Introduction
A catastrophic injury can change your life in an instant. Whether it happened on the freeway, at a job site, or in a pedestrian crosswalk, the physical, emotional, and financial toll can be overwhelming.
California law gives injured victims the right to pursue full compensation when someone else’s negligence caused their injuries. Knowing what you can recover — and how to fight for it — is the first step toward rebuilding your life.
The Law Offices of Mann & Elias has recovered more than $100 million for injured clients across Southern California, with a 99% client success rate. Our attorneys understand what catastrophic injury cases demand, and we fight hard for every dollar our clients deserve.
About Beverly Hills, CA | Los Angeles County, CA | Orange County, CA | Riverside County, CA | San Bernardino, CA
Southern California is one of the most densely populated regions in the United States. Millions of people live, work, and travel across Beverly Hills, Los Angeles County, Orange County, Riverside County, and San Bernardino County every single day.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Orange County alone has a population of more than 3.1 million people. Heavy traffic, busy commercial corridors, and construction zones create serious risks for drivers, pedestrians, and workers.
Beverly Hills, CA sits in the heart of Los Angeles County. Its commercial streets and intersections see significant vehicle and pedestrian traffic daily, making accidents involving serious injuries more common than many residents expect.
Los Angeles County, CA is the most populous county in the nation. According to the California Highway Patrol (CHP), Los Angeles County consistently records some of the highest rates of traffic collisions and serious injury crashes in the state.
Orange County, CA includes major freeways like the I-5, I-405, SR-55, and SR-91. These corridors see a high volume of commercial truck traffic, which significantly increases the risk of catastrophic crashes. Pedestrian-heavy cities like Anaheim, Santa Ana, and Irvine also report frequent pedestrian injury incidents.
Riverside County, CA is one of California’s fastest-growing counties. As more residents commute on highways like the I-15 and I-215, the rate of serious traffic injuries continues to rise. Learn more about how our firm serves injured victims in this region on our Riverside County Personal Injury Attorney page.
San Bernardino County, CA is California’s largest county by land area. Its vast network of highways and industrial zones puts workers, motorists, and pedestrians at elevated risk. Truck accident injuries are particularly common along the I-10 and I-15 corridors running through the Inland Empire.
Across all five of these regions, the Law Offices of Mann & Elias serves individuals and families who have suffered life-altering injuries through no fault of their own.
Services Available in Beverly Hills, CA | Los Angeles County, CA | Orange County, CA | Riverside County, CA | San Bernardino, CA
When a catastrophic injury occurs, victims and families need more than just legal representation — they need a team that knows how to build a powerful case and recover every category of compensation available under California law.
The Law Offices of Mann & Elias serves clients throughout Beverly Hills, Los Angeles County, Orange County, Riverside County, and San Bernardino County in the following practice areas:
Catastrophic Injury
Catastrophic injuries include spinal cord damage, severe burns, limb loss, and organ damage. These injuries often result in permanent disability and require lifetime medical care. Under California Civil Code § 3333, injured victims can pursue economic and non-economic damages from the at-fault party.
Our attorneys work with medical experts, life care planners, and economists to document the true cost of your injury — now and in the future. We fight to make sure no financial burden is left unaddressed.
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
A traumatic brain injury can affect memory, speech, behavior, and the ability to work. TBIs are often invisible on the surface, making them difficult to prove without experienced legal help. Our firm knows how to build TBI cases that are taken seriously by insurers and juries alike.
For a deeper look at how TBI claims work in California, visit our page on TBI After a Car Accident in California.
Car Accidents
Car accidents are the leading cause of catastrophic injury in Southern California. When a negligent driver causes a crash that leaves you with serious injuries, you have the right to pursue full compensation. California follows a pure comparative fault system, meaning you can recover damages even if you were partially at fault — though your award may be reduced.
Truck Crashes
Commercial truck accidents often involve multiple liable parties — the driver, the trucking company, cargo loaders, and equipment manufacturers. These cases require immediate action to preserve evidence like driver logs, black box data, and inspection records. If you were injured in a truck crash, learn what steps to take right away on our What to Do After a Truck Accident in Los Angeles page.
Pedestrian Accidents
Pedestrians who are struck by vehicles in Orange County or anywhere in Southern California face some of the most severe injury outcomes of any accident type. California Vehicle Code § 21950 requires drivers to yield to pedestrians in crosswalks, and violations of this law can form the basis of a strong negligence claim.
Wrongful Death
When a catastrophic injury leads to death, surviving family members may have the right to file a wrongful death claim under California Code of Civil Procedure § 377.60. Recoverable damages can include funeral costs, lost financial support, and the loss of the deceased’s companionship and guidance.
What Compensation Can You Recover?
