Assault and battery are serious issues in the U.S. that can occur in many forms ranging from a physical fight to a verbal attack.  It is not only the physical harm that can cause damage to a person, but emotional pain can be just as scarring. No matter what type of assault occurs, it should never be ignored and victims should have a chance to fight for justice.

A recent case at a Southern California high school has brought an egregious sexual assault case to the media’s attention. The boy’s team soccer coach is currently on leave after four boys on the team claimed that they were victims of a sexual assault hazing ritual that was led by other team members.

According to a Los Angeles news station, the incident occurred last spring when four freshmen boys made the varsity team at La Puente High School and were sexually assaulted by older teammates in a room right by the coach’s office.

Representation for the plaintiffs said that the boys’ soccer coach, “lured young boys to a back room to facilitate varsity members of the team sexually assaulting the boys by attempting to sodomize them with a foreign object.” Four suspects were arrested for assault against children, they have all been released at this time.

Representation also claims that the school knew or should have known of the incident and if they did know, they may be guilty of covering up the hazing incident. Police officials stated that the hazing events may have been going on for years. Over 70 people have now been interviewed in regards to this case including past and present students.

A single-vehicle rollover accident has killed a professional BMX cyclist. Kyle Bennett, 33, was driving his pickup truck on Sunday at a high rate of speed in Conroe, Texas when he lost control, causing his vehicle to rollover and crash into a private residence.

The San Diego athlete and Olympian was on his way to help his fiance after she informed him that her car had been broken into. According to reports, Bennett was speeding in order to reach his fiance faster. As a result of his speeding, he was unable to maintain control of his pickup truck. After veering off the road, the truck rolled through a ditch, and struck the gate of a private residence.

At the time of the rollover accident, Bennett was not wearing his seat belt. As a result of the crash, he was pronounced dead at the scene. The CEO of USA Cycling released a statement regarding the athlete’s passing, and claimed that he was an inspiration to his friends and family, and one of the best cyclists to ever perform in the BMX community.

We would like to extend our condolences to Bennett’s family and friends during this difficult time.

As the summer weather is coming to an end, people are beginning to cover their above ground  swimming pools and prepare for the cold weather that is fast approaching. However, before winter is completely here, many owners of above ground pools are trying to get the most use out of their pools.

Above ground swimming pools are ideal for individuals who are looking for a way to cool down, but have a small amount of space in their backyard. These types of pools are relatively easy to install, but can pose serious risks and dangers. Ladders and small decks are often constructed near the above ground pools in order for people to have easy entrance to the pool. When these areas become covered in water, slip and fall hazards are increased. Several injuries can result from a slip and fall accident near an above ground pool, including spinal cord injuries, broken bones, and death by drowning.

Recent examples of tragic above ground pool accidents highlight the necessary precautions that should be used in homes with these specific pools. An incident involving an 18-month old girl drowning in an above ground pool was reported in Modesto. The young girl’s mother was in their pool when she began screaming for help once she noticed that her toddler had been under water for far too long. The woman’s husband attempted to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation, but it was unsuccessful. Police classified this tragic death as a terrible accident.

As a parent, you want nothing more to see your children grow up to be successful and happy. For two San Diego families, those hopes were crushed when their teenage sons were killed earlier this year on Route 52 after two reckless drivers engaged one another in drag racing.

Two teen drivers, ages 19 and 16, prompted each other to race on the highway and exceeded speeds of 100 mph. Tragedy struck when the younger driver lost control of his car and hit a vehicle with four teenagers inside. An 18 year-old recent graduate of El Capitan High School and a 16 year-old junior at Santana High School were killed as they returned home from a party at La Jolla Shores. The other two passengers were seriously injured, according to the San Diego Union-Tribune.

Both drivers pleaded guilty to the charges brought against them, the older driver of a felony charge of engaging in a speed contest and the younger of gross vehicular homicide. The 19 year-old was sentenced to 180 days in jail with three years probation. The other driver was sentenced in juvenile court and must serve a year in youth camp.

Nothing can replace the life of a loved one. While loss is always difficult, it can be harder to heal when the life of someone you love was wrongly taken. If a family member’s death was caused due to recklessness or negligence, you have the right to sue the responsible party for wrongful death. A lawsuit, while it won’t remedy the tragic situation, can bring the guilty to justice and bring financial support to your family.

The Merchant Marine Act of 1920, more commonly known as the Jones Act after Wesley Livsey Jones, the senator who sponsored it, is a federal law with numerous provisions that are designed to protect the American shipping industry in various ways. It falls under the jurisdiction of the Federal Maritime Commission.

It requires that all goods shipped between U.S. ports be done so in watercraft built and operated by American citizens.

This protects the U.S. shipping industry from economic threats. In addition to protecting the shipping industry at large, the Jones Act protects individual sailors by providing them with a program that is similar to workers’ compensation. Sailors who spend at least 30% of their time on the job in navigable waters can have work-related injuries covered under the Jones Act.

Recently, a former employee of maritime transport company Hunter Marine was found taking advantage of Jones Act protections for injuries he sustained onshore.

