Injured? We Fight for What You Deserve
Insurance companies have teams of lawyers and adjusters working to protect their bottom line. When you're injured, the imbalance can feel impossible to overcome on your own. At My Lawyer Manwel, leveling the playing field is what we do every day for our clients. A personal injury attorney in Santa Clarita understands local courts and knows which experts to call. They can also spot when an insurer is acting in bad faith. Keep reading to find out what damages you might be overlooking and how to avoid common pitfalls that could cost you thousands.
California gives you two years from the date of your injury to file a personal injury lawsuit. If you miss the deadline, the court will almost certainly dismiss your case. That's why partnering with a personal injury law firm early in the process matters so much. Certain circumstances can pause this clock. If the injured person is a minor, the two-year period won't start until they turn 18. If you lacked the legal capacity to make decisions at the time of the accident, the statute may also pause until that incapacity ends. And if the responsible party left California after the incident, that time away might not count against your deadline. Waiting to consult with a personal injury lawyer in Santa Clarita puts your entire case at risk because gathering evidence, interviewing witnesses, locating surveillance footage, and building a persuasive claim takes months. Insurance companies know this. They will drag out negotiations, request redundant paperwork, and stall until you're up against the wire. The best defense is to file early and put them on notice that you mean business.
Most people know they can recover medical bills and lost wages after an accident. But the full list of recoverable damages extends much further than the obvious. Future medical care is one example. A back injury from a car crash might require surgery three years later. Your settlement should account for that projected cost now, based on medical testimony. If your injuries prevent you from advancing in your career or force you into a lower-paying position, those lost earning opportunities carry a dollar value that deserves recovery. Out-of-pocket expenses add up fast, too. Transportation to physical therapy appointments, home modifications like grab bars or wheelchair ramps, and childcare costs during recovery all qualify as compensable damages. Don't forget household services either. If you used to mow your lawn, clean your gutters, and handle routine home maintenance, and now you can't, you can claim the cost of hiring someone else to perform those tasks. A personal injury law firm will comb through every category to make sure nothing slips through the cracks. Many clients are surprised to learn they can recover costs they assumed were just part of dealing with an accident.
Economic damages are the concrete, provable losses that come with a paper trail. Medical bills, pharmacy receipts, diagnostic imaging invoices, and pay stubs showing missed work are all part of the equation. Calculating them involves totaling your invoices and projecting future costs with help from economists, vocational experts, or treating physicians. California doesn't cap economic damages in most personal injury cases, so accurate calculation becomes essential to maximizing your recovery. Non-economic damages cover pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and loss of consortium with a spouse. No receipt proves how much your chronic pain is worth. Experienced personal injury attorneys in Santa Clarita present medical testimony, psychological evaluations, and personal journals to demonstrate how the accident altered your life. They might show how you can no longer coach your daughter's soccer team or walk your dog around the neighborhood. California doesn't cap non-economic damages in most injury cases, but juries still require compelling, organized evidence to award substantial amounts. Without proper presentation, even severe injuries can result in underwhelming verdicts.
Insurance companies owe policyholders and claimants a duty to investigate claims fairly and pay quickly. When they violate that duty, it's called bad faith. Recognizing the warning signs can protect you from accepting a lowball offer or enduring unnecessary delays that drain your resources. There are some common tactics you should watch for. Insurers will deny a claim without citing specific policy language. They'll delay the investigation or payment for weeks and offer no explanation. They'll come in with a settlement far below your documented medical expenses. Some adjusters pressure you to accept before you've even finished treatment. Others misrepresent what your policy actually covers. All of it is designed to get you to settle for less. If an adjuster tells you not to hire a lawyer, treat that statement as another red flag. Personal injury attorneys in Santa Clarita recognize these tactics because they encounter them every week. Document every phone call with the date, time, and summary of what was said. Save every email and letter. This record can support a bad-faith claim on top of your underlying injury case. When an insurer refuses to negotiate fairly, you have options. A personal injury lawyer in Santa Clarita can escalate your matter to litigation. Courts in California take bad faith seriously, and insurers who violate their duties can face additional penalties on top of what they owed you in the first place.
Your recovery shouldn't depend on whether an insurance company decides to treat you fairly. When you partner with My Lawyer Manwel, you get a team that knows the local courts, fights for every dollar you're owed, and won't back down from a difficult insurer. Call us today to schedule a consultation. Let us review your case and explain your options. You deserve a personal injury attorney in Santa Clarita who puts your recovery first.
At My Lawyer Manwel, we fight for your rights in personal injury and employment law. See what our clients say about working with us.
I contacted My Lawyer Manwel for help with an employment dispute, and I’m very pleased with the service I received. He was knowledgeable, honest, and supportive throughout the entire process. Manwel kept me informed and handled negotiations with confidence and professionalism. He made a difficult situation much easier to manage and achieved a positive resolution. I would not hesitate to recommend My Lawyer Manwel to anyone needing experienced and reliable legal representation.
My Lawyer Manwel was incredibly helpful during my personal injury case. After my accident, I felt stressed and unsure of what to expect. Manwel explained everything in simple terms and was always available to answer my questions. He handled the legal details with professionalism and care, allowing me to focus on recovery. The settlement he secured helped cover my medical expenses and eased my financial worries. I truly appreciate his dedication and highly recommend his services.