California law allows catastrophic injury victims to pursue two main categories of damages: economic and non-economic. In cases involving extreme misconduct, punitive damages may also be available.
Economic damages cover measurable financial losses, including:
- Past and future medical bills
- Rehabilitation and therapy costs
- Lost wages and loss of earning capacity
- In-home care and assistive devices
- Property damage
Non-economic damages compensate for losses that are real but harder to quantify, including:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of consortium
- Disfigurement or permanent disability
There is no cap on non-economic damages in most personal injury cases in California. The California Civil Code § 3333 confirms that all damages naturally resulting from the wrongful act may be recovered. To understand how courts and insurers value these claims, see our guide on the Average Settlement in a Personal Injury Lawsuit in California.
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) reports that catastrophic injuries — particularly spinal cord and traumatic brain injuries — can cost millions of dollars in lifetime care. Your compensation must reflect that reality.
Why Choose Law Offices of Mann & Elias
The Law Offices of Mann & Elias brings over 30 years of combined legal experience and a record of results that speaks for itself. Founding partners Scott Mann and Imad Elias both graduated from Pepperdine University School of Law in 1992 and have dedicated their careers to fighting for injured people across Southern California.
Scott Mann is a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA) — a credential that requires 50 or more civil jury trials for admission. This distinction signals the highest level of trial experience and professional standing. Imad Elias has been named to the California Super Lawyers list every year since 2015, an honor reserved for the top 5% of attorneys in the state.
Together, the firm has earned inclusion in Best Lawyers in America and holds an AVVO Rating of Superb — the highest possible score. These recognitions reflect not just the firm’s legal skill, but its commitment to doing right by each and every client.
Our attorneys are licensed to practice in All California Superior Courts, All California Courts of Appeal, the California Supreme Court, and All Federal District Courts in California. We serve clients in English and Spanish, making our firm accessible to the diverse communities throughout Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, and San Bernardino Counties.
We work on a contingency fee basis — meaning you pay nothing unless we win. When you’re dealing with a catastrophic injury, you shouldn’t have to worry about legal fees. You should be focused on healing while we focus on fighting for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
What counts as a catastrophic injury under California law?
California does not have a single statutory definition of catastrophic injury, but courts and insurance companies generally use the term to describe injuries that result in permanent disability, long-term medical care, or a significant change in quality of life. Examples include spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, amputations, severe burns, and multiple fractures.
How long do I have to file a catastrophic injury claim in Orange County?
In most cases, California’s statute of limitations gives you two years from the date of the injury to file a personal injury lawsuit under California Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1. Waiting too long can bar you from recovering any compensation, so it is critical to speak with an attorney as soon as possible.
What if the at-fault party was a truck driver or trucking company?
Truck accident claims are more complex than standard car accident claims. Multiple parties may share liability — the driver, the employer, maintenance contractors, or cargo loaders. Evidence like electronic logging device (ELD) data, inspection records, and driver history must be preserved quickly. Our firm has experience handling these high-stakes cases across Southern California.
Can I recover compensation if I was partly at fault for the accident?
Yes. California follows the rule of pure comparative fault. Under this rule, your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault — but not eliminated. For example, if you are found 20% at fault, you can still recover 80% of your total damages. An experienced attorney can help minimize any fault assigned to you.
How much is my catastrophic injury case worth?
Every case is different. The value of your claim depends on the severity of your injuries, the cost of your medical care, your lost income, and the strength of evidence showing the other party’s negligence. Cases involving permanent disability or traumatic brain injury can be worth millions of dollars. Our attorneys will evaluate your case and give you an honest assessment of what you may be able to recover.
Do you serve Spanish-speaking clients?
Yes. The Law Offices of Mann & Elias serves clients in both English and Spanish. We are committed to making sure every client fully understands their rights and the legal process, regardless of the language they speak.
Contact Law Offices of Mann & Elias
If you or a loved one has suffered a catastrophic injury in Orange County or anywhere across Southern California, do not wait to get legal help. The sooner you contact our firm, the sooner we can begin preserving evidence and building your case.
The Law Offices of Mann & Elias offers free case reviews with no obligation. You pay nothing unless we win — guaranteed. Our team is ready to fight for the maximum compensation you deserve.
Call us today or visit our website at mannelias.com to schedule your free consultation. We serve clients throughout Beverly Hills, Los Angeles County, Orange County, Riverside County, and San Bernardino County.
Disclaimer: The information provided on this page is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Reading this content does not create an attorney-client relationship with the Law Offices of Mann & Elias. Past results do not guarantee or predict similar outcomes in future cases. The Law Offices of Mann & Elias is licensed to practice law in the State of California only. If you have a legal matter, please contact our office directly to discuss the specific facts of your situation.
