Personal Injury
What is Dry Drowning, and What You Can Do to Prevent It
| July 17th, 2019
Dry drowning and secondary drowning first hit the news cycle in summer 2017 after a 4-year-old boy in Texas died due to a buildup of fluid in his lungs nearly one week after a swimming trip to the coast. Dry drowning and secondary drowning refer to a delayed physical reaction to a near-drowning event, causing someone to suffer submersion injuries long after leaving the water. However, these conditions are much more difficult to spot than in-the-moment drowning.
Although delayed drowning is extremely rare, it’s most likely to occur in small children. That’s why it’s important for parents and guardians to be aware of the signs and symptoms of dry and secondary drowning as families head to pools, lakes, and beaches this summer.
Select the image below to open your free guide to delayed drowning.
Preventable accidents can be devastating for parents and their children. If you or a loved one are injured in an accident due to someone else’s negligence, we want to help. Contact Berg Injury Law today for a no-obligation consultation.
What Should You Do if You Get Injured on Vacation?
| July 10th, 2019
You look forward to your vacation all year, and the last thing you want to happen is an accident that disrupts your chance to relax and enjoy time away from work and other responsibilities. Unfortunately, injuries can happen anytime and anywhere—including when you’re far from home.
It’s important to be prepared for the unexpected when you’re traveling, and that includes being ready for injuries. Typical vacation activities can put you at risk for a variety of dangers, including car accidents, slip and fall injuries, recreational accidents, and more. Any injury-causing accident can put a damper on your vacation, but you can minimize its impact on your life by taking the right steps immediately after it happens.
Follow These Steps to Protect Your Health and Your Rights
Getting hurt on vacation can be painful and distressing. However, taking these steps can put you on a path to recovery and compensation:
- Report your injury—If you fell or were injured in a public or private space, notify the manager on duty or the property owner. If you were hurt in a car accident, call 911 or notify local authorities.
- Document the accident scene—If you’re able to do so, take pictures of the accident scene, your injuries, and any factors that may have contributed to your injuries.
- Acquire contact information—Get the names, titles, and contact information of employees, managers, and the owner of the property where you were injured, as well as those of any witnesses.
- Get medical attention—Go to the hospital or visit a healthcare clinic as soon as possible after your injury, even if you don’t think you need urgent care. Injuries aren’t always obvious after accidents, and getting prompt medical attention can prevent yours from worsening.
- Report the accident to your insurance company—If you purchased travel insurance, report your injuries as soon as possible. If you were injured in an auto accident, you’re required to report the accident to them—usually within a matter of days.
- Call a law firm—Many people assume they can’t recover compensation for injuries that occur away from home. However, you still have rights, especially when someone else’s negligence caused the accident, regardless of where your injuries occurred.
Got a trip planned soon? Protect yourself by downloading a free wallet card containing all the important steps you’ll need to take after a vacation injury.
Hurt on Vacation? We’re Here to Help.
At Berg Injury Lawyers, we know all about vacation accidents and injuries.
With offices located throughout Northern California and the Bay Area—two of the most popular tourist destinations in the world—we’ve seen many types of tourism-related injuries, and we know how to help victims who often feel helpless when they’re away from home. Get in touch with our California personal injury lawyers to find out how we can put our experience to work for you. Call or contact us today.
5 Safety Tips for Independence Day
| June 26th, 2019
What are your plans this Fourth of July? Many Americans will spend the holiday out on the water, at the beach, or in the backyard with friends and family. No matter how you choose to celebrate, it’s important to remember that many July Fourth activities have the potential to pose serious risks when people aren’t careful. Keep yourself and your loved ones safe this year by following our Independence Day safety checklist.
What to Expect: Social Security Disability Claims
| June 19th, 2019
If you become disabled and unable to work before retirement age, the future and your ability to provide for yourself and your family can feel uncertain. But if you’ve been paying into the Social Security system, you may be eligible to receive benefits. In some cases, your spouse and child may also be eligible for Social Security Disability benefits if you become disabled before retirement age.
A portion of every paycheck you earn goes into the Social Security system. Those who qualify for the Social Security Administration (SSA)’s definition of disabled and have an appropriate number of years worked are eligible to receive Social Security Disability benefits. You are generally considered disabled if your medical condition is expected to persist for more than a year and interferes with your ability to perform basic work activities such as standing, sitting, lifting, or remembering. If you become disabled, we recommend applying for benefits immediately. Processing an application may take several months.
