Personal Injury

If you have been injured due to another person’s negligence (or in the result of an accident), as a victim, you may be entitled to compensation for injuries and losses. Common types include (but are not limited to): medical malpractice, workplace accidents, motor vehicle and/or traffic accidents and so forth. If you believe you have endured a personal injury, one of our experienced personal injury attorneys can help you to be compensated for your injuries and losses.

Statute of Limitations

A statute of limitations is the deadline for filing a lawsuit. Most lawsuits MUST be filed within a certain amount of time. In general, once the statute of limitations on a case “runs out,” the legal claim is not valid any longer.

The period of time during which you can file a lawsuit varies depending on the type of legal claim. Here are the statutes of limitations for some common types of legal disputes:

Personal injury: Two years from the injury. If the injury was not discovered right away, then it is 1 year from the date the injury was discovered.
Breach of a written contract: Four years from the date the contract was broken.
Breach of an oral contract: Two years from the date the contract was broken.
Property damage: Three years from the date the damage occurred.
Claims against government agencies: You must file a claim with the agency within 6 months (for some cases, 1 year) of the incident. If the claim is denied, you can then file your lawsuit in court but there are strict limits to when, so read the section on government claims and the chart on statute of limitations below.

Some crimes, such as murder, are considered so terrible that they often have no statute of limitations period. See a table for “statutes of limitations” in many types of cases.

Figuring out when the statute of limitations runs out on a claim is not easy. If you have any doubts about how to calculate the time you have, talk to a lawyer. Click for help finding a lawyer. Your court’s self-help resources may also be able to help you find out more about the statute of limitations in your case. Click to find help from your court.

Government claims

When you sue a government agency, you first have to file a special claim (called an “administrative claim”) with the government office or agency before you file in court. You have to use the government’s form to file the claim.

For personal injury or personal property damage, you must file your administrative claim within 6 months of the date of the injury. (There are a few exceptions. Review California Government Code section 905 and section 911.2 or talk to a lawyer.)
For breach of contract and real property damage cases: You must file your administrative claim within 1 year of the date the contract was broken or the real property damage occurred.

After you file your claim, the government has 45 days to respond. If the government agency denies your claim during the 45 days, you have 6 months to file a lawsuit in court from date the denial was mailed or personally delivered to you. If you do not get a rejection letter, you have 2 years to file from the day the incident occurred. But do not count on having 2 years to file your claim.

The statute of limitations for government claims can be complicated to figure out. Talk to a lawyer if you have any doubts about how much time you have. Click for help finding a lawyer. Your court’s self-help resources may also be able to help you find out more about the statute of limitations in your case. Click to find help from your court.

Tolling of the statute of limitations

Sometimes the statute of limitations is suspended (“tolled”) for a period of time, and then begins to run again. For example, tolling may happen when the defendant is a minor, is out of the state or in prison, or is insane. When the reason for the tolling ends (like if the minor turns 18, or the defendant returns to California or gets out of prison, or the defendant is no longer insane), the statute of limitations begins to run again.

Cases dealing with tolling may be very complicated and you need to talk to a lawyer.

MOST COMMON STATUTES OF LIMITATIONS

This table lists the most common time periods for starting lawsuits also known as filing a claim. The law on time periods for starting lawsuits is found in California Code of Civil Procedure sections 312-366. Check these code sections to confirm how much time you have to file your lawsuit.

Check the Code of Civil Procedure sections if the problem is different from those listed here because the time period to sue may be anywhere from months to many years.

IMPORTANT: Make sure you read the law that applies to your specific case because there may be exceptions or other laws that apply to the facts in your case. Talk to a lawyer to make sure you understand the statute of limitations that applies to your specific case.

