San Francisco Personal Injury Lawyer

Doctor Arrested For Writing Illegal Prescriptions, 1 Death

Jenny Albano — Fri, 09 May 2008 02:59:55 GMT

A doctor was arrested Tuesday, May 6, for writing numerous illegal painkiller prescriptions, which led to the death of a 28 year-old.

Dr. Wesley Albert, 78, is being held for investigation of second-degree murder in the overdose of Jason Morgan of Riverside, who had 30 bottles of narcotics prescribed by Albert when he died, officials said. Morgan died, they said, after Albert gave him a large prescription for Soma, a muscle relaxant prescribed for acute pain.

Albert was arrested after a 10 month investigation by the San Diego pharmaceutical task force which is run by the state Bureau of Narcotics Enforcement. After one of Albert's patients was arrested for possessing illegal prescription drugs, agents found that Albert was selling hundreds of illegal painkiller prescriptions. He would prescribe several times the normal amount of each drug and would receive $50 to $100 for each prescription.

People from Riverside, Orange and San Diego counties learned that Albert was prescribing prescription drugs for cash, and many people flocked to the hotel where he had been residing for months. Albert did not examine his patients and did not ask the questions a normal doctor would ask before prescribing medications. According to staff at his previous job, Albert retired, and his license expired last month.

The cause of Morgan's death was heart failure and Soma intoxication; he had five times the recommended amount of the drug in his system.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jenny Albano

Another San Francisco Muni Pedestrian Accident!

Claude Wyle — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 14:36:39 GMT

I wish I was kidding, but I am sad to advise that the San Francisco MUNI has just been involved in its 18th pedestrian accident since this last July. Of these 18 reported MUNI pedestrian accidents, five have caused deaths. While this time, the MUNI bus did not kill anyone, the lady who was struck was taken to San Francisco General with personal injuries. Not surprisingly, although the accident is still under investigation, the MUNI and the SFPD are already casting the blame on the injured pedestrian.
As San Francisco pedestrian accident attorneys, we have our work cut out for us when we take on the City. Did you know that when a MUNI operator is involved in a collision or runs over a pedestrian or when a passenger is injured when they have fallen on a MUNI bus, the first person that the MUNI operator calls is their own dispatch? And then the MUNI sends its OWN investigator to the scene of the accident ,who then takes control of the evidence and gathers the witnesses and takes statements. Then the MUNI investigator decides whether or not to call the police. Isn't it an odd system where the party who is going to get sued sends its own investigator out before the police, and the witnesses are all reached first by that investigator? What happens to witnesses favoring the party who is injured? What happens to videos of accidents that are "lost" by the MUNI? Why is the bus moved before the police show up? Why are the police often not called? I should probably stop whining. This is Life in The Big City of San Francisco, and fighting City Hall is part of our job. Best wishes, Claude

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Claude Wyle

Car Pulls Out of Driveway; Another Motorcycle Accident Death

Claude Wyle — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 13:59:53 GMT

Last Friday night, a 22-year old motorcycle rider was killed in Hayward when he crashed his Yamaha R1 into a Dodge Intrepid that had just backed out of a driveway. The rider, a man named Escobar, was pronounced dead at the scene. Police has mentioned speed as a factor in the collision. The Hayward Police Department is investigating the motorcycle crash, and people with additional information are requested to call Officer Eric Mulhern at (510) 293-7011.
As San Francisco motorcycle accident attorneys, we encounter similar factual situations all the time. While it is clear that a car driver is negligent for backing his vehicle into the path of traffic, the speed of a motorcyclist will always be in question. A motorcycle rider absolutely needs to ride defensively. When a car crashes into a car, fenders bend. When a motorcycle crashes into a car, the motorcyclist gets hurt or is killed. If you see a car in a driveway and the lights are on, or the reverse lights are on, please slow down and give that vehicle a wide berth. You may have the right of way, but your life and health are yours to protect. Have fun, and ride safely, Claude

