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Welcome to the Michael Waks Blog

9 Hazardous Conditions That May Warrant a Premises Liability Claim

November 13, 2018 by

Most people feel relatively safe when they’re shopping for groceries, having dinner at a restaurant, or spending a night on the town with friends. For the most part, these scenarios are fairly predictable and almost never lead to accidents. But when property owners are negligent and fail to keep their premises in reasonably safe condition, serious injuries are likely to occur. If you or a member of your family was injured due to hazardous conditions on someone else’s property, you may have … [Read more...]

4 FAQs About Car Accident Wrongful Death Claims

November 5, 2018 by

No tragedy can match the grief of losing a family member in a sudden car accident. When the death is expected, you at least have the opportunity to say goodbye, but if the loss was caused by another person’s negligence, the burden can be especially difficult to bear. Beyond the emotional trauma, you and your family may also be facing financial turmoil due to medical bills, lost income, and funeral costs. In the state of California, though, certain family members can bring tort claims against … [Read more...]

3 FAQs About Car Accident Claims Against Government Entities

November 2, 2018 by

If you or someone you know has ever been in a car accident, you may already be familiar with the basic process of filing a claim. But there are special rules that apply to tort claims filed against government entities. Suing a city, county, or state government agency is far more complicated than suing an individual because there are more steps involved, and you have a shorter timeframe within which to file an administrative claim. In this blog, we’ll answer a few FAQs about such claims and … [Read more...]

What Is the “Act of God” Defense Against Personal Injury Claims?

October 19, 2018 by

A serious personal injury accident can cripple the finances of even a fairly well-off family. Medical bills, lost income, and other damages add up quickly. Victims injured due to another person’s negligence, expect that individual’s insurance company to cover at least a portion of their losses. When you file a personal injury claim, the other side will try everything to reduce the amount they have to pay you. They will try to use several defenses to avoid paying you anything. One such defense … [Read more...]

The Long Beach Law Office of Michael D. Waks Announces Winner of 3rd Annual Essay Contest for Students Living with A Disability

August 16, 2018 by

Attorney Michael D. Waks is pleased to award $1,000 to Kristi Alarcon, the winner of the 3rd Annual Michael D. Waks Essay Contest for students living with a disability. Disabled high school seniors and undergraduates attending a 2 or 4-year accredited university or college, were invited to participate. Kristi Alarcon of Long Beach has been selected the winner of the 2018 Essay Contest. Kristi is a third-year student at California State University, Long Beach, studying journalism and … [Read more...]

Motorcycle Riders Can Be Awarded Damages When They Don’t Wear Helmets

August 9, 2018 by

Motorcycle riders must be more vigilant about safety than vehicle drivers. Despite motorcycles having the same rights and responsibilities as passenger vehicles, a motorcyclist seems to have a heightened responsibility to prevent a motorcycle accident. This is an unfair burden, especially since vehicles cause most collisions between cars and motorcycles. Why Do Cars Hit Motorcycles? The main reason cars cause motorcycle accidents is that drivers don’t see the motorcycles. Most passenger vehicle … [Read more...]

How Often Do Accidents Cause Traumatic Brain Injuries?

August 3, 2018 by

Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) are more common than most people think. Doctors diagnose TBI in more than 2.5 million emergency room visits each year. Almost 50,000 people die in the U.S. each year because of TBI. How do all these brain injuries happen? According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), personal injury accounts for 2/3 of all TBI-related injuries and death. Falls Are The Main Cause of TBI Within the broad category of personal injury, falls are the number one cause … [Read more...]

When Can A Driver Avoid Car Accident Liability Because of An “Act of God”?

July 11, 2018 by

Drivers who cause car accidents blame many things. At-fault drivers often blame the weather, bushes and trees, road conditions, highway workers, cyclists, pedestrians, and other drivers. Occasionally they blame God. In my 35 years of advocating for accident victims, I have seen a few cases where drivers tried to avoid car accident liability by claiming that act of God caused the crash. Is an "Act of God" a Defense to Car Accident Liability? Car insurance policies may exclude acts of God from … [Read more...]

Understanding Drowning Myths Prevents Swimming Pool Accidents

July 9, 2018 by

Drowning is the leading cause of death of California children younger than 10. During the summer, many children spend their days in and around swimming pools. Swimming pool accident prevention experts recommend that property owners, parents, and children’s caregivers understand the myths about child drownings and implement layers of protection to keep children safe. Swimming Pool Accident Myth # 1: Drowning Victims Splash and Make Noise The biggest myth about drowning is that the victim will … [Read more...]

Is a Landlord Liable If A Tenant’s Dog Bites Someone?

July 6, 2018 by

California dog owners are responsible for all damages resulting from their dogs’ bites. That sounds straightforward. Unless you are the dog bite victim and the dog’s owner is a tenant without insurance. In that case, you may wonder about landlord liability for dog bites. Determining liability is important to victims because the liable person must pay for the victim’s injuries. Dog bites can cause serious scarring and permanent damage. Injuries may require multiple surgeries. Dog bites can leave … [Read more...]