Child Injury

Lead Poisoning in Your Daily Life

August 10, 2018 | Gregory J. Brod

Lead poisoning is the most common environmental illness in children in California today and can lead to lifelong injuries, including learning disabilities, speech impairment, and other developmental issues. There is no known level of lead that can exist in the body safely, so any amount of lead that seeps into your body can be considered lead poisoning. Luckily, lead poisoning is preventable in most instances, so educating yourself on what lead poisoning is and where lead particles can be found in your daily life can help prevent injury to yourself or your child. However, there are times when you may encounter lead in your home as a result of your landlord’s failure to notify you of the existence of lead in your building or another violation of California lead regulations. Call the attorneys at Brod Law Firm if you suspect there may be lead in your building or have suffered from lead poisoning.

Lead Poisoning in Your Daily Life

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Child Injured at Bay Area Water Park

May 29, 2017 | Gregory J. Brod

The opening of the Wave at Emerald Glen Park in Dublin, California, has been awaited for quite some time. It is a multi-million dollar complex in the San Francisco suburb. However, on May 27, opening day, a 10-year-old boy was injured when he was thrown from a large water slide and fell onto concrete below. The child was treated at the hospital for scrapes and then released.

The Emerald Plunge slide, from which the boy was thrown, and the Dublin Screamer chute next to it were both closed after being open for only about 90 minutes that Saturday. The California Division of Occupational Safety and Health are investigating what went wrong and why a rider would be ejected from the slide when it was being used properly. Along with authorities, the city is determining what improvements should be made to ensure rider’s safety and prevent future accidents.

A Water Park’s Liability

Dangerous Furniture Continues to Cause Injuries to Children

January 4, 2017 | Gregory J. Brod

A furniture warning and recall from IKEA has prompted many people to take steps to make their dressers safer. Dressers, and other large pieces of furniture pose a serious danger to young children. Children may climb on the furniture, causing it to fall onto them. IKEA furniture has injured or killed some children. Although any furniture is capable of falling, IKEA has taken steps to make their furniture less hazardous. As recently as this week, parents have reported toppling furniture that has fallen onto toddlers.

What Causes Furniture to Fall?

Dressers and similar pieces of furniture are naturally top heavy. While the drawers are closed there is generally no danger. However, when the drawers are open, it can cause the dresser to have more weight in the front, causing it to fall over. Young children have been found to open drawers in order to climb on the dressers. When a child opens a drawer and puts his weight on it, the dresser is unable to remain steady, and can topple forward, directly onto the child.

Northern California Pedestrians Injury Lawyer Offers Tips on Keeping Your Ghouls and Goblins Safe This Halloween

October 23, 2016 | Gregory J. Brod

Every Halloween, certain things are bound to come around:

New, larger sizes of chocolates and candies for adults to distribute to the “ghouls” and “goblins” in their neighborhoods;
Scarier and more authentic costumes for children and adults alike; and

Skateboarding Safety: Thoughts from a Recreational Injury Lawyer in Santa Rosa, Oakland, and San Francisco

August 17, 2016 | Gregory J. Brod

When you think about car accident victims, what groups come to mind? Vehicle occupants and pedestrians are probably at the top of the list. After a bit of thought, people might add motorcycle and bicycle riders. However, the truth is that car accident injuries and fatalities can involve a broad range of individuals. One often-overlooked group: Skateboarders. As a recent incident reminds us, skateboard accidents can be serious, even deadly. Sometimes the rider is at fault, but other times fault lies with the vehicle driver or another third-party. In those cases, our skateboard accident lawyer in Santa Rosa, San Francisco, and Oakland can help the injured and/or grieving recover compensation for their loss.

Skateboarder Killed by Car Near Santa Rosa

According to The Press Democrat, a male skateboard rider was killed in an accident on northbound Fulton Road on Friday night. A CHP spokesperson said that the skateboard rider had been travelling on the shoulder when he swerved into the path of a GMC Yukon at approximately 9:15 P.M. near the intersection of Fulton and River roads. The rider suffered major injuries and was taken to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital where he later died. Police say that the rider veered into the SUV’s path for unknown reasons and the driver was unable to avoid a crash. Although the investigation is ongoing, police do not believe alcohol or drugs were a factor and do not expect to charge the driver in the incident.

Fighting for the Victims: Sexual Assault and the Importance of Civil Litigation

August 10, 2016 | Gregory J. Brod

Perhaps the most important things one can say to the victim of sexual assault are “I believe you” and “You are not alone.” As a San Francisco sexual assault victim’s law firm, we are here to represent the victim. We are proud to act on behalf of brave children and adults who have suffered from these heinous wrongs. We are honored to help bring civil sexual assault lawsuits that can provide a sense of justice and recover compensation from the assailant.

Police Arrest Petaluma Man on Charges of Sexual Assault Involving a Minor

ABC7 recently reported on a disturbing case of alleged sexual assault in Petaluma. According to the article, police arrested a 38-year-old drug and alcohol counselor based on allegations he drugged and sexually assaulted a 16-year-old girl. Police say they found evidence and admissions during a search of the man’s home.

