Recent news has contained numerous stories of the dangers of concussions and how helmets have been inadequate to prevent serious injuries. Further, as evidenced by numerous lawsuits, many believe that the NFL as well as coaches and others charged with the safety of our athletes have ignored concerns about brain trauma in an effort to win games. Despite mounting evidence of the long-term effects of concussions, little has been done to improve the quality of helmets designed to protect players from brain injuries.

Indy racing icons Bill Simpson and Chip Ganassi have now developed a company that applies their knowledge of racing equipment safety in the design of a new football helmet.

Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) such as concussions are the result of blunt force trauma to the head. Although TBIs resulting from football injuries have been getting a lot of press recently, similar brain injuries occur frequently as the result of a car accidents, motorcycle accidents and slips and falls. Any time you experience a sudden jolt or blow to your head, you are in danger of suffering a brain injury. Although the severity of a brain injury can vary, even the most mild bran injury should be evaluation by a medical professional. Mild brain injuries, left untreated or undiagnosed can worsen over time.

In mild brain injury cases, symptoms may be vague. You may experience headaches, dizziness, forgetfulness and confusion. Symptoms of severe brain injuries are often more recognizable and include vomiting, seizures, dilated pupils and extreme fatigue. All brain injuries have the potential to result in long term difficulties such as mood swings, personality changes, loss of memory and confusion.

In the instance of football players, current lawsuits have alleged that although the NFL and others knew of the dangers of concussions, they ignored these dangers, putting the health of players in peril in order to win more games.

The new helmet design created by Simpson and Ganassi seeks to eliminate this danger. So far the helmet has met with success. Last year, of the 20 players who wore the helmet during games none suffered a concussion. However, there were some complaints – such as that the padding becoming “soggy and smelly.”

The helmets are made of new materials such as carbon fiber, Kevlar and “other exotic materials,” and looks like a regular football helmet. However, the feel of the helmet is different and provides significantly more cushioning. As stated in the Sports Illustrated article, “The ultimate test for the new helmet isn’t going to be done in a lab. It’s going to be whether this helmet will get out to players and reduce the numbers and severity of concussions.”

For more information about brain injuries, or if you have suffered a concussion or other brain injury, contact a top Stockton brain injury lawyers at the Law Office of Frederick J. Sette for an immediate consultation.

A new lawsuit has been filed by 72 former football players against the National Football league alleging that the league was responsible for their injuries and damages – including brain injuries and head trauma. The lawsuit – Richards et al v. National Football League – claims that the league conspired “to prevent players from having accurate an correct scientific information about head traumas in the NFL in order to prevent knowledgeable and informed collective bargaining on behalf of the plaintiffs.

Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) can arise from a variety of situations but generally occur as the result of a sudden blow to the head. Common situations that cause TBIs include car accidents, slips and falls and sports accidents. If you believe that you or a loved one has suffered a brain injury as the result of another person’s actions, it’s important to speak to an experienced Stockton brain injury lawyer. Where someone’s negligent or wrongful conduct causes a head injury – such as a TBI – it may be possible to recover compensation.

In the football players brain injury lawsuit, the players allege that the NFL was legally responsible for causing neurological problems and other harm as the result of playing football and that the complaint “arises from the pathological and debilitating effects of head injuries and concussions.” The players also assert that the NFL was aware of “the evidence and the risks associated with repetitive traumatic brain injuries and concussions for decades, but deliberately ignored and actively concealed the information.”

Additionally according to the lawsuit, rather than warning the players about the risk for permanent brain damage from returning to play to soon after receiving a concussion, the “NFL actively deceived players by misrepresenting to them that concussions did not present serious, life-altering risks.”

If you believe you have suffered a brain injury seek immediate medical attention. Even mild brain injuries if left untreated or undiagnosed can worsen over time.

Where you believe another person, company or governmental entity may be responsible for your injuries, you may be able to recover damages for physical and mental pain and suffering, medical bills and economic damages for time off from work or lost wages.

