Catastrophic Injuries

Man badly hurt when thrown in rock crusher in Irvine

IRVINE – A construction worker suffered life-threatening injuries when he was thrown into a rock crusher at a construction site Wednesday afternoon, authorities said.

The incident was reported at about 12:50 p.m. at the 8700 block of Irvine Center, said Orange County Fire Authority Capt. Marc Stone.

Stone said it appears the man, who was roughly in his late 30s to mid-40s, was entangled in a conveyor belt and was dumped into a rock crusher.

The man yelled and screamed and his co-workers hit the emergency button before he went through, Stone said.

He suffered life-threatening head injuries and was taken to Mission Hospital, Stone said.

It took about 15 minutes for the Fire Authority urban search and rescue team to remove the worker, Stone added.

Beyond Workers’ Comp

Many injured construction workers assume they are only able to receive workers’ compensation benefits for injuries on the job site.  A careful analysis of the accident by an attorney experienced in construction injury claims may reveal other sources of financial compensation.  If an employee of another subcontractor was responsible for the falling debris that injured you, we may pursue an injury claim against his or her employer, for example.  A general contractor who failed to maintain a safe workplace may also be liable.

The Law Offices of Gary A Kessler have a long history of winning impressive results for construction injury victims and the family members of those who died a wrongful death due to construction accidents.

Demand accountability from those responsible for the dangerous conditions of the construction site accidents.  Many times the insurance companies will play “hardball” if you try to settle the case yourself or you have employed a lawyer who does not have the litigation experience to handle such a complex case.  We at the Law Offices of Gary A Kessler have twenty years of litigation experience and know how to handle the insurance companies to your advantage.  We are prepared to front all costs required for the necessary investigation and expert witnesses needed to prepare your case for trial.

The laws regarding construction accident cases are complex and include many facets of the law. It is vital to surviving family members to seek the advice of an experienced construction accident lawyer such as Gary A Kessler at the Law Offices of Gary A Kessler to protect your rights and those of your loved ones.

California construction accident attorney Gary A Kessler and the Law Offices of Gary A Kessler are compassionate and fully understand that you are attempting to cope with extreme serious injuries associated with a construction site accident.  Such accidents can lead to catastrophic injuries or even death.  The Law Offices of Gary A Kessler carefully selects its wrongful death and construction accident cases so that we may give you (the client) the substantial personal attention neccessary to obtain a successful result for your case.

The Law Offices of Gary A Kessler is prepared to front all costs required for a thorough investigation and top expert witnesses to prepare for trial of your case.  As in all construction accident and serious personal injury cases, we advance all legal costs to prepare and present our client’s claim, and receive for our services only a percentage of what we recover for our attorney fees on their behalf.  Upon settlement our costs shall be reimbursed to us from the gross recovery.  If there is no recovery, no attorneys fees or costs are owed to our firm. Contact the Law Offices of Gary A Kessler today so we can preserve the evidence and demand compensation and accountability from the responsible party!

 

 

 

 

Big Rig Crash Causes Chain Reaction

Three people were hurt and four vehicles are damaged after a big rig driver lost control of his truck early Wednesday morning and caused a chain reaction on Interstate 5 near Pocket Road, a California Highway Patrol sergeant said.

The big rig driver told officers that he hit a bump in the road and began to spin out of control in the southbound lane of the highway, CHP Sgt. Bill Languemi said.

The wreck, which happened just after 3:20 a.m., was cleared by about 6 a.m.

 

It was unclear whether the “bump in the road” described by the driver was a patch of water that caused the rig to hydroplane. It wound up sitting across a center divider wall.

It appeared that the rig struck a Honda Accord, which was almost completely flattened. The driver of the Accord was taken to a hospital with critical injuries, Languemi said.

The crash wound up causing two other vehicles — another big rig and another passenger car — to crash, Languemi said. Two other drivers were hurt but suffered only minor injuries, officers said.

Cause of the Sacramento Big -Rig Crash

Based on the limited information provided by news reports it is unclear what caused the collision . Investigators are still trying to piece together how the accident happened. What is clear, is that the accident was the fault of the big-rig driver.

Big -Rig Accidents and Personal Injury Liability

The laws regarding personal injury/”trucking accident” cases are complex and include many facets of the law.  It is vital to  family members to seek the advice of an experienced  personal Injury/”trucking accident” lawyer such as Gary A Kessler at the Law Offices of Gary A Kessler to protect your legal rights and those of your loved ones.

