Finding a Personal Injury Lawyer in California

Accidents and injuries are an unfortunate part of life, and when they happen due to someone else's negligence, it can be especially challenging to navigate the legal and healthcare systems to seek compensation and justice. Desiree T. Washington, Esq., explains how you can obtain legal help to initiate and resolve your personal injury claim. 

In Los Angeles County, one of the most populous and diverse counties in the United States, the personal injury process is complex but essential for those who have suffered harm to receive some measure of relief. With this article, Desiree aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the personal injury process in Los Angeles County, from the initial incident to the resolution of a personal injury claim, and how you can utilize Washington Law Firm to find just compensation for your injuries. 

1. Seek Medical Attention 

The first and most crucial step following a personal injury in Los Angeles County, as anywhere else, is to seek immediate medical attention. Your health should always be the top priority. Not only does prompt medical care ensure that you receive the necessary treatment, but it also creates a crucial medical record that can serve as evidence later in your personal injury claim. 

Hospitals may ask you for medical insurance. You should inform them that you were in an accident so that they may ensure all paperwork pertinent to your claim is filled out and that you receive the urgent medical care you need to prevent further harm. Do not worry if you do not have medical insurance. A hospital cannot legally turn you away for not having insurance. Simply inform them that you were in an accident and to forward your invoice to your attorney, Desiree T. Washington at Washington Law Firm. Make sure you receive copies of all documents you sign, and that the hospital gives you, and forward those documents to Washington Law Firm, including any detailed records of all medical bills, prescriptions, and treatment plans. 

2. Gather Evidence 

After seeking medical attention, it's essential to gather as much evidence as possible related to your injury and the incident that caused it. This may include:

a. Photographs: Take pictures of the accident scene, your injuries, and any property damage. These visual records can provide valuable proof later on. 

b. Witness Statements: If there were any witnesses to the accident, collect their contact information and statements. Witness testimonies can corroborate your version of events. 

c. Police Report: If the injury resulted from a car accident, slip and fall, or any other incident where law enforcement responded, obtain a copy of the police report. This report often contains valuable information about the accident's circumstances and the parties involved. 

d. Documentation: Keep records of all relevant documents, such as medical bills, receipts, and correspondence related to your injury. 

3. Consult an Attorney 

Hiring a personal injury attorney is critical to you obtaining the restitution you need to be made whole after your accident. Washington Law Firm will help you understand your rights, evaluate the strength of your case, and guide you through the complex legal process. Desiree T. Washington offers free initial consultations to assess your situation and provide initial guidance. 

Many Los Angeles County law firms now charge a contingency fee of upwards of 50% of your claim. DO NOT agree to those terms. They are exorbitant, unethical and will prevent you from being made whole by any injury award you may receive. Instead, demand the attorneys receive not more than 33% which should include all legal fees and costs. 33% has been the standard for contingency fees for over 100 years. At Washington Law Firm, Desiree will never charge more than 33% on contingency fee cases. 

4. Statute of Limitations 

It's essential to be aware of the statute of limitations for personal injury cases in California. In general, you have two years from the date of the injury to file a personal injury lawsuit. If you miss this deadline, you may lose your right to pursue a claim. However, some exceptions and nuances may apply, so contact Washington Law Firm to understand how the statute of limitations applies to your specific case. 

5. Negotiation with the Insurance Company

In many personal injury cases, the injured party will need to negotiate with the insurance company of the at-fault party. It's essential to have your attorney handle these negotiations to ensure that you receive a fair settlement. Insurance companies absolutely will try to minimize payouts, so it is crucial that you contact Washington Law Firm to deal with your insurers. 

6. Filing a Lawsuit

If negotiations with the insurance company do not result in a fair settlement, Washington Law Firm recommends filing a lawsuit. This formal legal action initiates the litigation process. Desiree will prepare the necessary documents, including a complaint that outlines the details of your case, and file them with the appropriate court in Los Angeles County. 