Type of Problem (or Case)	Time Period During Which You May Sue (or Be Sued)
*Injury to a person.* The defendant hurts you with or without intending to hurt you. For example, personal injury accidents, wrongful death, assault, battery, intentional or negligent infliction of emotional distress, wrongful act, or negligent act, etc. California Code of Civil Procedure section 335.1.	*2 years* from the date of injury
*Damage to property.* The defendant damages or destroys your property either with or without intending to damage it. For example, taking your personal property (conversion), crashing your vehicle, going onto your property without permission (trespass), fraud, nuisance, etc. California Code of Civil Procedure section 338. Also for breach of sale of goods, seeCaliforna Commercial Code section 2725.	*3 years* from the date the property was damaged
*Libel or slander*. The defendant defames you in print, writing, or pictures (libel) or verbally (slander). California Code of Civil Procedure section 340(c).	*1 year* from the date of injury
*Oral contracts.* Contracts that you and the defendant did not write down.California Code of Civil Procedure section 339. (Most oral contracts will have some sort of writing, e.g., a receipt, a canceled check, etc. This writing may be proof that you had an oral contract.)	*2 years* from the date the contract was broken
*Contracts in writing.* California Code of Civil Procedure section 337.	*4 years* from the date the contract was broken
*Known (apparent) problems* (called “patent defects”) in real property improvement design, survey, construction, etc., and resulting injury to property or person. California Code of Civil Procedure section 337.1.These usually are lawsuits against architects, contractors, or builders.	*4 years* from the date the construction was mostly finished
*Unknown (not apparent) problems* (called “latent” defects) in real property improvement design, survey, construction which cause damage to real estate or personal property. California Code of Civil Procedure, Section 337.15. These usually are lawsuits against architects, contractors or builders.	*10 years* from the date construction was mostly finished
*Personal property left at* a hotel, hospital, rest home, sanitarium, boarding house, lodging house, or apartment, etc. California Code of Civil Procedure zection 341a.	90 days after departing from premises
Against a health-care provider (medical malpractice). 1 year from the date plaintiff knows or should have known about the injury, or 3 years from the date of the injury whichever is the earlier date. California Code of Civil Procedure section 340.5. Note: If you are going to sue a health-care provider you MUST give them 90 days’ notice before filing. California Code of Civil Procedure section 364.	*1 year (In some cases, 3 years. Read the law).*
*Against a bank*. If a bank paid on a check that was signed without authorization or where the signature was forged. California Code of Civil Procedure, Section 340.	1 year from the date the bank paid out the funds.
*Against government agencies or offices. These cases require that you file a special claim (called an “administrative claim”) with the government office or agency before you file in court. You have to use the government’s form to file the claim. Personal property and personal injury/death cases: You must file your administrative claim within 6 months of the date of the injury.Government Code section 911.2 Breach of contract and real property damage cases: You must file your administrative claim within 1 year of the date the contract was broken or the real property damaged. See the reference to claims relating to “any other cause of action” under Government Code section 911.2. After you file your claim, the government has 45 days to respond.Government Code section 912.4. If the government agency Denies* your claim during the 45 days, you have 6 months to file in court from date the denial was mailed or personally delivered to you.Government Code sections 912.4, 912.6. Does not respond to your claim during the 45 days, you have 2 years from the date the incident occurred to file in court. Government Code section 945.6 (a)(2). Consult with an attorney to make sure you file your claim and file your lawsuit before the deadline.	*6 months* from the time of the injury to file an administrative claim OR *1 year* from the breach of contract or real property damage to file an administrative claim When to file a court case depends on whether your administrative claim is denied or not responded to. If your claim is not responded to, talk to a lawyer to find out how much time you have to file your lawsuit.

May 5, 2015May 7, 2015

DUI with Injury

DUI with Injury (VC 23153)

If you drove under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs and while driving you injured another person, you may be convicted with VC 23153(b) “driving with a BAC of 0.08% or greater and causing an injury”.

Misdemeanor DUI with Injury:

Informal probation can range between 3 to 5 years with fines imposed up to $5,000, depending on the facts of the case and the injuries involved. You will be required to attend court approved alcohol or drug education programs ranging between 3, 9, 18 or 30 months. Your license may also be suspended for up to three years. You may also be required to pay restitution to any/all injured parties.

Felony DUI with Injury:

If convicted of a felony DUI with injury, the court will require State prison time between 2 to 4 years. If the victim suffers great bodily injury and/or there are multiple victims injured, additional prison time can be imposed for each additional victim. In addition, a “strike” may be placed on your record if anyone other than yourself suffers great bodily injury. Subsequent DUI with Injury offenses will permanently mark you as a Habitual Traffic Offender (HTO).

What happens if someone is killed or injured in a DUI?

If someone is killed or injured as the result of driving under the influence of alcohol, or while blood alcohol is 0.08% or more, the driver can be found guilty of a felony and could go to state prison for over a year, and possibly for up to four years, depending on whether it’s the driver’s first, second, or third offense. Prior convictions for misdemeanor under-the-influence or over-0.08% driving count as prior offenses for the purpose of increasing the prison sentence. So do prior convictions of alcohol-related reckless driving. The jury (and sometimes the judge) will have the option of reducing the offense to a misdemeanor, but even in such cases, the person convicted could still spend up to a year in the county jail—and probably will, since judges take DUI extremely seriously under these circumstances. Also, a person faced with a fourth drunk-driving charge over a ten-year period may be charged with a felony, even where no one was injured as a result of the offense.

