Recent Blog Posts

Plastic Surgeon Responsible for Cosmetic Nightmare

Pacific Attorney Group — Tue, 23 Oct 2012 01:39:00 GMT

A middle-aged woman from New Jersey wanted to have her eyelids restructured so that they would not sag down towards her eyes when she was going about her day. As a result, she booked an appointment for eyelid reconstruction at a local plastic surgeon. While she expected to emerge from the procedure feeling confident and beautiful, the opposite happened. Marilyn Leisz can no longer close her eyes, even when she’s sleeping, because of a doctor’s mistake in performing the procedure to reconstruct and remove bumps from her eyelids. The victim says that in order to blink she has to squeeze her eyes very tightly. The married mother of two went after her plastic surgeon in a lawsuit because she claims that she believes that he was negligent in meeting her needs.

The doctor’s attorney claims that Leisz was warned of the risks of the surgery when she went in in 2005 and never complained about the blepharoplasty until 2012. Leisz says that this is not true and that the faulty surgery has caused her undue harm. She says that she has to use gel at night and a vaporizer so that she doesn’t scratch her eyes. She is also losing her vision and lives in fear of going blind because of the plastic surgeon’s accident. She says that she can’t do any of her previous favorite things such as tennis, horseback riding, and bike riding. Leisz says that she has had other procedures before receiving the blepharoplasty but that she is scared to go under the knife again in an attempt to correct the problem. Some surgeons claim that they can reverse Leisz’s condition. Contact a personal injury attorney today if you have been injured by a plastic surgeon or medical malpractice mistake and want compensation.

Southern Californians Receive Ferris Wheel Rescue

Pacific Attorney Group — Tue, 23 Oct 2012 01:36:00 GMT

In Thousand Oaks, California, two people were injured and dozens more were stranded high up in the sky when a Ferris wheel malfunctioned at a fall carnival in the area. The Thousand Oaks Carnival was being held on the California Lutheran University campus, and the Ferris wheel stopped functioning as it should have been at about 9 p.m. on Sunday night. The Ventura County fire officials had to head to the scene of the accident and rescue about 30 people using a ladder truck. They would climb up, disbar the safety restraint and then carefully bring the men and women down the ladder and back to safety on the ground.

Supposedly, two people were treated for minor injuries as a result of the Ferris wheel malfunction. The cause of the malfunction is currently under investigation. All fair and carnival rides should be carefully inspected by a safety official before they are used and open to the public. If a ride is not approved for use because of technical or manufacturing malfunctions or due to an expired permit, then the carnival workers must not operate the ride while at the fair. If you have been injured while on a carnival ride because of a dangerous malfunction, then you may have the right to sue the carnival organizers or the specific owner of the ride.

In most cases, carnival workers being their specific attraction to set up at the carnival and are gaining their own profits with the ride. You may be able to sue the individual who did not abide by safety regulations. If an operator knew that the ride was in a dangerous condition but decided to run it anyway, he or she can be arrested in connection to being compelled to cover all damages gathered by victims. Contact a personal injury attorney today if you want to sue a carnival worker or ride operator for causing you harm while at a carnival or fair!

Couple Sues Doctors for Decapitating Baby

Pacific Attorney Group — Thu, 18 Oct 2012 21:45:00 GMT

Arteisha Betts and Travis Ammonette were thrilled to be new parents, until they lost their newborn to a doctor’s ghastly mistake. During a February 2011 appointment, the couple were told that the baby would have to be delivered through a C-section because his abdomen was too big for the birth canal. When Arteisha went into labor during her 28^th week of pregnancy, her boyfriend rushed her to the hospital where they were prepared to have an emergency C-section. Allegedly, the doctor who performed the birth insisted that Arteisha have a normal, vaginal delivery. She insisted that she wanted to have a C-section and the doctor refused. As he was trying to pull the premature baby from the birth canal, he disconnected the child’s head from its spinal cord.

Knowing that he had effectively killed the child, he shoved the baby back into the mother and performed an emergency C-section. When he pulled the child out of the mother this second time he tried to cover up the mistake and hand the child to the parents with the head severed. Arteisha also claims that the doctor performed the emergency C-section before the anesthesia had kicked in and she was left in agony has he conducted the rushed procedure. The couple is now seeking damages for wrongful death and negligence against the doctors who assisted at the birth and the Midwest Maternal & Fetal Medicine Services.

