Personal Injury
Personal injury is an injury to an individual, and it can include damage done to the person or that person’s property, rights, or reputation by the negligence or intentional act of another. Persons who sustain injury either physically or mentally should be compensated by the person causing the injury. Personal injury can result from workplace accidents, motor vehicle accidents, faulty products, mistakes during medical treatment, or mishaps while the victim is on the property of another. If you are in need of a San Francisco accident lawyer or a Sacramento, California personal injury lawyer, contact the Otus Law Group today to set up a free initial consultation with an experienced California injury attorney.
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Wrongful Death
A lawsuit for wrongful death may be filed by the surviving relatives of person killed by the negligent or intentional action of another. Eligible survivors include the decedent’s spouse and children. Damages for wrongful death that are just under the case’s circumstances may be awarded, but may not include penalties or punitive damages that the decedent would have been entitled to recover had she or he survived.
Motor Vehicle Accidents
California’s motor vehicle laws are designed to prevent harm and to compensate an injured person for the damages suffered in a motor vehicle accidents. Motor vehicle sccidents can include car accidents, truck accidents, bus accidents and pedestrian accidents. All drivers on California roadways are required to carry liability insurance. A high percentage of motor vehicle accidents in California are caused by underinsured, uninsured, or unlicensed drivers. In such cases, the uninsured motorist insurance required by California law covers some part of the damages.
Motor vehicle accidents may cause loss of income, property damage, and pain and suffering. California has not adopted “no fault” legislation. Any person filing a suit for motor vehicle accidents has to file under the law of negligence. In some cases, uninsured motorist insurance may apply. Our San Francisco and Sacramento car accident lawyers can help if you or someone you love has been injured in an auto accident due to the fault of another.
Truck accidents are a type of motor vehicle accident which often involve serious injuries and can be complex and have multiple negligent parties. If you have been involved in a truck accident or semi-truck accident in CA, it is important you consult a California truck accident lawyer before accepting a settlement.
Medical Malpractice
Medical malpractice is defined as a negligent act or omission by a doctor or other medical practitioner that causes harm to a patient. Negligence can arise because of an error in diagnosis or treatment. A malpractice suit also may be instituted against hospitals for improper care, such as problems with medications or nursing care, or against governmental agencies that operate hospital facilities. Medical malpractice cases often are complex and costly to win. If you or a loved one has been a victim of medical malpractice, contact the experienced attorneys at The Otus Law Group today to discuss your options.
Nursing Home Negligence/Elder Abuse
In California, persons over the age of 65, as well as those adults who are physically or mentally challenged, are specially protected from caretaker abuse and neglect. That includes instances where patients are not helped to the bathroom, are not provided with needed assistance, are left neglected in bed, or are overmedicated, underfed, or dehydrated. The victim, the victim’s family members, or both may sue the abuser in civil court. An elder abuse claim may be filed against either skilled nursing facilities or residential care facilities. Each type of nursing home and residential care facility is governed by its own set of regulations. If you or a family member has suffered neglect or abuse in a nursing home, contact The Otus Law Group to discuss your case.
Products Liability
A products liability suit may arise if an inherent defect in a product causes harm to a consumer or to someone to whom the product was loaned. Products of this sort usually are tangible, but the definition can include other types of products. Products liability claims usually can be based on negligence, strict liability, or breach of warranty of fitness. Product liability cases often are complex and require the aid of an attorney experienced in product liability matters, such as the lawyers at The Otus Law Group.
Pharmaceutical Products/Drug Litigation
Medical complications and other drug-related injuries can be caused by improper prescription or administration by doctors and pharmacists. Failure to warn patients about serious side effects and severe drug interactions by doctors and pharmacist may result in serious injury, such as kidney failure, birth defect, increased risk of heart attack, muscle damage, heart valve failure, blood clots, and stroke. The attorneys at The Otus Law Group have the knowledge, skills, and resources to handle suits involving pharmaceutical-related injuries.
Workers’ Compensation
An on-the-job injury is one that is suffered by an employee while working and it can include injuries resulting from accidents or occupational diseases. Injured workers may be covered for their work-related injuries under worker’ compensation law, personal injury law, or both.
California’s workers’ compensation laws allow injury benefits for workers injured on the job and for dependents if the employee dies from a work-related injury. Compensation may include medical benefits, weekly or biweekly income, vocational rehabilitation, permanent disability compensation, and death benefits.
Sometimes you are injured by a third party while you are in the course of your employment. If this happens, you have both a workers’ compensation case and a civil case.
Insurance Law/Litigation
Insurance companies usually are involved in personal injury and wrongful death cases, and the insurance companies often have the upper hand over the insured in the claim process. Insurance carriers have forensic and legal experts to investigate and handle claims by making use of extensive resources. The insured’s challenging the settlement of his or her insurance claim often takes on the tone of “David vs. Goliath.” Insurance is complex, and claims involve knowledge of the policy, coverage, exclusions, and interpretations. Policyholders often feel helpless without the assistance of an attorney. If you have a question about insurance and your personal injury claim, contact the experienced attorneys at the Otus Law Group.
Dog Bite Injuries
In California, the dog owner is responsible for the damages suffered by a person who is bitten. The dog’s owner is liable when the dog bites any person on the owner’s property, irrespective of the dog’s nature. California does not recognize the concept of a “free bite;” accordingly, if a dog bites a person, there usually is liability, unless the dog is a police dog or military dog.
Slip & Fall Injuries
Slip and fall injuries result from the dangerous conditions of another’s person property. Such injuries may occur because accidents cause by damaged flooring, wet areas, poorly lighted steps, weather-related conditions, icy patches, sidewalk cracks, open manholes and other hazardous conditions. Slip and fall accidents are included in the broader category known as “premises liability.” California law requires some form negligence to be present on the part of the owner or occupier of the property before there can be any liability for a slip and fall accident