Sunnyvale Tort Lawyers

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Litigation Lawyers in Sunnyvale

In Sunnyvale, California, a "tort" is specified as any civil wrong, besides breach of contract, for which the law provides a remedy.

In Sunnyvale, California, a tort is essentially any bad thing that one person can do to another, which the law says the victim can sue over. This is called a "cause of action."

Sunnyvale, California's laws recognize many different torts. Nonetheless, the civil litigation system only deals with a few of these dozens of torts with any frequency. While the most obscure torts are sometimes litigated, there are only a small amount that the ordinary person is likely to deal with (either as a plaintiff or defendant) at some point in their lives. They include fraud, negligence, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and battery.

Types of Torts in Sunnyvale, California

Negligence: Negligence is the most often-litigated tort in Sunnyvale, California's civil litigation system. Negligence occurs when somebody does not exercise the level of care that a "reasonable person" would exercise in a similar situation, and causes an injury as a direct result. As an example, most people know that running a stop sign at high speed is very careless, and no reasonable person would be expected to do such a thing. Doing so clearly falls below the ordinary standard of care. So, if a person runs a stop sign at high speed, and hits another car, causing injuries and property damage, they will be liable to the person they harmed for the cost of whatever harm they caused.

Fraud: Fraud is another common tort litigated in Sunnyvale, California courts. Fraud is defined as the deliberate misrepresentation of facts made for financial, or other personal gain, which causes harm to someone else. Usually, fraud is committed when a product or service is sold, and the seller lies about the nature or quality of the thing being sold. If, in deciding to buy what the fraudster is selling, the victim relies on the false statements, the seller has committed fraud. The buyer can then sue the seller, to seek compensation for their losses. At the very least, they will usually receive the difference between the fair market value of the thing they bought, and what they paid for it.

Battery: Battery in Sunnyvale, California is defined as any harmful or offensive contact with the person of another, without the victim's consent. Punching someone in the face would qualify as battery, as would basically any unwanted physical contact, particularly of a sexual nature. It can also occur when a doctor operates on a body part without the patient's consent.

Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress: Intentional infliction of emotional distress, also known as IIED, was not recognized in Sunnyvale, California as a legitimate tort until the early to mid 20th Century. Nonetheless, since it became available as a cause of action, it has become one of the most common sources of civil litigation in the tort context. IIED is committed when a person engages in "outrageous" conduct towards another person, with actual intent of causing mental trauma or distress, and then actually causes the intended result. Physical injuries are not necessary to prove IIED, but if the emotional trauma is so severe that it causes physical symptoms (such as a heart attack, in the most extreme cases), the defendant will be liable for them, as well.

How Can A Sunnyvale, California Tort Lawyer Help?

If somebody has harmed you, either intentionally or negligently, in Sunnyvale, California, you might have a cause of action. On the other hand, if you find yourself in the unenviable situation of being sued for a tort, you have a right to defend yourself, and will likely want to, for obvious reasons.

In both instances, a reputable Sunnyvale, California tort lawyer will probably prove indispensable. The best thing you can do early in the process is make a good-faith effort to negotiate a settlement with the other side, to prevent the matter from going to trial in the first place, which will often prove more costly than settling. Most tort lawyers are also skilled negotiators, and will be able to help you on this front, too.

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Life in Sunnyvale

Sunnyvale, California is a major city in the Silicon Valley of the San Francisco Bay Area. It has a population of 140,000 and is an important contributor to the field of high-tech electronic and digital technology. Sunnyvale is home to several major high-tech companies, and consistently ranks as one of the safest cities in the entire country.

As early as the 1960's, major corporations have been moving to Sunnyvale, California to participate in the digital and electronic boom centered in the Silicon Valley. Companies such as Yahoo!, Advanced Micro Devices, and Palm, Inc. are headquartered in the city. Steve Wozniak, co-founder of Apple, grew up in Sunnyvale, where he was exposed to the innovation and technology in Silicon Valley.

Sunnyvale is an unique city in that it maintains a Department of Public Safety. This department is a single, unified body that trains all personnel to operate as police officers, firefighters, and emergency medical response teams. This arrangement helps contribute to the city's low crime and overall city. Sunnyvale also holds a number of community social events that provide residents with ample opportunities for recreation.

Lawyers in Sunnyvale, California practice law in a number of fields in order to serve the unique needs of the city's businesses and residents. Sunnyvale lawyers process many legal claims at the Sunnyvale branch of the Superior Court of California, County of Santa Clara.

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