Trains and Cars Kill Pedestrians, Pitbull Attacks, and an NFL Sexual Assault Victim

California’s February News Round-Up Features Bullying and Harassment in Schools, Financial Abuse of the Elderly, and Sex Crimes Against Students

As February 2024 comes to a close, we learn that the deadly atmospheric river storm that swept through Southern California left dozens of people with a personal injury and nine people dead. The severe weather also caused extensive property damage. Los Angeles, in particular, suffered more than 550 landslides that damaged hundreds of homes.

However, this collateral damage can be reduced, critics say, if the state and cities take corrective action in advance. Public agencies are also in the spotlight because of the significant damage to roads. Last year, about 5,900 drivers reported pothole damage to their vehicles in the city of Los Angeles.

At the state level, California has experienced hundreds of traffic accidents. In addition to car collisions, the state again witnessed airplane incidents. Among the most high-profile were the dramatic emergency landing of singer Karol G and the death of five Marines in a helicopter crash. An event that, if proven negligent, could lead to possible lawsuits by family members against the state agency.

Meanwhile, a wrongful death lawsuit has already been filed by the widow of one of the pilots who died in a plane crash last year. The claim alleges that the system on the plane, which belonged to Google co-founder Sergey Brin, was improperly installed. The lawsuit also alleges that Brin’s representatives tried to destroy evidence.

California Personal Injury News Highlights for February 2024

In this post, we will share with you the latest news related to personal injury in California during February 2024. As usual, this month was full of lawsuits and settlements for both physical and emotional injuries. One of the most popular cases was the Dodgers’ payout to a team supporter. A jury forced the club to pay $108K to a fan who claimed he was beaten by stadium security during a game.

Other top stories this month include incidents involving dog attacks, police misconduct, and civil rights violations. In addition, numerous rail incidents resulted in the death or serious injury of bystanders. Other notable cases this month involve dozens of pedestrian hit-and-runs and financial abuse of the elderly.

If you have ever been in a similar situation, do not hesitate to seek legal assistance. We can help you get the compensation you deserve for your losses by calling (800) 310-1606.

Vicious Pit Bull Attacks in California

Practice Area: Dog Bites

We open this blog with the death of a man who was mauled to death by his pit bulls. The owner of eight puppies and five adult pit bulls was viciously attacked in the backyard of his home. In contrast, a mother and son were more fortunate after being attacked by four pit bulls outside their Southern California home. Although their injuries were serious, their lives are not in danger.

As several studies have shown in recent years, pit bulls are the breed responsible for the most attacks each year. According to the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA), these animals account for 22.5% of all recorded bites. A 15-year study by Dogsbite.org found that pit bulls are responsible for 66% of dog bite deaths each year.

Prison Officer Sexually Extorts Female Prisoners and Fatal Shooting for Holding a Plastic Fork

Practice Area: Police Misconduct

Police work is once again in the spotlight for negligent cases that resulted in deaths and personal injury in California during February 2024. Concerns about the behavior of many police officers are no longer limited to society and the media. The sense of negligence also comes from within the agency. Recently, the Chief of the Los Angeles Police Department stated that he was “concerned” about the recent recklessness of some cops. Michel Moore specifically questioned the actions that led an officer to open fire on a man holding a plastic fork.

Another incident of concern occurred at a store in Lancaster. Several sheriff’s deputies shot and killed a man who allegedly threatened them with a machete inside a store. The officers said they tried to use less lethal methods, but the man lunged at them and tried to attack them.

Another case awaiting sentencing is that of a former sheriff’s deputy in charge of women’s prisons in California. The jail official pleaded guilty to 13 felony counts of threatening women under house arrest. According to official documents, the deputy threatened the victims with more jail time if they did not send him sexually explicit videos.

Anti-Semitic Bullying at California Schools

Practice Area: Civil Rights Violations

In police news, two officers have filed lawsuits alleging racism and First Amendment violations.

Glenn Harper, a former lieutenant with the UC Santa Cruz Police Department, sued the University of California for firing him in 2017 because he is black — a jury recently awarded him $7.2 million for wrongful termination.

