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Your Trusted Personal Injury Advocates in Northern California
The Cartwright Law Firm has been a cornerstone of legal advocacy in Northern California for over 70 years, dedicated to securing justice for victims of personal injury and wrongful death. Our nationally recognized attorneys combine decades of courtroom experience with a relentless commitment to client rights, specializing in complex cases ranging from catastrophic accidents to defective product litigation. With a proven track record of landmark settlements, including the historic $4.8 billion Vioxx verdict, our team approaches every case with strategic precision and unwavering dedication.We operate on a contingency fee basis, ensuring accessibility to justice while maintaining transparent communication throughout the legal process. Our multidisciplinary approach addresses the medical, financial, and emotional dimensions of each client's journey, leveraging forensic expertise and cutting-edge courtroom technology to achieve optimal outcomes. This legacy of excellence continues through our satellite offices in Vacaville, Discovery Bay, and Santa Rosa, extending our reach across the Bay Area's legal landscape.
Services
Personal Injury
Wrongful Death
Car Accidents
Motorcycle Accidents
Boating Accidents
Bicycle Accidents
Bus Accidents
Defective Products
Construction Accidents
Premises Liability
Highlights and features
- We have over 70 years of experience in personal injury litigation
- Our attorneys are nationally recognized trial advocates
- 24/7 availability for urgent case evaluations
- No recovery, no fee contingency model
- Record $4.8 billion settlement in Vioxx litigation
What people say
Compassionate representation
Nationwide expertise
24/7 availability
Record settlements
Dedicated communication
Services
Personal Injury Litigation
Our firm specializes in complex personal injury cases requiring multi-jurisdictional coordination and forensic medical evaluation. With expertise in traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, and catastrophic losses, our attorneys meticulously document long-term care requirements and future earnings projections. We employ accident reconstruction experts and economic consultants to maximize settlement values while maintaining compassionate client communication throughout the litigation process.
Wrongful Death Representation
Navigating the emotional and financial aftermath of sudden loss requires both legal acumen and interpersonal sensitivity. Our attorneys handle estate executor coordination, funeral expense recovery, and loss of consortium calculations while maintaining strict compliance with California's survivorship statutes. We've secured landmark verdicts in pharmaceutical litigation, workplace fatalities, and transportation-related deaths through strategic evidence preservation and expert witness testimony.
Product Liability
With a legacy in mass tort litigation, our team investigates manufacturing defects, design flaws, and inadequate warning labels across medical devices, automotive components, and consumer goods. The $4.8 billion Vioxx settlement demonstrates our capacity to coordinate national plaintiff coalitions while maintaining individualized case management through dedicated paralegal support and centralized document repositories.
Transportation Accidents
Specializing in multi-modal transportation litigation, we represent victims of automobile, motorcycle, bicycle, and boating accidents. Our investigators analyze black box data, traffic camera footage, and mechanical inspection reports to establish liability. We maintain working relationships with vocational rehabilitation specialists to address occupation-specific injuries and workplace reintegration challenges following transportation-related trauma.
Premises Liability
Addressing slip-and-fall incidents, construction site accidents, and inadequate security claims requires detailed property code analysis. Our attorneys collaborate with architectural consultants to assess safety compliance and maintenance records while calculating diminished property enjoyment values. Successful case resolutions frequently involve negotiated improvements to premises safety protocols as part of global settlement agreements.
People
Robert E. Cartwright Jr.
Founder and Managing Partner
With over 50 years of courtroom experience, Robert E. Cartwright Jr. has secured numerous record-breaking verdicts, including the $4.8 billion Vioxx settlement. His strategic litigation approach combines trial preparation with settlement negotiation expertise, focusing on pharmaceutical litigation and transportation accidents.
David G. Yen
Attorney
Specializing in catastrophic injury cases, David G. Yen has recovered millions for clients with complex medical needs. His practice emphasizes motorcycle accidents and premises liability, combining technical evidence analysis with compassionate client advocacy to achieve optimal outcomes.
Andrew Ratto
Attorney
Andrew Ratto leads the firm's transportation accident division, managing high-volume bicycle and boating collision cases. He has secured landmark verdicts through innovative use of accident reconstruction technology and maintains active membership in the California Trial Lawyers Association.
Ligia McDonald
Office Manager
Overseeing daily operations across four offices, Ligia McDonald ensures seamless client communication and case management efficiency. Her administrative leadership maintains the firm's 24/7 responsiveness standard while coordinating multilingual support services for diverse client populations.
Victoria Rungo
Paralegal
Victoria Rungo specializes in medical records interpretation and expert witness coordination. Her forensic documentation expertise has been critical in pharmaceutical litigation cases, maintaining 100% electronic filing compliance while supporting over 50 active wrongful death claims.
Questions
How do I know if I have a valid personal injury case?
If your injuries resulted from another party's negligence or intentional actions, you may have a case. Common scenarios include transportation accidents, defective products, and unsafe premises. Contact us for a free evaluation.
What costs are covered in a wrongful death claim?
Claims may include funeral expenses, medical bills, lost income, and emotional distress. Our attorneys help calculate future financial losses while preserving your family's legal rights during this difficult period.
How does the contingency fee structure work?
We receive payment only when we win your case, taking a predetermined percentage of the settlement. This ensures access to quality representation regardless of your current financial situation.
What evidence should I preserve after an accident?
Maintain medical records, accident scene photos, witness contact information, and expense documentation. Our team can help organize these materials during your initial consultation.
How long do I have to file a personal injury claim?
California's statute of limitations is generally two years from the injury date. Claims against government entities require 180-day notice periods. Early consultation preserves critical evidence.
What sets Cartwright Law Firm apart from competitors?
Our combination of national trial experience, local Northern California presence, and 70-year legacy of innovation delivers exceptional results for complex personal injury and mass tort cases.
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