Lindsay Lohan Arrested for Hit-and-run after Striking Pedestrian

Photo gives credit to Daily Mail.

The Mean Girls star, Lindsay Lohan was reportedly busted again on early morning last Wednesday after being charged with hit-and-run.

According to reports, Lohan was about to park her Porsche Cayenne at the Dream Hotel, a luxury Manhattan hotel, when her car allegedly hit the knee of Manhattan chef Jose Rodriguez. Shortly thereafter, Lohan and her other passengers allegedly stepped out of the car to check for vehicle damage and then proceeded into the hotel to attend an event as if nothing happened.

After the event, when Lindsay came out from the hotel, she was subsequently arrested by the New York police who were called by the victim for assistance.

Meanwhile, although the 34-year-old pedestrian did not sustain severe injury, he was still transported to Bellevue Hospital after complaining of pain. According to the attending physicians who examined Rodriguez, he had torn tendons, and he was given morphine for the pain.

Consequently, the 26-year-old actress was booked for a misdemeanor charge of leaving the scene of a pedestrian accident. However, she was later released with a desk appearance ticket, which means that she was not required by the police to pay bail. Moreover, Lohan was required to appear in court on October 23.

Furthermore, according to police commissioner Raymond Kelly, no breathalyzer test had been conducted during Lohan’s arrest since law enforcers believed that Lohan was sober.

Unfortunately for Lohan, the said incident could trigger her previous probations once a jury ruled that it was a violation of her probation terms. It is more likely that the young actress would face longer jail time or community service, cited by a Los Angeles pedestrian accident lawyer.

It could be remembered that aside from her previous road mishaps, Lohan was also charged with theft just a while ago. Therefore, further engagement in troubles could definitely mean a more serious predicament for her.

NFL Donates $30 Million for Brain Injury Research

Surprisingly, among all institutions, the National Football League (NFL) awarded a huge amount of donation to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to fund brain injury research.

In its years of history, this was said to be the first time that the football league donated such a huge amount of money. The donation that amounted to $30 million is typically distributed in a grant system.

According to a statement released by the NIH, it is way too early to determine how the money will be distributed or whether it will benefit any of the numerous brain research centers in San Diego.

Incidentally, the UCSD Department of Radiology has previously received donation from NFL charities to fund brain injury researches on high school and college athletes. Consequently, if the department will receive another grant this time, it will help the team in pursuing its ongoing research.

Meanwhile, the Professor of Radiology in Residence, Dr. Ronald R. Lee, claimed in a statement that although football is a great game, professional experts like him need to protect players. Lee further said that that it is very important to learn more about brain injuries and to make accurate diagnosis such as when it is already safe for players to go back into the game.

Furthermore, the donation was also meant to benefit homecoming soldiers with head injuries. In fact, approximately 20 percent of the veterans coming back to San Diego, California from the Iraq and Afghanistan wars would benefit from the grant.

Researchers in San Diego admitted that there is a lot more research that needs to be accomplished on brain injuries. Therefore, the NFL’s generous donation will definitely make a big difference to this cause.

Also, Lee added in his statement that he and his co-researchers are quite aware that aside from brain injuries, football players could have many other injuries. However, Lee claimed that the brain is the most important organ of the body, which is why it is the most important concern of the researchers.

At present, about 3,400 former and current NFL players have already sued the league over brain injury claims or concussions.

Probably, the NFL’s overwhelming complaints over brain injury have majorly contributed to the league’s drive to donate such a huge amount of grant to brain injury research despite the rumors that it is currently struggling following the nation’s economic downfall. However, several personal injury lawyers are glad upon knowing that the league has finally made its great move to prevent further brain injuries among its players.

California Approves Spinal Cord Injury Research Bill

A spinal cord injury research bill authored by Assemblyman Bob Wieckowski (D-Fremont) was recently approved by way of 46 to 27 voting during the California State Assembly last August 27.

The bill, titled AB 1657, aimed to raise funds to sustain a program backed by disability rights advocates, biotech industry, and neuro-scientists that provide important research into spinal cord injuries.

At present, the approved bill is awaiting Governor Jerry Brown’s approval. Once the California governor signed the bill, it will finally become a law.

