Personal injury cases are based on the premise that someone was injured by the act of another person or entity. If you find yourself in this unfortunate situation, you should seek out a top personal injury attorney who can fight for you and your rights. Since these cases are not necessarily clear cut, it is rarely advisable for you to go this alone.

When pursuing your personal injury case, the first thing on your list should be finding a good attorney. Even after you have narrowed down your choices, you still need to do a little research in order to make sure that he or she will be the right fit for you. This means looking for reviews from other clients, complaints, and even pending lawsuits that may have been filed. The Better Business Bureau is a great place to find this kind of information.

The Face to Face Meeting

You will next want to set a meeting with your attorney. Here, you will discuss the details of your case to determine if you do, in fact, have a viable claim. This is when your attorney will instruct you on what can be expected through each step of the process. This is also the time that your attorney will instruct you as to what will be expected of you. This will include any information you may have, the facts of your case, contacts who can help to verify your case, and any other information pertinent to your claim. The defendant’s attorney will also be contacting your attorney to swap information material to the case.

It is quite possible that your case will never go to trial. Many cases are settled out of court. Motions are filed to end the proceeding before it ever makes it to a judge or jury. This can be good news for you since settlements are often reached during this time. If your case does go to trial, the process can be quite lengthy depending on how much testimony takes place and how aggressive the defense becomes.

Even if you win the case and are awarded a settlement, it doesn’t always mean that all the work is behind you. Being awarded compensation and actually collecting it are often two different things. Defendants will sometimes go to great lengths to keep from paying out. One such tactic is to file an appeal. This is where your attorney will need to step in to speed up the process.

The Time Factor

One thing to keep in mind is the statute of limitations on such cases, which can differ from state to state. In California, the statute of limitations for a personal injury case runs for a period of two years, either from the date of the injury or when the origin of the injury is established. But the two-year rule is not set in stone. There are sometimes extenuating circumstances that can allow a case to proceed even after the two-year time limit has expired. Do not endanger your case by putting off initiating your claim. Contact an attorney as soon as possible after your injury.

Anyone who has been injured through no fault of their own deserves the right to proper legal representation. It is in your best interest, and that of your family, to hire the right California personal injury lawyer who can get you the compensation that you are entitled to. This will afford you the best opportunity for a full recovery and the ability to restore your life.

Give Us the Opportunity to Help

The Mandell Law Firm, in Northridge, is an aggressive personal injury and wrongful death law firm serving clients throughout the San Fernando Valley, the Greater Los Angeles area, and Southern California. Experienced and reputable, our attorneys provide hands-on care and sincere commitment to victims of accidents. Contact Mara Burnett for a free consultation at 818.866.6600.

It can certainly be a life-altering event, and the first thing you should know about spinal cord injury is that it does not always present symptoms immediately after sustaining damage. If you suffer a head, neck, or back injury, even if you feel that it’s minor, get the opinion of a qualified health care professional immediately. If you or a loved one has suffered a spinal cord injury, you should know what steps to take to ensure that you’ll receive the best medical care and rehabilitation efforts.

All brain injuries and injuries to the spinal cord are potentially dangerous. They can cause excruciating pain, take away your freedom of movement, speech, or hearing, and can even result in death. If you suffer an injury to the spinal cord due to an accident, on the job or elsewhere, you’ll not only need excellent medical attention but also the counsel of a skilled personal injury attorney. More often than not, there will be an intimidating maze of legalities that must be dealt with before you can get on with treatment and recovery.

Things to Keep in Mind

After you or a loved one has been diagnosed with a spinal cord injury, take the following steps to ensure that you won’t be left without help and without the means to ensure your best possible recovery.

While it’s fresh on your mind, write down how the accident or injury happened. If you’re doing this for a friend or family member, get as much information as you can from medical responders, doctors, witnesses or anyone who may be able to provide valuable information.

Consult with several doctors about the severity of the spinal cord injury and the long-term prognosis of the patient.

Say nothing to insurance adjusters that may show up immediately after the accident. These adjusters are specifically trained to keep as much money as possible for the insurance company. Let a trained, personal injury attorney deal with insurance adjusters.

Select a California personal injury lawyer that has dealt with clients in the state of California who suffer from life-changing spinal cord or brain injuries.

There will be mountains of paper work – some legal and some dealing with medical issues. Don’t sign or submit any statements or legal papers until you consult a personal injury attorney.

Realize that a spinal cord injury can be life-changing and you must be sure that you’re receiving the best advice possible from a California personal injury lawyer that is experienced and well versed in California law.

