What Counts as a Personal Injury Case in California?

 

When most people hear the term “personal injury”, they immediately think of car accidents. While motor vehicle collisions are the most common type of personal injury claim, they are only one piece of a much larger area of law. In fact, personal injury law in California covers a wide range of incidents where someone is physically or emotionally harmed due to another person’s negligence or intentional actions.

As a Santa Clarita personal injury attorney with more than 28 years of experience, I’ve handled nearly every type of case imaginable. Below, I’ll walk you through the different categories of personal injury cases and share real-world examples.

If you are injured because of someone’s carelessness, you may find helpful information on our area-specific pages:

• 👉 Valencia Car Accident Lawyer: https://www.mrscvlaw.com/valencia-personal-injury-lawyer/

• 👉 Newhall Car Accident Lawyer: https://www.mrscvlaw.com/newhall-personal-injury-lawyer/

• 👉 Saugus Car Accident Lawyer: https://www.mrscvlaw.com/saugus-personal-injury-lawyer/

• 👉 Canyon Country Car Accident Lawyer: https://www.mrscvlaw.com/canyon-county-personal-injury-attorney/

Motor Vehicle Accidents

Motor vehicle collisions make up the largest category of personal injury claims. These include:

• Car accidents
• Truck accidents
• Motorcycle accidents
• Bus accidents
• Bicycle accidents
• Pedestrian accidents

If another driver acted carelessly or broke traffic laws, they may be responsible for your injuries and damages.

Premises Liability (Slip and Fall Accidents)

Premises liability cases involve accidents that happen on someone else’s property. Common examples include:

• Slip and fall accidents at supermarkets, shopping centers, or malls
• Trip and falls in apartment complexes or poorly maintained walkways

Property owners and managers have a legal duty to keep their premises safe. If they fail to do so, they may be held liable for resulting injuries.

Dog Bites and Animal Attacks

Under California’s strict liability law, dog owners are responsible if their dog bites or attacks someone — even if the dog has never shown aggression before.

Burn Injuries

Burn injuries can be devastating and life-changing. Examples of cases I’ve handled include:

• A 7-year-old child who fell into an open fire pit
• A tenant burned when her apartment caught fire while she was asleep
• A Starbucks customer who suffered severe burns from spilled hot coffee at a drive-thru

 

Workplace Injuries and Third-Party Claims

Most workplace injuries are covered under workers’ compensation, but there are exceptions:

• If your employer does not have workers’ compensation insurance, you may pursue a personal injury claim.
• If a third party (not your employer or co-worker) caused your injuries, you can file both a workers’ compensation claim and a personal injury lawsuit.

Example: An Amazon delivery driver injured by a negligent motorist can seek workers’ comp benefits from Amazon and also sue the at-fault driver.

Construction Site Accidents

Construction sites are some of the most dangerous workplaces in California. With heavy machinery, scaffolding, power tools, and multiple subcontractors working side by side, accidents can — and often do — happen. Unfortunately, when safety rules are ignored or equipment is not properly maintained, the consequences can be life-changing for injured workers and their families.

Common construction site accidents include:

• Falls from scaffolding, ladders, or roofs

• Being struck by falling objects or debris

• Electrocutions from exposed wiring

• Heavy equipment accidents involving forklifts, cranes, or bulldozers

• Injuries caused by defective machinery or tools

While many construction injuries are initially handled through workers’ compensation, California law allows injured workers to pursue a personal injury lawsuit when a third party (such as a subcontractor, property owner, or equipment manufacturer) is responsible. For example, if a defective nail gun causes an injury, the manufacturer may be held liable. Similarly, if a general contractor fails to maintain a safe worksite and a subcontractor is hurt, a personal injury claim may be appropriate.

These cases are often complex because multiple companies and insurance carriers may be involved. An experienced construction accident lawyer in Santa Clarita can identify all responsible parties, preserve critical evidence, and fight to ensure the injured worker receives full compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and long-term disability.

At The Mason Law Firm, we handled a case involving a construction worker who was installing drywall inside a commercial building. The general contractor failed to secure the scaffolding properly, and while our client was working on an upper level, the scaffolding collapsed. He fell more than 12 feet, suffering multiple fractures and a serious back injury.

While workers’ compensation covered part of his medical treatment, it did not fully address his long-term disability, pain and suffering, or lost earning capacity. By investigating the site conditions, interviewing witnesses, and bringing in construction safety experts, we were able to prove that the general contractor’s negligence directly caused the accident. This allowed us to pursue a personal injury lawsuit in addition to workers’ compensation, securing a settlement that provided our client with the resources needed for ongoing care and financial stability.

This case illustrates how construction site accidents often involve layers of responsibility — from property owners to subcontractors and equipment manufacturers. That’s why having an experienced Santa Clarita construction accident attorney on your side is critical to protecting your rights and maximizing recovery.

Product Liability

When a defective product causes injury, the manufacturer or distributor may be held responsible. Claims may be based on:

• Faulty design
• Manufacturing defects
• Inadequate warnings or instructions

Medical Malpractice

Medical malpractice occurs when a healthcare provider fails to meet the standard of care, resulting in patient harm. Examples include surgical mistakes, misdiagnosis, or medication errors.

Wrongful Death

If a loved one dies due to someone else’s negligence or misconduct, surviving family members may file a wrongful death claim. These cases often arise from fatal car accidents, medical negligence, or unsafe property conditions.

Emotional Distress Cases

Not all personal injury cases involve physical harm. Some involve emotional trauma.

For example, my firm represented two sisters whose father’s grave was moved without their consent because the burial plot had been resold decades earlier. They were forced to exhume their father’s body before burying their mother — a deeply traumatic experience that resulted in a valid emotional distress claim.

Do You Have a Personal Injury Case?

This article is provided by Mason Rashtian of The Mason Law Firm, a personal injury attorney representing accident victims throughout California and Los Angeles County.

Our firm proudly serves:

• Santa Clarita Valley
• Valencia
• Stevenson Ranch
• Canyon Country
• Newhall
• The San Fernando Valley
• And surrounding communities

If you or someone you love has been injured in a personal injury incident, you may be entitled to compensation for:

• Medical expenses
• Lost wages
• Pain and suffering
• Future medical care
• Permanent disability

We prepare every case as if it is going to trial and fight for full and fair compensation.

We offer free consultations and work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we win your case.