Transforming Transportation

Any vehicle accident lawyer has to pay attention to the headlines. Currently, the CEO of L.A.'s Metropolitan Transportation Authority has unveiled a $120 billion plan that seeks to fund numerous public transit and highway projects for the next 15 years. The plan necessitates increasing the countywide sales tax by a half cent and maintaining the existing sales tax rate for the next 18 years. In November, L.A. County residents will vote on the measure - they'll need board support to reach the two-thirds threshold required to put the project into progress.

We certainly hope that this may lead to a reduction in traffic and road related personal injury cases. As it stands, tens of thousands of road fatalities occur each year. Looking forward to 2020 and beyond, we should expect this number to drop due to an influx of self-driving cars and better-coordinated and organized transportation systems, but we can never be too certain. Sure, L.A. has seen its fair share of light rail-related mishaps, but they pale in comparison to those that occur on the highways and major streets.

While pining for the future, we obviously need to remain careful and cautious in the here and now. So, if you or a loved one is hurt or injured in an auto accident, remember that a highly experienced team of personal injury attorneys is available. We're here to help.

The Future of Personal Injury

While browsing the web, we came across a particularly interesting recent article that begs the question, does damage to prosthetic limbs count as personal injury or property damage? According to the law, you and your cell phone are two separate entities, but as integration between humans and machines becomes closer, will new laws be put into place that reflect this? As personal injury attorneys we do a great deal of work in this field, so we are especially curious to see what may develop further down the road.

However, according to the article, today’s prostheses are becoming increasingly integrated with the body and can even be activated by electrical signals from muscles, so at what point may they be considered as inseparable from the body itself? It leaves us to wonder: in the case of a car accident where a prosthetic limb is damaged, could that be seen as a case of personal injury, or simply damaged equipment? Especially considering cases of mobility, as with the prosthetic legs in the attached image, the damage can be perceived as much more "personal" than when, say, a person's smart phone is damaged.

Nonetheless, the jury's out as to whether personal injury laws will change in relation to this matter in the near future.

A Time for Gratitude

As Los Angeles personal injury attorneys, we obviously spend a great deal of time dealing with people in unfortunate situations. Even so, it may not always sink us for us how important it is to take a moment to be thankful for all that we more fortunate people have.

Oddly enough, what started us thinking about this is the ongoing situation in Porter Ranch, where noxious smells from a Southern California Gas Company leak are driving some people from their homes. If you're a personal injury lawyer, the obvious thing is to consider the legal implications posed by an invasive bad smell, which is never good for a person's physical or mental health. On the other hand, it's also important to take a moment to be thankful for something as basic as having reasonably fresh air to breathe.

Aside from the air, living in what is, after all, a highly prosperous society, many of us take for granted that we have clean water to drink as close as the nearest tap, a roof over our heads, and enough food...actually much more than enough. At the same time, of course, not everyone has it so good.

So, it's good to be grateful for all the things we do have, like a good job at a personal injury law firm, for example. It's also, however, perhaps even more important to help spread some of that good fortune around by helping others who are in need by doing whatever we can, perhaps volunteering or giving to our favorite charities -- and, if you don't have a personal favorite, there are countless important causes out there, all of whom could use more help. It's also, of course, just as important to simply be kind to those around us, from our closest family and friends to strangers we encounter as we go about our business. Not just around the holidays but always.

Happy holidays, everyone!

A Train of Thought

Just over the last couple of days we've seen two notable local news stories about vehicle collisions involving local commuter trains. One was a fatal collision involving a pedestrian and a Blue Line train in Vernon; the other was a much less serious incident involving a test of the an extension to the Expo Line which led to a incident involving a semi big-rig and a light rail train in Santa Monica. As  Los Angeles personal injury attorneys, we obviously work a great deal with the victims of accidents and their families, so this is obviously a matter of direct concern.

