Defective Fireworks, $15M for Police Wrongful Death, and Sex Abuse Lawsuits Against CA Schools

California’s July News Round-Up Features Police Constitutional Violation Lawsuits, Fireworks Injuries, and High Number of Collisions

The month of July 2024 in California began as it always does: with a high number of deaths and personal injury due to the Fourth of July holiday. During the most popular summer celebration, the roads became perilous for drivers. According to the CHP, 68 fatalities and 1,224 drunk drivers were arrested during the first weekend of the month.

Injuries from fireworks were also reported on the Fourth of July. While some accidents were the result of individual negligence, others were caused by defects in the devices themselves.

At the same time the unprecedented assassination attempt against President Donald Trump took place, California experienced a new record that affected millions of residents. According to official sources, Death Valley National Park witnessed the hottest July on record, with a 24-hour average of 108.5 degrees. If precautions aren’t taken, high temperatures can lead to fires and heat stroke.

On the other hand, victims of defective products from online stores now have stronger backing when it comes to filing lawsuits. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) just announced that Amazon will be liable under federal safety laws for injuries caused by defective products sold by third-party merchants.

Lastly, there are cases of celebrities who have committed crimes. One of the most notorious episodes was the lawsuit against Diplo for distributing sexually explicit images and videos of a woman for revenge.

California Personal Injury News Highlights for July 2024

In this post, we will bring you the latest California personal injury news for July 2024. This month includes more in-depth coverage of police misconduct stories. These include episodes of deadly excessive force and a $15 million negligence settlement for the family of a pregnant inmate who died at the Las Colinas Detention Facility.

In addition to the spike in deaths and injuries from Fourth of July car crashes, this month we bring you news of fireworks-related injuries. We also share stories about neglect and sexual abuse in schools.

If you’ve had a similar experience, don’t hesitate to seek legal help. Call us at (800) 310-1606 for a free consultation.

California personal injury news for July 2024 includes police misconduct, school abuse, and defective fireworks.

Pitbull Attack on 6-Year-Old Girl and a K-9 Leaves Woman With Permanent Injuries

Practice Area: Dog Bites

A 6-year-old girl from Ontario, California, was rushed to the hospital after being attacked by two large dogs. The girl, who was visiting her grandmother over the weekend, was bitten by two pit bulls while playing outside her home. The little girl, who is currently in intensive care following the brutal attack, suffered three bites on her back, a bite on the main artery of her leg, and several cuts.

Separately, a woman is suing the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department for injuries sustained from police dog bites. The 44-year-old victim was standing outside her home when an off-leash patrol dog lunged at her and viciously attacked her. The woman suffered severe injuries to her hand that have left her with permanent disabilities.

This news comes at a time when K-9 dogs are being questioned by Californians. It is worth noting that more and more cases of police dog bites are sending victims to the hospital with serious injuries.

Civil Rights Lawsuits Against the Police

Practice Area: Police Misconduct

In terms of police incidents resulting in injury, July 2024 in California is filled with some very alarming news.

First, there are civil rights cases. An El Segundo resident has filed a lawsuit against the city’s police department for racial profiling and unlawful arrest. Keith Pucket alleges racial discrimination because police stopped him twice in two months.

In another episode of police civil rights violations, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has announced the possibility of reopening the case of Toni McBride, a police officer who fatally shot Daniel Hernandez during a confrontation. Prosecutors have said there may be a case for violation of constitutional rights, although the officer has qualified immunity.

In addition, a woman has filed a civil rights suit against Anaheim officer Carlos Romero. The lawsuit alleges the cop raped her after spotting her at an In-N-Out restaurant and collecting her personal information after writing down her license plate number.

Officer Breaks Knee During Arrest and Cop Negligently Runs Over Pedestrian

A 29-year-old man has filed a lawsuit against Elk Grove, the State of California, and four city officials. Dakarai Allen, a former basketball player, claims the police ended his athletic career after breaking his knee. According to official documents, Allen was driving home drunk when he was stopped near his home. Officers then found him unconscious, pulled him out of the car and, while handcuffing him, struck him in the knee with a baton. The blow fractured his knee in three places.

Finally, the family of a woman who was struck by a Calistoga police vehicle is considering filing a lawsuit. The 22-year-old suffered severe head trauma while crossing the street in a crosswalk.

$15 for Wrongful Death in Prison and $21M for Failed Fireworks Explosion

Practice Area: Negligence

Continuing with police negligence, as we mentioned at the beginning of this blog, San Diego County has settled a wrongful death lawsuit. The city will pay $15 million to the family of a pregnant inmate who died in a jail cell at the Las Colinas Detention Center. According to the complaint, a corrections officer and a medical worker were present and did nothing while the inmate was dying.

