Northern California wrongful death law firm

Nursing Home Staff May Negligently Fail to Monitor Residents’ Blood Thinner Dosages

April 5, 2017 | Gregory J. Brod

Coumadin and other blood thinners are commonly used by elderly individuals. These individuals are often prescribed this type of medication to reduce the chance of heart attack, stroke, and other major medical events. However, blood thinners are serious medications and patients taking them need to be closely monitored by a physician or nursing home staff. Being on this type of medication when it is unnecessary or taking too much can lead to injuries and fatalities. In fact, ProPublica and The Washington Post found that 165 nursing home residents were hospitalized or died after suffering from Coumadin, or the generic Warfarin, errors between 2011 and 2014. These incidents are preventable when elderly patients are given proper care.

The Dangers of Failing to Monitor Blood Thinners

Coumadin has well-documented benefits. However, when patients are given too much or too little of a blood thinner, they are put at risk for serious health issues and early death. For instance, when patients who are at risk for negative health events are given too low of a dosage or not given their prescribed medication, they remain highly at risk for blood clots, stroke, and heart attack. When elderly individuals are prescribed or unnecessarily given too much of a blood thinner, they can suffer internal bleeding. Warfarin can also dangerously interact with other medications like commonly prescribed antibiotics. If physicians and other nursing home staff are not on the lookout for common medication interactions, then elderly patients are seriously at risk for injuries.

Google Charter Bus Struck and Killed Woman in Saratoga

January 6, 2017 | Gregory J. Brod

A Google charter bus traveling in Saratoga struck and killed a woman last week. The woman was walking to a bus stop when the bus reportedly turned the corner and hit her. The accident occurred at the corner of Fruitvale Avenue and Athletics Way on the campus of West Valley College in Saratoga. The bus is owned by Storer Coachways and is used to transport employees to and from the parking lots at the community college.

Weather Conditions May Have Played a Role

An investigation into the cause of the accident is ongoing. However, initial reports indicate that there were strong winds and heavy rain at the time of the accident, which happened at 5:15 PM on January 3, 2017. The woman was taken to a nearby hospital where she was pronounced dead. The bus company issues a statement of condolence to the woman’s family. It is not known whether the woman was in the crosswalk at the time of the accident.

Hollywood Actor Named as Defendant in Wrongful Death Lawsuit

September 28, 2016 | Gregory J. Brod

Famous actor and comedian Jim Carrey was named as the defendant in a wrongful death lawsuit filed by the estranged husband of Cathriona White. Ms. White and Mr. Carrey were involved in a dating relationship despite the fact that Ms. White was still married to her husband at the time. Ms. White committed suicide in 2015 by overdosing on several prescription medications. Now, Ms. White’s husband Mark Burton is claiming is claiming Carrey should pay compensation for causing and/or contributing to Ms. White’s death.

California Wrongful Death Lawsuits

The typical personal injury plaintiff prevails in his or her personal injury lawsuit if he or she can prove, by a preponderance of the evidence (that is, more likely than not) that the defendant named in the suit acted in an irresponsible or careless manner and that this behavior caused the injured plaintiff’s losses and injuries. Wrongful death lawsuits in California are similar in that the plaintiff alleges the named defendant’s careless or (sometimes) intentional acts caused a person’s death. The main difference between a personal injury lawsuit and a wrongful death lawsuit is the identity of the plaintiff: Whereas the injury victim him- or herself is the plaintiff in a personal injury lawsuit, the plaintiff in a wrongful death lawsuit is usually the spouse, partner, or child of the decedent.

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.