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Adam Sorrells
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Adam Sorrells
The Law Offices of Adam Sorrells
60 Independence Circle
Suite 100
Chico, CA 95973
Phone: (530) 893-9900 | Fax: (530) 893-9901
http://www.chicopersonalinjury.com
Aggressive attorney with seventeen years of experience.
Legal Topic
Personal Injury
Preferred New Clients
As a Chico and California personal injury lawyer and attorney, I handle all personal injury cases, including car accidents, dog bites and animal attacks, burn cases, wrongful death, brain injury, paraplegia, quadriplegia, dangerous premises cases, dangerous or defective products, and all serious injuries.
Sub-Categories
Personal Injury
- Dangerous Property
- Wrongful Death
- Motorcycle Accidents
- Truck Accidents
- Construction Site Injuries
- Slip & Fall
- Petrochemical Accidents
- Whiplash
- Felony Auto Accident
- Design Defects
- Manufacturing Defects
- Assault & Battery
- Child abuse
- Dog Bites & Animal Attacks
- Sexual Assault
- Airplanes
- Buildings
- Mass Transit - Bus, Train, Subway
- Ships & Boats
- Anesthesia Malpractice
- Birth Injuries and Defects
- Cosmetic Surgery
- Dental Malpractice
- Emergency Room Errors
- HMO Managed Case
- Lasik Eye Surgery
- Medication Malpractice
- Optometry Malpractice
- Prescription/Drug Malpractice
- Surgical Errors
- Wrong Diagnosis or Misdiagnosis
- Spinal Cord Injury
- Amputation
- Burn Injury
- Head/Brain Injury
- Paralysis
Bar Admissions
CA, Dec 1992
Bar Number: 160226
Other Court Admissions
All California State Courts, as well as the Southern, Central, and Eastern District Federal Courts of California.
Association Memberships
American Association for Justice, Consumer Attorneys of California, and Sacramento County Trial Lawyers Association.
Continuing Education
To stay current on personal injury and civil litigation law, I constantly read the newest cases. I am on three list serves, in which I am e-mailed all new case law and happenings for my field. I am also a subscriber to four personal injury magazines, which provide updates on trial strategy, evidence, and personal injury litigation. Moreover, I frequently attend live seminars in the area of personal injury litigation, and also frequently confer with colleagues.
Example Cases
I have worked on over 1,000 cases, so picking a few are difficult. There are many cases where unique strategies and good legal maneuvering made a difference.
One case was a traumatic brain injury case out of Butte County. The client had been rear-ended by a tow truck in Paradise, California. While the impact pushed his car into the intersection, there was not a lot of visible damage to his car, and the tow truck (being large, with a utility bumper) did not exhibit any damage. The defense insurance company hired a large Southern California law firm to come to Butte County and defend the case. They engaged in a typical "scorched earth defense," where they would not willingly produce discovery, denied the impact was sufficient to injure my client, denied my client was injured, and denied he had a brain injury. They initially offered only $15,000, and they then raised that offer to $30,000 right before trial. The trial took place, and I had to put on dozens of expert witnesses, as well as cross-examine those hired by the defense. During cross examination of the defense neuro-psychologist, I produced several admissions that the plaintiff (injured person) probably had sustained a traumatic brain injury. Part of the examination included the use of a "learned treatise" on the subject of brain injury. I also called a host of lay witnesses to testify to the "before accident and after accident" difference in the injured person. When the trial was over, the jury awarded the injured person approximately $168,000. The defense then asked for a new trial, essentially arguing that I did too good of a job, and that the award should not have been so high.
Incredibly, the judge agreed, and awarded the defense a new trial. I appealed that ruling, and the case went up on appeal to the Third District Court of Appeal in Sacramento. I wrote the winning argument in the Appellate Brief, and then personally argued the case in front of the Appellate Panel. This is in front of three Appeals Judges, who all sit above and in front of the attorney, and pepper the attorney with questions. I was able to convince the Appeals Court that the trial judge had not properly documented the paper-work for his New Trial ruling, and convinced the Appeals Court to allow the trial verdict to stand. My client was able to receive more than $30,000 in interest that accrued on the judgment while the case was on appeal.
This case is an example of the skill level and tenacity that the Law Offices of Adam Sorrells will employ with every personal injury case.
I am very proud of my numerous other trial verdicts, including winning verdicts in both State and Federal Court, and trials and victories in Courts in San Diego, Orange County, Sacramento, and all over the North-State. I am also very proud of some of the exceptional settlements that I have been able to negotiate on behalf of my clients, including wrongful death and serious personal injury cases.
Education
Degree:
Juris Doctor
School:
Cal Northern School of Law
City:
Chico
State:
CA
Year:
1992
Number of Attorneys
1
State Licensed In
California
Firm Focus and History
As a Chico and California personal injury lawyer and attorney, I only represent victims of personal injury, such as people hurt in car accidents, dog bite and animal attacks, wrongful death cases, burn victims, traumatic brain injuries, and all serious injury cases. In that sense, we are unique. I am not a general lawyer, who handles whatever case comes through the door. I only practice personal injury law. This unique emphasis and specialization allows us to stay current on the law and excel in this area, to better serve our clients.
After working for ten years for another personal injury lawyer, I formally launched the Law Offices of Adam Sorrells in Chico, California, on July 1, 2002, where I work as a Chico and California personal injury attorney and lawyer.
