BIRNBAUM LAW, P.C.

3260 Blume Drive, Suite 450
Richmond, CA 94806
Phone: (415) 459-9565
Fax: (415) 459-9566
Toll Free: (866) 877-7013

About

Representing injured workers nationwide under the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA), Defense Base Act (DBA), and Non-Appropriated Fund (NAF) employees since 1982.

 

 

Mr. Birnbaum is a specialist certified in Admiralty and Maritime Law. Birnbaum Law, PC has attained the highest AV rating by national lawyer’s rating organization Martindale-Hubbell.

Mr. Birnbaum is a board member and the past president of the Workers’ Injury Law and Advocacy Group (WILG).

Mr. Birnbaum is the co-editor of the 7th Edition of the Longshore Textbook published by the Lawyers and Judges Publishing Company.

​ Practice Areas

​ Longshore and Harbor Workers Act

Workers injured while working in longshore, ship repair and ship building have federal workers’ compensation claims under the Longshore & Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA).

​ Defense Base Act

Independent contractors injured while working on overseas government contracts have federal workers’ compensation claims under the Defense Base Act (DBA) and the War Hazards Act.

​ Non-Appropriated Fund Instrumentalities Act

Non-government employees injured while working on military bases may be entitled to workers’ compensation claims under the Non-Appropriated Funds Instrumentalities Act (NAFI).

Frequently Asked Questions

What benefits can an injured worker be entitled to?

  • Medical treatment
  • Temporary disability payments
  • Permanent disability payments
  • Mileage reimbursement
  • Job retraining / rehabilitation services
  • Death benefits

What kinds of legal problems can Birnbaum Law, PC help with?

Because we work with experienced trial lawyers in a vast array of legal specialties, we can help you with:

  • 3rd party, personal injury
  • Employment
  • American Disability Act
  • Family Medical Leave Act
  • Peculiar risk
  • Social Security cases
  • Veteran administration
  • Long-term, short-term disability
  • Discrimination under the Labor Code 132a
  • Violation of safety and health conditions in the work place
  • Medical malpractice
  • Legal malpractice

What is a cumulative trauma claim?

  • The Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act covers you for pain and other sympoms you feel as a result of gradual wearing out of joints and orther organs. If you are experiencing pain, that pain may need treatment and may even entitle you to payments under workers compensation.
  • If you have numbness in your hands, tingling and feelings of cold, CALL US, we may be able to help. It might be a sore knee that never goes away or the sore shoulder, neck or back that is stiff every morning when you get up or before you start work, or when a specific body part begins to hurt after a long, hard day of work. It also could be exposure to toxic substances or breathing bad air or dust in the workplace.
  • If you have any questions as to whether you might have a cumulative trauma claim, please contact the Law Office of Steven M. Birnbaum and ASK.

Hearing loss alert

  • You may be missing out on benefits and permanent disability payments if you do not make a claim for hearing loss. Exposure to loud noise in the workplace through time may actually have damaged your hearing.
  • If you have suffered such a loss you are entitled to worker’s compensation benefits. Contact the Law Office of Steven M. Birnbaum NOW for information on how to protect your rights.

Steven M. Birnbaum, Esq. -- Curriculum Vitae

Education:

Attended New York University, New York, NY.

Graduated New College of California School of Law, San Francisco, 1978

CLE Seminars, National College of Advocacy

Government Service:  

Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA), 1969-1970 (Carrollton, Ga.)

License to Practice:  

State of California, 1978; U.S. District Court, No. California;

U.S. Court of Appeals, 9th Circuit, U.S. Supreme Court

Certifications:  

Certified Specialist Maritime and Admiralty, State Bar of California

Professional Experience:

Clinical Extern, San Francisco Neighborhood Legal Assistance –1978-80–

Legal Assistance to the Elderly, San Francisco, CA –1978-1982 — Staff Attorney

Clinical Advisor, New College School of Law (San Francisco, CA)

Birnbaum Law, PC, –1983-present–

Specializing in Workers’ Com­pensa­tion under the Longsh­ore ­and Harbor Wor­kers’ Act and under the California Labor Code

Professional Associations: 

Member, Califor­nia State Bar, AAJ, Califor­nia Applicants’ Attorneys Assn.;

Board Member, Workpl­ace Injury Law and Advocacy Group Treasurer (Vice Chairman), –1995-1997– Treasurer Elect –2008– Treasurer –2008-2009– President –2009-2010– Past President, Winner President’s award twice

Chair, S.F. Bay Maritime Claimant’s Bar; Past Chair, ATLA Workers’ Compen­sa­tion Section; Lecturer, National College of Advo­cacy

Advisor, Benefits Review Board Report Lexis Nexis pub.

