Author Archives: maryalexander
6 dead, 7 injured in balcony collapse in Berkeley, California
Six people died and seven others were seriously injured when a fourth-floor balcony collapsed during a birthday gathering early Tuesday, June 16, 2015, in Berkeley, California. This tragic incident occurred at the Library Gardens Apartment near the UC Berkeley Campus. Thirteen people fell from the balcony when it gave way. Four were pronounced dead… Read More »
Berkeley balcony collapse draws attention to serious safety issue
While she was traveling in Ireland, newspaper Irish Independent sought Mary Alexander’s input concerning the Berkeley balcony collapse and the potential legal issues that could follow. Mary has represented victims and their families in balcony lawsuits involving very similar circumstances, including a case involving another residential balcony collapse that occurred in 2009. Mary noted… Read More »
Small bumps and brain injuries in California
Although researchers have known that large hits to the head can cause long-term trauma, they are starting to realize that smaller hits can have lasting effects as well. Typically, mild brain injuries are caused by the inertia of the moving brain inside of the skull. They tend to cause dizziness and headache but don’t… Read More »
Driver in zombie parade incident pleads not guilty
California residents may be interested to learn that a driver who was responsible for driving through a crowd of pedestrians during San Francisco’s Comic-Con pleaded not guilty to charges on May 3. The incident occurred at a zombie parade near 2nd and Island avenues in July 2014. During the preliminary hearing, more than a… Read More »
California girl collapses with brain aneurysm
A California teenager collapsed with a brain aneurysm while playing softball in May 2015, and her friends and family are hoping to raise awareness of the condition. A brain aneurysm occurs when a brain artery weakens and ruptures. This can lead to a brain injury, a stroke or death. According to reports, the girl… Read More »
Keeping pedestrians safe in California
On average, a pedestrian is 1.5 times more likely to die in a traffic accident compared to an occupant in a motor vehicle. In 2012, a pedestrian was killed in a traffic accident every two hours on average and was injured every seven minutes, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. This translated… Read More »
Keeping pedestrians safe in California
On average, a pedestrian is 1.5 times more likely to die in a traffic accident compared to an occupant in a motor vehicle. In 2012, a pedestrian was killed in a traffic accident every two hours on average and was injured every seven minutes, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. This translated… Read More »
Recovering compensation for brain and spinal cord injuries
When California residents sustain traumatic injuries to their spinal cords or brains, the effects are often permanent and life-changing. Both of these types of serious injuries can cause paralysis, loss of mobility and many other conditions that make it difficult for victims to function as they used to. At our firm, we help people… Read More »
Inflammatory protein and California brain injury patients
California workers who experienced a brain injury as the result of an accident may find interest in a 2015 study by researchers at McMaster University in Canada. The study found that those with mild head injuries may still suffer from debilitating syndromes common after a concussion, such as headache, dizziness, cognitive issues and neuropsychiatric… Read More »
Coping with apraxia of speech
For many Californians struggling with motor speech disorders, each day is a unique challenge. Unlike other motor speech disorders, apraxia of speech occurs when the mouth and the brain cannot communicate with each other properly. Although the mouth muscles are capable of producing the correct sounds, the brain is unable to make all of… Read More »