7. Discovery Process

Once a lawsuit is filed, both parties engage in the discovery process. This involves gathering evidence, questioning witnesses, and exchanging information. Discovery can be a time-consuming and is a detailed process, often lasting over a year based on the nature and extent of your injuries. However, it is crucial for building a strong case. 

8. Mediation and Settlement Discussions 

Before proceeding to trial, many personal injury cases in Los Angeles County go through mediation or settlement discussions. These processes aim to resolve the case without the need for a court trial. A neutral mediator facilitates discussions between the parties to reach a mutually agreeable settlement. Washington Law Firm will advocate for your interests during these negotiations. 

9. Trial

If mediation and settlement discussions do not lead to a satisfactory resolution, the case will proceed to trial. Washington Law Firm will present your evidence, question witnesses, and make and defend legal arguments before a judge and jury. The trial process can be lengthy, but Desiree and Washington Law Firm effectively represent your interests in court. 

10. Verdict and Compensation

After the trial, the judge or jury will render a verdict. If the verdict is in your favor, the at-fault party will be ordered to compensate you for your injuries and losses. The compensation can include medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages. 

Conclusion

While the personal injury process can be challenging, it's crucial to remember that it exists to protect your rights. With Washington Law Firm at your side, you will have the right legal representation and a thorough understanding of the process. You will be able to seek the compensation and justice you deserve in Los Angeles County. 

 

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The information contained on this website is for general information purposes only. Nothing on this website is intended as legal advice. Transmission of the information is not intended to create, and receipt does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship. No attorney-client relationship will be established with our firm or any of our attorneys unless by a written, fully executed engagement letter provided by our firm.

Internet users and online readers should not act upon this information without seeking professional counsel.

Senate confirms Elena Kagan to Supreme Court

Chief Justice John Roberts will swear in Elena Kagan as the nation's 112th Supreme Court justice on Saturday, making one-third of the nation's highest court women for the first time in history.
Supreme Court spokeswoman Kathy Arberg said Roberts telephoned Kagan to offer "warm congratulations" Thursday, shortly after the Senate confirmed her to the post. The 63-37 vote represented a victory for President Obama, who has doubled the number of women ever named to the Supreme Court with his first two nominees.

"I am confident that Elena Kagan will make an outstanding Supreme Court justice," Obama said in Chicago, where he was traveling. "And I am proud, also, of the history we're making with her appointment." more

How to Find a Lawyer

Choosing an attorney can be a daunting task. Knowing what kind of lawyer you need and how much is a reasonable fee is often very difficult to determine without prior knowledge. Here’s a brief guide to selecting the best lawyer for your legal matter.

It is always a good idea to obtain a recommendation of friend or associate who has had dealings with an attorney. A friend's past experience can reveal whether your experience with an attorney will be a good one. If you can’t find a friend to make a referral, you should contact a local or county bar association. For a nominal fee of $10-35, the bar association will refer you to one or several attorneys appropriate for your legal matter.

Most attorneys will spend 10-20 minutes on the phone with you to determine your legal problem and advise you whether they can handle your case. Most attorneys will not offer legal advice over the phone or during an initial consultation, mainly because the attorney does not have all of the information needed to adequately analyze and recommend a course of action in a phone conversation or initial consultation.

Most attorneys will also refuse to guarantee the outcome of your legal matter; this is a good thing. Legal cases usually involve variables (judges, witnesses, juries, quality of evidence, etc.) that can never be fully be accounted for until after a legal case has been tried and concluded. You don’t want an attorney who promises you an outcome because he’s gambling with your hard earned money and has a 50/50 chance of losing.

You can call several attorneys, general practitioners or specialists, in your problem area and select one based on your conversation and comfort level. The attorney should state his hourly fee. If the attorney requires a retainer of over $1,000, the attorney must provide a written retainer agreement or letter of engagement for your review and signature.

