Have You Suffered a Personal Injury?

Property owners in California owe a duty of care to lawful visitors under Civil Code § 1714 and premises liability law. If you are injured in a slip and fall, take the following steps: (1) Report the incident to the property owner or manager and request a written incident report. (2) Photograph the hazard, the scene, and any visible injuries before they are cleaned up or corrected. (3) Get the names and contact information of any witnesses. (4) Seek medical attention promptly — even if injuries seem minor, adrenaline can mask serious harm and delayed treatment weakens your claim. (5) Do not give a recorded statement to any insurance company before speaking with an attorney. Property owners and their insurers will often argue they had no knowledge of the hazard — we investigate prior complaints, maintenance records, and inspection logs to establish what they knew and when. You can look up business ownership and complaint records through the California Secretary of State Business Search and the California Department of Consumer Affairs.

A wrongful death lawsuit is a civil claim brought by surviving family members when a person dies as a result of another party's negligence, recklessness, or intentional conduct. Under Code of Civil Procedure § 377.60, eligible claimants include the surviving spouse or domestic partner, surviving children, and — if there is no surviving spouse or child — individuals who would be entitled to the decedent's property under California's intestate succession laws. Wrongful death claims may seek compensation for loss of financial support, loss of companionship and consortium, funeral and burial expenses, and the value of household services the decedent provided. A separate survivor action under CCP § 377.30 may also be filed by the estate to recover damages the decedent personally suffered before death. Both claims must generally be filed within two years of the date of death. The California Courts probate and estate page provides additional guidance on estate-related proceedings.

California Civil Code § 3342 makes dog owners strictly liable for damages when their dog bites a person in a public place, or lawfully in a private place — including the owner's own property. Unlike many states, California has no "one free bite" rule. The owner is liable on the very first incident, regardless of whether they had any prior knowledge that the dog was dangerous. This strict liability standard applies as long as the victim was not trespassing and did not provoke the animal. Recoverable damages include medical expenses, lost wages, scarring and disfigurement, pain and suffering, and — particularly in attacks on children — emotional distress and psychological trauma. Dog bite incidents can be reported to your local county animal control agency; in Shasta County, contact Shasta County Animal Regulation. Dog bite claims are frequently contested by homeowner's insurance carriers; having an attorney ensures the full value of your claim is pursued.

Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) range from concussions with temporary symptoms to severe injuries involving permanent cognitive, emotional, and physical impairment. Long-term effects can include chronic headaches, memory loss, difficulty concentrating, personality and mood changes, depression and anxiety, impaired speech, sensory deficits, and in severe cases, permanent disability requiring full-time care. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Brain Injury Association of America are authoritative resources on TBI diagnosis and long-term outcomes. Because TBI symptoms often evolve over months or years, the true value of a TBI claim is rarely apparent immediately after the injury. This is why we work with neurologists, neuropsychologists, and life-care planners to document both current and projected future impact. In California, where there is no cap on non-economic damages in most personal injury cases, a well-documented TBI claim can carry substantial value. It is critical not to accept any settlement until the full scope of your brain injury is medically established.

Yes. If another party's negligence, recklessness, or wrongful conduct caused your spinal cord injury — whether in a car accident, a fall, a workplace incident, or any other situation — you are entitled to pursue full compensation under California Civil Code § 1714. Recoverable damages include all past and future medical expenses (surgery, hospitalization, rehabilitation, assistive devices, in-home care), lost wages and reduced earning capacity, pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and loss of consortium. Spinal cord injuries — including herniated discs, compression fractures, and partial or complete paralysis — often require lifetime medical care. The National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center (NSCISC) and the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation provide detailed data on lifetime cost projections by injury level. Lifetime costs for severe spinal cord injuries routinely exceed $1 million to $5 million depending on injury level and age at time of injury. We partner with life-care planners and medical economists to build a complete picture of your long-term damages and ensure no future cost is overlooked in your settlement or verdict.