Los Angeles Personal Injury Lawyers Serving the San Fernando Valley Region
If you’ve been injured due to someone else’s negligence, our PI attorneys can help
No one should have to suffer an injury in an accident involving negligence that could have been prevented, which is a staple of personal injury law. In California, this area of the law is broad and encompasses many different types of lawsuits that arise out of negligence and other forms of liability.
Yet, many people in Los Angeles fall victim to property negligence-related accidents—like slip and falls, hazardous swimming pools, and dog bites—that leave them with devastating injuries, costly medical bills, and lost time at work.
If you were injured or a loved one died due to someone else’s negligence in the San Fernando Valley, LA County, or anywhere in California, rely on the skilled Los Angeles personal injury lawyers at Oaks Law Firm to protect your rights and fight for the maximum compensation you deserve. Call now! We are available 24/7 to hear from you. With offices in Sherman Oaks, Woodland Hills, and throughout California, we can schedule a free consultation to learn more about what happened and explain your rights and options.
“Attorney Matthew is the best lawyer I have ever dealt with. He took care of business like nobody else can.” - P.M.
Our track record of success in LA County
When you hire Oaks Law Firm to represent you, you’re getting exceptional legal representation from an accomplished team. While past results are no guarantee of future success, our case results include:
- $1.1 Million in a product liability case.
- $370,000 for a work injury case, De Roa v. Roe, et al., in which the victim lost their index finger in a punch press accident.
- $300,000 for a slip and fall injury case.
Personal injury cases we handle at Oaks Law Firm
The LA personal injury lawyers at Oaks Law Firm understand how stressful life can be when you’ve been injured through no fault of your own. That’s why we are dedicated to handling every detail related to your injury claim or lawsuit. We make it our top priority to make your legal experience as painless as possible. Personal injury cases we handle include, but are not limited to:
- Premises liability. Premises liability accidents happen in many ways. The most well-known is probably “slip and falls.” However, any injury that results from a property owner’s negligence in inspecting, building, or maintaining their property in California can give rise to a premises liability claim. This is true whether the building is a private residence, public building, business, or open land.
- Slip and fall accidents. Slip and falls are a problem nationwide leading to serious injuries and even death. Under the laws of California, a property owner is required to maintain their property so that a visitor, invitee, or customer is not unreasonably exposed to the risk of bodily injury or death on the property.
- Swimming pool accidents. The beautiful weather in Los Angeles and the rest of California makes swimming pools a popular option for many homeowners. However, some pool owners are irresponsible in the maintenance and upkeep of their pools and surrounding areas. This negligence can sometimes cause serious injury to an innocent victim who is a guest, renter, or invitee on the property.
- Dog bites and animal attacks. A dog bite is a traumatic experience for both adults and children who are attacked. Whether the dog was a large or small breed, the victim can still experience painful injuries, infection, preventative medical care if the dog was not up to date on their shots, permanent scarring, and emotional trauma from the attack. Regardless of whether the attack occurred in the dog owner’s home or in public, the owner is still responsible at all times for the behavior of the animal.
- Fires and burn injuries. Burn injuries can occur in many different ways. They can be work-related accidents, such as an explosion or fire on the job. Burn injuries can also occur because of a negligent landlord or building owner who exposes the people on the premises to fire.
- Workplace accidents. Regardless of the type of work injury you have sustained, you need medical help and a great lawyer immediately. Some problems associated with an accident may not be present until days or weeks later, but it’s important that you visit your physician as well as document recurring symptoms.
- Construction site accidents. The men and women who work in this industry are exposed to the dangers on a daily basis. However, accidents can also occur to an innocent passerby who is not warned of the construction site danger. Some of the common causes of injury on a construction site that can cause a construction accident claim to be put into action include fall injuries, electrocution, machinery accidents, exposure to toxic substances, PIT, and motor vehicle accidents.
- Wrongful death. The loss of a close loved one due to someone else’s negligence is one of the most challenging experiences that any person can ever be forced to endure. A wrongful death claim is an avenue to justice and accountability
After sustaining injuries in an accident, you need to get medical attention immediately. Some injuries may persist for weeks or months and require follow-up and physical therapy. Your next step should be to hire an experienced San Fernando Valley personal injury attorney who is knowledgeable about personal injury cases, California law, and comparative fault negotiation.
“Working with Oaks Law Firm was an absolute game changer.” - S.B.
