Attorney Burland's Background and Philosophy

Prior to becoming a lawyer, Jacob Burland worked as a Senior Claims Adjuster in the Serious Injury Unit of the Travelers Insurance Company, a major national insurance carrier. In 1978, he was admitted to the California State Bar and then worked in-house for nine years as a Senior Trial Attorney for the Travelers, before becoming a partner in a civil litigation firm. Attorney Burland focuses on cases involving serious personal injury, particularly involving Motor Vehicle Accidents, Premises Accidents, Products Liability and Insurance Claims. He has tried in excess of 70 bench and jury cases to verdict in state and federal courts. He has also served as an Arbitrator for the San Francisco Superior Court, and has successfully argued several appeals.

Attorney Burland was appointed and served as a Conference Panelist for the California Superior Court. In this capacity, he supervised the settlement of Personal Injury cases. This position and his experience as a Senior Trial Lawyer for The Travelers Insurance Company give him a distinct advantage over other attorneys. He knows the methods and procedures that insurance companies use, and when and how to settle a case to get the maximum possible recovery for his client. However, Attorney Burland will not settle your case if it's not the best course of action. He has tried in excess of 70 bench and jury cases to verdict and is not afraid to go to trial if necessary, as his litigation record shows.

When you retain Jacob Burland, you will deal with him personally. You will never be handed off to a staff member for the majority of the time your case is at issue. Attorney Burland prides himself on the prompt and personal attention he pays to every client and will not allow a client’s question or concern to go unanswered.

In his 27-year career, Jacob Burland has tried cases in the Federal and State courts and has mediated, settled and arbitrated personal injury cases involving claims in excess of $18,000,000.00. Attorney Burland has been given the highest rating possible by several entities which rank attorneys based upon competence, reputation among his peers and professional record.

Specifically, the issues involved included, but were not limited to:

• Wrongful Deaths arising out of fires;
• Loss of limbs from motorcycle accidents;
• Brain damage;
• Fractures, herniated discs, etc. arising from:
• Defective Products
• Dangerous job sites conditions
• Public Premises
• Private Premises
• Auto Accidents

The Advantage of Retaining Jacob Burland

If you have been injured, the importance of choosing the right personal injury lawyer cannot be overstated. In serious personal injury and wrongful death cases, the right lawyer can make all the difference. Not all personal injury lawyers are alike, and you should choose an experienced attorney with a proven track record of success. Attorney Jacob Burland has over 27 years of experience handling complicated personal injury and wrongful death cases in California.

When choosing a lawyer, you should try to avoid the following common mistakes:

Choosing a lawyer who only occasionally handles a personal injury case
As is true with nearly every area of the law, California personal injury law has become highly specialized. One cannot simply dabble in personal injury law on an occasional basis and expect to do a good job. It takes a full time effort to stay current in the field. An attorney who does not concentrate in personal injury law is at a disadvantage when it comes to maximizing the value of your case. Make sure you choose a lawyer who has substantial knowledge and experience in personal injury law.

Choosing a lawyer who does not have experience trying cases
Although most cases settle, a small percentage of cases do go to trial if the insurance company's settlement offer is not reasonable. Most lawyers do not try cases before juries. Before making the decision to hire an attorney, you should find out about the lawyer's education, training, experience, trial record and ask the lawyer to tell you about how he or she has represented clients in cases similar to yours. Ask the lawyer to go over the fee arrangement in detail with you and be sure you understand what the lawyer plans to do to represent you on your claim.

Choosing a lawyer who lacks experience dealing with insurance companies
Negotiating with insurance companies and corporate defendants can be difficult, akin to a "David and Goliath" scenario. Armed with extensive resources, insurance companies and corporate defendants often take a hard line in negotiations. If you don't have a lawyer who knows how insurance companies work, you will probably not get full value for your claim.

Choosing a lawyer based solely on an advertisement
Just because a lawyer appears in a television or radio commercial or on the internet does not necessarily qualify that lawyer to handle a serious personal injury or wrongful death case. Some lawyers who advertise on television or the radio or on the internet have never actually tried a personal injury case, and others do not handle the cases at all, but simply act as a clearinghouse and refer cases out to other lawyers. Choosing a lawyer is an important decision, so be selective and ask the right questions. Make sure that the lawyer you choose is an experienced personal injury lawyer and successful negotiator.

Choosing a lawyer who does not guarantee personal service and client satisfaction
The lawyer you choose must not only promise good service, but must also deliver on that promise. This includes promptly answering questions, returning telephone calls, and keeping you advised of the status of your case on a regular basis. You should choose a lawyer who delivers consistent personal service, personal attention, and client satisfaction. While a lawyer cannot guarantee the outcome of a case, every lawyer should deliver prompt, efficient, effective communication with clients.

If you or someone you care about has been injured in Southern California, you need to contact the Law Offices of Jacob Burland immediately at 1-858-350-6756 or email Attorney Burland using the contact form in the left-hand column.