A Difficult Path

An injury to the spinal cord or a brain injury can lead to paralysis and/or prolonged rehabilitation. Unfortunately, justice isn’t always a swift and sure thing – even when it’s clear that extensive medical care is needed to regain even a semblance of an injured person’s former life.

The road to rehabilitation can result in thousands of dollars spent on doctors, rehabilitation experts, hospitals and rehab facilities, as well as equipment to aid in your recovery. All of this is in addition to the days, weeks, and even months it may take to reclaim your life. Don’t take a chance that your needs won’t be met. Consult the health care and legal experts who can help you through each stage of this painful and emotional process.

Get the Best Possible Advice

The Mandell Law Firm, in Northridge, is an aggressive personal injury and wrongful death law firm serving clients throughout the San Fernando Valley, the Greater Los Angeles area, and Southern California. Experienced and reputable, our attorneys provide hands-on care and sincere commitment to victims of accidents, including spinal cord and brain injury. Let us handle the time-consuming legal details while you devote your energies to the most important issue – pursuing the best possible path to recovery. Contact Laurence Mandell for a free consultation at 818.866.6600.

In the United States, someone suffers a traumatic brain injury (TBI) every 15 seconds. A TBI is the most frequent cause of disability or death among children and adolescents, according to the Brain Injury Association. Approximately five million head injuries occur every year, and most result from what appears to be only a bump or bruise to the head, but is actually quite a bit more serious.

What Are the Symptoms?

Any head trauma has the possibility of also causing injury to the brain. A head injury can be suspicious for brain damage if the following symptoms are present: unconsciousness, headache, convulsions, dazed expression, drowsiness, vomiting, memory loss or amnesia concerning the injury, as well as unequal pupil size. In addition, more obvious symptoms can include a bloody nose or bleeding from the ear without any noticeable fractures or cuts. Following a head injury, it is important to keep close tabs on any changes and be prepared for questions such as, “When did this change begin?” Try to recall specifics surrounding your fall or accident and when your first noticed impairment. For example, if you’re feeling anxious or disoriented, what do you think may have brought this on?

Brain Injury Checklist

Take a look below at these common changes, including personality, neurological, intellectual and psychological impairments following a head injury.

What type of personality alterations have you observed? These symptoms can include increased emotional distress, chronic frustration, aggressiveness or passivity, apathy, excessive talkativeness, childishness, overly responsible or irresponsible.

What neurological problems have been observed? These can include altered consciousness, slowed reaction time, increased sense of smell, overly sensitive to temperature shifts, seeing dark spots before your eyes, blurred or double vision, diminished night vision, sensitivity to sound or light, and twitching.

Have you noticed intellectual impairment? These can include memory issues, difficulty concentrating or paying attention, being easily distracted, difficulty making decisions or solving problems, unintentionally repeating remarks, difficulty doing simple math, deficits in processing information, and difficulty starting things.

What psychological impairments have you observed? This might include being easily startled, fearing loss of control, persistent anxiety, withdrawal or social isolation, laughing or crying without apparent cause, unable to shed worrisome thoughts, and feelings of worthlessness.

The Next Steps

If you notice any of these symptoms following an accident, it is imperative that you consult a physician, preferably one experienced in head trauma. Next, seek legal counsel. Find an attorney that is well-versed and experienced in brain injury and competent to analyze the circumstances of your particular case. The right attorney can also be a vital resource for dealing with all of the emotional, intellectual, physical and psychological stresses of a brain injury. Whether a brain injury is caused by a car accident, bike accident, surgical mishap, or some other act of negligence, it’s important to know that an equitable settlement can often be reached before a case goes to trial. Knowing your rights is the first step in protecting them. The right personal injury attorney will help with both.

The Right Advice

If you or a loved one has been the victim of a traumatic head or brain injury, the attorneys at The Mandell Law Firm are experts in this field. They are available to answer any of your questions. For more information or to make an appointment at their Northridge office, contact Robert Mandell at 818.866.6600.

Consumers have long been aware of the dangers of lead in toys and household items. Laws restricting lead use in items manufactured for children have lowered parental concern about safety issues. Even cheap children’s jewelry and toys are thought to be safer in recent years, but in many instances, lead has been replaced by cadmium in these products.

Cadmium is a toxic metal that holds the number seven slot in hazardous materials ranked by the United States Center for Disease Control. Tests show many of the toys manufactured in China over the past several years contain dangerous levels of cadmium, but Chinese factories may not be alone in their use of the metal. Personal injury attorneys in California, and around the country, are beginning to take note of this issue as strong evidence points to some of these products as causing developmental issues, learning disabilities and brain injury in children.

