Yes. If you’ve been injured through the fault of another, you have the potential to receive “compensatory damages” –money to compensate you for: Medical bills Lost earnings Pain and suffering Any resulting physical disability, disfigurement, or scarring Emotional distress Mental disability Property damage In rare cases, you might also be able to win “punitive damages” […]
Do I have a personal injury claim?
First, to determine if you have an injury claim, determine if you have been physically injured. Have you been to the doctor or a hospital? If you have been treated by a medical provider they would likely verify that you were injured. Next, ask did some other person or entity cause your injury? If you […]
I’ve just been injured. What should I do?
First things first: take care of your injuries. Seek medical attention at the hospital or from qualified physicians. Your health is the most important thing you have – don’t neglect it. Once you have sought treatment and you know you have an injury, you should call an attorney. In California, in most cases, you have […]
What did the insurance adjuster mean?
I frequently get calls where a prospective client tells me something the insurance adjuster for the other side said to them. And people are often confused and misunderstand. So I’m going to clarify a few terms and phrases so you better understand what the adjuster is telling you. First off, some background about insurance companies […]
I’d like to come in and meet with a Personal Injury lawyer. What will it cost?
At The Law Office of Brett Peterson, your initial consultation is always free. It will cost you nothing to speak with us regarding your potential claim. If you hire us, the fee is contingent on our successfully resolving your case. You will not have to pay any attorney fee until the end of the case; […]
I was in a car accident and have health insurance. What medical bills does the at fault driver have to pay?
When people call to discuss an auto case, one of the big questions is what are they entitled to receive from the other driver’s insurance. This post (limited to California law) looks at one of those elements: medical bills. Let’s assume you were rear-ended at a stoplight by a driver who was texting. You receive […]
Do I need a lawyer?
This is my first post, so bear with me and the inevitable rookie mistakes. My name is Brett, and I’ve been a lawyer practicing in San Diego since 1998. I’m a solo practitioner (no staff, but a shared receptionist) which means I wear a lot of hats: lawyer, secretary, accountant and marketer. And that last […]