2009 October Archive

What was supposed to be a fun day at one of California’s most popular amusement parks called Great America turned out to be a day to forget for 24 unlucky thrill riders, according to the mercurynews.com website. Now park and state investigators are trying to determine what the cause of the major malfunction was; which left people stuck more than 80 feet up in the air, not to mention in weather that reached 95 degrees in temperature. This marks the third time since 2000 that the ride has had problems. Inspectors from the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health were on the scene coming up with a method of dismantling the portion of the roller coaster where the riders became stuck. They estimate that at least 2 months will be needed to analyze the cars and the actual track that they ride on. Thankfully no serious injuries were reported, although it did take rescue workers more than 4 hours to take the riders down one by one utilizing a fire truck ladder. The efforts were complicated because some riders were facing up and the rest were facing down towards the ground.

Jim Stellmack, spokesman for Great America said, We’ve never had an incident where we had to evacuate the ride, where people were in a precarious position.”

California Legislature enacted a law in 2001 mandating that Cal/OSHA take over the inspections at amusement park rides.

Spokeswoman for the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions Colleen Mangone stated that the United States has approximately 400 amusement parks. She added that the chance of serious injury while visiting one of these parks is 1 in 9 million.

Spokeswoman for the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health, Ericka Monterroza, stated that each year the big roller coasters go through four separate inspections by Cal/OSHA. One being “an operational inspection,” second inspection is an audit of maintenance records, third is an actual inspection, and finally a surprise visit to determine if ride operators are doing their job.

Amusement parks should be a place where we can feel confident that the rides are safe and properly maintained and inspected. However, there are incidents where roller coasters have not been adequately monitored. If you or a loved one has been seriously injured at one of these amusement parks in Southern California, contact the experienced and knowledgeable San Fernando Valley personal injury attorneys at the Mandell Law Firm. They have been representing victims of personal injury for many years and can help you as well. Please call 1-818-886-6600 today to schedule your free consultation.

Source:http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_13040386

The upi.com website reported that U.S. health officials are pointing to the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention’s Morbidity Weekly Report, which found that pot “can be a potential contaminant and be a factor in food-borne illnesses.” The report highlighted an incident where elementary teachers in Los Angeles had purchased brownies from a street vendor. Upon eating the brownies, they felt unusual symptoms that were neurological and gastrointestinal, prompting two of them to go to a doctor. The CDC report concludes that the investigation found cannabinoids, which is “a group of substances that are structurally related to tetrahydrocannabinol, the main psychoactive substance in the marijuana plant,” in a sample batch of the brownies in question. The CDC report also reported that one of the teacher’s urine who went to the doctor was found to test positive for marijuana metabolites.

The CDC’s report concluded by saying that this case highlighted the importance of police departments to work in collaboration with health officials in a rapid manner, including the prompt “testing of clinical specimens after symptom onset.”

Given recent news of food contamination and outbreaks of food poisoning, the San Fernando Valley personal injury attorneys of the Mandell Law Firm highly recommend learning more about food poisoning, its causes, and symptoms. For most people, the symptoms of a foodborne illness are a temporary inconvenience, but the potential for serious complications exists. Some people may develop a condition known as hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) after exposure to salmonella and other toxic microorganisms.Treating this condition can be quite costly, and recovering expenses may require the services of a Northridge personal injury attorney.

If you or a loved one has suffered side effects due to food poisoning you should contact the Northridge personal injury attorneys of the Mandell Law Firm. Our attorneys won nearly $10 million in verdicts and settlements in 2001 for our clients. We can help prove that your medical costs and associated expenses are recoverable. Please do not hesitate to call 1-818-886-6600 for a free and comprehensive consultation.

