Serving Southern California Personal Injury Victims

At McNally Law Office, we assist victims of catastrophic accidents in order to help them recover financially and physically from the damages they have incurred. For nearly 30 years, clients in Los Angeles, Pasadena and Glendale have turned to us to resolve the difficult problems they face after suffering serious injuries.

No matter what type of injury you or a loved one has incurred, our team will be by your side, explaining your options at every turn. Contact our skilled and dedicated personal injury attorney to find out how we can begin to help you and your family today.

What Are Some Common Serious Injuries?

The specifics of every severe injury are unique. However, some accidents tend to occur more often than others. Some of the most common injuries that we handle at McNally Law Office include traumatic brain injuries, broken bones, spinal cord damage, burns, road rash, paralysis, amputations and wrongful death. Certain injuries, such as head trauma or damage to your spine, can take a long time to fully develop. That is why it is critical to consult with an experienced lawyer who can help you recover the full amount of damages that will protect you over the long term instead of just planning for the near future.

Back And Neck Injuries

Many of our clients have suffered very serious injuries after an auto accident, an accident on a construction site, or a slip- or trip-and-fall accident. No matter how you were hurt, we can help with all your back and neck injuries, including whiplash, bulging discs, strained or herniated discs, muscle strains, spine fractures and compression fractures.

Knee Injuries

While not typically life-threatening, a knee injury can drastically limit your mobility, impeding your ability to go back to life as it was before your accident. Knee injuries also increase the likelihood that you will suffer another knee injury or will face a total knee replacement in the future if the healing process does not go well. This is why it is so important to retain a lawyer. It may take time to obtain the correct diagnosis for your knee injury and obtain the proper treatment. During that time, you may be in pain, or unable to walk or work. From minor to severe, there are numerous types of knee injuries, such as patellar dislocations, meniscus tears, ligament tears like ACL tears, sprains, strains and bursa ruptures.

Shoulder Injuries

Shoulder injuries can occur in many situations, even in those that may not seem dangerous. Whether playing sports, lifting objects, or working or performing another action, pain may be the first sign of a shoulder injury. Whether the arm is hyperextended, impacted by an object or affected in another way, an injury can result. There are many different injuries that can impact the shoulder’s mobility, including broken bones, shoulder dislocation, separated shoulder, rotator cuff tears, shoulder cartilage tears, bursitis and broken collarbones.

Some of the symptoms of a shoulder injury may be subtle. There is typically pain with movement and with rest, weakness in the arm, an inability to raise your arm over your head and often crunching sounds (crepitus) when moving the shoulder. If you have any of these or other symptoms in your shoulder after an accident, you should immediately seek evaluation and treatment from a doctor. Recovery from a shoulder injury can be slow. They are not often serious and rarely life-threatening, but they can impact your life in numerous ways. You may be unable to play with your children, continue to work as you did before the injury, help around the house and more. Surgery, physical therapy and other treatment modalities may help and even cure the injury. However, many people often deal with a lifetime of consistent or intermittent issues with their shoulders after an injury.

Spinal Cord Injuries

Spinal cord injuries can have many negative side effects, including temporary loss of limb function, paralysis, numbness, weakness in your feet and legs, and muscle cramping. These side effects can drastically limit your ability to work and even prevent you from continuing employment at all.

Spinal cord injuries are very serious injuries. Sometimes, temporary damage can lead to a permanent injury if left alone. Seek medical attention immediately following your accident. Whether it was a car accident, construction site accident, truck wreck or a slip-and-fall injury, consult with a medical professional right away. Our team will work closely with your doctors to create a solid case for your recovery. You can rely on our sophisticated strategies and dedicated personal service for your personal injury needs. We construct your case around your goals and wants in order to build the best strategy for your situation.

Not All Injuries Are Immediately Evident

After an accident, you may have sustained injuries that are not immediately evident. These hidden injuries can be just as serious, if not more so, than those with obvious symptoms. They may include the following:

• Concussion
• Internal bleeding
• Whiplash
• Soft tissue injuries
• Organ damage
• Spinal injuries
• Fractures
• Psychological trauma (PTSD)
• Nerve damage

Recognizing that not all injuries are immediately evident emphasizes the importance of comprehensive medical evaluations following a catastrophic accident.

Why You Should Always Seek Medical Attention

Getting a medical evaluation as soon as possible after an accident is crucial because:

• Early diagnosis can prevent minor issues from escalating into severe health problems, allowing for timely interventions that may significantly improve recovery outcomes.
• Proper documentation provides the medical records necessary for insurance claims and legal actions. Detailed medical records serve as essential evidence when dealing with insurance companies or pursuing legal action, helping to establish the extent and cause of your injuries.
• You establish a clear link between the accident and any injuries, which is essential for personal injury claims. Timely medical reports can support your legal case by clearly documenting that the injuries directly resulted from the accident, making it harder for opposing parties to dispute your claims.
• It facilitates the smoother and faster processing of insurance claims. Insurance companies require accurate and timely medical documentation to validate your claims.
• It helps in creating a comprehensive plan for rehabilitation and recovery. A thorough medical assessment allows health care providers to develop a tailored treatment plan that addresses all aspects of your injuries, promoting a more effective and complete recovery.
• Comprehensive medical evaluations help ensure that all injuries, including those that are not immediately apparent, are documented, which can increase the compensation you receive for your pain, suffering and medical expenses.

With McNally Law Office as your personal injury lawyer, you will have a dedicated advocate who will fight tirelessly to make sure your rights are protected and you receive the compensation you deserve for your injuries and losses.