Serious train injuries and fatalities can have a number of causes, but it seems as if most of the worst ones could have prevented by a little common sense on the part of either a member of the public or a rapid transit employee. The most egregious example of the latter might be the 2008 texting-related crash of Metrolink and Union Pacific trains in Chatsworth, which killed 25 and injured many more. More commonly, we hear about cases nationwide where individuals seem to find themselves at railway crossings in circumstances that seem hard to understand. As personal injury attorneys, we know there are cases where people are clearly foolishly putting themselves in harm's way, with the result often being a fatality. However, there may also be times when confusing signage and other issues may actually be at least partially responsible for drivers and others being in places where they clearly have no business being.

Personal injury law can be a highly complex matter but one thing is clear -- if drivers, pedestrians, and rapid transit employees all thought through their actions in a careful manner, far fewer of these often tragic train collisions would pop up on our daily news feeds.

The Paths to a Successful Outcome

In a personal injury case, what’s often more important than how the case is decided is that the injured party receives the compensation and justice they need to help them become whole again. What’s important to understand that there are two ways to accomplish a successful outcome, both of which have their advantages and disadvantages.

The first, and more traditional way to achieve a successful outcome is through litigation in court. Unlike many lawyers that may only take cases that they can easily settle, the Los Angeles personal injury attorneys at The Law Offices of Burg & Brock have extensive experience arguing on behalf of their clients in court, to ensure that they get the biggest compensation package possible.

Yet, it is true that some risk-averse clients may feel more comfortable going with the certainty of an out-of-court settlement rather than leaving it up to a judge to decide. Cameron Yadidi Brock, the firm’s head litigator, explains that their lawyers are there to do what is best for each individual client, and that may mean settling in some cases. Ultimately, it is the decision of the client as to which path they want to pursue, and our team will fight for them however they wish to proceed.

Rules of the Holiday Road

Thanks to low gas prices, this weekend looks to be a historically busy one on our nation's highways and, you can bet, that will almost certainly go double here in car-heavy Southern California. As Los Angeles personal injury attorneys, the thought that naturally occurs to us is that, with all of those cars on the road, more injury accidents than usual are an inevitability.

So, yes, once again we're advising you to be extra safe when driving this holiday weekend. Of course, if you're planning a long road trip to visit family or a relatively nearby vacation spot like Las Vegas, the Bay Area, or San Diego today or tomorrow, you need to pay extra attention while driving. Especially if you're driving late at night, be on the lookout for drivers who are too tired -- or too chemically altered -- to drive safely. Large trucks and other vehicles also need to be paid their due respect.

On the other hand, your risk of a serious personal injury does not disappear should you spend the weekend in town. Notably, Time Magazine has reported that a study by Progressive Insurance also notes a fairly large spike in accidents on Black Friday. Admittedly, many of these are minor parking lot dents and fender-benders, but -- especially in parking lots -- there's always the threat of a serious collision, particularly if pedestrians are involved.

Even as people who are in the business, we can tell you for sure that the last thing anyone wants to do over the holidays is to spend time in the office of a personal injury lawyer. So, please, be careful out there, wherever "there" may be.

The Height of Head Injury Awareness

Over the past several years, player organizations representing competitors in many of America’s favorite contact sports have come forward with lawsuits or calls for change pertaining to their various leagues’ head injury policies. Beginning with football, and moving laterally to other sports as well as down to lower levels of play, the concerns are now being taken seriously by doctors, league officials, and personal injury attorneys.

Recently, much attention has been paid to youth soccer, where the U.S. Soccer organization has announced that it will start prohibiting headers in games of players aged 10 and under, while limiting the use of headers for players aged 11 to 13. This is aimed at eliminating head injuries caused by either a single concussion, or a buildup of trauma over the years. In fact, there were around 50,000 concussions suffered by high school soccer players in 2010, so the need for a reduction in these injuries is apparent.

Through his years of experience as a motorcycle accident lawyer, Cameron Yadidi Brock has spent a great deal of his time fighting for the rights of head injury patients, and has far too often seen the long-term damage that these injuries cause. If you or someone you love has suffered an injury due to the negligence of another party, call our Los Angeles personal injury attorneys today at (888) 979-7979.

