New technology is causing drivers to become more distracted behind the wheel than ever before. The top distraction is a cell phone and regrettably because of this cell phone addiction highway fatalities are on the rise up 22 percent. Not all distracted driving accidents are fatal, however. Distracted driving injury accidents are actually greater in number. In 2020, nearly 325,000 people were injured in a distracted driving crash. If you are injured in a distracted driving accident you have the right to receive compensation for your injuries.

Multitasking Can Lead to Injury Accidents

An accident can have a devastating impact on the injured person and their family. Some injuries are more severe and require costly medical treatment and families run into financial difficulties if there is a loss of income while treatment and recovery are taking place. There are also other matters involving emotional trauma and enjoyment of life. Under most circumstances, however, collisions are preventable because they often occur when one or more drivers act negligently.

Many people believe they can multitask behind the wheel but that is plain irresponsible. Taking your eyes away from the road for even a second can result in collisions with other vehicles, pedestrians, and bicyclists. In California, it is against the law to use a cell phone while driving if you are holding the device. A driver under 18 years old is prohibited from using a cell phone at all times. Unfortunately, the latest report includes 2022 survey results that show the following alarming trends:

Sports activities are important to keep kids healthy and for them to learn about teamwork. However, sports injuries are a reality. In California, when you play sports you are required to sign a waiver thereby assuming the risk of harm. So, if your child is injured while playing soccer you cannot sue the company or the player responsible. But what if the soccer field has gopher holes that can easily twist a player’s ankle or snap a knee? A recent study found that a top reason for soccer player injuries is inadequate sports facilities with soccer athletes suffering the highest rate of injuries. If you have suffered a personal injury due to an improperly maintained field you may have a premises liability case and Tahmazian Law Firm, P.C. can help.

School Fields

A school has a duty of care to provide athletes with well-maintained facilities. If a soccer field has any holes in the field that could cause an athlete to trip or worse, break an ankle, it is the obligation of the school to quickly fill those holes. Premises liability laws apply to property owners, business owners, and public parks. The laws are in place so that owners adhere to a legal duty of care and ensure that the premises are safe.

Park Fields and Who Bears Responsibility?

When it comes to public parks it is the responsibility of federal, state, and local government officials to properly maintain those parks depending on who has jurisdiction, to ensure the safety of public park visitors. When a government agency fails to uphold its responsibility to keep park visitors safe, it may be considered negligent. If injuries occur, you may receive compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. You will need to file a claim which can be complicated without the proper legal guidance. Government entities may be entitled to immunity from lawsuits unless certain procedures are followed. Some legal steps must first be taken.

A hit-and-run-driver remains at large in Los Angeles County after striking a teenager who ended up losing his right leg. Unfortunately, in the past ten years, the same mile-long stretch of road where the accident occurred has seen more than 225 crashes that have caused nearly 600 injuries or deaths. Just like this teen, many people will face a long recovery, or they may be permanently disabled. As you may imagine, getting used to a new life following an amputation is not easy and the mounting hospital bills can be overwhelming after a pedestrian accident when there is no one to hold accountable. If you have been injured in a hit-and-run accident you have some options to pursue compensation depending on the circumstances.

Hit-and-Run Driver Cannot Be found

In California, you may still be able to seek compensation even when the driver remains unidentified. If the driver is not located you could file a claim against your car insurance policy. You can claim your uninsured or underinsured coverage for bodily injury from a hit-and-run. However, you may not claim property damage if you are unaware of the other driver’s identity.

If you do not have auto coverage you can turn to your health insurance coverage. But it will not pay for any property damage either. A qualified hit-and-run accident attorney can help ensure that you get the maximum compensation available through an insurance claim or a lawsuit.

