PRACTICE AREAS
PERSONAL INJURY
Personal injury claims is the general term that encompasses all the different types of injuries such as auto accidents and slip and falls just to name a few. Though your personal injury claim may seem “straightforward” at first glance, there are a multitude of complexities and challenges that you are likely to encounter as litigation advances. If you have a potential injury claim in California, our Los Angeles personal injury attorney can help you.
At the Law Offices of Loren M. Merlin, APC, we are always here to assist. We are patient, compassionate litigators who are well-aware of the challenges faced by plaintiffs as they pursue their claims. We strive to provide the best representation of our clients and keep them informed about their litigation strategy and subsequent case developments.
If you’ve been injured in an accident, then you may be wondering what sort of damages the accident entitles you to recover under the law. It’s important to understand that (except a punitive award), damages are meant to compensate you for actual past and future losses. As such, successful recovery requires that you be able to prove that you have suffered the actual losses on which your damage assertion is based.
These can be split into several categories.
Economic Damages
Economic damages include, but are not necessarily limited to:
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Medical expenses
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Wage loss
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Loss of income potential
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Property loss
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Funeral Expenses
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And more
Economic damages are a measure of your “financial” losses resulting from the accident.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages include, but are not necessarily limited to:
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Pain and suffering
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Emotional distress
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Loss of enjoyment of life
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Humiliation
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Loss of companionship/marital relations
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Loss of guidance
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Mental Anguish
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And more
AUTO ACCIDENTS
Automobile accidents are an unfortunate part of life on the road and a common occurrence. No matter how safe a driver you may be, crashes can and do happen. Fortunately, the law empowers a person injured in a car accident to seek compensation from those responsible for causing the damages.
Some of the most common causes of car accidents include:
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Failure to Yield: State and local laws require drivers to yield to others on the road in a number of different circumstances. These “right of way” laws are meant to avoid confusion that can set the groundwork for a collision.
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Unsafe Lane Changes: There are appropriate times and places for lane changes. There’s also a correct way to make those changes when needed. Lane changes should be made only in situations in which the lane to which you’re moving is separated from your current lane with a broken white line. Drivers must always properly signal when making a lane change. They’re also expected to avoid sudden lane changes that may not give others adequate time to react. That’s especially true when traveling at high speeds or in difficult weather conditions.
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Driver Fatigue: Tiredness and distraction behind the wheel often go hand in hand. The more fatigued a driver is, the more likely he or she will succumb to distraction. Still, fatigue also raises its own separate set of safety concerns. Even if you’re not actually falling asleep behind the wheel, fatigue and drowsiness can significantly slow reaction times. Fatigue is often the result of lack of sleep, certain medications, long hours on the job, or drinking and driving. Drowsy driving is also regularly to blame for accidents where truck drivers are commonly pushed to spend long stretches of time behind the wheel during busy traffic times.
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Poor Weather: Mother Nature is no friend of the motorist. Weather can wreak havoc on driving conditions, making roads difficult to see and surfaces treacherous to navigate. Whether it’s, rain, snow, wind or natural disasters like hurricanes and earthquakes, poor weather is a common culprit in car accidents. Even when a storm has passed, it may leave downed street signs and traffic lights and cause roads and streets to be obstructed with debris.
Examples of the type of Injuries that can be sustained:
From fender benders to multi-car crashes, thousands of innocent victims are hurt or even killed in auto accidents each year. If you were injured in a car accident that was not your fault, you have legal rights.
Common car accident injuries include:
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Broken bones
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Whiplash
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Traumatic brain injuries
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Spinal injuries
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Internal bleeding and organ damage
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Paralysis
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Death
BICYCLE ACCIDENTS
As more and more people in California begin to use the bike as their means of transportation the number of injuries has increased. In California, bicyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as the driver of a motor vehicle. This type of collision is more likely to cause more severe and lasting injuries. Drivers of cars and trucks must pay proper attention to their surroundings and watch for cyclists when attempting moves that can endanger a cyclist on the road.
A negligent driver can be held responsible for the injuries he causes in an accident involving a bicyclist. Common bike accidents injuries include:
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Broken bones
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Road rash
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Head and neck injuries
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Traumatic brain injuries
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Scarring
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Paralysis
Brain Injuries
Traumatic brain injuries affect millions of American each year and can significantly impact the lives of those affected. It is seen occurring from auto, bike, motorcycle and slip and fall accidents. Typically, when the head makes contact with another object or surface the brain then suffers an impact which can cause lasting damage.
Brain damage diagnosis and treatment typically requires a neurologist’s or brain specialist’s expertise. Treatment will usually require extensive rehabilitation and follow-up appointments. At the Law Office of Loren M. Merlin, APC we can assist in finding you the best Brain Injury doctors and experts to treat and assist in your case.
Traumatic brain injuries can cause a variety of symptoms depending on the severity of impact. It’s imperative to seek medical attention if you’re experiencing any of the following symptoms:
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Trouble remembering, Forgetfulness
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Lack of energy
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Not thinking clearly
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Easily upset or angered
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Nausea or vomiting
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Sadness
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Depression
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Persistent headaches
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Anxiety
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Blurred vision
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Sensitivity to light and noise
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Irregular sleep patterns
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Dizziness or balance problems
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Trouble falling asleep
MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENTS
Motorcycle riders are more susceptible to more serious injuries than car accident victims because they do not have nearly as much protection and the force of the collisions. As a result of being injured in a motorcycle accident, victims may have to deal with costly medical bills, loss of income, as well as emotional pain, physical pain, broken bones, road rash and mental suffering. Motorcycle accidents usually occur when other drivers are not paying attention, poor road conditions, and even defective motorcycle parts.
