2009 September Archive

It is somewhat alarming that another recall has been issued, this time it is for 800,000lbs of ground beef that was processed by BeefPakcers Inc. in Fresno. The report on the latimes.com website also stated that the U.S. department of Agriculture believes the meat may be linked to an outbreak of salmonella. The USDA announced that the beef in question was processed between June 5 and June 23 and has “EST. 31913” printed on the case code labels. The beef was sold to stores in California, Arizona, Colorado, and Utah.

Home consumers will have to take extra precautions with the beef they have purchased as some of it was repackaged into smaller consumer sized packages. Consumers will have to ask their retailer to determine if the meat they purchased came from the recalled beef. Beefpackers have asked consumers to call (877) 872-3635 with any questions they may have concerning the recall.

Salmonella can be life-threatening on rare occasions and is one of the most common food-borne illnesses causing serious personal injury. Salmonella is notably more dangerous to those who have a weak immune system, infants, and people who are undergoing chemotherapy or have HIV.

Food poisoning as a form of personal injury happens all the time, even with the most careful cooks or in the most exclusive restaurants. Food precautions prior to cooking are not always enough, especially when the food you are working with is contaminated, as was the case in this story. If you or someone you know has fallen seriously ill and believe it was caused by something you ate, you need the advice of an experienced San Fernando Valley personal injury lawyer from the Mandell Law Firm. Our attorneys are highly skilled with all aspects of the law and court system so you can rest assured that nothing will be overlooked. Please call the Mandell Law Firm today at 1-818-886-6600 for a free consultation.

Parents are finding out that the fond memories they have of Kiddie Park are not going to be the same memories for their children. Kiddie Park, a San Antonio landmark, is described as a magical world of popcorn, calliope music, and amusement rides, according to the report on the mysantonio.com website. The article tells the story of a mother who took her 6 year old son to ride “Little Dipper”, a rollercoaster ride she loved when she was young. Unfortunately, the boy’s recollection of the ride will not be as favorable. The ride ended with the boy’s mouth smashed into the coaster car. The impact bashed out two baby teeth, cracked three, and jammed others into his gums.

The mom said, “My son was screaming like I’ve never heard anybody scream. His mouth was just full of blood.” Today the boy has a beautiful smile after several trips to the dentist and thousands of dollars work done, paid by Kiddie Park’s insurance.

The incident which took place in December 2004 was only the beginning of several failures at Kiddie Park. State law requires that owners have their rides inspected annually by a third party that is hired by their insurance company. The Texas Department of Insurance attempted to contact the park about its failure to meet compliance laws, but has not received any response.

Amusement parks should be a place where we can feel confident that our children are safe and riding equipment that have been appropriately maintained and inspected. If you or a loved one has been seriously injured at an amusement park in Valencia or anywhere in the San Fernando Valley, contact the experienced and knowledgeable Valencia personal injury attorneys at the Mandell Law Firm. Please call our skilled lawyers at 1-818-886-6600 today for your free personal injury consultation.

Source:http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local_news/Mishaps_mar_happy_memories_at_Kiddie_Park.html

The city of Des Moines has responded to an alarming spike of buses hitting pedestrians; all in the city’s downtown area, according to a news story. The city is now requiring all buses to honk when they are making a turning. All together seven pedestrians have been struck by buses, the most recent occurring this month. All the accidents happened when buses were turning left, so there routes were changed so that they no longer make any left turns (only right-handed turns) when they go through the downtown area.

City officials have stepped up driver training and have increased the number of signs for drivers to be cautious. They also are making changes to their drug policy which now calls for immediate termination if a driver comes up positive. Transit officials are currently settling a lawsuit of over $2 million when a pedestrian was hit in 2007. A 68 year old man was also struck and just decided to sue the agency as well.

