San Francisco Injury Lawyer Blog

Car manufacturers are not only responsible for the faulty design of their cars, but may also be responsible for the malfunction of the car parts. Depending on the part of the car that malfunctioned, the case could be considered to be a strict liability case, which means that the company would be responsible even if the owner of the car did not act wrongfully. However, there may be other malfunctions that may not be held to a strict liability standard, and the victim would have to show negligence. For example, a faulty wheel axle would likely be strict liability, but a faulty head rest would likely not be.

In another case in San Francisco on May 27, 2009, Dax Pierson won an $18.3 million verdict against Ford Motor Company for the injuries that he suffered in an accident in 2005. The accident also resulted in a roll over and Pierson lost complete use of his legs, and can only use his arms in a limited capacity. Ford was found responsible for his injuries because there was a defective seat latching mechanism that malfunctioned and caused his seat to come loose, and ultimately resulted in Pierson hitting his head on the roof of the van. Pierson’s damages were $12.3 million for past and future medical expenses and lost earnings, and $6 million for pain and suffering.

Not all car accidents may be attributed to the negligence of the manufacturer or a defect, but when there is a defect that causes injury and likely could have been prevented, then the victim may be compensated. In order to determine whether your injuries may be compensated, then you should contact the attorneys at Greenberg & Rudman LLP immediately for a free consultation at 1-800-252-9776 (1-800-ALAWPRO). Our attorneys have faced large insurance companies and corporations and won lawsuits. Check out our website, www.alawpro.com to read more about product liability.

Want to know more about car defects and rollover accidents? Go to part 1: ROLLOVER ACCIDENTS MAY OCCUR MORE OFTEN IN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES—CALL BAY AREA ATTORNEYS NOW (Part 1 of 2)

Posted by Greenberg & Rudman | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: PRODUCT LIABILITY

Bookmark:

In recent years, the sport utility vehicle (SUV) has gained popularity with consumers because of its efficiency and roomy cargo area. However, SUVs pose an unexpected danger that sedans may not. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration releases reports about the safety of various cars and uses different tests and information to determine the scores of the cars. A vehicle’s stability is dependent on its height, width between the tires, its suspension system, tire grip and location of its engine mount. Although the weight of extra passengers in sedans may keep it more grounded and less likely to roll over, it is actually the opposite for SUVs. The extra weight may actually make it more likely for a SUV to flip over. Have you been injured in a rollover accident as a result of the vehicle’s design? If so, you should call Greenberg & Rudman LLP immediately at 1-800-252-9776 (1-800-ALAWPRO).

In Los Angeles on May 29, 2009, a civil court judge awarded Sukhsagar Pannu $21.1 million for injuries that he sustained when his Land Rover Discovery SUV flipped over several times after a collision. Pannu sustained permanent injury and lost use of his arms and legs, and requires around the clock care. The judge granted him the damages based on the fact that the vehicle’s high center of gravity made it more susceptible to rolling over, and that the roof collapsed too easily, which caused Pannu’s spinal injury. The damages that were awarded to Pannu will help with his care for the rest of his life.

Being severely injured in a car accident can put everything on hold, and may destroy your life before you know it. Being injured can take a toll on a person and his/her family financially and emotionally. Many families may not be able to live on a single income, or even pay for their medical bills as they come. These are all things that you may recover if you were wrongfully injured in a car accident. Large insurance companies may be intimidating and may not fully cooperate with you if you are without an experienced attorney. That’s why you should call Greenberg & Rudman LLP immediately at 1-800-252-9776 (1-800-ALAWPRO) for a free consultation, and learn about your rights. You’re not alone in your injures; there are people like our attorneys who can help you. Go to our website, www.alawpro.com to learn more about spinal cord injuries and car accidents.

