Law Blog

Oakland, CA – On December 2, 2016 at around 11:20 p.m. the Ghost Ship warehouse in the Fruitvale community of Oakland, California became engulfed in flames. The Ghost Ship had been illegally converted into residential units, ultimately becoming a well-known artist collective. At the time the fire broke out there was an unpermitted concert being held by 100% Silk, a popular record label.

Tragically, 36 people lost their lives in the fire, which was the deadliest ever in the city of Oakland. In fact, it was the deadliest commercial building fire in the U.S. since the nightclub fire at The Station in 2003, the deadliest fire in California since the San Francisco earthquake in 1906 and the deadliest event in Oakland since the Loma Prieta earthquake in 1989.

Concertgoers desperate to escape the fire were slowed down due to a very narrow staircase, a difficult path impeded by an array of large objects and furniture.

The concert was being held in a space frequently occupied by underground musicians. At the time of the fire, the crowd was enjoying a performance by electronic musicians. 

Survivors described suddenly being engulfed in a blast of heat and smoke and crawling to the only way out, which was a narrow makeshift staircase located near the dance floor.

Derick Almena, the leaseholder of the warehouse, who rented units out to others, lived in the area with his family, a wife and three kids. They happened to be staying at a hotel that night.

According to resident Carmen Brito, the front stairway was only a ramp in certain places, with two very sharp turns onto two small landings, with one she described as being a large pallet. 

The Ghost Ship did have a back staircase, but no one knows if anyone used it when fleeing. If it had been used, the people wouldn’t have been anywhere near an exit.

Ms. Brito said she saw the fire starting near her loft. Fire investigators believe the fire started in the back of the warehouse.

The real question is why more people weren’t able to escape. Omar Vega, who owns the auto shop next door, said that the residents themselves built the front stairway. He said there used to be a conveyor belt in that spot when the building was actually a functioning warehouse.

No Direct Path From Stairway to Exit

People rushing down the front stairway would have found themselves in the communal living room of the warehouse, an area with no direct path to get out the front door.

To get to the front door one would have to take two sharp left turns and a right around three pianos before seeing the door and finding safety on the street.

Survivors said they were confused crawling on the floor trying to escape the thick smoke, while looking for the door. Fortunately, someone kept shouting the location of the door, which helped to save a lot of lives.

Ms. Brito described the path from the staircase to safety as being a maze. “I myself got lost the first time I tried to find my way to the door,” she said.

There were only a few interior walls in the building. Sleeping lofts and working areas were partitioned off with window sashes, furniture and pallets that one visitor described as forming a “tinderbox.”

Pianos and organs were placed all over the warehouse. Ms. Brito described how hard it was for someone who wasn’t familiar with the Ghost Ship to find the exit, even in the best of conditions. Survivors who spoke to reporters described how hard it was to navigate the twists and turns of just getting to the stairs, the difficulty getting down them and finding a way out.

Premises Liability

A property owner can be held liable (legally responsible) for accidents, injuries and deaths that befall a tenant or visitor to his or her property if it is proved that negligence on the owner’s part caused the accident, injury or death.

We at O’Connor, Runckel & O’Malley have more than 50 years of experience handling all forms of litigation. We have an outstanding record of success representing our clients. If you or someone you love has suffered injury or death due to premises liability and would like to consult with an experienced premises liability attorney in the Bay Area, please contact us. We would be happy to discuss your case, answer your questions, and explain your legal rights and how you can protect them.

(Source: New York Times)

Published on behalf of O'Connor, Runckel & O'Malley LLP

A spinal cord injury can be devastating, both physically and emotionally. But few people ever talk about the financial devastation that can result from such an injury. If you have a spinal cord injury due to someone else’s negligence, you must ensure that the compensation you’re seeking is enough to pay for the best possible treatment throughout your recovery. But, you’ll also need compensation to cover your loss of income, pain and suffering and a lifetime of medical expenses associated with your injury. Do not make the mistake of trusting an insurance adjuster to figure out how much you should be compensated. You need a top-notch personal injury attorney who has the experience and qualifications to determine how much money you will need, someone highly motivated, working on your behalf to see that you get what you need.

On average, the annual living and healthcare expenses plus the approximate lifetime costs directly associated with a spinal cord injury depend on severity of the injury, which means there is a great deal of variation as to the actual costs. The following figures haven’t taken into consideration the indirect costs, such as lost wages, benefits and productivity, which in 2014 dollars averaged $71,961 a year. Instead, the variations below are based for the most part on level of education, the severity of the injury, and employment history prior to the injury. The Average Yearly Expenses are in 2014 dollars.

Approximate Lifetime Costs by Age at Time of Injury (discounted at 2%):

The law firm of O’Connor, Runckel & O’Malley will consult with medical experts and vocational rehabilitation professionals to determine the extent of your spinal cord injury and the long-term prognosis. We also bring in very astute financial planners to help us determine the all the short- and long-term financial ramifications. Through over a decade of specializing in personal injury law we’ve demonstrated the skills necessary to ensure that you and your family will receive the kind of financial compensation you need to move forward with your lives. We invite you to contact us to schedule a free consultation to discuss your situation.

(Source: National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center)

Published on behalf of O'Connor, Runckel & O'Malley LLP

The spinal cord is a network of nerves inside the backbone that run from the brain stem to the tailbone. These nerves control all bodily movement as well as transmitting sensation. When the spinal cord is damaged it can destroy feeling and mobility below the injury, and if the damage is serious, it could cause death.

