Inadequate Inspection and Missing Bolts behind Japanese Tunnel Collapse
A deadly tunnel collapse in Japan over the weekend left 9 people dead after 360 feet of concrete ceiling slabs fell, trapping vehicles and their occupants, and a fire broke out that consumed much of the wreckage. The horrific carnage in Japan’s Sasago Tunnel left 5 charred bodies in a single station wagon, 3 others in another burned vehicle, and 1 burned to death in a truck.
Contact the Experienced Structural Collapse Injury Lawyers at Denena Points, PC if You’ve been Injured in a Collapse
Our experienced structural collapse injury lawyers always offer a FREE initial legal consultation, with no obligation to hire an attorney. And your free consultation could provide you with the facts you need to make informed decisions following a serious injury. Call us today at 281-369-4363 or reach us online through our convenient “Get Help Now” contact form.
Investigators believe Weak or Missing Hardware Connectors might be to Blame for the Deadly Sasago Tunnel Collapse
Early investigations are pointing to missing anchor bolts designed to fasten the concrete slabs securely to the tunnel ceiling. Investigators spotted areas of the concrete slabs where the bolts had loosened and fallen out. They are uncertain yet as to whether traffic vibrations in the tunnel over the years loosened the bolts or whether the natural aging of the concrete slabs and bolts led to the deadly decay.
Our structural collapse injury lawyers point out that the Sasago Tunnel was built in 1977 and the bolts had not been replaced in all that time. The weekend’s deadly tunnel collapse has led to emergency inspections of 49 other traffic tunnels in Japan that have similar ceiling construction. (Source: Hilary Whiteman, CNN, 12/3/12)
Inadequate Inspections of the Old Traffic Tunnel Might have Missed Signs of Imminent Failure
NEXCO, the private company that now manages many of Japan’s traffic tunnels admits that the hammer tapping method of inspecting the concrete ceiling of the old tunnel had not been conducted. The company was using infrared imaging to inspect the tunnels because it takes much less time and money. The infrared imaging is supposed to show a temperature differential between secure parts of the concrete ceiling and compromised parts of the structure.
Our structural collapse injury lawyers suggest that the infrared imaging method might be inadequate, as the last such inspection was only two months ago. The manual hammer tapping method is much more effective and allows inspectors to get a very close look at areas of the tunnel ceiling.
Hardware Connection Failure is a Primary Cause of Potentially Deadly Structural Collapses
One of the primary causes of deadly structural collapses is failure of the connections designed to hold parts of the structure in place. Sometimes the cause is poor building practice, such as a use of nails rather than bolts, failure to anchor bolts to solid structural members, or poor spacing of the hardware connectors and structural members. Sometimes it’s the sudden breaking or failure of the hardware connections due to gradual weakening, loosening or corrosion over time.
Death by Distracted Driving: An Underreported Problem in Texas
Your Reaction Times Increase Dramatically when You Drive Distracted
A new study from the Texas Transportation Institute at Texas A&M University is the first of its kind. Instead of using simulators, the study tested driver in actual vehicles on actual driving courses. The study found that drivers’ reaction times were doubled while they were reading or sending test messages while driving. Many of them missed the flashing warning lights used in the study altogether.
Contact the Dedicated Texas Truck Crash Lawyers at Denena Points, PC if You’ve lost a Loved One to a Tragic Collision
We always provide you with a FREE, no obligation initial legal consultation to discuss and evaluate your case. We’d be happy to speak with you and answer your urgent questions after a catastrophic collision has claimed the life of your loved one. Just call 281-369-4363 or use our online contact form to reach us. We’re here to help.
Distracted Driving is a Deadly Disorder
The U.S. CDC says that each day 15 people die and 1,200 receive injuries in motor vehicle accidents reported to involve distracted driving. And our Texas truck crash lawyers note that distracted driving is underreported as the cause of crashes because, after the fact, accident investigators are often unable to tell that a driver was distracted at the time of the crash. Unless a witness to the crash can tell investigators about the distracted driving, they have no way to know.
