Christopher Kim is an Employment Litigation and Personal Injury Attorney in Santa Ana

 

 

A relentless fighter for justice, Christopher Kim is a Santa Ana personal injury lawyer, specializing in personal injury and employment law. His firm, Kim Law APC, brings compassionate care and creative solutions to legal matters of any size.

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If you or a loved one have been injured, you need a Santa Ana personal injury lawyer who understands what comes next. If the careless or negligent actions of another party have compromised your wellbeing, I stand ready to make things right. 

After a traumatic event, it can feel like the odds are stacked against you. As medical care begins, medical bills begin to pile up, and the emotional strain begins to take its toll. Even knowing who to turn to for questions and support can be daunting. 

My name is Christopher Kim. I’m a personal injury lawyer in Santa Ana, I am here to help you file a personal injury claim, rectify an employment situation, and recover what you lost. 

As an experienced Santa Ana personal injury attorney, my job is to help guide your case to a swift and successful resolution. My team investigates what happened, determines any issues that may arise, and solidifies your claim for compensation. My practice areas include personal injury (motor vehicle accidents, dog bites, slip-and-fall cases) and employment law (workplace retaliation, termination, harassment and discrimination).

NOTE: the statute of limitations in California for personal injury claims is two years, which means it is important to seek legal advice as soon as possible. The longer you hesitate in seeking legal representation, the harder it will be to prove and collect on your case.

What sets me apart from other personal injury law firms is my hands-on approach to case management. I pride myself on truly caring for my clients, and doing everything in my power to make things right.

Contact me today for your free case evaluation. 

If you have been injured, I’m here to help. Together, we’ll get through this.

 

FAQs

As an experienced personal injury attorney (Santa Ana and Los Angeles offices), I get many questions about injuries, lawsuits, and the changing legal landscape here in California. Below I have compiled a number of frequently asked questions. Please note that these FAQs provide general information and should not be construed as legal advice. For personalized legal advice, please reach out for a free consultation.

How much does a Santa Ana personal injury lawyer cost?

My firm, Kim Law APC, bills on a contingency fee basis. This means that you will not pay any fee unless I successfully resolve your case.

What areas of law do you practice?

My personal injury practice areas include:

Auto accidents

Truck accidents

Rideshare accidents

Pedestrian accidents

Motorcycle accidents

Bicycle accidents

Slip and Fall

Dog Bites

Wrongful Death

 

My employment law practice areas include:

Wrongful termination

Workplace retaliation

Workplace harassment

Workplace discrimination

Unpaid wages

Family and Medical Leave of Absence

California Family Rights Act

Do you offer a free initial consultation?

Yes, I offer a free initial consultation to prospective clients. During this consultation, I will ask questions about your case, to evaluate its strengths and limitations, and offer some general suggestions about your next steps. While the initial consultation is not legal binding—you are free to get a second, or third opinion on your case—I make sure you leave this meeting armed with a better understanding of your legal rights and options. 

Contact me today to begin the process.

What if I cannot afford a Santa Ana personal injury attorney?

I believe that everyone deserves access to high-quality legal services, regardless of one’s ability to pay. My fee structure is strictly based on contingency; this means that you only pay for my services when I recover money for you.

How long will it take to resolve my personal injury case?

The timeframe for resolving a legal matter varies widely depending on the nature and complexity of the case. Some cases can be resolved through negotiation or settlement within a few weeks or months; others may take several years if they go to trial. Regardless of your case’s complexity, I provide my clients with an estimated timeline based on the specifics of their case.

Will I have direct contact with the Santa Ana personal injury attorney handling my case?

Absolutely. As your local Santa Ana personal injury attorney, I pride myself on being available to my clients as they need me. Moreover, I believe in maintaining open lines of communication; my staff and I will keep you regularly informed about the progress of your case, answer your questions, and address any concerns you may have.

What sets your law firm apart from others?

