Dentist Sexual Assaults, $1M for a K9 Attack, and Two Injured at Knott’s Berry Farm

California’s November News Round-Up Includes $5M Prison Negligence Settlement, Motorsports Park Death, and E. coli Cases in McDonald’s Outbreak

With Halloween and Thanksgiving celebrations behind us, traffic crashes involving personal injury and fatalities continue to be alarming in California this November 2024. While Halloween-related motor vehicle fatalities decreased by 6%, California still ranks third in traffic fatalities. During the Thanksgiving holiday, 502 people lost their lives nationwide, with California being one of the hardest hit states.

There were also significant autonomous vehicle updates. Waymo launched its driverless taxi service in Los Angeles, offering rides to the public. Meanwhile, Cruise is facing controversy after admitting to falsifying reports related to a hit-and-run incident that left a pedestrian seriously injured.

The airline industry also experienced troubling events this month. A United Airlines passenger was arrested for violently assaulting a sleeping traveler on a flight from San Francisco. In another case, a man was convicted of sexually assaulting a 14-year-old minor on an American Airlines flight to San Diego, following inappropriate contact after giving her alcohol.

In the area of institutional liability, San Diego awarded $5 million to the mother of a young man who died in jail because he did not have access to his prescribed medication. Similarly, Anaheim agreed to pay $5 million to a man who lost a leg while fleeing a police shooting in 2020.

California Personal Injury News Highlights for November 2024

This month, marked by Halloween and Thanksgiving, saw a surge in traffic accidents and various injury-related incidents. Notable cases include dog attacks, sexual assaults, and food contamination. Additionally, several lawsuits have been filed for injuries occurring at both public and private facilities.

Read on to learn more about these incidents and their potential impact on victims and their families. If you feel identified, please do not hesitate to call us. At Adamson Ahdoot, we provide free consultations, so injury victims can learn about their rights. Call us at (800) 310-1606 to get assistance from California’s top legal team.

California Dentist and Marine Arrested for Sexual Assault

Practice Area: Sexual Abuse or Harassment

November 2024 has been a concerning month for sexual assault news in California, with allegations involving both professionals and public figures.

One case centers on a man accused of multiple sexual assaults at his mountain climbing business. Three victims have come forward, each reporting as many as nine assaults that allegedly occurred in different national parks.

In another disturbing case, a Seaside dentist is accused of sexual assault in the workplace. Three women are suing Dr. Weidong Wang for sexually assaulting them during medical appointments. According to the investigation, Wang sexually assaulted his patients while they were unconscious under anesthesia. Police confirmed that this is not the first time Wang has faced such allegations: in 2017, three other victims reported the dentist for similar incidents.

Similarly, a Marine was arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting a minor at the Sunnyvale recruiting center. The incident reportedly occurred after the suspect, Jorge Lara-Pedroza, met the 17-year-old at a high school recruiting event.

Even celebrities are not exempt from scrutiny. Television journalist Charlie Rose has settled three lawsuits that began more than five years ago. The plaintiffs were three young female employees who worked with Rose and suffered repeated sexual harassment and retaliation. Meanwhile, a woman accusing country singer Garth Brooks of rape says he is using underhanded tactics to undermine her case. She alleges the assault took place at a music event in California.

$1M Settlement for K-9 Attack and Two Dog Bite Deaths in San Bernardino

Practice Area: Dog Bites

Once again, dog attacks made headlines this month. One of the most shocking cases occurred in Fontana, where a 35-year-old woman died after being bitten in the neck by two pit bulls. The victim had recently moved into the home of a family who had adopted four stray pit bulls months earlier.

On the same day, another fatal dog attack was reported in San Bernardino County. A homeless man was found with severe dog bites and puncture wounds and later died from his injuries. Police are still investigating the circumstances surrounding his death.

