Michael David Payne

Michael D. Payne has been practicing law throughout California since 1992.  For the first 10 years of his practice he represented insurance companies on matters from personal injury to professional liability.

After more than 20 years of practice as an attorney Mr. Payne has won thousands of personal injury, car accident, medical malpractice, slip and fall, dog bite and other injury cases on behalf of his clients.

Mr. Payne holds membership in the Consumer Attorneys of Los Angeles, the Consumer Attorneys of California, the American Bar Association, the John M. Langston Bar Association, the National Trial Lawyers Top 100, the National Bar Association, the Million Dollar Advocates Fourm, Lawyers of Distinction and the State Bar of California.  In 2017 he was listed in the TopVerdict list of the top 100 verdicts in California.

Mr. Payne has served as a legal commentator for media on several high-profile cases in the Los Angeles area.  He has also appeared on international media outlets which include Fox, MSNBC, CNN and the Larry King Show.  He was intimately involved in the inquiry into the death of Dr. Donda West, mother to rapper/hip hop artist Kanye West. He also represented deceased activist Rodney King during the latter years of his life. Mr. Payne has served as both an arbitrator and Judge Pro Tem in Los Angeles and San Bernardino County. Mr. Payne has received numerous commendations from the County Board of Supervisors, city officials and various State Assemblymen and U.S. Congressmen.

State Bar of California

United States District Court (Central District)

Pepperdine Caruso School of Law, Juris Doctrate Degree

Loyola Marymount University, Finance

Superb Rating Of 10 Out Of 10 Stars Based On Client Reviews

Avvo

2020

Recognizing Excellence In Personal Injury

Lawyers Of Distinction

2020

10 Best Attorneys- Exceptional And Outstanding Client Service Award

American Institute Of Personal Injury Attorneys

2019

Consumer Attorneys of Los Angeles

Member

2004 – Current

Consumer Attorneys of California

Member

2004 – Current

Trial Lawyers Charities

Member

2004 – Current

American Bar Association

Member

1997 – Current

National Bar Association

Member

1992-Current

California State Bar

Member

1992 – Current

The following represents a summary of some of Mr. Payne’s verdicts and settlements:

Mr. Payne and his co counsel received a jury verdict in a wrongful death/negligence lawsuit filed by the 80 year old parents for the wrongful death of their 42 year old daughter. The daughter was killed by her boyfriend before killing himself. The matter proceeded to trial against the Estate of the deceased boyfriend. The offer before trial was $200,000.  The jury returned a verdict in the amount of $6,850,000.

Mr. Payne settled a medical malpractice and premises liability case. The insurance company denied liability and made no offer in the case. The client dove into the shallow end of a swimming pool. The insurance company said it was the victim’s fault. The client sustained a fracture at C-4 following the swimming pool accident. After the diving accident, the client then received negligent medical care (failure to diagnose the fracture) at a local community hospital. The client received a settlement in the amount of $3,897,000 from the property owner where the pool was located and the hospital where she received medical care.

Mr. Payne settled a car accident case. The insurance company would not make an offer for settlement before a lawsuit was filed. After reviewing over 10,000 pages of the plaintiff’s medical records regarding prior injuries the insurance company said the plaintiff’s injuries occurred before the accident. The plaintiff had neck, back and shoulder injuries in the accident. She also sustained a laceration to her head. The client received a settlement of $625,000 after the matter went into litigation.

Mr. Payne settled a matter on behalf of a client in an automobile accident. The client sustained lower back and neck injuries. The insurance company denied any liability for the accident. The matter settled for $450,000.

Mr. Payne settled an auto accident matter. The client had a previous attorney who was unable to secure any offers. In the auto accident the client’s father was struck by another vehicle. The client’s father had a heart attack at the scene of the accident and died. The insurance company denied liability and said the heart attack was due to pre-existing cardiovascular disease. The case settled for the maximum amount of insurance available or $300,000.

Mr. Payne represented the passengers in a rollover off-road vehicle accident in Mexico. The occupants sustained neck and back injuries. The matter settled for the maximum amount of insurance or $300,000.

Mr. Payne represented an elderly overweight woman who fell down a flight of stairs injuring her knee. She had a documented history of prior falls and hypertension. The insurance company made no offers. Mr. Payne settled the matter for $185,000.

Mr. Payne represented the driver of a vehicle in a low-speed collision. The client had sustained a lower back injury. Surgery was not required. The insurance company offered $500. Mr. Payne settled the case for $175,000.

Catastrophic Injury Cases

Personal Injury Cases

Car Accidents

Slip and Fall Accidents

Brain Injury Cases

Spinal Cord Injury Cases

Birth Injury Cases

Articles & Publications

Los Angeles Negligent Security & Bar Fight Injury Lawyers
Submitted by the Law Offices of Michael D. Payne
January 20, 2020

9 Things To Do After a Car Accident
Michael D. Payne
December 30, 2019

10 Tips for Choosing the BEST PERSONAL INJURY Lawyer
Michael D. Payne
December 16, 2019

We support the following organizations:

Susan G. Komen For The Cure

Elizabeth Glaser Pediatrics Aids Foundation

American Association For Justice

Trial Lawyer Charities