Lansing Personal Injury Lawyer - Grand Rapids

Recent Michigan Taser Incidents Cause Concern for Safety, Use of Force

David Mittleman — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 17:11:31 GMT

Two recent incidents involving the use of Tasers have grabbed headlines throughout Michigan and around the country, again raising doubts about the safety of the product and its use by law enforcement officials. Generally considered a "less-lethal" way of subduing unruly suspects, the use of Tasers has engendered serious controversy in recent months.

Earlier today, a young man in East Grand Rapids, Michigan, died in police custody after being Tasered. Early reports suggest that Matthew Bolick, 30, was Tasered twice during a struggle with local police officers.

Late last week, a Lansing, Michigan, police officer was reprimanded for Tasering a suspect who had already been handcuffed. Rocky Allred, 43, fell to the ground after the weapon was used on him, fracturing his jaw, chipping a tooth, and requiring eight stitches. The incident occurred back in August, and charges against Allred have been dismissed. The officer has been suspended for two weeks without pay for the appalling violation of police policy.

In late October, police in Traverse City, Michigan Tasered a 17-year-old girl following a traffic stop.

The recent spate of Taser-related injuries and deaths is by no means limited to Michigan. Injuries stemming from the use of the device have been reported across the country.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by David Mittleman

MSU Student Killed in Grand Rapids-Area Car Crash

Devon Glass — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 07:36:57 GMT

Jeremy Sobczak-Obetts was, by all accounts, a hard-working and humorous individual with a bright future. A senior at Michigan State University, he had hoped to graduate with a degree in food service management. According to friends and family, Jeremy had a wealth of natural talent and exhibited a knack for succeeding in everything he tried.

Tragically, a car crash in Ada Township this weekend cut Jeremy's young life short. The single-vehicle accident, which occurred early Saturday morning, was caused when the SUV in which Jeremy was traveling slid off the road and struck a tree at high speed. The vehicle suffered catastrophic damage, although the driver sustained only minor injuries. Authorities believe alcohol and high speed were factors in the crash.

Jeremy's life may have ended Saturday morning, but his story is far from over. His grieving family members have spoken out to the media about the perils of drunk driving. Andrew Tittle, the driver of the SUV and a friend and neighbor of the Sobczak-Obetts family, has been formally charged with operating a vehicle while intoxicated, causing death. Reports indicate that Tittle's blood-alcohol level was .22, nearly three times Michigan's legal limit of .08.

Jeremy's story is another horrific example of the consequences of drunk driving. Never drink and drive, and do not accept a ride from anyone you suspect to be drinking. Be smart, play it safe, and arrive alive.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Devon Glass

Meadows Introduces Bill to Ensure Transparent Disbursement of Settlement Money

David Mittleman — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 16:07:00 GMT

State Representative Mark Meadows (D-East Lansing), chair of the Michigan State House of Representatives Judiciary Committee, has taken aim at the office of state Attorney General and its current occupant, Mike Cox. It seems that Meadows is hoping to prevent Cox from using the Attorney General’s office to shore up support for his run for the governorship in 2010.

Meadows has introduced House Bill 4799, which would require money received by the State of Michigan in the form of settlements to be deposited into the state’s general fund. The excess settlement money would then be doled out by the standard appropriations process, rather than at the discretion of the Attorney General.

Meadow’s bill was prompted after Cox offered to give $500,000 to two Grand Rapids-area parks. The money was part of a settlement agreement between the State of Michigan and beleaguered mortgage giant Countrywide. The proposed allocation met with local opposition and allegations that the contribution was politically motivated. Adding to the concern was the apparent involvement of Peter Secchia, a well-known Republican.

Cox has dismissed accusations of partisan behavior stemming from his authority as Attorney General. Meadows, meanwhile, states that his intention is not to rein in Cox, but rather to ensure State settlement money is disbursed in a transparent manner and with full accountability.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by David Mittleman

White Pigeon Man Causes Two-Car Collision, Injures 6

Devon Glass — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 18:58:02 GMT

Tuesday—a 37-year-old White Pigeon man ran a stop sign and caused a two-car collision that injured him and five other people while attempting to get to the scene of a motorcycle accident that injured his 18-year-old son.

The man’s vehicle was struck Tuesday at U.S. 131 in Constantine, about 80 miles south of Grand Rapids. The man’s sons, 17 and 15, were riding in the car with him and were also injured. The driver of the second vehicle, an eighteen-year-old man, was also injured along with his 6-month-old daughter and his 19-year-old girlfriend.

All six people were taken to a local hospital. There is still no word on any of their conditions. The man who caused the accident received a citation for disobeying a stop sign.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Devon Glass

Grand Rapids Car Crash Leaves Teen with Broken Pelvis

Devon Glass — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 16:15:31 GMT

A 16-year-old boy from Kentwood suffered a broken pelvis as a result of a two-vehicle car crash on June 18, 2009, in Grand Rapids. Another driver ran a red light, according to police, and collided with the teen’s vehicle. The accident occurred just after midnight at 44^th Street and Breton Avenue SE.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Devon Glass

Window Washer Falls to His Death in Grand Rapids

Devon Glass — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 14:11:27 GMT

Grand Rapids—this Wednesday, a 21-year-old window washer fell to his death from the roof of the Grand Rapids Art Museum. The Michigan Occupational and Health Administration is investigating the window washing company for potential violations of workplace safety.

Witnesses reported that the man fell face first and landed on the sidewalk below after the scaffolding he was attached to collapsed. MIOSHA’s initial findings point to problems with the man’s harness, which may have hit him and knocked him unconscious prior to his descent. After his fall, he was taken to Saint Mary’s Health Care in Grand Rapids, where he died.

This is the second accident involving the Grand Rapids-based window washing service in the past 26 months. The company received four citations back in 2007, three of which were classified as “serious” and carried a $700 fine each, after two workers fell about 90 feet outside of the Van Andel Arena when a basket lift machine they were in tipped and dumped them both to the pavement. Neither man was seriously injured, but the company received the citations for failure to provide training on safe use of the lift, failure to test the lift each day prior to use, and for exceeding the maximum height for the lift.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Devon Glass