San Diego Personal Injury Lawyers Blog

Authorities pronounced dead the 2-year-old son of former Philadelphia Eagles quarterback, Randall Cunningham, in an apparent drowning in a backyard hot tub.

Las Vegas police say it appeared to have been an accident. A woman at the house, along with several other children, found the boy about 4:30 p.m. today and attempted to resuscitate him.

The child was pronounced dead at St. Rose Dominican Hospital Siena campus in Henderson, Nevada.

47-year-old Cunningham, now an ordained minister and pastor of a church in Las Vegas, was not home when the boy was found.

Accidental drownings of small children are preventable when adults are vigilant. Now that summer is upon us, it is especially important that small children are constantly supervised when in or near hot tubs or swimming pools, due to the high risk of serious injury or death that can occur.

Continue reading "2-Year Old Boy Drowns In Las Vegas Hot Tub ~" »

Today at approximately 3:45 p.m., authorities were notified that two people were found dead alongside State Route 67 near Slaughterhouse Canyon Road in San Diego County. The car they were in plunged off the winding, hilly road and tumbled approximately 100 feet down a brushy embankment. A neighbor's son noticed debris on the side of the road, and when he took a closer look, he saw the two bodies.

The San Diego County Sheriff's Department Homicide Unit was summoned to the scene to investigate, and an official at the scene told 10News the incident was "suspicious ... the injuries on at least one of the decedents was not consistent with a traffic collision," said Lt. Dennis Brugos of the San Diego County Sheriff's Department.

Officials stated there were no skid marks or anything to indicate a crash. However, they did notice a few marks on the asphalt, and judging from the curve of SR-67 and how the car landed, they believe the car may have been traveling south.

Over the years, there have been a number of fatalities on State Route 67, as well as on other San Diego roadways.

It is important to drive safely so as not to endanger yourself or others. If you are involved in an auto or motorcycle accident, you should contact a personal injury attorney in order to have your questions answered.

Continue reading "Two Found Dead Near San Diego's State Route 67 ~" »

Have you or a loved one been seriously injured in an accident in Cardiff-By-The-Sea? If so, you should consult with an experienced, aggressive attorney to find out what your legal rights are and what your next step should be.

Choosing A Cardiff-By-The-Sea Serious Injury Lawyer

After an automobile crash, dog bite attack, slip/trip-and-fall incident, bicycle injury, motorcycle injury, or any other event involving serious injury or the wrongful death of a loved one, it is very important to work with a law firm that specializes in personal injury.

The types of skills required to successfully handle a serious accident or wrongful death case are very specific. Don't be fooled by choosing a lawyer who dabbles in these types of cases, rather than one who handles them exclusively, as we do. Making a bad choice in getting the wrong attorney can be one of the most regrettable decisions you can make, and may significantly reduce the outcome you might otherwise be able to achieve.

Our Cardiff-By-The-Sea personal injury lawyers are experienced trial lawyers and have in excess of fifty years combined experience providing legal representation to serious accident victims in southern California, including San Diego, Riverside, San Bernardino, Orange, and Imperial Counties.

BMW (Bayerische Motoren Werke AG) recalled 15,532 motorcycles in the United States due to defects which could cause the front brakes to fail.

BMW, headquartered in Munich, recalled motorcycles from its K 1200 and R 1200 series for model years 2007 through 2009 for a flaw in the routing of the lines that can be exacerbated during riding.According to the NHTSA, the defect can cause the brake line to split and leak fluid due to vibration and strain, and possibly lead to front brake failure. If the front brakes fail, then the rear brakes are capable of slowing and stopping the motorcycle.

BMW also recalled its R 1200 series GS Adventure motorcycles for model years 2005 to 2007 because of bolts attaching the fuel tanks that can loosen.

Continue reading "Safety Recall Of BMW Motorcycles ~" »

Believe it or not, swimming is the third most popular activity in the United States and a good way to get exercise. It is very important to follow good water safety practices.

Swimming rules are extremely important for children to follow:

It is necessary that everyone in the family learns to swim well. Children can learn to swim by being enrolled in age-appropriate water orientation and learn-to-swim courses.