Understanding The Personal Injury Claims Process

After you have sought medical treatment for your injury, the next step you should take is to consult an attorney. Your lawyer can assist you with filing a personal injury claim with your insurance provider. In some situations, it may be necessary to hire outside professionals to research the accident, investigate the circumstances of the crash and provide expert testimony. Your lawyer can also communicate with the other party’s attorney and insurance company if necessary.

If you do not receive an offer for the full amount of compensation that you need, your next step may be a lawsuit. In a personal injury action, an attorney files a formal complaint and summons with the court. The other party has the chance to negotiate a settlement or proceed to a trial in which a judge or jury will issue a decision regarding an award. The claims process can take several months to resolve. Some cases even take multiple years.

Avoid Talking To Your Insurance Company

Your insurance company’s representatives will likely contact you soon after the incident. Do not speak with them. Insurance providers do not want to pay the full amount that you need to pay for your damages. Insurance representatives use cunning tactics to deny and devalue claims, including:

• Contacting you immediately after the accident when you still feel disoriented
• Trying to shift the liability for the accident onto you
• Disputing the value of your damages
• Minimizing the severity of your injuries, even if they are catastrophic
• Getting you to sign a medical authorization form
• Offering a lower settlement than what you really need
• Making you feel so intimidated and exhausted that you give up

You should always have a lawyer on your side to ensure that your insurer does not underpay you. We have taken on some of the most powerful insurers in the country on behalf of our clients. With us, you will know that you have strong allies who are prepared to negotiate a settlement or litigate your case to seek a favorable award.

Guiding Families That Have Lost Loved Ones In Tragic Accidents

The personal injury process can often be grueling and draining. Our attorney has had decades of experience handling these injury cases. No matter what challenges you’re facing, our team has the experience to help.

If you have lost a family member in a serious car accident, truck wreck, construction site injury or any other fatal accident, we can help. While we understand that money cannot make up for your losses, we know it will help you pay the necessary expenses needed to continue to support your family.

Our team is skilled in pursuing wrongful death lawsuits to cover damages related to burial costs, loss of income and loss of companionship. Our success has been built on a continued commitment to client communication. Allow us to handle the legal concerns while you recover emotionally.

Answers To Frequently Asked Questions About Personal Injury Litigation

When you are injured in an accident caused by someone else’s negligence, you may have many questions. You may not know where to begin. At McNally Law Office, we answer questions from our injury clients every day, and we are happy to answer your questions as well. Below, you’ll find answers to some of the most common questions asked by other prospective clients.

How much is my case worth?

Of course, everyone wants to know the bottom line, but many factors go into figuring out the correct amount of damages for your case. Your compensation will depend on factors such as:

• Medical expenses
• Lost wages
• The severity of your injury
• Property damage

Other factors may also play a role. When we meet with you, we can review all these factors together to give you a better idea of your case’s value.

How long will it take to resolve my dispute?

Similar to the question on the value of your case, the length of each case also depends on several factors, including the severity of your injury and whether you settle or go to trial. We do not recommend settling your case before you know the true extent of all your injuries and understand how they will affect you in the future. Going to trial takes much longer than settlement but is the right choice in some cases.

What is an uninsured/underinsured motorist?

California state law does not require that motorists carry liability insurance, but they must prove they can pay for damages in an accident. If they cannot pay and cause an accident, the other driver may use his or her uninsured motorist coverage to cover the accident if they have it. You may purchase uninsured motorist coverage as part of your auto insurance policy.

How much time do I have to file my personal injury claim?

In California, you only have two years to file your claim in most circumstances. In certain claims against the government, you have an even shorter amount of time, so talk to an attorney as soon as possible.

Why is it important to seek medical treatment for my injuries after an accident? What if I don’t feel hurt?

Having your injuries treated after an accident has multiple advantages. First, treating your injuries early can help you recover faster – and your well-being is the most important issue.

Second, it is important to identify your injuries as early as possible so that they can be clearly tied to your accident. That makes it harder for the insurance company involved to deny that your injuries are connected, which ultimately protects your interests if you need to file a personal injury claim.

Many people do not feel as if they were severely injured after an accident. As a result, they may forgo a medical examination.

However, hidden injuries are not uncommon in many accidents. Hidden injuries are often concealed because of the adrenaline and shock caused by the accident – and these can quickly turn serious or even deadly. Some common hidden injuries include traumatic brain injuries, internal bleeding and damage to internal organs from a seat belt, for example. It may also be harder to recover maximum compensation without a medical examination immediately after an accident.

Should I talk about my accident at the scene or on social media?

Never discuss the accident with the other party involved at the scene and provide only minimal, factual information to the emergency medical responders or the police officer called to the scene. It is also a good time to take a break from social media – and you should never discuss your accident, injuries or the claims process online.

The insurance company could twist any misstatement on your part to make it seem like you were partially or wholly at fault for the accident or exaggerating your claims. You should only discuss your accident with your attorney.

Why do I need a lawyer for my personal injury case?

The truth is, you can settle your case with the insurance company without a lawyer, but we do not recommend it for several reasons. The insurance company is trying to get away with paying you the smallest amount possible. Your only leverage for a higher settlement is the threat of a lawsuit. Without an attorney, you have no leverage. An attorney can also review your case to give you an accurate idea of its value.

What does “negligence” mean?

Under the law, people have a duty of care toward one another to act reasonably and not to injure each other. If someone fails in their duty of care and their actions injure you, they could be liable for those injuries. In order to have a case, however, you must show that your injuries caused damage and put those damages into a dollar figure.

Contact Our Pasadena Injury Law Firm For Help

You do not deserve to suffer because of a serious injury. If you have been injured in any type of accident throughout Southern California, you can rely on our skilled team to resolve the issues you will face after your serious injuries. Contact McNally Law Office today by calling us at 626-389-8590 or by using our online contact form.