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September 2025
FacchettiLaw.com
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What Burbank Taught Me About Life THE TOWN THAT RAISED ME
Many people think of Burbank as a media center, close enough to Hollywood to attract a lot of wannabe stars — and far enough away to be a bit boring. But to me, Burbank is home. It’s where I was born and raised, went to school, took some crazy teenage risks, learned indelible lessons, and returned after law school to live and settle down with my family. In the process of creating an “I Love Burbank” T-shirt recently, I’ve been reflecting on a few of my most vivid memories. Midnight Ride I’ll never forget the night when my brother rousted me from bed at 1 a.m. To avoid waking our parents, we silently pushed my dad’s classic gold 560SL Mercedes down the driveway and jumped in while it was rolling. “Put your seat belt on,” my brother said. “We are going for a ride.” And off we went down the freeway on a heart-stopping 140-mph joyride! As our parents slept, we returned home quietly and slipped into bed. The next morning, we just shared a silent, knowing smile. I also learned some of my most formative values during those years. In an episode of real middle-school misery, a bunch of older kids picked a fight with me, and I punched one of them out. Then, they vowed to beat me up and began stalking me after school. Fortunately, my brother, who was 6-foot-2 and 17 then, noticed my misery and intervened.
Confronting the lead stalker on the street, he picked the guy up by his shirt, holding him right up off the ground, and forced him to apologize. That kid never bothered me again. Watching my brother stand up for me, showing me how to defend myself and others, instilled a genuine desire in me to protect the underdog. That is one reason I became a personal injury lawyer and why I fight so hard for my clients. Learning to Hustle I had great coaches and mentors, too. Coach Clyde Richards, who was legendary for his toughness and skill, used to make our high school tennis team run a mile uphill in practice while he goaded us on by driving 4 mph beside us. “You guys are so slow! Hurry up! You look like Twinkies!” he would yell through the rolled-down window of his car. “Speed it up!” I was swearing at him under my breath. But I knew if I could handle Coach Richards’ demands, I could handle any opponent on the court. We weren’t the most talented team in the league, but we won the title 10 years in a row because Coach Richards taught us how to be tough and how to play smart. To this day, the work ethic I learned from him serves me well in my law practice. Highway Adventures I had some wild moments of my own. I was making a mad dash home in my parents’
Ford Explorer one afternoon to watch some movie on TV with my buddies when a cop pulled me over. I had no idea how fast I’d been going until he told me I’d hit 112 mph — 47 mph over the speed limit! I thought my life was over. After I completed my sentence — 40 hours of community service, cleaning septic tanks, and picking up rubbish at a park — my dad asked, “Did you learn anything?”
“Yes,” I said. ”Don’t get caught!”
Fortunately, my attitude improved. At age 17, on my first job at The Islands restaurant, I learned how to communicate with annoying coworkers and take pride in doing excellent work on any task, no matter how small. Giving Back After establishing my law practice here, I applied for a seat on the Transportation Commission to help make our streets safer. Speaking to the City Council, I told my personal story about how fortunate I feel to have been adopted by my parents as a baby and raised here. In a unanimous Council vote, I got the job. If you had told that kid arrested for speeding 28 years ago that he was going to be a transportation commissioner, much less living in Burbank, he would have been shocked! Clearly, I have made some major steps forward — and found my home.