Want to learn more about rollover accidents? Go to part 2: CAR DEFECTS RESULTING IN SERIOUS INJURY MAY BE RESPONSIBILITY OF LARGE CAR MANUFACTURERS—CALL SAN FRANCISCO PERSONAL INJURY ATTORNEYS (Part 2 of 2)

Posted by Greenberg & Rudman | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: BRAIN & SPINAL CORD INJURY , CAR ACCIDENT

Bookmark:

Although many of today’s television shows and movies may explain the details of the court process, there are still some issues that are fuzzy to the general public. Take for example the concept of double jeopardy. In criminal cases, this means that if a defendant is convicted or acquitted (found not guilty) of a certain crime, then it means that the original prosecutorial agency in the case will not be able to bring the charge against him again. However, just because a person has faced criminal charges on a certain matter does not mean that he will be free of civil lawsuits. A defendant who is charged with criminal acts may be sued in civil court for damages, rather than time in jail or other forms of punishment. In fact, the plaintiffs bringing the lawsuit in civil court may use the evidence used in criminal court in their case.

On May 27, 2009, Edward John Schaefer hit and killed Melody Osheroff, a fourth grader in San Ramon, and severely injured her father, Aaron Osheroff, in Marin County while the two people were crossing the street. Police found that Schaefer’s blood alcohol level was .16, which is double the legal limit. Melody died the following day, and her father is in serious condition and has had his leg amputated. In an unrelated car accident on Monday, May 25, four people died in an alcohol related accident in Oakland. The driver of the vehicle, Tiffany Reynolds, suffered a broken neck and has been charged with four counts of vehicular manslaughter. The four people who died in the crash included her domestic partner, her brother and the couple’s three year old twins. The twins were not in car seats, and one boy was ejected from his seat while the other was found pinned under the steering column. Both Schaefer and Reynolds could face time in jail, as well as civil lawsuits from the family members of the people that they injured while they drove under the influence.

The attorneys at Greenberg & Rudman LLP represent people who have been seriously injured as well as the families of those who have been killed under wrongful death circumstances. We handle all cases on a contingency basis. We are paid a percentage of what we recover for you. This means you will pay no legal fees unless we collect money for you. Call us now at 1-800-252-9776 (1-800-ALAWPRO) for a free and confidential consultation with a knowledgeable attorney. Please also go to our website, www.alawpro.com to read more about our attorneys and wrongful death lawsuits.

Posted by Greenberg & Rudman | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: CAR ACCIDENT , MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT , WRONGFUL DEATH

Bookmark:

Civil lawsuits and criminal cases are very different cases—criminal cases are usually tried in front of a jury and the defendants must be found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. However, in most civil lawsuits, the jury or the judge may find that there was only negligence, which means that the defendant does not even need to have the intent to commit the wrongdoing. For example, in a medical malpractice lawsuit, the doctors who caused the death of a patient because they failed to do something, or did something wrong, do not need to have intended the wrongful act to be liable for the lawsuit. The doctor only needs to meet a certain level of negligence, which is a standard that most other doctors in the field would have met. Whereas if the doctor were being convicted in criminal court, then it would have to be shown that he had intended the harm, or purposely caused the injury.

On Christmas day in 2007, a Siberian tiger in the San Francisco zoo leapt out of its cage and attacked Carlos Sousa, Amritpal Dhaliwal and Kulbir Dhaliwal. Carlos Sousa died as a result of the mauling, but the Dhaliwal brothers survived the attack. The Sousa family filed their own lawsuit, and has settled out of court with undisclosed details. The Dhaliwal brothers sued the San Francisco Zoological Society, the city of San Francisco and the zoo spokesman Sam Singer last November. The lawsuit claimed that the brothers’ civil rights had been violated, that the zoo was negligent and accused Singer of libel and slander. The Zoo is insured and its insurance company handled its legal defense. The brothers settled with the defendants for $900,000. Both parties considered this to be a win even though the amount is relatively modest in personal injury settlements.

Losing a family member can be incredibly tough on a family unit. We may not be able to bring your loved one back, but we may be able to obtain compensation for your damages. The legal system is very difficult to maneuver if you do not have any experience; that’s why having an experienced legal team on your side is so important. The attorneys at Greenberg & Rudman LLP can help you meet deadlines and make sure that the proper paperwork is filed, and in the proper place. Give us a call at 1-800-252-9776 (1-800-ALAWPRO) for a free and confidential consultation on your case. Don’t be fooled by other firms who sign up your case but are not prepared to fight for you and take your case to trial. Go to our website, www.alawpro.com to read more about our verdicts and settlements.

