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Stanley Lopata
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Stanley Lopata
Law Office Stanley S. Lopata
15760 Ventura Blvd.
Suite 700
Encino, CA 91436
Phone: (818) 981-3100 | Fax: (818) 981-3100
Super Results Thru Experience-Dedication-Los Angeles
Legal Topic
Personal Injury
Preferred New Clients
Personal Injury Clients:
- Automobile and Truck Accidents
- Motorcycle Accidents
- Bicycle Accidents
- Pedestrian Accidents
Sub-Categories
Personal Injury
- Dangerous Property
- Wrongful Death
- Personal Injury - Defense
- Personal Injury Mediation/Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)
- Motorcycle Accidents
- Truck Accidents
- Slip & Fall
- Sports Injuries
- Whiplash
- Felony Auto Accident
- Defamation
- Invasion of Privacy
- Libel
- Slander
- Design Defects
- Manufacturing Defects
- False Charities
- Frauds, Scams, Hoaxes
- Identity Theft
- Pyramid Schemes
- Telemarketing
- Assault & Battery
- Child abuse
- Dog Bites & Animal Attacks
- Domestic Violence
- Sexual Assault
- Financial Malpractice
- Legal Malpractice
- Religious Malpractice
- Amputation
- Burn Injury
- Head/Brain Injury
- Paralysis
Legal Topic
Real Estate
Preferred New Clients
Clients with Real Estate issues.
Sub-Categories
Commercial Real Estate
- Broker & Transaction Litigation
- Buying & Selling
- Condominiums & Cooperatives
- Construction Contracts
- Homeowners' Associations
- Insurance
- Mechanics' Liens
- Mortgages
- Renting & Leasing
- Landlord
- Tenant
- Tenants' Rights
- Broker & Transaction Litigation
- Buying & Selling
- Condominiums & Cooperatives
- Construction Contracts
- Homeowners' Associations
- Insurance
- Mechanics' Liens
- Mortgages
- Renting & Leasing
- Landlord
- Tenant
- Tenants' Rights
Bar Admissions
CA, Jan 1971
Bar Number: 048222
Other Court Admissions
United States Supreme Court, United States District Court, California Supreme Court, Colorado Supreme Court.
Association Memberships
State Bar of California, Los Angeles County Bar Association, San Fernando Valley Bar Association.
Continuing Education
I attend continuing education of the bar seminars on the topics of litigation, mediation, personal injury matters, and elder law.
Example Cases
a. Our clients were a father and his college-age daughter. The father was taking the daughter around to look at cars so that she would have transportation at school. He was driving and stopped their small car at a red light. They were waiting for the light the change from red to green when suddenly, and without warning, their vehicle was struck from the rear by a large tractor-trailer vehicle carrying concrete. The car was totaled, the daughter suffered a fractured right arm and shoulder and a concussion and was hospitalized for five days. Father had lesser injuries, but suffered psychological injury when he watched the fire department use the jaws of life, power saws and hammers to remove his daughter from the twisted metal of their car. Prior to trial, we were able to negotiate a sizeable settlement for the daughter (enough to pay for her college education) and a somewhat smaller sum of the father.
b. Our client was a senior citizen (92 years old) who was shopping at a Wal-Mart store when a large trash can, stored on a rack above the walkway (in accord with store policy), came loose and struck our client on the head. She was a tough old bird and, although she suffered a concussion and bruises to her back and neck, her injuries were not as severe was we initially expected. The store paid for all her medical expenses and attorney fees, plus it paid her for her pain, suffering and humiliation.
c. We represented a lady who fell in the lobby of her apartment building. The manager of the building had a habit of washing the terrazzo floors in the common area by flooding it with water, placing a single lawn chair with a hand written sign saying "Wet Floor," returning to his office to watch soap operas and waiting for the water to evaporate. It was our contention that the manager had a duty to use care and to warn people of any hazard. He failed in his duty by not roping off the area, not putting out orange cones or by leaving water on the floor. Our client went to retrieve her mail for the mail box, slipped on the slick and wet floor and injured her elbow. She required several surgeries to correct the fractures and required special nursing and home care. We were able to convince the building's insurance company to settle the claim for a significant amount of money.
Education
Degree:
Bachelor of Arts
School:
University of Colorado
City:
Boulder
State:
CO
Year:
1962
Degree:
Juris Doctor
School:
University of Denver School of Law
City:
Denver
State:
CO
Year:
1965
Focus and Accomplishments:
Law Review and Moot Court.
