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A toddler living in Norco was attacked by the family pit bull yesterday, May 28th.  According to the Press Enterprise story, the young girl was fortunate in that she escaped any major bite wounds.  The 19-month-old girl apparently got out of the house and into the back yard when a babysitter opened a sliding glass door to air out the house.  The dog was reportedly dragging the little girl through the yard when the babysitter looked outside.  The toddler was taken to the hospital with what appears to have been moderate injuries, and the dog was quarantined by Animal Control, which is standard procedure in such instances.

See the Press Enterprise story HERE.

Just about one week before the incident above, on May 20th, a 54-year-old woman was attacked just outside her Garden Grove home by a pit bull mix.  The dog, belonging to a neighborhood resident, attacked the woman's 7-week-old puppy and, when the owner attempted to intervene, she was viciously attacked.  Neighbors made numerous attempts to end the attack, but were only successful after sticks and a garden hose initially failed.  The puppy was treated for very serious wounds at a local animal hospital, and the owner likewise received emergency medical treatment at Garden Grove Hospital for wounds to both hands, as well as one arm and her torso.  The Orange County dog bite victim has since retained the Law Offices of Paul W. Ralph to represent her interests in the case.

Compensation for the victims of dog attacks should be an important concern for all Californians.   When an innocent victim is bitten and seriously injured by a vicious dog, the dog’s owner should be held accountable for all of the injuries and damages suffered by the victim and their family.  An Orange County dog bite attorney with experience at handling such cases can make a fair assessment of these claims.   Mr. Ralph has more than 20 years of experience handling personal injury cases, including just this type.  He can be reached at 714-919-4415 for a FREE CONSULTATION.

Have you or a family member been the victim of a pit bull attack?

Nothing in this post is intended to suggest the Law Offices of Paul W. Ralph currently represents anyone involved in the news story above. This posting should not be construed as legal advice or an opinion on the merit of any particular matter. A consultation is the best way to obtain an assessment of your potential case.

Early this morning one person was killed in a fiery crash on the 210 Freeway in Sylmar.  According to KTLA news, the accident involved a big rig and a driver traveling the wrong direction on the freeway.   The crash reportedly happened at about 2:15 a.m. on the westbound 210 at Roxford Street.  A UPS truck hauling two trailers was heading westbound when it encountered a compact sedan traveling the wrong way. The truck driver's evasive action was unfortunately unsuccessful, and the two vehicles collided.  Both drivers had to be extricated from their vehicles by emergency personnel, but the sedan driver was pronounced dead at the scene.  The truck driver was said to be OK.

See the KTLA story and photographs HERE.

This tragic accident is difficult to understand at this point.  There does not appear to be a logical explanation for the "wrong way" driver's actions.  When auto accidents occur because of a driver crossing into oncoming traffic or driving intentionally into opposing traffic, one of the first things that comes to mind is whether the driver was intoxicated.  From the news story above, we don't have any information a to what the driver was doing before apparently entering the freeway traveling the wrong direction.  This could have been an accident caused by something as simple as a momentary lapse of judgment.  However, collisions such as the one above are more frequently the result of intoxicated driving or attempted suicide.  It is now up to the CHP to do a complete accident investigation that will almost certainly include a medical/emotional profile on the sedan driver.

Compensation for the victims of serious or fatal traffic freeway accidents should be an important concern for all Californians.   When a driver negligently or intentionally causes a serious or fatal accident, they should be held accountable for the injuries and damages to the victims and those family members left behind.   An Orange County attorney with experience at handling auto accidents can make a fair assessment of these claims.  Mr. Ralph has more than 20 years years of experience handling freeway and other traffic accident cases.  He can be reached at 714-919-4415 for a FREE CONSULTATION.

Have you or a loved one been injured or killed in an accident caused by a negligent or reckless driver?

Nothing in this post is intended to suggest the Law Offices of Paul W. Ralph currently represents anyone involved in the news story above. This posting should not be construed as legal advice or an opinion on the merit of any particular matter. A consultation is the best way to obtain an assessment of your potential case.

