$24M Settlement for School Sex Abuse, $5.8M for Fentanyl Wrongful Death, and Excessive Police Force

California’s September News Round-Up Features LA Restaurant Salmonella Outbreak, CPS Malpractice Lawsuit, and New Diddy Sex Victim

This month’s blog starts with one of the hottest topics of recent years: autonomous vehicles. Recently, the robotaxi company Cruise was fined 1.5 million for failing to report an accident. Although the ruling came in September 2024, the accident involving the General Motors company occurred when one of its robotaxi vehicles hit a pedestrian in California last year, leaving her with serious injury. The incident prompted the Department of Motor Vehicles to revoke its state license.

Another recent controversy involved e-commerce stores Shein and Temu. Due to the debate over the quality of their products, U.S. regulators are now calling for further investigation. Two members of the CPSC are urging a probe into reports of deadly baby products from Shein and Temu. Regulators are calling for action to prevent the sale of defective baby products that could cause injury.

Meanwhile, dog attacks are once again making headlines in California. Earlier this month, a four-year-old girl was fatally mauled by her family’s pit bull in the Central Valley. Similarly, two dangerous dogs have caused incidents in another Southern California neighborhood. According to residents, the two pit bulls, owned by a neighbor, are terrorizing residents. They have provoked two attacks in just a few days.

California Personal Injury News Highlights for September 2024

In this post, we will bring you the latest California personal injury news for September 2024. Stay with us to learn about new incidents that occurred this month. These stories include plane crashes, food poisoning injuries, defective products, wrongful death lawsuits, and traffic accidents caused by government employees.

Read on to stay up to date on California personal injury cases.

Have you been injured by someone else’s fault and are considering filing a lawsuit? Adamson Ahdoot can help. Contact our bilingual team for legal assistance. Call us at (800) 310-1606 for a free consultation with one of our injury lawyers.

Salmonella in LA Restaurant and Nearly 20 Injured by Defective Bedding

Practice Area: Defective Products

Agricultural products company John Deere has recalled more than 164,000 tractors. Apparently, the front bell crank in the brake linkage could fail and cause a collision. According to the Product Safety Commission, one hospitalization and two run-over injuries have been reported.

In addition, a report of more than 245 incidents has prompted CVB Inc. to recall several bed models. According to the CPSC, these beds can collapse or break during use. A total of 18 people have been injured. More than 138,000 beds sold on Amazon and Walmart were recalled.

In the automotive industry, GM recalled nearly half a million vehicles. Several models, such as the Cadillac Escalade and Chevrolet Silverado, may not display a warning light when brake fluid leaks. On the other hand, Stellantis has experienced a similar situation, recalling 1.5 million of its Ram trucks. The company is warning of a software flaw that could turn off stability control.

In the food sector, up to 16 people who ate at a Los Angeles restaurant have contracted salmonellosis. Customers of Madre Oaxacan Restaurant and Mezcaleria in Santa Clarita reported symptoms of gastrointestinal distress and fever. The FDA also found an outbreak of Listeria and Salmonella in Answers Pet Food and Darwin’s Natural Pet Products dog products.

Multiple Deaths and Injuries in Plane Accidents

Practice Area: Aviation Accidents

Although unusual, September 2024 has brought several aviation tragedies involving personal injury and death in California. Earlier in the month, a helicopter made an emergency landing on the 110 Freeway in South Los Angeles due to mechanical problems. Days later, a small plane crashed on a South Bay road. The two passengers evacuated the plane in time, but are in critical condition with severe burns. Meanwhile, a crash between two small planes in Southern California resulted in one fatality.

However, the most serious aircraft incident occurred at the Wright Brothers National Memorial. Five people were killed when a single-engine plane crashed into trees near the runway. A five-year-old boy was among the victims. Initial investigations indicate that the pilot made a negligent landing.

$5.8M Fentanyl Death Settlement and Negligence Lawsuit Against CPS

Practice Area: Wrongful Death

A lawsuit over the fentanyl overdose death of a young California woman has just been settled for nearly $6 million. Alexandra Capelouto, 20, bought what she thought was Percocet, a prescription narcotic, from Brandon McDowell. But McDowell, a fellow college student, sold her counterfeit pills laced with fentanyl. This powerful synthetic opioid was the cause of Capelouto’s death.

Unfortunately, fentanyl overdose deaths are becoming increasingly common in the United States. In fact, it is one of the leading causes of death among minors. In 2023 alone, approximately 74,000 people died nationwide. If you or someone you love has suffered injuries or the death of a family member, contact the attorneys at Adamson Ahdoot immediately.

Another California wrongful death case that has shocked residents is the case of Jordan Walker. The six-year-old boy died at the hands of his uncle in San Jose. Now, the boy’s grandfather is suing the Santa Clara Department of Child Protective Services for wrongful death. The plaintiff alleges that CPS placed the boy in a potentially dangerous home despite warnings and requests to take custody.

