If you or a loved one suffered a brain injury, spinal cord injury, amputation, or severe burn in Glendale, California, a Glendale catastrophic accident lawyer can help you pursue compensation for lifelong medical care, lost income, and the changes the injury brings to your daily life. These cases often come from high-speed crashes on the 134 and the 2 and I-5, pedestrian crashes on busy streets like Brand Boulevard, workplace accidents, and dangerous property conditions.
At the Law Offices of Adrianos Facchetti, our Glendale personal injury lawyers have represented injured people since 2006 from our Burbank office, just minutes from Glendale on the 134. We offer a free case review, and you pay no attorney fee unless we recover compensation for you. Call (626) 793-8607, 24/7.
Catastrophic injury claims are different from ordinary injury claims. They require medical experts, life care planners, and economists to show what the injury will cost over a lifetime, and the insurance company will fight hard because the stakes are high. In California, you generally have two years to file a lawsuit, but only six months to file a claim against a city or other public entity.
What Is a Catastrophic Injury?
A catastrophic injury is an injury that causes permanent disability, lifelong medical care, or a significant loss of physical or mental function. Unlike most injuries, these don’t heal quickly, and sometimes they don’t fully heal at all.
Some common catastrophic injuries include:
- ✓Spinal cord injuries leading to partial or full paralysis
- ✓Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) affecting memory, speech, behavior and motor skills
- ✓Severe burns requiring multiple surgeries and skin grafts
- ✓Amputations requiring prosthetics and lifelong care
- ✓Internal organ damage leading to ongoing complications
- ✓Serious neck and back injuries causing chronic pain or limited mobility
If you suffered one of these injuries because of someone else’s negligence, you may have a personal injury claim. For severe burns, see our Glendale burn injury lawyer page.
Glendale Crash Data and Serious Injuries
Many catastrophic injuries in Glendale come from traffic crashes. According to the California Office of Traffic Safety’s 2023 crash rankings, 593 people were killed or injured in Glendale traffic collisions, including 72 pedestrians and 27 motorcyclists (OTS). Glendale ranked 2nd among 62 similar California cities for pedestrians age 65 and older killed or injured.
593
People killed or injured in Glendale crashes (2023)
72
Pedestrians killed or injured
27
Motorcyclists killed or injured
2nd
of 62 similar cities for pedestrians 65+ killed or injured
Source: California Office of Traffic Safety, 2023 crash rankings.
Seriously injured people in Glendale are often treated at Adventist Health Glendale, Glendale Memorial Hospital or USC Verdugo Hills Hospital, and the most critical patients may be taken to a regional trauma center. Your medical records from the first hours and days after the injury become key evidence in your case.
What Causes Catastrophic Accidents in Glendale?
Glendale’s busy freeways, downtown streets and active construction create real risks for serious injuries. Here are some of the most common causes of catastrophic injuries:
1
Motor Vehicle Accidents
Glendale’s busy streets and freeways lead to serious car accidents, motorcycle crashes, truck crashes and pedestrian accidents. Speeding, distracted driving, and running red lights can cause devastating injuries.
2
Workplace and Construction Accidents
Construction, warehouse work and other high-risk jobs expose workers to falls, machinery accidents, and hazardous conditions. Most workplace injuries are covered by workers’ compensation, but if a contractor, property owner or equipment maker caused the injury, you may also have a separate personal injury claim. Learn more about construction accidents.
3
Acts of Violence and Negligent Security
Gunshot wounds and assaults can cause permanent injuries. Besides any criminal case, you may have a civil claim against the attacker, and possibly against a property owner whose poor security made the attack more likely.
4
Medical Malpractice
Surgical errors, misdiagnoses, medication mistakes and birth injuries can cause catastrophic harm. Medical malpractice claims in California have their own shorter deadlines and special rules, so speak with a lawyer quickly. See our Glendale medical malpractice lawyer page.
5
Dangerous Property Conditions
Property owners must keep visitors reasonably safe. Falls from heights, collapsing balconies or stairs, and fires caused by negligence can lead to severe injuries. Learn more on our Glendale premises liability lawyer page.
If someone else’s negligence caused your injury, a catastrophic injury attorney can help you pursue compensation.
What Compensation Can You Recover?
Catastrophic injuries are expensive, often for the rest of a person’s life. Our personal injury law firm works to recover compensation for:
- ✓Medical bills: past, present, and future treatment costs
- ✓Rehabilitation and therapy: ongoing care to improve mobility and function
- ✓Long-term care and home changes: in-home care, wheelchairs, prosthetics, and home or vehicle modifications
- ✓Lost wages and lost earning capacity: if you can’t return to work or must take a lower-paying job
- ✓Property damage: costs to repair or replace damaged belongings
- ✓Pain and suffering: the physical and emotional trauma caused by the injury
- ✓Loss of consortium: the impact on your marriage and family relationships
- ✓Punitive damages: in rare cases where the at-fault party acted with malice, oppression or fraud
Every case is different, and the goal is to account for both today’s costs and the costs you’ll face in the years ahead.