Trucking accident attorney Gary A Kessler and the Law Offices of Gary A Kessler are compassionate and fully understand that you are attempting to cope with extreme grief and sorrow associated with the injury of a loved one.  The Law Offices of Gary A Kessler carefully selects its “trucking accident” cases so that we may give you (the client) the substantial personal attention neccessary to obtain a successful result for your “trucking accident” case.

The Law Offices of Gary A Kessler is prepared to front all costs required for a thorough investigation and expert witnesses to prepare for trial of your case.  As in all wrongful death and serious personal injury cases, we advance all legal costs to prepare and present our client’s claim, and receive for our services only a percentage of what we recover for our attorney fees on their behalf.  Upon settlement our costs shall be reimbursed to us from the gross recovery.  If there is no recovery, no attorneys fees or costs are owed to our firm.

If you have been seriously injured or a family member sustained fatal injuries involving a tractor-trailer rig you need to contact the Law Offices of Gary A Kessler or another experienced law firm immediately to protect your rights and preserve the evidence.  The laws and time limitations can be complex so protect your legal rights by contacting the Law Offices of Gary A Kessler today.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

San Francisco Muni bus runs over bicyclist

A bicyclist was seriously injured Tuesday after he caught his wheel on a Muni track and fell under a bus, authorities said.

The bus, an outbound 31 Balboa, rolled over the man at the intersection of Market and New Montgomery streets at about 4:41 p.m. , said San Francisco Metropolitan Transit Agency spokesman Paul Rose.

He was transported to San Francisco General Hospital with life-threatening injuries, said Officer Albie Esparza, a police spokesman.

Traffic at the intersection was shut down pending the investigation, but opened again shortly before 6:45 p.m., Rose said.

Bus accidents and serious injury liability

If you have been injured on a Bus, MTA (bus), Caltrans, BART (bus) or Muni Bus system or runover by a bus, MTA (bus), Caltrans, BART (bus) or Muni Bus, you have a very limited time to pursue legal action.  By representing wrongful death and seriously injured accident victims and their families injured on or due to being run over or into by public transportation, we have a wealth of experience and knowledge to obtain the outstanding results you deserve for your damages.  The Law Offices of Gary A Kessler has the proven track record.

Accidents involving buses are often severe and many times fatal (death).  Whether the bus collision involves a car, truck or pedestrian the damage sustained by the victim(s) is likely to result in death.  Did you know that a “bus driver” owes you the passenger the highest level of care, because he is a “common carrier” who is directly responsible for your safety.

The California bus accident attorney Gary A Kessler and the Law Offices of Gary A Kessler are compassionate and fully understand that you are attempting to cope with serious injuries associated with a bus accident.  Such bus accidents can lead to catastrophic injuries or even death.  The Law Offices of Gary A Kessler carefully selects its wrongful death and bus accident cases so that we may give you (the client) the substantial personal attention neccessary to obtain a successful result for your bus accident case.

Toddler Killed, Mother Critical in Anaheim Hit-and-Run

ANAHEIM, Calif. (KTLA) — Police are searching for a hit-and-run driver following a horrific accident in Anaheim that killed a toddler and left her mother critically injured.

It happened Wednesday night in the 9500 block of Guinida Street, near Gilbert Street.

A mother pushing her 3-year-old daughter in a stroller was hit in a crosswalk by an out-of-control car.

The child was killed, and the mother remains hospitalized in critical condition.

“We only saw the mother,” witness Gloria Gonzalez told KTLA. “Not realizing, my husband turned around and said, ‘Oh my God, there’s a child!'”

“The child was thrown on the opposite side of the mother,” Gonzalez said.

The impact sent the mother about 40 feet to the middle of the street. The child and pieces of the stroller were sent another 30 feet to the curb.

“The little girl was just face down, and blood started forming by her head,” witness Jesse Gonzalez said.

“I went down… she was still warm… I went to feel for a pulse, and I didn’t feel anything,” Gloria Gonzalez said.

Police say the vehicle involved in the crash, a Nissan Maxima, was stolen from Stanton.

CHP officers found the car about a mile away from where the accident happened, with its windshield shattered and bumper broken.

Residents say the intersection at Guinida and Gilbert has a history of speeding cars, near-misses and unanswered complaints.