They also listed the Signature Medical Group as a defendant. The couple began their lawsuit in September and now hoped to merit millions after telling the court their horrible and saddening story. If you have been wronged by a doctor or experienced medical malpractice when giving birth to your child, then you can sue as well. Contact a personal injury attorney at the Pacific Attorney Group if you need representation on your medical malpractice case.

Man Cooked to Death in Tuna Canning Factory

Pacific Attorney Group — Mon, 15 Oct 2012 21:33:00 GMT

Jose Melena was a 62-year-old employee at the Bumble Bee tuna canning factory in California. The older gentleman was nearing retirement and was looking forward to spending time with family and friends outside of work in the canning facility. Yet he never made it to that stage of his life. Melena was killed unexpectedly when he somehow fell into a steamer machine and was cooked along with pounds of tuna. The Whittier Daily News reports that Melena was found Thursday shortly after 7 a.m. at the plant in Santa Fe Springs.

The California Division of Occupational Safety and health has been investigating the incident. They say that it is unclear how Melena ended up in the steamer machine. They are assuming that the entire incident as a total accident and that Melena somehow fell into the dangerous steamer. The state department will continue to investigate the incident in order to determine how to take further action. Chances are that Melena’s family will sue Bumble Bee Tuna for the wrongful death of their loved one.

Operations at the canning facility have been suspended for the time being while police and state officials continue to determine who will take the blame for the unfortunate death. A Bumble Bee Foods spokesman has already expressed condolences to Melena’s family and the company is gearing up for the legal battle that may ensue soon after. If your loved one has died in a work-related injury, then you have the right to sue for wrongful death as well. Whenever an employee is killed or injured on the job, the company that has employed that person should take some degree of the responsibility. Contact a personal injury lawyer at the Pacific Attorney Group today if you have a case that you would like to discuss or pursue.

Lap-Band Victim's Sister Starts Lawsuit

Pacific Attorney Group — Thu, 11 Oct 2012 21:30:00 GMT

If you live in Southern California, chances are that you have seen billboards boasting that the Lap Band is the trick to thinness. The Lap Band advertisements encourage overweight men and women to contact 1-800-GET-THIN in order to receive the tools to embark on a weight loss journey. Yet for one sister, the lap band procedure was far from successful. An Orange County woman underwent Lap Band surgery in 2011 hoping that it would help her to lose the weight that she needed to bring back her confidence and health. Lap Band is an operation where patients are surgically implanted with a device that allegedly constricts the stomach and helps the patient to get full faster.

This Orange County Patient, Paula Rojeski, was not able to survive the surgery and died shortly after the medical procedure was complete. Her sister, Michele Pelter, has since started a lawsuit against the 1-800-GET-THIN campaign. She claims that they were responsible for her sister’s premature death. She claims that the company failed to warn her sister of the possible complications after surgery and neglected to recommend any other weight loss options to her. Pelter officially filed her lawsuit on September 7^th in the Los Angeles County Superior Court.

She has accused the anesthesiologist who was affiliated with the surgery of waiting 15 minutes before he advised a surgeon that Rojeski’s condition was worsening after surgery and they may want to take a look at what was wrong. The surgery center employees eventually called 911 and had their patient rushed to a real hospital, where she was declared dead. Rojeski is only one of the five victims that have died after a Lap Band surgery between 2009 and 2011.

The attorney representing 1-800-GET-THIN and the Valley Surgical Center claims that Rojeski had a heart condition from taking a weight-loss drug called fen-phen. Regardless, Pelter will continue to seek compensation for wrongful death in hopes that her lawsuit will shut down the Lap Band business or warn others of the dangers it presents. Talk to a personal injury lawyer today if your loved one has been victim to a dangerous and harmful weight loss procedure like the Lap Band. You can sue for wrongful death or medical malpractice as a result of the incident.

