In a California personal injury case, determining whether the plaintiff’s injury resulted from long-term exposure or a single event is crucial for establishing liability and the scope of damages. Injuries arising from long-term exposure, such as repetitive stress injuries, occupational diseases, or exposure to harmful chemicals over time, typically require the plaintiff to prove a causal link between their prolonged exposure and the injury. For example, if a worker develops lung disease after years of exposure to toxic substances, the injury is the result of long-term exposure. In these cases, the plaintiff must show that the defendant’s negligence or failure to provide a safe environment led to the exposure and subsequent injury, which can sometimes be more complex because the injury may develop gradually.
On the other hand, if the plaintiff’s injury resulted from a single event, such as a car accident or slip and fall, the cause is more immediate and apparent. In these cases, the plaintiff needs to prove that the defendant’s negligence directly caused the injury in a specific, identifiable incident. For example, if a driver runs a red light and collides with another vehicle, causing the plaintiff’s injuries, the injury results from a single event, and the defendant’s negligence is typically easier to pinpoint. Whether the injury is due to long-term exposure or a single event, California law requires that the plaintiff demonstrate how the defendant’s actions were a direct cause of the injury, with long-term exposure cases potentially involving more extensive medical evidence to prove causation over time.
Law Offices of James R. Dickinson – 909-848-8448
How To Schedule A Consultation:
Please call us at 909-848-8448 to schedule a free consultation/case evaluation or complete the form immediately below. [Please note certain formalities must be completed to retain the Law Offices of James R. Dickinson, such as the signing of a legal fee agreement [see “Disclaimers”]].