Law Offices of Tim D Wright - Personal Injury Law Firm in Pasadena, California

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If you've been injured because of someone else's negligence, you have the right to ask for financial compensation for the losses you've endured. But seeking a personal injury lawsuit is no easy task. Offenders and their insurance companies are backed by armies of lawyers ready to protect their clients. Who's looking out for you?

At Tim D. Wright, we fight for personal injury victims. Where possible, we resolve cases out of court so our clients can return to their lives. If necessary, however, we put together a litigation strategy and take the case to trial. Either way, we defend our clients from beginning to end so they can focus on recovering.

What Is Personal Injury?

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

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

To win a personal injury case, the victim has to prove that the offender was negligent. There are four specific 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 doctor and patient. However this isn't always required. For example, when you drive on a freeway, you owe a duty to other drivers not to be reckless.
• Breach– Next, the plaintiff must demonstrate that the offender breached the duty of care. This is where the offender's negligent acts and/or omissions are brought out. It also covers situations where the at-fault party breaks a law or engages in intentional wrongdoing. Breach is usually the most disputed part of a personal injury case.
• Causation– The offender's breach has to actually cause injury to the plaintiff. If the defendant acted negligently but didn't hurt the plaintiff, this aspect fails.
• Damages– These are the losses for which the plaintiff will seek financial compensation. A few of the most common damages are medical expenses, lost wages, lost earning capacity, and pain and suffering. The nature and quantity of damages are hotly contested in most personal injury cases.

Possible Damages In a Personal Injury Lawsuit

The objective of a personal injury lawsuit 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 consist of everything from hospital bills and prescription drugs to physical therapy and unique adaptive equipment to help with a victim's day-to-day activities.
• Lost wages– While you recuperate or are hospitalized for your injuries, you will lose time from work and, with it, possibly significant amounts of money. You can ask a court to award you damages to cover this lost income.
• Lost earning capacity– Your occupational prospects may be cut short or significantly 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 quantify, they are vital to catastrophic injury cases.
• Loss of pleasure of day-to-day life– It may not be possible to appreciate your normal daily 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 benefits of a family relationship. It includes the loss of assistance, society, friendship, and sexual relationship between spouses brought on by the injury.
• Punitive (exemplary) damages– In rare cases, an at-fault party can be subject to punitive damages. These are intended to penalize the wrongful party and discourage others from participating in similar conduct.

Are There Time Limits to File a Personal Injury Claim?

Your right to file a claim against a negligent party will not last forever. In California, personal injury claims 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 begins to run when the injury occurs.

However, it's ideal not to procrastinate taking action on your claim. Witnesses' memories can diminish with time, proof will be more difficult to obtain, and you might forget vital information if you wait too long. If you or a loved one have been injured, reach out to a committed Pasadena personal injury attorney.

How Can the Personal Injury Attorneys of Tim D. Wright Help Me?

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

At Tim D. Wright, we've helped numerous personal injury clients get the compensation they need to recover. We won't accept unreasonable offers and will defend you from beginning to end. Give us a call or fill out the contact form today to get started on your case.

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For more information about Disability Claim and Personal Injury Attorneys in Pasadena, California, contact Law Offices of Tim D. Wright at (323) 379-9995 or visit our website at​​ TimWrightLaw.com for a Free Consultation! 

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