Teen Receives Surgery After Drinking Nitrogen Cocktail

Pacific Attorney Group — Tue, 09 Oct 2012 21:12:00 GMT

A teenager from Britain has attracted a lot of attention after she was rushed to surgery after drinking a combustible cocktail. According to ABC News, the 18 year old was celebrating her birthday at a bar in Lancaster when she couldn’t breathe and started experiencing stomach pain. She had been drinking a Jagermeister degestif which was made with liquid nitrogen. She was rushed to the hospital where she had to undergo a gastrectomy to save her life. The teen is now in serious but stable condition at the hospital. Now, celebrity chefs, master mixologists, and medical experts are looking at the case to determine what happened to this unfortunate victim at the bad.

Many have spoken out against the bar that gave the teen the drink, saying that anything hazardous should never be mixed in an alcoholic beverage. Bartending Magazine referred to the incident by saying that too many bartenders are trying out trendy new liquids in order to impress clients at the bar. Yet they are putting people’s health at risk as a result. The teen had to have a portion of her perforated stomach removed because of a gimmick that was meant to impress. According to ABC, liquid nitrogen is about minus-321 degrees Fahrenheit and if it is not used properly it can cause permanent frostbite or cryogenic burns.

It is used to flash-freeze food or make ice cream, and can turn herbs into powder or freeze alcohol. It is not supposed to be mixed into alcoholic drinks for immediate consumption. Yet more and more bars are using nitrogen for dramatic effect. If makes the glasses nice and chilled and the cocktails can emit a steamy vapor because of the chemical reaction. The bartenders have been trained to take the utmost care when mixing drinks, and using liquid nitrogen is a departure from this expectation. Bartenders say that a person should never drink nitrogen in its liquid form, because it will turn to gas inside the person’s body. Medical experts say that nitrogen is used to freeze off warts, not to be consumed. If you were served a dangerous liquid in your cocktail, then you have the right to seek compensation from the bar that put your health at risk. Contact a lawyer at the Pacific Attorney Group today if you want more information.

Do GMOs Cause Cancer?

Pacific Attorney Group — Tue, 02 Oct 2012 16:28:00 GMT

Genetically engineered food or GMOs are rarely investigated, and many scientists have not run tests to make sure that these edibles are safe to eat. Recently, some scientists that work for the journal Food and Chemical Toxicology decided to explore this little researched subject and discovered some scary results. French researchers on the project fed rats genetically engineered corn and found that they suffered mammary tumors as a result. The GMO corn was called Monsanto’s NK603. It is a variety of corn that is created to live through large dousing of round-up. Roundup is a pesticide that is often spritzed on nonorganic produce. Researchers have already shown that this chemical can be dangerous to humans because it is absorbed by the plants and then consumed in a person’s diet.

In the study, researchers fed the rats GMO corn and then gave them water laced with Roundup at the legal levels permitted in the United States. The exposed rats developed more mammary tumors than the control group and suffered organ damage. 20 percent of all males and 50 percent of all females who were drinking the Roundup and eating the GMO corn died early. GMOs have also been linked to allergies and digestive diseases in the past.

Critics who support GMO use say that the new research is not reliable or the results in rats don’t reflect the results that GMOs have on humans. The new research could support the Proposition 37 Right to Know initiative in California. This proposition says that if it is passed all manufacturers will be required to label their products with a warning that claims that there are GMOs inside. The proposition has worried the GMO industry, because they don’t want to lose business if GMOs start being connected with cancer and other illnesses.

Monsanto’s, one GMO company, has donated $7 million to strike down Proposition 37. If you have developed a disease and think you can link it back to a food with GMOs, then talk to a personal injury lawyer to determine whether or not you have the right to litigate. You may be able to argue that you were not properly warned of the risks of consuming a product. Currently, 90 percent of all Californians that will be faced with Proposition 37 say that they will vote for labeling on products that have GMOs enclosed. The only way to know if your food is pesticide and GMO-free at present is to buy organic. Organic foods can be expensive, and are typically only available at high-end grocery stores or farmer’s markets. Make sure that you discuss your situation with a lawyer if you believe you can link your cancer or another disease back to GMOs on your produce!

Man Falls from Water Slide at Hurricane Harbor

Pacific Attorney Group — Tue, 02 Oct 2012 00:00:00 GMT

In Valencia, California, a man was recently hospitalized when he tumbled from a water slide at a water park owned by Six Flags. The 19-year-old was at the top of the Venom Drop water slide, a large windy waterslide at the park. The platform was about 75-feet up in the air. The teen allegedly pushed passed the patrons who were waiting to get on the slide and jumped to the large slide. He chose to go head first on his stomach, rather than heading on his back, feet first, as was the protocol. The man was not cleared to go by the lifeguards, which is why he was not told how to slide down the slide.

