Why You Need Experienced Legal Representation for Complex Personal Injury Cases

Personal injury law covers a wide range of cases, many of which are familiar to the average person. While car accidents and slip-and-fall incidents are common, not all personal injury cases are considered complex. Legal complexities often arise when multiple parties are involved, medical malpractice is a factor, catastrophic injuries occur, or when a claim is filed against a government entity or large corporation.

Determining fault in these cases is rarely straightforward and often requires a jury’s decision. Most complex accident claims are seldom settled outside of court, and an experienced attorney knows when to reject a settlement offer and take the case to trial. In this article, we’ll explore real-life case studies that highlight the importance of working with a personal injury attorney and how skilled legal representation can make all the difference in navigating complex injury cases.

Complex Liability in Multistate Lawsuit

Most people are familiar with class action lawsuits, like the famous Erin Brockovich case. But what happens when a lawsuit is so massive that it spans nearly an entire nation? That’s exactly what occurred in 1998 with the Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement (MSA)—one of the most complex legal settlements in U.S. history.

This landmark case involved 46 states, the District of Columbia, five U.S. territories, and the four largest tobacco companies—Philip Morris, R.J. Reynolds, Brown & Williamson, and Lorillard. Rather than a traditional class action, it was a multistate settlement aimed at recovering healthcare costs linked to smoking-related illnesses. The MSA required tobacco companies to pay $206 billion over 25 years, restrict advertising (including banning the cartoon character Joe Camel), and fund anti-smoking campaigns.

Complex Liability in Medical Malpractice

In 2010, a 39-year-old Kentucky man was misled by a doctor into undergoing unnecessary pacemaker surgery after being told he had a 60% artery blockage and would die without it. After the procedure, the doctor recommended a stent placement. This made the patient suspicious, so he decided to seek a second opinion. To his dismay, he discovered his blockage was only 10%, and the pacemaker was unnecessary. Unfortunately, the device was irreversible, leaving him bedridden for weeks and impacting his ability to work and spend time with his family.

In 2011, he sued the doctor and hospital, joining nearly 400 other plaintiffs. The lawsuit alleged that the hospital and cardiologists had financial incentives to increase heart procedures, with executives receiving bonuses based on revenue. Evidence showed the hospital projected $90 million in profits from these procedures.

Complex Injury Claims

Recently, a jury in Los Angeles awarded $50 million to a Postmates driver who suffered third-degree burns at a Starbucks drive-thru. This unfortunate incident occurred in 2020 when a barista handed him an unsecured cup filled with scalding hot tea. Surveillance footage shows the tea spilling into his lap; he sustained severe, life-altering injuries that required multiple skin grafts and left him with permanent disfigurement. This case demonstrates the importance of holding corporations accountable.

Without an experienced personal injury attorney, cases such as this one would be nearly impossible to win. Big corporations like Starbucks have teams of attorneys working to minimize liability, and without skilled representation, injured victims may struggle to prove negligence and seek justice.

Los Angeles Personal Injury Attorneys

When facing a complex personal injury case, having the right legal team can make all the difference. Unlike a solo attorney, a personal injury law firm provides a team of professionals who work together to build the strongest possible case. Large corporations and insurance companies have vast resources to fight claims; taking them on alone can be overwhelming. A law firm brings the collective knowledge, skills, and resources needed to negotiate aggressively and, if necessary, take the case to trial.

If you or a loved one has suffered a catastrophic injury, don’t settle for less—hire a firm that has the expertise and manpower to handle complex injury cases. As an established personal injury law firm in North Hollywood, Yepremyan Law has represented clients in Southern California since 1998. Call our office to schedule your free consultation with a North Hollywood personal injury attorney or request to speak with a personal injury lawyer in Los Angeles.

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