Brownsville Personal Injury Lawyer

Van Carrying Mentally Disabled Crashes, Five Dead

Jenny Albano — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 17:33:30 GMT

A tractor-trailer crashed into a van carrying mentally disabled people on a trip to the Pittsburgh Zoo on the morning of April 25. The van flipped on its side and was crushed against a building; five people died and seven were injured.

According to witnesses, the van was stopped at an intersection and then pulled in from of the tractor-trailer. The accident occurred at 9:45 a.m. in Somerset Township, which is 30 miles south of Pittsburgh.

The van was carrying 11 people. Five of them were killed - three residents and two staff members. Six other residents inside were taken to area hospitals. The tractor-trailer driver also was treated and released from a hospital.

Investigators do not believe that the tractor-trailer was speeding. The vehicle has been removed to be inspected. The driver of the vehicle was Stephen Rouse, 44.

The van was flipped on its side and pushed roof-first into a building. This caused the vehicle's roof to cave in. Two of the victims who died were removed shortly after the accident, but the bodies of the driver and two residents has to cut from the demolished van. By mid-afternoon all the bodies had been recovered.

Killed in the crash were: the driver, Sheryl Maiolini, 53, of Charleroi; staff member Mary Watkins, 43, of Ellsworth; and residents John Maise, 61, Richard Paquet, 43, and Julie Hugus, 41. The injured residents included three men and three women who range in age from 48 to 58 years old.

Two of the victims have been released from the hospital and the others incurred non-fatal injuries including a broken clavicle, a broken hip, and head, neck and spinal injuries.

According to Jeff Breen of the Pennsylvania Dept. of Transportation, the intersection at which the accident occurred has safety issues. He said that the PennDOT had an upgrade planned for the dangerous intersection. Motorists traveling north and south do not have to stop at the intersection while motorists going east and west do. There have been numerous accidents due to the confusion.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jenny Albano

Wrongful Death Suit filed against Port Royal Condominium Owners' Association

Jesse Guerra — Tue, 18 Sep 2007 16:31:10 GMT

Corpus Christi police said there appears to be no foul play in the drowning of a 16 year-old-girl who died while swimming at the Port Royal Condominium Pools on Mustang Island on May 04, 2007.

Toynelle Bailey was reported missing around 5:30 p.m. by her friends and her body was found in the deep end at around 7:30 p.m. Toynelle was in town with fellow band mates from Houston and was scheduled to perform in the Buccaneer Day's Parade the following day. Toynelle's family has hired the Law Firm of Hilliard and Munoz LLP out of Corpus Christi, Texas to investigate and file a law suit against the owners of Port Royal Condominiums for negligence resulting in Toynelle's death. Bob Hilliard is a double board certified trial lawyer based out of Corpus Christi, Texas. He is specifically board certified in Personal Injury Trial Law and Civil Trial Law by the State Board of Legal Specialization in Texas. Bob has been trying personal injury law cases since 1983. According to Mr. Hilliard, "these types of drowning incidents are situations that cannot be ignored, huge swimming pools like the those at Port Royal can often create dangerous situations without proper safety measures in place. Facilities like Port Royal owe a duty to provide a reasonably safe swimming environment for their guests."

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jesse Guerra

Toddler Drowns in Indiana Pool

Shannon Weidemann — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 04:05:53 GMT

A 2-year-old girl drowned in her grandmother's swimming pool in Greencastle, Indiana. The Grandmother has been charged in the swimming pool death with neglect and several other charges. It is believed the woman was running an unlicensed daycare out of her home with inadequate supervision of the children.

Greencastle police Detective Randy Seipel said 10 children, including two infants and several toddlers, were at the house.
"How can you effectively supervise that many children when there's a pool present?" Seipel said.
Seipel, though, said he still believed Serinity's drowning in the city midway between Terre Haute and Indianapolis was an accident.

The woman initially told police that she was alone with her granddaughter at the time of the accident. A license is required for more than 6 children. The woman had no comment in the case.

If you would like to read more about swimming pool accidents, please visit InjuryBoard's Pool Accidents information page.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Shannon Weidemann

Man Sues Wal-Mart After Fall

Shannon Weidemann — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 03:41:54 GMT

A man alleges he slipped and fell at a Wal-Mart store in Granite City. There was water on the floor near the restroom and the man slipped in that. His slip and fall lawsuit claims that Wal-Mart failed to maintain the area and provide warning that there was water on the floor.

According to the lawsuit filed Aug. 20, Timothy Smith claims that on April 17 Wal-Mart allowed a certain amount of water to accumulate around the men's restroom and the area he had to use causing him to slip and fall.
Smith claims the nation's largest retailer failed to use reasonable care to avoid the infliction of injury or distress on its customers and the public at large.

He is asking for over $50,000 in damages for injuries sustained in the fall and for medical expenses.

