Let's say you were injured ten years ago and never did anything about it, but you've got this injury that just will not go away. Is there any recourse available to you?
In California, there is a statute of limitations on filing for personal injuries. The statute of limitations for a personal injury such as injuries sustained in a car accident, premises liability, slip and fall, trip and fall, things of that nature -- there's two years. That means you had two years from the date of the injury to get an attorney and file a lawsuit. Specifically -- let me clarify -- you have two years to file a lawsuit from the date of the injury. In case there's any confusion -- you don't have to have an attorney to file a lawsuit. You can file a lawsuit on your own behalf, but there are other statutes of limitations, though, for things like medical malpractice.
There are statutes of limitations when a public entity, such as the county, or the state, or the United States federal government, is involved in some way in causing your injury. For example, if you were hit by a U.S. Army truck or by a driver for the U.S. Postal Service or if you were involved in some sort of injury involving a county worker or a state worker, somebody of that nature -- it gets more complex at that point, and you have to file public entity claims. You have to file within potentially different statutory time frames. That's when an attorney's advice and involvement is particularly helpful to point you in the right direction as to whether a public entity claim needs to be filed.
So if you were run over by a military aircraft, then there's a whole subset of rules that come into play because it's government. That would fall under the offices of the Federal Court Claims Act, which is an animal unto its own. And it's also important to point out that a person who doesn't have a legal background or somebody who isn't experienced in making personal injury claims is not going to know who the relevant entities are that are at fault. They might be aware that they were hit by a certain driver, but that driver might have been working and on the job for a large corporation at the time that it actually happened. And what the person may not know is that that corporation is or may be responsible for the actions of that employee while he's on the job. And unless you feel really good about giving up your right to make a claim against that large corporation or some additional insurance coverage, things of that nature, then the involvement of an attorney is going to be very important in ascertaining who the responsible parties are for your injury.
The Most Important Thing To Remember
Once again, the reasons for hiring an attorney are copious. I think the reasons for making that initial call to an attorney is particularly important. And those reasons are too many to even name. Even if I decided I can't take the case, you're going to be about a hundred percent more knowledgeable after speaking to me than you were before you called me. Because I'm going to make sure that I send you off either with a great referral to another attorney or some great information that you can take with you to help yourself on down the road. And by the way, your consultation is free and won't cost a penny. Give me a call today: 1-714-851-2890