At Kim Law APC, we pride ourselves on our commitment to excellence, personalized attention to each client, and the experience and expertise of our legal team. We prioritize client satisfaction and work diligently to achieve the best possible outcome. I truly care deeply for my clients and I see it as a tremendous privilege to be able to help them during their times of need.

Why choose Kim Law APC to handle your personal injury claim in Santa Ana?

As a Santa Ana personal injury attorney, I have a deep understanding of the complexities that can arise in this practice area. In any challenging case, I may consult with a team of seasoned attorneys, medical experts, crash reconstructionists and other professionals to make sure we present your case as completely and persuasively as possible. 

After a tragic event, you need a lawyer you can trust. It is my mission to earn your trust, settle your claim—or win your case if we go to trial. I do not settle for less than my clients deserve. As the sole owner/operator of my law firm, I take personal pride in every client and case I represent.

What does a personal injury lawyer do?

As your Santa Ana personal injury lawyer, my job is to support you through the difficult process of getting your life back on track after a catastrophic accident. I take time to know my clients well, and understand their cases from every possible angle.

The job of a personal injury lawyer requires:

Communicating and educating my clients. As your trusted confidante and advocate, I take the role of counselor very seriously. I make sure my clients understand the potential value—and risks—that are part of negotiating every claim. I aim to make sure my clients understand every part of the process.

Proving defendant negligence. My job is also to prove the defendant’s negligence so you can get the compensation you deserve. This requires gathering evidence—police/accident reports, eyewitness accounts, video and photos—obtaining your medical records, and ensuring that your injuries have been evaluated by a trusted medical professional. 

Developing a legal strategy. Every case—and every client—is different. Just as I strive to understand my clients’ stories from every angle, I am meticulous in crafting case themes that resonate. This step includes everything from researching case law to reviewing trial strategies that have worked well in similar cases.

Negotiating a settlement. Finally, I handle all negotiations with the other party, or parties involved in your case. This often means dealing with insurance companies and the attorneys representing the defendant in your case. I file all legal documents on your behalf, and represent you in front of mediators, judges, and other legal counsel.

Telling your story at trial. I make every effort to help your case resolve quickly and amicably, but sometimes the defendant does not offer a fair settlement. In these instances, I am prepared to take your case to trial to be heard by a jury.

What kind of personal injury cases do you handle?

A personal injury case is one where someone is injured due to the negligence, carelessness, or intentional actions of another. This can mean filing suit against an individual, a business, or a larger corporate entity. As a Santa Ana personal injury lawyer, I focus on the following case types:

• Auto accidents
• Truck accidents
• Rideshare accidents
• Bicycle accidents
• Pedestrian accidents
• Motorcycle accidents
• Slip-and-fall accidents
• Dog bites
• Dangerous property condition cases
• Wrongful death

What kind of employment law cases do you handle?

You may need a Santa Ana employment lawyer if you feel you were harassed, discriminated against, or wrongfully terminated during your course of employment. Additionally, unpaid wages and/or issues regarding the Family Medical Leave of Act (FMLA) and California Family Rights Act (CFRA) may also require the assistance of an employment lawyer. I focus on the following types of employment law:

• Wrongful termination
• Workplace retaliation
• Workplace harassment
• Workplace discrimination
• Unpaid wages
• Family and Medical Leave of Absence
• California Family Rights Act

What is the statute of limitations for Santa Ana personal injury claims?

In most personal injury claims, the statute of limitations in California is two (2) years from the date of your accident or injury. If you are filing a claim against a government agency, the statute of limitations to file a claim with the government agency is typically 6 months from the date of the incident. Failing to file a claim or lawsuit within this time will likely result in your personal injury claim being thrown out, meaning you will not be able to recover financial compensation—even if the defendant admits fault, or if your injuries are serious. 

If you have been injured, do not delay in seeking legal representation. Timing could make all the difference. Contact us today to begin the process. There is no cost to you to begin the process of filing a claim.

