Personal Injury Attorney

Personal Injury Attorney Los Angeles: The Smartest Thing You Will Ever Do - By: Ronald Rogers


Looking for the best Los Angeles injury attorney after you have sustained a personal injury or accident involves deciding on who is best suited to handle your legal rights. The law is clear regarding these types of cases, and one thing is sure: If you have fallen victim to a personal injury or accident, whether work-, home- or medically-related, you need to immediately file for a personal injury case before the legal time limit. Since this “statute of limitations” reads differently from state to state, you must be familiar with what provisions and time limits pertain to your case.

Finding your way around personal injury and accident law is where a Los Angeles injury attorney will be most beneficial. You ought to know your rights, themost relevant interpretation of the law is a skill perfected by these attorneys specializing in personal injury law.. If you are filing a case for yourself or a family member who has suffered injury or a death, you want a lawyer that will ensure you the best in medical care, a thorough documentation of your case, and eventually, that you will win your case.

The road to interpreting your case heavily involves researching and looking for provisions that matter to your case.. In simple terms, a personal injury pertains to anything done to damage the person, property, reputation and rights of an individual. It includes all physical, emotional, financial and psychological damages sustained by the victim or the victim's family member and everyone involved in the accident. In all cases, there are liabilities, and an injury attorney is equipped to determine whether the damages were intentional or incurred out of negligence of the liable party. The attorney will therefore determine the tort law concerning your situation, specifically if you are eligible to receive compensation from the entity or individual who is liable for the injury you or your family member has sustained. You can then know your rights in terms of claims, legal representation, and if ever, in litigation.

Sustaining an injury anywhere in Los Angeles is a life changing experience and the insurance companies are not very coooperative in restoring your life back to where it was. Hiring an attorney will speed up this task and make sure the insurance companies pay attention.. You want to make sure the attorney you hire is one that will give you the highest value for your particular case. Because you are filing a complaint against another individual's negligence, your attorney can help you understand your rights and the liabilities due to you.. In cases involving accidents, an accident attorney would carry out the filing of your insurance claim. This is especially important if your particular accident has no insurance coverage. For every accident, there is a particular type of attorney, once who is well-versed in the details of the law.


Many individuals shy away from hiring a Los Angeles Injury Attorney for the fear of having to pay for exorbitant fees.. However, in attempting to settle a case yourself, you risk settling for smaller insurance claims for damages. If you are ever involved in an accident in Los Angeles, a Los Angeles Personal Injutry Attorney can help restore your life back in order by helping you claim for monetary damages due to you.. The attorney whom you choose to handle your case should be reputed for being able to recover the maximum insurance policy limits as well as the compensation you deserve. After your attorney files your case and collects your claims, he should be able to effectively guide you in the legal processes.

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Injury on the Job - By: John Paul Abbot


More than ever the workforce of today is focusing more attention on the issue of workplace injury. While dealing with the stubbornly high unemployment rate has been the dominant topic, we should also consider the health and well-being of our current workforce. When you consider all the factors, it makes perfect sense that workers today are probably more prone to injury now than in recent decades.

When we look back at the history of the Industrial Revolution, it seems that certain positions and trades, from the local blacksmith to the modern coal miner have forever involved risk. However, the Information Age of recent decades has created new types of injuries, which arguably have the same degree of lasting damage as anything else. Responses from the medical field to manufacturers of office equipment have raised awareness of the potential for such injuries in the workplace. More specifically, perhaps the severe and chronic nature of some of these injuries has many of us seeking out the latest ergonomically designed office products.

It is no surprise that carpel tunnel syndrome has left us somewhat wary of the risks involved with the use of modern desktop computer components. The trend to upgrade desktop devices in order to address physical and repetitive stress is indeed growing. For instance, one such current design can be found in the 3M Ergonomic Mouse. Much like the video game handle you see at the local arcade, it makes more obvious this notion of natural finger and hand movement. Quite simply, repetitive motions that seem natural will cause less injury.

It seems that the busy professional copes with back problems simply due to poor posture when sitting for extended periods of time. One response to these types of working conditions is the ergonomically designed kneeling chair. By kneeling on the pads in front of you, you are forced to maintain balance therefore keeping your back straight. Lower and upper back problems are very common and the kneeling chair is one of many choices the consumer has.

