According to a story from the L.A. Times, cheerleading has become a demanding and high-risk sport. Several studies done by the Journal of Athletic Training indicated that 89% of fall-related injuries in U.S. cheerleading had been from attempting stunts or pyramids. Eighty-five percent took place during practice and 51% occurred amid high schoolers. Although no deaths were reported in the study, the risk of concussion and head injury is still relatively high.
One of the more interesting aspects of the study was based on the practice surfaces and how they relate to head injuries and trauma. The critical height of a surface material is dependent on the highest point a person can fall without sustaining a life-threatening head injury. Apparently mats and spring floors that are four inches thick and rest on foam floors can absorb impacts for level two stunts (some tumbling and tosses) and had critical heights over 10.5 feet. For outdoor practice areas, high grass and wet soil provided better absorption and critical heights.
Head injuries from cheerleading can change a person’s life. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission reported that, since 1980, cheerleading injuries requiring emergency attention have increased nearly six times to 30,000 in 2008. Symptoms of head trauma include confusion, headaches, nausea, un-reactive pupils, numbness in extremities, or loss of consciousness.
If you or someone you love has suffered a brain injury, you may be able to file a personal injury claim and recoup financial expenses for medical bills, medications or other financial hardships incurred due to the injury. Contact the Mandell Law Firm in Northridge, CA for a free consultation with an experienced San Fernando Valley traumatic brain injury lawyer. Call (818) 886-6600 today.
Source:http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/booster_shots/2009/12/the-risky-business-of-cheerleading.html
Toyota has recalled four million vehicles in the United States in order to replace accelerator pedals. The vehicles being recalled are Toyota’s 2007-2010 Camry and 2004-2009 Prius, America’s best-selling passenger car and hybrid, the 2007-2010 Lexus ES350 and several others. The U.S. government has reported that at least five deaths, two injuries and 100 cases are attributed to the acceleration pedals getting stuck because of faulty floor mats.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the floor mats are slightly longer than normal and could lock or cover the accelerator pedal. The case that shed light on the problem occurred last August in San Diego and involved the deaths of a California Highway Patrol officer and three family members. The accelerator pedal jammed causing the car to reach 120 mph. The vehicle then hit another vehicle, launched forward, rolled several times and ultimately burst into flames. The Japanese company has also extended the recall to Canada for 209,000 vehicles.
Manufacturers are under strict liability for their products and are responsible for any injuries sustained should their items be rendered defective or hazardous. In the above case, the victims’ family is entitled to compensation for wrongful death on four accounts and any other expenses relating to the accident, if a court of law rules that the defective product caused the accident.
If you or someone you love has been seriously injured or affected by Toyota’s defective floor mats, contact an experienced Northridge product liability attorney at the Mandell Law Firm today. Our team of skilled lawyers will discuss your case, explaining your rights to compensation. Call (818) 886-6600 today for a free consultation.
Source:http://www.google.com/hostednews/ukpress/article/ALeqM5gmKb2aKeW8fLflBGV0NNnp582M8Q
On Saturday November 21, four people were taken to a hospital for injuries after a San Francisco Municipal Railway (SF Muni) cable car heading toward Fisherman’s Wharf from downtown stopped suddenly. A strand used to pull cable cars up and down hills had detached from the underground cable. The cable car operator had to call central control in order to automatically stop the vehicle, because he could not release the grip on the torn strand. The SF Muni cable cars reportedly travel at 9.5 mph.
Every train or cable car accident is different, encompassing a number of factors. Public transportation systems are a great way for people in California to save money on gas and reduce traffic. As passengers on trains, light rails, metros and other forms of public transportation, we place trust in the companies and employees that are responsible for the safety, operation and maintenance of the vehicles. If an accident occurs due to insufficient maintenance or negligence, then the company or employee may be held responsible.
Since there are multiple passengers per transport vehicle, an accident can cause multiple injuries as well as deaths, causing pain, grief and financial losses. Fortunately in this incident, the injuries were not life-threatening. Still, if you are a victim of a bus, train or cable car accident in California, passengers and employees alike, you need an aggressive personal injury or wrongful death attorney from the Mandell Law Firm to help you understand your rights and fight for the compensation you deserve. The experienced San Fernando Valley personal injury lawyers at the Mandell Law Firm will help you build a strong case in order to obtain compensation for your injuries, damages and/or losses. Contact us today at (818) 886-6600 for a free consultation.
Source:http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/11/22/BACH1AOGOB.DTL#ixzz0Y5R0gIUC
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.
