Lawyer Monthly - May 2024

all involved parties. I also encourage everyone to contact a lawyer immediately, if for nothing else, to get educated on your rights and your options. When it comes to personal injury cases, how can you determine their chances of success? Determining the chances of success in personal injury cases involves a thorough evaluation of various factors, including the strength of evidence, extent of damages, liability, and the credibility of witnesses. Ultimately, a comprehensive analysis of these factors allows for an informed assessment of the case’s prospects and helps in devising effective legal strategies to maximize the chances of a favorable outcome. The best personal injury lawyers in Los Angeles are experienced with California law, have a track record of success in negotiating settlements and are ready and able to win verdicts in court. As a top rated and skilled personal injury trial lawyer that has recovered millions of dollars in personal injury claims, are there any notable or standout cases you can discuss? Very early in my practice, in fact one of the first clients I ever had the pleasure of representing, was a woman who had a relatively small claim. The property damage was minimal, and she had several gaps in her medical care, and had a bad history of substance abuse. At mediation, we attempted to settle her claim for $25,000 but the insurance adjuster refused to resolve the case for anything beyond “nuisance value.” We ended up in arbitration and, in the process of preparing her case, I spent hours and hours with her at her home talking about how her life had been impacted. Through the process of preparing her case for arbitration, I learned so much more about how the seemingly small collision had a huge impact on her life. The arbitration award was over four times what the client was willing to take at mediation. It really opened my eyes to how important the human story is in what we do. Personal injury law is a huge responsibility as lawyers often meet clients at their lowest point. The whole purpose of a personal injury claim is to restore an individual back to the position they would have been had the incident never occurred. How important is the lawyer-client relationship? The lawyer-client relationship is the foundation for everything. Establishing trust, open communication, and empathy are essential in understanding a client’s needs, concerns, and goals. A strong relationship fosters collaboration, allowing us to tailor legal strategies to the client’s specific circumstances and priorities. Moreover, it provides emotional support to clients during what is often a challenging and stressful time, ensuring they feel heard, valued, and empowered throughout the legal process. In 1998, when 46 states rallied together against America’s four largest tobacco companies (Philip Morris Inc., R. J. Reynolds, Brown & Williamson and Lorillard) to recover the costs of caring for lifelong smokers, the original participating manufacturers agreed to pay a minimum of $206 billion in settlement. What are the factors that affect the amount of compensation a victim receives in Los Angeles? Several factors impact the amount of compensation a victim receives for a personal injury. These include the WWW.LAWYER-MONTHLY.COM 13 I sought to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those grappling with the aftermath of traumatic accidents and unsure of what their rights were.

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