Texas experienced 81,103 crashes linked to distracted driving in 2011. 361 of these crashes were fatal accidents.
Fatal North Zulch Truck Collision Blamed on Distracted Driving
In North Zulch, Texas on Friday afternoon, a commercial box plumbing truck from Delta Mechanical rear-ended a stopped 18-wheeler that had its emergency flashers on. The driver of the 18-wheeler says he noticed that the box truck coming up behind him didn’t look like it was going to stop and that the driver had his head looking downward.
At the last second, the box truck driver, 59-year-old Jack Ernest LeCroy, reportedly looked up but it was too late. He died when the box truck’s cab crumpled in upon him in the wreck. Accident investigation showed no braking marks to indicate that the box truck had tried to stop. (Source: Clay Falls and Mike George, KBTX, 12/1/12) The sincere sympathies of our Texas truck crash lawyers go out to the family and friends of Mr. LeCroy, the victim of this tragic accident.
Arrive at Your Destination Safely: Avoid Distractions while Driving
This accident in North Zulch provides a tragic example of what can happen when you drive distracted. Even if you notice an impending collision, you may not have time to react to prevent it. Be safe; don’t use handheld devices while you drive. And try to avoid other distractions and keep your attention on the road. Driving conditions can change at any time. Unforeseen obstacles can show up suddenly in your path. And our Texas truck crash lawyers understand that other drivers can make inexplicable moves that could cause a crash. You need to be alert to avoid these hazards.
Federal Agencies have been Reluctant to Issue Improved Bed Rail Safety Standards
Continued from Part 1
A doctor who teaches at the University of Minnesota first brought the problem to the attention of federal regulators in 1995, more than 15 years ago. But little has been done in part due to uncertainty regarding which federal agency has authority over the problem. If the bed rails are “medical devices” then the FDA has authority over the problem. But authorities say that unless the manufacturer makes specific claims regarding the bed rails, they are actually consumer products that must be regulated by the CPSC. But the CPSC has consistently disclaimed responsibility for bed rails in the past.
The reluctance to act has also been attributed to anti-regulatory sentiments in Congress at various times, to pressure from bed rail manufacturers, and to the enormous costs associated with a substantial change in safety standards for bed rails. Our Texas injury attorneys understand that many facilities that use bed rails would fail to meet any new standards and would have to replace them at high cost. (Source: Ron Nixon, The New York Times, 11/25/12)
So far, Only Voluntary Bed Rail Safety Standards Exist
In some attempt to assuage the concerns of safety advocates, the FDA issued voluntary guidelines regarding bed rails in 2006. The agency recommended size limits for the gaps between the rails and instructed nursing homes and hospitals regarding their use.
Our Texas injury attorneys note that voluntary guidelines are just that. And many facilities on a budget have continued to use older bed rail models. And few people buying the rails for home care of family members have any idea how dangerous they can be or what they should look for to ensure safe use of the bed rails.
A Ray of Hope may be on the Horizon
The CPSC has recently undertaken a study on the problem of bed rail-related deaths and injuries. The agency says it will consider what actions it should take regarding bed rail safety when that study is complete, which might be by the end of this year. The CPSC says it is also looking at ways to better coordinate with the FDA and close the regulatory gap between the two agencies.
Federal agency investigates bed rails after dozens of deaths
A recent research study focused on the popular children’s attraction of inflatable bounce houses. (Source: Jeff Rossen and Robert Powell, msnbc.com, 11/26/12) A study published in the journal Pediatrics notes that the number of bounce house injuries has doubled just between 2008 and 2010.
The number of injuries has been steadily climbing over the past two decades with the emergence of inflatable bounce houses as a popular children’s pastime at theme parks, carnivals, neighborhood festivals, and children’s birthday parties. Dr. Gary Smith, lead author on the research study in Pediatrics, says that an average of 30 children per day go to the emergency room with injuries from bounce houses.
