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EV Accident Lawyer EV Accident Lawyer

Electric Jaguar I-Pace Catches Fire! Ehline Law Can Help

Written by MichaelEhline on . Posted in California Accident Injury News.

Electric Batteries Kill?

EV Accident Lawyer. Electric Jaguar I-Pace Catches Fire! Ehline Law Can Help

Ultimate Guide to Understanding Electric Jag Car Fires

When you buy your brand-new car, the last thing you expect is that one day, it will spontaneously catch fire and be reduced to ashes before your eyes. This is precisely what happened to Gonzalo Salazar in Florida. These days, most car manufacturers are beginning to venture into the electric vehicle business, and Jaguar is one of them. The new Jaguar I-Pace electric car has proved to be a big hit among US consumers.

This is all good and a step in the right direction regarding efforts to preserve the environment. However, the safety of the passengers has to be paramount. This means incidents of cars catching fire should not be allowed to happen.

If you have been involved in a similar situation where your car was damaged or destroyed after catching fire, Call Ehline Law at (833) LETS-SUE for a free consultation.

What Exactly Happened?

According to the report on this latest battery fire, Gonzalo Salazar parked his car in the garage after doing a few errands the previous night. He had plugged his car in before going to bed.

Salazar reported that he first noticed something wrong when he heard pops from the garage the following day. He decided to see what was making the noise, and upon walking into the garage, he saw that it was full of smoke.

Acting quickly, he drove the car out of the garage and onto the street before calling Jaguar roadside assistance. The fire soon spread, and the vehicle was engulfed in flames rapidly.

When he noticed that flames were rapidly developing underneath the car, he called 911 for help. Members of the fire department arrived and poured a particular foam fire suppressant onto the vehicle.

When the fire department arrived at the scene, Gonzalo Salazar decided to stay a safe distance until the professionals poured flame retardant foam on the car because debris was flying everywhere.

This Is Not the First Incident Involving Jaguar I-pace Electric Cars

There were other incidents involving a Jaguar I-Pace electric car, so what happened to Salazar is not isolated. In one case, the Jaguar I-Pace caught fire in the Netherlands while parked in a driveway in 2018. The same thing happened in Oregon, and yet another I-Pace, while charging, caught fire in Hungary last October.

This makes the latest incident the fourth battery fire in which a Jaguar I-Pace caught fire while charging or parked in a driveway.

Can LG Pouch Battery Cells Be the Cause?

The recent rise in battery fires can be attributed to using LG battery cells as the primary power source. Like most electric vehicles, the Kona EV and Bolt EV from Hyundai and Chevy and the Jaguar I-Pace electric car have LG pouch battery cells. This is why Jaguar I-Pace manufacturers have recently looked deeper into battery fire risks.

Tips to Remember if Your Car Catches Fire

If your electric vehicle, such as the Bolt EV or Kona EV, uses LG battery cells like this, then keep the following tips in mind in the event of a battery fire:

Make Sure Everyone Is Safe

Move everyone to a safe distance from the electric vehicle in case debris from the battery fire is flying everywhere.

Move the Vehicle to Safety if Possible

If you feel it is safe, move the car to a safe place where the flames won’t spread to the rest of the house. Should you leave the garage door open? At a minimum, leave the garage door empty to allow airflow.

Call 911 for Help

In previous cases, such as when Jaguar’s I-Pace caught fire and emergency personnel poured flame retardant foam on the vehicle, the owners were lucky they called 911 for help. If your car uses LG battery cells, you should never forget to contact the fire department rather than fight a battery fire by yourself.

Let Your Insurance Company Know

Like the one on the Jaguar I-Pace involved in this latest battery fire, LG battery cells may have specific implications regarding your insurance policy. Therefore, you should call your insurer as soon as possible.

Call a Good Lawyer

With many recently recalled Jaguar I-Pace electric cars for battery fire risks, now would be a good time to call an experienced lawyer to evaluate your options.

Ehline Law Firm Can Help

We represent all-electric vehicle owners who have faced problems with their cars catching fire through no fault.