This does not diminish the fact that manual laborers, for example, who suffer injuries from lifting heavy objects have become less significant. The evidence of over-time hours in these types of jobs should be a warning to all of us that the risk of injury has increased. Also, professions that are increasing in the fields of therapeutic massage and chiropractics among other things, indicate the need for improved awareness and better working conditions overall.

If you think about it, there really are no boundaries to how physical damage can be manifested. You could damage your hearing operating a loud machine. You could damage your eyesight reading through volumes of case law in poor lighting. Increased awareness of these potential problems is truly the first defense.

If you ask any economist about the current state of the workforce in this country, he or she will tell you that the employed worker is being asked to work longer and harder. Even as industrial production picks up, companies are still not hiring as they should, which explains why corporate earnings are so robust in recent times. Nonetheless, whether you are a truck driver or an accountant, the risk of being injured on the job is certainly greater. Having a strong work ethic is one thing, but knowing your physical limits on the job is another. Balance is something we should all strive for, and improving your physical environment in the work place may be a healthy start.


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Hamstring Injuries: A Different Approach - By: jhulscher
Hamstring injuries

A hamstring injury is one of the most common problems facing professional footballers ¡V accounting for almost 40% of all Premiership injuries in the 2004/05 season.

This type of injury is sometimes referred to as a ¡§pulled hamstring¡¨ and the likes of Arsenal skipper Cesc Fabregas has recently been a victim, meaning a spell on the sidelines during a vital time in the Premiership title race.

The term ¡§pulled muscle¡¨ comes from the description of how the injury takes place. Since the muscle works over the hip and knee joint, the muscle is susceptible to injury due to being stretched beyond its limit and the muscle tissue being torn.

Depending on its severity, a hamstring pull is classified as a first, second or third degree strain:
„« a first degree strain is damage to a few muscle fibres,
„« a second degree strain is damage to a more extensive number of muscle fibres,
„« a third degree strain is a complete rupture of the muscle itself.

But recent studies have found a relationship between lower back problems and hamstring injuries, particularly in older athletes. It is often the underlying cause in those patients who suffer from recurrent ¡§hamstring¡¨ problems.
Even a subtle entrapment of a particular nerve in the lower back (L5 nerve) is believed to lead to an increased risk in hamstring symptoms.
The compression on the nerve can be caused by a prolapsed disc, more commonly known as a slipped disc, or by a structure called the ¡§lumbosacral ligament¡¨.

Although a trapped nerve is believed to increase the chances of an actual physical strain in the hamstrings, remarkably a trapped nerve can sometimes mimic a hamstring problem without any physical signs of a muscle strain!
Management

Those of us who lead active lives will be familiar with the RICE protocol ¡V Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation ¡V which is often used for muscle strains. The ice is aimed at reducing the bleeding and damage within the hamstring muscle tissue and should be applied for 15 minutes every hour (never apply ice direct to the skin). Resting may be the common sense approach, but it is one that is often ignored. Unfortunately, it doesn¡¦t take much to turn a one hamstring strain into a grade two, or a grade two hamstring strain into a grade three. As a general rule, grade one Hamstring strains should be rested from sporting activity for about 3 weeks and grade two injuries for about 4 to 6 weeks. In the case of a complete rupture, the hamstring muscle will have to be repaired surgically and the rehabilitation afterwards will take about 3 months.

But the management of hamstring injuries, whereby the lower back is involved, differs from the typical RICE protocol.

The way to deal with this would be to see a specialist who can examine the low back. If the low back would be involved, than traction and specific vertebral mobilisation techniques can be used to free up the nerve. In addition, anti-inflammatories should be taken ¡V something which wouldn¡¦t be advisable when dealing with a traditional muscle strain. Neural mobilisation (stretching the nerve) is something that can also be considered, as long as it doesn¡¦t increase the symptoms.

After the initial pain has subsided, core strength and core stability can be introduced to improve muscle function across the trunk and pelvis and reduce the risk of hamstring injuries.

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Protect Yourself With A Personal Injury Attorney - By: Yolanda Robinson


Before you can make an informative decision as to whether or not you should hire a attorney / lawyer, you first have to know what a personal injury case is.

Most people think that a personal injury claim is a car or motor vehicle accident claim. While an injury sustained in an automobile accident where another was at fault would be a personal injury claim, there are many other matters that also fall under that heading.