In a related development, Los Angeles will pay some residents more than $21 million for a faulty fireworks detonation. The events, which occurred three years ago, took place in a neighborhood in the southern part of the city. According to officials, police found about 32,000 pounds of illegal commercial and homemade fireworks at a home on East 27th Street. Explosives experts then decided to detonate them on-site in an armored container. The detonation failed, however, and the explosion caused dozens of injuries. In all, more than 17 people were injured, 22 homes and 13 businesses were affected, and 37 vehicles were damaged. More than 80 people were displaced from their homes.

Another fireworks-related injury occurred on the 4th of July in Crescent City Beach, California. A private fireworks show resulted in a tragic accident with 14 casualties when some of the rockets deflected into people gathered on the beach.

CPSC Rules Amazon is Responsible for Defective Third-Party Products

Practice Area: Product Liability

Faulty fireworks have also caused injuries. One of the most recent victims of defective fireworks was Zion Thomas. He suffered permanent injuries to his hand, knocked out several teeth, and broke his wrist. Thomas claims that the injury accident occurred without warning while he was holding the fireworks.

Regardless, as we discussed at the beginning of this blog, the CPSC has determined that Amazon is responsible for products sold on its site. This includes products sold by third-party sellers. The agency has ruled that Amazon must recall up to 400,000 defective products that pose a risk of injury. These include faulty carbon monoxide detectors, electric hair dryers, and skin-toxic children’s pajamas.

On the food front, Boar’s Head Deli meats have been in the spotlight in recent weeks for Listeria. A serious outbreak has sickened three dozen people. Two people have also died. Health officials say the Listeria strain began in May and has spread to 13 states. Similarly, Walmart had to recall all of its Great Value Organic 32 oz Chia Seeds due to the risk of salmonella.

Among the automotive incidents, BMW stands out. The company is recalling nearly 400,000 vehicles due to problems with its airbags. These airbags could explode and injure passengers. In addition, approximately 1.8 million Tesla vehicles are being recalled. The vehicles carry a defect in the notification system that detects whether the hood is closed or open.

Child Fatally Struck by Drunk Driver, Deadly Police Chase, and Lawsuit Against Former Red Hot Chili Peppers Guitarist

Practice Area: Traffic Accidents

July 2024 was a busy month for car accidents in California. Here are the most notable recent motor vehicle incidents:

• A 5-year-old boy is brain-dead after being hit by a drunk driver. The toddler was riding his bike with his parents and siblings when the car struck them in Garden Grove.
• A 16-year-old teenager has died after being hit by a drunk driver. The teen was in his car backing out of his home when he was struck by a speeding car in Richmond.
• A drunk driver fleeing police slammed into another vehicle, killing four people. A six-minute chase ended in a fatal collision with another car in Southern California.
• A mother of six was killed in a hit-and-run crash in Pomona.
• A woman walking by the road with a shopping cart was struck by two different drivers. Neither vehicle stopped at the scene, which occurred in Fremont.
• An Uber driver faces four counts of attempted murder and four counts of assault. The man is accused of intentionally running down pedestrians in Long Beach before hitting other cars. One person was killed and several others were injured.
• A wrong-way crash in San Luis Obispo County killed three people and injured three others.
• Josh Klinghoffer, former guitarist for the Red Hot Chili Peppers, is being sued for wrongful death. The musician fatally struck a pedestrian in a crosswalk on Alhambra Street in Los Angeles.

Sexual Abuse Claims in California Schools

Practice Area: Sexual Harassment or Abuse

This month is notable for sexual allegations against California high schools. First, a Santa Cruz math teacher was arrested on sex charges. According to authorities, the teacher attempted to meet a 17-year-old student for sexual purposes.

The El Monte Union High School District is also facing another sex crimes lawsuit. Nine women have just filed a sexual abuse suit. This is the second sexual abuse lawsuit in two months. The victims claim school employees sexually abused them for decades. The plaintiffs say the district ignored their complaints. They also say the school protected predators who attacked during recess at Rosemead High School. The incidents took place between 2005 and 2011.

Another school accused of doing nothing about allegations of sexual abuse by female students is Thatcher in Ojai. This new lawsuit is in addition to six previous complaints of sexual misconduct and cover-ups at the school. The allegations include molestation, assault, and rape.

Have You Suffered an Injury Accident in California During July 2024? Call Us!

Whether you have been injured in a car accident, dog bite, or at the hands of a negligent police officer, you may be entitled to file a lawsuit. Injury victims go through difficult processes during their recovery, so it is advisable to seek legal assistance. An injury attorney will be key to helping them receive fair compensation.

Adamson Ahdoot is a bilingual personal injury law firm that delivers the best results in California. Over the past few years, we have obtained millions of dollars in settlements for our clients’ injury cases.

If you have any questions, please call us at (800) 310-1606 or submit your inquiry through our website. The first consultation is completely free. Call us today!