Previous Employment Summary
I was hired right out of law school to work for a very experienced personal injury lawyer. For the next ten years, I handled numerous trials, depositions, arbitrations, and worked on hundreds of personal injury cases. When I left my old firm, I was the "lead trial counsel" at the firm, and handled most of the more serious and difficult cases.
Activities and Awards
As a Chico and California personal injury lawyer and attorney, I have been recognized by my peers for my knowledge and expertise in personal injury work, and for my trial and litigation skill.
What is your opinion regarding clients educating themselves on legal issues?
I encourage people to research and educate themselves on the issues they will be facing. That is one of the reasons my website is so detailed. However, personal injury litigation is very complicated, and there are many areas where a misstep early on can sometimes not be fixed.
Are you willing to review documents prepared by clients?
As a Chico and Northern California personal injury lawyer and attorney, I handle personal injury cases. For that reason, I do not review documents that clients have prepared on their own. This could take time away from a seriously injured person's case. One of the philosophies at the Law Offices of Adam Sorrells is that each case gets individual attention. Phone calls are always taken or returned promptly, and each client is always kept informed on the status of their case. Reviewing documents for non-clients could get in the way of that philosophy.
Are you willing to coach clients who want to represent themselves?
I believe that self-education is good, but that it is usually a mistake for an injured person to try to handle their case on their own. Also, if self education causes a delay in seeking an attorney, that can be a mistake as well.
Why did you decide to be a lawyer?
I initially wanted to be a lawyer at age 7, after picking up and reading a large legal book that my mother kept for show. I later considered going into law enforcement and joining the FBI. However, the legal aspect and the trial work were more intellectually stimulating. I later settled on working as a personal injury lawyer in Chico representing people injured in car accidents, brain injuries, wrongful death cases, and all serious personal injury cases. This allows me to help people who are in need.
What work experience and education helps you be a better lawyer?
I waited tables for many years at a very nice restaurant on the Mendocino Coast where I grew up. I was lucky enough to wait on movie stars such as Johnny Carson, Robert Redford, and many others. Waiting tables is very hard work. Years later, during the summers while I was in law-school, I took a second full time job. One summer I worked as a security guard, and the next summer I sold jewelry. I would work as a waiter from 3:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m., and then report to the Mill as a security guard at midnight and work until 8:00 in the morning. In my last two years of law school, I worked a law-enforcement position at Butte County Juvenile Hall, supporting myself through law school. Money was always tight, and it was tough not getting enough sleep and trying to pay the rent while still excelling in law school, as well as preparing for and passing the California State Bar exam (passed on the first try).
This type of hard work and real life experience was a good foundation for the rigors of trial work and personal injury litigation. Moreover, many of my clients find themselves in a very rough spot because of their injuries. All of a sudden they cannot pay the rent or their mortgage, they have lost a spouse who was the breadwinner, and they are in a tough situation. I have been in this position. I can empathize, and am motivated to do the very best job I can on every case.
Why did you decide on your primary area of practice?
I like personal injury work because a lot of time is spent in the court room, it is challenging, you can really help people, and it is also very lucrative.
What do you like best about your career?
I like the fact that I can help my clients, and also support my family.
Tell us about your law firm:
I am a solo practitioner, so all of my clients deal directly with me. I have a wonderful paralegal named Crista, who is attentive to all of my clients, and who works very closely with me on all of our cases. I also have a legal intern named Sergio, who helps me with cases and translations.
What are your strengths and style?
I like to be very aggressive on cases, and in my dealings with insurance adjusters and defense lawyers. However, I like to temper that aggressiveness with respect and professionalism for the other side because that person is simply doing their job, I also like to keep my clients involved at all stages of the case and make important decisions with them. For example, an ultra-aggressive move may be to reject a decent settlement offer and proceed to trial, with the hope of doing better. Of course, trials are very risky, and you can always do worse. I like to explain these risks to my client and explain what I think they should do, but then let them make the decision (as long as the decision is not crazy). I always try to remember that the case is my client's case. I have many cases, but this is their only case.
Personal Interests:
When I am not working, I enjoy spending time with my family. I am married, and have a young son. I also enjoy working out, playing softball and golf, and traveling.
Office Manager/Assistant
Crista.
Fax
(530) 893-9901
Office Hours
Monday through Friday
8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Although we sometimes leave early on Friday, if not in trial.
We will meet with clients any time, day, or location, if required.
Emergency After Hours
Yes
Foreign Languages
Spanish.
Fixed-Price Services and Fees
While fees are negotiable, I only handle cases on a contingency fee. This means the client never has to pay, and I am only paid if I am successful in getting a settlement, or win the case at trial. The fees range from 25% of the recovery (usually only on a minor), to 40% if the case is in litigation. The average fee is usually 33.3%.
Hourly Rates
I generally only take contingent fee cases.
Free Initial Consultation?
Yes, a free consultation for personal injury cases is always offered. However, you have to call first, and only those cases that pass the initial screening can actually meet with me.
Typical Retainer
No, there is never a retainer asked for. I advance all costs and am only paid if I am successful in recovering money for my client.
Nolo's Licensing Check
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.
Directory lawyers are required to notify Nolo immediately if they become the subject of any disciplinary action by any bar association.