Spinal Cord Injuries from 2010 – 2015

The National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center at the University of Alabama at Birmingham reports that the distribution of the various causes of spinal cord injuries has drastically changed since 2010. These are the percentages as of 2015:

• Vehicular accidents 38%
• Accidental falls 30%
• Violent acts (gunshot wounds primarily) 14%
• Sports and/or recreational activities 9%
• Medical and/or surgical procedures 5%
• Other causes 4%

Researchers estimate that 12,500 new SCIs are occurring each year as of 2015 and from 240,000 to 337,000 people in the U.S. are currently living with a SCI.

The average age of someone sustaining a SCI is 42 years as of 2015, having moved up from 29 years back in the 1970s.

The length of stays in the hospital is going down, with the average in acute care now at 11 days, which is down from 24 days in the 1970s. Stays in rehabilitation facilities are currently 36 days, which is way down from 98 in the 1970s.

At O’Connor, Runckel & O’Malley we have more than 50 years of combined legal experience. If you or a loved one has unfortunately been a victim of a Spinal Cord Injury it may be in your best interests to speak with a topnotch attorney. We have expertise in this area of the law and a substantial track record of successful outcomes for our clients. We invite you to contact us today. We will answer all your questions and discuss your legal rights and how we can help you protect them.

(Source: NSCISC - National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center)

Published on behalf of O'Connor, Runckel & O'Malley LLP

SAN RAMON, CA – A little 3-year-old boy tragically died Friday night after his family’s car was struck from behind on Interstate 680 when it was out of gas and parked on the shoulder. The California Highway Patrol said a suspected drunk driver was driving the SUV that crashed into the family’s Toyota Camry.   

The CHP identified the boy who was killed as Elijah Dunn of San Ramon. He was airlifted from the scene of the accident and taken to Children’s Hospital in Oakland, where he died of his injuries.

Elijah’s mother, 11year-old brother and 1-year-old sister were also in the car and were taken to hospitals after the accident. His mother suffered major injuries while his siblings were injured less severely, according to authorities.

Elijah was enrolled at Karina’s Daycare & Preschool in San Ramon, said the daycare’s owner, Karina Jimenez who described him as being a mellow, sweet child who was very loveable.

“It was absolutely devastating for us when we heard he hadn’t survived,” she added.

He was getting ready to celebrate his birthday on September 26th and was so excited. She said that everyone loved Elijah and that he came from a wonderful family. She said she’d spoken with the toddler’s grandmother, who relayed that the family was grieving and requested privacy at this difficult time.

Yarenit Malihan, 38, of Pleasanton was driving the SUV at the time of the accident and was arrested on suspicion of DUI as well as gross vehicular manslaughter, both felonies, the CHP reported on Saturday. Malihan was taken to San Ramon Medical Center to be treated for her injuries and then she was transported to the Contra Costa County detention facility in Martinez.

Malihan has the same Pleasanton home address as an Alameda County Sheriff’s deputy, and it is believed that they are husband and wife, according to CBS News.

The crash happened around 6:20 p.m. Friday evening during rush hour on northbound I-680 in the vicinity of the Bollinger Canyon exit, clogging traffic for over two hours.

The family had pulled over to the right onto the shoulder, waiting for someone to bring gas, according to John Fransen, a spokesperson for the CHP.

It initially appears that the mother took all the safety measures appropriate for the situation by pulling over to the far right and having everyone remain in the car while they waited for help to arrive, Fransen said. A sound wall along the freeway prevented them from pulling further to the right and away from the traffic lanes.

“It looks like the mother and children in the Camry were wearing seat belts and the smaller children were buckled into child safety seats,” the CHP wrote Saturday in a post on Facebook.

There are no prior DUI convictions on Malihan’s record, according to the CHP. She was driving under a valid driver’s license at the time of the accident.

The rear of the Camry was mostly mangled after being struck by the Toyota Sequoia SUV, which was traveling at an unknown speed, according to accident investigators.

Paramedics transported Elijah, his 11-year-old brother and 1-year-old sister to Children’s Hospital in Oakland, while their mother was taken to John Muir Medical Center in Walnut Creek. The mother sustained a number of injuries in the crash, including a broken back and ribs.

Experiencing the death of a loved one is an extremely difficult time and we understand that nothing can truly compensate you for the loss of your loved one. However, if you have lost a loved one in an accident caused by another, you may be eligible to seek a remedy and payment. Protect your rights by contacting an experienced Wrongful Death Attorney as soon as possible. When you call the law offices of O’Connor, Runckel & O’Malley, you will be talking with an attorney who has spoken with hundreds of people in your similar circumstance. You will be treated with the respect and sympathy you need during your time of heartbreak and anguish.

(Source: East Bay Times)

Published on behalf of O'Connor, Runckel & O'Malley LLP

O’Connor, Runckel and O’Malley LLP would like to announce our 2016 scholarship recipient, Debbie Kol. Debbie received her bachelor's degree in Literary Journalism and International Studies from the University of California, Irvine. She is committed to giving back to her community as a mediator and a Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles volunteer. This fall, Debbie will be attending the University of California, Hastings College of the Law. Debbie hopes to use her law degree to assist underserved communities both locally and abroad.

We look forward to watching Debbie succeed in her upcoming years at Hastings.