Associated Press Investigations in Product Liability

In 2010, the Associated Press conducted tests on a variety of jewelry and toys. Over one hundred items were purchased from retailers throughout California, Texas, Ohio and New York. Testing indicated that many of the items contained unsafe levels of cadmium. Cadmium levels as high as 80 to 90 percent appeared in a variety of bracelets and other jewelry for girls. The AP findings sparked a number of recalls based on elevated levels of cadmium.

Cadmium Related Recalls

Product liability related to cadmium is not limited to jewelry. Excessive levels of the hazardous metal have been found in other toys and even dishes. Some notable recalls associated with high cadmium levels include:

Two Lifetime Brands stoneware dinner patterns (2008)

FAF, Inc. necklaces sold at WalMart (2010)

“Best Friends” charm bracelets sold at Claire’s (2010)

“Shrek” drinking glasses included in McDonald’s children’s meals (2010)

Charm bracelets and rings manufactured by SmileMakers (2010)

A variety of metal jewelry made by Tween Brands (2010)

In addition to official recalls, the Consumer Product Safety Commission has issued several warnings regarding the safety of metal jewelry and toys manufactured in China. A warning issued in March 2010 cautioned consumers against holiday-themed jewelry that might be used in gift bags or at school parties.

Dangers of Cadmium Exposure

Cadmium is known to be toxic, and is especially dangerous to small children who may absorb toxins faster by sucking or swallowing small toys or pieces of jewelry. Oral introduction of items made with cadmium can result in exposure up to 100 times acceptable levels.

Cadmium exposure can result in a variety of serious conditions. In addition to the risks of developmental issues, learning disabilities, and brain injury in children, anyone exposed to high levels of cadmium on a regular basis may be at risk for kidney and lung damage. Bone damage and deterioration may also be related to cadmium exposure.

Health advocates and personal injury experts throughout California are speaking out loudly against cadmium use in children’s toys and jewelry. They are requesting the Consumer Product Safety Commission ban the dangerous substance from all manufacturing in the United States. Additional restrictions are being sought for goods imported from outside the U.S.

Need to Learn More?

If you think someone in your family has been adversely affected by cadmium exposure, the personal injury attorneys at The Mandell Law Firm are available to answer your questions regarding all possible remedies available to you under the law. For more information or to make an appointment at their Northridge office, contact Robert Mandell at 818.866.6600.

There are some common causes of head injuries, which account for the majority of the head injuries in the U.S. Those include traffic accidents, falls, and accidents at home, work, or outside. Some of those head injuries can result in permanent brain damage. Brain damage usually occurs if there is bleeding inside the brain or if the brain is impacted directly.

It can be difficult to recognize a brain injury, since sometimes symptoms take hours or even days to develop. In other cases, symptoms occur immediately. There are some symptoms that indicate a serious head injury, including changes in pupils, convulsions, severe headache, loss of consciousness, confusion, drowsiness, slurred speech, vomiting, fluid draining from the head, and impaired senses.

It can be hard to know what to do when a head injury occurs. A person might insist they are fine and don’t need medical treatment, even if the head blow seemed severe. If it was a mild head injury, closely watch the individual for 24 hours, and wake the person every two to three hours while sleeping. For moderate or severe head injuries, call 911, begin CPR if necessary, stop bleeding with a clean cloth, and apply ice packs to anywhere that is swollen. If the person is acting abnormally, is drowsy, loses consciousness, or vomits more than once, get medical help immediately, as these are signs the head injury could be very serious.

Many of the common causes of brain injuries involve someone else’s negligence, such as car accidents, falls, and other types of accidents. If you have suffered a brain injury because of the negligence of another person or company, contact the Northridge brain injury lawyers at The Mandell Law Firm at 818-886-6600. Compensation may be available for your brain injury.

Perhaps the most important thing you can do to prevent traumatic brain injuries is to wear a seatbelt every time you are in an automobile. You should also buckle your child in the car using the appropriate child safety seat, seat belt, or booster seat, according to your child’s age, height and weight.

You should also make sure that you and your children wear helmets each and every time you ride a bike, motorcycle, and scooter, play a contact sport, bat or run bases in baseball, ride a horse, ride a skateboard or wear in-line skates, or ski or snowboard.

Consider making your home safer for children and seniors, who are particularly vulnerable to brain injuries, to help prevent falls. If you have children, install window guards to keep children from falling out of windows. Also, use safety gates on stairs. If your child has a playground, use shock-absorbing material like mulch or sand. For elderly individuals, remove tripping hazards. Improve lighting in the home, and install handrails on stairways. Also, use nonslip mats in the bathroom and bathtub, and install grab bars next to the toilet and in the shower.

