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SEPTEMBER 2019
CAPEINJURYLAW.COM
508-775-9099
With all the legal dramas on TV and cutthroat court cases featured in the news, it can be easy to forget that lawyers are more than intimidating silhouettes in suits and ties. We’re people, too, and at Goldberg & Weigand, we like to think we’re in the profession for the right reasons. We chose personal injury law not to “make the big bucks” or get our names in newspaper headlines, but to help others who are hurt, scared, or down on their luck. When we were young, we just wanted to be lawyers, but now, our daily goal is to use the law to secure better futures for all of our clients. law came early. His parents told him that even as a young child growing up in New York, he could always win an argument. He was very good at persuading people and loved to debate his friends and classmates. That stubborn, competitive streak made him a perfect fit for law, and, once he started studying at Suffolk University Law School, he gravitated toward personal injury because he loved working for the “small guy” and making his clients’ lives better. and took a job with a sole practitioner. He loved the work and settled on taking personal injury cases exclusively in the late 1980s. In 1989, Peter struck out on his own, taking the same kind of cases Goldberg & Weigand takes today: personal injury, auto accidents, workers’ compensation, dog bites, and wrongful death claims. In 1994, Peter moved his office full-time to Cape Cod and purchased the building Goldberg & Weigand still practices in today. For Peter, the founder and managing partner of Goldberg & Weigand, the urge to get into Peter graduated near the very top of his class, eschewed the big law firms in Boston
extended fulfillment in helping families in the community he grew up in.
We’ve been working together on Cape Cod since the ‘90s and are proud of our place in the community. We both live in nearby Sandwich and love exploring the coast with our families. See, we actually take time away from the office to pursue our hobbies, and that’s something you never see those TV lawyers do. Blair has been racing sailboats since he was 7 years old and loves to be out on the water. When he’s on dry land, you can find him playing tennis or spending time with his 17-year-old son, Johnathan, who likes to play football and work on his car. For Peter’s part, he and his wife, Tracy had a small farm where they bred and raised horses, and, when he gets time away, he loves to play golf and scuba dive. He has a stepson, Corey, who lives in Detroit; his 21-year-old daughter, Molly, is studying to be a veterinarian at Clemson University; and his 18-year-old son, Sam, is heading to Elon University this fall. In fact, we’d like to dedicate this newsletter edition to Sam, who you might know as the voice of Goldberg & Weigand on the radio. He’s been doing our spots since he was a squeaky-voiced 9-year-old, and it’s no secret that he’s more well-known around town because of this than his dad. We’d love to keep Sam around forever, but, with his college courses coming up, it’s hard to say whether he’ll be able to continue voicing our commercials. All told, we’ve had a great run together, and we’re proud of Sam’s hard work.
Blair has been practicing law for 27 years, 18 of which as a partner at Goldberg & Weigand. His interest in law was ignited by his older brother, who headed off to study law while Blair was in middle school. Blair followed in his footsteps and never looked back, attending New England Law in Boston and going on to work as an assistant district attorney for Plymouth and Barnstable Counties. He left for private practice in 1992, where he worked personal injury cases for a high-powered political law firm in Boston. Blair chose personal injury cases for the challenges and rewards of helping hurt individuals and families face off and succeed against powerful insurance companies. The formation of Goldberg & Weigand brought Blair back to Cape Cod, where he was raised in West Dennis. On the Cape, Blair has ties that go back to nursery school, and he finds WE’RE HERE TO HELP WHY WE CHOSE PERSONAL INJURY LAW
– Peter Goldberg & Blair Weigand
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508-775-9099
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MEET ANTHONY CLARK!
“I think the attraction to law came from the ability to have the freedom to problem-solve,” he says. “You’re not bound to a formula like you are in chemistry and physics. There’s no E = mc 2 in law — you have the freedom to contrive your own arguments. I think that emphasis on analytics fits my personality.” In 2016, Anthony graduated from Suffolk University Law School in Boston and clerked at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the Environmental Action Center along the way. He loved working in maritime law but wasn’t as enamored with the cities where it’s practiced, like New York and Los Angeles. So, he took a risk, moved back to his home state of Massachusetts and made a career change to personal injury. “I met Blair and Peter and really liked them. We hit it off right away,” Anthony says, adding that he was already familiar with the legal theory of personal injury because of his maritime work with people injured on ships. It was an easy transition, and he loves problem- solving at the office every day. When Anthony isn’t at work, you can find him on the water fishing or boating; spending time with his wife, Jessica; or making wine with his uncle using grapes imported from California and Italy. They haven’t labeled and sold their bottles yet, opting instead to give them as gifts to friends and family, but they have big plans for the future, so keep an eye out for the name “Clark” on supermarket shelves near you.
Our Hardworking Associate
Anthony Clark has only been with Goldberg & Weigand for two years, but he quickly became a valuable member of our team. He stepped right up from the get-go and now handles cases related to personal injury, motor vehicle accidents, workers’ compensation, premises liability, and medical malpractice. Anthony says he didn’t set out to become a lawyer, but a college course in maritime law under esteemed professor Ronald Carroll changed his mind. Even though Massachusetts Maritime Academy, where he was attending, didn’t have a prelaw degree, Anthony’s interest in environmental regulations, the ins-and-outs of shipping, and protecting seamen persisted.
Prior to the 2018 National Football League (NFL) season, the league administration introduced two rules aimed at preventing concussions: Players are no longer allowed to “wedge” block — players running shoulder-to- shoulder into another player — during kick-
decline in the number of concussions between the 2017 and 2018 seasons, lowering the total from 281 in 2017 to 214 in 2018 when combined with preseason play. In the regular season alone, the number of reported concussions was 135 compared to 190 from the year prior. However, it’s worth noting that 2017 saw high recorded rates of concussions. Figures going as far back as 2012 indicate that 2017 was one of the most concussed years in recent football history. Still, NFL and medical officials point to 2018’s decrease in concussions as a positive sign that league initiatives are working. Officials say the new rules helped push the numbers down, and the use of more sideline concussion protocol testing and increased advanced helmet technology aided in this boost. The NFL reported that 74% of its players were now wearing its latest protective headgear, a 33% increase from 2017. According to USA Today, the NFL’s chief medical officer, Dr. Allen Sills, also indicated that medical teams across the league performed more sideline concussion tests than any year prior and saw a 75% decrease in diagnosing. The league is considering testing mouthguard technology that would give medical teams more information for diagnosing concussions. As we prepare for another season of football, there’s no telling what 2019’s numbers will show about the NFL’s latest safety protocols, but if 2018 was any indication, they just might be headed in the right direction.
A HEAD ABOVE The NFL’s Newest Rule Changes to Decrease Concussions
offs, and they can’t lower their helmets when they tackle.
Fans and players complained about the “soft” stance the NFL took on the gritty play football was built on. Most notably, former Green Bay Packers linebacker Clay Matthews was subjected to a game-costing “roughing the passer” penalty for tackling in a way that would have been allowed in years prior. The NFL reported that it would be using Matthews’ hit as a teaching tape. Despite the backlash, offseason reports may suggest that these rules have influenced concussion rates. The NFL reported a 24%
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DIAGNOSED WITH LYMPHOMA? WE CAN HELP
On May 13 this year, a California jury awarded a couple who had developed cancer — allegedly from using the herbicide Roundup — $55 million in damages and an additional $2 billion meant to “punish” Roundup manufacturer Monsanto and its parent company, Bayer. According to NPR, Alva and Alberta Pilliod had used Roundup to fight weeds on their property for decades, and, when they were diagnosed with cancer, they blamed glyphosate, which is an ingredient in the herbicide. Though the Environmental Protection Agency says glyphosate poses no risk to public health, the World Health Organization’s cancer agency says it’s “probably carcinogenic,” and the chemical is banned or restricted in more than two dozen countries, including Spain, New Zealand, the Netherlands, Sweden, Switzerland, Scotland, and the United Kingdom. As we see it, for nearly 30 years, Monsanto has manufactured, marketed, and sold Roundup while knowing the weed killer has strong links to cancer. Now, people like the Pilliods who are suffering from non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma or leukemia are taking action against Monsanto for intentionally lying to Americans for 30 years. So far, more than 13,000 people have filed lawsuits against the agriculture giant across the nation, and some have already won compensation. Timing is critical now because Bayer is appointing a settlement
committee to tackle potential claims.