Get compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and possibly more after an accident
In California, individuals hurt due to another's negligence or wrongful act may be entitled to various forms of compensation. The objective of this compensation is to help restore the injured person to the position they were in before the injury occurred, as much as possible. Understanding the types of compensation available can help victims and their families ensure they don't accept less money than they deserve. Common types of compensation in a personal injury case include:
- Medical expenses. Compensation for current and future medical bills related to the injury. This includes emergency care, hospitalization, surgery, medication, rehabilitation, and any ongoing medical treatments.
- Lost wages. Reimbursement for income lost due to the inability to work while recovering from the injury. If the injury impacts the victim's ability to earn income in the future, compensation for loss of earning capacity can also be sought.
- Pain and suffering. Compensation for the physical pain and emotional distress suffered as a result of the injury. This can also include compensation for a diminished quality of life or any permanent disabilities or disfigurements.
- Emotional distress. Separate from pain and suffering, this compensation addresses the psychological impact of the injury, such as anxiety, depression, and PTSD.
- Loss of consortium. In cases of severe injuries that lead to lifelong disabilities or personality changes, compensation may be awarded to the spouse or close family members of the injured party for the loss of companionship, affection, and assistance.
- Wrongful death. When injuries are fatal, the victim’s family or estate may seek compensation through a wrongful death claim. This can include funeral and burial expenses, loss of the deceased's expected income, loss of love, companionship, and moral support, and the value of household services the deceased would have provided.
Navigating personal injury compensation can be complex, and the specifics of each case can significantly impact the types and amounts of compensation available. Contacting one of our Los Angeles personal injury lawyers to evaluate your case helps ensure you understand what should be compensated in your settlement and if the insurance company is trying to lowball the offer.
Common types of injuries in personal injury claims
A good candidate to call a San Fernando Valley personal injury lawyer is someone who has sustained significant injuries requiring medical attention, faces substantial medical bills and lost wages, or experiences long-term or permanent disability. Common injuries that are the subject of California personal injury claims, and for which you may be able to seek compensation, include:
- Bone fractures. Broken bones that can range in severity and require various lengths of time for recovery. Common types of bone fractures in personal injury cases include simple fractures, where the bone breaks but does not pierce the skin, and compound fractures, which are more severe and involve the bone breaking through the skin. Other examples include stress fractures, characterized by tiny cracks in the bone, and comminuted fractures, where the bone is broken into several pieces, often necessitating surgery.
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). Injuries to the brain that can affect cognitive functions, physical abilities, and emotional well-being may include concussions, contusions, penetrating injuries, anoxic brain injuries, and diffuse axonal injuries.
- Spinal cord injuries. These can result in partial or full paralysis, along with other neurological and physical complications, and may include herniated discs, spinal cord contusions, compression fractures, dislocations, spinal cord compression, and spinal cord lacerations.
- Burns. Injuries to the skin or deeper tissues caused by heat, chemicals, electricity, or radiation, varying in degree from superficial burns to full-thickness burns.
- Lacerations and cuts. Deep cuts may affect the skin, muscles, tendons, or ligaments and often require medical attention to close the wound and prevent infection.
- Soft tissue injuries. Damage to muscles, ligaments, and tendons, including sprains, strains, and contusions (bruises), which can affect mobility and cause pain. Common types of soft tissue injuries often involved in personal injury claims include damage to knees, ankles, and wrists.
- Amputations. The loss of a limb or body part as a result of trauma or injury, requiring emergency treatment and often long-term rehabilitation.
- Internal injuries. Common internal organ injuries due to negligent accidents include internal bleeding, punctured or collapsed lungs, ruptured spleens, liver lacerations, kidney lacerations, pancreatic trauma, and cardiac injuries.
- Chemical burns and poisonings. This results from exposure to hazardous chemicals, which can cause external injuries or internal damage when inhaled or ingested.
Los Angeles personal injury FAQ
If you were injured in an accident due to someone else’s negligence, you probably have a lot of questions about how you can effectively seek justice and compensation.
The Los Angeles personal injury lawyers at Oaks Law Firm are here to help. Our priority is to arm you with the knowledge you need to make informed decisions. Our attorneys have prepared answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about personal injury claims and lawsuits in Los Angeles.
What is personal injury law in California?
How much is the average California personal injury settlement?
What are the most common types of injuries in personal injury claims?
Can I get help with bills if I was injured at a friend’s house?
What is the law for slip and fall in California?
What happens if my child is hurt at a friend’s house?
How do I sue for pain and suffering in California?
How do I find the best personal injury attorney in California?
Contact a Los Angeles personal injury attorney today
From your first call to Oaks Law Firm, you'll notice a difference right away. For more than 20 years, we have made our mark on Los Angeles with the superior quality of our client communication and case results – not the volume of our workload.