Advisor, Annual Longshore Conference, Loyola University School of Law, New Orleans, Louisiana

Founder and Director of WILG’s Annual Longshore Claimant’s Bar Seminar since 2006

Fellow, College of Workers Compensation Lawyers 2013-14 Treasurer

Rated AV Preeminent by Martindale Hubbell

Designated “Workers Compensation Notable Person 2009” Lexis Nexis

Interfaith Workers for Justice, National Board member

Chief Editor the Longshore Textbook, 6th ed. Lawyer and Judges Publishing

Civic Activities:

Marin Peace and Justice Coalition

Pt Richmond Neighborhood Council

Past member of the Mill Valley Drug and Alcohol Abuse Commission

Board of Directors, (past president) Meiklejohn Civil Liberties Law Library, Berkeley, CA (1998-2008)

Lecturing Experience:

Lecturer, Industrial Claims Assn.

Lecturer, Loyola University, New Orleans

Lecturer, Longshore Claims Association

Lecturer, ATLA National College of Advocacy

Lecturer, Northwest Longshore Administrators Association

Lecturer, California Applicants Attorneys Association,

Lecturer National Council of State Legislators

Past Corporate Sponsor:  King Biscuit Blues Festival, Helena, AR

Team

Andrew Birnbaum, Esq.

Injured Workers Attorney

Andy, Steve’s son has worked in the office on and off since 2003, most recently re-joining the firm in February of 2014 after spending four years as a legal assistant and office manager with Bracamontes & Vlasak, PC assisting with plaintiff’s side civil litigation throughout the SF Bay Area.

Andy was admitted to practice law by the State Bar of California as well as the Northern District of California in February of 2019.

EDUCATION:

• College of Marin – 2003 to 2006
• University of California, Berkeley – 2006 to 2008 – [B.A. in Political Science]
• San Francisco Law School – 2014 to 2018 – [Juris Doctorate]

    Mark Ogata, Esq.

    Injured Workers Attorney

    Mark has been proud to assist in the representation of injured workers at Birnbaum Law since 2022.

    He was admitted to practice law by the State Bar of California in November 2021.

    His legal work during and immediately after completing his education included Social Security
    disability advocacy, fair housing advocacy, and public defense. His professional background includes work in education, work on US bases domestically and abroad as a communications systems subcontractor, and car sales. He is grateful for the chance to help all of Birnbaum Law's clients, including those from his hometown of Honolulu, HI.

    EDUCATION:

    * Washington University in St. Louis, Juris Doctor: 2017-2020
    * Pitzer College, Bachelor of Arts, Philosophy: 2010-2014

      Erika Snyder

      Paralegal

      Erika joined Birnbaum Law in September of 2022.

      Prior to working with Birnbaum Law, she gained experience as a paralegal intern at the Solano Office of the Alternate Public Defender in Vallejo. She also worked as a paralegal for the Sampath Law Firm.

      Education:
      - Cal State East Bay - Paralegal certificate course

        Evelyn Ramirez

        Legal Assistant

        Evelyn joined Birnbaum Law in September of 2024.

        Before joining Birnbaum Law, she worked as a paralegal at several immigration and criminal defense firms primarily assisting clients with immigration cases.

        Education:
        - University of California, Merced - B.A. in Psychology, Minor in Political Science (2017)

          Cindy Greiner

          Legal Assistant

          Cindy joined Birnbaum Law in August of 2022.

          She previously worked as a Legal Secretary at the Law Office of Donald E. Patterson from 2015-2023, where she started as a file clerk and eventually assisted clients with all aspects of their personal injury claims. Cindy has a strong sense of empathy and a genuine passion for helping others. She enjoys working with our clients and has become an integral part of our team.

            Sam Ratcliffe

            Legal Assistant

            Sam joined Birnbaum Law in June 2024. He obtained a B.A. in Political Science from U.C. Berkeley in 2024, and is a founder and coach of Cal's national champion Moot Court team. His previous work included interning with the Los Angeles County Public Defender's Office. Sam has a passion for public interest and civil rights law, and he plans to attend law school to pursue a career in these fields in the near future.

            Education:
            University of California, Berkeley -- 2020 to 2024 -- B.A. in Political Science -- Highest Distinction

              Jen Cardoza

              Paralegal

              Ms. Cardoza joined Birnbaum Law in January of 2025.

              Prior to that, she worked in the Misdemeanors & Felonies Division of the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office in Oakland, CA. While there, she assisted attorneys with legal writing, research, and jury trials.

              Ms. Cardoza believes in Justice with a capital J, which is one of many reasons that led her to apply for a position with Birnbaum Law, where she could advocate for the rights of injured workers. She finds great fulfillment in being part of a team that’s fighting for the underdog.

              Education:
              - UCLA Extension’s Paralegal Training Program, where she graduated with distinction and earned paralegal certificate
              - UC Berkeley, Graduate School of Journalism - Master's Degree - and began her career as a daily newspaper reporter and editor. She has also worked in education and corporate communication.
              - Sacramento State University - BA

                Bryan Mercado

                Legal Assistant

                Mr. Mercado joined Birnbaum Law PC in January 2025.

                Prior to that, he worked in a trial court for several years in the Philippines and eventually landed in the legal private practice, handling mainly criminal and civil law cases. He plans to further his studies in the legal profession here in California at an opportune time.

                Education:
                • Philippine Law School: 2011
                • Systems Technological Institute – Computer Science: 2002

                  Contact

                  (415) 459-9565

                  3260 Blume Drive, Suite 450, Richmond, CA 94806

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