Separately, former Oakland Police Chief LeRonne Armstrong is suing the city and its mayor. The former officer claims wrongful termination, retaliation, and violation of his First Amendment rights.

Finally, several discrimination cases have hit Berkeley Public Schools. A federal lawsuit alleges that the Berkeley Unified School District ignored allegations of ethnic-based bullying and harassment of Jewish students. According to the lawsuit, the schools knowingly permitted a “viciously hostile” environment.

Elder Financial Abuse Cases

Practice Area: Elder Abuse

Continuing the pattern of rights violations, various elderly people have been the victims of abuse cases this month. First, two women who cared for an elderly couple were arrested for financial abuse. In total, the caregivers stole over $35K while caring for a senior couple who needed round-the-clock assistance.

Being part of a case of elder financial abuse can happen in a roundabout way. This is what happened to JPMorgan Chase. The bank is being sued by two victims who suffered economic exploitation as customers. The lawsuits allege that the bank was directly responsible for this financial abuse and should have intervened to prevent the loss.

Former NLF Player and Eight Students Were Victims of Sexual Crimes

Practice Area: Sexual Harassment or Abuse

The news is full of sex crimes this month. Many of them occurred in schools. San Joaquin Valley College was the subject of a lawsuit filed by eight students alleging negligence and sexual misconduct by an instructor. According to the legal documents, the California college is accused of failing to investigate complaints of sexual harassment and assault against female students.

Separately, SpaceX and its CEO Elon Musk have also been sued. The California Department of Civil Rights is investigating the company after its female employees reported widespread discrimination and sexual harassment.

Among the sexual assault lawsuits, the case against former CHP lieutenant Kermit Edwards is particularly noteworthy. The ex-patrolman has been formally accused by several female subordinates in two civil lawsuits. The victims allege that Edwards engaged in sexual harassment and assault at a CHP facility in San Jose and sexual misconduct at a police station in Freemont.

Finally, former NFL player Shareece Wright claimed he was a victim of sexual abuse. The ex-Los Angeles Chargers player revealed that he was one of 12 anonymous complainants who accused a former high school athletic coach of sexually assaulting them when they were minors.

It is important to remember that victims of sexual assault or sexual harassment have the right to seek justice. California law is always on the side of the victim. At Adamson Ahdoot, we have extensive experience defending victims of sexual assault. Contact us if you want those responsible to pay for their actions.

Deadly Streak of Pedestrian Train Fatalities

Practice Area: Train Accidents

Throughout February 2024, there were several train accidents involving deaths and personal injury at various stations in California. The most shocking were those involving pedestrians killed under bizarre circumstances. One was a 25-year-old victim fatally struck by an Amtrak train in North Hollywood. Similarly, another man and a woman, ages 26 and 19, were killed in the same manner by an Amtrak train in Newark and the East Bay, respectively.

Finally, a Caltrain commuter train also struck and killed a pedestrian at the Hillsdale station.

The question many Californians ask is: why are so many pedestrians killed by trains? If you or a loved one has been injured in a train accident, contact Adamson Ahdoot today. Let us review your case free of charge.

Large Number of Pedestrians Struck by Cars

Practice Area: Traffic Accidents

Pedestrians have been the victims of countless traffic accidents this month. In fact, February 2024 has seen a higher-than-usual number of personal injury accidents involving pedestrians in California.

The need for both pedestrians and drivers to share the road respectfully is paramount to preserving the health of citizens. In many cases, distracted driving is a leading cause of pedestrian collisions. However, speeding and drunk driving are also common factors.

Although pedestrian accidents are often fatal, some people survive. That’s what happened to two teenagers in Anaheim. According to a video taken by a witness, the victims were standing with a group of students when a speeding car lost control. It then veered onto the sidewalk and struck two students from a nearby high school. Both were hospitalized, and their lives are not in danger.

The top news stories about pedestrians killed this month are:

• A woman struck and killed by a pickup truck in Pacheco.
• A passenger involved in an earlier collision was crossing Interstate 580 on foot when he was fatally struck by two vehicles.
• A pedestrian walking along a major San Pablo avenue was killed when struck by a car.
• A 91-year-old man died in the East Bay after being struck by a car while crossing the street. The man was taken to a hospital, where he later died.
• A 74-year-old man died at the scene after being struck by a hit-and-run car.