Contact the Houston Injury Attorneys at Denena & Points to Report Your Child’s Serious Injury from a Bounce House Encounter
Federal agencies keep tabs on reports of injury relating to children’s toys in order to determine when recalls and other safety warnings are appropriate. At Denena & Points, we want to make sure that these agencies have the data they need to ensure our children’s safety and that you have the strong advocacy you need to obtain fair recompense after your child has been injured by a dangerous or defective product.
Contact us to report your child’s injury from a bounce house. We’re available at 281-369-4363 or through our online contact form. Our Houston injury attorneys will be happy to discuss the accident injury with you and evaluate your case through a free, no obligation legal consultation. Just get in touch, and we’ll arm you with the information you need to make wise decisions regarding your injured child’s future.
The Major Types of Injury Resulting from Inflatable Bounce Houses
The injuries are primarily sprains and fractured bones, some of them to the head, neck, and spine. About 43% of the injuries are the result of falls, some of those inside the bounce house itself. And in another 16% of cases, children get injured from bouncing out of the house. Some injuries are the result of roughhousing, crowding, and collisions between children (and sometimes adults) of different sizes, ages, and weights.
Some Tips to Enhance Safety for Your Children at Bounce Houses
Safety advocates recommend that you do not leave your child unsupervised in a bounce house, that you don’t let children of different sizes and ages play inside the house at the same time, that you warn them against performing stunts inside the bounce house (another primary cause of bounce house injuries), and that you limit use of the bounce house to children aged 6 and older who have a lower risk of injury there.
Know the Risks of Serious Injury and Fatalities from Inflatable Toys
Your children’s safety is paramount. Our Houston injury attorneys realize that there is a tendency for both children and adults to assume that the inflatable bounce house is a perfectly safe pastime because it appears soft and cushioned. But nothing is perfectly safe. And the bouncy quality that provides so much fun can also lead to danger when it bounces a kid out of the house onto the ground or into a forceful collision with another child.
And as you may know from our Houston injury attorneys’ past articles on the inflatable Banzai water slide recall and the injuries and deaths licked to it, inflatable toys can pose other dangers. Sometimes portions of the toy will suddenly deflate, leading to falls and injuries. And uneven inflation can also cause falls, paralysis, and other serious injuries. Watch our video to learn more about the dangers from inflatable toys like the Banzai water slide.
Bounce Houses Bringing on the Bumps, Bruises, and Broken Bones
A recent research study focused on the popular children’s attraction of inflatable bounce houses. (Source: Jeff Rossen and Robert Powell, msnbc.com, 11/26/12) A study published in the journal Pediatrics notes that the number of bounce house injuries has doubled just between 2008 and 2010.
The number of injuries has been steadily climbing over the past two decades with the emergence of inflatable bounce houses as a popular children’s pastime at theme parks, carnivals, neighborhood festivals, and children’s birthday parties. Dr. Gary Smith, lead author on the research study in Pediatrics, says that an average of 30 children per day go to the emergency room with injuries from bounce houses.
Contact the Houston Injury Attorneys at Denena & Points to Report Your Child’s Serious Injury from a Bounce House Encounter
Federal agencies keep tabs on reports of injury relating to children’s toys in order to determine when recalls and other safety warnings are appropriate. At Denena & Points, we want to make sure that these agencies have the data they need to ensure our children’s safety and that you have the strong advocacy you need to obtain fair recompense after your child has been injured by a dangerous or defective product.
Contact us to report your child’s injury from a bounce house. We’re available at 281-369-4363 or through our online contact form. Our Houston injury attorneys will be happy to discuss the accident injury with you and evaluate your case through a free, no obligation legal consultation. Just get in touch, and we’ll arm you with the information you need to make wise decisions regarding your injured child’s future.