“It’s very unsafe to cross here,” one woman told KTLA. “People just keep flying by and nobody stops.”

Pedestrian Accident Personal Injury Liability

Following a major pedestrian accident, the victim or family members of the victim would be well-advised to contact a skilled wrongful death attorney such as Gary A. Kessler. An attorney who has the experience in hit-and-run accidents, can protect the victim’s legal rights and help police in efforts locate the driver.

In the event the driver cannot be located, The Law Offices of Gary A. Kessler can help recover compensation for the victim through his insurance, if he has one. Compensation in a civil claim can include medical care expenses, lost earnings, pain and suffering, or other related damages.

 

MORENO VALLEY: 3-year-old critically injured in crash

A Moreno Valley toddler remains in critical condition with head injuries suffered in a crash Sunday.

The boy was riding in a grey Toyota Camry heading north on Nason Street at Alessandro Boulevard when the car was broadsided by a white Honda Civic, Moreno Valley police Sgt. James Bengtson said. Neither of the drivers were injured.

The 3-year-old boy in the Camry suffered major head trauma and was taken by ambulance to Riverside County Regional Medical Center.

“We think he’s going to make it,” Bengston said.

Cause of the Moreno Valley Crash

Police said the Civic was heading west on Alessandro when the Camry entered the intersection. Police believe one of the drivers ran a red light, but were still determining who was at fault. The crash is being investigated by the Moreno Valley Police Reconstruction Team.

Automobile Accidents and Serious Injury Liabilty

The laws regarding catastrophic injury cases are complex and include many facets of the law.  It is vital to surviving family members to seek the advice of an experienced wrongful death lawyer such as Gary A Kessler at the Law Offices of Gary A Kessler to protect your rights and those of your loved ones.

Attorney Gary A Kessler and the Law Offices of Gary A Kessler are compassionate and fully understand that you are attempting to cope with extreme serious injuries associated with a catastrophic injury.  The Law Offices of Gary A Kessler carefully selects its catastrophic injury cases so that we may give you (the client) the substantial personal attention neccessary to obtain a successful result for your catastrophic injury case.

The Law Offices of Gary A Kessler is prepared to front all costs required for a thorough investigation and top expert witnesses to prepare for trial of your case.  As in all catastrophic injury and serious personal injury cases, we advance all legal costs to prepare and present our client’s claim, and receive for our services only a percentage of what we recover for our attorney fees on their behalf.  Upon settlement our costs shall be reimbursed to us from the gross recovery.  If there is no recovery, no attorneys fees or costs are owed to our firm.  Contact the Law Offices of Gary A Kessler today so that we can preserve the evidence and demand compensation and accountability from the responsible parties who caused you or your family member catastrophic injuries!

If you or a family member sustained catastrophic injuries you need to contact the Law Offices of Gary A Kessler, an experienced law firm, immediately to protect your legal rights and preserve the evidence.  The laws and time limitations can be complex so protect your legal rights by contacting the Law Offices of Gary A Kessler today.

 

 

 

 

Bull Mastiff Attacks, Tearing Off Ear Of 6-Year-Old Boy In Moreno Valley

MORENO VALLEY  — A large bull mastiff has been caught and quarantined after it attacked a woman and her child Tuesday, biting off part of his ear.

The mauling was reported at 11:42 a.m. outside a home on Indian Street, just south of Myers Avenue.

The woman was walking with her son, 6, and pushing a stroller with a younger child at 11:40 a.m. on Indian Avenue when a 120-pound bull mastiff jumped a chain link fence from a nearby yard and begin attacking the boy, according to Riverside County sheriff’s Cpl. Courtney Donowho.

The dog latched onto the boy’s head, partially severing his right ear, Moreno Valley Animal Services Manager Steve Fries said.

Authorities said the mother fought off the dog, which then turned on her, biting her left hip.

The child in the stroller was not injured.

The dog’s owner came out of his home and was able to pull the dog back into the backyard before authorities arrived.

Both the mother and the son were hospitalized for dog bite injuries and are expected to recover.

Moreno Valley animal control officers took the dog to the city shelter, where it will be quarantined for the next 10 days. The homeowner turned over ownership of the dog to animal control officers. The 18-month-old, male animal will probably be euthanized, Fries said.

“We wouldn’t consider this dog a candidate for adoption,” Fries said, noting that it attacked two people unprovoked.

From what the witnesses told me, the dog just hit the fence and bulldozed through,” an animal control officer told reporters.