Making Your Own Luck?

As we write this, it's Friday the 13th and there are some extremely upsetting stories going on in the international news. It's likely those two realities are not related, but it does get a personal injury lawyer thinking about the role of luck in determining who gets harmed in auto collisions and other seemingly random occurrence, and who doesn't.

We've all heard the expression, "you make your own luck," and it's undoubtedly largely true. In terms of auto safety, we can wear seat belts, drive as carefully as possible, make sure we have enough mirrors and other safety features, and ensure we are never at the wheel when we're too tired or are otherwise unfit to drive. We can even try to avoid being on the road extremely early in the morning when a lot of the worst accidents seem to happen. Of course, all of this can greatly reduce our chances of being involved in a serious personal injury accident...but it won't eliminate it completely. There's no reason to be fatalistic about things, but there's also no denying that there's a limit to the zone of safety we can create for ourselves.

As Los Angeles personal injury attorneys, we're definitely aware of the fact that -- while such incidents are, fortunately, relatively rare -- a person can do all the right things and still be the victim of a serious injury. Whether it's a drunk driver or an irresponsible property owner or manager, there are times when people simply have terrible luck. While there isn't a whole lot of comfort in that thought, at least we can try our best to help our clients obtain some redress after the fact.

Monster Claims

Halloween is just about here and we thought it might be time to explore some of the less responsible practices of certain frigthening characters who, fictional monsters and monster makers though they are, really ought to know better. As Los Angeles personal injury attorneys, we get to meet all kinds of people, but these folks are downright scary.

We'll start with Victor Frankenstein who, without consulting even one medical ethics board, created a human from stolen parts, including a possibly abnormal brain. He then allowed his creation to roam about the countryside, entirely unsupervised. Beyond being an obviously case of highly irresponsible parenting, the creature's murderous behavior clearly would leave the doctor open to a number of very serious wrongful death and personal injury suits.

Of course, harm comes to us not only from random meetings with marauding creatures of the night, but also at the workplace. Consider the case of Count Vlad Dracula who, apart from causing harm through his well known and very unpleasant addiction, was guilty of creating highly inappropriate workplace conditions in the case of one R.M. Renfield. Mr. Renfield, a onetime real estate agent, was poached from his former place of employment through means of bewitching the young man, which had numerous deleterious side effects. The agent was left with a number of medical conditions, many no doubt related to his tendency to consume any insects he came across. Aside from the injuries to Mr. Renfield, it's unclear whether he every received any compensation for the many services he regularly performed for the Count.

Yes, we admit it, even a skilled personal injury lawyer can be afraid of monsters,
particularly since it's so hard to hold a nonexistent creature of the night properly accountable through the legal system. Of course, if you need any help with actual, non-fictional human beings or companies who behave irresponsibly and cause you an injury, we're definitely here to help, and to wish you a Happy Halloween!

Sometimes it's Personal

The main role of a personal injury lawyer is to make sure that victims of an accident are properly compensated so that the negligent actions of another don’t put them into dire financial straits. Beyond simply paying for medical bills, the compensation that victims gain through a court decision or settlement allows them to ensure that any lost wages in the present or future are also covered. This is not to mention additional pain and suffering damages that victims are entitled to when the injury affects far more than a person’s finances.

Yet, while compensation is paramount in a personal injury case, the sense of justice that victims get by securing a favorable outcome can make a tremendous difference in their emotional recovery. Simply the court’s acknowledgement that a victim was wronged can help that person move forward in life with some sense of closure. In most cases, the circumstances surrounding an accident do not merit criminal charges, so often the only outlet that a victim has in seeking justice is through Los Angeles personal injury attorneys. While, ideally, no one should ever have to be in that situation, if you or a loved one needs the help of a personal injury lawyer, make sure you go with the best.

