Torrance Personal Injury Lawyers

Dordulian Law Group - Torrance office

You May Be Entitled to Compensation for Your Injury

Personal injury cases in California can vary in terms of severity, leaving victims with a range of injuries and expenses. Unfortunately, these accidents can happen to anyone. Ensuring you recover the maximum allowable financial damages award for any losses you sustain in an accident is a matter of choosing an experienced and dedicated Torrance injury lawyer from Dordulian Law Group. With our decades of experience and history of successfully recovering over $100 million for injured clients like you, you can be confident that when we take your case our team will dedicate the time and effort required to make it a complete success.

What is Personal Injury Law?

The field of personal injury law involves accidents or incidents that, through no fault of the victim, lead to an injury. The victim in a personal injury case may suffer physical injuries, psychological damage, and even permanent disability due to another party’s negligent behavior. In every case, the plaintiff must prove that his or her injury was caused by another person or entity. From car accidents to a simple slip and fall, proving negligence in a personal injury case is imperative.

Accidents in the personal injury practice arena are so diverse that victims commonly (though incorrectly) believe that their injuries are not compensable. As a general rule, if you’ve suffered an injury that resulted in any type of financial loss (medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, property damage), you should speak to an experienced Torrance personal injury attorney immediately about filing a claim. Although winning a personal injury lawsuit isn’t a foregone conclusion, everyone in California has the right to investigate the circumstances behind any financial losses or pain and suffering, and pursue a fair financial damages award to help assure a complete recovery.

In many cases, even if a victim causes an accident they still may be able to recover some damages under California’s comparative fault (shared fault) laws. Additionally, negligence is not always easy to determine at first glance. A product malfunction may be the culprit, or a faulty roadway or parking lot. In many cases, injuries may occur because something that looks like an accident has an underlying cause much more sinister or careless than coincidence.

Many personal injuries end up being benign, almost non-existent. For others, however, injuries sustained in car accidents or dog bites can be quite severe, and impact the victim for years to come. Victims may choose to write off their injuries without the benefit of a legal consultation, potentially leaving behind a large settlement or judgment in their favor. Personal injury lawyers represent the interests of victims and fight against insurance companies, businesses, private citizens, or even government agencies. Contact an experienced DLG Torrance personal injury attorney today to learn more.

What Are The Four Elements of a Personal Injury/Negligence Case?

A personal injury lawsuit does not exist in a vacuum. The California court system expects the plaintiff and their attorney to produce four elements proving the liability of the defendant or defendants. Someone who has just suffered an injury may not have such evidence or information readily available. This is where an experienced DLG personal injury lawyer can be of great assistance, working to help take a closer look and uncover details of the incident that speak to each element, including:

• A Duty of Care – A duty of care most often refers to medical professionals who have taken the Hippocratic Oath and promise to do no harm. That duty, however, can extend to any profession and any location. For example, homeowners have a duty to their guests to provide a safe space to visit, sleep, and enjoy one another’s company. An automotive manufacturer has a duty of care to its customers, and a government agency has a duty of care to its constituency.

  In the wake of an accident or injury, it must be clear that the responsible party is, at least in part, liable for the people it encounters.

• Breaching the Duty of Care – When the defendant breaches the duty of care, it must be obvious that they both understood the duty of care existed, and they should have done more to prevent an accident or injury. For example, if a restaurant owner who suffered a deck collapse was aware in advance that support trusses on the deck required repairs (perhaps after a carpenter discovered wood rot the previous summer and disclosed the issue), but did nothing to repair the damage, a duty of care was breached.

  In simpler terms, a driver that speeds, drives recklessly, or does not leave a proper stopping distance is violating their duty of care to others on the road/in the vicinity.

• The Claimant’s Injuries – The claimant must suffer injuries at the time of the incident, or their attorney must prove that the resulting conditions were set in motion on the date of the accident. For example, someone involved in a car accident breaks a leg, and that person is rushed to the hospital. Medical professionals use imaging to diagnose a broken leg, and it is quite clear that the plaintiff broke their leg in the accident.

