Carnival Reaches Consumer Settlement as Cruise Ship Wreck Sparks Lawsuits

Passengers on the Concordia ship that ran aground early this month have been offered a settlement of $14,500 each from Costa Crociere Spa, Carnival Corp's Italian arm that worked with consumer groups is Italy, Germany, France, and Spain to reach the agreement. This offer does not include the reimbursement of expenses that Costa has also agreed to -- including the cost of the cruise ticket. Families of those who were injured or killed as a result of the incident will be offered separate compensation.

The complaint was filed yesterday in Chicago by Gary Lobaton, crew member of the Concordia who is representing the ship's passengers in a class-action lawsuit. Italian criminal lawyer Giulia Bongiorno will file a complaint on behalf of Italian prosecutors next week. Codacons, an Italian consumer group, has already issued a statement advising passengers not to accept the officer. The statement indicates it would hope for compensation in the amount of "at least" 125,000 euro per passenger, and compensation in excess of one million euro for more serious cases.

Italian consumer group ADOC estimates that 85% of passengers will accept the $14,500 settlement amount, plus reimbursement of expenses. If the ADOC projections are correct, Carnival Corp's liability could exceed 40 million euros. However, according to Moody's Investor Service, insurance costs of the crash could end up in excess of $1 billion, once companies factor in injuries and environmental damages.

Read the full article here.

*     *     *

The Law Offices of Arnold Laub represents clients in private personal injury cases, as well as class action lawsuits. Our offices have been successful in bringing class action cases against the Fen Phen diet drug company, the City of Richmond, and others. Contact the Law Offices of Arnold Laub if you or someone you know has suffered damages as a result of a faulty product, or negligence like that of the Concordia's captain. Consultations are free.

www.laub.com / toll-free 1-800-338-LAUB

Suspected road rage brings driver to untimely death

A 63-year-old El Sobrante man was killed on Interstate 80 in Richmond early this morning after his mini van struck the center divide and rolled several times.

The driver of the van, Ronald Zerangue, attempted to pass a pickup truck in the carpool lane when he hit his brakes, clipped the truck, and crashed into the center divide.

California Highway Patrol suspect that Zerangue was "brake-checking" -- swerving in front of a car and slamming on the brakes -- at the time of the accident.

The driver of the pickup truck and its passenger suffered minor injuries as a result of the accident. Mr. Zerangue died at the scene.

Read the full story here.

*   *   *

Motor vehicle collisions on the freeway can be particularly dangerous. In these rainy months, please remember to drive carefully.

If you or someone you know has been injured or killed in an auto accident, contact the Law Offices of Arnold Laub for a free consultation today. We have legal professionals and a network of medical doctors at the ready to get you treatment for your injuries and compensation for your suffering.

www.laub.com / toll-free at 1-800-338-LAUB

Skateboarder critically injured in hit-and-run accident

A 34-year-old skateboarder was struck by a vehicle in the Tenderloin after rolling through a red light at the intersection of Eddy and Jones Streets. 

The skateboarder was transported to San Francisco General Hospital; police are still investigating the identity of the driver in the hit-and-run accident. 

Get the full story here. 

If you are a skateboarder or bicyclist that has been involved in an automobile collision, your auto insurance policy can potentially cover medical expenses incurred from your injury. 

Contact the Law Offices of Arnold Laub for a free consultation today.

www.laub.com

toll-free at 800-338-LAUB