• Aviation attorney

    Posted on August 27th, 2010

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    NTSB Blames Poor Visibility for Ted Stevens Plane Crash

    California plane crash lawyers know that inclement weather can be a major factor in plane crashes.  The National Transportation Safety Board has released a preliminary report into the Alaska plane crash that killed former Senator Ted Stevens earlier this month.  Broadly, the report seems to indicate that poor visibility might have played a major role in the crash that killed five people, including former Senator Stevens.

    The NTSB report has some details about the kind of adverse flying conditions that the plane likely encountered on that day.  Data from the official weather observation station located closest to the crash site seems to indicate that just about 10 minutes after the presumed time of the crash, there were wind gusts of more than 25 mph, and clouds as low as 600 feet.  There’s still no way of knowing the exact weather at the time of the crash.  The plane crashed in a remote Alaskan mountainside, and the NTSB report has been unable to pinpoint the exact weather conditions at the time.  However, the report mentions “marginal visual meteorological conditions” at the airport at Dillingham which is about 80 miles to the south of the crash site.  Besides, rescuers who reached the scene of the crash many hours later also reported poor visibility.

    The crash occurred in a remote location, and there is little solid information that the National Transportation Safety Board has to work with to determine the cause of the crash.  Alaska pilots are often faced with the challenges of flying through sudden and completely unpredictable changes in weather.   We know that the single-engine aircraft was flying at a low attitude of about 900 feet when it crashed into the Muklung Hills.  Four passengers on the plane survived the accident, and their accounts also confirm the poor visibility angle.  A more complete report by the NTSB will come only after months of investigation when the plane engine is torn down, and all other evidence is assessed.

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  • Criminal Law, lawyer

    Posted on August 17th, 2010

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    California Mother Faces 67 Counts of Underage Sex

    The California moral brigade is out in full force to cast stones at 42-year-old Christine Hubbs, the Livermore woman who is facing charges of sexual assault of two teenage boys.  It’s important to Los Angeles criminal defense lawyers to step in, and point out that Hubbs continues to remain innocent until proven guilty, and that additional circumstances surrounding the alleged assault don’t really matter.

    Hubbs faces 67 counts in all of sexual assault, including unlawful sex with a minor and exhibition of lewd material to a minor.  Prosecutors allege that she first made an advance towards one of the alleged victims when he was 14 years old.  After the alleged sexual assault incident in December 2008, she allegedly sent the boy sexually explicit text messages, and asked him to keep in contact with her.  There were two victims in all, and one of them was allegedly taken to a motel for sexual intercourse.  Prosecutors also say that Hubbs fueled the relationship by getting the boys expensive gifts, including video games.  She’s currently being held on $20 million bail.

    It has been very amusing to see parts of the media salivating over unimportant details of the alleged assault.  The media has gone all out to paint Hubbs as a heartless Jezebel, and everything from her daughter’s personal relationships to the way Hubbs dresses has been dragged out into view for public consumption.

    For instance, Hubbs apparently drove a Hummer with a license plate that had the letters “HUMDNGA” printed on it, and the media has taken silly details like this and run with the story.  There has also been much made over the allegation that one of the victims was her daughter’s ex-boyfriend. Local TV stations have been talking to neighbors who sniffed at how Hubbs dressed like a girl half her age, and gave the local children rides in her SUV.

    None of this is even relevant to the case, and the media should be doing a more responsible job of keeping attention focused strongly on the facts, and nothing else.  But that, of course, would be much too boring. In the meantime, this woman’s reputation and personal life are being dragged over the coals.

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  • Malpractice Lawyers

    Posted on August 4th, 2010

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    New HHS Regulations Will Make Hospital Infection Data Public

    Patients will soon have access to the kind of information they need to make a safe and informed decision about the hospital of their choice.  That’s because new regulations that require making public information about hospital-acquired infections will go into effect soon.

    Beginning in January next year, hospitals around the country will be required to report their infection rates to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.  Hospitals must report the number of patients that develop central line bloodstream infections in intensive care and neonatal intensive care units.  Later in 2011, infection rates for each hospital will be posted on the Hospital Compare website.  Patients will be able to have a look at the infection data, and then make an informed choice about the hospital they wish to get admitted into.

    The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that as many as 250,000 patients develop central line-associated bloodstream infections in hospitals every year.  These are some of the deadliest hospital-acquired infections, and result in potentially fatal complications, like sepsis.

