Thousands of people are injured due to the negligence of others and defective products each year in Los Angeles. When a serious injury happens, it often forces you to confront a long list of dilemmas: What happens if you have to miss work? How will you pay for your medical bills or your mortgage?
If your injuries were caused by negligence or a defective product, you can file a personal injury lawsuit, seek damages for pain and suffering, and help pay for medical bills, lost wages, and more. To give your claim the best chance at achieving justice and maximum compensation, you need an experienced attorney by your side.
The Los Angeles injury attorneys at Wisner Baum have decades of experience litigating claims on behalf of accident victims. Our track record of $4 billion in verdicts and settlements is a testament to our commitment to securing the best possible outcomes for our clients. With an office conveniently located in Westwood just off the 405 Freeway at Santa Monica Blvd., we serve clients in LA and across the country.
While we handle a range of serious injury cases, our practice has increasingly focused on high-stakes mass tort litigation—cases that require significant legal resources and often involve coordination with courts across the United States.
Our Los Angeles mass tort case experience includes:
Representation of Los Angeles plaintiffs in MDLs involving defective drugs, surgical implants, and consumer product defects.
We understand how Los Angeles juries respond to corporate accountability arguments, the preferences of local judges, and the specialized rules in Complex Litigation Program courtrooms where mass tort cases are often assigned.
If you’ve been harmed by a dangerous product, corporate negligence, or environmental contamination, your case may be part of a larger mass tort. Here’s how the process works for Los Angeles residents:
As a top personal injury law firm in Los Angeles, Wisner Baum combines local trial knowledge with national litigation leadership to give your case the best chance for success.
A personal injury claim is a legal process through which an individual seeks compensation for injuries or damages due to someone else’s negligence or wrongful actions. A personal injury claim aims to recover financial compensation (known as damages) to compensate for pain and suffering and pay for medical expenses, lost wages, and other costs related to the accident or incident that injured the claimant.
At Wisner Baum, our Los Angeles injury attorneys represent clients in the following claims:
In dealing with these claims, we understand the unique challenges and stresses each situation might present. Our Los Angeles injury attorneys take a holistic approach in assessing not just the immediate injury consequences but also the long-term effects, including potential job displacement and future healthcare needs.
We work closely with various experts, including medical professionals and vocational specialists, to present a well-rounded argument for the maximum compensation.
The statute of limitations is the time you have to file a Los Angeles personal injury lawsuit. In California, you must timely file an injury case within two years of the date of the accident, with some exceptions. There are nuances to the statute of limitations based on specific injury types or specific defendants, such as governmental entities, which may require advanced notice within shorter timeframes. To ensure you are not time-barred from filing a lawsuit, we recommend you speak with an injury lawyer in Los Angeles about your claim as soon as possible.
California follows a “pure comparative negligence” rule, which means your compensation can be reduced by your percentage of fault.
In mass tort and product liability cases, fault usually focuses on the manufacturer or corporation—but defense teams may try to argue product misuse or user error. We counter these claims with expert analysis, thorough documentation, and strong trial preparation.
Here’s what a personal injury lawyer will do for you:
No, you are not legally required to retain a lawyer representing your interests in a Los Angeles injury claim. Let’s say you sustained minor injuries in an auto accident in Hollywood. You may be able to negotiate a fair settlement with the insurance company without a lawyer to represent you.
However, suppose you were hospitalized with severe injuries that required long-term rehabilitation. In that case, consulting with an experienced personal injury lawyer is a good idea to ensure you are appropriately compensated.
An Insurance Research Council study found that the average person receives an injury settlement 3.5 times larger when they retain a lawyer to represent their legal interests. Insurance companies have been known to bully accident victims into accepting lowball settlement offers. They may say, “This is the best you will get even if you hire a lawyer.”
In our experience, insurance companies use this tactic to scare the victim into accepting a settlement that does not reflect the actual value of the claim. Our recommendation: even if you know that you will accept an injury settlement from the insurance company, have an attorney review the claim to be confident you are receiving total and fair compensation. Remember, Los Angeles personal injury attorneys offer free claim evaluations, so you risk nothing by speaking with a lawyer before you agree to a settlement.
It can be very traumatic to sustain a severe injury, which may involve lacerations, broken bones, traumatic brain injuries, and paralysis. Anyone who is hospitalized after an accident in Los Angeles may face many thousands of dollars in medical treatment and long-term care. The injured person may also have to miss work for an extended period or change professions to accommodate the injury.