May 5, 2015May 7, 2015

Assault

Assault (PC 240):

Penal Code 240 states that an assault (simple assault) is an attempt to willfully commit violent injury on someone else. It is important to note that “assault” and “battery” are two distinct crimes; whereas in the case of battery, there was actual use of unlawful violence, assault is the attempt to do so.

Penalties (PC 240):

Penal Code 240 simple assault is a misdemeanor in California. In most simple assault cases, the penalties carry up to 6 months in county jail and/or a fine up to $1,000.

Legal Defenses (PC 240):

In California, you may be charged and convicted of assault even if no one was hurt by your behavior. There are several legal defenses our team of attorneys can work with in order to fight your assault charges. Several defenses include: you were wrongly accused, you did not have the intent to act willfully towards another person, you acted in self-defense, and/or you did not have the ability to inflict force on the other person. There are many instances where you may believe that the only viable option is to use force to defend against danger and/or that the amount of force you used seemed reasonably necessary to defend against that danger.

Simple Assault in California – Laws & Penalties

Simple assault is a misdemeanor charge under California law. It is the least serious assault related charge.

The definition of simple assault is an “unlawful attempt, coupled with a present ability, to commit a violent injury on the person of another“.

You do not need to make any physical contact with another person, or cause any injury to be charged and convicted with simple assault.

If you are convicted of misdemeanor simple assault, you could face up to $1,000 in fines and 6 months in jail, under California Law.

Simple Assault – California Penal Code Section 240-241

Simple Battery in California– Laws & Penalties

Simple battery can be charged as a misdemeanor or felony, a determination that is made by the judge.

It is defined as any willful and unlawful use of force or violence upon another person.

If you are convicted of simple battery, you could face up to $2,000 in fines and 6 months in jail, under California Law.

Simple Battery California Penal Code Section 242-243

Assault with a Deadly Weapon in California – Laws & Penalties

Assault with a deadly weapon, (not a firearm, see below) is a felony under California law.

It is defined as an assault in which you use any “deadly weapon” other than a firearm in a manner likely to produce great bodily harm.

Deadly weapon is deliberately not defined, and can be interpreted as broadly as possible. A deadly weapon could be a blunt instrument like a bat or a tire iron, a blade instrument like a knife, or even a moving vehicle if it is alleged you deliberately attempt to hit a person with your car.

If you are convicted of assault with a deadly weapon, you could face up to $10,000 in fines and 4 months in prison, under California Law.

Assault with a Deadly Weapon (not a firearm) California Penal CodeSection 245

Assault with a Firearm in California – Laws & Penalties

Assault with a firearm is similar to California’s assault with a deadly weapon offense, with one significant exception: it does not have to be committed “in a manner likely to produce bodily harm”.

Just having a firearm or gun on your person or in your possession during the commission of any assault is enough to bring a felony charge of assault with a firearm.

If you are convicted of assault with a firearm, you could face up to $10,000 in fines and 4 months in prison, under California Law.

California Assault and Battery Enhancements and Aggregating Factors

All assault offenses have enhancements, exceptions, and aggravating factors the can increase penalties. These factors can be where the incident took place, such as on the grounds of a school, in a hospital or prison, or who the act was committed against.

Penalties will be increased if you commit an assault against a:

police officer
public safety officer or firefighter
teacher
prison guard
government official
highway worker
bus driver, cab driver or transit operator
many other special cases and enhancements

Please contact us for details on other special cases and penalty enhancements you may be charged with.” –source

May 5, 2015May 7, 2015

Assault (Great Bodily Injury)

Assault with Great Bodily Injury (PC 240(a)):

Assault with “great bodily injury” refers to significant and substantial physical injuries. Emotional and financial do not fall under this category, nor do insignificant or even moderate injuries. It is also important to note that the injury does not have to be permanent or severe. However, damages such as brain damage or paralysis do fall under PC 240(a). What constitutes as a GBI is determined by several key factors: the severity of the injury, the resulting pain, and/or any required medical care.

There are certain crimes you can be charged with that include an additional GBI penalty. For example, if you receive a “UI causing injury” charge, and the car accident led to another person (who survived the accident) to suffer great bodily injury, you could receive a GBI enhancement.