For more information about brain injuries, contact the topStockton brain and head injury lawyers at the Law Offices of Frederick J. Sette for an immediate consultation.

A Northern California doctor has been accused of gross negligence in connection with prescription drugs. According to a report issued by the Medical Board of California, Dr. Thomas Neuschatz allegedly prescribed “escalating doses” of narcotics to patients who already had addiction issues. Further, he failed to take steps to determine and alleviate their complaints of pain.

The wrongful death and negligence complaint alleges that the doctor who practiced in Marysville, Chico and rural Yuba County caused the deaths of nine patients under his care. If you suspect a physician’s conduct has lead to the death of a loved one, seek the advice of a top Stockton wrongful death attorney right away. You may be able to recover compensation and protect others from harm.

Unfortunately, complaints such as those against Neuschatz are not uncommon. Prescription pain pills have been linked to more than 15,000 deaths/year or 41/day in the United States, making it a “national epidemic” according to the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). One of the main culprits is the rise in prescriptions for morphine-based drugs, including oxycodone, methadone and Soma.

Specific complaints include that Neuschatz prescribed painkillers far in excess of the recommended amounts and that he continued to prescribe drugs to a 19-year-old boy who had a history of drug abuse.

Gross negligence claims against physicians arise as the result of “repeated acts of clearly excessive prescribing, furnishing, dispensing, or administering, of drugs or treatment …. as determined by the standard of the community of licensees…for a physician and surgeon, dentist, podiatrist, psychologist, physical therapist, chiropractor, optometrist, speech-language pathologist, or audiologist.”

In addition to the claim against Neuschatz, the California medical board has filed a complaint against an East Bay doctor – Edward Manougian – for his alleged activity in prescribing narcotic pain pills to patients who subsequently died.

A complaint has also been filed against a Santa Barbara doctor nicknamed the “candy man” who has been linked to at least a dozen patient deaths as the result of prescription drug negligence.

If the Medical Board of California determines that Neuschatz is guilty of gross negligence, he may lose his license to practice medicine in California and be subject to significant fines and penalties.

The disciplinary actions are separate from any civil action – including wrongful death lawsuits or medical malpractice actions – that may be filed by the patients or the patients’ surviving family members.

For more information about medical malpractice, prescription negligence or if you believe you or a family member has suffered an injury as the result of the actions of a medical professional please do not hesitate to contact a top Stockton wrongful death lawyer at the Law Offices of Frederick J. Sette. Our dedicated California personal injury lawyers are dedicated to protecting your rights.

According to the Los Angeles Times, the Metro Blue Line has earned a dubious distinction. It is reportedly on pace to have more deaths this year than any other in its two-decade history, as well as ranking as one of California’s deadliest rail transit routes. The Metro Blue line extends from Long Beach to the 7th Street Metro Center in downtown Los Angeles. In its first few years of existence, it averaged a little over 50 accidents per year, and in 1999, it had the most fatalities of any other route in California with 10 deaths and 50 accidents involved collisions with other motor vehicles at railroad crossings.

If you or a loved on has been injured in a railroad accident, seek the advice of a top Stockton accident attorney right away in order to explore your options and ensure you obtain the compensation you deserve. So far this year the blue line has seen six fatalities and twenty-two accidents.

As a result of the number of collisions, officials implemented several different safety measures including photo enforcement at crossing to discourage drivers from racing through intersections in an effort to beat oncoming trains. However, this year the number of accidents has spiked with a high number of suicides, which create additional concerns.

Additionally, families of those killed and injured victims point to safety concerns involving maintenance of the light rail system and dangers along its tracks. Safety advocates are calling for immediate action to decrease the likelihood of accidents.

As stated by the father of a boy killed along the tracks “This is what I call negligence,” ..”How many more deaths have to occur in order for somebody to do something about it?”

Any time a railway accident occurs, a number of factors may be at play. In some instances, a motor vehicle or individual ignores safety alerts such as the gates lowering, flashing lights and sounds. However, other times these warning signals are absent either as the result of a defect, failure to maintain the railway properly or other error such as train engineers failing to slow down to avoid accidents or sounding their horn to warn any vehicles or pedestrians in their path.