In another notable case, Talmika Bates, a California woman, received a $1 million settlement after she was attacked by a police K-9 in Brentwood. The attack occurred four years ago during her arrest for an alleged burglary when officers deployed the police dog. Bates suffered serious injuries, including the loss of her scalp, which required more than 200 stitches. She also suffered a mild traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Two Injured at Knott’s Berry Farm

Practice Area: Premises Liability

Several facilities in California have been linked to injury incidents this November 2024. In Antioch, a serious karting accident left one man severely injured.

On the other hand, Knott’s Berry Farm, one of the most popular amusement parks, was the scene of a frightening episode. Their ride Sol Spin malfunctioned, leaving 22 people stranded in the air for more than two hours. While most of the riders were safely rescued without serious issues, two required hospitalization.

In another tragic case, Lake Elsinore Motorsports Park announced its permanent closure following the death of a 9-year-old girl. The girl’s family has filed a lawsuit, alleging the park failed to implement adequate safety measures.

Asbestos Talc, Sixth Cybertruck Recall, and E. coli Outbreaks

Practice Area: Product Liability

Dynarex Corporation issued a recall for its talcum powder sold on Amazon after it was found to be contaminated with asbestos. Similarly, Segway is recalling 1,400 electric scooters due to a risk of injury, with 31 reported incidents and six deaths. In addition, Tom’s of Maine toothpaste, owned by Colgate-Palmolive, is being investigated for bacterial contamination in certain batches.

In the automotive sector, Tesla’s Cybertruck is facing its sixth recall since its launch a year ago. Hyundai and Kia have also recalled over 208,000 electric vehicles due to power loss issues.

In the food industry, several recalls made headlines this month:

• The list of E. coli victims continues to grow after the outbreak began with the consumption of McDonald’s Quarter Pounder burgers.
• F&S Fresh Foods recalls its organic carrots after the FDA warns of an E. coli outbreak. In total, about 40 people have been sickened by carrots sold at Whole Foods, Target, and Trader Joe’s.
• Aldi recalls Savencia Cheese USA Brie due to Listeria risk.
• Seven people were hospitalized, and one infant died after eating Yu Shang Food’s ready-to-eat meat and poultry products.

Hit-and-Run and Pedestrian Fatalities

Practice Area: Traffic Accidents

This November 2024, the holiday season and worsening weather conditions have led to a spike in injury accidents on California roads. Many of these incidents have been caused by drunk drivers. Such is the case of a Pomona man who was arrested for allegedly causing a drunk driving accident on the 210 Freeway, resulting in the deaths of two children and an adult.

The state has also seen numerous fatal hit-and-run pedestrian accidents, including:

• A man and his dog were killed by a hit-and-run driver in Santa Cruz County.
• A pedestrian was killed by a hit-and-run driver in San Jose.
• A woman was struck and killed by a car in Fremont.
• A 78-year-old man died at a hospital after being struck while crossing the street.
• A Bay Area teenager was killed in San Ramon after being struck by a car while crossing the street.

In addition, several scooter and bicycle riders have also been victims of motor vehicle accidents. This includes a bicyclist who was unable to recover from his injuries after a 2013 accident. On the other half, a motorcyclist died after being struck by a hit-and-run van on rural I-580.

Did You Suffer an Injury in a California Accident in November 2024? Call Us Today!

Accidents can happen anywhere and at any time, often leaving victims with devastating physical and emotional consequences. Whether it’s from a slip and fall, an assault, or a vehicle collision, injuries can have a lasting impact on your life.

When a minor or serious injury occurs, it is important to act immediately. With the help of a skilled attorney, you can fight for justice and secure the compensation you deserve.

At Adamson Ahdoot, we have been fighting tirelessly for the rights of the injured for nearly two decades. Our team combines over 100 years of legal experience, making us one of California’s most effective and determined law firms. Let us help you take the next step: we offer a free consultation to evaluate your case.

Call us at (800) 310-1606 or contact us online to learn more about your legal options.