California Personal Injury & Employment Law: What Cases Does Mann & Elias Handle?
Scott Mann, Bar No. 163370 — Admitted in All California Superior Courts, All California Courts of Appeal, All California U.S. District Court, California Supreme Court
The Law Offices of Mann & Elias handles personal injury and employment law cases throughout California, with a particular focus on Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, and San Bernardino Counties. With over 30 years of combined experience and more than $100 million recovered for clients, the firm represents injured Californians and wronged employees on a contingency basis — meaning you pay no attorney fees unless the firm wins your case.
— Last reviewed by Scott Mann, Bar No. 163370.
What Personal Injury Cases Does the Firm Handle?
California law requires that injured persons generally file a personal injury lawsuit within two years of the date of injury under California Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1. Missing this deadline can permanently bar your right to compensation — which is why early consultation matters.
The firm represents clients injured by the negligence of others across a wide range of case types. Whether you were hurt in a car crash on the 10 Freeway, knocked off your bicycle by an inattentive driver, or injured on someone else’s poorly maintained property, the legal principle is the same: a party whose negligence causes harm can be held financially responsible.
Personal injury practice areas include:
- Motor vehicle accidents — cars, trucks, motorcycles, rideshare (Uber/Lyft), buses, and bicycles
- Premises liability — slip and fall accidents, inadequate security, swimming pool incidents, dog bites
- Product liability — defective medical devices, dangerous pharmaceuticals, automotive defects
- Construction accidents and catastrophic injuries
- Drunk driving accident injuries
- Brain injuries and amputation injuries
The firm serves clients across Southern California, including dedicated representation in San Bernardino, Santa Monica, Hollywood, and Venice. For truck accident cases specifically — which involve federal regulations under the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration — the firm handles matters in Los Angeles County; learn more on the Los Angeles truck accident page. Bicycle accident victims can find case-specific information on the firm’s bicycle accident practice page.
What Employment Law Cases Does the Firm Handle?
California employees enjoy some of the strongest workplace protections in the United States. The California Civil Rights Department (formerly DFEH) enforces state anti-discrimination and harassment laws, while the California Division of Labor Standards Enforcement (DLSE) oversees wage and hour compliance. Mann & Elias leverages these state frameworks to fight for employees across the following areas:
Wrongful Termination
California is an at-will employment state — but “at-will” does not mean employers can fire workers for any reason. Terminations that violate a public policy, punish an employee for whistleblowing, or retaliate for filing a workers’ compensation claim are illegal. The firm has represented hundreds of clients in wrongful termination matters involving these protected activities.
Workplace Harassment and Discrimination
California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) prohibits discrimination and harassment based on race, gender, age, disability, national origin, religion, pregnancy, and other protected characteristics. The firm handles sexual harassment claims, hostile work environment cases, and retaliation for reporting misconduct.
Wage and Hour Violations
California mandates meal and rest breaks, strict overtime rules, and expense reimbursement that exceed federal minimums. Common violations the firm addresses include unpaid overtime, missed break premiums, off-the-clock work, misclassification as independent contractors, and unpaid commissions. The firm has recovered millions of dollars for employees shortchanged by employers who ignored these obligations.
Whistleblower Claims and Workplace Retaliation
Employees who report safety violations, fraud, or other illegal conduct are protected under California law. Retaliation — including demotion, schedule changes, hostile treatment, or termination — is unlawful. The firm represents clients who faced consequences for doing the right thing.
Age Discrimination
The California FEHA protects workers aged 40 and over from discrimination in hiring, promotion, and termination. Age discrimination cases often involve circumstantial evidence, and the firm is experienced in building those records through the discovery process in California Superior Court.
What Specific Procedural and Jurisdictional Factors Affect Your Case?
Several jurisdiction-specific details distinguish California practice from other states and directly affect case strategy:
- Personal injury statute of limitations: Two years from the date of injury under California Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1. Government entity claims are shorter — a government tort claim must typically be filed within six months of the incident under the California Government Claims Act before a lawsuit can proceed.
- FEHA administrative exhaustion: Before filing most employment discrimination or harassment lawsuits in California, a claimant must file a complaint with the California Civil Rights Department and obtain a Right-to-Sue notice. Failure to exhaust this administrative remedy can result in dismissal.
- Comparative fault in personal injury: California follows a pure comparative fault rule — even if you were partially at fault for your own injury, you can still recover damages, reduced by your percentage of fault. This contrasts with contributory negligence states where any fault bars recovery.
- Truck accident federal overlay: Commercial truck cases in Los Angeles and throughout California involve both state negligence law and federal regulations enforced by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), including hours-of-service rules and vehicle inspection requirements. These federal standards can be central evidence in establishing a truck driver’s or carrier’s liability.
Understanding these distinctions is part of what the firm brings to every case. For a deeper look at what settlements actually look like in California personal injury cases, the firm has published a detailed resource on average personal injury settlements in California.
Why Do Clients Choose Mann & Elias?
The firm’s own data reflects a consistent track record. Mann & Elias reports:
- Over 30 years of combined attorney experience in personal injury and employment law
- More than $100 million recovered for clients across California
- Recognition from Super Lawyers, Best Lawyers in America, and ABOTA (American Board of Trial Advocates)
As a boutique firm, Mann & Elias provides direct attorney access — clients work with experienced lawyers, not junior associates handling files in bulk. The firm accepts personal injury and most employment cases on a contingency fee basis: no attorney fees are owed unless the firm recovers compensation for the client.
The firm serves Spanish-speaking communities throughout Southern California and maintains offices in Los Angeles and Orange County, with the ability to conduct consultations by phone or Zoom for clients anywhere in California. All cases are handled exclusively under California law; the firm is licensed in California only.
How Do You Start a Case with Mann & Elias?
The first step is a free case evaluation. Call (323) 857-9500 — a 24/7 emergency line is available — or submit the contact form on the firm’s website. During the consultation, an attorney will review the facts of your situation, explain the relevant California law, and give you an honest assessment of your options.
Do not delay. Evidence fades, witnesses’ memories change, and California’s filing deadlines are strict. Whether you were injured in a truck accident in Los Angeles, discriminated against at work in Orange County, or wrongfully terminated anywhere in Southern California, the sooner you speak with an attorney, the better your position.
For a full overview of personal injury representation, visit the firm’s personal injury practice page.
This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Reading this page does not create an attorney-client relationship with the Law Offices of Mann & Elias. Past results do not guarantee or predict similar outcomes in future cases. Each case is unique and depends on its specific facts and legal circumstances.