The Cochran Firm Legal Blog

Trains are an economically effective means of moving goods, including hazardous materials, across the country. In the event of a derailment of a train carrying hazardous materials, a spill could cause a catastrophe to a community, people and the surrounding environment.

Startling statistics reveal there is a train derailment or collision every ninety minutes somewhere in the United States., and there are approximately three thousand train accidents annually causing one thousand deaths.

Common types of train accidents include collisions with another train, derailments, collisions with other types of vehicles, mechanical failures, inadequately maintained tracks and equipment, and operator negligence. Injuries sustained in a train accident are usually devastating and may include spinal cord or traumatic brain injuries, amputation of limbs, severe burns, multiple broken bones and deaths.

The train accident attorneys at The Cochran Firm have been protecting the rights of train accident victims throughout the Sacramento, California area for years. We are aggressive in our efforts to ensure a successful outcome for your case by investigating and evaluating every detail of the incident to determine where the legal responsibility for your accident lies.

If you were injured in a train accident in the Sacramento, California area, please contact the experienced train accident attorneys at The Cochran Firm today to schedule a consultation and set a plan of action into motion to get you the financial compensation you deserve.

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As Californians we spend a great deal of our time in our vehicles. We have to contend with gridlocked traffic, drivers on cell phones, careless drivers and everything else we deal with on a daily basis on California’s freeway system. Recently millions of recalled Toyota defective vehicles have been added to the mix.

As experienced California car accident lawyers at The Cochran Firm we know when you are involved in a car accident the last thing you want to do is battle an insurance company or car manufacturer while you may be recovering from serious injuries.

If you are involved in an accident caused by a defective vehicle it is in your best interests to obtain the services of our experienced defective vehicle accident attorneys without delay. Your vehicle is considered evidence and must be preserved and examined by experts to support your claim that it was not driver error or negligence that caused your accident. We will make certain you receive legal representation that ensures fair financial compensation from those responsible for your injuries.

If you or someone you love has suffered an injury in an automobile accident and you believe a defective vehicle was the cause, please contact The Cochran Firm today to schedule a no cost confidential consultation to protect your legal rights and get the financial compensation you deserve for your injuries and losses.

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A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is usually the result of a sudden and violent blow to the head from an automobile accident injury, a fall, a job-related injury, a criminal assault or a sports-related injury.

Symptoms of a mild traumatic brain injury, also known as a concussion, may include a brief period of unconsciousness, headache, mild confusion and dizziness, blurred vision and some difficulty concentrating for a short time. However, symptoms of a severe traumatic brain injury include a persistent headache, nausea and vomiting, seizures, weakness of the extremities, loss of coordination, profound confusion and agitation and the inability to awaken.

A severe traumatic brain injury requires immediate emergency hospitalization and intensive care. The effects of a traumatic brain injury are physically and emotionally challenging and life-altering as well as life-threatening. Victims of a traumatic brain injury will require months and years of emotional, physical and financial support. The traumatic brain injury attorneys at The Cochran Firm are very experienced in handling the complex legal and medical issues involved in a case of traumatic brain injury.

If you live in the Sacramento, California area and you or someone you care about has suffered a traumatic brain injury, please contact The Cochran Firm today to schedule a confidential consultation with our attorneys to protect your legal rights and find out if you are entitled to financial compensation for your injuries.

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The National Center for Injury Prevention and Control estimates that over 8,000,000 Americans are injured every year in slip and fall accidents. In the state of California, negligence must be shown on the part of the property owner where the accident occurred in order for them to be held legally liable for injuries. The fact they own the property does not automatically assign responsibility to them for injuries that occurred on their property.

Slip and fall accidents are generally considered premises liability cases which is a legal term that refers to the responsibility of property owners for accidents that occur on their property. Property owners are responsible for maintaining their properties in a safe condition or, at the very least, warning people of the existence of potential safety hazards.

A slip and fall accident can result in minor scrapes and bruising or cause a life-threatening head trauma, or life-altering spinal cord injury. The experienced premises liability attorneys at The Cochran Firm will work together to make certain you are fully compensated for the injuries you have suffered by recovering costs of your medical expenses, income losses, loss of enjoyment of life and your pain and suffering.

