Personal Injury

Pleasanton Personal Injury Lawyer

The Law Offices of Stephen M. Fuerch is dedicated to helping residents of the East Bay who have suffered personal injuries. Founded by Pleasanton personal injury attorney Stephen M. Fuerch, our firm has the experience to litigate your personal injury case and fight for the compensation you deserve. Before becoming an advocate for personal injury victims, Mr. Fuerch worked in insurance defense for 25 years, meaning that he understands how insurance companies evaluate claims and litigate personal injury disputes. If you have been injured in an accident or by another person’s negligence, contact the Law Office of Stephen M. Fuerch to discuss your case at no charge.

Costs of Personal Injury Can Add Up

The costs of a personal injury are not merely physical. According to The New York Times, a single night in a U.S. hospital can cost up to $12,500, and a Californian who receives just a couple of stitches in an emergency could face a bill of $2,000. In conjunction with subsequent medication, therapy, lost income, and emotional distress, even a simple accident can be financially debilitating. An experienced attorney can help victims of personal injury recover these expenses.

Victims of Negligence Are Protected

A personal injury lawsuit can take many forms. A person injured on the property of another may seek compensation under premises liability law, or the family of a person who has sustained fatal injuries might bring a wrongful death suit. The most common legal theory involved in these and other personal injury lawsuits is negligence.

To bring a successful negligence suit, the plaintiff must prove that:

1. The defendant owed a duty of care to the plaintiff;
2. The defendant breached this duty;
3. The plaintiff was injured; and
4. The defendant’s action was the cause of the injury.

A lawsuit filed as a result of a car or other vehicle accident is a real-world example of these elements at work. All drivers owe a duty to the others using the road to drive as a reasonable person would, and a driver who texts while driving or runs a stop sign can be found to have breached that duty. If those actions caused an accident that injured another person, the distracted driver could be held liable for his or her negligence.

There are many other possible situations that can create the basis for a negligence claim by an injured person, including being injured by a defective product, slipping and falling on the property of another person, or being a victim of medical malpractice. If you have suffered an injury, and you believe it was caused by another person’s negligence, contact an experienced personal injury attorney.

Plaintiffs Can Recover Damages

In California, plaintiffs who bring a successful negligence lawsuit can recover compensatory damages. These damages are intended to compensate the plaintiffs for losses such as hospital bills, lost wages, and even noneconomic damages such as emotional distress. Although generally not available through a simple negligence claim, plaintiffs in certain cases may seek punitive damages, which are designed to punish defendants who may have acted egregiously. If you are unsure as to what kind of damages may be available in your case, ask a knowledgeable personal injury lawyer.

Additionally, if you have lost a loved one due to the negligent conduct of another, you may be eligible to pursue a wrongful death claim. Through this kind of lawsuit, you can potentially recover damages for losses you have suffered, including funeral and burial expenses, future lost benefits and income the deceased would have provided to the family, and loss of relationship.

Seek Experienced Counsel

People who are injured through the fault of another have a right to seek compensation for their injuries. At the Law Offices of Stephen M. Fuerch, we understand the emotional and financial costs of a personal injury. If you have been harmed due to the careless conduct of another person, contact Pleasanton personal injury lawyer Stephen M. Fuerch. With over 35 years of experience, we represent clients from communities throughout the East Bay, including Pleasanton, Walnut Creek, Fremont, Hayward, San Ramon, and Dublin. To schedule a free consultation call (925) 463-2575 or visit our contact page.