  If the plaintiff’s condition arises after the incident, a medical expert may tie their condition to the accident. For instance, someone who falls because of faulty handrails around an office building may suffer a slight bump on the head. That victim may go to the doctor months later with blurry vision, and a licensed ophthalmologist may diagnose a neurological or optometric condition caused by the fall.

• Direct Cause – As the plaintiff’s representative brings the case together, they must show that the defendant’s actions caused those injuries. Without tying these two precepts together, the victim does not have a claim. An experienced DLG personal injury lawyer can help you understand your options under the law, and will work with you to develop a winning legal strategy that proves the four elements of your case.

Ready to file a claim and pursue justice through a financial damages award? Our expert attorneys are available online or by phone now.

What Are Examples of Personal Injury Claims?

Personal injury claims occur every day in a variety of ways. Accident victims may not realize they are eligible for compensation until someone mentions that they should sue. Or, the thought might linger in the back of your mind, knowing that something is not right, but you may not make the correlation between your accident/incident and a resulting injury or trauma. Common personal injury claims result after various types of incidents including:

• Car Accidents – Anyone involved in a car accident should call 911, speak to a police officer, and seek medical attention. The police report, in most cases, assigns blame. When one driver or motorist is guilty of causing an accident, they can face a lawsuit. These accidents extend to pedestrians struck by cars, or motorcyclists or bicyclists involved in a crash.
• Car/Vehicle Product Malfunctions – If a vehicle malfunctions, the owner or leasing agency may be responsible for any resulting damages. Automotive manufacturers can face litigation if their vehicles are defective, and mechanics can be sued if they do not ensure vehicles are safe to drive.
• Slip and Fall Accidents – Slip and fall accidents are as simple as they sound, but can result in devastating injuries and long-term medical care. A slip and fall attorney must look into where the accident occurred, who manages that property, and who violated the duty of care.
• Homeowners and property owners are responsible for maintaining their walkways, stairs, and landscaping. Facility managers are responsible for slips and falls even if they are not the owner as they are contractually obligated to prevent accidents or injuries.
• Premises Liability Accidents – Closely related to slips, trips, and falls (but broader in scope), premises liability claims involve injuries caused by a lack of maintenance or care. The victim might be injured by scalding water from an under-serviced water heater, fall during a deck collapse, or suffer head injuries if the ceiling collapses. Amusement parks may be liable when a ride malfunctions, and business owners are liable when victims are injured on their property.
• Medical Malpractice – Medical malpractice claims can be brought against any medical professional who does not perform duties appropriately. Counselors that do not properly diagnose patients may be liable if those patients hurt themselves. Pharmacists are liable for improperly filled prescriptions, and doctors or nurses are responsible for missed diagnoses, improper treatment, or writing improper prescriptions.
• Work-Related Accidents – Work-related accidents can occur anywhere from an office to a construction site. Irrespective of the circumstances of the accident, non-exempt employees may file a workers’ compensation claim. Independent contractors or freelance employees may sue their employer for negligently maintaining the office or sending the victim into a dangerous situation.
• Product Liability – Product liability claims point to the manufacturer of any product. From a tool to a toy, the manufacturer must build the product correctly and be aware of any issues that could cause a malfunction. Something as simple as a child’s toy with small pieces could cause a child to choke, and manufacturers that do not warn parents or do not prevent small pieces from breaking can be held liable for damages.
• Dog Attacks – Dog owners must keep their dogs restrained in public and enclosed on their property. While dog attacks seem like freak accidents, the owner must know if they can take their dog in public, how to de-escalate tense situations, and how to restrain them.
• Defamation – While defamation does not involve physical injury, it injures the reputation of the victim. Verbal defamation is also known as slander, and written defamation constitutes libel. Reach out to an attorney to discuss the facts of your case, as defamation can be more difficult to prove than physical injuries.