Because he was riding incorrectly, the man lost his balance and topped over the thin edge of the slide. He landed on the pavement below with a bang. A witness says that just about everyone could hear the sickening crack as the teen hit the hard ground. The victim was unconscious when he hit the ground and was promptly transported to a local hospital. His name and condition have yet to be released. Six Flags issued a statement which claims that the teen forced his way through the crowd of people and onto the slide without being permitted to do so.

The park medical staff and local paramedics were immediately called to the scene and responded quickly in order to get the man the medical attention that he needed. Because the man was acting recklessly, there is a chance that he will not be able to seek compensation from the theme park for his injury. However, if the investigators can find that there was a mistake in the construction of the slide which allowed the man to fall over the edge, then he may have a case. If you have been injured in a water park or theme park accident, talk to a lawyer at the Pacific Attorney Group today for more information!

UC Davis Agrees to $1M Settlement for Students from Occupy

Pacific Attorney Group — Thu, 27 Sep 2012 22:40:00 GMT

Last year, Occupy student were protesting high tuition at UC Davis when the police arrived and chose to intervene. They sprayed students in the face with pepper-spray, injuring them. Photos of the incident became symbols of the Occupy movement, as the non-violent protestors spoke out against police brutality. The incident caused a national stir when it arrived on YouTube and victims spoke out about the police and the need for lower tuition rates at California colleges. Since the ordeal, the students who were affected have been seeking compensation for the police brutality.

Finally, UC has decided to pay $30,000 to each of the 21 students affected and an additional $250,000 for the attorneys to split amongst themselves. The lawsuit has as much to do with justice and battling police brutality as it does with actually seeking damages. The students claim that their injuries are emotional as well as physical and they want to be apologized to formally and publically. If the $1M settlement is approved, then UC Davis will probably be out almost $2 M when all is said and done. This comes at the time that UC is facing potential budget cuts.

In addition to the $1M, the settlement proposes that the school set aside another $100,000 to pay other victims that can prove that they were arrested or pepper-sprayed during the non-violent protest. The University may also be required to give the ACLU up to $20m000 for its efforts to review free speech and investigate the protest policies at UC Davis. According to the Washington Post, UC Davis recognized that the settlement is in the best interest of UC Davis, and that the payments may be able to put them on better terms with students at the school. Many of the victims say that they still suffer panic attacks and nightmares as the psychological scars from the incident last on. Talk to a personal injury attorney today if you have been a victim of police brutality and want to seek compensation.

'F' Rating Cleaners that you Should Avoid!

Pacific Attorney Group — Wed, 26 Sep 2012 22:05:00 GMT

Did you know that some common house cleaning materials can actually be hazardous to your health? Many of the sprays and soaps that you use to scrub your house and rid it of germs on a daily basis can actually be detrimental. When you inhale these cleaners you are absorbing chemicals that can cause weakness, cancer, and other medical issues later on. For example, a EWG report claims that Gain liquid Detergent with Banking Soda and Downy Ultra Fabric Softener have harmful chemicals that could hurt you in the future. As well, Bounce Dryer Sheets with Febreeze and Spring & Renewal may make your clothes clean but they can tamper with your body.

When it comes to dishwashing, it is essential that you use products you can rely on. This is because whatever soaps are used on your dishes will probably end up leaving residue on the plate when you are finished. This means that you will consume particles of that soap. If it has a dangerous chemical inside, your family maybe scraping this chemical into their mouth as they eat their dinner. Dawn Ultra Concentrated Oxi Dishwashing Liquid and Walmart Great Value Dishwasher Gel Detergent are only two of the 99 dishwashing soaps that received an ‘F’ on the EWG report.

