1. Owen, Patterson & Owen (OPO Law)
Focus Area: Personal Injury Litigation
Practice Areas: Car Accidents, Truck Accidents, Motorcycle Accidents, Dog Bites, Slip and Fall, Medical Malpractice, Nursing Home Abuse, Wrongful Death, Brain Injuries, Mass Torts
Background: Founded in 1977, this firm has nearly 50 years of experience handling personal injury cases throughout California. The attorneys have been recognized by Super Lawyers and hold the Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent Peer Review Rating. The firm has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for injury victims and maintains a 99% success rate. Partners include Gregory J. Owen, Susan A. Owen, J. Cody Patterson, Tamiko B. Herron, and Beau Goodrick.
Location: 23822 Valencia Blvd, Suite 303, Santa Clarita, CA 91355
Contact: (661) 799-3899 | https://www.opolaw.com
Consultation: Free consultation available. Contingency fee arrangement with no fees unless the case is won.
2. Law Office of Robert J. Kaiser
Focus Area: Personal Injury and Accident Cases
Practice Areas: Car Accidents, Truck Accidents, Motorcycle Accidents, Pedestrian Accidents, Slip and Fall, Dog Bites, Wrongful Death, Premises Liability
Background: Attorney Robert J. Kaiser has over 20 years of experience representing personal injury victims in the Santa Clarita Valley. He has been recognized as the “Best Personal Injury Attorney” by the Santa Clarita Signal Newspaper multiple times. The firm has built a reputation for ethical representation and dedication to clients in the Newhall and greater Santa Clarita area.
Location: 28212 Kelly Johnson Parkway, Suite 110, Santa Clarita, CA 91355
Contact: (661) 206-6556 | https://www.robertjkaiser.com
Consultation: Free consultation available. Contingency fee structure.
3. The Mason Law Firm
Focus Area: Plaintiff Personal Injury Litigation
Practice Areas: Car Accidents, Slip and Fall, Dog Bites, Construction Accidents, Nursing Home Abuse, Burn Injuries, Brain Injuries, Spinal Cord Injuries, Product Liability, Wrongful Death
Background: Founded by Mason Rashtian, who passed the California Bar Exam in 1997 and worked as a litigation attorney for law firms in Los Angeles and Orange Counties before opening his own practice in 2006. The firm focuses exclusively on personal injury cases on the plaintiff’s side, serving the Santa Clarita Valley and Los Angeles County.
Location: 27240 Turnberry Lane, Suite 200, Valencia, CA 91355
Contact: (661) 414-1849 | https://www.mrscvlaw.com
Consultation: Free consultation available. No recovery, no fee policy.
4. Law Office of Robert M. Mansour
Focus Area: Personal Injury and Estate Planning
Practice Areas: Car Accidents, Motorcycle Accidents, Truck Accidents, Pedestrian Accidents, Bicycle Accidents, Wrongful Death, Slip and Fall, Workplace Injuries
Background: Robert Mansour has many years of experience handling personal injury cases. He previously worked as a defense attorney for major insurance companies, which provides him unique insight into how insurance adjusters evaluate claims. He serves Santa Clarita and surrounding communities including Valencia, Newhall, Stevenson Ranch, Castaic, Saugus, and Canyon Country. Licensed to practice in California state and federal courts.
Location: 28212 Kelly Johnson Parkway, Suite 110, Santa Clarita, CA 91355
Contact: (661) 414-7100 | https://www.valencialawyer.com
Consultation: Free case evaluation available. Works on contingency basis.
5. Edzant Price LLP
Focus Area: Personal Injury and Lemon Law
Practice Areas: Car Accidents, Truck Accidents, Motorcycle Accidents, Slip and Fall, Wrongful Death, California Lemon Law, Defective Vehicle Claims, Consumer Protection
Background: Attorneys Barry Edzant and Samuel Price bring over five decades of combined experience to the firm. The practice serves clients throughout California with emphasis on both personal injury law and California lemon law. The firm is known for responsive client communication and has earned referrals from auto dealership owners, managers, and even lemon law defense attorneys.
Location: 28470 Avenue Stanford, Suite 360, Valencia, CA 91355
Contact: (661) 254-6300 | https://www.edzantprice.com
Consultation: Free consultation available. No upfront fees for lemon law cases. Contingency fee for personal injury cases.
