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.
College: Arizona State University, B.S. in Justice Studies, 1993
Law School: California Western School of Law, J.D., 1997, cum laude
Professional Memberships: San Diego County Bar Association; Consumer Attorneys of San Diego; Consumer Attorneys of California; American Trial Lawyers Association
Admissions: California State Bar, 1997; U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California, 1998; U.S. Supreme Court, 2003
Biography: Attorney William M. Berman is the founding and managing partner of Berman & Riedel, LLP, a civil litigation firm that focuses it's practice in the areas of catastrophic personal injury, wrongful death and elder abuse and neglect. Strictly a plaintiffs’ devoted firm, Mr. Berman dedicates his practice exclusively to helping victims who have suffered injuries due to the negligent acts of others and/or business entities. Berman & Riedel, LLP handles cases involving serious personal injury, traumatic brain injury, broken bones, back and neck injuries, limb loss, permanent paralysis, burn injuries, vision loss/impairment, vehicle accidents, and elder abuse & neglect.
Proven by the numerous awards he has received, Mr. Berman is a knowledgeable and reputable civil litigation attorney with tremendous experience in handling a wide variety of matters. A few years into practice, Mr. Berman was awarded by the San Diego County Bar Association as a Lawyer to Watch in 2000 and an Outstanding Advocate from the Consumer Attorneys in San Diego. Since 2009 to the present, Mr. Berman has been recognized as a Top Lawyer in California and a San Diego Super Lawyer. In 2012 and 2014, Mr. Berman was awarded the San Diego Trial Lawyer Award, honoring attorneys who have exceptional verdict results which are recognized by their peers. As of October 2015, Mr. Berman has been selected for the Best Attorneys of America award which is presented to only 100 attorneys in each State.
William M. Berman was featured in a cover story for San Diego Attorney Journal
Never representing insurance companies in the defense of claims, Mr. Berman’s firm remains staunchly committed to helping those who have suffered serious injury or loss due the negligence, intentional misconduct or wrongful acts of others. The firm’s commitment to working to obtain the maximum possible recovery available under California law for their clients can be seen through the consistent landmark results obtained by the firm. Recently acquiring a settlement of $8.0 million for a victim of a traumatic brain injury, Mr. Berman’s firm has been nominated for the prestigious 2015 Litigator Awards, an award honoring the top 1% of attorneys in the Nation. This esteemed award is presented to approximately 12 firms per state and stands to recognize the elite of the profession.
As a testament to his accomplishments in the area of elder abuse & neglect, Mr. Berman was responsible for obtaining one of the largest settlements ever reported against a residential care facility for the elderly in the State of California, a $2.2 million result, in just his second year of practice as an attorney. Since then, Mr. Berman has grown his firm to become what is now considered to be one of the largest and most successful elder abuse/neglect practices within the State of California. Through his continued successes in handling numerous claims involving nursing home and elder abuse and neglect, Mr. Berman remains a prominent figure in advocating on behalf of this vulnerable class of citizens, bringing the cause of elder abuse and neglect to the forefront of the media and state legislature attention.
Law Offices of William M. Berman, Sole Practitioner, 1997 - 1999
Honors and Awards:
Martindale-Hubbell, AV Rated (Highest rating available)
AVVO Rated 10.0 (Highest rating available)
Best Attorneys of America Award - 2015
Litigator Award for Top 1% of Attorneys - 2015
San Diego Trial Lawyer Award (Consumer Attorneys of San Diego) - 2012, 2014
San Diego Super Lawyers Award - 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012
Top Lawyers in California Award - 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015
Outstanding Advocate Award - Consumer Attorneys of San Diego, 2000
Lawyers to Watch in 2000 - San Diego County Bar Association, 2000
Featured Articles/Stories:
Feature on Elder Abuse, San Diego NBC-Channel 10, December 2008
Nursing Home Neglect Results in Brain Injury, San Diego Union Tribune, November 2008
Epidemic on Nursing Home Abuse, NBC Channel 4 Riverside, June 2006
Profile on Nursing Home Abuse, NBC Channel 4 Los Angeles, February 2003
Facility Settles Neglect Lawsuit; Doctors Found Ants in 92-Year-Old's Face, San Diego Union Tribune, December 28, 2002
Stifling Senior Abuse, San Diego Jewish Journal October, 2002
Lawyers to Watch in 2000, San Diego Lawyer Magazine, published by the San Diego County Bar Association, Jan/Feb 2000
Los Angeles Daily Journal, Senior Assistance, October 22, 1999
Los Angeles Daily Journal, Old is New, October 22, 1999
Thousand Oaks Star, Family Gets $2 Million in Elder Abuse Case, September, 1999
Los Angeles Times, Ventura County Edition, Elder Care Home Suit Settled for $2.2 Million, September 23, 1999
San Diego Attorney Journal, Attorney of the Month Article, On the Top of His Game, 2011 Edition
Pro-Bono Legal Related Activities:
Trial Lawyers Care, Inc. (September 11 Fund Pro Bono Program), 2002 - 2004
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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.
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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
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.