What We Can Do to Help
The Social Security Disability application process can be complicated, and the requirements are strict. In one 2017 study, only 42% of surveyed applicants ultimately received benefits. However, those who hired a disability attorney had nearly twice the success rate of those who didn’t: 60% for those with representation vs. 33% without. Even if your application is denied on your first try, hiring an attorney may improve your chances of appealing the decision.
When you hire the California Social Security Disability attorneys at Berg Injury Lawyers, we can ensure your application is filled out completely and correctly, gather medical records to support your claim, communicate with the SSA on your behalf, file appeals, prep you for appeal hearings, and build a case for your disability.
As a Disabled Worker, You Deserve Compensation
You don’t have to deal with the stress of filing for disability benefits alone. Let the experienced attorneys at Berg Injury Lawyers help you get the compensation you deserve. And if we don’t get your application approved, you pay nothing. That’s our No Fee Guarantee®. Contact us today for a free case review.
What to Expect: Auto Accident Claims
| June 12th, 2019
After a car accident, the most important thing you can do to protect your health and your rights to compensation is get medical attention. Even if you have no visible injuries or immediate pain, it’s important to get evaluated by a medical professional. Whether you see a first responder at the scene or visit your doctor in the days following your accident, getting medical attention can rule out or address any internal injuries, as well as create a medical record linking your injuries to the crash.
But once you’ve received the medical treatment you need, you may be wondering what to do next—especially if the accident was caused by another driver’s negligence. At Berg Injury Lawyers, we believe you should be compensated for what you’ve gone through, and we want to help. Read on to find out what happens when you file an auto accident injury claim in California.
What Happens If We Take Your Case
When you call Berg Injury Lawyers after an accident, we’ll ask questions to learn more about your claim.
If we determine that you have a case, we can collect and analyze evidence such as witness testimonies, crash scene debris, and police reports to support your claim and determine who can be held liable.
We can also assess your injury-related expenses, including your current and future medical bills, current and future lost wages, and pain and suffering, to determine a fair settlement amount. Then, we’ll negotiate with the responsible party’s insurance company on your behalf to help you get the compensation you deserve. If the insurance company refuses to give you a fair settlement, we won’t hesitate to take your case to court.
After a Car Accident, Get Berg!
If you or your loved one suffered injuries in a car accident caused by someone else’s negligence, contact the California car crash attorneys at Berg Injury Lawyers today. We have more than 35 years of experience fighting for injury victims in the Bay Area and throughout California, and we know what it takes to build strong claims. Let us get to work for you and your family today. You can contact us 24/7, and with our No Fee Guarantee®, if you don’t win, you pay nothing.
Series Introduction: What to Expect When You File a Claim
| June 6th, 2019
Many people know a colleague, neighbor, or friend of a friend who was seriously injured through no fault of their own, but no one expects it to happen to them. However, more than three million Americans were injured in traffic accidents alone in 2016, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Even if you take all the right safety precautions, you can’t prevent another person’s negligence. That’s why it’s important to have a plan ready if the worst should occur.
If you or a loved one suffered injuries caused by another person or party’s negligence, you deserve compensation, but you may not be sure where to start. At Berg Injury Lawyers, we know you’ve already been through enough, and the last thing you need after an injury is more stress. We’re here to handle all the red tape involved in filing a claim so that you can focus on your health. If you’ve never hired a lawyer before, the idea may be intimidating. We want to ease your mind.
Over the course of the next few weeks, this blog series will guide you through some of the most common types of personal injury lawsuits, so you’ll know what to expect should the worst occur. If you ever have questions about your own situation and whether you qualify for compensation, call Berg Injury Lawyers anytime, 24/7. Your initial consultation is always free, and we want to help.
First up: What to expect when you file an auto accident claim.
You Deserve Compensation If You Were Hurt by a Defective Medical Device
| June 3rd, 2019
Like prescription drugs, medical devices are supposed to go through multiple rounds of testing and approval before their manufacturers are allowed to sell them to hospitals, healthcare clinics, and patients. But because the research and development costs of medical devices are so high, product manufacturers are often desperate to get their devices approved for sale—and that means they may skip testing procedures or hide known complications.
At Berg Injury Lawyers, our California defective product attorneys know the damage that dangerous medical devices can cause to innocent victims. Everything from joint replacements and birth control implants, to surgical mesh and pacemakers can put patients’ health and even their lives at risk.
People who are harmed by defective medical devices often feel helpless, especially when they think about going up against multi-billion-dollar corporations. Our legal team believes that innocent victims should never have to pay for their own injury-related expenses out of their own pocket, and we aren’t afraid to stand up to big companies if it means getting victims the compensation they deserve.
