Archive for August, 2009

Improperly Secured Load Causes Fatality

A tragic car accident claimed the life of 58-year-old John Paul Hamon of Weldon, California. The fatal accident happened when Michael Rapport, 63, was traveling on the highway 178 in Kern County, when one of several two-by-four boards fell from the top of his truck, striking and penetrating the driver’s side windshield of Hamon’s Ford Explorer. Hamon sustained critical injuries to the head and died almost instantly. His SUV rolled off the road for almost one thousand feet. Rapport is facing an investigation and could be charged. Hamon’s passenger, 67-year-old Leta Johnson, was taken to a hospital nearby with moderate injuries.

If you have been involved in an accident and have sustained injury, or even if a loved one’s death has been caused by injuries from a traffic accident, then contact us for help. Our personal injury and traffic accident attorneys can get you the help you need to recover from an accident.  Don’t guess about your legal rights.  Protect yourself and your family.  Can Now – 888.222.8286

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Two Vehicles in Head-on Collision near School

A commercial van and a sedan were involved in a head-on collision at an intersection near a school, Tuesday, August 25th. Police responded at 8:30 to a crash near a crosswalk at Westmont Drive and Loara Street, in front of Westmont Elementary School. Both of the two vehicles, one a Honda Accord and the other a blue medical equipment van, were heavily smashed on the front ends.

The accident happened when the Honda attempted to turn left in front of the van and the two vehicles collided. The driver of the Honda reported pain in her chest, but when paramedics responded nobody was hospitalized. The accident did not block lanes, and traffic moved as normal.

If you’ve been in an accident and been injured, it is imperative that you find a personal injury lawyer. A Los Angeles personal injury attorney can make sure you get the help you need in order to recover from your accident. To find out more, contact our offices in Los Angeles.

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Riverside Car Accident Kills Woman on the 60 Freeway

Twenty-seven-year-old Shari Martinez was killed on August 25, in a car accident in Riverside. She was struck after her car broke down – as she was getting out, a pickup truck collided with her, and she was later pronounced dead at the scene. The accident occured on the 60 Freeway. The man driving the pickup stopped at the scene, but is not being charged, though an investigation is still pending.

If you have been injured in a car accident of any type, finding help can be a huge step towards recovery. If you or a loved one are in need of representation after a traffic accident, please don’t hesitate to contact our offices and speak with a car accident lawyer for a free consultation.

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Critical Injuries Sustained after Multiple Vehicle Crash in Los Alamitos

A multiple vehicle accident in Los Alamitos resulted in two injuries and left one woman in critical condition.  The collision involved a big rig truck and an RAV 4 SUV but included at least three other vehicles.  The injured people were trapped inside an automobile following the crash this morning on Katella Avenue and Los Alamitos Boulevard and the OCFA had to be called to the scene at around 8:30 a.m. to cut them out.

A child is among those hurt in the crash although the sustained injuries were said to be minor. The three were taken to Long Beach Memorial Hospital where one woman was listed in critical condition and the other in serious condition. The semi-truck driver was unharmed in the accident.

Only a thorough investigation will establish who was at fault for the wreck, but if the injured SUV driver and her passengers were blameless, they can file a personal injury claim against the big rig driver for financial compensation.  When an automobile accident threatens your financial security and causes physical and emotional damage, you can do the same.

Call us today, toll free at 888.222.8286 to set up a free consultation and receive caring, expert legal representation.  When you choose Slaughter and Slaughter, you can rest assured that we will work hard to get you the financial reparation you need after your debilitating wreck.

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Tort Law and Personal Injury Representation – California Lawyers

People who are injured in accidents, whether from an automobile collision or a work related incident,  may find themselves in serious peril that has little to do with the physical damage done to their body.

As so often happens, sudden debilitating and/or crippling injury can rack up a near insurmountable amount of medical bills.  The average American family lives paycheck to paycheck and has only acquired a modest amount of savings over the years.  After an accident, they may   find their life earnings  drained in no time at all.  Those who have been injured to the extent that they are unable to work may also discover a loss of wages that places them and their family in further economic jeopardy.

Thankfully, civil litigation is an option for individuals who have been injured through no fault of their own.

