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Lawyer Profile

Image of James A. Yoro

James A. Yoro

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Chain Cohn Stiles
  • Recognized Since:
    2018
  • Recognized in:
    Workers' Compensation Law - Claimants
  • Lawyer Page:
    https://www.chainlaw.com/james...
  • Website:
    http://www.chainlaw.com
  • Firm's Phone Number:
    (661) 323.4000
  • E-mail:
    jyoro@chainlaw.com
  • Languages:
    English, Filipino
  • Location:
    1731 Chester Avenue, Suite 100
    Bakersfield, CA 93301-5220
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James A. Yoro is a senior partner with Chain | Cohn | Stiles, where he manages the firm’s workers’ compensation practice. He is also a Certified Workers’ Compensation Professional in California, and is one of the most veteran and most respected workers’ compensation lawyers in the San Joaquin Valley.

James attended Garces Memorial High School, before obtaining his bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Berkeley and his law degree from the UC Berkeley School of Law. Following law school, he worked as a staff attorney with Greater Bakersfield Legal Assistance before joining the firm as an associate in 1982, and becoming a partner in 1987.

James recently served the President of Kern County Bar Association, and was recently recognized in the Best Lawyers in America program, which is the oldest and among the most respected attorney ranking services in the world. He has argued cases before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals the California Supreme Court. For nearly 40 years, he has fought day in and day out for the rights of injured workers.

He has also served as Chairman of the Board of Directors for Greater Bakersfield Legal Assistance, on the Board of Governors for the California Applicants’ Attorneys Association, and the Board of Directors for Kern Regional Center.

Outside of the office, James is also deeply involved in the Filipino community and participates in the annual Philippine Weekend festival in Delano.

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  • Lawyer Bio
  • Q&A
  • Client Comments
  • Lawyer Practice Areas
  • Firm Details
  • News & Media
  • Case History

Lawyer Bio

James A. Yoro is a senior partner with Chain | Cohn | Stiles, where he manages the firm’s workers’ compensation practice. He is also a Certified Workers’ Compensation Professional in California, and is one of the most veteran and most respected workers’ compensation lawyers in the San Joaquin Valley.

James attended Garces Memorial High School, before obtaining his bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Berkeley and his law degree from the UC Berkeley School of Law. Following law school, he worked as a staff attorney with Greater Bakersfield Legal Assistance before joining the firm as an associate in 1982, and becoming a partner in 1987.

James recently served the President of Kern County Bar Association, and was recently recognized in the Best Lawyers in America program, which is the oldest and among the most respected attorney ranking services in the world. He has argued cases before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals the California Supreme Court. For nearly 40 years, he has fought day in and day out for the rights of injured workers.

He has also served as Chairman of the Board of Directors for Greater Bakersfield Legal Assistance, on the Board of Governors for the California Applicants’ Attorneys Association, and the Board of Directors for Kern Regional Center.

Outside of the office, James is also deeply involved in the Filipino community and participates in the annual Philippine Weekend festival in Delano.

Read more on firm website
  • Bar & Court Admissions
  • Affiliations
  • Award List
  • Additional Information

Bar Admissions:

  • California, California
 

Court Admissions:

  • U.S. District Court, Eastern District of California
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit

Affiliations:

  • California Applicants’ Attorneys Association - Membrer
  • Consumer Attorneys of California - Member
  • Kern County Bar Association - Past President
  • National Organization of Social Security Claimants’ Representatives (NOSSCR) - Member

Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America for work in:

  • Workers' Compensation Law - Claimants
 

Awards:

  • Best Law Firm, The Bakersfield Californian Readers' Choice Poll
  • Best Lawyers, Best Lawyers in America
  • Super Lawyer, Southern California Super Lawyers
  • Top Attorneys, Bakersfield Life Magazine
  • Kern Green Award, Kern Green
  • Community Champion Award, Mothers Against Drunk Driving
  • Corporation of the Year, Beautiful Bakersfield Awards
  • Best Law Firm, U.S. News & World Report

Additional Information:

Certification of Legal Special Specialization
California Board Of Legal Specialization
 

Q&A

Tell us a little bit about your practice and what makes it unique.

