10 Common Causes of Airplane Accidents

January 8, 2019

Air travel for leisure is a growing interest for many people. As future pilots partake in flying planes, it is important to be aware of common causes of aviation accidents. If an accident occurs, an aviation accident lawyer in Los Angeles should be contacted so that they can explain the rights and responsibilities of all parties involved. The following is a list of 10 common causes of aviation accidents: Losing control during flight The loss of control of an aircraft occurs when a mechanical error takes place, making it impossible for the pilot to control the airplane. Controlled flight into land In this instance, a pilot has control, but lands in a way where the airplane abruptly comes in contact with the ground, trees, etc. Power Plant failure When there is an issue with the right cylinder of an airplane’s engine, this failure causes the plane to stop working mid-flight. A pilot should try to make the safest land possible if this happens. Low altitude operations If the plane’s functions are checked while the plane is too low to the ground, an accident can occur. Unknown causes There are times when the cause of an accident is unknown, so the cause is listed as such for reporting purposes. Flight missed point of approach If a pilot attempts to descend the plane, but misses the point to land, this can cause a crash. Fuel exhaustion An aviation accident can happen when the plane runs out of fuel and stops working properly. Indicator failure If meters and indicators fail to work properly, the pilot is unable to operate the plane correctly. Accidents with other airplanes If aircrafts happen to be in the same area of airspace, non-communication can result in the two crashing into each other. Weather Severe weather plays a major role in airplane accidents. Pilots should always check weather warnings before flying. It is crucial for pilots or passengers to have an airplane accident lawyer in Los Angeles in the event that legal expertise is needed. As a personal injury lawyer in Los Angeles, the Law Offices of Oscar H. Gutierrez can answer any questions you may have.

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Poor Property Maintenance (Premises Liability)

December 11, 2018

Have you suffered an injury while on private, public or commercial property? If the answer to the question is yes, then the accident may have occurred as the result of a lack of property maintenance. People who have been injured on defective property can hire a Los Angeles premises liability lawyer. Types of Building Maintenance Issues Property owners are responsible for making sure that the property is safe. There are a variety of things that can cause an injury including the following. – Wet, slippery or cracked walkways – Dangerous clutter – Poor swimming pool maintenance – Collapsed buildings – Inadequate handrails – Escalator and elevator handrails – Shoddy construction Who is Responsible for the Injuries? It can be difficult to determine who is responsible for an injury. That is why it is a good idea to hire a Los Angeles premises liability attorney. They have the legal knowledge that is necessary for determining fault. They can also help you get compensation. The owner’s insurance company will try to work in the best interest of their client. You need someone who will stand up to the insurance company and look for your best interests. You may be able to get compensation for lost wages, medical bills and future medical expenses. A Premises Liability Lawyer Los Angeles A personal injury attorney in Los Angeles is able to help people who have been injured due to a lack of building maintenance. You will need to contact the attorney. They will be able to give you a free consultation and will be able to evaluate your case and determine how much it’s worth. Your attorney will be by your side the entire time. They will also defend your interests. Contact your attorney today so that they can start working on your case.

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Some Common Types of Child Injuries

December 4, 2018

Most parents are well aware of the fact that children are clumsy and prone to injury. However, some children can suffer from serious injuries. A child can be seriously injured at a park, school or daycare. It can be frustrating to see a child in pain from an injury. That is why many parents choose to contact our personal injury lawyer in Los Angeles after their child has suffered an injury. Types of Injuries Most children are able to recover quickly from injuries. However, injuries should still be taken seriously. These are some of the most common types of child accidents and injuries: Car Accidents Many children are injured because a car cannot see them. The car may back up and hit them. This is the top cause of death in children who are under the age of 14. It is a good idea to hire a car accident lawyer in Los Angeles if your child was injured by a car. Animal Bites There are 80 million dogs in America. Most pet owners are responsible, but there have been cases where dogs have bitten children. This can result in serious injury or death. It is estimated that 70 percent of people who are victims of dog bites are children. Unsafe Playground Accidents Even if children are supervised, they can still suffer an injury. Inadequate equipment maintenance, regular wear and tear, defective design and improper use are some of the causes of playground injuries. It is estimated that 200,000 children are treated at the emergency room for a playground injury. Strangulation and falls are two of the most serious injuries. Other injuries include concussions, spinal cord injuries, broken bones and poisoning. If your child has been injured due to defective equipment or negligence, then you will need to contact a child injury lawyer.