It's Always Human Error

The recent flurry of news stories sparked by the release of information on accidents involving  experimental driverless cars belonging to Google had us thinking about an all too obvious fact relating to personal injury cases. It's this: while its probably true that the 11 or so car collisions involving the new cars were the fault of human drivers, ALL accidents are and will continue to be the result of human error -- it's just a matter of proving which human made the error!

If, for example, an accident occurs someday that a skilled personal injury lawyer can prove is the result of a preventable malfunction of a driverless car, the fault of the accident will be with the human(s) who designed, built, or programmed the car. After all, "Terminator" movies notwithstanding, at least so far our machines are only as good as the people who build them. An inanimate object can't really be said to make a mistake...though using that object ill-advisedly can definitely qualify as an error. For the time being, at least, even the most sophisticated car-computer hybrid we can imagine will still be an inanimate object.

The reality that Los Angeles personal injury attorneys like us are going to have to deal with is reminding juries and the authorities that even the most sophisticated machines are built and manufactured by humans who are ultimately going to be responsible for any flaws in their creations that might endanger the public. It's a tough job, but nobody every said personal injury lawyering was going to be easy!

Safety Through Accountability

First and foremost, it is the job of a personal injury lawyer to represent the best interests of whatever client they are providing guidance or representation for that day. When an individual has been injured in an accident, they are often put into the vulnerable position of having to fight for their legal rights while still recovery from the injury that they have suffered. Cameron Yadidi Brock fights passionately for each one of his clients, and uses his skills as a litigator and every other legal resource at his disposal to get every client the absolute best outcome.

Yet, there is a larger effect that Los Angeles personal injury attorneys have on the community. While some business owners or individuals may get nervous at the possibility of a lawsuit, it is this nervousness that drives these parties to ensure that everything that they are responsible for is safe for other people to use. Whether this takes the form of a driver double-checking their blind spot to ensure they are safe to switch lanes, or a factory manager ensuring that the products they are about to ship do not have dangerous defects, the negative consequences associated with putting others in danger surely creates a heightened atmosphere of safety that we all benefit from.

When Good Cars Go Bad

As  Los Angeles personal injury attorneys, we are keenly aware that no item we purchase is more tied up with our personal safety than our car, truck, or motorcycle. The massive Toyota recall a few years back over issues of acceleration was one of the most massive and dramatic examples of what can happen to individuals -- and to the reputation of a manufacturer -- when safety defects are ignored, but it was hardly the end of the story.

In fact, just over the last two days, we've had two local news stories that may possibly be related to an automotive defect. One item had the 16 year-old daughter of the late actor, Paul Walker, launching a wrongful death case against Porsche. The suit alleges that the car he was driving at the time of his death is unsafe, lacking several important safety features offered by other cars from the famed sports car manufacturer.

Another very recent news item recounted a very serious accident on the 210 Freeway. It involved a driver who was apparently convinced that his 2000 Nissan Frontier had gone out of control on account of a serious cruise control malfunction. Though it's much too early to be certain that was actually the case, it's nevertheless presents the kind of chilling scenario a personal injury lawyer may occasionally encounter.

Of course, the vast majority of vehicular personal injury cases boil down to errors on the part of one of more drivers, but we all nevertheless are placing a great deal of trust in vehicle manufacturers. Under those circumstances, looking very closely at the circumstances of accidents where a vehicle defect may have played a role certainly makes sense.

A Winning Argument

For many Los Angeles personal injury attorneys, the job of representing clients mostly entails pushing paperwork around and taking only the cases that they know can be easily settled out of court. As a true litigator, Cameron Yadidi Brock is different. With years of experience representing everyone from motorcycle accident victims to those injured in a product liability case, Mr. Brock has a wealth of experience that he uses to craft an argument truly capable of winning over the court.

While it is true that some clients choose to settle their cases out of court, others, under the advice and guidance of Mr. Brock, understand that their best outcome is a court victory that can only be achieved through presenting a convincing case. It is also important for clients to note that, even if they choose to settle their case out of court, Mr. Brock’s reputation as a gifted personal injury lawyer makes insurance companies more willing to avoid facing him in court by offering a large settlement up front. Either way, with a 97 percent success rate across thousands of clients, the Law Offices of Burg & Brock has a track record that truly can’t be beat.

