Dealing With The Aftermath Of A Personal Injury In Newport Beach CA
Anyone who suffers a personal injury in Newport Beach, CA, may be entitled to financial compensation. One of the first things a person should do following an accident is to contact a personal injury attorney who can provide sound legal advice.
Statute of Limitations
Under California law, anyone who wishes to file a personal injury lawsuit must do so within two years from the date the accident occurred. Although it may still be possible to file a lawsuit after two years have passed, a court will likely refuse to hear the case. However, the statute of limitations is reduced to only six months if a person wants to file a lawsuit against the state, a city or another government entity in California.
Intentional, Negligent and Strict Liability Torts
California classifies personal injury cases into three separate categories known as torts. An intentional tort is used to classify personal injuries that were inflicted to cause intentional harm. A negligent tort applies to any case that involves careless actions taken by the defendant that resulted in the claimant’s injuries. If a person is found to be liable for the injuries regardless of how reasonable his or her actions were, this would be classified as a strict liability tort.
Joint and Several Liability
If more than one person is responsible for the personal injury, each person will only be required to pay the amount to cover the specific damage he or she caused the plaintiff. California enacted this law to prevent plaintiffs from targeting only the individuals who might be in a better financial situation to cover the majority of the damages.
Instances Resulting in Personal Injuries
Personal injuries can happen for a variety of reasons. It is the responsibility of the claimant and his or her lawyer to prove that another person or entity was at fault for the injury. Instances that often result in personal injuries include:
- Automobile accidents
- Slip and fall accidents
- Medical malpractice
- Dog or other animal bites
- Assault
What Personal Injury Compensation May Cover
Courts often award plaintiffs money to cover specific losses related to their injuries. Compensation may be given to cover:
- Medical care
- Rehabilitative care
- Lost wages
- Disability
- Pain and suffering
If you have suffered a personal injury and would like to receive compensation, a lawyer in Newport Beach can help. You should contact a personal injury attorney in Newport Beach as soon as possible so that you can receive the legal guidance you deserve.