California Personal Injury Lawyer
Millions in Compensation Recovered for Clients
If you have been injured due to the negligent, careless, or wrongful acts of another person or entity, you may have the right to seek justice and compensation for the injuries and losses you suffered. At The Zalkin Law Firm, our award-winning lawyers focus exclusively on fighting for the injured and the wronged in a range of complex civil claims – including those involving personal injury or wrongful death. Our personal injury attorneys are available to provide you with an initial consultation about your rights and options for pursuing a civil lawsuit against the parties who caused your injuries.
How Long Do I Have to File a Personal Injury Claim in California?
How long you have to file a personal injury claim is dictated by the statute of limitations, which is a law that limits how long injury victims have to file a personal injury claim. According to the California Code of Civil Procedure section 335.1, the statute of limitations for personal injury cases in the state of California is two years.
More specifically, this means you have two years from the date your injury was inflicted to file your claim, or you risk losing your right to file and your right to recover compensation. There are exceptions that can change this time limit depending on the specifics of your case so it’s important to speak to an attorney about the details of your case as soon as possible.
The statute of limitations has a big impact on your ability to file a claim and recover compensation. The Zalkin Law Firm, P.C. offers free, no-obligation consultations so you have nothing to lose by contacting our firm today!
Serving Victims & Families Nationwide
As a firm that’s earned a national reputation for success, and millions in compensation for our clients, The Zalkin Law Firm has proven our ability to tackle even the toughest of cases, and to take on even the most powerful corporations and institutions.
Our experience allows us to handle a range of personal injury cases, including those involving:
- Motor vehicle accidents
- Commercial truck accidents
- Bicyclist and pedestrian accidents
- Premises liability
- Product liability
- Medical Malpractice
- Maritime injuries
- Catastrophic Injuries
- Wrongful Death
Every case has its unique and individual aspects, and the attorney working with you will be able to access the necessary physicians, medical specialists, and other professionals to corroborate your case and give you the best possible advantage in and out of the courtroom.
Discuss your rights and options during a FREE case evaluation. Call us at(800) 477-2989 or contact us online.
A Record of Success
The Zalkin Law Firm has cultivated a record of proven success in high-stakes personal injury cases across the state of California and the U.S. As a firm experienced in fighting for victims, we have won millions in verdicts and settlements for injured victims and their families.
Examples of Some of Our Successful Cases:
Lohse v. Lakeland Village Homeowners Association (Oakland, California):
$8 million verdict against a resort facility after six-week jury trial for a woman who was rendered a paraplegic following a fall off of an unguarded pier. This case involved the coordination of a team of expert witnesses, including a Board Certified Physical and Rehabilitation Medical Expert, a Rehabilitation Case Manager, a Vocational Rehabilitation consultant, an Economist, a Human Factors Visual Perception Expert, a Photo Engineer, and several others. The success of this case was the result of substantial trial preparation and choice of highly qualified expert witnesses.
“John Doe” v. Utah Hospital, and Physician:
$3.75 million structured settlement recovered against a Utah Hospital and physician in a medical malpractice case involving a young man who suffered a blast injury to his hand and was administered excessive amounts of morphine and other central nervous system depressants which left him a brain damaged quadriplegic. The case settled on the doorstep of trial. At the request of the hospital and physician, the settlement has been sealed by the court and the identities of the parties cannot be disclosed. The success of this case involved the strength of the team of experts assembled by Mr. Zalkin which included a Board Certified Anesthesiologist, a Pharmacologist, a Psycho-pharmacologist, a Physiatrist, a Rehabilitation Life Care Planner, and others.
Obarski v. Kartsub (San Diego, California):
$1 million settlement during mediation in a case involving serious fracture to our client’s leg as the result of a motorcycle accident. Our client had just completed a left turn when the defendant attempted a U-turn in front of him. Our client’s motorcycle collided with the defendant’s van. This case was resolved at a mediation for the entire insurance policy limits available.
“John Doe” v. Neurologist:
$1 million settlement following a medical malpractice law suit against a California Neurologist involving the misdiagnosis of the cause of the patient’s quadriplegia. The patient had suffered a severe cervical disc herniation following an automobile accident. The neurologist involved in his treatment had diagnosed our client as suffering from Amyotropic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), or Lou Gherig’s disease. The actual cause of the patient’s quadriplegia was the herniated disc, which, if treated sooner with surgery, could have prevented the paralysis. The case settled after it was discovered the doctor had altered his records. The case settled for the entire insurance policy amount the doctor had. This is a sealed settlement at the request of the physician and as ordered by the court.
Robinson v. General Construction:
$1+ million settlement in a maritime personal injury case involving a pile buck (maritime worker) who was severely injured when a portion of a pile driving rigging collapsed on him and crushed his chest. The lawsuit involved several parties, including the employer, the manufacturer of the crane equipment, and a reseller of the pile driving crane. The case ultimately went to trial against only one of the parties. The others settled. Eventually, during trial the remaining party settled. The entire settlement was for $1,035,000.
Kaye v. AETNA (Key West, Florida):
$1.2 million pre-trial settlement over insurance bad faith. This case involved a young woman who slipped and fell off of the deck of a harbor excursion vessel where she worked, which caused a severe brain injury. The employer’s insurance company and the vessel’s insurance company refused to cover the damages. Mr. Zalkin took the case to trial and received a judgment in favor of our client. He then sued the insurance companies to recover the judgment. The companies settled for a combined amount equaling approximately $1,200.000.
MacDonald v. Pescarias Del Pacifico (San Diego, California):
$1.25 million recovery following the crash of a helicopter on a Mexican tuna boat. Our client was the pilot in command of a helicopter that was being delivered to a Mexican tuna boat to conduct fish spotting operations. As our client was attempting to land the helicopter onto the flight deck on top of the pilot house, one of the crew members of the boat caused the arm of a crane on the boat to interfere with the path of the helicopter rotor blades. The entire blade assembly broke off the helicopter and churned through the bell housing of the helicopter cockpit causing our client to suffer severe brain and spinal cord injuries. The vessel attempted to escape U.S. jurisdiction, but Mr. Zalkin was eventually able to obtain a recovery for our client after suing the vessel and its owners.
The Zalkin Law Firm is available to speak with victims and families across the country who have questions about their legal rights following preventable accident and injuries. To speak confidentially with a member of our team during a FREE consultation, call or contact us online.