Personal Injury Law

Personal Injury

Personal Injury claims are legal disputes that arise when an individual suffers harm from an accident or injury caused by the negligence or intention of another individual or party. A personal injury case can become formalized through civil court proceedings, or may be resolved through an informal settlement before a lawsuit is filed.

Unlike criminal cases, which are initiated by the government, a formal personal injury case typically starts when a private individual (plaintiff) files a civil charge against another individual, business, corporation, or government agency (defendant), alleging that their negligent or careless actions caused the plaintiff to sustain injury or harm.

Most personal injury disputes are resolved through an informal settlement, usually between those involved in the dispute, their insurers, and attorneys representing both sides. A settlement commonly takes the form of negotiation, followed by a written agreement in which both sides forgo any legal recourse, opting instead to resolve the dispute through an acceptable monetary arrangement.

Motor Vehicle Accidents

Motor Vehicle Accidents Cases arising out of automobile accidents are by far the most common type of personal injury case pending in our court system today. This is not surprising, given that every 10 seconds someone in the United States is involved in a car accident, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Except in those states where legislation eliminating fault as an issue has been passed (no-fault laws), these cases are typically governed by the law of negligence. Generally, people who operate automobiles must exercise "reasonable care under the circumstances." A failure to use reasonable care is considered negligence. A person who negligently operates a vehicle may be required to pay for any damages, either to a person or property, caused by his or her negligence. The injured party, known as the plaintiff, is required to prove that the defendant was negligent, that the negligence was a proximate caused of the accident, and that the accident caused the plaintiff's injuries. If you have been involved in a motor vehicle accident, you must not hesitate to seek legal counsel from a personal injury attorney experienced in automobile accident cases in order to best protect your interests.

Wrongful Death

Wrongful Death Litigation - The Law Offices of Jacob Burland represents individuals and families involved in personal injury and wrongful death cases occasioned by the negligence, carelessness, and recklessness of others. Plaintiff personal injury and wrongful death cases can be difficult. Insurance companies want to limit their exposure or liability when a serious injury or death occurs. Insurance companies hire attorneys whose job it is to aggressively minimize each aspect of the plaintiff's claim.

Products Liability

Products Liability - Every year, thousands of consumers sustain serious injuries from defective products. Many of these injuries could be avoided if the manufacturers or distributors of these products took additional steps to ensure consumer safety. The main incentive to increase product safety is to avoid potential liability in product liability lawsuits, which provide compensation for the personal injuries sustained from the use of a defective product.

Premises Liability

Premises Liability / Slip and Falls - The term "slip, trip, and fall" describes the type of injury that occurs on someone else's property, usually as a result of a defective surface, a slippery substance, or other dangerous conditions. These injuries most commonly occur at restaurants, supermarkets, and shopping malls. The fact that you become injured from a slip, trip, or fall does not necessarily mean that someone else is legally responsible for your injury. The owner or operator of a business has a legal duty to maintain the premises in a reasonably safe condition, or at least warn the public of a dangerous condition that they either caused, were aware of, or should have been aware of. If these tests are not met, and you injure yourself on their property as a result of their failure to meet these conditions, you may have a valid claim against the business owner or operator.

If you or someone you care about has been injured in Southern California, you need to contact the Law Offices of Jacob Burland immediately at 1-858-350-6756 or email Attorney Burland using the contact form in the left-hand column.