SCV and SFV Personal Injury Attorney | Injury Lawyer Talks About Head Trauma and Brain Injuries | The Mason Law Firm | Mason Rashtian

“We Meet Our Clients By Accident”

The information provided in the following articles is for information purposes only. If you feel you have a personal injury case, please contact us for a FREE case evaluation.

A personal injury event can sometimes lead to head trauma and related brain injury.  Head injuries are generally characterized into two types: open head injuries and closed head injuries, both of which can be devastating to victims and to their families.

Open Head Injuries

An open head injury, also referred to as a penetrating head injury, occurs when an object penetrates the skull and enters the brain.  An open head injury is very serious, and usually affects a specific area of brain tissue.  Open head injuries can cause permanent disability, and in the worse case scenario, they can result in death.

Skull fractures are one of the most common causes of open head injuries.  Such an injury occurs when a piece of bone from the skull penetrates the brain.  What can cause a skull fracture?

• Accidents, including car accidents, truck accidents, construction site accidents, bicycle accidents, bike accidents, pedestrian accidents and bus accidents;
• Falls, including slip and falls, falling down stairs, falling down ladders, falling off scaffolding, and falling off roofs;
• A blow to the head; or
• Sports injuries.

Victims who survive open brain injuries generally develop issues in the damaged area of the brain.  Approximately 50% of surviving victims experience post-traumatic epilepsy.

Closed Head Injuries

In a closed head injury, no object penetrates the brain. Instead, such an injury occurs when the brain is injured as a result of a blow to the head, or as a result of a sudden and violent motion that causes the brain to knock against the skull.

In the U.S., statistics show that incidents of closed head injuries are estimated to be about 200 cases per 100,000 persons annually.  So, in a population of about 314.156 million people, this rate equates to more than 628,000 victims each year.

Closed head injuries can affect cells and tissues throughout the brain, or they can damage only one area of the brain. A closed head injury ranges from mild to severe (incapacitating or death).

What are the common causes of closed head injuries.  They can be caused by:

• Accidents, including car accidents, truck accidents, construction site accidents, bicycle accidents, bike accidents, pedestrian accidents and bus accidents;
• Falls, including slip and falls, falling down stairs, falling down ladders, falling off scaffolding, and falling off roofs;
• Assaults;
• Work-related accidents; and
• Sports related accidents.

What are the symptoms of closed head injuries?  Symptoms of severe closed head injuries usually show up immediately, while symptoms of mild head injuries can show up days or weeks after an injury.  Such symptoms usually include:

• Loss of consciousness;
• Headaches;
• Dilated pupils;
• Respiratory problems;
• Convulsions;
• Dizziness;
• Speech problems, such as slurred speech;
• Nausea and vomiting;
• Inability to concentrate; and
• Emotional and behavioral changes.

The most common diagnostic test used to diagnose a closed head injury are CT scans.  It is very important to assess early on after an accident whether the accident victim suffers from a closed head injury.  So, victims of car accidents, especially severe accidents, should be mindful of these symptoms and seek immediate medical assistance should any of these symptoms appear.

If you or a loved one have suffered head trauma, and want to know about available legal options, please feel free to contact our office for a free consultation.

The Mason Law Firm is managed by head trauma and brain injury attorney Mason Rashtian, who has an A+ Rating with the Better Business Bureau, and is “AV” Rated with Martindale-Hubble, the highest rating an attorney can achieve in the field of legal ability and ethical standards.  There is never a fee unless there is recovery in the case.

Conveniently Located

For a free consultation on your injury case, please contact us at one of our five locations:

Beverly Hills
433 North Camden Drive, Suite 600, Beverly Hills, CA 90210
800-577-0149

Burbank
3500 West Olive Avenue, 3rd Floor, Burbank, CA 91505
818-533-1671

San Fernando Valley
15303 Ventura Blvd., 9th Floor, Sherman Oaks, CA 91403
818-533-1671

Santa Clarita Valley
27240 Turnberry Lane, Suite 200, Santa Clarita, CA 91355
661-362-0805

Woodland Hills
5850 Canoga Avenue, Suite 400, Woodland Hills, CA 91367
818-533-1671

You can also reach us by email:  mason@mrscvlaw.com

Licensed to practice law and serve clients throughout the State of California

SCV Personal Injury Attorney | Truck Accident Attorney Discusses Truck Accidents | The Mason Law Firm | Mason Rashtian

“We Meet Our Clients By Accident”

The information provided in the following articles is for information purposes only. If you feel you have a personal injury case, please contact us for a FREE case evaluation.

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Southern California sees its share of trucks on the road and its share of truck accidents.  This is especially true for Santa Clarita Valley because trucks often travel on the Interstate 5 Freeway and it seems that trucks accidents are a common place when it rains.