Legal Definitions

245. (a) (1) Any person who commits an assault upon the person of
another with a deadly weapon or instrument other than a firearm shall
be punished by imprisonment in the state prison for two, three, or
four years, or in a county jail for not exceeding one year, or by a
fine not exceeding ten thousand dollars ($10,000), or by both the
fine and imprisonment.
(2) Any person who commits an assault upon the person of another
with a firearm shall be punished by imprisonment in the state prison
for two, three, or four years, or in a county jail for not less than
six months and not exceeding one year, or by both a fine not
exceeding ten thousand dollars ($10,000) and imprisonment.
(3) Any person who commits an assault upon the person of another
with a machinegun, as defined in Section 16880, or an assault weapon,
as defined in Section 30510 or 30515, or a .50 BMG rifle, as defined
in Section 30530, shall be punished by imprisonment in the state
prison for 4, 8, or 12 years.
(4) Any person who commits an assault upon the person of another
by any means of force likely to produce great bodily injury shall be
punished by imprisonment in the state prison for two, three, or four
years, or in a county jail for not exceeding one year, or by a fine
not exceeding ten thousand dollars ($10,000), or by both the fine and
imprisonment.
(b) Any person who commits an assault upon the person of another
with a semiautomatic firearm shall be punished by imprisonment in the
state prison for three, six, or nine years.
(c) Any person who commits an assault with a deadly weapon or
instrument, other than a firearm, or by any means likely to produce
great bodily injury upon the person of a peace officer or
firefighter, and who knows or reasonably should know that the victim
is a peace officer or firefighter engaged in the performance of his
or her duties, when the peace officer or firefighter is engaged in
the performance of his or her duties, shall be punished by
imprisonment in the state prison for three, four, or five years.
(d) (1) Any person who commits an assault with a firearm upon the
person of a peace officer or firefighter, and who knows or reasonably
should know that the victim is a peace officer or firefighter
engaged in the performance of his or her duties, when the peace
officer or firefighter is engaged in the performance of his or her
duties, shall be punished by imprisonment in the state prison for
four, six, or eight years.
(2) Any person who commits an assault upon the person of a peace
officer or firefighter with a semiautomatic firearm and who knows or
reasonably should know that the victim is a peace officer or
firefighter engaged in the performance of his or her duties, when the
peace officer or firefighter is engaged in the performance of his or
her duties, shall be punished by imprisonment in the state prison
for five, seven, or nine years.
(3) Any person who commits an assault with a machinegun, as
defined in Section 16880, or an assault weapon, as defined in Section
30510 or 30515, or a .50 BMG rifle, as defined in Section 30530,
upon the person of a peace officer or firefighter, and who knows or
reasonably should know that the victim is a peace officer or
firefighter engaged in the performance of his or her duties, shall be
punished by imprisonment in the state prison for 6, 9, or 12 years.
(e) When a person is convicted of a violation of this section in a
case involving use of a deadly weapon or instrument or firearm, and
the weapon or instrument or firearm is owned by that person, the
court shall order that the weapon or instrument or firearm be deemed
a nuisance, and it shall be confiscated and disposed of in the manner
provided by Sections 18000 and 18005.
(f) As used in this section, “peace officer” refers to any person
designated as a peace officer in Chapter 4.5 (commencing with Section
830) of Title 3 of Part 2.

May 5, 2015May 7, 2015

Vehicular Manslaughter

California’s vehicular manslaughter laws (PC 191.5 & 192) punish acts of driving that kill another person when the driver drives in an unlawful way, with or without gross negligence, or drives during the commission of a lawful act which might produce death in an unlawful manner, or knowingly causes the accident for financial gain. Vehicular manslaughter is known as a “wobbler”. If convicted under a felony vehicular manslaughter, you may face two to ten years in state prison. If convicted under a misdemeanor, you may face up to one year in county jail.

In the state of California, depending on the degree of recklessness and whether alcohol was involved, a person could be charged with progressively more serious offenses: vehicular manslaughter, vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, or second-degree murder. In any of these cases, the prosecution must prove that the driver committed some wrongful act (which could be a felony, a misdemeanor, an infraction, or a lawful act that might cause death) and that the wrongful act caused the collision and the death of the victim. Murder charges are usually reserved for the most egregious cases, such as a convicted DUI offender who drives recklessly while intoxicated and thereby causes a fatal collision.