Legal Information

Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to common questions about our legal services and processes.

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Straight Answers Before You Make a Decision

After an injury, a property loss, or a denied insurance claim, most people have the same questions: Do I have a case? What will it cost? How long will it take? What should I be doing right now to protect myself? This page collects the questions our California attorneys hear most often, organized by practice area, so you can understand your options before you ever pick up the phone.

The answers below are general information about California law and how our firm works. They are not legal advice for your specific situation, and reading them does not create an attorney-client relationship. Every case turns on its own facts — the wording of your insurance policy, the cause of an accident, the dates of your medical treatment, or when you first learned about an exposure. If something here sounds like what you are going through, the most useful next step is a free, confidential case review with our team.

Two points apply to almost every type of case. First, deadlines matter: California statutes of limitations, insurance policy notice requirements, and government claim deadlines can permanently bar a claim if they are missed. Second, documentation matters: photos, medical records, receipts, letters from your insurer, and notes about who said what and when are often the evidence that decides how a claim is valued.

General Questions

Find answers to common questions about our legal services and processes.

We offer free initial consultations for all potential clients. During this consultation, we will review the details of your case, explain your legal options, and help you understand the best path forward — all at no cost or obligation to you. Call us at (866) 222-2020 to schedule yours.

We handle a wide range of civil litigation matters, including:

  • Personal Injury — car accidents, slip and falls, wrongful death, and more
  • Property Damage — fire, water, earthquake, and wind damage claims
  • Insurance Bad Faith — denied, delayed, or underpaid insurance claims
  • Business & Corporate Law — contract disputes, partnership issues, and business litigation
  • Mass Tort Litigation — large-scale cases involving defective products or corporate negligence

No. No attorney fees or costs unless we recover for you. Our fees are a percentage of the recovery we obtain for you.

The majority of cases settle before trial. However, we prepare every case as if it will go to trial, which strengthens our negotiating position. If the opposing party refuses to offer a fair settlement, we are fully prepared to take your case to court.

Our offices are located in Sherman Oaks, California, and we serve clients throughout Los Angeles County and the greater Southern California region. For mass tort and certain other cases, we may represent clients statewide.

Getting started is simple. You can:

  • Call us at (866) 222-2020
  • Fill out our online contact form on our website
  • Schedule a free consultation at a time that works for you

We will review your situation, answer your questions, and explain the next steps — all at no cost or obligation.

Personal Injury FAQs

Find answers to common questions about our legal services and processes.

The timeline varies depending on the complexity of the case, severity of injuries, and whether a settlement or trial is necessary. Most cases resolve within 6 months to 2 years. Simpler cases with clear liability may settle in a few months, while complex cases involving serious injuries or disputed liability may take longer.

After an accident, take these steps:

  • Seek medical attention immediately, even if injuries seem minor
  • Document everything — take photos, gather witness information, and keep records
  • Report the incident to the appropriate authorities
  • Do not sign anything or give recorded statements to the other party's insurance without legal advice
  • Contact an attorney as soon as possible to protect your rights

Depending on your case, you may be entitled to recover:

  • Medical expenses — past, present, and future treatment costs
  • Lost wages — income lost due to your injury and reduced earning capacity
  • Pain and suffering — physical pain and emotional distress
  • Property damage — repair or replacement of damaged property
  • Punitive damages — in cases involving egregious conduct

California follows a pure comparative negligence rule, meaning you can still recover damages even if you were partially at fault. Your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you are found 20% at fault and your damages total $100,000, you would receive $80,000.

Every case is unique and the value depends on factors such as the severity of your injuries, the extent of your medical treatment, the impact on your ability to work, and the degree of the other party's negligence. During your free consultation, our attorneys will provide an honest assessment based on the specific facts of your case.

Property Damage FAQs

Find answers to common questions about our legal services and processes.

After property damage occurs:

  • Document the damage thoroughly with photos and video before any cleanup
  • Contact your insurance company to report the claim promptly
  • Keep all receipts for temporary repairs and additional living expenses
  • Do not discard damaged items until the insurance adjuster has inspected them
  • Consult an attorney before accepting any settlement offer

Insurance claims can be denied for various reasons, including alleged policy exclusions, claims that damage was pre-existing, missed filing deadlines, or insufficient documentation. Many denials are unjustified, and an experienced attorney can review your policy and the denial letter to determine whether the insurance company is acting in bad faith.

