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Archive for the ‘Fatal Accident’ Category

Tyson Boren Killed in Oil Tank Explosion

Friday, May 10th, 2013

Myton, Uintah County–Tyson Boren was killed in an explosion late Tuesday night. Boren and his co worker, Rusty Harris who was also injured, were preforming a routine inspection on the oil tank near the well when it exploded. Crews spent most of the day Wednesday working to extract Boren’s body from the wreckage of the well that is owned by Newfeild Production.

The 400 pound tank was next to a well that has been producing at a good rate. Newfield Production claims to be willing to help in any investigations that occur and are hoping to reopen the lucrative well soon. For the time being, all employees are being kept out of a half mile radius as investigators are determining the safety of the area. This is a set back for the state’s largest producer of crude oil.

Only an estimated 2% of all injuries in the oil and gas industry lead to death. However each injury can lead to loss of work and limb. It can be difficult for workers and their families to recover both from the initial injury of the accident as well as from the emotional and financial injuries which follow. Oil and gas service agents, like Boren and Harris who were checking the equipment, account for a sixth of all on the job injury claims in the petroleum business according to worksafe.org.

We at Christensen & Hymas wish to express our sympathies to the Boren and Harris families. If we can be of any help in your healing process we extend our support. If you or someone else you know has been injured in an industrial accident like this call us at (801) 506-0800.

Original article and photo from Deseret News

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Adam Weber Dies in a Mountain Swing Incident

Wednesday, May 8th, 2013

The Salt Lake Tribune reported Monday morning that Adam Jason Weber, a resident of Salt Lake, died Sunday after an accident in the mountains. Weber and some friends were enjoying a rope swing and repelling trip at Day Canyon in Moab. The group had spent days butting the hardware for the swing in place and many others had both swung and repelled using the apparatus which Weber fell from. He was attached to a tandem swing with a female companion. After the swing the riders needed to rappel down to the floor of the canyon about two hundred feet below. Weber got out of the swing first and as he took his feet out of the straps to rappel, he fell to the bottom of the canyon.

The location is about seven miles west of the highway and emergency facilities. Despite the quick response of several agencies, Weber died as a result of his injuries. His companion was extracted from the swing unharmed. It is unclear as to what caused the experienced climber to fall.

The American Alpine Institute for Climbing says that rappelling is the most dangerous activity you can do while climbing. This is the third death that the Grand County Sheriff’s office has investigated this year alone. The Sheriff urges climbers and rappellers to use extreme caution.

We at Christensen & Hymas send our condolences to Weber’s family and friends. If we can be of service in helping you or others who have experienced accidents with mountain falls please call us at (801)506-0800.

Image courtesy of Christian Haugen and is not of the story above.

Posted in Fatal Accident, Slips and Falls | 2 Comments »

Toone Family vs. Bugman

Tuesday, May 7th, 2013

The attorneys at Karon & Dalimonte have announced that they will be handling a wrongful death suit against Coleman Nocks.

In February of 2010 the Toone family hired Coleman Nocks, then an exterminator at Bugman, to handle their home’s small rat infestation in Layton. A few days after the first treatment of rat poison was laid all of the six family members fell ill. The mother Brenda Toone assumed that the family had all come down with a bout of common food poisoning, but after two days her four year old Rebecca’s health began to decline. She was taken to the hospital where she passed away within the day. This Family’s tragedy and heart break was only compounded three days later when Rebecca’s 15 month old sister Rachel also passed away.

Their deaths have been attributed to accidental exposure to rat poisoning. The FDA code for safe distribution of pesticides mandates that strong poisons, like the Fumitoxin that was used, must remain outside of a 15 foot radius from a dwelling. Fumitoxin in this case was administered in pellet form. Upon investigation the poison pellets were found to be between 3 to 7 feet from the entrances to the living space.

