If you are a parent, then we know you will do everything in your power to protect your kids. However, you cannot be by their side every second and you trust people, like their bus drivers, to keep them safe. Unfortunately, we know that school bus crashes happen. Today, we want to talk about an incident that happened five years ago that is coming to a conclusion now.
At the Compass Law Group, we are here when you need an Anaheim personal injury attorney. Our qualified and experienced team will work to secure the compensation you need.
This Is A Difficult Case
In 2014, Gerald Douglass Rupple passed out and crashed a school bus up an embankment and into a tree. There were 11 children on board. Four children suffered from major injuries as a result of the crash.
At the center of this case was Rupple’s failure to disclose a medical condition, pulmonary hypertension, that can cause dizziness, seizures, and blackouts. Some of the children said afterward that Rupple had not seemed like himself that day, perhaps an indication that a medical emergency was going to occur.
In April, Rupple had a chance to speak and address some of the parents of the children affected.
“I know the kids’ lives won’t be 100 percent whole again because of my actions and I just want to say I’m sorry,” said Rupple inside a courtroom.
Rupple pleaded guilty in June 2018 to 11 felony counts of child abuse and endangerment and one felony count of perjury.
One of the parents said that Rupple was well-liked by parents and children, but that he knew he had a medical condition and choose to ignore it. “The parents trusted you to transport their precious cargo,” she said. “The kids loved you, they trusted you. Those kids’ lives were changed forever.”
Often Unexpected
There are many ways in which personal injury cases arise. Bus accidents, like the one discussed above, are only one. As we list some other common causes of personal injury cases, please know that this is not a complete list and that you should always speak with a qualified attorney when making decisions about your case:
- DUI accidents
- Distracted driver crashes
- Dog bites/attacks
- Medical mistakes
- Defective products
- Pedestrian crashes
- Bicycle crashes
- Nursing home abuse
- Criminal activity
- Slip and fall incidents
- And more
If You Are Injured
When it comes to personal injury cases, we know how complex they can become. At the Compass Law Group, our goal is to make you our number one priority. If you have been injured due to the carelessness or negligence of another person, you should be compensated for all of your injury-related expenses. This can include:
- Coverage of your medical bills
- Compensation for lost income if you cannot work
- Pain and suffering damages
- Loss of enjoyment of life damages
- Possible punitive damages
