2012 February Archive

In a matter of hours, three separate Las Vegas car accidents resulted in five fatalities over the weekend. According to an 8 News Now news report, the first crash involved a 19-year-old driver crashing his Dodge Stratus into a PT Cruiser that was attempting to make a turn near Windmill Parkway and Green Valley Parkway in Henderson. The 19-year-old driver, his 19-year-old passenger, and an 86-year-old man were all killed in the crash. Speed appears to have been a factor in the collision.

The second fatal crash occurred at Sahara Avenue near Decatur Boulevard when a Honda Accord driven by a 19-year-old man fatally struck a 17-year-old male pedestrian and injured a woman. The third collision involved a suspected drunk driver crashing near Torrey Pines Drive and Robindale Road. A passenger was killed, and the drunk driver sustained minor injuries.

The family of a deceased Las Vegas car accident victim would be well advised to contact an experienced personal injury lawyer who will stay on top of the official investigation and make sure that their legal rights are protected. If it is determined that driver negligence was a contributing factor in the crash, financial compensation may be available for the victim’s family through a wrongful death claim.

In such cases, compensation may be available for medical bills, funeral expenses, lost future wages, and other related damages. A skilled Nevada wrongful death attorney will ensure that fair compensation is offered to the victim’s family for their terrible loss. The experienced personal injury lawyers at Shook & Stone have a successful track record of holding at-fault drivers accountable for the damages they cause. If you have lost a loved one in a Las Vegas car accident, please call our offices at 1(877) 910-2220 for a free consultation and comprehensive case evaluation.

This February marks the 10th annual American Heart Month. The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) uses this month to raise awareness about heart disease and the many serious consequences it can have for women. According to the organization, heart disease is the number one killer of women. It is important to understand the symptoms of coronary heart disease and to seek immediate medical attention. Unfortunately, there are many cases each year of medical malpractice involving the misdiagnoses of serious heart conditions.

Coronary heart disease involves the narrowing of the small blood vessels that supply oxygen and blood to the heart. It is known as heart disease, coronary heart disease (CHD), and coronary artery disease. Heart disease involves the hardening of the arteries and a buildup of plaque in the arteries to the patient’s heart.

When this happens, blood flow to the heart can slow down or even stop. Symptoms include: fatigue, shortness of breath, weakness, chest pain (angina), and discomfort in the patient’s neck, stomach, upper back, or arms.

Doctors observing these types of symptoms may perform a number of tests, including an invasive test called a coronary angiography/arteriography, a noninvasive CT angiography, an echocardiogram, or an electrocardiogram. A failure to perform the necessary tests to diagnose and treat this serious condition may be considered a form of medical malpractice.

Early detection and proper treatment of heart disease can greatly increase the victim’s ability to fully recover from it. Therefore, doctors who fail to perform the right tests, properly read the test, or who fail to properly diagnose the symptoms put the victim at great risk.

The experienced medical malpractice lawyers in Las Vegas at Shook & Stone have years of experience handling medical malpractice cases relating to heart conditions in Nevada. If you or a loved one has been misdiagnosed, or you are concerned that mistakes were made with your diagnosis, please call our offices at 1(877) 910-2220 for a free consultation.

A 24-year-old man was fatally injured in a head-on crash, which officials say involved a suspected drunk driver. According to a news report in the Las Vegas Review-Journal, the fatal crash occurred on Rainbow Boulevard near Wigwam Avenue. Police say a Toyota 4Runner crossed the centerline and struck the victim’s 2004 Ford Mustang. A third car also collided with the Toyota. But the driver of that vehicle, a 17-year-old girl, escaped with minor injuries. The driver of the Toyota, a 33-year-old woman, was arrested on a charge of DUI resulting in death.

Under Nevada law, it is illegal to operate a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 percent or higher. NRS 484.3795 states that “a person driving while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or a controlled substance, to a degree which renders him incapable of safely driving, and [whose] act or neglect of duty proximately causes the death of, or substantial bodily harm to, any person other than himself is guilty of a felony.”

Drunk drivers who cause serious injury or death in a NV drunk driving accident, in addition to facing serious criminal charges, can also be held civilly liable for the damages they cause. In such cases, the family members of the deceased victim can file a wrongful death claim against the at-fault driver. Such claims usually seek compensation for damages such as medical expenses, funeral costs, and lost future income.

If you have lost a loved one as the result of a negligent driver’s actions, the experienced Nevada wrongful death lawyers at Shook & Stone can help you obtain fair compensation for your losses and hold the at-fault parties accountable. Please contact us at 1(877) 910-2220 for a free consultation and comprehensive case evaluation.

