$7.25M Universal Studios Injury Lawsuit, Deadly Broccoli Contamination Risk, and School Safety Failures

California’s February News Round-Up Includes Teacher Sex Scandals, UC Discrimination, and Dangerous Devices

February 2025 was marked by a series of alarming injury incidents that highlighted the vulnerability of California residents. Nationally, the emergency landing of a Delta flight in Toronto shocked the public and reignited concerns about air safety. The incident left 21 people injured after the plane overturned on the runway.

California also saw a wave of troubling public misconduct scandals in February. In Antioch, the police oversight commissioner was forced to resign after being accused of racism and bigotry toward fellow officers. In a more disturbing case, a former East Bay firefighter pleaded guilty to sex crimes for inappropriately touching and filming four girls, aged 10 to 15. Additionally, a San Bernardino County sheriff’s deputy is under investigation for shooting a teenager during a response to a residential burglary call. The 16-year-old was airlifted to the hospital with serious injuries.

In Oakland, an elder abuse case came to light, with a woman accused of abusing her 87-year-old mother, causing injuries that required hospitalization. Finally, a California federal court awarded $7.25 million to an Arizona woman for injuries sustained at Universal Studios Hollywood. The woman suffered a debilitating spinal injury when she slipped after riding the Harry Potter attraction in 2022.

California Personal Injury News Highlights for February 2025

This blog post brings the latest updates on California personal injury news for February 2025. This month, we cover important cases involving civil rights violations, sex crimes, and car accidents while also highlighting incidents related to premises liability and defective products.

At Adamson Ahdoot, we are committed to protecting your rights. If you have been involved in an injury accident, don’t wait to seek help. Contact us today at (800) 310-1606. We are available 24/7 for a free consultation and to guide you through the legal process.

Disneyland and UC Discrimination Lawsuits

Practice Area: Civil Rights Violations

February’s California personal injury news includes two significant legal battles. A new lawsuit has been filed against Disneyland Anaheim, alleging the park has discriminated against visitors with disabilities since implementing policy changes last summer. The lawsuit claims that individuals with physical disabilities have been excluded from the park’s Disability Access Service, and it seeks damages for the affected group.

Separately, the University of California is facing a civil rights lawsuit. The student group Students Against Racial Discrimination, accuses UC of prioritizing African-American and Hispanic applicants over Asian and white students during the admissions process.

Sex Crimes of Former East Bay Firefighter and Food Delivery Driver

Practice Area: Sexual Abuse and Harassment

This month, California has been shaken by several high-profile sex crime cases that have garnered widespread attention. A former East Bay firefighter, initially charged with child molestation by eight victims, has pleaded guilty to sexual misconduct with four minors.

In a separate incident, a UCLA student reported being sexually assaulted by a food delivery driver. According to the victim, the driver inappropriately touched her without consent while delivering food to her residence. Authorities are actively investigating the case and working to locate the suspect.

Educational institutions have also been embroiled in disturbing cases. In Santa Cruz County, a man was arrested in connection with a daycare center in Watsonville. Investigations revealed that the suspect lived at the center, where he also kept weapons and drugs.

‘Teacher of the Year’ Convicted of Abuse and School’s Failure to Prevent Sexual Misconduct

Practice Area: Premises Liability

In National City, an elementary school teacher has pleaded guilty to sex crimes against two of her students, 11 and 12. The Lincoln Acres Elementary school teacher—recognized as “Teacher of the Year” in California—engaged in sexual acts with minors under duress, sparking outrage among parents and teachers.

Meanwhile, the prestigious Castilleja School for girls is embroiled in a sexual abuse lawsuit. Three former students claim the school failed to protect them from Mark Allan Hodes, a math tutor with a known history of abusive behavior. Hodes now faces 55 counts of child abuse, with allegations from 17 former students bringing the case to light.

The Santa Ana Unified School District has resolved a lawsuit regarding its ethnic studies courses, which faced accusations of including anti-Semitic content. The lawsuit, filed by parents and students, argued that the curriculum negatively impacted the image of the Jewish community, prompting the district to settle the case.

Contamination and Safety Risks

Area of Practice: Defective Products

In February 2025, California authorities issued several critical safety alerts regarding defective products that have resulted in personal injury. These incidents affect a broad range of everyday consumer items, from household appliances to outdoor equipment.

One of the most concerning cases involves LG, which has recalled 500,000 units of 22 models of electric ranges due to serious fire hazards. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) warned that these ranges could be accidentally activated by contact with humans or pets, creating a substantial risk. To date, there have been 86 reported incidents, including 28 fires, 8 injuries, and 3 pet deaths.

Additionally, LoGest has recalled more than 20,000 hemp-based climbing ropes due to fall hazards. These ropes are prone to weakening and breaking under pressure, endangering climbers’ safety. Among the 13 reported incidents, one involved a severe spinal cord injury.

Finally, Igloo issued a recall for its coolers after reports of fingertip amputations and crushing injuries. With more than 12 reported injuries, including amputations, lacerations, and fractures, the company has recalled over one million coolers to address a dangerous design flaw.

Allergy Risks, Asphyxiation Hazards, and Contamination Concerns

Several widely recognized food products were recalled in California due to significant safety concerns and posing life-threatening risks to consumers.

• Cal Yee Farm recalled all of its chocolate products due to undeclared ingredients, putting consumers with food allergies in grave danger.
• Gerber, the famous baby food manufacturer, issued a recall for its edible teething pain sticks, which present a choking hazard for infants.
• Fiesta Food Products LLC, a California-based company, recalled its breadcrumbs due to the presence of undeclared allergens.
• The FDA has issued a warning about a potential contamination issue with Braga Fresh broccoli sold at Walmart. The contamination risk has been escalated to Class I, the highest threat level, with the potential to cause serious illness.
• Canned tuna sold at Walmart, Trader Joe’s, and Costco has been recalled due to the risk of botulism.
• Lyons ReadyCare, a manufacturer of nutritional shakes, issued a recall after several consumers became ill with listeria. This resulted in 38 reported cases, 27 hospitalizations, and 11 deaths.

Deadly Collisions and High-Speed Crashes

Practice Area: Traffic Accidents

Traffic accidents continue to plague California’s roadways, with several serious incidents reported this month, including hit-and-run accidents.

• In Sherman Oaks, an oncoming driver caused a fatal crash, killing one person and seriously injuring two others.
• In Pomona, a speeding driver collided with five parked vehicles, causing extensive damage.
• In the East Bay, a head-on collision killed one person and injured three others.
• A police chase involving a gang member led to a multiple-injury crash in Los Angeles.
• Two hit-and-run drivers were arrested after causing fatal crashes in Gardena and Oakland.
• UC Berkeley professor Michael Burawoy was tragically killed in a hit-and-run accident.

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

Firefighter misconduct, negligence at amusement parks like Universal Studios Hollywood, and amputations caused by rolling coolers are just some of the many dangers that can lead to devastating injuries in California. Unfortunately, the risks of injury are often higher than they should be, and navigating these situations without legal assistance can be overwhelming. However, with the right representation, you can secure the justice and compensation you deserve.

If you’ve been the victim of negligence, misconduct, or a traffic accident, don’t face the legal process alone. At Adamson Ahdoot, we combine over 100 years of experience to ensure our clients get the compensation they deserve.

Call us today at (800) 310-1606 for a free case evaluation. Let us fight for your rights.