Head-on Collisions Killed Dozens of Californians

Traffic collisions in California have continued their usual deadly tendency. However, this month has been notable for some very devastating car accidents. The most tragic occurred in Madera. Eight people were killed and one seriously injured in a head-on collision. Investigators found that only the survivor and one other person were wearing seat belts.

Another head-on collision occurred on Highway 99. Two Modesto residents were killed after one of the cars crossed into oncoming traffic.

Road Rage and Wrong-Way Driving Deaths

In addition to strikes and head-on collisions, California has seen other types of traffic incidents this month. One of the most popular took place in Newport Beach. The driver of a Tesla had a road rage incident that ended in a shooting. After firing at the victim, the car fled.

An accident that could have led to a tragedy like the one described above occurred in San Francisco. Four vehicles were involved in a multi-car accident after one of them crossed into oncoming traffic. Five people were injured. Another wrong-way crash in Antioch resulted in the deaths of both drivers.

Adverse Effects of ADHD Pills and Faulty Vacuum Cleaners

Practice Area: Product Liability

We begin this section with a warning about the Zenzedi pills. The pharmaceutical company is pulling all of its ADHD and narcolepsy pills off the market. According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), some bottles contained the wrong pills, causing the opposite effect of what was warned.

As for defective children’s products, authorities have warned about the danger of LordRoads tiaras. About 12,500 children’s tiaras sold on Amazon between 2021 and 2023 show toxic levels. According to the CPSC, they contain lead and can cause adverse health effects in children.

More than 142,000 BISSELL vacuum cleaners are being recalled due to fire hazards. The CPSC has confirmed that 17 cases of defective vacuums have been reported. Of these, two burn cases and three property damage cases have been notified.

More Listeria Cases in California

When it comes to food that has injured people, 2024 continues the same negative momentum it started with. The Golden State has seen dozens of cases of food poisoning and two deaths since a listeria outbreak began in 2014. Recently, another company in the state has had to recall its products, according to the CDC. Rizo-Lopez Food Company recalled its queso fresco and cotija cheese products due to contamination.

Meanwhile, Trader Joe’s has received consumer complaints about its frozen chicken rice pilaf. According to the Food Safety and Inspection Service, several shoppers found rocks in the product.

Tesla, General Motors, and Toyota Recall Millions of Vehicles

As for the automotive sector, vehicle recalls continue their course. Here are the automotive companies that have announced some sort of problem:

• Honda has warned of airbag problems in more than 750,000 vehicles – mostly Acura models. The company has reported a failure in the passenger-side airbag sensor.
• General Motors has recalled about 323,000 pickup trucks for rear door problems. This recall specifically affects Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra 2500 and 3500 models manufactured between 2020 and 2024.
• Toyota and General Motors have alerted more than 60,000 older vehicles to the danger of their Takata airbags. The companies have warned owners of Corolla, Matrix and RAV4 models manufactured in 2003 and 2004 to have them checked. Otherwise, they run the risk of the airbag exploding and shooting sharp metal shrapnel that can cause serious injury.
• Toyota has announced that more than 380,000 Tacoma vans are in urgent need of inspection. These models have rear axle problems that can affect stability and braking.
• Tesla has had a busy month in terms of recalls. First, the company recalled nearly all of its vehicles for lighting problems. According to U.S. regulators, the headlights on its cars are undersized by federal standards. On the other hand, they also issued an online update to 200,000 vehicles for rearview camera failures.

Have You Suffered a Personal Injury Accident in California During February 2024? Call Us!

Are you injured or have a loved one died as a result of negligence? Reach out to Adamson Ahdoot today. Acting in a timely manner can help you receive fair compensation to pay for all of your accident-related expenses.

With over 100 years of combined legal experience, Adamson Ahdoot is the #1 choice in California. Our team’s knowledge and experience have helped thousands of victims obtain the compensation they deserve.

With a bilingual team, our attorneys can help you with your case in both California and Texas. Let Adamson Ahdoot get you a fair and satisfactory settlement today. Call us at (800) 310-1606 or submit your inquiry through our website. We are available 24/7.