Statistic gathered by the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, reveal that in 2005, accidents involving large trucks resulted in 5,212 fatalities.  Most of these fatalities involve passenger vehicles who get the brunt of the force when hit by large trucks.

In order to protect motorists, special safety rules and regulations have been implemented for truck drivers.  These rules have helped reduce truck accidents, which can still occur regardless of whether a truck driver adheres to or violates these safety rules and regulations.  Can some of these accidents be avoided?  That depends on the cause of the accident, which could be one of many.

1.  Driving too close.

Often times, truck drivers drive too close to the vehicles in front of them and when that vehicle stops, the truck may not have sufficient distance to stop before hitting the vehicle.

2.  Driving too fast.

It generally takes an 18 wheeler 40% greater time to stop, when compared to that of a passenger vehicle.  This estimate varies depending on weather conditions, road conditions, the weight of load the truck is carrying, and whether or not the truck is bobtailing (i.e. the truck is being driven without an attached trailer).

3.  Driver Fatigue

Under the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations, truck drivers must keep a log, showing their hours of operation (i.e. driving hours) and their off-duty (non-driving) hours.  These strict guidelines were put in place to reduce or minimize driver fatigue.  When a truck driver fails to adhere to these rules, fatigue may set in, making him a dangerous driver on the road.

4.  Driver Aggression

Truck drivers have strict time schedules, especially when hauling perishable goods.  When a truck driver is running late, he tends to become more aggressive on the road, placing other motorists at risk.

5.  Driver Error

Sometimes, truck drivers cut a corner too thin or too wide when making a turn.  Sometimes, because of their heights, truck drivers fail to see small passenger vehicles, bicyclists, motorcyclists, or pedestrians in their blind spots.

6.  Load Shift

If improperly tied down, loads can shift during transport.  When this happens, a truck driver can lose control of his truck.

Regardless of the cause, if you have been injured in a truck accident, please contact our office for a free consultation.  The Mason Law Firm Truck Accident Attorneys has an A+ Rating with the Better Business Bureau, and Mason Rashtian has an “AV” Rating with Martindale-Hubble, which is highest rating an attorney can achieve in the field of legal ability and ethical standards.  There is never a fee unless there is recovery in the case.

Conveniently Located

The Mason Law Firm has 3 convenient locations:

Our Toll Free Number:  (800) 577-0149

Santa Clarita Valley
27240 Turnberry Lane, #200
Valencia, CA 91355
(661) 362-0805

Burbank
3500 West Olive Avenue, 3rd Fl
Burbank, CA 91505
(818) 533-1671

San Fernando Valley
15303 Ventura Blvd., 9th Fl
Sherman Oaks, CA 91403
(818) 533-1671

Licensed to practice law and serve clients throughout the State of California

SCV Attorney | SCV Personal Injury Attorney Discusses Train Accidents | The Mason Law Firm | Mason Rashtian

“We Meet Our Clients By Accident”

The information provided in the following articles is for information purposes only. If you feel you have a personal injury case, please contact us for a FREE case evaluation.

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Pursuant to California law, trains are considered “common carriers” because they offer transportation to the general public for profit.  Under the law, trains must use the highest care and diligence of a very caution person when transporting passengers.  This means that trains (and their operators) must do all that is necessary under the circumstances to avoid injury or harm to their passengers.

Prior to opening his own practice, Train Accident Attorney Mason Rashtian of The Mason Law Firm worked as an insurance defense attorney and often times defended common carriers in accident cases.  As such, Personal Injury Attorney Mason Rashtian understands the obligations placed on common carriers, such as trains and train operators.

In 2006, Mr. Rashtian opened his own practice and is now in the position of helping victims of train accidents (such as Metrolink trains and AMTRAK trains) recover for injuries sustained as a result of negligent and careless behavior by train operators.

Regardless of the cause, if you have been injured in a train accident, please contact our office for a free consultation.  The Mason Law Firm as an A+ Rating with the Better Business Bureau, and Mason Rashtian has an “AV” Rating with Martindale-Hubble, which is highest rating an attorney can achieve in the field of legal ability and ethical standards.  There is never a fee unless there is recovery in the case.

Conveniently Located

The Mason Law Firm has 3 convenient locations:

Our Toll Free Number:  (800) 577-0149

Santa Clarita Valley
27240 Turnberry Lane, #200
Valencia, CA 91355
(661) 362-0805

Burbank
3500 West Olive Avenue, 3rd Fl
Burbank, CA 91505
(818) 533-1671

San Fernando Valley
15303 Ventura Blvd., 9th Fl
Sherman Oaks, CA 91403
(818) 533-1671

Licensed to practice law and serve clients throughout the State of California

SCV Personal Injury Attorney | Do You Need An Attorney or Can You Handle Your Own Injury Case? | The Mason Law Firm | Mason Rashtian

“We Meet Our Clients By Accident”

Getting into a car accident is not an everyday event.  If you get into an accident, there are many things that come into play, which you need to be aware of.  For example,

• Should you give a statement to the insurance company?
• If you give a statement, what should you say?
• Should you fill our forms given to you by the insurance company?
• How do you find a trusted healthcare provider to examine and treat you?
• How do you pay for your medical treatment?
• Can you recover for lost income?
• What about pain, suffering, aggravation and inconvenience?

