February 16, 2010

Highway Work Zone Crashes Decline, But Dangers Still High

The North County Times is out today with an article on highway work zone safety. The good news is that the number of accidents and injuries is down. The bad news is that doing road work is still a very dangerous way to earn a living.

Nick Nusser is a contractor from Atkinson Construction, and is one of many workers who make their living working on the side of the highway while cars race by. His "office is the freeway," which, he says, makes him keep his "head on a swivel." The only thing keeping him safe from careless drivers is a low concrete divider and an orange vest.

Despite the obvious dangers of working on the highway - which have no doubt increased with the advent of texting - the number of car accidents in work zones has actually declined over the last decade. The number of crashes statewide has declined from 6,901 in 1998 to 4,374 in 2008. Injuries and fatalities have also declined dramatically.

CalTrans officials credit the reduction in accidents and injuries to safety campaigns, which will continue as a result of a $3 million grant. High fines have also played a role in the improved safety, officials say.

To read the entire North County Times article click here.

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Here are some statistics for accidents, injuries, and fatalities in highway work zones:

1998

54 fatalities

3,537 injuries

6,901 vehicle collisions

2008

45 fatalities

2,062 injuries

4,374 vehicle collisions

1998 San Diego / Imperial Counties

4 fatalities

246 injuries

330 vehicle collisions

2008 San Diego/Imperial Counties

4 fatalities

169 injuries

319 vehicle collisions

Source: Caltrans

The accident and injury lawyers at Walton Law Firm represent individuals who have been injured in all types of accidents, including auto accidents, worksite injuries, pedestrian injuries, construction accidents, property injuries, and malpractice matters. Call (760) 571-5500 for a free consultation.

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Posted In: Auto Accidents , Construction Accidents , Pedestrian Accidents , Personal Injury

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July 20, 2009

Death of Hispanic Workers on the Rise

While deaths in the workplace have declined over the last 20 years, the number of Hispanic workers who are killed on the job has increased. According to federal statistics, deaths of Hispanic workers increased from 533 in 1992 to 937 in 2007, an increase of 76%.

"I am particularly concerned about our Hispanic workforce, as Latinos often work low-wage jobs and are more susceptible to injuries in the workplace than other workers," U.S. Labor Secretary Hilda Solis told USA TODAY. "There can be no excuses for negligence in protecting workers, not even a language barrier."

According to records, Hispanic workers have fallen off roofs and scaffolding, been crushed under machinery and run over by trucks, according to workers' rights advocates. One reason for the increase is the number of Hispanics in the workforce. In the last decade, Hispanics have increased their percentage in the workforce from 10% to 14%. Another is that many Hispanic workers are without legal documentation to be in the U.S. and are less likely to join a union, which helps protect workers.

Source: USA Today

The San Diego accident and injury lawyers at Walton Law Firm LLP represent individuals injured in all types of accidents, including construction accidents, auto accidents, slip and falls, dog bites, and malpractice matters. Call (790) 607-1325 for a free consultation, or fill out an online contact form.

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Posted In: Construction Accidents , General Legal , Personal Injury

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March 21, 2009

Orange County Blast Kills Two, Injures Two

An electrical water heater exploded yesterday in a Rancho Santa Margarita plastics factory, killing two employees and injuring two others. The men killed, Isidro Echeverria of Oceanside and Jose Jimenez of Garden Grove, were working the night shift at Solus Industrial Innovations when the blast occurred.

Investigators are trying to determine what caused the explosion, which was so forceful it buckled walls and blew chunks of concrete into the air.

Attorney Randy Walton was involved in a very similar explosion case five years ago when a water heater exploded in a San Diego County factory and seriously injured two employees. A lawsuit was filed against the water heater manufacturer for designing and manufacturing a defective product, as well as against a propane distributor for its contribution to the accident.

It is very likely that OSHA investigators will determine what caused this Orange County accident, which will likely be related to the design, manufacture, instillation or maintenance of the water heater.

The personal injury and wrongful death lawyers at Walton Law Firm LLP represent individuals and families throughout Southern California who have suffered due to automobile accidents, work site accidents, defective products, spinal and brain injuries, dog bites, and other accident cases. Call (866) 607-1325 for a free and confidential consultation.

