Serious Injury Lawyer in Van Nuys | The Law Offices of Tommy M. Troncoso

Injury Cases Have Strict Deadlines

California injury claims are governed by strict legal deadlines. Important evidence can also be lost if a case is not investigated early.

Insurance companies often continue “investigating” or “negotiating” while deadlines are quietly approaching. Once a legal deadline passes, your case may become worthless — even if the insurance company was still communicating with you when the deadline passed.

Part of my job is making sure deadlines are identified, evidence is preserved, and your rights are protected from the start — so you’re not pressured into a decision before you understand your options.

If you’re unsure what time limits apply to your situation, a free, no-pressure consultation can help clarify your options.

Serious Injury Cases We Handle

Serious injuries often involve long recoveries, lasting symptoms, or major changes to daily life. Here are some common serious injury cases I handle.

Brain and Head Injuries

Concussions and traumatic brain injuries can involve headaches, dizziness, sensitivity to light, brain fog, confusion and other cognitive symptoms, sleep problems, personality changes, and changes in how you function day-to-day.

Back, Spine, and Nerve Injuries

Injuries to the neck and back may also radiate pain into the head, or down the arms and legs and may cause chronic pain. Medical treatment for spine injuries may involve therapy, pain management, or surgery.

Burns, Scarring, and Disfigurement

Burn injuries and scarring can affect comfort, confidence, and daily life, and may require ongoing treatment including burn and wound care specialists and plastic surgery.

Knee, Shoulder, Hip and Joint Injuries

Injuries to major joints can cause pain, long-term physical limitations, and reduced mobility. Treatment may involve an orthopedic specialist, injections, surgery, and therapy.

Hand, Wrist and Upper Extremity Injuries

Hand, wrist, elbow, and arm injuries can affect grip strength, dexterity, and the ability to work and handle daily tasks. Treatment may involve immobilization, therapy, and sometimes surgery.

Foot, Ankle and Lower Extremity Injuries

Injuries to the foot, ankle, leg, or lower extremity can limit walking, standing, and balance. These injuries may involve fractures, tendon or ligament damage, and may require therapy or surgery.

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS)

CRPS is a chronic pain condition that can develop after trauma and may cause severe pain, swelling, sensitivity, and long-term functional limitations. Treatment often involves pain management.

Permanent Impairment and Disability

If an injury causes lasting impairment or disability, the claim often involves future care and the long-term impact on the person’s pain, suffering, emotional distress and loss of independence.

Chronic Pain and Long-Term Pain Conditions

Some injuries lead to persistent pain long after the initial trauma. Chronic pain can interfere with sleep, concentration, work, and daily activities, even when imaging and diagnostic tests do not fully explain the symptoms.

What to Do After a Serious Injury

After a serious injury, these steps can protect your health and your claim.

Get Medical Care and Follow Up

Serious injuries can evolve over time. Follow-up visits and specialist evaluations can be important for both treatment and documentation.
Document Symptoms and Limitations

Make sure you tell your medical providers about all of the pain that you are having so that it is documented in the medical records. If your injuries are not well documented, the insurance company may improperly deny your claim.
Keep Records and Receipts

Save discharge paperwork, prescriptions, mileage, bills, and proof of missed work. These often become part of your damages.
Be Careful With Insurance Communications

Do not give a recorded statement or sign anything until you speak to an attorney and understand your rights.
Talk With a Personal Injury Attorney

A free, no-pressure consultation can help you understand your options, protect evidence, and avoid common mistakes.

Important Warning: Signing Insurance Company Documents

Insurance companies sometimes contact injured people very quickly — sometimes the same day or within days of a collision — and ask them to sign paperwork. This is often an attempt to settle the case for far less than it is worth before you understand the full extent of your injuries or have a chance to speak with a lawyer.

Once you sign a release or settlement agreement, your case is usually over — even if your injuries turn out to be worse than expected. Do not sign any documents related to an injury claim until you’ve spoken with an attorney who can explain what you’re giving up.

A Quick Note About Calls With Insurance Companies

Insurance adjusters protect the insurance company — not you. If you’re asked for a recorded statement, it’s almost always better to speak to an attorney first so you better understand your rights.

Serious Injury Q&A

Clear answers to common questions people have after a serious injury.

I want an attorney, but I don’t have money for one. What can I do?

I work on a contingency fee. That means you never pay anything upfront — including fees or costs — and you do not owe attorney’s fees unless money is recovered in your case. If there is no recovery, you do not owe me a fee.

What is considered a “serious injury”?

There is no single definition. In practice, “serious injury” usually means an injury with lasting symptoms, a long recovery, major disruption to daily life, or permanent impairment. It can also include injuries that require surgery or ongoing treatment.

Why do serious injury cases take longer?

The value of the case often depends on long-term prognosis — how you heal, what symptoms remain, and what future care you will need. Settling too early can lock you into a number before you know the full outcome.

What if the insurance company says my treatment was “too much”?

That is a common tactic. Adjusters may downplay injuries, question the need for treatment, or suggest you should have “gotten better” sooner. The best response is usually clear medical documentation, consistent follow-up, and a timeline that makes sense.

How are future medical care and long-term limitations proven?

Future damages usually come from medical records, specialist opinions, and real-world evidence of how the injury affects you. Depending on the case, this can include imaging, treatment history, work restrictions, and documentation of daily limitations.

What if I had a prior injury or condition?

A prior condition does not automatically defeat a claim. If an incident made a condition worse, that can still be compensable. These disputes usually come down to records, timelines, and how your symptoms changed after the injury.

If I am an undocumented immigrant, can I make a personal injury claim?

Yes. Undocumented immigrants can pursue personal injury claims. Immigration status is not a defense to negligence, and the parties in the case generally cannot use the lawsuit as a way to inquire into immigration status.

What if I cannot travel to your Van Nuys office to sign up?

That’s not a problem. Most clients sign up remotely. We can review your situation by phone or video, and documents can be sent for electronic signature so you can retain our office without traveling.

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