Gladstone Law PC

Likewise to what makes a strong case, we often glance over the question of what constitutes a weak claim. The process of pursing a personal injury claim is rarely as simple as presenting a statement of what happened, how you feel, and how much you expect to recover in damages. People often come into cases with serious misconceptions, and these issues can lead to claims being lost entirely, or settled on less than favorable terms. Here are several things that cases on a weak...er spectrum have in common, and considerations to help you avoid making these mistakes: Misrepresentation: fraudulent behavior can lead to the sweeping dismissal of a claim, counterclaims, and possibly criminal charges against claimants. Even the simple choice to say a back injury is worse on the pain scale than it really is, can lead to an adverse outcome - especially if you don’t have legal representation. Social media: no one wants to be the person who got their case thrown out because they just had to sneak in a big summer trip before their settlement was finalized. One too many posts noting how great you’re feeling may be presented as evidence that your pain and suffering isn’t real. Lack of documentation: not having a police report or medical records to present prevents you from developing an official record of the incident, particularly as police are regularly seen as credible sources of information by the courts and insurance companies. Speculation and misstatements: at some point, the insurance company is going to put you in contact with a claims adjuster. Those who lose injury cases are often those who reveal too much during these interactions. In these cases, you must only speak to what you know. Decline to comment until you can have counsel present to advise you, if possible. It’s ALWAYS better to slow down the process out of an abundance of caution, than to risk making a mistake by saying the wrong thing at the wrong time without a lawyer present to explain things to you. Call us when in doubt, we are always prepared to help! We can be reached at (818) 244-2277.

What are other indications that you have a strong personal injury case? One of the most common questions following horrible experiences (related to car accidents, slip and falls, pedestrian accidents, etc.) is what a victim can do after an accident. For many people, the option of litigation provides compensation to help them avoid financially difficult positions. However, how do you know if you have a strong case? What are some of the signs? Unfortunately, the best way to a...nswer this question is sitting down with a personal injury attorney. Nevertheless, there are a few things that can help you know whether you have a case or not. The three main things to consider are: Was the accident your fault? Even if it was, you may very well still have a case. Those who are cited after an accident are considered liable for the damage they inflicted. You have the option to fight this citation, but it’s important to talk that over with an attorney to see if fighting it is worth it. Were you injured? You must be injured to have a personal injury claim. Whether the injury is large or small, you must have suffered some extent of physical harm. Was the accident the cause of the injury? This question can be complicated in cases where the victim has a pre-existing condition. For example, if you had neck issues and the damage was worsened after your involvement in an accident, how much of the accident is responsible for this? These are questions an attorney can help out with. Give us a call at (818) 244-2277 and we will be more than happy to assist you.

How do you know if you have a personal injury lawsuit? Just because you’ve been injured in an accident doesn’t necessarily mean that you have a successful personal injury claim. If you have been injured or lost a family member due to some else’s carelessness, you are probably wondering whether you have a personal injury claim. In order to recover monetary compensation, you must prove 3 things.... Three basic requirements for a personal injury claim are as follows: 1. The responsible party was careless (negligent). For example, if a truck driver crashed into an innocent victim’s car because they ignored a stop sign, the truck driver would be considered negligent under the law. 2. The negligence caused the personal injury. In the above example, if the innocent victim sustained a broken arm and severe headaches as a result of the crash, the truck driver’s negligence would be considered to have caused the personal injury. 3. The injury resulted in harm (compensatory damages). Continuing with the above example, if the innocent victim’s broken arm and headaches resulted in medical bills, lost wages, and/or pain and suffering, the injury would be considered to have resulted in compensatory damages (i.e. damages for which an injured party may be compensated.) Call us for more information on these requirements, and any other personal injury related questions. We can be reached at (818) 244-2277.