We offer:

  • Legal Advice
  • Help to get compensation for property damage
  • Assistance in suing the car manufacturer
  • Medical and lost wage benefits if required.

Visit Ehline Law Firm Today

We will speak directly with you about whether you own a Jaguar I-Pace or any other electric vehicle. Ehline Law is here to help fight for your rights if you are in circumstances similar to those of I-Pace owner Gonzalo Salazar. Call our law offices today for a free consultation at (833) LETS-SUE.

Two seniors with a walking cane

The Growing Problem of Nursing Home Abuse

Written by MichaelEhline on . Posted in Elder Nursing Abuse Blog.

Nursing home abuse is a growing problem. To illustrate this, at least two recent studies show how prevalent this treatment of elderly adults is. Nursing home abuse is an increasing problem.

One of the studies included both elderly citizens and nursing home staff. Even some nursing home staff members had seen the elderly abuse by other staff members. Attorneys help even the odds in all cases, and sometimes, that is the only thing that exposes the harm to the court and regulatory systems.

What Are Some Recent Case Studies?

The National Center for the Protection of Older People at the University College Dublin found in their research that over one in four employees had witnessed psychological abuse. This kind of ill-treatment includes shouting, swearing, or insulting the elderly resident at a nursing home.

This is heinous enough, but to make elderly nursing home abuse even worse, one in eight employees had witnessed residents’ physical abuse. So this involves pushing, shoving, pinching, grabbing, or unnecessarily restraining residents.

Theft By Caretakers

This in-depth study covered over 1300 nurses and healthcare assistants from 64 nursing homes. The study’s research data showed physical and mental abuse was not the only crime. Also, 1.2% of staff members were seen by other employees stealing residents’ valuables.

Gullibility Of Seniors

Many nursing abuse law firms argued in court that elders are susceptible to being scammed. At least one recent study that the University of California conducted in Los Angeles supports this argument. It focused on the brain of the elderly and found significant differences in the critical areas compared to younger patients.

  • The study used participants from a senior living center between 55 and 84; they used staff members and students between 20 and 42.

They found that when the two groups were shown a series of photographs of individuals who appeared trustworthy and others with a shifty appearance, there was a tremendous difference in reactions in both groups’ brains.

  • The younger participants were able to quickly identify the people in the photos who they should not trust.
  • The elderly group of members did not have the same gut reaction.

“Gut Reaction” Response Seems to Disappear in Elder Brains

Further, an MRI test showed that the brain’s part, known as the anterior insula, in older participants lacked activity. For the younger participants, there was a flurry of activity.

  • The anterior insula is where “gut reactions” originate in the brain.

So this makes you feel ill at ease or stressepickcks up behaviors and helps you make difficult decisions.

  • Researchers determined that this lack of anterior insula activity makes it difficult for an elderly citizen to recognize the appearance and behavior signals of being scammed.

This gullibility puts them at risk can:

  • Cost them their life savings
  • Bring them in physical danger.

These are only two of the recent studies concerning nursing home abuse. They show possible reasons that nursing home abuse and scamming of elders occur so often. Some abusers know no empathy.

What are Some Recent Cases of Abuse?

Recently, two nurses were held responsible for felony elder abuse of a nursing home resident who succumbed to the lack of proper care. One staff member was a registered nurse and nursing director at the now-defunct El Dorado Care Center.

This now-closed location is where the alleged abuse occurred. When the resident was hospitalized, the ER documented injuries other than hospital admissions reported, including bruises and her wounded pinky finger.

The nursing home owner, Horizon West Healthcare Inc., when held accountable, settled the claim for:

  • $3 million
  • Sold 27 nursing homes it owned

In civil court, the elder abuse victim’s husband, as a part of his lawsuit, claimed the nursing home was understaffed to maximize profits.

What About The Unreported Abuse?

These nursing home employees were held accountable in the above cases. However, there are thousands of nursing home abuse cases, with what is believed to be approximately half or more never reported to authorities. This silence is because, in most cases, the nursing home resident feels defenseless.

