Mendez & Sanchez - Personal Injury Lawyers in East Los Angeles, California

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If you've been injured due to someone else's negligence, you have the right to demand financial compensation for the losses you've suffered. However, pursuing a personal injury claim is no easy task. Defendants and their insurers are backed by armies of lawyers ready to defend their clients. Who's looking out for you?

At Mendez & Sanchez, we fight for personal injury victims. Where possible, we resolve cases out of court so our clients can return to their lives. If needed, however, we put together a litigation strategy and take the case to court. Either way, we stand by our clients from beginning to end so they can concentrate on recovering.

What Is Personal Injury?

The essence of a personal injury claim is negligence. When another individual, business, or even a governmental agency acts irresponsibly, others can get hurt. The injury is typically physical, but it can also be psychological or emotional too.

"Negligence" is a legal term that implies failure to exercise an appropriate degree of care under the circumstances. Another way of putting it is failure to act as a reasonably prudent individual would. Negligence can be demonstrated through someone's actions (like speeding or driving intoxicated) or through an exclusion (such as failing to eliminate a known hazard from one's business property).

To win a personal injury case, the victim must prove that the offender was negligent. There are four particular elements that are required under California law:

• Duty of care-- The defendant must have owed a duty of care to the plaintiff. Sometimes a duty emerges out of a personal relationship between the individuals, such as doctor and patient. But this isn't always necessary. For instance, when you drive on a highway, you owe a duty to other motorists not to be reckless.
• Breach-- Next, the plaintiff needs to demonstrate that the offender breached the duty of care. This is where the defendant's negligent acts and/or exclusions are highlighted. It also covers situations where the at-fault party breaks a law or participates in intentional wrongdoing. Breach is usually the most disputed part of a personal injury claim.
• Causation-- The offender's breach needs to really cause injury to the plaintiff. If the defendant acted negligently but didn't hurt the plaintiff, this component fails.
• Damages-- These are the losses for which the plaintiff will pursue financial compensation. Some of the most common damages are medical costs, lost wages, lost earning capacity, as well as pain and suffering. The nature and amount of damages are hotly contested in most personal injury cases.

Possible Damages In A Personal Injury Lawsuit

The objective of a personal injury claim is to make the plaintiff whole via financial compensation. This compensation is known as damages, and some examples are:

• Medical costs-- This broad category can consist of everything from hospital bills and prescription drugs to physical therapy and special adaptive equipment to help with a victim's day-to-day activities.
• Lost income-- While you recover or are hospitalized for your injuries, you will lose time from work and, with it, possibly considerable amounts of money. You can ask a court to grant you damages to cover this lost income.
• Lost earning capacity-- Your occupational prospects may be cut short or severely restricted after a personal injury. An expert witness can help estimate the future income you will miss out on as a result.
• Pain and suffering-- These damages account for the pain and psychological stress you will likely experience for some time to come. Although difficult to measure, they are necessary for catastrophic injury cases.
• Loss of pleasure in everyday life-- It might not be possible to appreciate your regular everyday activities, hobbies, and other interests after a bad injury. These damages help compensate you for the loss.
• Loss of consortium-- This category refers to the deprivation of the advantages of a family relationship. It includes the loss of assistance, community, friendship, and sexual relationship between partners caused by the injury.
• Punitive (exemplary) damages-- In rare cases, an at-fault party can be subject to punitive damages. These are meant to punish the wrongful party and deter others from engaging in similar conduct.

Are There Time Limits To File A Personal Injury Claim?

Your right to take legal action against a negligent party will not last forever. In California, personal injury cases are subject to what's called a statute of limitations. This establishes a deadline for plaintiffs to submit their lawsuits before they lose the right to do so. For a personal injury, the statute of limitations is two years. In most cases, the clock starts to run when the injury takes place.

However, it's ideal not to delay taking action on your case. Witnesses' memories can fade over time, evidence will be more difficult to obtain, and you might fail to remember critical information if you wait too long. If you or a loved one have been injured, reach out to a dedicated East Los Angeles personal injury lawyer.

How Can the Personal Injury Lawyers of Mendez & Sanchez Help Me?

Suing a defendant almost always means suing an insurance company, like an automobile insurer. Regardless, you can count on the defendant's legal representatives pushing back on your claims or making settlement offers that come nowhere near to covering your losses. You need a lawyer that not only understands California personal injury legislation, but knows how to establish a fair value for your case.

At Mendez & Sanchez, we've helped countless personal injury clients get the compensation they need to recover. We won't accept unjust offers and will defend you from beginning to end. Give us a call or complete the contact form today to get started on your claim.

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OUR PERSONAL INJURY LAWYERS IN EAST LOS ANGELES ARE AVAILABLE 24 HOURS A DAY TO TAKE YOUR CALL. FOR A FREE CONSULTATION, CALL US OR VISIT OUR WEBSITE.