Posted by Greenberg & Rudman | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: PREMISES LIABILITY

Bookmark:

Known as one of the greatest escapes in the Bay Area, Half Moon Bay is in San Mateo County and has a population of 11,842 residents. There is the Pillar Point Harbor, which allows for boating and fishing, and beaches for tourists and residents to enjoy. The downtown area for Half Moon Bay is also popular for its small stores and for its annual Art and Pumpkin Festival. There is also a 36 hole public golf course, the Half Moon bay Golf Links. The area attracts tourists because it is close the large urban areas of San Francisco and San Jose, but still maintains a very tranquil environment.

Personal injury lawsuits may range from train accidents to medical malpractice cases to wrongful death. If you or a family member has suffered an injury and are unsure on how to proceed, you need to contact Greenberg & Rudman LLP right away. Give us a call now at 1-800-252-9776 (1-800-ALAWPRO) to speak to a knowledgeable attorney about your case. We cannot guarantee the results of your case, but may be able to help you in your situation. We handle cases on a contingency fee basis, which means that you do not pay any costs unless we win your case for you. Visit our website www.alawpro.com for more information on personal injury lawsuits.

Posted by Greenberg & Rudman | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: MEDICAL MALPRACTICE , TRAIN ACCIDENTS , WRONGFUL DEATH

Bookmark:

American Canyon is part of Napa County, and has a population of 15,276 people, as of 2008. The number of residents has dramatically increased from the 2000 census, which reported that the city had a population of 9,774. American Canyon is located north of the Golden Gate Bridge, and within driving distance to Oakland, Berkeley and San Francisco. The surrounding area near American Canyon is very rural and includes several vineyards, the Napa River, and the Sulphur Springs Mountains. This may attract wine tasters to the area as well as hikers and mountain bikers.

Enjoying nature may have its hazards, especially on biking and hiking trails. Many of these trails and parks are maintained by the city or the county, and they may be responsible for any injuries that occur there as a result of negligence. In order to determine if you have a lawsuit for your injuries, you need to speak to an experienced attorney immediately. The attorneys at Greenberg & Rudman LLP have over fifty years of combined experience, and have won over $150 million in verdicts and settlements. Call us now at 1-800-252-9776 (1-800-ALAWPRO) for your free and confidential consultation. Check out our website, www.alawpro.com to read more about premises liability lawsuits.

Posted by Greenberg & Rudman | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: PREMISES LIABILITY , SLIP & FALL

Bookmark:

With a population of 17,599 residents in the 2000 census, Orinda is located in Contra Costa County. It is near Oakland and within driving distance to San Francisco, San Jose and Berkeley. Orinda is considered to be a desirable community in the Bay Area because it has a great public school system, high priced real estate and is still located in a very scenic environment. The area is also beneficial to commuters because it is located near large commercial and industrial hubs such as Oakland and San Francisco. Residents of Orinda can enjoy the small town feel while still maintaining their jobs in the urban areas.

Because of its popularity as a suburban area for commuters, there might be more accidents along Highway 24, which runs through the city, and on its public transportation systems. Have you or a loved one been injured in Orinda in a car or bus accident? If so, please call Greenberg & Rudman LLP immediately for a free and confidential consultation on your rights, and whether you may be entitled to damages for your injuries. Call us now at 1-800-252-9776 (1-800-ALAWPRO) to speak to an experienced attorney. Please also visit our website, www.alawpro.com to learn more about car accidents and other common injuries. The website also contains information on our attorneys and the areas of law that our firm practices.

