Is the person who caused your catastrophic injury in Chino Hills always solely at fault?
No, the person who caused your catastrophic injury is not always solely at fault. California uses a pure comparative negligence system, meaning more than one person can share responsibility for an accident.
Even if you are partly at fault for an incident that left you with a catastrophic injury in Chino Hills, you can still recover damages. Your total compensation would simply be reduced by your percentage of fault, as defined by California's pure comparative negligence standard.
What is a catastrophic injury, and how does it change my claim in Chino Hills?
A catastrophic injury describes a severe harm that permanently alters your life, often causing long-term disability or disfigurement. These injuries include things like spinal cord damage, traumatic brain injuries, severe burns, loss of limb, or paralysis.
In Chino Hills, these injuries generally lead to much higher medical costs, extended rehabilitation, and significant loss of earning capacity compared to less severe injuries. The long-term impact on your life means pursuing compensation for future medical care, future lost income, and ongoing pain and suffering becomes central to your claim.
California law allows recovery for economic damages like medical costs, lost wages, and property damage. It also allows recovery for non-economic damages, which cover pain, suffering, disfigurement, and loss of enjoyment of life. For catastrophic injuries, these non-economic damages often represent a large part of the total compensation sought.
If your injury involves medical malpractice, the cap on non-economic damages is different. California law caps non-economic damages in medical malpractice cases under Civil Code § 3333.2. These caps increase each year and apply separately to different types of healthcare providers involved in the injury.
How long do you have to file a catastrophic injury claim in Chino Hills?
Most catastrophic injury claims in Chino Hills must be filed within two years from the date of injury, as set out in Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 335.1. This is the standard deadline for personal injury and wrongful death cases.
However, if your catastrophic injury claim is against a city, county, or other public agency in San Bernardino County, you must present a written claim to that entity within six months of the injury (Cal. Gov. Code § 911.2). Missing this shorter deadline almost always means losing your right to sue the public entity.
The deadline 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 under the Government Claims Act. For these claims, a minor's deadline remains the standard six months.
If a loved one died from a catastrophic injury in Chino Hills, a wrongful death claim would also generally fall under the two-year deadline. In these cases, the law allows recovery for financial support, lost gifts and benefits, funeral costs, and non-economic losses like companionship, but not for the decedent's pain and suffering if the action was filed on or after January 1, 2026 (Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 377.34).
What should you do after suffering a catastrophic injury?
- Seek immediate medical attention. Your health is the first priority. A full medical evaluation also creates an official record of your injuries.
- Report the incident. If it was a car accident, report it to the Chino Hills Police Department. If it happened on someone's property, report it to the owner or manager.
- Document everything. Take photos of the scene, your injuries, and any property damage. Keep detailed records of all medical appointments, treatments, and expenses.
- Avoid discussing fault. Do not make statements about who was responsible to anyone other than law enforcement. Do not post about the incident on social media.
- Contact a Chino Hills catastrophic injury attorney. A lawyer can explain your rights, investigate your claim, and manage communication with insurance companies.
Where do you file a catastrophic injury claim from Chino Hills?
A catastrophic injury claim arising in Chino Hills is filed in the Superior Court of California, County of San Bernardino. This community is in San Bernardino County, not Los Angeles County. Therefore, your claim would be filed at the San Bernardino Justice Center, located at 247 W 3rd St, San Bernardino, CA 92415, rather than with the Los Angeles Superior Court.
It is important to confirm the correct justice center for the specific incident location within San Bernardino County. Public entity claims would also go through the relevant San Bernardino County agency. For example, a personal injury claim against the City of Chino Hills would involve presenting a claim directly to the city first, before any lawsuit.
What does working with Casa Legal Los Angeles involve?
When you work with Casa Legal Los Angeles, we focus on understanding the full extent of your catastrophic injuries and their long-term impact. Our team handles all legal aspects of your claim, from gathering evidence and expert testimony to negotiating with insurance companies. We aim to secure the financial resources you need for your ongoing medical care, lost income, and other damages.
We routinely represent clients from Chino Hills and other San Bernardino County communities who have suffered life-altering injuries. Our firm concentrates on personal injury and employment law, which means we bring a focused approach to your case. We deal directly with the legal process so you can concentrate on your recovery.
For more general information on how we help clients across the region, you can visit our personal injury law hub. We also serve neighboring communities; for example, if you know someone who needs help in Carson or Camarillo, we can assist them too. Our team helps clients through all phases of their claim, whether it is a catastrophic injury or a car accident claim in Chino Hills.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of compensation can I receive for a catastrophic injury?
You can receive compensation for economic damages like medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, lost wages, and property damage. You may also recover non-economic damages for pain, suffering, mental anguish, and disfigurement. The specific types and amounts of compensation depend on the unique facts of your case and California law.
Do I have to go to court for my catastrophic injury claim?
Not all catastrophic injury claims go to court. Many cases are settled through negotiation with insurance companies or mediation. However, if a fair settlement cannot be reached, filing a lawsuit and going to trial might be necessary to pursue the full compensation available under California law.
What if my catastrophic injury was caused by a public entity in San Bernardino County?
If a public entity in San Bernardino County caused your catastrophic injury, you must first file an administrative claim with that entity within six months of the injury (Cal. Gov. Code § 911.2). This is a strict deadline, and failure to meet it typically bars your right to file a lawsuit later. Our team can help ensure this initial claim is filed correctly and on time.
How does California's comparative negligence rule affect my catastrophic injury case?
California follows a "pure comparative negligence" rule. This means if you are found partly responsible for the accident that caused your catastrophic injury, your total compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you are found 20% at fault, your damages would be reduced by 20%. You can still recover even if you are more than 50% at fault.
If you or a loved one has suffered a catastrophic injury in Chino Hills, call Casa Legal Los Angeles at 888-585-2529 for a consultation. No attorney's fees unless we win—and no case costs either.