ABOUT US

WHAT WE DO

Subrogation & Recovery Services

Benson Legal, APC is a full-service subrogation law firm serving the needs of the insurance industry, self-insured entities and government entities. The firm handles cases throughout the State of California. The principal has devoted her practice exclusively to handling claims in the area of subrogation litigation since 1993 with some of the most prominent subrogation professionals in the industry.

WHAT SETS US APART

Nationally recognized as subrogation authorities, Benson Legal has years of experience investigating and litigating various subrogation claims. This experience enables us to effectively represent our clients from very small damage claims to large loss claims.

 

OBJECTIVE

Our objective is to provide the highest quality representation in an efficient and cost- effective manner. The firm's emphasis on personal attention and prompt, forthright communication creates an atmosphere of trust and confidence between the firm and its clients. It has litigated various automobile and property damage claims for insurance companies, national collection companies and governmental entities throughout the State of California including those claims involving

  • Motor vehicle vs. motor vehicle
  • Negligence claims for damages
  • Claims of theft/embezzlement
  • Express/implied/permissive use
  • Damages caused by Bailees – car wash, valets
  • Negligent repair cases
  • Uninsured motorist bodily injury and property damage claims
  • Miscellaneous insured issues involving fraud and double payments
  • Medical Payment Reimbursement claims
  • Worker’s Compensation Subrogation
  • Catastrophic Loss/Products Liability/Homeowner/Commercial Subrogation Litigation
EARLY INTERVENTION PROGRAM

Our Early Intervention Program enables the client to contact us soon after the loss to ask questions, obtain assistance in developing theories of recovery and assist with assigning highly qualified professionals to investigate losses and provide expert opinion on origin and cause of loss.

LOCAL COUNSEL

Our Local Counsel program enables out-of-state law firms to pursue subrogation actions on behalf of their clients with our guidance and assistance. We provide the ins and outs of local court rules, customs and practices in both state and federal courts and assist in.

EARLY INTERVENTION PROGRAM

Our Early Intervention Program enables the client to contact us soon after the loss to ask questions, obtain assistance in developing theories of recovery and assist with assigning highly qualified professionals to investigate losses and provide expert opinion on origin and cause of loss.

LOCAL COUNSEL

Our Local Counsel program enables out-of-state law firms to pursue subrogation actions on behalf of their clients with our guidance and assistance. We provide the ins and outs of local court rules, customs and practices in both state and federal courts and assist in.

SUSAN M. BENSON

Ms. Benson is the founding principal of Benson Legal, APC, and has dedicated her career to the practice of subrogations since 1993. She is a knowledgeable resource for insurers and counsel on general and complex subrogation issues throughout the country. She has devoted many years of service to the National Association of Subrogation Professionals(NASP), a non-profit trade association dedicated to the mission of education in the subrogation industry where she has served on the board of directors and as Secretary for the Board of Director’s Executive Committee. Over her many years of involvement, she has also served as a speaker at numerous NASP events. Ms. Benson is a member of the California State Bar Association and is a Certified Subrogation Recovery Specialist (“CSRP”). She is a Dean's List Honor Graduate from the University of West Los Angeles, School of Law, receiving her Juris Doctor in 1990. She obtained her undergraduate degree in economics from the University of California, Santa Barbara.

CHRISTINA CICIONE

Ms. Cicione is a principal shareholder of Benson Legal, APC. She received her Juris Doctor from Loyola Law School in Los Angeles, California in 2016 and graduated with honors from the University of California Santa Barbara in 2013 with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and minor emphasis in History. She has been devoted to the practice of subrogation since the beginning of her legal career and has gained invaluable knowledge and experience at Benson Legal with a special emphasis on automobile subrogation. She is heavily involved in all aspects of the firm’s litigation practice and its onsite operations. As a managing and practicing attorney, she divides her time between supervisory and management duties and the firm's automobile litigation practice. Ms. Cicione is admitted to practice in all state courts in the State of California along with United States District Court for the Central District of California. She is also a member of the California State Bar Association and the National Association of Subrogation Professionals (NASP).

JOSEPH M. PLEASANT

Mr. Pleasant is a principal shareholder of Benson Legal, APC, and has been with the firm since 2022. In 1992, Mr.Pleasant graduated from San Diego State University with a Bachelor of Science in Political Science and English. He then attended California Western School of Law where he earned his Juris Doctorate in 1995. During law school, he earned an Academic Achievement Award in Legal Drafting and made the school’s Trial Competition Team. Out of law school, he worked for a small personal injury firm for 2 years before joining mid-size civil litigation law firm in San Diego. There, he honed his litigation skills for two decades. In 2007, he started the firm’s subrogation practice and began serving as the firm’s Vice President and senior litigation counsel. During this period, Mr. Pleasant developed relationships with key players in the subrogation industry through his practice and his involvement with the National Association of Subrogation Professionals (“NASP”). Over Mr. Pleasant’s career, he has gained extensive experience in subrogation and general litigation.