The Bugman has been accused of negligent behavior both due to the misplacement of the pellets as well as the disregard of client phone calls. Prior to the hospitalization of her little girls Brenda had attempted to call Bugman regarding an odd chemical smell in the home, now known to be the deadly contamination. Nocks did not investigate the concern, despite having access to chemical detection services like the ones which Pestcon Systems sells alongside their Fumitoxin.

The mishandling of chemical materials is hazardous and in tragic cases like this one deadly. We extend our deepest condolences to the Toone family and wish them the best in the up coming legal proceedings.

If you have been hurt or have experienced a death in your family due to commercial negligence please call Christensen & Hymas at (801) 506-0800.

Photo and article originally from KSL Feb. 9 2010

Posted in Children's Accidents, Fatal Accident, Wrongful Death | No Comments »

Nathan Wilkinson Died in Deadly Metal Roofing Accident

Wednesday, May 1st, 2013

Deseret News reported that Nathan Wilkinson in Harrisville was recently working on a metal roof. Typically roofers will take extra safety precautions by being harnessed to the surface they are working on. The man, whose name has not yet been released, unhooked his safety line for a short time in order to retrieve a fallen tool.

Tragically, the 35 year old man fell to his death 25 feet off the roof. The man was working alone so the exact cause of the fall is still unknown. It is suspected that a large gust of wind caused a large sheet of metal roofing to fly off the roof. The metal is thought to have blown into the man causing the fatal fall.

The firm of Christensen & Hymas extends their condolences to the family that this roofer leaves behind.

Despite safety protocols roofers experience 57 fatalities for every 1,000 accidents according to the U.S Bureau of Statistics. Tragedies involving industrial materials like this one occur frequently outside of the workforce as well. The Home Safety Council even says that each year falls are “by far the leading cause of home injury deaths”. They suggest the use of highest rated safety and quality roofing materials to decrease the risk of injury and death.

If you or a loved one has experienced an injury as a result of a fall call the experts at Christensen & Hymas, you may be entitled to compensation.

Image not of story and is courtesy of flickr.com

Posted in Fatal Accident, Slips and Falls | No Comments »

Douglas Crow Killed on Bike

Monday, April 15th, 2013

In Provo, Utah last Thursday, Maria Fregoso-Avina was put in jail for her negligent homicide. On February 15th, the 49-year-old woman had been arrested for killing a bicyclist by hitting him with her SUV and pushing him into an oncoming train. The victim was 69-year-old avid cyclist, Douglas Crow.

After serving her sentence of 210 days in jail, Fregoso-Avina will be granted a “voluntary departure” in immigration court, and will go back to her native Mexico. Similar to deportation, but with less legal obstacles. Because she pleaded guilty to the misdemeanor in March, and is willing to have a voluntary departure, the judge didn’t order anything beyond the jail time.

Through investigation, police have found the windshield of the driver was covered with frost, except for a small circle in front of the wheel. According to the story from KSL, “(She) was making a left turn when the railroad crossing arms went down behind her vehicle… she saw the FrontRunner train approaching and accelerated to get over the tracks” and according to the Affidavit, “Maria felt that she had struck something but did not know what because she never saw anything. Maria had struck a bicyclist pulling a bike trailer, and the bicyclist was (dragged) onto the train tracks”

Crow died on the scene. He was a beloved father of seven children, loved the outdoors, collecting antique bottles, and writing. He was planning on retiring this year after 30 years of custodial work at BYU.

It was an accident which unfortunately had fatal consequences. Our deepest condolences go out to Douglas Crow’s family and friends. A reminder to us all to stay aware and safe on the roads. If you or a loved one have suffered a similar accident, call Christensen & Hymas: 801-506-0800. No one can replace a tragic loss, but we might be able to help with the aftermath.

Image courtesy of ksl news

Posted in Bicycle Accident, Fatal Accident, Intersection Accident, Train Accident, Wrongful Death | No Comments »

3-Year-Old Dead in Swing Accident

Thursday, April 11th, 2013

In Farr West, Weber County on Saturday night, a 3-year-old little girl died. After getting her neck tangled in the rope of a swing, she died in Primary Children’s Medical Center from the injuries.