NEVER leave a young child unattended near water.

Do NOT trust a child's life to another child.

Teach children to always ask permission to go near water, whether it's the ocean, a swimming pool, or a lake.

Make sure young children or inexperienced swimmers wear U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets in or around water (ocean and lake), but do not rely on life jackets alone.

Always remember to wear sun screen when swimming or participating in any activity outdoors.

Continue reading "Swimming & Sun Safety In Cardiff-By-The Sea ~" »

The Solana Beach motorcycle accident lawyers at Kerckhoff Law, APC, are experienced trial lawyers and have in excess of fifty years combined experience providing legal representation to motorcycle accident victims in Solana Beach, California.

The types of skills required to successfully handle a serious motorcycle accident are very specific to these types of accidents. Don't be fooled by choosing a lawyer who dabbles in these types of cases, rather than one who handles them exclusively, as we do. Making a bad choice in getting the wrong attorney can be one of the most regrettable decisions you can make, and may significantly reduce the outcome you might otherwise be able to achieve.

If you, a loved one, or a friend have been the victim of a motorcycle accident and suffered serious personal injury, please call today for a free consultation with one of our attorneys - 866-606-3059, or fill out our Free Case Review form. All inquiries are strictly confidential.

Continue reading "Solana Beach Motorcycle Attorneys ~" »

Dangerous roads in San Diego County can cause injury to motorists, bicyclists, motorcyclists, and pedestrians, and can create liability against the State of California, Department Of Transportation (known as CalTrans). Of course, liability may be apportioned (allocated) between the first class of persons noted above, the State, and potentially other defendants who may have played some role in creating or maintaining a dangerous condition.

A motor vehicle operator driving an automobile (passenger vehicle, big rig truck, van, or bus), must make sure that they constantly stay alert, and maintain continual awareness of the numerous harmful factors that can cause an automobile crash to occur at any moment. Many people may not be aware of the fact that numerous accidents and injuries occur because of defectively designed or improperly maintained roadways. Expert San Diego attorneys understand dangerous roads.
The condition of the roadways that are continuously traveled on, highways, intersections, and even safety equipment on roadways can pose a serious threat to many vehicle drivers. Not only do a number of accidents occur in cities such as Kearny Mesa, Clairemont Mesa, Santee, El Cajon, La Mesa, and Lemon Grove, there are a number of auto accidents caused by poorly maintained roads. Additional causes of road defects accidents include problems occuring with medians, barriers, signs, shoulders, lights, exit ramps, lane markers, and intersections.

Continue reading "Injured Due To A Dangerous San Diego Road?" »

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has warned All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) riders to take necessary precautions to stay safe now that the ATV riding season is here.

With increased ATV riding comes the increase in deaths. In April, the media reported at least 40 fatalities ~ 12 involving children younger than 16 years old.

The CPSC data indicates that ATV-related deaths jump an average of 30% from March to April for children 16 and younger. Adult deaths will increase approximately 88 percent during the same time frame. In 2003-2005, ATV-related deaths increased each month during the spring and into the mkd-summer, peaking in July. Approximately 23 children and 76 adults were killed in ATV-related incidents.

The Chairman of the CPSC, Inez Tenenbaum, stated: "Far too many people are losing their lives and sustaining life-threatening injuries, which in many cases are preventable. CPSC is working diligently to ensure that the ATVs on the market meet mandatory standards and to promote safe riding practices."

In April 2009, it became mandatory for ATV distributors and manufacturers to offer free hands-on training through their dealers to first-time purchasers, as well as to age appropriate members of their immediate families, within a reasonable time from purchase.

Continue reading "Safe ATV Riding In Imperial County ~" »

Now that summer is upon us, there are a lot more motorcyclists on our roadways. Motorcyclists should always exercise the utmost care and caution when operating their bikes. When motorcyclists are involved in accidents with passenger vehicles, motorcycle riders and their passengers are more likely to suffer serious injury and death as a result.

Helpful Tips for Preventing Motorcycle Injuries

If you ride a motorcycle, always wear a helmet. Helmets are your best defense against serious and fatal brain injuries.

