Practicing Safety Wherever You Go

Despite decades of safety measures that have been implemented in homes, roadways, and workplaces, a large number of serious injuries occur each year as a result of negligence. Often, these cases are brought to personal injury attorneys, who can succeed in getting a favorable outcome for their clients. These cases not only serve as just compensation for the injured party, but they also serve as deterrents that can prevent individuals from acting negligently, and lead to the implementation of new safeguards.

Nevertheless, it is still extremely important that everyone exercise caution in all that they do. Whether you are at home, at work, or traveling the roadways in between, safety must be a priority. Whether that means pointing out potential safety issues in the workplace, or adopting defensive driving practices that can help protect from negligent drivers, these practices can help decrease your chances of a personal injury, even when those around you may not be paying attention. Of course, even those most diligent about their safety cannot know for sure that an accident will not happen to them. If you or someone you know has been injured in an accident caused by someone else’s negligence, do not hesitate to contact Cameron Yadidi Brock and the Law Offices of Burg & Brock today.

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.

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.

What's Dangerous?

A recent news story got us thinking. It involved a New Jersey resident who was awarded over $520,000 from a local Dunkin Donuts in a case involving a number of injuries she received as a result of tripping over a spike in an adjacent parking lot. Some of those injuries included being burned by the hot coffee she was carrying.

Now, many of you reading this might not be old enough to remember the famed case of Liebeck v. McDonald's Restaurant, otherwise known as the 1994 "hot coffee" lawsuit. At the time, the case was widely disparaged in the media as an example of personal injury and product liability cases presumably run amok. However, what most people didn't realize was that the elderly woman in the case had, in fact, been seriously injured by contact with McDonald's then extremely-hot coffee. She required skin grafts and was in treatment for two years.

Whatever your opinion about that particular incident, it's a good reminder that our perceptions of danger don't always match the realities in any particular case. If you're a motorcycle accident lawyer, you know that seemingly very minor road hazards can have potentially tragic results...yet few of us actually frightened by the thought of a pothole. Similarly, coffee is such a part of many people's daily lives that the thought of being harmed by it seems ridiculous but, when kept at a high enough temperature, it really can be a serious hazard.

What it boils down to is that sometimes injuries are as much a product of someone's failure of the imagination as any other cause. If you or someone close to you has been harmed by something that didn't seem terribly dangerous, and another party is responsible, Cameron Yadidi Brock and his first-rate legal team are here for you.

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.

Safe at Work!

Labor Day weekend is just about upon us. To most people, this Monday will be simply a very welcome day off, but the holiday actually has its roots in the early American labor movement and its efforts on behalf of workers. Especially if you work as a personal injury lawyer, it seems like as opportune a time as any to remind readers about the importance of staying safe at work.

The good news is that the reported incidence of workplace injuries in the U.S. has dropped in recent years, but millions of injuries still happen each year. As busy Los Angeles personal injury attorneys, we see our share of these cases and its important to point out that a great many of them are highly preventable. Both employers and employees have a responsibility to keep their eyes, ears, and even their noses open so that they notice any potential dangers that might be lurking in even the most seemingly safe workplace.

Of course, there are times when employers and other in positions of authority fail to exercise proper caution, and its at those unfortunate points that skilled lawyers like our own Cameron Yadidi Brock can help injured parties receive their due compensation. Let's hope, however, that every one reading this enjoys a very happy and safe Labor Day, and an equally happy and safe working life. However, if an injury does occur and an at fault party does not provide due compensation, we are here to help.

Negligence and Rarity: When a Lawsuit is Appropriate

It is certainly true that there are some injuries suffered as a result of someone else’s negligence that naturally make the injured party more likely to seek out a personal injury lawyer. This is to say that, because we are culturally inundated by commercials advertising representation for car crash, dog bite, or slip and fall injuries, people are already aware that those injuries merit compensation. Yet, there are a variety of other, equally serious, but less discussed circumstances that people may not know entitle them to damages.

At the Law Offices of Burg and Brock, we understand that the core basis of any personal injury argument is whether or not it is logical to state that, had one party not behaved negligently, the injuries suffered by a client would not have occurred. Whether this is a burn injury, a head injury, or any number of common injuries caused by negligence, our head attorney Cameron Yadidi Brock fights tirelessly to convince the court of what is just and proven by the facts. If you have been injured, in any way, as a result of someone else’s negligence, it surely cannot hurt to call us today to see if you are entitled to compensation.