You may have seen the video of a vehicle as it flies into the air on Interstate 118 in Los Angeles County after being hit by a loose tire from a pickup truck. Research shows that road debris in the United States is a factor in nearly 200,000 car accidents. Each year, road debris results in about 40,000 car accident injuries. With tens of thousands of vehicles on the roads and highways of LA County, accidents are inevitable. But if you have suffered serious injuries you need to know who is liable.

Road Hazards can lead to Damaged Tires

In the recent incident in LA County, the CHP determined that the lug nuts holding the tire in place, sheared off, and led to the tire’s sudden detachment.

Various things could lead to a collision as a result of road hazards including potholes that may puncture a tire. When a tire ruptures, it can cause the driver to lose control of his or her vehicle. Here are the other common reasons why that may occur:

March is brain injury awareness month calling attention to the effects of a traumatic brain injury or TBI. More than five million people in the United States are living with permanent brain injury. That is one in every 60 people. Nearly three million Americans sustain these catastrophic injuries every year. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that traffic-related crashes are one of the leading causes of traumatic brain injuries.

What Constitutes a Traumatic Brain Injury?

A traumatic brain injury or TBI is caused by an external force or trauma. A strong impact on the head during a car accident can damage brain tissue which can lead to temporary or permanent problems. Sometimes, the effects of a brain injury do not manifest themselves until weeks or months later. However, someone may feel there is something wrong if they experience chronic headaches, sleeping problems, memory loss, and sensitivity to lights and sounds. Depending on the severity of the initial impact, a person could appear to be fine but have a delayed trauma in which the brain becomes swollen.

Financial Concerns

Brain injuries often require extensive medical treatment. And it goes without saying, but it can cost tens of thousands or even hundreds of thousands of dollars. In addition, someone who suffers brain trauma may not be able to work right away, or worse yet, they may suffer permanent disabilities making it impossible to care for themselves or their family. A catastrophic injury quickly becomes a financial concern.

Being in a car accident is not only scary but it can be downright chaotic, especially if it happens on a California freeway. With so many vehicles rushing by it can be difficult to stay composed and impossible if you suffer severe injuries. But an accident report by the California Highway Patrol (CHP) is a key document you will need if you want to file a personal injury claim.

CHP Accident Report

In any car accident, it is very important to determine the cause and identify the responsible parties. Vehicle accidents end up leaving people with expensive medical bills, the inability to work, and in some cases psychological trauma. Under California law, drivers are required to report car accidents involving injuries or death within 24 hours of an accident, to the CHP or their local police department. The easiest way to do this is by calling 911.

Under the law, you must report a car accident involving injuries to the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) within ten days of the crash. Failure to do so could result in losing your driver’s license. The DMV will suspend your license until you file an accident report. Depending on the circumstances, you may face fines and jail time for not reporting an accident.

Nursing home residents are the most vulnerable to developing sepsis. This medical condition is all too common in nursing homes due to negligence or abuse. At least 1.7 million adults in America develop sepsis. It is unfortunate because nursing homes are meant to provide medical care and assistance for those who are not able to fully care for themselves. If you or a loved one has suffered nursing home abuse and developed sepsis you may be able to seek compensation.

What is Sepsis?

Virtually any infection, including COVID-19, can lead to sepsis but the elderly are especially susceptible. Sepsis is a life-threatening medical condition that is common among people with a weak immune system. This is a relentless condition that begins as a bacterial infection in the blood and worsens quickly because the body is unable to fend off infections.

The body usually tries to protect itself by releasing chemicals into the bloodstream but when someone has sepsis, there is widespread inflammation, which restricts blood flow. That can result in blood clots and severe organ damage. If it is not treated quickly, the lungs, kidneys, and liver can shut down, leading to septic shock, and in many cases, wrongful death.

The financial costs after suffering a severe spinal cord injury in a crash are life-altering. Often people lose wages as they work to recover. In severe cases, you may require extensive medical treatment which can cost tens of thousands of dollars in addition to the physical and emotional pain. Spinal cord injuries cost the nation an estimated $9.7 billion each year. In the United States, some 450,000 people are living with a spinal cord injury and in most cases, the cause is a motor vehicle accident. At Tahmazian Law Firm, P.C., we can help you understand the options you have to receive compensation for your injuries.