It was reported that her father had let her play outside for only five minutes Thursday night. Then he found her tangled in the ropes. CPR was performed, and the rescue crew team found a pulse. A Life Flight helicopter landed in the middle of the street, in order to rush to get the toddler to the hospital.

A neighbor commented on how fast the whole thing happened. Watching the medical crew carry out a little body was a shock, because seemingly moments before, they were playing harmlessly.

Playgrounds are designed for children, but they can still be extremely dangerous. Without proper supervision, a child could seriously injure his or herself. Jann Fawcett, a coordinator for Safe Kids Utah said, “Unintentional accidental injuries are one of the leading causes of death for children 14 years and under.” She says the best thing we can do to protect our children from accidental harm is to closely supervise them: even on playgrounds; especially on playgrounds.

Our deepest condolences go out to this family for their great loss. No words can express a tragedy like this when a loved one is taken too soon–in this case, far too soon. If you know of someone who has been in a similar accident, call Christensen & Hymas, the Utah Accident Attorneys. They treat all of their clients like family, and will help you determine what to do next through this very difficult time: 801-506-0800

Image courtesy of flickr.com (image is not of swing in news story)

Posted in Fatal Accident | No Comments »

Marti Hall’s Body Identified at Construction Site

Wednesday, February 27th, 2013

On Wednesday, the body of a woman was discovered in a Riverdale construction site. Kurt Nalder, an owner of the fourplex under construction, gruesomely found the body of 46-year-old Marti Hall. Nalder said, “When I pulled up, I noticed some purple on the side of the fourplex. I looked at it for another second and I realized it was her hand just sticking out above her so I just called 911.”

The body did not show obvious trauma signs, she was fully clothed, and did not appear to be homeless. Tracks in the snow make police believe she lived near close by.

She was removed from the site around 10:00 am. The case is under suspicion until the cause of death is definitively determined. Local residents are being asked to assess any missing neighbors. Lt. Scott Brenkman of the Riverdale Police Department said, “It’s always suspicious when you find a body out in the elements in a yard like this.” The police at this point say that Hall might have fallen at the construction site, and died because of the freezing temperatures.

Our deepest condolences go out to Marti Hall’s family and friends. An accident like this can turn a world upside-down. The twists and complications of being in the legal system dealing with a death can be overwhelming. If you or a loved one has been involved in an accident of this kind, you may need the guidance of an attorney. The accident attorneys at Christensen & Hymas would be more than willing to talk to you about your case. Call 801-506-0800 for a FREE consultation.

Image courtesy of ksl news

Posted in Fatal Accident, Pedestrian Accident Attorney, Personal Injury, Wrongful Death | Comments Off

Teenager Killed in Early-morning Crash

Wednesday, January 9th, 2013

rolled car

On a Sunday morning in late November, a 17-year-old boy was killed at 3:30 am. He and his companion, also juvenile, were traveling south of Lapoint very early in the morning, when the car slid off a dirt road.

According to KSL News, Uintah County Sheriff’ Cpl. Brian Fletcher said that the car rolled once, ejecting the 17-year-old. Somewhere in being thrown from the car at the scene of the accident, the teen died. The other rider in the car suffered bruises and minor cuts.

This case is still under investigation. Police are still trying to determine who was driving during the crash and what the cause of the crash was.

This is a terrible tragedy. To the family and friends of this deceased young man, our deepest condolences go out to you.

Teen motor vehicle crashes present some scary statistics. According to the Rocky Mountain Insurance Information Association,

Nationally, 33% of deaths among 13-19-years-olds occurred in motor vehicle crashes
The crash rate per mile driven is 2 times as high for 16-year-olds than 18-19-year-olds
55% of car crash deaths among teenagers occurred on Friday, Saturday or Sunday

According to the new program “Don’t Drive Stupid,” created by the Utah Department of Transportation, “A teen-driver crash occurs in Utah every 35 minutes.” These are always difficult circumstances to be a part of.

If you or someone you know has been in an accident, you may need legal help. Call Utah Car Accident Lawyers at Christensen & Hymas for a FREE initial consultation with an attorney: (801)-506-0800, or click for a FREE Utah accident book, that will help you understand your rights, protect yourself, and make an informed decision on whether or not you need to hire a lawyer for your case.

Posted in Auto Accident Attorney, Fatal Accident | Comments Off

Kevin Arledge dies in Spanish Fork car accident

Tuesday, January 8th, 2013

Kevin Arledge, 43, of Provo, died Sunday, November 18, when he swerved into oncoming traffic on US 6 in Spanish Fork Canyon. His Oldsmobile crashed into a semitrailer, and Arledge was pronounced dead at the scene.

Arledge was involved in his Utah County community, working in the security department at Intermountain Healthcare and taking time to coach kids’ baseball.

Many more accidents happen on rural roads than on urban roads. Highways like US 6 are narrow, and drivers’ inner speed demons are unleashed on the long stretches.

The following statistics are cited by NPR, highlighting just how dangerous Spanish Fork Canyon can be:

U.S. Highway 6 Stats

There were 519 fatal and serious injury crashes between Spanish Fork and Green River in Utah from 1996-2008. Of those:

117 were at night

280 were during the day

84 were in bad weather

260 were in clear weather

9 involved collisions with animals

32 were DUIs

46 involved driver fatigue

145 involved speeding

288 involved driving off the road or into traffic

Clearly, defensive driving and extra caution are paramount if you are driving on this stretch of highway between Spanish Fork and Green River this winter. Watch the weather forecasts, keep to a reasonable speed, don’t drink and drive, and don’t attempt to drive without getting adequate rest.

Christensen & Hymas extend our condolences to the family. Victims of rural car accidents are not without legal recourse; they can call Utah Car Accident Lawyers at Christensen & Hymas for a free initial consultation with an attorney: (801)-506-0800. Remember, they’re treacherous roads out there, and you are two-and-a-half times more likely to experience a fatal accident on a rural road versus an urban one!

Posted in Auto Accident Attorney, Fatal Accident | Comments Off

Pedestrian Homeless Man Killed by Car

Monday, January 7th, 2013

Recently in South Salt Lake, a sedan-style car hit a homeless man and his motorized wheelchair. The victim, Raymond Nielson, was 59 years old. He regularly traveled on 700 East, pulling or pushing a small cart containing his belongings. On his regular route, Wednesday, he was on his way to visit a relative when he was hit.

Unified Police detective Ken Hansen said that the wheelchair appeared to be in the center lane of traffic when it was hit, though it is unclear whether Nielson was crossing the street or going with traffic in the roadway.

The driver told police that he believed he’d hit something in the road, at first he did not know what had happened. The car only had damage on the lower front bumper on the driver’s side. But Detective Hansen is investigating why the driver was unaware he had struck a wheelchair.

Nielson’s belongings were all along the roadway, spilt out more than a block from the impact. His cart found further down the road. The wheels from the chair were completely severed.

This tragedy is an example of increasing pedestrian accidents in Utah. While this case is still under investigation, if this turns out to be a case of driver negligence, Nielson’s family, or the family of someone who might have been in a similar accident, may be entitled to some sort of compensation. Such an accident will most definitely have long-term emotional and financial consequences.

Personal injury attorneys at Christensen & Hymas law firm work closely with clients affected by the terrible costs of negligent driving. Insurance companies are infamous for skimping on settlements victims deserve, but a pedestrian accident lawyer knows the full value of your case, and will fight for it.

Please call us at 801-506-0800 to set up a FREE consultation if you or a loved one has suffered through a pedestrian accident by the negligence of another.

Posted in Fatal Accident, Pedestrian Accident Attorney | Comments Off

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