You might be able to file a lawsuit without hiring a lawyer if the case is eligible for small claims court.
You can file any claim in small claims court that you could otherwise, as long as the amount of your demand is less than $10,000. In California, a plaintiff may not file a claim that's worth more than $2,500 more than twice a year. A public entity or business has a limit of $5,000.
If you expect to recover less than $10,000, small claims court might be a good choice that saves you time and money, and allows you to recover your losses quickly. Most people represent themselves in small claims court without attorneys present.
If your injury is work-related, you might be able to handle it on your own through the workers' compensation system.