Introduction
Board-certified civil trial specialist, U.S. Navy veteran, instrument-rated pilot with thousands of flight hours, and past president of the Central California Trial Lawyers Association, David L. Milligan has spent more than 25 years building a catastrophic personal injury practice in Fresno that handles exclusively the most severe cases. The Law Offices of David L. Milligan, located at 1265 W Shaw Ave, Suite 100, Fresno, CA 93711, does not take on routine fender-bender claims. The firm represents clients who have suffered burn injuries, amputations, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, and other life-altering conditions caused by someone else’s negligence.
Practice Areas
The firm’s practice is limited to catastrophic personal injury and tort cases. This means the injuries involved are severe, the medical costs are substantial, and the cases are typically complex. Attorney Milligan does not handle medical or dental malpractice.
Burn Injuries. Fire and chemical burn cases involve extensive medical treatment, skin grafts, and long-term rehabilitation. The firm represents burn victims against negligent parties responsible for the conditions that caused the injury.
Dog Attacks. Severe dog bite cases, particularly those involving disfigurement, nerve damage, or attacks on children, fall within the firm’s catastrophic injury focus.
Spinal Injuries Requiring Surgery. Cases involving herniated discs, fractured vertebrae, spinal cord compression, and other conditions that require surgical intervention represent a significant portion of the practice.
Traumatic Brain Injuries. TBI cases range from severe concussions to penetrating brain injuries, each requiring detailed medical evidence and expert testimony to establish the full scope of cognitive, physical, and emotional impairment.
Loss of Limbs and Amputations. Workplace accidents, vehicle collisions, and defective machinery can result in the loss of a limb. These cases involve substantial future damages for prosthetics, rehabilitation, and diminished earning capacity.
Disfigurement and Scarring. Permanent physical disfigurement affects not only a victim’s physical capabilities but also their emotional well-being and future opportunities. The firm pursues full compensation for these lasting consequences.
Motorcycle and Bicycle Accidents. Riders are particularly vulnerable to catastrophic injuries. The firm handles cases where motorcycle or bicycle accidents result in severe trauma, including road rash, broken bones, and spinal cord damage.
Trucking and Commercial Vehicle Accidents. Collisions involving commercial trucks, delivery vehicles, and other large vehicles often produce catastrophic injuries due to the size and weight differential. These cases may involve multiple liable parties, including drivers, trucking companies, and maintenance providers.
Aviation Accidents. Attorney Milligan’s personal experience as an instrument-rated pilot with thousands of flight hours gives him technical understanding of aviation operations. The firm handles accident cases involving private and commercial aircraft.
Serious Construction Work-Site Injuries. Construction sites produce some of the most severe workplace injuries, including falls, crush injuries, and electrocution. The firm handles third-party civil injury cases arising from construction site negligence.
Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) and RSD. These chronic pain conditions can develop after an injury and produce debilitating, long-term symptoms. The firm represents clients whose CRPS or RSD resulted from another party’s negligence.
Loss of Vision or Hearing. Sensory loss cases require specialized medical evidence and life-care planning to establish the full impact on the victim’s daily functioning and future earning potential.
Severe Nerve Damage. Nerve damage cases can produce chronic pain, loss of function, and permanent disability. The firm pursues claims against those responsible for injuries that cause this type of lasting harm.
Wrongful Death and Survivor Actions. When catastrophic injuries prove fatal, the firm represents surviving family members in wrongful death claims against all responsible defendants, including individuals, companies, and government entities.
Work-Related Third-Party Civil Injury Cases. These cases arise when a workplace injury is caused by a third party’s negligence, distinct from workers’ compensation claims filed against an employer.
Attorney Profiles
David L. Milligan, Attorney. David Milligan’s credentials read like a checklist of the highest recognitions available in civil trial practice:
- Board-Certified Civil Trial Specialist by the State Bar of California
- Board Certified in Civil Trial by the National Board of Trial Advocacy (recertified December 20, 2020)
- Ranked Associate of the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA)
- Past President of the Central California Trial Lawyers Association
- AV Rated by Martindale-Hubbell (the highest peer rating available)
- NITA Master Advocate
- Super Lawyer designation since 2016
- Life Member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum
- U.S. Navy Veteran
- Instrument-rated pilot with thousands of flight hours
Milligan provides personalized, one-on-one attention to each case. With over 25 years of experience focused exclusively on catastrophic injuries, he has recovered millions for injury victims throughout Central California. He can be reached at 559-439-7500.
Location and Service Area
The Law Offices of David L. Milligan is located at 1265 W Shaw Ave, Suite 100, Fresno, CA 93711. The firm’s phone number is 559-439-7500, with office hours Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and weekend appointments available by arrangement.
The firm serves Central California, including Fresno, Clovis, Madera, Visalia, Bakersfield, and Modesto. Attorney Milligan’s practice reaches throughout the Central Valley and San Joaquin Valley, extending to the foothills and coastal cities of Northern and Central California.
For more information, visit https://callegal.com
Client Focus
Attorney Milligan’s practice model emphasizes one-on-one attention. In a legal market where many personal injury firms process high volumes of cases with minimal attorney involvement, Milligan handles his cases personally and maintains direct relationships with each client. This approach is particularly important in catastrophic injury cases, where the stakes are high and the details complex.
The firm’s focus on catastrophic cases means it does not accept every potential client who calls. By limiting its practice to the most severe injuries, the firm can dedicate the time, resources, and expertise each case demands. This includes retaining medical experts, life-care planners, and economic analysts to establish the full scope of damages in cases involving permanent disability, chronic pain, or death.
Milligan’s military service and his experience as an instrument-rated pilot inform his approach to discipline and technical detail. Aviation accident cases, in particular, benefit from his pilot credentials, as he can evaluate aircraft operations and maintenance standards with firsthand understanding.
The firm has recovered millions for injury victims while maintaining high ratings from both peers and clients. His AV rating from Martindale-Hubbell, Life Membership in the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, and Super Lawyer designation since 2016 reflect sustained recognition over the course of his career.
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of cases does the Law Offices of David L. Milligan handle?
The firm handles exclusively catastrophic personal injury cases, including burn injuries, amputations, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, aviation accidents, construction site injuries, wrongful death, and several other categories of severe injury. The firm does not handle medical or dental malpractice cases.
What does “Board-Certified Civil Trial Specialist” mean?
This certification, issued by the State Bar of California, indicates that an attorney has demonstrated substantial experience, skill, and proficiency in civil trial practice. It requires meeting rigorous standards for education, experience, and peer review. Attorney Milligan also holds board certification from the National Board of Trial Advocacy.
Does the firm handle workers’ compensation cases?
The firm does not handle traditional workers’ compensation claims. However, it does handle work-related third-party civil injury cases, which arise when a workplace injury is caused by a party other than the employer, allowing the injured worker to pursue a civil claim in addition to any workers’ compensation benefits.
What area does the firm serve?
The firm serves Central California, including Fresno, Clovis, Madera, Visalia, Bakersfield, and Modesto. Attorney Milligan’s practice extends throughout the Central Valley and San Joaquin Valley, from the foothills to the coastal cities of Northern and Central California.
Can I schedule a weekend appointment?
Yes. While regular office hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, weekend appointments are available by arrangement. Call 559-439-7500 to schedule.
Closing
David Milligan’s career is defined by a refusal to handle anything but the most severe injury cases and a set of credentials that few attorneys in Central California can match. His board certifications, military background, pilot experience, and 25-year track record of recovering millions for catastrophic injury victims make the firm a resource for individuals whose injuries have permanently altered their lives. The firm can be reached at 559-439-7500 or through https://callegal.com