Mendez and Sanchez - Personal Injury Lawyer in Alhambra, California

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If you've been injured because of someone else's negligence, you have the right to demand financial compensation for the losses you've suffered. However, seeking a personal injury claim is no simple task. Defendants and their insurance providers are backed by armies of attorneys 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 assemble 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 getting better.

What Is Personal Injury?

The essence of a personal injury case is negligence. When another person, business, or even a governmental agency acts irresponsibly, others can get injured. The injury is often physical, but it can also be psychological or emotional too.

"Negligence" is a legal term that means failure to exercise a proper level of care under the circumstances. Another way of putting it is failure to act as a reasonably sensible person would. Negligence can be displayed through a person's actions (like speeding or driving drunk) or through an omission (such as failing to remove a known hazard from one's business property).

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

• Duty of care– The offender must have owed a duty of care to the plaintiff. Occasionally a duty emerges out of a personal relationship between the individuals, such as physician and patient. However this isn't always necessary. For instance, when you drive on a highway, you owe a duty to other drivers not to be careless.
• Breach– Next, the plaintiff needs to show that the offender breached the duty of care. This is where the offender's negligent acts and/or omissions are highlighted. It also covers circumstances where the at-fault party breaks a law or participates in intentional wrongdoing. Breach is usually the most disputed part of a personal injury case.
• Causation– The offender's breach needs to really result in injury to the plaintiff. If the defendant acted negligently but didn't hurt the plaintiff, this element fails.
• Damages– These are the losses for which the plaintiff will seek financial compensation. A few of the most common damages are medical costs, lost wages, lost earning capacity, and pain and suffering. The nature and quantity of damages are fiercely disputed in most personal injury cases.

Potential Damages In a Personal Injury Case

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

• Medical expenses– This broad category can include everything from hospital bills and prescription medications to physical therapy and unique adaptive equipment to help with a victim's daily tasks.
• Lost wages– While you recuperate or are hospitalized for your injuries, you will lose time from work and, with it, potentially considerable amounts of money. You can ask a court to award you damages to cover this lost income.
• Lost earning capacity– Your career prospects may be cut short or drastically restricted after a personal injury. An expert witness can help approximate the future income you will lose 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 hard to quantify, they are essential to catastrophic injury cases.
• Loss of enjoyment of everyday life– It may not be possible to appreciate your normal day-to-day activities, hobbies, and other passions 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 support, society, friendship, and sexual relationship between partners brought on by the injury.
• Punitive (exemplary) damages– In rare cases, an at-fault party can be subject to punitive damages. These are meant to penalize the wrongful party and deter others from engaging in similar conduct.

Are There Time Limits to File a Personal Injury Lawsuit?

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

However, it's ideal not to delay taking action on your case. Witnesses' memories can diminish with time, proof will be more difficult to obtain, and you could fail to remember crucial details if you wait too long. If you or a loved one have been injured, reach out to a committed Alhambra personal injury attorney.

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

Suing a defendant usually 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 an attorney who not only understands California personal injury legislation, but understands how to establish a fair value for your claim.

At Mendez & Sanchez, we've helped numerous personal injury clients obtain the compensation they need to recuperate. We won't accept unjust deals and will stand by you from beginning to end. Give us a call or complete the contact form today to get started on your case.

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OUR PERSONAL INJURY ATTORNEYS IN ALHAMBRA, CALIFORNIA, ARE AVAILABLE 24 HOURS A DAY TO TAKE YOUR CALL. FOR A FREE CONSULTATION, CALL US OR VISIT OUR WEBSITE.