Understanding Vertebral Column Trauma

Trauma to the vertebral column will impact the spinal cord's ability to send and receive messages from the brain to the rest of the body. That may affect sensory and motor skills. Often a strong jolt to the neck or back in a car accident can damage the vertebrae in the backbone and the nerves in the spinal cord. Blunt trauma can compress, pull, or push the spinal cord sideways causing life-altering damage. Unfortunately, in some instances, a severed spinal cord may not be repaired and the person is partially or completely paralyzed.

Injury Severity Impacts Compensation

If you sustained a spinal cord injury, you may be entitled to monetary compensation to cover the costs associated with medical bills, expenses for physical therapy, long-term care, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

No matter how safely you drive, you can get into an accident because other drivers may be negligent. The impact of a car crash is downright scary. You may feel disoriented and not know what to do. You may be even more worried when you find out that the person who caused the accident left the scene. How will you ever find the person responsible for your serious bodily injuries in the hit-and-run accident and how much time do you have to take civil action in a hit-and-run case?

Hit and Run Accident

A hit-and-run accident is when someone is involved in a car accident with another car, pedestrian, parked vehicle, or bicycle and leaves the scene without providing reasonable assistance to an injured person or the following information:

A nursing home resident and their family should feel confident that the needs of their loved one is being met and that they will be safe from harm. Unfortunately, the most vulnerable in our population may be afraid to speak up or cannot always speak up about abuse. Abuse is prevalent in nursing homes and it can take many forms, including physical and mental abuse. More than 1.4 million people suffer nursing home abuse. Your loved one deserves quality care and to live with dignity. At Tahmazian Law Firm, P.C., we try to protect their rights and seek the compensation that your family is entitled to if they have suffered from abuse in their nursing home.

Vigilant Family Members Needed

Under California law, elder abuse is the physical or emotional abuse, neglect, or financial exploitation of a person who is 65 years or older. Nursing home abuse may not be easy to spot but family members should be vigilant, asking questions and visiting their loved ones regularly if possible. Demonstrating that abuse is happening behind the closed doors of a nursing home when you are not present can be challenging. If you see anything concerning, the best thing you can do is to take photos and document everything, especially if it shows the progression of an injury or abuse over some time.

Signs of Abuse at a Nursing Home

Physical injuries are perhaps the most obvious signs of abuse. Whether you notice minor scrapes or broken bones, nursing home staff owe you an explanation. Always ask questions, demand an explanation, and seek out others at the facility who can corroborate the chain of events. The following are also forms of nursing home abuse:

Many people will bypass air travel and opt for driving home for the holidays. Unfortunately, it is estimated that nearly 350 people will die on U.S. roads this Christmas holiday weekend alone. Choosing a car may seem more practical given all of the security checks at airports, but traveling by car increases your chances of getting in a car accident compared to other modes of transportation.

What Causes Holiday Accidents?

The work involved with coordinating holiday events, shopping, and travel can amount to high stress. Driving into unfamiliar areas when there is snow or rain increases the risks. Some of the reasons car accidents occur during the holidays include the following:

• Vehicle maintenance – You may need new brakes but would rather use that money to buy gifts. Before you hit the road this holiday, make sure you make the necessary car repairs so that your car is properly maintained.

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The holiday rush is upon us and truck drivers throughout Los Angeles County are trying to make those timely deliveries. However, the combination of time constraints and fatigue could spell disaster. For example, we have all seen tragic images of large box trucks toppled off of a highway, sometimes crash-landing on top of other vehicles. 

Truck accidents are among the most dangerous vehicle accidents. From 2010 to 2019, there was a 73 percent increase in the number of people killed in accidents involving large trucks. At Tahmazian Law Firm, P.C., we know how devastating truck accidents can be and that is why we fight for our clients who have been injured by truck crashes. 

