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.

Resist The Temptation to Become an Instant Expert

The internet is brimming with information on every topic, including the law. The problem is, not all of if is accurate and some of it can even be damaging to your case. Don’t try to become a legal expert through the internet. Insurance companies all have teams of lawyers who fight for them. Their only job is to protect the financial interests of the insurance company by keeping settlement payments low. If your claim is not moving forward, and especially if it seems you may have to go to small claims court, rest assured that the other side will be represented by legal counsel.

The “Upside” to Engaging Legal Counsel

Based on a study by the Insurance Research Council, the average settlement is over three times larger with legal counsel than without. This can mean a huge difference in your personal injury claim. The law, as it applies to your case, may not be as simple as you suppose. Don’t settle for less than you’re rightfully entitled to. Don’t disadvantage yourself by standing alone. Be armed with a professional who understands the complexities of the law and the details of your particular case.

If your injury was caused by someone who refuses to take responsibility, or if their insurance company uses delay and intimidation, or simply refuses to settle with you, do not hesitate to engage professional legal counsel to take over for you. Negotiating with difficult people is what they’re trained for and ready to do on your behalf. And they will see to it that your legal rights are protected.

Schedule a Consultation with Aslin Tutuyan

Aslin Tutuyan is a personal injury attorney with The Mandell Law Firm in Northridge. Mandell Law 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 of all kinds. Contact Aslin Tutuyan for a free consultation at 818.866.6600.

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.

“Good Morning, your Honor,” I said. “I’m representing the Plaintiff.”

“Good morning, Ms. Tutuyan,” said the Judge. “Who’s the little one back there?”

“That’s my daughter, your Honor,” I responded. “I’m so sorry I had to bring her into the courtroom this morning, but we were running late and …”

Smiling, the Judge said, “Have her come up here.”

“Oh, no,” I said. “She’s quite okay, your Honor. She’ll be fine.”

“She’s very cute.” Looking directly at Vanessa, the Judge said, “You want to come up by your Mommy?”

Very excited, Vanessa shook her head up and down in response. She joined me at the table.

The Judge looked at her and asked, “What’s your name?”

“Vanessa” she replied, with a smile.

“How old are you, Vanessa?” asked the Judge.

Holding up three fingers, Vanessa responded, “Three.”

“When you grow up, Vanessa, would you like to be a Lawyer?” asked the Judge.

Vanessa looked up at me, confused, then responded, “Naw.” Everyone in the courtroom laughed.

Surprise Number Two

Later, as we were getting into the car, Vanessa asked, “Mommy, why did the king ask me if I wanted to be a liar?”

The next time I returned to court, I told the judge that Vanessa had thought he was the king. I didn’t bother to tell him the part about being “a liar.”

Most of the time, the courtroom is a serious place, as it should be. We go there to conduct serious business. But even in the course of conducting serious business in a serious place, we can still find the time to see a little humor and to share a moment of warmth. This turned out to be one day that I was glad to have been running late.

This holiday season, remember what you are most grateful for … your family, your colleagues, your friends, your work … and be sure to take the time to share a good laugh.

Schedule a Meeting with Aslin Tutuyan

Aslin Tutuyan is a personal injury attorney with The Mandell Law Firm in Northridge. Mandell Law 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 of all kinds. Contact Aslin Tutuyan for a free consultation at 818.866.6600.

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.

Safety is Paramount

According to the NHTSA, there are some commonalities contributing to motorcycle accidents, which include poor road or weather conditions, lack of awareness of other motorists, failure to understand the limitations of motorcycles or failure to follow speed limits. Before setting out on a ride, be sure to check the tires with a good gauge. In particular, look for surface cuts in the rubber or nails in the tires. Check the controls for any type of stiffness and check the lights including brake lights and headlights as well as turn signals.

If you intend to be the passenger on a motorcycle, be sure the driver goes over some basic safety rules and precautionary tips before you hop onboard. First, always wear a helmet, make sure it fits and that you have secured it properly. To board, extend your right leg over the seat, and then slide up onto the seat. Once onboard, be aware of exhaust pipes, which are extremely hot, and plant your feet firmly on the foot pegs. Place your hands around the driver’s hips, and don’t engage in unnecessary movement while the motorcycle is on the road. Maintaining proper balance while riding is critical to a safe trip.

If you’re a motorist, sharing the road with motorcyclists is important. When on the freeway, keep your eyes open for motorcycles. Most of the time, a motorcycle is closer than it appears, so be careful to judge blind spots and take extra time to check traffic when changing lanes. Also, allow more following distance than with a car or truck, three or four seconds.

When Things Go Wrong

For motorcyclists injured in a crash, medical costs, lost wages and other expenses are common results of the accident. It’s important to seek the advice of an attorney who can explain your rights, the legal ramifications of your situation, and offer help with the recovery of damages. Choose a personal injury attorney who has experience with cases specifically related to motorcycle personal injury. Most attorneys will work with you on a contingency basis, so you will not be required to pay out-of-pocket expenses.

Seek Expert Advice

If you’ve been in a motorcycle accident, the attorneys at The Mandell Law Firm are happy to answer your questions and explain your rights relating to motorcycle injury. For more information or to make an appointment at their Northridge office, contact Laurence Mandell at 818.866.6600.

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

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

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

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.