They do not believe they have an avenue to stop the mistreatment, so they live in fear of the abuse. And this is what the nursing home staff member, who won’t give proper care, counts on. Often, elder abuse only comes to light because of the family members who recognize the signs!

So they are forced to go to the authorities and perhaps an elder abuse lawyer. But what about older people without immediate family or friends to raise the alarm? What do they do? Where is the oversight? Lobbying Sacramento is one way to help reel in the mistreatment. But civility and empathy are the only ways to end our seniors’ harm.

There is a lot to this. Of course, there are many excellent care providers. But one weak link in the chain can bring the whole house of cards down.

Be forever vigilant about the abuse of seniors. As noted above, an elderly law abuse attorney can help even some of the odds. If you need help with an elderly abuse law question, use our online contact form or call Ehline Law Firm Personal Injury Attorneys, APLC, at (213) 596-9642.

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Tetanus and Dog Attacks

Written by MichaelEhline on . Posted in Dog Bite Blog.

A Preventable Disease, Especially with Vaccination

Tetanus and Dog AttacksTetanus is one of the earliest attested diseases in human history. And it is also one of the most painful and deadly. Fortunately, like Rabies, tetanus rates in the Western world have fallen dramatically over the last century. However, tetanus is still not uncommon among hot or developing societies. Furthermore, it is still found in the United States every year. This is especially true due to puncture wounds, including those caused by animal bites. Tetanus can be avoided and even treated after showing symptoms. However, tetanus often leads to death and should be treated with grave concern.

Sometimes Tetanus is Transmitted via Animal Bites?

Tetanus is relatively rare in dogs, yet the bacteria can be carried by saliva. While we tend to identify the disease with rusty nails, it can be taken by saliva, rust, or soil. It is most commonly spread due to deep puncture wounds. Doctors recommend receiving a tetanus shot at least once every ten years. Originally called lockjaw, the disease causes severe muscle spasms. As the name suggests, this usually occurs in the jaw and spreads to other body parts.

In some cases, the muscle strain is so severe that it can prevent a person from moving or even breaking bones. In other instances, tetanus can cause severe issues, leading to respiratory failure. Furthermore, even with treatment, tetanus can lead to death. After showing symptoms, 10% of patients with the disease die, even with treatment. Dog bites are a vector for the spread of tetanus.

The disease incubation period is commonly around ten days, although in some cases, it could be up to several months. The first symptom will often include muscle spasms or stiffness and can also include sweating and fever. If you are not sure, contact a doctor ASAP. Tetanus is nothing to trifle with. Seek medical treatment. There may still be time for vaccination. For more expert discussions by our lawyer, check out our blog.

Burn Injury Burn Injury

What is Burn Injury Pathophysiology & Why Does it Matter?

Written by MichaelEhline on . Posted in Burn Injury Blog.

The aftermath of a severe burn can leave the victim with many issues. For one, trying to zealous medical and legal pros is tough. After all, these panicked, disfigured burn victims are seeking to assess their legal and therapeutic options. They are also trying to treat the horrible and agonizing physical problems after suffering a severe burn injury as they try to get back on their feet and heal up.

Often, the defense will argue that doctors could have saved the tissue. So they will allege the plaintiff sued the wrong party. So they assert you should have sued your doctor for medical malpractice. In other words, your lawyer screwed up. But your attorney must claim this was “dead tissue.” Because of this, defendant alone must pay.

Many past cases of burned patients arise from scalds and burns. These may be cataloged by medical doctors and hospitals as case studies. Most of all, that information helps primary care providers better understand the underlying issues of medicine and contributes to the best care.

The National Center for Biotechnology Information has relevant data that could help determine the burn’s severity and its constituent parts. Tort lawyers often hire experts, and retaining the ones who write these treatises is possible in many instances.