    Hospitals will have much incentive to participate in the program.  Virtually every hospital in the country will be included in the program, because they will earn a higher Medicaid payment from reporting their infection data.  In the first year after the new regulations come into effect, hospitals will receive Medicare payments based on whether they’re reporting infection data.  Beginning October 2012, hospitals will receive Medicare payments based on how they’re able to protect patients from hospital-acquired infections.

    Hospital-acquired infections kill more than 100,000 people in the US every year.  In all, it is estimated that at least 2 million patients in American hospitals will acquire some kind of infection in the hospital.  The current regulations do not allow for patients to find out how their hospital rates in the prevention of deadly infections.  Arizona medical malpractice lawyers believe the new system will improve access to such information, and will also serve as an incentive to hospitals to better their infection control strategies.

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  • lawyer

    Posted on July 26th, 2010

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    Novartis Settles Gender Discrimination Lawsuit for $152 Million

    Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation has settled the rest of the gender discrimination claims that were brought against it by thousands of its current and former female employees.  The company has agreed to pay more than $152 million to workers who were employed by company between 2002 and 2007.

    Of the settlement, $60 million is meant to cover back pay.  Besides the $152 million, Novartis will also have to pay an additional $22.5 million for company programs aimed at eliminating discrimination in the workplace.

    That announcement came just a few months after a jury in May awarded a punitive damages verdict against Novartis of $250 million.  The jury had found that the company had discriminated heavily against its female employees.  This discrimination took the form of giving female employees lower pay than male employees, and discriminatory practices during promotions.  It was the largest gender discrimination award in US history against any company.  This new settlement replaces the punitive damages.  In May, a New York court also awarded 17 named plaintiffs and nine testifying witnesses, compensatory damages of $3.4 million.  That is part of the settlement of $152 million announced this week.

    As part of the settlement, Novartis has also agreed to undertake a series of measures as part of a three-year program aimed at the treatment of female employees equally with male employees.  These programs will include revising the company’s sexual harassment policies and bringing in external specialists to identify gender discrimination in the company, and to correct it.

    The settlement has not yet been approved, and it will go before a federal judge in Manhattan soon.  As the largest punitive damages verdict against any company in a gender bias lawsuit, the Novartis discrimination class-action will set a standard for other gender discrimination claims to follow.  The case had been heavily followed by Los Angeles employment law lawyers and corporations across the country.  It also came after a court ruled that a massive gender discrimination class action against Wal-Mart could proceed.

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  • Personal Injury

    Posted on July 21st, 2010

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    Toyota Mess Gets Murkier

    Los Angeles car accident lawyers wouldn’t have believed that the Toyota saga, complete with a whistleblower’s accounts of shady practices, and a teary chief executive, could possibly get messier.

    It just did.

    Last week, the Wall Street Journal published an article alleging that, according to confidential sources, driver error had been found to be a major factor in most of the acceleration-related accidents being investigated by the National Traffic Safety Administration.  As the WSJ might have expected, everyone went ballistic over that article, which clearly implied that driver error and not floor mats or sticky gas pedals, were to blame for the sudden and unintended acceleration problem.  The federal agency shot back with a representative informing a popular auto blog that the WSJ article was actually planted by Toyota. The Wall Street Journal has showed a sympathetic side towards Toyota, ever since the company’s image began to receive a beating more than months ago.

    According to the NHTSA representative, it is all part of the Toyota PR machine at work, trying to build a case that points to driver error as a factor in these accidents that are currently under investigation.

    This week, Toyota retaliated, strongly denying any claims that it had planted the WSJ story.  According to the automaker, any reports that it had manipulated the publication of a story in the WSJ in order to prove that driver error was a big factor in these accidents, were patently false.  There have been several more updates to the murky plot.  The NHTSA has since confirmed that it has not shared any investigation data, but could not confirm that Toyota had not accessed confidential records from the agency. The pressure is on WSJ to reveal its confidential sources, and the agency to prove that the automaker did not gain access to its records.

    In this entire mess of finger pointing and intrigue, it’s important to remember that the focus needs to be an investigation into the exact causes of the problem.

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  • lawyer

    Posted on July 8th, 2010

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    Pool Safety Tips for Premises Owners

    By now, almost everyone knows the pool safety drill – never leave the children unsupervised in the water, install 4-feet high pool fencing and make sure that all doors that lead to the pool are latched. However, if you own a property with a swimming pool, there are other things you can do to make sure that your pool is drown-resistant.

