Personal Injury Lawyer Blog
NBA Star Dies When SUV Hits Train - Friday, August 24, 2007
Former Minnesota Timberwolves forward Eddie Griffin died in mid-August 2007 when his SUV collided with a freight train in a fiery crash in Texas. Houston police said he ignored a railroad warning and went through a barrier before striking a moving train about 1:30 a.m. His body was badly burned and dental records had to be used to identify Griffin.Griffin had a series of suspension, court dates and missed practices during his first two years in the NBA, and he spent time in the Betty Ford Center for alcohol treatment in 2003 and 2004.
NFL Makes Announcement Regarding Concussions - Thursday, August 23, 2007
Several National Football League players in recent years have been knocked unconscious during games but returned to play the same game after being checked out by a doctor. However, the NFL recently announced that teams should not return formerly unconscious players to the game or practice in which they were injured.The announcement by the NFL highlighted several procedures that will be put in next season regarding concussions, most notably the introduction of a pamphlet to educate players as well as a confidential hot line through which they can report any instance in which a player is coerced to play against medical advice.
An NFL team returning a play who has bee knocked out to the same game does not appear to be routine, but it has happened.
Earlier this year, a neuropathologist linked the suicide of the former player Andre Waters to depression caused by repeated concussions, and studies have found a correlation between concussions and subsequent psychological issues. These and other controversies prompted the NFL to invite team medical personnel and outside critics to a June meeting in Chicago to discuss procedures to handle concussions.
Widow of Accident Victim Sues Navy - Wednesday, August 22, 2007
The widow of a Virginia man was awarded $3 million in a wrongful death lawsuit settlement involving the United States Navy and Eddie's Bus Service. Peter Williams was killed in 2004 after a bus leased by the Navy struck his car at a traffic light in Newport News, VA. The 41-year-old engineer was on his way home from work.Williams was stopped at a traffic light in September 2004 when the bus, driven by an enlisted sailor, turned left and struck his Grand Am. The bus rolled onto the front of the car and crush the roof pinning Williams and killing him.
The bus had no power steering fluid.
The settlement documents state that the federal government must pay $2 million and Eddie's Bus Service must pay $1 million to the man's widow. The law firm that represented the Williams will receive $844,077 for legal services.
Recent Push in Florida to Raise Age for Watercraft Use - Tuesday, August 21, 2007
As summer's heat is squarely upon us, more and more families head to our nation's lakes, rivers, and oceans to enjoy boating, jet skiing, and other water sports. What many people don't realize is that there are children operating many of those watercraft with very little operating experience and training.In Florida, one of the nation's most popular places for watercraft and water sports, children 14 and older can legally operate a personal watercraft and ride through the water at speeds greater than 60 mph.
In March 2007, 14-year-old high school freshman Tyler Goldberg slammed the Sea-Doo he was driving into a dock, suffered massive chest, neck and head injuries, and died two weeks later. Tyler's mother, Lee Nossen, is now pushing Florida lawmakers to raise the minimum watercraft operating age to 16; Mrs. Nossen's efforts are supported by national boating groups and the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Soon after Tyler's funeral, Nossen, along with several local prominent attorneys and doctors, formed the Tyler Scott Goldberg Foundation, which is lobbying to raise the minimum age to 16. The Foundation also wants anyone under 21 to be required to take a training class on personal watercraft use.
Cause of Jet Crash Announced a Year Later - Monday, August 20, 2007
The pilots of a jet that crashed last summer killing 49 people left the terminal without receiving four very important airport advisories, including one that said the normal taxiway to the main runway was closed. The four updates, called Notices to Airmen, were missing from the flight dispatch paperwork the pilots receive from Comair.Comair relies on pre-recorded messages to get local advisories from Kentucky's Blue Grass Airport, but the taxiway closing was not recorded on August 27, 2006, when Comair Flight 5191 crashed after mistakenly taking off from the general aviation runway killing all people aboard but one. The plane taxied down the wrong runway.
The pilots also did not receive information about the airport's general aviation runway being limited to daytime use and about the distance-remaining lights on the airport's main runway being out of service. The airplane crash happened in the pre-dawn darkness. Pilots assert that the current notice system is outdated and isn't always readily available.
Each day, anywhere from 300-1,000 notices are issued across the nation and can contain anything from departure procedures to airport construction notices.
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