Experienced Personal Injury Attorneys Serving Marin County, CA
More than 39 million people suffer injuries that require medical treatment in the U.S. every year. Negligent actions are frequently the cause of serious injuries and victims may have the right to recover compensation. If you or a person you know has suffered in an injury accident or if someone you love has wrongfully died, speak to a Marin County personal injury attorney at Walkup, Melodia, Kelly, & Schoenberger today. Our legal experts have extensive experience handling personal injury claims and can evaluate your case during a free consultation.
Why Choose Walkup, Melodia, Kelly & Schoenberger
- Injured victims have been turning to the injury attorneys at Walkup, Melodia, Kelly & Schoenberger for nearly 60 years.
- Our firm’s success is proven, as we have obtained more than $1 billion in compensation for our clients.
- We will never settle for less than the amount that your claim is worth and in doing so, we will take your case to trial if necessary.
What Kinds of Cases Does a Personal Injury Lawyer Handle?
Our Marin County personal injury lawyers regularly help clients suffering from the following:
- Brain injuries: Traumatic brain injuries affect more than 3 million people in the US each year and cause significant disabilities. These injuries commonly occur due to car accidents, gunshot wounds, sports injuries, defective products, and falls.
- Burn injuries: The American Burn Injury Association states that approximately 450,000 people are treated for burn injuries in the hospital each year. These injuries can lead to a victim needing extended medical care, including plastic surgery to repair their appearance and functionality.
- Car accidents: During the latest reporting year in California, there were 273,000 people injured and 3,602 people killed in car accidents. These incidents often occurred due to negligent drivers.
- Motorcycle accidents: There were more than 15,328 motorcyclist injuries and 504 fatalities in California’s latest reporting year.
- Nursing home abuse: The abuse and neglect of the elderly at the hands of nursing home employees can lead to long-term damage and even death of residents.
- Spinal cord injuries: Spinal cord injuries are often caused by car accidents, falls, violence, sports incidents, and more. These injuries can be costly. The National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center (NSCISC) reports that the cost of medical care for the first year after a spinal cord injury can range from $359,000 to over $1.1 million.
- Wrongful death: Anytime the careless, negligent, or intentional actions of another person or business causes a death, there must be accountability.
Our personal injury attorneys also regularly work to help clients with:
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- Aviation accidents
- Bike accidents
- Birth injuries
- Child injuries
- Construction accidents
- Defective products
- Defective medical devices
- Kaiser Permanente
- Medical malpractice
- Pedestrian accidents
- Premises liability
- Public transportation accidents
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Truck accidents
- Tourist injuries
Featured Case Results
Here are a select few examples of the multi-million-dollar results we obtain for clients:
- $52M Jury Verdict: Propane Explosion Causing Wrongful Death & Personal Injury
- $38.6M Jury Verdict: Myrick v. Hansa – Failure To Diagnose Stroke
- $23.2M Jury Verdict: Rogers v. AMC Clinic – Obstetrical Negligence Leading to Cerebral Palsy
- $17M Jury Verdict: Mason G. v. Bell Sports Inc. – Product Liability Causing Brain Injury
- $15M Settlement: Cyclist v. Forest Products Distributor – Big Rig Negligence
- $12.2M Jury Verdict: Pedestrian Injured by Dangerous Roadway Causing Brain Injury
- $10M Settlement: United Rentals Industrial Machine Failure Causing Wrongful Death
How Do I Know If I Have a Personal Injury Case?
A personal injury is an injury caused by the negligence of another individual or company. Typically, the injury affects a person physically, but it can also have mental or emotional repercussions, as well as result in damage to property.
The negligent actions of the at-fault party is considered causation, which legally obligates the individual or company to compensate the victim for any losses associated with the injury. In order to successfully pursue a personal injury case, the victim, or plaintiff, must establish liability:
- The at-fault party had a duty to the victim.
- The at-fault party violated that duty.
- The victim suffered an injury.
- The injury caused the victim to suffer losses.
Hiring a Marin County personal injury attorney immediately following an injury caused by another party will alleviate you from the complex and time-consuming task of proving liability. Your attorney will have a vast knowledge of personal injury laws and will gather all of the necessary evidence and information needed to build your case.
Do I Need a Personal Injury Attorney?
A few of the many reasons to speak with an experienced injury attorney immediately following an injury accident include:
The Statute of Limitations:
The state of California restricts the time window that victims have to file a claim against a liable party for their injury. The amount of time varies based on each case, but for personal injury claims in general you have two years to file for, “An action for assault, battery, or injury to, or for the death of, an individual caused by the wrongful act or neglect of another.” (California Code of Civil Procedure section 335.1)
Preserve Evidence:
The sooner you speak with an attorney, the more likely the evidence needed to win your claim will be preserved. Providing evidence of liability is especially important in California, as the state operates under the rule of comparative fault. This law states that if the victim is partially to blame for their injury, their compensation will be reduced by the percentage or amount they are found to be at fault. (CIV §1714 )
Attempts at a Low Settlement:
Insurance companies will attempt to settle your claim with a lower offer than you deserve, as they are looking to protect their profits.
Proper Medical Care:
Attorneys have networks of physicians and specialists they can connect you with to ensure you are receiving the best possible care for your injuries.
Can I Afford an Injury Lawyer?
When you or a loved one are suffering from an injury, you should not have to worry about how to afford legal representation. When you turn to us for help with your case, you will not have to worry about out-of-pocket costs or an up-front retainer fee. We take all cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay no legal fees until we are successful in securing the compensation you deserve.
What Is the Timeline for Personal Injury Litigation?
There is no set timeline for how long a personal injury case will take, as it depends on several factors particular to each situation. Many of these cases settle before they go to trial, which will mean they are concluded more quickly, possibly in a few months to a year. However, cases that go to trial take time to prepare and can take one more years to complete.
How Much Is the Average Personal Injury Settlement?
The total settlement amount for a personal injury case depends on several factors, including how severe the injuries are and other factors specific to the particular case. For severe injuries, medical costs alone could reach into the hundreds of thousands of dollars. Combined with lost income and non-economic damages such as pain and suffering, a case could result in a victim receiving significant compensation. However, for less severe injuries, the amount of compensation will be less. Your Marin County personal injury lawyer will be able to analyze your case and work to secure the maximum compensation for your losses.
Contact A Marin County Personal Injury Attorney
A Marin County personal injury attorney from our law firm take cases on a contingency fee basis and will cover all case-related expenses. We will only receive payment when we win. Let us give you peace of mind by allowing us to fight for the maximum settlement you deserve. We represent the people of Marin County, including San Rafael and Novato, as well as the San Francisco Bay Area. Get the legal advice you need and schedule a free case evaluation today by calling (415) 981-7210 or filling out our online contact form.