The dog is big – estimated to weigh 160 pounds. It took four people to subdue the dog and get it into the animal control truck, Mills reports.

A honk from a passing car interrupted the attack, and may have saved the child’s life, Mills reports.

The owners of the dog were cooperative, turned the dog over and were cited. The dog will be quarantined for 10 days and then euthanized.

Dog Attacks and serious injury liability

CALIFORNIA DOG BITE STATUTE SECTION 3342

Under California Law, it is no longer necessary for the Plaintiff to prove that the dog was known to be vicious or had a propensity to bite.  One bite alone is sufficient for liability.  Dog owners do not get a second chance in California.  They are liable for any injury their animals cause regardless of whether the animal had bitten anyone previously.  Under California Dog Bite Statute Section 3342 the Plaintiff must prove in a dog bite case the following:

  • Defendant owned the dog;
  • The dog bit the Plaintiff;
  • The Plaintiff was lawfully on the premises (express or implied consent to be on the premises) where the bite occured; and
  • Plaintiff sustained injuries from the dog bite.

What You Should Do If You Or A Loved One Has Been Bitten By A Dog:

  • Take pictures of your injuries immediately;
  • Consult law enforcement and request that a police report be made;
  • Keep copies of all medical bills and records;
  • Continue to take pictures of the bite(s) as the wounds heal;
  • Be sure that your doctor is qualified and determine if you are a candidate for plastic surgery to get rid of the scarring;
  • If an adult who is employed sustained injuries and lost wages, keep a record of economic loss.

WE WILL FIGHT FOR YOU!

Demand accountability from dog owners.  Settling dog bite claims can be difficult and complex.  Many times the insurance companies will play “hardball” if you try to settle the case yourself or you have employed a lawyer who does not have the litigation experience to handle such a case.  We at the Law Offices of Gary A Kessler have 20 years of litigation experience and we know how to handle the insurance companies.  We are prepared to front all of the costs required for the necessary investigations and expert witnesses needed to prepare your case for trial.  Are the other law firms you are considering willing to front all costs?

In a dog bite case, we advance all legal costs to prepare and present our client’s claim, and receive a percentage of the settlement or verdict  of what we recover for our attorney’s fees on their behalf.  Upon settlement our costs shall be reimbursed to us from the gross recovery.  If there is no recovery, no attorney’s fees or costs are owed to our firm.  Thus, in all personal injury cases, our fees are recovered as a percentage of any settlement or verdict awarded to our clients.

Contact the Law Offices of Gary A Kessler today so that we can preserve the evidence and demand compensation and accountability from the responsible parties who caused you or your family member catastrophic injuries!

If you or a family member sustained serious dog bite injuries contact the Law Offices of Gary A Kessler, an experienced law firm, immediately to protect your legal rights and preserve the evidence.

California Dog Bite Injury Liability Under  California Civil Code 3342: “The owner of any dog is liable for the damages suffered by any person who is bitten  by the dog while in a public place or lawfully in a private place, including the property of the owner of the dog, regardless of the former viciousness of the dog or the owners knowledge of such viciousness.”
After a dog attack such as this, the injured party (or his representatives) would be well advised to speak with an experienced California dog bite lawyer about the incident and their legal rights to hold the owner of the dog accountable for all expenses as well as pain and suffering as a result of the dog attack.

 

