Torrance Personal Injury Lawyer

California Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1 generally allows two years from the injury date to file a personal injury lawsuit. Claims involving delayed discovery, minors, medical malpractice, or government entities may follow different deadlines, so a claim arising in Torrance should be evaluated promptly.

Yes. California applies pure comparative negligence under Civil Code § 1714, meaning your damages may be reduced by your percentage of fault rather than eliminated. A Los Angeles County jury could therefore award compensation even if it finds you primarily responsible.

You generally must prove that the defendant owed you a duty, breached that duty, caused your injury, and produced compensable damages. Civil Code § 1714 establishes California’s general duty to use ordinary care, subject to statutory and case-law exceptions.

California Vehicle Code § 17150 may make a vehicle owner liable when a driver operating the vehicle with permission negligently causes injury. Vehicle Code § 17151 ordinarily limits liability based solely on permissive ownership, although separate negligence such as negligent entrustment may support additional liability.

Recoverable damages may include medical expenses, lost earnings, diminished earning capacity, property damage, and compensation for pain and suffering. Civil Code §§ 3281 and 3333 generally authorize compensation for detriment proximately caused by another’s wrongful conduct.

Civil Code § 3333.4 generally prevents an uninsured vehicle owner or operator from recovering noneconomic damages arising from a motor vehicle accident. Exceptions may apply, including when the at-fault driver was convicted of driving under the influence in connection with the accident.

Civil Code § 3342 generally imposes strict liability on a dog owner when the bite occurs in a public place or while the injured person is lawfully on private property. The owner’s prior knowledge of aggression is usually unnecessary, although trespass and other defenses may affect the claim.

Under Civil Code § 1714, property owners and occupiers must use reasonable care in managing their premises. A claim may depend on whether the Torrance business created the dangerous condition or knew, or reasonably should have known, about it in time to correct it or provide a warning.

Government Code § 911.2 generally requires a claim relating to personal injury or death to be presented within six months after the claim accrues. This administrative claim usually must precede a lawsuit, and Government Code § 945.6 may impose a separate filing deadline after written rejection.

Code of Civil Procedure § 377.60 identifies eligible claimants, including a decedent’s surviving spouse, domestic partner, children, and certain other qualifying dependents or heirs. The usual limitations period is two years under CCP § 335.1, but eligibility and timing depend on the family circumstances.

Code of Civil Procedure § 340.5 generally requires an action within three years after injury or one year after discovering, or reasonably being expected to discover, the injury, whichever occurs first. Tolling and special rules can apply, and CCP § 364 generally requires at least 90 days’ advance notice before suing a healthcare provider.

Code of Civil Procedure § 352 may toll certain limitations periods while the injured person is under 18. Important exceptions apply to medical malpractice and government claims, so a parent should not assume every deadline is postponed.

Not necessarily. Venue is governed by provisions including Code of Civil Procedure § 395, while Los Angeles Superior Court assignment rules determine which courthouse handles the case. The Torrance Courthouse serves the court’s Southwest Judicial District, but a personal injury matter may be assigned or transferred elsewhere within Los Angeles County.

Government Code § 835 permits liability when public property was in a dangerous condition, the condition proximately caused the injury, and the statutory notice or creation requirements are satisfied. A claimant must also comply with the government-claim deadline in Government Code § 911.2 before pursuing the case in Los Angeles County Superior Court.

Civil Code § 3294 permits punitive damages when clear and convincing evidence establishes oppression, fraud, or malice. Ordinary negligence is insufficient, and punitive damages are not recoverable against a public entity under Government Code § 818.