Hi, I’m Kristopher Peerali,
If you’re reading this, chances are your life – or the life of someone you love – has been turned upside down by a devastating accident.
As with any serious injury, the focus right now is on healing and recovery. But a catastrophic injury changes everything. Aside from rehab or surgeries, you’re figuring out how to move forward physically, emotionally, and financially.
In situations like these, you need to start thinking about compensation too. I want you to know: You don’t have to go through this alone.
Let’s begin.
– Kristopher Peerali, Founder of Peerali Law
Professional & Reassuring
At Peerali Law, we’ve represented individuals and families facing some of the toughest moments of their lives. For example, our team recently secured a $16.3 million confidential settlement for a client whose injury left them unable to work. Not all cases are like this – our aim is always to help good people get the justice they deserve.
Compensation can’t undo the damage, but it can make the road to recovery a little easier. On this page, I’m going to walk you through everything you need to know about catastrophic injury claims in Los Angeles – from understanding what is a “catastrophic injury”, to fighting for compensation, to working with a team like Peerali Law by your side.
About Peerali Law
At Peerali Law, we do things differently. We’re a litigation-first firm – which means we prepare every case as if it’s going to trial. We limit our caseload so we can give each client the attention they truly deserve:
- Kristopher Peerali takes on no more than 5–6 cases at a time
- Serena and Ali each manage 10–20 cases, never more
That focus means we can dig deeper, build stronger cases, and push harder for the results our clients need. If your injury is severe, starting with a litigation firm like Peerali Law gives you an immediate advantage.
We’re proud to have a 99% success rate and have never lost a case. But while we’ve secured major results – including a $16.3 million confidential settlement – we’re not just about big numbers. We’re about the right number: the amount that reflects your medical needs, lost income, and the impact this injury will have on the rest of your life.
One of our proudest results? A $968,000 settlement for a client other firms said had “no case.” We took the time, built the evidence, and proved them wrong.
What Is a “Catastrophic Injury” and Why Does it Matter?
Catastrophic injuries are unlike other personal injury cases.
The compensation at stake is often much higher – and that means the other side will fight harder to limit your claim. Insurance companies or opposing attorneys could be pushing for statements that protect the defendant and weaken your case.
So before anything else, let’s understand whether your situation qualifies as a catastrophic injury.
What the US Government Considers a “Catastrophic Injury”
Under 34 U.S. Code § 10284 (4), a “catastrophic injury” is defined as: “…an injury, the direct and proximate result of which is to permanently render an individual functionally incapable […] of performing work, including sedentary work…”
This is not the legal standard used in California civil cases. But if an injury has left you – or someone you care about – permanently unable to work, there’s a strong chance it qualifies as “catastrophic” under most legal and medical frameworks.
5 Indications You Have a Catastrophic Injury Case in California
California’s Civil Code doesn’t provide a formal definition of a “catastrophic injury.”
But one of the most important legal frameworks comes from California’s Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) in the 2019 Kris Wilson en banc decision. In a civil case, your attorney isn’t limited by the list below, but it offers a strong starting point.:
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Seriousness of Treatment
The intensity and complexity of medical treatment required to relieve or cure the injury. -
Long-Term Outcome
Whether the injury resulted in a permanent impairment once the condition became stable. -
Impact on Daily Life
The severity of the injury and how it affects your ability to carry out everyday activities (also called “ADLs” or activities of daily living). -
Statutory Injuries
Whether the injury is similar in seriousness to those specifically listed under Labor Code § 4660.1(c)(2)(B) – see below. -
Incurable or Progressive Condition
If the injury involves a disease or condition that is both incurable and expected to worsen over time.
Most Common Types of Catastrophic Injury in 2025
Catastrophic injuries don’t come in one shape or form. There’s no single test or list that defines them completely. What matters most is how severe, life-altering, and permanent the injury is—and how it impacts your ability to live and work as you did before.
That said, California Labor Code § 4660.1(c)(2)(B) gives us a useful reference. It lists several examples of injuries considered “catastrophic” in workers’ compensation claims:
- Severe head injury (traumatic brain injury or TBI)
- Loss of a limb
- Paralysis
- Severe burn injuries
But that doesn’t mean other injuries don’t qualify.
At Peerali Law, we’ve secured significant compensation in cases involving many different types of catastrophic injury – including those not listed in the Labor Code. What matters is how deeply the injury affects your life, your body, and your future.