Figuring out how to sort out your financial affairs while recovering physically and emotionally can be overwhelming. That’s why accident victims should consider hiring a Los Angeles personal injury lawyer to help file a lawsuit and recover damages. But how do you find the best lawyer in LA for your claim? Here are some helpful tips to get you started.
Finding the right personal injury lawyer can significantly impact the outcome of your claim. Here are some steps you can take to ensure you choose the best Los Angeles injury attorney for your needs:
Ask Friends, Family, or Coworkers if They Have Any Recommendations. If you have a family lawyer, they might have a good referral for a Los Angeles law firm that handles personal injury cases.
Read LA Injury Lawyer Reviews. If you find an LA law firm that looks like a good fit, visit third-party sites to see if past clients have had good experiences with the firm’s attorneys. Check Google reviews or Yelp for more personal experiences from past clients.
Does the Attorney Handle Personal Injury Lawsuits? Ensure the lawyer has years of experience in personal injury law. Lawyers who frequently handle claims similar to yours will understand how to build the most robust case on your behalf.
Does the Attorney Have Proven Claim Results? Your attorney should be able to share examples of claims similar to yours where they obtained justice and compensation for the client.
How Long Has the Attorney and His/Her Firm Practiced Personal Injury Law in Los Angeles? Experience matters. While it may not guarantee a result, your claim deserves the seasoned hand of a lawyer who has been in practice for years. At Wisner Baum, we have been pursuing justice on behalf of accident victims in Los Angeles since 1985.
Does the Attorney Have Trial Experience? As stated above, most personal injury lawsuits are resolved with a settlement agreement. However, some claims do go to trial. If the defendant(s) are unwilling to compensate you fully and fairly, your attorney should have proven experience in the courtroom to vindicate your legal rights.
Look for Any Awards or Recognitions from the Legal Community. Is the attorney a member of professional organizations like the American Association for Justice (AAJ) or local trial lawyer associations? Have they earned awards in Los Angeles or nationwide?
Consider Feedback from Other Attorneys. You can find out what other attorneys think of the lawyer you are considering by visiting third-party sites like Super Lawyers, Best Lawyers, Martindale-Hubbell, and more.
Most LA injury law firms offer free claim evaluations or consultations. Use this to your advantage—you have nothing to lose by speaking with an attorney you may be interested in hiring.
Some questions to consider asking during the consultation:
After researching and speaking with Los Angeles injury attorneys, use your knowledge and instincts to decide which attorney you feel will best handle your injury claim. Personal injury lawsuits can take months and, in some cases, years to resolve. You should feel confident in the attorney’s ability to represent you and be comfortable with them personally.
Do they seem responsive and willing to answer your questions thoroughly? Do they have a good support staff to assist with filing your claim?
That is the best attorney for your claim if you have a good rapport and feel confident in an attorney’s abilities.
You may be eligible to file a personal injury lawsuit if you sustained injuries due to negligence or a defective product. If your loved one is a minor child or has suffered injuries that prevent them from acting on their behalf, you may be able to pursue a claim on their behalf. In a personal injury claim, the claimant (also known as the plaintiff) must prove that another party owed them a standard of care, that the responsible party violated that standard of care, and that the violation caused the claimant’s injury (or injuries).
In a bus accident, for example, the standard of care owed to you by the bus driver and the bus company is that they must operate the bus using the utmost care to include safe driving and a properly maintained vehicle. If the bus driver was speeding and crashed into another vehicle due to recklessness or poor training, the driver (and possibly the bus company) breached their duty of care to you as a fare-paying passenger, which means you may be able to pursue a lawsuit.
If you need a personal injury lawyer in Los Angeles or are considering joining a mass tort lawsuit, call (310) 207-3233 today for a free, confidential consultation. We have the local courtroom experience and nationwide resources to fight for you. Contact Wisner Baum today.
One important aspect of personal injury law in California is the doctrine of comparative fault. Under California's pure comparative negligence rule, each party involved in an accident is held accountable for their contribution to the accident. This means if you are found to be partially at fault for an accident, any awarded compensation will be reduced by the percentage of your fault. For example, if you are 20% responsible for a car accident, and the damages amount to $100,000, you would receive $80,000.
It's crucial to have skilled legal representation to effectively argue your percentage of fault, as this can significantly impact the outcome of your compensation. The attorneys at Wisner Baum are adept at navigating these intricacies and will strive to minimize any attributed fault to optimize your recovery.