If you or someone you love has been injured in a slip and fall accident in Sacramento, California or the surrounding area, please contact The Cochran Firm today and learn how you can be financially compensated for your injuries and losses suffered.

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Over 250,000 Americans are living with a spinal cord injury (SCI), one of the most devastating injuries to cope with for the victim and those that love and care for them. Over 11,000 new cases of spinal cord injuries are documented every year, with males accounting for 80% of that number. Half of those injured are between the ages of 16 and 30 with the most common causes being automobile accidents, acts of violence, falls, and sports related injuries.

The effects of a spinal cord injury are virtually irreversible despite major advances in medical research. In cases of spinal cord injury where the nerve damage is minimal, some basic motor functions do remain, but the majority of spinal cord injuries cause paralysis below the level of the injury.

Symptoms of having sustained a spinal cord injury include a sudden loss of consciousness, pain in the back, head and neck, loss of movement of limbs, difficulty breathing, and loss of bladder and bowel control. Victims of spinal cord injuries require life-long care involving physical, emotional and financial support in order to have a certain quality of life to sustain them.

If you or a loved one has suffered the devastating effects of a spinal cord injury, please contact the Sacramento, California office of The Cochran Firm today to learn how to proceed to get the financial help you may need to improve your quality of life and the lives of those dear to you.

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Police brutality incidents have made headlines on television news channels and in newspapers across the country for years. Recently, citizens have begun to fight back against the injustice of police brutality and the police officers who abuse their power and take advantage of those they are supposed to serve and protect. Citizens are filing lawsuits against the offending officers, police departments and communities where illegal police tactics have occurred.

The use of force to protect innocent victims of crime is definitely warranted and needed at certain times and we all look to the police force to protect us and bring criminals to justice. However, there have been documented times when members of the police force crossed the line and took advantage of their position to inflict harm on undeserving victims.

Police brutality takes on many forms that can include racial profiling, corruption, harassment, physical assault, verbal abuse, rape and shootings. The majority of citizens who are the victims of police brutality are minorities and working-class or so-called blue-collar workers. People who have been victims of police brutality in the past also include peaceful protestors, innocent on-lookers and people in police custody who have yet to be charged or convicted of a crime.

The police are not above the law and must be held accountable for illegal acts committed in the name of "just doing their job."

If you or someone you care about has been the victim of police brutality in any form, please contact the Sacramento, California office of The Cochran Firm today.

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Medical malpractice occurs when a healthcare provider acts in a negligent manner when treating a patient. Medical malpractice can occur from an action taken, or the failure to take action.
Some examples of medical malpractice may include the failure to diagnose a medical condition or disease, or a misdiagnosis of a medical condition or disease, the failure to provide appropriate care and treatment or an unreasonable delay in medical treatment.

Compensatory damages may be paid in a successful medical malpractice lawsuit for medical bills, rehabilitation expenses, domestic services needed, loss of current and future income and living expenses. There are deadlines for filing a medical malpractice claim and in some cases the deadline is as short as one year, so seek legal advice without delay.

Medical malpractice law is a highly specialized legal field and should be handled only by an attorney with expertise in that field like the attorneys at The Cochran Firm. When you begin a medical malpractice litigation you must be aware it can be a long and difficult journey and it is important to have a knowledgeable and skilled law firm in your corner fighting to protect your legal rights.

If you or someone you care about has been the victim of medical malpractice, please contact an experienced medical malpractice attorney at the Sacramento, California office of The Cochran Firm today.

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A Sacramento jury has awarded the surviving family members of Jennifer Lea Strange more than $16.5 million in a wrongful death lawsuit related to her death in a radio station water-drinking contest approximately three years ago.

The jury voted unanimously against Entercom Sacramento LLC, claiming they were negligent in putting on this contest. However, the jury found that the parent company, Entercom Communications Corp. based in Philadelphia, was not guilty of any negligent actions.
The jury claimed that Entercom Sacramento LLC did not properly follow the rules and guidelines set by the parent company. Had they followed these guidelines, the contest either would never have been held, or at the very least, proper medical personnel would have been present to ensure the safety of participants.