Five people were dead in a string of car accidents in Las Vegas over the Super Bowl weekend, KTNV news reports. Officials say that the number of car accidents, fatalities, and DUI arrests were higher this year than they were last year during the Super Bowl weekend. Authorities are concerned about this spike despite the many checkpoints that were set up as part of the enforcement efforts by local agencies.

There were several major injury and fatal accidents reported over the weekend. A 26-year-old woman struck a 15-year-old boy waiting at a bus stop on Spring Mountain road. The teen suffered major injuries, and one of his legs had to be amputated. The woman was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence. Just hours later, a 24-year-old man died in a head-on collision caused by another suspected drunk driver. In addition, a 52-year-old woman who was driving under the influence died in a single-vehicle crash. Officials say that these tragic accidents should be a wake-up call for Las Vegas residents and should serve as a warning never to drink and drive.

Drunk driving is not only illegal under Nevada law, but it can also leave innocent victims and their families emotionally and financially devastated. DUI victims are often left with medical bills, hospital expenses, loss of a job, physical pain, and emotional distress. If you have been injured by a drunk or negligent driver, please remember that you do have legal rights.

The experienced Las Vegas drunk driving accident attorneys at Shook & Stone have a long and successful track record of representing DUI accident victims and their families. We strive to help these victims and their families secure fair compensation for their losses. For more information about pursuing your legal rights, please contact us at 1(877) 910-2220 today.

Toyo Tire U.S.A, a company based in Cypress, California, has recalled nearly 69,000 tires because of a serious defect that could lead to tire failure. According to an Associated Press news report, the faulty tires may have a kink near the rim area that could cause a crack and a blowout. The recall involves the Toyota Extensa A/S tires that were manufactured at the Toyo Tires plant in Georgia. These tires also have a “Made in U.S.A” mark on the sidewall. Tires that have a “Made in China” or “Made in Japan” mark are not part of the recall. The company will replace these defective tires at no charge to the consumer until May 31, 2012.

Tire defects can cause serious problems for drivers, especially on highways and freeways where the speed limit is much higher. When a tire blows out as the vehicle is in motion, it can be extremely difficult even for an experienced driver to regain control of the vehicle. Tire blowouts can result in rollover accidents, leading to catastrophic injuries or even fatalities.

In a case where a victim has been injured as a result of a faulty tire, he or she can file a products liability claim against the tire manufacturer seeking compensation for damages. If you have lost a loved one in a crash involving tire failure, you can file a wrongful death claim against the manufacturer of the defective tire seeking damages. The experienced Nevada defective product lawyers at Shook & Stone have a long and successful track record of helping injured victims and their families obtain fair compensation for their losses. Please contact our law offices at 1(877) 910-2220 for a free comprehensive and confidential consultation.

Britax Child Safety Inc. has recalled 14,220 child safety seats because of product defects that cause the restraint system to fail in the event of a collision. According to a news report in The Wall Street Journal, Britax is recalling certain Chaperone restraint systems for infants because the harness adjusters may detach from the seat leaving children unprotected in the event of a car accident. The defective car seats were manufactured between Sept. 1, 2010 and April 30, 2011.

So far, the company has reported receiving 57 complaints from customers in the United States about these faulty seat harness adjusters failing. Such failure could result in serious injuries for children. Company officials say the flaw was caused by a manufacturing defect where improper rivets were used to attach the adjusters to the seats. So far, no injuries or fatalities have been reported as a result of these child safety seat defects. Britax will notify owners about these products and provide repair kits at no charge to consumers.

As parents and caregivers, we count on child safety seats to keep our little ones safe in the event of a crash. Child safety seats, when they are built properly, save lives. According to the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), an estimated 244 lives were saved in 2008 by restraint use among children under the age of 5. Between 1975 and 2008, an estimated 8,959 lives were saved by child restraints. The value of properly restraining your child in a vehicle cannot be underestimated.

NHTSA is also encouraging parents and caregivers to register safety seats with the manufacturer. That way, if the car seat you own is recalled, manufacturers are required to notify you by first-class mail. It is important that the manufacturer has your current mailing address and all the information necessary to identify the product you purchased.

If you or a loved one has been injured by a defective product, the experienced Las Vegas products liability attorneys at Shook & Stone can offer you more information about pursuing your legal rights. Please contact us at 1(877) 910-2220 to find out how we can help you.