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Claude Wyle

Truck Driver Not At Fault In Fatal Gambling Bus Accident

Claude Wyle — Mon, 10 Dec 2007 11:44:10 GMT

The CHP have determined that the pick up truck driver who was killed in last week's gambling bus accident was not the cause of the fatal collision. Although the truck driver had been driving aggressively before the bus crash, the deadly bus accident was caused by another driver who sideswiped the gambling bus, and then hit another car behind the bus. The tour bus, on its way back to San Francisco, also lost control and crossed into the pick up truck's lane, causing a head-on collision, and causing many serious personal injuries. The driver of the car who is at fault suffered major personal injuries, and another driver who was struck also has suffered serious personal injuries, as well.
As bus accident and truck accident attorneys, we have learned that the first impression of fault for a crash by the police is not always the best and last word. The CHP have changed their determination of fault largely because they have, like we do every day, employed accident reconstruction analysis to the physical evidence found at the scene and on the vehicles involved. In our experience, careful accident reconstruction often reveals the truth about a collision, long after the police have called it an open and shut case.

So, what should the innocent injured driver and the family of the truck driver and the passengers of the bus do about their injuries and potential claims arising from this bus crash? First of all, they should determine how much med pay coverage is available under their own policies on their own cars, and how much uninsured or underinsured coverage they may have on their own vehicles. The driver who is at fault is not likely to have enough coverage to compensate all of the injured people and the family of the deceased. People are probably going to be forced to look to their own policies for compensation. Open the claim with your own carrier now, and sort out the policy limits of each of the parties down the road. Good luck, and best wishes, Claude.

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

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Claude Wyle

San Francisco Bound Gambling Bus Crash With Truck; Kills Driver

Claude Wyle — Wed, 05 Dec 2007 16:10:57 GMT

What started out as a peaceful bus ride to the Indian Casino for a bit of gambling, has turned ugly, with a bus crashing head-on into a pick up truck, and killing the driver of the pick-up. CHP investigators are still investigating last Sunday night's fatal bus crash, which killed one person and caused serious personal injuries for several more. There is talk of a side swipe and of dangerous passing, however what is clear to this bus crash attorneyis that this bus was difficult to control. Was the bus speeding? Did the bus driver have the chance to avoid this crash? Had any of the drivers involved been drinking? How many seconds before the impact did each of the drivers have to avoid this deadly bus crash? These are all questions that a bus crash attorney will have to ask if he or she is retained by the passengers of this bus or by the family of the man who was killed when the bus smashed into the truck.

For more information on this subject, please refer to the section on Mass Transit Accidents.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Claude Wyle

Gambling Bus Accident Causes Wrongful Death

Claude Wyle — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 15:51:48 GMT

A gambling tour bus from U.S. Asia Tours, bound for San Francisco on Highway 88, crashed head-on into a pick up truck on Sunday night, killing the driver of the pick-up. At first the CHP believed that the pick up driver's conduct was the cause of the crash, however now they believe that a second car which was trying to pass the bus, might have hit the bus and caused this deadly five car pile up. Nine people also suffered personal injuries in this deadly tour bus crash. As bus crash attorneys we face these same scenarios regularly. We are, presently, representing the family of a man killed as a passenger of a gambling tour bus which crashed into a tractor in Fresno County. What the passengers of the bus need to understand is that, as passengers, they are the innocent parties, and they should be fully compensated for their injuries and damages.

Often, the attorneys for the passengers of the bus begin the investigation where the CHP leaves off. Through accident reconstruction and other experts, bus crash attorneys can help prove fault for bus accidents, and assure that the bad drivers are held fully accountable.

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

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Claude Wyle

More Top Tips For Avoiding Dangerous Toys

Claude Wyle — Thu, 22 Nov 2007 15:34:13 GMT

To choose appropriate safe toys for children, be a label reader. Look out for the toy labels that give you age and safety recommendations and then use that information as your guide. But, don't rely 100% on the labels. Inspect the toys yourself. Choose toys appropriate for the age, abilities, skills and interest level of your child. Pick toys with sturdy construction, such as well-secured eyes, noses and other potential small parts, and avoid toys with lots of little accessories or items that may be swallowed or aspirated. These are dangerous toys for little children. This next tip is key, as we see mistakes here turn tragic too often.