    It’s important for property owners to make sure that there is a special pool safety first aid kit available right at the poolside. This kit must be available and accessible in case of an emergency. Pool safety experts and California premises liability lawyers also suggest waterproof telephones if you need to call for emergency medical help.

    Property owners can also consider pool alarms. There are new and sophisticated models available these days. You can buy different kinds of alarms depending on the kind of pool you have. There are separate alarms for in ground pools and above ground pools. For instance, one alarm device detects waves in the water when an object, like a child, falls in, and will sound an alarm both inside and outside the house. Have alarms on all doors that lead to the pool.

    There are other gadgets you can buy to drown proof your pool. For example, all in ground pools need a pool cover. It’s not merely enough to have a cover that’s meant simply to protect the pool from dirt and debris. It’s important to have a pool cover that meets industry standards. Your pool cover should be able to support the weight of a person walking on it.  It’s also important to make sure that your hot tubs are covered and locked when not in use.

    Inflatable pools are a major drowning risk in children below the age of five. These are very popular because they’re easy to install, and work out cheaper than in-ground pools. However, these pools can hold thousands of gallons of water, and offer very little protection against drowning. Parents must know that all that open, easily accessible water makes the pool a drowning magnet.

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  • Personal Injury

    Posted on June 10th, 2010

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    Tire Safety Tips

    In honor of Tire Safety Week, tire makers and Las Vegas personal injury lawyers are drawing attention to the need to maintain your tires properly to prevent accidents. Tires are the only part of your car that are constantly in contact with the road, and therefore, must be kept in optimum condition. However, tire safety is often overlooked, resulting in adverse incidents like blowouts etc.

    The most important thing you can do to ensure your tires are in optimum shape is to make sure these are inflated properly. Tires must be inflated according to the vehicle’s specifications. Tire pressure must be checked at least once a month.

    Get wheel alignment checked at least one every year.

    Get your tires rotated every 5,000 miles.

    The most common problems that frequently result in accidents are poor tire tread. Check the tire tread frequently. Your tire should optimally have a 2/32 inch of tread.

    Check the grooves of the tire frequently to make sure that they’re clean and free from debris, like stones, pebbles and other foreign objects.

    Make sure that there are no cuts on your tires, or bulges.

    It’s the right time to bring attention to tire safety. The past two years have been tainted with tire safety scandals, including one in which a TV channel exposed the fact that several tire companies were pushing old and outdated tires into the market. Tires are like any other product, and have a shelf life of a few years.  When they are past their prime, they are in danger of a blowout and accidents.

    Since the scandal broke, a bill has been introduced that will require manufacturers to hand over documents at the time of sale indicating the date of manufacture of the tire. Not surprisingly, tire manufacturers have not exactly been enthusiastic about this idea.

    Tread separation is one of the most common causes of tire defect-related accidents. A sudden tread separation at high speeds can cause a motorist to lose control of his vehicle, contributing to a rollover accident. This week, it’s time for more attention on the need for frequent checkups of tires.

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  • lawyer, Personal Injury

    Posted on June 8th, 2010

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    Special Lenses to Alleviate Headaches Caused by Brain Injury

    Consistent and chronic headaches are one of the complaints most often reported by people who live with a Traumatic Brain Injury. New research seems to indicate that these painful headaches can be eliminated using special eyeglasses lenses that contain prisms.

    The study was conducted by physicians at the University of Michigan Medical School. The results of the studies seem to indicate that the severity of headaches, dizziness and anxiety reported by patients who suffered a brain injury, can be lessened to some extent by using these lenses. According to the researchers, this is a brand-new approach to the treatment of post-concussive symptoms.

    Researchers have known for long that traumatic brain injury can result in vision problems. Now however, they believe that the vision problems that result from TBI are also responsible for post-concussive symptoms, like headaches and dizziness. Up to 25% of patients suffering from TBI continue to suffer from post concussive symptoms for about a year after suffering the injury.

    The brain injury causes a condition known as vertical heterophoria, or visual image misalignment. In order to cope with this misalignment, the eye muscles are forced back into proper alignment. This leads to strain on the eye muscles, and can result in post concussive symptoms like dizziness, anxiety, neck pain and headaches. When the researchers used eyeglasses with prisms to realign the images, it led to a reduction in the strain on the eye muscles. The eye muscles were now less fatigued and stressed, and therefore, there was a massive reduction in the severity of the person’s postconcussive symptoms. In fact, the researchers found that the symptoms were reduced by as much as 71%.