Number of Attorneys
1
State Licensed In
California
Firm Focus and History
For more than 25 years, our office has been devoted to representing victims of auto, truck and motorcycle accidents. We have also represented men and women bitten by dogs and other animal, and people who have slipped and fallen in markets and on sidewalks. We pride ourselves on producing results. Our clients never pay a dime for our services until we have obtained money for them from those who caused their injuries.
I began my legal career as an Assistant City Attorney in Denver, CO. After moving to Los Angeles, I was employed as a personal injury defense attorney for one of the largest utility companies in America. In 1976 I established my office in the San Fernando Valley and since then I have devoted by time and energies to representing personal injury clients.
Previous Employment Summary
My previous work has included:
• Teaching
• Assistant City Attorney in Denver, Colorado
• Attorney in the legal department of a large public utility company as personal injury defense
Activities and Awards
Among my many activities I have in the past served as Judge Pro Tem in the Los Angeles County Superior Court for small claim and traffic matters and for family law matters. I have provided volunteer legal services at the Reseda Senior Citizens' Center.
What is your opinion regarding clients educating themselves on legal issues?
I think that it is fantastic for clients to educate themselves on legal matters. On many matters, especially smaller claims, they really do not require the services of an attorney, but they must be certain that they understand the situation. Insurance companies may attempt to take advantage of unrepresented, uninformed injury victims.
Are you willing to review documents prepared by clients?
The issue of reviewing documents prepared by clients generally does not come up in a personal injury practice.
Are you willing to coach clients who want to represent themselves?
Because of liability issues, I am not wiling to coach client who want to represent themselves.
Why did you decide to be a lawyer?
Initially, I just thought that being a lawyer was a great way to make money. While in law school I participated in a Legal Aid Clinic. We prepared simple documents, represented indignant people on misdemeanor hearings, provided advice and guidance to people who were intimidated and harassed by governments, collection companies, uncaring bosses, and insurance companies. At that point I knew that I could do things that would make a difference in their lives and I have continued throughout my legal career with the philosophy that I could make a difference for my clients.
What work experience and education helps you be a better lawyer?
I worked as a bartender and then as a middle school science teacher to pay for my tuition at law school. I participated in Legal Aid Clinic and as a Judge Pro Tem. I learned to listen to patrons/customers/clients and I learned how to help the "little guy."
Why did you decide on your primary area of practice?
The summer before I started law school, I was employed as a personal injury adjuster by a large insurance company. My job was to get to the home of the injured party the day of the accident, take a handwritten statement from the victim and try to entice her to take a payment, notwithstanding the true value of the claim, of $500 as payment in full of any and all claims. After working for about a month I realized that I was taking advantage of the victim at a time when they were least able to act. I quit and decided that I would never again permit an insurance company to take advantage of someone injured by the carrier's insurance, who was entitled to appropriate compensation.
What do you like best about your career?
I like helping people.
Tell us about your law firm:
When you retain my office the personal contact that begins with the initial phone call will continue through to the end of your case. All communications regarding your case, including the facts, medical treatment, status of the case, the predicted outcome, settlement negotiations and all settlement will be between you and me. No paralegal, no secretary, no administrator, no investigators.
What are your strengths and style?
I like to think of myself as a true advocate for my clients. People who have been injured or victimized need to feel that they are being heard and that their needs will be addressed by their attorney. There is no cold corporate atmosphere in my office. No one feel like just a file on the shelf. We take a personal interest in each one of our clients and represent them accordingly.
Personal Interests:
I am the grandfather of three beautiful boys. While I no longer serve as coach as I did for their parents, I attend and yell my support at their t-ball and their soccer games. I travel throughout the U.S. as much as my time will allow. I have also become a gym rat, spending hours per week trying to keep down the ever increasing waistline and blood pressure.
Fax
(818) 981-3100
Office Hours
Monday through Friday
8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Weekend and evening hours by appointment only.
Emergency After Hours
No
Fixed-Price Services and Fees
All personal injury matters are handled on a contingent fee basis. I am not paid until I collect money for my client and if there is no recovery, no attorney fee is due.
Hourly Rates
$425.
Free Initial Consultation?
We offer a one-half hour free consultation.
Typical Retainer
Information coming soon.
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Attorneys have passed a licensing check. Nolo has confirmed that every member attorney has a valid license and is in good standing with the applicable bar associations upon joining the directory.
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