Keep the toys which are appropriate for older children away from younger siblings or neighbors.
For any and all children, especially those under age 8, avoid toys with sharp edges or points, or that stiff plastic wrapping that can cut. Once the gifts are open, do not delay throwing out plastic wrappings before they become potentially hazardous play things.
Next, please understand that projectile toys such as darts and sling shots, or air rockets, are only for older children, and that failure to take proper precautions improper use of these toys can result in serious eye injuries.
Next, when charging batteries, children should be supervised by adults. Either chargers or adapters can present burn hazards to children. It is a good idea to pay attention to all instructions and warnings on battery chargers.
And, after you have paid careful attention to just what toys are safe to buy, then you should remember to supervise your children closely.
To see further detail and to subscribe to emails from CPSC's web site, please go to:
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml08/08086.html

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

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Claude Wyle

Avoiding Dangerous Toys; Top Tips For This Year

Claude Wyle — Wed, 21 Nov 2007 15:09:45 GMT

This year, 61 different toys, involving more than 25 million product units, were recalled by the CPSC. While, currently, toys are undergoing more inspection and more intense scrutiny than ever before, it pays to be a smart and safe shopper. The following are some of the top toy safety tips for this Holiday Shopping Season.
First, you should know that the leading causes of toy related deaths are choking and aspiration, or breathing in of toy parts. We keep saying it. Avoid toys with small parts for children younger than age three, which can cause choking or aspiration. Next,

Next, Avoid Toys With Magnets For Children Younger Than Six Years Old. The magnets in toys these days are very strong and can cling together inside a child if they are swallowed. This may lead to serious injuries, surgeries, or death, if the magnets come loose and a child swallows the magnets. You should avoid building sets with small magnets, and keep an eye out for recalls involving toys with magnets.
Next, for Riding Toys, such as skateboards, in-line skates, and Razor type scooters. They go fast. They don't steer, or stop well. They should not be used on steep grades. They wobble when you go just a bit too fast. Children go fast, and falls can be deadly. Always (even in the driveway) Always use proper helmets and pads and other safety gear, and make sure that helmets and safety gear are sized to fit. Please visit our toy safety attorney blog tomorrow for more important information about how to avoid dangerous toys.

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

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Claude Wyle

Toy Safety -The ABCs of Toy Safety (Awareness Benefits Consumers)

Claude Wyle — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 14:11:45 GMT

A is for Awareness. What toys pose the greatest risk? See future entries for more details about dangerous toys. B is for Benefits of; the Consumer Product Safety Commission which is increasing its inspections, and the removal of dangerous toys and defective products from the market. Because of increased scrutiny, more companies are testing their products and reporting possible safety issues before recalls. And finally C is for Consumers. Consumers can and should stay informed and be aware of dangerous product recalls by signing up for direct e-mails about recalls at www.cpsc.gov.
Remember the key to a Happy Holiday Season. (A) awareness, and knowing the (B) benefits, for (C) consumers.

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

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Claude Wyle

Police Sting Helps San Francisco Pedestrians

Claude Wyle — Tue, 13 Nov 2007 16:30:54 GMT

San Francisco drivers and pedestrians have long been on both sides of a raging controversy, involving bad drivers who blaze through crosswalks and errant pedestrians who cause accidents by not looking, and walking into traffic, often against the light. Now, the San Francisco Police have begun a sting operation with undercover officers citing drivers who blatantly violate pedestrians' right of way. Fines are about $100.00 for being in a crosswalk with a pedestrian, up to $135.00 for failure to yield to a pedestrian. The tickets have been handed out at Taravel Street and 21st Avenue. We hope that this sting operation will reduce the pedestrian accidents at this and other San Francisco intersections, and applaud the San Francisco Police for trying to do something preventative.

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

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Claude Wyle