When the Law is in Your Corner

While the idea of a personal injury lawsuit may make some accident victims anxious, it is important to remember that when someone has been injured as a result of someone else’s negligence, the law is on their side. In cases where compensation truly is merited, it is the responsibility of the personal injury lawyer to convey these injuries and damages to the court in a thorough and straightforward manner.

When it comes to Los Angeles personal injury attorneys, there is no one better to have on your side than Cameron Yadidi Brock. As the head litigator at the Law Offices of Burg & Brock, he has overseen the successful collection of over 100 million dollars in compensation for clients.  Of course, for current clients, it is their case that matters rather than the hundreds that came before them. Luckily, clients can be equally comforted by the fact that the lawyers at the Law Offices of Burg and Brock have a 97 percent success rate. Whether a case needs to be settled or fought over in court, the skilled legal team at the Law Offices of Burg and Brock will do whatever it takes to win.

Keeping Cool About the Heat

As we write this, we're looking at weekend with temperatures ranging from the mid-80s in our usually cool coastal areas and going up into the hundreds in the Valley areas. While this is slightly unusual for this time of the year -- L.A.'s most intense heat usually seems to come in late August and well into September and beyond -- high temperatures like this are a part of life in the sunbelt. Even so, incidences of heat exhaustion and it's more serious cousin, heat stroke, happen every year and sometimes may even end up in the offices of a personal injury lawyer.

The important thing, of course, is to avoid any instances of a heat related illness from happening to you or anyone around you, whether you're working outdoors or participating in other outdoor activities. The first step is simply to be aware that the risk is very real and, yes, people do die from excessive heat. The second is to ensure that you and others are probably protected from direct sunlight -- hats, light clothing, and sunblock are all important tools for preventing serious problems. Staying properly hydrated is also essential. Experts suggest that people subjected to high temperatures for long periods should drink water every quarter of an hour, even if they are not feeling thirsty.

Another important step is watch out for a number of symptoms of serious problems. Confusion, high body temperatures, excessive sweating and more dramatic signs like fainting and seizures simply can't be ignored and require immediate medical attention. Also pay special attention to children, older people, and even healthy adults who may not be used to spending time outside on a hot day. If you think someone might be at risk of becoming overheated, get them to drink some water and take them to a cooler place immediately. Older people and others who may be living without air conditioning should consider taking advantage of one of the cooling centers that are operated by the city and county and public libraries and other locations. (Locations below, you can also dial 211 or 311 for further information.)

Of course, as Los Angeles personal injury attorneys, we're fortunate in the sense that we work in air conditioned offices most of the time. Still, being unused to the heat is also considered a risk factor for heat exhaustion. That's why Cameron Yadidi Brock and the rest of us ask that everyone do their part to keep themselves and others safe and cool as we hit the real dog days of summers.

Standing Up to Insurance Companies

Often, when the negligent party involved in an accident has umbrella insurance coverage, the litigation happens between the plaintiff, and the lawyers of the insurance companies. Because these companies have so much at stake, the often hire the most expensive and seasoned lawyers to defend their money. Whether injured parties are looking simply for a settlement, or a larger victory in court, they need to turn to an experienced personal injury lawyer who can show the insurance companies that they mean business.

For settlements, a feared and respected name is very important. The insurance companies know that our head litigator, Cameron Yadidi Brock, is incredibly capable in court and has an incredibly high rate of success for his clients. Knowing that it may be incredibly difficult to defeat Mr. Brock in court, these companies will often settle to avoid a higher amount down the line.

Yet, unlike some Los Angeles personal injury attorneys who will only take cases that they will eventually settle, Mr. Brock is willing to do whatever it takes to get clients the results that they deserve.

Famous People Can Be Personally Injured

As Los Angeles personal injury attorneys the presence of celebrities looming heavily in the daily legal news is pretty inevitable. While we don't represent a lot of extremely well known people, the cases they get involved with -- and don't get involved with -- can lead to some pretty interesting discussion. Just today, there are two cases in the news that we can't help thinking about.

