Finding a Catastrophic Injury Lawyer in Los Angeles When Your Family's Life Has Changed
A Los Angeles catastrophic injury lawyer should handle your case personally, work without upfront fees, and know California's strict deadlines. Pogosyan Law Firm in Glendale has represented injured Californians since 1999. Attorney Tony Pogosyan handles every case directly, and the firm charges no fees unless it wins.
What should I look for in a Los Angeles catastrophic injury lawyer?
Look for an attorney who will handle your case personally, explain the deadlines that apply to you, and take the case without asking you to pay fees up front. A catastrophic injury changes how a family lives, works, and plans for the future. The person you hire should treat the claim that way.
Here is a practical checklist:
You can read more about the firm's approach on its catastrophic injury page.
What counts as a catastrophic injury?
A catastrophic injury is generally a life-altering injury with long-term or permanent consequences, such as lasting medical needs, an inability to return to work, or a need for ongoing care. There is no one-size description that fits every case, so what matters is how the injury affects your daily life and your family's future.
These injuries often come from serious events such as:
What these cases share is scale. The medical care does not end when the hospital stay ends. A parent may not be able to go back to work. A spouse may become a full-time caregiver. The legal claim has to account for that reality, not just the first round of bills.
Picture a family in a hospital waiting room in Los Angeles, trying to understand a doctor's update while insurance calls keep coming in. That is often when families first need to decide who will protect their legal rights, so they can focus on recovery.
How long do I have to file a catastrophic injury claim in California?
California generally gives you two years from the date of injury to file a personal injury lawsuit. That rule comes from Code of Civil Procedure section 335.1, which covers injury to, or the death of, an individual caused by the wrongful act or neglect of another. You can review the rule in this overview of CCP 335.1.
A few points matter for families:
Because catastrophic recoveries are slow and complicated, it is wise to talk to an attorney early. Waiting to see how the injury develops can use up time you cannot get back.
What if the injury involved a city, county, or other government entity?
If a public entity may be responsible, you usually have only six months to present a written claim before you can file a lawsuit. Government Code section 911.2 sets this deadline for most injury victims, and in a wrongful death case the clock starts on the date of death. See this explanation of the government claim deadline.
This can apply to a crash involving a city vehicle, a dangerous road condition, a transit agency, Caltrans, or a public hospital. Key points:
- The entity has 45 days to respond to your claim.
- A written rejection starts a new six-month deadline to file the lawsuit.
- Late claims have a one-year outer limit from when the claim arose, under Government Code section 911.4.
- Being a minor does not pause the six-month claim period.
This matters in catastrophic cases because a person may still be in treatment for a spinal or brain injury when the six-month mark arrives. Do not wait for the full medical picture to become clear before you ask an attorney about a government claim.
What if I was partly at fault for the accident?
You can still recover compensation in California if you share some of the blame. The state follows a "pure" comparative negligence rule, set out in the California Supreme Court's decision in Li v. Yellow Cab Co.. Your damages are reduced in proportion to your share of fault instead of being barred.
Insurers sometimes push fault onto an injured person to shrink a claim. Do not accept a fault label from an adjuster without talking to an attorney first. In a catastrophic case, even a small shift in the fault percentage can matter because the damages are so large.
Why can the at-fault driver's insurance fall short?
Minimum insurance limits can be far lower than the cost of a catastrophic injury. California raised its minimum liability limits for newer policies under SB 1107, but a policy that meets the legal minimum still caps what that insurer pays, no matter how serious the injuries are. Pogosyan Law Firm explains the change in its post on California's higher minimum car insurance limits.
When limits are low, an attorney will look at other sources of recovery. Those may include your own uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage, other responsible parties such as a company that owns a truck or a property owner, and other insurance that may apply. It is worth checking your own policy to see what coverage you carry.
This is one reason a catastrophic case is rarely just a matter of filing a claim with one insurer. It takes a close look at everyone who may share responsibility.
What steps should my family take now?
Protect your health first, then protect the facts of your case. These steps help:
- Follow your medical team's plan and keep every appointment.
- Keep records. Save bills, discharge papers, photos, and a short journal of how the injury affects daily life.
- Be careful with insurers. Do not give a recorded statement or sign anything before you understand it.
- Do not rush a first offer. A quick offer may not reflect long-term needs.
- Note every deadline. If a public agency may be involved, count six months from the date of the injury or death.
- Call an attorney early so evidence can be preserved while it still exists.
At a first meeting, a family might sit across from the attorney with a folder of hospital papers, insurance letters, and photos from the scene. The goal of that conversation is simple: sort out what happened, who may be responsible, and which deadlines are already running.
How can Pogosyan Law Firm help families in Los Angeles?
Pogosyan Law Firm is based in Glendale and serves families across Los Angeles, Burbank, Pasadena, the San Fernando Valley, and the rest of California. The firm has represented injured Californians since 1999, with every case handled directly by attorney Tony Pogosyan. It also holds a 5-star rating on Google.
The firm handles the kinds of claims that often lead to catastrophic injuries, including car, truck, motorcycle, pedestrian, bicycle, and construction site accidents, as well as dangerous premises and defective products. It also handles bad faith insurance litigation when an insurer unfairly delays or denies a valid claim.
The first consultation is free. The firm also offers a free AI Case Value Insight tool at pogosyanlaw.com/ai if you want a starting point for what your case may involve. No tool or consultation can promise a result, but both can help you understand your options.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to pay anything if we don't win?
Pogosyan Law Firm handles personal injury cases on a no-fee-unless-we-win basis. That means you do not owe attorney fees unless the firm recovers for you. Ask how costs are handled during your free consultation.
Should I accept the insurance company's first offer?
Be cautious. A first offer may come before the full extent of a serious injury is known, and accepting it can end your claim. Talk to an attorney before you sign or agree to anything.
How long does a catastrophic injury case take?
There is no set timeline. Serious injuries often involve long treatment, and the claim has to reflect future needs, so these cases usually take more time than minor ones. An attorney can give you a better idea after reviewing your situation.
Can I still bring a claim if I was partly at fault?
Yes. California's pure comparative negligence rule reduces your damages by your share of fault instead of barring your claim. An attorney can review how fault may be argued in your case.
Talk to a Los Angeles catastrophic injury lawyer
Injured in California? Call Pogosyan Law Firm at (818) 243-3900 or email info@pogosyanlaw.com for a free consultation. No fees unless we win. Curious what your case may be worth? Try our free AI Case Value Insight at pogosyanlaw.com/ai.
By Tony Pogosyan, Esq., Founding Attorney, Pogosyan Law Firm
This article is for general information only and is not legal advice. Reading it does not create an attorney–client relationship. Every case is different, and past results do not guarantee future outcomes. For advice about your situation, contact Pogosyan Law Firm for a free consultation.