    Traumatic Brain Injury is one of the most common conditions afflicting veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. These also occur frequently in auto, truck and motorcycle accidents, falls and assaults. Considering that up to 6 million people in the United States suffer from a Traumatic Brain Injury, and that many of these people suffer from postconcussive symptoms, these findings are very encouraging to Los Angeles brain injury lawyers.

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  • Personal Injury

    Posted on May 21st, 2010

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    How to Prevent Dog Bites Among Bicyclists

    dog attackThe classic image of a bicyclist pedaling away with dogs at his heels is likely to be seen more and more in California as the summer progresses. Bicycling season is here, and there’ll be more numbers of persons enjoying the warm California weather on two wheels. Unfortunately, there will also be unwanted canine friends huffing and puffing away for the ride.

    It’s hard to understand why one dog will chase a cyclist, while another will ignore one. Some dogs may simply be trying to protect their territory.  Many dogs chasing bicyclists are harmless, and just want to play. Other dogs may actually be aggressive, and want to harm you. It’s not always easy to tell what kind of dog is following you as you ride.

    A dog bite attorney in Los Angeles recommends the following steps to help you get that pesky animal off your heels:

    • Try shouting at the dog. Loud noise may frighten it.
    • Yelling serves another important purpose. If the owner of the dog is around, he may hear you, and come to your help.
    • If the dog is a small animal and doesn’t look too harmless, stop the bicycle. Once the bicycle is stopped, the dog will lose all interest in following you, and go back to whatever it was doing.
    • Get off your bicycle or walk home. The animal may decide to follow you for some distance, but will ultimately lose interest.
    • If you’re handy with a bicycle and have a water bottle, squirt water into the dog’s face. Obviously it will take some acrobatic bicycling to accomplish this feat, but it could help get the dog off your back. In fact, some bicyclists prefer to carry water mixed with some vinegar in a water bottle, just for this very purpose. The vinegar will irritate the dog’s eyes just enough to stop it from following you.
    • If the dog is getting really aggressive and may harm you, pepper spray will help. Every girl’s best friend also works for man’s best friend. Don’t spray around you, or blindly into the air.
    • Of course, none of these tactics may help if it’s a pack of dogs that’s chasing you. This is a dangerous situation, and you must not stop or get off your bike at any point. In a situation like this, the best idea for you may be to pedal as fast as you can.
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  • lawyer

    Posted on May 19th, 2010

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    DMV Releases New Video in Time for Motorcycle Safety Month

    The month of May has been dedicated to motorcycle and bicycle safety across California. The campaign coincides with summer, and the fact that higher numbers of bicyclists and motorcyclists will be on California roads. The California Department Of Motor Vehicles has brought out a new safety video that aims at educating motorists about motorcyclist and bicyclist safety.

    The video is titled Sharing the Road with Motorcycles and Bicycles, and runs for approximately 5 1/2 minutes. It features a series of safety tips and information for motorists. Some of these tips that seem to be lost on many of California’s motorists are:

    • Pay attention to motorcyclists and bicyclists while you’re driving
    • Look for motorcyclists and bicyclists, especially at crowded intersections
    • Check your mirrors before leaving lanes
    • Check your mirrors before merging

      To these tips, Los Angeles personal injury lawyers would add their own advice:

      • Give bicyclists a space of at least 3 feet as you pass them by. Don’t drive too close to a bicycle.
      • Don’t yell at bicyclists.
      • It’s not fun to drive close to a bicyclist and blow your horn. It not only scares the cyclist, but could also cause him to fall off his bicycle with serious consequences.

        The number of bicyclists on California’s streets has always been huge, and these will increase now that summer is here. Bicycle safety has been a thorny issue in California, and there have been certain high-profile incidents recently that involved aggressive driving by motorists.

        California has seen a massive increase in the number of registered motorcycles to up to 800,000 in January 2010. There is no excuse for motorists to ignore motorcyclists’ rights when there are these many motorcycles on the roads. Los Angeles motorcycle accident attorneys have long been concerned about high motorcycle accident rates in the state. In 2009, there was a drop in fatalities, but that could be attributed to the effects of an economic recession.

        With the month of May being dedicated to these serious safety issues, it’s the right time for law enforcement agencies in California to take up these concerns more seriously.

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