2011 statistics

  • 31 U.S. fatal dog attacks occurred in 2011. Despite being regulated in Military Housing Areas and over 650 U.S. cities, pit bulls led these attacks accounting for 71% (22). Pit bulls make up less than 5% of the total U.S. dog population.2
  • Notably in 2011, adult victims of fatal pit bull attacks more than doubled the number of child victims. Of the 22 total pit bull victims, 68% (15) fell between the ages of 32 to 76, and 32% (7) were ages 5 years and younger.
  • The year 2011 also marks an increase in pet pit bulls killing their owners. Of the 8 total instances this year in which a family dog inflicted fatal injury to its primary caretaker, the dog’s owner, 88% (7) involved pet pit bulls.
  • Together, pit bulls (22) and rottweilers (4), the number two lethal dog breed, accounted for 84% of all fatal attacks in 2011. In the 7-year period from 2005 to 2011, this same combination accounted for 73% (156) of the total recorded deaths (213).
  • The breakdown between pit bulls and rottweilers is substantial over this 7-year period. From 2005 to 2011, pit bulls killed 127 Americans,3 about one citizen every 20 days, versus rottweilers, which killed 29; about one citizen every 88 days.
  • Annual data from 2011 shows that 58% (18) of the attacks occurred to adults (21 years and older) and 42% (13) occurred to children (11 years and younger). Of the children, 62% (8) occurred to ages 1 and younger.
  • 2011 data also shows that 39% (12) of the fatal incidents involved more than one dog; 26% (8) involved breeding on the dog owner’s property either actively or in the recent past, and 6% (2) involved tethered dogs, down from 9% in 2010 and 19% in 2009.
  • Dog ownership information for 2011 shows that family dogs comprised 65% (20) of the attacks that resulted in death; 74% (23) of all incidents occurred on the dog owner’s property and 29% (9) resulted in criminal charges, up from 15% in 2010.
  • The states of California and Texas led fatalities in 2011, each with 4 deaths; pit bulls and their mixes contributed to 88% (7) of the 8 deaths. North Carolina, New Mexico, South Carolina and Virginia each incurred 2 deaths.
  • 2011 Fatal Dog attacks by breed

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Vehicle rollover on Hwy. 99 ejects one, injures three

Three women were injured about 10 a.m. today when a Toyota Tacoma pickup flipped over while passing a big rig on Highway 99, just north of Nelson-Shippee Road.

The pickup came to rest upside down in a flooded rice field.

A passenger sitting on a bench seat between the driver and a passenger wasn’t wearing a seat belt, and was ejected. Identified as Arin Oshiro, 20, of Chico, the woman suffered moderate injuries. She was taken by ambulance to a local hospital.

The driver, identified as Ayumi Yoshihama, 21, and a second passenger, Saho Takiduchi, 21, both of Chico, were also transported to a local hospital, but had less serious injuries.

The two women were briefly trapped inside the vehicle.

Cause of the Richvale crash

Based on the information provided by news reports, it appears the driver may likely be at fault for the collision due to traveling at “a high rate of speed.” However, the California Highway Patrol will determine other possible factors that could have contributed to the crash such as distracted driving, negligent or reckless actions by the driver, and road conditions.

The California Highway Patrol said the driver, traveling south, lost control during the pass, went back across the highway, then hit a dirt berm, launching the vehicle into the air. Investigators added that  the driver may have been startled when her vehicle went over a rumble strip.

Serious or Catastrophic Injuries and Liability

The laws regarding catastrophic injury cases are complex and include many facets of the law.  It is vital to surviving family members to seek the advice of an experienced wrongful death lawyer such as Gary A Kessler at the Law Offices of Gary A Kessler to protect your rights and those of your loved ones.

Attorney Gary A Kessler and the Law Offices of Gary A Kessler are compassionate and fully understand that you are attempting to cope with extreme serious injuries associated with a catastrophic injury.  The Law Offices of Gary A Kessler carefully selects its catastrophic injury cases so that we may give you (the client) the substantial personal attention neccessary to obtain a successful result for your catastrophic injury case.

The Law Offices of Gary A Kessler is prepared to front all costs required for a thorough investigation and top expert witnesses to prepare for trial of your case.  As in all catastrophic injury and serious personal injury cases, we advance all legal costs to prepare and present our client’s claim, and receive for our services only a percentage of what we recover for our attorney fees on their behalf.  Upon settlement our costs shall be reimbursed to us from the gross recovery.  If there is no recovery, no attorneys fees or costs are owed to our firm.  Contact the Law Offices of Gary A Kessler today so that we can preserve the evidence and demand compensation and accountability from the responsible parties who caused you or your family member catastrophic injuries!

If you or a family member sustained catastrophic injuries you need to contact the Law Offices of Gary A Kessler, an experienced law firm, immediately to protect your legal rights and preserve the evidence.  The laws and time limitations can be complex so protect your legal rights by contacting the Law Offices of Gary A Kessler today.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Driver, victim in fatal San Miguel Canyon crash identified

An Aptos teen who crashed a van filled with young adults on San Miguel Canyon Road on Friday night, killing a 21-year-old passenger, has been identified by the California Highway Patrol as Erica Shanice Duran.

The passenger who died was Joshua W. Perez of Salinas, CHP Sgt. Wayne DiSalvo said.

Duran, 19, was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence and vehicular manslaughter, DiSalvo said.

