Oakland Personal Injury Lawyer

11-year-old Oakland Girl Killed By a Hit-and-Run Driver

Claude Wyle — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 15:12:09 GMT

Alana Williams, a sixth-grader at Frick Middle School in East Oakland, was killed on October 16, 2009, as she walked through a crosswalk at a busy intersection on her way to school.

Muni finds almost 10% of riders are fare cheats 10.19.09

She had gotten off an AC Transit bus around 8 a.m. and was struck in the crosswalk on 64^th Avenue and Foothill Boulevard by a car described only as black Lexus, approximately three to six yeas old.

The Lexus, also heading south on Foothill, struck the girl as it maneuvered around the bus and turned right onto 64th Avenue and kept driving, police said. Police did not know whether the Lexus had run the stop sign there.

Police have not located the driver of the Lexus, but are continuing to search.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact Officer Bellusa with the Oakland Police Department's traffic investigation section at (510) 750-6594.

This story illustrates how important it is to protect our children with cameras and stoplights at unsafe intersections, as well as crossing guards and police presence if possible. Remember, too, that if you are hit by a motorist, whether you are walking or in your car, you may have insurance uninsured motorist coverage through your own auto policy. You should consult with a personal injury attorney who specializes in accidents. Making a claim will not heal the injuries caused by traffic accidents, but some compensation would certainly help with the expenses, medical bills and wage loss, as well compensation for pain and suffering.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Claude Wyle

Fifty injured in San Francisco public transit accident.

Claude Wyle — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 03:11:39 GMT

I have posted an article about Muni train safety over on my San Francisco blog. It notes the importance of being aware of your surroundings while using public transportation and steps you should take before settling in for your ride:

- Find out where the emergency phones are
- Find out how to safely evacuate the vehicle in the event of an accident
- Find out where the emergency door releases are
- Find out where the fire extinguishers are located

This in light of the Muni light rail accident this weekend that injured nearly 50 people. While we can't prevent all incidents, it's important to know what to do in case of an emergency.

A video from the Associated Press about the story is below:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T-w9BcUxnBo

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Claude Wyle

Digital Timers Recalled For Shock Hazard

Chrissie Cole — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 02:01:00 GMT

Intermatic Inc., in conjunction with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), is recalling 200,000 Heavy Duty Digital Timers because they may have a faulty ground connection which can pose a shock hazard to consumers.

The company has not received any reports of injury related to the recall.

Included in the recall are Intermatic DT17 heavy-duty lamp and appliance digital timers. The items were packaged as the “DT17C Heavy Duty Digital Timer” and the “DT17C8 Heavy Duty Digital Timer.” Only products with a date code of “40Z” through “52Z” or date codes ending in “A,” “B” or “C” is included in the recall.

The timers were sold nationwide at retailers and electrical distributors.

The agency advises consumers to immediately unplug the timer and to contact the company for a free replacement.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, call Intermatic at (800) 704-3595 anytime, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.intermatic.com

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Chrissie Cole

Portable Electric Heaters Recalled Due to Fire Hazard

Jenny Albano — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 19:46:22 GMT

Aloha Housewares Inc., in conjunction with the CPSC, is recalling about 152,000 Portable Electric Heaters due to a fire hazard.

These heaters can overheat and plastic parts can melt posing a fire hazard to consumers. The company so far has received 29 reports of the portable electric heaters melting, smoking, and/or catching fire and 18 reports of general damage. There has also been one report of a consumer receiving burns on his hands and feet.
The portable electric heater can overheat and melt plastic parts, posing a fire hazard to consumers.

This recall involves electric oscillating tower heaters with the name "Aloha Breeze" printed on the top. The white heaters have model number 02044 and dates codes 06/06, 06/07, 06/08 or 06/09. Model numbers and date codes are printed on the silver label located on the back of the heater, near the bottom.

