A personal injury claim arises after someone has been hurt at the fault of another. The claim is opened to determine fault, and also fair and reasonable compensation for causing personal harm to the responsible party. This injury can be physical, monetary or psychological and is the result of intentional or negligent harm to another.
Personal injury lawsuits are usually established as civil cases handled between the involved parties. In some regards, these cases will not ever make it to trial as a settlement may be presented in order to avoid a trial.
When to File a Personal Injury Claim
Generally, the California statute of limitations allows victims up to two years after the date of the injury to file their claim. California also has a rule that is called “discovery of harm” which is when an injury is discovered at a later date than when the incident occurred. The pain of an injury in a situation as impairing as an auto accident or a fall can cause adrenaline to surge and camouflage an injury for hours or days following the incident; the “discovery of harm” rule protects you in this circumstance.
Filing a personal injury claim against a California state, county or city government agency? Claimants only have six months to make a claim against a government entity and within some very rigid guidelines.
Personal injury situations may include any of the following: auto, bicycle, or motorcycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, trip and fall, slip and fall, wrongful death, and Uber or Lyft accidents.
Are you apprehensive about filing a claim because you feel as though you may share fault? You may still be entitled to compensation under “comparative negligence.” This means you may be found only partially liable and compensation may be reduced by the percentage that you are at fault.
You are not alone. In the US there are upwards of 300,000 personal injury cases every year and more that go unreported. Usually, in a scenario where an injury is overlooked, brushed off, and not reported, hindsight proves that there should have been an investigation of fault. Long-term effects from a seemingly minor injury could eventually become debilitating, and paying for your own medical care might seem like the easy route, but is it? Personal injuries can lead to more issues down the road including additional medical issues, lost wages, and emotional distress.
It is always best to speak with a Pasadena law firm if you have even the slightest thought that you may have an injury claim. Most consultations are free and can assist you in determining just how significant your injuries are and if you should file a lawsuit.
Personal injury consultations are designed to help you understand your rights, provide advice, and represent you in court, if necessary. At Grigoryan Blum & Grigoryan, we can also connect you to medical professionals and assist with your property damage.
How to File a Personal Injury Claim in Pasadena, California
Scheduling a personal injury consultation is the first step to asserting your claim. A personal injury attorney, also known as a plaintiff lawyer or a trial lawyer, will advise you on how to proceed if you would like to take your claim to trial.
The stress and legal jargon of a lawsuit can be overwhelming, to say the least, so it is in your best interest to find an experienced, licensed California attorney who will provide predictions on how likely you are to win your case, determine a reasonable and fair amount of damages to be received in a best-case scenario, and provide legal representation in court.
Do I Need to File a Personal Injury Claim?
Acting alone to battle with an insurance company will almost always end in disappointment, and paying out-of-pocket for damages that were caused by another doesn’t make sense. You have rights and you can be protected.
A free consultation with our attorneys in Pasadena, CA is designed to be an informational introduction to the facts of your case and your legal options with advice on how to move forward. You are under no obligation to retain our services after your consultation as we provide our new clients with this complimentary assistance.
Filing a personal injury claim can sound immensely complicated but at the Pasadena law firm of Grigoryan, Blum, & Grigoryan, we provide you with a knowledgeable and talented lawyer who is dedicated to protecting your rights and ensuring guidance through every step of the claims and litigation process.
Advocating for the personally injured is what we do. We will fight for you, your best interests, and your right to fair compensation.
Click here for our complete guide to hiring a personal injury lawyer.