what are 10 important facts about personal injury claims? It’s not limited to car accidents: because the majority of personal injury claims come from car accidents, we often forget to include that there are many other accidents that personal injury attorneys cover; Never accept the insurance company’s first offer: we’ve talked to you all plenty about the fact that insurance companies are in the business to make money and one of those ways is to limit their claim l...osses as much as possible. Accepting their first offer means you’re not getting the full payout you deserve; Find an experienced lawyer: we cannot stress this point enough. Accident victims must seek out experienced attorneys so that they can get the best representation possible; Get your fair share: with the help of experienced attorneys, you can expect to get a fair settlement that will cover the cost of medical and other related expenses; A good attorney needs a good team: attorney’s depend on their legal team! Even if you have an incredible attorney, they are only human and need the assistance of a good team; Every case is unique: no two cases are similar, and a good attorney with a good team will recognize that This will result in your being treated as a person, not merely a number; Patience is virtue: some claims take longer than others, and that is particularly due to the fact that all claims differ from one another. Sometimes delaying settlement is in your best interest, so that you make sure all medical procedures are covered; You will probably not need a trial: in the end, specifics of your case determine whether you go to trial or not. However, it is highly unlikely as approximately 2% of cases end up in court. Evidence is crucial: making sure you share all evidence and information relating to your claim in a timely manner can make or break your case; Know how your lawyer will be paid: some attorneys work on retainers and then charge hourly fees, while others work on contingency, meaning they will not get paid unless you win! Don’t be afraid to broach this subject with your trusted attorney up front. Want to discuss your case? Call (818) 244-2277

While we’re on the topic of determining fault, why don’t we also cover situations in which more than one person is to blame for an accident? When more than one person is responsible for an accident - for example, if several careless drivers cause a wreck - the law in most states provides that any of the careless parties is responsible for compensating you fully for your injuries. The responsible parties must then decide between themselves whether one should reimburse the ot...hers. This rule about collecting from any responsible person provides you with a couple of important advantages. If one liable person is insured and the other is not, you can make your claim against the insured person for the full amount. Even if both are insured, you will have to settle your claim with only one insurance company. Initially, consider everyone you think might be responsible and notify each of them that you may file a claim for damages. Then, depending on what you discover about how the accident happened, or on which insurance company takes responsibility, you will pursue a claim against only one. These are complex issues that you do not have you go through alone! Gladstone Law will be more than happy to walk you through these steps, and what your options are. Give us a call at (818) 227-2244.

Top 25 personal injury tips for getting a fair settlement: Part III of III. Do not let them repair your car until you take photos of it: the damage done to your vehicle can tell a lot about what happened in the accident. Do not get anything repaired until you have it documented in photos or on video. Do not let insurers pressure you to settle: you may get a settlement offer almost immediately for your damages. Insurers hope that you will accept and not seek full compensa...tion for your damages. You have the right to refuse an initial settlement and work with an attorney for a fair deal. Keep journal of your missed work: if your injuries made you take time off from work, are are likely to prevent you from working for a long period of time, record this as evidence for damages. Your settlement should compensate you for these lost wages. Do not stop seeing your doctor until they release you: if you stop treatment before your doctor clears you, it could mean you are giving up your right to compensation for your injuries. Follow all of your doctor’s orders for care, do not skip appointments, and take all medications as directed. Choose a lawyer who will go to court if necessary: the offer from the insurance company is rarely enough to fairly compensate for your damages. When the insurance agent will not budge on a settlement amount, you will need a lawyer who will take the case to court. Please feel free to give us a call at (818) 244-2277.

Top 25 personal injury tips for getting a fair settlement: Part II of III. Get full account of all damages: the initial settlement usually only covers your immediate medical expenses and damages, it rarely considers long-term consequences of injuries. When negotiating a settlement, have estimates for full repairs, long-term treatment for injuries, and estimates for lost wages and future medical costs. See if anything other than your vehicle is damaged: if any personal i...tems in your vehicle (phone, laptop) were damaged in the crash, they may be able to be compensated for in your damage claim. Do not sign any offer from the insurer until you talk to a lawyer: the first offer an insurance company makes is usually a quick way to get you to settle for much less than your claim is worth. Have an attorney review the offer before you sign anything. Ensure a complete investigation is conducted: make sure that all your injuries and damaged property are accounted for and documented before anything is fixed or discarded. This may mean your vehicle has to be garaged until an investigation and inspection is completed. Get medical care as soon as possible: if you do not go to the hospital/ER right after the crash, see your doctor as soon as possible. The longer you wait to get your injuries diagnosed and recorded, the more evidence of you damages you can lose. Please feel free to give us a call at (818) 244-2277.