The California car accident attorneys at the Mandell Law Firm are very alarmed by the recent trend of bus accidents around the country and especially concerned about bus accidents involving children on our congested San Fernando Valley streets and highways. If you or a loved one has been injured in an auto accident in the San Fernando Valley, our attorneys may be able to help you receive compensation to help with the burden of medical bills and other expenses brought on at no fault of your own. We can help you hold negligent parties responsible for their actions. Please call the Mandell Law Firm at 1-818-886-6600 for a free consultation today.

The Washington Metro crash last month (the area’s deadliest to date) that killed 9 people and injured 76 others will cost the insurance company American International Group Inc., insurers at Lloyd’s of London, and several other companies, at least $100 million in claims. The exact amount is not known yet and hinges on a few factors such as loss of expected lifetime earnings, estimates of medical care, and the degree of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority’s negligence.

This high cost will most likely prompt insurers to raise their rates on coverage. A Manager for a New York based broker Marsh & McLenna Co. Insurers’ said, “Underwriting criteria will get more strict.” And this in turn may prompt the transit agencies to buy new safer equipment. Washington, DC officials have ordered an “urgent” review of the Metro rail system in order to ensure that trains do not crash.

Operating several thousand tons of moving train cars requires the utmost concentration and diligence. Yet all too often, operator negligence and defective train parts are found to be at the root of a train accident. Although much is made of the operator’s responsibility for the safety of passengers and the general public, a large team of professionals are also involved in keeping a train running safely. Investigators are continuing their efforts to determine the exact reason of this tragic train accident which should not have happened in the first place.

At the Mandell Law Firm, our Chatsworth train collision attorneys understand that the recent rise in train accidents, not just in Washington, DC, but the Nation’s deadliest train accident which happened here in Los Angeles, has many Californians concerned. The Mandell Law Firm has the experience that is required to effectively pursue all types of personal injury cases, including serious train injury. We will thoroughly investigate every element of your claim to make sure that your rights as a train injury victim are protected at all times. Please call the Mandell Law Firm today at 1-818-886-6600 for a free consultation.

Source report:http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=aHTaxTWmLmzY#

An article on latimes.com discusses the recent report released by Allstate which ranks Los Angeles eighth among cities with more than 1 million drivers in its annual: “Best Driver’s Report.” The report is based on in-depth analysis to determine the likelihood that drivers in America’s 200 largest cities will experience a vehicle collision compared with the national average.

Ranking for cities with more than 1 million residents are:

1. Phoenix
2. San Diego
3. New York
4. Houston
5. San Antonio
6. Chicago
7. Dallas
8. Los Angeles
9. Philadelphia

The Allstate report also lists suggestions for improving driving in any location. The top 5 suggestions posted in the story include:

1. Minimize distractions, including things like texting or talking on your cellphones
2. Be aware of road conditions like slick roads, ice, snow, etc
3. Drive a safe distance behind other autos – at least one care length per 10 mph of speed
4. Limit aggressive driving and road rage
5. Maintain your car to help prevent accidents

Traffic accidents in Los Angeles and throughout the San Fernando Valley are unfortunately a way of life. With so many cars and commuters in such close proximity, collisions are inevitable. Regardless of the specific situation, traffic accidents can lead to a variety of problems. Those involved in an auto accident may sustain either minor or major injuries, possibly affecting their ability to live and work on their own and hindering their way of life. Consequently, those affected by traffic accidents may experience a loss in income and the inability to attain a job, on top of being responsible for pricey medical bills.

The San Fernando Valley auto accident attorneys at the Mandell Law Firm have been assisting those who have been injured in Southern California auto accidents for many years. The Northridge traffic accident lawyers at the Mandell Law Firm are prepared to examine and help you with all the elements of your case, no matter how complex. If you or a loved one has been involved in a traffic accident, please don’t hesitate to contact us today for a free consultation. Call 1-818-886-6600 today.

Source:http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/uptospeed/2009/07/shocker-los-angeles-does-not-rank-as-most-improved-city-in-best-driving-report-.html