While being victorious with the initial success earned by his proposed bill, Wieckowski in his statement claimed that by putting the best scientific minds to work in universities, a state of the art research that will improve the quality of life for thousands of Californians with spinal cord injury will be achieved. The bill does not only give hope to the disabled but also shows that the Golden State’s current leaders want to maintain its position in the field of bioscience, Wieckowski added.

It can be remembered that way back in 2000, the state’s program called “The Roman Reed Spinal Cord Injury Research Fund” was created. The said fund is run out of the University of California and supervised out of the Reeve-Irvine Research Center at UC Irvine.

Furthermore, it was initially funded out of the state general fund; however, upon years of budget deficit, its funding has been eliminated. Originally, for every dollar in state funds invested, $5 of federal funds was received.

Now, the bill would fund the program through a $1 penalty on every moving traffic violation. In fact, aside from California, at least seven other U.S. states use the same method to collect funds for spinal cord injury research.

Wieckowski further explained that traffic accidents are the major cause of spinal cord injuries in the county. Through the said bill, drivers are expected to become more responsible and vigilant while behind the wheel to avoid being charged with extra penalties. 

Meanwhile, advocates of the bill include the University of California, the huge industry group, Bay Bio, The California Healthcare Institute, the Boston Scientific, and other teams of medical researchers throughout the state.

Apparently, the approval of the said bill comes in line with the previous declaration of New Jersey Governor Chris Christie proclaiming the month of September as spinal cord injury awareness month. Of course, California would not miss its opportunity to show the nation that like any other states, California likewise intends to lead the way to cure paralysis, claimed a Los Angeles injury lawyer.

NFL, San Francisco 49ers Face Premise Liability Lawsuit

The two men who were beaten and shot during the NFL’s 49ers-Raiders game last August 20, 2011 are now suing the NFL, the San Francisco 49ers, and the Candlestick Park parking lot security company in a premise liability claim.

According to the lawsuits filed by Daniel Long and Gabriel Navarette before the San Francisco Superior Court, the 49ers failed to proactively provide an environment that is free from quarreling, fighting, taunting, threatening remarks, or gestures and gang activity.

The two 49ers fans claimed in their lawsuits that one of them was beaten unconscious while the other one who tried to rescue was shot four times.

Aside from the said incident, one more serious beating, two shooting scenes, and several alcohol-fueled fights occurred in Candlestick Park where the 49ers-Raiders game was held.

Shortly after the infamous game, the 49ers’ owner suggested to the NFL to cancel all future games between the two teams. Also, the 49ers tightened up its security measures, including instituting an alcohol ban on postgame and parking lots tailgating. 

However, during a subsequent playoff game, some New Orleans Saints fans still complained about harassment. Therefore, San Francisco police officers started attending games spying under opponent’s jerseys to police rabble-rousers.

The San Francisco 4ers, in its brief statement, claimed that the team is committed in providing a safe game environment for all fans. In fact, its commitment has earned the highest security level rating from the NFL. Meanwhile, both NFL and Landmark Security’s legal representatives declined to comment on the allegations hurled against them.

Unlike any other accidents like vehicle accidents where the cause of damage is apparent and the liability is comparatively clear, premise liability claims often present liability issues. In such cases, a victim has to prove that something within the property caused the injury. Furthermore, a victim has to prove that the property owner failed to do something despite the awareness of the existence of danger on the property, which eventually caused the injury, briefly explained by a Los Angeles premise liability lawyer.

SSA Asks for Bullets to Beef up Security

Recently, the Social Security Administration (SSA) made a big surprise to everyone when as it posted a purchase request for 174,000 rounds of .357 Sig grain bonded jacketed hollow point bullets.

Accordingly, the SSA only employs 295 special agents with the law enforcement authority and such agents are divided among 66 offices across the nation. Therefore, the entire nation is quite amazed when the agency opened up its need for bullets.

Subsequently, in a statement released by the agency to public, it claimed that the ammo that it was requesting was for the purpose of training and security.

The agency further explained that due to more and more Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) claims that it is receiving each day, the number of traffic in its office increases as well.

