By John Bisnar on October 19, 2012 -
Alfonso Cerda Sr., 45, was killed in an Inglewood car accident after a Los Angeles County Sheriff’s squad car hit and killed him as he rode his bike. According to an ABC news article, the fatal accident occurred on October 8, 2012 in the 3500 block of West 107th Street. Officials say Cerda was on his bike during the early morning hours when two deputies in a patrol car tried to contact him believing that he was carrying a gun. A short pursuit ended with the squad car and the bicyclist slamming into an iron fence. Cerda’s injuries proved fatal.
Cerda’s family is questioning the details of this bicycle accident. The sheriff’s department issued a statement that Cerda brandished a gun at the deputies. But the family says he did not even own a weapon, but carried a flashlight when he rode his bike. His son, Alfonso Cerda Jr. tells ABC News that his family is trying to make sense out of this tragedy. “How do you hit someone with a 5,000-pound vehicle? How does that happen?” he asks. They also say it was common for Cerda to be out at night picking up clothes and other items from trash cans, which he would later sell. The investigation is ongoing. Read the rest »
By John Bisnar on October 17, 2012 -
A home nursing agency in Los Angeles has agreed to pay $654,082 to settle a complaint that employees were not properly compensated for overtime worked. According to a news report in the Business Management Daily, Extended Health Care Private Duty Nursing was the subject of a federal probe. A U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division investigation showed that the company paid some of its employees “straight time” although their hours exceeded the regular 40 hours a week schedule.
The probe revealed that even the company’s longest-tenured employees got only time and one-quarter for their overtime hours. Although some of the employees received the overtime mandated by federal labor laws, they were required to work more than 80 hours in a biweekly payroll period. In addition, the investigation revealed that some of employees were misclassified as independent contractors. Under the settlement agreement, 108 nurses will recover back pay. Read the rest »
By John Bisnar on October 3, 2012 -
A 43-year-old woman suffered major injuries in a Laguna Niguel car accident after a vehicle struck her at a street intersection. The Orange County Register reports that the collision occurred the afternoon of October 1, 2012 at the intersection of Moulton Parkway and Aliso Niguel. Police say that the driver of a 1997 Honda Civic was traveling south in the number one lane of Moulton when he hit the female pedestrian who was walking westbound in a crosswalk on Aliso.
The victim was transported to an area hospital with critical head trauma and leg injuries. The driver, a 45-year-old man, was treated and released from the hospital for minor injuries. Orange County Sheriff’s Department traffic investigators are looking into who had the right-of-way at the intersection. No arrests or citations have been reported. The investigation is ongoing.
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By John Bisnar on October 1, 2012 -
Christopher Waldrop, 24, of Riverside was killed in an Anaheim car accident after his motorcycle was struck by a vehicle that was making a left turn. According to a news report in The Orange County Register, the motorcycle collision occurred the morning of September 30, 2012 in the 100 block of East Orangethorpe Avenue. Police say Waldrop’s Yamaha motorcycle was westbound on Orangethorpe Avenue when a Buick Century traveling eastbound made a left turn in front of him. Waldrop was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead. The 85-year-old driver of the Buick was not taken to the hospital. She has not been cited or arrested in connection with this incident. The investigation is ongoing.
I offer my deepest sympathies to the family members and friends of Christopher Waldrop for their devastating loss. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.
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By John Bisnar on September 17, 2012 -
Sarah Leaf, 29, was killed in a bicycle accident in Newport Beach after a stake-bed truck hit her, the morning of September 14, 2012. According to a news report in Corona del Mar Today, the fatal traffic accident occurred at the intersection of East Coast Highway and Bayside Drive. Police say Leaf was riding her bike on East Coast Highway and was preparing to make a right onto Bayside, when the truck driver, who was traveling in the same direction, attempted a right turn, struck and ran her over. Leaf died from her injuries. No arrests or citations have been reported yet.
My thoughts and prayers go out to everyone who knew and loved Sarah Leaf. She was apparently a certified nutritionist at a local fitness center and spa. This is indeed a tragic incident! I offer my deepest condolences to her family members and friends.
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By John Bisnar on September 3, 2012 -
Not long ago, I was going through the tortuous task of searching for the best Orange County divorce lawyer. I had given marriage my best shot, but like so many things in life, things did not go according to plan. My life got messy in a flash and I needed someone who not only knew how to put the pieces back together, but would also be able to help me determine my legal goals and options.
I started off with an experienced family law attorney in Southern California, but I did not receive the results that I expected. Not only did I question the skills of my divorce lawyer, I was unable to reach him on a consistent basis and many of my attorney’s fees were suspect. When I went in for important court dates, he showed up late, or did not show up at all. The judge had seemingly made up her mind about me, and I was left to decide whether or not I had a fighting chance. Read the rest »
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