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What if the driver who caused my catastrophic injury in Calabasas had no insurance?
If the driver who caused your severe injury in Calabasas lacked insurance, your own uninsured motorist (UM) or underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage may step in. This coverage acts like the at-fault driver's liability policy, covering your damages up to your policy limits. Many people do not realize their own policy can be a source of recovery after a crash.
California law requires drivers to carry certain minimum insurance coverage, but not everyone complies. Even when drivers have insurance, the minimum limits are often too low to cover the extensive medical bills, lost income, and other harms caused by a catastrophic injury. Your UM/UIM coverage protects you in these situations.
Where do I file a catastrophic injury claim in Calabasas?
A personal injury case for an incident in Calabasas is filed in the Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles. Under local court rules (LASC Local Rule 2.3; General Order re Assignment and Transfer of Personal Injury Cases, effective May 17, 2024), these cases are filed in the judicial district where the incident happened and are assigned to that district's Personal Injury Hub department. For Calabasas, your case would generally be assigned to the Northwest District and heard at the Van Nuys Courthouse East, located at 6230 Sylmar Ave, Van Nuys, CA 91401.
How long do I have to file a catastrophic injury lawsuit in Calabasas?
Most personal injury and wrongful death claims in California must be filed within two years from the date of the injury (Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 335.1). However, if your claim is against a city, county, or other public agency in Calabasas, you must present a written claim to that entity within six months of the injury (Cal. Gov. Code § 911.2). This six-month deadline is strict and must be met before a lawsuit can even be considered.
These deadlines have exceptions. For instance, the limitations period is generally paused while an injured person is a minor (Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 352). However, this pause does not apply to claims against public entities (Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 352(b)). You should confirm the exact deadline that applies to your unique facts with an attorney. California law allows recovery for medical costs, lost earnings, and non-economic harm like pain and suffering.
What should I do after a catastrophic injury?
Get immediate medical attention: Your health is the priority. Seek medical care right away, even if you do not feel severely injured at first. Some catastrophic injuries, like head trauma or internal bleeding, may not show immediate symptoms.
Report the incident: If the injury was from a vehicle collision, call 911. For other incidents, ensure a formal report is made to the appropriate authority, whether it's local law enforcement or property management.
Collect information: If possible and safe, gather contact details from witnesses and exchange insurance information with any other involved parties. Take photos or videos of the scene, vehicles, injuries, and any contributing factors.
Keep detailed records: Maintain a log of all medical appointments, treatments, medications, and expenses. Document your lost wages and any other financial impacts. This information will be vital for your claim.
Avoid discussing fault: Do not admit fault or make statements about the incident to anyone other than law enforcement or your attorney. What you say can be used against you.
Speak with an attorney: A Calabasas catastrophic injury attorney can evaluate your situation, explain your rights, and help you understand the next steps. They can deal with insurance companies and make sure your claim follows the correct legal procedures.
What kinds of catastrophic injury cases does this cover?
A catastrophic injury is one that permanently alters your life, often causing long-term or lifelong disability. This can include brain injuries, spinal cord injuries leading to paralysis, severe burns, loss of limb, or other injuries that prevent you from working or living independently. Our firm helps people who have sustained such injuries due to someone else's carelessness or intentional act. Whether your injury resulted from a car crash, a slip and fall, or other negligence, we pursue the full compensation available under California law. We also assist with wrongful death claims in Calabasas when a catastrophic incident proves fatal. We also handle property damage claims that arise from these incidents.
What does working with Casa Legal Los Angeles involve?
When you work with Casa Legal Los Angeles, you get a team dedicated to your recovery and legal rights. We handle all aspects of your catastrophic injury claim, from investigating the incident and gathering evidence to negotiating with insurance companies and, if necessary, filing a lawsuit. Our goal is to alleviate the burden on you so you can focus on healing. We work on a contingency basis for personal injury cases. This means no attorney's fees unless we win — and no case costs either. We also assist clients in nearby areas like Montebello and Camarillo. We focus on personal injury and employment law, which is all we do.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does California's comparative negligence rule affect my Calabasas injury claim?