The contest that led to Ms. Strange's death was called "Hold Your Wee for a Wii." The contest awarded a free Nintendo Wii to the person who could drink the most water without urinating or vomiting. Ms. Strange died of acute water intoxication as a result of participating in this contest. She is survived by her husband and three children.

If you have lost a loved one due to the negligent actions of another, the experienced wrongful death attorneys at The Cochran Firm can help you receive the compensation you deserve for your loss. It is important to act quickly because most states have statutes of limitations governing these claims.

Please contact The Cochran Firm today to schedule your free initial consultation. We serve clients nationwide.

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Cell phone use while driving is a high risk behavior whether you are talking or texting. Talking or texting drivers are four times more likely to be involved in an automobile accident than someone who is not. The danger of texting and talking on a cell phone while driving is well documented.

A report published in the New York Times reveals drivers generally ignore the research about the dangers of texting and talking while driving and continue this risky behavior. Most drivers overestimate their ability to multi-task with disasterous results. There is no doubt that drivers using cell phones are putting themselves and others at risk.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that over 80% of automobile drivers admit to texting or talking on a cell phone while driving. A cell phone using driver can be charged with negligence if they were engaged in texting or talking when an accident occurs. An automobile accident attorney who has experience with cell phone related automobile accident claims can assist you as the laws governing cell phone use while driving change daily.

If you or someone you love has been injured in an accident caused by a texting or talking cell phone using driver, please contact the Sacramento, California office of The Cochran Firm today to learn about your legal rights.

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Construction sites are inherently very dangerous places to work. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) reports that over one thousand construction workers are killed each year as the result of an accident on a construction site.

Some common reasons for construction site accidents are that there are inadequate safety procedures in place, negligence, defective machinery or equipment and violations of OSHA regulations and procedures.

Construction site accident injuries are historically severe. Injuries can range from fractured limbs, to traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, burns, crush injuries, electrocution, amputations and many injuries result in fatalities.

Construction site safety is the responsibility of the site owners, contractors, architects and manufacturers of the machinery and equipment that is operated on site. There are strict work laws in place to protect the workers and provide a safe work environment which at times are overlooked in an effort to get the job done quicker and cheaper.

If you live in Sacramento, California or the surrounding area and you or someone you care about was injured or killed in construction site accident, please contact an experienced construction site accident attorney at the Sacramento, California office of The Cochran Law Firm today to schedule a confidential consultation to protect your legal rights and obtain the justice and compensation you are entitled to.

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Truck accidents involving large vehicles such as tractor trailers, semi-trucks, and other large freight carriers such as log trucks and automobile transporters, can cause catastrophic damage when they are involved in a crash. These huge trucks can spill hazardous cargo, roll-over, cause multi-vehicle pile-ups and reduce passenger vehicles to scrap metal.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), some causes of truck involved accidents were trucks traveling too fast for road and weather conditions, driver fatigue, alcohol and drug use and aggressive driving behaviors.

The physical consequences of being involved in an accident with a truck are very serious and most often fatal. The size and weight of large trucks is so great, that a passenger vehicle has no chance of coming out of an encounter with one unscathed. The occupants of the smaller vehicle are almost always the victims of disabling and life-threatening injuries.

If you live in Sacramento, California or the surrounding area and you or a loved one was involved in an accident with a truck, please contact a qualified truck accident attorney at the Sacramento, California office of The Cochran Firm today to schedule a confidential consultation at no cost to you, to help you understand the complex laws and what your rights are in litigation with the trucking company.

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An intoxicated bus driver that was not licensed to drive a commercial vehicle in the state of California caused an auto accident that injured at least a dozen people and killed eight. The unlicensed driver was arrested the day following the accident.

The bus overturned on its way to a casino near Sacramento. The bus driver veered off the road, lost control of the vehicle, and the roof was crushed in when it overturned. Several passengers were ejected from the bus and eight lost their lives due to the personal injuries sustained in the accident.

