Archive for the ‘ Wrongful Death ’ Category

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7
Mar

Decision Reached In California Wrongful Death Lawsuit

March 7, 2013

A decision has been reached in a California Wrongful Death lawsuit filed on behalf of an 82-year-old woman. According to the Insurance Journal, the jury ruled in favor of the woman’s family, who filed the lawsuit on her behalf.

Court documents show that in September 2008, the woman’s family moved her into the Emeritus at Emerald Hills assisted living facility in Auburn, California, due to a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease. The woman needed to be moved to a nursing home because of her deteriorating health and condition just three months later though. It was then the family discovered four open pressure ulcers, otherwise known as bedsores, on the woman’s body.

The woman died on Valentine’s Day 2009 and the coroner ruled the bedsores were directly related to the woman’s death.

The family then filed the wrongful death lawsuit, alleging the assisted living facilities policies regarding staffing and training did not have patient’s best interests in mind and were only made in an effort to cut costs. Furthermore, the lawsuit claims the policies were the direct cause of the victim’s death.

The jury must now decide how much to award the family for their loss.

The California Personal Injury Attorneys with the Walter Clark Legal Group are hopeful a decision being reached in the case will bring the family of the victim a sense of closure to their loss.

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1
Nov

Settlements In Medical Error Cases May Put Patients’ Health At Risk

November 1, 2012

The Orange County Register found that a large number of lenient settlements on penalties for doctors who have seriously injured or killed patients is plaguing California and may lead to unsafe conditions at medical facilities across the state.

The article highlighted the story of a woman who took her young daughter to the dentist to have her wisdom teeth removed. When she was being anesthetized, her physician failed to account for her abnormally small jawbone and the girl began having trouble breathing. The dentist attempted to give the girl an antidote, but did not give enough of the drug. His second mistake came when he tried to insert a breathing tube in the girls’ throat when a tracheotomy should have been performed. She died a short time later.

The Dental Board of California found the doctor’s repeated incompetence and negligent actions led to the girl’s Wrongful Death and ordered him to five years of probation and a 30-day license forfeiture; however, the dentist only received three years of probation with no practice restrictions, allowing him to put more patients at risk of injury and potential medical malpractice.

The Palm Springs Personal Injury Attorneys with the Walter Clark Legal Group believe doctors and medical staff should be held accountable for their actions that result in patient death or injury. That is why the firm is here to answer any questions if you’ve been harmed while in a physician’s care.

 

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5
Apr

NHTSA Launches Campaign To Protect Kids From Heat In Cars

April 5, 2012

Last year, 33 children died of heatstroke after being left in a car during warm weather. The year before, 49 other children died, and with temperatures already unseasonably warm across the United States, experts are concerned the number could be even higher this year.

That is why the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration has announced its first-ever campaign against car-related heatstroke deaths called “Look Before You Lock.” The campaign will feature television and radio advertisements aimed at educating the public of the dangers of leaving children in the car alone. It will also be conducting a grassroots educational movement by offering parents tips to help them from inadvertently forgetting a child in the car, such as using a reminder, like putting a purse in the backseat or a stuffed animal on the dashboard.

Children are not only at extreme risk of death when left in hot cars, but can also suffer serious and permanent heat-related injuries, such as:

  • brain injury,
  • loss of hearing,
  • and blindness.

The Palm Desert Wrongful Death Lawyers with the Walter Clark Legal Group would like to remind parents and children’s caregivers of the importance of never leaving a child alone in a vehicle, even if the windows are cracked and the air conditioner is running. Also, teach your children never to play in a vehicle. Following these tips will greatly decrease the chances your child will be injured in a heat-related vehicle accident.

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15
Mar

California Law Enforcement Battles Drunk Driving With Checkpoints

March 15, 2012

With St. Patrick’s Day right around the corner, law enforcement in the 29 Palms, California, region say they will be stepping up their presence in an effort to deter drunk drivers. An article released by the Desert Local News says the 29 Palms Police Department will be utilizing a sobriety checkpoint this weekend.

While the department will not disclose the location of the checkpoint, they have announced that it will take place Saturday, March 17, from 7:00 p.m. until 3:00 a.m. The checkpoint is being funded by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety.