California follows a pure comparative negligence rule, meaning you can still recover damages even if you were partly at fault for your catastrophic injury. The amount you recover will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you are found 20% responsible for an accident, your total damages would be reduced by 20%. This rule is not codified into statute but comes from case law (Li v. Yellow Cab Co. (1975) 13 Cal.3d 804).
Can I recover for pain and suffering in a Calabasas catastrophic injury case?
Yes, California law generally allows for the recovery of non-economic damages such as pain and suffering in catastrophic injury cases. These damages are intended to compensate you for physical pain, mental anguish, loss of enjoyment of life, and other non-monetary losses resulting from your injury. However, there are some restrictions. For instance, if you were an uninsured owner of a vehicle involved in an accident, you may be barred from recovering non-economic damages (Cal. Civ. Code § 3333.4).
What if my catastrophic injury in Calabasas was caused by a city vehicle or employee?
If a city vehicle or employee caused your catastrophic injury, you must follow the public entity claim procedures under California law. This means you have only six months from the date of injury to present a written claim to the responsible government agency (Cal. Gov. Code § 911.2). If the agency rejects your claim, you then have six months from the date of the rejection notice to file a lawsuit (Cal. Gov. Code § 945.6(a)(1)). Missing the initial six-month deadline can permanently bar your ability to recover.
What is the difference between a personal injury and a catastrophic injury case?
While all catastrophic injuries are personal injuries, not all personal injuries are catastrophic. A personal injury claim addresses harm caused by another's negligence, ranging from minor sprains to severe broken bones. A catastrophic injury, however, refers to a particularly severe type of personal injury that results in permanent disfigurement, disability, or long-term impairment, fundamentally changing the injured person's ability to live independently or earn a living. These cases often involve much higher medical costs and require extensive long-term care and rehabilitation. We assist clients in Calabasas with all types of personal injury claims, including catastrophic ones.
If you or a loved one has suffered a catastrophic injury in Calabasas, speaking with an attorney can help you understand your legal options. Call Casa Legal Los Angeles today at 888-585-2529 for a consultation. No attorney's fees unless we win — and no case costs either. This information is general legal information, not legal advice, and creates no attorney-client relationship. Deadlines have exceptions and must be confirmed with an attorney for your specific facts.
Serving Calabasas
Our attorneys represent clients throughout Calabasas and the greater Los Angeles area.
Where a Calabasas claim is filed
A personal injury claim arising in Calabasas is filed in Van Nuys Courthouse East, Northwest District of the Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles.
In Los Angeles County a personal injury case is filed in the judicial district where the incident occurred and is assigned to that district's Personal Injury Hub department (LASC Local Rule 2.3; General Order re Assignment and Transfer of Personal Injury Cases, effective May 17, 2024).
Catchment boundaries change. Confirm the filing courthouse on the court's official locator before relying on it.
Source: Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles — Local Rules, Chapter 2 (verified August 23, 2026).
Deadlines that apply in Calabasas
The California filing deadlines that apply to an incident in Calabasas (Los Angeles County) come from state statute, not a local rule. These are the deadlines cited most often.
2 years — personal injury lawsuit
Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 335.1 — two years from the date of injury for most personal injury and wrongful death claims.
6 months — claim against a public entity
Cal. Gov. Code § 911.2 — a written claim must be presented to the public entity within six months for claims involving death or injury to person or personal property, before a lawsuit may be filed.
Injured minors
Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 352 — the limitations period is generally tolled while the injured person is a minor, but the six-month government claim deadline is not tolled the same way.
This is general information about California law, not legal advice, and reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. Deadlines change with the facts and with who the defendant is — a claim against a city, county, transit agency, or the state triggers a much shorter deadline, and delayed discovery, tolling, and other exceptions apply. Casa Legal Los Angeles is licensed to practice in California. Confirm any deadline with an attorney.
Sources: California Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1; California Government Code § 911.2 (verified August 23, 2026).