A totaled car must be paid at actual cash value for a comparable local vehicle, plus sales tax and transfer fees.

Future medical care is recoverable in California and is usually the largest part of damages in a catastrophic case.

Pain and suffering has no formula, multiplier or cap in California outside of medical malpractice.

California has separate wrongful death and survival claims after a negligent death, and the survival rules changed in 2026.

Subrogation lets your health insurer, auto insurer, Medi-Cal or Medicare seek repayment from your settlement for bills it paid.

Under the eggshell plaintiff rule, a defendant cannot reduce your compensation because a pre-existing condition made you vulnerable.

Case value comes from economic damages, like bills and lost wages, and non-economic damages, like pain and suffering.