You should ask for the approximate time it will take to resolve your case, however you should understand that any time given in an approximation because of the variables listed above.

Attorneys in Ford Settlement Get $25 Million

Attorneys in the Ford Motor Company litigation related to the Explorer rollover scandal of the 1990s obtained approximately $25 million in attorneys fees and costs. This complex litigation matter clogged the Sacramento County Superior Court's overburdened calendar for more than seven years.

Of the 1 million consumers covered by the class action lawsuit filed in their name, none of the consumers got money, only discount coupons toward new Ford purchases.

Sacramento County Superior Court Judge David De Alba authorized the settlement of a class action that lawyers argued could be worth as much as $500 million to people who owned Ford Explorers during the 1990s. De Alba awarded the lawyers $25 million in fees and expenses after presiding over a 50-day trial without a jury in 2007. The case settled before the judge reached a verdict.

In exchange for dropping the lawsuit that alleged rollover problems unfairly diminished the resale value of Explorers, Ford customers could receive a $500 discount coupon toward the purchase of a new SUV or a $300 coupon to buy another Ford vehicle. Consumers had until April 29, 2008 to apply for the coupons. A report filed with the court in June showed just 75 coupons have been redeemed for a combined $37,500.

"This coupon is valueless to me," said Stephen Webber, a Glendale lawyer who owns a 1998 Explorer and qualified for the discounts. "It did nothing to improve the safety of my vehicle, and I have no intentions of buying a new one."

The lawyers who represented Webber and the million other SUV owners argue that they did the best they could with a complicated case vigorously fought by Ford's phalanx of high-priced attorneys. They said that in the fall of 2007 when the case settled, there was a chance Ford would file for bankruptcy, wiping out the case and leaving consumers with nothing.

In a statement e-mailed to The Associated Press by the class action firm Lieff, Cabraser, Heimann, & Bernstein on behalf of the five firms who sued Ford, the lawyers noted that they also forced Ford to stop touting the Explorer's safety features and make a $950,000 donation to nonprofit auto-safety groups, which they said benefits their clients. They said they spent $6 million of their own money and thousands of hours fighting Ford.

"Class counsel were surprised and, of course, disappointed by the low redemption rate which undoubtedly was affected by the near-collapse of the economy just as the period to redeem vouchers began," the lawyers said. "The real story here is Ford's failure to take responsibility for producing a vehicle, the 1991-2001 model year Explorer, that has killed hundreds of consumers over the past 18 years."

Ford spokeswoman Kristen Kinley said the settlement prevented the company from discussing the case.

"We are pleased to have finally settled this case with the plaintiffs and to finally put this behind us," Kinley said. "We are also pleased to hear that some people took advantage of the vouchers to purchase a new Ford Explorer."

The judge in the Ford case, at the urging of several lawyers objecting to the original settlement, required the class action attorneys to file a report this year detailing the redemption rates. That report, which highlighted the dismal consumer participation, is expected to be considered by other judges pondering coupon settlements across the country.

The Ford case stands out even against the backdrop of endless debate over class action litigation where lawyers get multi-million-dollar paydays for settlements that have minimal value for most of their clients.

The Ralph Nader-founded Center for Auto Safety in Washington D.C. expressed outrage and tried to stop the settlement last year. Several others also urged the judge to withhold approval before dropping their opposition in exchange for the donation to auto safety nonprofits and the requirement that coupon redemptions be reported.

"The reality is that class members are almost totally irrelevant and the lawyers are in charge," said McGeorge Law School professor John Sims who worked for Nader's Public Citizen Litigation Group. "But this was a stupid case that included a requirement to buy a new car within a year."

Welcome

Welcome to Desiree Washington's legal blog, a source for people interested in current affairs from a political and legal point of view.

Desiree is a California attorney working at Washington Law Firm located in Century City at 1800 Century Park East, Suite 600, Los Angeles, CA 90067. Her email is dwash@dtwlaw.com