A personal injury attorney / lawyer handles matters where there has been a injury, either physical or emotional, which was caused by the negligence of another. If there was no negligence then there is no case. There must be negligence, whether intentional or unintentional, on the part of another, for a claim to be valid. In other words, you would have trouble making a case against your landlord, where you spilled water on your kitchen floor and then slipped and fell because of the water. However, if the landlord had failed to fix the plumbing under your sink and the water was on the floor because of leaky plumbing then you may, I say may, have a case. There are other variables that could come into play and you would need to seek the advice of a good personal injury attorney, in order to determine your rights.

There are many matters other than car accident matters that can many times be included under personal injury, IE: slips and falls, workplace accidents (after a workplace accident you may be covered under workers compensation or disability but you may also have a personal injury claim), injuries caused during a storm or power outage, airplane, bus and train crashes, construction accidents, fires, food poisoning, drug or vitamin overdoses, animal bites, getting beat up, robbed or otherwise injured inside or outside of a business, medical malpractice and even malpractice by an attorney.

There are many variables that can come into play in determining negligence and many times you may think that there was no negligence on the part of anyone when there actually was. I have heard of a case where a party was struck by a car while riding a motorcycle and injured severely. He settled with the driver and the driver's insurance company for the $100,000.00 maximum of the driver's insurance policy. This settlement did not even begin to cover his medical bills. Sometime later, a personal injury attorney, while speaking with a member of the injured party's family, found about the case and was asked to look into it for the family. The injured party was broke and paralyzed. The attorney did some checking and then agreed that, even though the man had accepted the settlement, there might still be a case. He then hired my detective agency and another to do further research. Finally, he filed a law suit against the car driver, the driver’s insurance company, the motorcycle manufacturer and others. I won't go into the whole case, but suffice it to say that he went to trial and ended up obtaining a verdict against several of the parties, including the driver’s insurance company and the motorcycle manufacturer, for several million dollars and the injured party is no longer broke. I might add that the attorney took the case on contingency and advanced, out of his own pocket, all of the expenses including court costs and investigation fees.

The point of the foregoing is that if you have been injured, you should seek the advice of a competent personal injury attorney even if you don't think that there is anyone at fault. Only a good experienced personal injury attorney can attempt to make that
determination.

Here are some questions to ask a personal injury attorney to help you determine if they are a good attorney. Did they pass the bar on their first try? How long have they been practicing personal injury in your state? Will they let you speak with some of their most recent clients? All of these factors taken together should give you a general impression of whether your personal injury attorney is competent, if not good.


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Cumulative Trauma Injuries to the Shoulders on Switchman - By: William Lenovo


Unfortunately, cumulative trauma injuries to the shoulders are common occurrences among railroad workers, particularly switchmen. Injuries are sustained after years of repetitive stress on the shoulders and arms in workers who are required to regularly lift their arms over their heads, lift heavy objects and engage in repetitive shoulder and arm movements such as pulling a switch.

Although complex and difficult to prove, these types of cases are springing up as more railroad employees seek compensation for the damage incurred to their bodies after years of working for the railroad industry.
< Shoulder Stress Repetitive of>

Switchmen, in particular, are at risk of developing injuries to their shoulders over time. Such injuries may include:

* Rotator cuff tears
* Dislocated shoulders
* Frozen shoulder syndrome, a painful disorder in which movement is impaired by scar tissue
* Shoulder impingement syndrome, a condition marked by chronic pain when the shoulder is raised; caused by inflammation in the rotator cuff

Knowledgeable Counsel is Needed in Cumulative Trauma Claims

Of course one would think that it would be a no-brainer to win a case of repetitive trauma on behalf of a worker, who for years engaged in repetitive arm movements. However, it is not that simple. Cumulative trauma claims are relatively new and can be more complex than “single event” FELA cases.

Single event claims include physical injuries that are caused by a single event or accident such as a slip and fall or a collision. Insurance carriers are a little more reluctant to settle cumulative trauma claims out of fear that any person who has worked in the industry will come to them seeking compensation for the wear and tear their bodies have endured over the years (which essentially could be anyone).

