BEVERLY HILLS PERSONAL INJURY LAWYER

Compensation For Personal Injury Victims

When you’re the victim of an accident or injury, understanding the types of compensation you can claim is crucial. As injury lawyers in Beverly Hills, we’re committed to informing clients about their rights and the compensation they’re entitled to. 

One of the primary types of compensation in personal injury cases is for medical expenses. This includes costs for immediate medical treatments, surgeries, hospital stays, medications, and any ongoing therapies or rehabilitation. 

If your injury has caused you to miss work or has impaired your ability to earn a living in the future, you can claim compensation for lost wages and loss of earning capacity. Calculating this amount can be complex, as it involves assessing your current and potential future earnings. We have the knowledge to accurately calculate and claim these losses on your behalf. Pain and suffering compensation is meant to address the physical pain and emotional distress caused by the injury. This type of compensation is subjective and varies greatly from case to case. Our team at Seber Bulger Law understands the importance of adequately conveying the extent of your pain and suffering to ensure fair compensation.

If your personal property was damaged as a result of the incident that caused your injury, you can claim compensation for repair or replacement costs. This is often relevant in auto accident cases where your vehicle or other personal belongings may have been damaged. In some cases, where the defendant’s conduct is found to be especially harmful or egregious, punitive damages may be awarded. These are not tied to the specific losses suffered by the victim but are intended to punish the wrongdoer and deter similar conduct in the future. At Seber Bulger Law, we can assess whether punitive damages may be applicable in your case.

In tragic instances where an injury results in death, the victim’s family may be entitled to wrongful death damages. These can include compensation for funeral and burial expenses, loss of the victim’s expected earnings, loss of companionship, and more. Our compassionate team at Seber Bulger Law is dedicated to helping families navigate these difficult situations with sensitivity and professionalism.

Common Types Of Personal Injury Cases

Personal injury is an area of civil law that encompasses a wide range of accidents and incidents leading to physical or psychological harm. Understanding the common causes of personal injuries is crucial for prevention and for knowing when to seek legal assistance. If you find yourself a victim of such incidents in Beverly Hills, California, contacting our skilled attorneys can make a huge difference in the outcome of your case. Here’s an overview of some of the case types we routinely handle: 

Slip And Fall Accidents

One of the most prevalent causes of personal injuries is slip and fall accidents. These incidents can occur anywhere – from public spaces to private properties – and are often due to unaddressed hazards like wet floors, uneven surfaces, or poor lighting. The resulting injuries can range from minor bruises to severe fractures or head injuries.

Motor Vehicle Accidents

Motor vehicle accidents are another leading cause of personal injuries. These accidents can involve cars, trucks, motorcycles, bicycles, and pedestrians. The reasons for these accidents vary widely, including distracted driving, speeding, driving under the influence, or poor road conditions. Injuries from such accidents can be life-altering, and seeking compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering becomes essential. 

Workplace Accidents

Workplaces, especially those involving manual labor or machinery, are common sites for personal injury. These injuries can be due to a variety of factors such as unsafe working conditions, inadequate training, or faulty equipment. Workers’ compensation laws are designed to provide relief to injured employees, but the process can be daunting. 

Medical Malpractice

Medical malpractice occurs when a healthcare professional deviates from the standard of care, resulting in harm to a patient. This can include misdiagnosis, surgical errors, medication mistakes, or inadequate aftercare. These cases are complex and require a thorough understanding of both legal and medical issues. 

Product Liability

Injuries caused by defective or unsafe products also fall under personal injury. Manufacturers and retailers are responsible for ensuring their products are safe for use. When they fail in this duty, it can lead to serious injuries. 

Common Injuries In Personal Injury Claims

Understanding common injuries is vital for both prevention and seeking appropriate legal and medical help when they occur. At Seber Bulger Law, we frequently encounter various injuries that impact our clients’ lives. 

Soft Tissue Injuries

Soft tissue injuries are among the most frequent injuries we encounter. These include sprains, strains, and contusions, usually resulting from slips, falls, or minor accidents. While they might seem minor, some soft tissue injuries can lead to long-term discomfort or mobility issues. We understand that even seemingly minor injuries can have a significant impact on your life and livelihood, and we’re here to ensure that your rights and well-being are protected.

Head Injuries

Head injuries, including concussions and traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), are serious and can occur in various situations, such as vehicle accidents, sports, or workplace incidents. Symptoms can range from headaches and dizziness to more severe consequences like memory loss or cognitive impairment. Our team recognizes the severity of head injuries and advocate tirelessly for our clients to receive the necessary compensation for medical care and rehabilitation.

Spinal Cord Injuries

Spinal cord injuries are particularly severe and can lead to partial or full paralysis, significantly impacting a person’s quality of life. These injuries often result from major accidents like falls from height or severe vehicle collisions. At Seber Bulger Law, we work hard to make sure our clients receive compassionate legal representation and support through this challenging time.

Burn Injuries

Burn injuries can be traumatic, resulting from various causes such as fire accidents, chemical exposure, or electrical mishaps. The recovery process for severe burns is often prolonged and painful, involving specialized medical treatment. Our role is to help victims of burn injuries navigate the legal process to secure compensation for medical treatment, ongoing care, and other damages.

Broken Bones And Fractures

Broken bones and fractures are common injuries, particularly in accidents like slips, falls, and auto collisions. The severity can vary greatly, from simple fractures that heal relatively quickly to complex breaks requiring surgery and lengthy rehabilitation. Our Beverly Hills personal injury lawyer understands the physical and financial burdens these injuries can impose, and we’re committed to helping our clients achieve fair compensation to cover medical bills, lost wages, and other related costs.