What Damages Can You Recover in a Personal Injury Case?

After filing a personal injury lawsuit, compensation (compensatory damages) will vary depending on the victim’s specific losses, and claims generally include:

• Medical expenses – The victim is due compensation for their emergency care, recovery, and future treatment. Lawyers may call on a medical expert to explain the extent of the patient’s recovery, or medical receipts can paint a picture of the value of a victim’s care.
• Lost income – When the victim misses work, they may provide paystubs or tax records that explain their expected compensation.
• Lost earning potential – Lost earning potential speaks to the difference between what the victim can earn now and what they should have earned if they were not injured
• Pain and suffering – Pain and suffering relates to any pain, discomfort, or loss of motor control on the part of the victim. In certain cases, the physical pain never stops or the victim cannot enjoy the lifestyle to which they were accustomed.
• Emotional distress – Emotional distress describes the anxiety, depression, and other mental conditions brought on by the accident. Intensive counseling and significant lifestyle changes are often required as victims recover.
• Punitive damages – As part of a personal injury claim, attorneys may present what is known as “clear and convincing” evidence of malice, oppression, or fraud. There is no cap on punitive damages in California, and they are only available at trial.

Contact our top-rated team of expert personal injury attorneys online or by phone today to pursue justice and secure a financial award for damages.

 

What is The Statute of Limitations For Filing a Personal Injury Claim in California?

Speak with a personal injury attorney as soon as possible to avoid any delays in your case. It is difficult to recover from these incidents, and victims often feel overwhelmed by their medical debt, lack of gainful employment, and the pressure to recover quickly. Act soon, because the California statute of limitations for more personal injury claims is only two years from the date of the injury.

Exceptions may apply depending on the nature of the claim. Medical malpractice claims, for example, only have a one-year statute of limitations from the date the malpractice was discovered. To be certain that you do not miss the statute of limitations deadline pertaining to your specific claim, act contact a personal injury lawyer at DLG immediately to ensure your legal rights are protected, and your case proceeds without any delay.

Torrance Personal Injury Lawyers
Representing All Personal Injury Victims

Obtaining legal representation to assist with pursuing justice in a personal injury claim allows victims to recover damages and move forward with their lives. Accidents and injuries occur every day, but those resulting from negligence, malice, or misconduct deserve compensation. Even if the responsible parties are not held liable in criminal court, a civil case helps victims exact what is often the only form of justice available to them.

Personal injury cases can include car accidents, trucking accidents, slip and falls, wrongful death claims, dog bites, medical malpractice, premises liability claims, TBI or spinal cord injuries, and much more.

In addition to general personal injury cases like car accidents and wrongful death claims, Dordulian Law Group is Torrance’s leading sexual abuse/assault firms, representing clients throughout California and the nation. We handle all types of sexual abuse cases, including:

Sexual Assault, Abuse, and Harassment Cases:

How do I Find a Qualified Personal Injury Lawyer?

After a trip and fall, car accident, or other personal injury, victims can reach out to the Dordulian Law Group for a free consultation. Call us today at (310) 504-1911, or use our online contact form to submit any questions you may have.

Having recovered over $100 million in settlements and verdicts, DLG’s 98% success rate when handling personal injury litigation is the advantage you need to ensure your case reaches a successful outcome. Never let finances stand between you and a top-rated DLG Torrance personal injury attorney. You are never responsible for paying any upfront fees, and we don’t get paid until we win your case.

Client Review

“I was rear-end by a careless driver, and I was stressed and hurt. Attorney Samuel Dordulian and Dordulian Law Team was highly recommended. He was emphatic, informative, and answered all my questions and concerns. Every step of the way, there was constant communication. He was thorough and kept me informed. In addition, his team is exceptional and helpful. Thank you for your amazing service. I highly recommend him.”
Zachary Q.