I had a great experience working with My Lawyer Manwel on an employment law matter. He listened carefully to my concerns and provided clear, honest advice. Manwel was always responsive and made sure I understood every step of the process. He handled my case professionally and worked hard to protect my rights. The outcome was fair and allowed me to move forward with confidence. I’m very grateful for his help and would recommend My Lawyer Manwel to anyone facing workplace legal issues.
My Lawyer Manwel provided excellent support during my personal injury case. From the beginning, he was professional, patient, and very knowledgeable. He took the time to explain my rights and the legal process clearly, which made me feel confident and informed. Manwel handled all communication with the insurance company and kept me updated throughout the case. His dedication and attention to detail truly stood out. Thanks to his hard work, my case had a positive outcome. I highly recommend My Lawyer Manwel to anyone needing a trustworthy personal injury attorney.
Don't sign without carefully reviewing all of the terms, including release of claims, non-disparagement clauses, and confidentiality provisions. You usually have the right to consult with an attorney who can negotiate better terms on your behalf.
Enforceability varies dramatically by state, with some banning them entirely and others enforcing them when reasonable in scope and duration. Recent legal trends have moved toward limiting these agreements. Having an attorney review your specific agreement is essential.
Most discrimination claims must first be filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission or your state's equivalent agency before pursuing a lawsuit. Strict deadlines apply, often within one hundred eighty to three hundred days of the discriminatory act.
Misclassification occurs when employers label workers as contractors to avoid providing benefits owed to employees. The determination depends on factors like company control over your work, schedule flexibility, and who provides tools and equipment.
Numerous federal and state laws protect employees who report illegal activity, safety violations, or fraud from employer retaliation. Whistleblowers may be entitled to reinstatement, back pay, and other remedies if they face adverse employment actions.
Generally speaking, employers have some flexibility to modify duties and compensation, but they can't make any changes that violate contracts, discriminate, or constitute retaliation. Sudden changes following a complaint or protected activity may raise legal concerns.
A hostile work environment exists when unwelcome conduct based on a protected characteristic is pervasive or severe enough to create an intimidating or abusive workplace. This goes beyond occasional rudeness and must materially affect your ability to do your job.
Under the Fair Labor Standards Act, the majority of employees working more than forty hours per week must receive overtime pay at one and a half times their regular rate. However, certain exemptions apply based on salary level and job duties, which employers sometimes misapply.
Wrongful termination happens if an employee is fired in a way that violates federal or state laws, employment contracts, or public policy. Examples include being fired due to discrimination, retaliation for whistleblowing, or refusing to engage in illegal activities.
Federal and state law prohibit employers from retaliating against employees who report illegal conduct or file discrimination complaints. Retaliation can include termination, demotion, or creating a hostile environment. If you experience retaliation, you may have an additional legal claim.
Document every incident in detail. That includes dates, times, witnesses, and what occurred. Report the harassment through your company's internal complaint process and keep copies of all communications. If internal channels don't resolve the issue, consulting with an attorney is an important next step.
Workplace discrimination occurs when an employer treats someone unfavorably because of a protected characteristic like race, gender, age, religion, disability, or national origin. This can include hiring and firing decisions, promotions, pay, job assignments, and harassment.
If your health insurance paid for any treatment that's related to your injury, they may have a right to reimbursement from any settlement through a process called subrogation. Your attorney can often negotiate these liens down to maximize what you keep.
A settlement is an agreement that is reached outside of the court, where the at-fault party agrees to pay compensation in exchange for releasing liability. A verdict is a decision that's made by a judge or jury after a trial determines the outcome.
While you can represent yourself, insurance companies often take advantage of unrepresented claimants with lowball settlements. Studies show that injured individuals who hire attorneys recover significantly more compensation even after paying legal fees.
The timeline varies depending on the complexity of your case, the severity of injuries, and whether it settles or goes to trial. Simpler cases may resolve in a few months, while complex litigation can take several years.
You may still have options, including your own uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage if the incident involved a vehicle. An experienced attorney can identify all of the potential sources of compensation available to you.
Fault is normally established by examining evidence like police reports, medical records, witness statements, and expert testimony. Your attorney will investigate the circumstances to build a compelling case. In some states, you may still recover damages even if you were partially at fault.
First, get medical attention even if you feel okay, as some injuries don't show symptoms right away. Document everything, including photos of the scene and witness contact information, and avoid giving recorded statements to insurance companies before talking to an attorney.
Most personal injury cases are settled out of court via negotiations with insurance companies or the opposing party. However, if a fair settlement cannot be reached, taking your case to trial may be necessary to obtain the compensation you deserve.
Most personal injury cases are settled out of court via negotiations with insurance companies or the opposing party. However, if a fair settlement cannot be reached, taking your case to trial may be necessary to obtain the compensation you deserve.
Victims can recover damages for medical expenses, lost wages, emotional distress, pain, and suffering or loss of enjoyment of life. In cases involving egregious conduct, punitive damages may also be available to punish the wrongdoer.
Every state has a statute of limitations that sets a deadline for filing personal injury lawsuits, typically ranging from one to four years depending on where you live. Missing this deadline almost always means losing your right to pursue compensation, so consult with an attorney as soon as possible after your injury.
A personal injury case is when someone suffers harm because another party was negligent, reckless, or engaged in intentional misconduct. A few examples include car accidents, slip and falls, medical malpractice, and workplace injuries. If someone else's actions led to your injury, you may have grounds for a claim.