Michigan Personal Injury Blog - Los Angeles

Michael Jackson, King of Pop, Dies at Age 50

Devon Glass — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 21:16:22 GMT

Earlier this evening former pop music sensation Michael Jackson passed away at UCLA medical center. He was rushed to the hospital after he lapsed into a coma at his rented mansion near the medical facility. The exact cause of his death was uncertain according the all available news reports, including statements from the medical examiners office.

There has been a few reports that he died from sudden cardiac arrest or some other heart complication. It has been known for sometime that Michael Jackson was trying to mount a comeback for his career that has often been tarnished by lawsuits and family issues. He had planned to tour in Europe and America this coming year, but fans of the long time king of pop will unfortunately be unable to see him in concert. He will be missed by fans all over the world.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Devon Glass

LED Billboards Shedding A Little Too Much Light on Neighborhoods

David Mittleman — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 09:30:00 GMT

Several new LED billboards have sprung up around the Lansing, Michigan area recently. The high-powered signs are not unique to Mid-Michigan and appear to be the future of outdoor advertising. Despite the impressive new technology involved, many nearby residents don't think the flashy billboards are such a brilliant idea.

The issue has come to a head in Los Angeles, where the light from LED-powered billboards has some citizens up in arms. In 2002, the city reached an agreement with advertising companies in which the companies agreed not to build any more billboards in exchange for the right to improve existing signs with zoning approval. As a result, many of the city’’s 11,000 billboards now project light twenty-four hours a day, much to the dismay of people living (and trying to sleep) in the area of one of the signs.

Fortunately, offended citizens may have some recourse. One avenue would be to place political pressure on the city to change the zoning laws and put an end to unfettered light pollution. Another possibility might be an action in tort for public or private nuisance.

Nuisance claims are not easy to prove. Mere annoyance or aesthetic revulsion is not enough –– private nuisance claimants must show that the ""quiet enjoyment"" of their property has been unreasonably interfered with. The fact that the city has essentially ratified the billboards with its zoning laws will make it difficult to prove the advertising companies have acted unreasonably. Public nuisance claims are similarly challenging to win. Generally, the conduct must somehow threaten the health, safety, or convenience of a large number of persons, or somehow breach the public peace. The typical nuisance claim usually involves toxic pollution emanating from a factory.

Hopefully Lansing residents will not have to resort to legal action to protect their rights to enjoy their homes. However, if these illuminated signs turn into public eyesores, people should not be afraid to contact city officials or to consider bringing a lawsuit against the offending companies.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by David Mittleman

Distracted Drivers More Likely to Get in Accidents

Daniel Buckfire — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 16:33:00 GMT

Recent studies confirm what many people already know: distracted drivers are more likely to get in an accident and injure themselves or others. It is suspected that text messaging was involved in the recent Los Angeles Metrolink commuter train accident, but thousands of drivers use their cell phones to talk, text, instant message, or email every day.

Five States have banned text messaging while driving. These States include Alaska, Louisiana, Minnesota, New Jersey, and Washington State. The District of Columbia has also enacted a ban. Several other States are considering a ban, including California, Ohio, New York, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Nevada, Delaware, and Michigan. These bills range from limiting text messaging to older drivers to a complete ban for all drivers, but their goal is all the same: to eliminate a major distraction and can—and does—cause injuries.

The use of text messaging while driving is most prevalent among younger drivers. According to the Nationwide Insurance survey of 1500 drivers, approximately 40% of drivers under the age of 30 have admitted to texting while driving. Despite the greater likelihood of texting among younger drivers, the problem of driver distraction is experienced across generational gaps. According to the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute, some form of driver inattention within the last 3 seconds plays a role in 80% of all car accidents and in 65% of near-misses.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Daniel Buckfire