The first involves Sylvester Stallone. In the midst of a recent comeback for the 66 year-old movie star, it was revealed that, decades ago, the actor and screenwriter had agreed to give his half-sister $2 million, along with a monthly stipend of $16,666.66, as well as yearly $50,000.00 contribution to a fund for psychiatric and medical expenses. Though there were abuse allegations, we don't know if any personal injury lawyer was involved on the side of the sister, who passed away from lung cancer earlier this year. The case is being widely described as, essentially, Stallone paying off blackmail to his allegedly drug-addicted late half-sister.

The second is the wave of "swattings" -- in which pranksters who have somehow obtained celebrity's addresses call 911 and report false emergencies. The most recent incident happened at the home of Chris Brown on Monday night.

As personal injury attorneys in Los Angeles, we have to wonder if there aren't more ways for celebrities to fight back, if they wish to. We suppose their publicists are warning them to wrap up cases quickly to avoid too much negative attention, but we think it's possible they at least in theory could counter these attacks with strong civil action. Certainly the pranksters in the "swatting" cases are guilty of the worst kind of harassment, a type of personal injury -- though we also understand that, first, they have to be caught. As for celebrities in Stallone's predicament, we imagine that either harassment or perhaps defamation charges could perhaps discourage a would-be blackmailer, perhaps even one in your own immediate family. Both cases make us just a little glad that we're not quite as famous as Mr. Stallone or Mr. Brown.

Good Listening Skills Come in Handy at the Time of Injury

When a personal injury occurs, what is said by the offender might be just as important to your case as knowing the details of the incident itself. The Los Angeles personal injury attorneys at Burg & Brock want to encourage their clients and the Southern California community to pay close attention and document the words that are exchanged at the time of injury.

In the surprise of the moment, the person who caused the automobile accident or burn injury might tell you the real story. The offender might admit that they were distracted by their cell phone or a child passenger at the time of the crash. Feelings of responsibility might rise to the surface, and as a result, the defendant might even sound like they are taking accountability for what has happened. Of course, it doesn't hurt to have a bystander there to heed these words as well. It is important to share these comments with your personal injury lawyer. Listen to what the person says, and when you have a moment, write it down. It might help you in your case, as the guilty party might not make such confessional statements once they have conferred with their lawyer, realizing that the truth does not make them look so good.

We know that a personal injury is traumatic, but try your best to remain calm and hone your listening skills. Then call Legal Defenders, your expert personal injury attorneys in Los Angeles.  

Not all Lawyers have that "Burg & Brock Compassion"

As personal injury lawyers we fight for justice, and we also sometimes fight the perception that we’re, well, not nice people. At The Law Offices of Burg & Brock, we do so by trying to be known as The Compassionate Los Angeles Personal Injury Attorneys.

Unfortunately it’s not rare enough that something like this happens. A personal injury lawyer shoots his mouth off (allegedly, mind you; we’re attorneys too), and becomes “The Most Hated Man in America!” according to the media.

Kenneth Krause isn’t just an attorney; he’s apparently a self-appointed general in the war on obesity in America. What transpired was that, according to Wisconsin news anchor Jennifer Livingston, Krause emailed a long diatribe to her about her weight. Somehow the issue of Livingston’s weight seemed to personally offend Krause, and Livingston thrust the issue into the public spotlight by speaking out about the email on television. 

This wasn’t Krause working in a professional capacity, but a personal one. However, once again, he forces lawyers across the USA to stand up for themselves. At the Law Offices of Burg & Brock, our record for compassion precedes us. We don’t get paid until you do. We look after your needs during your convalescence, and we treat you like a person, not a dollar figure. 

If you’re injured, don’t call a “bloodsucking” lawyer. Call a personal injury attorney in Los Angeles who cares this deeply his clients, and even has overriding compassion for those who aren't clients. Call Cameron Brock.