If you would like to read more about slip and fall injuries, please visit InjuryBoard's Slip and Fall Injuries information page.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Shannon Weidemann

Driverless Boat in Connecticut Kills Woman

Shannon Weidemann — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 02:49:54 GMT

A man fell from his boat and the boat continued moving forward and hit a sailboat in Connecticut this summer. A woman was killed in the maritime accident. The man was drunk at the time of the accident.

Siege and his attorney Charles Tiernan would not comment on the case today outside of court.
"I can't really comment at this point. I think the state is still doing their investigation and we'll see how that goes," said Tiernan.
Siege was charged with one count of first-degree reckless operation of a vessel while intoxicated, but may also face more charges because of the death of Susan Brandes, 53, of South Windsor.

The police are still investigating the accident and more charges may be filed. An accident reconstruction report is being written.

If you would like to read more about boating accidents, please visit InjuryBoard's Boats, Personal Watercraft & Jet Skis Information page.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Shannon Weidemann

Avandia May Raise Heart Attack Risk

Shannon Weidemann — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 02:31:42 GMT

A new study that was published recently shows that Avandia, a popular diabetes drug, may increase the risk of heart failure and heart attacks. The study also looked at the diabetes drug Actos. The study is in the Journal of American Medical Association.

According to studies involving some 19,000 people, Actos can cut the rate of heart attacks, stroke, and even death from heart disease by nearly 20%, though it may cause a slight increase in the rate of heart failure.
Avandia, on the other hand, in four studies of 14,000 people, increased the rate of heart attacks, strokes and heart failure by a whopping 42%. Thankfully the rate of cardiac deaths did not change

The study has created confusion for patients. It is advised that patients taking Avandia should discuss any medication changes with their doctor. They should not stop taking the drug with talking to their doctor first.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Shannon Weidemann

Driver of 18-Wheeler Dies in Katy Accident

Shannon Weidemann — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 02:07:06 GMT

An 18-Wheeler accident in Katy on Interstate 10 has left the driver dead. The westbound side of the freeway was shut down for hours while the roadway could be cleared and the accident investigated.

The Harris County Sheriff's Office says the man lost control and hit a large street sign around 4:30 a.m. on Interstate 10 at Magnolia. The driver was ejected from the truck and pronounced dead at the scene.

No other vehicles or people were involved in the accident. The police are still investigating and the cause is not yet known.

If you would like to read more about truck accidents, please visit InjuryBoard's Truck Accidents page.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Shannon Weidemann

Childproof Home to Prevent Burns

Shannon Weidemann — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 01:09:09 GMT

Childproofing your home can keep injuries to your children to a minimum. September is a great time to review the basics as it is Baby Safety Month. You can prevent burn injuries by following a few easy steps. Always watch children near a hot stove and use the back burners when possible. Electric cords that are frayed are also a fire hazard.

�?� In the bathroom, lock medicine cabinets, and remove any razors, scissors, and hair dryers from the reach of small children. In drawing a bath, mix hot and cold water together, and test the temperature before putting the baby in. Set your hot water heater to 120 degrees to help reduce the risk of scald burns - it takes just three seconds for a child to sustain a third-degree burn from water at 140 degrees. And never leave a baby alone in the bath.

Space heaters can be a potential fire hazard and you should remove anything flammable away from them. Do not allow small children to touch a space heater either.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Shannon Weidemann

Rio Hondo Fires Burns in Vacant House

Shannon Weidemann — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 00:33:51 GMT

A vacant home in Rio Hondo caught on fire after some young boys were spotted leaving it. The house is next door to the parent's of a lineman with the Chicago Bears, Roberto Garzo Jr. Four firetrucks and two pumper trucks responded to the scene. It took about an hour for the vacant home to burn to the ground. Fire crews worked to keep the Garzo's home from burning as well. The house fire is believed to be an act of arson.

The fire , which started Monday afternoon in a vacant home next door at the intersection of Roberto Garza Jr. Drive and Heywood Streets, is being investigated as arson, a fire official at the scene said.

The owner of the vacant home was called to the scene by a neighbor. The vacant home had been boarded up and had no utility services. It was kept vacant for a few years before the fire.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Shannon Weidemann

Oilfield Worker Killed in Oklahoma

Shannon Weidemann — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 03:20:38 GMT

A man was killed at an oil well in Piedmont, Oklahoma. He was an employee of Southwest Oilfield Construction. A team of three men were working at the site to pull a pipe out of the ground. The oilfield accident happened at the end of August.

Goodwin says the large object -- possibly weighing as much as 1,800 pounds -- came up from the ground with the pipe and struck the platform where the men were working.
He says the men were launched into the air and falling debris crushed 1 of the workers after he fell to the ground.
Goodwin says that man died at the scene.

The two other men were taken to area hospitals to be treated for their injuries. One was in critical condition and the other was in good condition.

If you would like to read more about oilfield accidents, please visit InjuryBoard's Mining & Oil Field Accidents page.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Shannon Weidemann