Law Offices of Joseph Johnson

12/10/2024

Check out this review by my client! So happy I could help her; she deserves it!

09/28/2024

09/24/2024

09/30/2021

Go Gauchos!
https://www.lawnstarter.com/blog/studies/best-tacos-in-california/?fbclid=IwAR0Y4Jbex4Ge91in3sgbFQVonI3QACT1JAlqIq5uZUO2pvaVi3CxoHaKf80

Cali is known for its grapes, but what about its tacos? See how the Golden State's 100 biggest cities stack up for taco access and quality.

12/02/2020

The Manhattan Beach Education Foundation relies on contributions from our community to sustain the programs that inspire learning, enrich teaching, and promote innovation and academic excellence in our public schools. Please join me!

08/08/2018

Check out the new website for the Law Offices of Joseph Johnson

We have a new look and wanted to share it with you...

06/26/2018

https://www.josephjohnsonlaw.com/news/2018/6/14/damages-in-a-motor-vehicle-accidentsr66tin

Damages In a Motor Vehicle Accident...

02/14/2018

Things All Dog Owners Should Know!

California (along with several other states) is a “strict liability” state for dog bites...

10/16/2017

Types of Personal Injury Damages

Those who prevail in a civil action for personal injuries are typically entitled to recover damages. The precise amount of a personal injury damage award is determined by a jury on a case-by-case basis. If the award is excessive or deficient, a court may review the award and increase or decrease the final amount without a new trial or appeal. A personal injury damage award may include two types of damages: compensatory damages and punitive damages.

1. Compensatory Damages

Compensatory damages are designed to place a victim in the position he or she would be in if the injury had never occurred. By placing a dollar amount on the victim's injuries, compensatory damages seek to restore the victim financially, physically and emotionally. Compensatory damages may be divided into two categories: damages that compensate victims for monetary losses (also known as special damages), and damages that compensate victims for non-monetary losses (also known as general damages).

Compensatory damages for monetary losses include:

A. Medical expenses. Damages for medical expenses may include the costs of both past and future medical care and rehabilitation. Future costs are calculated by estimating the patient's medical needs for the rest of his or her life expectancy.
B. Costs of living with a disability. An injury may result in a disability that requires a victim to significantly alter his or her lifestyle. Compensatory damages may cover the costs associated with this change. For example, a damage award may compensate a victim for the costs of renovating a house to make it wheelchair-accessible, or the costs of in-home nursing care or assistance.
C. Lost wages. A victim may recover any wages lost while recovering from an injury, as well as any lost earning capacity suffered as a result of an injury.
D. Repair or replacement of property. A victim may recover the costs of property damage suffered in a car accident, or other type of accident. Property is typically valued at its fair market value at the time of the injury.
E. Funeral expenses. The family of a personal injury victim may recover the costs of any funeral expenses incurred as a result of the injury.

Damages for non-monetary losses include:

F. Pain and suffering. Damages for pain and suffering typically include compensation for actual physical pain, as well as compensation for emotional distress. Emotional distress is defined as the frustration, fear, anger and loss of enjoyment of life associated with suffering from a debilitating injury.
G. Loss of consortium. Spouses of personal injury victims may receive damages for the loss of the emotional and intangible elements of marriage, such as loss of affection, solace, comfort, companionship, society, assistance, and sexual relations.

2. Punitive Damages

Punitive damages are not designed to compensate the victim, but to punish the defendant for inflicting the victim's injuries and to deter others from engaging in similar behavior. Punitive damages are typically awarded when the defendant's conduct has been especially egregious or outrageous. Punitive damages are not awarded in every personal injury case, and may not be considered unless a compensatory damage award has been ordered. In order to avoid excessive punitive damage awards, courts typically limit punitive damages to less than ten times the amount of compensatory damages.

10/02/2017

Please help if you are able.

If you end up on this page you know the reason why we decided to create this fundraising page. We send our support and love to friends and families in Las Vegas that suffered on the night of October 1st at Mandalay Bay Casino. Currently news outlets informed us that 2 people are dead, 24 injure...

09/29/2017

Every year, approximately 800,000 people are bit by dogs to such a degree that they require medical attention. Children and postal workers are the most susceptible to such bites. Due to the prevalence

09/13/2017

7 Things To Do If You Get In A Car Accident:
No matter how small, being in a car accident can be a terrifying and traumatic event. Here are the first things you should do in order to protect yourself:

1. Check on All Drivers and Passengers: Your first priority after getting in a car accident should be the safety of yourself and of everyone involved. Check yourself and your passengers for any pain or obvious injuries. Then, make sure the people in the other vehicle are okay. If anyone appears to have a serious injury, call for medical attention.

2. Call the Police: Many people call the police after an accident only if there is serious property damage or injury. However, it’s a good idea to call the police even if there doesn’t appear to be any significant damage, as your injuries may not be readily apparent. Make sure to ask the police to file a report, and get the names and badge numbers of the officers. You may need this information for your claim or for court.

3. Exchange Information/DO NOT Discuss Liability or Apologize: It is important to exchange information with the other driver(s) after an accident. Remain calm and cooperative and be sure to collect the driver’s name, phone number, license plate number and insurance information. Obtain the names, phone numbers and addresses of passengers and witnesses. DO NOT discuss who is at fault and DO NOT apologize for anything you may have done that might have led to the accident. It might not always be clear immediately after an accident who is at fault, and by apologizing you may be admitting legal liability.

4. Document Everything/Take Pictures: If you have a camera or a camera phone with you at the time of the accident, take photographs of your vehicle and any injuries that you or your passengers have sustained. If you do not have a camera with you, take photographs as soon as possible after the accident. Comparing before-and-after photos can be useful for your insurance adjuster and for court.

5. Inform Your Insurance Company: Inform your insurance company that you have been involved in an accident. Be sure to cooperate fully with your insurance company and be honest with the facts. Lying to your insurance company about anything could result in loss of coverage for the accident. DO NOT talk to the other party’s insurance company.

6. Seek Medical Attention. After an accident, adrenaline flows and you may feel fine, even though you could be injured and just not know it yet. Often, injuries caused by motor vehicle accidents do not appear for several days following the accident. Even in accidents involving minor impact, you can sustain a serious and permanent injury. Unless you are absolutely certain you were not injured, you should seek medical attention at your local ER or by seeing your family physician.

7. Consult an Attorney: Perhaps the most important thing you should do after an accident is to consult an attorney. An attorney can protect your rights, maximize your recovery, and make sure valuable evidence is not destroyed. Often, insurance companies want to take statements immediately after an accident. It is important that you have received legal advice before providing such a statement. Your attorney can advise you on issues ranging from how to make sure you are fully compensated for your vehicle to how to make sure you are getting the best medical treatment available. Personal injury attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, which means there is no legal fee unless the attorney recovers compensation for your injuries.

(323) 736-1529