This is just the beginning.  What happens if the insurance company denies your injury claim?  What happens if they accept your claim but will not pay for some or all of your medical bills?  What happens if the insurance company refuses to pay for your lost income or pain and suffering?  If they make a settlement offer, is that offer fair based on the facts of your case?  This is just pre-litigation.

What happens if you have to file a lawsuit?  How do you file it?  How do you conduct discovery?  How do you prove your case?  How do you prove your damages?  Are you ready to go up against the insurance company and its experienced defense lawyers?

There are just some of the issues than can arise.  So, when I am asked “Do I need an attorney or can I handle my own injury case?”, I can quoting Abraham Lincoln, who once said: “He who represents himself has a fool for a client.” But, I usually put it this way: “You wake up one morning with a bad tooth ache.  You have a choice:  (1) you can go to your garage, pick up a pair of pliers and yank the tooth out, or (2) you can call a dentist. Which one would you choose?” The same principle applies here.

If you choose to handle your own injury case, remember that you will be facing a seasoned and experienced adjuster, who has been trained to do everything in his/her power not to pay you anything on the case or to pay you as little was possible.  If the case ends up in litigation (i.e. a lawsuit is filed), then you will also be facing a experienced defense attorney with the same objective as that of the adjuster.

Most, if not all, personal injury attorneys take injury cases on a contingency fee basis.  This means that the attorney gets paid a percentage of the settlement or judgment  and if there is no recovery in the case, then the attorney does not charge you a fee.

So, if you are not paying anything out of your pocket for an attorney, why wouldn’t you then utilize his or her expertise?

Maybe the question should be: “How can I afford not to hire an attorney to handle my personal injury case?”  It is crucial that you hire an attorney as soon as possible in the case, and preferably before you start dealing with the insurance company.  The longer you wait before hiring an attorney, the more harm you can cause to your case.

If you have a personal injury case, such as an accident, slip and fall, dog bite, etc., and want to get an honest assessment of your case and be educated as to your options, please give us a call. There is never a fee unless there is recovery in the case.

Santa Clarita Valley
27240 Turnberry Ln, #200 Valencia, CA 91355 Tel: (661) 362-0805
Our Toll Free Number:  (800) 577-0149 You can also reach us by email:  mason@mrscvlaw.com

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Licensed to practice law and serve clients throughout the State of California

SCV Personal Injury Attorney | Mason Rashtian Interviews with SCV Latino Chamber of Commerce | The Mason Law Firm

SCV Personal Injury Attorney Mason Rashtian was recently interviewed by SCV Latino Chamber of Commerce.  In this interview, which is attached hereto below, Mason discusses his background as an attorney:

Mason Rashtian is a personal injury attorney.  He manages a premier injury firm called The Mason Law Firm, which is located in Valencia (Santa Clarita Valley).

If you would like additional information about personal injury matters, please feel free to contact our office at (800) 577-0149 or (661) 362-0805.  You can also visit our website at http://mrscvlaw.com

SCV Personal Injury Attorney | Analysis of a Recent Dog Bite Case | The Mason Law Firm | Mason Rashtian

Recently, an interesting dog bite case came out of Seattle.

Facts per Plaintiffs:  Konrad Haskins and Kenneth Bock were at Chain Lake Mini-Storage.  Haskins was accompanied by Buddy, a Redbone Coonhound (dog).  According to allegations made by Bock’s family, Buddy, who he had a history of attacking and biting people, started wandering the property without a leash and ended up biting Bock on the finger, drawing blood.

The next day, Bock went to the hospital complaining of severe pain in his leg.  He was diagnosed with a blood clot.  The Bock family further alleges that Bock developed an infection which was diagnosed as Capnocytophaga canimorsus sepsis, a bacterium commonly found in the saliva of dogs.  Ten days after the dog bite, Bock died because the infection led to multiple organ failure and tissue necrosis.

Facts per Defendant:  The dog’s owner, Haskins, denies that Buddy (his dog) was wandering without a leash when Bock was bitten.  Furthermore, Haskins’ attorney alleges that Buddy was in Haskins’ SUV, and Bock was bitten when he reached through an open window toward Buddy.

