By Aslin Tutuyan on December 27, 2011 -
I Can Do This. Right?
Personal injury law encompasses a broad array of circumstances. These may include, but are not limited to, injury in an auto accident or some mode of public transportation, slip and fall on property owned by someone else, injury from dog bite or other animal that does not belong to you. These, and more, all fall under the umbrella of personal injury and the severity of your injury may have a big impact on exactly how your claim is processed. There may be occasions when you could handle a claim on your own, either through an insurance company or small claims court. In other situations, you would be well advised to seek the counsel of a qualified legal professional. This will depend on the seriousness of your injury, and your comfort level in dealing with bureaucratic red tape.
When Is It Smart To Do It Yourself?
Auto accidents are by far one of the most common causes of personal injury, even for good, careful drivers. If you’re rear-ended by another driver and injuries to you and your passengers are slight, and the damage to your car is minor, you may feel comfortable simply filing a claim with your insurance, or the other driver’s insurance. If you feel that compensation is sufficient to cover repairs to your vehicle and any medical treatment received, and you are satisfied with the timeliness and professionalism of the service, then this would constitute a good outcome for you.
If, on the other hand, you’re not comfortable or not willing to negotiate with insurance adjusters to reach what you consider to be fair compensation for your loss, then you should turn this task over to someone who is skilled and professional and who can represent your best interests. Waiting until you’ve tried and failed to arrive at a fair settlement, and then seeking the advice of a personal injury lawyer can complicate your claim process. If you’re unsure about how to handle your personal injury claim, contact an attorney immediately and explain the details of your case. Most will offer a free consultation, and most will inform you if their services are not really required for your particular situation.
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By Aslin Tutuyan on November 30, 2011 -
Some Surprises Can Make Your Day
Some days just don’t turn out exactly as we expected. But, sometimes, the surprises can turn out to be just what we needed. As most of us begin looking forward to the season of holidays, whether we celebrate for religious, or secular, or personal reasons, we make more of an effort to find the good in others as well as in ourselves, and we reflect on what we’ve been most thankful for over the past year. I decided to share a recent day from my life, and my daughter’s, that I found humorous, heartwarming, and that included one of those surprises that made my day. I hope you enjoy it.
At our house, mornings aren’t always a time of peace and tranquility. More often than not, it’s chaos and disorder. Trying to juggle professional and personal lives can be challenging. On this particular morning, I was running late, and realized I would not be able to get my 3-year-old daughter, Vanessa, to preschool and still make it to court in time for my scheduled appearance. After some internal debate, I decided the only solution was to take Vanessa to court with me. “I guess it’s never too early to start training her to be a lawyer,” I thought.
An Unexpected Day in Court
As we rushed into the courtroom, I reminded Vanessa that this is where Mommy works, and tried to impress on her how important it was to stay quiet while court was in session.
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By Laurence Mandell on October 31, 2011 -
Safety First: Sharing the Road
Out of the 32,000 people who died last year on the nation’s roads, more than 4,000 were related to motorcycle crashes, according to the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA). For motorists, the failure of a driver to see a motorcyclist in traffic is the primary cause for an accident. These Top 3 Tips are preventive measures for motorcycle safety:
The Basics
Since not all motorcycles are the same, and range from touring bikes to cruisers to sport bikes, the owner’s manual is your new best friend. It will provide the specifics on how to understand and maintain your bike. There are, however, some general basics to follow. The front brake on a motorcycle supplies about 70 percent of the stopping power, which is why it’s important to use it every time you slow down. Also, always apply the front and rear brakes simultaneously. Slow down before you enter a turn, being sure that you look as far ahead, through the turn, as possible. Also, keep your feet on the pegs and grip the gas tank with your knees. Lean with the motorcycle by pressing the handlebar in the direction of the turn and maintaining slight pressure on the handlebar. Regular preventive maintenance is key.
The Right “Gear”
Good body protection can help reduce injuries if you are unfortunate enough to be involved in an accident. This includes protective gear like over-the-ankle boots or shoes with non-skid soles, full-fingered gloves, long-sleeved shirt or jacket, long pants (denim or leather), and an appropriate Department of Transportation-approved helmet. Also, keep abreast of the latest in safety courses and certifications. Plus, be sure to have the proper license to operate your motorcycle.
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According to a story from the L.A. Times, cheerleading has become a demanding and high-risk sport. Several studies done by the Journal of Athletic Training indicated that 89% of fall-related injuries in U.S. cheerleading had been from attempting stunts or pyramids. Eighty-five percent took place during practice and 51% occurred amid high schoolers. Although no deaths were reported in the study, the risk of concussion and head injury is still relatively high.
One of the more interesting aspects of the study was based on the practice surfaces and how they relate to head injuries and trauma. The critical height of a surface material is dependent on the highest point a person can fall without sustaining a life-threatening head injury. Apparently mats and spring floors that are four inches thick and rest on foam floors can absorb impacts for level two stunts (some tumbling and tosses) and had critical heights over 10.5 feet. For outdoor practice areas, high grass and wet soil provided better absorption and critical heights.