She had six passengers in the 1993 Honda van when she crashed at about 9:35 p.m. east of Corto San Miguel Road, not far from Hall Road, the CHP said.

A witness driving behind the van told officers she was traveling at a high rate of speed when she tried to pass another vehicle by crossing over double-yellow lines, lost control and struck a tree, DiSalvo said.

“It’s just tragic that they were not taking driving under the influence seriously,” he said. “And at high speed over double-yellow lines, especially on San Miguel Canyon, that’s just a recipe for death.” Two of the passengers were sitting on people’s laps, DiSalvo said.

And though Friday three people were listed as having major injuries, including the driver, by Monday all but one had been reclassified as having minor or moderate ones, he said.

A 24-year-old Watsonville woman remains in critical condition at a regional trauma center, DiSalvo said.

Also in the van were two teen girls from Watsonville, ages 17 and 19, and two men from Salinas, one of them Perez, ages 19 and 24.

Drug- impaired driving accident wrongful death liability

Driving under the impairment of alcohol or drugs is a conscious choice, and drivers who choose to drive under the influence may face both criminal consequences for their actions, and civil liability for wrongful death. While this accident remains under investigation, the family members of the two victims may benefit from speaking to an experienced and knowledgeable Santa Cruz County DUI accident victim attorney. A skilled attorney who has represented numerous victims of alcohol related conditions can advise the victims’ families of their legal rights and best course of action to hold the driver accountable to the maximum legal extent.

 

Captain of wrecked Italian cruise ship facing manslaughter charges

Divers found the bodies of two elderly men inside a capsized cruiseliner on Sunday, raising to five the death toll after the luxury vessel foundered and dramatically keeled over off Italy’s coast.

Teams were painstakingly checking the interior spaces of the partly submerged Italian liner Costa Concordia for 15 people still unaccounted for after the huge ship, with 4,229 passengers and crew on board, was holed by a rock on Friday night.

A day after the disaster, rescuers plucked a South Korean honeymoon couple and an injured crewmember alive from the wreck, lying on its side close to the beautiful island of Giglio off Italy’s west coast.

The captain of the 114,500-tonne ship, Francesco Schettino, was arrested on charges of manslaughter, causing a shipwreck and abandoning ship, Italian police said. Some 64 people were injured in the accident.

Investigators were working through evidence from the equivalent of the “black boxes” carried on aeroplanes, to try to establish the precise sequence of events behind the accident, which occurred in calm seas and shallow waters.

Searching the vast ship for survivors was like combing through a small town – but one tilted on its side, largely in darkness, partly underwater and full of floating debris.

In the early afternoon, scuba divers looking for survivors found the bodies of two men at an evacuation assembly point in the submerged part of the ship, coastguard officials said.

The bodies of two French tourists and a Peruvian crew member were found on Saturday.

The discovery of the bodies on Sunday dampened earlier euphoria when a helicopter lifted off injured chief purser Manrico Gianpetroni, hours after rescuers made voice contact with him deep inside the stricken, multi-storey vessel. Gianpetroni, who had a broken leg, was winched up from the ship on a stretcher and taken to hospital.

“I never lost hope of being saved. It was a 36-hour nightmare,” he told reporters.

Passengers compared the disaster to the sinking of the Titanic, and described people leaping into the sea and fighting over lifejackets in panic when the ship hit a rock and ran aground as they sat down for dinner on Friday night.

The vast hulk of the 290-metre-long ship loomed over the little port of Giglio, a picturesque island in a maritime nature reserve off the Tuscan coast. There was large gash in its side and divers were able to swim into the wreck through the hole.

The specialist diving teams faced a complex task as they worked their way through the warren of cabins on the ship – a floating resort that boasted a huge spa, seven restaurants, bars, cinemas and discotheques.

“Getting inside the ship is really difficult and dangerous,” said Majko Aldone, a one of the specialist team of divers who have been entering cabins through open portholes or by smashing through the glass.

“There are various obstacles, sheets, mattresses, nets which have broken free and are spread out all over the areas we’re searching,” he said.

Paolo Tronca, a local fire department official, said the search would go on “for 24 hours a day as long as we have to” and that rescue workers were using sniffer dogs in the section of the ship above water.

As the search continued, there were demands for explanations of why the vessel had come so close to the shore and bitter complaints about how long it took to evacuate the terrified passengers.

