How do I know if I have a claim worth pursuing?
Generally speaking, when a person is injured as a result of the negligence of another person or persons, the injured party may pursue a claim against the people/corporations/government entities that caused his/her injuries. In addition to the injured person, his/her spouse may also have a valid loss of consortium claim against the negligent party, and all of the injured person's legal heirs may have valid claims in the case of a wrongful death.
The person(s) making a claim for compensation will need to show acceptable proof of their injuries and losses (also known as damages) as well as proof of the negligent party's responsibility. The laws and rules that govern personal injury cases in California are many and varied, and may generally be found in the California Codes, Rules of Court, and California case law (court decisions interpreting established law).
The simplest way to find out if the facts of your situation constitute a valid claim is to consult with an experienced personal injury attorney. Don't be discouraged if the first attorney you talk with declines to represent you in your claim -- since every attorney will have different levels of experience and areas of expertise, one attorney may see a claim worth pursuing while another may not. If you would like a free, confidential evaluation of the facts of your California personal injury claim, please complete our Personal Injury Questionnaire. For any questions you may have about a personal injury case, contact us.