Forrest W. Phillips claimed he injured his shoulder while handling a wire cable on one of Hunter Marine’s vessels. The company paid for his surgeries, time off, and other related expenses. Later, another employee suggested that Phillips’ injury claim was not what it looked like. The company launched an investigation and discovered that Phillips was already injured when he boarded the ship that day, and told his colleagues that he was going to make an attempt to get the company to pay for his medical costs be pretending to be injured on the job.

When the company found out it was being exploited, it ceased payments to Phillips and terminated his employment. Phillips then filed a lawsuit against the company, who filed a counterclaim.

Last month, a federal magistrate and jury sided with the company and ordered Phillips pay back the funds he took from the company with an additional $5,000 in punitive damages.

While Phillips’ actions may have been irresponsible, the Jones Act continues to protect injured sailors from the opposite situation where a negligent shipping company’s policies cause injury. If you are a seaman who suffered an injury on the water and your employer is not complying with the Jones Act, contact the maritime lawyers of Ritter & Associates at 619-296-0123 to learn more about how a personal injury attorney can help you.

El Cajon police are currently investigating a motorcycle accident that occurred Sunday on Interstate 8.

Police officials have stated that the accident occurred just after 8 p.m. when the motorcyclist struck a curb on the side of the road and was thrown from the vehicle as a result.

Emergency crews transported the man to the hospital in order to be treated for internal injuries as well as a broken leg. The accident is currently still under investigation, but police have stated that speed and alcohol may have been factors in the collision. The roadway was closed for nearly two hours after the accident occurred while crews cleared the scene.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a motorcycle accident, you need representation on your side that is committed to fighting for justice. Contact the San Diego injury lawyers of Ritter & Associates by calling 619-296-0123.

The homeless surfboard repairman from San Diego who decided to represent himself in a personal injury case against the estate of recently-deceased NFL Hall of Famer Junior Seau has had his $100,000 lawsuit denied by a 12 person jury.

Murray “Moose” Lea filed suit against Seau last year in relation to an incident where he claimed Seau nearly hit him with his Cadillac Escalade while accidentally driving it off of a cliff in late 2010.

Lea claims to have sustained various muscle and bone injuries as he evaded being killed by Seau’s SUV. However he showed up late for the first day of court and, during his hearing, failed to provide any evidence of hospital payments, did not furnish a single witness, and could not show any proof of lost income, which he put at $80-$100 per hour. While it was not clear to him why all of this hurt his case, any injury lawyer would have known better.

If you have been hurt due to the irresponsible actions of another person, it is in your best interest to hire a personal injury attorney to help you prove your injuries in court. A lawyer can help you make a strong case and prevent you from offending the court. Contact the personal injury attorneys of Ritter & Associates at 619-296-0123 to learn more about how a personal injury attorney can help you in your time of need.

The death of Phyllis Harvey, a former model, is the subject of a medical board review and a wrongful death lawsuit.

Her psychiatrist, Dr. Alexander Bystritsky, is being accused of prescribing her with strong doses of psychotropic drugs while soliciting funds from her to further his research. Harvey contributed nearly $500,000 to Bystritsky’s research while under his care.

Bystritsky told Harvey, a known philanthropist, that he could potentially cure her undiagnosed mental condition with a machine he has been working on in conjunction with UCLA and Harvard. In the meantime, he had her on several medications including Seroquel, a powerful psychotropic drug that is known to alter a person’s heart rate. He continued treating her with Seroquel, even after her physicians took her off of it during an emergency room visit. She later died of sudden cardiac death.

Considering a lawsuit after losing someone through the negligent actions of another person is not easy, but is sometimes the only way to feel a sense of justice after the fact. The San Diego wrongful death lawyers of Ritter & Associates commend Brian Harvey’s bravery in seeking justice after losing his wife.

The Fourth of July is tomorrow, and millions of Americans are planning to include fireworks in their celebrations. Lighting fireworks is a popular way to commemorate America’s independence, but there are serious risks that come with their dazzling sparks.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission reports that 9,000 people are injured by fireworks every year. Of these, 21% are eye injuries, some of which result in permanent vision loss or blindness.

Most firework injuries arise from misuse. In order to prevent fireworks injuries, it’s important to make sure you read and follow all of the directions on the product’s labeling.

The San Diego personal injury lawyers of Ritter & Associates urge you to be careful if you plan on using fireworks and wish you a safe and happy Independence Day.

The parents of an infant who suffered catastrophic injuries due to a drunk teenage driver were awarded $55 million in a personal injury verdict last Friday.

The 18-month-old child was being pushed around the neighborhood in a stroller by his grandfather when the drunk driver careened onto the sidewalk and hit both of them. The baby became paralyzed and brain damaged as a result of the accident. He will be disabled permanently.

The court found the drunk teenager’s father liable for allowing his unlicensed son to drive the family SUV. His BAC was .21, more than twice the legal limit for adult drivers.

Staying on the sidewalk is a key component to pedestrian safety. Unfortunately, sometimes even that is not enough to avoid devastating accidents caused by drunk drivers. If you have been hurt by the reckless actions of another person, contact the pedestrian accident attorneys of Ritter & Associates at 619-296-0123.