Posts tagged "wrongful death"

Alcohol-related crashes are about 4.5 times more likely to result in death than those not related to alcohol. Alcohol may have been a factor in a recent fatal crash between an Acura sedan and a SEPTA bus that occurred on August 14, 2012. The accident left a 58-year-old passenger in the car dead and 10 people on the bus injured. Although police are still investigating what caused the accident, they believe alcohol may have led to the crash.

According to the article on Philly.com, the car was northbound on Old York Road in Philadelphia when it suddenly swerved into the southbound lane and hit the Route 55 SEPTA bus head on.

Every year in Pennsylvania about 35% of all traffic fatalities involve alcohol. Families who lose loved ones in drunk driving accidents are not only grieving the loss of a loved one, but facing a financial burden as well. A wrongful death claim against a drunk driver can provide compensation for medical expenses, funeral expenses, loss of wages, and other costs related to the accident. Although no amount of money can take away the pain of a sudden loss, it can help a family who is dealing with the financial aftermath of an accident.

If you have recently lost a loved one in a drunk driving accident, it is important to have an experienced wrongful death attorney on your side. Marciano & MacAvoy, P.C. have helped many next of kin after the deaths of their loved ones. Call today to schedule a free consultation.

Source: Philly.com, Woman killed in car crash with bus identified, August 14, 2012

When creating new products or services, businesses must adhere to strict health and safety guidelines. This is especially true for new medical procedures, which require that participants are advised of the risks of any and all trial test procedures and give their informed consent to participate within the trial or study. One company in Pennsylvania is alleged to have misled a participant about the risks associated with the spinal injection of an experimental bone cement. This resulted in the woman's family suing the company for her wrongful death.

The company, Synthes, is currently owned by Johnson & Johnson and specializes in creating and manufacturing tools and implants for treating damaged bones. Shortly after a surgeon injected the company's Norian SRS drug mixed with barium sulfate into the woman's spine, the mixture allegedly leaked into the woman's venous system. This caused cardiac arrest, which led to her death.

Crashes involving multiple vehicles can have deadly consequences. The more vehicles and people involved in an accident, the more of a chance a wrongful death may occur. This may have been what happened recently in a seven-car pileup on a Pennsylvania highway. The tragic accident resulted in the death of a 56-year-old man.

A tractor-trailer collided with a car around 1:50 p.m., causing a chain reaction motor vehicle accident. The victim was reportedly driving a Lexus convertible on Interstate 81 in Susquehanna County. He is survived by his wife and four children.

We previously reported about the driver who killed a Philadelphia police officer while driving under the influence on Sunday, July 8. Although many drunk drivers do get drunk on their own, often times they have been drinking at a bar or restaurant prior to getting in their car. On July 10, it was reported by the Philadelphia Daily News that he was drinking beer and vodka at a T.G.I. Friday's restaurant before the accident that occurred around 3:15 a.m. on I-95.

According to the article, he was at the T.G.I. Friday's on Street Road in Bensalem, PA. He consumed four beers and two vodka drinks. He reportedly paid his bill there at 1:16 a.m. and they do not know where he was between that time and the crash.

If the bartender at TGIFs served the driver and he was obviously intoxicated, he or she and the restaurant could be held liable for the death that he caused. In addition to a claim for compensation against that driver, the family of the police officer could also have a dram shop claim against TGI Fridays.

Dram shop laws allow someone who lost a family member in a fatal accident caused by a drunk driver to make a claim against alcohol servers. Because dram shop cases can be complicated, they should be handled by an experienced attorney. Marciano & MacAvoy, P.C. have extensive experience with dram shop law and can develop strong cases for their clients. Contact us today if you would like to discuss the possibility of a dram shop case.

Source: The Philadelphia Daily News, Cops:Drunk driver who killed cop was at TGI Fridays, July 10, 2012

An outing on a yacht to watch Fourth of July fireworks ended in tragedy when the yacht capsized with 27 people aboard. Three children died after becoming trapped in the cabin of the 34-foot vessel on the north shore of Long Island, NY. According to the Associated Press article on Philly.com, safety experts said that the boat was severely overcrowded and likely to tip over.

The person who was at the helm of the boat told a Long Island news station that he saw two lightning bolts and then a wave suddenly hit.

The article said that the cause of the accident is under investigation but was most likely due to weather, overcrowding, and/ or the wake from another vessel. Most boats have a manufacturer's plate that lists capacity by number of adults and by total weight and most suggest a maximum of 15 passengers.

The families of the victims would be well advised to consult with a wrongful death attorney who can investigate if there was any negligence on the part of the boat owner or captain. The families must deal with numerous losses and expenses including medical bills, funeral costs, and burial expenses. Financial resources can bring a sense of closure to the accident and help a family cope with the financial aspects of an accidental death.

Marciano & MacAvoy, P.C. are experienced wrongful death attorneys who can help determine whether another party was negligent and prepare a compelling case for your compensation. If you have lost a loved one in a fatal accident in Pennsylvania, contact them today to schedule a free consultation.

Source: Philly.com, Boating experts say NY yacht overcrowded; 3 dead, July 6, 2012

Earlier this month, The Monster Jam Path of Destruction was held at Lincoln Financial Field in South Philadelphia and the U.S. Hot Rod Association's Monster Trucks are coming to the Delaware State Fair Grounds in July. It's important to note that, although rare, fatal accidents do occur to spectators at these events. In the past few years, accidents at Monster Truck shows have resulted in tragic consequences.