In California, the general statute of limitations for filing a personal injury lawsuit is two years from the date of the accident. However, there are exceptions, such as when claims involve a government entity, which may require you to file within six months.
There may also be allowances for minors or when injuries are not immediately apparent. It is crucial to consult with a lawyer promptly to ensure compliance with all applicable deadlines.
Immediately after an accident, prioritize your safety and health by contacting emergency services if necessary. Collect evidence from the scene, including photographs and witness information. Seek medical attention to document your injuries, even if they seem minor at first. Lastly, contact a personal injury lawyer to discuss your case and legal options before speaking to insurance companies.
Legal representation can significantly enhance the outcome of your personal injury case by ensuring all facets are thoroughly explored and argued. Attorneys conduct comprehensive investigations, gather critical evidence, and have the expertise to counteract insurance company strategies. They also provide insights on potential settlement values and guide negotiations or court proceedings to secure you a fair resolution.
One common mistake is delaying medical treatment, as timely documentation is essential for your claim. Another is speaking to insurance adjusters without legal counsel, as they might twist your words to minimize payouts. Also, failing to document expenses or keep detailed records of your recovery can undermine your claim. Engaging an experienced attorney can help avoid these pitfalls.
In Los Angeles, personal injury compensation can cover several areas: medical expenses, lost wages, and other economic damages from an accident. Non-economic damages may include pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life. In some cases, punitive damages may also be applied to punish egregious behavior, although these are less common.
Amounts vary based on injury severity, liability, and case type. Minor cases might resolve for thousands, while catastrophic injury or wrongful death claims—especially in mass torts—can reach multi-million-dollar settlements.
Yes. California’s product liability laws protect consumers harmed by defective or unsafe products. If many others were harmed, your claim might be part of a mass tort or class action.
A mass tort forms when multiple plaintiffs file similar claims against the same defendant over the same harm. We can quickly assess whether your case qualifies.
Most are filed in Los Angeles Superior Court’s Complex Litigation Program or in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California.
Bring medical records, product packaging or receipts, any written communications related to your injury, photos, and documentation of losses.
Depending on complexity, these cases can take from 18 months to several years. We’ll keep you informed at every stage.
In May of 2019, the jury in the case of Pilliod et al. v, Monsanto Company ordered the agrochemical giant to pay $2.055 billion in damages to the plaintiffs, Alva and Alberta Pilliod, a Bay Area couple in their 70s. R. Brent Wisner served as co-lead trial attorney for the Pilliods, delivering the opening and closing statements and cross-examining several of Monsanto’s experts. Wisner Baum managing shareholder, Michael Baum and attorney Pedram Esfandiary also served on the trial team in the Pilliod case.
The judge later reduced their award to $87M. Monsanto appealed the Pilliod’s verdict which the California Court of Appeal for the First Appellate District denied on August 9, 2021. Monsanto then requested the California Supreme Court review the appeal’s court decision, which the court denied on Nov. 17, 2021. Monsanto (Bayer) then submitted a petition for a writ of certiorari with the U.S. Supreme Court which SCOTUS denied on June 27, 2022, allowing the final judgment of $87M to remain intact.
$289.2 million jury verdict in Monsanto Roundup trial
Wisner Baum co-represented Dewayne “Lee” Johnson in the first Roundup cancer lawsuit to proceed to trial. On Aug. 10, 2018, a San Francisco jury ordered Monsanto to pay $39.25 million in compensatory damages and $250 million in punitive damages to Mr. Johnson, a former groundskeeper who alleged exposure to Monsanto’s herbicides caused him to develop terminal non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
Months after the jury verdict, the judge overseeing the trial reduced the punitive damages to $39.25 million. Mr. Johnson decided to accept the remittitur, bringing the adjusted amount awarded to Mr. Johnson $78.5 million.
Monsanto (Bayer) appealed the verdict and Johnson cross appealed. On July 20, 2020, the First Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the verdict against Monsanto but reduced Mr. Johnson’s award to $20.5 million. The company chose not to take the case to the U.S. Supreme Court, ending the litigation.
In 2016, Wisner Baum attorney Timothy A. Loranger and six other attorneys in the Plaintiffs’ Management Committee were able to secure a $265 million settlement for victims of the 2015 Amtrak 188 derailment in Philadelphia, one of the largest in the U.S. for 2016.
