Wrongful Death

From Extreme Treatments to Basic Pedicures: California Spa Injury Lawyer on Salon Safety

October 30, 2015 | Gregory J. Brod

For many women, and an increasing number of men, a day at the spa is a small luxury that leaves them relaxed and feeling attractive. Nail salons and spas offer a wide range of services, especially if you include so-called “health spas” in the mix. Recently, a news story brought national attention to an extreme service offered at some spas after an employee died while using a treatment device that is increasingly popular with athletes and celebrities. However, the risks lurking at salons are not limited to the more unusual services. The danger of spa and nail salon injuries is very real, lurking behind even popular, wide-spread services like manicures and pedicures. As a salon injury lawyer in San Francisco with additional salon injury law offices in Sonoma and Oakland, Attorney Brod is prepared to help individuals who went to a spa seeking bliss and instead found injury and pain.

The Extreme: Worker Dies Using Cryotherapy Chamber at Nevada Spa

An Associated Press (“AP”) report carried by SFGate.com details the disturbing death of a young spa employee in Las Vegas. According to the article, a fellow employee found the 24-year-old woman frozen to death inside a cryotherapy chamber earlier this month. It appears the deceased used the chamber after closing a day prior. Cryotherapy involves putting users into a chamber for just a minute or two and using liquid nitrogen to achieve sub-zero temperature. Proponents, including athletes, say it can relieve post-exercise pain, improve healing, and increase circulation. Some salons also tout the treatment as a weight loss aid and anti-aging remedy.

Understanding Wrongful Death Law in California

October 28, 2015 | Gregory J. Brod

Wrongful death cases are always emotional, even for a law firm that deals with them on a regular basis, however, this work can be incredibly rewarding. When our Oakland wrongful death law firm helps a grieving family recover compensation, we allow a family to begin to move forward from a terrible tragedy alleviating some of their most pressing financial concerns and also providing a sense of justice. Whether it is a deadly auto accident such as the accident that claimed 5 lives in the Sierra foothills on Saturday, a dangerously defective product, or any other danger created by someone else’s negligence, California wrongful death law and the Brod Law Firm can help.

Deadly Accident Involved Santa Rosa Vehicle

The Oakland Tribune reports that a vehicle registered in Santa Rosa was one of two cars involved in a deadly collision near Sonora on Saturday. Calling it one of the worst accidents the area has seen in a while, California Highway Patrol (“CHP”) officials say that an SUV and a sedan collided in a head-on crash on Highway 120 near Smith Station Road around 6:30 Saturday evening. Four people travelling in the SUV died at the scene while one was airlifted to a Modesto hospital. The driver of the sedan also perished while his sole passenger was taken to the same hospital for treatment of major injuries.

San Francisco Muni Accident Lawyer Looks at Non-Passenger Muni Accidents

October 13, 2015 | Gregory J. Brod

One of the advantages of living in a city is the plethora of transportation options available, a stark contrast to many rural or suburban areas where driving is often the only realistic option. Many visitors and residents of the Bay Area rely on San Francisco’s Municipal Railway (“Muni”). Unfortunately, Muni accidents involving bicyclists and other non-passengers are an under-recognized danger. As a San Francisco Muni Lawyer, Attorney Greg Brod fights for people injured by Muni vehicles, bringing an understanding of the unique factual and legal contours of these cases to each representation.

Fatal Muni Bicycle Accident in San Francisco on Sunday

A Muni accident left a bicyclist dead on Sunday afternoon. CBS’s San Francisco affiliate reports that a 48-year-old cyclist fell between two Muni buses travelling on the 500 block of Market Street shortly before 3:30 PM. The rider ended up pinned underneath a tire of one of the buses and died as a result of his injuries. A police spokeswoman indicated that officers will review surveillance videos and speak to witnesses in order to determine what happened and who was at fault. Muni officials said the bus driver involved in the crash will be tested for drugs and alcohol and Muni will cooperate in the police investigation. In a separate event, a female rider suffered serious but not life-threatening injuries when she was struck by a truck at 4:01 PM near the intersection of The Embarcadero and Chestnut.