According to CNN.com, two fatal monster truck show accidents occurred in January 2009 within two weeks of each other. A 6-year-old boy was killed by flying chunks of metal while watching a monster truck rally at the Tacoma Dome in Washington State. The article said the accident happened when an apparent mechanical malfunction in the truck's drivetrain caused metal fragments to fly out into the crowd. That same month, a promoter was killed after a monster truck ran over him in Madison, Wisconsin. The family of the boy who was killed settled a wrongful death lawsuit with the show's promoter.

 If you are planning on attending a monster truck show with your family this summer, be sure to take precautions to protect yourself. When you reserve your seats, try to sit higher in the stands in case a monster truck loses control and drives up into the grandstands. Keep your distance if you are at a parade or other outdoor event where a monster truck is planning on jumping cars.

Promoters of Monster Truck shows should have a strong safety program in place to ensure the safety of the spectators. If their negligence caused someone to be injured or killed at one of their events, they could be held legally responsible.

Pat MacAvoy and Kevin Marciano are representing a woman who was recently injured at a Monster Truck show as a result of debris flying off a truck that had crashed. The attorneys at Marciano & MacAvoy, P.C. have achieved large settlements and verdicts on behalf of numerous injury victims. If you have been injured due to someone else's negligence, please contact the law firm to schedule a free initial consultation.

Source: CNN.com

Related source: KOMOnews.com

Last year, a gas explosion in Allentown, PA took the lives of five people. On February 9, 2011 a gas leak from a crack in a cast-iron gas distribution line caused the explosion. This week, the Public Utility Commission (PUC) investigators reported that UGI Utilities had multiple safety violations and "lax approach" to replacing hundreds of miles of old cast-iron and bare steel distribution lines, causing the fatal gas explosion.

According to an article in The Morning Call, the PUC's investigation took 16 months and found that UGI failed to ensure adequate levels of an odorant that is a warning sign for leaks, they failed to notice the aging pipes, and they failed to survey lines in the area and deficiencies in its emergency response.

Friends of two of the victims told The Morning Call that UGI needs to recognize that their failure to properly manage gas line safety cost five people their lives and that they need to take steps to prevent future explosions. Relatives of some of the victims have filed a wrongful death lawsuit against UGI. Another family settled with UGI last year.

If you are seeking answers after your loved one's accidental death, contact the Pennsylvania wrongful death attorneys at Marciano & MacAvoy, P.C. We have the knowledge, skills and experience necessary to help you and your family cope with the financial aspects of a fatal accident. Financial compensation can be critical for a family who must deal with numerous losses and expenses. Call today at 484-685-3051 or 866-708-5224 (toll free).

Source: The Morning Call, UGI cited over safety violations in Allentown gas explosion, June 11, 2012

A 60-year-old man died and five people were injured in a car accident when a car struck a disabled van on the Ben Franklin Bridge. According to Philly.com, a 19-year-old man driving a Mazda while intoxicated struck the disabled vehicle at about 6:30 PM on June 2. The article said that the van was on the New Jersey side of the bridge, facing west in the second lane from the right when it was hit.

The deceased suffered a heart attack and died at the scene. The injured victims were taken to a nearby hospital.

The driver, whose blood-alcohol level was .08, is expected to be charged with driving under the influence. What is also concerning is that he was not of legal drinking age. This has been a particular concern in Pennsylvania as 31% of the driver deaths in the 16-21 age group in 2010 were drinking drivers. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, there were 459 alcohol-related deaths that year.

The driver who hit the disabled van can be held financially responsible for his negligent actions. The victim's family would be well advised to seek the advice of a wrongful death attorney who can protect their rights. Financial compensation can be critical for a family who is dealing with numerous losses and expenses. Marciano & MacAvoy, P.C. are wrongful death attorneys who have the knowledge and experience to help you with the financial aspects of a fatal accident.

If you have lost a loved one in a fatal accident in Pennsylvania, we can help determine whether another party was negligent and prepare your case. Please call today!

Source: Philly.com, One dead in crash on Ben Franklin Brigde, June 2, 2012

Related Source: Pennsylvania Department of Transportation

A 22-year-old Montgomery County, PA driver who killed his passenger in a fatal car accident in April was charged this week with homicide while under the influence. According to the article on Philly.com, he was driving without a license when his car landed in the Perkiomen Creek in Douglass Township. The report said the passenger died of drowning. The driver, who had a blood alcohol level of .12, suffered injuries and hypothermia.

Every day, a person in Pennsylvania is killed in an alcohol-related crash. Despite Pennsylvania's aggressive efforts to deter drinking and driving, it continues to be a top safety issue. In 2010, there were 12,426 alcohol-related traffic accidents with 459 deaths. About 50% of the driver deaths were drinking drivers between ages 21 and 25.

The victim's family would be well advised to consult with an experienced car accident attorney who can do a prompt investigation into the causes of the accident and prove liability. Because the driver was under the influence of alcohol, he could also be held financially responsible for the death of his passenger.

If your loved one was in a fatal car accident, Marciano & MacAvoy, P.C. are a proven effective source of information and help. We have helped many next of kin recover compensation after the deaths of loved ones. Financial resources can bring a sense of closure to the accident and help a family cope with the financial realities of the loss of your loved one. Contact us today for a free consultation.

Source: Philly.com, Montco man charged in vehicle death, May 25, 2012