Recent Blog Posts in April 2010

Car accidents occur every day, and for a variety of reasons. Sometimes poor weather conditions create a hazardous driving environment, other times a defect in the road or a problem with a traffic sign or signal causes an accident to occur. Some accidents occur due to a defect with the vehicle, or simply because a driver was acting recklessly or not paying attention.

When a car accident occurs due to the negligence of another, the victims of the accident are entitled to financial compensation under California personal injury law. Examples of negligence that often lead to auto accidents include:

• Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
• Texting while driving
• Talking on a cell phone while driving
• Making an illegal turn
• Failing to yield
• Running a red light
• Failing to stop at a stop sign
• Racing or speeding excessively

Sometimes it is not a driver who is responsible for an accident. When a defect with the vehicle causes the car to malfunction and consequently crash, the victim has the right to sue the automobile manufacturer for compensation.

If you were recently injured in a car accident, a Los Angeles personal injury attorney at the Law Offices of Gerald L. Marcus would be happy to advise you of your rights and discuss your legal options. We can help you identify who should be held liable for your injuries and help you pursue a car accident lawsuit for maximum compensation. Our goal is to help you recover the largest possible settlement to ensure you have the financial resources needed to cover your property damage, lost wages, medical bills, emotional distress, and pain and suffering.

Contact the Law Offices of Gerald L. Marcus today at (888) 203-PAIN to arrange a free consultation!

The parents of an 11-year-old girl who was killed during junior lifeguard training has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the city of Huntington Beach.

Allyssa Squirrell was killed during a routine training exercise that involved jumping off the back of a moving boat into the ocean. While she was in the water, a boat driven by Marine Safety officer Greg Crow turned around and struck her. She died after sustaining severe cuts to her hip and thigh.

Allyssa's parents, Rick and Pam Squirrell, claim their daughter was killed because city employees broke three rules: to operate the boat in a safe manner, to decrease the boat's speed when within 100 feet of swimmers, and another rule about floatation devices. In addition, the Squirrells claim general negligence of the employees and negligent operation of the boat.

Allyssa's death marks the first time a junior lifeguard was killed during training since the program was first established in 1964.

When another person's negligence leads to the wrongful death of another, the victim's family has the right take legal action against the person responsible for their loss. California wrongful death laws give those who have lost a loved one due to recklessness or carelessness the right to seek justice and recover compensation for pain and suffering, funeral expenses, medical expenses, and any additional financial hardship incurred since the accident. Wrongful death benefits are also awarded cover the loss of non-economic damages, such as the loss of love, companionship, security, care, comfort, supervision, consortium, etc.

If you need help filing a wrongful death lawsuit in the San Fernando Valley, please take a moment to contact the Law Offices of Gerald L. Marcus. A San Fernando personal injury lawyer at our office can provide you with the dedicated and experienced legal counsel needed to pursue a wrongful death claim.

A man who claims he suffered severe injuries after getting hit by a bus will receive $7 million in a settlement from the Orange County Transportation Authority.

The OCTA claims that Ronald Cunningham was extremely drunk when he was hit by the bus, and that he fell because his BAC was more than three times the legal limit. He was even supposedly carrying two 18-packs of beer when he was hit.

Cunningham accepted the settlement offer the night before his case was set to go to trial. A spokesperson for the transit authority said the OCTA wanted to go to trial, believing they should not be held accountable since Cunningham was drunk at the time of the accident, but the attorneys for the insurance company wanted to settle.

Representing Bus Accident Victims Throughout Los Angeles

If you or a loved one was injured in a bus accident in Los Angeles, you may be entitled to financial compensation for your pain and suffering, emotional trauma, decreased quality of life, and medical expenses relating to the treatment of your injuries. A Los Angeles personal injury attorney at the Law Offices of Gerald L. Marcus would be happy to meet with you during a free consultation to discuss your rights and options in regards to filing a claim.

If another person's negligence led to your injury, you deserve to be compensated. Let an injury lawyer at our office help you exercise your rights in an effort to secure a fair and just settlement or verdict. Contact the office today by calling (888) 203-PAIN!

Brain injuries account for some of the most serious and catastrophic injuries a person can sustain. Despite what some people may believe, not all brain injuries are the same. Depending on the nature of the accident and where the force or trauma was applied, a person may suffer from any number of brain injuries, such as:

• Concussion: a head injury that temporarily affects normal brain function.
• Contusion: a bleeding bruise to the brain
• Traumatic Brain Injury: damage to brain tissue caused by an external force
• Acquired Brain Injury: damage caused by strokes, tumors, degenerative diseases, near drowning, or any other condition other than force
• Severe Head Injury: usually caused by crushing blows or penetrating wounds to the head; can rip or shear delicate brain tissue
• Open Head Injury: a type of injury in which the skull has been crushed or seriously fractured; brain tissue or membranes surrounding the skull may also be damaged.
• Closed Head Injury: a head injury that does not penetrate the skull
• Brain Damage
• Skull Fractures

All brain injuries take a significant toll on the victim's quality of life. Even a minor concussion can lead to time off from work, constant headaches, and continual medical care. If you or a loved one is suffering from a brain injury, we urge you to contact the Law Offices of Gerald L. Marcus for help. A Santa Clarita personal injury attorney at our office would be happy to discuss your rights and options and help you take legal action against the responsible party. We have experience handling all type of brain injury claims, including those involving car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, slip & fall accidents, workplace accidents, construction accidents, swimming pool drowning, bicycle accidents, and more.

To learn how an attorney at our office can help you recover compensation for your injuries, please contact the Law Office of Gerald L. Marcus today at (888) 203-PAIN!