Personal Injury Laws in California
Statute of Limitations
California law requires personal injury lawsuits to be filed within two years from the date of injury under California Code of Civil Procedure Section 335.1. Property damage claims have a three-year filing deadline. Medical malpractice cases must be filed within three years from the date of injury or one year from the date of discovery, whichever occurs first.
Claims against government entities have shorter deadlines. An administrative claim must be filed within six months of the injury date with the relevant government agency. If denied, plaintiffs have six months from the denial date to file a civil lawsuit.
Negligence Rules
California follows a “pure comparative negligence” system. This means an injured party can recover damages even if they are partially at fault for the accident. However, compensation is reduced by the plaintiff’s percentage of fault. For example, if a plaintiff is found 30% responsible for an accident and damages total $100,000, the recovery would be reduced to $70,000.
Damage Caps
California does not impose a universal cap on personal injury damages. However, specific limitations apply in certain situations.
Medical malpractice cases are subject to the Medical Injury Compensation Reform Act (MICRA). As of January 1, 2023, MICRA caps non-economic damages (pain and suffering) at $350,000 for negligence cases and $500,000 for wrongful death cases. These caps increase annually until reaching $750,000 for negligence and $1,000,000 for wrongful death by 2034.
California law also restricts uninsured drivers from recovering non-economic damages in car accident cases, even when the other driver is completely at fault. An exception exists when the at-fault driver was operating under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Auto Insurance Requirements
As of January 1, 2025, California implemented new minimum auto insurance requirements under Senate Bill 1107. Drivers must carry liability coverage of at least $30,000 per person for bodily injury, $60,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $15,000 for property damage (30/60/15). This doubled the previous requirements that had been unchanged since 1967.
California operates as an at-fault state, meaning the driver responsible for causing an accident is liable for damages. The at-fault driver’s insurance covers medical expenses, property damage, and other losses for injured parties.
Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage remains optional but is recommended. Additional coverage options include collision coverage, comprehensive coverage, and medical payments coverage.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do wildfires and natural disasters affect personal injury claims in Santa Clarita?
The Santa Clarita Valley has experienced significant wildfires, including evacuations from nearby areas. Personal injury claims related to wildfires may involve negligence by utility companies, property owners, or government entities that failed to mitigate fire hazards. These cases often require investigation into fire cause and origin, and may be subject to different legal standards when government defendants are involved. Time limits may be extended under California’s emergency tolling provisions during declared disasters.
What should I do if I’m injured in a car accident on Interstate 5 or Highway 14 near Santa Clarita?
Interstate 5 and Highway 14 are major thoroughfares through Santa Clarita with significant traffic volume. After an accident, seek medical attention immediately even if injuries seem minor. Document the scene with photographs if possible, exchange information with other drivers, and obtain a copy of the police report from the California Highway Patrol. Contact a personal injury attorney promptly because evidence can be lost and witnesses may become difficult to locate over time.
Can I pursue a claim if I was injured at a construction site in a new Santa Clarita development?
Santa Clarita continues to experience residential and commercial development. Construction site injuries may involve multiple potentially liable parties including general contractors, subcontractors, property owners, and equipment manufacturers. Workers injured on the job generally must file workers’ compensation claims with their employer, but may have additional claims against third parties whose negligence contributed to the injury. Non-workers injured at construction sites may pursue direct negligence claims.
What happens if I’m bitten by a dog at a Santa Clarita park or trail?
California enforces strict liability for dog bites, meaning the owner is responsible regardless of whether the dog showed prior aggressive behavior. This applies when the bite occurs in a public place or when the victim is lawfully on private property. Santa Clarita has numerous parks and trails where dog encounters occur. Victims should document the incident, identify the dog owner, report to animal control, and seek medical attention. Damages may include medical expenses, pain and suffering, and potential future treatment for scarring or emotional trauma.
How does living in an unincorporated area of Los Angeles County near Santa Clarita affect my injury claim?
Parts of the Santa Clarita Valley remain unincorporated Los Angeles County territory. Claims involving road conditions, public property maintenance, or government services in unincorporated areas would be directed against Los Angeles County rather than the City of Santa Clarita. Government claims require filing an administrative claim within six months of the injury date before a lawsuit can proceed. The responsible government entity affects claim procedures and available recoveries.