The Long and Winding Road

It often seems as if technology and business move a lot faster than the law, and Uber and Lyft could turn out to be an example. We know you love them and we know why. Just a little while ago, if you needed a ride here in sprawling, public-transportation poor Los Angeles, you either had to find a friend or family member willing to take you, or fork over as much as $50.00 or more for a cross-town taxi. Today, however, all it takes is a smart phone, a credit card, and a significantly smaller sum of money to get a ride from drivers who are typically quite pleasant and professional.

It's easy to see why these services have become so popular nationwide, but from a personal injury law point of view, they might ultimately represent another one of these cases of the law being caught unawares. Presently, if a taxi or limousine company fails to properly ensure that their drivers are plying their trade safety, they can sometimes by held accountable by an automotive or motorcycle accident lawyer. But what if an Uber or Lyft driver gets involved in an injury accident?

At the moment, the services are sometimes paying damages when drivers are involved in personal injury accidents and they are also being sued in some cases of alleged assaults by drivers. A currently ongoing employment lawsuit, however, has the company arguing that they are, in fact, a software platform and not truly an employer of its drivers at all. Taken to an extreme, a legal victory for Uber could have the ridesharing services arguing its drivers are solely responsible for any injuries, regardless of their undeniable role in providing employment for drivers. It's just another case of the law getting more and more complex. It's also another reason why lawyers like our own Cameron Yadidi have no problem at all keeping busy!

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.

Miracles of Technology and their Downsides

You might have read earlier today about how NTSB investigators are citing a minor carburetor problem which they think contributed to the plane crash in which 73 year-old actor Harrison Ford was injured last March. While the fact that Mr. Ford's injuries in the vintage World War II era plane turned out to be relatively minor was a relief to everyone -- not just for Mr. Ford's friends and family, but for fans worried about his reappearance in upcoming sequels to science fiction classics "Star Wars" and "Blade Runner" -- it does point up one of the ironies of modern life. As the pilot of something of an antique, it's arguable that Ford was taking somewhat more of a risk flying it than some more recent airplane model. It's definitely true that small planes tend to be far more risky than highly advanced commercial airliners. Flying is amazing, but the potential danger is obvious.

You don't have to be a busy LA accident lawyer to understand that, whether we're talking about the advances that led to the early "horseless carriages" (i.e., cars) or the seeming miracle of modern flight, every advance seems to bring with it new dangers. It gets even more ironic when even advances aimed specifically at improving safety, such as the currently in-development driverless cars may turn out to have some potential complications with personal injury implications of their own.

Comedian Louis C.K. in his now famous routine pokes fun at how unappreciative we all are of the technological miracles we experience every day, including cross-country commercial flights that have become almost absurdly speedy and safe when compared to earlier forms of travel. At the same time, of course, when a company or individual provides a service, it's their duty to make it as safe as possible. Cars might have been almost miraculous at one point, but auto manufacturers had to be pressured to make cars less dangerous with improvements like seat belts and airbags. They knew for a fact that these modifications would save lives, but they had to be convinced that it was worth spending the money by an angry public and hard driving lawyers threatening costly lawsuits.

Our own Cameron Yadidi Brock is proud to be a part of a legal tradition that has made today's highly advanced technology safer. It's good to appreciate modern technology, but it's even better to be safe while doing so!

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.

Not all Cases Are Created Equal

Earlier in the year the NHL joined the list of sports leagues (NFL, WWE) that currently have pending litigation involving concussions in their prospective sports. Recently, it looked as though FIFA was set to join the list, as some U.S. soccer players and parents of young players had filed a lawsuit against the league. Yet, a federal judge has dismissed the lawsuit before it could pick up any steam, leaving the future of the concussion personal injury question (as it pertains to soccer) up in the air.

This is an important reminder that, while lawyers often rely on precedents and past examples to shape their cases, this shows that every case can truly be different. A talented LA accident lawyer needs to use their skill and legal experience to approach every case in whatever unique and innovative way will produce a positive outcome for their client.

At the Law Offices of Burg & Brock, our litigation team led by Cameron Yadidi Brock has years of experience fighting for all types of personal injury client, from motorcycle accident victims to burn victims.