We all know by now that car accidents make up the vast majority of personal injury cases. In fact, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates 6.3 million police reported crashes a year. Those collisions result in 2.44 million injured people on America's roads. What we haven't covered yet, is that there are several common types of accidents that often result in serious injuries for the parties involved. Below are just some of the cases we deal with most freq...uently: Rear-end accidents - when a driver collides with the vehicle in front of them; T-bone accidents - when the side of a car is hit by the front or rear of another car; Sideswipe collisions - when the side of one vehicle collides with the side of another, typically while both cars are traveling in the same direction; Head-on collisions - when two cars collide directly with each other while going in opposite directions; Single vehicle crashes - when one car collides with a stationary object or from veering off the motorway; Rollover accidents - when one of the cars is overturned as a result of either a collision or departure from the roadway; Hit and run accidents - the type of accident in which one driver involved in the crash decides to flee the scene. Feel free to reach out to us if you’ve found yourself in any of these unfortunate situations. You can reach us at (818) 244-2277.

Lawyers tend to throw around legal jargon as if it was second nature! We sometimes don’t think twice before using legal terms in casual, every day conversations. One thing we’ve consistently covered in our posts has been determining fault, which is the single core issue at hand in proving that you deserve compensation for your injuries. This is often the most complicated legal responsibility of the case, and requires the expertise of experienced personal injury attorneys. But..., what does it mean? Most accidents happen because someone was careless, and the basic rule is: if one person involved in an accident was less careful than another, the less careful one must pay for at least a portion of the damages suffered by the more careful one. Legal liability for almost all accidents is determined by this rule of carelessness, and by one or more (but not limited to) of the following simple propositions: If a negligent person causes an accident while working for someone else, the employer may also be legally responsible for the accident; If the accident is caused on property that’s dangerous because it’s poorly built, the owner of the property is liable for being careless in maintaining the property regardless of whether they actually created the dangerous condition; If an accident is caused by a defective product, the manufacturer and seller of the product are both liable even if the injured person doesn’t know which one was careless in creating or allowing the defect, or exactly how the defect happened. Call us to discuss any injury situation you, or someone you know, may have found yourselves in. We are here to walk you through your injury claim! We can be reached at (818) 227-2244.

We've taken the liberty of outlining helpful steps in pursuing a personal injury case: Evaluate the client's claim, educate the client regarding the legal process for personal injury cases and determine any deadlines that apply Contact the opposing party's insurance company, giving them notice of the claim Gather all the evidence we can, including police reports, medical records, other bills and necessary affidavits, photographs, drawings, etc... Interview witnesses regarding what they said and heard Analyze the legal issues related to the case Review the medical records and discuss the injuries and prognosis with the client's doctors Decide whether settlement negotiations should be pursued or if suit should be filed in the case If a lawsuit is filed, prepare the witnesses, client and health-care providers for depositions and possible trial testimony Preparing for mediation or arbitration, where appropriate *NOTE: every case is different and not all cases require each of the steps outlined above. This is a list of the usual steps in preparing a personal injury claim, and if necessary, trying the case. Please call us for an appropriate evaluation of your specific case, at (818) 244-2277. We are here to help you!

Top 15 personal injury tips for getting a fair settlement: Part I of III. Tell the truth to the police: do not speculate on what you think the other driver was or was not doing. Share only fact you are sure of, and do not exaggerate the situation. Get information about everyone and everything involved in your accident: make sure you obtain contact information from all drivers or pedestrians involved in your accident. Also, make notes on the types of vehicles involved. Do ...not forget to talk to witnesses and get their information - they can help prove fault in your claim. Make notes about the scene: include things like weather conditions, any hazards in the road, how the traffic signals were configured. Find out where all the vehicles involved were towed/moved to: additionally, if any vehicles are able to drive away from the scene, find out where they will be located in case they need to be examined. Contact both your insurer and the driver’s: if the other driver is at fault, their policy should generally pay for your damages. Please feel free to give us a call at (818) 244-2277.