State prosecutor Francesco Verusio said investigations might go beyond the captain.

“We are investigating the possible responsibility of other people for such a dangerous manoeuvre,” he told SkyTG24 television. “Command systems did not function as they should.”

He said the ship had come within 150 metres (yards) of the coast, which he called “incredibly close.”

Agnese Stella, a 72-year-old housewife who has lived on Giglio for 50 years told Reuters: “It came much too close (to shore), it never comes this close normally.”

Magistrates said Schettino abandoned the vessel not long after midnight, well before all the passengers were taken off.

The vessel’s operator, Costa Crociere, a unit of Carnival Corp & Plc CCL.L, the world’s largest cruise company, said the Costa Concordia had been sailing on its regular course when it struck a submerged rock.

In a television interview, Schettino said the rock was not marked on any maritime charts of the area.

After an massive rescue operation throughout the weekend, involving helicopters, ships and lifeboats, many passengers had already left the area and returned home and attention began to turn to the cleanup.

Local officials expressed concern the ship’s fuel, at full load as it had just begun the cruise, could spill into pristine waters off Giglio. So far there was no sign of pollution. Dutch maritime services company SMIT said it had been hired to pump fuel off the ship once the rescue was over.

The coast guard says the removal of the 2,380 tonnes of fuel cannot begin until the rescue is complete because the operation could cause the vessel to move or sink further into the water.

Admiralty  Maritime Law and Wrongful Death Liability

Although admiralty law covers ship accidents, it does not subsume other laws.
There are usually many other local, federal state and international  laws relating  specifically to injuries at sea from negligence.

Most sea vessels are actually registered in foreign countries. Many of these vessels unfurl foreign flags. This means the country the ship is registered
in may have laws covering the vessel as well. Many of these laws might be better for the injured passenger than U.S. laws. This is why you  need an
experienced cruise ship accident attorney. As an example, a ship that has its port of departure in Los Angeles, California may be covered under the laws
of the state of California, and the laws of the United States. It may also be covered under the laws of the country of the foreign flag the ship flys, as well as international treaties between the U.S. and the other. The Law Offices of Gary A. Kessler  have the knowledge to litigate claims from foreign ports of call, and domestic ports of call.

You may need to bring claims against the U.S. under the Suits in Admiralty Act,  or Public Vessels Act. The experienced cruise ship negligence attorneys at the Law Offices of Gary A. Kessler will sue whatever country is responsible for your oceanic injuries.

The Offices of Gary A. Kessler are expert in admiralty and maritime law, and can provide you with the legal representation you need to recover damages
for the negligence of  an ocean liner, or for boating injuries or other  accidents
that occur in the ocean, lakes, or rivers.

The highly skilled boating accident attorney Gary A Kessler (and the Law Offices of Gary A Kessler) has the experience and track record, handling dozens upon dozens of successful lawsuits against the owners and operators of private boats, personal watercraft, cruise ships and commercial ferries.  If you or a loved one suffered an injury or death due to a boating accident or while engaged in water sporting activities, consult experienced personal injury lawyer Gary A Kessler who has handled these types of claims as soon as possible.  The laws that apply to injuries that occur on or around the water are extremely complex and must be carefully analyzed to correctly determine the liability issues and the value of your boating fatality case.

Demand accountability from those responsible for the boating accidents.  Many times the insurance companies will play “hardball” if you try to settle the case yourself or you have employed a lawyer who does not have the litigation experience to handle such a complex case.  We at the Law Offices of Gary A Kessler have twenty years of litigation experience and know how to handle the insurance companies to your advantage.  We are prepared to front all costs required for the neccessary investigation and expert witnesses needed to prepare your case for trial.

The laws regarding boating accident (drowning) cases are complex and include many facets of the law.  It is vital to surviving family members to seek the advice of an experienced boating fatality lawyer such as Gary A Kessler at the Law Offices of Gary A Kessler to protect your rights and those of your loved ones.

The California wrongful death attorney Gary A Kessler and the Law Offices of Gary A Kessler are compassionate and fully understand that you are attempting to cope with extreme grief and sorrow associated with the loss of a loved one in a tragic boating fatality (drowning) accident.  The Law Offices of Gary A Kessler carefully selects its wrongful death/drowning/boating fatality cases so that we may give you (the client) the substantial personal attention neccessary to obtain a successful result for your boating fatality/drowning accident case.

