Gynecologist Sued by 107 Women, Deadly Police Pursuits, and Violent Incidents

California’s January News Round-Up Includes Wrongful Death Lawsuits, Sexual Abuse in Schools, and Dangerous Product Recalls

The new year has begun with tragedy for the residents of the Golden Coast. In January 2025, a series of unprecedented wildfires swept through the region, leaving destruction, personal injury, and deaths across California. Fueled by high winds, the fires hit Los Angeles particularly hard, raising critical questions: Could this disaster have been avoided? What legal options are available to those who lost their homes and loved ones?

Legal battles over liability for the Palisades, Eaton, and Hurst fires have already begun. In mid-January, a dozen victims of the Eaton fire filed a lawsuit against Southern California Edison. They accuse the utility of causing the fire that devastated Altadena, claiming 17 lives and destroying 9,400 structures. Adamson Ahdoot is currently representing hundreds of clients in similar lawsuits against SCE.

Meanwhile, reality TV stars Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt are suing the city of Los Angeles for damages after losing their home in the fires. The couple blames the city and water department for supply shortages that hampered firefighting efforts.

Continuing with negligence cases, a father has sued Trumpet Behavioral Health, alleging that the organization allowed a therapist to sexually abuse his disabled daughter.

Finally, a 46-year-old independent contractor was awarded $58 million for work-related injuries he suffered in 2016. The worker sued Kinkisharyo Company for negligence and won compensation for past, present, and future damages.

California Personal Injury News Highlights for January 2025

In this blog post, we bring you the latest updates on California personal injury news for January 2025. While we have moved past the holiday season, which often leads to an increase in road accidents, traffic-related incidents remain a major concern. This month, however, the focus has shifted to accidents that have occurred on premises and resulted in negligence lawsuits.

In addition to these incidents, January has brought attention to serious wrongful death cases. Police misconduct, sexual abuse, and defective product cases are also continuing to make headlines.

If you have been involved in an accident, don’t hesitate to contact our legal team. At Adamson Ahdoot, we offer free consultations and are available 24/7 to discuss your legal options. Call us today at (800) 310-1606.

Families of Shooting Victims and Tyler Skaggs Demand Justice 

Practice Area: Wrongful Death

Two years after the tragic shooting at a dance studio that claimed 11 lives and left 9 others injured, the victims’ families have filed lawsuits seeking justice. The plaintiffs are pursuing claims for wrongful death, assault, and battery. They accuse the dance studio of failing to implement adequate safety measures that could have prevented the devastating incident.

In a separate case, the wrongful death lawsuit filed by the family of former MLB pitcher Tyler Skaggs against the Los Angeles Angels is now entering its final phase. The family alleges that the team ignored court orders to avoid responsibility for Skaggs’ death, claiming the Angels were aware of his fentanyl and alcohol use, which contributed to his death. The trial is scheduled to begin in three months.

Assaults, Shootings, and Child Abuse

Practice Area: Premises Liability

In Santa Ana, a 43-year-old man was arrested after fatally stabbing one person and severely assaulting another at a McDonald’s parking lot. The suspect has been charged with murder and assault.

In Vallejo, two cadets from the California Maritime Academy were caught in the crossfire of a dispute between two vehicles at a gas station, resulting in gunshot injuries.

Several cases of child abuse were also reported in California this month. In Castro Valley, an after-school worker has been accused of molesting an 11-year-old girl. Court documents reveal that other staff members had suspicions about his conduct. Additionally, a former elementary school teacher in the Bay Area is facing 12 felony charges related to the molestation of four 14-year-old minors.

Beverly Hills OB-GYN and Masseur Under Charges 

Practice Area: Sexual Abuse or Harassment

A Beverly Hills gynecologist is facing a class-action lawsuit from 107 victims who accuse him of sexually violating them during exams and vaginal births over the course of decades. The plaintiffs claim the doctor exploited his position to satisfy his “sadistic needs.”

In another case, a Hayward masseur is accused of sexually assaulting a woman during a therapy session. Authorities are concerned there may be additional victims.

Police Brutality and Civil Rights Violations

Practice Area: Police Misconduct

The Antioch Police Department is facing an internal crisis after former officer Devon Wenger leaked compromising information. In an attempt to clear his name of corruption and violence allegations, Wenger filed a civil rights lawsuit accusing the department of false arrest and alleging racist and violent conduct toward citizens during his time on duty.

In a separate case, the family of a 19-year-old fatally shot by Sunnyvale police has filed a civil rights lawsuit. The lawsuit claims officers used excessive force in the shooting, despite the young man allegedly holding a knife at the time.

Fatal Police Pursuits and Traffic Collisions Resulting in Deaths and Injuries

Practice Area: Traffic Accidents

Traffic accidents continue to claim lives in California, with more than a dozen fatalities reported daily. This month, several deadly incidents occurred throughout the state: in Gilroy, three teenagers were killed in a wrong-way crash; in Pleasant Hill, one person died in a collision caused by distracted driving; in Walnut Creek, a bicyclist was fatally struck; and a San Francisco resident died after running a stop sign.

Additionally, a police pursuit in the East Bay ended in a crash, with the driver of a stolen vehicle colliding with a truck, causing multiple injuries. In Stockton, three people lost their lives in a violent crash during a police chase.

Road rage incidents also made headlines, with two groups of bicyclists among the victims.

Lastly, hit-and-run accidents were reported: a woman and her therapy dog were killed in Long Beach, and a Tesla driver was arrested for causing a multi-car collision on I-280 and fleeing the scene.

Fire-Hazard Heaters, Contaminated Walmart Broccoli, and Ford Vehicle Recalls for Battery Issues

Practice Area: Defective Products

January 2025 has brought numerous injury incidents that have jeopardized the safety of consumers in California, resulting in the recall of several defective products. One major recall involved nearly 8,000 space heaters sold on Amazon. The Consumer Product Safety Commission reported that Vornado heaters pose serious risks, including electric shock and fire hazards.

As for consumer products, listeria continues to be a nationwide threat. Walmart recalled bags of Marketside brand broccoli after contamination was detected. Additionally, amid a nationwide virus outbreak, Costco recalled its Kirkland cold and flu medications due to potential contamination.

In the automotive sector, several high-profile recalls were issued:

• Ford recalled over 270,000 Bronco and Maverick models due to battery-related issues.
• Kia recalled 80,000 vehicles for faulty airbag deployment and wiring problems.
• Stellantis recalled more than 63,000 Chrysler vehicles due to power issues.

Did You Suffer an Injury in a California Accident in January 2025? Call Us Today!

If you’ve been the victim of police misconduct, injured in a facility, or involved in a car accident, you’re not alone. Every year, millions of people in California experience injuries similar to those that occurred in January 2025.

While the situation may seem overwhelming, help may be closer than you think. With the help of experienced injury lawyers, you can resolve your case efficiently. We will take care of everything from investigating the accident and interviewing witnesses to handling your claim.

With over 100 years of combined legal experience, the team at Adamson Ahdoot is committed to helping injured people get the compensation they deserve. Contact us today at (800) 310-1606 for a free consultation to explore your options.