Analysis

As indicated, this case is based out of Seattle.  From the information gathered, it appears that Seattle law on dog bite cases may be different from California law.  California law treats dog bite cases under a strict liability analysis.  This means that a dog owner is strictly responsible for any injuries caused by his or her dog, regardless of whether the dog had ever bitten another person.

Aside from the liability issue raised in this Seattle lawsuit, there may be an issue related to damages.  Can Plaintiff’s prove that Bock’s death was related to the dog bite?  Further, was it foreseeable the Bock could die from a dog bite on his finger?  Was this a freak injury and did Bock suffer an uncommon reaction to the dog bite?

The Mason Law Firm, managed by AV Rated attorney Mason Rashtian, is located in Santa Clarita Valley. We specialize in personal injury matters, including, but not limited to major injury cases, dog bites, accidents, slip and falls, electrocutions, food poisoning, and defective products.  We represent clients throughout the State of California.

For additional information about dog bites and other personal injury matters, please feel free to contact us at (661) 362-0805 or (800) 577-0149.  Further, please feel free to visit our website at http://mrscvlaw.com

SCV Personal Injury Attorney | Motorcycle Accidents | The Mason Law Firm | Mason Rashtian

Often times, a motorcycle accident results in serious injuries or death.  Statistics reveal that for every mile traveled in 2006, there were 35 times more deaths resulting from motorcycle accidents than from car accidents.  The reason for the severity of injuries in motorcycle accidents is attributed to one fact: motorcycles provide less protection in a crash when compared with other vehicles.

In many accidents involving motorcycles and cars, trucks or buses, the motorcycle is generally struck head-on as opposed to the rear or the side.  In such head-on collisions, the chance of sustaining a serious injury or death dramatically increases because the motorcyclist is generally thrown from his bike due a lack of seat belt.

Sometimes, a motorcycle accident occurs when a car makes a left-hand turn in front of a motorcyclist, striking the motorcyclist in the process or forcing him/her to swerve to avoid an impending collision.  This type of accident generally occurs because the driver of the vehicle failed to see the motorcycle due to its size or did not expect a motorcycle to be approaching or passing on the left.  The same may also occur when a vehicle is making a right-hand turn, but this type of accident occurs less frequently.

Another cause of motorcycle accidents could be attributed to lane splitting.  This occurs when a motorcyclist drives between two lanes of traffic where cars are stopped or are moving slowly.

Regardless of the cause of the accident, if you have been involved in a motorcycle accident, please give us a call. We will provide you with an honest assessment and educate you.  There is never a fee unless there is recovery in the case. For more information, contact us at (661) 362-0805 or visit our site at:

http://mrscvlaw.com

http://scvinjurylaw.com

http://sfvalleylaw.com

SCV Personal Injury Attorney | Seat Belts and Car Accidents | The Mason Law Firm | Mason Rashtian

Ever wonder how seat belts progressed to the seat belts of today?

The credit largely goes to Consumer Attorneys, commonly known as Personal Injury Attorneys, who fought manufacturers for a better and safer seat belt.  Personal Injury Attorneys filed lawsuits that went a long way to highlight the dangers of no seat belt and defective or inferior seat belts.

One such lawsuit involved Chrysler’s Gen 3 defective seat belts, which were installed in more than 14 million cars.  These seat belts were defective because they had a tendency to unlatch in vehicle accidents, making them useless for the very purpose which they were invented.  Because of these lawsuits and the work performed by Personal Injury Attorneys, seat belts have been redesigned.

If you want more information about this topic or personal injury lawsuits, please visit our website at:

http://mrscvlaw.com

http://scvinjuryattorney.com

http://sfvalleylaw.com

SCV Personal Injury Attorney | Do Not Sign Documents Provided By the Insurance Company Post Accident | The Mason Law Firm | Mason Rashtian

After an injury occurs as a result of a car accident or a slip and fall, the injured party often times receives a package of documents from the adverse insurance company (the insurance company representing the party at fault for the accident, etc.).  In this video, Mason Rashtian warns about signing such documents received from an insurance company.

Simply said: do not sign any such documents without first consulting with an attorney because you may be giving up your rights or allowing the insurance company to obtain personal information which they may not be entitled to.

For more information about personal injury matters, accidents, slip and falls, dog bites, etc., please contact us at (661) 362-0805, or visit our website at:

http://mrscvlaw.com

http://scvinjuryattorney.com

http://sfvalleylaw.com

SCV Personal Injury Attorney | Gap Insurance May Be Essential After An Accident For Those Who Finance Their Vehicles | The Mason Law Firm | Mason Rashtian

For more information about personal injury, including accidents, please contact us at (661) 362-0805.

Most people have not heard of Gap Insurance.  What is it?  Do you need it?  How can it potentially help you after an accident.

You can also find additional information on our website:

http://mrscvlaw.com

http://scvinjuryattorney.com

http://sfvalleylaw.com