The Federal Trade Commission announced last week that Skechers had agreed to pay a $40,000,000.00 fine for making representations in their advertising that simply were not true.  For many people seeking a healthier lifestyle or trying to lose weight, the advertisements seemed almost too good to be true - wear Skechers Shape-ups footwear and watch the pounds melt away.  According to a CCN story, at a news conference last Wednesday, the FTC said the shoemaker's claims weren't true and alleged Skechers violated federal law by misleading consumers, consisting of "unfounded claims that Shape-ups would help people lose weight, and strengthen and tone their buttocks, legs and abdominal muscles."

See the CNN news story HERE.

Skechers Shape-ups have been touted as being able to:

1. Promote weight loss,
2. Tone muscles,
3. Improve posture,
4. Reduce stress on knees and ankles,
5. Strengthen and firm the back muscles,
6. Tighten abdominal muscles,
7. Improve blood circulation,
8. Firm leg muscles,
9. Tone and firm thigh muscles,
10. Relieve muscle tension and fatigue, and
11. Allow the wearer to get in shape without setting foot in a gym.

Moved by such claims, consumers purchased the Shape-ups with very high expectations, and they sometimes did not only fail to see the results promised, but they were injured as well.  The Shape-ups shoes are actually designed to be unstable, and this makes them potentially dangerous, especially for those with knee or ankle instability issues.  Older consumers , who are prone to falls in general, can be exposed to an even greater risk of falls and serious injuries because of the shoe instability.  In spite of this, Skechers marketed their well-hyped shoes to everyone, including those at a heightened risk for falls.  Those injured because of being misled and never warned, have the right to bring a products liability action to recover compensation for their injuries and damages.

Compensation for the victims of dangerously defective products, including toning shoes like Skechers Shape-ups, should be an important concern for all Californians.  When an unsafe product, such as a pair of toning shoes, causes severe injuries or death, the manufacturer should be held accountable for the injuries and damages they leave behind.  An Orange County products liability attorney with experience at handling such cases can make a fair assessment of these claims.  Mr. Ralph has 20 years of experience handling personal injury and product liability cases, including just this type.  His office filed the first Orange County lawsuit against Skechers, and he can be reached at 714-919-4415 for a FREE CONSULTATION.

Have you or a family member been injured by Skechers Shape-ups or some other toning shoes?

• This posting should not be construed as legal advice or an opinion on the merit of any particular matter.  A consultation is the best way to obtain an assessment of your potential case.

 In spite of the media attention given to plastic surgery nightmares, many patients are still not doing their homework before selecting a cosmetic surgeon.  Unfortunately, because performing cosmetic procedures is a lucrative area of practice, many unqualified and poorly trained physicians are attracting patients who want to improve their appearance.  The results produced by these surgeons are often unappealing and occasionally even life-threatening.  To lessen the risk of a bad outcome a patient seeking plastic surgery should do at least some research into the practice history and qualifications of their surgeon.

When selecting a surgeon you should first ensure they are licensed to practice medicine in California and have at least a few years in practice under their belt.  You can do this by simply researching the doctor's name on the California Medical Board website.   This will also let you know if the doctor has a history of discipline by the Board and whether they have any reportable verdicts/settlements.  Since not every lawsuit or settlement is disclosed on the Medical Board's website, you should also look to the Orange County Superior Court's website to see if the doctor has a substantial history of lawsuits filed against them for malpractice.   One or two lawsuits filed in the course of a long career may not be a concern.  However, wouldn't you want to know if your doctor had ten lawsuits filed against them in the last five years?  Of course you would.  Finally, it is almost always a good idea to go to a plastic surgeon who has completed at least the minimum requirements to be board certified by The American Board of Plastic Surgery.   While board certification is no guarantee the doctor will comply with the standard of care in any particular case, it may bring some level of assurance to the patient that the doctor is competent.

