Law Offices of Howard Kitay
In a buzzing metropolis like San Diego, dozens of motor vehicle accidents occur every day. Some are minor while others result in catastrophic injuries. Since 1995, the number of fatal accidents in Chula Vista has averaged between 2.9 and 8.8 per 100,000 population, sometimes exceeding California’s statewide average. Motor vehicle accidents occur in a split…
When a person or company’s act of negligence causes the death of another person, California law gives surviving family members the opportunity to seek recovery from the responsible party. A wrongful death lawsuit is the legal action certain parties can take after negligence cuts a life short. In Chula Vista and throughout California, there are…
Car accidents can easily cause broken bones, lacerations, traumatic brain injuries, and spinal cord injuries. Soft tissue injuries are also common following car accidents, and these injuries vary greatly in their severity and effects. Some soft tissue injuries are acute and require medical attention to prevent long-term complications, while others are degenerative and worsen over…
Many Americans deal with back problems and pain daily. While many of these issues result from injuries that worsen over time, some back problems are degenerative and have dramatic effects. Spondylolisthesis is a condition that causes extreme pain and stiffness in the neck and back due to vertebral slippage, or the discs between the bones…
Anyone spending time in or near water should be mindful of the very real danger of drowning, even for the most experienced swimmers. While most people are familiar with the dangers of drowning, few realize that some drowning deaths can occur after leaving the water. Although rare, “dry drowning” cases do happen, and unfortunately children…
After a car accident, everyone involved experiences a whirlwind of emotions, many of which are the human body’s response to stress. Our bodies respond to stress in different ways, and a car accident is a prime example of acute stress, an extremely stressful or distressing event that happens suddenly. One of the reflexes built into…
Car accidents and other dangerous situations can cause severe or even fatal wounds, but not every injury is immediately apparent. Certain injuries take time to manifest symptoms, and abdominal trauma is one such injury. Any blunt force trauma to the abdomen can damage internal organs, cause internal bleeding that pools in the abdominal cavities, and…
Crash and accident data has shown for years that seat belts save lives and prevent countless fatal injuries on American roads, but they are only reliable when worn correctly. Few people realize that seat belts can have dangerous and even deadly consequences when worn incorrectly, and unfortunately, children are at the greatest risk. Most vehicle…
The American Automobile Association (AAA) considers Memorial Day the beginning of the 100 deadliest days to drive in the United States. Memorial Day typically signals the end of school, so many teen drivers take to the road to enjoy the summer months with friends. Unfortunately, the combination of youth, holidays, and traffic leads to thousands…
A spinal cord injury is one of the worst types of physical damages a person can suffer. The spinal cord is responsible for major parts of the body, including motor function and sensation. Serious damage can lead to permanent paralysis below the point of impact. Even “minor” spinal injuries can result in lasting pain and…
Slips, trips, and falls are extremely common forms of personal injury accidents. They can occur at the grocery store, in a parking lot, on private property, or in the workplace. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, falls are the leading cause of death in construction workers. Even if a fall isn’t fatal, it…
Encephalomalacia describes the softening or loss of brain tissue after an injury. Doctors also refer to this condition as cerebral softening. Encephalomalacia is a very serious brain disorder that can cause permanent tissue damage, such as brain scarring or loss of tissues. Encephalomalacia can cause brain damage that impairs functioning and health, as well as…
Chest trauma accounts for 25-50% of all trauma-related deaths in the world. Trauma to the chest can result in broken ribs, pulmonary injury, cardiac injury, and blood vessel damage. Stove-in chest is a complex type of flail chest injury. Flail chest describes damage to the chest due to significant blunt force trauma, such as in…
There are approximately 17,000 new cases of spinal cord injuries (SCIs) in the U.S. every year. This does not include people who die at the scene of an accident. Vehicle accidents are the number one cause of SCIs in the United States. The five lowest vertebrae in your back are the lumbar vertebrae, separated by…
When a collision throws riders from the motorcycle and onto the asphalt or other roadway surface, the abrasive material can cause serious damage to the skin. Motorcyclists can reduce the chances of road rash with proper motorcycle personal protective equipment, such as a helmet that covers the face, riding jacket, appropriate pants, and boots. Unfortunately,…
In a motorcycle accident, a motorcyclist and his/her passengers have nothing except their gear to protect them from injuries. Direct contact with the ground, another vehicle, or a stationary object can cause catastrophic injuries in any part of the body. Motorcyclist deaths occur 27 times more frequently than deaths in other vehicles. “Biker’s arm” is…