The Law Offices of Gary A Kessler is prepared to front all costs required for a thorough investigation and top expert witnesses to prepare for the trial of your case.  As in all wrongful death and serious personal injury cases, we advance all legal costs to prepare and present our client’s claim, and receive for our services only a percentage of what we recover for our atorney fees on their behalf.  Upon settlement our costs shall be reimbursed to us from the gross recovery.  If there is no recovery, no attorneys fees or costs are owed to our firm.

 

 

Corcoran man killed in Hwy. 33 collision

 

A 19-year-old local resident was killed in a head-on collision this morning after trying to pass another vehicle on Highway 43, investigators said.

The victim, possibly a Corcoran resident, was pronounced dead at the scene around 5:30 a.m. According to the California Highway Patrol, he and the other driver were trapped in their cars and had to be cut free using the Jaws of Life.

The CHP believes the victim was heading north on 43, just passed Cairo Avenue, when he drove into oncoming traffic to get around a slow-moving vehicle.

His red Mazda Miata first slammed into the front end of a Nissan Altima, before continuing on and colliding with a Honda Civic also headed south.

The Altima’s driver, 34-year-old Susan Pulido of Merced, was taken by ambulance to Community Regional Medical Center in Fresno for emergency treatment. Investigators said she suffered major injuries.

The crash blocked traffic through Highway 43 for about an hour this morning, until emergency workers cleared the scene around 6:30.

The fatal victim’s name is being withheld until his family can be notified.

Cause of the Kings County Crash

The California Highway Patrol said the crash happened about 5:30 a.m. as the man drove north the highway north of Cairo Avenue. The CHP said the man moved his Mazda Miata into the southbound lane to pass a car and collided with a Honda driven by Susan Pulido, 34, of Merced.

Automobile Accidents and Catastrophic Injury Liabilty

The laws regarding catastrophic injury cases are complex and include many facets of the law.  It is vital to surviving family members to seek the advice of an experienced wrongful death lawyer such as Gary A Kessler at the Law Offices of Gary A Kessler to protect your rights and those of your loved ones.

Attorney Gary A Kessler and the Law Offices of Gary A Kessler are compassionate and fully understand that you are attempting to cope with extreme serious injuries associated with a catastrophic injury.  The Law Offices of Gary A Kessler carefully selects its catastrophic injury cases so that we may give you (the client) the substantial personal attention neccessary to obtain a successful result for your catastrophic injury case.

The Law Offices of Gary A Kessler is prepared to front all costs required for a thorough investigation and top expert witnesses to prepare for trial of your case.  As in all catastrophic injury and serious personal injury cases, we advance all legal costs to prepare and present our client’s claim, and receive for our services only a percentage of what we recover for our attorney fees on their behalf.  Upon settlement our costs shall be reimbursed to us from the gross recovery.  If there is no recovery, no attorneys fees or costs are owed to our firm.  Contact the Law Offices of Gary A Kessler today so that we can preserve the evidence and demand compensation and accountability from the responsible parties who caused you or your family member catastrophic injuries!

If you or a family member sustained catastrophic injuries you need to contact the Law Offices of Gary A Kessler, an experienced law firm, immediately to protect your legal rights and preserve the evidence.  The laws and time limitations can be complex so protect your legal rights by contacting the Law Offices of Gary A Kessler today.

 


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Gary Kessler, California Personal Injury Lawyer Disclaimer: The California personal injury, wrongful death, swimming pool drowning, boating accident, dog bite, amusement park negligence, pedestrian accident, product liability, aviation accidents, or any other California legal information presented at this site should not be construed to be formal legal advice, nor the creation of a lawyer or attorney client relationship. The information contained herein is intended for information purposes only and should not be considered legal advice. All results described on this site were based on the individual facts of those said cases and are not indicative of future settlements. Results will differ from case to case. Please contact Gary A. Kessler, a California lawyer at our California law firm offices in Newport Beach or our San Francisco Bay Area office.

The Law Offices of Gary A. Kessler are licensed to practice in California, District of Columbia & Pennsylvania. Through local law firms with which we have associations, we are able to represent Personal Injury and Wrongful Death cases across the United States. Our associations allow us to represent clients"pro hac vice", meaning "for this particular occasion". In order to effectively and efficiently represent the client in these cases, we will employ the local law firms (at no additional cost to our client) to make routine court appearances and proceedings where it is necessary to assist our clients case.