The list above is certainly not an exhaustive one in terms of best ensuring you select a good plastic surgeon.  You can also speak to the surgeon directly about their level of experience with a particular procedure.  Also, a good number of surgeons, if not the majority, will have photo galleries of their work for you to review either in their office or online.  With all of the resources available, finding a competent doctor is much easier now than it was 15 years ago.  Despite this, victims of medical malpractice often learn for the first time their doctor was unqualified only after their lives have been turned upside down.

Compensation for victims of medical malpractice committed by plastic and cosmetic surgeons should be an important concern for all Californians.  When a physician negligently harms a patient, they should be held accountable.  An Orange County medical malpractice attorney with experience at handling such cases can make a fair assessment of these claims.  Mr. Ralph has over 20 years of experience handling personal injury and medical negligence cases, including just this type.   He can be reached at 714-919-4415 for a FREE CONSULTATION.

Have you or a loved one been the victim of plastic surgery malpractice?

This posting should not be construed as legal advice or an opinion on the merit of any particular matter. A consultation is the best way to obtain an assessment of your potential case.

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Saturday evening at about 6:00 p.m. a woman and her dog walking down a street in Long Beach were attacked by two pit bulls, causing injuries to both.  According to KTLA news, the unidentified woman required emergency surgery, and two Good Samaritans who tried to help were also bitten and required medical treatment.  Once police arrived at the scene on East Barclay Street they were quickly able to locate one of the dogs, and the animal had to be shot dead after attempts to bring it under control with a Taser were unsuccessful.   The second dog was later found and is now in the custody of Animal Control.  

See the KTLA news story and photograph HERE.

Once again, two aggressive dogs were apparently allowed to wander free and attack an innocent victim and her dog.  While many dog breeds are known for their aggression, pit bulls also have the distinction of latching on to their victims with powerful jaws and not letting go.  As a result, their bites tend to be worse than other dogs of equal size and weight.  While it is unknown precisely what injuries the victim in the story above sustained, it is probably fair to conclude she will suffer significant scarring and may need plastic surgery in the future because of the attack.   After bites from a large breed of dog, it is not uncommon for the victim to require plastic surgery to revise scars, particularly where the bites are to the face, hands or arms.  As with any dog bite occurring in California, the owner of the pit bulls in the story above is strictly liable for the injuries and damages these victims sustained.  Once a dog bites a victim (as opposed to scratching or knocking them down), the owner is automatically liable for the damages.  Where the injuries do not result from a bite, it must be shown the owner was negligent in the handling or control of their dog.  

Compensation for the victims of dog bites should be an important concern for all Californians.   When an innocent victim is bitten and seriously injured, the dog’s owner should be held accountable for all of the injuries and damages suffered by the victim and their family.  An Orange County dog bite lawyer with experience at handling such cases can make a fair assessment of these claims.   Mr. Ralph has more than 20 years of experience handling personal injury cases, including just this type.  He can be reached at 714-919-4415 for a FREE CONSULTATION.

Have you or a family member been the victim of a serious dog bite?

Nothing in this post is intended to suggest the Law Offices of Paul W. Ralph currently represents anyone involved in the news story above. This posting should not be construed as legal advice or an opinion on the merit of any particular matter. A consultation is the best way to obtain an assessment of your potential case.

A bus accident this morning in Garden Grove has left three people with minor injuries.  According to the story in the Orange County Register, the collision occurred on the eastbound 22 freeway when the bus crashed into the rear of an Acura, forcing it into the back of a Ford Mustang.  The bus, reportedly operated by the Orange County Transportation Authority, was merging onto the freeway at Harbor Boulevard when it rear-ended the Acura.  The three victims were taken to a local hospital for treatment.  See the OC Register bus accident story and photographs HERE.