When the Law is on Your Side, But the Insurance Companies Are Not

In many personal injury cases, depending on the nature of the accident and the insurance coverage that the negligent party has, it is the insurance company and not the individual who is liable to pay damages to the victim of an accident. This means that a winning case requires a lawyer strong enough to stand up to the insurance company lawyers and prove, in or out of court, that their client deserves just compensation.

For years, our head litigator, Cameron Yadidi Brock, has been proving that he has the skill, the compassion, and the legal knowledge necessary to bring about successful outcomes for his clients. His is a name that insurance companies have come to fear, so many of them will be more than amenable to settle a case. Yet, Mr. Brock always strives to do what is best for each individual client, including going to court if the settlement amount is not sufficient.

When looking for an LA accident lawyer, make sure you go with a firm that will not simply settle for the path of least resistance when resolving a case. Turn to the firm with over 90 years of collective legal experience and a 97 percent successful trial record that speaks for itself.

Legal Guidance from Start to Finish

For many personal injury accident victims, the hardest step in seeking justice is in making the initial decision to pursue legal action in the first place. Many people, still reeling from the physical injuries of the accident, do not want to add to the current stress that they are experiencing by dealing with a court case. This is where a compassionate and talented personal injury lawyer like Cameron Yadidi Brock can help. By taking on the legal burden of representing his clients in court, Mr. Brock is able to be the voice for those who must focus their strength and energy on themselves and their family during this difficult time in their life.

Some people also struggle to make the initial first step to pursue legal action because they do not feel completely entitled to the large payouts that these cases often bring. Mr. Brock assures his clients that, in cases of negligence, having to pay victims compensation is often the only deterrent for future negligent behavior. In addition, a sum greater than basic medical expenses is necessary to deal with the possible long term repercussions of an injury. There are often physical and mental injuries that may lay dormant in the immediate aftermath of an accident that need to be accounted for appropriately with a court decision. By a personal injury lawyer calling the Law Offices of Burg & Brock today you can take the necessary first step in securing justice for your loved ones or yourself.

LA Uber Motorcycle Accident Brings Up Corporate Liability

This week, a motorcyclist filed a personal injury lawsuit against Uber after he was hit by an Uber driver making a U-Turn in Los Angeles. While in many cases, the lawsuit would be filed against the individual driver, this suit is taking aim at Uber, claiming that the company selects drivers who are “untrained, unskilled and urged by Uber to drive in a risky manner to maximize their fares.” Whatever the outcome of the case, this surely does a lot to highlight the difference between individual and corporate responsibility.

At the Law Offices of Burg & Brock, we don’t back away from a fight, even if it means going up against a large corporation. Justice is justice, and our head litigator Cameron Yadidi Brock has extensive experience fighting against negligent individuals, corporations, and insurance companies that need to be held accountable. Anyone needing an LA accident lawyer should not hesitate to call our offices today to schedule a legal consult. Justice truly is one thing that shouldn’t be delayed, no matter what you may be up against.

The Road to Autopia?

A news story this week about the reporting of accidents involving self-driving cars pointed out something we might have expected. While the coming of these cars may very well reduce car accidents significantly -- and that will be a wonderful thing -- it definitely remains to be seen if they will lead to a truly brave new world without serious automotive personal injury cases. We can hope for a major reduction in fatalities and crippling injuries, but a world free of automotive dangers is a mighty tall order.

Indeed, while Google and other makers of experimental driverless cars are telling us that all of the accidents so far have been the fault of drivers of more conventional autos, and we have no reason to doubt them, our very strong hunch is that the work of an LA accident lawyer won't be over and done with any time soon. For starters, of course, even if driverless cars become ubiquitous, they are unlikely to be mandatory for at least a matter of many decades. That means the element of human error will still be with us for quite some time to come.

And, of course, there's also the potential for non-human error. At this point, we just don't know how foolproof the cars made by companies like Google are likely to be, especially at first. After all, it's one thing to create a really useful search engine, it's quite another to make an engine-driven machine that will never malfunction its way into a serious accident.

Sadly, people like our own Cameron Yadidi Brock will likely be needed to help car accident victims for a long time to come. Still, it's definitely good that we're starting to work on building a better automotive world. In order for things to improve, sometimes it's essential to try and achieve the seemingly impossible.

