Millions of people find themselves involved in a personal injury lawsuit every year. Even in the beautiful city of Lakewood, injuries can occur leaving you with expensive medical costs and possible long-term care expenses that can quickly become a financial burden. If you have experienced an injury that is no fault of your own, seeking the help of a personal injury lawyer maybe necessary to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve for your pain and suffering.
Personal Injury Cases
Personal injury lawyers provide legal representation to individuals or parties claiming to be injured physically and psychological at the wrongdoing or negligence of an individual, government agency, company or other entity. The types of cases typically taken on by a personal injury lawyer include (but are not limited to):
• Slip and falls
• Drunk driving accidents
• Work-related injuries
• Motor vehicle accidents
• Medical mistakes
• Defective products
• Construction accidents
• Wrongful death
• Dog bites
• Pedestrian accidents
Even though personal injury attorneys typically focus on a certain type of case, they are usually licensed and trained to practice any field of law. This allows them to legally file legal complaints, offer legal advice, draft legal documents and argue cases in court. A personal injury lawsuit is usually settled out of court but if the need arises, the attorney will take the case to trial in front of a jury.
Statute of Limitations and Personal Injury
Before you even begin considering hiring a lawyer, you must make sure that the statute of limitations hasn’t ran out on your claim. In the state of California, the statute of limitations on personal injury cases is two years from the date of the injury. If, however, the injury wasn’t discovered until after the incident, then the statute of limitations is one year from the date you discovered the injury. For personal injury claims against government agencies, you must first file an administrative claim with that agency within 6 months after the incident. If, however, your claim is denied, you may file the lawsuit in court.
Legal Representation for Personal Injuries
Personal injury lawyers take on many responsibilities to properly serve their clients. Ethical and professional rules as well as code of conduct set by the California state bar association help guide the attorney through your case to ensure you receive the highest level of representation available. A personal injury lawyer knows how to treat their clients with the respect and dignity they deserve during this difficult time. They understand that a personal injury can greatly affect you life as well as the lives of your family.