What This Page Covers:
- Understanding Claims: Personal injury claims require proving duty of care, breach, causation, and damages due to someone else’s negligence.
- Duty and Breach: Establishing that the defendant owed and breached a duty of care is crucial for a valid claim.
- Proving Causation: Demonstrating a direct link between the breach and your injury is necessary.
- Callahan & Blaine: With 40 years of experience and significant verdicts, Callahan & Blaine expertly navigates personal injury claims.
- Contact Callahan & Blaine today at (714) 241-4444 or visit our contact form to discuss your case.
Suffering a personal injury can turn your life upside down in an instant. One moment, you are going about your daily routine, and the next, you are facing medical bills, lost wages, and a mountain of stress. The physical pain is just the beginning; the emotional and financial toll can be overwhelming. It is a struggle to navigate this new reality, especially when you are also trying to manage the complexities of a personal injury claim. At times like these, having a compassionate and experienced legal team by your side can make all the difference in reclaiming your peace of mind and securing the compensation you need to move forward.
At Callahan & Blaine, we understand the profound impact a personal injury can have on your life. Our team of trial lawyers, each with more than eight years of experience, is committed to fighting for your rights and ensuring you receive the justice you deserve. Let us shoulder the legal burden so you can focus on your recovery. Contact Callahan & Blaine today for a consultation, and take the first step towards rebuilding your life.
When Can You File a Personal Injury Claim?
Experiencing an injury can be a challenging and overwhelming incident, leaving you with questions about your rights and options for seeking compensation. One common avenue for obtaining relief is through a personal injury claim. But how do you know if you have a valid claim?
The Basics of Personal Injury Claims
Personal injury law is designed to help individuals who have been harmed due to someone else’s negligence or intentional actions. To file a claim, certain elements must be met.
Duty of Care
Before moving forward, it must be established that the defendant (the person or entity you are filing the claim against) owed you a duty of care. This means they had a legal responsibility to act in a way that would not cause harm to others. For example, drivers have a duty to follow traffic laws to ensure the safety of other road users. Similarly, property owners must maintain their premises in a reasonably safe condition to prevent accidents.
Breach of Duty
Once it is established that a duty of care was owed, you must prove that the defendant breached this duty of care. A breach occurs when the defendant fails to act as a reasonably prudent person would under similar circumstances. This could include actions like running a red light, failing to clean up a spill in a store or neglecting to fix a broken handrail. Essentially, you need to show that the defendant’s actions (or lack of actions) fell short of what is expected.
Causation
Even if a duty of care was owed and breached, you must also demonstrate that this breach directly caused your injury. This is known as causation. It must be clear that your injuries were a direct result of the defendant’s actions and not due to some other factor. For instance, if a driver runs a red light and hits your car, causing you injuries, you would need to show that the collision directly led to your injuries.
Damages
Finally, you must show that you suffered actual damages as a result of the breach. Damages refer to the losses you have incurred, which can be both economic and non-economic. Economic damages might include medical bills, lost wages, and property damage, while non-economic damages cover pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life.
How a Callahan & Blaine Attorney Can Help When Filing a Personal Injury Claim
When dealing with the aftermath of a personal injury, having a seasoned legal team on your side can make all the difference. Callahan & Blaine, with over 40 years of experience and a reputation for excellence, is uniquely positioned to guide you through the complexities of filing a personal injury claim.
Expertise and Experience
At Callahan & Blaine, our attorneys bring more than just legal knowledge to the table. We offer a depth of expertise that ensures your case is handled with the utmost care and proficiency.
Our firm has achieved multi-million dollar settlements, demonstrating our ability to deliver significant results for our clients. Notably, we secured the largest jury verdict in Orange County history — $934 million in a complex business litigation case — and the largest insurance bad faith judgment in the county’s history at $58 million.
Trial-Ready Approach
Our team comprises seasoned trial lawyers who are not only adept at negotiating settlements but also prepared to take your case to court if necessary. This trial-ready approach means that we are always prepared to fight for your rights, ensuring that you receive the compensation you deserve. Our success in securing a stunning 12-0 defense jury verdict after a two-month trial in a major employment case underscores our commitment to excellence in the courtroom.
Comprehensive Support
Managing Partner Edward Susolik, one of the leading insurance experts in the United States, has handled over 1,500 mediations in the last 33 years, ensuring that our clients receive the best possible guidance and support. Whether you are dealing with medical bills, lost wages, or emotional distress, our team will work tirelessly to build a strong case on your behalf, aiming to alleviate the stress and uncertainty that comes with personal injury claims.
How a Callahan & Blaine Attorney Can Help
When you are dealing with the aftermath of a personal injury, having a seasoned legal team on your side can make all the difference. At Callahan & Blaine, we offer over 40 years of experience and a proven track record of success, including securing the largest jury verdict in Orange County history. Our trial lawyers bring a wealth of expertise to each case, ensuring you receive the best possible representation. We handle the legal complexities, allowing you to focus on your recovery.
Contact us today at (714) 241-4444 or through our contact form to take the first step toward rebuilding your life.