In addition to your helmet, wear eye and face protection. Many helmets have built-in visors or other face guards. Wear long pants, gloves, boots, and a durable long-sleeved jacket.

Get licensed. All states require a motorcycle license.

Never drink alcohol before operating a motorcycle.

Follow all the rules of the road. Don't speed-40 percent of motorcyclists who died in crashes were speeding.

Watch for hazards on the road, such as large cracks, holes, and bumps. Keep an eye out for vehicles coming from driveways and side streets

Make sure your headlight is on every time you ride. (This is a law in most states.)

Don't let anyone ride with you until you are skilled at riding in all kinds of conditions.

If you're a new rider, take a motorcycle riders' course. To locate a course near you, call 1-800-446-9227.

When passengers ride with you, they must wear a helmet and protective gear.

Continue reading "Summer Motorcycle Safety In San Diego ~" »

IKEA, the global Swedish furniture retailer, has recalled 3.36 million window blinds after one child died and two other children were almost strangled, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and Health Canada.

IKEA has recalled Roman, roller, and roll-up blinds. With each type, children may possibly entangle their necks in the loops or chains that are used to raise or lower the window blinds.

IKEA and U.S. safety regulators received a report of a near strangulation of a one-year-old boy in Lowell, Massachusetts back in February. In April 2008, a one-year-old girl residing in Greenwich, Connecticut became entangled in the inner cord of an IKEA Roman blind and was strangled. There was also another report of a two-year-old boy who was almost strangled.

Roller blinds that don't have a tension device attached to the chain should not be used, and models with the tension device should be installed into a wall or floor. IKEA will provide assistance for the work.

These reports prompted the previous recalls. No injury incidents reported involved the roll-up blinds. Retailers Wal-Mart, J.C. Penney, and Ace Hardware were among several U.S. retailers involved in a larger recall back in December 2009 of 50 million Roman shades and roll-up blinds.

All consumers should immediately stop using all Roman and roll-up blinds, and return them to IKEA for a full refund. IKEA can be contacted at 888-966-4532 or at www.ikea.com.

Continue reading "IKEA Stores Recall 3.36 Million Window Blinds Due To Strangulations" »

USA Today reports that a California lawsuit has unearthed "records of Toyota warranty repairs and customer complaints" showing "that the car company was dealing with cracking and breaking steering relay rods in the United States for at least 11 years before it recalled 330,000 pickups and SUVs in Japan to replace the rods - and 12 years before its 2005 recall of nearly a million similar trucks in the U.S. for the problem."

Therefore, the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration "has opened a probe demanding that Toyota explain why it waited nearly a year to recall" the vehicles after assuring the Administration that "after the 2004 steering rod recall in Japan that U.S. action was not needed."

Toyota has recently faced a dearth of claims and lawsuits both before and in the aftermath of its numerous safety recalls.

Continue reading "More Toyota Recall Issues ~" »

With summer upon us, there are a lot more motorcyclists on our roadways. Motorcyclists should always exercise the utmost care and caution when operating their bikes. When motorcyclists are involved in accidents with passenger vehicles, motorcycle riders and their passengers are more likely to suffer serious injury and death as a result.

Helpful Tips for Preventing Motorcycle Injuries

If you ride a motorcycle, always wear a helmet. Helmets are your best defense against serious and fatal brain injuries.

In addition to your helmet, wear eye and face protection. Many helmets have built-in visors or other face guards. Wear long pants, gloves, boots, and a durable long-sleeved jacket.

Get licensed. All states require a motorcycle license.

Never drink alcohol before operating a motorcycle.

Follow all the rules of the road. Don't speed-40 percent of motorcyclists who died in crashes were speeding.

Watch for hazards on the road, such as large cracks, holes, and bumps. Keep an eye out for vehicles coming from driveways and side streets

Make sure your headlight is on every time you ride. (This is a law in most states.)

Don't let anyone ride with you until you are skilled at riding in all kinds of conditions.

