Almost 40 years of professional excellence
Personal Injury Law is a concierge practice that invites you to experience a caring, focused and attentive attorney on your case.
Personal injury claims can encompass a variety of accidents and incidents caused by someone else. You are entitled to pursue reimbursement for your injuries and physical damages from the at-fault party.
With knowledge, experience, and skill in the area of personal injury litigation, Bogaards Law can target optimal financial recovery for personal injury victims in need. We are passionate about personal injury law and fighting for justice to help our client seek recovery after an injury.
If you have suffered from a personal injury, please contact Bogaards Law:
Recovering appropriate compensation after an auto accident can help injured people begin to move on with their lives.
Car accidents occur with some frequency in California, and Bay Area residents can suffer serious injuries after these accidents. By speaking with a Bay Area car accident lawyer, you can learn more about seeking damages to help compensate you for your losses.
Bogaards Law regularly helps people who have sustained injuries in motor vehicle crashes caused by someone else’s recklessness or carelessness. By filing a car accident claim with the help of a Bay Area car accident lawyer, you can prove a defendant was negligent and can seek compensation for losses.
If your injuries are the result of an auto accident, please contact Bogaards Law:
Cyclists sharing the roadways with bigger, heavier motorized vehicles face personal risks that most non-cyclists don’t even consider. When an accident or injury occurs, having an advocate who thoroughly understands the details of your situation can be critical.
As an accomplished endurance rider, Ms. Bogaards is uniquely qualified to understand the factors that contribute to injuries or damages in a bicycle accident case. Ms. Bogaards knows how to evaluate and prove liability as well as how to recover the most compensation for injured cyclists.
If you have suffered an injury from the result of a bicycle accident, please contact Bogaards Law:
Public transportation is a great asset to a city, but it can also be dangerous if bus drivers are distracted or inattentive. Accidents and collisions involving buses may not be common, but when they do occur the mass of these large vehicles can cause serious damages and injuries.
Bus accidents are common. Bogaard Law has experience on getting the most significant settlements from the city and county of San Fransisco.
If you have suffered an injury from a bus accident, please contact Bogaards Law:
Recovering from a serious injury is difficult for anyone, but it can be even more confusing and emotional when your child is injured.
Children count on the adults around them to help keep them safe. When a child is injured through negligence or abuse, they deserve exceptional protection and care, and a passionate advocate to fight for their legal rights.
As a mother herself, attorney Debra Bogaards understands the pain that families feel when a child is hurt by the actions of someone else, and the anger and sadness that comes with knowing the injury could have been prevented.
If your child has suffered an injury, please contact Bogaards Law:
Bogaards Law is proud to be a tenacious advocate for the safety and well-being of those living in nursing homes or assisted living facilities.
Nursing home administrators and staff have a legal duty to treat residents with care and respect. Those who fail to fulfill this duty and inflict abuse on your elderly parent can and should be held accountable for their actions.
Nursing home residents are protected from abuse under both state and federal law, so if you are concerned about the well-being of a loved one, it is critical to contact an experienced nursing home abuse attorney who can help you seek compensation for their losses.
If your loved one has suffered an injury from the result negligence, please contact Bogaards Law:
A fire or explosion can devastate a family, a business, or even a whole community, especially if there is a loss of life.
Bogaards Law has represented numerous clients impacted by a fire or explosion, and they know how to deal with the insurance representatives who often try to stand in the way of a fair settlement.
While some fires are the result of natural disasters, others are caused by human error or negligence. After an unnecessary disaster, holding the right people and organizations accountable not only provides closure for families and individuals affected, it may help prevent a similar disaster from happening in the future.
If you have suffered an injury from the result of a fire or explosion, please contact Bogaards Law:
The ability to get around on foot without burning fossil fuels is one of the advantages of living in an urban area. But when drivers don’t respect the right-of-way of pedestrians, accidents can occur that leave one or both parties dealing with injuries, collateral damage, or even worse, an unnecessary death.
The attorneys at Bogaards Law have represented people in and around the Bay Area who have been injured by a car, bus, or truck while on foot, and they understand what it takes to prove liability in these cases.
If you have suffered an injury as a pedestrian, please contact Bogaards Law:
An unexpected death often leaves loved ones with unanswered questions. A skilled attorney may be able to help.