How much is my personal injury case worth?

This is among the most common questions I get asked, and one of the toughest to answer. The value of your claim is primarily dependent on (1) the defendant’s culpability, and (2) the economic and noneconomic costs of your injuries. 

Additionally, the value of your case can vary widely depending on:

• The facts and evidence supporting (and challenging) your case
• The testimony of friends, family and loved ones who can corroborate your story
• Expert witnesses who may be called to testify about your injuries, medical expenses, earning capacity, pain and suffering, and/or loss of enjoyment of life 
• Your comparative negligence (if you are found to be partially responsible)
• The presence of punitive damages levied against a defendant who is found to be acting with malice, oppression, or fraud, and
• The county in which your case is tried.

The defendant’s reputation, the defendant’s ability to pay, and the defendant’s insurance coverage, do not determine the value of your claim. 

The only way to fully know the value of your claim is by starting the process of filing it. Contact me today for your case evaluation. This initial meeting is free, legally non-binding, and completely confidential.

How do you prove negligence in a Santa Ana personal injury claim?

When filing a personal injury lawsuit in Santa Ana—or anywhere in California, the burden of proof falls to you. This means you will need to prove that the defendant’s negligence caused your injuries. Working with an experienced Santa Ana personal injury attorney will help streamline this process.

To obtain a settlement or verdict on your behalf,your Santa Ana personal injury attorney will need to show:

Duty of care. This means that the person responsible for your injuries, or “defendant”, owed you (the “plaintiff”) a degree of care that one would expect.

Breach of duty. This refers to the defendant’s act of intentionally or carelessly failing to to uphold their duty of care 

Causation. Your Santa Ana personal injury lawyer must also prove that the defendant’s breach of duty caused both (1) the accident and (2) the injuries you sustained.

Damages. Finally, your Santa Ana personal injury attorney must prove that you suffered damages because of the defendant’s actions or inactions. Damages may refer to economic costs—hospital bills, lost wages—as well as non-economic costs, like pain and suffering (physical pain, mental suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, disfigurement, physical impairment, inconvenience, grief, anxiety, humiliation, emotional distress).

In proving negligence—as well as all the elements listed above—an experienced personal injury attorney will know how to build your case for maximum compensation. At Kim Law APC, our Santa Ana personal injury attorneys specialize in personal injury claims in Santa Ana, CA.

Why Choose Christopher Kim as your Santa Ana personal injury lawyer?

At Kim Law APC, we pride ourselves on providing competent, compassionate care to injured people. Our experience ranges from personal injury to employment law. We offer bold solutions that yield fantastic results. 

While my colleagues and co-counsel attorneys draw from the resources of a large law firm, I keep my caseload small so I can provide the personalized attention of a boutique law firm.

What sets Kim Law APC apart?

While any number of accident attorneys can represent you, not every lawyer has the capacity to support you both as a client and a human being. I only take cases that I believe in, and I take the time to get to know my clients. My goal is to be the best attorney I can be for you and your loved ones.

I maintain regular, consistent communication and remain as transparent as possible about case status. In contrast to larger firms, I make sure my clients are informed about any investigations, issues or legal decisions regarding their case

Finally, because I understand how catastrophic injuries lead to financial challenges, I only work on a contingency fee basis. This means that there are no upfront costs or hidden fees when working with me, and any payment of fees to me happens only after I secure a settlement or verdict for you.

What is personal injury law?

Personal injury is a broad category of law that includes everything from defamation and assault to accidents and defective products. “Personal injuries” may include any variety of injury to a person: physical, emotional, reputational, financial, or any combination of these elements.

While I am experienced in representing all types of personal injury cases, I focus on accidents involving motor vehicles, trucks, Uber/Lyft vehicles, bicycles, pedestrians, motorcycles, slip-and-falls, and dog bites. I also handle cases involving wrongful death.