You should also be cautious when purchasing counter and all-purpose cleaners for your home. The EWG report says that Pine-Sol cleaners, Mr. Clean products, and Lysol all come with toxic dangers. Instead, the EWG suggests that you look into purchasing Aussan products or Whole Foods Market cleaners. When you are cleaning your floor, caution is suggested as well. Yahoo Health suggests that consumers avoid using Swiffer wipes on their floors or using Resolve Spot and Stain Carpet Cleaner because of the harmful chemicals in the product. If you have been using one of these cleaners and are now experiencing health issues as a result, talk to a personal injury lawyer like one of the willing attorneys at the Pacific Attorney Group.

Two Injured Watching Mock Battle in California

Pacific Attorney Group — Thu, 20 Sep 2012 20:35:00 GMT

At Dana Point last week, the California tall ship festival tried to recreate the majesty of the days when ships were towering and monumental. The festival was supposed to educate the public on the artistry of these stunning ships, and help them to appreciate the craftsmanship and legacy that they carry. Part of the festival included a mock battle, where costumed actors performed a fight to give attendees a glimpse into the past. Yet two occupants on one of the 19^th century vessels were given a literal blast from the past when they were hit by a shotgun shell containing pellets. The shotgun shell was loaded into the ships cannon, and fired at the other ship in the attempt to recreate a 19^th century marine war.

The ships were only authorized to shoot blank charges that look like common shotgun shells but don’t have any impact. Authorities are still investigating who loaded the shotgun shell and why it was fired instead of using a blank, plain powder charge. Authorities say that the firing ship, the Amazing Grace, did damage to the Bill of Rights, another 19^th century vessel. The Orange County Sheriff’s Department is currently awaiting the outcome of the investigation before choosing whether or not they should pursue charges for a negligent discharge. The two men who were hit were rushed to the hospital.

If you have been injured in a freak accident such as this one, you have the right to seek damages from responsible parties. In this case, the entities that put on the mock battle and the man who loaded the cannon may be responsible to pay for damages and help the injured actors. Also, the company which employed or recruited the actors aboard the ship may also be responsible to give them workers’ compensation depending on the nature of the company. Talk to a lawyer at the Pacific Attorney Group if you believe that you deserve compensation for an accident like this one!

Gel Ball Baby Toys Bring on Dangers for Toddlers

Pacific Attorney Group — Mon, 17 Sep 2012 20:22:00 GMT

A little girl in Texas was toying with a gel ball when she popped the small item into her mouth and swallowed. The gel ball was marketed as a toddler’s plaything, but quickly became a serious health hazard when it blocked the baby’s intestines. Doctors rushed the baby into surgery and were able to remove the toy, but are now warning parents to think twice before letting their children play with these water absorbing balls.

The colored balls originated as a toy called Water Balz. They are small, but can grow up to the size of a racquet ball when they are placed in water. When swallowed, the balls absorb this water, which causes them to quickly block the intestines and create serious dangers. One doctor told Reuters Health that the balls are a significant threat to orally fixed toddlers, who like to pop anything they see into their mouth. The small toddler who consumed a water ball in Texas ended up with a distended intestine as the water ball grew and grew. The buildup of fluid and gas in her body caused her stomach to bloat, and her parents rushed her to the hospital. The baby was rushed to emergency surgery, and a water ball that was about half an inch across was removed from her intestine.

Doctors say that they were fortunate to catch this incident before it was too late, but in the future other victims may not be so lucky. The Texas doctors say that if the young girl was left alone for a few more hours, her intestine may have ruptured. The incident could have been deadly. If your child swallows one of these dangerous toys, then you may have the right to sue the company. Talk to a personal injury lawyer at Pacific Attorney Group if you are a Los Angeles resident who is looking for representation to seek compensation in court!

Sheryl Crow Blames Cell Phone for Brain Tumor

Pacific Attorney Group — Thu, 13 Sep 2012 21:35:00 GMT

Singer Sheryl Crow claims that using her cell phone excessively is the reason for her benign brain tumor. Crow revealed this belief when she appeared on Katie Couric’s afternoon talk show on Monday to talk about her current health. She admitted that she had been feeling dizzy, and was having trouble remembering the lyrics to her own songs. Eventually, she requested a teleprompter to keep her from spacing out in the middle of her performances. She ended up getting an MRI because of her continuously diminishing mental reflexes, and discovered that she has a non-cancerous tumor between the lining of her skull and her brain.