Pursuing compensation from the party responsible in a wrongful death can help uncover exactly what occurred and why, as well as help the victim’s family pay for expenses related to end-of-life care or a funeral.
Pedestrian accidents, car accidents, and elder abuse are some of the leading causes of wrongful death in San Francisco. Bogaards Law has represented an elderly parent who got off a MUNI bus, crossed the street, and was killed instantly by a car. Most such claims settle out of court, but if litigation is a client’s best option, Bogaards Law is always prepared to represent them at trial.
If your loved one suffered from a wrongful death due to negligence, please contact Bogaards Law:
All workers have the right to earn a living in conditions that are safe and make them feel respected.
California has enacted both civil and criminal penalties for employers who fail to maintain appropriate working conditions or violate laws designed to protect employees. But proving that these violations took place can be difficult. Bogaards Law is willing to take on challenges that other firms may shy away from, and we have successfully represented employees in cases involving harassment, employment contracts, and wage and hour disputes, just to name a few.
If you are taking legal action against your employer, you don’t have to face your case alone. Bogaards Law will fight for you. Hiring an experienced employment law attorney will ensure that you have a partner in your corner. Large corporations may try to intimidate you into giving up your rights, but Bogaards Law can provide sound legal guidance to help you understand your options.
If you are taking legal action against your employer, please contact Bogaards Law:
As an experienced mediator and trial attorney, Debra Bogaards has helped clients resolve cases of discrimination on the basis of race, gender, and age.
Several California laws are in place to prevent workplace and housing discrimination, and when employers or landlords disregard those laws, the penalties can be severe. Your employer or landlord will often claim that their actions were not motivated by discrimination, and it takes a skilled attorney to successfully argue against these claims and prove the facts in the case.
There are many types of discrimination covered by federal and state law, but the most common incidents involve one of two general categories – employment and housing. Within these categories, there is still wide variation, from age discrimination in the workplace to discriminating against potential tenants with young children.
If you have experienced discrimination in the workplace, please contact Bogaards Law:
California retaliation claims involve an employer discriminating against an employee who is engaging in protected behaviors.
Retaliation can involve firing or demoting an employee or taking other actions that are intended to punish the employee for an action they have taken that is protected by law. Those actions may include filing a report of harassment, refusing to participate in unlawful activity on behalf of the business, or cooperating with an internal investigation. Employees are also sometimes subjected to retaliatory behavior for requesting leave under the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) or requesting accommodations available under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
If you suspect that an employer is retaliating against you because of protected behavior, retaining a California retaliation attorney can help protect your rights and help you seek the compensation you deserve.
If you suspect an employer is retaliating against you because of protected behavior, contact Bogaards Law:
While most companies have made efforts to address sexual harassment, some are still not doing enough to protect workers.
Sexual harassment on the job can create a hostile work environment and reduce a person’s quality of life outside of the workplace. Harassers may try to downplay the negative consequences of their behavior, but the law is clear about what is and is not acceptable on the job, and employees have a reasonable right to expect these laws will be upheld by their employer.
Because there is usually very little physical evidence in these cases, it can be difficult to pursue a sexual harassment claim without the assistance of a California sexual harassment attorney.
If you have experienced sexual harassment in the workplace, please contact Bogaards Law:
Maintaining Title IX compliance is easier with the help of a skilled Title IX Sexual Harassment or Sexual Violence advisor.
Schools, colleges and universities who receive federal funding are required to comply with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, a federal civil rights law designed to prevent discrimination on the basis of gender in educational programs and activities. Schools who do not follow this law risk losing significant funds or facing other serious penalties.
If you have been sexually molested or raped by a professor or clasemate let attorney Debra Bogaards help you bring a Title IX claim. Ms. Bogaards understands the sensitive nature of the matter as well as the administrative process of presenting your claim.
If you need assistance with a Title IX case, contact Bogaards Law:
Those who report fraud and then are fired are entitled to certain protections, and possibly even compensation.
In California the law protects whistleblowers. If you have reported violations of a wage and hour nature (misclassification, lunch breaks, or unpaid overtime) to your employer and then your employer fires you you may have a good case.
Whether you are hoping to receive a settlement or fearful of retaliation, there are many reasons why hiring a Bay Area lawyer will be beneficial to your claim. If you suspect fraudulent activity is happening, talk to an attorney today about your options.
