North County Injury Blog

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the value of the average American life has declined $1 million in the past five years and is now worth just $6.9 million. Unlike the calculations made in wrongful death lawsuits, the calculations made by the EPA are based upon how much individuals are willing to pay to…

A decline in auto accident deaths may be attributed to the increase in fuel prices, a new study shows. The report was released last month at a meeting of the American Society of Health Economists. The study found that for every 10% increase in gas prices, there was a 2.3% decline in automobile accident fatalities.…

The California Department of Insurance has ordered Allstate Insurance to cut its homeowner’s insurance rates by 28.5 percent, one of the largest cuts ever required. On average, the each of the 50,000 Allstate ratepayers in California will save approximately $243 in premiums. A complaint filed last year by the non-partisan group Consumer Watchdog challenging a…

It’s been a bad few weeks for the image of hospitals in America. Two weeks ago, a woman died in the emergency room of a New York Hospital waiting for a bed. She apparently waited over 24 hours, and surveillance cameras show her lying on the floor of the ER for more than an hour…

Hit-and-run auto accidents have declined in nearly all of San Diego’s North County cities over the last three years. Oceanside had the most dramatic decrease. In 2007 the city recorded 695 hit-and-run accidents, 157 fewer than were recorded in 2005. Escondido, Vista, and Encinitas also reported decreases. Only Carlsbad and San Marcos saw an increase…

Every so often, we get asked: “I was involved in a motorcycle accident while riding my motorcycle for work and got injured. Worker’s Compensation is taking care of my medical bills. Do I need an attorney?” The answer is “If you were injured as a result of someone else’s negligence, you probably do.” Motorcycle accidents…

A study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration shows a decrease in the annual number of incapacitating injuries due to auto accidents of 25%. It defines an incapacitating injury as a severe non-fatal injury that prevents the injured party from walking or driving, or the ability to continue the pre-accident activities of daily living.…

One of the difficulties plaintiffs have had to deal with in recovering their “fair” damages in a personal injury lawsuit has been, ironically, insurance. Under a line of California cases, a plaintiff who has medical insurance, has essentially been penalized by the courts. Under the holding of Hanif v Housing Authority (1988) 200 Cal.App.3d 635…

A personal injury is generally described as any harm or injury caused to a person, ranging anything from a bruise to a wrongful death. If that harm or injury is caused by the negligent or intentional conduct of another person or entity, then the injured party is entitled to recover damages for that harm, no…

As summer arrives, swimming pools take center stage in lives of thousands of Southern California families. This entry is a friendly reminder of the simple steps that can be taken to avoid serious injury or death caused by the backyard pool. The first one is a no-brainer. Never let children swim in the pool unattended…