What are 5 bad things that can happen during the injury claims process? The person at fault may not report the accident to their insurance company The insurance company may delay investigating the claim and accepting responsibility for the accident The person responsible for the accident may not have insurance coverage. [If this is the case, you will have to file your injury claim with your own automobile insurance policy. If you do not have full coverage, you may not ...be able to make any recovery]. If you are still paying off you car loan, and you fall behind on your payments because of medical expenses or missed work after an accident, the bank or the car dealership may repossess your car You may have paid too much for your car, including financial costs and the sales price. If this is the case and your car is a total loss, you may be "upside down" on your loan. This means the value of your vehicle is less than the amount of the loan you still owe. In other words, you may end up without a car, but still having to pay more money to pay off the loan. For these reasons, among others, more often than not you will be better served with an attorney's guidance. Attorney's will usually be able to receive more for your accident and will be a helping hand during a frustrating time. Please feel free to call us at (818) 244-2277 for assistance with your case.

The holidays are near, friends! What are you all doing to celebrate? Here at Gladstone, we’re trying to find new ways to keep you all in the loop on how personal injury ins-and-outs function. Many people wonder whether they should negotiate their personal injury claims, or file a lawsuit. Making this choice is your first step in going after the injury compensation you deserve. Now, we have already outlined the 3 different ways to approach compensation, but what do they real...ly entail? Today we're going to focus on covering claims specifically: Beginning a personal injury claim starts immediately after a victim suffers bodily injury caused by another person's negligence. In car accident cases, the victim pursues the at-fault driver, who turns over the matter to their car insurance company. Once the insurance is notified, your case is assigned a claims adjuster who usually contacts the victim to begin settlement negotiations. *Pro-tips: you should always alert the at-fault party's insurance company that you intend to file a claim as soon after the accident as possible. However, do not make a demand for compensation or begin settlement negotiations immediately. To settle the case, the adjuster needs to investigate the facts of the case, and usually, the investigation includes: Reviewing your medical charts and bills Speaking with you and any witnesses Reviewing the police report Going to the scene of the accident and taking photos Looking over the damage to your car and estimating repair costs When the investigation is over, a decision will be based on all the information in the claims file. Negotiations begin shortly thereafter. Note that once you sign a release, your claim is finished and final. You release all rights to seek more compensation. You have the right to consult an attorney at ANY point during the claim process. Contact us at (818) 244-2277 at any point if you’re hesitant about your claim.

Common question: can you get additional compensation for your injuries in the future? The answer to this is simple: once you sign a settlement agreement, it usually terminates your ability to file any further claims or lawsuits regarding that accident. That means that when you accept a settlement, the amount needs to cover your current damages, plus account for any future damages such as more medical treatments or lost wages. A lawyer can help you estimate future expenses by... reviewing your medical records, calculating future lost wages, and adding in compensation for pain and suffering. Please reach out to us with any questions you may have. Give us a call at (818) 244-2277.

7 mistakes that can affect your personal injury lawsuit: Forgetting that you are under investigation: you should expect that the insurance companies involved will be investigation you at some point during your case. If you’ve engaged in an activity that may have pushed the limits of your injury, it’s best to be honest and forthcoming with that information. Talking about your case: there is no circumstance under which you should talk about your case with anyone hired by t...he at-fault driver or insurance company. Divulging details on social media: all social media outlets are essentially public-facing websites, meaning they are prime material for investigation by insurance adjusters and defense attorneys. Signing away your rights: there is no need to sign anything regarding your case without consulting with a lawyer first. Simple releases can contain fine print that waives future claims. Always check with your lawyer first. Ignoring your doctor’s advice: following advice of your doctors includes a commitment to appointments and a subscription to any therapy regime. It’s important to show that you are working hard to get better. Renewing your licenses: if you have serious injuries that prevent you from driving a commercial vehicle and/or participating in outdoor activities that require licensure, you should speak to your lawyer before renewing those licenses. Failing to document your injuries: always take pictures to document your injury, treatment and property damage. Even if all of these precautions prove to be unnecessary, it’s far better to be safe than sorry. Please feel free to reach out to us with any questions you may have, call us at (818) 244-2277.