If you suspect fraudulent activity in the workplace, contact Bogaards Law:
If your employer fired you for what seems like illegal reasons, you may be able to file a wrongful termination lawsuit against them.
While employers are able to make decisions about hiring or firing employees for a wide range of reasons, there are some legal restrictions on when and why an employee can be terminated. These can include discrimination, such as terminating an employee on the basis of their gender or nationality, or retaliation, as in the case of an employee who is fired for requesting a valid leave of absence. Wrongful termination cases have also arisen from situations in which workers are fired for attempting to unionize.
Proving to a court or mediator that your termination occurred for illegal reasons can be tough without the assistance of a knowledgeable employment law attorney.
If you are dealing with a wrongful termination, contact Bogaards Law:
If your landlord is making it difficult to live peacefully in your rental unit, you may be able to take legal action against them.
California is home to some of the nation’s largest cities, and rental housing is extremely common in these densely populated areas. To protect the owners and the occupants of these housing units, the state government as well as many municipal organizations have passed strict regulations related to the rights and obligations of both tenants and landlords.
There are two implied “covenants” in California which apply to all rental agreements. One is the covenant of quiet enjoyment, granting tenants the right to enjoy the space they have rented without disturbance or harassment. The second is the implied warranty of habitability which guarantees all tenants the right to a clean, safe rental home.
If you are looking for a lawyer who has handled tenant rights cases, contact Bogaards Law:
Resolving a case without going to trial can often save time and money for both parties involved. Mediation can be an excellent route to achieving this. For many years clients and fellow attorneys have consistently turned to Debra Bogaards to mediate their cases in a variety of legal fields.
Ms. Bogaards has earned a reputation as a fair and knowledgeable mediator who examines each detail of a case and provides both parties with valuable insight into their case. Her extensive experience in insurance defense litigation makes it easy for claims managers and representatives on the defense side to trust her judgment, and with over 35 successful jury trials in her portfolio, she can help plaintiffs understand what is necessary to prove their claim.
If you need a fair and knowledgeable mediator, contact Bogaards Law:
Nowhere is our passion for justice stronger than when we’re asked to help a client seek recovery for a catastrophic personal injury, or a family recover losses for a loved one’s death caused by someone else’s recklessness or negligence. Our Bay Area personal injury lawyers understand what is needed for a fair settlement.
With almost 40 years of experience in the courtroom, and having built a good reputation amongst judges and trial attorneys, Ms. Bogaards has both the tenacity and trial skills to get you a winning verdict at trial or the highest settlement either pre-litigation or after filing suit.
Ms. Bogaards has won almost all of her 38 jury trials and has had great success at mediation. Because Ms. Bogaards has both plaintiff and defense cases, she is uniquely qualified to understand what the insurance company needs to provide you with a fair settlement.
Wrongful death of the 20-year-old daughter of Renee and Israel Morales in the San Bruno PG&E gas pipeline explosion, with co-counsel John Feder. We were the second case to go to mediation resulting in one of the highest settlements in history.
Motorcyclist gets cut off by left-turning van in Capitola. Suffers below-knee amputation. Within one month of signing on with Bogaards Law, motorcyclist received a $250,000 advance from the defendant’s insurance company.
Pedro Avila was walking in a marked crosswalk, when a car took a left turn in Potrero Hill, and hit him. He suffered a broken right leg. The settlement included the $100,000 policy limits and $100,000 cash out of pocket from the motorist.
Speeding on a rented motorcycle after the Gay Pride Parade, plaintiff was hit by a Jeep making a left on Mission Street in San Francisco. Both sides’ accident reconstruction experts agreed that if plaintiff had been going the speed limit, the accident could have been avoided. Plaintiff suffered multiple pelvic fractures and underwent three surgeries. Her medical specials were $185,000. She had no wage loss claim as a Lt. Firefighter.
2019 – A petite 84 y.o.woman crossed in the middle of the street in dark clothing to go to the grocery store at night. She was hit by a car and died instantly.
Pedestrian gets hit by commuter bus making a right turn. Suffers a Lisfranc ankle injury with surgery. Medical bills were under $50,000. No wage loss.
Partial finger amputation of 8-year-old boy with comparative fault.
Customer trips and falls in parking garage. Suffers trimalleolar ankle fracture with surgery. Medical specials are $37,500. No wage loss.
Woman falls leaving a doctor’s office in SF. Suffers a complex ankle fracture. Liability is hotly contested. No wage loss.