Auto Accidents

Auto accidents can be the result of another driver's inattention or negligence. Other causes of auto accidents are:

Defective tires
Defective vehicles
Intoxicated drivers
Exhausted drivers
Defective roads

If an auto accident occurred and was the result of a defective automobile, the manufactures of the products that caused the accident should be held responsible. If you are unsure who the responsible party of the accident is, please speak with an experienced auto accident lawyer. A lawyer will listen to you and discuss the details of the accident to find out who is responsible.

If you have been injured in an auto accident due to someone else's negligence or inattention, please contact the Sacramento office of the Cochran Firm to speak to an auto accident lawyer.

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The most troubling defective consumer product injuries in recent years have involved automobiles, automobile parts, such as seatbelts and tires, pharmaceuticals and faulty medical devices.

Unfortunately for the American consumer, defective products can be found in all areas of products available. There are reports daily of dangerous and defective toys, appliances, power tools, pet foods and more. Injuries that occur due to these defective products range from minor lacerations to life-altering and life-threatening injuries or loss of life.

Victims of defective products may be eligible for compensation for their losses. When a defective product causes an injury or death, the manufacturer, designer or distributor can be held legally liable. This is small consolation for the loss of a loved one or beloved pet, but holding someone responsible for your loss does offer some consolation.

If you have been affected by a defective product it is important to remember there are time limits for filing a claim. An experienced attorney will make sure your claim is filed quickly and correctly.

If you live in Sacramento, California or the surrounding area and you or someone you love has been the victim of a defective consumer product, please contact the Sacramento, California office of The Cochran Firm today to schedule a confidential consultation at no cost to you with an experienced defective consumer product attorney to protect your legal rights.

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Motorcycle accidents happen even to safety-conscious riders. Studies reveal most motorcycle accidents occur because the driver of the other vehicle involved just did not see the motorcycle before impact.

One-half of all motorcycle fatalities involved excessive speed and alcohol or drugs. Male riders are involved in over 96% of all motorcycle accidents and more than half of those had only five months of riding experience. The majority of motorcycle accidents happen after dark.
Motorcyclists are at a great risk of injury due to the lack of physical protection surrounding them, such as air bags and seat belts and the enclosure of being in an automobile. Motorcycle riders have only their helmets and clothing to protect them from physical contact with the road. Helmets have proven to lessen the number of head and neck injuries and have saved many lives.

If you are unfortunately ever involved in a motorcycle accident, it is important to stay calm and check for injuries, call 911, and do not leave the scene of the accident before police arrive.

Motorcycle accident injuries range from scrapes and bruises to massive head trauma, spinal cord injuries, broken bones, paralysis and even death. Serious injuries can mean astronomical medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, lost wages, permanent disability and death.
Motorcycle accident injuries can place a huge financial, emotional and legal burden on the victim and the victim's family members. Compensation may be paid for medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, loss of income and in the case of death, the survivors may also be entitled to compensation for their losses.

If you live in Sacramento, California or the surrounding area and you have been involved in a motorcycle accident, please contact the Sacramento office of The Cochran Firm to schedule a confidential consultation at no cost to you.

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A wrongful death lawsuit claims a person died as a result of the negligence or actions of someone else, and that the person's survivors are entitled to monetary damages.
Spouses, children and parents can file wrongful death claims in most cases. Wrongful death lawsuits can be brought against the driver at fault in a motor vehicle accident, a negligent employer, the manufacturer of a defective or dangerous product or the perpetrator of a violent crime.

A wrongful death can leave those left to grieve in an extremely difficult situation. There are often legal, emotional and financial problems to deal with during a very trying time, a time when most people are just not able to handle these problems alone. An experienced attorney can assist you at this trying time. There is a time limit imposed on the filing of a wrongful death claim.

Most wrongful death cases involve negligence in a motor vehicle accident, a work-related accident, medical malpractice or defective products. Laws vary from state to state and are very complex.

If you live in Sacramento, California or the surrounding area and someone you love died due to the negligence or actions of someone else, please contact an experienced wrongful death attorney at the Cochran Firm's Sacramento office today to schedule a confidential consultation at no cost to you to learn about your legal rights in this matter and whether you are entitled to compensation for your loss.

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