BRAIN INJURIES
Traumatic brain injuries affect millions of American each year and can significantly impact the lives of those affected. It is seen occurring from auto, bike, motorcycle and slip and fall accidents. Typically, when the head makes contact with another object or surface the brain then suffers an impact which can cause lasting damage.
Brain damage diagnosis and treatment typically requires a neurologist’s or brain specialist’s expertise. Treatment will usually require extensive rehabilitation and follow-up appointments. At the Law Office of Loren M. Merlin, APC we can assist in finding you the best Brain Injury doctors and experts to treat and assist in your case.
Traumatic brain injuries can cause a variety of symptoms depending on the severity of impact. It’s imperative to seek medical attention if you’re experiencing any of the following symptoms:
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Trouble remembering, Forgetfulness
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Lack of energy
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Not thinking clearly
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Easily upset or angered
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Nausea or vomiting
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Sadness
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Depression
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Persistent headaches
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Anxiety
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Blurred vision
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Sensitivity to light and noise
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Irregular sleep patterns
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Dizziness or balance problems
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Trouble falling asleep
TRUCK ACCIDENTS
A collision with a tractor-trailer, big rig, or eighteen-wheeler can be deadly. Those that survive these crashes are often seriously injured and require lifetime care. One reason these lawsuits are more complicated is that the injuries are usually more complex and they can involve multiple responsible parties, including:
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Truck driver
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Trucking company
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Other drivers
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Government entities
SLIP & FALL
A collision with a tractor-trailer, big rig, or eighteen-wheeler can be deadly. Those that survive these crashes are often seriously injured and require lifetime care. One reason these lawsuits are more complicated is that the injuries are usually more complex and they can involve multiple responsible parties, including:
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Truck driver
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Trucking company
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Other drivers
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Government entities
WRONGFUL DEATH
An individual or corporation that fails to take adequate care within the normal course of action, such that it results in the harm or death of another, may be considered negligent and therefore liable for any resulting damages. Negligence in wrongful death lawsuits can occur in a variety of circumstances, such as careless drivers, drunk drivers, failure to provide safe workplace conditions or adequate safety protocols, slip and fall accidents, among others.
Similarly, individuals and corporations whose intentional acts led to a wrongful death can be held liable for damages if it is proven that their actions intentionally caused harm to another.
You should consider speaking with a Los Angeles wrongful death lawyer if you’re loved on was involved in any of the following types of incidents.
PREMISES LIABILITY
Landowners and property owners in California have a duty to keep their buildings, properties, and facilities in a reasonably safe condition. If you or a loved one is injured because of an unsafe condition, you may be entitled to damages under California law.
A person can sustain serious life changing injuries because of a wet floor, a faulty stairwell, a defect in the sidewalk, inadequate lighting, a broken gate, a defective lock, or inadequate security at a public or private location. These types of cases and others are commonly referred to as premises liability cases.
Not surprisingly, landowners, landlords, and their insurance companies aggressively defend premises liability cases to avoid paying plaintiffs in accident and wrongful death lawsuits. The defendant’s attorney will always try to blame you, the victim. Defense attorneys rely on laws that limit damages based on circumstances; including why the person was on the property (i.e., did the person have permission or were they trespassing?), the purpose of the property, and the foreseeability of the accident or injury that occurred. Hiring an experienced and proven legal team to help you protect your legal rights is critical to navigating these issues.
GOVERNMENT LIABILITY
An individual or corporation that fails to take adequate care within the normal course of action, such that it results in the harm or death of another, may be considered negligent and therefore liable for any resulting damages. Negligence in wrongful death lawsuits can occur in a variety of circumstances, such as careless drivers, drunk drivers, failure to provide safe workplace conditions or adequate safety protocols, slip and fall accidents, among others.
Similarly, individuals and corporations whose intentional acts led to a wrongful death can be held liable for damages if it is proven that their actions intentionally caused harm to another.
You should consider speaking with a Los Angeles wrongful death lawyer if you’re loved on was involved in any of the following types of incidents.
RIDESHARE ACCIDENTS
Landowners and property owners in California have a duty to keep their buildings, properties, and facilities in a reasonably safe condition. If you or a loved one is injured because of an unsafe condition, you may be entitled to damages under California law.
A person can sustain serious life changing injuries because of a wet floor, a faulty stairwell, a defect in the sidewalk, inadequate lighting, a broken gate, a defective lock, or inadequate security at a public or private location. These types of cases and others are commonly referred to as premises liability cases.
Not surprisingly, landowners, landlords, and their insurance companies aggressively defend premises liability cases to avoid paying plaintiffs in accident and wrongful death lawsuits. The defendant’s attorney will always try to blame you, the victim. Defense attorneys rely on laws that limit damages based on circumstances; including why the person was on the property (i.e., did the person have permission or were they trespassing?), the purpose of the property, and the foreseeability of the accident or injury that occurred. Hiring an experienced and proven legal team to help you protect your legal rights is critical to navigating these issues.