The recalled heaters were sold at Wal-Marts and small retail stores across the United States from August 2006 to November 2007 and were manufactured to China.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jenny Albano

Napastyle Recalls Romano Pitchers and Tumblers

Jenny Albano — Tue, 13 Nov 2007 23:58:43 GMT

NapaStyle, in conjunction with the FDA, is recalling their Romano Pitchers and Tumblers because they might contain high levels of leachable lead.

No illnesses have been reported to date. The recall was a result of an FDA test that showed that the items may contain lead introduced by the manufacturing process by our supplier.

The recalled products were sold in stores in California and were available nationwide through NapaStyle's mail order catalog.

The tumblers and pitchers are glazed, and have streaks of dark brown clay and a green finish. The pitcher is 44 oz. and 7.5 in. high and the four tumblers are 145 oz and 4.5 in high. The SKU numbers are 4410, 4411, and 4710.

The problem was discovered during one of the FDA's routine samplings. which showed that the products had more lead than is allowed by FDA guidelines. The company is no longer producing or distributing the product.

Exposure to lead has been shown to cause brain and kidney damage, especially in children. Lead poisoning symptoms include, among others, nausea, headaches, constipation, seizures, and coma.

For more information on this subject, please refer to our section on Defective and Dangerous Products.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jenny Albano

Lead is no Halloween Treat

Claude Wyle — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 18:43:35 GMT

Parents have a lot more to worry about than their children eating too much candy this Halloween. A recent test of popular Halloween products revealed dangerous amounts of lead. Of these products, are "Ugly Teeth," which are designed to be worn over real teeth. Ugly Teeth contain levels of lead over 100 times the legal limit. This is particularly concerning, because lead can be very dangerous when ingested, especially to small children.

For more information on this subject, please refer to the section on Defective and Dangerous Products.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Claude Wyle

Medronic Pulls Defibrillator Wires Off Market

Claude Wyle — Mon, 29 Oct 2007 18:28:51 GMT

After reports of five deaths, Medronic, Inc., has pulled defibrillator wires of the market. These wires connect defibrillators to the heart. Medronic suspended sales of these wires because the wires can fracture. Fractured wires may result in release of an electrical jolt. Sometimes the jolt can cause mild discomfort; other times the jolt can result in serious injury or organ failure. Surgery to remove the wires may not be the solution, because heart surgery carries its own risks. Medtronic advises patients with the wire to contact their doctors.

For more information on this subject, please refer to the section on Drugs, Medical Devices, and Implants.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Claude Wyle

Trucking Accident Causes Fiery Freeway Accident

Claude Wyle — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 17:37:28 GMT

Two people suffered fatal injuries in a fiery pileup inside a Southern California freeway tunnel on Sunday night. Two trucks triggered the accident when they collided into each other, which led to a serious of chain-reaction accidents, involving at least 15 trucks. Ten people suffered serious injuries, and it took over 300 firefighters to extinguish the blaze.

For more information on this subject, please refer to the section on Tractor-trailer accidents.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Claude Wyle

Infant Cold Medicine Recalled

Claude Wyle — Sun, 14 Oct 2007 17:36:24 GMT

Major brands of over-the-counter cough and cold medicines were recalled earlier today. There is nothing wrong with the formula, but the makers are concerned that parents may inadvertently cause injury to their children, because the product is not safe for children under two. The Food and Drug Administration cautions parents against using over-the-counter cough and cold medicines, unless instructed to by their physician, because the risk for accidental overdose is dangerously high.

For more information on this subject, please refer to the section on Drugs, Medical Devices, and Implants.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Claude Wyle

Motorcyclist Collides With Car, Suffers Fatal Injuries

Claude Wyle — Thu, 11 Oct 2007 19:37:56 GMT

Thursday, 37-year-old Teterio Carpenter suffered fatal injuries after colliding into the side of a vehicle that was making a left-turn. The accident occurred at approximately 8:30 p.m., at 1100 block of Gilman Avenue, in San Francisco, California.

For more information on this subject, please refer to the section on Car and Motorcycle Accidents.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Claude Wyle