Experts help guide client case files, discovery, and trial. First, functional changes from burns have a direct impact on the severity of the injury. The victim’s lawyer must demonstrate the victim’s pain and suffering. Of particular concern is that this remains a significant component of damages in a PI claim.

After all, injuries impact the victim’s ability to hold a job. And this is without mentioning the future agony. This all affects how much money the victim will get.

This is the reason for a negligence lawsuit. It is a lawsuit against the person who negligently caused the damage to the victim. And the lousy actor must pay for their evil acts in cold, hard cash.

What is the Zone of Coagulation?

The most severely damaged part of the burn is in the area where blood coagulates. Exposure to fire, electricity, heat, or chemicals can affect this region, and saving it is not always possible.

This is because tissue necrosis is permanent. How large this zone is and the tissue to remove depends on several factors. Typically, it is based on the extent and duration of such exposure.

Can The Jury See Your Gruesome Pictures and the Rules of Evidence?

Most of the time, gruesome photographs of burns are not shown to juries. Often, they are too prejudicial in stirring up emotions. So, the probative value is not enough to get them into evidence.

But when courts put them in evidence, the court agrees it is vital for fact finders. That way, they can corroborate the science. An excellent trial lawyer who knows how to use records and conditions helps.

That way, you can effectively get excludeable, probative evidence admitted into the trial. And that can often make or break the value of a case. There are common agents, and there are great ones. In a victim’s burn claim, you must ensure you are getting a pro. The margins of error are too thin.

What About Potentially Savable Tissue?

Often, the defense will argue that doctors could have saved the tissue. So, they will allege the plaintiff sued the wrong party. So they assert you should have sued your doctor for medical malpractice. In other words, your lawyer screwed up.

But your attorney must claim this was “dead tissue.” Because of this, the defendant alone must pay. The savable layers exist beyond the zone of coagulation and dead tissue or will be finished shortly. Just outside of this zone is the zone of stasis.

This tissue may be saveable but requires immediate medical attention to determine how best to do so. Outside of this is the area of hyperemia. Normally, this will recover as long as there are no outside factors, including infection or sepsis. The fields around these regions will bring blood and nutrients to the area to aid recovery.

However, the two sectors around the zone will suffer a reduction of circulation or ischemia. If not treated properly, these regions could end up with permanent scarring. They can also get infected and increase in burn depth. Last, the body will kick in a systemic response to the burn if it affects more than 30% of the body. Because of the deadly residual nature of burns, proper treatment remains vital for all burn victims.

How Do You Get Medical Care for a Burn Injury?

Of course, being able to afford medical care for these wounds is not always possible. And this also holds for the well-off. Without fantastic health insurance, you will be left with some or all of the medical bills.

It could be that you will require lifetime treatment and in-house care. You certainly will need money to survive. What if no fault of your own caused your burn? Well, consulting with competent legal counsel is incredibly essential. Enormously, it matters for the rest of your life and well-being.

You need to be able to argue the extent and severity of the insurance company(is). Also, you must civilly interact with the defense attorney who picks up the file. So, assuming you decide to sue in pro per or pro se, you must be a pro. Laypeople typically do not have medical knowledge. And this is one of the reasons you should hire a lawyer with experience.

You should preferably hire someone who understands burn injury claims. Getting excellent legal and medical help is of the utmost importance, and now you know why.

What Do I Do Legally Protecting My Medical and Legal Rights Regarding a Bad Burn?

In short, most physicians recognize that burn patients have the right to the best medicine. Unfortunately, bad actors and at-fault defendants often look down on burn victims, blaming them for the disfigurement or wrongful death claims. This attitude usually leads to dangerous results, as insurance companies tend to deny, delay, and defend rather than help the victims get the medical treatment they need right away, making lifetime pain and suffering more likely.

If you are a burn injury victim, you have options. At Ehline Law, our personal injury lawyers are accomplished in representing burn patients and presenting a solid case against their employer or another party who acted negligently. Our superior legal team knows how severe burn injuries can be, and our veteran advocates at Ehline Law are ready to fight for you and help you receive the compensation award you or a close loved one deserves. Contact us today to discuss your potential burn injury lawsuit more.