A third step that can be an alternative to a lawsuit, is arbitration. Arbitration can take place after settlement negotiations fail, but before filing a lawsuit. It's like going to court, without actually having to go to court. In arbitration, both sides agree on a third party, called an arbitrator, who listens to both sides and decides the outcome. In most cases, once the arbitrator makes a decision, it cannot be appealed. ... Unless the statutory deadline is looming, arbitration is an excellent alternative to filing a lawsuit. There are various types, including one that guarantees you'll receive at least some amount of money. Compared to a lawsuit, arbitration takes less time and less money to get to a final resolution of your case. To learn more about how we can help you, contact us by calling (818)244-2277. We can provide you with a free, thorough assessment of your case, along with professional advice regarding the best manner in which to move forward.

Thank you @29cents for these brief but perfectly accurate info graphics #ArmeniaStrong #StopAzeriAggression #ArtsakhIsArmenia #StopAliyev #LawyersForArmenia #Artsakh #PeaceForArmenia #WithOurSoldiers #DefendArmenia #DefundAzerbaijan #RecognizeArtsakh

Armenians and non-Armenians alike: please let us unite for this common purpose in stopping another Armenian genocide from happening right before our eyes. We cannot take it lightly that Armenians have been placed under genocide watch. We cannot take it lightly that Armenians were living peacefully on their lands, and now they are refugees once again. All in the span of 4 weeks. We cannot take it lightly that our leaders, regardless of where we are in the world, are not makin...g this atrocity a priority. We HAVE to stand together. We HAVE to show up for each other. We HAVE to be united in our fight towards a better world and all of those actions can start now. Please donate to @ArmeniaFund if you have the means. Please check in on your Armenian friends, family, colleagues, classmates. Please spread awareness about their innocent deaths. Please do your parts. Please help us. We need it now more than we ever have. Courtesy of @AmplifyArmenia #ArmeniaStrong #StopAzeriAggression #ArtsakhIsArmenia #StopAliyev #LawyersForArmenia #Artsakh #PeaceForArmenia #WithOurSoldiers #DefendArmenia #DefundAzerbaijan #RecognizeArtsakh

Today we’re going to share 3 facts that you should know about personal injury law before filing a claim: 1. You only have a limited amount of time to file a lawsuit: we’ve mentioned in previous posts that statutes of limitations vary across the United States. In an abundance of caution, we advise to get in touch with an attorney as soon as you believe you have a claim. 2. It’s possible to make mistakes early in the proceedings that jeopardize the final outcome: sadly, many i...njured parties do not realize that they can hurt their ability to recover the compensation they deserve early in the proceedings. For example, providing the insurance adjuster with a recorded statement before you know the true extent of your injuries could limit the size of the settlement that you will ultimately be able to secure. 3. Seeking legal counsel can pay for itself: your attorney could help you secure a much larger settlement if your lawyer helps you avoid a costly mistake such as accepting a settlement too early. Call us for an accurate assessment of your case! We take pride in our experience here at Gladstone Law. Reach out to us at (818) 244-2277.

Week 4 news roundup of the war on Artsakh and the Armenian people. Please speak up for Armenians. Please donate to Armenia Fund if you can. Please use your platforms and resources to bring attention and awareness. As of yesterday, the indigenous Armenians of Artsakh were placed on genocide watch. We cannot stay silent. The Armenian people need us more than ever. Courtesy of @AmplifyArmenia ... #ArmeniaStrong #StopAzeriAggression #ArtsakhIsArmenia #StopAliyev #LawyersForArmenia #Artsakh #PeaceForArmenia #WithOurSoldiers #DefendArmenia #DefundAzerbaijan #RecognizeArtsakh

ATTENTION The global organization @GenocideWatch has officially placed Armenians on genocide watch, stage 9: extermination. They have issued a genocide emergency for Azerbaijan’s attack on Armenian Artsakh and its Armenian inhabitants. Read the full report in their bio on @GenocideWatch.... Please help us raise awareness of this deliberate targeting of our people. Silence is no longer an option. Courtesy of @GenocideWatch #ArmeniaStrong #StopAzeriAggression #ArtsakhIsArmenia #StopAliyev #LawyersForArmenia #Artsakh #PeaceForArmenia #WithOurSoldiers #DefendArmenia #DefundAzerbaijan #RecognizeArtsakh

A great, non-biased resource. Support from outside of the Armenian community is absolutely crucial right now. Courtesy of @theslowfactory ... #ArmeniaStrong #StopAzeriAggression #ArtsakhIsArmenia #StopAliyev #LawyersForArmenia #Artsakh #PeaceForArmenia #WithOurSoldiers #DefendArmenia #DefundAzerbaijan #RecognizeArtsakh

