San Francisco Injury Lawyer Blog

Resources for California Wildfire Victims

November 10, 2017 | Gregory J. Brod

If your family has been displaced by the California wildfires and you do not have financial resources or family to fall back on, you may need a great deal of help. At Brod Law Firm, we want you to have access to all types of assistance. There are many organizations and individuals doing whatever they can to be sure you are safe and healthy so that you can rebuild. Below are a number of links to potential resources.

Living Arrangements

If you are still looking for a temporary or semi-permanent place to stay while you wait for your home to be repaired or rebuilt, go to:

California Wildfires Take Teen’s Life

November 3, 2017 | Gregory J. Brod

Kressa Shepherd, 17, passed away at the end of October due to burns she sustained from the wildfires that swept into Mendocino County, California. Kressa and both of her parents were badly injured by the wildfire, with burns covering a great deal of their bodies. Kressa suffered burns over more than 60% of her body. Her parents, Sara, 40, and Jon, 44, remain hospitalized. They have gone through several surgeries and will require a great deal more medical care in the months to come. Her brother was killed in the wildfire. With Kressa’s passing, the California wildfires in October have taken 43 lives.

Determining Responsibility for the California Wildfires

Responsibility for the California wildfires has yet to be determined. However, major utility company PG&E is under investigation by California’s Public Utilities Commission (PUC) for the blazes that devastated large portions of the state, including a great deal of the famed Wine Country. PUC is looking into whether PG&E’s maintenance, or lack thereof, of its equipment in Sonoma and Napa counties caused or played a role in the fires. Regulators are particularly interested in whether a lack of vegetation-related maintenance was an issue, such as not cutting back trees, bushes, and other plants.

How an Attorney can Help You With a Wildfire Insurance Claim

October 27, 2017 | Gregory J. Brod

As of Tuesday, October 24, there were nine active wildfires in California. This is down from the 250 wildfires the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) has responded to since October 8. Cal Fire estimated that the remaining fires would be fully contained by the end of the week. However, the fires have caused mass destruction. They burned more than 245,000 acres, forced 100,000 households to evacuate, and destroyed 8,400 structures, including homes and businesses.

If your home suffered extensive damage or you lost your home entirely, you face a long journey of dealing with your homeowners’ insurance policy and rebuilding. While your insurer adjuster may by sympathetic and easy to talk to, you must remember that you and your insurer have contrary interests. Your insurer wants to fulfill their duties under your policy by paying the lowest amount possible. That is what is best for their bottom line. Your goal is to receive the maximum amount possible under your policy. Working with a San Francisco insurance lawyer at Brod Law Firm can protect your interests during the insurance claim process and help you get closer to rebuilding.

How an Attorney can Help

Homeowners’ Basic Rights and Responsibilities After a Wildfire

October 20, 2017 | Gregory J. Brod

The U.S. has experienced significant damage due to wildfires this year. Sonoma County, California, is the latest area to be devastated. As of the morning of Oct. 18, the wildfires that began in the region on Oct. 8 had covered hundreds of thousands of acres. At the time, the Tubbs Fire was 91% contained. The Pocket Fire was 63% contained, and the Nuns Fire that is in both Sonoma and Napa counties was 80% contained. Full containment was expected by Friday Oct. 20. At this point, 42 people have been killed, approximately 22,000 people have been evacuated from their homes, and thousands of homes have been significant damaged or destroyed.

If you were affected by a California wildfire, you probably have a lot of questions. Other than working with your insurer, what else should you do? There are a few rights and responsibilities you should keep in mind during this time. If you are ever unsure of what to do next or simply need help, do not hesitate to reach out to an experienced insurance lawyer at Brod Law Firm.

Pay Your Mortgage

Recovering Compensation After a Pedestrian-Cyclist Accident

October 13, 2017 | Gregory J. Brod

Not every accident on the road involves a car or truck. Some collisions are between pedestrians and cyclists, particularly in cities where biking to and from work is common. San Francisco sees its fair share of pedestrian-cyclist collisions, which can lead to significant injuries for everyone involved. In September, a 24-year-old man on a bike collided with a teenage girl on Market Street. The girl was knocked unconscious and taken to a local hospital. The full extent of her injuries is unknown.

When individuals are injured in vehicle accidents, most know what to do next. Get a copy of the police report and file an insurance claim. If the accident is complex, the person calls an attorney. But what happens after a pedestrian-cyclist accident? If you were injured in this type of collision and you believe the other person was at fault, the best thing for you to do is contact our experienced San Francisco personal injury lawyers at Brod Law Firm. We will determine whether an insurance policy applies to your situation or whether you should move forward with a personal injury suit.

