California Personal Injury Lawyers
When you’re injured through the negligence of another, you don’t have to bear the burden alone. A personal injury lawyer can fight for your rights and gain you compensation for your damages. Cutter Law is a nationally recognized law firm serving residents of central California.
Cutter Law is a nationally recognized law firm serving residents of central California. We serve clients in and around the following cities:
When an injury derails your life, Cutter Law can help. Contact a Cutter Law personal injury attorney for a free consultation to discuss the possibility of compensation after negligence causes an injury.
- What is personal injury law?
- Types of Personal Injury Cases We Handle at Cutter Law
- Steps to Take After a Personal Injury in California
- Why is it important to hire a personal injury lawyer?
- Is it difficult to prove liability in a California personal injury case?
- Types of Available Damages in a California Personal Injury Case
- How much compensation can I receive for my injuries?
- Other Types of Compensation for Injury Victims in California
- How long do I have to file a personal injury lawsuit in California?
- Am I eligible to file a wrongful death lawsuit after the loss of my loved one?
- Why should I hire the California attorneys at Cutter Law to handle my personal injury case?
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is personal injury law?
The State of California defines personal injury as an injury caused by negligence or willful intent by a person, corporation, association, or partnership. The injury can be fatal or nonfatal.
When you sustain damages because of another’s actions, personal injury law is what allows you to hold the other party responsible for paying for your bodily and emotional harm and financial damages.
Types of Personal Injury Cases We Handle at Cutter Law
Cutter Law’s personal injury attorneys have experience dealing with many types of personal injury cases.
Motor Vehicle Accidents
The California Highway Patrol’s most recent reporting shows that motor vehicle traffic collisions in California resulted in 277,160 injuries and 3,904 deaths in 2017.
Cutter Law represents clients after the following types of incidents:
- Car accidents
- Truck accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
- Bicycle accidents
- Bus accidents
- Uber or Lyft accidents
Almost any type of motor vehicle accident can lead to a personal injury claim.
Sexual Assault
Sexual assault is a serious personal injury that can result in long-lasting emotional suffering and mental anguish. Over 86 percent of women in California report experiencing some type of sexual harassment or assault in their lifetimes.
Cutter Law handles all types of personal injury claims stemming from a sexual assault case.
Medical Malpractice
Devastating medical injuries can result in extensive medical bills and radically reduce the quality of life for you and your loved ones. Cutter Law can help you recover damages when you’ve been harmed by medical malpractice.
Cutter Law represents clients after the following types of negligence:
Catastrophic Injuries
Catastrophic injuries drastically reduce an individual’s quality of life and earning ability. These severe and devastating injuries are also usually accompanied by high medical costs. Common types of catastrophic injuries include:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Total blindness or deafness
- Permanently disabling injuries
Cutter Law handles all types of catastrophic injury claims.
Serious | Catastrophic |
Broken Bones Second-Degree Burns Fractured vertebra Partial loss of vision or hearing Concussion Injury requiring time off from work | Crushed Bones Third-degree burns over the entire body Paralysis of part of or the entire body Total Blindness or Deafness Traumatic Brain Injury Permanently Disabling Injury |
Steps to Take After a Personal Injury in California
You should immediately see a doctor, even when an injury seems minor. Establishing medical documentation from the start can help your chance of receiving compensation.
You should also report the injury for documentation. A workplace injury should be documented by a supervisor. A car accident should be reported to law enforcement so that an official police report is filed.
Contact a personal injury attorney before speaking with any insurance companies or the opposing party or their counsel, and never admit fault to an insurance company.
Why is it important to hire a personal injury lawyer?
The first step in a personal injury case is to pursue compensation through insurance. Insurance agencies often ask leading questions to try to disqualify you from compensation. An attorney will advise you on what to say and how to take steps for gaining compensation.
When your damages aren’t adequately covered through insurance, a personal injury attorney will then build a case and initiate a lawsuit.
An attorney may also:
- Establish a claim value
- Negotiate settlement on your behalf
- Ensure all documents are submitted promptly and correctly.
- Gather information and evidence supporting your claim
- Advocate for you in court
When a personal injury attorney protects your rights, you have a better chance of gaining compensation after an injury.
$240 Million
Trial attorney Brooks Cutter took a lead role in a nationwide case against Boston Scientific and Guidant following a recall of the manufacturer’s pacemakers and cardiac defibrillators.
$7.6 Million
Medical malpractice jury verdict on behalf of a young woman who suffered a spinal cord injury after doctors failed to diagnose a tumor on her spine.
$ 2.4 Million
Brooks Cutter and Margot Cutter won a $2.4 million dollar verdict on behalf of the children of a man who died after a staff doctor at a hospital lied and transferred a patient to another hospital that was not equipped to handle the patient.
$1.85 Million
Attorneys Todd Walburg and Celine Cutter represented a cyclist in Sonoma County, California who suffered a broken jaw and a mild traumatic brain injury after she rode her bike through a large pothole.Â
Is it difficult to prove liability in a California personal injury case?