Recent Takata Lawsuit is Latest to Illustrate the Importance of Timely Recalls

A lawsuit has been filed against Takata Ignition Systems alleging that one of their defective airbags was responsible of the death of a 22 year old Louisiana woman. If confirmed, she will be the seventh who died due to shrapnel from the defective airbags. While a recall for the airbags was issued, it did not arrive to the woman’s family until 2 days after the crash.

Situations like this highlight just how important prompt recalls are in preventing injuries or death. Yet, when recalls are issued too late, then people must turn to a personal injury lawyer for justice. At The Law Offices of Burg & Brock, we have handled over 5,000 injury cases and achieved a 97 success rate in obtaining compensation for our clients. Negligence cannot simply go uncontested, and we fight hard for every client to insure that they get the justice that they deserve. Few law firms can claim such an exceptional trial record. Our head litigator, Cameron Yadidi Brock, is a patient advocate for client’s rights, who is not afraid to do whatever it takes, in or out of court, to win.

 

Determining Responsibility

The question of legal responsibility in a vehicular personal injury case can be more complicated than you might imagine. Take Monday's terrifying accident at Los Angeles International Airport, in which a 67 year-old driver reportedly appeared to mistake a gas pedal for his Porsche's brakes, causing the car to crash into a terminal and resulting in the serious injury of a 9 year-old girl.

Of course, we know that the brunt of the responsibility almost certainly falls on the driver. Though there may be no indication of any criminal wrongdoing by the motorist, who apparently was not under the influence of drugs or alcohol, it's clear that all drivers have a responsibility to be able to competently operate their vehicles at all times. (This is especially important to remember for those of us with sick or very elderly relatives who may not be aware that their ability to drive has become impaired.)

At the same time, as this case is resolved, it may be determined by the family's legal counsel that other issues need to be addressed. Is the at-fault driver and his insurance company providing sufficient compensation to the victim and her family? Was there anything that the organization responsible for the running of LAX could have done to make pedestrians using sidewalks less vulnerable to an out-of-control vehicle?

While we obviously have no knowledge of the details in this particular case, these are good examples of why the skills of lawyer like our own Cameron Yadidi Brock are so valuable to victims in cases relating to vehicular injuries. Whether you are dealing with a case involving a head trauma resulting from a collision or are in need of a skilled and experienced motorcycle accident lawyer, we can help.

Walmart Settlement Highlights the Importance of Roadway Justice

This week, Wal-Mart settled a lawsuit that was brought against the company after an accident caused by one of their truck drivers killed one man and left several others, including comedian Tracey Morgan, severely injured. Although personal injury cases such as this usually do not involve such high profile celebrities, it is a reminder that accidents can happen to anyone at any time, and roadway safety should be constantly stressed.

The best outcome is always to use safety measures to prevent an accident before they occur, yet, if you or someone you know has been in a motor vehicle accident caused by someone else’s negligence, you should contact The Law Offices of Burg & Brock immediately. Our head litigator, Cameron Yadidi Brock, has extensive experience succeeding in accident cases, and a variety of other personal injury cases and bringing clients the justice they deserve. In fact, the firm has a 97 percent success rate across over 5,000 cases argued, so anyone needing an LA accident lawyer can be sure that they have the best chance for success when they come to us.

The Summer Motorcycle Season Requires Diligence for Both Car and Motorcycle Drivers

As the weather warms up and more motorcyclists hit the open road, it is important for motorcyclists and car drivers alike to remember to share the road to assure everyone’s safety. As a motorcycle accident lawyer, Cameron Yadidi Brock has far too often seen the consequences of negligent behavior on the road, and the pain and suffering that a motorcycle accident can bring. To prevent these tragedies, it is important that everyone do their part to obey the rules of the road and drive safely.

For both motorcycles and cars, that means obeying the speed limit and properly signaling any turns or lane changes. And for car drivers, that also means checking twice for motorcyclists before making these moves. As drivers, our eyes are trained to identify other cars in our blind spots but not necessarily other motorcyclists. Many of the personal injury cases that are brought to the Law Offices of Burg & Brock are caused by negligence attributed simply to a failure to pay attention.

If you or someone you love has been injured in an accident such as this, you should contact Cameron Yadidi Brock as soon as possible.