Serious personal injuries are among the most devastating, highly personal tragedies individuals and their families could ever have to face. People are forced to make important decisions about the future while suffering from the extreme emotional turmoil that often accompanies such a trauma.

During these times, when people are most vulnerable, it is crucial to have a trusted, experienced advisor to guide you through the complicated legal system.

As a Southern California Personal Injury Lawyer, attorney Michael Sabongui's mission is to go the extra distance for you. He has worked tirelessly fighting for the legal rights of hundreds of clients who have suffered serious physical, emotional and catastrophic injuries, and survivors of those who have died due to others’ negligence as a result of vehicle accidents and other wrongful acts.

Our firm takes pride in providing quality and personalized representation to clients in Orange County and throughout Southern California, within the following personal injury practice areas:

• Catastrophic Injuries
• Wrongful Deaths
• Brain Injuries
• Spinal Cord Injuries
• Motor Vehicle, Truck and Motorcycle Accidents
• Premises Liability
• Burn Injuries
• Dog Bites
• Insurance Claims

As a Southern California Personal Injury Lawyer, attorney Michael Sabongui makes your needs his top priority. He will manage all aspects of your case, including complex investigations, vital research, processing of medical bills, contacting insurance companies and engaging in negotiations.

From beginning to end, our office will guide you through an often intimidating, tedious process of challenging corporations and insurance companies until a fair settlement is reached. We will navigate your claim through the court system and regularly communicate with you regarding your case. We stand ready to fight for you.

IF WE DON’T RECOVER ANY MONEY FOR YOU, THEN YOU DO NOT PAY LEGAL FEES! We return your phone calls immediately, investigate all claims on your behalf, and will visit you if you are unable to meet with us.

Michael Sabongui has been an attorney for two decades and has handled a variety of extremely sensitive and high-profile cases in both New York and California. As a trusted Southern California Personal Injury Attorney, he has worked on hundreds of lawsuits involving catastrophic injuries, serious motor vehicle accidents, and wrongful death claims. He has been involved in many multimillion dollar lawsuits and has successfully litigated numerous cases to rewarding verdicts and settlements.

Mr. Sabongui prepares every case as if it will be going to trial — making sure that all investigations are done and all evidence is available to establish liability and prove damages. Our firm's intensive research, preparation and handling of cases prior to trial will often lead to a settlement offer from the other side. However, although some attorneys would rather settle every case out of court, if a settlement offer is not acceptable, we will be ready to proceed to trial if it is in your best interests.

No matter how hard defendants, their attorneys, and insurance carriers try to defeat and destroy your claim, we will stand by you all the way to trial. Our firm has the ability to handle various complex personal injury cases. We understand how to present expert witness testimony and gather the necessary evidence. This is critical in cases involving catastrophic injuries and complex cases requiring technical experts.

We are also aware that the practice of law is not just a profession of legal and technical expertise — it is also about our clients. We are serious about listening to your emotional, physical and financial concerns, and will develop a plan to work with you in getting the answers and results you deserve. We  will personally keep you up to date and regularly communicate with you regarding your case as our office guides your claim through the court system.

If you or someone you know in Orange County or throughout Southern California needs the assistance of an experienced Southern California Personal Injury Lawyer, call Attorney Michael Sabongui today at 866-614-3161, or complete the contact form provided on this site to schedule your free consultation.

Testimonials

"After being involved in a freeway accident, I suffered neck and back injuries, but the insurance agent only offered to pay for my car. After I hired Mr. Sabongui as my attorney, my case settled for twenty times as much!!!"
— Michael Morgan (Mission Viejo, CA)

"I have worked as an attorney in California for the past four decades, and Mr. Sabongui is one of the most talented and sharpest lawyers I have ever known. I now consult with Mr. Sabongui on many of my own cases for his expertise and knowledge."
— Gilbert Varela, Esq. (Los Angeles, CA)

If you or someone you know in Orange County or throughout Southern California needs the assistance of an experienced Southern California Personal Injury Lawyer, call Attorney Michael Sabongui today at 866-614-3161, or complete the contact form provided on this site to schedule your free consultation.

What is Personal Injury?

Personal injury is any physical or mental injury to a person that results from another person’s negligence or harmful act, and can occur in a wide variety of ways. The following are some of the most common accidents resulting in personal injury:

• Auto Accidents
• Other Vehicle Accidents (Aviation, Bicycle, Boat, Motorcycle, Railroad, Truck)
• Burn Accidents
• Construction/On the job Accidents
• Dangerous or Defective Products
• Dog/Animal Bites
• Medical Malpractice (Birth Injuries, Misdiagnosis, Surgical Negligence)
• Nursing home abuse and Neglect
• Slip and Fall Accidents/Premise Liability
• Spinal Cord Injury
• Toxic Exposure
• Traumatic Brain Injury
• Wrongful Death

What financial compensation can I recover in a Personal Injury claim?