Examining the Causes and the Dangers of Wildfires

September 15, 2015 | Gregory J. Brod

It’s a topic we’ve touched on often in recent weeks, but it is also the news story foremost in the minds of many Californians and one our team thinks about on both a personal and professional level every day. Watching the news is both frightening and humbling; after all, if the images are coming to us from the news rather than from outside our own windows, we are luckier than many of our neighbors. With reports suggesting that the Valley Fire has now claimed a human life, today’s post looks at the danger of wildfire injuries and wildfire deaths. Our Northern California fire injury law firm also reminds readers that many, though certainly not all, fires are unfortunately the result of human negligence. This truth should push all of us to be vigilant about fire safety and should serve as a reminder that those impacted by fire may have a legal recourse.

Lake County Fire Grows, Fatality Confirmed

On Monday morning, ABC30 published an update on the terrible wildfires ravaging the state. Although details are not available, the network reports that the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (“Cal Fire”) has confirmed the death of one person in the Valley Fire. The confirmation of one death comes as officials say area hospitals have treated at least 27 people for fire-related health problems. Most of the injuries involved smoke inhalation and were deemed minor. Four firefighters were treated for burns.

Dying Declaration in East Oakland Shooting Serves as a Lesson in Evidence and the Civil/Criminal Divide

September 11, 2015 | Gregory J. Brod

While the original Law & Order may no longer be in production, legal dramas continue to abound. Often, a key moment in the fictional courtroom involves whether or not the so-called “smoking gun” is admissible in court. These dramas can also highlight the interplay of the criminal and civil systems. Today’s blog entry looks at these issues in the context of a tragic shooting. First, we briefly examine the hearsay rule and its exceptions. Second, we remind readers that our Oakland violent injury law firm can help clients pursue civil claims for violent injury regardless of what happens in a criminal tribunal.

Criminal Charges Filed Based on Dying Man’s Declaration

This week, the Oakland Tribune reported that authorities have filed murder and weapons charges tied to a fatal East Oakland shooting. In the early hours of September 3, police were called to the 9800 block of Burr Street where they found a 22-year-old man suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. According to police, the man made a dying declaration to officers identifying his shooter prior to passing away at a nearby hospital. Police located the named 31-year-old Richmond resident. Officers say he admitted to involvement in the shooting but a motive is unknown.

California Supreme Court Paves Way for Dangerous Condition of Public Property Claim

September 1, 2015 | Gregory J. Brod

Many people assume that personal injury law is a rather static field; after all, while the mode of injuries may change, injuries themselves are far from a new concept. Nonetheless, injury law does indeed evolve. As your San Francisco personal injury law firm, we work to stay informed about new legislation and updated interpretations of existing law. Earlier this summer, the Supreme Court of California handed down a decision clarifying when a government entity can be held liable for injuries stemming from a dangerous condition of public property. The ruling is important in itself and as a signal of California’s continued commitment to protecting her people.

Background: The Case & Rulings Below

According to the court (decision available online), a woman was driving in Los Angeles when another driver veered into her vehicle. The woman’s car spun out and crashed into a magnolia tree, one of several planted in the median about seven feet away from the inside lane. The woman and three passengers, including two of her siblings (identified by the Metropolitan News-Enterprise as between 15 and 19 years old), were killed while a fourth passenger was badly injured. Police arrested the other driver and he was later convicted of four counts of vehicular manslaughter without malice.

Vehicle Defect Attorney Looks at Settlements Between Federal Government and Major Automaker

July 29, 2015 | Gregory J. Brod

In the U.S., motor vehicle safety is governed by a detailed network of laws and regulations governing initial build and on-going maintenance. Some rules have been standard for decades. Others are constantly being added/updated. While the rules are complex, the reason they exist is simple – A single defect in a single automobile can endanger dozens and thousands are at risk when a defect is repeated. Vehicle recalls are one preventative tool, but a recent settlement questions the effectiveness of some recalls. When a potential defect becomes a real accident and an injury or death is linked to a defective vehicle, our vehicle defect law firm in San Francisco, Oakland, and Santa Rosa is ready to use our experience in car accident personal injury litigation and product liability law to advocate on behalf of the injured and the grieving.