From a legal standpoint, the blue line or any other rail system may be found negligent if they breach their “duty of reasonable care” to their passengers or others and this breach causes a foreseeable harm. For example, while trains generally have right of way, railroads must exercise care when their lines cross roads. Railroads meet this requirement by erecting crossing barriers, posting signs or guards, and maintaining any protective or warning devices. Persons killed or injured by a train at a crossing may claim that the railroad was negligent in exercising this care.

Where the blue line or any other rail way has been found negligent, they may be required to pay compensation for injuries caused or other damages in a wrongful death case.

For more information about railroad negligence or if you or a loved one has been injured in a railroad accident, please contact a top Stockton personal injury lawyer at the Law Offices of Frederick J. Sette for an immediate consultation.

This Tuesday marked a significant change in the automobile industry. California signed Senate Bill 1298 requiring the state adopt rules and regulations for the operations of driverless cars like the one’s Google has been testing.

Specifically the bill provides:

“Existing law requires the Department of the California Highway Patrol to adopt rules and regulations that are designed to promote the safe operation of specific vehicles, including, among other things, school buses and commercial motor vehicles … This bill would require the department to adopt safety standards and performance requirements to ensure the safe operation and testing of “autonomous vehicles,” as defined, on the public roads in this state. The bill would permit autonomous vehicles to be operated or tested on the public roads in this state pending the adoption of safety standards and performance requirements that would be adopted under this bill.”

This means that it will be legal for driverless cars to operate on California’s roadways. This raises several obvious questions such as: Are driverless cars safe? Will the number of California car accidents increase with driverless cars on the road? And, Who is responsible for an accident that occurs with a driverless vehicle??

While the answers to these questions and many others will be sorted out over the next several years, many of these questions have been addressed preliminarily.

For example, Google CEO Larry Page explained that the driverless cars use artificial-intelligence software that can sense anything near the car and mimic the decisions made by a human driver. This makes them safer than those with drivers. And the statistics back him up. In the 300,000 miles driven since Google began testing its vehicles, there have only been two car accidents. One was a fender bender that was the result of human error and another was a rear-ending accident that occurred at a traffic light. He continues, “So far, we have heard of no incident in which a driverless car was responsible for a crash because of being a driverless car. ”

Contrast this with a much larger number of humans involved in car crashes cars during Google’s 300,000 miles.

Robots who have faster reaction times than humans and will not get into accidents as the result of distracted driving, driving while fatigued or driving under the influence.

The driverless cars will also help prevent deaths and personal injury accidents for teens just learning to drive – the technology will teach them to drive and learn the rules of the road.

As stated by a driverless proponent after riding in one of Google’s vehicles: “It’s just almost a life-changing experience. You sit down, you drive through the parking lot, and you’re like ‘Why am I driving,’ you know?”

The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers predicts that self-driving cars will account for 75% of traffic by 2040.

For more information or if you have been involved in any type of motor vehicle, contact the top Stockton car accident lawyers at the Law Office of Frederick J. Sette for an immediate consultation.

A recent lawsuit filed by the city of Los Altos against a homeowner underscores the various factors that may be involved in any one accident and the need to have an experienced Stockton personal injury lawyer evaluate all possible causes of an incident.

The recent California negligence case filed by the city of Los Altos against Mark Choo alleges that dangerous conditions on his property led to a serious injury accident. According to the lawsuit, two women were attempting to cross a road. Although a car traveling northbound stopped to allow the women to cross, a car behind them failed to slow down and rear-ended the vehicle, sending the car into the women. The women suffered serious and permanent personal injuries.

Numerous causes may be to blame in this accident, which remains under investigation. The city claims that the property owner is at fault for allowing a large tree on Choo’s property to become overgrown and obscure visibility. Choo claims that the tree does not obstruct the crosswalk and that he had been instructed by PG & E not to trim the branches. Further, allegation exists that the intersection itself was dangerous, and that the city was to blame.

