Los Angeles Fraudulent Concealment Attorney
An individual who conceals or fails to disclose certain facts with the intent to deceive may be held liable for fraud by concealment under California law. Also known as fraudulent concealment, the claim arises when one party intentionally hides or suppresses a material fact that they are legally obligated to disclose, causing another person to enter into a transaction or take an action that results in harm. In California, concealment is legally treated as a form of fraud or deceit and can be pursued in civil litigation.
Case Results
$3.4M Recovered
Business Litigation
Assisted in recovery ofthe balance of the purchase price for the sale of a business
$2.7M Verdict
Business Litigation
Assisted in obtaining jury verdict for breach of contract and conversion of business ownership, jury verdict only $25k less than requested
$342k Judgement
Business Litigation
For fraudulent inducement of loans, breach of contract, and defamation in false online posts and reviews
$317k Judgement
Business Litigation
For two brothers and their international business after proving fraud, breach of contract, and defamation by a serial fraudster, despite delays, false accusations, and a last-minute bankruptcy filing
Judgement
Business Litigation
For an elderly landlord and trust, defeating all claims by evicted tenants who tried to misuse COVID as an excuse for nonpayment
$385k Judgement
Business Litigation
For a textile manufacturer in a contract dispute, despite a cross-complaint from the wholesaler
$657k Judgement
Business Litigation
Against a real estate agent who misappropriated client funds, using forensic accounting to prove full fraud and conversion.
$398k Judgement
Business Litigation
By enforcing a promissory note, recovering 100% of damages plus interest
$125k Judgement
Business Litigation
Helped obtain a default judgment against an attorney for unpaid loan balance and battery, after securing terminating sanctions for discovery violations
Disclaimer: Illustrative examples of case types and outcomes. Attorneys cannot guarantee outcomes. Results are case-specific and depend on the true facts of the case. More information here.
What is Fraud by Concealment in California
Concealment is a type of fraud in California.
A claim for concealment requires showing that:
1. The person concealed or suppressed a material fact;
2. The person was under a duty to disclose the fact;
3. The fact was concealed or suppressed with the intent to defraud;
4. The victim was unaware of the fact and would have acted differently had the fact been known; and
5. Resulting damages.
Examples of Concealment in California
Fraudulent concealment can occur in many types of scenarios, such as:
- Real estate transactions where unrecorded encumbrances are not disclosed
- Business or commercial transactions where risks are kept hidden
- In the purchase of a business where financial statements or disclosures failed to identify outstanding liabilities
Remedies for Concealment in California
Various remedies exist when fraud by concealment occurs, including:
- Monetary damages to compensate the victim for financial losses
- Rescission to “undo” a contract as if it never happened
- Punitive or exemplary damages to punish intentional misconduct
- Statutory or contractual attorney’s fees and clauses, depending on the circumstances
Why You Need an Experienced Los Angeles Fraud by Concealment Attorney
Legal expertise is particularly valuable in complex cases involving contracts, business transactions, or high-value property disputes. Because this claim involves intentional deceit and hidden facts that influence decisions, a claim for fraudulent concealment can trigger powerful civil remedies, including damages and contract rescission.
A qualified business litigation attorney experienced in fraud claims can:
- Evaluate whether the claim satisfies California’s requirements for concealment;
- Gather evidence showing what information was hidden and why it was material;
- Make a proper assessment of the valuation or potential outcomes; and
- Negotiate a settlement of your claims or pursue litigation and trial if necessary.
Los Angeles Business Litigation Lawyer Reviews
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“We have retained Hee and Litigation, P.C. Law Firm for all of our business legal needs for over four years, and we cannot recommend them highly enough.
Hee is not only knowledgeable and experienced but also incredibly thorough and detail-oriented. He meticulously reviewed all aspects of our business legal challenges, identifying potential issues and opportunities that we had not considered.
His strategic approach and ability to think several steps ahead gave us a tremendous sense of confidence and security throughout the entire process, especially the trial.
During the trial, he was fully prepared every single day, explaining his thought process to us about why he was asking or not asking certain questions to all the witnesses, raising timely objections with majority of them being sustained by the Judge…At the end of the day he wanted to make sure that we put all of our ammo on the table and we were able to successfully do that.
Hee also communicates very clearly and has been patient in explaining legal jargon and complex concepts in a way that was easy to understand, ensuring that we were well-informed and comfortable with every decision we made.
If you are looking for a lawyer who will provide exceptional legal counsel and support, we highly recommend Hee and Litigation, P.C. Law Firm.”
S. A. (Business, Fraud)
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“Working with Hee Kim and Litigation, PC has been an exceptional experience. He consistently keeps me informed on every aspect of my case, providing clear details on costs, pros, and benefits of each option. His dedication to my interests is evident at every step, and he ensures I am fully involved in the process.
Attending court hearings with him is reassuring as he remembers every detail and effectively refutes the other side’s claims. His preparation for depositions is impeccable, always calling out any inconsistencies. His strategic advice on when to take specific actions or make motions has been spot on.
His litigation approach is unmatched, and he is highly aggressive in fighting for his clients. He prioritizes his clients, making each one feel like his only case. I highly recommend Hee and his firm to anyone seeking strong legal representation! “
S. A. (Business, Fraud)
“Hee and his team have been our general counsel for years and have handled insurance, real estate, business and collections matters. They are very easy to work with and have a wide range of expertise that is very helpful. Highly recommend!”
E. A. (Business)
Los Angeles Fraud by Concealment Attorney FAQs
What is a material fact?
The concealment must have been about a material fact, which is information that is significant or important enough to influence a reasonable person’s decision. In other words, had the other person known about the concealed fact, that person would have likely acted differently.
Who has a duty to disclose material facts?
There had to have been some type of relation between the parties that required the defendant to disclose the material fact in dispute. An example is a fiduciary relationship, such as business partners. Other typical scenarios where the duty exists occur when: (1) the defendant disclosed some facts but intentionally failed to disclose other material qualifying facts, or where the disclosure of some facts renders the disclosure to be misleading without the concealed facts; (2) the facts are known or accessible only by the defendant and the defendant knows the plaintiff does not know about the facts or they are not reasonably discoverable; and (3) the defendant actively conceals material facts.
What if something was misrepresented to me?
An incorrect statement made to you by another may be a different type of fraud in California, such as intentional misrepresentation or negligent misrepresentation. Concealment concerns the failure to disclose the fact altogether.
How does concealment have to be proven?
Punitive damages based on a claim for fraudulent concealment are available if you prove that the facts were intentionally concealed by clear and convincing evidence. This means that it is “highly probable” that the concealment was intentionally malicious, fraudulent, or oppressive conduct.
What is the deadline to file a claim for concealment?
The statute of limitations in California for concealment is three years. Because fraud claims by nature allege that the defendant misrepresented material information, the “discovery rule” likely comes into play to determine when the statute of limitations starts running or is triggered.
What is the discovery rule?
The discovery rule, in essence, is a legal principle that says the statute of limitations begins once the plaintiff or victim knew, or should have known, about the injury or loss caused by the fraud. It means the time to file a lawsuit starts when you “discover” the fraud. Because it starts when you either knew, or should have known, about the fraud, an experienced fraud attorney is necessary to protect your interests.