You trusted that the manufacturer of your medical device went through all of the proper steps to ensure safety and effectiveness, and if they failed to do so, they should be held responsible for their negligence. Contact us today to get an experienced and dedicated legal team on your side. We’re here to help.
How Can a Lawyer Help After an Accident?
| May 13th, 2019
There are many types of accidents and injuries that can change your life forever. Whether you were hurt in a car accident, boat accident, motorcycle accident, or any other type of accident, it’s important to have legal representation on your side.
At Berg Injury Lawyers, our California personal injury attorneys know what you’re going through and the challenges you’re facing. You’re in pain and medical bills are piling up, but because your injuries put you out of work, you may be unable to afford them.
That’s where we come in. When you choose us to handle your case, you can count on us to handle the following aspects of your injury claim:
- We’ll determine who was at fault—Insurance companies often assume that victims are responsible for their own injuries. We can collect evidence that proves someone else’s negligence resulted in the accident.
- We’ll handle all communication with the adjuster—Insurance companies count on victims making mistakes after their accidents—especially when they’ve suffered serious injuries. But when we take on your claim, they’ll have to go through us instead.
- We’ll negotiate to get you the money you deserve—Even if the insurance company concedes that someone else caused your accident, it may offer you a lowball settlement. We’ll determine how much money you deserve, and we’ll fight to help you get it.
You have enough to worry about after your accident. Let us put our experience and track record of success to work for you and your loved ones. Call Berg Injury Lawyers today.
Be Safe on Your Boat This Summer
| May 6th, 2019
We’re only a few weeks away from Memorial Day weekend, which marks the unofficial start of summer. And with plenty of warm weather and sunshine on the way, boating season will be in full swing.
If you’re planning on taking your boat out on the water in the coming weeks and months, it’s important to stay cautious to protect yourself, your passengers, and other people enjoying California’s oceans, rivers, and lakes.
Here are a few tips to keep in mind before your first summer boat outing:
- Make sure your boat is equipped with required safety gear—You should have one life jacket per passenger for every trip. You should also have multiple flotation devices that can be thrown into the water to retrieve passengers who fall overboard.
- Don’t drink and boat—Many people who would never get behind the wheels of their vehicles after drinking will combine alcohol with boating. Driving a boat while impaired is just as dangerous as driving a car, truck, or SUV. If you’re going to consume alcohol, stay on land or appoint a designated driver for your boat.
- Turn on your lights—The Bay Area is notorious for fog, and it can roll in and out at a moment’s notice. Visibility is key for boating safety, and that means making sure your lights are on when you’re out on the water.
At Berg Injury Lawyers, we’re here to help anyone who gets injured this summer in a boating accident that wasn’t their fault. Call our California boat accident attorneys today for a free consultation.
St. Patrick’s Day Safety
| March 12th, 2019
St. Patrick’s Day is one of the busiest times of year for bars, pubs, and restaurants in California. If you’re planning on celebrating the day with friends and family, it’s important to be safety-conscious and aware of the potential dangers that you might face whether you’re out and about or heading home.
To reduce your risks this year, do your best to follow these tips:
- Appoint a designated driver—Having a sober driver with you can make your evening safer and more relaxed. If you don’t have a designated driver, use a ridesharing app or call a taxi to get home instead. Never get behind the wheel of your vehicle when you’re intoxicated.
- Enter and exit vehicles near the sidewalk—Whether you’re being dropped off by your designated driver, a rideshare vehicle, or a taxi, use caution when exiting the vehicle. Getting out on the side closest to the sidewalk or curb is the best way to stay safe when exiting a vehicle near a bar or restaurant.
- Be careful while walking near traffic—If you decide to pub crawl, be cautious while walking from venue to venue. Stick to sidewalks when they’re available, and never cross the street outside of crosswalks. In addition, always look both ways before crossing, even when you have a walk signal.
- Eat and stay hydrated—The effects of alcohol are felt more intensely on an empty stomach. In addition, alcohol is dehydrating. Having a meal or snacks with your drinks and ordering water between drinks can help you stay alert and hydrated throughout the evening.
Injured? Berg Injury Lawyers Is Here to Help.
Holidays are supposed to be fun times with friends and family, but the risks of accidents often increase on those days—especially when alcohol is involved.
If you or someone you love was hurt in an accident on St. Patrick’s Day or any other day, our California personal injury lawyers want to speak with you. Contact us today for a free consultation.
