Los Angeles Personal Injury Lawyers
Skilled representation for California victims of negligence
An accident can change your life in an instant. One moment you’re driving to work, to pick up a child, or to buy some groceries. The next moment, you’re in an emergency room being examined by doctors to determine if you should be admitted. While accidents do happen, they are almost always preventable. The people and companies that acted negligently or failed to prioritize your safety deserve to be held accountable.
Personal injury cases involve a variety of incidents that can end up costing you and your family extensive medical bills, lost wages, and personal trauma. Determining if you have a claim against a third party and seeking compensation on your own can be tricky. Consulting with a Los Angeles personal injury lawyer from McNicholas & McNicholas, LLP will ensure that you have the best legal team fighting for the compensation you deserve.
We have secured more than a billion dollars in verdicts and settlements for our clients, including:
Quick Questions
- What is a personal injury claim?
- What types of personal injury claims do you handle in Los Angeles?
- Who is liable for my personal injuries?
- How much is my personal injury claim worth?
- What if my injury isn’t physical? Can I still file a lawsuit?
- How can your Los Angeles personal injury lawyers help?
- Do you have a personal injury lawyer near me?
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What is a personal injury claim?
A personal injury claim is a type of tort: a wrongful act or violation of civil rights, which leads to liability. Under the Constitution, if you have sustained an injury because of another person’s actions, you may be able to bring a claim against that party in civil court alleging that he or she caused injury or harm to you. You will need to show that:
- Your injury was caused by another person or party who owed you a duty of care
- You are suffering from a personal injury caused by that person’s or party’s breach of their duty of care
- There are damages as a result of your injury, such as lost wages, medical expenses, etc.
If your claim involves these three items above, you may have a case; however, that does not guarantee you will recover compensation. This will depend on the specific facts surrounding your case and the lawyer you choose to represent you. Having your case reviewed by a trusted personal injury attorney can give you a clearer picture of your ability to recover damages for the injuries you have suffered.
What types of personal injury claims do you handle in Los Angeles?
We represent accident victims and families who suffer brain injuries, traumatic amputations, spinal cord damage, broken bones, burn injuries, and all other serious injuries. Our lawyers handle a full range of personal injury cases, including:
Who is liable for my personal injuries?
Personal injury claims have three components: liability (responsibility), injury, and damages (losses).
Depending on the type of claim you bring, there can be multiple liable parties, each of whom is responsible for a share of the damages you sustained.
Often, the issue of liability is the most complex element of a claim. For example, if you were rear-ended by another driver who was not paying attention, that driver is liable. But if you are the middle car in a multi-car accident, there could be more than one driver responsible for the crash. The same is true in cases involving defective products, unsafe premises and wrongful death.
Our Los Angeles personal injury lawyers have been fighting for personal injury victims for 30 years. We are respected for our ability to show how accidents happen, what injuries you have, and how those injuries are costing you financially and personally. We work with investigators, the police, product safety experts, and other professionals to help prove liability. We work with your doctors and our own network of doctors to verify your injuries. Our lawyers work with your medical care providers, employers, and family to demonstrate the scope of your damages.
How much is my personal injury claim worth?
If you prove that another party is liable for your injuries, you can make a claim for compensation for your losses. The worth of your claim is entirely dependent on the facts of the case. If you have a viable personal injury claim, you can recover damages for:
- Physical and mental pain/suffering
- Loss of income – including current and future wage, income, and benefit losses
- Current and future medical bills – including ER care, surgeries and hospitalizations, rehabilitative care, psychological help, assistive devices, and medications
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Loss of function of any body part
- Loss of consortium
- Property damage
California also allows you to seek punitive damages in certain cases. Punitive damages are not designed to compensate you for losses; instead, they are designed to punish malicious, oppressive or fraudulent actions by the liable party. In short, punitive damages are designed to teach a lesson not only to the wrongdoer but also to any other people or entities who might be considering the same types of acts.
Obtaining the full compensation you deserve requires a skilled attorney to demonstrate that you have been injured to such a degree that the other party should be liable for these damages. Insurance companies frequently undervalue personal injury claims and will not pay out an adequate settlement. Defense lawyers will try to deny your claim. That is why you need an experienced Los Angeles personal injury lawyer to guide you through the complex process – a lawyer with the experience and resources to fight for you every step of the way. That is why you need McNicholas & McNicholas, LLP.
What if my injury isn’t physical? Can I still file a lawsuit?
You do not have to sustain a physical injury, like a broken leg or brain trauma, to file a lawsuit. California allows you to make a claim for mental, emotional, and/or psychological trauma. It also allows you to claim damages for reputational damage, like that caused by slander, libel, or defamation. If someone violates your right to a fair wage or discriminates against you, you can file a civil lawsuit for damages.
These types of tort claims are not technically “personal injury” claims, but they do allege harm, and you can be compensated for that. McNicholas & McNicholas, LLP has experience successfully representing clients in these types of tort claims.
How can your Los Angeles personal injury lawyers help?
Every personal injury case is different, from the parties involved to the facts of the case and the outcome, but generally, the following steps occur:
- Consulting with an attorney
- Investigating your case
- Negotiation of settlement (if not, a lawsuit will be filed)
- Filing a lawsuit
- Discovery
- Mediation
- Trial
Not all of the above steps will be applicable to your case, as many personal injury cases are settled or mediated out of court. While you have up to two years to file your claim under California law, it is not advisable to wait until the deadline. In some cases, the time to file your claim may be much shorter. You should file a claim as soon as possible following your injury.
Do you have a personal injury lawyer near me?
We meet clients at our Los Angeles office located in Westwood at 10866 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 1400.
We can also meet injured clients at their homes or a healthcare facility when necessary. We also conduct online video conversations.
Our lawyers will calmly and clearly guide you through each phase of the claims process.
Contact the Los Angeles personal injury attorneys at McNicholas & McNicholas, LLP
The trusted team of McNicholas & McNicholas, LLP has helped countless clients in your situation. We have the skill required to give you the best opportunity to recover compensation from those who have caused you harm. Don’t let the allure of a settlement with quick money in your pocket change your view on what you can and should recover for your injuries. Contact us or call us today to discuss your claim and options for securing the compensation you need to fully recover from your injury.
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