-Adrianos Facchetti
FacchettiLaw.com | 1
Bicycle Accidents Auto Accidents Motorcycle Accidents Truck Accidents
What to Say, Do, and Avoid After an Accident Insurance After Impact
Nobody leaves their home intending to get into a car accident, but thousands of collisions still happen every day. They happen when people drive to work, pick up the kids from school, travel across the country on vacation, and in almost any other driving situation you can imagine. Statistics show that most Americans experience 3–4 accidents in their lives, but that doesn’t necessarily mean we know what to do immediately after the event. This can be especially daunting and stressful for young or new drivers. The aftermath of an accident can be complicated, partly because of insurance companies. Regardless of whether you’re at fault or another driver is to blame, you must report the accident to your insurance company and maybe even the other party’s insurance to get everything straightened out. If it’s been a while since you last reviewed your policy, set aside time to review it. Familiarize yourself with important terms and understand your policy to the best of your ability. Awareness of your coverage will help when dealing with an adjuster. Let’s walk through what you should do immediately after an accident and how to set yourself up for success when dealing with insurance companies. Document as much as you can. After an accident, you must do everything possible to protect yourself. Even if the other driver was obviously at fault, you never know what they will claim when talking to the police or their insurance carrier. Take pictures or record videos of the accident scene, any vehicles involved, and visible injuries. After speaking with police officers, request a copy of their report, which may include information stating who was at fault. If you need to see a medical professional, then obtain records of any treatment, prescriptions, or doctor’s visits for injuries from the accident. Lastly, gather contact information for any witnesses to
the accident if possible. All of this documentation will serve as evidence should insurance push back.
Watch what you say. You’ll often hear attorneys say you should be very careful when speaking with law enforcement to ensure you don’t admit guilt or say something that lands you in trouble. They’re not the only group you need to be cautious of when expressing your thoughts. You’ll likely have to speak with an insurance adjuster whose sole job is to minimize the amount the insurance company pays on claims. It’s vital that you don’t speculate or admit fault when speaking with an adjuster. Anything you say on this call could affect your potential compensation. Cooperate as much as you can, but avoid giving a recorded statement until you know the full extent of your injuries. Another thing to remember is that the insurance company will likely try to settle this matter quickly. Their initial offer may be tempting, but don’t jump the gun. Wait until you know the full extent of your injuries and the situation before accepting their offer, or else you could receive less compensation than you need. Know when to turn to legal help. Not every car accident will require legal counsel or involvement. Ideally, you won’t suffer a severe injury or deal with an uncooperative insurance company. If you aren’t so lucky, you should hire a lawyer to represent you and fight for your rights. There’s a good chance the insurance company will take your claim more seriously once it realizes you have legal representation. An attorney can provide guidance and advice regarding communication and signing documents. Your lawyer should be able to break down the terms of any document your insurance company sends. Even if things go your way initially, you may need to stay on top of your own or the other party’s insurance carrier to ensure they don’t drag their feet. Follow up regularly to ensure your claim continues to move forward!
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BRAIN GAMES
When You Lose Your Cool, Find Your Courage Strong Parents Say I’m Sorry
APPLES ASTER COFFEE CONSTITUTION FOLIAGE GRANDPARENTS LABOR LUNCHBOX PIRATE SAPPHIRE VIRGO WAFFLES
Parenting is one of the most challenging responsibilities anyone can undertake. A parent must be a strong role model, providing guidance, structure, and support. However, everyone still makes mistakes even with the best intentions and dedicated effort. Sometimes, you might take it too far and get mad at your kids for something that isn’t their fault or isn’t a big deal. Nobody is perfect, but how you respond to mistakes shows your true character. In today’s society, apologizing is considered a sign of weakness when in reality, it’s one of the most efficient and effective ways to take responsibility for your actions. All parents have experienced a moment when their children did something that upset them and responded in a manner that leads to a guilty conscience a few hours later. You don’t have to let those feelings fester. Instead, apologize for how you reacted. By reaching out and acknowledging your mistakes, you’re building trust with your children, fostering a healthy relationship, and teaching them the importance of accountability. Apologizing to your children isn’t as simple as giving a half- hearted “I’m sorry.” Start by showing empathy and recognizing their hurt feelings. They may feel scared or upset that you were mad at them or believed they did something wrong, and it’s perfectly okay for them to feel that way. Make sure they know that before explaining the situation and accepting responsibility for your actions. After explaining the situation, you must put your child’s mind at ease so they don’t develop a fear of you. Commit to never making that mistake again, and try to be as clear as possible when discussing your actions. They likely have more understanding than you realize. If lingering tension or apprehension remains, find a way to connect with them, such as taking them to their favorite restaurant to discuss the situation further. Possibly the most important part of this process is actually saying the words “I’m sorry.” Through their educational journey and children’s media, they’ve learned the importance of those words, so make sure you use them. Apologizing to your kids will strengthen your relationship and help them grow emotionally. Don’t dismiss the power of a good apology!