Dog bite lawyer in Los Angeles, M. Ehline Dog bite lawyer in Los Angeles, M. Ehline

Dog Bite Statistics: All 56 of the 2021 Dog Attack Human Fatalities

Written by MichaelEhline on . Posted in Dog Bite Blog.

2021 Dog-bite-related Fatalities

In most cases, preventing dog bites and most attacks against friends and family members in this country is avoidable. Unfortunately, dog attack accidents are prevalent, even with proper obedience training. Dog bite injuries can be fatal, and millions of dog bites occur every year, with many occurring in California and Texas, where many dogs roam freely. If you’ve lost a loved one or they suffered catastrophic injuries or deaths due to a dog attack, we can help. You can file a claim against the dog owner and potentially sue neighbors and even their landlord over this deadly aggression to protect your rights to maximum compensation on behalf of a bitten child, adult, or infant suffering harm or death.

All 56 of the 2021 Dog Attack Human Fatalities

Here are the most dangerous dog breeds that have caused fatal dog attacks in 2021:

Pit Bull

  1. Cameron Hatfield (6): Attacked by a rescued pit bull.
  2. Nils Andrew Erickson (8 months): Killed by the family pit bull.
  3. Dreka Joe White (1 month): Killed by the family pit bull.
  4. Aziz Ahmed (3): He and his mother were attacked by their neighbor’s two pit bulls.
  5. Rhonda Lobuono (58): Her dog dragged her in front of a truck
  6. A’Myrikal Jolynn Hull (1): Attacked by the family pet.
  7. Megan Fisher (17): Killed by her friend’s three dogs.
  8. Elayah Brown (4): Killed by the family pit bull.
  9. Jayden Henderson (7): Pet-sitting two dogs.
  10. Dustin Vincent (27): Died five days after being attacked by a breeder’s three dogs.
  11. John Henry (46): Killed while walking on the street.
  12. Carter Settles (1 month): Family pit bull.
  13. Jose Ortega (53): Killed by a pit bull pack on the street.
  14. Elijah Soto (3): Attacked by family dogs after falling out the window.
  15. Shamar Sharif Jackson (7): The pitbull pack was chasing his Chihuahua.
  16. Rebecca McCurdy (28): Housesitting
  17. George Alan Martin (41): Found in a ditch with dog bite wounds.
  18. Ronald R. Borchert (63): This victim had cerebral palsy and was wheelchair-bound.
  19. Emily Kahl (31): The family pit bull.
  20. Maria Eliza Sebastian Ruiz (77): Attacked by neighbor’s four dogs.
  21. Unnamed victim (66): Climbed in the window and was attacked by the relative’s dog.
  22. Cartier Lous (8 months): Famil pit bull.
  23. Rebecca Marie Dooley (59): Killed by daughter’s pit bull.
  24. Katherine Janness (40): A disputed case – found dead with stab wounds and dog bites.
  25. Javon Stokes (26): Killed by another couple’s pit bull.
  26. Rhoda Wagner (61): Attacked by roommate’s dogs.
  27. Mildred Catherine Vaughan (89): Died nine days after being attacked by her neighbor’s dogs.
  28. Dolores Teresa Oskins (85): Injured by a pack of dogs running.
  29. Frank Jerome Cobb (70): Killed by a running pit bull.
  30. Patti Webb (65): She was a pit bull rescuer.
  31. Loretta Mae Moore (84): Killed in son’s home.
  32. Alex Binyam Abraha (21): Killed by the dogs after breaking into a house.
  33. Amber Dawn LaBelle (42): Killed by boyfriend’s pit bull.
  34. Ka’vay Louis-Calderon (16 months): family dogs who previously attacked a mailman.
  35. Stephen Rucinski (41): Killed by a pit bull with a dangerous record.
  36. Male baby (8 days): The family rescued a stray dog.
  37. Kathleen Bertram (69): The family pit bull. She was holding a 3-year-old.
  38. Avery Jackson Dunphy (6): Killed by dogs fostered for the Animal Center.
  39. Tiffany Frangione (48): Breaking up a dog fight.
  40. Leann Gratzer (61)
  41. Lori Martin (60): Family dogs.
  42. Heather Pingal (35): Saved her son from the family dog.
  43. Duke Whirlwind (58): Pack attack.
  44. Unidentified victim
  45. Unidentified victim.