Personal injury accident victims are entitled to recover monetary damages for all losses and expenses sustained as the result of an accident. Depending upon the particular circumstances of your case, damages may include recovery for any of the following:

• Medical bills
• Lost income, including overtime wages
• Pain & Suffering
• Physical Disability
• Disfigurement
• Emotional Trauma
• Mental Disability
• Property Damage

What is Premises Liability?

Premises liability generally refers to accidents that occur due to the negligent maintenance, or unsafe conditions upon property owned by someone other than the injured victim. Landowners are required to maintain their property in a manner that does not cause injury to those that, for various reasons, visit the property. This law pertains to both business owners and homeowners. Crucial to a premises liability settlement is being able to show how long the defect or injury inflicting element was there, how visible it was, and how much notice the owner had of the dangerous condition before the accident.

Can a property owner use deadly force to defend their property?

No, a property owner may not use deadly force to defend their property. The life, health and safety of an individual, albeit an intruder, is considered to be more valuable to society than the material possessions in which that individual is trying to steal. However, a property owner is not prohibited from defending said property from another. For example, a property owner is entitled to use reasonable force to prevent someone, or something, from entering their property, or to remove someone from their property. Only the use of force calculated to do great bodily injury, or cause death, is not permitted.

However, there are legal loopholes to these guidelines. If an intruder threatens personal safety, or is committing a forcible felony, deadly force may be appropriate. For example, if a robber enters a home and, while stealing items, attempts to rape the property owner, the owner may be legally justified in shooting the robber.

What should I do if I've been injured in a slip & fall accident?

Most businesses and homeowners carry liability insurance to protect them in the event that someone is injured while on their property. The owner or possessor of a residence, land or place of business has the duty to exercise reasonable care for the protection of those individuals who are invited to come upon the premises; i.e. individuals visiting for business or pleasure. In such cases, the owner, company or person must inspect the premises to discover any dangerous conditions and warn the invitee of dangers upon said premises. Those injured by a negligent owner or possessor of a premise may recover damages for their injuries, including loss of income, medical expenses, pain and suffering, etc.

What should I do if I've been injured in an automobile accident?

When a motor vehicle is in an accident, it is important that certain action is taken. The name and address of the operator of each vehicle should be obtained. Additionally, the name and address of the owner of each vehicle involved should be obtained and license plate number of all vehicles should be recorded. Lastly, the name of the automobile insurance company for each vehicle should be obtained. If possible, obtain the names, addresses and telephone numbers of any witnesses to the accident.

If there has been any type of injury, the police should be called to investigate the accident. The police officer will write a report which includes the details of the accident and the nature and extent of any damages and injuries. Insurance companies will require that a report of the accident be obtained before providing any benefits. It is most important to immediately contact your own motor vehicle insurance company to report to them any property damage or personal injury. If you or a family member is injured in a motor vehicle accident, prompt medical attention should be obtained.

What is Liability?

The term liability generally means that an individual, company or some other entity may be obligated to pay damages or compensation to another. The negligent driver, manufacturer or seller of a product may be responsible or liable to pay for damages, including pain and suffering and financial losses, if they are caused by their carelessness.

What are Statutes of Limitations?

Every state has certain time limits, called "statutes of limitations," that govern the period during which you must file a personal injury lawsuit. In some states, for example, you may have as little as one year to file a lawsuit from an automobile accident. When the statute of limitations expires on your case, you simply don't have a case anymore.

Statutes of limitations differ not only from state to state, but also in regard to the kinds of lawsuits involved. In some states the statute of limitations for medical malpractice, suits against governmental agencies, and wrongful death actions is shorter than that for other types of personal injury cases. In general, however, the statute of limitations for personal injury cases is from one to three years, and the time begins from the time of the accident.

How long will it take to settle my claim?

The time it takes to settle a personal injury case depends on the circumstances surrounding the case. The more complex the case the longer it may take to settle. Many cases can take anywhere from 3 to 18 months to settle depending on its complexity.

What is a Tort?

A tort is a civil wrong recognized by law as grounds for a lawsuit. Torts fall into three general categories: intentional torts (e.g., intentionally hitting a person); negligent torts (e.g., causing an accident by failing to obey traffic rules); and strict liability torts (e.g., liability for making and selling defective products). These wrongs result in an injury or harm constituting the basis for a claim by the injured party (tort litigation).

What are Toxic Torts?

Toxic torts are caused by exposure to toxic or dangerous substances, chemicals, dangerous forms of energy, and medical products or devices. Toxic tort cases are usually brought as class action lawsuits, because usually the same toxin affects large numbers of people.

Plaintiffs who win toxic tort lawsuits can recover monetary damages for past and future medical expenses, past and future pain and suffering, lost wages, loss of future earning capacity, loss of enjoyment of life, emotional distress and sometimes punitive damages.