Possible Insurance Coverage

Falls May be a Sign of Elder Abuse or Neglect

October 6, 2017 | Gregory J. Brod

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that one in four people over the age of 65 years falls each year. Of these falls, one in five leads to a serious injury like a traumatic brain injury or a broken bone. In fact, falling is the most common cause of concussions and more serious traumatic brain injuries. Following these falls, 2.8 million seniors are treated in emergency rooms for injuries and more than 800,000 of these seniors are hospitalized.

Many falls are related to medical conditions and age-related changes. However, they are not always innocent accidents. Seniors face a greater risk of falling when they are the victims of neglect and abuse. If your loved one has suffered one or more falls and you believe it is because of abuse or neglect, contact our experienced San Francisco elder neglect and abuse attorneys at Brod Law Firm immediately. We will thoroughly review your loved one’s situation to advise you on how to get them into a safer situation and their right to seek compensation for their injuries.

Falls Have Tragic Consequences

Can Landlords Charge Extra for Pets?

October 4, 2017 | Gregory J. Brod

Based on a 2016 survey, the American Pet Products Association estimates that 6% of American households have a pet. Most of these individuals own cats and dogs. However, other common household pets includes fish, reptiles, and other small animals like rabbits and birds. When these individuals or families own their own homes, the only factor in deciding on a pet is personal preference. However, for renters, pet ownership can be much more complicated and expensive. Some landlords may welcome pets with open arms while others charge various fees. If you are a renter in California and you own pets, you should get to know the law regarding so called “pet deposits,” “pet fees,” and “pet rent” before you sign a lease.

Can Landlords Charge Extra for Pets?

Yes, landlords have the power to charge extra for pets. However, the way in which they can do so is regulated by California law. They cannot charge pet deposits and additional pet rent however they like. If you are required to pay extra money up front to have a pet in your rental unit, then this money is regulated the same way as your typical security deposit.

San Francisco Bus Crash Leads to Injuries

October 2, 2017 | Gregory J. Brod

In late September, two Alameda-Contra Costa (AC) Transit buses collided near Howard and Fremont streets in San Francisco just before 9:30 in the morning. AC Transit officials stated that both buses exited I-80, heading north on Fremont. The buses were supposed to turn right onto Folsom. The first made the turn, and the second bus appears to have lost control before doing the same. The second bus collided with multiple vehicles before driving onto a sidewalk and stopping once it collided with the scaffolding of a building. Initial reports from passengers and pedestrians who stopped to help state that the driver appeared to have lost consciousness just before the incident. Four individuals, including at least one of the drivers, were injured and taken to nearby hospitals. It also appears that a fifth person was injured and took themselves to the emergency room.

It is likely these individuals will need to file insurance claims or lawsuits to recover compensation for their injuries. If you have been hurt in a bus or public transportation accident, do not hesitate to seek legal advice regarding your rights and legal options. At Brod Law Firm, we are ready to help you recover the compensation you deserve under the law and need to move forward with life.

Bus Accident Statistics

Lane Splitting May Not be Negligent in California

September 29, 2017 | Gregory J. Brod

If you were part of an auto accident while riding your motorcycle, you likely have to deal with a contributory negligence claim during your personal injury insurance claim or lawsuit. Due to negative stereotypes regarding motorcycle riders and an insurer’s constant fight to protect its bottom line, the insurer or other driver may allege that you were partially at fault for the accident. They may even claim that you were more responsible for the accident than the other driver. This is particularly common if there was any evidence that you were lane splitting. However, in California, lane splitting is legal and therefore, not inherently negligent.

If you were in accident while lane splitting, contact our experienced San Francisco personal injury lawyers from Brod Law Firm at (800) 427-7020.

California Law on Lane Splitting

Breaking Your Lease

September 27, 2017 | Gregory J. Brod

Most residential leases are for a period of one year. Typically, the lease starts on the first of a month, and you are entitled to live in the unit at that price for the next 12 months. However, a lot can happen during that year. You may get a new job in another state, suffer a medical emergency, become pregnant, or for any number of reasons need to move. If you cannot stay in your apartment until the end of your lease, then you will have to move out early. This is known as breaking your lease and amounts to a breach of contract. You can do it, but there will be consequences.

When it comes to breaking a lease, you should understand your rights to ensure your landlord does not try and take advantage of the situation. If you believe your landlord is treating you unfairly or unlawfully during this situation, contact a San Francisco tenants’ rights attorney right away.

Breaking a Lease