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At Berman & Riedel, LLP, we are deeply committed to protecting the dignity and well-being of the San Diego Elderly. Our Elder Abuse Resources provides a personal, compassionate, and professional approach to identifying, preventing, and addressing elder abuse. With our expert legal team by your side, you have access to essential information, and advice ensure every senior is treated with the respect and care they deserve. Trust Berman & Riedel, LLP to be your reliable legal partner in creating a safer, more supportive environment for our elders.

Types of Elder Abuse & Neglect

Harlan Zaback

College: Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, B.A. in History, 2005

Law School: California Western School of Law, J.D., 2009

Membership: San Diego County Bar Association, Board of Directors for the Park View Condominium Association, Treasurer

Admissions: California State Bar, December 2009, United States District Court, Southern District of California

Biography: Harlan Zaback was born and raised in Caldwell, New Jersey, a suburban town twenty miles west of New York City. Mr. Zaback attended Rutgers University in New Jersey, graduating with a degree in History and minor in Political Science.  After graduating from Rutgers, Mr. Zaback worked briefly in education, specifically as a teacher’s aide working one-on-one with non-verbal autistic children and with children who suffered from severe behavioral issues, before deciding to pursue a legal degree so he could better assist individuals with the most need for assistance in exercising their legal rights. This desire brought him to San Diego where he attended law school at California Western School of Law, where he earned his Juris Doctor degree.

Both while attending law school at CWSL and as a post-bar law clerk, Mr. Zaback worked at Berman & Riedel, LLP, where he gained invaluable knowledge and experience into the firm's concentrated practice by assisting the firm’s senior attorneys in various areas of civil litigation, particularly in personal injury and elder abuse and neglect related matters. Mr. Zaback thrived in his position and was hired as an Associate Attorney at Berman & Riedel, LLP, shortly after being admitted to the California State Bar in December 2009.  Mr. Zaback now uses his knowledge, skills and experience to help the firm continue its reputation as being a leader in providing clients with successful representation in recovering damages as a result of the negligent, reckless and/or wrongful conduct of others.

Areas of Legal Practice:

  • Serious Personal Injury
  • Wrongful Death
  • Elder Abuse and Neglect

Past Legal Experience:

  • Associate Attorney, Berman & Riedel, LLP, 2010 - present.
  • Law Clerk/Post-Bar Law Clerk, Berman & Riedel, LLP, 2009
  • Law Clerk, Office of General Counsel, San Diego Unified School District, 2008
  • Judicial Intern, United States Magistrate Judge, Honorable Frank Maas, United States District Court, Southern District of New York, 2007

News

Harlan J Zaback Featured on NBC News 7 Story Regarding Carlsbad Assisted Living Sexual Assault


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5 Star Rated Injury Lawyers In California

Bringing our injured clients unparalleled success
Settlement Won
$4,250,000
Elder Neglect
Settlement Won
$2,000,000
Elder Neglect
Settlement Won
$9,100,000
Mild Traumatic Brain Injury
Settlement Won
$2,200,000
Elder Neglect
Settlement Won
$15,500,000
Serious Personal Injury
Trial verdict
$3,300,000
Automobile Accident

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Real Injuries. Real Testimonials

Watch What Our Clients Have To Say

Families across California share their experiences of how Berman & Riedel, LLP, fought for justice in cases of elder neglect, nursing home abuse, and personal injury.

Elder Neglect by Healthcare Corporation

Jean’s mother was a victim of neglect while at a skilled nursing facility, resulting in surgery that she did not survive. Berman was there to listen and provide the support that the client needed.

Wrongful Death at a California Nursing Home

Michele’s mother suffered a wrongful death at a California nursing home. William M. Berman and the attorneys at Berman & Riedel, LLP, helped litigate the case with successful results.

Serious Injury at Skilled Nursing Facility

Ira’s wife suffered a traumatic brain injury due to negligence at a skilled nursing facility, and our team of attorneys worked hard to ensure that Ira’s wife and his family received the compensation that they rightfully deserved.