The Major Types of Injury Resulting from Inflatable Bounce Houses
The injuries are primarily sprains and fractured bones, some of them to the head, neck, and spine. About 43% of the injuries are the result of falls, some of those inside the bounce house itself. And in another 16% of cases, children get injured from bouncing out of the house. Some injuries are the result of roughhousing, crowding, and collisions between children (and sometimes adults) of different sizes, ages, and weights.
Some Tips to Enhance Safety for Your Children at Bounce Houses
Safety advocates recommend that you do not leave your child unsupervised in a bounce house, that you don’t let children of different sizes and ages play inside the house at the same time, that you warn them against performing stunts inside the bounce house (another primary cause of bounce house injuries), and that you limit use of the bounce house to children aged 6 and older who have a lower risk of injury there.
Know the Risks of Serious Injury and Fatalities from Inflatable Toys
Your children’s safety is paramount. Our Houston injury attorneys realize that there is a tendency for both children and adults to assume that the inflatable bounce house is a perfectly safe pastime because it appears soft and cushioned. But nothing is perfectly safe. And the bouncy quality that provides so much fun can also lead to danger when it bounces a kid out of the house onto the ground or into a forceful collision with another child.
And as you may know from our Houston injury attorneys’ past articles on the inflatable Banzai water slide recall and the injuries and deaths licked to it, inflatable toys can pose other dangers. Sometimes portions of the toy will suddenly deflate, leading to falls and injuries. And uneven inflation can also cause falls, paralysis, and other serious injuries. Watch our video to learn more about the dangers from inflatable toys like the Banzai water slide.
What are the Legal Issues You Face after a Deck Collapse in the U.S.?
After a deck collapses and people are injured or killed, government and private accident investigators go to work to determine why the deck collapsed and who is liable for the injuries. The government investigators may build a criminal case or gather data to further better building codes, inspections, and enforcement.
The private investigators will make in-depth inquiries to determine who is at fault, what proportion of the fault they bear, and who must pay for the harm that resulted from the collapse. Injured victims and the family members of victims killed in the collapse must prove the element of fault against the liable parties in order to obtain financial compensation for their accident losses.
The victims and their families may be in sore need of that compensation after the deck collapse has left them unable to work or without the family breadwinner. Victims might be disabled and have enormous medical bills that they could never hope to pay without fair injury compensation. Victims might even be without health, medical, or long term disability insurance.
The property owner will usually be the one that victims look to for their compensation after a defect results in a dangerous deck collapse and injury. The property owner in turn could look to builders, architects, engineers, and building materials manufacturers to bear some or all of the financial responsibility for the deck collapse.
Proving fault and who bears what share of the blame in a deck collapse can be a lengthy and complex process. Qualified expert witnesses are often essential to help prove the liability of materials suppliers, builders, architects, engineers, and even negligent inspectors.
If you’re injured in a deck collapse, you’ll need the help of an experienced attorney knowledgeable about complex structural collapse issues.
Contact the Experienced Deck Collapse Injury Attorneys at Denena & Points when you need Help after a Structural Collapse Accident
The deck collapse injury attorneys at Denena & Points are among the nation’s handful of lawyers with solid, hands on experience proving complex structural collapse injury cases. We have long-term experience as trial attorneys as well as extensive experience successfully handling settlement negotiations.
We understand the pain, emotional trauma, and heavy financial burdens you face after a serious deck collapse injury. Our deck collapse injury attorneys foster a culture of integrity, courtesy, and understanding in order to provide our clients with strong advocacy and affordable legal counsel.
We always offer a FREE, no obligation legal consultation. And our deck collapse injury attorneys believe that injured clients should not bear the legal burden of a case. We only charge you attorneys’ fees if we WIN your case for you. Contact us today for your free consultation. Just call 281-369-4363 or use our convenient online contact form. Let us help you make a fair financial recovery after your injury.
Catastrophic Cinder Building Block Collapse Crushes Builder Berberi
A neighbor who witnessed the fatal event and tried to help rescue the builder said that Arben Berberi was crouched with head down and back to a tall cinder block wall when it suddenly collapsed and fell on Berberi, crushing him. The neighbor said there was no warning and he saw no clear cause for the wall collapse.
