56-Year-Old Worker Killed in Evergreen Nursery Freak Industrial Accident

A 56-year-old man, who has been working for 20 years for Evergreen Nursery, was killed after a freak industrial accident in the company’s facility yesterday morning.

According to reports, the unidentified worker’s arm got caught in the conveyor belt of a compost machine that pulled him against its hopper component.

The worker sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced dead a little later.

This is a tragic loss for the family but they need to look at their options especially if the worker is their primary breadwinner.

Aside from filing a wrongful death lawsuit, they can also look at exploring the death benefits that they can get from worker’s compensation.

In the event of a workplace death, worker’s compensations should be able to provide qualified dependents with a fixed amount of money, retroactive temporary disability benefit and permanent disability benefits (if applicable).

Surviving dependents of the worker should consult a lawyer who is knowledgeable with the working of worker’s compensation to help them sort out if this is the best option for them.

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Bicyclist Seriously Injured in Collision

A 60-year-old man was taken to a hospital after his bicycle collided with a vehicle in Folsom recently.

Reports show that both the bicyclist and the driver of a Hyundai sedan were heading east along Parkshore Drive when the accident occurred. The bicyclist was said to have turned left into the path of the vehicle without any warning or indication of his intent to do so.

As a result, the bicyclist went onto the hood and window of the vehicle before hitting the ground. He sustained serious injuries and was taken to the hospital where he is said to be recovering.

Authorities did not believe that the accident was caused by either alcohol or drugs.

It is important for bicyclists to always make a signal or warn the approaching driver of their intent to make a turn as the unaware driver is very likely to hit them and inflict serious injuries.

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Seagal’s Harassment Lawsuit Dismissed

Actor Steven Seagal was recently cleared from the sexual harassment charges filed against him months ago by his former personal assistant.

Last Tuesday, the lawyers of Kayden Nguyen filed documents asking the L.A. County Superior Court for the million-dollar lawsuit to be dismissed.

In the lawsuit, Nguyen alleged that she was used as a “sex toy” after Seagal forced her to live in his Louisiana home where he is said to have fondled her numerous times. Aside from sexual harassment, Nguyen also claimed that the actor has been trafficking women for sex.

After the news of the sexual harassment broke, the filming of the actor’s reality TV show, “Steven Seagal: Lawman”, was suspended.

Seagal has vehemently denied the allegations earlier as his attorneys tried to settle things with Nguyen through private arbitration. It is unknown whether the recent dismissal of the case has resulted from an amicable settlement reached by both parties.

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Schwarzenegger Demands Chiang to pay Minimum Wage

California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has recently filed legal documents with the Sacramento Superior Court that should force Controller John Chiang to pay state employees the minimum wage as the state budget is yet to be released. Chiang earlier refused to follow the governor’s order due to the state’s payroll technology and that it will violate federal labor laws.

In the documents filed by the Department of Personnel Administration, the administration wants to stop Chiang from paying state employees their full salaries as no budget has been released yet for the month of July.

The governor’s request came in order to bridge the $19.1 billion deficit in the state’s budget as the workers will receive back pays as soon as the budget has been released.

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Verizon California to Pay $7M to Settle Wrongful Death Case

Companies can be held liable in accidents caused by negligent company drivers while performing their job obligations.

In fact, Verizon California has agreed to pay around $7 million just to settle a wrongful death lawsuit, which involves a man who died due to a wrong-way freeway crash on September 23, 2009

According to reports, Verizon truck driver Mark William Selander was in pain due to a diabetic reaction when he suddenly drove into the U.S. Highway 101 in Santa Barbara.

Selander then headed in the wrong direction and moved for at least eight miles before he crashed into a minivan driven by Joe Vega, 49, from Goleta.

Reports said the victim’s widow will receive $4 million. Meanwhile, his two children will get $1 million each while his two grandchildren will get $500,000 each.

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