California is one of the top three deadliest states in the nation for drunk driving. Last year alone, nearly 800 people died in California as a result of drunk drivers. Checkpoints can reduce the number of accidents by as much as 20 percent when the public is made aware of the upcoming operation.

If you’ve had too much to drink, you should utilize a designated sober driver or call a cab. Several companies will be offering free cab rides to those who have overindulged Saturday night.

The California Auto Accident Attorneys with the Walter Clark Legal Group know that it may be tempting to get behind the wheel this weekend, but it’s important to always use a designated driver when drinking. The firm asks that we all do our part to keep California’s highways safe over the upcoming holiday by abstaining from drinking and driving.

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1
Mar

Law Enforcement Awarded For Cracking Down On Drunk Drivers in Riverside County

March 1, 2012

According to the California Department of Drug & Alcohol Programs, accidents resulting in injuries and fatalities that are related to alcohol use are down in the state—and many are attributing this steady decline to educational programs and the hard work of law enforcement.

The Press-Enterprise says that hundreds of the officers, deputies, and state troopers who work to keep Riverside County safe from drunk drivers were recognized Thursday night at an awards event sponsored by Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD).

Some of the highlights of the evening include the top honor being awarded Officer Eric Robinson of the Moreno Valley Police Department for arresting 314 DUI offenders during the past year. Eight other members of law enforcement from the area received honorable mention for having more than 100 DUI arrests as well.

Law enforcement plans to continue their efforts by holding a traffic checkpoint in Coachella on Friday night. Officers say they will set up at several undisclosed locations from 6:00 p.m. Friday until 2:00 a.m. Saturday and will be targeting drug and alcohol as well as license and registration offenses.

The California DUI Accident Attorneys with the Walter Clark Legal Group are proud of the law enforcement efforts in our area to reduce the number of injuries and deaths caused by drinking and driving. The firm asks that we all do our part by not getting behind the wheel of a vehicle after drinking.

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23
Feb

91-Year-Old Man Killed In Five-Vehicle Cathedral City Crash

February 23, 2012

A 91-year-old man was killed Thursday in a five-vehicle collision in Cathedral City, California. According to reports from The Desert Sun, the accident happened just after 9:00 a.m. at the intersection of Date Palm Drive and Ramon Road.

Officers with the Cathedral City Police Department say that a man driving a Ford F-550 delivery truck sideswiped a parked Sun Line Transit Agency bus moments before plowing into the rear-end of the 91-year-old victim’s PT Cruiser. The impact of the collision pushed the Cruiser into the rear of a Lexus SUV that was stopped at a traffic light. All three vehicles then collided with a Ford Mustang after being pushed into the busy intersection by the truck.

Witnesses say that the driver of the truck was visibly shaken following the crash.

The driver of the delivery truck was critically injured and taken to Desert Regional Medical Center to receive treatment. A passenger in the Lexus was also treated after complaining of pain. The driver of the PT Cruiser was also brought to the hospital, but was declared dead shortly after arriving.

Investigators say they will continue to look into the events leading up to the crash by examining surveillance footage of the accident.

The Palm Springs Car Accident Attorneys with the Walter Clark Legal Group would like to send their condolences to the family of the victim for their loss due to this tragic accident.

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2
Feb

Coachella Valley Law Enforement Targets Speeding Truckers

February 2, 2012

Truckers along I-10 will be under heavy scrutiny for the next few days as law enforcement in the area cracks down on moving violations made by commercial vehicles in the Coachella Valley. Reports by KESQ News, the Desert Hills Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Facility and other law enforcement agencies will be targeting speeding truck drivers in areas with high instances of accidents in an effort to curb the growing number of collisions involving commercial vehicles.

The Coachella valley area saw a dramatic rise in the number of commercial vehicle collisions this past year. Statistics show that 152 accidents involving large trucks happened in the area last year alone. That number is up from 120 the year before. Data also indicates that five people died, dozens of others were injured, and thousands of dollars worth of man-hours and materials as a result of commercial vehicle collisions.

