campaigns throughout the year in order to prevent accidents. If you are the victim of a car accident, contact an experienced attorney today.

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27
Dec

Alameda Law Firm Offers Free Cab Rides Home on New Years Eve

December 26, 2011

In recent years, the holidays have become an increasingly dangerous time of year for driving in California. According to The Los Angeles Times, six people died on California highways over this past holiday weekend, and the California Highway Patrol made 889 suspected drunken driving arrests.

The California drunk driving victim attorneys with Berg Injury Lawyers are sponsoring a campaign in order to help combat the growing number of drunk drivers during the holidays. The firm will be offering free cab rides home to those who have been drinking on New Years Eve.

This will be the seventh year that the law firm has sponsored the Safe And Sober Cab Ride program, which offers a maximum $35 cab fair home to anyone needing a ride. The rides are provided only to a person’s residence, not to another drinking location. The cabs will be running from 10:00 PM Saturday, December 31 to 4:00 AM Sunday, January 1.

Call one of the following cab companies and tell them your ride home is on Berg Injury Lawyers:

  • Sacramento – Call Yellow Cab Company of Sacramento at (916) 444-2222. Patrons must be picked up at a restaurant, hotel, or bar within downtown Sacramento to qualify for a free ride.
  • Alameda, Oakland & Berkeley — Call Veterans Cab at (800) 281‐4488. Any fare exceeding $35 must be paid in cash.
  • San Francisco — Call Luxor Cab at (415) 282‐4141. 
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12
Dec

San Diego Family Files Lawsuit in Connection With Jet Crash

December 12, 2011

Relatives of a San Diego family have filed a lawsuit against the United States government in connection to a 2008 military jet crash that killed four members of their family. The Sacramento Bee reported today that a man and his father-in-law are the plaintiffs in the case contending mechanical and human errors by the Marine Corps pilots and crew were the reason their wives and two young children were killed when the jet crashed into their home.

It was December 2008 when the Marine Corp pilot-in-training made radio contact with air traffic controllers saying that he had experienced an engine failure. Rather than landing safely at a nearby Navy base, which Marine investigators admitted was possible, the pilot chose to eject and watched as the jet slammed into two homes in a residential area.

Since the Marine Corps has accepted responsibility for the crash, a two-day non-jury trial will begin today to determine the amount of money the government owes the family for their loss.

If you and your family are overwhelmed by the sudden loss of a loved one due to an accident that was not their fault, talking with a California wrongful death attorney can at least help you make sense of the legal and financial ramifications of your loss.

The California Wrongful Death Attorneys at Berg Injury Lawyers are experienced and compassionate individuals that want to help you get what you need. Contact us today by filling out a free initial consultation form.

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14
Nov

$73 Million Awarded In California Lawsuit Against Ford

November 14, 2011

A Sacramento, California, jury awarded $73 million dollars in damages to plaintiffs in a case against Ford Motor Company Thursday. According to The Sacramento Bee, the judgment came after seven years of litigation surrounding a passenger van accident caused by separation of tread from a tire on the van.

The accident happened on April 9, 2004, as a group of church members headed home from a concert. During the drive, the van began to shake violently as the tread of a Goodyear tire began to peel off. The driver of the van attempted to pull over, but lost control and the van rolled several times before coming to rest. The 48-year-old driver of the van and the front passenger were killed in the accident, while several other suffered injuries.

In court Thursday, the attorney for the plaintiffs told jurors that Ford and Goodyear failed to alert the customers about a $2 billion recall on the tires. The jury agreed, and with a vote of 10-2, the award was given. The jury also gave a small award after they found that the van’s design was partially at fault for the crash. Ford stated they plan to appeal the decision.

The California Car Accident Attorneys with Berg Injury Lawyers often handle cases where victims were injured because of faulty auto parts. If you have been injured because of a manufacturer’s negligence contact us immediately.

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7
Nov

Richmond Teen Killed, Two Others Injured During Illegal Street Race

November 7, 2011

In Richmond this weekend a local teen died and two others were injured in an illegal street race crash. The Contra Costa Times reported yesterday that the accident happened around 1:15 Sunday morning, along a stretch of Richmond Parkway.

The street glistened as the two cars, a Nissan Altima and a BMW, floated down the asphalt that was freshly drenched with rain. The vehicles were locked neck-and-neck, when the 21-year-old driver of the Nissan hit a wet patch, lost control, and hit his friend’s BMW. The impact caused the BMW to spin out of control and flip several times before hitting a pole.

The driver of the BMW died at the scene of the crash, while his two passengers were urgently rushed to the John Muir Medical Center by helicopter in critical condition. The driver of the Nissan was unharmed, but investigators arrested him on suspicion of vehicular manslaughter and driving under the influence.

California issued 800 citations in 2001 for illegal racing-related infractions–a number that has grown significantly every year since. Now, it is estimated that 49 people are hurt and killed for every 1,000 individuals who participate in illegal street races.

The California Car Accident Attorneys with Berg Injury Lawyers would like to encourage anyone hurt in an accident at no fault of their own to contact them immediately for a free evaluation of your case.

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26
Sep

Mistake By Temp Nurse The Cause Of Oakland Patient’s Death?

September 26, 2011

A 66-year-old Oakland, California, woman who was a patient at Alta Bates Summit Medical Center died Saturday while under the care of a nurse who was temporarily hired by the hospital to cover for nurses who were on strike. According to The Oakland Tribune, hospital officials are calling the accident one of the worst mistakes in the hospital’s history.

The hospital had hired 500 contract nurses to cover for a one-day strike on Thursday. Administrators then sent staff who participated in the strike home on Friday when they arrived for work. Under one of the temporary nurse’s care, the patient was given an improper dose of medication and later died as a result.

One nurse who works in the unit where the patient was placed believes their replacements were, “Not familiar with the policies and procedures, or with the equipment.”

Dr. Steve O’Brien, the hospital’s chief medical officer, issued an apology soon after, stating that the incident was being fully investigated.

Since 2007, the California Department of Public Health has collected more than $4.6 million dollars in fines from hospitals in cases where one in twenty-eight medical mistakes that occurred was deemed inexcusable.

The California Wrongful Death Attorneys with Berg Injury Lawyers would urge patients who have suffered at the hands of under- or un-qualified medical staff to contact them at 1-800-400-BERG, or by filling out an online consultation form, for a free evaluation of your case.

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19
Sep

Army Did Not Properly Treat Soldier Who Died Of Rabies

September 19, 2011
Experts and family members are saying the Army made mistakes in the Rabies treatment of a now deceased Army veteran from Livermore, California. According to the Contra Costa Times, the Army only administered half of the soldier’s treatments due to issues with expired vaccinations.
 
The soldier told his family members he was bitten by a stray dog in January while breaking up a dog fight in Afghanistan. After the bite, he shot the malicious stray and the Army had the animal tested for Rabies. The test came back negative, but the Army was unsure if the correct animal had been tested. The soldier was seen by medics on base who administered the first three rounds of the vaccination, but did not give the last three shots because by then, they had expired.
 
An associate professor at the UC Davis School of Medicine who is an expert on Rabies says the doctors should have administered the drugs, despite their expiration date, as it still may have save the man’s life.
The California Dog Bite Attorneys with Berg Injury Lawyers encourage anyone who may be traveling to impoverished or third-world countries to be vaccinated against this deadly disease.