By Robert M. MansourCalifornia attorney since 1993 · State Bar #169118
If you didn’t get hurt, don’t bother bringing a personal injury claim.
Sometimes some people believe that just because there was an accident, they are entitled to some kind of compensation. Without any damages, you can’t simply collect money.
I’m reminded of a fellow who slipped at McDonald’s. I asked him if he was hurt. He said, “No, I’m fine. My pants got a little wet, but otherwise, I’m fine.” I told him that without an actual injury or lost wages, he doesn’t have a case. I have clients who call and say there was a bug in their fast food sandwich, but they weren’t hurt by it.
Again, no case there either! Simply because something happened to you doesn’t mean you have a personal injury case to pursue. Life happens every day. Sometimes bad things happen and we simply move on with our lives.
There are still clients who don’t understand, so I give them the following example which seems to help: Imagine if I went to your home and slipped on your lawn. I wasn’t hurt, but I knock on your door and demand $10,000 from you! Are you going to pay me if I wasn’t hurt? Probably not.