Head injuries from cheerleading can change a person’s life. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission reported that, since 1980, cheerleading injuries requiring emergency attention have increased nearly six times to 30,000 in 2008. Symptoms of head trauma include confusion, headaches, nausea, un-reactive pupils, numbness in extremities, or loss of consciousness.
If you or someone you love has suffered a brain injury, you may be able to file a personal injury claim and recoup financial expenses for medical bills, medications or other financial hardships incurred due to the injury. Contact the Mandell Law Firm in Northridge, CA for a free consultation with an experienced San Fernando Valley traumatic brain injury lawyer. Call (818) 886-6600 today.
Source:http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/booster_shots/2009/12/the-risky-business-of-cheerleading.html
Toyota has recalled four million vehicles in the United States in order to replace accelerator pedals. The vehicles being recalled are Toyota’s 2007-2010 Camry and 2004-2009 Prius, America’s best-selling passenger car and hybrid, the 2007-2010 Lexus ES350 and several others. The U.S. government has reported that at least five deaths, two injuries and 100 cases are attributed to the acceleration pedals getting stuck because of faulty floor mats.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the floor mats are slightly longer than normal and could lock or cover the accelerator pedal. The case that shed light on the problem occurred last August in San Diego and involved the deaths of a California Highway Patrol officer and three family members. The accelerator pedal jammed causing the car to reach 120 mph. The vehicle then hit another vehicle, launched forward, rolled several times and ultimately burst into flames. The Japanese company has also extended the recall to Canada for 209,000 vehicles.
Manufacturers are under strict liability for their products and are responsible for any injuries sustained should their items be rendered defective or hazardous. In the above case, the victims’ family is entitled to compensation for wrongful death on four accounts and any other expenses relating to the accident, if a court of law rules that the defective product caused the accident.
If you or someone you love has been seriously injured or affected by Toyota’s defective floor mats, contact an experienced Northridge product liability attorney at the Mandell Law Firm today. Our team of skilled lawyers will discuss your case, explaining your rights to compensation. Call (818) 886-6600 today for a free consultation.
Source:http://www.google.com/hostednews/ukpress/article/ALeqM5gmKb2aKeW8fLflBGV0NNnp582M8Q
On Saturday November 21, four people were taken to a hospital for injuries after a San Francisco Municipal Railway (SF Muni) cable car heading toward Fisherman’s Wharf from downtown stopped suddenly. A strand used to pull cable cars up and down hills had detached from the underground cable. The cable car operator had to call central control in order to automatically stop the vehicle, because he could not release the grip on the torn strand. The SF Muni cable cars reportedly travel at 9.5 mph.
Every train or cable car accident is different, encompassing a number of factors. Public transportation systems are a great way for people in California to save money on gas and reduce traffic. As passengers on trains, light rails, metros and other forms of public transportation, we place trust in the companies and employees that are responsible for the safety, operation and maintenance of the vehicles. If an accident occurs due to insufficient maintenance or negligence, then the company or employee may be held responsible.
Since there are multiple passengers per transport vehicle, an accident can cause multiple injuries as well as deaths, causing pain, grief and financial losses. Fortunately in this incident, the injuries were not life-threatening. Still, if you are a victim of a bus, train or cable car accident in California, passengers and employees alike, you need an aggressive personal injury or wrongful death attorney from the Mandell Law Firm to help you understand your rights and fight for the compensation you deserve. The experienced San Fernando Valley personal injury lawyers at the Mandell Law Firm will help you build a strong case in order to obtain compensation for your injuries, damages and/or losses. Contact us today at (818) 886-6600 for a free consultation.
Source:http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/11/22/BACH1AOGOB.DTL#ixzz0Y5R0gIUC
It is somewhat alarming that another recall has been issued, this time it is for 800,000lbs of ground beef that was processed by BeefPakcers Inc. in Fresno. The report on the latimes.com website also stated that the U.S. department of Agriculture believes the meat may be linked to an outbreak of salmonella. The USDA announced that the beef in question was processed between June 5 and June 23 and has “EST. 31913” printed on the case code labels. The beef was sold to stores in California, Arizona, Colorado, and Utah.
Home consumers will have to take extra precautions with the beef they have purchased as some of it was repackaged into smaller consumer sized packages. Consumers will have to ask their retailer to determine if the meat they purchased came from the recalled beef. Beefpackers have asked consumers to call (877) 872-3635 with any questions they may have concerning the recall.
Salmonella can be life-threatening on rare occasions and is one of the most common food-borne illnesses causing serious personal injury. Salmonella is notably more dangerous to those who have a weak immune system, infants, and people who are undergoing chemotherapy or have HIV.
Food poisoning as a form of personal injury happens all the time, even with the most careful cooks or in the most exclusive restaurants. Food precautions prior to cooking are not always enough, especially when the food you are working with is contaminated, as was the case in this story. If you or someone you know has fallen seriously ill and believe it was caused by something you ate, you need the advice of an experienced San Fernando Valley personal injury lawyer from the Mandell Law Firm. Our attorneys are highly skilled with all aspects of the law and court system so you can rest assured that nothing will be overlooked. Please call the Mandell Law Firm today at 1-818-886-6600 for a free consultation.
