PHILADELPHIA – A wrongful death lawsuit was filed last week by the family of a Claymont, Delaware man who died in May 2012 after being crushed by a roll of newsprint about to be unloaded from a train car at the printing plant for the Philadelphia Inquirer and Daily News. Defendants in the suit include Arcellor-Mittal, the Great Northern Paper Co., and Philadelphia Media Network and Philadelphia Newspapers, former owners of The Inquirer and the Philadelphia Daily News. According to the suit, Jefferson Troester, 43, an assistant engineer with Arcellor-Mittal Railways, Inc. was opening the doors of a rail car when two rolls of 4-foot by 4-foot newsprint fell out, each weighing approximately 1,500 pounds. One of the rolls landed on Troester. The roll was so heavy that getting it off of Troester’s body took several hours. The lawsuit alleged that the defendants failed to secure the newsprint rolls in the train, causing them to move around during transport. The suit also alleged that there was no procedure in place for safely opening the doors.
LAS VEGAS – Last week a father filed a wrongful death lawsuit following his 7-year-old son’s death on November 30, 2012. In the days leading up to Roderic “RJ” Arrington’s death, officials at his school reported suspicions of abuse to county child welfare personnel. According to the lawsuit, school officials had observed “extensive scarring” on RJ’s back. RJ had allegedly told school officials that when he got in trouble, his mom and her boyfriend would hit him with a broom handle, TV cord, belt or spatula. The boy’s mother and her boyfriend have been charged with murder and two counts of child abuse. They are named as defendants in the lawsuit, along with the state of Nevada, state Division of Child and Family Services, Clark County, Clark County Department of Family Services, Clark County Child Protective Services and the Clark County School District.
FLORIDA — A wrongful death settlement has been reached over the 2009 death of a mentally handicapped man who died after he was repeatedly pepper sprayed in a Florida jail, Naples News reported. The victim, Nicholas Christie, was reportedly stripped naked and pepper sprayed 10 times over the course of 43 hours. The 7-figure settlement came as the case was scheduled to head to trial next month.
LOS ANGELES COUNTY — An early morning helicopter crash at the Polsa Rosa Ranch in Acton tragically left three people dead, the San Gabriel Valley News reported. The crash occurred at about 3:40 a.m. Sunday, killing everyone on board. No one was injured on the ground. According to the news report, the accident happened during the course of filing a reality TV show. On Monday authorities identified two of the victims as David Gibbs, 59, of Valencia, and Darren Rydstrom, 46, of Whittier. The helicopter involved was operated by Valencia-based Crossbow Helicopters, Inc. and had been rented by the production company Eyeworks USA for use in a Discovery Channel show. The cause of the February 10th accident will be investigated by the FAA and National Traffic Safety Board (NTSB).
EL DORADO COUNTY – Four people, including two children, were tragically killed and four people were injured in a car accident that took place on U.S. Route 50 near Placerville Saturday night. A California Highway Patrol spokesman said the accident occurred when a Toyota Prius traveling on Highway 50 crossed the center line and broadsided a Toyota Sienna minivan. Three of the four Prius passengers were killed in the collision, including the driver of the vehicle and an 8-year-old boy. The other Prius passenger, a 10-year-old girl, was hospitalized with severe injuries. Of the five Sienna minivan passengers, a 4-year-old girl sustained fatal injuries and two passengers sustained minor to moderate injuries. Investigators pulled computers from both vehicles to determine how fast the vehicles were traveling at the time of the crash, but did not know the cause of the devastating November 24, 2012 crash. Offering Victims and Victims’ Family Members Support and Guidance While police conclude their investigation, the victims and the family members of the deceased should not wait to talk to a California car accident lawyer at Estey Bomberger. After suffering a serious injury or a heartbreaking loss, we can offer victims and victims’ family members support and guidance. When you contact our office, we will gladly arrange an appointment to discuss your legal rights, options, and obligations. We are looking [...] Read more »
RIVERSIDE COUNTY – On November 25, 2012, one person was tragically killed in a fiery helicopter crash that took place at the Corona Municipal Airport. Corona police arrived on the scene of the accident at approximately 11 p.m. to discover the helicopter in flames. The pilot, the only passenger on board, was still inside the helicopter and was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash. Authorities were withholding the identity of the victim until family members could be notified. Investigators from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are trying to determine the cause of the crash, but at press time, knew little of the events leading up to the crash. Two witnesses reported hearing an explosion after hearing the rotor blades strike the building and investigators confirmed that one or more of the helicopter’s rotor blades struck the roof of the airport’s refueling station. Aviation Accident Liability Until authorities conclude their investigation of this devastating crash, it is impossible to determine the cause of the crash. If the investigation reveals the crash was caused by a defective part, flawed helicopter design, or malfunctioning electronic system, the victim’s family members may be able to seek justice in the civil court system. For more information about seeking justice in the civil court system, it is highly recommended family members talk [...] Read more »