Have you suffered a traumatic brain injury due to another person’s negligence or because of a defective product? If so, depending on the severity of the injury, you may be able to hold negligent parties liable for lifelong physical and financial consequences. If you have suffered a traumatic brain injury due to another party’s negligence, contact the Woodland Hills brain injury attorneys at the Mandell Law Firm. Our attorneys will strive to obtain just compensation for your injuries. Call us today at 818-886-6600 for a free consultation.

The study also found that the boys with multiple brain injuries were more likely to have committed more violent crimes. Previously, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) had discovered a correlation between TBI and adult prisoners – between 25 and 87 percent of adults imprisoned for violent crimes suffered a TBI before they were incarcerated. Only 8.5 percent of the general population has suffered a TBI.

People who have sustained a TBI have difficulty remembering rules, planning, communicating, and keeping control of anger. It’s hard for researchers to pinpoint whether the TBI in young delinquents were the cause of the delinquent behavior, or whether the boys were hanging out with a bad crowd, which led to fights that resulted in a TBI. The CDC is currently studying the best way to care for prisoners who have a TBI.

Whatever future research tells us about TBIs, it’s clear that individuals who experience a TBI face a lot of challenges, which can be financial, emotional, and physical. The families of individuals who have suffered a TBI also can have unique problems related to the injury, such as caring for the victim and other costs. If you have sustained a traumatic brain injury in California, contact the Mandell Law Firm. Our Northridge brain injury lawyers can answer your questions in your free consultation. Call us today at 818-886-6600.

Over the past two years, 300 athletes have agreed to undergo a series of tests every year as well as donate their brains after death as part of a program at Boston University Medical School conducted by the Center for the Study of Traumatic Encephalopathy. In addition, families of 40 deceased athletes have donated brain and spinal tissues from the athletes. Those tissues will be studied to see if repetitive head injuries led to chronic traumatic encephalopathy.

Most of the athletes participating in the program are professional wrestlers, hockey players, or football players. The study would like to have 50 athletes from each sport. Most participants are men, but there are some women athletes who are participating as well. Those athletes who are enrolled complete a medical history and perform cognitive tests each year.

Those conducting the study are hoping to learn how much head trauma produces chronic traumatic encephalopathy. Many athletes participating in the study currently have side effects from blows they sustained during their sports careers.

Unfortunately, over a million Americans are affected each year by injuries to the head, brain and spinal cord. Most are caused by traffic accidents, but they can be caused by other activities, such as sports.

If you or a loved one has suffered a brain injury as the result of someone else’s negligence, you may be able to file a claim to recover damages for that injury. The Mandell Law Firm is very experienced in helping accident victims who have suffered brain injuries. Contact the North Hollywood traumatic brain injury attorneys at the Mandell Law Firm today at 818-886-6600.

A star college defensive end committed suicide in the spring at the age of 21. An autopsy showed that he had a condition called chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), which is an injury to the brain caused by repetitive head trauma. The condition has been shown to cause depression and impulsive behavior. CTE has been found in 21 players in the NFL, including one who also committed suicide. But the college star is the youngest player who has been found to have had the disorder. Shockingly, he was never diagnosed with a concussion during his career.

The tragic death of the college player has directed attention towards traumatic head injuries sustained by football players, as well as the effectiveness of football helmets. Doctors have recently shown that even a minor blow to the head can cause long-term damage to the brain. In addition, some experts think that today’s modern helmets are doing more harm than good – some players feel a sense of security in the helmets and are more apt to take risky maneuvers that could cause a head injury.

Have you or a loved one experienced a traumatic brain injury? If so, contact an experienced Simi Valley traumatic brain injury attorney. Even a fairly minor head injury could have lifelong consequences. Contact the team at the Mandell Law Firm today at 818-866-6600.

Brain injuries are hard to diagnose, particularly in people who don’t lose consciousness. Over 50,000 people in the United States die each year from brain injuries. Brain injuries can be easily confused with a stroke, and often the seriousness of the injury is not recognized quickly enough.

According to the Wall Street Journal, the Defense Department is expected to spend $17 million on a major study of biomarkers in over one thousand patients. The study will take a year and a half and could result in a simple blood testing device that could check for brain injuries, which medical personnel could carry onto the battlefield. A smaller study using almost 70 subjects found that patients with the most severe brain injuries had levels of one biomarker that were sixteen times that found in patients without brain injuries. Scientists hope to develop a blood test that will check for that particular biomarker.

Have you suffered a traumatic brain injury in the San Fernando Valley due to someone else’s negligence? If so, contact the experienced Valencia brain injury attorneys at the Mandell Law Firm today at 818-866-6600. Our dedicated attorneys will strive to get you the compensation you deserve. Call today for a free consultation.