Two People Hospitalized After LAX Jetway Collapses

August 25, 2011 - According to reports two people were hospitalized after a jeyway collapsed. According to officials the incident occurred at approximately 6:50 p.m. at the Los Angeles International Airport.

According to officials, American Airlines flight 557 taxied to Gate 48A in Terminal 4, where a part of the floor board next to the plane gave way as passengers were exiting the plane. One passenger and the captain of the plane fell approximately 10 feet to the tarmac and were injured. Both complained of pain in their backs, necks and ankles.

American Airlines flight 557 originated in Boston, with a layover in Chicago and ended in Los Angeles at the Los Angeles International Airport. American Airlines has stated they plan to immediately begin inspecting all of their jets bridges at LAX.

Don’t let a Train Accident Derail your Life; Commuter Train Accidents in Torrance

Trains are an old and familiar mode of transportation around California. While in the old days trains were more for travel, in modern Torrance, California, trains are often used to commute between the many big cities in the area. Trains are constructed and monitored for safety, and the expectation of the passengers is that the train company will deliver them safely to their destinations.

The reality is that traveling through the densely populated areas of Southern California can be dangerous even while riding on a commuter train. Trains travel at high rates of speed and often are required to interact with other trains on the rails as well as automobile and pedestrian traffic. Collisions can result as automobiles or even pedestrians cross the train rails, or when a train operator overcompensates when trying not to hit a car or another train.

The high rate of speed at which collisions can occur only adds to the danger of the accidents and resulting injuries. Even the safest operator has a number of challenges that they can easily fail. Additionally, these trains travel so constantly every day putting a lot of wear and tear on their equipment and on the rails themselves. Railway crossings can fail or be unmarked. Sometimes railway tracks are improperly maintained, resulting in derailments. Communication problems can occur when trains are sharing rails.

In all cases, it is very important that the victim of a commuter train accident in Torrance or elsewhere receive immediate medical evaluation, even in what seems to be a case of a minor injury. The complications that surround the liability issues in a commuter train accident necessitate the immediate involvement of an experienced personal injury attorney.

If you or your loved one is the victim of a light train accident in or near Torrance, a personal injury attorney who specializes in train accidents can be vital in assuring that you or your loved one’s rights to recompense and prompt medical care are respected and met. The rail companies will protect their interests; protect your own. Call a personal injury attorney in Torrance when a train accident derails your life.

Laser Spine Injury Treatments: Fact or Fraud?

When a patient finds themselves fighting pain, they want relief – preferably fast relief as non-invasive as possible. Unfortunately, there are groups and individuals who will take advantage of a patient in this delicate and vulnerable position for their own gain. When researching treatments and methods of pain relief, a patient must be careful to fully research any treatment they consider and weed out fact from fraud.

One treatment that has been under scrutiny lately is laser spine injury treatment. Treatment facilities practicing laser spine injury treatments have been cropping up as demands for alternative pain treatments increase. Facilities that practice this treatment can grow rapidly as they promise outpatient treatments and relief for symptoms resulting from disc and spine pathology or disease. Unfortunately, this procedure has been increasingly found to be both unneeded and unsuccessful.

Part of the problem stems from the fact that some of the facilities are allegedly founded by professional physicians who have had questionable or problematic practice or financial situations before deciding to open up a clinic. For example, one such facility, the Laser Spine Institute (LSI) was founded by an Orthopedic Doctor of spine surgery, James St Louis, who was purportedly immersed in financial challenges when he opened up his new clinic. There are questions about whether those financial issues affected the judgment of Dr. St Louis when it comes to deciding whether or not surgeries are actually necessary. Increased surgeries mean increased income. But the same can be said of many businesses, and this could be an example of government overreaching.

While no one questions the right of an ethical practitioner to reap the financial rewards for years of hard work and diligent treatment of his patients with only his patients’ benefit in mind, the Laser Spine Institute seems to be another matter entirely. As of late 2009, there have been as many as 15 malpractice claims filed against LSI and Dr. St Louis. During that period, 7,500 procedures were performed while the national average for malpractice procedures is 6 claims per every 20,000 procedures.

With the potential for financial gain while promising false relief to patients, it is no surprise that other laser spine injury treatment centers are coming under close watch for possible fraud. In fact, insurance companies are taking a close look at the procedure in general, basing their scrutiny on the possibly high number of unnecessary treatments and possibly questionable scientific backing. Not only is the science or necessity of the procedure in question, but also the billing practices by groups who perform these procedures.

There are increasing cases where patients are filing personal injury claims as a result of their dealings with laser spine surgery centers. If you or your loved ones are concerned that you may be the victim of fraud at the hands of a laser spine surgery center, you still have hope. A personal injury attorney with experience concerning fraudulent medical practices or billing can help you or your loved one to not only recover recompense for losses as a result of the treatment, but also the peace of mind of knowing that someone finally has your best interests, not their own, at heart.

Michael Ehline of Ehline Law Firm PC in Southern California can help a patient or their loved ones to confront the laser spine surgery centers and their doctors and start the process of filing a claim against fraud. Call (888) 400-9721 if you or your loved one feels you may have a claim against a laser spine surgical center or if you have any questions.

Griffin O’Neal Injured in Head-on Collision

August 3, 2011 - According to reports Griffin O’Neal was injured in a head-on collision in San Diego.

According to San Diego Police the head-on collision involving Griffin O’Neal occurred at approximately 1:00 p.m. in the 15500 of San Pasqual Road. Two people were trapped after the collision according to firefighters that responded to the scene, but were freed within ten minutes.

The 46 year old son of actor Ryan O’Neal was the driver of one of the vehicles in the head-on collision and complained of pain. O’Neal and another person were transported to the hospital and hospitalized. A spokesperson at Palomar Medical Center where O’Neal is hospitalized stated he is in stable condition.

It has not been reported if Griffin O’Neal was one of the people trapped in the vehicle or not.