RIVERSIDE COUNTY – A motorcyclist was tragically killed in a collision with a truck Monday night in Palm Springs, reports Kesq.com. Palm Springs police said the tragic October 5, 2012 collision happened at about 4:45 p.m. on Gene Autry Trail and 7 Lakes Road. Police say it appears the truck was traveling eastbound on 7 Lakes Road when it turned onto Gene Autry Trail in front of the motorcyclist. After colliding with the motorcycle, the truck crashed into a home on the other side of the intersection. The rider, whose identity was not known, died at the scene of the crash. The driver of the truck was transported to a hospital with minor injuries. No one was in the house at the time of the accident, but emergency crews did have to repair a small gas leak at the home. Police are investigating the cause of the motorcycle accident. Motorcycle Accident Liability Based on the news report, the driver of the truck is at-fault for this devastating accident. If the victim’s family members decide to file a lawsuit against the at-fault driver, it is highly recommended they consult a California motorcycle accident lawyer at the law firm of Estey Bomberger. A sudden and unexpected loss can leave family members with more than grief and sadness – family members may also experience financial losses, loss [...] Read more »
SAN FRANCISCO – The family of a 15-year-old boy who was shot and tragically killed by a San Francisco police officer on June 5, 2012, has filed a $10 million wrongful death lawsuit against the city. The lawsuit claims officer Joshua Cabillo was motivated by prejudice when he shot Derrick Gaines, who was African-American. Cabillo was cleared of any wrongdoing after an investigation by San Mateo County prosecutors revealed Gaines was shot in the back of the head as Cabillo tried to detain him. According to investigators, Cabillo shot Gaines after he reached for a gun. Holding Negligent Parties Accountable Following the tragic loss of a loved one in an incident such as this one, the victim’s family members may have many unanswered questions. Who is responsible for the death of a loved one? How can surviving family members hold the at-fault party accountable? A caring and experienced California wrongful death lawyer at Estey Bomberger can provide answers and options to grieving family members, so please contact our office today to arrange a free case consultation. With our help, surviving family members can make sure the at-fault party or entity is held accountable and also obtain funds for the many expenses associated with the loss of a loved one, such as funeral and burial costs, final medical bills, loss of victim’s future earnings, loss [...] Read more »
KERN COUNTY – An 18-year-old girl was tragically killed in a drunk driving car accident early Monday morning, reports The Bakersfield Californian. According to police, 33-year-old Martin Juarez nearly hit two other vehicles before he collided with the victim’s car as he drove the wrong way in the number one lane of Coffee Road near Stockdale Highway. The 3:47 a.m. crash tragically killed Breana Webb and left her four passengers with severe injuries, including facial fractures and a lacerated kidney. A police report described Juarez as having blood shot eyes, slurred speech, and an odor of alcohol coming from his breath. Reportedly, Juarez refused to take any sobriety tests and instead had his blood drawn. Juarez is being held on multiple charges, including second-degree murder charges. He was convicted of a DUI in 2005 and in California, a person who was previously convicted of a DUI can be charged with second-degree murder if they subsequently kill a person while driving under the influence. Drunk Driving Accident Liability Based on the news report, the drunk driver is at-fault for this heartbreaking October 29, 2012 accident. If the drunk driver is convicted of the criminal charges, his conviction will do nothing to help the victims with the many damages related to a serious injury or tragic loss. If the victims and the family members of the [...] Read more »
KERN COUNTY – A 40-year-old woman was tragically killed when a tire flew off another vehicle and hit the windshield of the woman’s car while she was driving south on State Route 99 near Bakersfield. As a result of the impact, the woman’s Jeep Wrangler crashed into a guardrail. The woman, identified as Souraya Sourayanezhad of Pasadena, died at the scene of the crash. Sourayanezhad was traveling with her parents when the tragic October 23, 2012 accident happened. Sourayanezhad’s parents were sitting in the back seat of her Jeep Wrangler and sustained minor injuries in the crash. According to police, the fatal accident happened at about 8 p.m. Kern County Road Debris Accident Liability Based on the Pasadena Star-News report, the driver of the vehicle that lost the tire may be at-fault for the tragic accident. Was the tire not properly installed? Did the driver know the tire was loose, but did nothing to secure it? Hopefully, authorities can determine how and why this heartbreaking accident occurred. While police conclude their investigation, the family members of the victim should speak to a wrongful death attorney. A skilled attorney can provide surviving family members with the information they need to decide if filing a claim is within their best interests. If surviving family members decide to move forward with the claims process, an attorney can [...] Read more »