Truck Crashes are the Most Dangerous Vehicle Accidents

It is no secret that commercial trucks are larger than your average vehicle. They are also heavier and more difficult to handle, and the danger only increases when the roads are slick and wet. On impact, drivers and passengers in smaller vehicles are likely to sustain serious injuries. As you recover, it is important to have an experienced truck injury attorney who can guide you through the process and help you hold the truck driver or even the trucking company liable for your injuries and damages.

Every year, crowds flock to retail stores on Black Friday to get themselves some sweet deals. Holiday spending this year is projected to be higher than last year. But if memory serves us right, the day after Thanksgiving has also become infamous for violence including flights and gunfire. To help you stay safe in LA County this year, we want to offer some insight into premises liability.

Premises Liability

California shoppers are guests when they are on the premises of a store. Under the law, property owners have a duty of care to make sure shoppers are safe. That includes warning customers about possible hazards.

Given the violence and stampedes in recent years, stores often take some precautions on Black Friday to avoid premises liability lawsuits including:

A deadly car accident can be traumatizing for the entire family. You might wonder how you will ever recover from such a loss. Unfortunately, deadly car crashes continue to soar in Los Angeles County; in the first months of this year, there was a seven percent increase in deadly car crashes compared to the previous year, which was already at a 15-year high.  If people continue driving recklessly, this trend is likely to continue into the holiday season. If you have lost a loved one in a vehicle collision through no fault of their own, Tahmazian Law Firm, P.C. can try to help you seek compensation for wrongful death.

Driving Risks that Lead to Fatal Accidents

Everything from careless to reckless driving can lead to fatal car accidents. In 2020, AAA surveyed drivers and found that many people were more likely to engage in risky behavior by consuming alcohol, intentionally running a red light, and speeding. Car accidents can also be caused by various forms of negligence. Sometimes other parties may also be at fault due to dangerous road conditions or defective auto parts. If you believe your family member was killed in a car crash due to someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to compensation.

Who Can File a Legal Claim?

The purpose of a wrongful death claim is to compensate the family for their loss. For wrongful death lawsuits, the statute of limitations is usually two years from the date your loved one died. The following persons can file a wrongful death claim:

After-hours office parties at a restaurant or holiday get-togethers at someone’s house are supposed to make for a memorable evening. Unfortunately along with the celebration, there is always the potential for serious injury. More than 8 million people in the United States wind up in the emergency room every year after suffering a fall. Slip and falls alone make up 12 percent of the total number of falls and account for 1 million ER visits. If you take a tumble and are seriously injured you may want to file a lawsuit. 

Hazards Inside and Outdoors

Property owners have a duty of care to make sure they protect people’s safety. Any hazards should be repaired or addressed. This applies to private property owners as well as public establishments. People often fall for the following reasons:

• Wet floors – slippery flooring due to spilled liquids, recent mopping, and lack of floor mats

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The beautiful weather in Los Angeles entices many people to get out and go for a walk. But urban areas are normally bustling with traffic congestion and pedestrians rushing to cross the street or catch the bus. A pedestrian accident with a motor vehicle, especially if you are jaywalking, can have you wondering if you are entirely to blame. 

Jaywalking

Jaywalking is not legal anywhere in California. If you cross the street under the following circumstances it would be considered jaywalking:

As people go about their daily lives, they frequently presume that the products they use will work as expected and create little or no danger. Little or no thought is given to the possibility that a product on the market is unreasonably unsafe for the average consumer. Yet, defective products injure people every day. Often, the defective product in question is not one that is commonly thought of as dangerous. Rather, dangerously defective products are often entirely innocuous products that show no obvious sign of a defect. Thus, defective product injuries frequently happen when they are least expected. When a product has been designed, built, or labeled in such a way as to render it unreasonably unsafe, a person who was injured by the product may be able to win compensation from the party responsible for the defect. An attorney can guide you through this process. 

