In 2011 Greenleef enterprises recognized that dozens of their customers were experiencing yellowing and decay in their trees and bushes. After investigation into the cause the Heber County company filed a law suit on behalf of its clients against DuPont Co. They found that the herbicide, Imprelis, used had been spreading to unwanted areas and killing precious and expensive decorative trees.  DuPont had already taken Imprelis off the market by the time this complaint had reached them due to damage done to other cities closer to their Delaware headquarters. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency forced DuPont to take Imprelis off the market in August of 2011.

The law suit originated by Greeleef has since been settled but dozens of home owners in Park City have recently rejected the class action settlement. DuPont has agreed to spend up to nine hundred million replacing damaged trees. Park City residents are rejecting this claiming that the damages done to them cost ten times that. They feel that the compensation, though a necessary gesture, is inadequate.

We at Christensen & Hymas hope that both sides will be able to come to an agreement which they feel is fair and are thankful that this misuse of chemicals only lead to the death of trees and not humans.

The misuse of chemicals and chemicals that act stronger than expected leads to 10,830 calls to poison control centers each and every day. Add to that victims who are rushed straight to the emergency never realizing that there issue is chemical based.

If you or someone your know has encountered a harmful misuse of chemicals call the accident specialists at Christensen & Hymas at (801)506-0800.

Photo Courtesy of Sheggy

Story originally from The Salt Lake Tribune

Last Tuesday night in Salt Lake City, a 40-year-old woman was stabbed in the neck. She was walking home around 8:15 p.m, and the attacker came up behind her. The incident occurred behind Faustina Restaurant in a driveway. The man approached her with a weapon, a man she did not know.

Detective Dennis McGowan of the SLPD recounts the scene: “she felt what she described as punches, turned out later she was being attacked with a sharp weapon… She fought this person and struggled hard, yelled out and the person fled.”

The victim ran into Faustina, asking for help. A doctor who had been dining at the restaurant was able to help her, while an employee called 911. Jared Young, the owner of Faustina described the scene as quite jarring: “a woman came in with blood down the side of her which is pretty startling.”

The woman is currently in the hospital for the injuries to her neck and face, but she is doing well. There are still investigations as to who the attacker was, and what his motives were.

While police say the did everything right: she yelled for help, and fought back, but walking alone at night in any city can be dangerous. McGowan said, “We urge everyone whenever they are out and about alone especially to be alert to your surroundings and what’s going on around you.”

Perhaps the best solution is to plan ahead, so that you’re not walking alone at night. Meet with a friend, or ask a co-worker to walk with you, until you can be in a place with people, a place where you would be much less likely to be attacked.

If you have been injured by another’s negligence, call Christensen & Hymas for a FREE consultation on the viability of your case.

Image courtesy of Scott Feldstein

A pedestrian accident occurred Saturday night in Salt Lake in which a woman died while crossing the street. According to KSL, a 39-year-old woman was walking “in very close proximity to a crosswalk” at she crossed 300 East at 2763 South when she was struck by a male driver. The woman was apparently taken to the hospital where she was pronounced dead. Alcohol does not appear to be a factor in the event; there is, in fact, no clear indication at this point of what caused the accident.

We express our condolences to the family and friends of the victim, to all those directly impacted by this loss. This is certainly a tragic event.

Until negligence/fault can be established in this accident, it is difficult to know whether or not a wrongful death claim may be pursued. If such were indeed the case, those considered ‘heirs’ of the deceased would be able to file a joint wrongful death claim. More often than not, a personal injury lawyer would be able to negotiate an out-of-court settlement with the insurance company of the perpetrator, lessening at least the financial blow that often accompanies the unexpected death of a loved one. At Christensen & Hymas, we are able to successfully negotiate the settlement of more than 90% of the claims we receive, ensuring that you and yours are taken care of in a reasonable amount of time with as little emotional strain on you as possible. If you require the needs of a compassionate attorney, call Christensen & Hymas today at (801) 506-0800.

A motorist died this evening after his vehicle rear-ended a semitrailer near milepost 355 in Willard, Box Elder County, UT. Brandon P. Phillips of Brigham City rear-ended the semi around 5:15 after traffic had been slowed due to another accident. According to KSL, evidence appears to show that Phillips made no attempt to slow before hitting the semitrailer, the driver of which was not injured in the accident. Witnesses also say that there did not appear to be any form of distracted driving involved in this accident.

We offer our condolences to the family of Mr. Phillips. Details of the accident are slim; his passing is made all the more tragic because the reasons behind the accident are not expressly known.

The role of a personal injury attorney in Utah is to help those who are victims in a negligent accident receive compensation for their loss, be it physical, mental, emotional, etc. Our aim is to prevent insult being added to injury by unfair insurance companies that will not treat the death of your loved one with the respect it deserves. Call Christensen & Hymas today at (801) 506-0800 to receive compassionate legal services in your time of need.