If you're a new rider, take a motorcycle riders' course. To locate a course near you, call 1-800-446-9227.

When passengers ride with you, they must wear a helmet and protective gear.

Continue reading "Motorcycling In Solana Beach & Rancho Santa Fe" »

Next month, Romeo Dumlao, Jr. will be sentenced to 16 years in prison for admitting to causing the December 31st crash in the Midway area of San Diego that killed Ashley Heffington and injured four other people.

Dumlao, who was high from huffing chemicals found in keyboard cleaner, rear-ended a Toyota Camry stopped at a red light on New Year's Eve, killing a 9-year-old girl. He pled guilty today to gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated.

The impact of the crash crushed the girl's skull. She was taken off life support just twelve days later.

Witnesses said Dumlao's SUV never braked and was going 50-70 mph when it crashed into the Camry, said Deputy District Attorney Christopher Lawson.

According to the prosecutor, when emergency personnel arrived at the crash scene, the defendant was passed out. Authorities found several cans of computer keyboard cleaner in Dumlao's vehicle, and he tested positive for the chemical found in those products.

Huffing is the abuse of tetrafluorethane (difluorethane) - individuals inhale the propellant in aerosol cans to get high.

Dumlao's formal sentencing is scheduled to occur on July 12th before Judge Eugenia Eyherabide.

Continue reading "San Diego "Huffing" Driver Pleads Guilty To New Year's Eve Crash ~" »

Believe it or not, swimming is the third most popular activity in the United States and a good way to get exercise. It is very important to follow good water safety practices.

Swimming rules are extremely important for children to follow:

It is necessary that everyone in the family learns to swim well. Children can learn to swim by being enrolled in age-appropriate water orientation and learn-to-swim courses.

NEVER leave a young child unattended near water.

Do NOT trust a child's life to another child.

Teach children to always ask permission to go near water, whether it's the ocean, a swimming pool, or a lake.

Make sure young children or inexperienced swimmers wear U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets in or around water (ocean and lake), but do not rely on life jackets alone.

Always remember to wear sun screen when swimming or participating in any activity outdoors.

Continue reading "Swimming & Sun Safety In San Diego ~" »

The Cardiff-By-The Sea motorcycle accident lawyers at Kerckhoff Law, APC, are experienced trial lawyers and have in excess of fifty years combined experience providing legal representation to motorcycle accident victims in Cardiff-By-The-Sea, California.

The types of skills required to successfully handle a serious motorcycle accident are very specific to these types of accidents. Don't be fooled by choosing a lawyer who dabbles in these types of cases, rather than one who handles them exclusively, as we do. Making a bad choice in getting the wrong attorney can be one of the most regrettable decisions you can make, and may significantly reduce the outcome you might otherwise be able to achieve.

If you, a loved one, or a friend have been the victim of a motorcycle accident and suffered serious personal injury, please call today for a free consultation with one of our attorneys - 866-606-3059, or fill out our Free Case Review form. All inquiries are strictly confidential.

Continue reading "Looking For A Cardiff-By-The Sea Motorcycle Lawyer?" »

The following is a guest post by the Chicago wrongful death lawyers at the law firm of Dolan Law Offices.

On May 28, 2010, a teenage girl was driving on Sabre Springs Parkway in San Diego with 4 of her friends when she took a curve too quickly and hit a truck in a head-on collision. Her 17-year-old friend, BreAnna Erickson, was a passenger in her car and she was killed in the crash. BreAnna was a junior at Rancho Bernardo High School who wanted to study to become a pediatrician.

BreAnna's story is tragic. Her family and friends are left to mourn her at a time when she had her whole life ahead of her.

Losing a loved one in a car accident is always tragic but the situation is even more difficult when the driver who caused the fatal accident was your loved one's friend. Families are often reluctant to pursue damages because they do not want to sue a friend.

However, it is important for the survivors of wrongful death victims to understand that they can recover the damages to which they are legally entitled without going to court to recover damages from their friend. In many cases, such as a wrongful death caused by a car accident, the money for damages comes not from the pocket of the person who caused the accident but from that person's insurance company. For more information about the delicate situation of recovering damages when a friend caused your loved one's wrongful death, contact a wrongful death lawyer in your state.