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When is the Pedestrian at Fault in a Pedestrian vs. Car Accident

November 27, 2018

Many people have heard the statement that “pedestrians always have the right-of-way.” This is not exactly true when it comes to accident liability. Motorists have a duty to look out for pedestrians and avoid accidents whenever possible. Pedestrians also have a duty to obey traffic signals, cross only at designated areas or intersections and use reasonable care. Pedestrians who fail to do so may be found liable for a car accident. Whether or not a pedestrian will be held liable will usually turn on whether or not the pedestrian was using reasonable care and whether the motorist could have avoided the accident. If a pedestrian is in the middle of the road but the driver could have avoided the accident by stopping on time if they had been watching the road, the pedestrian will likely not be found at fault. If the pedestrian darted out into the road and was wearing dark clothing at night while the driver did everything they could to avoid the accident like swerving and braking, the pedestrian will likely be found at fault. Pedestrians are required to use crosswalks whenever they are crossing the street if they are available. They may also cross at intersections while obeying traffic signals indicating when it is safe to cross. When pedestrians try to cross the road outside an intersection or a crosswalk, they risk causing a preventable accident. Drivers should always make sure to look and see if there is anyone waiting to cross the street near crosswalks and intersections. If a pedestrian was in a crosswalk when an accident occurred, then a defense stating they walked out into the road before the motorist was able to stop is unlikely to work. If a pedestrian is found at fault for an accident, they may be held responsible for the medical bills of all parties involved and other damages related to the accident. If the pedestrian is found partially at fault for the accident, the pedestrian may be able to sue the driver of the vehicle that hit them but have his or her award of damages reduced by the percentage the pedestrian is found at fault. Our pedestrian accident lawyers deal with these cases all the time where liability is not immediately clear. Our pedestrian accident attorneys may be able to assist injured car accident victims prove liability by interviewing witnesses and examining reports, photographs and other evidence from the scene. To speak to the best personal injury lawyer Los Angeles, contact Gutierrez Law for more information.

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Who is Liable for a Dog Bite, The Owners or Keepers?

November 20, 2018

When a dog bites someone, it can be a complicated situation. The person who was bitten should receive full compensation, and the person responsible for the dog bite should be held responsible. Determining who is actually responsible is the first step in this process. This could be a problem if the dog owner is a different person than the person keeping the dog. There is an answer to that problem, however. Who is Responsible? Normally the dog’s owner would be liable if their dog bit someone. There are some stipulations to this rule, however. If another person is the dog’s keeper, that person may be liable instead of the actual owner. The law actually states that the person keeping the dog is considered the owner, and not the person who the dog is registered to. If the dog has been in someone’s care for more than six days, they are then considered the owner of the dog. The courts are the ones who ultimately decide who is considered the dog’s keeper or owner. Usually, the person who cares for the dog has the dog living in their home, and have control over the dog is the person who is liable. If a person agrees to care for the dog for an extended period or is hired to take care of the dog, they are liable if the dog bites someone. Sometimes, even if you just let a person stay in your home who owns a dog, you may be liable if that dog bites someone. By agreeing to allow the dog to stay in your home for an extended period of time, you are essentially making yourself the keeper of the dog. In almost every case, the keeper of the dog is the person who is liable for a dog bite. Personal Injury Lawyer in Los Angeles If you have been bitten by a dog, you may need legal assistance to get financial compensation. A Los Angeles dog bite lawyer could help you begin the process and figure out who is liable for the dog bite. With the help of a Los Angeles dog bite attorney, you will get the compensation you deserve. Call us or send us a message today so we can talk about your case.

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Construction Hazards And Safety