Apparently a county official some weeks ago had instructed Berberi and his fellow builders to tear down what they had built so far because it was not secure and posed a danger of collapse. Our structural collapse accident attorneys point out that the men complied and responsibly started over.
Arben Berberi and his relatives Genci Shkullaku and Shahin Shkullaku had been in the process of building an addition onto a home at 8080 Robin Road in Seminole, FL. When the collapse occurred, Berberi’s family and the neighbor tried to pull him from the wreckage of the heavy wall, but could not save him. Berberi, 52, was pronounced dead at the scene of the tragic wall collapse.
Our structural collapse accident attorneys note that although state records apparently do not record Berberi and his fellow builders as general contractors, a family member said that all three had construction experience and that Berberi had built the home that the family was living in currently. (Source: John Woodrow Cox, Laura C. Morel, Natalie A. Watson, and Caryn Baird, Tampa Bay Times, 11/23/12)
The cause of the catastrophic cinder block wall collapse remains under investigation. Building collapses require careful investigation, as causes can be difficult to pinpoint and piece together. Failure of structural connections, failure to properly brace and shore up structural elements under construction, inadequate foundations, and substandard materials, as well as workman error are among the more common causes of structural collapses. In a masonry wall, horizontal cracks are particularly dangerous. Vertical cracks also pose risks of sudden structural failure.
Contact the Experienced Structural Collapse Accident Attorneys at Denena & Points when You have Questions after a Serious Accident has Harmed Your Family
Often several problems interact to cause a catastrophic collapse accident. Sudden structural collapses pose severe dangers of injury and fatality. Our structural collapse accident attorneys always provide a FREE initial legal consultation to discuss the accident, answer your questions, and evaluate your case. And you have no obligation to hire an attorney.
Contact us for your free, no obligation consultation and the information you need to begin your journey down the road to financial recovery after a catastrophic collapse accident. You can get in touch with us at 281-369-4363 or by filling out our easy online contact form. We’re here to help when you need us.
5 Black Friday Tips for Safer Shopping at U.S. Retailers
Black Friday frenzy has become something of a tradition. Shoppers armed with guns, pepper spray, and bad attitudes will apparently go to any lengths to get a bargain or save a few bucks. To avoid the mayhem, you could observe a few precautions and still save big bucks on your purchases. Our Houston personal injury lawyers offer a few safe shopping tips:
1) Consider shopping on Cyber Monday instead. Many brick and mortar retailers offer special online discounts to shoppers on the web. And you don’t have to fight the crowds or risk being trampled as doors open for special Black Friday sales events.
2) Avoid the big push to get in as store doors open. Some retailers this year are offering staggered sales events with different deep discounts kicking in at different hours.
3) Be willing to let go of that major bargain if capturing it involves confrontation with an idiot ready to take your life or limb.
4) Be conscious of your safety in the parking lot as you walk to and from your car. Try to park close to store doors and in a well-lighted place. Have companions with you if feasible. Last year’s Black Friday sales events saw armed robbers waiting in parking lots to take shoppers’ purchases from them at gunpoint.
5) Plan your shopping trip carefully. Some chain retailers, like Target and Wal-Mart, have different locations that carry the same merchandise but offer less crowded and hectic shopping conditions. You’ll have a better chance of securing your desired bargain items safely if you choose one of the less popular or more out-of-the-way store locations.
Contact our Houston Personal Injury Lawyers if You’ve been Injured in an Accident
Black Friday shopping confrontations led to numerous personal injuries last year. Our Houston personal injury lawyers always offer you a FREE initial consultation to discuss and evaluate your case. You have no obligation to hire an attorney. Your free consultation may be the best bargain you receive all year. Contact us at 281-369-4363 or just fill out our easy online contact form. We’re here to help when you need us.
