Practice Areas Overview

The Law Offices of Esteban Valenzuela, Santa Maria personal injury law firm assists clients throughout Southern California in a range of matters, including personal injury cases involving car accidents, trucking accidents, and product defects, and workers' compensation matters and insurance claim disputes. We assist clients in the San Joaquin Valley, and throughout Southern California, from Bakersfield to Tulare, San Bernardino, Riverside, Coachella, and Indio.

Automobile Accidents

If you have been injured due to a car crash, you may be able to recover for the damages you have suffered, including medical bills, lost wages, emotional distress, pain and suffering, and other related costs. We have assisted victims suffering from complex and serious injuries, and have represented parties in numerous accident cases involving multiple deaths. For more information on the services we offer in this area, visit our auto accidents page.

Trucking Accidents

Often resulting in catastrophic injuries and wrongful deaths, trucking accident cases are particularly complex. In addition to being emotionally traumatic events, these cases typically involve a tangle of federal and state motor vehicle regulations and personal injury and wrongful death laws. It is important to retain an attorney who is sensitive to the complicated emotional and legal issues involved. For more information on the services we offer in this area, visit our trucking accidents page.  

Wrongful Death

Wrongful death claims generally arise when a victim suffers fatal injuries in an accident, such as a car, truck, or workplace accident, or in an accident caused by a defective product. If you have lost a loved one in an accident caused by the negligence or wrongful act of another party, you may be entitled to compensation for the losses you have suffered. For more information on the services we offer to grieving families, visit our wrongful death page.

Products Liability

Our attorneys handle a wide range of products liability cases, including issues related to car accidents, such as injuries caused by defective seat belts, tires, or child seats, and general products liability issues, which may include injuries from defective household appliances, work equipment, toys, and most other consumer products. Under the law, manufacturers must ensure that their products are not dangerous or defective when used in a reasonable manner. Product manufacturers are held to a standard of strict liability so that a plaintiff need not prove negligence if an injury is caused by a defective product.  If a product is inherently dangerous, the manufacturer must ensure that obvious warnings are attached. If you have suffered an injury or lost a loved one due a defective product, you may be eligible to recover damages.

Post Traumatic Stress

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is an anxiety disorder brought on when a person experiences or witnesses a traumatic event that causes a great deal of fear or a feeling of helplessness. Such events may include catastrophic car or truck accidents, severe workplace injuries, or witnessing the death of another. Symptoms of PTSD may include:

• Flashbacks
• Nightmares or trouble sleeping
• Panic attacks or being easily frightened
• Feeling emotionally numb or helpless
• Avoiding once enjoyable activities
• Memory problems or trouble concentrating
• Difficulty maintaining relationships
• Irritability or anger
• Destructive behavior

If you believe you are suffering from PTSD, consult with an attorney who can help you obtain the relief you need. We may also be able to assist you with filing Social Security, workers' compensation, or other insurance claims. For more information, contact us today.

Workers' Compensation and Insurance Claims

Workers' compensation laws ensure that employers provide financial assistance and medical benefits to employees who have been injured on-the-job due to an accident or who suffer from a work-related illness.

To make a claim for compensation, an employee need not prove that the employer was negligent or at fault in causing the injury, but only that the injury was work-related. Once a claim has been made, the employer or employer's insurer will pay benefits according to statutory guidelines. Disputes in workers compensation cases generally arise over whether the injury actually occurred while the employee was "on-the-job" and how much in benefits he or she is entitled to receive. Typical benefits to which an employee may be entitled include:

• Medical Care
• Temporary Disability Benefits (for workers unable to return to work within three days)
• Permanent Disability Benefits
• Vocational Rehabilitation Services (to help the injured worker return to any suitable gainful employment)

Employee Death Benefits

In the event that a work-related accident results in the fatal injury of a worker, his or her family may be entitled to death benefits. These benefits may include funeral and burial expenses and temporary payments to dependents. Payments generally depend on the number of dependants and the extent of their dependence on the deceased worker. Often, the amount and duration of death benefits and additional benefits that the employee's dependants are entitled to receive is disputed by the parties.

Third Party Issues

In many workers' compensation or other insurance claims, an accident may have been the fault or partially the fault of a third party.  Injured workers often sue third parties when workers' compensation benefits or insurance policies do not cover all of the damages they have sustained. Employers may also have the right to seek reimbursement from the third party to cover the costs of an employee's injuries, or may join the suit as another plaintiff.

Seek Legal Guidance - Se Habla Español.

If you need guidance and sympathetic legal support in any of our areas of practice, contact the Law Offices of Esteban Valenzuela today at 888-341-3891 for a free initial consultation.