Personal Injury
If you or someone you love has been injured due to the negligence or intentional act of another, or as a result of a dangerous and defective product, deciding whom to trust to represent you can be a difficult decision. The personal injury attorneys at Hiroshima, Jacobs, Roth & Lewis, A Law Corporation, have the experience, skill and resources to successfully represent victims of serious personal injuries. Our areas of expertise include:
- Vehicle Accidents
- Claims Involving Uninsured Motorists
- Wrongful Death Claims
- Construction Site Accidents
- Defective Products Liability
- Premises Liability/Slip and Fall
Vehicle Accidents
Our personal injury lawyers have obtained favorable verdicts and settlements for clients who have been injured in auto, motorcycle, truck, bicycle, and pedestrian accidents. Vehicle accidents require dealing extensively with insurance companies, including claims adjusters, accident investigators and lawyers. It is important to remember that insurance companies tend to value claims with the plaintiff's choice of counsel in mind; our attorneys have an established reputation for successfully representing the interests of our clients, and have the requisite negotiation and trial skills to ensure that our clients receive the recovery they are entitled to.
Claims Involving Uninsured Motorists
It is conservatively estimated that 20 percent of California's drivers do not maintain auto insurance. Claims against uninsured motorists present a unique challenge, because a claim cannot be presented to the other party's insurance carrier for payment. A lawsuit seeking compensation from the uninsured party may be initiated, but if the uninsured driver has limited assets, the lawsuit is likely to result in an uncollectable judgment.
Another option for the injury victim is to file a claim with his or her own insurance company, provided the injury victim has uninsured motorist coverage as part of their insurance policy. However, California does not require drivers to purchase uninsured motorist coverage, and many people waive this coverage because they do not understand the purpose of it, or because they want to reduce the amount of their insurance premium. It is highly advisable for every driver to acquire and maintain uninsured motorist coverage.
Wrongful Death Claims
When a negligent or intentional act results in the death of the victim, his or her family may bring an action for wrongful death. According to California's wrongful death statute, persons who may bring a lawsuit are, in priority order, the surviving spouse or domestic partner, children or offspring of deceased children, or another surviving family member according to the order of intestate succession (a long list of who inherits when a person dies without a will).
Since the plaintiff in a wrongful death action is a family member of the deceased and not the actual decedent, California law limits the damages that can be recovered in a wrongful death lawsuit.
Construction Site Accidents
Construction sites are inherently dangerous places and accidents occurring at construction sites often involve serious injuries, including fractures, burns, traumatic brain injuries and spinal cord injuries. California's workers compensation laws generally preclude lawsuits against employers for accidents or injuries occurring to employees at construction sites; however, claims may still be brought against third parties who caused or contributed to the injury. For example, in a case brought by Mr. Hiroshima, we recovered a $1 million settlement from the manufacturer of a sealant that exposed our client to toxic gases, requiring our client to undergo a heart valve replacement.
Defective Products Liability
Products may be dangerous and defective as a result of a design defect, a manufacturing defect, or failure to warn of a reasonably foreseeable hazard. Products liability cases are often complex and require a detailed investigation and analysis. Our attorneys have significant experience in this area, particularly in the area of auto part defects, including cases involving Ford transmissions in "Park to Reverse" cases, where the transmission suddenly shifted from "park" to "reverse", resulting in serious injuries or death.
Premises Liability/Slip and Fall
In a premises liability or slip and fall claim, property owners owe a general duty of care to anyone coming onto their property. Owners must warn against unsafe conditions or make them safe, and may be required to inspect for dangerous conditions. Failure to do so may make the property owner liable for any injuries sustained while on their property. The precise nature of premises liability depends upon several factors, including the relationship of the injured person to the property owner, and the activities or negligence of the owner which contributed to the accident.
Seek Experienced Representation
The attorneys at Hiroshima, Jacobs, Roth & Lewis have the skills and experience to achieve results and obtain a fair recovery for clients in a range of personal injury and wrongful death situations. If you have been seriously injured or lost a loved one due to the negligence or wrongful acts of another party, contact Hiroshima, Jacobs, Roth & Lewis, A Law Corporation, for a free initial consultation.