The agency likewise pointed out that employees and visitors are the most important priority of the Office of the Inspector General (OIG). The OIG, together with the Federal Protective Services and other local law enforcement, has jurisdiction over SSA offices.

Moreover, the agency also noted that SSA agents have duties similar to state and federal law enforcement groups. In fact, the agency makes a similar purchase each year, the SSA added.

Unfortunately for the agency, its purchase request has created widespread conspiracy theories on the virtual world. A Los Angeles social security disability lawyer witnessed how such misconception went wrong all over the Internet but at least, the agency had already aired its side regarding the misleading issue.

On a related note, the SSDI is purposely created to replace lost wages due to illness or injury resulting from work. The same is very important to you and your family since it is your best protection against financial disaster.

The fact that people sometimes forget is that although such agency is designed to provide protection to people in need, the agency itself likewise needs protection.

California Toyota Dealership Enters Agreement Settling Harassment and Retaliation Case

A Toyota dealership in Fremont, California has finally agreed to enter into an agreement with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) to settle the harassment and retaliation case filed against it by the latter.

The said car dealership has agreed to pay $400,000.00 monetary fines and to conduct training to its management staff to end the lawsuit.

The lawsuit claimed that Fremont Toyota’s former general manager blatantly called four Afghan-American salesmen as terrorists and threatened to blow them up with a bomb during a staff meeting way back in 2007. Upon reporting the harassment, the men suffered retaliation like additional harassment and overtly close job monitoring until they eventually decided to file their resignation. Meanwhile, a manager who spoke up for the salesmen was fired, according to the lawsuit.

Ironically, after being referred to as terrorists from their previous job, most of the fired salesmen were said to have found work with the U.S. army serving in Afghanistan and protecting U.S. soldiers from terrorists, said by one of the former salesmen.

On the other hand, Fremont Toyota’s new general manager and legal representative refused to comment on the matter, reports said.

Under the settlement agreement signed and executed by both party, Toyota is required to train all managers, post a notice concerning the lawsuit, and file a report to the EEOC for a three-year period aside from paying the monetary relief to the five fired employees.

Meanwhile, EEOC San Francisco regional attorney William R. Tamayo said that he, on behalf of the agency, anticipates that this case will notify people that the civil rights law of the country aims to protect everyone from employment discrimination, regardless of their national origin or race. Even EEOC San Francisco District Director Michael Baldonado hopes that the settlement would bring awareness to the Afghan community regarding their legal rights and how the federal government can protect them.

Like any other states and counties in U.S., in Los Angeles, workplace discrimination is considered illegal and may lead to the imposition of severe penalties to employers and companies who violate labor laws. Therefore, employers are often discouraged from discriminating employees.

Wrongful Death Lawsuit Filed Following “Expendables 2” Stuntman’s Death

Recently, the family of a stuntman who died from an explosion while filming the movie “The Expendables 2” has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the movie’s producer, Nu Image and Millennium Films, as well as the movie’s stunt coordinator.

The said wrongful death claim was filed before the office of the Los Angeles Superior Court by the parents of the late stuntman, Kun Liu.

Liu died on October 27, 2011 in Bulgaria while making the action sequel. According to court documents, the victim’s spouses, Zong Yu Liu and Tan Mei Bai, claim that the studio, and the second unit director/ stunt coordinator, Chad Stahelski, are responsible for the unsafe conditions during a boat sequence that caused Liu’s death. The lawsuit is seeking for unspecified damages.

Furthermore, the lawsuit alleges that the defendants failed to organize, plan, set-up, produce, direct, train, coordinate and prepare for the scene and recklessly implemented the stunt that involved the use of explosives and other extra-risky activities in the rubber boat.

Star-writer Sylvester Stallone, Director Simon West or other co-actors in the film was not involved in the lawsuit. The said movie is set to be released on August 17 by Lionsgate in United States.

Wrongful death is the term used to describe when an individual is tragically killed due to a misconduct or negligence of another individual or party.

In Los Angeles, if you suspect that the main reason for your loved one’s death is due to negligence or misconduct of others, it is best that you get in touch with consult a Los Angeles wrongful death lawyer that is competent and passionate in providing service.