By Joseph Low on September 20, 2021 -
In California, civil cases may go to mediation if the court so orders, when the case involves more than $50,000 in damages or if the parties stipulate to mediation at least 90 days before the trial date. “Mediation brings people in conflict together with a neutral third person who assists them in reaching a voluntary agreement,” as stated by the American Bar Association (ABA). The purpose of the mediator is to help the parties clarify the issues, consider their options, and reach a workable agreement.
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By Joseph Low on October 30, 2020 -
Sharing photos and life updates to social media is almost second nature, but posting about a car accident or slip and fall might be a fatal mistake. Insurance companies will find every excuse to minimize your claim or deny you coverage after an accident, including using your social media posts against you. Everything from check-in to a local club on Facebook to a tweet about your physical therapy sessions can all have a major impact on your claim.
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By Joseph Low on August 25, 2020 -
Head injuries are some of the most severe, devastating aspects of serious falls and car accidents. And while you might think the worst is over after being released from the hospital, only time will tell what long-term effects your injury may have. While some victims enjoy a full recovery, others are left with varying degrees of paralysis, migraines, cognitive impairments, nerve damage, and other disabilities that manifest gradually as time passes. Furthermore, secondary injuries that are usually considered minor may cause devastating damage due to the weakened and damaged condition of your brain tissue.
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By Joseph Low on October 30, 2019 -
Neg
ligence is when an individual violates the duty of care owed to another person. For example, a driver who runs a red light and causes an accident is negligent because they breached the duty of care to other motorists by violating traffic laws and causing a traffic collision.
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By Joseph Low on April 19, 2017 -
A shockingly high number of California drivers are underinsured or uninsured, which can make the already difficult situation of being in an accident even worse. Fortunately, there are some options available to you, especially if you have uninsured motorist insurance as part of your policy. Once proper steps are taken to contact law enforcement or other emergency services if necessary, it is very important that you do not sign anything and that you contact an experienced lawyer to represent you immediately.
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By Joseph Low on July 15, 2016 -
Bret Mitchell Carter, the Bakersfield High School senior who was seriously injured while taking part in a pep rally, has been awarded a settlement of $10.5 million. The money will go toward the costs of Mitchell “Mitch’s” lifetime of medical needs, which include daily growth hormone injections because, among other injuries, his pituitary gland was severely damaged.
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By Joseph Low on February 28, 2016 -
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) define a catastrophic injury in part as one that causes ongoing disabilities or other challenges even after it has fully healed. Traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, severe burns, compound bone fractures, and crush injuries are all examples of catastrophic injuries.
While nearly any serious accident can cause a catastrophic injury, these injuries are more likely to occur in some accident scenarios than others. Here are some of the most common causes of catastrophic injuries: Read the rest »
By Joseph Low on February 21, 2016 -
In the last couple years, the ridesharing company Uber has become popular here in Southern California. And it’s easy to see why. Uber offers a fast, convenient way to travel that’s cheaper than taking a taxi and easier than taking a bus or a train. You open up an app, press a button, and a car is on the way to pick you up. But, Uber has had its problems, namely with safety.
Uber operates under an insurance gray area. Because Uber is a ridesharing company and not a taxi company, its drivers don’t have the same commercial coverage for passengers that taxi companies require for their cars. In many accident cases, Uber declared it wasn’t liable for their drivers because people who drive for Uber aren’t employees, but independent contractors. This puts the responsibility for an accident on the driver and their insurance. And, we’re guessing most people don’t get commercial driving licenses before signing up with Uber. Read the rest »
By Joseph Low on October 15, 2015 -
Anyone raising children in southern California wants them to stay safe while they explore and learn more about their world. In many communities, this includes allowing kids to walk to school, friends’ houses, the local park, or the store as they get older and want to explore.
Unfortunately, walking on California streets and sidewalks isn’t always safe. The California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) notes the rate of pedestrian deaths has increased in the past several years. Fatal pedestrian accidents jumped 6.9 percent between 2012 and 2013, claiming more than 700 lives in 2013 alone. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a pedestrian dies in an accident in the United States every two hours. Read the rest »
By Joseph Low on March 2, 2015 -
March is Workplace Eye Safety Awareness Month in California and other states, and many organizations are already encouraging workers to learn more about the risks they may face on the job. Although many California workers think that eye injuries happen only in construction and manufacturing jobs, the truth is that as many as 40 percent of all eye injuries occur away from industrial workplaces – in offices, laboratories, and healthcare facilities.
According to researchers at Oregon State University, nearly 2,000 eye injuries occur nationwide every work day. Of these, about 200 to 400 require the injured person to take at least one day off work, and about ten percent of them cause temporary or permanent loss of vision. The loss of productivity when a worker is forced to tend to an eye injury also results in lost wages and other setbacks, making eye injuries a serious concern for many experienced California personal injury lawyers. Read the rest »
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