Grilled Teriyaki Flank Steak Inspired by TheShortOrderCook.com
Ingredients
• 1/4 tsp black pepper • 1/4 tsp ginger powder • 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
Marinade • 2/3 cup red wine • 1/2 cup soy sauce or tamari
• 1/3 cup brown sugar • 1/4 cup sesame oil • 1 tbsp sesame seeds • 1 tsp minced garlic
Meat • 1 1/2 lbs flank steak
Directions 1. In a large bowl, whisk together marinade ingredients. 2. Place the flank steak in a large, rimmed dish. Pour the marinade over the meat. 3. Refrigerate and allow to marinate for 15 minutes. Flip and let marinate for another 15 minutes. 4. Preheat grill to 400 F. 5. Add the meat to the grill and cook for 3–5 minutes on each side. Leave the grill lid open to avoid overcooking. 6. For a medium-rare steak, remove from grill at 130 F internally, and for medium, remove at 140 F. 7. Let the meat rest on a cutting board for 5–10 minutes. Then, slice against the grain into thin pieces and enjoy!
FacchettiLaw.com | 3
Bicycle Accidents Auto Accidents Motorcycle Accidents Truck Accidents
Accomplished in Personal Injury Claims: Bicycle Accidents Auto Accidents Motorcycle Accidents Truck Accidents Premises Liability Dog Bites Wrongful Death Catastrophic Injuries
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
4444 W. Riverside Dr., Suite 308 Burbank, California 91505
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Reflecting on a Life Well-Lived — in Burbank!
1
Your Game Plan for Post-Accident Chaos
2
Grilled Teriyaki Flank Steak
3
A Parent’s Guide to Meaningful Apologies
Chris Brown Sued for Alleged Defamation
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WHEN FANDOM TURNS TO FURY Chris Brown’s Superfan Sues Over Online Shaming
Since social media became mainstream, fans have had constant access to celebrity idols. These fans can keep up to date on any projects the celebrity is involved in, monitor their private lives, and even attempt to communicate with them. Some fans have taken it to the next level, creating fan pages to share their thoughts and feelings about their celebrity crush or fascination. It’s usually all in good fun, but occasionally, a celebrity will take the attention the wrong way and put the individual in the limelight. Chris Brown recently did this to a superfan, causing her to retaliate with a lawsuit. Angela Reliford frequently posted online about Chris Brown, his music, and his dancers under the name chrisbrownzwife777. Reliford claims to have met Brown at a meet-and-greet in Canada last year. She attended the event’s afterparty, where Brown’s security
team asked her to leave after an incident between Reliford and Brown’s lead dancer. She immediately went live on Instagram to speak of fantasies of killing Brown’s dancers (which probably wasn’t a good idea, either). Brown eventually reposted that video with extra graphics, alluding that Reliford was a stalker making threats against his crew.
Brown has quite the online tribe, with over 144 million followers on Instagram. Many followers saw his response video about Reliford and took it upon themselves to defend their favorite singer. Reliford claims she has been relentlessly attacked online, with many comments misgendering her. She also has stated that someone attacked her at her workplace after viewing the content. Reliford filed a $30 million lawsuit against Brown this past May. She alleges defamation, slander, libel, copyright infringement, invasion of privacy, emotional distress, and negligence over the video. “You threw me to 145 million people, and I was destroyed, ripped apart, and for what? Because I no longer wanted to support you?” stated Reliford. Chris Brown and his team have not publicly responded to the lawsuit at the time of this writing.
Photo: Pelpa Time Production
4 | TELEPHONE: 626.793.8607 FACSIMILE: 818.860.7951
Premises Liability Dog Bites Wrongful Death Catastrophic Injuries
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