Other Breeds of Dogs Involved in Fatal Accidents Include:

Rottweiler

  • Elliot Sherwin
  • Malia Scott Winberry
  • Ryan Francis Foster
  • Sally Fredrica Rogers

German Shepherd/ Mixed Breeds

  • Deann Stephenson
  • Cane Corso
  • Tony Allen Ahrens
  • Amber Miller
  • Karen Rosa Madrid

Husky

  • Leon Julian Peysen

St. Bernard

  • Bentley Parker

Corgi Mix/ Sheltie

  • James Mcneelis

Rabies Infections Leading to Death

Dogs don’t just cause morbidity or mortality after bites. Dogs can transmit zoonotic infections, resulting in severe illness or wrongful death to life and damage to limbs. Canines are the primary cause of rabies transmission in humans across the globe. The CDC estimates that 3% to 18% of dog bite wounds get infected (4.5 million people), sometimes with meningitis occurring in some people evaluated in the local community bitten or hurt by dangerous dogs like Akita, Rottweilers, and other animals mentioned below.

In particular, Florida and California see quite a bit of dog violence, even with less violent household breeds like:

  • Boxer
  • Golden retriever
  • Huskies
  • Mastiff

But some barking dogs we tend to think are not a violent danger are, and these include:

  • American Bulldog
  • Chihuahuas
  • Great Dane
  • Poodles
  • Other mixed breed dogs.

Note: Even with specific legislation, depending on factors like the type of breed means, adults, children, and infants can become injured or dead victims. With our advocacy and interventions, it is estimated you will receive more financial compensation from the at-fault dog owner or controller than if you made the argument without a dog injury lawyer. We can help gather the evidence of safety violations and lousy behavior you need to win. We have the legal experience and education to decipher the circumstances of fault and damages. So, speaking with us for legal guidance before threatening the insurance company and playing by the rules is your best bet for a full recovery.

Has a Dog attacked Your Loved One? Contact Ehline Law Today!

We hope you enjoyed this article if you were hurt and are struggling with pain and anxiety over fears of pursuing legal action. Dog bite attacks can be extremely severe. Whether you have dangerous dogs, such as German Shepherds, or a more gentle one, such as a Labrador retriever, other dogs can bite or knock you over, leading to head and neck injuries. As can be seen above, dog bites often lead to fatalities or serious injuries. Animal Control and the Centers for Disease Control won’t save you or get you money for medical care or the children’s hospital after the accident. Ehline Law Firm has compassionate and experienced lawyers who have dealt with dog bite accidents for many years.

So, when someone is killed or hospitalized after these complex dog bite incidents, call us. After a dog bites someone, please get to the hospital emergency room, then call us to present your side of the story. If you or a loved one has sustained injuries due to dog bites, contact us at 833 LETS-SUE for a free consultation anytime, 24 hours a day, seven days per week, to finally help parents and others pursue the owners or other responsible party. Stay calm; our aggressive dog bite lawyers are ready for your call to discuss the consequences.

Citations:

  • Ramgopal S, Brungo LB, Bykowski MR, Pitetti RD, Hickey RW. Dog bites in a U.S. County: age, body part and breed in pediatric dog bites. Acta Paediatr. (2018) 107:893–9. doi: 10.1111/apa.14218 PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar 18.
  • Tam B, Matsushima K, Chiba H, Park T, Slocum C, Lam L, et al. Nationwide analysis of dog bite injuries: different age groups, Different Injury Patterns. Am Surg. (2021) 87:1612–5. doi: 10.1177/00031348211024657 PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar 19.