On Food, Folly, Fungus, and Fatality
Over the past few months, you’ve probably all heard news about the widespread meningitis outbreak linked to two types of fairly common fungi. At least one of the culprits in the deadly outbreak is a fungus typically found in many backyards.
Read our Texas Injury Attorneys’ Article on the Deadly Meningitis Outbreak Linked to Fungus Contamination
And don’t hesitate to contact us if you have questions after you or a loved one have been sickened by contaminated food or medicine. Our Texas injury attorneys always offer you a FREE, no obligation initial legal consultation/case evaluation. We’re available by phone at 281-369-4363 or online. Just fill out our convenient “Get Help Now” contact form.
On the Mushroom Poisoning at a California Senior Care Facility
And you may also have read the more recent news of California senior citizens who have been sickened and killed by eating soup containing a toxic fungus: a backyard mushroom. A caregiver in the backyard of a California senior citizens’ care facility apparently picked the mushrooms. And the deadly soup was prepared and served there.
So far three people are known to have sickened and another three are known to have died from the toxic mushroom poisoning. (Source: Cincinnati.com, 11/21/12) The families of the victims must be devastated to lose their elder relatives to such a foolish and unnecessary event. Our hearts go out to them.
Never Pick and Eat Wild Mushrooms
Non-toxic mushrooms are notoriously hard to distinguish from the toxic ones. And poisonous mushrooms have been used famously throughout history to remove inconvenient people. Some historians ascribe Emperor Claudius’ death to a toxic mushroom.
And from time to time, one reads of prominent members of wild mushroom societies sickening and dying from failing to properly distinguish one fungus from another. Our Texas injury attorneys caution: it is extremely foolhardy to pick and serve or eat mushrooms found wild in the backyard or any other place. Just don’t do it. You might be held liable for negligence should anyone become sick or die from your act.
10 Holiday Driving Tips You Need to Know to Stay Safe on Texas Roads
Around 3.3 million Texans are expected to take to the roads this Thanksgiving. A lot of them will be in a hurry. Some will be distracted in their vehicles by cell phones, chattering children, and companions. Most of them will probably be tired. And some may have gotten an early start on the holiday cheer and will be driving drunk. To arrive safely at your destination and enjoy your holiday, our Texas accident attorneys caution that you need to avoid all of these dangers.
Need Help after a Holiday Road Accident? Download our FREE Book with the Information You Need to cope with a Serious Wreck
Click on the book icon on this web page to download your FREE book from the experienced Texas accident attorneys at Denena Points, PC. The book provides key information you need to know to protect your rights and take the proper steps towards a successful accident injury claim. If you still have questions after downloading our book, just call our Texas accident attorneys at 281-369-4363 or fill out our “Get Help Now” online contact form to begin your free, no obligation legal consultation.
Your Driving Tips Towards a Safer Holiday Road Trip
1) Make sure your vehicle is well maintained and in good shape before you set out on your journey. Check the tires, the oil, and other fluids.
2) Ensure that you and your passengers are properly restrained by seat belts as you travel. Seat belts can prevent ejection from the vehicle, a primary cause of fatal road injuries, in the event of an accident.
3) Don’t drink and drive. If you want to enjoy some holiday cheer with alcohol, make sure there’s a designated driver who doesn’t imbibe. Texas DPS troopers and local law enforcement authorities across the state have announced stepped up efforts over the holidays to enhance driving safety by pulling drunk drivers off the roads.
4) Don’t text and drive. Avoid distraction and keep your eyes and attention on the road.
5) Give yourself plenty of time to get to your destination. Account for traffic backups from construction, accidents, and weather.
6) Get plenty of sleep before you drive. Avoid driver fatigue, which can lead to serious, even fatal, accidents. Take frequent breaks on long trips to help stay alert.
7) Drive courteously.
8) Don’t attempt to pass another vehicle if you can’t clearly see enough space to safely do so.
9) Pull over to allow emergency vehicles to pass if you see their flashing lights or hear their sirens.
10) Be aware of the actions of others around you on the roads and drive defensively.