Personal Injury Attorneys in California
65+ Years of Experience Fighting for Injured Californians
Since 1956, Ghitterman, Ghitterman & Feld has represented injured Californians with a record that reflects genuine results: a 95% case win rate across our history. That figure reflects decades of thorough investigation, case-specific strategy, and attorneys who don’t settle for less than what a client’s injuries actually cost. Past performance doesn’t guarantee the outcome of your case, but it does reflect how seriously we approach each one.
What sets us apart from general personal injury firms is our depth in workers’ compensation law. When a workplace injury is involved, our attorneys can pursue every available recovery channel at once: a personal injury claim against a negligent third party, workers’ comp benefits, and Subsequent Injuries Benefits Trust Fund (SIBTF) benefits when a pre-existing condition is involved. Many personal injury firms don’t have that capability in-house. We do, across eight offices throughout California.
We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you owe us nothing unless we recover compensation for you. We also offer free consultations in person, by phone, or virtually, so getting answers doesn’t require an upfront commitment.
If you or a loved one has been injured due to someone’s negligence, call (805) 243-2179 to schedule a free consultation. Our personal injury lawyers in California are ready to help.
Types of Personal Injury Cases We Handle in California
Our California personal injury lawyers represent clients injured in all types of accidents caused by negligence.
Types of cases we handle include, but are not limited to:
- Auto Accidents
- Bicycle Accidents
- Burn Injuries
- Construction Site Accidents
- Motorcycle Accidents
- Negligent Security
- Pedestrian Accidents
- Premises Liability, including Slip-and-Fall Accidents
- Product Liability
- Truck Accidents
- Workers’ Compensation
- Wrongful Death Claims
Our California accident attorneys also handle catastrophic and complex injuries caused by negligence on California roads, inside businesses, and within workplaces throughout the state. If you suffered an injury or lost a loved one to negligence, contact our team for assistance today.
Hear From Our Happy Clients
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"I can actually say I am looking forward to working with them."Her patience in explaining my situation with my case was comforting. No one really explained it in a way I could ever understand. She gave me a sense of hope that I may actually get the help needed under her watch.- Nakia D.
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"They restored my dignity."This law firm accepted my bogged down nine-year-old Worker's Compensation case from another law office. In less than 12 months, I was awarded a just compensation package. Ghitterman, Ghitterman & Feld not only fought and won my case, but they restored my dignity.- Former Client
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"They are amazing."I love Ghitterman Ghitterman & Feld. They are amazing, and the case workers are amazing. They understand and hear me in every aspect of my situation, thank you so much.- Maria G.
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"I honestly could not have done it without them."This is the second time I have used Ghitterman, Ghitterman & Feld for different types of cases. This is the second time I have received a settlement. I am very grateful for the team. Everyone involved is kind and amazing. I honestly could not have done it without them. I highly recommend!- Former Client
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"When I needed an attorney, I chose Ghitterman Ghitterman & Feld."I am a (former) Workers' Compensation Claims Adjuster, so I know when an attorney is representing their client well. Being injured on the job has given me a keen appreciation of having a smart, compassionate, and proactive attorney in my corner.- Samuel L.
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"You made me feel comfortable, welcomed, cared for, and accepted in an uncertain time."ou are what I was waiting for. With you, I feel like we are a team. We will win this case together, and I’m certain about it because of you.- Nestor S.
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"Made me feel like I mattered."Candi made me feel like I mattered. She was very nice and helpful. She made everything so easy, which took away the stress of the issue.- Carl N.
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"They were very dedicated to my case."Ghitterman Ghitterman & Feld law office was professional and amazing. They were very dedicated to my case, and through their persistence, they won my case for disability. I highly recommend them as your advocates and lawyers.- Scott S.
Understanding the Personal Injury Claim Process in California
The personal injury claim process in California involves several key steps that individuals should know:
- Filing a Claim: In California, most personal injury victims have two years from the date of injury to file a lawsuit. If the claim involves a government entity, the deadline is significantly shorter: a government tort claim must typically be filed within six months of the incident before a lawsuit can proceed. For injured minors, the two-year period generally doesn’t begin until they turn 18. Missing any of these deadlines can forfeit your right to seek compensation entirely.
- Legal Representation: Hiring a personal injury lawyer in California means having someone who can gather evidence through careful investigation and legal research to support your claim. An experienced attorney can navigate the legal system, negotiate with insurance companies, and work to increase the compensation you receive.