If you were injured in the San Fernando Valley, contact us today to schedule a free case evaluation. A member of our team can explain your potential legal options, answer your questions, and help you decide on the next steps. There is no obligation to hire, just information you can trust from a law firm that knows what it takes to win in LA. We also provide a no fee guarantee to our personal injury clients, which means you pay us nothing unless we win your case.
“Matt is honest, aggressive and relentless. His staff is attentive and responsive to their clients. I can't say enough about how great everyone at this office is.” - S.J.
What is personal injury law in California?
Personal injury law in California allows individuals who have been harmed due to the negligence or wrongful actions of another party to seek compensation for their injuries and losses. This area of law covers a wide range of incidents, including motor vehicle accidents, slip and falls, premises liability, and more. The primary goal of personal injury law is to make the injured party whole by compensating them for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages resulting from the incident. In California, personal injury claims are generally based on proving that the defendant's negligence directly caused the plaintiff's injuries.
How much is the average California personal injury settlement?
The average personal injury settlement in California can vary widely depending on the specifics of each case. Factors that influence the settlement amount include the severity of the injuries, the extent of medical expenses, lost income, the degree of negligence involved, and the impact on the victim's quality of life.
Settlements can range from a few thousand dollars for minor injuries to millions of dollars for catastrophic injuries. Because every case is unique, it's important to consult with an experienced personal injury attorney to get an accurate estimate of potential compensation.
What are the most common types of injuries in personal injury claims?
Soft tissue injuries, such as sprains, strains, and contusions, are common and often result from accidents like slips and falls. Fractures and broken bones are frequently seen in cases involving falls, while head injuries, including concussions and traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), can occur from impacts or jolts to the head.
Spinal cord injuries, which can lead to partial or complete paralysis, are serious consequences of severe accidents. Burns, whether caused by fires, chemicals, or electrical incidents, are another type of injury that victims may suffer. Internal injuries, including organ damage or internal bleeding, can be life-threatening and often require immediate medical attention.
Additionally, cuts and lacerations, which may necessitate stitches or surgery, are common in many accidents, including workplace incidents and dog bite cases. These injuries vary in severity and can have long-lasting effects on the victims' lives.
Can I get help with bills if I was injured at a friend’s house?
Yes, if you were injured at a friend's house, you may be able to get help with your bills through their homeowner's insurance policy. Most homeowner's insurance policies include liability coverage that can help pay for medical expenses and other damages resulting from injuries that occur on the property. It's important to report the incident to your friend's insurance company and consult with a personal injury attorney to explore your options for compensation.
What is the law for slip and falls in California?
In California, slip and falls fall under premises liability law, which holds property owners and occupiers responsible for maintaining safe conditions on their premises. To succeed in a slip and fall claim, the injured party must prove that a dangerous condition existed, the property owner knew or should have known about it, and they failed to take reasonable steps to repair or warn about the hazard. The injured party must also show that the dangerous condition directly caused their injuries. California follows a comparative negligence rule, meaning the injured party's compensation can be reduced if they are found partially at fault for the accident.
What happens if my child is hurt at a friend’s house?
If your child is injured at a friend's house, you may be able to pursue a claim against the homeowner's insurance policy for compensation. Homeowner's insurance often covers injuries involving guests, including children. The claim can help cover medical expenses, pain and suffering, and other related costs. In cases where negligence contributed to the injury, such as unsafe conditions or lack of supervision, you may also have grounds for a personal injury lawsuit. It's advisable to consult with an attorney to understand your legal options and ensure your child's rights are protected.
How do I sue for pain and suffering in California?
To sue for pain and suffering in California, you need to file a personal injury lawsuit against the party responsible for your injuries. Pain and suffering refer to the physical and emotional distress caused by an injury. To establish a claim, you must provide evidence of the extent of your injuries, medical treatments, and the impact on your daily life. This may include testimony from medical professionals, psychological evaluations, and personal statements. The amount awarded for pain and suffering can vary significantly and is typically determined by the severity of the injury and the degree of disruption to your life.
How do I find the best personal injury attorney in California?
Finding the best personal injury attorney in California involves several steps. Start by researching attorneys who have experience in personal injury law and have a strong track record of successful case outcomes.
Look for client reviews and testimonials to gauge their reputation and level of client satisfaction. Schedule consultations with a few attorneys to discuss your case and assess their communication style, experience, and willingness to fight for your rights.
Additionally, consider their experience in handling cases similar to yours and their familiarity with California's personal injury laws. Choosing an attorney who is experienced, compassionate, and dedicated to achieving the best possible outcome for your case is crucial.