Because of this, it is crucial for railroad workers who have been diagnosed with shoulder injuries (or other cumulative trauma injuries) to seek out legal counsel from a law firm that has an in-depth understanding of FELA claims — cumulative trauma claims in particular.
Compensation is Available For Injured Switchmen

Gordon & Elias has done just that. We are pleased to have joined forced with some of the leading cumulative trauma lawyers in the country. We are well equipped to take even the most complex repetitive motion cases to trial. While there is always a chance of losing the case, we are prepared to guide you through the legal process and fight aggressively to recover the maximum compensation for your losses.

Recoverable compensation may include (but is not limited to):

* Medical bills/cost of surgery if necessary
* Physical pain/ permanent disabilities
* Emotional trauma, mental anguish
* Lost wages when injuries prevent the railroad employee from working

Over the years, FELA attorneys have obtained millions of dollars in compensation for railroad workers who have suffered cumulative trauma injuries. If you’re a railroad worker who has been hospitalized for a shoulder injury, or have had to undergo shoulder surgery, you are advised to contact an experienced railroad attorney as soon as possible.

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Dealing With Repetitive Strain Injury - By: Jeff Foster


Repetitive strain injury or RSI is an all too common difficulty that many in our world are really quite unfamiliar with. If you are one of those who have suffered with RSI then you understand the pain of this challenge.

Also referred to as repetitive stress injury, this manner of problem is a result of the overuse of precise body parts while undertaking some sort of constant activity. What does it mean to have repetitive stress injury? As an example, someone who plays a musical instrument may begin to develop RSI.

Being diagnosed with repetitive stress injury, the muscles and the tendons that are located in the arms and the back are irritated due to extended overuse. This particular disorder is known by several different names, but at the end of it all the pain can become chronic and if not treated and corrected can be tough to cure.

Another well known type of occupational related movement where repetitive stress injury if frequently found is with assembly line workers. It is due to the fact that these type of jobs have tasks that are repeated over and over again, these employees tend to be hampered the most by this condition.

Many companies in today’s world work diligently to assure themselves that work environments are the safest possible for workforce and these companies even spend the energy and funds to enlighten and instruct their employees about the hazards of RSI and things they can do to help avoid it.

If you have already been hit with RSI, stretching and strengthening the sectionportion of the body invaded can go a long way toward the elimination of the pain.

There are loads of different types of repetitive stress injuries. Probably the most familiar is that of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.

If you suspect that you may be experiencing some form of repetitive stress injury, it is vital for you to make an appointment with your physician.

A early symptom of this problem includes recurring pressure in a specific area of your body that you commonly use. Tingling or numbness in an area of your body that you regularly use may also be another warning sign that should lead you to make an appointment with your physician.

Also, the muscles of the affected area may feel exhausted, and you may also find that you have a lack of strength present. It is also critical to remember that these RSI symptoms standing by themselves do not always mean that the health condition lies in the area where you are enduring pain or numbness. As a case in point, a numbness of the hand may be the result of pinched nerves in your shoulder.

Because there are many various types of RSI, there are many different choices used to reduce the specific symptoms. Treatment options include physical therapy that is focused on at helping you to strengthen the body part that is in pain.

Instant and temporary relief from RSI can most often be realized with the use of NSAIDS drugs such as ibuprofen, a generic form of Motrin. Ibuprofen is used to shrink swelling which can reduce pain. If you really want to work to prevent and treat this condition then it is best to work towards keeping your body strong and flexible.

Eventually getting around long activities of repetitive stress actions is your smartest defense against RSI. At best you should be vigilant in taking shorter more frequent rest periods if your occupation requires this type of activity.

Successfully defeating a case of RSI will take staying power and diligence on your part so that you can make a absolute recovery, so be sure to put forth your best efforts.

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Rsi - Are You At Risk - By: Jeff Foster


By definition RSI, or repetitive strain injury, occurs as a result of someone using a particular movement of a body part in a similar motion such as typing, lifting, or bending for long periods of time.

Repetitive strain injury can result in a fair amount of pain that can quite possibly even last for hours after the repetitive motion has ceased. If left untreated, you run the risk of incurring permanent damage; and you may possibly require surgery or physical therapy in order to relieve or manage the pain.

Those involved in office work or in manufacturing lines and warehouses are at the greatest risk of developing RSI simply because of the nature of these types of jobs and how they can require you to perform the same bodily movements for hours on end.

Most recently more and more companies have become proactive in preventing repetitive stress injuries by giving people more breaks during the day, providing them with proper job environment ergonomics, so the employee can perform their jobs while maintaining proper posture and range of motion.