How We Prove the Lifetime Cost of a Catastrophic Injury
Insurance companies often undervalue catastrophic claims by focusing only on current bills. To show the full cost of the injury, we may work with:
Medical Experts
Treating doctors and medical experts to explain the injury and future treatment.
Life Care Planners
Life care planners to estimate the cost of care over your lifetime.
Economists
Economists to calculate lost income and future financial losses.
Vocational Experts
Vocational experts to show how the injury affects your ability to work.
This evidence helps make sure a settlement or verdict reflects the life you will live after the injury, not just the bills you have today.
Is the insurance company only looking at today’s bills? We’ll review your case for free.
How California’s Pure Comparative Fault Rule Affects Your Case
California follows a pure comparative fault rule. Even if you were partly at fault, you can still recover compensation. For example, if you were in a crash and found 20% at fault, you can still recover 80% of your damages.
20%
Your share of fault reduces your award
80%
You still recover the rest
Insurance companies often try to blame the injured person to reduce what they pay. Evidence like police reports, video, witness statements and expert analysis helps answer those arguments.
How Long Do You Have to File a Catastrophic Injury Claim?
Deadlines depend on who caused the injury and what kind of claim you have. Keep these time limits in mind:
| Type of Claim | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Most personal injury lawsuits | Generally two years from the date of injury (Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1). |
| Claims against a city, county or state agency | A written claim generally must be filed within six months (Government Code § 911.2). |
| Medical malpractice | Shorter and more complex deadlines apply. |
| Wrongful death | Generally two years from the date of death. |
Catastrophic injury lawsuits from Glendale are typically filed with the Los Angeles County Superior Court, which has a courthouse at 600 E. Broadway in Glendale. If you lost a loved one, see our Glendale wrongful death lawyer page.
Deadlines can be as short as six months. Don’t wait to get answers.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Catastrophic Accident Lawyer in Glendale, CA?
You don’t pay anything upfront. At the Law Offices of Adrianos Facchetti, we work on a contingency fee basis, which means our fee comes from the recovery. If there is no recovery, you owe no attorney fee.
Case costs, such as expert fees, are explained in your agreement. We believe financial stress shouldn’t stop you from getting help, so you can focus on recovery while we handle the legal work.
How Can a Catastrophic Injury Lawyer Help?
When you or a loved one suffers a catastrophic injury, the physical, emotional, and financial toll can be overwhelming. A catastrophic injury lawyer can guide you through the legal process and work toward fair compensation. Here’s how:
- 1Investigating the Accident and Gathering Evidence: An experienced personal injury attorney investigates the accident, collects police reports, preserves video, and gathers medical records. Whether your injuries came from a crash, a fall, medical malpractice, or another act of negligence, proving fault is the foundation of the claim.
- 2Recovering Compensation for Medical Treatment: Catastrophic injuries often require surgeries, therapy, and long-term care. Your lawyer works to recover compensation for those costs so you can focus on getting the care you need.
- 3Handling Insurance Companies and Policy Limits: Insurance companies often try to minimize payouts in high-value claims. Your lawyer negotiates with them, looks for every available insurance policy, including your own underinsured motorist coverage, and is prepared to take your case to court if a fair settlement isn’t offered.
- 4Rebuilding Your Quality of Life: Beyond medical expenses, catastrophic injuries affect every part of life. Your lawyer pursues compensation for lost income, pain and suffering, loss of consortium, and diminished quality of life to help you regain financial stability.
If you have questions about your case, contact our Glendale catastrophic injury attorney today for a free consultation.
Glendale Catastrophic Accident Lawyer Frequently Asked Questions
These are some of the most common questions people ask after a life-changing injury. Every case is different, so call us to talk about yours.
+What is considered a catastrophic injury?
A catastrophic injury is a severe injury that results in permanent disability, long-term medical complications, or a significant reduction in quality of life. Examples include spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, amputations, and severe burns.
+How do I prove liability in a catastrophic injury case?
You must show that the at-fault party failed to use reasonable care and that this caused your injuries. Police reports, medical records, video, witness statements and expert opinions all help. Under California’s pure comparative fault rule, you may still recover even if you were partly at fault.
+How much is a catastrophic injury case worth?
There’s no average amount. The value depends on the severity of the injury, lifetime medical and care costs, lost earning capacity, available insurance and how the injury happened.
+How long does a catastrophic injury case take?
These cases often take longer than ordinary injury claims because doctors need time to understand your long-term condition before the full value of the claim is known. Settling too early can leave future costs unpaid.
+What if the at-fault driver doesn’t have enough insurance?
You may be able to recover through your own underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage, and other parties such as an employer or vehicle owner may also be responsible.
+Can a family member file a claim for someone who can’t?
Yes. If a brain injury or other condition prevents the injured person from handling their own claim, a family member or legal representative can often act for them.
Contact Our Catastrophic Accident Lawyer Serving Glendale
If you or a loved one has suffered a catastrophic injury, don’t wait. Evidence can disappear, and deadlines can be as short as six months.
Call (626) 793-8607, 24/7, or schedule your free case review. We’ll evaluate your case, explain your rights, and help you take the first step toward recovery.
