California Personal Injury Blog

Two Dogs Put Down After Fatal California Dog Attack

Two dogs have been put down after they attacked and killed 5-year-old Sterling Vermeer in Oro Grande. According to the Victorville Daily Press, San Bernardino Sheriff’s officials initially disclosed the presence of only one dog at the scene of the attack that ended in the boy’s death. That dog, a pit bull, was surrendered at the scene. Another dog, described as a 4-year-old lab and pit bull mix, was also given up after both dogs were found covered in human blood by animal control officers. The dogs were put down. …Read the rest »

Pilot in Kobe Bryant Helicopter Crash Had Been Disciplined by FAA over Weather-Related Flight Violation

The pilot of a helicopter carrying Kobe Bryant, daughter Gianna, and eight others that crashed into a Calabasas hillside Jan. 26 killing everyone on board, violated federal flight rules in 2015 when he flew into busy airspace near LAX in spite of being told not to by air traffic control. According to this information obtained by the Los Angeles Times from Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) records, Ara Zobayan was flying northbound in an AS350 chopper when he was denied clearance to go into the airspace because weather conditions had reduced visibility below what is known as visual flight rules or VFR. …Read the rest »

Hackers Tricked Tesla Autopilot into Exceeding Speed Limit During Research

Hackers, essentially researchers from the cybersecurity firm McAfee, were able to fool a Tesla Model X and Model S Autopilot into breaking the speed limit, and all it took was a small piece of tape. According to a news report, Tesla vehicles are equipped with the Mobileye EyeQ3 camera systems, which read the speed limit signs and help with setting the accurate speed. However, this experiment just determined that the Autopilot system is inadequate. …Read the rest »

Kia Minivans and SUVs Recalled for Electrical Problems

Kia is joining its sister company, Hyundai, in recalling about 229,000 vehicles in the United States because water could get into a brake computer, cause an electrical short and possibly a fire. According to a USA Today news report, this recall covers Sedona minivans from the 2006 through 2010 model yeas. Also covered are Sorento SUVs from 2007 through 2009. Kia is telling owners to park their vehicles outside and away from structures and other vehicles until the problem can be repaired. …Read the rest »

Kolcraft Recalls Inclined Sleeper Accessories for Infant Suffocation Hazards

Children’s product manufacturer Kolcraft recalled about 51,000 inclined sleeper accessories sold with two of their bassinets for suffocation hazards. According to Consumer Reports, the company recalled the accessories sold with the Cuddle ‘n Care 2-in-1 Bassinet and Incline Sleepers and the Preferred Position 2-in-1 Bassinet and Incline Sleepers. The recall was prompted by the fact that infants have died in similar inclined products made by other manufacturers, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) said. …Read the rest »

Report Says Supermarkets Do Not Do a Good Job of Letting Consumers Know about Product Recalls

A new study has found that supermarkets don’t do a good job of notifying consumers about foods that have been recalled from their store shelves. According to a USA Today news report, the U.S. Public Interest Research Group surveyed 26 of the largest grocers in the country including Kroger, Safeway, Food Lion, Wal-Mart, Whole Foods and Target, about their practices for notifying consumers about food recalls. Most stores declined to respond to the survey, the group says in its report titled “Food Recall Failure.” …Read the rest »

Contigo Recalls 5.7 Million Kids’ Water Bottles for Choking Hazard

Nearly six months after issuing a product defect recall for 5.7 million kids’ water bottles because the spouts posed a potential choking hazard, the company is recalling the replacement lids for the same reason. According to a USA Today news report, Contigo issued a voluntary recall for its Contigo Kids Cleanable water bottles and replacement lids sent to consumers as part of the August 2019 recall. …Read the rest »

Toyota Recalls 44,000 Vehicles for Cracks in the Engine

Toyota is recalling some of its most popular vehicle models because of a vehicle defect that involves cracks potentially forming in the engine, the result of a manufacturing error. According to a report in Car and Driver, coolant or oil could leak from the crack, leading to engine stalling, overheating or possibly catching fire, the automaker has said. …Read the rest »

88-year-old “Hero” Crossing Guard Dies Saving Two Young Children from Being Hit

Bob Nill, 88, a beloved crossing guard in Kansas City, was killed near Christ The King Catholic School in that city when he tried to save two young children, 8 and 11, from an approaching vehicle. According to an NBC News report, Nill was helping kids cross the street early morning on Feb. 18 when he saw a car approaching. Nill managed to stop two children from stepping off the sidewalk so they wouldn’t be hit by the vehicle but ended up being struck himself. He was transported to a local hospital in critical condition where he later died. …Read the rest »

Honda Odyssey Minivans Recalled for Fire Risk

Honda is recalling about 241,000 Odyssey minivans from 2018 through 2020 model years because a wire in the third row may short-circuit and catch fire. According to Consumer Reports, the problem is due to an improperly installed interior trim piece that could damage the wiring that leads to a third-row power outlet. The damages wiring could cause a short circuit, which could in turn lead to a fire. …Read the rest »