Source:http://www.upi.com/Health_News/2009/09/03/CDC-Pot-can-be-a-food-borne-illness-factor/UPI-19831251999941/

A five year old child was awarded $7.3 million by a Los Angeles jury in a case against Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, the sfgate.com website reported. The hospital’s doctors were found negligent for failing to rapidly determine what was wrong with the baby and for failing to properly treat him for meningitis. The lawsuit had originally been filed in 2005 and alleged that the doctors at Cedars neonatal intensive care were negligent. The trial was held in Superior court where the verdict was unanimous. Sadly though, the child suffered brain damage and will require medical attention for the rest of his life.

Diane Corwin, plaintiff’s lawyer, stated that the award would be deposited in a trust to take care of the child’s past and future medical care.

Simi Singer, Cedars-Sinai spokeswoman, stated she did not have details and was therefore unable to make a comment on the matter.

It is upsetting when medical professionals fail to provide an expected standard of care, especially when infants are involved. Each day, thousands of people see doctors, check into hospitals or rush to the emergency room for treatment for various ailments and illnesses. All too often, we take for granted that the standard of care given by those in the medical field will meet certain expectations. But what about the thousands of people who encounter medical professionals who don’t live up to even the lowest of standards? These individuals are victims of medical negligence also known as medical malpractice.

If you or a loved one believes you have suffered at the hands of a doctor, dentist, nurse, or any other medical healthcare professional in the San Fernando Valley area, the lawyers at the Mandell Law Firm can help you recover the compensation you deserve. These cases can be complicated and you need knowledgeable and experienced Northridge medical malpractice attorneys on your side. Please call the Mandell Law Firm at 1-818-886-6600 for a free consultation.

Source:http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2009/08/28/state/n214050D89.DTL&type=printable

The FAA is investigating what went wrong when a plane carrying a man and a woman flying in a Cessna 152 went down in Hesperia killing both its occupants, the latimes.com reported. The tragic accident happened approximately at 11:15 in the morning. The plane had originally departed from Redlands and the destination is not known. According to authorities, it was the impact that must have been the cause of death due to the fact that the plane did not burst into flames.

The Cessna 152 can accommodate two people and was first introduced to the public in 1978. All Cessna planes are built at the Wichita, Kansas factory except for a few which are designated with an F. In 1985 Cessna halted production of their light weight aircraft which meant the end of the Cessna 152.

A myriad of circumstances can cause an aviation accident, but regardless of the cause, an accident involving an aircraft is almost always fatal.

At the Mandell Law Firm, our San Fernando Valley airplane accident lawyers understand that every accident has a cause, and we are devoted to discovering the facts around a catastrophic incident. The airplane accident attorneys of the Mandell Law Firm are dedicated to helping you recover maximum monetary compensation for damages and injuries resulting from your airline or aviation accident.

If you live in the San Fernando Valley area and have had to deal with the tremendous loss of a beloved family member due to an airplane accident, you should contact the experienced lawyers at the Mandell Law Firm. We will help you win a fair and just settlement. Please call 1-818-886-6600 for a free consultation of your case.

A 56 year old woman in Norwalk, Connecticut has been arrested and charged with reckless endangerment and criminal impersonation charges for posing as a nurse in a doctor’s office. The story on the montereyherald.com website reported that the woman had gone as far as to spend $2,000 to throw herself a dinner party honoring her as “Nurse of the Year”. Officials stated that the Dr. believed she was a nurse especially after being named the Connecticut Nursing Association’s “Nurse of the Year” in 2008. The State’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit received a complaint from a patient which prompted the officials to investigate. Officials say the association does not exist. The woman faces up to 5 years if found guilty.

When we go to the doctor, we expect the most professional care and environment to ensure the best medical attention possible. It already takes a lot for most of us to get into a doctor’s office, and stories like this do not help. Thousands of us visit doctors and check into hospitals everyday and we assume we are in the hands of qualified professionals, providing the highest level of medical care. When medical professionals do not meet these criteria and their patients suffer as a result, they can be found guilty of committing medical negligence also known as medical malpractice.