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Posted In: Construction Accidents , Defective Products , Wrongful Death

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October 2, 2008

Lawsuit Filed In San Diego Walkway Collapse

Personal injury victims of the walkway collapse in San Diego on August 28th have filed the first lawsuit arising from the accident. The lawsuit was filed in Los Angeles on behalf of Tyrone and Tina Allen, despite the fact the couple lives in San Diego. The lawsuit names Paramount Scaffold Company of Carson, and Allgire General Contractors, of Carlsbad, as defendants.

According to reports, Mr. Allen suffered significant and paralyzing injuries in the accident, and remains hospitalized at Scripps Mercy in Hillcrest. A total of 16 people were injured in the incident, which was caught on tape (we've blogged about this previously, click here to see the video).

No doubt there will be more lawsuits filed as a result of this accident, and the cases may very well be consolidated into a single case in San Diego. We'll keep updating this story.

Posted by Walton Law Firm | | Email This Post

Posted In: Construction Accidents , Personal Injury

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September 10, 2008

Oceanside Man Severely Burned in Construction Accident

An Oceanside construction worker suffered serious burn injuries yesterday when a can filled with gasoline exploded as he was attempting to fill the tank of a chainsaw. According to reports, the 35-year-old worker suffered severe burns over 50% of his legs and was taken by helicopter to UCSD Medical Center.

The incident occurred at Martin Luther King Jr. Park on Mesa Drive where a construction crew is building a skate park. It appears that fumes from the chainsaw ignited fumes coming from the gas can. Cal-OSHA is investigating.

Safely filling a chainsaw usually requires using an approved container, depending the brand of the saw. Such a container would limit the amount of fumes or spillage that could occur when filling the tank, thus limiting the chance of ignition. That is a questions OSHA will no doubt answer.

Walton Law Firm LLP has represented burn victims in product liability cases involving explosion, the most recent involving an accident where a propane tank exploded during refilling. Burn injuries, of course, are some of the most serious and damaging injures a human can experience, and require extensive and long-term medical care.

Posted by Walton Law Firm | | Email This Post

Posted In: Burn Injuries , Construction Accidents , Defective Products , Personal Injury

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August 29, 2008

Walkway Collapse Injures Sixteen in Downtown San Diego

Cal-OSHA is investigating what caused a wooden pedestrian walkway to collapse in downtown San Diego yesterday. The accident occurred during the lunch hour next to an apartment building under construction at 15th Street and Imperial Avenue, and injured 16 people.

According to witnesses, the walkway first began to sway, then gave way, sending people and debris falling to the ground where pedestrians scrambled. According to one witness, "the whole darn walkway fell down."

The caused of the accident is currently under investigation. What is known is that the developer for the project is San Diego-based Affirmed Housing Group, and the general contractor for the site is Allgire General Contractors of Carlsbad. It is being reported that state records show that Allgire has had at least two accidents in the past four years. One incident resulted in a $16,000 citation for a serious violation of state safety law.

There are reports that 16 people suffered personal injuries in the accident, including three with injuries that were described as serious. The most severe injuries being reported are a broken leg and a broken back. All of the victims are expected to survive.

UPDATE I: The Union Tribune is reporting this morning that two people remain in critical condition after the walkway accident yesterday. Some of the injured were homeless people who live at the St. Vincent de Paul Village across the street from the construction site. Also, Cal-OSHA is stating that it could take several months for the cause to be determined.

UPDATE II [9/3]: It is being reported today that three seriously injured individuals from the August 28 walkway collapse are still hospitalized. The most serious appears to be one victim who suffered a "broken back." According the San Diego Union Tribune, the victims ages ranged from 16 to 64. The incident is still being investigated, and we will be keeping on top of this story.

UPDATE III [9/8]: Raw video footage of the accident has been release and can be found on the local NBC website (click here). It is being reported that OSHA may take up to six months to complete its investigation.

Walton Law Firm LLP represent is a consumer law firm that represents the victims of personal injury, wrongful death, and elder abuse and neglect. Cases are taken throughout San Diego County, and consultations are always free.

Posted by Walton Law Firm | | Email This Post

Posted In: Construction Accidents , Pedestrian Accidents , Personal Injury , San Diego Personal Injury

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