Employee in a tech start-up makes a whistleblower claim regarding misuse of Facebook manager.
Homeowner slips on unsecured tarp in her foyer after coming downstairs and sues her general contractor doing her kitchen remodel. Homeowner suffers a severe elbow injury with surgery.
Wrist fracture arising out of pedestrian/auto accident, no surgery.
Plaintiff slipped and fell on nacho cheese on the floor at a U.S.F. basketball game, injuring his knee and resulting in arthroscopic surgery.
2014 – Mr. Dempsey was on his bicycle when he was hit by a car leaving the golf club. Liability was hotly contested. He suffered a broken right hand and cervical fractures.
Plaintiff was an 85-year-old man attending a weekly Rotary meeting at the DoubleTree Hotel in Livermore. He slipped on wet tiles and broke his femur in four places. Unfortunately, due to Alzheimer’s and life-threatening health issues, the plaintiff was unable to appear for his deposition or litigation past mediation.
Carbon monoxide poisoning case where clients, living in a ranch home in west Marin County, had only one day of exposure and no residual symptoms.
Wrongful death of 94 year old petite grandmother who ran out into traffic in the middle of the block between parked cars against a red light. Our accident reconstruction expert found no liability- zero-against the driver who hit her.
2016 – Two sisters were exposed to carbon monoxide poisoning from a faulty wall heater in a hotel that didn’t have a carbon monoxide detector. They needed 28 hours of treatment, including oxygen. Medical bills were less than $10,000.
Cyclist gets doored by rideshare car. Bruising and scarring near eye and hand.
2017 – An 86 y.o. lovely woman got on the MUNI bus, and the driver took off before she was seated. She fell and suffered a low back injury. She has a significant past medical history. Her medical bill was a mere $6,000.
Race car professional suffered neuropathic leg pain when race car driver backed up into him, while standing at metal table in hangar. Liability was hotely contested.
2016 – Ms. Guttman had a head-on collision, and suffered a sprained right ankle with surgery.
Court trial in Marin County for breach of plaintiff’s employment contract as an office manager. Plaintiff had both a personal and work relationship with employer, a medical doctor.
Female student was sexually abused by a male student at a local private middle school. The male student had abused other students in the past.
Disputed sexual molestation of high school male student by female teacher at private school.
Plaintiff was the executive assistant for the CEO of a Silicon Valley tech company for only a few years. She was fired for absenteeism and poor work performance; however, plaintiff had a personal relationship with the CEO’s family and claimed that the personal relationship both interfered with her ability to do her office work and lead to her termination.
Elder abuse case involving the death of a client’s father at a skilled nursing facility due to neglect, dehydration, and open wounds. Case settled at early mediation.
Elder abuse case involving the death of a fellow attorney’s mother within a month of moving into an upscale care facility in Marin County, because she was not given medications. Expedited settlement within three months of claim.
Wrongful death of the 20-year-old daughter of Renee and Israel Morales in the San Bruno PG&E gas pipeline explosion, with co-counsel John Feder. We were the second case to go to mediation resulting in one of the highest settlements in history. We also accompanied Renee Morales to the PG&E criminal trial over 5 years later.
Bicyclist suffered broken wrist injury requiring multiple surgeries in no liability case.
Debra loves her trial work. With over 35 years of successful trial experience, she has devoted tens of thousands of hours to the craft of taking expert depositions, selecting juries, winning trials, and telling her clients’ stories in compelling detail.
Chelsea Lewis is the newest attorney at Bogaards Law, after spending two years as a law clerk and paralegal with the firm. She has experience in employment, tenant’s rights, and personal injury litigation. Chelsea’s extensive experience as a paralegal prior to and during law school makes her uniquely qualified to take on the difficulties of litigating complex cases.