Tort law

Civil tort legislation was enacted for the purpose of enabling individuals to recover financial reparation in legal situations where another personal negligently caused damage  to person or property.   It served a dual purpose  – to punish the guilty and to make sure victims received some kind of restitution for their incurred injuries or losses.

One infamous civil case involved former football pro  O.J. Simpson.  While he was acquitted on murder charges, the Brown family was able to recoup millions in reparations for the death of their loved one.  In the end,   they were unable to receive justice in one court of law but obtained one form  in another.

Civil court representation

When someone you love has been injured or fatally wounded, either via malice or negligence, you have the ability to take the perpetrator to court and receive financial compensation.  In cases of serious  injury, the money can help  pay medical bills and replenish lost wages.  In regards to wrongful death, the relatives of the deceased can file a claim to obtain reparation for their loss.  This money will pay for their funeral expenses as well as provide restitution for the deceased individuals earning potential, an important compensation aspect if the person was a head of household wage earner.

For this very reason, it pays to locate a qualified personal injury lawyer who understands the various ins and outs of civil tort law.  Not only can an expert personal injury or wrongful death attorney obtain the money you need to stave off potential financial devastation, they can become something of a personal advocate who fights diligently for your rights.

Finding the right lawyer for you

The right law firm will be one that specializes in the particulars of your case.  For instance, if you are going after a car  manufacturer for a defective auto part related collision, you would need to seek an attorney who has experience with product liability cases.  Some law firms have attorneys who specialize in several areas of civil law and can assist a number of accident victims.

Slaughter and Slaughter is just such a law firm.

Get a qualified team on your side

With several decades of combined experience, the legal team at Slaughter and Slaughter can provide you with the passionate and knowledgeable legal representation you need to win your case in court.

Contact Slaughter and Slaughter right away for a free case review and see what we can do to ensure you receive the financial compensation you deserve after a horrendous personal injury changes your life and threatens your livelihood.

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Workplace Injury – Obtaining Compensation

Workplace accidents occur on a daily basis and adversely affect not only victims but their families as well.  Interestingly enough, the amount of worker accidents and fatalities can also affect the United States as a whole.  This is because  workplace injuries amass $125 billion to $155 billion dollars  in medical costs and lost labor estimates.  In regards to fatal injury, 2008 recorded 5,071 accidents where a worker was killed while on the job.

It is for these very reasons that business owners and companies adopt a no-nonsense approach to  safety in the work place, especially since there is link between employee safety and company productivity.  Indeed, any company can observe safety ordinances by learning and strictly adhering to government outlined procedures.

When a company fails to do its job

Some occupations like construction, electrical or off shore oil rig work can be inherently deadly in and of itself.  Even so, there are numerous safety practices that are supposed to be put into place to protect such employees.  Sadly, some companies care more about their bottom line and cut costs in places that may affect their ability to protect workers.

This short sighted response to a financial issue most often than not can result in disaster.  An example of this would be not purchasing protective items like ventilators and goggle for employees who have to handle asbestos.  This can result in the development of a deadly cancer called mesothelioma.  What’s more, a worker’s family members can be placed in danger, as asbestos can attach to clothing and cause illness to anyone who touches them.

The aftermath of injury and death

In the wake of a workplace injury or fatality, associated costs can threaten the financial security of victims and in some instances, leave them without a source of income.  In situations where debilitating injury occurred, medical bills can swallow up saved nest eggs and college funds as family members scramble to adjust both economically and mentally.  When a death occurs, funeral cost can also be tremendously draining as well.  If the individual who died was a primary wage earner,  a family could  become destitute in a very short time and may potentially lose everything.

What families can do

When a loved one dies due to company negligence, surviving relatives can file a wrongful death lawsuit against the company.   If crippling injury occurs, the victim and or their loved ones may also be able to file a personal injury claim.  By taking the matter to civil court, victims and/or their families could recover financial damages that would aid  them in paying for medical related costs as well as any lost earnings.

If you have lost a valued family member or were personally injured in an accident, contact one of our knowledgeable accident attorneys today.  You and your loved one deserve the secure future you worked hard to build.  Call now to set up a free consultation and get the compensation you need to keep your life together after a debilitating accident or tragic loss.