Finally, questions are raised concerning the driver’s failure to stop.

In any car accident, numerous issues are raised when trying to determine who may be at fault for personal injuries and who should be held responsible for paying compensation to those harmed.

In any car accident, numerous issues are raised when trying to determine who may be at fault for personal injuries and who should be held responsible for paying compensation to those harmed.

For more information or if you have been injured in a car accident, contact a top Stockton car accident lawyer at the Law Office of Frederick J. Sette for an immediate consultation.

The recent tragic car accident involving a California woman underscores the dangers of distracted driving. Sacramento news reports that a 22-year-old woman was driving Saturday when her car went off the road at a high speed and crashed into a utility pole. Reports indicate that “cell-phone distraction” may have been a factor in the crash because a call was taking place at the time of the accident. The woman was pronounced dead at the scene.

Despite significant efforts to reduce the incidence of distracted driving – including California’s hands free law – a majority of Californians admit to engaging in distracted driving. In fact, A University of San Diego study revealed that 78% of college students admitted to using a phone while driving.

Further, Reports indicate that in April’s distracted driving sweep by law agencies across California resulted in 57,000 electronic distracted driving tickets. Another 3,800 were written for general distracted driving, the Office of Traffic Safety reported May 16.

Last week Senate Bill 1310 was approved, increasing fines by $30 to $251 for a first offense, and $60 to $372 for each subsequent offense.

Under current law:

• Adult drivers (18 and older) may only use hands-free devices.

• Drivers are prohibited from sending text messages.

• Minors are prohibited from using wireless phones while driving — with or without hands-free accessories.

• School bus operators and transit bus drivers prohibited from using cell phones while driving.

For more information about distracted driving or if you have been injured in an accident where distracted driving may have been a factor, please contact the skilled Stockton car accident lawyers at the Law Office of Frederick J. Sette for an immediate consultation.

A recent pedestrian accident has raised questions of safety. Pedro Velez-Hernandez was walking in a bicycle lane when he was struck by a vehicle that veered into the bike lane.

As a result of the accident, neighbors and residents raised concerns that the lack of sidewalks and fast traffic led to this death. While many times, accidents may just “happen” other times several causes lead to a serious personal injury or wrongful death. If you have or a loved one has been injured in an accident, it is important to contact a top Stockton accident lawyer to evaluate your rights and determine your next steps.

In some situations, “negligent roadway design” may be considered a factor in an accident, and in these cases, a municipality or other entity responsible for designing the particular thoroughfare may be found liable for accidents that occur. Negligent roadway design includes things such as poorly lit street, inadequate signage, and sometimes, the lack of sidewalks to accommodate foot traffic.

News reports note:

“Nationally, there are more than twice as many pedestrian fatalities in roadways and thoroughfares without sidewalks.”

Further, the California Vehicle Code prohibits pedestrians from using bicycle paths “where there is an adjacent adequate pedestrian facility,” in a code adjustment passed in 1977. But the code allows pedestrians to use roads and bicycle lanes when there’s no sidewalk – and, therefore, no other options.”

Here, the accident remains under investigation.

For more information or if you have been involved in a Stockton accident, contact the top Stockton accident lawyers at the Law Office of Frederick J. Sette for an immediate consultation.

Stockton news reports that a California teenager was killed in a bicycle v. vehicle accident this past week. Unfortunately, the incidence of California pedestrian accidents remains high, with two California cities – San Francisco and Los Angeles – having some of the highest rates of pedestrian v. vehicle and bicycle v. vehicle accidents in the country. According to the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute, pedestrian traffic fatalities in Los Angeles are nearly triple the national average.

Further, National Public Radio (NPR) reveals that in 2012, the LAPD recorded more than 2,500 motor vehicle vs. pedestrian incidents.