While the growth is not cancerous, it is certainly not comfortable. Crow says that cell phones are to blame. A brain surgeon named Dr. Rahul Jandial says that there’s no evidence which supports that cell phone use causes brain cancer. He explains that while cell phone use has skyrocketed, the number of brain tumors has stayed relatively consistent. Therefore he doesn’t believe that the two are related. Yet the National Cancer Institute claims that radio waves that are emitted by cell phones can be absorbed into the human tissue, and older technology emits more radiation. Crow says that in the 1990s when cell phones first came out she used hers almost constantly.

Crow says that despite the tumor she feels health and happy at present. While she doesn’t believe she has anything to worry about, she admits that she was sobered when she heard about the tumor. At present, scientific evidence cannot point to cell phones as an official cancer cause. Yet if this can be determined, it will doubtless bring on a barrage of lawsuits. If you have linked your cancer to a scientifically proven cause, then you may be able to sue the company responsible. Talk to a lawyer at the Pacific Attorney Group for more information!

New Federal Health Program with Cover Cancer Victims from 9/11

Pacific Attorney Group — Tue, 11 Sep 2012 21:13:00 GMT

When the World Trade Center collapsed after a terrorist attack in 2001, it sent many to their deaths and others to the hospital with extreme injuries. While the government and other agencies rushed to compensate those who were harmed for their injuries, and rushed to give wrongful death settlements to those who lost their loved ones, there were some who were left behind.

A slew of people who were present at the time of the attack walked away relatively unscathed, and it took them years before they realized that they too, were injured when the towers fell. These are the cancer victims who inhaled dangerous toxins the day of the crash and are now battling a deadly illness as a result.

Today, on the 11^th anniversary of the attacks, the federal government has announced that they will be adding 58 types of cancer to the list of covered illnesses for people who were exposed to toxins at the site of the World Trade Center. The administrator of the World Trade Health Program, Dr. John Howard, recommended the additions to make sure that no victim was left behind. The list was formerly modified to include 14 types of cancer, but the new additions will grant compensation to others who were left in the dust up until now.

The new cancers on the list will be recognized after the rule is published on Wednesday in the Federal Register, and given a 30 day enactment period. The proposal says that the estimate cost for the total cancer treatment ranges from $1.5 million to $33 million, and compensation will be active for five years. Many cancers won’t appear for decades, but when they do, the government wants to be prepared to help these forgotten victims of 9/11.

The cancer list is a part of the Zadroga Act which was passed by Congress in December 2010 and provides medical services and compensation for those that were exposed to toxins while at ground zero. If you have contracted cancer from toxins at the 9/11 attack, or from toxins elsewhere and believe that someone else is responsible, then talk to a personal injury lawyer today. We can help you to get the financial means you need to cover the costs of your medical treatment!

Respiratory Protection Could be Essential to your Health

Pacific Attorney Group — Fri, 07 Sep 2012 21:25:00 GMT

Did you know that an estimated 5 million Americans are required to wear respirators while at work? About 1.3 million workplaces involve dangerous air quality, and require that their employees wear some sort of filtering mask in order to breathe in clean and quality air. Most often, respirators protect workers from harmful dust, toxic mists, gases, smoke, sprays, or vapors. In some situations, the workplace simply provides insufficient oxygen. No matter what the situation, the air that you breathe is a determining factor in your health level. A person who breathes in poor-quality air, or inhales fumes, mists, and smokes that are detrimental to health, are at a higher risk to horrible illnesses like cancer and ling disease.

Because air quality is so important, the Occupational Safety & Health Administration has created a respiratory protection standard. By following this standard, workplaces are able to avert hundreds of deaths and thousands of illnesses every single year. Unfortunately, a lot of workplaces don’t make respiratory protection a priority. When used correctly, there are two basic ways that respirators protect their users.

First, the respirators remove contaminants from the air before it is inhaled. Particulate respirators filter our harmful particles and air-purifying respirators can take out the toxic gases and chemicals in the air. Other respirators actually use a reserve of clean air, especially when oxygen is not readily available. If your workplace failed to provide respirators even though they are necessary in your line of work, or you have fallen ill because of the air quality in your workplace, then you can contact a personal injury attorney to seek workers compensation for your illnesses. Talk to us today to get started on your case. You have the right to a safe work environment where you can be sure that you are not going to fall ill because of a company’s failure to observe safety standards.