My mediation appointment with Ms. Bogaards was more than interesting as it was conducted exclusively by phone due to the health crisis. Despite this, it went smoothly and productively. The case settled within the allotted time frame due largely in part to Ms. Bogaards persistence but also her vast experience in personal injury work. It was obvious her defense and plaintiff’s background gave her credibility with both parties. All in all, it was all a very positive experience for a... READ MORE
Debra Bogaards is one of the most thorough, skilled and aggressive litigators in the Bay Area. She protects her clients and their interests like a mama bear to her cubs. I speak both as a client for whom Ms. Bogaards achieved an incredible result, and as a colleague who has worked beside Ms. Bogaards and has seen her diligence and thought process. Here skillset and tremendous presence and command, regardless of the forum, makes for a most fierce litigator. Ms.... READ MORE
Look no further. Debra is an amazing lawyer and very thorough at her job. About a year ago, we came into contact with Debra because we were being harassed and kicked out by our landlord. Out of 5 lawyers we called Debra was the only one to answer and help us out immediately. The first time we called, her amazing assistant Rachel answered and began asking me questions in order to understand our case. She immediately began the process and... READ MORE
We hired Debra Bogaards to represent us after our beloved mother passed away as the result of negligent administration of medications at a reputable, upscale assisted living. Day by day we watched her decline, took her to medical appointments and were told by her doctors that they did not understand why. After her admission to the hospital, we discovered that nursing staff failed to administer prescribed medication; the unused pills were sitting unopened in our mother’s pill basket at the... READ MORE
I recently had to mediate a complex and difficult case, where opposing counsel and I agreed to use Debra as the mediator. I found her to be extraordinarily competent, empathetic and efficient in getting my case resolved. Debra was very thorough, read through and understood all the materials, and was very well prepared. She privately met with the parties and impressed upon them the risks each of them faced by going to trial. As a result, the parties reached a... READ MORE
A month before trial, Ms. Bogaards successfully mediated a challenging personal injury case and was able to effectively bridge a vast cultural and legal divide, to broker a settlement acceptable to all.
We were extremely pleased by Debra's professional abilities and personal attention, and we recommend her without hesitation! If you can imagine a good experience with a lawyer, Debra is it.
Thank you, thank you, thank you to my amazing attorney Debra Bogaards for an excellent job she did for me in my slip and fall case. The settlement she got for me was great! She is very professional and is extremely talented at what she does (and she is very pretty as well). I recommend her very highly.
Debra is one of the best attorneys I’ve ever had the pleasure of working with. Her track record speaks for itself. Her meticulous preparation, zealous advocacy, honesty and a civil, professional demeanor with co-counsel and opposing counsel alike set her apart. I strongly endorse her.
After blind rejection from several attorneys...a close family friend referred me to Debra Bogaards. From the moment I called her office, I spoke to Ms. Bogaards directly (no “middleman”). She expressed great empathy about our situation and agreed to review our case. She conducted a very thorough examination of the information we provided her and consulted with experts about our case. Ultimately, there were a number of unique challenges that made a successful lawsuit in our situation difficult. Although other... READ MORE
Debra guided us through a sticky wicket of obfuscation and confusion thrown out by the hotel where my husband slipped and broke his femur in four places. She was able to clearly demonstrate that the hotel was at fault in this case, and we reached a nice settlement through mediation. We were extremely pleased by her professional abilities and personal attention, and we recommend Debra Bogaards without hesitation!
Debra helped us stop a recklessly planned construction project in our building before it began, and then recovered fees and damages for us. She created and executed her strategy seamlessly in obtaining a great result. We highly recommend Debra!
Debra is an exceptional attorney, a true professional in every respect of the word. Not only is she dedicated to her practice and clients; she will always have time for you with a smile on her face, which when coupled with a positive reassuring voice, is very comforting during stressful and trying times. Debra is the best at what she does, and surrounds herself with an incredible network of top notch professionals. This assembled team works seamlessly to achieve the... READ MORE
Debra helped us navigate an incredibly tense and difficult situation. Her approach was just what we needed. We found Debra to be caring and understanding of our case, while being a fierce and determined advocate. Debra moved swiftly, took just the right amount of control, and definitely went the extra mile for us. I really felt like we had the upper hand. I was so glad Debra was on our side and not theirs! We were ultimately successful, and we... READ MORE
Debra is a STRONG ADVOCATE and an excellent person to have on your side. She took the time to listen to me, understand my position, and provided careful and thoughtful advice. She helped me reach a favorable outcome in my case and I will be forever GRATEFUL.
Working with Debra was the best decision ever. She is an absolute pleasure to work with: incredibly well-informed, detailed, and made sure I was updated along the way. Being a complete novice to this realm, she explained everything clearly and thoroughly, eliminating any uncertainty I had. I felt so confident working with Debra. All I can say is: she's the best and I would love to work with her again in the future. Thanks again, Debra, for everything!
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