In another Orange County auto accident, four vehicles collided in Huntington Beach, leaving one dead and three more injured.  According to the Register article, the accident happened on Bolsa Chica Street and Tasman Drive just after 7:30 a.m.  The cause of the crash is still under investigation and the condition of the three injured parties is currently unknown.  See the  OC Register Huntington Beach accident story and photographs HERE.

With regard to the bus accident, the duty of a driver operating a bus is even higher than the typical vehicle operator.  A bus operated for hire, such as the OCTA bus here, is considered a "common carrier" under the law, and they are bound by law to carry safely those whom they take into their vehicles, and owe both a duty of utmost care and the vigilance of a very cautious person towards their passengers.  Common carriers are responsible for any, even the slightest, negligence and are required to do all that human care, vigilance, and foresight reasonably can do under all the circumstances.  In the accident above, it would appear the bus operator violated this duty when he rear-ended the Acura, and the County of Orange would therefore be liable for the injuries and damages sustained by the victims.  As for the Huntington Beach accident, at this point, there is simply no way of knowing who was responsible for this roadway tragedy.  Given the fact there was a fatality in that collision, it is a near certainty that law enforcement will perform a complete accident reconstruction to determine fault.

Compensation for the victims of serious or fatal traffic accidents should be an important concern for all Californians.  When a driver negligently causes a serious or fatal accident, they should be held accountable for the injuries and damages to the victims and those family members left behind.  An attorney with experience at handling Orange County auto accidents can make a fair assessment of these claims.  Mr. Ralph has more than 20 years years of experience handling traffic accident cases.  He can be reached at 714-919-4415 for a FREE CONSULTATION.

Have you or a loved one been injured or killed in an accident caused by a negligent or reckless driver?

Nothing in this post is intended to suggest the Law Offices of Paul W. Ralph currently represents anyone involved in the news story above. This posting should not be construed as legal advice or an opinion on the merit of any particular matter. A consultation is the best way to obtain an assessment of your potential case.

A 23-year-old UC San Diego student has filed a 20 million dollar claim after he was taken into custody by the DEA and left in a cell unattended for five days.   According to KTLA news, the student, Daniel Chong, had been taken into custody in connection with a raid intended to snare those involved in an Ecstasy distribution operation.  Chong was thereafter forgotten in a County detention center for five days where he reportedly had to drink his own urine to survive.  After his discovery and as a result of his ordeal, Chong spent five days in the hospital, including three in the intensive care unit.

See the KTLA news story HERE.

Regardless of whether Chong was involved in the Ecstasy distribution operation, the failure of law enforcement to treat him humanely while in custody may expose the involved public entities to significant civil liability.  While the facts of how and why this happened are far from clear, it would seem the County of San Diego may share some responsibility for their apparent neglect in allowing a "prisoner" to remain in a cell with no food, water or toilet for a period of five days.  At a minimum, assuming this is an allegation that is proven by Chong later, the County would be liable for the neglect of their employees in allowing this to happen.  Additionally, such conduct under "color of law" might subject the County to liability for the deprivation of Chong's civil rights.  He has not been convicted of any crime, and the reported mistreatment would seem to rise to the level of "cruel and unusual" punishment, prohibited by the Federal Constitution.  All of this is to say nothing of the potential liability of the DEA for leaving someone they took into custody in this situation.

Compensation for the victims of civil rights violations by the police should be an important concern for all Californians. When someone who has been taken into custody is unnecessarily injured or killed by the police, the governmental entity should be held accountable for all of the injuries and damages sustained.  An Orange County personal injury attorney with experience at handling such cases can make a fair assessment of these claims.  Mr. Ralph has more than 20 years of experience handling personal injury cases, including just this type.  He can be reached at 714-919-4415 for a FREE CONSULTATION.

Have you or a family member been a victim of a civil rights violation?

Nothing in this post is intended to suggest the Law Offices of Paul W. Ralph currently represents anyone involved in the news story above. This posting should not be construed as legal advice or an opinion on the merit of any particular matter. A consultation is the best way to obtain an assessment of your potential case.