- Establishing Legal Standing: This step requires selecting the correct venue, filing within the statute of limitations, and confirming your claim is actionable. Handling these elements properly builds solid grounds for litigation.
- Settlement & Court Proceedings: After treatment is complete and a demand package is submitted, the process may move to settlement negotiations, lien compromise, or litigation. Waiting until treatment is finished matters: settling too early often means future medical costs and lost earning capacity aren’t reflected in the final amount.
- Claims Settlement Payout: When a settlement is reached, the insurance company issues a check after you sign the release form. Reviewing settlement agreements with future medical needs and financial losses in mind is important for your long-term well-being.
These steps outline the general process, but every case has its own facts and pressures. California’s comparative negligence rule allows a claimant to recover even when partially at fault, reducing compensation proportionately, and is one of the state-specific rules that can significantly affect how a claim plays out.
California-Specific Considerations in Personal Injury Cases
Beyond state statutes, each California county may interpret liability, evidence, and damages differently. Our experience managing claims across the state lets us anticipate procedural nuances like local jury trends and court filing requirements. We closely monitor changes in California civil code and local rules, updating our strategies so clients receive effective representation wherever their case is heard.
What Financial Recovery Can I Pursue After a Personal Injury in California?
We pursue damages that reflect how an injury has changed our client’s life. Each case has its own recovery options.
Common forms of compensation our California personal injury lawyers may pursue include:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Loss of past and future wages
- Reduced future earning capacity
- Past and future pain and suffering
- Past and future mental anguish
- Physical impairment
- Physical scarring and disfigurement
Economic damages such as medical bills, lost wages, and future earning capacity are calculated using documented evidence. Non-economic damages, including pain and suffering, mental anguish, and disfigurement, are more subjective and frequently contested by insurers, which is why thorough case preparation matters.
At Ghitterman, Ghitterman & Feld, our personal injury attorneys handle every aspect of a client’s case and deliver real results for real people. Contact us to request a free consultation so we can review your claim and outline the recovery options available to you.
How Insurance Companies Approach Personal Injury Claims
Insurance adjusters are trained to protect their company’s bottom line. Early settlement offers frequently don’t account for future medical needs, lost earning capacity, or non-economic damages, and accepting one before treatment is complete can leave you without compensation for costs that emerge later.
At Ghitterman, Ghitterman & Feld, we draw on our knowledge of insurance company tactics to advocate for clients, pressing insurers to uphold their obligations. We prepare cases thoroughly using clear evidence and expert evaluation so we can counter any effort to undervalue your claim.
Eight California Offices. One Unwavering Commitment to Your Recovery.
We know that regardless of where or how you were injured, the insurance company won’t simply provide a check for all your recovery needs. It frequently creates obstacles, making your pursuit of fair compensation feel overwhelming.
You deserve better. We are persistent advocates for our clients, leaving no stone unturned in every case we handle. That commitment extends to you and your family.
We have eight physical offices in Fresno, Bakersfield, Santa Barbara, Ventura, Santa Maria, and Visalia, and our technology lets us serve clients virtually throughout California.
We offer free in-person, telephone, and virtual consultations, with straightforward legal advice tailored to your situation. Our local presence deepens our understanding of regional law and allows us to provide personalized service to the communities we serve.
Contact us today to learn more about your legal rights and your options for holding the negligent party accountable. Our personal injury attorneys in California are dedicated to your recovery.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is the First Step I Should Take After a Personal Injury in California?
Seek medical attention right away, even if your injuries don’t seem severe. Prompt documentation is critical for both your health and your claim. After your evaluation, contact a personal injury attorney in California as soon as possible. Ghitterman, Ghitterman & Feld offers free consultations to review your case and discuss your options, so you don’t lose valuable time when pursuing justice.
How Long Does a Personal Injury Lawsuit Take in California?
The timeline depends on case complexity, the parties’ willingness to settle, and the court’s schedule. Some cases resolve in a few months; others take longer. Hiring an attorney early helps keep the process moving, since counsel can manage procedural tasks and prevent avoidable delays. At Ghitterman, Ghitterman & Feld, we work to resolve matters efficiently without sacrificing the quality of your result.
Can I Afford to Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer?
Ghitterman, Ghitterman & Feld works on a contingency fee basis, which means you owe no legal fees unless we recover compensation for you. This arrangement gives anyone with a valid claim access to quality legal representation without paying anything upfront.
Why Choose Ghitterman, Ghitterman & Feld?
Relentless Commitment to Protect our Clients’ Rights. Always.
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