Appliances, Car Parts, and Other Potentially Defective Products

Few defects are visible or readily discoverable until the defect has caused harm to a person. Commonly defective products it may be wise to monitor closely include: 

• Tires - Often, a tire will appear to be in fine condition, only to burst or split without warning, sending the vehicle and its occupants into an uncontrollable spin or slide. 

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Dog bites are often worse than they initially appear. Frequently, people who have been bitten are at first only aware of puncture wounds that could theoretically be effectively treated at home. However, injuries inflicted by a dog bite can extend far beyond the surface of the skin. Damage to ligaments, tendons, and even veins may necessitate surgical repair. Broken bones, particularly in the hands, can be camouflaged by rapidly developing hematoma enveloping the bitten area. Infectious bacteria contained within a dog’s mouth and saliva are a critical secondary concern. Infections stemming from a dog bite can become severe due to the depth at which bacteria was driven under the skin. If you have been bitten by a dog, it is imperative to seek urgent medical attention. You may also be eligible to recover financial compensation for any costs and losses related to the injury. 

3 Important Facts About Dog Bites in California 

In California, it is the duty of a dog’s owner to retain such control over their animal as to prevent bites from occurring in public spaces, and in private spaces into which others have been permitted. This concept is known as “strict liability,” meaning that it is not necessary to prove that the owner engaged in negligent conduct that allowed the bite to happen, nor can the owner’s lack of knowledge as to the dog’s aggressive tendencies provide a defense. Other important information victims of dog bites in California should be aware of includes:  

• Provocation exception - An exception to the strict liability rule applies when the victim provoked the dog bite. This may include conduct like striking or harassing the dog, committing violence or acts of aggression against the owner, or even inadvertently stepping on the dog, as a canine cannot be expected to distinguish between an accidental impact and a deliberate assault. 

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Really, there is no such thing as adequate compensation for the premature loss of a close family member due to another’s negligence. Nothing can replace your loved one or fully repair the emotional harm you are going through. Even so, you may need to pursue compensation to keep your family afloat. You may have medical debts for treatment your family member received before passing away. Or, you may need extensive therapy to help you process this loss. You may also - understandably - want to punish the liable party for being so careless with a human life. Our attorneys can guide you through the entire process of filing a wrongful death lawsuit and fighting for compensation. 

Types of Compensation You Can Recover in a Wrongful Death Action

You are likely noticing all the things you used to rely on your family member for. One of the main goals of recovering compensation in a wrongful death action is to make up for these financial losses. Damages you may be able to recover include: 

• Lost earnings - If the family member you lost worked to help support your family, you are likely feeling a financial pinch right now. You should not have to endure financial hardship because someone else was careless with your family member’s life. You can recover compensation to make up for their lost earnings equal to the amount they would have earned in their lifetime.

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Senior citizens who live in nursing homes are some of the most vulnerable members of our society. Nursing home residents are often totally dependent on caregivers for every need, from food to personal hygiene to medications. People who are able to perform the normal activities of daily living on their own are rarely willing to live in a nursing home, often because they have heard horror stories about such places. Sadly, not all nursing home horror stories are the stuff of legend. Many claims regarding nursing home abuse or neglect are completely legitimate. There are far too many caregivers who are willing to take advantage of nursing home residents’ inability to stand up for themselves. Mental abuse in nursing homes is a serious problem, and it may be grounds for a lawsuit. 

What is Considered Verbal Abuse in a Nursing Home Setting?

Mental health and physical health are closely linked in the elderly. If a senior citizen’s mental health is damaged due to verbal or psychological abuse, then it is very likely that their physical health will decline as well. Additionally, caregivers who will verbally abuse a helpless elderly resident are likely to engage in other forms of abuse as well, such as neglect. 

Forms that psychological abuse might take in a nursing home include: