Law Offices of Tim D. Wright - Personal Injury Lawyer in Burbank 

If you've been injured due to another person's negligence, you have the right to ask for financial compensation for the losses you've endured. However, seeking a personal injury claim is no simple task. Offenders and their insurance companies are backed by armies of lawyers prepared to defend their clients. Who's looking out for you?

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

What is Personal Injury?

The essence of a personal injury case is negligence. When another individual, 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 failing to act as a reasonably sensible individual would. Negligence can be demonstrated 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 has to show that the defendant 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. In some cases a duty emerges out of a personal relationship between the parties, such as physician and patient. However this isn't always necessary. For example, when you drive on a highway, you owe a duty to other motorists not to be careless.
• Breach-- Next, the plaintiff needs to show that the defendant breached the duty of care. This is where the defendant's negligent acts and/or omissions are exposed. It also covers situations where the at-fault party breaks a law or engages in deliberate wrongdoing. Breach is generally the most contested part of a personal injury claim.
• Causation-- The defendant's breach has to really result in injury to the plaintiff. If the offender acted negligently but didn't hurt the plaintiff, this component fails.
• Damages-- These are the losses for which the plaintiff will demand financial compensation. Some of the most common damages are medical costs, lost income, lost earning capacity, and pain and suffering. The nature and amount of damages are hotly contested in the majority of personal injury cases.

Potential Damages in a Personal Injury Claim

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

• Medical costs-- This broad category can consist of everything from hospital bills and prescription drugs to physical therapy and unique adaptive equipment to assist with a victim's day-to-day tasks.
• Lost income-- While you recover 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 career prospects might be cut short or drastically limited after a personal injury. An expert witness can help approximate the future earnings you will lose out on as a result.
• Pain and suffering-- These damages account for the pain and emotional trauma you will likely experience for some time to come. Although difficult to quantify, they are vital to catastrophic injury cases.
• Loss of enjoyment of everyday life-- It might not be possible to enjoy your normal everyday 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 assistance, community, companionship, 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 meant to penalize the wrongful party and discourage others from engaging in similar conduct.

Are There Time Limits to File a Personal Injury Claim?

Your right to sue 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 occurs.

However, it's ideal not to delay taking action on your case. Witnesses' memories can fade over time, evidence will be more difficult to obtain, and you could forget critical details if you wait too long. If you or a loved one have been hurt, reach out to a committed Burbank personal injury lawyer.

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

Suing a defendant almost always 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 close to covering your losses. You want a lawyer who not only understands California personal injury legislation, but understands how to establish a fair value for your case.

At Tim D. Wright, we've helped numerous personal injury clients get the compensation they require to recover. We will not accept unreasonable offers and will defend you from start to finish. Give us a call or complete the contact form today to get started on your case.

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For more information about Personal Injury Lawyers in Burbank, 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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