Posted by Greenberg & Rudman | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: BUS ACCIDENT , CAR ACCIDENT

Bookmark:

As summer quickly approaches, many families are headed to amusement parks, water parks and county fairs for easy entertainment. However, there are often reports in the news about injuries sustained at amusement parks because of ride failure, or improperly taken safety precautions. Amusement park owners and operators are responsible for the safety of the rides, and for maintaining those rides. They are likely responsible for most defects that occur on the rides, except for rider recklessness, or natural disasters that may have caused the incident. However, even with rider recklessness, a jury may still find responsibility on the part of the ride operator/owner.

In 2006, the Consumer Product safety Commission’s National Electronic Information Surveillance System reported that there were 8,800 ER-treated injuries in amusement park rides. Of those injuries, 3,700 were in fixed site rides, or amusement parks, 2800 were in mobile rides, such as fairs and carnivals and 2,300 in unknown site rides. There were also 3,600 injuries on inflatable amusement rides, and 3,100 injuries on public water slides. The highest number of injuries occurred in go-kart riding accidents, which also included home and street racing, as well as in amusement parks.

Being in a lawsuit against a giant entity like an amusement park can be extremely difficult to maneuver. Large law firms representing the amusement parks may try to get you to settle for much less than you have been injured, or may create unnecessary hassle for you during the court process. Your best option would be to consult with an experienced attorney immediately. Call Greenberg & Rudman LLP now at 1-800-252-9776 (1-800-ALAWPRO) for a free and confidential consultation. We handle cases on contingency basis, which means that you will pay no fees or costs unless we win the case for you. Visit our website, www.alawpro.com to read more about personal injury lawsuits and the different injuries that can occur on amusement park rides.

Posted by Greenberg & Rudman | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: OTHER COMMON INJURIES , PREMISES LIABILITY

Bookmark:

In most personal injury lawsuits, there is more than one defendant. For example, if you are injured in a car accident, you may sue the driver of the vehicle, and his insurance company could also be a defendant in the case. Or, if you sue for medical malpractice, then there may be multiple health care providers involved in the lawsuit, or the hospital in which the doctors worked, or the distributor of a certain drug that the doctor used that ended in injury. In cases in which there are multiple defendants, the jury or the judge, depending on who is the trier of fact, may determine how much liability that each defendant is exposed to. Essentially, one of the defendants could be completely free from liability in the case, while the other defendants share the responsibility.

In a court case in Philadelphia on May 18, 2009, Rosalyn James won a medical malpractice suit against St. Joseph’s Hospital and two emergency room doctors. James filed the lawsuit on behalf of her husband who died as a result of heart complications that could have been prevented if the doctors had interpreted his x-rays in time. The jury in the case attributed 48% of the liability to Dr. Thomas Powell, 36% to Dr. Emil Skobeloff and 16% to St. Joseph’s Hospital. It is likely that the malpractice insurance for the doctors and the hospitals will pay the James $2.815 million.

In this case, the defendants were attributed 100% of the liability, but that is not the case all the time. Sometimes, the defendants may only be attributed a portion of the liability while the plaintiff might be responsible as well. For instance, if the victim fails to look both ways across the street, or was reckless in his actions, the jury may find that the victim may be partially responsible while the defendant is responsible for his own wrongdoing. To find out your rights in a potential lawsuit, you should speak to the lawyers at Greenberg & Rudman LLP, who have over 50 years of combined experience. Call us now at 1-800-252-9776 (1-800-ALAWPRO) for a free and confidential consultation. Check out our website, www.alawpro.com to read more about our attorneys and stories on our successful lawsuits.

Posted by Greenberg & Rudman | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: MEDICAL MALPRACTICE

Bookmark:

Many people may not understand the seriousness or the vast occurrence of elder abuse, but it is a very serious form of physical, emotional and financial abuse. Many elderly people entrust their financial information or their lives to family members or close friends, and may not even be aware that they are being abused. Because there are many elderly people who have no one to care for them, it is difficult for them to recognize the abuse. Once they recognize the abuse, and attempt to cut off the abuser, then they may not have anyone left to care for them. Unfortunately, many cases of elder abuse are never reported until it is too late. If you know an elderly person who has been abused by a caretaker, family member or friend, you should call Greenberg & Rudman LLP for legal help immediately at 1-800-252-9776 (1-800-ALAWPRO).