Actual Cash Value (ACV) pays the depreciated value of your damaged property — what it was worth at the time of the loss. Replacement Cost Value (RCV) pays the full cost to repair or replace the property with new materials of similar kind and quality. RCV policies generally provide significantly more coverage, and your policy type directly affects your payout.

Yes. You have the right to hire your own licensed contractor for repairs. Insurance companies may recommend preferred vendors, but you are not required to use them. Getting independent repair estimates can help ensure you receive fair compensation for the full scope of the damage.

Under California law, insurance companies must acknowledge your claim within 15 days, accept or deny it within 40 days of receiving proof of loss, and issue payment within 30 days of reaching a settlement. However, complex claims — especially those involving significant damage or disputed coverage — may take several months. If your insurer is unreasonably delaying your claim, you may have a bad faith case.

Insurance Bad Faith FAQs

Find answers to common questions about our legal services and processes.

Insurance bad faith occurs when an insurance company fails to fulfill its obligations to a policyholder. This can include unreasonably denying valid claims, delaying payment without justification, offering settlements far below the claim's value, failing to properly investigate a claim, or misrepresenting policy terms.

In a bad faith case, you may recover:

  • The full value of your original claim
  • Consequential damages — financial harm caused by the insurer's bad conduct
  • Emotional distress damages — anxiety, stress, and mental suffering
  • Attorney fees and litigation costs
  • Punitive damages — designed to punish particularly egregious insurer behavior

Warning signs of bad faith include: your claim is denied without a clear explanation, the insurer delays processing for weeks or months without reason, the settlement offer is significantly below the documented value of your loss, the insurer fails to investigate your claim, or the adjuster misrepresents your policy coverage. If any of these apply, contact an attorney immediately.

Yes. In California, the statute of limitations for insurance bad faith claims is generally two years from the date the bad faith conduct occurred. However, determining exactly when the clock starts can be complex. It is important to consult an attorney as soon as you suspect bad faith to ensure you do not miss any critical deadlines.

Mass Tort FAQs

Find answers to common questions about our legal services and processes.

A mass tort is a civil case in which many people are harmed by the same product, drug, environmental release, or corporate practice. Each person keeps their own individual claim, but the cases are often coordinated so that common evidence — such as internal company documents or expert testimony — can be developed once and shared. This differs from a class action, where one group claim is brought on behalf of everyone.

Each investigation has its own criteria, which usually include exposure (you used the product or lived or worked near the site), timing (when the exposure happened), and a documented injury or loss. Our current investigations page lists the cases we are reviewing. Submitting your information starts a free, confidential review; it does not create an attorney-client relationship, and no outcome is guaranteed.

No. In a class action, one or a few representatives bring a single claim for a large group, and any recovery is usually divided among members. In a mass tort, each person files an individual claim, so the value of your case reflects your own injuries, treatment, and losses. Mass torts tend to be used when injuries vary significantly from person to person.

Our mass tort reviews are free. No attorney fees or costs unless we recover for you. We explain the fee agreement in writing before you sign anything.

Helpful records include:

  • Proof of use or exposure — pharmacy records, receipts, product packaging, or proof of residence or employment near a site
  • Medical records — diagnoses, treatment dates, and provider names
  • Loss documentation — photos, repair estimates, insurance correspondence, and lost-income records

Do not worry if you do not have everything; our team can often help request missing records.

Yes. California statutes of limitations commonly range from one to three years depending on the type of claim, and the clock may start when you discovered — or reasonably should have discovered — the injury and its cause. Claims against public entities can require a government claim within six months. Because deadlines vary, it is important to have your situation reviewed promptly.

Didn't See Your Question?

Every situation is different, and many of the most important questions only come up once we look at the details — the exact language in a denial letter, the police report from an accident, or the timeline of an exposure. Our attorneys are happy to talk through your circumstances in a free consultation, explain how California law applies, and tell you honestly whether we think we can help.

You can learn more about each area we handle on our practice areas page, review the cases we are currently investigating on our mass torts page, or read in-depth guides on our legal blog. When you are ready, call (866) 222-2020 or use our contact form, and a member of our team will follow up.