The Northridge medical malpractice lawyers at the Mandell Law Firm have represented many clients who have been injured due to a medical professional’s negligence. Our skilled attorneys have the experience you will need to take on the often complex cases that ensue when hospitals and doctors are involved. These doctors and institutions must take all required actions to ensure that they are operating a professional and safe business. At the Mandell Law Firm, all efforts will be exhausted to make sure that you and your family are rewarded the maximum settlement for your pain and suffering. If you or someone you know has suffered injuries due to medical malpractice in the San Fernando Valley, please do not hesitate to contact the Mandell Law Firm at 1-818-886-6600 for a free consultation.

Source:http://www.montereyherald.com/ci_13008857?nclick_check=1

The latimes.com website has reported on August 6th, that California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has finally signed into law a ban on commercial vehicles driving through State Route 2 between the city of La Canada Flintridge and County Route N2 in Los Angeles County. In the latimes.com report, many residents of the area have been requesting this for years after several runaway truck accidents including one that happened on April 1 that killed a man and his 12 year old daughter and injured at least 12 people. The new bill, AB 1361, will not only ban vehicles weighing more than 9,000lbs or with three or more axles, but it also hikes up the fine for drivers who have been caught driving with overloaded trucks to $1,000 from $20.

Assemblyman Anthony Portantino (D-La Canada Flintridge), author of the new law, said, “There was never a reason for big rigs to use this narrow, steep road that ended in our quiet town. Knowing that we now have a formal and lasting truck ban will put our citizens at ease and is the first step to ensuring we never experience the pain and fear caused by a runaway truck.”

According to national statistics, accidents that involve trucks kill more than 5,000 people and injure up to 130,000 (of which 35% of the injuries are disastrous). Although commercial trucks represent only 3% of all registered vehicles, they are accountable for 25% of car deaths.

Drivers and truck owners are responsible for obeying all laws when on public roads and should perform the proper maintenance on their trucks to ensure that they are operating safe vehicles, otherwise the consequences can be fatal and they will be held accountable. If you or a loved one has suffered a serious injury in the San Fernando Valley as a result of a trucking accident, you should call the skilled Northridge truck accident lawyers at the Mandell Law Firm. Our arsenal of attorneys is experienced and has successfully represented clients in all sorts of personal injury cases. At the Mandell Law Firm, we are committed to protecting your rights as an injury victim and helping you recover the compensation you deserve. Please call 1-818-886-6600 for a free consultation.

Source:http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2009/08/big-rigs-permanent-banned-on-angeles-crest-highway.html

A man believes that a 53 year old female postal mail carrier may have provoked his pit bull to attack her, sending her to the hospital with serious chest and hand injuries. Officials euthanized the dog stating that it was a vicious attack dog committed by an animal too dangerous to be left to interact with others. The cbs4.com story also reported that the owner is upset that he could not bring his dog back to his residence to bury it. Authorities explained that the dog’s head was cut off and sent to be tested to see if the animal had rabies. Animal shelter authorities went on to explain that this was standard procedure when owners signed their dogs over to the shelter in these instances. The dog owner claims to have been forced to sign.

The owner said, “That’s my family, I’m entitled to my dog.”

Ignatius Carroll, Miami Fire Rescue Lieutenant reported that the dog had jumped at the mail carrier. “She was able to push the dog away from her face, and it lunged at her and bit her in the chest area and also bit her on the hand. She got some significant bites.”

Each year approximately 4.7 million people are bitten by dogs in the United States. It is estimated that 1,000 people in America visit the emergency room each day due to dog bite injuries.

Dog attacks are an all too familiar occurrence in crowded cities like Northridge and many other areas of the vast San Fernando Valley. Many dog owners are under the assumption that their dogs are friendly and leave them untied and even worse, unsupervised. If you have been bitten by a dog in Northridge, you have the right to ask for compensation for your medical bills, pain and suffering, and even loss of wages. The experienced Northridge dog bite accident lawyers at the Mandell Law Firm can assist you with your case. For your free animal bite injury consultation, please call 1-818-886-6600 today.

Source:http://cbs4.com/pets/Dog.bite.dog.2.1117429.html