Examples of previous successful Peerali Law cases
Here are just a few examples from real Peerali Law case results:
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$5.2 million – Spinal cord injury
Permanent spinal damage that resulted in lifelong impairment and disability. -
$5.2 million – Extremity injury
Involving severe fractures and nerve damage, leading to loss of mobility and career-ending limitations. -
$750,000 – Broken femur
A fracture with long-term effects on mobility and earning capacity, classified as catastrophic due to loss of function. -
$450,000 – Shoulder injury in rideshare accident
Required surgery and had a long-term impact on the client’s quality of life and work ability. -
$400,000 – Dog bite injury
Resulted in disfigurement and lasting trauma. A powerful example that even non-orthopedic injuries can be catastrophic.
How to Get an Expert’s Opinion on a Catastrophic Injury
If you or someone you love has suffered a serious injury, the last thing you need is to get lost in legal definitions and technicalities. What you need is clarity – and support.
At Peerali Law, we offer free consultations.
We also work on a no win, no fee basis. That means you pay nothing upfront, and nothing at all unless we win your case. You have nothing to lose by reaching out – and everything to gain by getting answers from a team that knows how to fight for you.
What Damages Can You Claim Following a Catastrophic Injury?
In California civil law, cases are classified as either limited or unlimited, with $25,000 serving as the dividing line. Nearly all catastrophic injury cases fall under civil unlimited jurisdiction due to the severity and long-term costs involved.
This is key to understand. When you’re dealing with a catastrophic injury, compensation isn’t about covering today’s medical bills. It’s about securing the long-term support you need to move forward.
Here are the most common types of compensation you may be entitled to:
- Medical expenses
- Lost income and earning potential
- Long-term care and rehabilitation
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Home modifications, assistive devices, and mobility needs
How Quickly Do I Need to Act?
Claims Against a Government Entity
Under the California Government Code § 911.2(a), you must file a written claim with the appropriate government entity within six months of the date of injury or the date the cause of action occurred. If you miss the six-month window, you may still request permission to file late – but this must be done within one year, and only under specific circumstances.
Claims Against Private Individuals or Businesses
If your catastrophic injury was caused by a private individual, company, or organization – such as a driver, property owner, or business – the deadline to take legal action is longer. Under California Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1, you have two years from the date of the injury to file a personal injury lawsuit.
When the Claimant is a Minor
When a child is seriously injured, the emotional weight is overwhelming – and legal deadlines can feel like the last thing on your mind. Fortunately, California law recognizes that minors need more time to take legal action. Under California Code of Civil Procedure § 352(a), the statute of limitations for personal injury is paused (or “tolled”) until the injured person turns 18.
If you’re unsure whether which regulations apply to your case, we encourage you to contact us as soon as possible. We’ll review the facts and help you move forward – at no cost to you.
How Long Will It Take to Get a Payout?
Some catastrophic injury cases resolve quickly, especially when liability is clear and the injuries are well-documented. For example, in one of our cases involving a serious vehicle crash, we secured a $5.2 million settlement in just six months from the initial contact.
However, more complex cases can take longer. These cases often range from 6 to 18 months, and occasionally longer, depending on whether they proceed to trial.
Average Case Disposition Time in California
The key factor that affects how long your case takes is whether it goes to trial.
According to the 2024 California Court Statistics Report, about 4 out of 5 catastrophic injury cases are resolved before trial – which means settling through negotiations without ever stepping into a courtroom. But if the case does go to trial, FY2023 data suggests that:
- ~65% of Civil Unlimited cases ($25k+) are resolved within 12 months
- ~78% within 18 months
- ~90% within 24 months
How Much Are Legal Fees?
In California, most personal injury attorneys work on a contingency fee or “no-win, no-fee” basis. This means you only pay legal fees if your case is won or settled.
Under California Business and Professions Code § 6147, contingency fee agreements must be in writing and clearly explain the agreed-upon percentage the attorney will receive, and how case-related costs and expenses will be handled.
How Peerali Law Works
At Peerali Law, we work on a strict no-win, no-fee basis. You pay nothing upfront, and if we don’t win your case, you owe us nothing.
Since no two catastrophic injury cases in Los Angeles are the same, it’s hard to say exactly how much our contingency fee might be. Contact us now for a free consultation to find out more.
Want to Talk to Peerali Law About Your Situation?
If you or someone you love is facing life after a catastrophic injury, you don’t have to figure it all out alone. At Peerali Law, we’ll help you take control, so you can focus on healing while we fight for what you deserve.
Call us now at (818) 862-4435, email us at contact@peeralilaw.com, or leave your details for a callback by clicking the link below.
You only get one shot at a fair settlement – let’s make it count.