  • Our law firm, Chain | Cohn | Stiles, has represented clients from all over the San Joaquin Valley and throughout California for more than 80 years. We concentrate our efforts on protecting the rights of individuals who have been seriously injured due to the negligent, reckless or intentional conduct of another, as well as work injury cases. At Chain | Cohn | Stiles, we pride ourselves on having the reputation and resources necessary to overcome the most difficult challenges while achieving the best possible results for our clients.
 

What common questions are you asked by clients, and what are your answers?

  • What are the steps of a workers' compensation case?

    To many, a job can mean making sure you and your family live comfortably day to day. So, when a work injury occurs, you want to make sure you and your family will be taken care of if you are not able to work. To assist those who have been injured on the job and are trying to figure out how to maneuver the confusing workers’ compensation legal system, we outline 12-steps in the workers’ compensation process.

    1) Worker suffers an illness or injury while on the job.
    2) The employer must be notified of the injury or illness immediately.
    3) The employer will give the employee a Workers’ Compensation Claim Form (DWC-1), which the employee must fill out and bring back to the employer within 30 days.
    4) The employer’s insurance must authorize medical treatment within 1 day and submit a comp claim to your insurer within 5 days.
    5) Within 14 days, the insurer will send your employer a notice notify you whether your workers’ comp claim has been denied, delayed, or accepted.
    6) If denied, all benefits will stop. If delayed, the insurer will have up to 90 days to investigate, and medical treatment will continue. If accepted, you’ll receive workers’ compensation indemnity benefits and medical treatment.
    7) If denied, contact a workers’ compensation attorney.
    8) If accepted or delayed, both parties start medical discovery and take depositions. Contact a workers’ compensation lawyer to guide you through the process.
    9) If denied, the parties must try the issue for the denial before the case can proceed.
    10) Once medical discovery is complete, the parties start settlement negotiations. If settlement negotiations are unsuccessful, the parties will have a Mandatory Settlement Conference.
    11) If the parties cannot settle at the Mandatory Settlement Conference, the case proceeds to trial.
    12) A workers’ compensation case can settle by either a lump sum amount or weekly payments with lifetime medical care.
 

Lawyer Client Comments

Lawyer Practice Areas

Key: Awarded in Best Lawyers Not Currently Awarded for this Area in Best Lawyers

Firm Details

Image for Chain Cohn Stiles View Firm Profile
Chain Cohn Stiles
http://www.chainlaw.com
 
Headquarters
1731 Chester Avenue, Suite 100
Bakersfield, CA 93301-5220
(661) 616.9829

News & Media

Featured Publications

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Lawyer Case History

$4.5 Million Settlement: Melgar v. M. Cataran, Inc. (Workers' Compensation)

A farm worker suffered brain injuries when he was struck by a truck while on his tractor. It was one of the largest such settlements in Kern County history at the time. 

$1.13 Million Settlement: McNitt v. Ecology Control Industries (Workers' Compensation)

Client suffered spinal cord paralysis when he hit his head on top of truck cab.

$1.1 Million Settlement: Tucker v. Grapeman Bakersfield Cold Storage (Workers' Compensation)

The plaintiff was working as a refrigeration technician when he was sprayed in the face with anhydrous ammonia. The employer failed to assure the equipment met manufacturer design specification and was working properly, failed to provide employees with proper safety equipment, and other safety failures, according to the California Occupational Safety and Health Administration. The injury required multiple surgeries for stem cell transplants and corneal transplants in both eyes.

$1 Million: Wyatt v. Erro Hay Sales, Inc. (Workers' Compensation)

Client was operating a hay squeeze, and fell on his head from the top of the hay stack, suffering a fractured skull.

$920,000 Settlement: Freeman v. Brothers N Trucking (Workers' Compensation)

Plaintiff was loosening a strap from a truck load when a pipe came off the truck and on to him, resulting in the amputation of his right leg below the knee, and a broken left leg.
 
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