Step 1: Ask if you are Eligible for Recovery due to Personal Injury
Losses covered in personal injury lawsuits may include medical bills, time spend away from work, mental suffering or childcare payments to name a few. In order to recover these funds, you will need to file a lawsuit and secure counsel on your behalf. You will be listed as the plaintiff in the suit, and you will be seeking to recover your losses from the defendant. If you are involved in injury to your person due to negligent or malicious act of another, you should seek a personal injury attorney. Examples of personal injury claims may include but are not limited to:
• Wrongful death suits
• Injury from defective products
• Slip and fall accidents
• Construction accidents
• Bicycle, bus, car, train, motorcycle or pedestrian accident
• Burn, fire, explosion or electrocution injuries
• Injury from negligent security
• Claims against the government or public entity for dangerous roads or hazardous conditions
• Attacks or bites from dogs
• Injuries resulting in amputation, brain injury, paraplegia or quadriplegia, spinal cord injury
Step 2: Seek Advice on the Laws in Your State
Depending on the exact state where your injury occurs, your lawsuit will be tried with a certain set of determined statutes. If your injury occurs within the state of California, the laws of California will govern the outcome of your suit. Your attorney should be familiar with these statutes in order to give you the best advice. Seek a personal injury attorney familiar with the laws of the state of California. For example, the statute of limitations, or the amount of time after an injury in which you can still file a lawsuit, depends on the state law. In California the statute of limitations is 2 years, but there are exceptions. A personal injury attorney with experience in California law will inform you of exceptions to this law.
Step 3: Find a Personal Injury Attorney in California to Represent You
Finding the right
personal injury attorney in California means more than just selecting someone familiar with California statute. Especially if your personal injury has caused emotional suffering, you need an advocate who is on your side. To protect yourself from large legal fees if you do not win your lawsuit, select an attorney who does not charge legal fees unless he recovers on your behalf. This way, you will not be liable for legal fees unless you receive retribution for your lawsuit. You may ask friends and business partners for recommendations. You can also use websites dedicated to attorney reviews and searches. Look for a firm that specializes in personal injury. If possible, check recent verdicts to see if the firm has had success in your particular area.
