Redding Personal Injury Lawyer - Wrongful Death

Mt. Lassen Park Officials Warned of Trail Dangers - Rock Slide Kills 9-year-old

Todd Slaughter — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 15:22:49 GMT

LASSEN VOLCANIC NATIONAL PARK - Calif. As reported by the Red Bluff Daily News, last week a 9-year-old boy was killed and his 13-year-old sister was seriously injured when rocks began falling upon them while they hiked with their family up the Lassen Peak Trail. This is an easy to moderate 2.5 mile foot trail which switchbacks up to the peak of Mt. Lassen. It is utilized by as many as 25,000 to 30,000 visitors a year. The trail has been closed following this tragic incident.

This weekend, in a letter to the Editor of the Redding Record Searchlight, Karen Couwenhoven of Antelope, California, wrote that she had hiked the peak trail on July 23, 2009 and found that it to be "in the worst shape [she had] ever seen it in and was extremely dangerous." After her descent from the top with her 5-year-old daughter, she made a specific effort to contact the rangers at the national park and advise them that people had been cutting the switchbacks creating "a lot of very unsteady rocks." She was advised by the officials that they would look into it, but questioned if they ever did. He words were a harbinger of the disaster to come.

This author is a long time hiker in the mountains of northern and central California. I have always had a great deal of respect for the rangers and forest service personnel that work in the national parks as they consistently have impressed me as persons who genuinely care about the dangers of the wilderness, and are conscientious about safety. If Ms. Couwenhoven's warnings were not heeded or investigated, this would be out of step with the agency's usual approach. For the sake of the safety of future visitors, I am hopeful that the agency will be forthcoming in what steps were taken to assure the safety of visitors once the warning light was lit, and that they will make whatever changes are necessary to avoid future tragedies of this kind.

Our sincerest condolences go out to the family of the young lad. Our best wishes for the swift and full recovery of his sister.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Todd Slaughter

Chico Family of Four Killed in Montana Plane Crash

Todd Slaughter — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 17:55:19 GMT

The Chico Enterprise Record released a story this afternoon revealing that a Chico dentist and his family were among those killed in the plane crash in Montana that killed 14 people. It had been reported earlier that the plane originated in San Diego and made a refueling stop in Oroville before proceeding east. The Enterprise Record learned that a Chico dentist, his four-month pregnant wife, and two young children, ages 3 and 5, boarded the plane in Oroville. The victims were part of a traveling group headed for a ski vacation. The Pilatus PC-12 single engine turbo prop lost elevation as it approached Bert Mooney airport in Butte, Montana and crashed by a nearby cemetary.

The NTSB has been dispatched to investigate this tremendously tragic loss of life. It has been initially reported that the plane may have been overloaded with passengers, seven of which may have been children. The exact number of people on board has not yet been finally determined.

The dentist's office was closed today, and family and friends requested privacy. Our sincerest condolensces go out to the family.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Todd Slaughter

Suit Filed Against Helicopter Manufacturer and Operators by Firefighter Family

Todd Slaughter — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 12:53:57 GMT

On August 5, 2008 the deadliest firefighter helicopter crash in history occurred in Northern California, killing nine fire fighters in the Trinity National Forest. All killed were from Oregon.

According to The Oregonian, the mother of a 30-year old fire fighter killed in the crash filed a wrongful death suit on February 27, 2009 in the Multnomah County Circuit Court in Oregon. The suit names the manufacturer of the helicopter, Sikorsky Aircraft Corp, apparent component makers United Technologies Corp. and General Electric, as well owner/operators Columbia Helicopters, Carson Helicopters and subsidiary Carson Helicopter Services. The suit seeks $8 million in compensation for the death of this young man.

Another wrongful death suit was brought by the heirs of a 29-year-old fire fighter from Medford, and a 23-year-old from Grants Pass last month. The suit named the same defendants and sought compensation of $10 million.

The catastrophic crash occurred on a ridge top where the firefighters were being picked up for transfer to another fire location. Just after lift off, the Sikorsky helicopter failed to clear surrounding trees, slammed into the ground and burst into flames. The National Transportation Safety Board was dispatched to investigate the cause. That investigation is still pending.

This tragedy reverberated throughout all Northern California communities last summer. Hundreds of fires sparked by early summer lightning storms caused fires to rage throughout the region for the entire season. We were extremely grateful for all those fire crews and fighters that came to our aid from surrounding communities and states. The brave firefighters that lost their lives on that ridge will not be forgotten. Thank you again to those that answered the call, and may God Bless you all!

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Todd Slaughter

Another Taser Death Revives Debate

Todd Slaughter — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 14:08:26 GMT

SANTA ROSA, California - Over the last several months there has been increasing interest shown by the media about the startling number of deaths associated with the use of Taser guns by law enforcement authorities. A recent death in Northern California has brought the issue closer to home.

On Saturday night, December 20, 2008, a 39-year-old Santa Rosa man was killed after being struck by three Taser shots. The man had been reported by his elderly mother to be assaulting his father and trashing the residence. According to the Associated Press, the responding Sonoma County Sheriff's deputies arrived at the residence to find the son combative and non-compliant with their demands. A Taser was fired at the man. It was claimed that he continue to resist arrest and two more Taser shots were fired. This subdued the man and as handcuffs were being applied, the deputies realized that he was in "medical distress." The man later died in the hospital.

In response to media inquiries in the past few years, the Taser manufacturers have insisted that their products are safe when used as directed. These weapons have been touted for years as an innovation in non-lethal force. As the number of Taser-related deaths continue to occur, one has to wonder if the devices are safe, or if the training in their use is adequate. We will need to keep a watchful eye on this subject, as it is hard to find justification for the ever-increasing number of fatalities associated with this method of force.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Todd Slaughter

Second Pedestrian Dies Following Flurry of Accidents

Todd Slaughter — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 16:29:18 GMT

Yesterday we reported that three pedestrians were injured, one fatally, in two vehicle versus pedestrian accidents that occured on the streets of Redding, California within hours of each other. We regret that the critically injured 53-year-old woman involved in the first incident at Tehama and Court Streets died Thursday from her injuries. Our condolences and prayers go out to the family.

According to the Record Searchlight, this Redding woman worked as an accountant-clerk for the Shasta County Sheriff's Office. Sheriff Tom Bosenko was at the hospital when she passed, and indicated that the entire department was grieving.

The accident remains under investigation, but preliminarily it has been established that the two women that were hit were in the cross-walk proceeding under a "Walk" sign when they were struck.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Todd Slaughter

Texas Nightclub Sued for Wrongful Death

Shannon Weidemann — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 19:43:37 GMT

A nightclub in Texas has been sued for wrongful death following the shooting death of a man. The man was either killed inside of the nightclub or in the parking lot. Eyewitness accounts contradict the events of the evening. The shooting took place at Club Tiffany in Port Arthur, Texas.

In their suit, Allen's parents allege Hatch knew, or at least should have known, that his club was "unsafe and presented an unreasonable risk of harm to patrons."
"Defendants had actual knowledge of previous shootings occurring on the subject premises and failed to provide adequate protection for plaintiff and the citizens of Southeast Texas invited to enter (Club Tiffany)," the suit said.

The victim was shot in November of 2007. The criminal case is still being investigated by the police. The parents are asking for lost wages, funeral expenses, and the loss of his love and companionship.

If you would like to learn more about wrongful death, please visit InjuryBoard's Wrongful Death information page.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Shannon Weidemann