Beverly Hills Personal Injury Infographic

Beverly Hills Personal Injury Statistics

According to the U.S. Department of Justice, just under 95 percent of personal injury lawsuits settle before they go to trial. The majority of personal injury cases are resolved through settlement, rather than through a trial. There are several reasons for this, including the high cost of litigation, the uncertainty of trial outcomes, and the desire to avoid the emotional toll of a trial. This is why it is important to have a skilled personal injury lawyer advocating for you.

The most common types of personal injury cases include:

• Vehicle accidents
• Medical malpractice
• Product liability
• Premises liability

Beverly Hills Personal Injury FAQs

What Is The Statute Of Limitations For Personal Injury Claims In California?

The statute of limitations for California personal injury claims is generally two years from the date of the injury. This means you have two years to file a lawsuit in the state’s civil court system. It’s crucial to be aware of this timeframe because if you file a lawsuit after this period, your case is likely to be dismissed, and you’ll be unable to pursue compensation. However, there are exceptions for certain situations, such as injuries that are not discovered immediately.

Can I Still Receive Compensation If I Am Found To Be Partially At Fault?

Yes, you can still receive compensation even if you are partially at fault for your injury. California follows a “pure comparative negligence” rule, which means your compensation will be reduced by the percentage of fault you are found to bear. For example, if you are found to be 30% responsible for the accident, your compensation will be reduced by 30%.

Are There Caps On Damages In Personal Injury Cases?

There are no caps on economic and non-economic damages in most California personal injury cases. This means there is no upper limit to the amount that can be awarded for losses like medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. However, in medical malpractice cases, non-economic damages are capped at $350,000 in California; if the case involves a patient’s death, the non-economic damages are capped at $500,000.

How Are Damages Calculated In Personal Injury Cases?

Damages are calculated based on both economic and non-economic losses. Economic damages include quantifiable losses like medical expenses, lost wages, and property damage. Non-economic damages cover non-quantifiable losses such as pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life. The total compensation is typically a sum of these economic and non-economic damages, adjusted based on factors like the severity of the injury and the impact on the victim’s life.

Is It Necessary To Go To Court For A Personal Injury Claim?

No, it is not always necessary to go to court for a personal injury claim. Many cases are settled out of court through negotiations between the injured party and the insurance company or the at-fault party. A settlement can be reached at any stage before or during a trial. However, if an agreement cannot be reached, or if the settlement offer is inadequate, the case may go to trial, where a judge or jury will determine the outcome.

Beverly Hills Personal Injury Glossary

At Seber Bulger Law, our Beverly Hills, CA personal injury lawyer advocates for clients who have suffered harm due to accidents, medical malpractice, defective products, and other forms of wrongdoing. Our role is to guide injured individuals through the legal process, ensuring they receive fair compensation for their injuries, medical expenses, and lost income. While many people are familiar with basic legal concepts like liability and negligence, personal injury law involves a variety of specialized terms that significantly impact a case. Below, we explore five critical legal terms that frequently arise in personal injury claims.

Contingency Fee Agreement

A contingency fee agreement is a payment arrangement in which we, as personal injury lawyers, only receive payment if we successfully recover compensation for our client. Instead of charging hourly rates or upfront fees, we take a percentage of the final settlement or court award.

This structure allows injured individuals to pursue legal action without worrying about upfront legal costs. If we do not win the case, our client does not owe us any legal fees. This system ensures that we are fully invested in achieving the best possible outcome for every client.

Pre-existing Condition

A pre-existing condition refers to any medical condition or injury that a person had before the accident in question. Insurance companies often use pre-existing conditions as a defense strategy to argue that the victim’s injuries were not caused by the accident but rather were due to an existing health issue.

As Beverly Hills personal injury lawyers, we counter these tactics by providing medical records, expert testimony, and evidence that demonstrate how the accident worsened our client’s condition. Even if an injury was present before the accident, the responsible party can still be held liable for aggravating that condition.

Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI)

Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI) is a term used in personal injury cases to describe the point at which an injured person has recovered as much as they are expected to, according to medical professionals. MMI does not always mean full recovery—sometimes, a person may reach MMI but still suffer from permanent disabilities or chronic pain.

We often wait until our clients reach MMI before negotiating settlements to ensure we accurately assess long-term medical expenses, lost earning potential, and future care needs. Settling too early could result in compensation that fails to cover future medical costs.

Subrogation

Subrogation is the legal process that allows an insurance company to recover money it paid on behalf of an injured party by seeking reimbursement from the at-fault party or their insurance provider.

For example, if our client’s health insurance company covers their hospital bills after an accident, it may later file a subrogation claim against the responsible party’s insurance to recover those costs. While subrogation helps insurance companies minimize their losses, we ensure that it does not unfairly reduce our client’s final settlement by negotiating fair repayment terms.

Loss Of Consortium

Loss of consortium refers to the emotional and relational harm suffered by a victim’s spouse or family member due to their injuries. This can include the loss of:

• Companionship
• Emotional Support
• Intimacy
• Household Contributions

In cases involving catastrophic injuries or wrongful death, family members may seek loss of consortium damages as part of a personal injury claim. We work closely with our clients to document the emotional and lifestyle impact of their injuries and seek full and fair compensation for all aspects of their suffering.

Seber Bulger Law, Beverly Hills Personal Injury Lawyer

280 S Beverly Dr Suite PH, Beverly Hills, CA 90212

Contact Our Beverly Hills Personal Injury Lawyer Today

Successfully proving a personal injury claim requires a comprehensive approach, from documenting the incident to navigating complex legal procedures. At Seber Bulger Law, our experienced Beverly Hills personal injury lawyer is dedicated to guiding and supporting our clients through each step of this process. Contact us today to schedule your free consultation.