Officers will be using a saturation patrol method, as well as the latest in speed-clocking technology to watch for and stop speeding truckers. This method has proven effective in the past at reducing speed and accidents on highways across the country.

The California truck accident attorneys with the Walter Clark Legal Group understand the dangers that these large speeding trucks can pose to other vehicles on the road. If you have been injured in a truck accident at no fault of your own, visit our website to learn more about how we help accident victims.

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20
Jan

DUI Checkpoints Scheduled For Rancho Mirage Friday Night

January 19, 2012

The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department will not say where, but have confirmed that they will be conducting DUI checkpoints across the city Friday night. An article released by The Desert Sun says that the operation will happen between 8:00 PM tomorrow night and 3:00 AM Saturday morning.

Sgt. Dave Adams, spokesman for the Department, added that in addition to looking for intoxicated drivers, Deputies would also be checking licenses to ensure they are valid.

The California Department of Motor Vehicles (CDMV) says that there has been a steady increase in the number of DUI offenses the state has seen in the last five years. There was a 13.5% increase in the number of DUI charges and a 8.3% increase in the number of DUI-related accidents between the years of 2002 and 2007. In that final year, it is estimated that drunk drivers in the state of California alone killed more than 2,200 people. That is more than double the number of casualties US troops saw in the Afghanistan and Iraq Wars.

Due to the growing problem, the CDMV advises those injured in accidents caused by drunk drivers to pursue civil cases against offenders in order to receive compensation for multiple reasons.

The Victorville Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers with the Walter Clark Legal Group have decades of experience handling cases for victims of DUI accidents that were hurt at no fault of their own. If you’ve been hurt in a similar accident, contact Walter Clark for a free consultation of your case.

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12
Jan

Labor Firm Fined $74,125 For Farm Worker’s Death

January 12, 2012

A California labor contracting company was fined Wednesday for their part in the death of a worker who overheated this summer. According to City News Service, the company failed to train employees and supervisors on how to identify and treat symptoms of heat illness and did not have emergency procedures in place to safeguard employees.

Investigators say the incident occurred on July 7th 2011. It was a hot day with the mercury rising to nearly 102 degrees. Humidity only compounded the heat in which the 47-year-old farm hand was lifting 40 pound boxes of cantaloupes onto the back of a truck. The worker suffered cardiac arrest from the heat and collapsed that afternoon. He was pronounced dead hours later at an area hospital.

The director for the Department of Industrial Relations’ Occupational Safety and Health division, Christine Baker, said that the consulting firm responsible for the worker was fined $74,125 by the state.

Unfortunately, the deceased worker’s family will never see a penny of that money. The family would have to file a civil wrongful death lawsuit against the company in order to receive any kind of compensation for their loss.

Often times the process of filing a wrongful death claim can be confusing and complicated. That is why the California wrongful death attorneys with the Walter Clark Legal Group are here to help. If you have wrongfully lost a loved one, Call us today to discuss your case further.

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5
Jan

Pedestrian Accidents Prompt Californians To Examine Crosswalk Safety

January 5, 2012

A man was killed Thursday morning in Palm Springs, California, after being hit by a meat truck while crossing the street in a crosswalk. According to KPSP 2 News, the accident occurred at around 8:04 AM at the corner of North Palm Canyon Drive and Racquet Club Road.

A spokesperson for the Palm Springs police department, Sergeant Paul Abshire, stated that an Isuzu delivery truck was driving southbound along North Palm Canyon Drive and struck the man who was crossing the street. Police arrived at the scene and found the victim in the middle of the road with severe injuries. He was then transported to Desert Regional Medical Center, where he later died.

Arguments on both sides of the debate have been heard on local and state levels as to whether or not to install lights at California crosswalks. The public was made aware of the problem after a string of incidents involving young people across the state being struck by vehicles at crosswalks. Most recently, a 16-year-old female Arcadia, California, high school student was killed after being hit in a crosswalk on her way to school.

The California personal injury lawyers with the Water Clark Legal Group would like to remind motorists to yield to pedestrians at crosswalks. It is also important for pedestrians to remember to always use crosswalks and wait for your signals to cross. Being mindful of your surroundings is vital to keeping you and others around you safe.