General Questions

Possibly. You generally have a claim if someone else's negligence caused you injury and you suffered real losses — medical bills, lost income, or lasting harm. Personal-injury and workers' comp claims each have their own rules and California deadlines are strict, so the safest step is a free consultation where a real attorney reviews the facts and tells you honestly whether you have a case.

The statute of limitations in California personal injury cases is ordinarily two years from the date the injury producing accident occurred. Generally speaking, this means that a lawsuit must be filed within two years of the accident, or the injured plaintiff will be barred from seeking recovery for his or her injuries.

However, the California Tort Claims Act sets out strict timelines when your claim is against a governmental entity: you must present a claim for personal injury within six months of the date of the injury. See Cal. Gov't Code section 911.2. You should always consult with a qualified attorney following any accident where injuries occur.

At BKHC there is nothing to pay up front. Personal injury cases are handled on a contingency fee basis — our fee comes out of the settlement or verdict only if we recover compensation for you. If we don't win, you don't owe a fee. Workers' comp attorney fees are a judge-approved percentage of your award. Initial consultations are always free.

Be cautious. Insurance adjusters are trained to minimize payouts, and a recorded statement given early — before you understand the full extent of your injuries — can be used to reduce or deny your claim. Before giving any statement to the other party's insurer, it is best to consult with an attorney so you understand your rights and what you're obligated to share.

It varies. Many cases settle within a few months once medical treatment is complete and the injuries are well documented. More complex cases — those involving disputed liability, serious injuries, multiple parties, or insurance bad-faith issues — can take a year or longer, especially if litigation is filed. Our goal is to resolve your case as efficiently as possible while making sure you're fully compensated.

The large majority of cases settle without trial. However, if the insurance company will not offer fair compensation, we are fully prepared to file a lawsuit and try the case. Our attorneys have decades of combined trial experience and have obtained substantial verdicts when settlement was not possible.

The consultation is free and no-obligation. An attorney listens to what happened, answers your questions, and tells you whether you have a case and what it may be worth. Bring anything you have — a police or incident report, photos, insurance information, medical records or bills, and the names of any witnesses. If you can't come to us, we can come to you. Se habla español.

BKHC is based in downtown San Diego and represents injured people throughout San Diego County and across California. If you're unable to travel because of your injuries, we can meet you at your home or in the hospital.

Yes. BKHC provides services in Spanish — see our Se Habla Español page. Sí, hablamos español y ofrecemos consultas gratuitas.