A Matter of Trust: Medical Malpractice Law in California and Other Claims Against Medical Providers

July 22, 2016 | Gregory J. Brod

Trust is a fundamental part of almost all human relationships. We trust that our spouse will be loyal, that our mechanic will be capable, and that other drivers will follow the rules of the road. Perhaps there is no relationship in which trust is so important as that between a patient and a doctor. We put our health and our lives in their hands, as well as the well-being of our children, because we believe they have adequate training and will remain true to their oath to do no harm. Sadly, as our San Francisco wrongful death lawyer knows all too well, sometimes things go horribly awry. While not every negative outcome is cause for a lawsuit, when medical providers fail to adhere to a proper standard of care and the result is harm to the patient, a medical malpractice lawsuit, wrongful death, or another civil claim may be appropriate.

Tragic Death of a Young Girl Following Dental Procedure in San Ramon

While it is far too early to know what went wrong and if someone is legally at fault, a tragedy occurred at a Northern California dental office last weekend. According to SFGate.com, a three-year-old girl died last Saturday following a dental procedure at a medical office in San Ramon. Emergency responders were called to the office around 10 AM on Saturday when someone reported that the child had stopped breathing following treatment. The girl was taken to San Ramon Regional Medical Center where doctors pronounced her dead. It is not known whether the child was under anesthesia nor do officials know the nature of the dental procedure performed that morning. Medical and fire personnel declined to release details or comment on the case citing patient privacy laws.

Northern California Child Injury Lawyer Examines Furniture Tip-Over Accidents Amid Major Recall

June 29, 2016 | Gregory J. Brod

Being a parent is hard work. There is no greater responsibility and no greater joy. As the parents on our team know firsthand, most parents try their very best to keep our children safe. Still, we are all too aware of the fact that tragedies happen. Falling furniture remains a source of far too many child injuries and child deaths. We can all help prevent tip-over accidents, but we should also be able to trust that the products we bring into our homes are reasonably safe. When a dangerous product leaves a child injured or claims a child’s life, our San Francisco child injury law firm can help the family get recover compensation and help to prevent future tragedies from occurring.

IKEA Recalls Furniture Blamed for Six Child Deaths Due to Tip-Over Concerns

As reported this week by SFGate.com and the Associated Press, Ikea is recalling 29 million pieces of furniture in the wake of six reported child deaths linked to toppling units. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (“CPSC”), all six deaths involved children aged three years or younger. One of the deaths occurred some 27 years ago, but the other five occurred between 2002 and 2016. Additionally, the CPSC reports it has received 36 reports on child injuries linked to the furniture.

Motorcycle Crashes: Northern California Motorcycle Crash Lawyer Looks at the Age of Crash Victims

June 22, 2016 | Gregory J. Brod

Whether it is the feeling of the wind passing by, the improved gas mileage and ease of commuting, or the camaraderie among riders, motorcyclists are passionate about life on two wheels. From teen motorcycle riders to riders in their senior years, the Brod Law Firm supports the right of motorcycle riders of all ages to enjoy their passion and be safe while doing so. We also know that drivers must work to protect the safety of everyone on the road, no matter how many wheels on their vehicle of choice. Our Sonoma motorcycle injury lawyer is honored to advocate on behalf of motorcycle riders injured or killed by negligent drivers in Northern California.

Teens Injured in Northern California Motorcycle Crash

The families of two teens know all too well the damage a driver can do to a motorcycle in a crash. On Sunday, according to a report in the Press Democrat, two 15-year-old boys were injured in a motorcycle crash in Clearlake. Police believe that a man in a pickup truck followed behind a car as it crossed a double yellow line and attempted to pass the motorcycle carrying the teens. When the motorcycle attempted to turn left onto 33^rd Avenue, the truck slammed into the bike and both boys were thrown off the motorcycle. The motorcycle passenger incurred major injuries and was taken to a hospital via helicopter. The motorcycle’s driver suffered moderate injuries and was taken to St. Helena Hospital for treatment.

San Francisco Injury Lawyer on the Danger of Electric Shock Drowning

June 7, 2016 | Gregory J. Brod

As summer arrives in Northern California, many people are getting ready to hit the water. We are lucky to have such a wide range of options for water recreation in our area including the ocean, lakes, and swimming pools. Most people are aware that there is always a risk of drowning, even in fairly shallow waters. Our San Francisco recreational injury lawyer wants to make sure that people are also aware of a lesser known type of drowning, electric shock drowning.

Two Recent Reports of Suspected Electric Shock Drowning

In recent weeks, there have been multiple news stories about electric shock drowning. On May 31, AOL reported on a teenage girl who died in a suspected electric shock drowning incident this spring. The girl’s father says she and her friends were swimming in a lake when he lowered a metal ladder into the water to provide them a way to climb back out. He soon saw that the girls were in distress and when he tried to enter the water himself he felt a strong electric current. His wife shut off power to the boat dock. Everyone except for the daughter made it out. Authorities suspect she died of electric shock drowning.