Because the effects of toxic substance exposure may take years to manifest, it may be months or years before the toxic tort case is actually litigated. Examples of toxic tort cases include, but are not limited to:

• Asbestos
• Chemicals
• Pharmaceuticals
• Cosmetics
• Pesticides
• Radiation or Electromagnetic Energy
• Medical Products and/or Devices
• Well Water Contamination Caused by Oil, Gas or Other Toxins

There are many different ways to establish liability in a toxic tort case including negligence, premises liability, breach of warranty, misrepresentation and products liability. In litigating a toxic tort case, the plaintiff must prove that:

• He or she was exposed to the toxic substance, energy, product or device
• The defendant(s) caused his or her injuries
• He or she suffered damages from exposure to the toxic substance, energy, product or device

What is Nursing Home Neglect?

Every state has special laws enacted for the specific purpose of protecting the elderly population (over 65) and dependent adults. These laws were designed to encourage victims and their attorneys to pursue legal cases against all persons or entities that abuse or neglect this vulnerable segment of society. Elder, disabled and dependent adults depend on nursing homes to provide most if not all of their daily care, which includes food, water, medicine, toileting, grooming, social and physical stimulation, as well as regularly being turned in their beds. However, because nursing homes are not sufficiently staffed, and the staff there is generally underpaid, millions of elder and dependent adults are currently being neglected and abused. Signs of nursing home abuse and neglect include:

• Bed sores (pressure sores, decubitus ulcers)
• Burns
• Rapid weight loss
• Unexplained bruises
• Emotional withdrawal
• Malnutrition or dehydration
• Heavy sedation
• Inability of caretakers to explain patient’s condition

Whether it is a single incident that causes injury or recurrent neglect or abuse, the victim or his/her next of kin has a right to bring claims against the nursing home under the nursing home neglect laws. If the nursing home is found to be negligent or abusive, the victim and/or next of kin will generally be awarded monetary compensation and the nursing home could potentially lose its certification for failing to supply the expected care (leading to a loss of federal funding).

The best prevention of neglect and abuse is attentive family members, who, on an ongoing basis, are aware of the general health of their vulnerable relatives. If you suspect that you or a loved one is or was subject to an abuse or neglect, it is important to report that abuse or neglect right away.

What is Wrongful Death?

Wrongful death occurs when a person's death was caused by the negligent, willful, or wrongful act, neglect, omission, or default of another, such as careless driving or a deliberate murder. In addition to injuring the person who died, people who depended upon the deceased for financial or emotional support may be entitled to compensation for the wrongful death. The State of Florida has enacted a statute permitting a lawsuit to be brought by the relatives of a person who died as a result of a wrongful act.

Under what circumstances can a Wrongful Death occur?

Wrongful Death Law provides financial compensation to the family of a person whose death was caused by the negligent, willful or wrongful act of another. Wrongful death cases are filed as a result of a variety of situations, including:

• Medical malpractice resulting in decedent's death
• Neglect or abuse on the part of a nursing home that results in decedent's death
• Automobile, bus, train, airplane or other common carrier fatality accident
• Occupational exposure to hazardous conditions or substances (exposure to asbestos, etc.)
• Death during a supervised activity (sports tournament, field trip, etc.)

What is Medical Malpractice?

Medical malpractice is negligence committed by a professional health care provider-a doctor, nurse, dentist, technician, hospital, or hospital worker-whose performance of duties deviates from a standard of practice of those with similar training and experience, resulting in harm to a patient or patients. Most medical malpractice cases are based on the concept of negligence-that is, the patient was harmed because the health care provider failed to meet the required standards of skill and care, in accordance with generally accepted standards. Instances of malpractice might include cutting off the oxygen supply during surgery, misdiagnosing an injury because routine tests and procedures were not followed, or prescribing an illegal drug or one not approved for the patient’s condition.

What is a Contingency Fee?

A contingency fee is an industry standard fee that is applied to personal injury cases and is dependent upon the successful resolution of your case. A contingency fee is a percentage of the monetary recovery obtained by counsel on a client's behalf and is only paid if and when counsel is successful in obtaining monetary recovery, whether through settlement or litigation. The industry-standard contingency fee is about one third of the awarded settlement. A contingency fee is the form of payment earned by a lawyer when he or she states that "there is no fee unless we win your case."

If you or someone you know in Orange County or throughout Southern California needs the assistance of an experienced Personal Injury Lawyer, call Attorney Michael Sabongui today at 866-614-3161, or complete the contact form provided on this site to schedule your free consultation.

ADDRESS OF THE FIRM:
Law Offices of Michael Sabongui
1851 E. First Street, Suite 900
Santa Ana, CA 92705
Telephone: 866-614-3161

MEMBERS OF THE FIRM:

Michael Sabongui

EDUCATION:

• Villanova University, Bachelor of Science (1990)
• California Western School of Law, Juris Doctorate (1993)

JURISDICTIONS:

• California
• United States District Court, Southern District of California
• United States District Court, Central District of California
• United States District Court, Eastern District of California

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS:

• Orange County Bar Association