Wrongful Death Legal Services

Ginny suffered a family loss, and Berman lawyers handled her legal needs with compassion and reassurance, allowing her to feel safe and at ease through the entire process.
See more client testimonials
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FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Below are answers to common questions people have about working with a lawyer. During your initial consultation, we will be happy to answer questions that are particular to your case.

How Much Does It Cost to Hire an Elder Abuse Attorney?

The attorneys at Berman & Riedel, LLP, accept elder and nursing home cases on a contingency-fee basis. This type of agreement means you do not pay any attorneys’ fees out-of-pocket for legal representation. Attorneys’ fees are also contingent on the outcome of your case.

You benefit from legal representation in exchange for an agreed-upon percentage of a settlement or jury award. We will only recover a fee if you recover compensation.

What Should I Do if I Suspect a Loved One is the Victim of Elder Abuse?

The first step is to report the abuse to the appropriate authorities. Call 911 if the situation is life-threatening. Otherwise, it can be reported to the police and appropriate agencies. For abuse in the community or a hospital, call Adult Protective Services at 1-833-401-0832. For abuse in a nursing home or long-term care facility, contact your local long-term care ombudsman or call 1-888-452-8609. 

The next step is contacting a California elder neglect lawyer to help you safeguard your loved one’s rights, investigate the abuse, and hold the facility accountable.

Can You Tell Me How Much My Case Is Worth?

There is no way to determine the exact value of an elder abuse or personal injury case, especially early in your case. However, an experienced attorney can give you an estimated range based on their experience with similar cases.

There are many factors that may influence the value of your case, such as:

  • Your total financial or economic damages
  • The severity of your injuries
  • The impact of your injuries on your daily life
  • The strength of your case
  • Whether you share fault for your accident
  • Insurance policy limits 

Some damages are easy to calculate, such as lost wages and medical bills. Calculating the value of diminished earnings for the rest of your life or future medical needs, however, may require the help of experts. Non-economic damages like pain and suffering have no intrinsic financial value. These damages are challenging to calculate. 

If your case goes before a jury, you may potentially be able to recover more than you could through a settlement. However, this introduces a new element of risk: the jury. The circumstances of your accident and even how sympathetic you or the defendant are can influence the outcome.

During your consultation and throughout your case, we will help you understand how these factors influence your case. We will also work tirelessly to document the value of all your damages and pursue maximum compensation on your behalf.

Will My Case Go to Trial?

The vast majority of cases are resolved by reaching a settlement agreement outside of court. Very few personal injury cases actually go to trial, but it is more likely if the facts in your case are in dispute, a legal issue is being contested, or you have a high-value case.

An experienced lawyer will build your case as if it will go to trial from the beginning. The stronger your case and evidence, the more likely a fair settlement will be reached.

How Do I Know If I Need a Personal Injury Lawyer?

The more serious your injuries or the more complex your case, the more important it becomes to seek experienced legal counsel.

Legal representation is vital if your case involves a complex area of law, such as elder abuse or neglect, premises liability, commercial vehicle accidents, medical malpractice, or serious work-related accidents. Determining liability, navigating decades of legal precedence, and interpreting specific statutes in these cases is best done with years of relevant legal experience.

Remember that the insurance company is not on your side, even if the insurance adjuster seems sympathetic and you receive a settlement offer. If you are being blamed for an accident or sustained serious injury, a lawyer will help you protect your rights and build the strongest case possible. This includes calculating the full value of your current and future losses.

Do You Accept Cases Outside of San Diego?

While our law office is located in San Diego, Berman & Riedel, LLP, accepts cases throughout the state of California.

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Trusted By California To Handle Elder Abuse & Neglect, Serious Personal Injury, & Wrongful Death Litigation

Disclaimer
The information on this website is for general information purposes only and does not create an attorney-client relationship. No information on this site should be taken as legal advice for any individual case or situation. Berman & Riedel, LLP at (858) 997-0678 if you would like to discuss your legal matter with a member of the firm.

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