To all of our new followers who may not know what we’re all about here at Gladstone Law. Normally we post informational graphics about all things pertaining to personal injury. After a war broke out on our native lands of Artsakh, also known as Nagorno-Karabakh, we could not continue our daily posts in good faith. We are now shifting all efforts to spreading as much awareness as possible about our homeland. We know that many people do not know what’s happening in Armenia, s...o we try to do our part to change that. This is not the first time our people are going through this, but we want to do everything for it to be the last. Our Armenian brothers and sisters need us right now, more than ever. And that means your Armenian friends, colleagues and neighbors need YOU like never before. Courtesy of @taniasarin #ArmeniaStrong #StopAzeriAggression #ArtsakhIsArmenia #StopAliyev #LawyersForArmenia #Artsakh #PeaceForArmenia #WithOurSoldiers #DefendArmenia #DefundAzerbaijan #RecognizeArtsakh

Top information post of the day: Armenians are NOT occupiers. We never have been and we never will be. We are indigenous to the lands of Artsakh. Courtesy of @AmplifyArmenia. ... #ArmeniaStrong #StopAzeriAggression #ArtsakhIsArmenia #StopAliyev #LawyersForArmenia #Artsakh #PeaceForArmenia #WithOurSoldiers #DefendArmenia #DefundAzerbaijan #RecognizeArtsakh

Repost from @LaurenKafadarian: For most of you, I am one of the only Armenians you may know. You may not understand how serious the situation is in Armenia and Artsakh. You may be tired of my constant posting, but we are tired too! We are tired of seeing young men and women sacrificing their lives defending their homeland. Every day, innocent civilians are being killed for simply existing. The Azeri military is bombing civilians, residential areas, schools, hospitals, and chu...rches in Artsakh. I never understood how the world could watch the Armenian Genocide happen and not do anything about it. We were told it would be our job to fight for our homeland and no one would do it for us. We were too young and naive to know what this meant. Now I am seeing it for myself. History IS repeating itself. Even with social media and easy access to various news outlets, the world is still silent. Azerbaijan and Turkey are trying to continue what their ancestors started and want to eliminate the Armenian people from the world. They did not succeed 105 years ago, and they will not succeed today. #ArmeniaStrong #StopAzeriAggression #ArtsakhIsArmenia #StopAliyev #LawyersForArmenia #Artsakh #PeaceForArmenia #WithOurSoldiers #DefendArmenia #DefundAzerbaijan #RecognizeArtsakh

We would normally say ‘happy Monday’ to our loyal followers, however, most days are filled with anything but happiness for most Armenian worldwide lately. Today we’re proud to bring you another visual tool for understanding why there is a current war in our homeland, between Armenia and Azerbaijan. Thank you to @VoicesOfArmenia for sharing this, and to @PeopleOfArOfficial for putting it together. ... #ArmeniaStrong #StopAzeriAggression #ArtsakhIsArmenia #StopAliyev #LawyersForArmenia #Artsakh #PeaceForArmenia #WithOurSoldiers #DefendArmenia #DefundAzerbaijan #RecognizeArtsakh

Friends and followers, it’s been 21 days since the first act of aggression broke out on the peaceful residents in Artsakh. 21 days of war, and 2 violated humanitarian ceasefires later, and it’s still happening as we go about our daily lives. Please, hear our plea and care about our people, our land, and the fate of Armenians everywhere. Support, educate, donate. Thank you @old.yerevan.no1 for this amazing lesson on the history of Artsakh #ArmeniaStrong #StopAzeriAggression #ArtsakhIsArmenia #StopAliyev #LawyersForArmenia #Artsakh #PeaceForArmenia #WithOurSoldiers #DefendArmenia #DefundAzerbaijan

Please watch this 1 minute film by Mher Petrosyan. It’s been a total of 19 days. The Diaspora has been out on the streets, peacefully protesting every single day, in every corner of the world. #ArmeniaStrong #StopAzeriAggression #ArtsakhIsArmenia #StopAliyev #LawyersForArmenia #Artsakh #PeaceForArmenia #WithOurSoldiers #DefendArmenia #DefundAzerbaijan