November 15, 2018

Each day in the United States, 6.5 million people work construction jobs. Unfortunately, many injuries occur during their workdays. Whether being involved in a scaffolding or trench collapse, falling from a ladder, or sustaining injuries from defective equipment, workers face these and other hazards. To learn how to be safe on your construction job, here are more details about various hazards and how to make sure you make it home at the end of the day. Scaffolding With 2.3 million construction workers spending part of their workday on scaffolding, it’s no wonder a construction injury attorney deals with many clients who are injured in these situations. In fact, scaffolding-related injuries account for 4,500 injuries annually, along with 50 deaths. To ensure your safety, always make sure the scaffolding is erected on solid ground, has guardrails and toeboards, and is inspected on a regular basis. Fall Protection Of all accidents occurring at construction sites, falls account for the most fatalities. Reasons for this can vary, and include failure to use fall protection equipment such as body harnesses, unstable work surfaces, and human error. To stay safe when working far above ground, use body harnesses that have been inspected and deemed safe. Along with this, use aerial lifts when possible, and also erect guardrail systems. If you have been injured due to a fall that happened because of defective safety equipment or other factors, contact a construction accident lawyer at once. Trenches Sadly, every year many construction workers are killed due to being in trenches that collapse. In most instances, this happens due to the trench failing to have protective walls, employees having no exits such as ladders or ramps, or trenches that have dangerous slope levels. To make sure you are not the victim of a trench collapse, never enter an unprotected trench, always have an exit, and make sure trenches are regularly inspected by engineers, especially after rainstorms. If you or a loved one have been involved in a trench collapse due to the negligence of others, contact a personal injury attorney in Los Angeles, such as Oscar Gutierrez. Rather than suffer with injuries sustained due to the negligence of others, schedule a free case consultation with a construction injury lawyer Los Angeles residents know and trust, such as Oscar Gutierrez. By doing so, you can take the steps necessary to gain the financial compensation you need and deserve.

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5 Signs of Elder Abuse in Nursing Homes

November 6, 2018

We trust that when our family members have been placed in nursing homes or other facilities in or around Los Angeles, they are being treated and cared for responsibly. Unfortunately, administrators, doctors, nurses and employees of such facilities sometimes fail to comply with the applicable standards of care. The U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging estimates that three to five percent of the elderly people in the country have suffered nursing home neglect. or abuse. Given the aging of the baby boomers, that estimate is expected to increase significantly. If you have a family member in a nursing home or extended care facility, here are five forms of abuse that you need to be aware of. Signs of Physical Abuse Cuts, bruises and fractures are all objective signs of physical injury. What comes to issue is how those injuries were suffered. If the reason for such injuries is unknown, or outright unbelievable, you’ll want to consult with one of our elder abuse attorneys in our offices. Bedsores Bedsores are nearly completely preventable. They’re likely a sign that your family member is staying in the same position for protracted periods of time. Whoever is assigned to your family member isn’t paying sufficient attention to him or her. That might be intentional or unintentional, but in either case, it is considered neglect. Emotional Abuse If your loved one shows apathy, nervousness, fear or a poor relationship with staff, he or she might be experiencing emotional abuse. This type of abuse can consist of physical and verbal insults, threats or intimidation. Speak with one of our elder abuse lawyers at our office if you suspect emotional abuse. Rapid Weight Loss This is usually a clear sign of neglect or abuse. You should expect your family member to either keep their weight or even gain a bit. Rapid weight loss raises genuine questions on proper patient care. Speak with our elder abuse lawyers in Los Angeles about nursing home abuse or neglect right away. Financial Exploitation Missing money, unpaid bills and significant changes in estate plans all raise questions as to financial exploitation of an elderly person. Some elderly individuals are at high risk of being exploited financially. Monitor the money. If you believe that your family member is being abused in a nursing home, contact our personal injury lawyer in Los Angeles. We’ll listen to you carefully and advise you of your legal options.

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The Difference Between Simple Assault And Aggravated Assault

October 30, 2018

An Overview of Assault Assault is often defined as the act of causing someone to fear that they may be physically harmed. Assault is a crime. Even if the person did not physically cause harm to another person, the fact that they intimidated the person is worthy of arrest. Police officers are able to arrest the person before they have a chance to do physical harm to the person. What’s the Difference Between Assault and Battery? In the past, assault and battery were considered two different crimes. Battery was defined as completed assault. Most laws do not distinguish between the two. That is why you will often hear the terms assault and battery used together. What’s the Difference Between Simple Assault and Aggravated Assault? Many states will distinguish between simple and aggravated assault. Aggravated assault occurs when a person uses a weapon to commit the assault. They can also be charged with an aggravated assault if they intend to commit rape or another crime. Here is an example of an aggravated assault. A woman is walking alone at night. A man approaches her, attacks her and attempt to drag her in the bushes. He starts to take off her clothes. Fortunately, the woman is able to throw a rock at the man and get away. The man can be charged with aggravated assault because he intended to rape the woman. Words Don’t Count as Assault A person can threaten you, but it probably will not be considered assault. Many people make threats without carrying them out. However, some people may be charged with a crime if they make threats. Contact an Assault and Battery Lawyer You need an assault and battery attorney in Los Angeles if you have been hurt by another person. A personal injury lawyer in Los Angeles will explain all of the laws. They can also tell you about the different options that you have and how to proceed accordingly.

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