In California, liability is proven by establishing negligence. Negligence must be demonstrated by the following four criteria:
- The defendant owed a duty of care to the plaintiff
- The defendant breached their duty
- The defendant’s breach was the cause of the damages
- The plaintiff suffered actual damages and can provide proof
The process for proving liability is straightforward in California, but lawsuits often require a skilled personal injury attorney to establish a strong case.
Types of Available Damages in a California Personal Injury Case
When a person’s actions or a defective product cause injury, the responsible party can be made to pay economic damages to cover your costs and non-economic damages for losses that can’t be measured in a dollar amount.
In some cases, the responsible party may also be ordered to pay punitive damages as a punishment for their negligence. These damages are intended to deter similar future wrongdoing.
How much compensation can I receive for my injuries?
The amount of compensation can range widely and will depend on many factors, including:
- The extent of damages and injuries
- Impact on quality of life and earning ability
- Amount of medical bills
- Degree of disability incurred
- Degree of negligence displayed
California law has no cap on the amount of compensatory damages that can be awarded in a personal injury lawsuit.
Other Types of Compensation for Injury Victims in California
There are a few other types of compensation available to injury victims in California.
Workers’ Compensation
Your employer is required to have a workers’ compensation insurance policy in place. When you’re injured on the job, your medical bills, lost wages, and any other damages should be covered by workers’ compensation benefits.
State Restitution Fund
California’s restitution fund exists as an avenue of compensation for victims of a crime.
This fund is designed to provide a source of compensation when no other sources exist.
How long do I have to file a personal injury lawsuit in California?
California has a two-year statute of limitations for filing a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit. There is a three-year limitation on filing a medical malpractice lawsuit. You must file your lawsuit within these timeframes to avoid the risk of your case being dismissed. Missing the deadline to file means you could miss out on your chance to recover compensation for your losses.
There are very few exceptions to this rule, so it’s important to contact a personal injury attorney as soon as possible to initiate your lawsuit timely.
Am I eligible to file a wrongful death lawsuit after the loss of my loved one?
Yes. After a loved one dies, close relatives can seek compensation for damages by filing a wrongful death lawsuit against the party responsible for the death. Laws concerning wrongful death suits can be tricky. Working with a knowledgeable attorney can ensure you receive the compensation and justice you deserve for your devastating loss.
Why should I hire the California attorneys at Cutter Law to handle my personal injury case?
Cutter Law is a nationally recognized personal injury firm. The Cutter Law attorneys have received many local and national honors in recognition of excellent legal representation.
We are dedicated to pursuing justice and defending the rights of our clients when an injury has left them to carry the burden of financial, physical, and emotional losses.
Cutter Law is proud to share grateful client testimonials and a track record of successful personal injury lawsuits securing millions of dollars in settlement money.
Contact the California personal injury lawyers at Cutter Law today for a free consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Following are general questions about personal injury lawsuits commonly answered by the Cutter Law legal team.
How much does it cost to hire a personal injury lawyer?
Cutter Law works with clients on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing upfront. Fees are paid as a percentage of your overall compensation value, and you only pay if we win or settle your case.
Who gets sued in a personal injury case?
Who you’ll sue for damages depends on what party is responsible for your injuries.
If you were injured by a product, the manufacturer could be sued. In a vehicle accident, you can sue the other driver. If the driver was working at the time of the accident, an employer such as a trucking company could be sued.Â
Usually, compensation is first sought through the insurance companies and then moves on to a lawsuit if insurance coverage is insufficient or the provider denies your claim and refuses to pay.
What if I’m partially to blame for the accident causing my injuries?
California is a comparative fault state, meaning the contribution of both parties is considered. Per the state’s pure comparative fault law, you’re still eligible for compensation even if you’re partially to blame or your blame outweighs the fault of the opposing party.
Will I have to go to court to get compensated?
Only four to five percent of personal injury lawsuits end up going to trial, while 95 to 96 percent arrive at a settlement.Â
Lawsuits that go to court can be expensive and take much longer. In negotiation proceedings, you arrive at a settlement agreement rather than going to court to receive a verdict, generally granting you more control over the outcome.
What happens after I receive a personal injury settlement or verdict?
After a personal injury settlement or verdict, your attorney will help finalize the results and disburse funds. Your attorney will handle payment of items like:Â
- Court costs
- Deductions
- Interest
- Attorneys’ fees
- Other expenses
The timeframe for finalization and compensation disbursement may range from a few weeks to a few months. Your settlement or verdict money is released to you after all other items are settled.
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Our Office Locations
Sacramento Office
401 Watt Avenue Suite 100
Sacramento, CA 95864
Phone: 916-290-9400
Oakland Office
Cutter Law P.C.
1999 Harrison Street Suite 1400
Oakland, CA 94612