On May 21, 2009, Galen Fisher of Carmel Valley was arrested on suspicion of abusing his mother and keeping her in his home against her will. Fisher’s mother was able to escape the home and notify authorities that her son was threatening her with a pistol, and physically abused her by slapping and punching her. The abuse had escalated in the few days before Fisher’s mother escaped. Fisher was arrested and charged with elder abuse, false imprisonment, criminal threats, brandishing a weapon and possession of a concealed weapon.

If you or a loved one has been the victim of elder abuse in California, please seek assistance and advice of an experienced attorney. Although the government may charge the abusers with elder abuse as a crime, victims may also be able to obtain compensation through civil court. At the Law Offices of Greenberg & Rudman LLP, we have over 50 years combined experience in seeking justice for the injured. Call us toll free at 1-800-252-9776 (1-800-ALAWPRO) for a free and confidential consultation with one of our attorneys. Elder abuse is serious and can harm the elderly and their families tremendously, so be sure to seek out help when you need it. Check out our website, www.alawpro.com to read more about the different types of abuse, and the risk factors of elder abuse.

Posted by Greenberg & Rudman | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: ELDER ABUSE

Bookmark:

Over recent months, there have been several train accidents involving Caltrain, and Amtrak. One of the main reasons that train accidents may occur is because of conductor error, as well as excessive speed, or because of objects blocking the tracks. It is incredibly difficult for a train to come to a stop quickly because of its size and weight of its load. Some of these accidents may occur because of carelessness on the part of drivers in cars, buses or trucks. These drivers may think that they have more time to cross the tracks before the train arrives, but underestimate the speed of the train. Other times, vehicles may get stuck on the tracks and the train fails to stop in time.

On May 18, 2009, an Amtrak train collided with a vehicle in North Richmond around 5 p.m. The crash occurred near Market Avenue and Sixth Street. The driver of the vehicle was taken to the hospital with injuries, but no one on the train was injured. California Highway Patrol is still investigating the cause of the accident. The train was delayed for approximately an hour and a half, and caused delays to other trains as well.

Injuries from train accidents can be horrific, but you don’t have to go through it alone. We may not be able to heal your injuries or bring back a loved one, but we can help you through the tough times by handling your legal issues. Give us a call at 1-800-252-9776 (1-800-ALAWPRO) to obtain a free and confidential consultation with one of our knowledgeable attorneys. Don’t be fooled by other firms who sign up your case but aren’t prepared to fight for you and take your case to trial. We are experienced trial attorneys who have taken on big insurance companies and won. Please go to our website, www.alawpro.com to read more about our firm history, and more information on train accidents.

Posted by Greenberg & Rudman | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: TRAIN ACCIDENTS

Bookmark:

Located north of the Golden Gate Bridge, Mill Valley is within driving distance to San Francisco, Sausalito, Tiburon and Larkspur. The area was originally occupied by the Coast Miwoks, a Native American group. Mill Valley has a population of 13,600 residents and is located in Marin County. The area is known for its many recreational parks, which includes playgrounds for children, dog parks and pedestrian paths to the hillsides surrounding the area. Mill Valley boasts many nature trails as well as an extensive music and arts community.

Although many take advantage of these nature trails, the trails may pose unknown dangers to hikers. There may be many naturally created dangers, or even human errors that may result in physical injury to hikers. In order to be successful in a personal injury lawsuit for a slip and fall accident, or injury sustained on the trail path, the victim must show a certain degree of negligence. The attorneys at Greenberg & Rudman LLP can help you with your case against the city, or the county, an otherwise difficult task. Call us now at 1-800-252-9776 (1-800-ALAWPRO) for a free and confidential consultation with one of our knowledgeable attorneys. Check out our website www.alawpro.com for more information on premises liability and slip and fall injuries.

Posted by Greenberg & Rudman | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: PREMISES LIABILITY , SLIP & FALL

Bookmark: