Spinal Injury Law: Medical Insights and Strategic Litigation Techniques

Anthony J.G. Alastra, MD, FAANS, FCNS, FACS, CNSENDORFP | Arrowhead

Neurosurgical Medical Group,Inc. Dr. Alastra is an AANS board-certified neurosurgeon/neurointerventionalist living in Palm Desert, CA. He received his BA degree from The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD and MD degree from Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH. He completed his neurosurgery training at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN and neurointerventional fellowship at New York University Medical Center, New York, NY. After completing training, he joined a large multispecialty practice in New York City in 2004. Relocating to California in 2018, he is now a senior member of Arrowhead Neurosurgical Medical Group serving as Neurointerventional Enterprise Director tasked with coordinating neurointerventional and acute stroke treatments across several hospitals in the Inland Empire and Coachella Valley. In addition, he serves as Medical Director of Neurosurgery and Neurointervention at Eisenhower Medical Center, Rancho Mirage, CA and Neurosurgery Section Chief at Desert Regional Medical Center, Palm Springs, CA. He is also the Associate Residency Program Director for Neurosurgery at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center, Colton, CA, and Clinical Assistant Professor of Neurosurgery at California University of Science and Medicine Medical School, Colton, CA. In addition to his neurointerventional practice, Dr. Alastra maintains a busy general neurosurgery practice including treatment of degenerative and traumatic spinal conditions, brain tumor and vascular neurosurgery, and surgical management of chronic pain.

Barry Goldberg | Goldberg Injury Lawyers, A Professional Law Corporation

Barry P. Goldberg, a distinguished personal injury attorney, has served the Woodland Hills and Tarzana communities with a focus on injury litigation for over 35 years. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from UCLA and his Juris Doctor from Loyola Law School in 1984, being admitted to practice law in all California courts, including federal district courts and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. In recent years, he joined the ranks of attorneys admitted to the United States Supreme Court Bar. Mr. Goldberg has an extensive litigation background, having handled numerous trials, arbitrations, and mediations, and he has argued cases before the California Court of Appeal and the Ninth Circuit. He founded Barry P. Goldberg, A Professional Law Corporation, in 2005, dedicating his practice to advocating for injured clients, particularly in cases involving complex insurance coverage issues. Known as “The UM Guru,” he is widely recognized for his expertise in Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Law and has published authoritative articles, including one in The Advocate magazine. He regularly shares his knowledge through lectures and his popular personal injury blog. Over his career, Mr. Goldberg has received numerous honors, including a decade-long SuperLawyer designation and a place on the “Top 100” Southern California list. Active in the legal community, he serves as the President Elect of the San Fernando Valley Bar Association, and he is known for his skillful negotiation and commitment to client care.

Jordan Powell | Passen Powell Jenkins

Jordan S. Powell, a Founding Partner of Passen Powell Jenkins, is a distinguished trial attorney who advocates for victims of negligence in cases spanning automobile and trucking accidents, medical malpractice, nursing home negligence, construction accidents, and more. With an impressive track record, Jordan has secured numerous high-value settlements, including a $24.5 million trucking accident settlement, a $5.4 million settlement for a steam room burn victim, and a $4.8 million settlement for an elderly pedestrian struck by a vehicle. Recognized for his expertise, he has been named among Chicago Daily Law Bulletin’s “40 Under 40” and consistently listed in Illinois Super Lawyers and Leading Lawyers. Jordan earned his J.D. from Chicago-Kent College of Law, excelling in trial advocacy, after completing dual B.A. degrees in Political Science and Organizational Studies at the University of Michigan. He is an active member of the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association and contributes to the American Association of Justice as a peer reviewer for Trial Magazine. Beyond his legal practice, Jordan mentors aspiring attorneys through Chicago-Kent’s Solo & Small Practice Incubator program and the Chicago Bar Association’s mentorship program. He resides in Oak Park with his wife, Greta, also an attorney, and their two daughters.

Session I – Understanding Spinal Injuries: Causes, Types, and Diagnosis | 1:10pm – 2:10pm

• Causes of Spinal Injuries
• Types of Spinal Injuries
• Diagnosing Spinal Injuries (Causation and Symptomatology)

Break | 2:10pm – 2:20pm

Session II – Strategic Litigation in Spine Injury Cases: Leveraging Diagnostics, Expert Testimonies, and Medical Evidence | 2:20pm – 3:20pm

• Leveraging Diagnostic Imaging in Court
• Hiring and Disclosing Expert Witnesses
• Challenging the Credibility of Expert Witnesses
• Establishing or Disputing Long-term Impacts of Spinal Injuries

Break | 3:20pm – 3:30pm

Session III – Spine Injury Cases – From Mild to Serve, Proof and Practical Considerations | 3:30pm – 4:30pm

• Types of Spine Injuries
• Treatment Options
• How to Prove a Spine Injury Case
• Damages
• Pitfalls to Watch Out for