With RSI, it is performing the same motion for longer than two hours at a time that eventually causes swelling, pressure, and pain. This type of injury has become more defined in the era of the computer but has long been around with people involved in moving or stocking items, loading items, and assembly line work.

RSI is perpetuated in people who suffer from poor posture, poor typing techniques, and inadequate body support while working on the computer. Poor posture can result in pain being felt in many areas of their body. Individuals who have high stress jobs, work long hours, or perhaps are required to overproduce are also at a higher risk.

There are, however, many preventative measures available to ward off these problems. The easiest and most common, is to take frequent shorter breaks from your workstation and use this time to stretch and relax the parts of your body that are involved in the repetitive motion.

As with any health risk, prevention is the biggest key. It is much easier to prevent the onset of a repetitive strain injury than it is to recover from the pain and swelling or even the damaged body tissue.

Once a person has begun suffering from RSI, they may have to take time off from their job (and lose productivity) or even have surgery. This is unfortunate because in most cases RSI can be effectively avoided just by simply making some simple changes to the work environment and work habits of the individual.

Being aware of the risks and what causes RSI can go a long way toward the prevention of the pain and possible injury. Prevention of any repetitive stress injury should be the primary goal when it comes to the workplace environment.

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Learn how to Deal with Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI) - By: Nishanth Reddy


The work pattern of computer professionals carries a lot of orthopedic disorders. The chief complaint is constant pain in the upper limbs, neck, shoulders, and back. Upper limb disorders (also called RSI, or tenosynovitis) are the most worse as they may rapidly lead to permanent incapacity.
Repetitive strain injury occurs when the movable parts of the limbs are injured. Most of the times, the victims of this injury are computer professionals, musicians, students, and others who have to use their hands regularly in a repetitive manner.

Symptoms

The users experience constant pain in the hands, elbows, shoulders, neck, and the back. Other symptoms are cramps, tingling, and numbness in the hands. The hand movements of the user may become clumsy and the person may find it difficult even to fasten buttons.

Another variant may produce painful symptoms in the upper limbs, but the site may be difficult to locate.

The common diagnoses seen in this group are Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Tenosynovitis, Bursitis, White Limb, and Shoulder pain. A major cause is strain due to long unbroken periods of work. Ergonomics or the lack of it plays a very important role. Lack of information about the condition leads to neglect by the concerned individuals.

Palliative measures

People concerned should seek medical attention when early symptoms set in. Measures that can be adopted at an individual level include:

Posture: The recommended posture to sit in front of a computer is semi-reclined with the forearms resting in a cradle or on an extension of the keyboard support. There should be ample support for the back. The hands should be free and point in the direction of the forearms. The feet should rest on the ground or feet support. The distance of the monitor should be 18 inches or more and at a slightly lower level than the eye level.

Rest: The user should take short breaks every 15 minutes and slightly long breaks after every hour.

Hydration: Drink adequate fluids to keep the tendons and soft tissues soft.

Shortcuts: Use keyboard shortcuts instead of mouse. Touch the keyboard softly and do not pound at it. The wrist should rest on the table or wrist rest.

Telephone use: Don’t cradle the telephone between the face and shoulder while working, as this can lead to neck strain.

Messages: Don’t use the computer while conveying messages in person or through the intercom.

No games: Games or surfing at work may increase stress on your hands.

Preventive Measures at the Organizational Level: Organizations that use computers in a big way can also adopt certain preventive measures.

These include:

1.You need to educate your employees on the importance of adopting a proper posture.

2.Ensure that all your employees are using quality ergonomic furniture that will save loss of working hours by guaranteeing full comfort of the employees.

3.Give periodic reminders through lectures and audio-visual presentations by medical professionals on the importance of taking good care of health while using computers.

When symptoms set in, consult an orthopedic surgeon. Do not make the diagnosis yourself. The diagnosis will be made from the history and clinical findings as there will be no changes in X-rays, since the soft tissues are involved. Nerve conduction studies can confirm the diagnosis. In cases detected earlier, attention to ergonomics will restore normalcy.

In cases diagnosed late, orthopedic treatment like injections and even minor surgery may be necessary.

Remember that all the computer related hazards are not going to hamper your life in a very short span of time. But it may take years to show the symptoms. As I said earlier, prevention is better than cure.


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