Dolan Law Offices extends its sympathies to the family and friends of BreAnna Erickson and to all other families suffering similar tragedies. Our compassionate and experienced lawyers work hard to recover fair damages in a sensitive manner for the families of Illinois wrongful death victims.

Yesterday, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with IKEA, announced a voluntary recall of IKEA Sultan Heidal spring mattresses. They fail to meet the federal mandatory open flame standard for mattresses, which poses a fire hazard to consumers.

The IKEA Sultan Heidal spring mattresses were sold in sizes twin, full, queen and king. The recall includes mattresses date-stamped 0725 through 1014 (YYWW). Sultan Heidal, supplier number, and date stamp are located on a label attached to the mattress.
The article and supplier numbers included in the recall are:

Mattress Size Article Number Supplier Number
Twin 701-095-77 20520
Full 301-109-69
Queen 501-109-73
King 901-109-71

The mattresses were sold exclusively at IKEA stores nationwide from June 2007 through April 2010 for approximately $500 to $1,000.

Consumers should immediately contact their local IKEA store for instructions on returning the mattress for a replacement or full refund.

For additional information, contact IKEA at (888) 966-4532 or visit the firm's web site at www.ikea-usa.com.

Continue reading "Safety Recall Of IKEA Sultan Heidal Spring Mattresses~" »

Have you or a loved one been seriously injured in an accident in Encinitas? If so, you should consult with an experienced, aggressive attorney to find out what your legal rights are and what your next step should be.

Choosing An Encinitas Serious Injury Lawyer
After an automobile crash, dog bite attack, slip/trip-and-fall incident, bicycle injury, motorcycle injury, or any other event involving serious injury or the wrongful death of a loved one, it is very important to work with a law firm that specializes in personal injury.

The types of skills required to successfully handle a serious accident or wrongful death case are very specific. Don't be fooled by choosing a lawyer who dabbles in these types of cases, rather than one who handles them exclusively, as we do. Making a bad choice in getting the wrong attorney can be one of the most regrettable decisions you can make, and may significantly reduce the outcome you might otherwise be able to achieve.

Our Encinitas personal injury lawyers are experienced trial lawyers and have in excess of fifty years combined experience providing legal representation to serious accident victims in southern California, including San Diego, Riverside, San Bernardino, Orange, and Imperial Counties.

Continue reading "Encinitas Serious Injury Lawyers ~" »

A Connecticut smoker who developed larynx cancer was just awarded $8 million by a federal jury in Bridgeport. This was the first smoker's case to go to trial in Connecticut, and the first jury verdict against a tobacco company in New England.

Barbara Izzarelli (49), who smoked Salem cigarettes for over 25 years, underwent surgery at age 36 that resulted in the removal of her larynx. She now breathes through a hole in her throat, has no sense of smell, and can only eat soft foods.

The award against R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company came after a two-week trial. Sometime in June, the trial judge will decide whether or not to award additional punitive damages, which could bring the award to $24 million.

The Connecticut jury held that the Salem cigarettes made by R.J. Reynolds were unreasonably dangerous and defectively designed, that the company acted with reckless disregard for the safety of consumers, and it should be required to pay punitive damages. Evidence in the trial established that R.J. Reynolds had undertaken a campaign in the early 1970s to market Salems to minors in order to establish a long-term customer base. It designed the cigarettes with enough nicotine above the threshold for addiction. David Howard, a spokesperson for R.J. Reynolds, denied that his company targeted youths and said that the cigarettes came with warnings since the 1960s. He said the company is disappointed and plans to appeal.

According to one of the experts who testified at the trial (Dr. K. Michael Cummings, senior research scientist at Roswell Park Cancer Institute in Buffalo), tobacco companies have downplayed the significance of verdicts against them in recent years as an aberration. The Connecticut verdict shows tobacco firms will be held liable around the country. He also testified as an expert in the Florida tobacco lawsuits.

Continue reading "Connecticut Smoker Awarded $8 Million Verdict ~" »