If you have been injured in any type of roadway accident, including a pedestrian accident or bicycle accident, it is important to contact an experienced Stockton personal injury lawyer right away. A knowledgeable Stockton accident lawyer can begin an investigation into all of the factors that may have caused or contributed to an injury accident and ensure you receive all the compensation you deserve.

Common injuries in pedestrian accidents.

Where pedestrian v. automobile or bicycle v. automobile accidents occur, the potential for serious injury is great.

Common injuries include:

• Traumatic brain injuries
• Spinal cord injuries
• Broken bones
•Cuts and bruises

And in the worst-case scenario, death.

An experienced personal injury lawyer can help you or your family recover compensation for your injuries.

Causes of Pedestrian and Bicycle Accidents

Pedestrian and bicycle accidents occur for a variety of reasons. In some situations, a pedestrian or bicyclist may be partially responsible for an accident, such as if he or she does not have the right of way or fails to pay attention before entering the roadway (listening to music, walking and texting or biking and texting can be dangerous when it distracts you from paying attention to your surroundings.)

Other times, the driver of the automobile may be at fault. This includes drunk driving accidents, distracted driving accidents and other situations where the driver of a vehicle drives recklessly or negligently, resulting in an accident. Like many cities across the country, including Stockton, Sacramento and San Francisco, L.A. drivers and pedestrians are increasingly distracted by electronic devices. For many Californians’ the problem is exacerbated due to the amount of time California drivers spend in their cars, commuting back and forth.

It’s also always important to evaluate a potential third factor in the cause of an accident – the roadway itself. Was it adequately maintained? Was the lighting sufficient? Did any obstructions exist making it hard for drivers to see pedestrians or bikers?

Many questions arise in any accident, so it is always a good idea to consult with a top Stockton personal injury lawyer right away to answer your injury accident questions.

While the Stockton bike accident remains under investigation, it serves as a tragic reminder to everyone – from bikers to walkers to drivers – pay attention and share the road!

For more information please contact a dedicated Stockton personal injury lawyer at the Law Office of Frederick J. Sette for an immediate consultation.

Yolo County news reports that a Redwood City woman and teenager have been killed in a drunk driving car accident. According to reports, the two were killed when a truck they were riding in veered off the highway near Woodland and crashed into a tree. Initial investigations indicate that the truck had been traveling west when it left the roadway, overturned several times and crashed into a tree nearly 75 feet down an embankment. The two were pronounced dead at the scene.

The driver of the truck suffered severe injuries and remains hospitalized. It is unknown the connection between the driver and the victims. He has been arrested for two counts of DUI causing injury or death and could face additional criminal charges.

Whenever a drunk driving accident occurs, in addition to criminal penalties, drivers may face civil charges as well. Injury victims and their families may file a personal injury lawsuit for negligence or wrongful death. A wrongful death lawsuit is similar to a personal injury claim, but is filed by the surviving family members such as a child, spouse or parent. If you have been injured in a drunk driving accident or lost a loved one pursuant to a DUI crash, it is important to seek the advice of an experienced Stockton personal injury lawyer right away.

Unfortunately despite significant attention paid to the dangers of drunk driving, driver intoxication remains one of the leading causes of California auto accidents. Mother Against Drunk Driving (MADD) reports that one person dies every 30 minutes as the result of driver intoxication.

Victims of negligent drunk driving face significant expenses such as medical bills, lost wages, as well as physical and emotional pain and loss of enjoyment of life. Family members who lose loved ones may be torn apart without warning.

Typical injuries include head and neck injuries, brain injuries and spinal cord injuries.

While filing a lawsuit may the furthest thing from your mind if you have been injured or lost a loved one – it is very important to speak to a knowledgeable accident lawyer who can begin an investigation into just what happened and preserve your rights for the future. Because memories fade and as time passes, it may be more difficult to piece together what may have happened during any accident. Having an attorney represent you and take care to preserve evidence right away becomes crucial as time passes.

For more information or if you or a loved one has been injured in a drunk driving accident please contact the top Stockton accident lawyers at the Law Office of Frederick J. Sette for an immediate consultation.