$3.6M and $24M Settlements for Prison and School Sex Crimes

Practice Area: Sexual Abuse and Harassment

The wife of a prisoner has won a $3.6 million settlement for sex crimes committed by prison officials. The woman was subjected to a highly invasive search that violated her civil rights.

In addition, the Los Angeles Unified School District agreed to pay compensation to settle three lawsuits. Three victims of sexual abuse will receive $24 million for crimes perpetrated by an elementary school teacher when they were 9 years old.

Also, several former students of a Norwalk high school filed suit against the district after a teacher was convicted of sexual assault. The plaintiffs allege that the district knew of the danger the teacher posed to children, yet allowed him to continue teaching.

On top of the recent news about Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs for his recent arrest for sexual abuse, a new woman has filed a lawsuit against the rapper. The new accusation claims that the victim was repeatedly raped and drugged by Combs, leaving her pregnant.

Lastly, several officers are also facing lawsuits on sexual charges. One is a former Orange County sheriff’s deputy accused of showing a sexually explicit video to several teenagers at Trabuco Hills School. In another case, a jury awarded $33 million to a victim of child sexual abuse by a San Bernardino police officer. The victim, who had lived in the abuser’s home, was assaulted between the ages of 14 and 17.

Sex Crimes in Women’s Prisons and Officer Charged with Excessive Use of Force

Practice Area: Police Misconduct

Law enforcement is in the news again for sexual misconduct. As we have been reporting since the beginning of the year, inmates at women’s correctional facilities have been suffering from sexual misconduct. Now, the Department of Justice has just announced the launch of a major investigation.

In September 2024, the agency reported allegations against California prison officials for sexual abuse resulting in injury. The prisons under investigation are the Central California Women’s Center in Chowchilla and the California Institution for Women in Chino. Authorities allege that several prison staff members are accused of systematically granting privileges in exchange for sexual favors.

Excessive use of force is another frequent police controversy. However, the situation may be improving. The Police Executive Research Forum, a group of law enforcement leaders, is pushing police departments across the country to change the way some officers use force. According to the group, changing the way police subdue people can reduce the number of civilian deaths.

In fact, one of the most controversial cases this month was motivated by the use of excessive force. Trevor James Kirk, an officer with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, is facing federal charges of civil rights violations. The events date back to 2023, when the officer used excessive force during an altercation while investigating a robbery at a Lancaster business.

Fire Truck, Foothill Transit Bus Fatally Struck Pedestrians

Practice Area: Traffic Accidents

September’s traffic accidents had devastating consequences for Californians. Unfortunately, the Golden State has the highest car accident rate in the country.

When a car accident occurs, it can be difficult to win a personal injury lawsuit. However, as Orange County officials point out, there is one tool that can help resolve car crashes: dashboard and motorcycle helmet cameras. Experts say they are the best tool for proving a driver’s liability in an accident.

In two separate incidents this month, two agencies were found liable thanks to the camera footage that officers are required to carry. In the first, a fire truck fatally struck a pedestrian outside the Long Beach station. The second involved a Foothill Transit bus carrying nine people that fatally struck an elderly man in City of Industry.

Hit-and-Run Fatalities and Bicycle Collisions

As usual, the list of road accidents in California is long. This month in particular has seen an increase in the number of hit-and-run fatalities. Some of the more notable cases include

• Police accuse a 37-year-old man of killing a 17-year-old boy and injuring his mother in Oakland. Agusto Marias is facing DUI hit-and-run charges.
• A 33-year-old father dies after being struck by a hit-and-run driver in South Gate.
• Officers arrested a 68-year-old man after he fatally struck a 51-year-old bicyclist. The driver, who was driving under the influence, fled the scene in Orange County.
• The CHP is searching for a hit-and-run driver who struck a pedestrian in Fontana.
• A high school student riding his bicycle suffered injuries from a hit-and-run in Sacramento County.

The authorities have also recorded several cases of bicycles being hit:

• A 60-year-old cyclist died after being hit by a car while cycling in Newark.
• A driver fatally struck a cyclist in Campbell.
• A motorcyclist is dead after fatally colliding with a car on I-880 near San Jose.

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

While traffic accidents claimed the most victims this month, September’s headlines also featured injuries caused by a variety of causes – from deaths resulting from plane crashes or negligence to injuries caused by sexual abuse or food poisoning.

Fortunately, there are resources available to help injury victims seek justice.

At Adamson Ahdoot, we have over 100 years of combined legal experience in California. Our firm has extensive experience fighting for the rights of injured victims. We are committed to getting our clients the compensation they deserve for their injuries. The best part? We don’t charge you until we win.

Have you been in an accident in California? Contact our professionals today. Call us at (800) 310-1606 or submit your inquiry online. Our bilingual team is available 24/7.