If you’ve developed non- Hodgkin’s lymphoma or leukemia after exposure to Roundup or think you may be at risk, Peter Goldberg and Blair Weigand are here to help. Any agricultural professional or even residential homeowner who uses Roundup risks
developing cancer, and plant nursery supervisors, farm workers, garden center employees, and landscapers are in particular danger.
Goldberg & Weigand has been advocating for the working-class people of Massachusetts for over three decades, and those adversely affected by Roundup are no different. Our firm provides free, confidential consultations for all potential cases, and you will pay nothing until we win your case. To learn more about Roundup lawsuits and find out how to build your case, call us at (508) 775-9099 or visit our website, CapeInjuryLaw.com/Monsanto-Roundup-Lawsuit.
SUDOKU
Time for a GW Law Team Contest Poorly Explained Movie Plots! We will provide a plot description of a well-known movie. All you have to do is like us on Facebook and then email your answer to info@capeinjurylaw.com as soon as possible, including the title of the film and your phone number. What’s the catch? The description of the film provided won’t be like the ones you see on the back of the DVD case. The plot will be poorly (albeit humorously) explained, which makes the guessing a little trickier. Here’s one to get you thinking! “A Midwestern-born American girl with a love for shoes accidentally invades a foreign land and kills local leadership but struggles to find an exit strategy.” Can you guess the film from this poor description? Let us know! Email your guess to info@capeinjurylaw.com. All of the correct responders will be entered to win the $50 gift card to Amazon!
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE
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Why We Chose Personal Injury Law Meet Anthony Clark! NFL Lowers Concussion Rates in 2018 The Link Between Roundup and Cancer Giveaway Honoring the Canines of 9/11
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THE 4-LEGGED HEROES OF GROUND ZERO HONORING THE CANINES OF 9/11
In the immediate aftermath of 9/11, thousands of New Yorkers took to the streets to clear rubble, offer supplies, and search for survivors. It was a powerful act of resilience in a deeply trying time, and while most of the individuals helping with the disaster stood on two feet, more than 300 canines also answered the call to service. Dogs of all breeds and backgrounds, including search and rescue dogs, police dogs, service dogs, and therapy dogs, were brought in to help find and care for survivors in the wake of the destruction. They worked tirelessly alongside rescue crews as they searched through the debris. Search and rescue dogs and their handlers worked 12–16-hour days, searching for survivors and victims. They worked through dangerous conditions: Many dogs burned their paws as they dug through hot rubble, and both handlers and canines inhaled toxic dust. The task was both physically and mentally exhausting for the dogs during their shifts. Some dogs that found deceased victims refused to eat or interact with other animals. Search and rescue dogs became increasingly stressed and depressed the longer they searched without any results, mirroring their handlers. It wasn’t uncommon for handlers to stage mock “findings” of survivors to keep the dogs’ spirits up.
Fortunately, the sacrifices these dogs and their handlers made did not go unnoticed. Many dog owners were inspired to earn their search and rescue certifications after the events of 9/11, promising to aid in future disasters and hopefully lessen the impact of such catastrophes. After 9/11, various researchers conducted many studies examining the effect this kind of work has on animals, both physically and mentally. Many of these studies wouldn’t be possible without the AKC Canine Health Foundation, so if you’re looking to give back this September, visit them at their website to see how you can help: AKCCHF.org .
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