Rob Garza: More Than a Lawyer, He’s a Family Advocate

Rob Garza has always wanted to help others through his work. When he entered the field of Personal Injury law 10 years ago, he knew it was the perfect opportunity to help people in need. “My goal in practicing law has always been to help people when needed – so they have someone supporting them,” Rob commented.

Injured clients often face an uphill battle after their injuries occur, and the road to recovery can sometimes be a long one. Rob understands the validity of his client’s struggles well: “You’re supporting someone when they’re at a low. When people get injured, they feel like they have nobody by their side. They’re at home, all they’re doing is thinking about their pain, their problems, how they can’t work.”

Sometimes, just having an advocate can make all the difference. “It’s definitely depleting. But knowing that they have an attorney that’s going to take care of them, fight for them, do everything that we can to secure their benefits, […] that’s what led me into this field and why I’ve been doing it for 10 years.”

Using his natural empathy and focused resolve, Rob builds a supporting relationship with his clients to emphasize that they are not alone in their fight to secure the care they need. “You also gain this rapport and relationship with your client. You develop this relationship where you almost have this bond, like you’re family. That’s something that stuck with me throughout these years – where I just feel like I’m helping one of my family members. It’s very rewarding.”

Rob answered the call for support when he met a client who had slipped at work, permanently disabling her right shoulder. An art teacher of 20 years, Rob’s client had planned on one day retiring from the Prince George’s County Board of Education having maximized her time in the organization.

Rob’s client was teaching out of an outdoor portable classroom. Portable classrooms often have varying assemblies of ramps for entering and exiting the space, and it was on one of these ramps that Rob’s client fell. Extending her right arm to catch herself, Rob’s client sustained multiple shoulder tears as well as a bicep tear.

It was clear to Rob’s client that her injuries were life-changing. Though she underwent multiple surgical repairs to her shoulder and bicep muscles, her body did not accept the surgery well, resulting in the need for a full shoulder replacement.

As is often the case in significant work-related injuries, there was more than just the physical struggle to contend with. “She had permanent restrictions that would prevent her from going back to work as an art teacher,” Rob explained. Left with no choice but to retire from teaching early, Rob’s client was left with no work and minimal care.

Workers’ compensation laws require cases to be presented before the Workers’ Compensation Commission (WCC) of the state. Upon hearing this case, the Maryland WCC deemed Rob’s client to be 40% disabled. This was unsatisfactory for Rob, who was familiar with the impacts of his client’s injuries: “We didn’t think that was reasonable considering the facts of her case, so we appealed that decision. Just the impact that this would have on her life moving forward, as it pertains to her family; she’s a grandmother, it impacted her lifestyle and her ability to be a grandmother and do things with her grandkids.”

Rob maintained that his client was permanently and totally disabled: Not only did she suffer a loss of mobility, but she also suffered a loss of identity. “She had permanent restrictions that would prevent her from going back to work as an art teacher. She wasn’t capable of going back to doing what she loved – which is doing art, and teaching art to kids of all ages,” Rob remarked.

When Rob and his team appealed the MD WCC’s assessment, the next step was a jury trial, a forum in which Rob could convey to the public the true hardships his client faced as a result of her injuries. “We wanted a jury to make the decision as to whether or not our client was permanently and totally disabled,” Rob commented.

After a day and a half of trial, during which Rob’s client as well as her doctor both testified, the Jury reached a decision strikingly fast: “The jury went back to deliberate. We walked out of the courtroom and barely down the hall when the defense attorney advised that we were being called back in. The verdict was probably decided in less than two minutes. The jury had decided that our client was totally and fully disabled. They determined that our client was not capable of working ever again.”

When speaking about what drove such a quick decision, Rob commented on the simple transparency and honesty of his client: “When you have an authentic person testifying, it goes a long way. Our client is very credible, a sweet lady. She was dedicating her life to teaching children how to do art, and that’s amazing. Teachers often do not get the credit they deserve. If there was something she deserves out of all of this, it’s care for the rest of her life because of what this injury did to her. “

For Rob, securing these successes on behalf of his clients brings him back to why he chose this path in the first place: “When I think of her, I’m happy. When we were walking out of the courtroom, she was crying. She gave me a million hugs! I’m just so happy that we were able to accomplish that for her. She still e-mails me to check in and let me know how she’s doing.”

Rob Garza joined CHASENBOSCOLO in 2015 and has consistently achieved positive outcomes for his clients since then. He credits Senior Legal Assistants Jaime Rosales and Whitney McCarthy, along with Legal Assistant Sherley Losier, for their essential support. Together, they make sure their clients always have the necessary information and resources they need.

When asked what advice he has for those intimidated by the process of starting a claim to seek care, Rob answered plainly: “Don’t give up. There’s a system in place to protect [you]. Yes, it might be an uphill battle. My office, myself – we’re here to help you with this process. Don’t give up, don’t let them win. We’re going to do everything we can to take care of you, to fight for you, and get you everything you deserve.”