San Diego Injury Law Blog | Bender & Gritz, APLC

Violence in the health care industry: A troubling matter

On behalf of Bender & Gritz, APLC on Monday, July 22, 2019.

There is no question that working in health care can lead to some emotionally charged situations. On top of that, there are people who may come into the emergency room or a doctor's office on drugs or intoxicated. Even those who are normally kind patients might be sick or injured and lash out at health care workers.

Health care workers deal with both verbal and physical abuse in the workplace. This threatens their safety and their ability to care for their patients. Between 2002 and 2013, incidents of workplace violence were around four times more common in health care than in other private industries. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration only counts serious workplace violence when it requires someone to take days off from work.

Just how damaging can dog bites be?

On behalf of Bender & Gritz, APLC posted in Dog Bites on Thursday, July 18, 2019.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that almost one-fifth of those who suffer a dog bite require medical treatment. This is because dog bites can cause pain, injury, nerve damage, damage to the hands and face and the introduction of germs that could result in infection.

As many as 18% of dog bites cause infection. Some diseases that could result from a dog bite are rabies, infection caused by capnocytophaga bacteria, infection caused by Pasteurella bacteria, MRSA staph infections and tetanus. These infections and diseases can cause serious health problems, and sometimes can be fatal.

Trench collapse causes fatal construction accident

On behalf of Bender & Gritz, APLC posted in Construction Workers' Accidents on Thursday, July 11, 2019.

Construction work is not limited to commercial districts in Encino. Sometimes, construction work takes place in residential areas. Regardless of where the work is taking place, however, it is important to remember that the construction industry is a dangerous one, and deadly construction accidents can occur.

A construction worker in Encino lost his life in a partial trench collapse earlier this month. The trench was around 10 feet deep. It is not known at this time whether the worker fell into the trench or whether he was already in the trench when it collapsed. The trench was in the front yard of a home.

Understand your rights after a heat-related illness

On behalf of Bender & Gritz, APLC on Thursday, July 11, 2019.

One thing that workers have to watch out for in the summer months is the potential for heat stroke. The sun is hot, the weather can be humid and in combination with hard work, people can get very sick.

It's important for California employers to be aware of the risks to their employees in these hot temperatures. In fact, if people fall ill, then it's likely that they're going to be able to file for workers' compensation.

Guiding you through a wrongful death action

On behalf of Bender & Gritz, APLC posted in Wrongful Death on Friday, July 5, 2019.

The death of a loved one is something we are not often prepared to deal with despite the fact that we understand that no one lives forever. A death can be especially challenging to cope with if a loved one is suddenly killed in an accident caused by a negligent party. Whether it is an automobile accident, work incident, slip and fall or a dangerous or defective product, a fatal accident can be difficult to deal with.

If a loved one has been lost in a fatal incident caused by negligence, it may be possible to file a wrongful death claim. At Bender & Gritz, APLC, our skilled attorneys understand that it is not easy to file a civil action; therefore, we take the time to deconstruct the process, helping our clients in the San Diego area fully understand what the process entails.

What breeds of dog pose the highest risk to children?

On behalf of Bender & Gritz, APLC posted in Dog Bites on Wednesday, June 26, 2019.

Owning a dog in southern California is common for residents. These animals make great companions, and for the most part, the public is comfortable encountering dogs in public places and when they enter private property. Although dogs, like other pets, can have a positive impact, there are some concerns. While dog owners are expected to keep others safe when they interact with their pet, this is not always feasible. And in some cases, the negligence of a dog owner is the cause of a serious dog bite or attack.

Dogs come in all shapes and sizes, and with that, different temperament, personalities and activity levels. Dog owners are likely knowledgeable about the breed of dog that they own, understanding the uniqueness of their dog and how they interact with other dogs and people. Unfortunately, not all dog owners are aware of this, and in some cases, are not aware that the breed that they own could present more risks and dangers.

Eye injuries are a risk in any work environment

On behalf of Bender & Gritz, APLC on Tuesday, June 25, 2019.

When working in an office, one thing that you have to be cautious of is eye discomfort. The majority of the time, eye discomfort isn't so serious that you need to take time off of work, but it can require medical treatment.

Eye discomfort symptoms include:

Headaches
Dry eyes
Red or pink eyes
Blurred vision
Light sensitivity
Pain in the shoulders
Pain in the back
Pain in the neck
Burning in the eyes
Eyestrain

Woman injured after driver runs red light

On behalf of Bender & Gritz, APLC posted in Car Accidents on Thursday, June 20, 2019.

Drivers in California and elsewhere are expected to follow the rules of the road and travel safely. While this can happen, as many drivers do follow the rules, the unfortunate reality is that some drivers are careless, negligent and reckless. This can lead to serious and even fatal car accidents, impacting victims and their loved ones in a significant way.

According to recent reports, a serous collision occurred in Rancho Penasquitos when a driver that is suspected of running a red light collided with another vehicle. Authorities in San Diego believe the crash occurred when a man headed south on Black Mountain Road hit a 61-year-old woman traveling east on Park Village Road.

Teen drivers and the 100 deadliest days of summer

On behalf of Bender & Gritz, APLC posted in Car Accidents on Thursday, June 13, 2019.

Although residents in the San Diego area experience warm weather year round, the summer months are still an enjoyable time that individuals young and old look forward to. For the youth, it is time off from school and time when they can enjoy their time outside or traveling. And for teens, it is a period of time where they are often out with friends, driving at all hours of the day and night, going place to place. While teen drivers pose risks on the road any time of the year, the summer months are considered the most dangerous time.

From Memorial Day to Labor Day, this is considered to be the 100 deadliest days of summer. It is in this time frame that young drivers are more likely to drive distracted, intoxicated and recklessly, causing serious and fatal car accidents. When compared to the other days of the year, the rate of fatal crashes caused by teen drivers during this time period is 17% higher.

Noise levels matter: They increase the risk of injury

On behalf of Bender & Gritz, APLC on Monday, June 10, 2019.

One of the kinds of injuries that doesn't get enough attention is the workplace is harm caused by high noise levels. Noise is a true hazard. It can lead to deafness, either temporarily or permanently. It can also lead to other injuries from workers being unable to hear what's happening in the surrounding environment.

Workers who are involved in jobs that expose them to high levels of sound need to take steps to protect themselves. For every decibel of hearing loss, the risk of hospitalization for work-related injuries increases by 1%. For example, if you're working with noise levels around the same volume as standing next to a lawnmower, then your risk of a workplace injury more than doubles. That includes the risk of hearing loss, as well as other injuries.