Fiat Chrysler Settles Government Claims Related to Vehicle Defects and Ineffective Recalls

According to the San Francisco Chronicle, federal officials have pointed to numerous problems with Fiat Chrysler vehicles. For example, defective steering parts in more than 500,000 Ram pickup trucks could cause a driver to lose control of the vehicle. The government claims a recall and repair campaign failed to fully address the issue and Fiat Chrysler has agreed to institute to the largest buyback program in U.S. history. Additionally, some 500,000 older Jeeps with potentially dangerous rear-mount gas tanks are eligible for buyback or repair. More than 75 vehicle fire deaths have been linked to the tanks, although Fiat Chrysler says the Jeeps are no more dangerous than similar cars of the same vintage.

Garbage Truck Collisions and Other Refuse Collection Accidents

July 24, 2015 | Gregory J. Brod

They blend into the everyday hubbub on streets throughout America, fitting in seamlessly because they visit most of our homes on a weekly basis. This normalcy makes it easy to forget that they are actually powerful, heavy-duty vehicles. Our Oakland truck accident lawyer knows that garbage truck accidents are a problem few of us ever consider – until it happens in our neighborhood or until an accident impacts someone we love.

Officials Investigate Garbage Truck Accident in Orinda, CA

A garbage truck accident in Orinda on Tuesday left many feeling grateful that the outcome wasn’t more tragic. The Oakland Tribune reports that a garbage worker was preparing a bin for loading on Los Ceros just before 8 A.M. when the truck began to roll backwards down a hill towards the busy Moraga Way. The worker gave chase and tried to jump into the driver’s seat but wasn’t able to hold on and eventually leapt off the truck. After colliding with a single car, the truck came to a stop. Both the worker and the car’s driver were hospitalized but officials say they expect both people to recover fully. Local police chief Mark Nagel remarked that it is amazing the consequences weren’t more severe. An investigation is ongoing to determine why the truck began to roll.

Bay Area Injury Attorney on the Rights of Balcony Collapse Victims

June 17, 2015 | Gregory J. Brod

For many apartment dwellers, a balcony is their version of a backyard providing a chance to enjoy a sunny day or cool evening and functioning as an extension of their home. Both occupants and visitors should be able to enjoy a balcony with confidence in its stability. Sadly, as we were reminded this week, balcony and deck collapses are a very real danger. San Francisco balcony collapse lawyer Greg Brod is prepared to use California law to help injured victims and grieving families following devastating balcony collapse tragedies.

Berkeley Balcony Collapse Kills Six, Injures Seven

In the early hours of Tuesday June 16, a balcony collapsed in downtown Berkeley claiming at least six lives and leaving seven others injured. According to the San Francisco Chronicle, the collapse occurred at Liberty Gardens, a four-story apartment building on Kittredge Street near Shattuck Avenue. The victims were attending a birthday celebration when the balcony of a top-floor apartment detached from the building and sent partygoers tumbling. Most of those attending the party were Irish students participating in work-study programs.

The Untold Dangers of Roller Coaster and Amusement Park Accidents

June 16, 2015 | Gregory J. Brod

Roller coaster fanatics travel far and wide to check out a new attraction, experience a unique thrill, or take a ride on a historic attraction. For fans, part of the thrill is feeling scared and out-of-control while knowing they are ultimately safe. Sadly, that sense of safety is sometimes false; roller coaster injuries and other amusement park accidents are a reality. When a memorable day of fun turns tragic, our Northern California amusement park injury lawyer can help.

Two Injured at Santa Clara Amusement Park

According to the San Francisco Chronicle, two people were injured in an accident at California’s Great America on Friday June 12. The incident involved the Flight Deck roller coaster (previously called Top Gun), an inverted coaster that allows riders’ legs to dangle free. Based on official statements and witness accounts, it appears that an employee of the Santa Clara amusement park was struck in the head by a rider as the coaster was returning to the base station. A rider also suffered a hand injury during the incident.