Brief Overview of Personal Injury Law in California
A personal injury refers to an injury a person suffered because of someone else’s actions. The party responsible for those injuries may have been negligent, which means they failed to take proper care or precautions. On the other hand, the behavior that hurt someone might have been intentional. Or, the responsible party may be strictly liable, which means they did not act negligently or with intention to harm, but are still responsible for the incident.
A person who files a personal injury lawsuit is the plaintiff. He or she may seek compensation, called damages, for related financial losses such as related medical bills, lost past and future wages, pain and suffering, and more.
Personal injury cases involve legal issues such as:
- Vehicle crashes
- Hazardous property
- Dangerous products
- Construction negligence
- Dog bites
- Burn injuries
Note: People who are injured while working generally cannot file a lawsuit against their employer when the company has workers compensation insurance. They may instead seek recourse by pursuing a workers’ compensation claim. However, there may be other parties who are responsible, so it’s still helpful to speak with a personal injury lawyer.
In situations involving a person who died as a result of someone’s careless behavior, the lawsuits their families may file are called wrongful death lawsuits.
California Statute of Limitations
California limits the time you have to file a lawsuit against the person or company responsible for your injuries. Cases involving government agencies have even less time to file a claim. If you suffered injuries and believe that someone’s negligence or misconduct was the cause, you should not delay in contacting an attorney. If the statute of limitations expires, your right to pursue a claim may be forever barred.
How a Personal Injury Attorney Can Help You
If you have been injured or you’re caring for an injured family member, standing up to those responsible can feel like an overwhelming feat. An experienced personal injury lawyer will gather the important facts and evidence in your case, investigate the situation, and face the negligent parties who hurt you. As you focus on recovery, our firm will be working to maximize compensation for the harm you have endured. Our attorneys are only paid if they are successful.
In addition, the insurance company will likely try to contact you to resolve your claim before you know the full extent of your injuries. Aiming to minimize payouts by their company, insurance adjusters will look for information they can use to reduce the amount to satisfy your injury claim. Your lawyer will speak to the insurance company directly and avoid any misunderstanding being used against you.
If you were injured, contact us to schedule a consultation. You can reach CaseyGerry at (619) 238-1811.