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Suspected Drunk Driver Hits Police Officer

A police officer was injured in Chula Vista Thursday Morning after being it by a suspected drunk driver.   The collision occurred on Fourth Avenue near D Street at approximately 12:25 a.m. and happened shortly after the officer placed an apprehended parolee into the backseat of his car.

The vehicle that hit the patrolman was heading south when it drifted into his path and struck him.  The officer’s left foot was run over and the right passenger mirror hit him in the back.  He was taken to the hospital and later released. The 41 year-old-driver was found and arrested shortly after the incident. He will face felony hit and run and driving under the influence charges.

The officer is taking a few off days to get well, but if his foot was damaged badly enough his injuries could be permanent and in time, debilitating.    Then there is the matter of his spine and if the car mirror seriously hurt his back.  Either way, the vehicle driver could be sued in civil court via a personal injury lawsuit.   The officer could then receive financial compensation that would help him  pay for accident  associated medical costs. If you have been similarly injured in a car accident, contact the legal team at Slaughter and Slaughter right away for a free case evaluation.    No one should have to pay financially for someone else’s mistake—get  the law on your side and receive the compensation you need  after your serious accident.

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Pedestrian Struck and Killed While Crossing El Cajon Street

A pedestrian crossing El Cajon  street was struck and killed by a sports car this past Wednesday evening.  She was attempting to get across six lanes of traffic when she was hit by the automobile, which was traveling southbound.  The Mazda Rx- 7 collided with the 57-year-old woman around 6:30 a.m. at the 300 block of North Second Street. The victim died at the scene.  The sports car driver was not arrested although an investigation into the incident is ongoing.

This tragedy may seem open and shut, but many times investigations can reveal a shocking chain of events that turn the case around.  Authorities could learn for example, that the driver had been recklessly speeding and may have had time to stop and avoid killing the woman.  If this is the case, surviving family members could  file a wrongful death lawsuit against the motorist.

When someone else’s negligence results in the death of a loved one, you have legal recourse. Call us today for a free case assessment and learn what steps you can take to obtain financial reparation as well as justice after a wrongful death related car accident.

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Man Hit by Truck While Sleeping in Park

A 32-year-old Anaheim man was struck by a Park and Recreations pickup while sleeping under a tree in Modjeska Park. The collision occurred around 11:45 a.m. after a maintenance worker cut across the grass to head towards a trash can.  The driver of the truck  said he “felt something” and stopped  the  vehicle to investigate.  It was then that he realized that he had run over a man who had been snoozing under a tree. Investigators are looking into the pedestrian accident to see if there was any way the driver could have avoided hitting the Anaheim resident.  The struck man was alert and did not seem to be seriously harmed in the incident but was transported to the hospital as a precautionary measure.

Hopefully, the medical staff will find nothing wrong with the victim.  If tests indicate he is fine, he can count himself    individual.  As so often happens, a truck accident where a pedestrian or any individual on foot is struck  could result in life altering injury or death.  When that occurs, the accident victim   can file a personal injury lawsuit against the negligent party.

Has something similar happened to your or a loved one?  Call us today for a free case review to see if you have a claim.  You just could receive financial compensation that helps you pay for hospital bills, rehabilitation and related expenses.  Protect your future today, call now.

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Motorcyclist From Torrance Killed Outside Gardena

A motorcyclist moving at speeds as high as 100 mph was fatally injured in a collision between himself and another vehicle. George Mason Henson, the 37-year-old motorcyclist, was killed on the scene of the accident near Gardena. The motorcycle accident occurred at at Normandie and 125th streets, in an area of Athens near Gardena, Henson collided with a vehicle that made a left turn ahead of him. As Henson approached 25th street, another driver, 21, made a left from a side street, estimating that he could complete the turn ahead of the motorcyclist. Henson crashed into the Chrysler, flying from his motorcycle as a result.

If you or a loved one have been injured in a motorcycle accident, its a wise precaution to, at the very least, speak with a lawyer regarding your case. By talking with a car accident, lawyer, you will become informed of valuable information that can be advantageous when handling your case, even if you choose not to go to court.  Talk to a motorcycle lawyer today.

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